OOC

Yes, she is still in the common room. More towards the bar than at your table.

Purposely left it vague in case the group wants to continue with the dinner conversation, I don't want to take the spot light if they want to continue as a group.

I hogged it a bit myself, so I'm fine with changing camera focus. Plus, since it's PbP, it's a lot easier to maintain multiple scenes/perspectives than trying to keep it straight in person. We'll probably be able to continue our conversation regardless.

How far away is the sink with the dirty dishes?

From the center island, about 5 feet.

I wanted to apologize for being AWOL for so long. My car got stolen a few days ago, so I was pretty distracted with getting all of that sorted out. I'll get caught up in what happened while I was gone, then be ready to drop back in.

Oof, that sucks. Take your time and slide back in when you can.

I'm unsure how this works but the equipment pack I took came with a chest. How does that work with carrying?

Ah, the diplomat's pack. Let's call it a chest for your papers, ink, and pen, sized about 14"x9"x5.5". How you carry that is left to your character, and I look forward to what you come up with. :)

Considering the chest is almost half the size of Coda, you're most likely going to be disappointed.

Coda put his full name 'Coda Ostinato' and for whoever doesn't write their own, he put what they introduced themselves at the tavern.
So:
'Kalis Verimas'
'Maenor Holimion'
'Geno'
'Brother Gustav'
(skipping Daniel as he's a man wrapped in mystery and he didn't introduce himself at the table) 'Daniel Locke'

I just now realized that I neglected to do that, how terribly rude.

Really? We're putting our real names? We are the worst spies ever.

Maenor's name technically isn't signed yet. Theoretically the only names on the paper is Codas, Genos, and Daniels. I wrote it to give the rest of you the option to sign yourselves in for that exact reason but speed along the post. I, personally and in character, didn't see a reason for a fake name though. I don't consider us to be spies at all, just part of a secret organization.

Yeah, and in character I totally agree. I was just teasing. :) Thanks for giving us the option, and for keeping things moving!

I need to get a couple things so I'm fine with skipping the "buying" process, so I don't take up the story with shopping.

That's fine. Just post what you ended up purchasing and deduct the appropriate expenses. Anyone else going to do anything while you're in town?

Nope, I've done my shopping. If people do want a donkey or mule, I can contribute 2 gp.

Purchased:
20 crossbow bolts and case, dagger, soap, whetstone, 10 pieces parchment, extra pouch, three candles, two pieces chalk, signal whistle

All good!

Purchasing:
Pouch - 5 sp
Oil (Flask) x2 - 2 sp
Lamp - 5 sp
Paper x5 sheets - 1 gp
Chalk x5 - 5 cp

Total: 2 gp, 2 sp, 5 cp

I see 4 gold for the donkey so far. Anyone else chipping in or will you forego the pack mule?

I'll also chip in 2 gp (or 4 if I'm the only other one)

Oh I can also do 2 GP. I missed that.

Questions about dissonant whisper, it doesn't say anything about having to see your target. For example:
Viscous Mockery: You unleash a string of insults laced with subtle enchantments at a creature you can see within range

Dissonant Whisper: You whisper a discordant melody that only one creature of your choice within range can hear(?), wracking it with terrible pain.
How would you rule this?

I'd rule that you wouldn't need to see the target of Dissonant Whispers, but you would need to be able to ascertain that the target is within range and can hear you.

I forget, what's our party makeup, class-wise?

Coda Ostinato, Bard
Daniel Locke, Rogue
Geno Rausch, Warlock
Kalis Varimas, Sorcerer
Maenor Holimion, Cleric

Brother Gustav has gone missing, so for now the monk is not with the party.

Just to make sure, i'll use what is happening now as an example:
Say Coda sees (like a rustle in a bush) and hears a noise 60 feet away (the max range of Dissonant), I would get to use it. Whether what created the noise is my actual target or a rabbit or something, Coda doesn't know.

Correct?

That's how I'd rule it. I wouldn't allow any creature within range to be randomly selected as the target (assuming there's more than one that aren't visible to you), so you would need to have some idea that something is there. In this case, hearing something implies that you have knowledge of a creature and so you can opt to select that as your target.

Okay, that is good to know, thank you.

Do multiple castings of Bless stack?

No. The duration may be extended, however, depending on how soon it was after the first casting.

Don't think so, no.

I meant from two different casters. I know one caster can't, since it uses concentration.

That's what I meant, too. One person cannot benefit from multiple Bless spells.

What about bardic inspiration, would those two stack, d6 from B.I. and d4 from Bless giving a possible d10?

I think so, since they're two different sources.

Those stack, but don't give a d10, it would give a d4 and a d6 to use

They would not stack as in your example. However, I would allow them both to be used in their respective applications. So for an attack roll or saving throw, someone with Bardic Inspiration and Bless can choose to add either a d6 or a d4, or both. Of course, only Bardic Inspiration can be applied for an ability check; Bless does not affect that.

EDIT: So yeah, what Naatkinson said.

Oh yeah, I guess I worded it incorrectly. I didn't mean you'd roll a d10, you'd roll the d6 and d4, and you could get the outcome of a d10 (4+6).

That's what we have Guidance for!

I have an idea but it is most likely a deception roll so it wouldn't assist Maenor.

Up to you if you want to try it or not.

How are we ruling Diamond_Rhombus/Brother Gustav, is he with us or not?

I've faded him into the background and assumed the group was running with 5. Would you like another player to bolster your party back up to 6, or carry on?

I'm fine with carrying on as is

Okay, that is how I was thinking it was as well. I'm fine with 5 but a 6th would be welcomed, plus it would allow another person a game.

If a majority of the group would like another player, I'll open it up.

Either way works for me!

Well, there are a lot of players looking for games, so you may as well open it up if you want more!

Hahaha, so glad that played out that way.

Ah, I thought there was four. Oh well, what's done is done.

Yeah, I meant that the outcrops were blocking your path left and right. Sorry!

Oh, I misread it completely then, no worries.

How far our we from our rendezvous, in both time and space?

I might be wrong, so take this with a grain of salt, I believe the tower we avoided was 'The Tower of the Fallen'. Again, I may be wrong so we'll have to wait for CancerMan to confirm or deny it.

I think that the tower of the fallen is the place that the ship took us to. Basically where our journey actually started

Ah, you may be correct, I totally blanked there was a tower when we docked.

You are on the second week of your two-month journey. By taking the detour around the gate where you were asked to pay a toll, you've added four days to your travel. On the small map, you are currently positioned right underneath the word "Giyne" in "Giyne Veldt," about halfway to the edge of the Dreaming Forest.
A number of major cities no longer represent what they were originally named for. The Tower of the Fallen, for example, used to be a monument to sailors and soldiers lost at sea before it became a major trading port and later a large city. For whatever reason, the name was kept.

Okay, I added Maribel to my feats/abilities list to keep her stats and carry items, is everything correct or do we get some sort of bonus to her stats since we rolled for her?

Are we going to level based off monster xp or set accomplishments?

Note Maribel's hit points as 18.

We're going to use milestone advancement for leveling.

A note on Daniel's spells and (later on)class features; they don't have any noticeable effect on their own, other than that people just seem a little bit luckier when he does it.

There are still the verbal, somatic, and material components needed for the spell. I don't require you to type out your words and gestures, but I am working under the assumption that you're still casting. The party would have noticed you speaking in tongues and gesturing as you hold your holy symbol.

If you're trying to be sneaky about it, you will roll Sleight of Hand to hide your gestures and Stealth to quiet your words.

He's still doing the components, but as far as anyone can tell nothing actually happens as a result.

Yeah, I forgot that I shouldn't have disadvantage until after I'd already rolled!

You don't have to roll for HP. Just apply the maximum amount plus your CON modifier.

Cool, thanks!

Are we assuming an equal split of the money?

I leave that to you all as a group.

I'm fine with equal split!

I'd like one of the longswords and the longbow, if no one objects. Happy to give up my share of the money as those are expensive items. I also think perhaps Coda and Maenor should double up on one horse, with the others each getting their own. If we rotate horses often it shouldn't be too burdensome, since those two are smaller than the other men.

No objection from me and I'm fine with shotgunning with Maenor.

Happy holidays! Everyone gets a point of Inspiration!

I allow players to have more than one, so you can accumulate as much as you want.

I'm gonna be honest. I'm really proud of myself for that solution :)

You should be! Genius.

I think I'm going to step out of the game. I haven't been super motivated to do PbP recently, so I don't want to just be lurking while other people are more invested in the story. It's been fun playing with everyone! Good luck and good game!

That's fair. Thank you for updating us!

Sorry to see you go!

What are we down to, now? Three of us?

Four: Coda, Daniel, Kalis, and Maenor. It is still a do-able number of players for PbP.

Yup, totally. I'm bad at arithmetic, don't mind me. :)

Note to self: insert more mathematical puzzles in dungeon.

Oh shoot, that was meant to be a private note. :)

Kind of wish I'd picked more fire-based spells. I realize now that my magic comes from my gold dragon heritage, so I should probably use more fire.

CosmicKeyring, is Daniel still with us?

Point of clarification: can creatures move through each other's space? I put Maenor in front of the door thinking that this would block any other creatures from coming out, since the skeleton archer was in the doorway. If this isn't the case, he would have backed down the corridor his friends are in. He's brave, not stupid.

You can move through an ally's space; it is presumed they aren't trying to impede your progress. Moving through a hostile opponent's space can only be done if there's a two-size difference between you (ie Small vs Large). For both, it is considered difficult terrain and you can't end your movement in that creature's space.

I consider diagonal movement across squares the same as lateral/vertical, so that point of confusion is completely my fault for not disclosing such. You can reposition Maenor for free this turn and not suffer an opportunity attack, if you wish.

That does make sense, thanks! I'll move him back a bit.

CosmicKeyring, you still with us?

So I haven't heard from Daniel's player, and I'll proceed with the idea that you're a team of three.

That said, how does everyone feel about joining up with the other team when they're done with their mission and you've finished yours? They've got about 4 active players now.

Sounds great.

Sounds fine to me :)

I figure I'll bring the topic up again. The other team has effectively disbanded, and the inclusion of Jabes did not work out due to time conflicts.

I see there are three options:

1) Continue to play this game as a party of three.
2) Recruit one or two more players.
3) Disband this game.

What are your opinions on the matter?

I'd be fine playing this with a party of three or recruiting another player. I'd rather not disband the game, as I'm enjoying it thus far :)

My vote is for number 2, 1 if we absolutely have to; definitely don't want this game to end either.

Agreed. I like this game and the characters.

I've brought Phil_Ozzy_Fer into the game to join the team, so you have a fourth.

Speaking of four, you all reach level four!

Phil_Ozzy_Fer, you can generate your character in this thread.

Woo, Phil! Welcome aboard.

Now I have to decide feat or +1/1/+2 ability...and spells! oh boy, see you all next year.

Welcome, Phil!

Woot, welcome to the fun, Phil!

Hello!

I'm taking Warcaster. So hard to choose!

Just take the full HP increase, plus CON modifier.

FYI, I will be rearranging the forum when I get the chance. Now that we only have one team, we don't need multiple OOC threads and such. Just a heads up in case things look different one day.

This OOC thread is now the official OOC thread of the game. The others have been archived.

I've also removed the Read restriction on the other team's thread. If you're curious of what they were up to, it's been declassified. Of course, it should be treated as meta-data, as you wouldn't necessarily know identities or specific events. Let me know if you don't see or can't access the Team Chalice thread in the archives.

I'd like one of the +1 shortswords for Maenor. We can sell the longsword from the crypt if no-one wants it.

I'll let you guys take anything you want and then I'll dive in to see if there's anything left that might be good for Kalis :)

I'd like to request the silver and copper.

Downtime: Sell my leather armor or give it away to a goblin in need. I'm guessing they probably don't have enough to buy any of the magic items.

Gyges actually is intrigued by Maenor's interest in learning Goblin, and asks to participate. In return, he'd be happy act as an assistant for standing guard. New experience, new thrills.

For Maenor and Gyges, the best way to learn a new language is to use it non-stop. You each accompany one or more goblins in their daily chores as their assistants. Here is a basic list of activities and chores, along with how much of the goblin language you might glean:

Keeping watch. Offers little time for learning as the goblins remain very mute in their observations, but the companionship still provides some access to the language. Concepts such as weather, temperature, local fauna and flora, movement, and time are taught.

Cleaning. Contrary to popular opinion, this clan of goblins takes cleanliness rather seriously. Perhaps it is due to the presence of visitors such as yourselves and other agents of the Pale, or perhaps it is the influence of Caraw-Chuwk, who seems way more enlightened than most goblins, but rooms are swept and tidied, garbage is disposed of, and the camp is generally organized. This is perhaps the most social of activities as the goblins find that conversation makes the chores go by much more pleasantly. Your vocabulary is reinforced during this moments as you learn the words for everything the goblins touch, adjectives for states of disrepair or clutter, and juicy gossip like what Grelgasz said about Fof the other day.

Gardening. The goblins have an underground mushroom grove that feeds the entire camp. You learn nouns and verbs for tools and how to use them. You learn descriptives about the soil, rocks, and how to dig. Even the advanced concepts of mushroom cultivation are taught.

Cooking. Imagine trying to cook a stew and not knowing what the ingredients are or how much you're supposed to add. Everyone in the camp ends up having "mystery meals" with tastes ranging from surprising to awful. Still, you learn your basic numbers, identify types of food, and understand many more colorful words that would make a sailor blush.

Meetings. These are not held every night, but Caraw-Chuwk likes to get a sense of how the community is faring. He listens to reports from everyone, such as the level of supplies, state of the gardens, or places in the camp that might need fixing. He also listens to grievances, such as Fof complaining about people talking behind her back, and works to alleviate concerns and settle disputes. You are not required to attend, but should you make time you are glad for the opportunities to listen and absorb the goblin language.

All in all, you learn enough of the basics to maintain simple conversations... which by goblin standards is getting rather close to fluency.

It will take you 30 days to learn Goblin. Since you are helping the goblins with their work, I will consider that the payment portion.

The goblins do not have a lot of coin per se, but they do like to trade. If there's something in the PHB that you can barter for using the armor or magic items, make a list. We can considers a 1-to-1 gp exchange for the mundane items (ie leather = 10 gp worth of adventuring gear). If you want to trade the magic items, let me know which one(s) and we'll figure out a reasonable cost.

Depending on the amount of time we actually spend here, I'd be happy to have Gyges move around and try out any/all of the listed activities. Probably focusing on the guard duty and gardening as though would be very different from his regular job.

I can't think of anything more that Kalis would want to do than read any books they may have and learn a new language and about their culture

Maenor spends time with each of the tasks, but the most with cleaning. He has grown to genuinely enjoy the goblins' company, a fact that is causing him to question many of his long-held prejudices.

Does everyone want to learn goblin? Or is there something else you'd like to do during the time it takes your companions to learn?

I'm good with that. Seems like a useful thing to know

Yeah, I figured they wouldn't be Scrooge McDuckin' it. I don't really need anything so I'll just give it to a goblin that shows interest in it. Seeing how I'm not doing anything else, perhaps finding one while assisting them while learning their language.

I'm happy to focus on learning goblin. It feels like a good fit for my character.

As posted in the Absences thread, I'll be traveling from 04 June 2018 through 15 June 2018. I don't know how much wifi access I'll have, but even if I have access my DMing ability will be extremely limited.

I tried to time your characters' downtime with my absence, so it seems to have worked out. If you haven't done so already, make sure you level up to 4.

I'm undecided on what to do with my ASI. Does Gyges have Find Familiar?

Gyges does not have find familiar. Sorry

Thank you for the heads up on the away time. Hope you have a great trip!

I apologize for the delay in getting the next episode up; lots of work to catch up on before I can devote any time to D&D. Thank you for your continued patience!

While things are getting set up, I've created a Loot thread that will track who has what. I recall some of you expressed an interest in giving up a few things in exchange, but the character sheets haven't been updated. In addition to listing what youv'e recovered, feel free to post corrections.

You can either use that thread, or OOC, to discuss trades or discuss who will take which item.

Speaking of treasure, everyone gets 62 silver and 105 copper, which was part of the other team's hoard.

I suspect the loot probably doesn't include me yet.

We have plenty, I'm totally okay with sharing.

I'm good with sharing as well

I noted which items were already claimed. Everyone can go through the list and figure out who gets what. Otherwise, someone can just hold onto them for later.

I'll be out of town until Monday evening.

As posted in the Absences thread, since there is the possibility that some do not follow that forum:

Stay safe!

Stay safe!

My own "absence"

I'll be offline a bit for the next few days. Probably back to posting as of Monday.

I just noticed that I still have a cantrip and spell to select! I will select them now, but won't use them until after this encounter

Selected Minor Illusion and Dragon's Breath as my spells. Really aiming to play up the dragon-powered theme :)

Got a lot of fire spells (gold dragon), plus spells to allow me to roar like a dragon and release dragon breath

Go ahead and use them. Consider them a latent power that just rose up, thanks to Coda's cooking.

Or something like that.

Ok, cool! I just don't want to seem like I'm picking spells to try to counter specifically what you're throwing at us!

Due to a family emergency, I won't be available until probably Monday night.

Hope everything is okay!

Take care!

No worries! Get everything taken care of and then come on back when you get the chance :)

I hope everything works out. We'll be here when you're ready.

Thank you, Tsavo. I'm back now.

I don't really care what the ruling is on Magic Missile, but in the Player's Handbook is it says:

"You create three glowing darts of magical force. Each dart hits a creature a creature of your choice that you can see within range. A dart deals 1d4+1 force damage to its target. The darts all strike simultaneously, and you can direct them to hit one creature or several."

This is RAW, and the reason I asked my question is because it doesn't say "roll once/cast". It just says each dart deals 1d4+1 damage. It wasn't clear, and that's why I posed the question. To me, it's not clear that you roll/dart as opposed to rolling/cast, but perhaps there's an errata that addresses this? If there is one, would someone be able to post a link?

This is the relevant passage:
It's because the damage can hit more than one target and it happens at the same time that you roll once for the damage (rules-as-written)

Thank you for passing that on. And if it deals damage to one target? That seems like it's not quite the same. (Clearly, I'm a fan of re-visiting rules.) I'm perfectly happy to roll fewer dice, but I still think you could pretty easily make a case for rolling damage more than once.

I think the argument is that the spell does deal damage to more than one target. Just because you choose not to doesn't mean that the spell itself doesn't hurt more than one target. Does that even make sense?

Sorry for the last-minute notice. I'll be on a trip over the weekend, and while I should have wifi, I'm not certain when I'll have time for updates.

Apologies. I've returned from my trip, but I've come down with flu-like symptoms.

No worries. Rest up; we'll be here.

No apologies necessary. Take your time. Health first. Not going anywhere.

Honest question, how are we with this game? I know we're in the holiday season, and some have expressed a need to either take a break from GP or address technical issues. Still, I've noticed a significant slowdown even before the holidays began. Is this the right time to close up shop and pursue other things?

For myself, I will not feel offended nor disappointment if this game should close. I had a fun time creating this world (my first!) and I felt that everyone contributed wonderfully to it. I know that I didn't do as much as I could to foster participation and engagement, and for that I apologize. I'm willing to continue, but if anyone feels like they want to cull or streamline their participation, do not feel beholden to this game.

I'm still in, just waiting for the party to come back :)

Heh, they came back. Maenor reported what happened and is leading the horses around the mercenary camp.

After some deliberation, I think I will retire this game. I haven't done a good job in keeping momentum, and it feels like we've stalled at a good point for stopping.

I'd like to sincerely thank everyone for their participation. I've learned a lot from this experience, and you've helped me grow in ways I never expected!

I really enjoyed this game and I'm sad to see it go. Thanks for running this, CancerMan!