OOC Thread.

This section will be used for any out of character discussions as well as any discussion which have nothing to do with the game.

While we're at it. I have a Discord I made for my games.

Hiiii! :D A stray succulent has appeared! I'm new to the system and might take some time to learn, but I'm excited to play with you all.

Also, I want to use as much random as possible to make a character. I know they probably are not going to be very optimized and all, but I'm ready for a challenge of making 'em work. And I believe in my good luck! ...Worst case scenario, their demise can add drama.

Do we have some set story for why our characters are together (if they are) at the start? Are we forming a Fellowship?

I have prepared a first adventure (it is about, oh, 98-ish% finished...). You will all begin in the small halfling town of Alhereth near the Arasgar Mountains (I'll work out the exact location later).

Some of you may/will have been born there, some of you may have moved there later in life, some of you may only be passing through...

How are you about dice highlights? I wrote a code for skill rolls which checks result if it finds ": N%" (where N is any number) in the roll title. I imagined it would be used something like "Athletics: 20%". :D

Me and codes don't usually get along... I can always try to implement those, but I'll probably mess something up...

Just stick this in Advanced Rules Definition:

{
"characterSheetIntegration":true,
"diceRules":[
{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": "<=##","highlight":"success bold"},
{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": ">##","highlight":"fail bold"}
]
}

It will add two highlights (I didn't read about other rules yet, I can make more later) and character sheet integration.

Yeah, I have a knack for fucking up codes despite doing exactly what I was told...

Ah, you already have background, I forgot about it! Keep it as you already have it (without last addition, I mean), then put this

{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": "<=##","highlight":"success bold"},
{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": ">##","highlight":"fail bold"}

between the brackets after "diceRules".

So... something like this?
{
"diceRules":[
{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": "<=##","highlight":"success bold"},
{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": ">##","highlight":"fail bold"}
]
}

Yup!

Okay, I keep getting the same invalid JSON message...

Here is the full code! I don't know the full url of your background image (and whether you changed positioning for it), so it's the only thing you need to replace.
I tested on my own game, this one shouldn't give any errors!

{
"background":{"image":"url","position":"center center","size":"cover"},
"characterSheetIntegration":{"gmSheets":[]},
"diceRules":[
{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": "<=##","highlight":"success bold"},
{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": ">##","highlight":"fail bold"}
],
"diceDefaults":{}
}

Ah, okay, that seems to have worked. So basically, what it seems I needed to do in the first place was add the rolling d100% stuff in between the original brackets, under the character sheet stuff...

Yeah, brackets and missing punctuation are often the problem with these errors.

...testing...
It works!

Hmm, I might add this to my FrontierSpace game as well then...

Question for those who are more proficient with building sheets. In my sheet, I have the following code:

[table="rolls"]
DM|HP|MW|MP|CL|MR
[_dm$=1d4]|[_=13] / [_hp$=ceil((siz+con)/2)]|[_mw$=ceil(hp/2)]|[_=13] / [_mp$=pow]|[_cl=0]|[_mr$=14]
[/table]

I'm trying to get the 1d4 Damage Modifier to have an appropriate description in the dice roller, but it just shows "1d4" in both reason and roll.

Second, can I put an image in a column? It wasn't working for me earlier. I was hoping to have Baeldricks character info in one column, and a small image in the second.

Sorry, I can't help you there, I can't code...
I tried copy-pasting FS's code to my FrontierSpace game, and so far, it's refusing to work...

For 1d4 thing, it needs to have the roll title in the first column of the row. Like "Damage Modifier|1d4".

If you can screenshot it, I can try to figure out what is wrong? Is there any prior code present in it?

It is the titles. For my code they must be in format "something: N%". Like both with : and space after it. It is (partially) because of what Anti says, it needs text before the roll, and I couldn't make it "N%", it had to have something before it.

You can probably rewrite the code to be "%##" instead of ": ##%", although I'm not sure if it will work.

Hmm, Antiproduct added a little something which might make the success/failures even more visually engaging...

Well, it seems to work on FrontierSpace, so let's try it here as well...

Edit: YES! I love it!

If you want to get even more technical, here are additional codes for crits and fumbles respectively:

{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": "<(##/10)+1","highlight":"success bold underline"},
{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": "100","highlight":"fail bold underline"}

(Crits have +1 to simulate rounding up, because ceil command doesn't seem to work in highlights.)

PS: If you add them, don't forget to add a comma after previous bracket.

Just testing the dice.

...And such rolls were never seen from again...

Testing dog's rolls!
Also, I think I'm done with my items... mostly because my tiny halfling is almost overencumbered already. XD I'll move on to writing backstory now.

A critical is if you roll under 10% of your modified roll (taking into account modifiers), and in combat inflicts maximum damage and ignores Armour Protection.

As for fumbles, they happen if you roll "00" (or 100), and there are no special rules for fumbles in combat, so they use the regular rules of "spectacular failure"...

I guess that could be added to the codes, but I certainly won't be the one to find out...

Hey, kalajel, the Open Quest SRD made some changes. AoS is based off of OpenQuest, so I am just suggesting you might look at it, it's free, and see if there's anything you want to pull from there or not.

Thanks, I've already got it, and I've also backed the Kickstarter for 3rd edition. So yeah, I'm sort of already on it...

Aww, you mean you don't want to add it? (Since I gave you the working code.) I guess that's fair, they're not going to be used often either way. XD Testing if roll of 100 work is a pain.

I can always try adding, but remember, I can't code, so that probably won't end well.

You just need to add this:

{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": "<(##/10)+1","contentAppend": "✅ (crit)","highlight":"success invert bold"},
{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": "100","contentAppend":"❌ (fumble)","highlight":"fail invert bold"}

in the same manner as previous ones. So end result will be like this (not accounting for image url):

{
"background":{"image":"url","position":"center center","size":"cover"},
"characterSheetIntegration":{"gmSheets":[]},
"diceRules":[
{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": "<=##","contentAppend": "✅","highlight":"success invert bold"},
{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": ">##","contentAppend":"❌","highlight":"fail invert bold"},
{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": "<(##/10)+1","contentAppend": "✅ (crit)","highlight":"success invert bold"},
{"rolled": "1d100","reason":": ##%","total": "100","contentAppend":"❌ (fumble)","highlight":"fail invert bold"}
],
"diceDefaults":{}
}

Just don't forget that every } bracket in DiceRules except the last has to have a comma after it. You'll have to add a comma after the first "fail invert bold"}" like above.

You also can add different things in "contentAppend":"here" so it looks as you want. The end of this post by Adam has some examples with emojis. :D I just added text (crit/fumble) for now.

PS: sorry if I'm bad at explaining. ^...^""

Oh, interesting, according to Adam's table, I could also add d100 doubles, which are the crit/fumble conditions for FrontierSpace... I'll try and look for interesting crit/fumble emojis, if not, maybe add the words crit/fumble in bold and coloured green/red or something...

I'll check this all later, right now I should probably finish my 2%-ish remaining for my first adventure and start looking for what will be your next adventure...

I did not try to get on the kickstarter. There's some errata that I found as well as others. I wonder if he'll make a 3E revised?

Just a quick heads up, I made a Discord webhook for Snake's demise on my gaming Discord. So, if you use Discord, you'll be able to get posting updates from the game thread there.

(Just letting you know I'm still here. I thought I should probably wait with posting until Baelrick and Thallan rope Daglin into joining them... Or I can concoct a post about Peli making breakfast for them. XD)

I also thought of perhaps having Daglin arriving at the tavern right at the moment you left, so you two can talk outside...

I can do that, Peli would be happy to recruit another absolute stranger for her cause. :D

Just a heads up: since the recruiting thread in the Games Tavern forum has not been marked as closed, at least 4 new players have expressed their interest to participate...

Wait, really?

Edit: Thanks for the heads up. Since I have only two places left, I've decided to go in order. So I've sent PMs to Unacceptableusernam and Habsazin to see if they wanted their invitation or to give a chance to Uglyrob or Jobsviking and be placed on the waiting list instead. Unless I hear from them soon, they'll receive their invites and I'll put Uglyrob and Jobsviking on the waiting list, and then we'll have our full party of 6. :D

Habsazin told me he joined some other game, so Uglyrob is in. Welcome to @Unacceptableusername and @Uglyrob!

Hi new people! :D

Just wanted to mention I'm still around, just waiting my turn. We'll be off fighting goblins together soon enough.

For the sake of realigning our timelines: Peli would absolutely invite Artur to stay with her if he'd want to, so they can meet everyone else together next morning. :D

Yes that sounds good FlyingSucculent

We haven't heard anything from UglyRob, should we move on to Jommsviking to keep this train rolling?

If I haven't heard from him until this weekend, then I'll go ahead and contact Jommsviking instead. You guys can keep laying, I'll find a way to introduce any potential new characters later...

I'm not sure if there's much point in me posting anything until the tavern interaction finishes and we move on to the next morning. Unless you'd like to roleplay Shopping Experiences With Peli and Artur, @Unacceptableusername? :D

I'd be down for Roleplaying while we wait for the time to go by.

Alright, it's the weekend and still no word from Uglyrob. so I've sent an invitation to Jomsviking.

Hello all

Since we have new members, just a reminder that I have a Discord set up for my games.

Wait, so we're playing on Discord now?

Not so much playing, but I've done a webhook for Discord in the main scenario thread, so that if someone post, you can be update via Discord. I've had it integrated since I started the game.

Hi, Jomsviking! :D
Also sorry for a bit of delay, I usually don't post on weekends.

BV are supposed to be small semi-precious stones, even smaller precious stones, small jewelry, gold or silver statuettes or other small knick-knacks, etc. which you use to , well, barter... However, if you want BV to be coins, I have no problem with that. IIRC this is what I did last game.

A somewhat related question: how far away is Snake's Demise from Alhereth in travel days? I have enough rations for 3 days for 6 people, would that be enough for us to not starve on the way (and back)? XD

Good question... Have you asked anyone?

Not on record, I think. But narratively someone probably did while gathering information? And Daglin is sort of a local, so he might know?
I guess we can ask the next day too. Realize we don't know which direction to go in right before departure. :P

Paid in exposure obviously. He has no performer's union to guarantee his performance.

Did you know the term break a leg was coined because until those unions were made the only way to guarantee being paid for a performance was to be given an insurance pay out? True story.

Sadly those same unions now extort performers and practice selective favoritism and other forms of corruption to get performers to work for free while they get paid.

Though this is coming from a bitter actor who had had too many bad experiences with the local union.

Gang. Baelrick isn't a bard. He's a drunk. I never described him singing well. In fact I have tried to allude to him being a bit gruff and foul.

My vision of him is the Anti-Gandalf. Where Gandalf was wise, regal, cultured, and respectful, Baelrick is not. Where gandaf was frail, old, and mellow, Baelrick is not.

Hail Baelrick, that bastard will live one thousand years.

Thallan realizes that, but he is a Ranger for a reason. He is more like the Anti-Legolas. He believes in the good of man, but he doesn't always agree with man's laws and will take justice into his own hands.

He despises those who frighten little children without a care and he has a burning hatred for Orcs and other evil doers. He has few words and even less patience. Kill them all and let the gods sort sinner from saint!

This is really interesting to me because Tyr is the anti-Aragorn. He's scum, from nowhere, who has almost infinite faith in Iluvatar. Where Aragorn has basically every favor with everyone, Tyr has the enmity of all. Though to be fair, he has a lot of the same physical qualities. I think he might even be swifter. I think with his power to heal he will make an awesome combat medic.

His strength should be 15. Think I'll invest in that, and hit points. Once him and Baelrick make peace they're going to be a berserkergang. It'll be rad.

That. And to this I'll add that I've not seen any Performance check made... :D

So, as far as BV, I like the idea that there isn't a set currency. There are coins, but it's just weights of fine metals. Stones, gems, scrimshaw, animal teeth, etc

Same, I prefer trade goods to coins. Although I wouldn't mind if we use coins either. :)

Did someone said Kraid?

Yep that's the one.

Though Krait is the sanskrit word for cobra which is what Tyr is referring to.

I'm going to have to ask some of you to slow down posting a bit. I know that I, and many other players see posting frequency as a suggestion rather than a hard rule, but for some players, this is what they can afford to post.

I've been receiving some complaints that the game is moving a bit too fast, and personally, I tend to agree as this game is starting to take a lot of my focus which I would normally split among my other games on here.

So please be mindful of your other fellow players in that regard.

Sorry about that! I'll slow it down on my end. I just got really excited about the character of Baelrick.

Easy request to follow

We haven't heard from Unacceptableusename in a hot minute. Are we continuing on without them, or giving it some time?

No Zs next to his username yet, so that's a good sign. He could be a bit busy with real life at the moment. I'm willing to wait a bit if you're all fine with that, otherwise, I'll move the plot along...

I dont mind waiting. But what's the TV time limit?

My game has a posting suggestion of 3 posts per week, so we can afford to wait a bit more. I might be a bit busy myself in the following couple of days (large golf tournament fundraiser for the organism I frequent among other things), so I'm fine waiting a bit more because of that. I'd say, later that week (thursday or friday), or early next week (monday), I should be able to push forward, whether we heard from Unnaceptable or not...

Hey, just checking in. Been a little quiet around here!

Oh, sorry, I sort of got busy lately, the game slipped my mind...

That's what I'd like to know as well...

Ooh snap no I just did it out of reflex.

I played a lot of BRP which this is based

Okay, I'll just ignore the second roll then.

Are we attacking the bear?

I usually prefer pacifism where it comes to animals, and we do still have potential goblins/wyrms to deal with - wouldn't extra fight be risky? That said, if everyone else wants to fight, I'll go along with it (not that Peli is going to be very useful in a fight... XD).

I very much agree. Mostly for the latter reason, that we still have other fights ahead. Perhaps Peli could calm down Tyr?

Men hunted the Eurasian Brown Bear to extinction using less. I say we kill the bear, and bring it back to the village with proof of goblins and recruit some halfling muscle

Ah, the Ursus arctos arctos. The "bear bear bear". One of the greatest animal scientific names around. Almost as good as the American robin, Turdus migratorius, the "migrating turd".

As a note, Great Attack only applies to 2H melee attacks, and it only does max Damage Modifier damage (that modifier you got from your strength and size combined).

Uh-oh... Just noticed those Zs appearing next to Unnaceptable's username. This indicates a 2 week period of inactivity, and from experience, not a good sign...

I'll wait a bit to see if Unnaceptable will be the rare exception, but I might have to think about removing Arthur somehow.

Food for goblins is a good way to remove an idle PC

Maybe Artur can stay and protect the wagon. We are kinda abandoning it. XD

I'm of the mind that he played such a small role, he may have just not occured at all.

While the vast majority of people with Zs next to their usename never come back, there still enough exceptions that I'll wait a bit more before removing him from the game. For now, guarding the cart is a really good idea. And later, if we see he still hasn't come back, then we can simply pretend like Arthur was never part of your group at all...

I will be out of town for one week. Please play Biror in my stead while I'm away.

Biror? Don't you mean Daglin? I think you mixed up your games and characters...

You and me both...

Making a firebrand, because torches can't be lit without fire.

That's what flint and steel is for, to create sparks against the treated torches. And all characters come with it.

In one minute.

Peli doesn't have that long.

Hey, I can survive one minute in a cave. :P Though I do hope we aren't going to be battling inside it.
Somewhat related, do dogs have penalty for darkness too?

It's probably lessened (see p.56). Though, most penalties I can find, aside from pitch black that is, are for visual Perception tests and movement rate.

A bit of bad news, Umbraldragon has contacted me via PM and inform me we'll temporarily be loosing him until October. Something about a new job. Anyways, we'll wish him good luck in his new endeavour, and I'll temporarily NPC him (especially for the current combat), and then find an excuse for him to temporarily leave the party.

With Unnacceptableusernam also gone, It might be time to recruit someone else as well.

And Daglin is out of town for the week. Given the combat, they'll need to be NPCd as well.

I'm all for fresh blood! We could use someone to stop the bickering between Baerick and Tyr.

Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that...

I don't mind taking over one temporarily, if that would help.

Hmm, did Umbral just left the game? I can't locate his character now...

Edit: Yep, just went and checked my game's page. He's gone. Hmm, this is going to make NPCing him challenging...

Well, we have his stats and know roughly what his scores should be. That's enough for a combat.

And we know he has a bow, from having pointed it at Tyr upon first meeting.

Yeah, I'll have to build myself a char-sheet for him.

Thallan's sheet is public, though, you can just get stats from it.

Oh, good, this will help greatly. Yes, I can see them, probably by virtue of me being GM.

Just a note about the battle map, I wasn't able to see my token to the side while I was on my phone. Only on desktop. Maybe if I had downloaded the Slides app...

Yeah, that is one of the few disadvantages for using google slides for pbp battle maps, the lack of compatibility with mobile devices.

I'll try and see if I can't find a way to make my battle maps more mobile-accessible, but that'll be later. Right now life is being a bit overwhelming due to events outside my control...

I hope it's nothing serious and it gets better, kalajel! :)

Just a heads up, I'll be backpacking from the 6th to the 15th of August, and will be very, very away from keyboard. I have no issues with people playing my characters.

Alright, my problem is still there, but at least thanks to it I have some more time to myself today so I can continue this combat...

I'm back. And yes, I mixed up the name with another dwarf in another game...

Welcome back! \^...^/

Gang, I ended my hike early for a multitude of reasons (including a potential thunderstorm while stuck on an exposed ridgeline), so I'm back! I'll try to get up a post in a bit.

As Thallan.

Welcome back! How was the hike? :D Aside from fickle climate, that is.

Oh man, the section I did was pretty incredible! Wildflowers and alpine lakes galore. And then we actually had that thunderstorm yesterday, so it was good I got out of there!

I will be out of town again for the next two weeks, with limited access to the internet. Can someone take care of my character for me in the meantime?

I'm sure we can manage! It would help if you made your character public for us, though.

Indeed. As a GM, I tend to forged about this little detail as I can see everyone's charsheet... XD

You know I'm really glad I haven't got us killed with as many 90+ rolls I've thrown. No more hate on Tyr you're jinxing me.

To be fair, I ain't rolling so hot either, and Peli is the one who sticks her nose everywhere. XD With our combined powers, we will definitely get everyone in trouble, eventually.
But hey, at least no one is on fire yet!

Ooh, some more information! I'll slow down so some others can catch up and give input.

I'm thinking we might try pitting orcs against wild men, and perhaps something against beastlings.

...I can't not read it as "then yeet you".

A little bit of that too... :P

@Jomsviking, we haven't heard from you in a hot minute!

Been reading along seems everything is well handled at the moment

Hey, I have to say, execution of the captured goblin makes me very uncomfortable. I can deal with fighting and killing done by characters in battle, but killing someone who surrendered and has no chance to defend themselves doesn't sit right with me. I'm sorry if I'm being too picky - considering the setting, killing is to be expected, - but if I may ask, can we please not do it again? If anything, not accepting surrender at all would be better if we're planning to kill them anyway...

Honestly, I wasn't too sure about it myself. Maybe we'll retcon and just knock it unconscious.

If it's because of the rope, maybe we can tie them together? A goblin combo, if you will. XD It is 10 meters, and they are pretty small...

Thallan killed the first goblin, so no combo, sadly...

Retcon combo? :V

Taking no prisoners is pretty close to the source material. Legolas kept a necklace of orc ears for instance.

I guess, but it doen't make the situation any more comfortable for me. Maybe I was just in the mindset of this game being more a heroic epic than a realistic fantasy, and misread the mood we were going for. Doesn't help that Peli is supposedly a moralist, and ignoring it just feels like OOC. XD

Only somewhat related, but you know what would be an interesting twist? This game being a fallen hero type of story! With the group growing decidedly more anti-hero as time passes, in a "good intentions pave the road to hell" narrative. That would be fun.
...I wish I could compromise more easily between these extremes, but for some reason I can never pull it off with fantasy.

In my Descent into Avernus D&D game here, run by Adam, we're playing with that idea. We're all knights that rode into hell with the purest of intentions, but we've had to make hard choices the entire while. And we keep coming back to the phrase "Whatever the cost."

Epic in scope and certainly heroic in that there is a very real, very identifiable evil that the players will have to defeat eventually (hopefully with the backing of all civilized races). Realistic (maybe more like grim) in the actual combat rules.
Not that both can't be married well IMHO.
As for the direction the party has taken, it is your first adventure after all, and you're only 3 rooms deep in this dungeon. Maybe attitudes will change, maybe they won't...

The theme I'm sensing is that we all think we are big damn heroes and the dice say we are buffoons. Totally ok with me though since Tolkien was effectively writing about the First Commando it makes sense that we are learning by the seat of our pants.

I do wonder if there will be a nice collection of magical weapons at the end of the dungeon like in The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring

Knights in hell sound like quite the setup! Reminds me a little of Berserk (the manga), though I imagine your game is less bleak. Plus even aside of moral relativism themes, the image of knights riding among hellish landscapes is pretty cool. Erm, hot?
Perhaps I chose a wrong wording, but I meant more like characters being heroic. Paragon-esque, if you will? Maybe with some moral trouble arising along the way, but still good. It's just slitting a throat of a captive (even an objectively evil captive) to me seems like something more evil than good, and it feels icky to brush it off. (But I have no desire to stir inter-party conflict in the story, so brush it off I will. Just please, let's not take prisoners again.)
...so you're saying there's a possibility for a heel turn? :P Just you wait, I'll make Peli evil!

Oh, the game is super bleak. But also comical? It's very dark humor and sacrifice. But we're effectively playing this image!As for this game, though we've been in it for a while, it's still too early to tell what the tone is! The rolls do suggest blunderers, but the characters suggest epic fantasy. Except Baelrick. Though I've been trying to be more descriptive in my posts, more akin to what you'd find in something Tolkien (to the best of my ability).

Well, good thing we're not playing with alignments then... ;)

As you can see, I haven't added those codes yet. Been thinking about them a lot. Especially the critical success one. I'm wondering if a % chance ends up on a ten (10, 20, 30, etc.), this code will still round up the number, which according to the rules, it should not.

Not sure if folks saw it, but Peli is taking a break from the site for a while.

Oh, okay. Thanks for the heads up. I'm at work right now. I'll take care of her turn when I get back home.

Would this be a reasonable time to have Peli escort the dwarf outside and guard him?

Peli and/or Thallan, yes.

Your dwarf changes names often... XD

Sorry, I play different dwarves in different games and they have close names...

So Kristian R has answered my question and it seems that if you aim, you better make sure you're nowhere near striking distance...

How did Legolas?

Legolas clearly had enough points put into Ranged that he didn't actually need to aim. He was dropping shots every few seconds like clockwork.

Ah yes he was the GMPC

Ah yes he was the GMPC

Hey, I am back! I'll need to read up on what I missed, but otherwise I am more or less ready to rejoin - thank you for dealing with my abrupt absence. :'D Anything in particular I need to know?

Well, you're currently guarding a dwarf merchant you found imprisoned in the complex. Though, I guess you could hear the sound of battle and come in to help your friends...

You could take control of Thallan for this dungeon!

@Jomsviking, I think you can use a fate point to prevent death, turning it into unconsciousness instead.

Tyr has a leather armour which will lower this damage by 2 points. So from 8 to 6, thus avoiding death. But yeah, Tyr is in dire straights... He could use a Fate Point to re-roll that failed dodge if he wanted to.

Edit: Also, he should have made his Persistance check first, to see if he would have taken a -25% penalty to his dodge...

Already used the fate point though

Oh, well, you're still at 2 HP. You'll have to be very careful this fight.

Besides, don't humans start with three?

I read through the thread, so I'm all up to speed and ready to jump back in! Though probably not as Thallan, I don't think I have brain capacity to figure out a new character yet. XD

Peli and Fitch (and Bean) are at the cave entrance, right? Can they - minus the merchant, unless he wants to join, - move through the second cave entrance and into the dining hall? I'd like to do that. My movement is 10, so in one turn I should be able to reach the doorway at least (I think?).

The cave entrance might not be the best idea. There's still a bear there... But at the cells (Fitch might want to start his inventory of what he can salvage) you could have heard the goblins raise the alarm and leave then (to Fitch's protests). 2 rounds of double moves you'd get there this round and would be able to act next round.

As for Thallan, I guess I can take care of him for now.

Oh, I misremembered, thought that the bear left the cave. Gotta wonder when it will crash the party then... XD
And sure, I'll go with the splitting up at the cells. Consider Peli doing Halfling Run™ this round.

It's not something I plan to do, but theoretically: can Peli and/or Bean grapple the goblin? I imagine the orcs are probably too tall and will cause the halfling penalty to proc, but goblins are probably easier?

Hmm, interesting. Yeah sure. Rules are printed on p.35. You'd have to use Unarmed though.

I have rarely had such a streak of bad luck in one single fight... :(

Relatable. :'D At least our companions are doing damage!

I had completely missed that the light was healing. For some reason in my head Tyr was walking around trying to hand folks a torch, and getting all huffy when they didn't take it. The healing makes so much more sense, as well as his persistence!

Huffy? He knows the light is blinding. But he also know the light can only be accepted with a contrite heart.

Sorry, that wasn't meant to sound dismissive or demeaning. That was just how my mind played out the scene. Everyone focusing on their own things, with Tyr bouncing from one person to the next as they remain ignorant to his presence. It was a funny image.

It's ok. They'll just have to ask for healing in the future. Wouldn't want to be a pushy religious zealot

I also completely forgot about the healing light. Sorry about that.

Seems you're about to finish this first adventure. Might be a good opportunity for me to start recruiting to replace the 2 players we've lost.

Well, I tried recruiting, and nobody has shown interest. I've even tried outside of GP and no dice.

We can still continue with 4 players. It should work well enough.

I'm actually thinking of leaving after we get back to town. I love Baelrick, but the system just hasn't been speaking to me, and I haven't been overly excited about the game as a whole. Sometimes the vibe just isn't there.

Ah, that's sad to hear. Well, at least we gave it a try...

Baelrick is off to retire as the champion.

Ha, gotta end it on a high note!

Shame, I loved playing with you, cowleyc! Hope we cross paths again in more games. :D

As for me, I'm happy to continue!

Well, I've already lost 3 out of 6 players. I think we'll wrap this up and I'll move on to something else...

I'll leave this game open for a few more days, in case you want to discuss it, thank us for playing, or just wish to bid everyone here goodbye...

Well if we decide to play, Tyr would have followed the road south.

I'm glad you ran this, and that I joined on! This has been a pretty great experience! It definitely made me interested in checking out OpenQuest or even RuneQuest to slap on a little more.

There is also SimpleQuest coming out soon. Not sure how much they'll simplify the OpenQuest rule set, and how much it will compare to The Age of Shadow...

This was fun, and it was nice playing with all of you. :D

I can't say I'm a huge fan of the system though - it's definitely interesting, but it seems to be very punishing on low levels. When your skill is 50%, a penalty of 25% is pretty harsh; although, I suppose statistically it's not that different from other systems... And difficulty seems to be the point, so fair enough. XD Maybe I'll try it some more, if there is an occassion.

Well, I guess the system is not meant to be as combat heavy as I made it. The rulebooks seems to suggest that opponents should not be more numerous than players, and they even provide the Horde Rule they strongly suggest you use if the players are outnumbered... Which is also odd as simultaneously, it suggests players pick their fight carefully, so I'm getting a bit of a mixed message here...

Maybe horde rule is less for difficulty and more for streamlining? So GM doesn't have to roll as much as if each NPC used full turns.

I think it's more to fit in line with the source material. The fellowship tried to avoid fighting and only fought it out when they had no other choice.

Also remember that every member of the fellowship was wearing magical armor and carrying magical blades. As well as cloaks and boots of elvenkind. Gimili's gift of Galadriels hair being an artifact and same with the one ring, which likely gave some magical aid to the fellowship by virtue of being the most powerful magical item ever made, more so than the simarils.

It's ironic to me that people say D&D is based on LoTR when every member of the fellowship was equipped with artifact items. Reminding that Sam, Pippin, Merry, and Frodo each had ancient swords forged specifically to kill Ringwraiths. Which is why Pippin and Eowyn destroyed the Witch King of Angmar. "No blade held by man can kill me." And neither of them were a man thus the prophecy came true.

A fun fact worth observing is that Sir Christopher Lee, Sir Ian Flemming and Tolkien all went to school together and all served with the British Commando in various roles. And the fellowship themselves are based on the Commandos and their feats throughout WWII. Which is almost certainly why even the junior commandos, represented by the Hobbits, had the best equipment and training for their task.

But legendary fiction is difficult to replicate in games of chance. And they, the Commandos, did not take games of chance operating only in certainty.

I would also like to thank you all for the game, it was fun and masterfully conducted. I hope we can play again together in the future.

As for the system, it was originally designed to simplify the Runequest ruleset, which, while similar, is a lot more fiddly. Runequest is very deadly, and definitely not fit for large engagements since we are tracking each attack and parry / dodge. For a high fantasy game, maybe Classic Fantasy (from Design Mechanism, based on Mythras) would be more appropriate. It is crunchier, but characters are made more survivable by increasing hit points and starting skills. I would be up to try it!