The First Sacrifice (OOC)

Out of character chatter about The First Sacrifice can go here to avoid cluttering up the Roleplay thread.This is for longer questions and answers related to that Roleplay, general rules questions not answered in the Help! thread can go in General.

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I wonder if it means anything that this is titled 'the first sacrifice'. Probably not important. :)

Maybe my post wasn't the best to end the thread. A bit foreshadowing :)

If you want, you can narrate Albert getting to and maybe entering the back of the inn.

Saw this too late. I'll go ahead and write some more then :)

When you say "looking in your direction" does that mean he sees Albert, or just looking in the direction of the kitchen area?

Bad choice of words. No they can not see into the kitchen. You can decide if it is another door, or a curtain or whatever.

Would it be okay is Albert recognizes this bartender? Maybe not as a friend, but at least as someone he's met before.

This valley seems very cut off from the outside world. I was prepared for this bartender have heard about Albert's inn and it burning down, there must be some travelers coming through here from time to time (they were not all the surprised to see you, and what else is the inn for?), but you will have to motivate real hard for knowing each other.

If you think it will be worth it we can make it happen. What do you want to get from this?

Ah. In that case, it doesn't make sense. Never mind :)

Sure.

There is only the barkeep behind the bar.

Apparently the kitchen is empty as well. :)

The assumption that the barkeep will not just rat you out was bold. I considered Rolling the Die of Fate, but can't see how a 'bad'/low result would be interesting in this case.

It is still not 'safe'. [ref]

Is this another minute after Albert called the barkeep into the back? Or from when Albert left you guys?

You can't see Albert down there behind the bar.
Which Skill? Athletics? It will help you sprint to the foe, but does not directly affect fighting. Skills also don't apply a 'bonus to the roll', so it is still a 6 on the attack.

A minute after the barkeep went in the back. Supposing Albert is there.

I haven't used the skills in a while. Have to look up how they work again. 😔

I know, but it seemed like the least threatening way of doing it. He still might ;)
This is all based on the fact that the bartender wasn't looking happy.

Whatever happens happens ;)

Er... yes. Redundantly obviously. :)

I did not want leave it up to a Roll of Die of Fate, would rather leave it up your Role Playing and Rolls.

---

That sounds like +CHA to me. He is unhappy about this, so I think the worst you will get is he withdraws from the situation.
On a 6- he might make to call out to his 'buddies' on the way out --you can try stop him.
On a 7-9 he quietly withdraws, wanting nothing to do with this.
On a 10+ he might agree to help you with some provisos.
On a 12+ he will help you against these men.

We all know what 6s do when Norbert aims them at men's knees, right?

They were surprised by your surprise attack, so they have not coordinated their kicks yet. But that won't take long.

They have no real weapons that you can see, but the bar is filled with chairs and such.

You all got a nice rest last night. So you can, if you want, choose to reroll Roll you Hit Dice (1 die + 1 for each +CON). You only keep as many as you have Levels, so you keep the highest 1.

You had a rude awakening so, if you roll, you take what you get, even if it is worse then what you have now.

The roll was great so I assume Norbert gets to his feet. If not I will remove the next post.

And then some! Give yourself an advantage of some sort.

I'm afraid Norbert is to flustered to get on a table or so. He will look to the older men for guidance.

Indeed. Waiting to see how Albert gets on in the kitchen (since you all waited for that before charging in?). Then we can resolve Roald's 6-

Looks like the guy will help us. With those 6s, that's very welcome :D

I thought 6s were bad? You mean two of a bad thing is a good thing? :)

Any bad stuff happening to Roald?

Roald waited a minute for Albert to enlist the barkeep, so those actions and 6s have not happened yet. Once we have the kitchen resolved we can see what happens to Roald.

But so did Norbert.

The idea was to wait a short while and then storm in, the two of us. Shock and awe.

Yes, but Norbert's answer was obvious and a simple copy/paste. :)

Yours was a little complicated by being a compound action of move-and-attack and only part of it being affected by the Athletics Skill. Your attack fails, but your movement does not?

Why don't you narrate what happens, based on what you are aiming to do. We can then treat that as the point Albert's negotiations end and they join you.

Something like that :P

Would it be possible to start our own rebellion, let the men convince their friends of our good intentions and march on the baron?
Talking didn't do any good, right?

If they are farmers, they probably don't like the baron anyway and might root for the enemy they don't know instead of the one they do know 😉

Sure. Most things are possible to try.
That might be a valid firebrand, but, as things stand, they don't yet trust your 'good intentions'. So the best you could hope for would be for them to slowly help defuse the direct accusations and hostilities. They don't know you didn't do it, they just aren't convince you did anymore.
To what end? Anyway, that could come later, but that is a big step. If you want it, we can work towards it.
Hmm... yeah, sure, but many people don't like their 'bosses', moving from that to outright rebellion is not a thing most people do.

Everyone is struggling a bit, but the barons are not putting huge demands on the farmers to produce, so the neglect in the fields is not directly the barons' fault. If anything, the barons should really be more harsh for the good of the valley. Until things get really bad the farmers might still like these absentee barons?
Might do. What would that actually achieve in the world? You want these people to put the other baron in charge instead? You think he is any better? If your characters believe that, you can make moves to do that.
In what way? Talking is seldom the quickest 'solution'.

Did Daryl get kidnapped because of a bad roll somewhere a heap of posts ago? Just wondering :)

A combination of some bad Fate rolls, a string of middling character rolls, and ongoing decisions... like 6 months ago, yeah.

We will decide if they agree to come with and help you after we see how the offered healing goes.

Theuphilda 😂😂😂

The mayor is a pompous ass, he tried to name both his children after himself. :)

Whahahaaha

I am not quite sure what you are asking. Explain and I will post an answer.

Did they leave in the morning? Where they ambushed there? They were gone when we got back and I was wondering about their day.

Is Roald going to mention the gold to Albert?

It might be easier to justify 'spending' it to level up while you are at a 'shop' with some people. Before the climax of the adventure is also a time when you can more easily justify it to yourselves as 'for the greater good' and all that.

I am not saying you need to 'level up before what comes next'. That option has been on the table for months and is not specially related to these events.

Yes he will mention it whenever he has a moment alone with Albert

I think we are a bit outnumbered to take on the forest witches.
Is there time enough to get to extra swords? Olaf maybe?

If the reaction of these guys is anything to go by, Olaf may be equally reticent to cross Olga. But he did before --though only when the thought she was sleeping and would not know-- and was the recipient of a miracle healing, so there is a good chance you could get him, and his brother too probably.

Getting there and back, especially with weakened Daryl, will be tight. But it can be done.
You need to (sorta) pass the village on the way to Olaf. So that gives you an opportunity to talk, make your decision, possibly gather more information there, and 'spend' it there.

Let's see what the rest has to say. Maybe they would rather go to the forest right away

We can assume Roald mentioned the gold and his doubts to Albert (easily somewhere where Norbert and Daryl don't hear, if you want) so Albert can use that information to decide.

The players can then decide if they want to take the Level or act on their characters' consciences or if the characters also think it is justified (and how).

If we're going to spend gold to get more people, I'd rather get some of the baron's guards :P They would (hopefully) be more competent. It's also close by.

I agree with vague. If these guys are too scared to go, chances are most villagers will be as well.

If not the guards, I say let's risk going in with just the 5 of us. (I think that guy I healed is coming too, right?)

If you spend the (village's?) gold on get more people that counts as 'throwing money at the problem' to (more) safely overcome a threat (as mentioned in the first character creation post). This won't level you up.

50 Gold is exactly 1000 Silver, so it is precisely what you need to level up, any amount spent from there will stop you from reaching Level 2. You can spend anything you still have from your personal funds (in new gold coins if you want, it is fungible) to recruit, but I don't think you have much.
That might be an option. You would need to play that out, though. You would need to gain their trust --they let those people into the manor and may have been with them, these guys implied that the baron was against you after his meeting (with Nixon?) last night. But 50 Gold coins goes a long way towards buying 'loyalty'... but only the type of loyalty that can be bought, though.

Depending on how you approach it: It would probably take Gold to get them to listen to your proposal, but then come down to a roll or two to see if they come with you or if you 'wasted' that Gold which you can't get back. In that case the Gold is buying you the right to speak. You could also try to persuade them to let you speak, and then use the Gold as an incentive to join you, which has the advantage that you don't (necessarily) lose the Gold if they don't like your offer, but with the difficulty of needing to convince them to not attack you long enough for you to talk to them (and after).
Correct. He is a true believer and did not appear at all afeared of angry wives.
On a meta level (which is alright) you guys know that you will be able to find a way, whatever you choose. You also know that Leveling Up is better for you in the long run.

You characters, though, would probably be much happier with some help. They don't know that the odds will be 'reasonable' (or that none of this really matters?:).

Olaf and Christian are a fairly safe option, the risk there is that you will have less time, and that you (especially Daryl) will be tired when you get to the action.

Since Daryl ended up here --and had no way of knowing you were coming here-- you can guess that the cages are closer to this side of the valley than Olaf's, so you will have to trek all the way there and back again if you want those two.

Oh ok. I thought you were hinting at doing this. Never mind then :)
I agree.

@fossball: As a player, are you happy with the unusualness?

Remember, you don't have to attack people. Maybe Norbert is coming to realise that after maiming three people? It may be possible to solve the upcoming situation without a fight?

I can add copious warts... but warts don't witches make, this is not Salem!

Depends how big the duck is? Though I don't see the reasoning behind the comparison. :)

It's fine by me. Norbert feels he has a lot to prove and the men he looks up to are always very encouraging if he applies violence before they have to (in his eyes).
It will end at some time and it will be interesting to play.

What if we go in by ourselves and send someone asking for help at Olaf's?
If things go south, Olaf and Christian might be there just in time to save the day.

We could give the messenger a gold coin with the promise of a second if he gets the help? Should be a trusty messenger though...

Olaf implied that people over this side of the valley don't much like him. That does mean that those people, at least, know who he is (though not necessarily where he is?), even if it complicates the chances of them reliably taking a message to him, or being believed.
Two Gold coins is probably more than any of these guys would ever see in their lives. It will definitely get their interest. The promise of 'one now, anther after' might even keep them loyal?
Yeah? Good luck with that.
You have exactly the right amount of coin to Level Up. If you give any of the Gold away you won't be able to do that. There is a chance you might be able to find 40 Silver (2 Gold) during your next actions at the camp (but, OOC I can tell you, there is a fair chance you wont be comfortable taking it).

A bit of concerted effort will easily get you that sort of amount so you can level up soon afterwards (if you keep the village's Gold).

I actually thought about writing replacing the 2 coins with loot from the camp.
But I forgot about it

It may be possible (though so far getting that sort of amount seems to have been a challenge:).

You may also be able to get some money out of the mayor, both for any work you have done on his baron issue and maybe for getting his daughter back.

If everything goes swimmingly you may be able to get that sort of replacement amount... but you will still be Level 1 when you go to the camp and face whatever is there.

It seems like whatever we do will have a downside.
- Getting more help ourselves puts the 'kids' in more danger and costs us time
- Spending money can hinder our character progress
- Sending a messenger is unreliable
- We go without help, which would make a fight harder. But we're not even sure there will be a fight.

My preference is to just go and see what the situation is there. If need be, we can still send Daryl back to Olaf for a cavalry party.
It's the least complicated thing to do.

Such is life.
Probably not really. You have the time to get there 'in time'. It is more likely to make your task harder since you will have less time to scout and plan, but that need not be a bad thing. In character you can't know that the two day timelimit is probably safe and that things are not likely to happen off-screen in this case, but OOC you can know that this choice will mainly affect how much time you have when you get there.
True. Then the choice is about whether you take the 'gifted' Gold and Level Up first. This is hard to do in he forest since it involves Coin, but you are still at the inn, so it is an option (even if the exact mechanism does not fully make sense without time and a big city, but then we are not actually playing Barbarian of Lemuria, so we are handwaving the exact mechanics on that).
And it turns out Limpy (though he now needs a new nickname) knows Olaf, and could be persuaded to put aside his prejudices and carry a message (no Gold needed), just in case you don't want to make poor, tired Daryl do it. That does mean you are gambling being one man down on the chance of being two men up.

I figured he'd be the best one to send cause it removes him from immediate danger :) Tired is better than hurt.
Would it be an option to give the men in the bar all the gold to invest in the town. Would that give us the level up? And maybe, since we're showing such faith in them, they might want to join us after all?

Yeah. Sounds like you are trading that for hurt feelings, though. He may be resistant to leaving his friend... again; Limpy was just another option for you guys if that happened.
Sure. If you believe wandering the forest without you is safe. The last time he did that it did not turn out all that well. :)
I just knew, today, that that question was going to come up. And I am unsure. Technically you are 'investing the money in the goodwill of the locals', which would be some form of 'buying a fix by throwing money at the problem'. But, unless you are planning spending much more time here, we can consider that similar to 'partying with the locals' (from BoL) which also 'buys you goodwill'.

So, in this case... maybe? It feels a bit like a cop-out? Are you not sidestepping the moral dilemma a bit?
Maybe justify it, in character, as deciding to take the money (hoarded 'wealth') from the villagers and forcing it to be spent on bettering the whole valley?

I feel there will be a price to pay for that, but c'est la vie?
Maybe on a very good Die of Fate roll.

Good point :D
Yeah, you're right. I guess that would be taking advantage of a technicality.
It should be us giving the money and not wanting anything in return. Something more like giving the gold to a random farmer on our way out. And perhaps a good roll farther down the line might bring something that follows from this generosity? But it should be without expectation.

But it might be necessary since we are not playing a game (or in a game world) where we can really make use of how it was (maybe?) intended.
Well... In BoL you are getting a party (or whatever you spend it on) which is important to your characters and a major motivation for the going out adventuring. The important element is that you 'throw it away', as you say: 'without expectation of something in return', but you are getting story out of it, and isn't that all we ever really get? BoL rewards you more for telling a better story (the more foolhardy the more XP).
I am not sure about that. That really would not fit in BoL or other games that use similar systems (Impulse Drive, for instance). The only requirement is that the coin is gone.

---

I think we will have problems if we try to be too strict with this. Our party does not really fit the typical image of 'adventurers' and definitely not 'barbarian' ones.
Yes. But that does not mean that you can't get some return from it. Just that you can not directly buy that expected return. It is comes, so be it.

I say robin-hooding the valley and giving it to the men at the inn is good enough. Your intentions are not to improve yourselves, but to help the situation in the world, and that fits the concept and you characters.

Go for it.

We can talk about it outside the bar, and then double back.

Indeed.

@fossball: I don't think Norbert knows of an temples in this area [ref], nor anyone particularity trustworthy [ref] for that sort of money. His mind might go to his family (they are 'trustworthy' right?) but I (OOC) doubt that would really be approriate.

Unless you think you have a particularity interesting idea, I think there is no easy answer for this moral dilemma. Maybe Albert will have to settle for trusting the men you met at the inn? [ref] (Yes, those men who flip-flopped loyalties at the drop of a ... well, not a hat).

Finding a proper trustee for such a sum of money would take time.

Norbert is also welcome to be of the opinion that Roald and Albert should just keep it, that the village deserves to have some of its Gold taken away.

Seems that way. I do like the celebration feast afterwards.
True. If you get into a fight, it will help, but if you can talk your way out of it, it won't be a benefit.
No. And the story is better this way?

However, if you gamble on having these men (probably the innkeeper?) arrange the party you will Level Up, but won't know about whether they run away with your 'hard-earned' Gold or if you will return to a triumphant celebration feast day. This sort of gamble is also rather in character with the BoL origins. :)

I see that what I wrote is not what I intended.
I'll rewrite my post.

How much do we want to give to barky?

Ahsa gave Albert the same amount in his own pouch. [ref]

You each have 50 Gold, which is 1000 Silver which is exactly what you each need to reach Level 2.

If you hope to Level Up that will take all of it.

I assume you are not using some of the money to 'pay for Olaf's aid'? That he will be coming out of the good of his heart? Hiring Henchmen is the same as buying gear, that makes you stronger, so does not Level you up.

Only the money that 'vanishes' into the festivities (and therefore does not directly empower you) counts towards Levels.

I completely forgot about that.
Though, I'm not sure Albert has that money right now, since his backpack is still missing.

Just didn't want to give it all at once.
More like. ''Here's 3? Gold to organize a feast. There will be more when/if we return to do some good for the village.''
I thought that way there would be a bigger incentive to sway anyone in doubt of coming to our aid.

'if they die, they can't follow up on their promise, so we better make sure they get back in one piece '

That way you (vague) can send in the cavalry if we end up rolling badly at critical times.

You got that after you lost your packs.

You can do that. As was pointed out, the only real benefit Level 2 gives you is more HP. If you don't fight there is no benefit from Leveling Up....
Which should only happen if you do fight.

Leveling Up frst might be a better protection than hoping for deus ex cavalry.

Oh ok. I see.

In that case I'll hand over the treasure.

Oh right. Sorry. My brain is not working very well. I blame the heat.

So we'd both have to hand over all the money?

You each received the exact amount needed to get to Level 2. If you want Level 2 it will take all that she gave you. If you want to keep some of the money (to buy anything, or for any other purpose) then you won't reach Level 2 now.

This is basically the free Level you were promised a year ago for getting this far in the story. It is only 'free' if you discount the moral quandary (which you seem to have sidestepped quite nicely with giving the money away). An advantage of XP for Gold is that it is versatile, you could choose to spend the gold on gear instead (this also makes you stronger, so does not 'give' XP, though).

It is a lot of money to be dumping into the economy in one go, but I don't know if your characters would think about such broader implications.

For real? If so, we can try a ad-hoc, provisional Cure, and play it as a 'test of faith' type deal.

If you are genuine in your commitment to Raynor, then roll +CHA.
On a 6- as close to 'nothing happens' as we can get happens. Raynor looks askance at you and is displeased by your lack of faith, this might have minor narrative implications for a little while.
On a 7-9 Raynor takes you into the fold and grants you a boon. (Daryl recovers and is strengthened or healed enough to carry on).
On a 10+ Raynor welcomes you into the fold and grants you a boon. (Daryl is fully healed and rearing to go conquer, with a fair idea of where is enemies are).
On a 12+ the same as above, but even better. You can ask for another boon at some point in the near future.

If you are just dedicating yourself to Raynor, no matter whether he answers your prayers, then that will put you in even better standing with Raynor, but we will only see that in the fiction going forward.

In the unlikely event you are not genuine in your commitment, then... maybe we can try a 'Cure' of some sort, but we will need to work out the details. It will be less favourable than the above.

What do you do?

I have to say, if that works, it would be AWESOME! :)

I didn't even bother asking you if you were OK with that (as I usually would), I just assumed you would be into it. :)

Hmmm.

I was thinking more like a true believer, not a real priest. But now that you (or I) suggested it....

I figured as much, which is why I did not put much detail into the other options.
That is what I meant as well. You won't have the training Albert has, you won't know the lore or the law.

You won't be able to do priestly things like Cure and Turn (yet?), but you will be able to petition your god for help, and such things may happen. This first time demonstration is a special case, with better than normal healing attached to it (to get people hooked?:).

You can work towards becoming a 'real priest' (whatever that means in this context, and if Raynor cares(*)) as we play. Albert can train you, on- or off-screen, in as much visible detail as we want. You can (maybe) take the Abilities later, but I wuoldn't hold my breath with the rate we are leveling at. :)

(* It seems likely that Raynor gets lots of new devotants right before a big battle, many quickly perish and join Raynor soon after.)

O my...


On a 10+ Raynor welcomes you into the fold and grants you a boon. (Daryl is fully healed and rearing to go conquer, with a fair idea of where is enemies are).
On a 12+ the same as above, but even better. You can ask for another boon at some point in the near future.

I'll give the others some time to come and witness this moment :)

Oh my, indeed!

Though I am almost tempted to dock a few point for:
:)
Do you want to describe what they see?

We know Daryl is fully healed, but how does he react? What does it feel like when you heal someone? For Roald as well as for the patient.

didn't know the dice - explanation was an in-game thing.
i'll describe the scene, but thought it would be cooler if they would arrive at the moment of the prayer.

I see what you did here
What's that las... uhm girl?

Nah, just kidding.
By all means wait for that reaction, then they can have another reaction to the result. Let me know when you want me to take over.

That's a nice roll!

It felt a bit like scene from a movie :)

Norbert has a very positive image from both men and the small laps yeasterday evening did not alter that. Others might have looked diferrently at the situation but Norbert is still a naïve young boy.

I won't be online this saturday and sunday. I will be active again on monday.

Starting to post for Olden. He isn't from the valley but used to run a sort of an inn not too far away on what was previously a popular route. Not sure Albert and Roald would've had any chance of meeting the old man. Norbert *might* have heard of him and some caravan guards might well have run into him. I'm starting with the assumption that he's not met any of them before. Then again, he's an *old* man with an appropriately dodgy memory. Happy to roll with whatever you all like in terms of prior acquaintance.

Got to disappear for an hour or two for work but will check back after.

They are also Fresh Faced Adventurers, and have never been this far from their home before, this area is all new to them. They will not have met Olden. But Albert did run an inn outside the big town a few days journey from here, so he may have heard about Olden and his place from travellers who passed through, likewise, Olden may have heard of Albert's place (did we ever get a name for it?) in the same way.

Such things are completely normal, we all have lives. :)

What is this for? Everyone has just been healed up and refreshed [ref], so they don't need medicine right now. But possibly Olden does not realise that --I am not even sure they do, yet-- so nothing wrong with offering medicine based on how they were a moment ago and then realising that that time has passed.

Daryl was held captive and weakened by that, his friends have been captive for even longer, so he would probably welcome a healer with medicine to come help them when you free them. So presenting your credentials may help you get roped into the party?

Olden can, clearly, see the healthy glow radiating from everyone in the party. His arms, however, haven't quite twigged onto the fact that his modest herbs aren't needed at this point.

Equally so, he's just witnessed what he'd consider an utterly beautiful sight and he'd like to stick around in the hopes of seeing more. The herbs and his lore are, essentially, his sales pitch.

Re-reading your post, that's basically what you've written in your second para, only, you've phrased it much better than I have :)

I get that. I'm reading along, but have hardly any time to respond today. :(

Who is still in play elsewhere, please? Are Theo and Phil still in the picture somewhere? Olaf and Olga safe at their place?

And, generally speaking, convincing other PCs about something calls for a Persuasion roll of some sort?

NPC wise, Limpy and Daryl are with the party.

Theo and Phil are being held captive with the people Daryl just escaped from, the party is on its way to rescue them as we speak. It is assumed that the mayor's daughter is also there, but Daryl did not see her.

The PCs sent people to go find Olaf and his brother Christian, and ask them to come help you, but they are on the other side of the valley and Olaf indicated that he does not come over this side and is not popular here. They are currently 'safe', so far as the party knows.
There is no mechanism for convincing PCs with rolls, you --the player-- have to convince the players first and that is not a 'games rules' thing (it is a meta-game thing, technically, but that definition is muddied and sullied). Once the players agree, you can play out the in-game interactions to convince the Player's Characters if needed, if all the players involved want to introduce some randomness we can work out a roll, but that is not common for PCs.

Convincing an NPC could be some sort of roll, but 'persuade' is not a thing, you have to do it in the fiction first, and then we will decide if a roll is called for and what Attribute that is done with, this is often +CHA, but could also be +INT if you are relying on 'reasoned arguments with rational people' or +STR if you are threatening dominance, and so on.

---

What, if anything, are you actually trying to do?

Thank you very much. I hadn't even considered a lot of those metagaming aspects. Happy to play this out properly IC but this is what I, as a player, was thinking

---

Olden is, generally, *not* given to melodrama. However, he's trying to both recover from his longtime companion's loss and to find his way a bit, and was pretty shaken by the sight of the miracle. He's very interested in seeing if there's more where that miracle came from. He is not likely to be pushy about it though.

He knows nothing of what afflicted Daryl but thinks the group might've been through some rough experiences. He's seen enough there to think that they are the "good" sort. He'll be happy to offer help with medicines in particular, but also iron or woodwork to friends of theirs - he might guess the travelers might have a camp/base of some sort - if they'll trust him and accept his aid, such as it might be.

---

TLDR version - he'd introduce himself, acknowledge what he's seen, recognise that noone there needs his help with healing, but will offer to help their friends "in camp" if they have any or think they could use his help.

A lifetime of experience tells you this is a good party to join for those goals.
I think that is obvious enough. :)
Daryl will confirm that there a broken wagon at the location he was being held, and that his friends are likely to be weak and in need of such transport if it can be fixed. This will be an easy way to get into the party. The party is actively recruiting help, so it is not a stretch that they will accept you for that alone. You can form deeper bonds in play.

They also know the need for medicine, but might be riding a bit too high on recent events to see the value there right now. :)
Yeah. Except that is is not their camp, but one they are planning on assaulting to free their innocent captive friends and an innocent virgin sacrifice.

---

We can assume conversation comes round to the relevant points, and we don't need to play out more than we want to. We know the outcome is that you join the party (which another reason we don't want dice messing things up:).

Thanks again, @vagueGM. I'll just make a very very brief IC post along those lines in the next half hour to get things moving.

@palemantle
Great that Olden is offering help at a time that the group can really use it. :)
But he seems to already know that we need this help, which is going to be a bit suspicious to Albert. It seems "too good to be true" in a way, if you get what I mean. Or is this maybe something that Olden can sense through his connection with the Goddess of wayfarers? And is that something Albert might know about the priests of Selusia?

A god of wayfarers could well have/grant such abilities.

We can also assume it is a bit smoother in the game with 'real' people talking, that a bit more back and forth happened between the characters to allay Albert's suspicions.

Could do that too.
I'll wait and see what palemantle had in mind.

@TheGenerator:
I'm thinking - as vagueGM says - that being subtly nudged towards wayfarers in need might be one of the "abilities" Selusia gives Olden. "Blessing" - imbuing travellers' tools/items with minor enhancements - is another thing Olden should be able to do. That apart, I haven't thought of her as a god that manifests overtly. Need to think about this a bit more.

Would Albert and Olden having some knowledge about Selusia and Raynor (respectively), and the gods not actively being at loggerheads work? Or a bit of friendly rivalry? If that doesn't work for Albert, how about him continuing to view Olden with suspicion (and a bit of pity) for a while?

Sorry I cross-posted. Don't have a strong opinion on this, really. Any of the above works for me so I'm happy to play along

I like the idea of Albert and Olden knowing about the other gods too. Maybe not the details, but some basics. If you want there to be some rivalry, I'm happy to go along with it. We can play towards gaining mutual respect.
I'm sure that Albert would have heard about "the owner of the wayshrine" at some point from one of his bar's patrons. That way there's already a trust between the two. Which makes teaming up easier :)

So he'd be suspicious until he learns who the stranger really is.

You ok with that?

Perfect, @TheGenerator. I was thinking a tiny bit - nothing too extreme or ugly - of initial friendly joshing or borderline distrust might be in order. Happens to a crazy extent in real life afterall.

Please play that how (and to whatever degree) you see fit and I'll try and follow along.

Err Olden can respond now about Fiona or let Roald chip in. I'm yet to figure out that sort of convention so bear with me and feel free to give me a nudge as needed :)

You are welcome to answer already. Posts don't have to be perfectly chronological and I don't think Roald knowing Fiona or not would change much about your response.

Sometimes you'll want to wait for input from someone before going forward, but that's usually quite clear to see.

Up to you :)

Thanks. So many little things that I'd never have thought about such as posting a character's appearance during the first meeting. Plenty to learn from you all.

And posting as a character rather than as a player *ugh* sorry

Not sure I've seen that one before, it is in the character sheet, after all. But no harm in it.
What is life without learning. :)
Yeah, I wish that choice stuck so you only need to change it when you post as someone else (per thread, preferable), but hey.

You can go back and edit that post and select the correct option from the dropdown list, the site does not even consider that as an edit. Your post was clearly from Olden's perspective, so I did not even notice that the portrait did not show him, best to consider that part of the site as optional and make sure the post works no matter portrait it comes with.

Thanks, vagueGM. I cheated and updated the "Post as" field for three posts in one go :) Didn't edit any other content.

You described yourself in your post, but I was too lazy to do the same :P
That's all it was, really. Haha!

Question though, is Olden's weapon visible? And does it look more like a weapon or a tool?

I gave him a mallet and added something in the sheet that amounted to, "more a tool than a weapon," if I remember right.

I have to admit I only have a vague notion of what a mallet is. Sounded more tool-y than a hammer at that time ha!

And having just searched the net for a mallet, you're right, I'd imagine it'd stick out of his pack rather obviously.

It depends. I think it's a carpenter's tool originally. So it could fit in a backpack if it was the kind you use with a chisel.

But there's also the World of Warcraft ones:

And probably no one noticed and no one cared. :)

The posts were clearly from that character, so the portrait is just visual flare, no problem changing it later. Some of us have lots of characters and might post as a different one to the portrait, that can cause confusion, but usually someone asks and it is easily fixed.

And mechanically it is a Light Weapon?
If so, it probably can fit fully in your pack (it might be curious to someone who specialises in wayfarers that this group does not have packs, feel free to ask about that when it becomes clear they are travelling some distance).

If it is a Martial Weapon then it would probably stick out.
With experience you will find that you probably want weapons a bit more easily accessible than 'in your pack'.

Thanks, that does ring a bell. In hindsight, I remember using a mallet to tap a chisel (for paring wood slivers, I think) in a carpentry class waaaaay back when. Can't remember much about the size but it was far from being a sledgehammer.
Yikes. Did WoW call that BFW a-la the BFG from Doom/Quake? :)

Can I go with light weapon, please? I think a martial weapon would be a bit out of character for him at this point. He's used to swinging potentially dangerous things, but not at people. So, apologies, but I'll take back what I said about the mallet sticking out. Could still make for a discernible bulge in his pack, perhaps.

He's also got a shield at his back, something that's more a symbol of Selusia than a martial protective item.
Let me read up a bit more on how fighters might've secured blunt weapons in the past - some sort of loop through a belt/sash perhaps? I'm guessing the method would've had to be pretty different from a sheath used for pointy/slashy weapons.

Sure. Remember that you need to deduct the value from your starting Silver. Starting Silver and gear all together represent what you start with and is worth 60 Silver, so it is not like you are 'buying' everything, just a 'balancing cap' on the value.

See the Equipment section for details.
Sure, or a bulge on your belt. A mallet is basically a big-headed hammer.
Though, historically shields were the most important and significant weapon on the battlefield, the type of shield used would define and dictate what sort of unit you were and how you fought. Weapons were designed to work with the types of shields, shield technology dictated what sorts of weapons were carried. Many towns would have laws about people carrying shields in the streets and not define anything about weapons. RPGs seldom get any of this right.
Pretty much, and also pretty much how a carpenter/worker would carry it in a tool-belt. Might be you are actually using a tool-belt? Even if it is currently in your pack till you learn it is good to keep the mallet accessible.

I noticed, but did not care. :P
Quite likely ;)

Char sheet updated to include equipment costs and gold. I'll get his current HP up there too at some point.

I think I now understand the mechanical side of it "reasonably" (stretchy definition) and might not hassle you with too many more questions on that front (till I see some combat anyway). All the same, feel free to tell me if you think I've missed something.

Creatively too, if you think Olden is meandering around, feel free to give me a nudge. I appreciate that Olden's story is for me to narrate but a tip or two or thoughts are welcome.

Don't hesitate to ask. Both about specific mechanics or this or other games, as well as about general gaming stuff. This is a learning game.
Yeah. Combat tends to be more mechanically dense and complicated. This is why so many RPGs spend such a disproportionate amount of their pages on that topic.

Combat is also harder in PbP since it cares a lot more about the minutia of each action. This game --like most of the games I prefer-- does not have 'initiative' turn order, so it does not slow down as much as games that are bound by that mechanic, but there is still a lot more waiting in PbP combat than is ideal. Combat is also deadly in this game, you have 4 HP and your simple mallet can do 6 points of damage, so one hit with a hammer to the head can kill someone... as it should be.
Will do, if it is important.
:) It might be time to get the party moving, but you, yourself, prompted that with your question about what they are up to. We can continue to get to know people as we walk, and our actions speak louder than words to show who we really are.

Unintentional nudge given.👍

Ha ha, thanks. I, as a player, am probably thinking, Take me, take me! I'm also thinking old man Olden might be a no-nonsense mind his own business unless someone's in need sort of person, and was wondering if his posts were going around in circles a bit :),

😬😂

It can be tricky at first, but 'adventurers' have to be, by their nature, the sort of people to get involved in other people's business, else they will do what most people do and avoid trouble. :)

We don't have to trust each other at the start and we don't have to see the value in each other yet, but for this party to continue together after the immediate events they all need to see that the others are worth sticking around with by then end. We can also assume they have seen enough to justify the conceit of the game and to continue to adventure together.
Slightly, yes, but you identified that and fixed it. So there is hope for you yet. :)

:D (I haven't figured out how to get emoticons [or emojis or whatever they're called] to work)

I use those of my (smartphone) keyboard
But you can trust that everything that might seem offensive should have come with a wink 😉. We're quite friendly here.

For the record, I've not yet come across anything remotely offensive :)

Question about appearance please. Albert's staff was out where visible at one point recently (can't remember the exact post). Does Norbert wear his axe and sling on his belt? How about Roald? Shortsword in a sheath? Dagger?

Short sword in a sheat yes. The dagger is on his other side. Both on a belt

OOC this is not particularly interesting. Theo, Phil and Daryl had all the packs when they were captured, so they are presumably at the camp.

If you want to ask this in character, it is only a little more interesting, but an obvious thing to enquire about.

Norberts axe is in a "pouch" for the head, buckled to his belt. His sling is wrapped around his left upper arm with a knot that could be opened by drawing it in one motion.

Cheers, Airshark and fossball, and thanks for the heads-up vagueGM.

Not sure if this should go here or as OOC in the RP thread. Anyway, as the person who mooted that question about packs, can I propose that we assume the pack question was answered off-screen, possibly by Daryl? Doesn't sound, on the surface, like it is plot-critical - Olden now knows about the kidnapping now anyway.

Will make an IC post in the next half hour.

Happy to fast-forward Olden's conversation with Daryl (if Daryl's happy with that) with the net result being that Olden now knows a bit more about Theo and Phil and about the attack ... or to play it out properly. Either one works for me.

This is the right place for it. I meant to put my OOC comment in the post, but forgot. That one seemed more appropriate to be in the RP since it was something that we could also have been RPed out in full if we wanted to. Now those facts are there so anyone reading along only has to read the RP thread.
Sure. The OOC note defines what the content would have been. I just did not want your question to get ignored.
Daryl does not exist, he will have experienced the full conversation no matter the level of detail we go into. :)
If you feel you have all you need, then we can skip it. I gave you Daryl as a GM-mouthpiece if your character had any questions, but it is up to you.

---

If you have nothing else, and if everyone else is done, I can summarise what happens in the night and we can see where we pick up.

Appreciate you making Daryl available for a fireside chat, @vagueGM. That's awfully considerate, I have to say.

That said, if we can say they had a chat and Olden now has a brief sketch of Daryl's friends and some idea of the events leading to their capture, I'm happy for us to jump ahead and see what the morning brings ... assuming the rest of the night is uneventful, of course

That will be up mostly to you guys. :)

Oh, I thought that pack question was directed at Roald specifically. That's why Albert didn't answer. Also, Albert has no pack at this time. So he is definitely traveling light :D

If Olden asks him as well, he will tell him that his backpack was also in Theo's possession at the time he was captured. Luckily it didn't contain much of value.

All three PCs are without their packs.

We can assume that answer was given unless you want to play it out.

That's up to palemantle, I think.

No probs, @TheGenerator. The above answer is short and sweet. I don't want to belabour the point beyond that and am happy to deem that question answered. Hopefully, that's OK with everyone.

Fine by me. Happy to go scout in the early morning.

I've got nothing to add at this time, so feel free to jump ahead to the morning.

Oops sorry. Posts crossed 😄. Feel free to get Albert to ask to ask the old man to stop being a paranoid old git

Don't worry about it, it happens all the time and is seldom a problem. No problem here.
Or to have something be out there. Possibly something you encounter and have to deal with, or possibly something less immediate.

I can define it if you guys want.

I was just thinking I might've been a bit naughty with my last post so I'll shut up for a bit, see what everyone thinks, and play along 😁

It was fine.

I did that a few times, just to write something. The problem is, it's never just 'nothing' 😉

The dog didn't lift it's head though... Yet

This it true. Though not necessarily a problem.
Fair enough. I will take that as my answer and go from there.

Sorry for the delay, all. I'll try to get to this soon. Expect my reply tomorrow at the latest.

@TheGenerator, are you wanting to discover something out there? If not, are you awake to hear the drums? [ref] And do you do anything in reaction to them?

I can't really think of a good discovery. So not really, no.
I think so. But Albert probably won't do anything in reaction. Just something to tell the others in the morning. Maybe ask Daryl about it.

Cool. If no one else wants to react --the drums come about every hour, so you will all get a chance to hear them and do something-- then we can pick up in the morning.

Daryl might start awake at the sound, and at the movement of you changing watch, so you are free to ask him anything you want now, too.

A bit prejudicial... but probably, yeah.

A tad unfortunate timing with fossball being away from now [ref]. Let's give a little while to see if they want to play out finding the camp, else we will do it without the player.

If Norbert can not play it out we can either each contribute and take that as Norbert's result, or we can roll the Die of Fate to see how long it takes and if you can get there unnoticed.

There is no chance of 'not finding' the camp, that is unfun.

Norbert greatest fear is being found out before he finds the camp. But again, if Daryl feels better to have someone else go with him it is fine.

Good to know, we will focus on avoiding that as the bad outcome. Where possible it will just take time --careful searching is slower-- but that should not matter unless the go really against you, since it is early morning(*).
Daryl can not act on his own, he does not have Stats and can not roll dice. The PCs have to drive this. :)

How are we doing this? Do one of the PCs want to take responsibility for helping Norbert and Daryl find the camp? Do we roll the Die of Fate and hope?

Either way --absent having Norbert play it out in detail-- I say we just all go together and find the camp at the same time.

Do I have to make a post about not finding anything in the bushes?
@palemantle, is there anything you would want Albert to find?

You just did? :)
Or just if you guys want to find something, I can come with something if that is what you want.

Else we can skip to the morning and the search for the camp.

Not really, @TheGenerator. It's reasonable to think that Olden would've heard the drums towards the end of his shift, and subconsciously interpreted it as something "weird" or a possible threat. At his age, I can't imagine his hearing is particularly acute and he's probably just trying to fit his unease to mundane sources of noise such as branches/leaves.

That apart, I've got no strong opinion on finding something vs moving on to the camp.

As an aside, Roald's shortsword is likely still with Olden and he very much intends to hand it back.

Alright. I'm fine with skipping the night as well :)

Depending on when Roald his having his shift. If Olden was first (I believe he went first?) Roald would have asked for his weapon .

We can assume Roald has got his weapon back before you get to the camp. [ref]