OOC

Thanks for this explanation. Looked completely fair and logical. I like your interpretation, but during the fight I was thinking that they are quite strong so I focused on killing them.

If it will not spoil anything for the future events: would knocking off the mask had some effect not the undead? :) I'm - as usual - curious:)

Hmmm... ! That is interesting on many levels! But I will try keep it short - so please remember that I'm still new to 5e and try to figure out "what kind of game those rules encourage and how do people play it" - so as I usually use sentences in "claiming mode"(somehow it's my nature - to challenge people to not agree with some of my claims - if they think so :) - I'm fully aware that I may be very wrong in many places:)

1. So you think/see 5e combat as very "realistic"?? It's surprising for me... As so far I have seen/perceived it as very abstract/boardgame'y combat rules? Where people think more about what abilities/powers to use from their PC sheets, rather then how it will look and what will be an effect in fiction(apart from chopping some HP)? So I have seen my (probably poor) attempts to RP my combat actions as quite separate from the combat rules. Like narration is only for flavor...

Don't get me wrong I love abstract games and have probably much to many boardgames(most euro) + like me same skirmish games, so generally it's nothing wrong to me and probably it is one of those reasons why DnD 5ed is so popular - players don't "have to" RP too much, at least in combat + they can tinker with their PC stats and powers to their hearts content:)

But generally from RPGs I expect something different... more visual, more in imagination, more free-form, in-book-like with much more granular interaction with the in fiction world:) Probably it's the reason I will stick with OSR-style in the future.

So: you see 5e combat as very "realistic" and good for making it inline with PC actions in fiction? Good for RPing it ? That would be very interesting as I didn't see that too much in games I have read here on GP so far? (I have not IRL experiences with 5e). If the answer is: yes -> I'm willing to reconsider my view on this subject.

It's also not a criticism in any way, just want to establish what is expected from me in 5e game - and adjust to that. At least for the duration of this game:)

2. You are completely right - no way to say it in proper way in 6 seconds! :) So for this instance I see it as: Zean started his "invocation" in this particular round - the powers started to take effect on undead, because the power is more about force of will and faith of Zean, rather than the words alone. The words only seal the power that was invoked by Zean dedication and he was continuing to say them during the next round. As far as I know saying something is incidental/free action - so they shouldn't have impact on Zean drawing his maul and attacking the undead in the same time? And to make it more logical - there was not a singel flash from Zean's focus( Eye of the storm) but few separated by exactly 1 second each - like making a rentgen photos, but with lightening flash:) And they left the stronger mark with each flash on the under guards.

3. Thanks for all your comments and sharing your perspective - I like to learn how people see their games and systems:)

I do not say 5e IS anything. I don't see it being strictly something but a framework for playing any style of a game you want to play. Have you seen critical role? I enjoy that show, but I don't play 5e the way they do. I only wanted to suggest try play realistic. You may not like it (not everyone does), but you can't know until you try, can you?

Ok, fair enough. So I will precise my question: how do you see our game of 5e? What do you expect to see?

There was very interesting video about similar subject recently by Ben Milton:
"You shouldn't use DnD for narrative campaigns."

My opinion on the subject: some systems encourage some styles of play by the way rules are constructed:) And I see 5e rules as one of example of this. But it doesn't mean you can't play with those rules in other way.
Yes... I have seen some longer fragments of their show, but I completely NOT dig them.
The style I like the most - to watch, but probably play too (but you have to have a proper group for this) - is that represented by Glass Cannon Network.
Hmmm... but it definitely dictates how crunchy(and long) the combat have to/is... Plus - so far - I don't see how rules would help making it cinematic. So far I don't see things like (amazing) rule from Dungeon Crawl Classic: Mighty Deeds of Arms. Video on the subject from 5e perspective. Or providing every character with similar possibilities in combat like with Exploits in recent Tales Of Argosa. So far I don't see how rules would help games of 5e be more cinematic.

Personally I started to think 5e is so popular because it is very board-gamy, so good for min-maxers, provides a power fantasy for players (a lot of power, no responsibility/consequences) and crunchy combat rules makes RPing unnecessary, but possible. And I think most players are not so comfortable with too much roleplaying - especially those newer to the hobby. More like Diablo, than point-and-adventure game. But I know that many groups play it differently.

And there is nothing bad with it. It just looks that way to me. And I see when and how it can be exciting:)
Exactly! Coming from OSR mindset I like it to be more "realistic". Thanks for this suggestion! I will try it. :)

I would just like to apologize.
My energy level, motivation, and mental focus have completely dropped.
I have had no energy to post or do anything on any of the games I am currently playing in.
It has nothing to do with you as DM, the game, or the players.
I have just lost all motivation to type up anything.

I will try and work to fix this but IDK what to do.
It might just be from added stress or other BS reason.

Once again I am sorry. Give me a little bit.

@Smiley feel better soon! We all have these times. It will get better.

Take care Smiley!

Hi I'm traveling right now for holiday purposes with my family(holiday season in my country), so until end of the week I will probably be not able to make any posts. And as I usually don't play at weekends and Monday will be quite hard at work for me, effectively I will be able to post at Monday evening. But will try to do so earlier. Until then: Zean will fallow along, try to protect his friends and heal them if they will be low on HP.

That seems entirely appropriate to me.

sorry for the delay, things have been a little weird with family stuff

My other "wondering" about recent and current situation:
- would "Freedom of Movement" when Throign was attracted by "magnetic" armor ?
- assuming that: after pressing the plates on the floor in the current corridor the propeller will start to rotate and by this it will make a air pull towards it - as this is what I think will happen, but one can't be sure of course :) - but, assuming that: would Freedom of Movement spell work to go freely in the air current ?

Other question:
- doeas propeller look like one that could be broken by force ? i.e. Thorgin hammer and strength ? :)

Ok, thanks for clarifications! They sound very sound and fair! :)

I think I am going to have to drop out.
My wife and I have been sick for like 3+ weeks now.
High Fevers, Lethergy, Coughing, sore thoat and such.
We have been to the doctor and it is not Covid nor a Flu they don't know what it is.

I have had no energy to do anything. Barely any energy to check the game I am running.

I am sorry. I did enjoy this while I was able....

I think we need someone good with sensing magic in this dungeon. So loosing Vatoris could be disastrous to our expedition. I'm for keeping him as NPC (hopefully Smiley will feel better soon, and maybe even will be able to get back to the game someday) in our game. He will provide us this important info about magical nature of things and could be used to give hints "in fiction" as you already do GM.