Whispering in the Depths [OOC]

Dec 11, 2022 7:56 pm
Here, we'll discuss stuff that doesn't belong in the game thread (which I will open when I have approved all four characters).

Those of you who have spell slots, you may begin play with a bound spell if you wish. You may roll as many as seven times on the Maze Rats tables, choosing to bind the spell you roll or to let it slip away with sunrise and then dream again to listen for another.

Once you've chosen a spell to bind (or once you exhaust the seven rolls without hearing anything you like), I'll roll for the mark that your bound spell imposes on you.
Dec 13, 2022 12:59 am
@Qralloq,@seanfsmith,@SatanicPanic,@BaboonsandMoons the IC thread is opened!
Dec 14, 2022 9:20 pm
@Qralloq,@seanfsmith,@SatanicPanic,@BaboonsandMoons,@Eyes a heads up that I most likely will be offline from about Christmas until about New Years Day.
Dec 15, 2022 12:11 am
@tibbius Anything we should assume about Dwarves in this setting? Any special physical features/attributes? Any common cultural mores, taboos, lore, etc? Any existing fictional setting we should use as reference?

I'm happy with any level of guidance, also happy to assume we'll make things up as we go. Just thought I'd check!
Dec 15, 2022 2:14 am
I think the two biggest things are that DWARFS DON'T SEE IN THE DARK and they're renowned as cunning makers of talismans. They're also fading rare to encounter. How many of the group are dwarfs?
Dec 15, 2022 4:01 am
Oh, I had assumed we were a party of Dwarves, based on the setup 😂 But now that I read it again, it doesn't say that.

If Dwarves are quite rare, I think I'll assume I'm a human.
Dec 15, 2022 5:27 am
I wasn't planning on being a dwarf but could go for it if it makes things cool.
Dec 15, 2022 11:26 pm
Nope, ex criminal counterfeiting human
Dec 16, 2022 1:15 am
Then Stor-bten is our only dwarf, @seanfsmith!
Dec 16, 2022 9:36 pm
That feels even more reason for why people might assume I'd want to come here! Perfect :D
Dec 16, 2022 9:43 pm
In other news, does anyone have the link for how to get character portraits to supercede the standard avatars in IC threads?
Dec 16, 2022 9:45 pm
Just select it from the dropdown box above the post window.

https://i.imgur.com/9qp25gg.jpg
Dec 16, 2022 9:50 pm
Perfect! Thanks @qralloq
Dec 24, 2022 3:21 am
BaboonsandMoons says:
Apologies…but how do I roll?
@baboonsandmoons
Eyes says:
Under the text box you should have preview and post then an orange banner that says rolls.
Under that click add.
Then enter a reason
Then what dice you want to roll
In this case I want to roll 2 dice with 6 sides so 2d6
If you have the +1 for your action it would be 2d6+1
Hide nothing

Then click post and it'll show the roll
Also, in the box that says player, if you click the drop down, you'll see your character's name, click that to post as your character

https://i.imgur.com/vBotexH.jpg
Also, I will revise your character sheets to add buttons for your standard rolls.
Jan 3, 2023 12:23 pm
I apologize for losing track of this - I will update my notes ... Who currently carries a light?
Jan 3, 2023 12:53 pm
OOC:
Morning, a lantern. chasing a chicken on roids
Jan 5, 2023 4:22 pm
Baboons and Moons has informed me that they will not be able to continue with the game for the time being.
Jan 5, 2023 5:24 pm
Let's petrify him and accidently leave him behind because we thought it was permanent. Then if he comes back, he can find us after searching for however long.
Last edited January 5, 2023 5:25 pm
Jan 6, 2023 1:47 am
Wunderbar, petrification charm ftw. Now, someone grab that cockatrice.
Jan 21, 2023 9:35 pm
[ +- ] Combat, by Schrödinger's Ghosts
Jan 22, 2023 9:24 pm
Please give an example:

Like
Pc1 says I attack npc1
Rolls atk dex?
Rolls damage str?
Pc2 I give pc1 advantage
Rolls what???
now pc1 hits so dmg is applied to npc1
Npc Rolls dex save? Fail so takes damage
Npc 1 attacks pc1
Rolls Hits
Rolls dmg
Pc1 Rolls dex to save?? Saves so no damage?

Next surge
Pc1 attacks
Rolls dex
Rolls str
...
I think this is the basics if I understand correctly but please
Make an example using Rolls for a surge including bonuses.
Last edited January 22, 2023 9:25 pm
Jan 23, 2023 2:47 am
Eyes says:
Please give an example:

Like
Pc1 says I attack npc1
Rolls DEFENSE Danger Roll (+DEX +armor or shield?) <- let's say Pc1 has +1 DEX and light armor and a shield, roll 2d+3; gets 8 and fails
threatens harm to npc1: STR +weapon <- let's say Pc1 has +1 STR and a light weapon, threat of 2 harm

Pc2 I give pc1 advantage
Lets pc1 re-roll the lower die on the DEFENSE Danger Roll; rolls 2 instead of 1, still fails
Rolls DEFENSE Danger Roll <- let's say they have +2 DEX, shield, they roll 2d+3 for 10 -> they are safe from any harm this clash

Npc 1 says I attack pc1 <- we already know Pc1 failed the DEFENSE Roll. Npc1 has +2 STR and no weapon, they do 2 harm to Pc1.
Npc1 rolls DEFENSE to see if they avoid Pc1's attack <- let's say they have +2 DEX, no armor or shield, they roll 9, fail, take 2 harm from Pc1

Npc2 says, Pc2 made their DEFENSE roll, Pc1 failed, I'm gonna hurt Pc1 <- let's say they have +2 STR, no weapon, they do 2 harm to Pc1
Npc2 rolls DEFENSE <- +1 DEX, no armor or shield, they roll 7 and fail, but there's no-one left to hit them

Next clash
...
Jan 23, 2023 10:47 pm
Feels clear on my end (and as such I hope I don't make errors in the first round lolol)
Jan 26, 2023 12:43 am
I'm not sure I see in your combat rules how to process "threatening harm". Can Rijo avoid this harm somehow?
Jan 26, 2023 1:09 am
Qralloq says:
I'm not sure I see in your combat rules how to process "threatening harm". Can Rijo avoid this harm somehow?
@qralloq The Defense roll (if successful) averts all threatened harm. If it fails, the character is vulnerable to any harm that comes their way.
Jan 26, 2023 1:22 am
Regardless of the result of the Defense roll, you can successfully perform one action.
Jan 26, 2023 4:52 am
Ok, I think I get it now.
Every clash (1 turn for each participant)
I get 1 action and 1 defense
If my action is an attack, I roll defense
The subject I attack gets an action and a defense.
Success on defense means attack fails mine, theirs, or both
Fail on defense means roll damage for the attack but it's not a roll its 1 +str bonus 1 +weapon 1 = ttl 3 harm
If I also fail def then they hit for X amount of harm

So you never really roll to hit you roll not to get hit
Last edited January 26, 2023 4:55 am
Jan 26, 2023 1:17 pm
Eyes says:
Ok, I think I get it now.
Every clash (1 turn for each participant)
I get 1 action and 1 defense
If my action is an attack, I roll defense
The subject I attack gets an action and a defense.
Success on defense means attack fails mine, theirs, or both
Fail on defense means roll damage for the attack but it's not a roll its 1 +str bonus 1 +weapon 1 = ttl 3 harm
If I also fail def then they hit for X amount of harm

So you never really roll to hit you roll not to get hit
Almost exactly. The only thing is that you need to roll defense no matter what you're doing, and you will succeed at any reasonable thing you attempt (hitting someone, running away, climbing on something, casting a spell, etc.) but that success is independent of whether you get hit.
Jan 29, 2023 2:27 pm
I think that I don't like those rules for combat. They seemed cool in theory but I don't like the way they play out.

Here's what we'll do for next round. Still focused on rolling to NOT GET HIT.
[ +- ] Schrödinger's Ghosts in Combat
Jan 29, 2023 4:03 pm
So, what's the point of having an attack roll on the character sheet?

Rolls

Attack Roll - (2d6+0)

(21) = 3

Jan 29, 2023 4:50 pm
@tibbius with this bit
Quote:
You may add your Attack Bonus (AB) to your DEX Danger Roll **or** to the harm you do. If you have a shield, add +2 to your DEX Danger Roll.
is that a decision made before or after the roll?
Jan 29, 2023 10:20 pm
seanfsmith says:
@tibbius with this bit
Quote:
You may add your Attack Bonus (AB) to your DEX Danger Roll **or** to the harm you do. If you have a shield, add +2 to your DEX Danger Roll.
is that a decision made before or after the roll?
Either, but you can only make the choice once per clash. Maybe this would be better:
Quote:
Once in each clash, you can choose to add your Attack Bonus (AB) to your DEX Danger Rolls OR to the harm you do.
and further down
Quote:
A shield gives +2 to DEX Danger Rolls.
Jan 30, 2023 7:32 pm
Eyes says:
So, what's the point of having an attack roll on the character sheet?
@eyes good point, it's not needed anymore.
Jan 30, 2023 8:24 pm
Cool, I'm getting the hang of it. I like it
Jan 30, 2023 9:20 pm
ok. Now I'm gonna change it again. Final time, though. This was an "in the car" idea that I really like.
[ +- ] Schrödinger's Ghosts, Combat, Take 3
If you like this, I'll work out the buttons on your character sheets.
Jan 30, 2023 10:56 pm
So, when hitting, I was thinking that in mele you should roll strength for damage and dex for dodging the return attack. Then you would attack and defend each time but with ranged you could just roll dex once for dmg and to avoid being hit by return fire
Also I'm starting to think an attack with a weapon should only do 2 harm + your str or dex modifier. Then, you can only get hit 3 times before you die but bare handed could do 1 harm + modifier and it could be non lethal when you get to 0???
Last edited January 30, 2023 11:02 pm
Jan 30, 2023 11:20 pm
Eyes says:
So, when hitting, I was thinking that in mele you should roll strength for damage and dex for dodging the return attack. Then you would attack and defend each time but with ranged you could just roll dex once for dmg and to avoid being hit by return fire
Also I'm starting to think an attack with a weapon should only do 2 harm + your str or dex modifier. Then, you can only get hit 3 times before you die but bare handed could do 1 harm + modifier and it could be non lethal when you get to 0???
I prefer not to roll anything for damage, just straight up STR or DEX (+AB with a weapon). I don't let people dodge or otherwise defend when they're trying to shoot. I like the idea of a strong or quick or competent brawler taking out the average person with a single attack. These are key bases for my design choices.
Jan 30, 2023 11:25 pm
Test.

Rolls

Ur: Melee Harm - (2d0+3)

(00) + 3 = 3

Jan 30, 2023 11:34 pm
[ +- ] Change to Melee Damage
Feb 2, 2023 4:04 am
So, I was thinking about the auto suceed hits and realized the danger roll is where I see a problem. Armor and shield provide a bonus in attack by making you harder to hit. Hits are automatic. so they should provide a bonus in defense rolls.
Easiest way for me to explain my idea is to show so I modified my char sheet. Look at it and see if you like it. Also moved shield out of weapons and into armor and gave heavy 2 check boxes for the bonuses to work right even though they don't matter now
Feb 2, 2023 4:46 pm
Eyes says:
So, I was thinking about the auto suceed hits and realized the danger roll is where I see a problem. Armor and shield provide a bonus in attack by making you harder to hit. Hits are automatic. so they should provide a bonus in defense rolls.
Easiest way for me to explain my idea is to show so I modified my char sheet. Look at it and see if you like it. Also moved shield out of weapons and into armor and gave heavy 2 check boxes for the bonuses to work right even though they don't matter now
So ... here's how the sheet currently works:

Defense ||2d6+[_$=dex+shield*atk]|
Melee Harm|2d0+[_$=str+dex*ltwpn+str*hvywpn+atk*(hvywpn+ltwpn)]

Your weapon affects how much harm you can do.
Your shield affects how well you can deflect harm.
Your armor allows you to ignore some harm that you don't deflect. (that's based on looking at what you rolled, I don't have a way to implement it in the sheet.)
I don't understand what you want to change. I like things as they are.
Feb 2, 2023 4:58 pm
Ok, your game, it was just a thought
Feb 4, 2023 4:59 pm
We've seen Rijo and Rezin smash their weapons ineffectually against the stone dwarf warriors. Stor-bten knocked one off its feet and it shattered.

What do you think would be a good way to overcome them?
Feb 4, 2023 8:23 pm
They seem drawn to sound. so...Running away and forgetting about them.

I thought my 1 blunt force damage point would eventually break them down but I was really expecting the stronger guys to hit harder. I was just going to be the gnat that kept one annoyingly occupied.
Feb 4, 2023 11:04 pm
I've got manacles. Could wrestle a couple into being bound.
Feb 18, 2023 4:07 pm
Hi. I am in the midst of a job / client search and not really engaging with my leisure activities as I might do in a less stressful time. My posting will be sporadic as I have energy to do so.
Feb 18, 2023 4:59 pm
I know that feeling well. Worry not about us here.
Feb 18, 2023 5:15 pm
Yeah, I think I'm dead, so I'm not going anywhere.
Feb 23, 2023 2:48 pm
I've spent the last three days bedridden with norovirus so I'm more than happy to rest for the mo!
Feb 23, 2023 8:49 pm
I think that this game ended up being a bit too deadly slow - maybe due to pacing issues, we lost players before we lost PCs, and then there weren't enough PCs to survive.

I'm going to retire it shortly.
Feb 23, 2023 10:34 pm
Thanks for giving it a shot, Tibbius.
Feb 24, 2023 1:46 am
DMing is always an experiment, and in play by post it can be hard to get feedback in time to correct course. I'm not sure what corrections I could have made here, anyway. It seemed like everyone had bought in to exploring an abandoned dwarf fortress, and then two players left the boards while we were barely in the entry hall. Oh well.
Feb 24, 2023 2:44 am
The evolving combat rules made it difficult to post when I didn't have time to review everything top to bottom. Then I didn't, heh.
Feb 24, 2023 12:17 pm
Yes, that's a fair point. I felt like I needed to switch up combat after I saw how deadly Maze Rats could be. But it was a jarring change.

You do not have permission to post in this thread.