Brawler's Arena

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Ranger Sarah

vagueGM

Feb 6, 2022 3:19 pm
Ranger Sarah


Sarah looks with distaste (or is that hatred) at the goblins. A snarl crosses her face and she utters words that are unfamiliar to the rest of the party, but don't sound like her normal voice.

She ends her utterance with hands on winged horns on her forehead and energy growls angrily there.
OOC:
Cause Fear Ongoing: Choose a target you can see and a nearby object. The target is afraid of the object so long as you maintain the spell. Their reaction is up to them: flee, panic, beg, fight. While this spell is ongoing you take -1 to cast a spell. You cannot target entities with less than animal intelligence (magical constructs, undead, automatons, and the like).
OOC:
Hoping this can treat the goblins as a whole as the 'target'. Willing to take a penalty for that effect (which is easy to say before rolling).

Rolls

Cast a Spell - (2d6+2)

(22) + 2 = 6

Feb 6, 2022 3:19 pm
OOC:
Go ahead and penalise me, I don't care, the dice hate me anyway! :)
Feb 6, 2022 3:40 pm
OOC:
It sure looks like they do. Haha :)
-- Sarah --
The goblins briefly look at your winged horns. One of them points at you and laughs. They are not impressed and keep charging towards John.
OOC:
I think you may have to roll mental damage for them laughing at you :P
You feel anger rising up inside you and reach for your weapon but it's not there... When you turn to look, you see that the goblin, which just wounded Ann, has stolen it and decided to make a run for it. The goblin is limping a bit, from the cut on its leg, so they would be easy to catch if you so please. But that might leave John in a bit of a spot.
OOC:
Does that seem plausible?

Once again I'm switching to the character who has not gotten a turn recently.
Ann, what are you up to?
Feb 6, 2022 4:04 pm
OOC:
TheGenerator says:
I think you may have to roll mental damage for them laughing at you :P
Be careful, as the GM you speak with the voice of authority. It might not always be clear what is a joke. Establishing that all smileys mean "this is not an instruction" is a good idea.
TheGenerator says:
... reach for your weapon but it's not there... goblin ... has stolen it and decided to make a run for it ... Does that seem plausible?
Very plausible. Take Away their Stuff is a GM Move, but one that needs a delicate touch. I have --when mentoring learner GMs who are not as free with this as I am-- seen players become uncomfortable at losing an item, and have broken the 'rule' to 'never speak the name of your move' and mentioned "yeah, one of the GM's moves is 'Take Away their Stuff" and seen immediate changes in attitude. "It is the rules doing this to me, not the GM."

It really makes sense here with a character having fallen, and then used their hands to cast a spell (though be careful of 'punishing' players for using descriptions).

There is also more at play than "does Sarah leave John in a bit of a spot". There is also the possibility that that goblin is leaving the fight, and if we go after it, we need to fight it. However, this aspect is a little dampened by it being my weapon! There are small chances of players abandoning their weapons.
Feb 6, 2022 4:10 pm
OOC:
vagueGM says:
It really makes sense here with a character having fallen, and then used their hands to cast a spell.
That's exactly what I was thinking :)
vagueGM says:
(though be careful of 'punishing' players for using descriptions).
I'll keep that in mind.
vagueGM says:
There is also more at play
Yes, the player now has to make a choice. But I think it's also an opportunity for another player to help out.
Feb 6, 2022 8:00 pm
***
Ann is quickly growing tired of these goblins jumping all over the place, running around, impossible to hit.
She quickly runs up right next to them, as to invite them to an easy target. Then, before they can attack in bulk, she lodges the shaft of her spear between a large crumbling bookshelf. Then she pushes with her legs against the wall, handling the spear as if pulling an oar, leveraging all her strength to make the bookcase fall down and crush as many goblin as possible.
***
OOC:
assuming there's a corner where a bookshelf can crash upon at least 2 goblins.

the Fighter has this move:

Bend Bars, Lift Gates
When you use pure strength to destroy an
inanimate obstacle
, roll+STR. On a 10+,
choose 3. On a 7-9 choose 2.
• It doesn’t take a very long time
• Nothing of value is damaged
• It doesn’t make an inordinate amount
of noise
• You can fix the thing again without a lot
of effort

maybe it applies? Otherwise defy danger?
Don't quite know if this needs a Discern Realities before to find the right spot
OOC:
edit: hihihihi guess who stole the dice's affection
Last edited February 6, 2022 8:04 pm

Rolls

either "bend bars lift gates" or "defy danger" using STR - (2d6+2)

(66) + 2 = 14

Feb 6, 2022 8:19 pm
OOC:
Wow, that's a good roll!
I'd say Bend Bars, Lift Gates is a great way to crush some puny goblins.
Which 3 parts of the move would you like to use for this?

Discern Realities is more of an investigation kind of move. It requires taking time to look at something. So that wouldn't fit in this case. (no pun intended)

Seeing as you are using the highest possible strength, I'd like you to also roll a Defy Danger + DEX to see if you can manage to not damage your weapon at the same time.
What is your weapon made out of, by the way?
Feb 6, 2022 9:50 pm
OOC:
it is my ancient heirloom weapon. It is probably some mystical white wood that looks like ice and polished steel that looks like silver. Bound together with the soul of a frozen mystic of some long forgotten northern civilization.

I have no intention of avoiding noise, nor to re-assemble the bookcase... I will pick the first 3and avoid the fourth.

BTW: my stats are
+2 str
+1 dex, cha
0 int, con
-1 wis
Last edited February 6, 2022 9:54 pm

Rolls

Defy danger with dex - (2d6+1)

(65) + 1 = 12

Feb 6, 2022 9:59 pm
OOC:
Once again the dice rolled your way, I see ;) Your weapon is perfectly fine.
-- Ann --
You head with purpose towards the oncoming goblins. 2 of them are a bit confused and take a defensive stance in front of you when you reach the bookcase. They are caught totally unaware when you daftly lever the bookcase to topple on top of them, as if your spear is part crowbar.
OOC:
You can roll weapon damage on both of them, Aironfabio

The third goblin however manages to slip past while you're doing some remodeling. It lunges forward and tries to stab John.

John, what do you do?
Feb 7, 2022 7:07 am
OOC:
here's the roll

EDIT: geez, this whole action has been blessed by the dice gods
Last edited February 7, 2022 7:08 am

Rolls

dmg to the 2 goblins - (1d10+1)

(10) + 1 = 11

Feb 7, 2022 7:51 am
OOC:
Next time I'm putting Ann against 4 goblins of her own :P
The falling bookcase crushes the 2 goblins under its weight. They scream and twitch for a second, then remain motionless on the floor.
Feb 7, 2022 12:16 pm
OOC:
Aironfabio says:
... the Fighter has this move: Bend Bars, Lift Gates ... maybe it applies? Otherwise defy danger? ...
Defy Danger is a catch all move for if nothing else applies. If there is a more specific move, that gives the results (and meets trigger condition) then use that one.

I might just have gone with Hack and Slash, it directly achieves the goal you described and gives you more control over the outcome (which is why we don't use Defy Danger if we can avoid it:).

From the Book:
Quote:
Weapons don't kill monsters, people do. That's why weapons in Dungeon World don't have a listed damage.
In this case the bookcase was the weapon. :)

The need to topple it from the wall does fall a little outside the remit of Hack and Slash, so this works as well.
TheGenerator says:
Aironfabio says:
... Discern Realities before to find the right spot ...
Discern Realities is more of an investigation kind of move. ...
Yes, it is definitely not a 'perception', 'spot', or 'notice' type move, if a character would see a thing they should be told they see it. Hiding such things behind a roll runs the risk of a 6- cutting the player off from being able to use things that should be obvious to the character.
TheGenerator says:
... using the highest possible strength ...
Interesting choice. I am not sure I would have gone this way.
It feels a bit like a GM move, but without the requisite trigger. Are you seeing this as a Golden Opportunity?

Having high STR means they are GOOD at strength related things, they know how to control how much damage they do. Getting a high roll means they did an excellent job and things went exactly as they planned.

This might be more fair on a 6-, where misuse of strength could be the outcome. Calling for Moves at arbitrary times can undermine the players understanding of the mechanics of the world.

However, and worse: Breaking the Fighters Weapon is a big no-no. It is as much part of them as the Wizard's spellcasting is, and if you took away the Wizards book... how would they feel? You would have to fix both of those toot-sweet.

Paladin John

vagueGM

Feb 7, 2022 12:20 pm
Paladin John
John laughs at the sight of the lone goblin approaching his heavily armoured form. Swinging his sword recklessly, he intends to drive right through the goblin and on to greater glory.

Rolls

Hack and Slash - (2d6+1)

(42) + 1 = 7

Sword Damage - (1d6+1)

(5) + 1 = 6

Goblin damage, and testing the -s in dice codes. - (1d6-3)

(6) - 3 = 3

Feb 7, 2022 12:30 pm
OOC:
Ranger preemptively rolling to what sort of pet they have.
OOC:
Ferocity +1, Cunning +2, 1 Armor, Instinct +1
That looks like a Dog, no?
Maybe: Keen senses; guard, fight monsters, lame.

Rolls

Pet's base statline - (1d4)

(3) = 3

Feb 7, 2022 12:46 pm
OOC:
vagueGM says:
I might just have gone with Hack and Slash
Hmm. I didn't see it that way, but you're right. This was an attack on the goblins, not an 'attack' on the object. I should then treat it as such.

One question about that; let's say that the Bend Bars, Lift Gates was a +3 roll for the player and an attack would have been a +1 roll. (I know that's not possible because they are both +STR, but for the sake of argument please ignore that ;) )
If the player asks "Can I use Bend Bars, Lift Gates here?". Would you allow that?
vagueGM says:
Are you seeing this as a Golden Opportunity?
I didn't really think about the mechanics behind it, to be honest. It seemed like a fair question to ask following from the fiction.
- You're putting all your strength on the weapon.
- It's an action that the weapon was probably not designed for.
That was my thought process. But you might be right about that being more of a -6 thing. However if the attack failed + the weapon got damaged, I'd feel like that may be too hard of a move.
vagueGM says:
Breaking the Fighters Weapon is a big no-no.
I didn't think about the fact that this is the fighter and "Without your weapon, you are useless.". Definitely a mistake on my part.
If it helps in any way, I wasn't planning on outright breaking the weapon but either having it leave their hands or having it need repairs in the next town but still usable for now. :)
Feb 7, 2022 1:03 pm
-- John --

You thrust your weapon forward into the unarmored goblin. At that exact moment you're distracted by the crash of a bookcase not too far away. When you look back at the goblin it's not dead yet, but its shoulder is stuck on your blade. With your arm stretched out it uses some of its last strength to stab your armpit with a dagger.
OOC:
Take 1d6 (minus armor) damage

-- Sarah --
OOC:
A dog seems good. Got a preference for race?
A goblin is limping away with your weapon. It doesn't seem to have anymore interest in fighting after hearing the screams of its companions.

What do you do?
Feb 7, 2022 1:17 pm
OOC:
TheGenerator says:
... player asks "Can I use ...
If the fiction they described shows them using a Move then the move is valid. If a few Moves fit --as they do here, or as Defy Danger always does-- then the player should be able to pick the one that suits their best Stats (or preferred outcomes... it is all about the outcomes, since they are in the fiction and that comes first), it is the natural thing for anyone to use their strengths out of habit.

They could always revert down to Defy Danger to get to use their preferred Stats, don't make them do that and take away the extra control the other Moves give. Also, change the Stats whenever you think another one would be better. Attacking with DEX is very common (but can be a problem, so beware).

If there is a Move that fits better it should be discussed. Often the GM will call for a Basic Move (that is what they have in front of them) and the players SHOULD speak up and point out that they have a more specialised Class Move that does it better, but which the GM did not know/remember they took.

I encourage all the players to call out when they think a Move applies. But this can get disruptive at some tables.
TheGenerator says:
... didn't really think about the mechanics ...
It was definitely a GM Move, and you only get to make GM Moves at the times the rules say. Though you can always justify it as a Golden Opportunity if you have to.
TheGenerator says:
... an action that the weapon was probably not designed for ...
Might be. But it is the PLAYER'S weapon. Would they not know better what it can take?
TheGenerator says:
... the attack failed + the weapon got damaged, I'd feel like that may be too hard ...
That attack does not need to 'fail', the rules don't actually say what happens on a 6-. But most would assume they don't hit (they don't get the listed options from the 7-9 or 10+), AND that the GM makes a Move. Those are the rules. Not hitting is not a GM Move, nothing never happens. Take Away their Stuff is a GM Move, and could make sense after failing to hit a foe.
TheGenerator says:
... fighter and "Without your weapon, you are useless ...
It is worse than that. They can always get another weapon. But this is their SIGNATURE WEAPON. It is part of the playbook and more than 'just another item'.
TheGenerator says:
... need repairs in the next town ...
Depending on the Fighter's other moves, or who else is in the party (Immolator?) they may be able to repair it sooner, and the damage may not even influence the mechanics of play while waiting for repair, but that 'next town' may be a whole adventure away. Very dangerous move.

You can always reverse your decision. Either completely OOC "Sorry, I did not think about how bad that would be" or in the story "You stare at your broken weapon and then at the fire, 'how hard can it be'? You stoke the fire and heat the weapon, borrow a hammer from your sleeping dwarf friend reshape the blade. You can take the Blacksmith Advanced Move for now, and choose to pay for it with XP when the time comes, or have it be a one-time thing."
Feb 7, 2022 1:22 pm
TheGenerator says:


*** SNIP! ***
OOC:
vagueGM says:
Breaking the Fighters Weapon is a big no-no.
I didn't think about the fact that this is the fighter and "Without your weapon, you are useless.". Definitely a mistake on my part.
If it helps in any way, I wasn't planning on outright breaking the weapon but either having it leave their hands or having it need repairs in the next town but still usable for now. :)
OOC:
My own 2 cents on the issue as the player:

1) Just breaking the Fighter weapon would probably feel bad, but this is basically an artifact. You have a description: an ancient spear, with snowy motifs and a mystic inside. You may describe a crack in the shaft and a freezing breeze leaving it, maybe whispering in the angered voice of the mystic. This is the reveal of an unwelcome truth or the showing a downside of equipment that "the weapon resents being used" in some way.
If I were the player and you described such a thing, it would be very cool. The weapon is still perfectly usable, but now you have questions and elements to build upon.

2) it did feel a bit weird that you asked an additional move as consequence for a "critical hit", but I am usually open to anything that furthers the narrative.

all in all, you must talk to your group and know what they like. Some groups like fair and clear rules, others are more willing to have the GM bend them to introudce fun plot points. For such players (and I am one of them) failing in a fun way is better than just succeeding. But PbtAs need very clear communication on this issue, because rules should be followed very strictly.
Last edited February 7, 2022 1:23 pm
Feb 7, 2022 1:26 pm
OOC:
Added the goblin's damage to the original roll. The dice still don't like me and they did as well as a goblin could. :)
If you plan to have the players roll, they could get in the habit of adding all three rolls when they roll Hack and Slash, and we just ignore the ones that don't apply (PC's Damage on a 6-, or foes Damage on a 10+) but this does add the complication of knowing the Damage one would receive before choose whether to take the 10+ option. I would not roll the Enemies damage until we know they are doing damage, on a 10+ we have to add the extra outgoing Damage roll anyway, so may as well add the incoming cost at the same time.
TheGenerator says:
... preference for race ...
I had not thought about it or looked at the options. The portrait could go either way. Maybe we decide later, when it becomes relevant?
Feb 7, 2022 1:31 pm
OOC:
Oh, and if we want to know how I am doing the portraits without a character:

Just add something like:

[npc="Paladin John"]https://gamersplane.com/characters/avatars/17779.jpg[/npc]
or
[npc="Ranger Sarah"]https://gamersplane.com/characters/avatars/17337.jpg[/npc]

Anywhere in the post. The image can come from anywhere, but keep it at the sizes the site uses, which is around 150x150 pixels.
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