OOC: so short rest and NOT getting the NPCs at this time but continue to explore the cultists' hideout.
Let me know otherwise.
I intend to recap later today.
Questions?
Game on!
OOC: So I got some feedback. Woo hoo!!! :)
Hallvardr (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?
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I have enjoyed the Actions 1, 2, etc. sequence and feel like I have had time to role-play, with others really helping me especially in this last bit with the sword. I don't mind slowing down a bit for others, but I enjoy a fast pace myself and am more tactical/combat for much of the time. This game has been a blast for me so far, even though I have expected Damon to meet his end more that once already...
"A breather would be nice if they will give us one?" Roscoe moves back to the hole to the room above and check any other exits for noise or evidence of a raised alarm.
I like the balance that the Action system has as it allows for multiple items to happen concurrently which keeps the game moving. While I'm all for RP and have really enjoyed all that we've done so far even though we're still very early within the story, I worry that if we start slowing down too much to allow for RP opportunities that could occur but are not a definite, the game will slowly die. I've unfortunately been a part of too many games that have slowly withered on the vine because there was too much time given for people to continue something that the party was ready to move on from and lead to people (or the GM) ghosting.
I liked how you gave us an extra day for RP right after our big fight and I think that made a lot of sense with all that our characters had just gone through and all the new information we were about to discover. But I personally think that should only be needed on occasion for special events/ circumstances and that if there's more to say after a day we can continue it with the Action system.
Just my two cents but I'll go with whatever direction the GM and group decided to go with. I'm just happy the game is going strong and that the story is just getting started!
"While I agree that we could all use a rest, I do worry about Granite and the others. What if they think we've been captured or worse while we're "relaxing" and try and come in after us? It could be dangerous but I might be able to rendezvous with them." Stella offers. "Though I've never successfully done it in the past, I believe that I'm now capable of transforming into something small that could maybe, in theory, get me past our lizard friend above and back to our friends if he's still lurking there...or get me turned into a snack..."
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"You have an excellent point, Stella, for I do not recall if we told them anything about how long we might be gone. However, none of us are in shape for another battle, and I would not risk you becoming a 'snack'. Unless you are certain of your success, or someone else has a magical way to contact them, I suggest we rest here and hope they choose their actions wisely," counseled Damon, looking around at the bloodied and bruised group. However, he added, "But if you feel strongly about it, you could drink the potion of healing we just found and it might make you strong enough to fight past the beast if it came to that."
OOC: OK, thanks for the feedback on the pacing.
I'm going to wait to recap tomorrow to give those who haven't provided feedback to do so if desired.
I'm also not clear on your path forward. A short rest is a given, but I'm not sure whether Stella will transform into an animal and try to get past the lizard or not. If not, will there be any other attempt at contacting the NPCs?
In any case, it would seem the lizard is in your way to continue to explore the place so you may want to tell me if there's a special way that you want to deal with it and/or approach.
Those that want to recover hit points during the short rest, please roll your hitdice.
Questions?
Game on!
[ooc]If we short rest.[/occ]
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I like the daily re-cap, even if I sometimes don't make the deadline! :)
But giving us the extra time occasionally to do some extra RP is a nice change of pace. I'll admit still getting used to the Action 1..2..etc format, can get a bit fuzzy who's responding to whom.
Having fun though, whatever we all can do to keep the pace steady...
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"I think Onyx and Anevia have enough sense to counter anything Horgus might try," Kokam said, rubbing her leg where some blood still trickles from the cut there, "I am not too proud to admit I need a rest..."
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Damon rested and relaxed, smiling and holding the hilt of Radiance. He was suddenly struck by the notion that Radiance might not be his sword, but he might be Radiance's paladin.
Feeling much better after resting for a bit, Damon stood up and looked at the others, waiting for them to be ready to move on. If he was ready before the others, he would spend a few minutes looking around the walls of the cavern for secret doors.
Kokam grateful sinks to the floor, letting her head rest on her hands, elbows supported on her knees. She let her eyes close for some time, allowing her mind to wander, over her recent experiences underground and back to her time at the monastery, seeking lessons and connections between her training and what has transpired here under Kenebrae.
Refreshed, she runs through a quick series of practice drills, ensuring her aches and pains wouldn't' interfere with her movements.
Shape shifting to a new form is a good idea to meet our stragglers... if you can let them know? Good. For my part? I am not moving without a rest.
Taking heed of her comrades words, Stella decided to hold off on any plans to contact the others until after she had rested a bit, trusting Oynx to not do anything rash in the interim.
Awakening from her meditation sore but otherwise refreshed and ready to continue she saw the others beginning to stir and asked "Should we go see if our "friend" is still waiting for us upstairs?"
"Highly doubtful unfortunately. I've always been more attuned to plants and the natural energies of the world than with animals.
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!
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Actions 3:
Uninterested in what is obviously a privy or a garbage chute, Damon moved on to the western doorway and saw the lizard move away. Speaking quietly to Stella, he said, "I can be your protection in there, although a drawn weapon will likely make the lizard nervous. Do you want to try calming it, or should we just deal with it more directly if it attacks us? Or perhaps if I move quickly enough I can close the door behind it and trap it in its room."
Speaking to the others as well now, Damon said, "Are we agreed to check in with Onyx and the others before moving forward?" as he gestured to the closed door on the western wall.
Lets do so... I'm curious if they had the discipline to wait.
Stella thought on Damon's question for a moment before responding, "If we'd rather not attack the beast, then trapping it in a room would be our best option. Maybe we can lure it in here then close the door behind us?"
OOC: I haven't heard from Roscoe or Kokam yet...
Are we Ok with Stella's trap?
Wednesdays are busy for me and I won't be able to recap if I don't do it before 6:00 pm...
Questions?
Game on!
During the rest Roscoe noted the eyes Stella was making at Damon, he rolled his eyes thinking always the tall ones, and he murmured, "its never a rapier."
Later as the group explores the garbage hallway he said, "What lovely smell you have uncovered." He didn't seem overly interested in digging through it.
As they spoke of a plan for the lizard. "Getting it down that hole might be helpful but not sure it would voluntarily do that. But unless it opens doors on its own I like that plan."
Kokam considers Stella's plan, then nods "If we don't have to kill the beast....I'm sure I could avoid it in order to lick it in here...
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"I volunteer to be the lure," said Damon, taking his place at the far eastern end of the room. "I will keep its attention while you rush out the door, then I will follow and someone can close the door behind me," he continued, clearly agreeing to Stella's plan and already thinking about what the best tactics would be. "We can let it out as we are leaving the cultist lair behind," he added, almost as an afterthought, "so it doesn't starve trapped behind a door."
Roscoe looked sided-eyed at Damon, and let out an exasperated moment,"Hoke-ay."
"Uh, sure Damon, you can be the bait if you'd like." Stella replied. And I hope that armor is lighter than it looks she thought to herself as the group began preparations for their plan. Hearing his armor clink together as he moved, she wasn't so sure.
Kokam gave Damon a skeptical look, and though she knows she's faster than he, acquiesces to his wish to be the 'bait', "I will stay by the door to close it, or to assist if needed." she offers.
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"Thank your being patient and defending the others, Onyx," said Damon sincerely, "But the cultist lair is not yet clear." Turning to Horgus, he added, "I am sorry, Lord Gwerm, but the lead cultist was quite powerful and we barely escaped with our lives. We have yet to find the way forward to the surface, but we will soon."
Damon took part in the telling of the story so far of their exploration and battle, taking pains to emphasize the others' heroics and the implacability of their opponents, especially Hosilla and her Tiefling cultist. Taking the time to read the letter to Aravashnial, Damon said, "You were right to be concerned, Aravashnial, not only are there cultists of Baphomet trying to pass as crusaders, there have spies like this Hosilla corrupting from within and stealing artifacts! We must get to the surface and inform the church of this danger! Thankfully, due to the heroics of my friends, we prevailed and have recovered the Radiance, the holy sword of Yaniel."
With that, Damon drew the holy sword and let everyone bask for a moment in its soft golden glow, imagining that the light itself could renew their resolve in this dark place.
When the tale was done and the others were ready to move on, Damon suggested, "We have one more door to check--I can take point unless someone else would like to," as he moved towards the northern door in the room.
"That went better than expected. He must like rabbit. You know Damon. He might need someone to raise him. Will just letting him free give him the nurture he needs." Roscoe smiles obviously playing off the man's previous concern for the creature with a little ribbing.
When the group was united with the others that they apparently knew. He gave a curt wave, "Ah Roscoe Tosscobble, new here. Is it always this lively?"
OOC: Are you kidding me? I love a clever plan! :)
I usually roll 'something' (like I did) but give the roll a hefty bonus (or lower the DC) based on the description of the plan and its execution.
BTW, these NPCs are the ones that accompanied you from the mongrel village so you 'know' them from there.
Questions?
Game on!
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"That went better than expected. He must like rabbit. You know Damon. He might need someone to raise him. Will just letting him free give him the nurture he needs." Roscoe smiles obviously playing off the man's previous concern for the creature with a little ribbing.
"I did offer to let Stella try and...wait--you are making a joke," said Damon, a little slow on the uptake after his near-death experience. "If possible, a wild creature should be left to its natural habitat and devices, living or dying as nature would allow. I would prefer to release it into the tunnels to meet its fate naturally rather than trap it behind doors to starve...Unless it attacks us, then I would drive it off or kill it," said Damon, seeming to show a respect for nature not often found in a city dweller.
"It worked! Stella exclaimed a little louder than she probably should've. "Glad we didn't have to fight this time! And way to add some flair Kokam!" she added before giving the monk a wide grin. "I think we'll finally be able to get out of here soon and back above ground...and outside!" she continued excitedly as she walked back over to Oynx and the group waiting for them.
As Damon drew his sword once again to share with Oynx, Stella whispered to Roscoe jokingly "He sure did grow to love that sword quickly." still a bit excited after their recent success and their (hopefully) impending freedom from the caverns.
As the group prepared to depart, Stella turned to Oynx and said, "It may be best to wait here again with the others until we've properly cleared out their hideout. Hopefully the exit is only a couple of doors away!"
Once the group was back in the hideout, Stella saw the two unexplored doors and asked to no one in particular, "Which door?"
OOC: there are but one of them is where the lizard had gone into which is just a pantry of sorts. The only door that goes further into the place is the door to the north.
Questions?
Game on!
Kokam has the grace to blush a bit at Stella's praise, giving the other woman a quick smile before rejoining those waiting for them.
She allows Damon to relate their difficulties with the cultists, then asks Onyx and the other three, "Though we still have to find our way out, when we do we need to find the other safe houses that were mentioned in the document we found. Damon knows where Topaz Solutions is located, but we don't know where Nyserian Manor or The Tower of Estrod are located. Do any of you know?"
As always, Kokam backs up her new friend Damon as he opens the door, bouncing a bit on the ball of her feet, her last maneuver and Stella's approval giving her some extra confidence.
Roscoe chuckled with Stella regarding Damon's connection to the sword.
After hearing Lord Gwerm talk about getting him home safe as a priorty, "Oh yeah I already met you." He turns away his eyes rolling a bit a smirk cutting his face.
Roscoe checks the bedrolls for anything interesting. He looks at the animals on the shelves.
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Actions 1:
”Of course, Lord Gwerm, we will get everyone to safety as best we can once we assess the situation on the surface. After the Demon incursion, it is possible that much of Kenabres will be different than it was when we left,” cautioned Damon, trying to keep the elderly noble’s expectations under control.
Actions 2:
Once the door was opened, Damon kept watch for threats while the others investigated. Assessing the situation, he asked, ”It looks like we have two choices—a ladder up or a rope down. Does anyone wish to scout the way? I would volunteer, but my skill at stealth is...poor.”
Back in civilisation but sick... I'll update in a day