Session 4 epilogue

First, the treasure catalogue! -All that remains of the tower’s second floor is a jagged ledge, upon which sits a battered wooden chest. The chest is hard to see from the floor, requiring a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check to notice. The chest is unlocked and contains 90 ep, 120 gp, a potion of healing, a scroll of silence, and a scroll of revivify. -Hidden under Grol’s bed mattress is a stitched leather sack containing 220 sp, 160 ep, and three potions of healing. -A fine quarterstaff, engraved with stylized feathers, is surprisingly light (1 lb.), and worth 10 gp. -One small cask is filled with an exceptional dwarven brandy, which the goblins overlooked because of its size. The cask contains the equivalent of twenty glasses. -The chalice, knife, and censer are human-made art objects worth 150 gp, 60 gp, and 120 gp, respectively. -Among the supplies, you see a bloody suit of chain mail, a heavy crossbow, and an unsheathed longsword with the emblem of Neverwinter worked into its hilt. -Those who acted in the interests of their patrons received much favor this session, even if it hasn't been made apparent yet. ------ I thought the session went very well -- your planning and foresight was rewarded by rather easily besting difficult encounters, and you got hit hard on easier encounters because you walked in carelessly. As a DM, that makes me happy. :) We're now 4 sessions in, and I think everyone has a feel for their character and the tone of the game. Here's where I want to ask you guys: what do you like about the game? What don't you like? What would you like to see more/less of? Are there any issues you have with my style? Do you feel like you're treated fairly, or you're somehow getting the short end of the stick? I'd love to get some feedback so I can adjust my style if necessary. For me, running this game for you guys is definitely one of the highlights of my week. I very much enjoy playing with y'all. Keep up the excellent work! :)

I can say that I absolutely love this game and everyone playing. It's definitely something I look forward to. It's been so fun learning about characters and their quirks. I think we have a pretty good rapport and it makes it quite pleasant. I know I'm always *droop* when it's time to call it for the week.  As for things that could improve, I think we're getting better, but we still need to make sure everyone has a say in things we do as a group. It's just something we need to be aware of that I think will improve with each session as we get to know each other as players.  I absolutely enjoy your style of DMing! It's fun and engaging and you are open to some crazy stuff we want to try, which I enjoy. The only thing I'd ask to keep in mind is sometimes, you describe things quickly and I don't have time to write them down. LOL. But it's nothing super crucial since you're pretty open and easy going when we ask for clarification.  So my verdict for the moment: IT'S AWESOME! YOU'RE AWESOME! WE'RE AWESOME!

I absolutely love the style of gameplay and how things have been going, the balance has been great, and it really is a highlight of my week and I immediately look forward to the next session as soon as one is over. I mean, it legitimately shook me up in real life when my character went down, I tried to express it to people in my life and they just didn't get it.  It shook both myself and Raynor up to a point where it made him more hesitant when moving forward, and it might take a little while to shake off that feeling.  But I see that as a really good thing, that level of immersion, and feeling a connection to the story can only come from a game that's being well DM'd.  Also, being able to roll with it when you had hoped for a different path (i.e. a longer battle with the Owlbear) or letting the magnificent things happen solely by luck of the dice (i.e. Zaradur's insane leaping), without feeling the need to impose your own intentions but letting sort of that world of the dice and chance rule what may or may not happen, is incredibly key and you've done so impressively. I do think we should definitely work to get everyone involved more, and I think things are starting to develop that way more and more, Elvalur really taking on that Thief role, lockpicking, sneaking, and then the amazingness of his Cunning Actions.  Zaradur has definitely fallen into his groove, and characterized very well to say the least.  Helm with his love of his Dwarven beard, and Axe throwing has begun to really become his thing, I know he had to find his groove back after the scheduling thing last week, but still doing great.  Naeris, being protective of "Her Orc", attacking peoples minds from within, and then even just that characterization of her just leaning against the wall waiting for us to take on the hob goblin, I could actually picture her doing it with that sort of Naeris look of "Are you done killing that thing yet?" and the fact that I had that mental image is great characterization.  Then of course Sigrun, sort of the warmest heart of the party, concerned about everyone, letting the emotional impact of the battles really set in and connecting them to her past, plus even making a point to bring in her levels of worship. I'd definitely say everyone is really starting to find their groove.

Also from the loot listed above, that makes the following totals (if the worth of the quarterstaff and the gold art objects on the shrine are included): 460gp  220sp 250ep 4potions (I don't remember how we split all that up, but I believe all of them were distributed) 1 cask of brandy 2 scrolls (which I believe were distributed) Additional Supplies bloody suit of chain mail, a heavy crossbow, and an unsheathed longsword with the emblem of Neverwinter worked into its hilt. - If no one objects I would like for us to hang on to that Longsword and bring it to Neverwinter on our travels to see if it might mean something to them, if we can't discover it on our own. Just splitting up the money evenly (as long as we check the golden objects and the staff for any significance before selling them) that would be: 76gp each 36sp each 41ep each with 4gp, 4sp, and 4ep left over.

Zeaa said:  The only thing I'd ask to keep in mind is sometimes, you describe things quickly and I don't have time to write them down. LOL. But it's nothing super crucial since you're pretty open and easy going when we ask for clarification.  Yeah, sorry about that. I'm a fast talker. :)  But if you feel like I'm going too fast, feel free to ask me to repeat myself or slow down -- I know it's a flaw of mine, especially when my brain is firing quickly. :) RJ M. said: I mean, it legitimately shook me up in real life when my character went down, I tried to express it to people in my life and they just didn't get it.  It shook both myself and Raynor up to a point where it made him more hesitant when moving forward, and it might take a little while to shake off that feeling. That right there? That's absolute DM crack. Love to hear it. :)  Wait until someone goes down and fails a death save (or two!) -- that'll get your blood pumping! I love y'all's characters, and it will absolutely kill me to do it, but there is a very real possibility that at some point, someone will die. Perhaps even permanently. Without that risk of loss, it'd be easy to be blasé about death and your characters in general, but they're all the more precious because they can be lost. :) Thank y'all for the feedback and the kind words! I have some ideas to spread the spotlight around; I'm starting to feel confident enough to construct my own adventures in Roll20, so we'll soon be straying into more personalized adventures. ;)

Fuzzus said: Zeaa said:  The only thing I'd ask to keep in mind is sometimes, you describe things quickly and I don't have time to write them down. LOL. But it's nothing super crucial since you're pretty open and easy going when we ask for clarification.  Yeah, sorry about that. I'm a fast talker. :)  But if you feel like I'm going too fast, feel free to ask me to repeat myself or slow down -- I know it's a flaw of mine, especially when my brain is firing quickly. :) RJ M. said: I mean, it legitimately shook me up in real life when my character went down, I tried to express it to people in my life and they just didn't get it.  It shook both myself and Raynor up to a point where it made him more hesitant when moving forward, and it might take a little while to shake off that feeling. That right there? That's absolute DM crack. Love to hear it. :)  Wait until someone goes down and fails a death save (or two!) -- that'll get your blood pumping! I love y'all's characters, and it will absolutely kill me to do it, but there is a very real possibility that at some point, someone will die. Perhaps even permanently. Without that risk of loss, it'd be easy to be blasé about death and your characters in general, but they're all the more precious because they can be lost. :) Thank y'all for the feedback and the kind words! I have some ideas to spread the spotlight around; I'm starting to feel confident enough to construct my own adventures in Roll20, so we'll soon be straying into more personalized adventures. ;) Zaradur will slay death himself to protect his family(the group) :D

Mystery box said: Zaradur will slay death himself to protect his family(the group) :D Out of curiosity, Patrick, are you familiar with Rule Zero? Never give the DM ideas. *evil grin*

Hahaha I don't regret giving you ideas! Instead of a spooky death why not a death that's an english gentleman or a bard death? :P

Mystery box said: bard death I thought that was just what naturally happened by playing bards.

Haha, what's this making fun of bards? They're awesome! You do realize Naeris wrecked a hobgoblin using a Bard cantrip, right? I'd love to play a bard sometime, but I'd have a hard time rp'ing as one. ÓwÒ Also, if it comes to death, don't worry about Naeris. She's not likely to let such a minor inconvenience stop her. Though the others would probably have about 10 days tops to somehow pull her ass back to life or she's gonna go off and become a devil or something else crazy like that! ;P I'm really enjoying the playing style too! I'm very much a fan of the whole "let the players be as crazy as they want, if the dice are with them". And in case of Naeris at least, I definitely feel like you've done so much as a GM to really help bring her to life. I can hardly wait for when we start moving into more personalized adventures! :D I'm definitely enjoying everyone's characterizations too. Everyone's starting to really come alive!  For things that could be better, I'd love a little more sense of time. Like, whenever we decide to take a long rest, it's always due to having exhausted our spells and such and I've no real idea if we're just camping out in the middle of the day or if it's night or how time flows, really. I just tend to assume it's day when we're moving out and night whenever we decide to rest. But it'd be nice with a slightly clearer picture. Our sessions are definitely the highlight of my week as well! You guys're all awesome! ^o^

I still hold claim to the cask of dwarven brandy.

I know we've been gaining a fair amount of Experience Points, and we have a big room of goblins to clear out right at the beginning of next session.  So I was thinking it might be a good idea for everyone to have a general idea of what they want to do at the upcoming level, I know this would be one of the easier levels for planning, since I think pretty much everyone has an increase to ability scores and the usual health increase (not sure about all classes but I think that's the case), that way just in case we do level up (fingers crossed) we can pop in the new stats, roll for health if wanted, and keep things moving smoothly, I just want to get as much as possible in during our sessions :)

elias n. said: I still hold claim to the cask of dwarven brandy. This dwarf has his priorities straight! :D

RJ M. said: I know we've been gaining a fair amount of Experience Points, and we have a big room of goblins to clear out right at the beginning of next session.  So I was thinking it might be a good idea for everyone to have a general idea of what they want to do at the upcoming level, I know this would be one of the easier levels for planning, since I think pretty much everyone has an increase to ability scores and the usual health increase (not sure about all classes but I think that's the case), that way just in case we do level up (fingers crossed) we can pop in the new stats, roll for health if wanted, and keep things moving smoothly, I just want to get as much as possible in during our sessions :) This would not be a bad idea. The big choice for you guys is to take the growth in ability scores, or to purchase a feat. I'm very interested to see which path y'all take!

I've already decided on Sigrun's course of action. I pretty much think about the game and what to do all week. hehe.

Shavix said: Haha, what's this making fun of bards? They're awesome! You do realize Naeris wrecked a hobgoblin using a Bard cantrip, right? I'd love to play a bard sometime, but I'd have a hard time rp'ing as one. ÓwÒ That would be me as a bard honestly, still playing while the whole party is dying. :P RJ M. said: I know we've been gaining a fair amount of Experience Points, and we have a big room of goblins to clear out right at the beginning of next session.  So I was thinking it might be a good idea for everyone to have a general idea of what they want to do at the upcoming level, I know this would be one of the easier levels for planning, since I think pretty much everyone has an increase to ability scores and the usual health increase (not sure about all classes but I think that's the case), that way just in case we do level up (fingers crossed) we can pop in the new stats, roll for health if wanted, and keep things moving smoothly, I just want to get as much as possible in during our sessions :) I'll second this because everytime we're playing the next thing I hear is Chuck already calling time for today's game, I guess since I'm having a blast with everyone, time flies! I have an idea how to take care of the goblins, didn't we see barrels of alcohol somewhere? If we did and if it's not too brutal then we'll cover both doors with a heavy hitter carrying one or two barrels of ale and a ranger with a flaming arrow at the ready. 

As much as I enjoy playing frustrated whenever Zaradur tries to do something off-the-wall, I really, really love your combat improvisations. It's very easy for the game to devolve into "I attack. I miss. I attack. I hit. I attack." It's one of the system's few failings, in my opinion, and it's always refreshing to have a clever and creative player varying things up with the environment and even just different spin on regular attack rolls. :)

Then you'd probably make a terrible bard, Patrick :P That is an interesting idea. But as I recall, there're two entrances to the room with the goblins, so we'd have to do that at both at the same time. Otherwise it wouldn't really do much of anything. Also, if those barrels are filled with crap ale, the alcohol percentage wouldn't be very impressive so the barrels might not be as flammable. As for the leveling up, I was considering just taking the ability score improvement. But then I looked through the feats in the PHB and it got me thinking. What if I took the Magic Initiate feat to learn Shield as a sorcerer/wizard spell? Then I would be able to cast it using the glass staff, yes? Plus I get an extra 2 cantrips for free. 

You are correct, Aviana. Just remember that you may not have that staff forever, while the feat will be part of Naeris for the duration of the campaign.

I have an idea how to take care of the goblins, didn't we see barrels of alcohol somewhere? If we did and if it's not too brutal then we'll have Zaradur and Helm carry one or two barrels at each side of the door with Raynor and Elvalor flaming arrow ready to light it up! thoughts?  I was thinking the exact same thing, I was so excited to bring up the idea at our next session (damn you for beating me to it *sarcastically shaking fist in the air*), and we can even have Elvalor try and lock that one door so they're kind of stuck inside with it, and then we go in and pick off what's left.

Shavix said: That is an interesting idea. But as I recall, there're two entrances to the room with the goblins, so we'd have to do that at both at the same time. Otherwise it wouldn't really do much of anything. Also, if those barrels are filled with crap ale, the alcohol percentage wouldn't be very impressive so the barrels might not be as flammable. We could always test a few out to see if any are flammable, and we did already lock the one door as we moved through, so now we just have to worry about 1 door, although I'm not sure about that pile of rubble to the South West corner of that room, and how high that goes, but we can probably figure something out.

Fuzzus said: As much as I enjoy playing frustrated whenever Zaradur tries to do something off-the-wall, I really, really love your combat improvisations. It's very easy for the game to devolve into "I attack. I miss. I attack. I hit. I attack." It's one of the system's few failings, in my opinion, and it's always refreshing to have a clever and creative player varying things up with the environment and even just different spin on regular attack rolls. :) Hahaha yes I do like to make combat more interesting, one day I might tackle a pillar hoping the roof will collapse on the enemy or use my frenzy rage to use his double attack to slice the opposite side of an enemies knee cap so he's on his knees then use the other attack to slice his head clean off. If my feats become more outrages then you should give me a high DC, watching Zaradur fail is hillarious like the time he tried to flip the pillar. RJ M. said: I have an idea how to take care of the goblins, didn't we see barrels of alcohol somewhere? If we did and if it's not too brutal then we'll have Zaradur and Helm carry one or two barrels at each side of the door with Raynor and Elvalor flaming arrow ready to light it up! thoughts?  I was thinking the exact same thing, I was so excited to bring up the idea at our next session (damn you for beating me to it *sarcastically shaking fist in the air*), and we can even have Elvalor try and lock that one door so they're kind of stuck inside with it, and then we go in and pick off what's left. That or we can bring two barrels, throw one as far as we can and smash the other one at the door?

We'll have to wait until we're in game, because it kind of depends on how big that pile of rubble is at the south west part of the room, that might effect how we strategize our attack.  If it's too big to climb over then we'd be fine, with either locking or setting another on fire by the door... but if it's small enough to climb over then we could lock that second door and do all of our Donkey Kong style barrel throwing and rolling from that point, while Elvalur and I shoot some flaming arrows to set them off, and then we focus on one entry point to defend.  We can decide in session to depending on the environment.

As much as I hate to rain on y'all's parade, I have to say that Aviana is right: there's not nearly enough alcohol in those casks to be flammable, much less explosive. Though if you guys wanted to do something cool, I will point out that the upper floors of the towers are mostly ruined. A good climber might get up to the remains of the second floor and do something from one of the many holes in the roof...

Shavix said: Then you'd probably make a terrible bard, Patrick :P We will see, maybe. hahaha

Hm, true. But 1 free Shield a day on top of my normal spells isn't too shabby at all. I also feel it somehow fits Naeris better than just taking the ability score improvement. As a warlock, Naeris' powers don't come from within. So it makes sense that she would grow, not through inherent abilities improving, but her adopting things around her as her own power. She's already doing it with her patron and her companions even. It makes sense that she would find a way to absorb some of the power off a magic item she acquired.

If you multiclassed Zaradur with some bard levels, it would make me happy beyond belief. :D

Shavix said: Hm, true. But 1 free Shield a day on top of my normal spells isn't too shabby at all. I also feel it somehow fits Naeris better than just taking the ability score improvement. As a warlock, Naeris' powers don't come from within. So it makes sense that she would grow, not through inherent abilities improving, but her adopting things around her as her own power. She's already doing it with her patron and her companions even. It makes sense that she would find a way to absorb some of the power off a magic item she acquired. Very true, and very in keeping with Naeris' character. :) It's becoming funny to me that the rest of the party considers Naeris quiet -- still waters run deep! ;)

Fuzzus said: Though if you guys wanted to do something cool, I will point out that the upper floors of the towers are mostly ruined. A good climber might get up to the remains of the second floor and do something from one of the many holes in the roof... I WILL RAIN DOWN ARROWS  If Elvalur joins me up there, Our Arrows Will Blot Out The Sun (at least what little sun is peering through the holes lol) While you all fight in the shade And then Naeris can decide whether she wants to try to rain down skeletal hands, magic energy blasts, and psychic attacks from above or stay down below so there's no need to worry about the climbing.

I might try this on the next encounter! Zaradur has seen Silent Arrow perform the dance occasionally and wanted to try this from some time now. War dance! Fuzzus said: If you multiclassed Zaradur with some bard levels, it would make me happy beyond belief. :D hahaha I'm considering about it 

Fuzzus said: Shavix said: Hm, true. But 1 free Shield a day on top of my normal spells isn't too shabby at all. I also feel it somehow fits Naeris better than just taking the ability score improvement. As a warlock, Naeris' powers don't come from within. So it makes sense that she would grow, not through inherent abilities improving, but her adopting things around her as her own power. She's already doing it with her patron and her companions even. It makes sense that she would find a way to absorb some of the power off a magic item she acquired. Very true, and very in keeping with Naeris' character. :) It's becoming funny to me that the rest of the party considers Naeris quiet -- still waters run deep! ;) Haha. Very deep indeed! ;D Mystery box said: I might try this on the next encounter! Zaradur has seen Silent Arrow perform the dance occasionally and wanted to try this from some time now. War dance! Fuzzus said: If you multiclassed Zaradur with some bard levels, it would make me happy beyond belief. :D hahaha I'm considering about it  Oh hell. Yes, yes please do! Make Naeris instantly regret all of her life choices. See how long Zaradur survives that. xD

Wow, already planning for next battle then. Well, Elvalur will definitely join Raynor and shout: "I WILL RAIN DOWN ARROWS" As for Zaradur, the (maybe) Barbarian Bard, that is something... unique.

Hahaha a big maybe Unloading a barrage of arrows from the second floor sounds like an awesome idea, but what if in the middle of that a barbarian half orc breaks through the ceiling landing on a poor goblin and the rest of the crew breaks down the door taking care of the rest? *arrows raining down from the ceiling* Goblin #1: "AHHHHH" *hides behind cover* "Me safe here, safe yes!" >hears a menacing roar >turns to see the noise is coming near Goblin cousin #3 hidind behind the bar >a second later sees a orc crashing down the ceiling squishing cousin [PANIC]

Sigrun would like to remind everyone that she does not have infinite healing spells. LOL. At least, not yet!

If Sigrun wishes to save her healing spells, Naeris would like to mention, she doesn't have to waste them on the half-orc. He survives just fine on dumb luck and all-round stupid. Something else, didn't we find a jade figurine or something? I remember Naeris briefly looking at it and determining it wasn't magic. But I don't see it on the list of loot.

Shavix said: If Sigrun wishes to save her healing spells, Naeris would like to mention, she doesn't have to waste them on the half-orc. He survives just fine on dumb luck and all-round stupid. Something else, didn't we find a jade figurine or something? I remember Naeris briefly looking at it and determining it wasn't magic. But I don't see it on the list of loot. You're right! That was in the hideout, which I forgot y'all looted before infiltrating the castle. I'll add that to the trove when I get home.