[D&D 5e] Ironfang Invasion ala Fabian (Inactive)

Game Master Fabian Benavente

Cheshire hears the argument and puts out a hand for calm, "Were all friends here dear ones to me. I owe you all much." He looks to Katra. "The point isn't do we engage or not its how we engage. Wouldn't you prefer high ground to the low ground to set a shield wall? Would you rather meet a foe where it can reach your flanks or when those lanes of attack are denied?" He chuckles, "When you see a bear in the woods it could be said that a brave man might get nekkid climb a tree and leap on its back with a dagger. It could be said that the man is brave. Though isn't it more prudent to put a honey trap near a steel jaw and wait. Or muster a force with long spears and see if you can get in its cave while it sleeps. Seeing the enemy even an enemy that we need to fight doesn't mean we can't lure that enemy to a place we control or into a disadvantage. Your courage and your willingness to fight our enemies is a true credit. Skill and courage can go far. Cunning can go a long way."

DM Fambian. I am very visual. Looking at our last fight and the description of the area, and the battle map. I have to say that I am finding it hard to apply 'we need better tactics' and 'guerrilla warfare' to it. Sure we can sneak before attacking, we can shoot before attacking, or some variation of a notion of 'tactics' but those don't give any actual advantage save for the possibility of first strike or action economy (which can certainly help). But in a forest there may or may not be high ground, difficult terrain, big trees, small trees, boulders, and so on. You are admonishing tactics which I understand and appreciate but we are looking a green rectangle.

Playing on these might go a long way to thinking how to use tactics or environment. The second which shows no elevation one way or the other which from what I follow is very much like the setting of our last battle still suggests, that we could hide, that we could climb trees and shoot, and keeps things smooth rather than posting questions "Is there a tree I can climb?" "is there this or that" before we act. I would be happy to find several generic forest options to set up a library.

Forest

More Forest

DM Fambian. I am very visual. Looking at our last fight and the description of the area, and the battle map. I have to say that I am finding it hard to apply 'we need better tactics' and 'guerrilla warfare' to it. Sure we can sneak before attacking, we can shoot before attacking, or some variation of a notion of 'tactics' but those don't give any actual advantage save for the possibility of first strike or action economy (which can certainly help). But in a forest there may or may not be high ground, difficult terrain, big trees, small trees, boulders, and so on. You are admonishing tactics which I understand and appreciate but we are looking a green rectangle.

Playing on these might go a long way to thinking how to use tactics or environment. The second which shows no elevation one way or the other which from what I follow is very much like the setting of our last battle still suggests, that we could hide, that we could climb trees and shoot, and keeps things smooth rather than posting questions "Is there a tree I can climb?" "is there this or that" before we act. I would be happy to find several generic forest options to set up a library.

Forest

More Forest

OOC: Thanks for the feedback. I think last time there was a road and some 'green'. This time it was just forest. I usually defer to the AP's maps when available but sometimes they are not. Your depiction of forest is useful and I can use those next time something like our last combat occurs.

I intend to move things along today.

Questions?

Game on!

Turn 102 - Tactics, who needs Tactics?

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Nice RPing!

Action 1

Sarya was glad Cheshire contributed with wise comment. But still she had to agree with Katra "Yes, let us keep the people busy so they forget about their problems. Maybe get out of the cabin and move further north?"

@Cheshire: Tactics isn't only about elevation and cover. There's a lot to it that we're not doing. We don't have to keep dropping to 0 HP every fight. The first basic tactic that we are definitely not doing is coordination. It's the most basic idea that got really popular in real life because it works so well. Stuff like agree on a target, get them down one by one instead of flailing at everything in front of us will get us far. Also, NOT charging in!!! I mean, another popular tactic in real life is to maintain a defensive position! In mechanical terms, we shoot from afar while they come close, we cover each other's backs and we can attack from melee before they do (ready action). The last fight, for instance was not a win! Getting 40% of our party down against a BBEG is ok, but against a random patrol it is definitively not, imo. And don't forget that we ended up using all of Orthos' spell slots on ineffective heals because we keep falling. I mean, we don't have to agree. I just think we should at least discuss some ideas or at least why some ideas could be bad.

@Cheshire: Tactics isn't only about elevation and cover. There's a lot to it that we're not doing. We don't have to keep dropping to 0 HP every fight. The first basic tactic that we are definitely not doing is coordination. It's the most basic idea that got really popular in real life because it works so well. Stuff like agree on a target, get them down one by one instead of flailing at everything in front of us will get us far. Also, NOT charging in!!! I mean, another popular tactic in real life is to maintain a defensive position! In mechanical terms, we shoot from afar while they come close, we cover each other's backs and we can attack from melee before they do (ready action). The last fight, for instance was not a win! Getting 40% of our party down against a BBEG is ok, but against a random patrol it is definitively not, imo. And don't forget that we ended up using all of Orthos' spell slots on ineffective heals because we keep falling. I mean, we don't have to agree. I just think we should at least discuss some ideas or at least why some ideas could be bad.

I don't think we disagree. My comments earlier were more in light of what the GM had pointed out. In this particular combat. We did attempt to agree on a target. But a different enemy was first out the gate and first to put one of us in danger. In the interest of tactics I pointed out that the wolf and not captain was the first to be targeted at least by me. Because the wolf became the first liability. That may have been the wrong choice, but there was an attempt to coordinate and to adapt with communication. Now if that was a bad choice in character it would be fun to go through even in the fight, "Stick with the plan." Out of character you bring up some good points. I didn't list target choice or coordination above because it was one of the things we were attempting to do. Where we may disagree is that I enjoy it when some in the party don't always do exactly the right thing. That makes for good drama in the story. I think its funny that we seem to be agreeing in character more than out of character.

All that said plans still in my experience fall a part in most games. Enemies who don't want to get peppered with arrows from a hiding spot fall back and call for more enemies. Something that we would be seeing as disastrous if one or more Hob ran away.

Despite the frustration of nearly losing each combat it is contributing to a feeling of desperation and being on the back foot... which, I believe is probably what is being aimed for. Yeah, co-ordination is key, so let's try that next time but seriously if we could have one 'arc' where we didn't have 20 refugees to directly worry about, that would likely help our decision making. It weighs heavy on my decision making processes. If we didn't have those people I might have voted to let the wagon go... but we needed food. I might have voted to let the last patrol just wander off but a wolf can smell out a large group of humans with ease. Again, this is likely a feature of the AP, and if so? Well played Paizo, but while we have them, it's pushing us to jump at encounters or move when it's less opportune

Ok, cool. Just glad my cries for tactics aren't going away in the wind.

Note that I agree with you, but the problem is that no one has stepped up to offer to be the General, as it were, so Katra's just bulling her way through things, cause we really haven't had a post fight conversation and discussion about how things are going...before this one, other than "let's do better next time!" or "We all survived!".

I'm not saying you're wrong, mind, I just think that you're bringing up the issue a lot of thrown-together parties have: we don't have a in charge person. With that in mind, see below:

At Cheshire's question about forming a shield wall, Katra says "Forming a shield wall entirely depends on the man to your left and right; what hand do they swing their axe with? Are they significantly taller or shorter than you? Are they wielding a buckler or a tower shield?"

As the discussion drifted to tactics, Katra shook her head and said "No, our problem is that we lack a general. It's all well and good to discuss tactics as a committee, but when the time comes we need someone to make the calls that need to be made. An army run by committee is a very Human idea, and Human ideas don't really last."

She looked around, then added "No offense Orthos."

"I vote for my brother. He's got a good head on his shoulders, and, more importantly, he's a Dwarf." After her last sentence, she held up her hand and said "No offense to you fey folk and Humans, but our people spend decades thinking about tactics, and I can't see an Elf spending decades doing any one thing, and most Gnomes are downright crazy (no offense). Besides, I think that most people here are willing to follow him, myself included."

Note that I agree with you, but the problem is that no one has stepped up to offer to be the General, as it were, so Katra's just bulling her way through things, cause we really haven't had a post fight conversation and discussion about how things are going...before this one, other than "let's do better next time!" or "We all survived!".

I'm not saying you're wrong, mind, I just think that you're bringing up the issue a lot of thrown-together parties have: we don't have a in charge person. With that in mind, see below:

Katra's in character rant is hilarious and brings up a good point. Out of character. Pretty much every table has no one in charge and most players would balk at their character's "having" to take orders. Most tables talk it out and go. They are often better for it because two heads are better than one. People learn and start to do better. PBP is a lot harder to do that because differing play styles and the length of time it takes to have a "quick discussion."

Cheshire rolls his eyes when Katra talks about shield walls. "Yeah sorry perhaps you misunderstood. I talking about utilizing favorable positioning not how to set up a shield wall. Where you stand can be a a big part of strategy."

He looks rather annoyed at the dwarven supremacy speach. "Ahhhhh . . . well if I was picking between dwarves. He is more charming." He sighs. "Not sure how someone with such a low regard for others manages to risk their lives to protect people she thinks so little of. I will continue to speak my mind and will happily follow a good plan. If you'll still help my people I am with you. I didn't get to choose. You are all we got." He looks at the group and then off into the forest.

Sarya chuckled as Katra suggests Gazul as the military advisor. She said "I'm entertained by your lack of knowledge of elves. You would dismiss me as a military leader considering that is exactly what I am. However, you unknowingly avoided recommending a failed military leader. I can follow tactical calls. I only hope you can be as disciplined as dwarves are known for."

Gazul listened to the conversation with increasing concern. He was a caravan guard, not a general. He enjoyed being in nature precisely because it meant being alone and without the constant noise and distractions that came from other people. He truly wanted to just appoint Sarya and be done with it, but at the same time he knew how weak that would look. He fidgeted with his beard as he thought. At least Katra would listen to him this way...

”If we just need someone to make the final call, or to be the voice that makes the snap decision, then I’ll take the burden. But I’m nay arrogant enough to think that I know best. Nor do I want anyone to feel off like they’re being walked on or ignored. But in general I think that things work best if we scout when able, don’t pick fights unless it’s worth it; and focus one enemy at a time, flanking whenever possible. I think We can all agree on that, aye?”

"Sounds sensible."

I have no issue... let's just be consistent, Orthos said unperturbed. That said are we headed for cottage then cave or another destination?

Sarya nodded and said "It's settled, then. First, we stop at the cabin and then we go to the cave. Gazul will call out combat actions."

Turn 103 - General Gazul

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Sorry I posted in game play. It doesn't have the delete option anymore.

"I don't have low regard for people" said Katra in response to Cheshire's statement "I just don't sugarcoat what I have to say to worry about other people's opinions like other races do."

At Sarya's comments, Katra said "I was just putting my opinion forward and explaining my reasoning. Didn't mean offense; in fact, I'm sure I said that twice. I will add, though, that I don't think any of you would necessarily make a bad leader, but I know and trust my brother and he's pretty trustworthy."

"As far as not knowing Elves, I know that the typical tactic for Elves is shoot and move. It makes sense for your people, but we're not a Elves."

Do we need to engage the lizard? Or is this an opportunity to practice leadership and tactics, the priest whispers.

Cheshire nodded politely at Katra's explanation. "It was clear. Lets move on."

Cheshire looked at Orthos, "Are they good eating?"

I confess I am somewhat curious... that said, if it's carnivorous - and I suspect it is, it's going to taste horrible, he whispers back.

Are we rested?

Sarya mirrored Cheshire's thoughts "If its flesh can be eaten, it would be great for the refugees." In reply to Katra she said "We have defended Kyonin for many centuries. Our troops do not move a finger when a position is to be defended. We fortify our position with magic and strategy. Perhaps you're mistaken my heritage with a wood elf. They are the mobile ones"

Katra seemed to have hit a nerve on Sarya.

Are we rested?

OOC: Yes, I had you spend the night at the cabin and come out here the next day.

I still don't know what you want to do with the lizard (engage or let him go by).

I intend to recap later today and will roll any decisions that have not been made.

Questions?

Game on!

Let it go... but track back to its cave or hollow and lay a bear trap or two. It may have even have remains there to be examined.

PM in bound

OOC: So I got some feedback. Woo hoo!!! :)

Orthos (thank you, BTW) commented how he sometimes feels rushed and that some scenes deserve a little bit more time to properly RP.

I am in general agreement with his assessment, and I also sometimes feel rushed to 'wrap things up' and move the game along to provide new opportunities for your guys to RP.

How does everyone else feel about the pacing?

I have no problem allowing more time for a scene to continue to be RPed. This is part of the reason of why I have Actions 1?, Actions 2?, etc. One reason is to move the game along while allowing the scene in Actions 1? to continue to be RPed while also presenting an opportunity to RP the scene in Actions 2?.

However, I can slow down and not move the game along to the scene in Actions 2? and let everyone just RP the scene in Actions 1?.

Still with me? :)

However, it's been my experience that if players think that they have more than one day to post then they drag their feet and not post promptly and I then end up with the same amount of RP I would have had in one day but now two days have gone by.

I am a firm believer that 'lost momentum' is the death sentence for PBPs so I try to keep a steady pace.

So I am OK slowing down a bit AS LONG as I get one significant post (a post that involves other PCs or NPCs, provides introspection, NOT just a little on-liner) from everyone every day.

Thoughts?

This is what I accidentally posted in game play incase it was missed.

Looking over everything they found. "Well there are healing potions here. Perhaps those who tend the front line should take these in case things get desperate again."

"These aren't the only bear traps we have found. They might be useful at the cabin. Both for defense but even more for catching food. Unless we want them with us. Though I got to admit trying to move around with this much steel is a strain."

He notes the Taggit Oil, "This is poison. Perhaps we need to send this back at them."

Cheshire spends his time walking back to the cabin helping with the foraging.

[dice=Survival]1d20+3

Cheshire seems distracted if gnomes brood this might be what that is like.

Its up to you all I know Orthos in his last post mentioned the bear traps still with us which is fine. Though Cheshire was hoping to start getting the refugees doing more for themselves and figured a few traps might feed them. Better.

OOC: So I got some feedback. Woo hoo!!! :)

Orthos (thank you, BTW) commented how he sometimes feels rushed and that some scenes deserve a little bit more time to properly RP.

I am in general agreement with his assessment, and I also sometimes feel rushed to 'wrap things up' and move the game along to provide new opportunities for your guys to RP.

How does everyone else feel about the pacing?

I have no problem allowing more time for a scene to continue to be RPed. This is part of the reason of why I have Actions 1?, Actions 2?, etc. One reason is to move the game along while allowing the scene in Actions 1? to continue to be RPed while also presenting an opportunity to RP the scene in Actions 2?.

However, I can slow down and not move the game along to the scene in Actions 2? and let everyone just RP the scene in Actions 1?.

Still with me? :)

However, it's been my experience that if players think that they have more than one day to post then they drag their feet and not post promptly and I then end up with the same amount of RP I would have had in one day but now two days have gone by.

I am a firm believer that 'lost momentum' is the death sentence for PBPs so I try to keep a steady pace.

So I am OK slowing down a bit AS LONG as I get one significant post (a post that involves other PCs or NPCs, provides introspection, NOT just a little on-liner) from everyone every day.

Thoughts?

I think that moving on to the next thing has not hindered RP between players but I know I keep making mental notes to talk to the refugees more and we move on before it happens and it feels like the focus is the next action. Then we find out a few days later they are starving and depressed. Even since this revelation I keep making plans and then things move on before I can start asking lots of questions about NPCs and rping out getting them off their butts and interacting with their own survival.

Also another issue that we as players are rushing over is the distinction between travel and exploration. I wasn't even aware that of the idea until a couple days ago but we have moved through hexes that have gone unexplored. Meaning we might be bypassing resources that could be really really helping us. But because in our travels we feel the heat of being pursued we have (and it feels rightly so) that we need to get away from the Cabin ASAP. Where as the liberty to explore and potentially find useful things at least in theory suggests that at least prior to now we had more time than we imagined. These aren't necessarily RP related but they are pacing related.

"Can beggars be choosers. I like the idea of not risking ourselves and perhaps set a trap for it. Not sure where they would lair though."

Nature: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 I probably do know a few things about them.

OOC: I'll wait until tomorrow to give a chance to those that did not provide feedback on the pacing to do so if desired.

I'll pick up the action tomorrow with the group trying to avoid the lizard but trying to track it back to its lair to set some sort of trap for it.

Questions?

Game on!

What would I know about these lizards with that nature check.

I know you have slowed down before already (I think you were posting twice a day the first two weeks of the game, which was rough on me at the time tbh).

Anyone skilled at tracking should be able to back track it...

Sarya said "If we're going to kill it for its meat, we might as well do it here and now and not near its lair where it is more comfortable."

I agree with Cheshire that we aren't exploring because of the constant urgency of finding a safe place for the refugees. If that is intended, cool.

Best shoot straight then... with a leg in a trap it poses little threat. Charging us wounded? That's another matter.

He steps back to allow the elf her shot.

Sarya readied her shot with a normal arrow. "Whenever you're ready"

Backs well off and behind the soon to be corpse elf and throws a firebolt as the enraged giant lizard comes into range.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 For 1d10 ⇒ 2

I agree with Cheshire that we aren't exploring because of the constant urgency of finding a safe place for the refugees. If that is intended, cool.

OOC: Yes, this is intentional and is the theme of the entire 1st book of this AP. The idea here is to set you up as saviors/providers for a small group of refugees. Once that is accomplished (i.e., the refugees are settled and more/less on their own), you will be able to take a breather and start thinking about striking back and potentially recovering Phaendran [insert evil GM laugh here] :).

However, as a PBP that I want to finish, I have to be selective with regards to which 'events/encounters' actually occur so I am selecting the ones that support the theme of the 1st book.

Questions?

Game on!

recapping now...

Turn 104 - Wandering Lizard

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

MAGIC ITEMS

One of the many things that I like about 5e is the independence from magic items with regards to power levels. The game is set up so PCs don’t need magic items to tackle challenging encounters. And although there are some number crunching involved in providing challenging encounters, it’s got a lot of art to it. The end result is that I don’t need to give every high-level guard a magic weapon to be a threat; the stats already take this into account. But I digress; back to magic items.

Although magic items are not needed, they are lots of fun and full of flavor for any campaign and this one is no exception. However, freed from the necessity of providing you with lots of magic items (the old Christmas tree conundrum), we can have magic items that are unique, have meaning, and add flavor to the story we are telling.

Throughout this campaign, you will be awarded two major (permanent) magic items (I will add other minor (expendable) items). The major items to be ‘gained’ will start out as ‘uncommon major items’ and will eventually be one ‘major legendary item’ and one ‘major very rare’ item. These items will grow as you grow in power so for example, ‘+1 longsword’ (a major uncommon item) may grow into a ‘holy avenger’ (a major legendary item).

Please refer to the tables linked on the Campaign Info tab (Xanathar's Magic Item Tables) to get an idea of the power level of these items. This is important because I want you to totally design these items. I expect the items to have a particular history and look/feel to them. I don’t want to hear ‘+1 longsword’; I want to an implacable blade, with its particular look and history behind it. You may add quirks to the items.

In summary, I’ll need two items (one from uncommon to legendary and one from uncommon to very rare) and their version as they scale up (i.e., +1 longsword to Sunblade to Sword of Sharpness to Holy Avenger). Feel free to customize and reskin everything with regards to the item; I’m only looking for a similar power level.

I should be able to place these items to be found as treasure in the campaign where it makes most sense. Beware that you may have to take the ‘super cool weapon’ from an enemy’s cold grasp.

I’m in no hurry with this but the sooner the better so I can start thinking where these items are. Please PM me directly with your options so we surprise the other players with the items. BTW, I don’t need the full-fledged items right away so it’s OK to suggest an item for approval and then flesh out its details.

Questions?

Game on!

Sarya knocked another arrow and released it and said "Uhm, guys. Something else might be friendly with the survivors' dinner. Be on the lookout! And try not to overcook the meat."

Shoot: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Her arrow penetrated deep into the lizard's skin near the belly, making the creature yelp in pain.

Cheshire readied for the coming struggle. "Hope this thing tastes good. We'll never hear the end of it."

Orthos wheels to face the source of the noise and summons heat into his hands in preparation to hurling a firebolt as soon as he can see the threat.

Action 2?

If it's obviously monstrous or hostile he tries to tag it with a firebolt.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 for 1d10 ⇒ 3

Crossbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

For his part, Gazul was much more of an axe-dwarf, and his shot went wide. Grumbling he began to reload, knowing full well that if they failed to bring it down then they might be in for a world of pain.

Will send PM on magic item thoughts

Turn 105 - Pet Lizard

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Sarya thought I hope these lizard folk aren't potential allies. Then she put her bow away and drew her sword, poking the large lizard with it.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

The sword further wounded the lizard.

"We'll burn its head then it will still leave mostly good eating."
Cheshire moved with the heat rising from his hand and he sent a bolt of fire toward the lizard.

Spell Attack Firebolt: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Spell Attack Firebolt Advantage with Tides of Chaos: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Damage Firebolt: 1d10 ⇒ 4

Hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Adv: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + (3) + 4 = 11

”Go left, I’ll go right. Let’s take this thing down!” Gazul said as he dropped the crossbow and took out his axe.

Why didn't my held action/attack go off last round? In any case... I'm on 12 hours today and possibly tomorrow. Delays are on the horizon. Play ahead as if I were nodding you on if I don't post

Firebolt meet lizard man: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 for 1d10 ⇒ 9

Why didn't my held action/attack go off last round? In any case... I'm on 12 hours today and possibly tomorrow. Delays are on the horizon. Play ahead as if I were nodding you on if I don't post

OOC: Because you acted when it was only Gazul and Sarya who were supposed to act.

I'll wait a prudent time and bot you as necessary.

Questions?

Game on!