OOC I

[dmw71]

Did you get tested for Covid?

My wife was thinking I maybe should have, but I didn't. I'm probably an idiot.

I/we have been very careful, however, with the only interaction with anyone outside of our house coming on quick shopping trips. It was entirely stomach-based (no respiratory issues) so I'm really thinking it was just a bug, or the flu, or food poisoning or something.

Aside from fatigue, I'm feeling much better now.

[dmw71]

Reaction: Opportunity Attack
Glaive [1d20+6] = 12+6 = 18[1d10+4] = 7+4 = 11

I had to double-check this, but the first round in this case (by virtue of the invisible (at the time) air elemental rolling higher than the passive perceptions of every party member) is deemed a surprise round:

Stealth
22: Air Elemental

Passive Perception
13: Talmond, Tova, Vinwrick
12: Gulnur, Lutharin, Thrydwulf

In a surprise round:

If you're surprised, you can't move or take an action on your first turn of the combat, and you can't take a reaction until that turn ends.

It was a good thought, but only Thrydwulf's actual attack will count.

[Marullus]

Noted!

[Darklin2]

This is the second 5E game I have played in and the second character that has died in the first battle. Starting to think 5E just sucks!

[dmw71]

This is the second 5E game I have played in and the second character that has died in the first battle. Starting to think 5E just sucks!

I can assure you, it's more just rotten luck.

Yes, brand new characters are still a bit squishy in 5e, but 5e is actually a lot more forgiving than other editions of D&D. I've introduced some tougher challenges in this game (which I don't necessarily apologize for), but I'm sure that most likely has something to do with it.

[Scott308]

Lutharin isn't dead yet! He's just unconscious and making death saves. Hopefully someone can tend to him and stabilize/ heal him. It is actually harder to die in 5e than early editions, although 1st level is still fairly treacherous. Crits are pretty fatal for most classes at 1st level, but going unconscious isn't a rare occurrence for new characters. I think we've pretty much had at least one character go down in each fight so far, including mine in the very first attack against us in the game.

[ravenn4544]

Can Tova use spare the dying on Lutharin from where he is or is he blocked from that in the smaller room?

[dmw71]

Can Tova use spare the dying on Lutharin from where he is or is he blocked from that in the smaller room?

Since Lutharin isn't really centered in any one square (and technically, I believe the air elemental can share the same square as another creature)... sure. I'll say Tova is able to at least extend a hand and touch the nearest body part, which will satisfy that portion of the spell's requirements.

[dmw71]

1 of 3
I was busy typing the following out to include in the footer section of my next update, but I suppose I'll share it early since we're not ready to process the current round yet, and technically, Lutharin will have a chance to act in the current round:

A few notes:

1. Per the official rules for Death Saving Throws:

   Rolling 1 or 20. When you make a death saving throw and roll a 1 on the d20, it counts as two failures. If you roll a 20 on the d20, you regain 1 hit point.

   
   
   Well...
   Round 3: Death Save for Lutharin (10): [1d20] = 20
   
   
   
   I'm really not a huge fan of the "you have one hit point at the start of your turn and can immediately spring into action!" but Lutharin, technically, can take their full turn in round 3.

Darklin2, feel free to include a response for Lutharin for the current round and I'll work it in.

[dmw71]

2 of 3
Also, Marullus, this will happen in the current round:

R03 Air Elemental vs Thrydwulf (15): [1d20+4] = 1+4 = 5, [1d8+3] = 2+3 = 5 Bludgeoning <-- critical fail

Since Thrydwulf still has his reaction in this round, he will get a free counter attack. Feel free to provide it and I will work it into the current round.

[Marullus]

I can't get to the roller right now, can you use the one I rolled last round but wasn't allowed?
Reaction: Opportunity Attack
Glaive [1d20+6] = 12+6 = 18[1d10+4] = 7+4 = 11
Just add +2 damage for raging.

[dmw71]

I can't get to the roller right now, can you use the one I rolled last round but wasn't allowed?
Reaction: Opportunity Attack
Glaive [1d20+6] = 12+6 = 18[1d10+4] = 7+4 = 11
Just add +2 damage for raging.

Sorry, I don't bank or carry over rolls. There's no rush, as I'm still waiting on an action before I'm able to complete the round anyway, so feel free to roll again when you're able.

[dmw71]

3 of 3
Scott, at this point, feel free to provide two actions the next time you check in on this game: one for round 3 and the second for round 4.

[Marullus]

Okay, trade that up to a critical hit then.

Glaive (raging) [1d20+6] = 20+6 = 26[1d10+6] = 7+6 = 13

[Scott308]

Also, Marullus, since you critted, you need to roll another d10 for damage.

Actually, I house-ruled where a critical hit is just max damage plus a normal damage roll.

I forgot about that rule. Makes my crit a whole lot better, then. The 1 is still weak, but not as bad.

[Marullus]

Yeah! That means I did 36 damage that round, which is pretty awesome, even if it halves it.

[dmw71]

Okay, trade that up to a critical hit then.

Nice!

Actually, I house-ruled where a critical hit is just max damage plus a normal damage roll.

I forgot about that rule. Makes my crit a whole lot better, then. The 1 is still weak, but not as bad.

Your attack -- where you rolled a 1 and 2 for damage on a critical hit -- is exactly why I like this house rule.





I will give Darklin2 a chance to revise his current action, per this, but I will move this game again this weekend.

[dmw71]

...I will move this game again this weekend.

Had an unexpected family situation spring up late last week, so no update. Sorry!

I think I'll have a lighter day at work tomorrow so hopefully I will be able to carve out some time to move this again then.

[RiverGreenForest]

No worries. I'm in no hurry.

[dmw71]

I haven't really played with it yet, but with D&D Beyond's introduction of the game log, it might be possible (and maybe desirable?) to use the die roller built into the actual character sheets?

1. Share Your Dice Results with the Brand New Game Log!
2. Share Your Dice Rolls! (Digital Dice Open Beta)

Feel free to play around with the roller, and making rolls by clicking on the various places on your character sheets (e.g. initiative, any of the modifiers for your ability scores, the bonus for any skill, the weapon (or spell) to-hit and weapon (or spell) damage (or healing), etc...). It's pretty nice. I made a quick test roll with Gulnur's character sheet opened. Sorry, man!

DND Beyond Die Roller Game Logs.jpg (435.17 KiB) Viewed 1153 times

If/when we decide to start using the built-in roller, I can clear the logs


Some things I'm not sure about yet:

1. It might be possible, but I haven't been able to figure out how to roll with advantage/disadvantage. For example, I noticed that Tova makes 'Steath' checks at disadvantage, but clicking on the "+1" next to his 'Steath' skill only rolls one time.
   

   Disadvantage.jpg (436.77 KiB) Viewed 1153 times

2. I'm also not sure how I would make DM rolls?

Edit: Adding that dice rolling should be available in the mobile app, if you use it: Digital Dice are now LIVE on the Mobile App!.


But, thoughts?