With 3 whole HP I'm surprise he lived as long as did. *shrugs*
Max hp for level one!
Oh, I'm aware. Just a rough go with a 1d4 HD and a negative constitution modifier...
Ralina, Dobin is in full darkness and not visible to you - give me an alternative action.
Okay. I am a bit confused here and need some clarification before I do anything else.
We have three fires going. The first near Dobin. The second started with oil by Ralina and the third started with oil by Kallum. According to the OSE SRD, "Typical light sources enable normal vision within a 30’ radius." I would assume a campfire would be at least the same as a typical light source (ie. Torch). That means we have three light sources covering circles 60' in diameter. So a rough line or arc around 180' long by 60' wide of lighted area. Or a more triangular shape that might cover a minimum of 1800 sq feet of area. Plenty of room for the party to operate within to find cover, fight, move, etc.
We set it up initially that Ralina (and I think either Kellum or Al'lan) were going to be taking cover within a single move (30') of Dobin in order to provide quick support. The others with ranged weapons were going to be a little further away, but certainly no further than two moves or 60'. I don't recall Dobin moving far enough away from the fire to be in total darkness. Neither did Ralina or Kellum for that matter. So how is it he is now shrouded in complete darkness basically to the point of invisibility to Ralina? Even if he moved a full 30', he should still be just at the edge of the circle of firelight and visible.
Next. I don't understand how the enemy was able to see Al'lan and Drusilla but the elves never saw them. The SRD under Infravision says "Infravision works within a limited range (60’ for monsters, unless specified otherwise in a monster’s description)." This is the same distance for elves. So either these particular creatures (lizardmen?) have increased infravision, which seems a little cheesy for an initial 1st level encounter or why/how could they see and attack the elves without the elves at least seeing them?
Also under infravision it says that "Visible light (normal or magical) and large heat sources prevent infravision from functioning." Again, campfires seem like a normal light source and also a large heat source, so shouldn't that be disrupting the enemy infravision for those near the fires? If that is what 'disrupted' the elves infravision initially, okay, but there was only one fire at first and technically they were outside of its effect since they were armed with ranged weapons. Does the disruption only occur if the person with infravision is inside the AOE of the light source? Or is heat/light effective when the 'target' is within the AOE of the light source?
Finally and not totally related but I still wanted to offer the idea up. Given the high lethality rate of this type of ruleset and the slow rate of PbP games, we may want to consider some way to give PC's a 'last ditch chance' to survive or otherwise allow for player engagement. Maybe instead of instadeath at 0 there is an opportunity to make CON checks as in 5E? That at least gives a player something to do and hope for? Or maybe 0 HP means you receive a debilitating wound that if not treated in some way within x rounds then the character is dead? Such wounds leave permanent scars or disabilities (missing eye reduces perception or CHA rolls, or missing fingers/hand reduces effectiveness with certain weapons, leg wounds lower movement rate, etc.) Go beyond negative total HP and then yes, you're dead and just have to wait it out.
Of course if a player wants to roll a new character, that is totally their option and they can just let the dying PC travel to the gods.
If we were around a real table, I'd be fine with the 0=Dead rule because someone might only have to chill for a half hour for the combat to wrap up. Just long enough to roll your new character. But with PbP it could be a couple of weeks or more. That's a recipe for players losing interest. Anyway, I'm not sure of the mechanic, but I thought I would throw the idea out there.
Ralina, Dobin is in full darkness and not visible to you - give me an alternative action.Okay. I am a bit confused here and need some clarification before I do anything else.
We have three fires going. The first near Dobin. The second started with oil by Ralina and the third started with oil by Kallum. According to the OSE SRD, "Typical light sources enable normal vision within a 30’ radius." I would assume a campfire would be at least the same as a typical light source (ie. Torch). That means we have three light sources covering circles 60' in diameter. So a rough line or arc around 180' long by 60' wide of lighted area. Or a more triangular shape that might cover a minimum of 1800 sq feet of area. Plenty of room for the party to operate within to find cover, fight, move, etc.
We are not getting into very detailed approaches regarding the light sources. The main guiding point here regarding Dobin is that he wanted to hide in the darkness, I pointed out he was in total darkness (about to be eaten by a grue) more than once. So that is where he stands - in total darkness. So even if all you say 'might' be accurate, the actions dictated by the players take precedence - Dobin said he wanted to hide in the dark. Simple. Done.
We set it up initially that Ralina (and I think either Kellum or Al'lan) were going to be taking cover within a single move (30') of Dobin in order to provide quick support. The others with ranged weapons were going to be a little further away, but certainly no further than two moves or 60'. I don't recall Dobin moving far enough away from the fire to be in total darkness. Neither did Ralina or Kellum for that matter. So how is it he is now shrouded in complete darkness basically to the point of invisibility to Ralina? Even if he moved a full 30', he should still be just at the edge of the circle of firelight and visible.
This is fine, but like I said, Dobin (and Kallum by the way) said they wanted to hide in the dark. So they did.
Next. I don't understand how the enemy was able to see Al'lan and Drusilla but the elves never saw them. The SRD under Infravision says "Infravision works within a limited range (60’ for monsters, unless specified otherwise in a monster’s description)." This is the same distance for elves. So either these particular creatures (lizardmen?) have increased infravision, which seems a little cheesy for an initial 1st level encounter or why/how could they see and attack the elves without the elves at least seeing them?
This never happened. The only time the enemies were able to see Drusilla and she was not able to see them, was when she decided to stand in the radius of light. In the darkness you can only see as far as your infravision, but if you stand in the light, then you will be seen from further away. That was the case.
Also under infravision it says that "Visible light (normal or magical) and large heat sources prevent infravision from functioning." Again, campfires seem like a normal light source and also a large heat source, so shouldn't that be disrupting the enemy infravision for those near the fires? If that is what 'disrupted' the elves infravision initially, okay, but there was only one fire at first and technically they were outside of its effect since they were armed with ranged weapons. Does the disruption only occur if the person with infravision is inside the AOE of the light source? Or is heat/light effective when the 'target' is within the AOE of the light source?
Nothing disrupted the infravision of the elves initially and not at any time. I am actually assuming even though Druisilla is standing next to one of the fires, she could see the enemies approaching, as soon as they entered her infravision range. I am also assuming if you are standing near a fire in plain sight, enemies can target you from the dark.
Finally and not totally related but I still wanted to offer the idea up. Given the high lethality rate of this type of ruleset and the slow rate of PbP games, we may want to consider some way to give PC's a 'last ditch chance' to survive or otherwise allow for player engagement. Maybe instead of instadeath at 0 there is an opportunity to make CON checks as in 5E? That at least gives a player something to do and hope for? Or maybe 0 HP means you receive a debilitating wound that if not treated in some way within x rounds then the character is dead? Such wounds leave permanent scars or disabilities (missing eye reduces perception or CHA rolls, or missing fingers/hand reduces effectiveness with certain weapons, leg wounds lower movement rate, etc.) Go beyond negative total HP and then yes, you're dead and just have to wait it out.
Of course if a player wants to roll a new character, that is totally their option and they can just let the dying PC travel to the gods.
If we were around a real table, I'd be fine with the 0=Dead rule because someone might only have to chill for a half hour for the combat to wrap up. Just long enough to roll your new character. But with PbP it could be a couple of weeks or more. That's a recipe for players losing interest. Anyway, I'm not sure of the mechanic, but I thought I would throw the idea out there.
Yep, I am considering this idea also. In fact I have already decided to implement probably something similar to the AD&D ruleset. But I am also interested in seeing how 'dead at 0hp' affects player behavior. If it makes them more careful and/or more thoughtful about their actions. And how it changes the game at the end of the day. That is why we have been using 'dead at 0hp'.
Hope my answers clear up some of the points ;)
Just so it is clear, I AM challenging you all - this will not be the kind of game where you drop in, take a look, make an inane post, do not adapt to what is happening, and just hope for the best. Because if you do not play smart, then your life will REALLY depend only on the roll of the dice. I am not coddling you nor pulling punches - I feel like it would be disrespectful toward yours and my own investment in the game.
And just to be fair - I feel like Ralina IS in the right mindset - constantly thinking outside the box, and actually focused on the game details, information gathering, trying to find solutions, etc. Big kudos to you for that!
GM, thanks for clarifying. That is all very helpful. Sorry, if things came across argumentative, but I was definitely a bit confused and obviously not 'seeing' things in my head the same way.
Can I see and move to within reach of a melee attack any of the enemy confronting either Dobin or Drusilla?
Lets say you can move to either.
Always a silver lining!
You are always welcome to get a new character Al'Lan, if you have the availability for the game.
Same thing for Talomyr.
Would be interested.
Question for you, since this game is using OSE as it's base, are you considering use of any of the add-ons for OSE (such as Old School Essentials Advanced Fantasy)? If so, I would be interested in the Ranger or the Druid.
Otherwise, I would be interested in the Halfling.
Not using any of the Advanced stuff for now Talomyr. I am not yet convinced the way OSE has handled the 'Advanced' classes is my favorite, so I am exploring other options.
I can roll a pregen halfling for you, or you can roll one yourself.
If you do, please use this site for your dice rolls: Roll Dice With Friends
- Just access it, and when it asks you for the room name, just type in (or copy/paste):
Borderlands Character Creation
- And click on the button saying 'Roll dice with friends'
- Once inside the room, just choose a name which makes sense so I can easily identify your rolls, like Talomyr, for example.
- Then click 3x on the d6 to select the 3d6
- And then 'Roll It!' six times.
That should give you a 3d6 down the line stat spread ;)