Old School Plotless Dungeon Crawl Tower Climb

Game Master NameShortage

Ha! I was missing something! I even checked his sheet. Thanks for catching that.

Maaan. Two confirmed crits against an enemy with concealment will definitely swing the fight in your favor.

We like things going in our favor!

So, after the combat, I should be down to how many performance rounds? 10?

Yeah, 10 rounds as it took 3 more rounds that combat.

Marcos, you should take that singing dagger.
I'll take the tambourine, the spare longbow and arrows (unless someone else wants them), and the potion of fly if no one objects.
Shiv has a normal set of thieves' tools (I believe), so he can have the masterwork set.
I'm not sure about the rest of it.

Sorry for my absence over the weekend. Out all day Saturday and fighting a bad headache on Sunday (I think I need to cut back on the caffeine). Regardless, it's...

Time for the Weekly Wrap-Up! Since last Sunday, the party...

• Finished getting the loot from the corpses found in the webs
• Buried the corpses and set the webs on fire
• Began to make their way to the mud room before being intercepted by the other Vilstrak
• Marcos defended himself and Lash killed the Vilstrak
• Returned to the entrance of the mud room
• Spotted ripples of mud by the largest rock in the middle of the room...

Remember all the loot you've come across is on the Trello board.

Oof. Hopefully, you are feeling better now!

Thanks! I am. My wife takes good care of me lol

As for the current post rate: I know life gets busy and things happen (Marcos, I know you said a work change will affect your availability). But, in the last week, there's only been 7 posts, 3 of which are mine, 1 is Kahli saying she's waiting to post, and none are from Marcos.

Is there something I can do for the game to make it more engaging? Do you want more NPC interactions? More backstory integration?

What I'm hoping is that, even if you only have 5 minutes, you can make a quick post, even if it isn't fleshed out. Don't get me wrong, I fully enjoy and appreciate the long posts, but, in the interest of keeping the game moving, I'm hoping we can pick it back up again.

Thanks!

Sorry. I posted the waiting to post because I was low on the initiative list. Then the battle was over but I was too busy with work to read your post.... Back to it!

I understand that, and I appreciate you posting it to indicate you're checking in. I just used that to make my point that without your post, we would've been at 6 for the week.

Sorry about the copycat confusion. I was just making sure since it has a limited duration.

For flavor-sake (and so I'm accurate describing it), what does your Copycat image look like? Tinted? Translucent? Opaque?

Copycat (Sp): You can create an illusory double of yourself as a move action. This double functions as a single mirror image and lasts for a number of rounds equal to your cleric level, or until the illusory duplicate is dispelled or destroyed. You can have no more than one copycat at a time. This ability does not stack with the mirror image spell. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.

It references Mirror Image so I assume it looks exactly like me. The one significant point of failure would be that it has no substance to it isn't stuck in the mud. An intelligent opponent might notice that...

Need a ruling on Channel. It is listed as a supernatural ability, so not subject to AoO, not interrupted by an attack, etc. However, it does state: "A cleric must be able to present her holy symbol to use this ability."

Since Kahli is entangled/entrapped in the mud, could she present her holy symbol to channel again? She would have had it in hand since she just channeled the previous round. Casting a spell while entangled, grappled, etc. can be done with a concentration roll, but that is an SP effect.

I think we should open up with Marcos singing. Second, Kahli using her ability on Lash. Third, Lash 5ft stepping out of the hallway firing two arrows. That means the order should be, LASH > KAHLI > SHIV > MARCOS > OTHERS.

Lash will target the one in dark green robes and facepaint, as after the goblins, she suspects he'd be the one most likely to be a divine caster or healer of some kind. She wants to eliminate that threat early.

If you guys want to do your actions and step out of the hallway in either the surprise round, or the Round 1, then we can set up for when the fullplate baddy comes with frontliners up front. If you can brace, you may want to do that too, because I'm sure he'll charge.

Kahli, If you want to, flank them on the side to where you can channel energy, hit them and not our team, if possible (can't see a battle map yet).

Shiv, Ko'Tua, Hamley, Tenney can handle the full-plate guy while Lash and Marcos pick off the others.

GM NameShortage, if the party were to fall into the water, do we see a way up?

From where you are, you see that if you fall in, you can climb up the 25' cliff (DC 15 Climb (very rough natural rock surface)).

It's time to recap! In the past week, the party...

• Finished up their fight with the Thawn and Mud Elementals
• Disabled the trapped chest and retrieved the Elixir of Swimming
• Saved Ko'Tua from drowning in the mud
• Healed up to full
• Found the hidden tunnel behind hanging canvas
• Told Ko'Tua about the wonders and dangers of sugar
• Avoided and disabled a tripwire trap in the tunnel
• Peeked out the far side of the tunnel and saw the large cavern
• Began planning their attack

I'll just add that Kahli's first round action (to start the fight?) would be to touch Lash with a 'Bit of Luck'. If you're looking to take out enemy casters before they can be a real problem, double your chances to hit them, and hit them hard!

My channel has an area of effect covering a 30' radius from me. I can exclude 3 (CHA bonus). So to not hurt anyone but the enemy I would pretty much need to run up to the enemy and do the channel before anyone else approached. I think for this battle I'm better staying back by Lash (in front?) to block any enemy attacks and use Bit of Luck for the bow attacks.

Oh, idea! You take the potion of Fly from Lash, then fly above the enemy and just unleash on their whole group. Take her potion of Owl's Wisdom too. Then your DCs on spells will be higher if you have any to mess them up (inflict spells for example).

Lash, your Flurry attacks on the robed Lizardfolk were hitting for 1d8+4+2+2. From your character sheet:

1d8: Base
+4: 1 Strength, 2 Deadly Aim, 1 Point Blank Shot
+2: Inspire Courage (assuming Marcos starts it in the Surprise round)
+2: ?

Point Blank Shot wouldn't apply here as the enemy is about 150' away (which would actually -2 to your attack as it's beyond your first range increment).

Sorry for the misunderstanding, but can you clear up where your damage is coming from? Thanks!

Oops, sorry, ignore that extra +2 and the pbs. I think I added the deadly aim twice not recalling it was already added into her +4. So we are looking at 1d8+3+2?

Thanks for the quick response! I'll update my post with the new damage.

I think I'll just keep Luck on Lash. Might change depending on how the battle goes....

Lash: From W23, you can't see the Robed Lizardfolk or the Archer because of the fog cloud. You can see the two by the bridge who don't appear to have bows and look like they're about to bite the rope. Are you attacking the ones by the bridge?

Sure, that works. I'll attack the one closest to the shadows.

I'll likely be a bit slower posting this next week. My sister-in-law died and I need to drive out to Iowa for the funeral/family get together....

I'm sorry to hear that. Take care of yourself and no rush to post while you're out there. I mean, a barebones "standard: x. move: y" would be more than expected during that time.

I'm sorry to hear that Kahli. I hope you can give great comfort to your brother by being there.

Alright, the GM asked me in private, but since all of you deserve an explanation, I'm posting the reply here:

You are completely right; I've been more absent than what should be considered polite.

When I chose to leave behind some games, I kept this one because I like mostly everything about it.

Sadly, my schedule has become even harder with the Summer time. So maybe it's time to fold up here and make a come back after Summer business (I live in a very touristic area).

It's been a blast to go through this journey with you guys, thank you very much.

That's a shame, Marcos. I wish that Shiv, Sim, and you all could have stuck around until the end of the dungeon, but life can be demanding at times. I'm sorry to hear that. Farewell in all your adventures.

As I said in the message, I love Marcos' character and your posts were great (not to mention you keeping me honest on rules). The beauty of this type of game is that if you can come back and we need a replacement in the future, there's nothing saying Marcos can't reappear later in the dungeon.

Best of luck with all your stuff and thanks for thinking this game was worth trying to stick it out. See you around, I'm sure!

We will absolutely miss you Marcos! As the GM said, this game does let you depart and come back at a future time. So don't delete the shortcut. If/when you can return, we'll all celebrate!

Sorry for the brief delay. Will get the post up tomorrow.

I'm excited. You should be, too.

Kahli: You asked a few question in the gameplay thread.
1) Yes, Shiv and Marcos have had to withdraw.
2) I have recruited two players to take their place. With that...

Welcome Johan the Slayer!

Johan, you will awaken, or come to somehow, in the dungeon, as if magically whisked away from wherever you were and placed there. I will place you in the next day or so.

Druidofthemoon will be playing a Witch, which (haha) should be able to fill in the Spellcraft role.

Wonderful! Welcome both of you.

Hi everyone! Thank you for the warm welcome.

I built Johan with role compression in mind. He's a capable frontliner with solid damage potential and serviceable AC. In addition, he took the Trapfinding talent, so you've got your scout and tank all in the same package. Other than shield bashing, he isn't built around any particular weapon (though I had to start out with a battleaxe for that stereotypical Viking flavor), so he should he's got flexibility with any useful weapon loot we come across.

He's got a heavy shield, so his accuracy when two-weapon fighting with it will be on the low end, but against low AC opponents he'll be able to lay on some serious hurt. Against tougher to hit opponents he can perform as a more traditional tank, using Studied Target to help offset fighting defensively while the backline hurls spells and ranged attacks.

He's even got the tiniest dash of defensive support, as once a day he can toss an adjacent ally a +2 shield bonus for one round.

Lastly, outside of the traditional Rogue skill suite he's got a couple of the more valuable Knowledges for IDing a large range of monsters, as well as good Survival to track or try to feed the party if rations get low.

Kahli
Lash could use the antitoxin, the smokestick, the masterwork leather longbow and arrows, and the key. Do you want the healing potions and gaseous form? The rest we can let the NPCs in the party pick from.

Johan
As long as you can keep them off of Kahli, I'll be happy :)

The healing potions should go to front line fighters just in case they need healing and I can't get to them.

I'll hang on to the gaseous form for now, thanks!

Welcome Johan and Druidofthemoon when you get here. Fresh blood for the grinder! I'm a negative energy channeling Dhampir Cleric. We've had some interesting encounters so far and I'm sure that will continue! And with any luck, we'll continue winning our way through....

Alright, sounds good.

I have gotten tired of seeing the Trello list not get updated and so these are changes I made. You can feel free to add these to your character sheet Kahli if you want. If you don't want those items mentioned with your name next to them, then Lash will take them.

I also made a general group for the NPCs. There is no need for us to manage their inventories individually. If there are any other items there GM that your NPCs would use, then by all means, add it to the NPC group.

I took all the gear we need from Marcos and Shiv and put it into our packs. Everything else they had (that weighs something) I put into the "unclaimed" group to be up for grabs to any NPC or if Kahli wants those items (rapier, singing dagger, etc)

There were also random gold amounts in various inventories. I just moved that to a general "Party Gold" section.

This is also a reminder GM, that if you haven't you may wish to give access and the link to the inventory management Trello account to the newcomers.

Looks good, and thanks for doing the dirty work!

Is Trello not updating? I thought I added a card titled "Obelisk Room" at the beginning of the list. Or are you referring to something else?

Also, how much can you guys edit? Are you able to move items from one card to another? If not, then I messed up the permissions, and I gotta figure that out.

Thanks for reminding me to add the new players to it!

We can move things. Don't worry. It is updating. I'm more commenting on the fact that it hasn't been updated by our actions as players, not by the system itself. Such as, people will say they are taking things but not move it to their card. I'm just updating it with real-time inventory and what we've left behind.

We can edit everything.

I'm able to move things and update things. I changed the number of charges on my wand....

And Lash is right. We need to do better at updating it! Especially me!

Hello! Spells and equipment are coming soon, I promise. (Also a quick backstory write-up)

Quarion is a time patron elf witch, and my primary goal with this character is to disable enemies with hexes. He will also have spells to fulfill the same purpose, with a sprinkle of damage and utility mixed in. Not much else to say that I can think of.

Hopefully he doesn't instantly die because of his terrible AC!

Welcome! Looking forward to the finalized version of Quarion. Play smart and you'll be just fine!

For Johan and Quarion: The way we do HP for leveling up is either 1/2 HD+1 (example: 8HD would be 4+1=5hp) -or- take the higher roll between your roll and mine.

You get max at first level, but you're going to have to choose your method for levels 2, 3, and 4. You can pick each level.

I'm going to put my rolls for your hp in spoilers below if you want to roll and trust you to not peek until you've rolled that level (if that's what you choose). If you take 1/2+1, then don't worry about the spoiler for that level.

Welcome, Quarion. You are welcome to stay behind Lash for cover. She is a fellow ranged character and can try to give you some cover from incoming attacks since your hexes probably aren't ranged touch.

For Johan and Quarion: The way we do HP for leveling up is either 1/2 HD+1 (example: 8HD would be 4+1=5hp) -or- take the higher roll between your roll and mine.

You get max at first level, but you're going to have to choose your method for levels 2, 3, and 4. You can pick each level.

Thanks GM! I put Johan's initial four levels together with the 1/2+1 method, so I think I'll just leave it at that for those. Might go for a little roll gambling at later levels though!

Hello! Spells and equipment are coming soon, I promise. (Also a quick backstory write-up)

Quarion is a time patron elf witch, and my primary goal with this character is to disable enemies with hexes. He will also have spells to fulfill the same purpose, with a sprinkle of damage and utility mixed in. Not much else to say that I can think of.

Hopefully he doesn't instantly die because of his terrible AC!

Welcome, fellow newbie!

Glad to have a Witch on board. Deeply underrated class, IMHO. If Johan does his job, you should be as safe as possible.

Johan and Quarion: I have a Trello board set up to track inventory. It allows an easy way to move loot from a body or chest to your person. I'm going to be PMing you a link to it. You'll have to create a free account, but it should only take a minute to set up.