Isle of Dread's page

THANK YOU FOR PLAYING ALL! GAME IS NOW INACTIVE.

As the 20ft long crocodile bears down upon Ciaran's dangling legs... the bodyguard may yet get his wish...

Fade to black. This thread is no longer being monitored.

THANK YOU FOR PLAYING ALL! GAME IS NOW INACTIVE.

Hey guys (esp. Gratum and Ciarán), looks like nobody but the two of you are particularly interested in finishing off the last combat. Totally understand that one. I'll just let you know that it was a huge (literally huge) crocodile. Would have been some fun death rolling around and stuff, but I'm sure you would have been victorious.

I'll close down this game (mark inactive) either tonight or tomorrow morning.

Thanks again everyone for all the good times.

Thanks buddy. While relieved to not have so much on my plate, I too am sad to see the game go. It was really fun at times, and in a world of more free time I would love to continue running it.

We'll have to see on that raise dead post GenCon. You never know.

Thanks Femi, you too! Again, really appreciate you coming on board to fill our diplomat role. You did remarkably well and if I ever rethink my life and reverse my decision to leave PbP, you'd be welcome at any game I run (and I would consider myself lucky to be accepted into any game you run).

So, yeah... that's it for the Isle of Dread (at least, for the foreseeable future). I will truly miss it, and miss playing with all of you. Thank you so much for the time and energy you all devoted to this game. It has been a wonderful ride. We finally (just) got to the fūcking monkey, and it has gone away.

If you guys want to finish up the current fights, etc, that's great. I'm happy to do so. If you'd rather just wave goodbye right here and now, I'm (obviously) totally fine with that also.

Bazsil, your oily curls are forever burned in my memory.

Ciarán, this is not indicative of regular PbP... but through all the insanity, you held your own. Well done on your first ever PbP - and playing all the way from Australia, no less.

Mtumbwi, your obscene manner was an absolute delight and I really, really hope you manage to be resurrected in some way shape or form.

Gado, what is it with you, me and sexual roleplaying encounters?

Aeslin, I still struggle to see you playing a girl, Jack, but you did a smashing job with this one.

Elon, your beer and barley antics were so enjoyable to read - and even more enjoyable to visualize.

Gratum, I don't think we ever fully hit our stride together - but I was so looking forward to putting you on a ship again. Can't believe you volunteered for the longboat!

A special thank you also to Femi for stepping in to this craziness, and sorry I cut the game so short after you went to all the effort of character creation. Hopefully, you enjoy creating characters as much as I do.

If you would like to know the answer to any of the great mysteries and have no interest in signing on should the game ever re-start, please PM me and I will spill all (it's the least I can do for you).

Thanks again, everyone, and may all your roleplaying games be fun ones!

Also posted on the Zedroom:

Hey all,

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I really need to stop playing PbP. There are a heap of things I'm not getting done that the 2 hours+ a day I spend on this could be put towards.

Add to that, PbP is starting to feel like a chore to me - especially when I haven't been checking it for a little while. For a fun pastime, that's madness. I would actually have more fun doing something productive and more work-like, such as getting back into some iPhone and web programming. GM Damo's rule #1, from way, way, way back was always to have fun and I'm going to practice what I preach.

So, I will complete all PFS scenarios that I'm currently in and then stop. If it's a trilogy, I am committed to finishing off all 3 (Destiny of the Sands with John, and Heresy of Man with Bold Strider). The Consortium Compact will be my last game with the alts. I really wanted to level up with you guys again, but not with the way I'm feeling right now about PbP. See more on the Drongos below.

Isle of Dread is the first to go out of my two GMed games. The end is quite a way off and I don't see a better spot to leave it, really. I honestly did try to spark it up over the last two weeks but just couldn't get my enthusiasm pumping. I hope it didn't show too much, and I really hope you guys still got a lot of fun out of it. I know I did. Now I just need to sit and have a think about all those hours and dollars spent in and on Campaign Cartographer getting the big map done and all the site maps I've done also. You saw maybe 5% of the big map, and none of the sites that I did up. Sigh. Oh, wait, the warehouse!

I may at some point come back to it in some way shape or form, so I won't PM any spoilers unless you know you won't be coming back to it in the event of a reboot.

With Reign of Winter, book 2 has a really satisfying ending to it. I can happily leave it there like a bookmark to come back to if and when.

For the Drongos, I'll have to see how it goes but I think I can enjoy just that game and playing through to the Eyes of the Ten with all of you. I'm going to take it a scenario at a time, but at the current pace the Drongos game doesn't take too much out of my schedule. The other thing to note here is that, in addition to having my fill of PbP, I've also started to have enough of PFS.

For all of this, if I find myself flush with time again, I will return. Also, if dropping Isle, Alts and the Beasts improves things for me dramatically, then who knows... maybe RoW will continue. We shall see. For now, plan for it to end after book 2.

Wow, this feels like a goodbye, but for most of you it really isn't. We'll still continue to roleplay for a fair few months yet with the Drongos and RoW. Fingers crossed that the dramatically reduced load helps it to be fun for me again. ;-)

Just as an FYI, I wrote this a bit under a week ago (Jan 7th). I decided to leave it and let it marinate for a while and see if I would change my mind or start to enjoy things more. I've since refined it, but the meat of it is all as per when I wrote it... and clearly, nothing has changed for me since then.

A further FYI, none of this changes my plans for GenCon. Full steam ahead on that front.

Steps of the lecture hall...

Bazsil takes to the fray with the savage ferocity of a school-yard bully. His hammer and limbs combined almost pound the pteranodon into submission. The woozy beast manages to stay conscious, but seems unlikely to stick around much longer.

Dennis will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Dennis fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Amazingly, the pterosaur facing Barley falls to sleep. Aeslin's lecture did the trick! Elon plays the part of the reaper and precisely *snicks* off its head at the neck. Barley charges the remaining one, finishing what Bazsil and Femi started. The beast lies broken and bloody upon the steps of the Pyramid. From the nearby huts, a cheer erupts from some women and children.

Well done! Wow, that was quick. I was a little worried to see how you'd do with only half a party (well, a full part of 4) on a CR appropriate encounter. Now... post about how you helped drive the pteranadons from Tanaroa.

Just on the outskirts of Atlantis...

As the two able swimmers deal with the last eel, their gazes turn northwards.

Assumed a shark-nado of some kind. He keeps saying blood

No metagaming!

Attracted by the noise and the scent of blood in the water... a massive blurry shape is swimming directly toward them.

You have 1 round to prepare and then ready an action (post what you do for prep - which can be a simple as taking a breath - and your readied action in a spoiler).

Please note! If you are swimming or undergoing activity other than moving (such as fighting) the time you can hold your breath for is halved (ie. it costs 2 rounds). You've been under for 12 rounds, Ciarán - swimming and prying up oysters. For 2 rounds of movement, that's 22 rounds towards your 'drowning' total.

As it's been 24 hours, Gratum is on delay. His actions are all assumed to be delay actions until he posts next.

Up next: Ciarán, Gado, Gratum (delay), Mtumbwi.

Sebastian's world...

Ciarán does indeed make an unagi kebab out of his foe. Its head is still stuck to Ciarán's trident as he turns to help Mtumbwi.

Up next: Gratum.

Mastodon meat village...

Femi puts a pair of missiles into Clive the Pteranadon's chest and wisely steps back. The beast roars and turns toward the diplomat, its eyes promising death once it has dealt with its current prey.

Next up: Elon, Aeslin (Round 1), Bazsil (Round 2).

Tanaroa...

Two pteranodons do indeed 'take the bait' and dive in to attack the noisome creature with the strange metal implement. While Bazsil was ready to attack them as they closed in, their long necks and beaks allow them to peck at him from the relative safety of the lower pyramid steps. It doesn't stop him from getting the first lick in, however. The anthropologist's massive blow fells the first one before it can even settle in on its first step.

Clive vs Bazsil, charging: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9

Fie! Bazsil stole my rolls!

The third has seen creatures similar to Barley before and found them to be delicious. It decides to go for this morsel rather than the hard-to-kill creature with the oily hair.

Dennis vs Barley, charging: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 22
Damage vs Barley: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 9

Next up: Elon, Aeslin, Femi (Round 1), Bazsil (Round 2).

Under the sea...

Mtumbwi scores a solid hit on the eel who electrocuted him, and blood billows out from the wound, dissipating into the water. Gado watches his dwarven companion, two spells on the tip of his tongue.

Up next: Ciarán, Gratum.

The village...

"No!" replies Yatzil, wiping the blood from her sword, "Not for decades! But our ancestors told tales of occasional attacks. Mastodon meat must have drawn them here."

"Usually stay near mountain peaks," adds Matla as he makes ready to hurl another spear.

At sea...

Mtumbwi can indeed help Ciarán! Not with that attack roll, though.

I'd like to not keep track of two combat tables. Let's keep things a little loose here. Under the sea. Where it is better. Down where it's wetter (take it from me).

Ciarán lets his trident fly and purées an eel. The thing is pierced perfectly by all three points but the weapon continues on through. The impact of the shaft tears the eel apart, leaving little more than floating chunks of electrified chum in the water.

Mtumbwi draws attention to himself, but cannot land the blow with his pronger.

One eel charges Mtumbwi while the other swims for Ciarán. Both swish around to attack with their tails, hoping to stun and paralyze their prey. Their tiny brains don't understand that the currents that flow through them are nowhere near sufficient to down a man-sized creature.

Eel vs Ciarán (touch attack): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Electrical damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Eel vs Mtumbwi (touch attack): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Electrical damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

That's how I roll, baby!

Please reduce damage yourselves based on any buffs / abilities you have active.

Both eels hit their targets simultaneously, sending jolts of electricity through both Ciarán and Mtumbwi. Their limbs move involuntarily, but they soon have themselves back under control.

Up next: Ciarán, Gado, Gratum, Mtumbwi.

You have 2 rounds to prepare. Please post both rounds of actions and let me know roughly the type of area you would like to make a stand in (I will assume you stand together): 1) The Pyramid; 2) The huts; 3) The graveyard; 4) The jungle fringe; 5) Hide and let the tribe deal with this.

No GMPC. I'll delay if I need to, but with 8 PCs and 2 combats, I'm busy enough.

For discussion, this is all I will say on this:

As above, I had enumerated the options. Bazsil was the only PC to say what to do, and I figured that it fit most closely with 'let the tribe deal with this', so 5). The other three PCs either said 'with Bazsil' (or words to that effect) or nothing regarding positioning at all.

I also inferred from Bazsil's postings that he wouldn't just let them fight alone if the tribe chose to make a stand, so I assumed he (and the others) would join the fray based on what happened over rounds 1 & 2. I picked another location and went with that - leaving in the option to go back to the hut to hide. I arguably could/should have chosen the huts, but the map pack I have had a kick arse jungle pyramid-type thing.

I hope you can see I'm not trying to be punitive, just trying to infer what the group decision was and moving on with it. I'm not flush with so much time that I want to rewrite my narrative.

If you're not happy with it, next time leave off on your posts with something simple like this:

Option 3 please.

or

Option 5 unless it looks like the natives are going to make a stand, then option 2.

As I noted in gameplay, let's move forwards please.

Isle of Dread wrote:

At the Village of Tanaroa

As Pteranodons fly down to menace the villagers, Bazsil is perhaps pleased to see that the Tanaroans have a fierce fire in their hearts. Spears fly at any pteranodon that gets too close to the food or a noncombatant. As several of the beasts land, warriors rush in to stab at their hearts. Even Chief Yatzil joins in, slashing at them with a steel sword Barbarosa gave her. Her fighting style is alien to the companions, but it is effective. Her prey takes to the skies once more rather than face her.

"Don't hide in the huts!" she implores the four crewmen who yet remain, "Take them on the pyramid! That is where most of the meat has been kept. That food is for us, and not these filthy scavengers!"

I know you said you were going to observe from a hut, so please just assume there is the safety of a hut directly south of you. If you want a fight, though, the pyramid awaits! I've added the height of each layer of the pyramid to the map. Just ignore the temple in the middle and assume it is the final rise of the pyramid. If it looks like a slope or stairs, you can ascend easily that way (no climb check required).

Next up: Bazsil.

Can we go back about 3 rounds in this narrative? Bazsil would have acted much sooner, long before any would have considered him to be hiding.

A more accurate description would have Bazsil joining with the warriors as soon as they assembled or if there were innocents in danger.

For ease of moving forwards, I'm going to say no. You need to be clearer about such things. I gave you two rounds prep and asked about where you wanted to be, and this was the only response I got: "Bazsil drags Femi into a nearby hut where he can watch the meat and lizardbirds eat." I realize the narrative adds some things, and maybe it's out of he 2 round scope, but you headed to the hut as the pteranodons arrived (which isn't very brave or heroic). You are at the pyramid now... and maybe you ran for two rounds to get there.

At the Village of Tanaroa

As Pteranodons fly down to menace the villagers, Bazsil is perhaps pleased to see that the Tanaroans have a fierce fire in their hearts. Spears fly at any pteranodon that gets too close to the food or a noncombatant. As several of the beasts land, warriors rush in to stab at their hearts. Even Chief Yatzil joins in, slashing at them with a steel sword Barbarosa gave her. Her fighting style is alien to the companions, but it is effective. Her prey takes to the skies once more rather than face her.

"Don't hide in the huts!" she implores the four crewmen who yet remain, "Take them on the pyramid! That is where most of the meat has been kept. That food is for us, and not these filthy scavengers!"

Several warriors have tried to make it to the pyramid, but their first task is defending the villagers and the pteranodons are making such progress slow at best.

I know you said you were going to observe from a hut, so please just assume there is the safety of a hut directly south of you. If you want a fight, though, the pyramid awaits! I've added the height of each layer of the pyramid to the map. Just ignore the temple in the middle and assume it is the final rise of the pyramid. If it looks like a slope or stairs, you can ascend easily that way (no climb check required).

Next up: Bazsil.

I need to set up a tactical for the village scene. Not quite there yet, so please bear with me. I will return to the village soon. For now, though... at sea...

Mtumbwi and Gratum hook up a net to the winch. They begin throwing it in and hauling it back up. It works beautifully for the first 10 minutes or so, until they drag in a catch of about half a dozen electric eels. Without the water to swim through, they are easy enough to avoid... and kill. None doubt that they will find more down there, but are relieved that they are not so numerous as to be dragged up with every net thrown.

Shortly after the first lot of eels are pulled up, the winch breaks and the net is lost to the bottom of the reef.

Ciarán jumps in first, aided by Gado's spells, and swims expertly to the reef. A number of very large oysters cling to the coral and rock formations here, and an incredible array of brightly colored marine life swim to and fro... and away from the armored bodyguard. Using his dagger, Ciarán begins peeling away at the hand-sized oysters. As he does so, he notices that the scraping sound is quite loud and echoes all around him. Attracted to the noise, three electric eels begin to swim toward him, crackling with a blue aura of menace.

About 1 minute has passed since you first dived in and you've got 3 oysters. You can keep prying at oysters, attack the eels or escape the eels. Choice is yours. I'll assume you've set up an 'alert' system by specifying a certain number of tugs on the rope you're tied to (eg. 2 tugs = pull me up, 3 tugs = get in here and help, 4 tugs = wanker), so you can communicate with those above.

@All: I'll let you decide where you are (except Ciarán) and what buffs you've used / got applied up to this point (including Ciarán).

I cannot tell you how nice it is to be using a very specific encounter site (other than one of the villages) from the adventure.

Hi all, my weekend filled up like crazy at the last minute. Sorry for the complete 'web silence'. I've always said that weekends are "as and when" kind of things for me, but I missed it completely. This will be the exception for me rather than the rule, but apologies nevertheless.

I will pick it up first thing tomorrow morning (just found a quick moment to post this).

Just quickly...

[dice=Knowledge (nature)]1d20+4

I'm pretty sure I know what's down there, but that's a roll to see if I can think of a list of creatures or natural events that could account for what we've heard.

I posted this earlier in response to Gado's musings on underwater burns, but no-one took the bait.

Flashback time!

My apologies to Elon for not catching this earlier.

"I beseech only a moment of your time, Chief." he says with a flourish of his hands. "While the others scout out before the expedition, I would like to start work on building the beginnings of a brewery and meeting house for my fellow crewmates and the tribe members alike." he propositions the woman.

"I can certainly start from scratch or use some preexisting structures to begin work, but I defer to your judgment in the matter."...

The Chief smiles at Elon, clearly amused. "Brewery?" she shakes her head, maintaining her smile, "This... stuff... is not to my tastes. But, many Tanaroans are curious. You may build. Start 'from scratch'... build from nothing, yes? You will have help... they build while you are gone, if you like. If you need stone, you must not take from wall or pyramid. Understand?"

"Hey! Mistress? You here? Oh hello. I'm Mtumbwi. From the boat. How are you on this fine day? What? Sure I can sit down."

...

"Thought so weird prudes. So can you make this for me? How much. You want gold? Iron? One of my cocks?"

"My name is not 'mistress'," sneers the Zombie Mistress, her manner of speech mirroring that of Tenoch, "It is Xochimitl. You should learn it. Sit if you like. I care not."

She listens quietly to Mtumbwi's request, seeming not to mind the obscenities, double entendres or is lack of manners and respect.

"Yes," she answers simply. Mtumbwi looks as though he needs more information, so she adds, "Yes, I will make it. Yes, I want gold."

Standard price for the warpaint (100gp). She'll have it ready for you tomorrow.

Everyone: I will wrap up the "current" posts over the weekend.... but don't let that stop you from roleplaying with each other!

In addition to the main Google doc map of the Isle of Dread on my tagline, I have also now added a Big Map of the full-resolution Isle of Dread image. I'll keep both maps updated as you explore.

The big one, I find, gives a bit more context and is more detailed than Google Draw allows me to upload.

Elon, the "expedition" in my post above was the scouting mission. The main expedition everyone needs to go on, unless they want to take a pass on the adventure.

Thanks for posting, Gratum.

7 Erastus 4715 AR, pre-morning

Mtumbwi, Ciarán, Gado, Gratum

Now, since the Audacious is going west and the only way north during a day expedition is up the eastern coat, I'm assuming Mtumbwi intended to go on the eastern coast. Either way, Gado has been researching the pearls that are away in that direction and it makes sense to head there.

Before they scour the island proper, four of the crew make their way onto a longboat. Mtumbwi immediately starts barking orders, and tests the adjustments he made to the sails of the crude native longboat. All the while Gado tries to keep his books dry as he calculates and recalculates where the pearls are likely to be. Gratum seems to have taken leave of his senses - or has a very good reason to be away from the village - as he voluntarily puts his feet down upon a boat once more. Ciarán, as ever, sits in relative silence. The bodyguard vigilantly scans the seas for signs of danger.

Barely six miles from the coast, they arrive at the spot. A reef seems stretch across the width of the bay and, based on their distance from various landmarks, Gado judges that this is the spot where they could dive for pearls 'as big as your fist'.

Let me know: 1) if you would like to dive for the pearls; 2) How you are doing it.
- The base of the ocean is 60ft down.
- Water rules.
- Swimming rules (the water is calm).
- You can drop down faster by weighing yourself down (for example by keeping your armor on) with no swim check required. Getting up is another matter - especially if you're weighed down.

Bazsil, Elon, Femi, Aeslin

The mastodon has proved too much for even the entire tribe to eat. Much of the beast's flesh is still lying around. Matla seems worried. "We left carcass out there in open. We cleaned bones well, but offal we left will attract scavengers... or lazy predators. It smell here. Smell might bring them this way."

The tribe's lead hunter starts clean-up duty with his fellows from the Elk clan. It proves a vain effort, however, as just before midday a cry comes from the tower. "Pteranodons!"

Straining to see in the sun-drenched sky, the remaining crew of the Audacious see no fewer than a dozen bat-like silhouettes approaching fast.

You have 2 rounds to prepare. Please post both rounds of actions and let me know roughly the type of area you would like to make a stand in (I will assume you stand together): 1) The Pyramid; 2) The huts; 3) The graveyard; 4) The jungle fringe; 5) Hide and let the tribe deal with this.

I'm going to split the party and move it along to scouting and staying at the village later on today. Splitting the party is and will remain a viable option, but I just wanted to make sure you agreed on the mix.

@Aeslin and @Gratum: It has been a while since we've heard from you (Monday). I haven't heard either of you that you have been unable to post for any particular reason. Please pick up the pace or consider whether or not you have overcommitted by saying you can post daily on this game. I'd rather go ahead with fewer players than a full compliment of players who can't maintain the posting rate.

I know things didn't exactly get moving yesterday, so for those I haven't heard from since Wednesday, no hard feelings. :-)

D'oh!

I do not want to track rations in any way shape or form. I assume your PCs have it sorted out. These things bore me to tears, and I've never seen a PC begin starving ever. I'll tell you if (for some reason) you need to look for food (eg. if gremlins have spoiled your current supplies). Keep a reasonable amount on you for encumbrance purposes, but since you can (and do) just ask stronger friends to carry a few pounds of food, it's again not something I have any interest in.

So, we have:

Expedition: Mtumbwi, Ciarán, Ishbaad Gado.
Staying behind: Bazsil.
Undecided: Aeslin, Gratum, Elon, Femi.

I'll give you until tomorrow (partly because I'm busy again today) before I force the issue and make the undecideds just stay behind.

"Yes, herbivores territorial," says Matla, "Prime grazing ground hard to find."

Yes, but you will have to make nice with the Zombie Mistress so she can mix some up for you!

That's certainly feasible. I'm planning on moving it along mid-morning tomorrow.

Femi is frustrated to find that cartography is as yet undiscovered by the natives. The best he gets is some scratchings in the sand that are nowhere near correctly proportioned nor to scale. However, they all agree that the tar pits are 2 days' north, and many more days than that to the Central Plateau. The Central Plateau is only rumored of (despite the natives' assertions that they 'know' it is there), as none living in the tribe right now have ever been beyond the tar pits - or even strayed far from the road.

They do tell of pearls off the east coast near Tanaroa, however. Pearls as big as your fist that glisten like diamonds. Pearls that could be dived for, if it weren't for the unsavory denizens of the deeps. The natives have not seen them, but those who have tried diving for the pearls found that they had been burned underwater. Such tales have thus far deterred further attempts.

Some older Tanaroans also tell of a great dragon that sleeps on the Isle. It visited some time ago to eat livestock and people, laying waste to part of the village. The Tanaroans left a pile of treasure to mollify the dragon and, with its belly full, the beast elected to leave them alone. Its green scales were said to hold an inner fire - akin to the flames of Hell.

Other rumors abound, also, of talking monkeys and humans who wear the heads of tigers in place of their own. These seem fanciful however, and even those who tell of such things do not seem to put their heart into it.

All in the tribe have heard of the magnificent Black Pearl that lies in the depths of the Temple in the center of the Great Plateau. This Plateau is supposed to vie with the mountains for its spot in the sky and is accessible only by ascending a particular nearby mountain and crossing a treacherous sky bridge.

Chief Yatzil tells Gado similar things, and lets him know that the prime dangerous creatures out there are dinosaurs, the carnivores and the herbivores in particular. These great lizards are very territorial, and so it is best to avoid any areas where there are signs of big lizards passing. She also notes, however, that nothing on the Isle of Dread should be taken lightly. If it has survived the perils of the Isle, then it is likely as cunning and calculating as the dinosaurs are powerful and vicious.

So, the plan as it stands: Mtumbwi, Ciarán and others (let me know if you want to go) head up to scout in advance. Is this on foot or in a vessel? You could take a canoe or a longboat, or convince Barbarosa to take the Audacious. After that, the others take the road to the tar pits. Last chance to stock up and make anything of your time here before you head out!

Loved your post, Mtumbwi! Long, yes... but awesome and action-packed.

I'll get some responses to rumor-mongering up today (I think). Please do ask any further questions you have about the Isle now because once I'm done wrapping those up, I'm sending you off. You've had long enough (and big thanks to Femi for kicking off the second round of info gathering after the initial chat to Yatzil and Tenoch).

Yatzil doesn't look terribly disappointed when Bazsil leaves. She merely shrugs and approaches Gado. "Maybe, if you're very lucky, Ixchel will join us..."

Sorry Bazsil, I knew you were upset at her seeming lack of bravery - but I didn't realize that had doused your sexual fires. All good. We can just say you responded to the chief's summons out of courtesy.

"Land for grain?" asks a perplexed native. As Elon explains the type of land required he nods, realizing at last, "You want central plateau. Land of Gods. Grasslands. Fertile lands. Cooler lands. Higher altitude." Elon is also fairly certain that after clearing enough of the jungle, anything would grow on this fertile, volcanic soil.

Okay, I am loving the interpersonal roleplay. Happy to let it keep happening (especially since I'm busy as hell right now).You have still got some native intel to do. If you really don't want to actually ask specific questions, just roll gather info and I'll post some rumors ooc like an amateur.

I'll see if I can get a post up soon, but it'll be my last post today guys. I'll also struggle posting tomorrow - had a lot of stuff come up on the home front (nothing to worry about, just stuff that's keeping me busy). Most of it was due to my daughter's school unexpectedly taking off the first day back to school. FFS, like Winter break and MLK day in 2 weeks time isn't enough?

*ahem*

Anyway, my apologies for my slower rate today and tomorrow.

Whoops! Names corrected above... and thanks for playing along. Damn. As Ixchel is Ryan's NPC... so no need to look any further into your attraction to me.

I need to remember that Ixchel is not Yatzil. I would suck at it if I ever went to ancient Mexico.

Mtumbwi... the cock fight happens, and is wildly popular. The Tanaroans keep chickens, but they are primitive chickens. Their roosters are absolute beasts. Feel free to describe however you see fit.

Yatzil's hut

Eventually, as the night winds down, Gado screws up his courage to approach Ixchel Yatzil again. He takes a deep breath to say something to her, but can't even get a word out before she grabs his arm and takes him to his tent her hut.

Well that was easy...

Slight modification, because... had this planned all along...

The flames of the brazier have dimmed without additional fuel being added during the night. Gado cannot quite see what is going on as Ixchel propels him toward the bed. "Strip," she orders, beginning to do so herself by taking her headdress off, "Both of you."

Suddenly, a flicker of light plays off the back of the hut and Gado sees Bazsil there. The man had responded to an earlier invitation - more of a command really - from the chief asking him to be at the hut at a set time.

Taking liberties I know, Bazsil... but I hope not too many (taking into account your earlier flirtations with Yatzil).

"What?" asks Yatzil, not sure what to make of Gado's confused expression (she cannot see well enough in the shadowed hut to know how Bazsil is reacting), "Bazsil says he likes form of man. I like both Bazsil and Gado. I have both Bazsil and Gado. Problem?" The chief's tone suggests that she is very much used to both getting her way and having her way.

How did this kind of thing end up happening in two separate games simultaneously?

This is what I mean by frequent posters. You qualify on a usual weekday, too, John. :-)

Thanks for sorting this out, boys. It is much appreciated. I'll try to get a response up on gameplay in the next hour or so!

Looks like we have 0 volunteers, but 1 vote for Femi. I'd really like for someone to put their hand up (as opposed to being thrown in). Remember, your character doesn't have to be an actual leader. I just need a player to help with pushing the action forwards.

Normally an adventure happens in a linear fashion and I can do this as a GM. With this Sandbox, I don't want to make decisions for you (especially when I know what the consequences will be).

If we don't have someone leading, the adventure will fall apart. I can invest some effort into making the plot more linear and stringing a thread through things - but it will seem contrived (because it will be contrived) and will take out one of the aspects of this campaign that I think is great: the sheer joy of exploration and choice. Also, I really don't want to.

If you're struggling for threads to follow, please see my post about gathering rumors. You don't need ranks in diplomacy to ask questions.

Keep in mind that this is 1st Ed D&D, so asking 'where the treasure is buried' (you know what I mean) is a perfectly legitimate (and maybe expected) line of questioning. No-one seems to have even queried further about the rumored dragon!

Aeslin mentions pack animals and finding a creature big enough to carry huge loads. More than a few eyes turn to the literal tonnes of roasting mastodon meat on the tribal fire pits...

Looks like we'll follow the road. I'm perfectly fine with that. Barbarosa will agree to take the ship wherever you need it, provided he can keep it off the coast a little. He'll give you some signal flares you can use if you're on the beach to call the rowboat to shore for a pickup (even in the dark).

All that is left is to decide how long you want to stay with the tribe and what to do over that time.

The road leads to the tar pits two days' north of here. No farther. If they haven't already, anyone in the village can tell you as much.

So... just letting you know that these situations are a bit tricky for me as a GM. This is a sandbox adventure (always was) and so there's no particular reason you can't stay for months before heading off, or to head off the very next day. You've also got no clear reason to go in any particular direction (or even to go on the mainland).

There are eight of you, and over PbP we're not sitting at the same table waiting for someone to just take the lead and decide what to do next.

So... to solve the issue of "what to do now" or "where do we go next" I'd like to have one of our frequent posters (you know who you are) put their hand up to be a de facto party leader. This won't mean you get to make all the decisions or even have a higher status than the others, but you would be volunteering to help drive the action and to determine the direction of exploration on the island from a meta-game perspective. The idea would be that you make a decision and everyone agrees by default (posting about it if they disagree).

Exactly the kind of leader you are will depend upon who you are, your existing specialist role and your own view of the situation.

So... any volunteers to lead this crew? I'm happy if someone has a better idea for pushing the action also.

Oh, and splitting up is also a very viable option. 4 people per party is plenty... just be sure to bring your running legs.

As far as I'm aware, the are no plans to leave on the morrow. You're certainly welcome to stay a lot longer with the tribe should you wish. I don't want to roleplay every day, though, so perhaps decide in character how long you wish to stay and then I can fast forward from there (allowing appropriate stuff, like oven-making, to be done more or less off-screen).

"Funny how you call me arrogant, when you are the one claiming what can and cannot be done by man. Which one of us is truly arrogant?"

"I did not call you arrogant, my friend," smiles Tenoch, "Just confident with an added caution that you do not stray to far from overconfidence into arrogance. As for me, presumptuous perhaps... and my position does require quite an ego, I will admit. In any case, you have the history of the name of the Isle as best as I can recall it. I pray you are successful and return alive."

Please do keep roleplaying amongst yourselves. I'll pick things back up properly tomorrow. I mostly want to know how you're passing the night, and how long you'd like to stay in Tanaroa. You may also want to do some research on where to go next on the island or do some information gathering (diplomacy roll if you like) regarding rumors and locations of particularly interesting sites.

"Why do you call it the Isle of Dread? Is it because you and your people lack the courage to master this isle? Why is it that you call it something you fear rather than something you should aspire to? We should be calling this place Isle of Courage!"

"We call it the Isle of Dread" begins Tenoch, "Because it is a place to fear. You are confident, true - but there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. One will spur you on to great things, the other can get you killed out there. It has been called the Isle of Dread since before the Gods departed, and the name has been passed down through generations of our ancestors. I know not exactly why it was called such, but the name is apt."

Tenoch regards the mastodon feast laid out before the tribe. "Perhaps, though, you truly are simply confident. Perhaps you do have what it takes to master this Isle. Perhaps your example will prove to the Tanaroans and the other tribes that we can and should settle north of the wall and we shall sally forth."

"Perhaps you die," sneers the Zombie Mistress from the crowd before disappearing once more into the shadows.

Just an FYI, Barbarosa called it the 'Isle of Dread' because that's how the natives referred to it when he first visited.

Don't take it personally, my dice taunt everyone! At least you weren't the recipient of a mastodon trunk-crit.

It is some hours before Matla returns with about fifty tribesmen in tow. It seems that half are there to help butcher the carcass, and the other half are there to gawk.

"Wow! I not believe only eight took it down!"

"No-one died?"

"A mastodon! Did it gore anyone?"

"Toe to toe? Really?" The whole crowd looks with awe toward the two former giants. Tenoch is there, and takes the opportunity to administer infusions to Ciarán and Mtumbwi to aid their recovery.

Cure serious wounds, Ciarán: 3d8 + 8 ⇒ (7, 5, 1) + 8 = 21
Cure serious wounds, Mtumbwi: 3d8 + 8 ⇒ (7, 5, 8) + 8 = 28

"You should consider yourselves very lucky you are alive," he notes as they drink the cool, peppermint flavored liquid, "Your are brave men, but this is the Isle of Dread. You must tread carefully if you wish to survive. Such creatures are best taken down from a height, and at range. Use its animal intelligence against it, and do not forget that your own brain is your greatest ally out here amongst the beasts. They will beat you matching muscles every time."

It is a remarkably short amount of time before even the bone knives of the Tanaroans have the mastodon stripped of meat and are ready to drag the leaf-wrapped meat - topped with the complete head of the Mastodon - along on a makeshift matt with woven vines for each man to pull on. The journey back to Tanaroa takes the group well past sunset, but all the village turns out to see the warriors' return.

A massive cheer erupts from the crowd as the specialists enter astride the pile of meat. As the feast arrives at the foot of the pyramid, Chief Yatzil ascends to the top and holds her hands out. It is a good minute or so before the crowd finally hushes.

"My people!" she begins, "These travelers come from far away. They come with steel for our hands. They come with fire in hearts. They come and feed tribe with bounty of the Isle. I declare now: these travelers not just friends of Tanaroans. These travelers are Tanaroans! Feast on meat, and honor new members of tribe!"

Tenoch walks up behind the eight crewmen holding a massive lump of tight meat, dripping in blood and smiles, "Now, who will be taking the first bite out of the heart?"

Celebration time! You know the type of tribal festival we're looking at here. Post about it! Be sure to interact with each other. I'm going to leave you at it until the 2nd (but I will try to answer any questions you have). Happy New Year!

Bazsil lands a massive blow, almost caving in the mastodon's knee-cap.

Mastodon will save, evil eye: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 2 = 23

Aeslin meanwhile has difficulty cursing the thing any further, but laughs about it anyway.

Gado's summoned elemental does a courageous job of hitting the big beast, but does little damage.

Gado, you still need to take a -2 for firing into melee (2 size categories larger), unless you have precise shot. You hit anyway.

Gado's ray, however, proves too much for the beast. A plume of flame strikes the mastodon between the eyes and it suddenly stops moving. Slowly and ponderously, the enormous creature starts to topple... and then with the force of a large building coming down it crashes to the forest floor.

"Don't burn its flesh!" cries out Matla, asking Femi to back off with that flaming sphere of his. He lets out a cheer for the companions, "You brave warriors! I get tribe and we take mammoth back home to eat!"

Congratulations everyone! It was a tricky thing - and nearly killed 2 of you (3 including Barley) but I hope you enjoyed the challenge. Let me know how you interact with the natives as they arrive to butcher the mastodon and take its meat back to the village.

The agitated mastodon seems on the verge of panic. It takes another swing at Ciarán with its tusks.

Mastodon gore vs Ciarán: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29
Damage vs Ciarán: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (6, 6) + 12 = 24 22 after DR.

An enormous tusk tears through Ciarán's armor and opens a massive wound in his side. As the gigantic bodyguard falls down, blood gushes from the hole in his torso and he lies very still.

The mastodon turns its attentions to the other giant facing it.

Mastodon slam vs Mtumbwi: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28
Damage vs Mtumbwi, crit damage: 2d6 + 12 + 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (1, 1) + 12 + (6, 5) + 12 = 37

The creature's trunk lands a solid blow across Mtumbwi's brow, felling the man. Unlike Ciarán, his bleeding is internal and his skull may even be cracked from the force of the blow.

Matla rushes over to Ciarán, at a pace that seems supernaturally fast, and frantically pulls salves and makeshift reed bandages from his primitive healing kit. The salves he applies clot the blood and the leaves, while harsh, close the wound.

Matla heal, first aid (DC 15): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Ciarán is no longer in danger of death, but Matla is now in harm's way.

Next up: Ciarán (stable), Gado, Bazsil, Elon, Mtumbwi (bleeding), Aeslin (Round 2), Gratum, Femi (Round 3).

Barley moved. Thanks for joining the fray!

Mastodon will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

The mastodon seems to pause for a moment as Elon fixes it with a spell. Half a second later, it breaks the magical chains that bind it.

Mastodon AoO gore vs Barely save: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (12) + 21 = 33
Damage vs Barley: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (6, 4) + 12 = 22

Barley is dealt a telling blow by a tusk as he approaches, but continues his charge and gores the mastodon in return. His much smaller horns manage to tear apart some skin before the effort causes the yak to fall unconscious.

Barley got to 0hp after the AoO, and took 1 more because he acted. Please let me know if you'd rather Barley stayed on 0 hp and didn't complete his charge.

Next up: Gratum.

Bazsil's mighty hammer strikes true, bruising the mastodon's knee cap.

Mastodon will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

@Aeslin: please post the evil eye's effects or link to them. I think I know, but with 8 players, I don't want to have to look this stuff up to be sure.

It freaks out a little as one of the puny things trying to destroy it just gives it an... odd look.

Gado starts chanting, but in the chaos, the Mastodon doesn't even register this as a threat.

@Ciarán: I did forget your DR. It's been too long since last time. Sorry, and thanks for the reminder! Yes that damage was for you and not Mtumbwi.

Ciaran's blade retaliates - not in kind for either blow, but very nearly. The beast trumpets another scream of pain, looking ever more panicked and confused.

@Femi: Those posts are fine so far. So long as I can see your modifiers on your weapon-related combat posts, should it come to that, we're all good.

Mastodon reflex save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

The ball of fire continues to scorch the creature's belly as Femi shoots out magical bolts to strike it square between the eyes. It blinks and turns this way and that, utterly unsure of what to do.

Mtumbwi, meanwhile, cannot manage to land a blow with his prong.

Matla ignores the dwarf who cannot seem to remember his name and grips his spear all the tighter, ready to help should anyone fall.

Next up: Gratum.

Elon laughs as he pulls his beerskin from one of Barley's saddlebags. He pops the cork and takes down a nice draught of pale ale, which is refreshing in the sweltering heat of the jungle.

"You got 'em!" he yells as encouragement, enjoying the show.

As Ciaran get stomped and gored, Elon grimaces. "That will leave a mark..."

"What do you think? Even money on the mastodon, Rahui? Metzli, you think they can handle it?" he asks from the sidelines, trying to determine the odds of winning and if there is a few coins to be made.

Just a note here... this is a particularly deadly combat for a group of 8 level 4 PCs. If you wish to leave yourself out of the combat entirely for character reasons, that is all up to you. However, I would expect that your fellow party members react appropriately. Ejection from the party or some flat-out PvP (post combat) would not be unreasonable reactions.

Think about it from the perspective of those players putting their characters' lives on the line here (Ciarán is one hit away from unconsciousness or death). If some others don't even attempt to make a difference (whether by damaging the thing, using curative magics on the wounded or even just trying to find a decent tactical position). How would you feel?

@Ciarán: Botting your AoO. Using raging + stance (I think).

Ciarán vs Mastodon, greatsword enlarged, power attack: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 13 - 2 = 23
Damage, power attack, enlarged: 3d6 + 9 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) + 9 + 6 + 1 = 22

Unable to comprehend who attacked it with the flame, the beast instead lashes out at the the only opponents it knows hurt it.

Gore vs Ciarán: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (11) + 21 = 32
Damage vs Ciarán: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (6, 6) + 12 = 24

Slam vs Ciarán: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (18) + 21 = 39
Damage vs Mtumbwi: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 3) + 12 = 19

Ciarán is almost lifted up by the force of the single tusk that pierces his side, and then suffers the full force of the beast's trunk smashing him over the head. Barely conscious, the stout Ciarán nevertheless manages to maintain his footing despite wounds that would have felled a lesser man.

Next up: Ciarán, Gado, Bazsil, Elon, Mtumbwi, Aeslin (Round 1), Gratum, Femi (Round 2).

AoOs

As the beast strode past, Mtumbwi just could not manage to pierce its thick hide with his pronger. It barely noticed as it charged toward the smaller, illusory mastodon.

Round 1

Mastodon reflex save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Femi's flaming sphere burns away beneath the mastodon's bulk. It rears up to avoid the flames, and is rewarded for its efforts by having an only slightly singed underbelly.

Next up: Gratum, Ciarán (AoO).

Nice. Mmm. Pie. Yeah, that's decided it. I'm making pie tomorrow night.

@GM Damo: Placed on the map! Also, damn you and your cooking show recommendations! Now my girlfriend only wants to watch the GBBO.

Ha! So glad you gave it a go. Did you get the earlier seasons, or just watching season 5 on Netflix?

We're almost finished with the lot now, and it's having definite benefits in the cooking department. I've already been inspired to make two savory tarts (one with a soggy bottom that I wouldn't have even noticed without Paul Hollywood's voice in my head) and my wife made 5 loaves of bread (actually, 4 loaves and some buns) and two trays of macaroons last week alone.

Mmmm.