Descending the Temple Depths (OOC)

Auch, maybe I jumped the gun on this one.
If needed I'll adjust my last post.

In Character discussion is fine, if we decide not to go with that, we can say that In Character as well. :)

I don't think it matters. All of us want to get away from the danger of explosions asap. So it makes sense that whoever takes the lead is going to be followed without much discussion or hesitation.

I mean... it might matter in case the is an explosion ;)
But that's a different thing. If Roald is volunteering, Albert isn't going to object.

Rook had suggested that Dirk take the lead before, that would still be his inclination now. He mentioned the big machete he was carrying, the part he didn't say out loud is that he figures that since Dirk rung the dinner bell, let him be the first to meet the monsters that answer. :)

Beyond that, he's most concerned about staying near but behind Albert and the Captain. He thinks both of them are betwitched, and wants to be nearby if something happens, but out of the way if they decide to go charging off.

Hehe, I didn't realize that. Nice one ;)
Oooh, well in a way Albert is bewitched... by his deity.

Alright.

What's the marching order? (Dirk at the front? Rook behind Albert and the captain? Roald still at the rear?)

How close together are you? (You could easily walk two abreast if you wanted to, though that might limit maneuverability.)

Who else is carrying torches? (Feel free to give them to NPCs, so you have light but hands free.)

If we have Falur up near the front with Dirk, again: we can assume you, both together, are able to spot these dangerous fungi, and Dirk has deciphered enough about their timing that the first 'controlled explosion' (at least) goes as planned.
• Describe it, including approach and aftermath.

Stage Notes: The torch is blow out --and blown away-- but the broomstick survives, the nearby characters are only superficially singed with no mechanical effect.

• Everyone should show us each of your reactions, and subsequent thoughts.

I'm actually confused now. 😅 I have a hard time visualizing things so I usually sketch things down to think about it better.

I get that Falur and I are in front, and I'm carrying the elongated broomstick torch. . . But I'm not sure what the reason is for carrying the broomstick torch. If there's a delay, won't that trigger the mushroom sooner and harm people? Here's a MSPaint sketch.I think it would make better sense for Roald in the back to hold the broom torch, it could shed light further since it's higher up and if it triggers an exploding mushroom, we'd be well out of the way before it explodes.

I think we have failed to actually decide on which strategy we are going with and some people are trying one while others are trying the other. Maybe we don't try to both poke them with a 10' pole and run past them, but do just one of these strategies.

Maybe, if you can't get a 'shroom to blow, you will need to run past, but that is not the scenario, so far. So far they are separate suggestions for a 'plan'.

There was also talk that suggested you would all run past in a group, making the last one be the most likely to get the blast. Personally, I don't see the logic in that, running past one at a time means only one person --rather than everyone-- would be in danger from each growth. Going as a group probably also increases the likelihood that each will blow.

If there is no open flame when it puffs, there is no explosion, so sticking together around the torch is dangerous.
There was not a predictable delay. It seemed to go off when it wanted to. Maybe you can learn more after you see more of them in action.
Though, not by much. There is a ceiling, and a torch behind you cast your own shadow before you where you want to see to walk, which can be a pain.
Could be. Though there is no point exploding them once you are past... unless you want to come back this way later.

Again: Maybe decide explicitly what you want to do. Get everyone on the same page first. I prefer discussions, but can make a poll and we can vote if we want.

I thought that it was the presence of the torch that caused them to explode? As in, it's not a deliberate action to explode them but an effect of merely holding a torch and walking past it.
Alright, I guess Dirk will trigger the first explosion with the broom torch and we'll go from there.

Alright, I made the post of what happens, let me know if there's any narrative inconsistencies with it.

Those sketches! Awesome 👍

My view of the delay was not that it was a timer on the explosion, like a fuse of sorts. But rather that after the "puff" it takes a few seconds for the spores to become volatile. Giving us a chance to run past quickly before it can explode.

If the last person is carrying the torch and the first person agitates a shroom to puff, then once the torch reaches that shroom it can explode.
So it's better for the first person to carry the torch. If there's a puff, they can run past quickly to avoid explosion. Thought that could trigger a chain of puffs.

Also, yes, those sketches are awesome! :)

@vagueGM
Should we discuss this before following up on Dirk's post or can we go ahead and describe what our character does in response?

Hmm... Let's skim though and take a look at what we know, try to get things clear.

We see in this post that the fungi puff out spores at random, whether you are there or not. That was our introduction to them.

That post also adds that these puff 'explode when exposed to fire'. So, answering sunnyVoid's question, the presence of open flame results in explosions. If you don't bring the torches near them when they are puffing they should not explode.

Roald's 6- on investigating (even with Decipher) means you learned that you can not predict the puffs, nor do you know how to set them off... or avoid setting them off.

You also learned that the explosion is quite large. Roald had walked all the way back to the distant group before the explosion happened and wood-shrapnel still almost hit you guys. Even a 10' pole and armour (or even a wall) leaves some risk. If the players choose to take that risk we will ask the dice how it turns out, so it has the potential to work (I don't like shutting down ideas).

Dirk suggested two strategies other than the forced detonation. All options can work, but you probably need to decide which to use.

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I am not sure where the 6 second delay came from. It is explicitly not predictable and just putting a torch near it does not immediately make it activate.

You are welcome assume it is a set delay, but will soon learn otherwise (without much extra added risk).

Waiting for the process to start and then all running past --while it is happening-- makes no sense to me. That seems like the worst possible strategy, and the most likely to get everyone blown up.

If you want to go with that course of action, don't be surprised when you quickly learn the downsides. It is reasonable for the character to think it could work, and the dice may smile upon you, more experiences lead to more in character knowledge.

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If you need more data, ask.

It seems we have got obsessed with explosions and their timings rather than thinking of stopping them happening. The explosions seem quite violent and should be avoided. The naked flames are the problem. Do we have anyway of seeing without a naked flame torch and if not can we make it through in the dark?

Not sure. Maybe the slight glow from Albert's staff?
You won't know till you try it.

I don't think any of us can see in the dark and the tunnel would be pitch black without light.
But you did give me an idea, Stampman. Maybe Falur could find some mushrooms or moss or bugs that glow in the dark? What do you think?
That's also something I didn't consider.

Maybe Falur can suggest that we dim all the lights and see if anything lights up?

Sure, we already have explody mushrooms, it makes sense there could be glowy mushrooms.