WotL OOC Thread II

[Haahque]

While long sword is tempting, I'm pretty sure 2e rules say that he'd have to use a longsword 2 handed, so I think I'll go for a shortsword and pretend it's a longsword.

[JadedDM]

By 2E rules, a man sized creature can use S or M sized weapons one handed and L sized weapons two-handed. But for small sized creatures, they can only use S sized weapons one handed and M sized weapons two-handed, but cannot use L-sized weapons at all.

So he can wield a long sword, he'll just have to use both hands, like it was a great sword.

[chese780]

If I specialize in Greatsword as well, can I like, swing 2/1? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

(When I get another WP)

[JadedDM]

Well, you can't specialize in more than one weapon. You've already specialized in long sword.

[chese780]

Wait, waht?

GOD DANGIT!

Well, mistakes were made. I think I'll just pickup some other ridiculous weapon then.

[djhyland]

Any ideas how you want me to incorporate the meeting with Paladine? I can come up with something, but I thought you might have some input on that.

Hmm, I've thought a bit on this and I don't know. I guess I'm not used to the gods taking such an active role in game as this. That said, the classic dream contact is always an easy way to go, even if it's something that Arulia has already experienced. Alternately, you could go with a vision in her waking hours a la Joan of Arc. It'd still be dream-like, but if it happens while she's around other people, fun explanations are likely to be needed.

If I was running such a scene, though, I think I'd go with contact through an intermediary--a mortal, maybe someone whose presence can't be explained (e.g. "where did this strange woman come from, and how did she get into the city?!"), maybe who knows things that they shouldn't otherwise (e.g. "I know your deepest, darkest secrets!"). I like this because it's interaction in the real world. Sure, I suppose that Fizban could come around again, but I'd imagine that he's got better things to do, and Paladine might not want to risk sending his avatar into a city so closely aligned with and watched by Takhasis and her minions, and that sending an intermediary might be more prudent.

Do any of these sound good? Feel free to bounce ideas off of me and maybe we can come up with something good together.

[spyguy1503]

So, do I get a camouflage bonus for the snow?

[JadedDM]

If I was running such a scene, though, I think I'd go with contact through an intermediary--a mortal, maybe someone whose presence can't be explained (e.g. "where did this strange woman come from, and how did she get into the city?!"), maybe who knows things that they shouldn't otherwise (e.g. "I know your deepest, darkest secrets!"). I like this because it's interaction in the real world. Sure, I suppose that Fizban could come around again, but I'd imagine that he's got better things to do, and Paladine might not want to risk sending his avatar into a city so closely aligned with and watched by Takhasis and her minions, and that sending an intermediary might be more prudent.

Yeah, I wouldn't want to overuse Fizban. Plus, I think about now he's pretty close to joining the Heroes of the Lance by this point in time anyway. I don't know if he can be in two places at once.

A mortal could work. I'm not sure who. Elistan is out, of course. But maybe I could make up someone. Someone who could basically contact her, maybe offer some advice or answer her questions, then move on?

So, do I get a camouflage bonus for the snow?

Hmm, sure, in the wilderness. I don't think it would work well in the city, since only the rooftops and ground would have snow on them, he'd still stand out against the buildings and walls.

[djhyland]

Yeah, I wouldn't want to overuse Fizban. Plus, I think about now he's pretty close to joining the Heroes of the Lance by this point in time anyway. I don't know if he can be in two places at once.

A mortal could work. I'm not sure who. Elistan is out, of course. But maybe I could make up someone. Someone who could basically contact her, maybe offer some advice or answer her questions, then move on?

Alternately, you could have Paladine's intermediary be somebody who isn't in the city, someone that Arulia would have to travel to (I sense an adventure hook!). Maybe some of the elves have kept the faith for the past centuries. Maybe a hermit in the wilderness has received a revelation of Paladine. Maybe the White Hart in Darken Wood deigns to make an appearance for Arulia as well. I'm sure there's a good option somewhere.

Of course, if Arulia has to travel to meet this messenger, she'll have to know about him or her first. Back to dreams and visions? Perhaps Paladine (cryptically, of course) answers one of her prayers?

[JadedDM]

That one seems a little trickier. Would Arulia be okay with leaving her family for several days while she treks off into the wilderness, alone? Also, since time has been creeping forward quite slowly in this game so far (about one day per chapter), this would remove Arulia from the city for several chapters, most likely.

[djhyland]

Hmm, you make a good point. I concur with the out-of-game issues--it seems like it would take a very long time to go out to somewhere, meet Paladine's agent, and come back to town unless the agent is ridiculously close-by. In game, that's fine, but that'd likely be a long, long time out of game.

In game, however, I don't see such a problem. Sure, Arulia doesn't want to leave her family behind, but religious pilgrimages are about putting faith above more mundane concerns. It'd be tough to leave them, but finding out the source of her faith is important enough to her to do so. She'd just have to make arrangements before she left...and more tough choices assuming she doesn't find any money to get her family through the winter without her. Leaving the rest of the party behind wouldn't concern her too much--she's fond of Kendra and Pen, but not too attached to any of the others. What they do without her wouldn't worry her at all.

So, I guess its up to you, JadedDM. Arulia would be willing to undertake a pilgrimage as a character, and I'd be happy to play it out as her player. It does seem like a LOT of work for you, though. If you're willing to put in the work of running yet another thread of the story away from the rest of it, I'll do my best to make Arulia's part in the story good. If you think it's too much work, on the other hand, I'll fully understand and be happy with whatever other option you decide to go with.

[JadedDM]

Okay. I think I have an idea of what to do now. Now I just need to implement it.

[BishGada]

If Arulia will require it, the group might accompany her in the wilderness (at least up to some point where she would probably prefer to be alone with her god).

Why gods can't be in several places at the same time? Can't that be fixed with level 10-20 spells? I'd say very powerful version of mirror image (to bypass range limitation) + remote operations spells (such as casting spells via other creatures or through mirrors of scrying and stuff like that) + high shadow magic to give the image 90% material could do the trick. No? Strong polymorphism turning object to your duplicate and so on... If there is an issue to act in both scenarios there are time altering spells so he can take the time to plan his actions in both places, heal. make preperations for the spells and then in the real time flow can act instantly. Anyway, that's what I'd do if I were a god.

BTW, I took your point about Tulbas parents description. (height, colors etc). I just never thought of it (until now).
When writing a post. usually our character works in environment that you, the DM, describes (giving the details of the 5 senses and even more senses were applicable). In these scenes it would be either redundant/contradictory to add these descriptions (Although might be better literature to do it). So I usually imagine what's going on around me and just write about thing relating to it's thought, emotions, character and actions. Neglecting describing the senses as I take them for granted. That also happened when I wrote about scenes which are off the main plot.

I do think it would be nicer to add more details in my posts even if they are redundant, to give a better atmosphere but still it might cause conflicts with the way you see things, For example, if I remember correctly in the room of the "priests" there was all the gore of the human sacrifices. If I would post about the smell it would improve the scene but if I would post about the sliperry floor it might not work smoothly with what you imagine since it might be that you meant the blood drains to specific place or the floor material is rough enough so the blood doesn't make it slippery or whatever. Same for illumination and other issues that the contradiction might effect important issues of the game, such as combat bonuses/penalties and so on.

So to sum it up I'll try on one hand to improve my literature and on the other hand to avoid stepping on any other person toes.

[TristenC]

(OOC: Please tell me you got my meaning Tristen. Also, I emphasized the word -Steel- in my speech and put the -Steel- coin down in front of me.)

Felran begins to eat his food, telling Ne-Chanz that it would be wise to do the same.
*After*
He whispers over to the Goblin one last thing, "See you there," before he moves over to Ne-Chanz.

I got it, chese. Steel tankard.

[JadedDM]

Why gods can't be in several places at the same time?

Gods can, I think it's their aspects/avatars that are more limited. I think that they can have multiple avatars out at once, but not the same one in different spots. I'm not sure, to be honest. I might be thinking about something else.

It's really not clear. Like, one of the big plot points of the series is that Takhisis was 'sealed' in the Abyss by Huma Dragonbane and is always trying to get back out again. But what does that even mean? She's a god, isn't she kind of everywhere at once? What are the ramifications of her being 'physically' back in the mortal world? Does that mean she can't make avatars or something else? I really don't know.