OOC Chat

[JadedDM]

I've already said this before a couple of times in this thread (go ahead and do a search in this forum for the word 'script'), but I'll say it once more for your benefit, Kafen--there is no script.

I am following the modules, which I always do when I run modules, but I don't force anyone to do anything. If you guys break the story by doing something unexpected, so be it. I roll with it. I always have.

However, the party is in a bad situation. The town is full of dragonarmy forces. It has been conquered. There are clearly no other exits to the inn than the main one, as you can see yourself on the map I've been using. Perhaps Tas could have slipped into the kitchen before Toede and his troops burst into the room, but it's too late for that now. Beyond that, how would he sneak off? And go where? Do what?

There may not be a script, but that doesn't mean I'll allow someone to get away with something that violates common sense. If Tas had run out the door before Riverwind locked it or into the kitchen before Toede's men arrived, I would have allowed it. But he didn't, and now it's too late. You had options, but you didn't take them. I don't see that as forcing you to follow a script.

[Jenara]

Its just something we need to accept, we are stuck, we move on with the story and see what happens I suppose

[JadedDM]

So that brings the sixth chapter to a close. That was a short one. Actually, most of them in this module are pretty short, save the last two.

I'm sure you may have noticed, I deliberately separated the NPCs and PCs. Everyone is supposed to be put in the same wagon, but I split them up because I wanted to give the PCs a chance to interact and such without the NPCs around.

Anyway, this is the part where, as usual, I ask for feedback. Primarily, though, I'm interested in if anyone at all feels along the lines that Kafen does--that your actions don't matter and we're just following a predetermined script.

I stand by my earlier statement that this is not the case. The party may have been captured, but that was more because of their own actions than anything I made happen (the old men got past Riverwind, alerting Toede and his men; Laurana charged the kapaks, who paralyzed her and took her hostage; etc.).

However, I know from past experience that the perception of injustice can be just as damaging to a game as an actual injustice. I've seen games self-destruct or fall apart just because the players believed that something shady was going on (regardless if there was any truth to it or not).

Therefore, I want to know just how widespread this discontent might be, how deep it goes, and more importantly, what I can possibly say or do to help assuage any such concerns. After all, if there's no trust between the players and the DM, the game will suffer.

So, please, speak freely.

I'm setting up Chapter 7 now.

(Edit: Okay, I spent some time writing out the opening post for chapter 7, which was fairly long. But my internet is acting up again, so I couldn't post it right away. Then I accidentally closed the tab the post was on, meaning I lost it completely. So now I have to retype the whole thing over again from memory. Joy. Long story short, chapter 7 will be up when my internet is cooperating enough for me to post it. Sorry.)

[Nuke]

Well, works for me. I mean we DID openly walk into an occupied town.

Although I must have really blown a roll in letting the geezers out. I am good after all.

[Breila]

There's a question on my mind about clerical spells. In the PHB, it is stated that a spell that a mage has memorised must be cast to sort of free its slot in the mage's brain, before it can be replaced by another spell of the same level. I haven't found a similar mention for clercal spells. How do you handle this?

[JadedDM]

I use the same rule for clerical spells. So if you want to free up some slots, you generally need to 'waste' the spell you already have memorized.

[Jenara]

Gotta say great move by Nuke with the wagon! That was a great bit of thinking!

[mltillis]

I can take Caramon back over if you would like. Just need to quick browse the last month of activity.

[JadedDM]

You may, if you like.

But I would like some assurances that if you decide at some point in the future to leave again, you'll actually tell me. An email, a PM, an announcement in the OOC thread--something? I had to find out second-hand from another player.

[mltillis]

Yes. I apologize. My personal problems peaked last month. Not certain how much was passed on. I'll explain in a pm if you were not informed already.

[Nuke]

thanks Jen, I wasn't so sure the gambit would work.

[JadedDM]

Gotta say great move by Nuke with the wagon! That was a great bit of thinking!

thanks Jen, I wasn't so sure the gambit would work.

I'll be honest. It would have likely failed spectacularly were it not for the two sleep spells from Raistlin and Gilthanas to thin out the hobgoblins guarding it. Plus, one of them tried to knock Riverwind from the wagon, but rolled a natural 1. That was just darn lucky.

But sometimes, fortune does favor the bold. It was a pretty cool moment, and nothing at all like the books.

[JadedDM]

And another chapter ends.

Thoughts? Feedback? Questions?

This chapter introduced a number of characters, including Gilthanas, Elistan and Theros. They are minor characters, but get bigger roles later on in the story. Also, the return of Toede. Don't think that's the last you've seen of that ugly mug.

We also learned more about Lord Verminaard, although this is not the first time the party has heard this name, for those of you who remember when the party found Que-Shu in ruins.

The "Fight for Freedom" was interesting. Tasslehoff almost died, about half a dozen people got fumbles (I swear, the odds of me rolling a 1 increase drastically the more characters I control, whether good or bad), and Riverwind managed to hijack the supply wagon full of weapons and armor. I'm sure the elves will appreciate that.

Chapter Eight is up next!

[Jenara]

It was interesting to see how far from the books we have moved, its so very different. Well the overall idea is the same but the actions are very much altered.

Oh, and great touch with Gllthanas and explaining why the Elves hadn't gone to Ergoth yet! Because they were looking for Laurana. I expect some serious hassle from all three of them, but be warned I have prepared a speech to tell them what she thinks. Why she should stay with the group rather than be dragged off to Ergoth.

[JadedDM]

Yes, I suspect the deviations from the books will only grow as time progresses.

And Laurana's absence from her people will have an impact on things to come, not just as an explanation for why the elves delayed in leaving. Oh, yes, I have plans.

Right now, though, the party is exhausted and in bad shape. Tasslehoff and Sturm are at 1 HP, Caramon and Flint (the two biggest HP sponges in the group, are down to about 20 HP or so, Goldmoon, Laurana and Magpie are all in single-digit HP...

Hopefully they'll be able to recover a bit before...what comes next. We'll see.