DM themed play-by-post D&D game : OOC thread

[Ameena]

So are you gonna attempt some kind of grid-based version of this map, for the purposes of the probable combat which is about to ensue?
Ugh great, Giant Wasps...well, we're lucky Westy now has the Bro rune, eh?

[beowuuf]

Heh, my source map does actually have a grid - currently 10 foot squares. We'll see how the next few rounds go, I might not need to do more than descriptive text or general small pictures. If it gets complex enough, I will start doign the grid so you can all enjoy full tactical advantages.

As an experiment (and part of the overall being very open experiement for this section of the game) I will actually list the AC and hp of anything that attacks you this combat situation. See if it makes the game more enjoyable, or if it does break the narratove too much. I think only Ian had a strong desire to see it in action, but hopefully it will be interesting for you all. I'm not sure how scary or easy I make all these combats seem from your side

Oh, speaking of all that openness stuff, just to let you know I sent OB a little PM in the end, where Westian saw some stuff. Since it links into his encounters when he was temporarily dead, and isn't supposed to be interactive, it probably doens't make as much sense to have it put into the narrative just yet, nor clutter his thread with it. I'm sure you'll find out about what he saw in due course. Perhaps!


And yeah, about rhe Bro rune - can you imagine what would have happened if I stuck to my original plan of defeatign the priest, gain the Bro rune? 0.o Still, the idea was you would defeat the mage, get his stash of potions including some anti-venom, then carry on down yourself. So, you know, I was expecting you to be avoiding giant scorpions cunningly right now, rather than get into fights with wildlife from a level below

[Ameena]

I prefer not to be able to see the stats of the stuff I'm fighting - it's a bit less spoilery/meta-gamey. Getting a narrative description of how injured stuff looks is fine though .
And since it's been so long, combined with the fact that I've played a lot of 4th edition since my last combat in this game, I can't remember what the rules are regarding how many actions and stuff you get per turn. It's not quite the same as 4th edition (one each of Standard, Move, and Minor actions plus any realistic Free actions tht can fit into the time frame), is it?

[beowuuf]

One move and one standard action, and there is no such thing as a minor action (there's a thing called a swift action, but let's not get into that). Many things that are minor actions in 4th edition are move actions in 3rd edition (drinking potions, drawing weapons unless part of a movement, operating doors and switches, etc).

Free actions are still the same - yelling, etc.

I'll put the stats in spoiler tags then, but since Ian had mentioned a preference for, I at least wanted you lot to see it in action and see how you felt. My preference is for onl;y giving you descriptions too, but most of that is so your evil DM knows how much of a glass cannon certain critters are, and vice versa how tanky other critters are.

[Ameena]

Yeah, spoiler tags sounds good - that way those who want to see can look, and the rest of us can just...er...not look .

[ian_scho]

I had on my character sheet: 29 (60) +10 non-lethal
Updating to: 60 (60) as we rested with Brighteyes, right?

[beowuuf]

Indeed Ian, Westian should have given you guys all the healing you could stand. You will still be suffering from the loss of a con point, but the first time Westian gives you an anti-venom potion, you can restore that con loss too.


Ameena - are you preparing a move before the wasps attack, or is Ameena's panic/panic containment her move for this round?

[beowuuf]

Oh, also Ian - how I'll handle Aurek is that each round he'll do an 'aid another' for you (or whoever he is beside. If that's a skill check, cool, more likely it will be to help in combat. So whoever is closest to Aurekl, can you nominate whether you wish to be defended (gain a +2 AC bonus against first melee attack) or to be helped in an attack (+2 to your first attack roll)

Aurek's iniaitive is 12, and he has succeed in his firts aid another - so nominate either scoring a 14 with your first sword strike, or gaining a +2AC bonus against the wasp's inevitable attack.

[Ameena]

Well, having just read how big you've made these things, Ameena is probably not gonna do very much (at least for now) unelss one of them actually attacks her, in which case she'll have to exert every effort not to just bolt in a random direction - as you might imagine, large flying creatures can be the bane of a murafu's life, similar to the way things like hawks and other predators are with rats and stuff. If Ameena has encountered these guys before, at the moment I'm playing it that either she doesn't remember doing so, or does but not in such an open area where they can come at her from above so easily.
A question about the upward-flowing-mini-waterfall thingy that we're standing near - does it errm...emerge from the water close to the ledge that Ameena and Westian are now on? Could Ameena, in theory, get behind it and use it as a sort of shield, at least for now, while those two wasps are still incoming? Instinct will be telling her to run and hide, get under cover ASAP. But if there is no cover, that'll be the best she can hope for.
Then again, I haven't actually had her check. Hrmmm. To the IC thread!

[beowuuf]

Hmm... Ameena probably has seen them before, though the 'normal' giant wasps would be more normal. And yeah, the cavern might not have been visited before. There are all sorts of wacky thigns around...

The whole lower cavern floor is actually not that open, most is underneath the solid cave wall above. So the cascade is actually infront of a wide cavern area, and yeah, Ameena could hide behind it.

Further along there is also a cavern opening in the wall. However, it is very likely this is where the grak-graks andTrolins went into.

I'll update properly in the IC thread, but feel free to add some movement if this is enough

[Ameena]

Meh, might as well see if she spots anything useful with that Perception check - there won't be a great deal she can do with regards to combat right now anyway. Even if a wasp heads her way, I expect it'll be Westy who cops it first, you know, seeing how he's standing there with armour and sword or whatever, ready for combat .

[beowuuf]

Basically that was the results of the perception check, the cascade is infront of a large cavern area so she could hide, and the only obvious deep cave area is beyond the cascade. There's nothing closeby that a 17 will get her, I'm afraid!

Oh, and turns out its important to know if Haynuus wants the +2 Aurek bonus for defense or attack, so I'll hang on and hope he comes by today!

[Ameena]

Lol I'm guessing it'll be the difference 'tween a hit or a miss from the wasp-sting then .

[beowuuf]

Indeed, either Haynuus could hit, or Haynuus could be hit... who knows? Oh, that's right, MEEEEE!

[ian_scho]

Yeah, it's got to be the +2 ATTACK bonus please. I rolled poorly really and I assume that they're difficult to hit so every little bit helps.

[beowuuf]

You know what they say about assumptions Update coming soon...

[Ameena]

Then again, if you're still pretty confident of a miss even with the +2 Attack bonus, maybe a defensive bonus is better since you don't know whether the Wasp had a good roll or not .

[beowuuf]

Mooched through that website and couldn't find specific rules for an unarmed ranged attack (ie picking up a random object and chucking it) - unarmed, melée, yes, but not ranged. So I'll just do what happens in 4th edition, roll a ranged attack roll (which, given that I have Improved Unarmed Strike, means I'm always considered armed so can roll my normal ranged attack roll), and then do 1d4 damage (if it hits). If the damage should be something different, let me know what it is (and where you found it, so I know where I should have been looking ). Sooo, attack roll = 10 (2+8)...pfft. In the quite unlikely event that that hits, my 1d4 damage = 3. That would be erm...non-lethal damage (having IUS means I can choose). But I think the rock just kinda whizzed off somewhere to the side of the wasp (or, more likely, beneath it) and splashed into the water...ooops, maybe that was a bad idea, now I think of it...

I'm afraid there's a little confusion between 3.5 and 4th edition handing weapons, and more important a way 4th editions terms that unarmed ranged.

Basically, in 4th edition, you get no penalties when handling unfamiliar weapons, Instead, you get bonuses for handling proficient weapons. Hence, your unarmed melee value really just your base attack value, for for both fighting without a weapon, or fighting with a weapon you are unfamiliar with. Similarly, your 'unarmed' ranged attack is actually just your base attack role, when using an unfamiliar ranged weapon, or using a power/spell that is a ranged attack.

In 3.5, your attack bonus is different. It is the bonus you get assuming everything is good. If you fight with unfamiliar (or improvised) weapons, you take a penalty. Unarmed fighting is particularly bad, as you lose automatically take an attack of opportunity to do it and cannot make attack of opportunities (because you don't count as possessing a melee weapon). Your unarmed feat only removed this - your hands count as weapons, and so you can attack without taking AoOs, choose your damage type in hand to hand, and also can threatene people around you. Remember how easy you guys had it when the grak-graks were letting you lot move around in ther combat because they couldn't punch you?

In 3.5 you only have a 'ranged' value, not an 'unarmed' range value. So your unarmed fighting feat doens't count for anythign ranged. That doens't matter, as you have a good base attack bonus and dexterity, so your ranged attack is still good. IT's automatically lethal damage unless you take a penality to your roll (-4) I'm afraid. Also, a rock could be seen as an improvised weapon (So you'd take a -4 penalty to the attack) but personally I'm going with the ruling that if you are proficient with simple ranged weapons, you are proficient with throwing rocks. It's DM, after all I reckon the damage would be 1d3, in line with you being a small murafu throwing a murafu sized stone. A 'normal' stone in a sling would do 1d4, and I'll stick with that for rocks too. Unfortunately, range is the problem. A normal stone has a range increment of 10 foot, and each 10 feet beyond that you take a -2 to the roll If you had a sling, the range increment would be 50 foot, so you'd be lethal with rocks then

And yeah, 4th edition makes things much simpler in a nice way, doens't it? Anyway, the upshot is throwing a rock is a good idea, but at a distance its going to be a distraction at best, and a knife or bow would be much better. Still RP wise you are going to spook the wasp a little. Luckily, I reckon you'd underthrow and the rock won't go into the water. As you might see this turn, that doens';t mean you guys are home free....

[beowuuf]

OOC - 'Hide in the shadows' exists for a Murafu? It means a great shock attack for a backstab or whatever. I like the good olde rock throwing though! Ah happy memories.
Note Beo that if Haynuus didn't bring down the wasp, then it would only be a 5' step backwards!

Hide in the shadows was very much a 2nd edition idea, to allow for backstab. It's been replaced by still havign the ability to hide behind cover (as said, rolled into stealth for this game) and havign the roguer be able to do 'sneak attack' damage. If the opponent loses their bonus to dexterity (because the haven't acted in combat yet, are climbing, or have been feinted in combat) then the rogue gets to sneak attack - even if the creature is looking. It's simply a nastier wound delivered with precision. Also, sneak attack damage can be dealt if the rogue is flanking a creature. So yeah, while Ameena the character might feel she is useless, Ameena the player actually has many wonderful options availablefor slayage when her character feels more confident.

OOC - Hiding would be a Rogue ability, not specific to race. It comes under "Stealth". If there are any shadows in which to hide (speaking of which, is there any light atm? I recall Haynuus having a torch, I think, and there's the big glowy waterfall thingy at the far end of the cavern but I can't remember how bright it is. As for the rock-throwing...umm, yeah, well I think it totally missed after my crappy attack roll (which I may have done wrong anyway), lol. If Westy can maybe lure the wasp over a bit more so it's over the ground rather than the water, maybe Ameena can climb up the cliff a bit and jump on it or something...

The waterfall is providing a weird half light that is reflexing off the water, so the cavern is illuminated enough. Many of the corners are half-lit or even very shadowy. Haynuus did have a torch, it would currenty be at his feet I think so he can swing a weapon two handed Rock throwing is cool, though the range might get you though, it has a terrible range until you can find or make a sling.

Westian's right, the wasp will be over land right now. And lol, I'd love to see Ameena become Ameena Wasprider!

[Ameena]

So, just to clarify, the attack roll for an unarmed ranged attack (ie the picking up and throwing of a random nearby object rather than an actual weapon designed for throwing/firing at stuff) is...what? The same as my normal ranged attack (with weps I'm proficient with, I mean)? So +8 to the attack roll? Just so I know for future reference.
And regarding your mention of a map over in the other thread - yes please . I have no real idea where everyone is in relation to each other. Well, I mean, I know Haynuus and Aurek are still on the ledge by the cascade (or have they sort of moved over a bit by now...Westian presumably left a bit of a gap in the ledge when he fell through it), and Ameena and Westy are below them on the lower ledge by the water...but I don't really know where Ameena and Westy are specifically in relation to each other, just that they're on the same ledge. I'm not too sure of the scale of the ledge either, in comparison to everyone. And I had sort of assumed that the wasp (the one Westy was just fighting) was still at least partially over the water or something. And now with the scary giant leech thingys (Carrion Crawlers? I rather hope not - I seem to recall that those are really nasty bastards), it would be helpful to know where we are in relation to them.
Maybe you could do two maps - one for the upper ledge, one for the lower, showing positions of everyone (and the big splat mark of that wasp Haynuus just ganked ). And if not a grid, then some indication of distance so we know how far we can move and stuff.
As for jumping on the wasp, now I think about it it's probably not a good idea - unless its wings are only just enough to keep its own weight in the air and nothing else, chances are it'll be able to fly at least a little way with her on its back, probably over the water - that would be a Bad Thing, I think, so best not risk it .

[beowuuf]

A ranged attack with an item/weapon you aren't proficient in (say throwing a waterskin or mirror) is +4. I'm letting you be proficient in rocks, so you get your full ranged bonus of +8.

I might do a combat map, and yeah, it would need to be the two different levels. The area you and Westian are on isn't a ledge though. It's really the cavern floor. The water is a submerged lake, and you should be able to climb into/out of the water easily enough, as the lake is only recessed by a few feet.

[Ameena]

Oh, when I said "ledge", I meant, the water is something you would have to actually get down into, rather than having a slope down to it (of whatever gradient). And "a few feet" is actually quite a lot when my character probably is only about three feet high or something (I'm not good with feet so I don't know - I just measure her by attempting to picture someone of a taller race standing next to her ). If the water was just water and didn't have the scary leech things and stuff in it, Ameena would probably be quite happy to have a nice big drink and jump in and have a bit of a swim and a splash around. Umm, well, you know, if there wasn't the fight going on and stuff.
I'll wait for the map before I make my next post - Ameena will have to react to the arrival of the horrible screechy plant thingys that have appeared above - those will trigger some unpleasant memories, I think (poor sensitive ratty hearing, never mind the spore thingys) .

[raixel]

Hey, just letting you guys know if you have room for another player I'm down to play anytime. This is one of the threads I've been lurking. I'm familiar with PbP and 3.5, and am willing to play any class and race, as needed

[beowuuf]

Not sure how to manage a new character into the cavern area without it being too cute ('oh hey, I was just rock climbing, heard the combat, and came to help') but afterwards its very possible. If you have any character concepts you think might work with the current group dynamic, feel free to PM me with them. Similarly, there are a few NPCs mentioned in passing and already existing that could become PCs.

You guys ok with a new player? You guys think you could spot him when I introduce him this time?

[beowuuf]

@Ameena: The map won't go up until later tonight. As said narratively, Ameena's just behind the cascade kinda in shadow, there is the corpse of the previous wasp close with three leeches on it, and then beyond that Westian is fighting the other wasp if that helps. The screamers are, of course, about fifty feet above Ameena making noise while Ameen is beside a water fall. So you'll needt to make a perception check to realise they are around.

Actually, darn, I meant to ask for a perception check anyway.

[oh_brother]

I am happy with a new PC, I am sure we will get it right this time. At least we will know who the player is!

One thing I was thinking after LB joined was the choice of classes. Perhaps this is unnecessarily limiting but could you create whatever class by mixing the appropriate amount of levels of each of the four basic classes? So, for instance, a level 5 ranger could have 3 fighter levels and two rogue levels, or a paladin could have 3 fighter and two priest levels? Just an idea.

As for the map, a basic outline would be handy, a narrative description is fine without a grid as far as I am concerned.

Edit: when I say "get it right this time" I mean we will guess who the PC is. When I re-read my message I realised that sounded like an attack on the last entry - certainly not what I meant! Last one was surprisingly smooth.

[beowuuf]

LIke a swan, it all looked effortless on the surface, while my legs were tearing up the water underneath just as fast as I could. For example, I set up Aurek in his cell right when the party were encountering the soldiers. Not captured, jsut encountering. Can anyone spot how easily you guys could never have met for months

And in a way OB, I'm already doing the combined classes idea. The paladin was essentially the fighter/priest balance, and remember Soorec was a sorcereer - whic hwas essentially a wizard/priest balance.

Technically we haven't really got a ninja yet, and a blend of fighter/rogue could create a DM style ninja class (or even just say the ranger is a fighter/ninja)

But yes, I do feel (especially if you guys are happy single levelling in your classes) that dual-classes are a good way to ensure everyone has a place in the party. We'll play it by ear!

[Ameena]

I have no objection to adding in another player - that could be most interesting .
And for that Perception check you requested...19 (9+10).

[ian_scho]

No objections, it look great in fact!
Hey raixel could be Brighteyes, a grak-grak or even a trolin with a headache
Whatever, get talking to Beo and make a new dimension for us!

[ian_scho]

Oh, not sure we need a map up on the top ledge, as there is only room for one person really