OOC II

[frobozz]

Oops, sorry, I just read the IC post and realized that Jake is already in the cave!

But, it would still be useful to know this information for future reference.

[thirdkingdom]

I essentially take it on a case by case basis. Essentially, though, the check only fails if the roll is really flubbed. In this case, I would have to roll a 90 or above -- or thereabouts -- for him to make a huge clatter.

Note that you guys can always help yourselves out by being describing in as much detail as possible what you do. For instance "we set an ambush for the ogres" is going to garner less chance of success than "we cover ourselves with leaves, smear mud on any exposed skin and take care to conceal any metallic items that might reflect light."

[thirdkingdom]

So, one thing I try not to do in pbp games is to create situations where the group is waiting for reactions from one or two people. There's nothing wrong with what's going on now; it just made me remember I've been wanting to address this for a while. In order to help move things along I like to do the following:

1)Assume group knowledge. If I post some information that one or two characters know I find it helpful to assume that, unless the player states otherwise, the character will share that information freely without the player having to explicitly state it IC. For instance, Joe goes off scouting, I describe the shit Joe sees, Joe returns to the party. It is reasonable to assume Joe shares this with everyone; he can certainly make an IC post sharing it, but it's cool if other characters respond before them.

2)I'll send you a PM just to let you know your character's post is done.

[frobozz]

A couple of questions for clarification about the cavern:

1. Does Jake see any elves in the cavern other than the ones passing by him?
2. How narrow is the narrow cleft (ie. how many people can fit through it at a time)? Also, is it physically blocked the ogres, and/or are they standing right in front of it or next to it? If not, how far away from it are they?

Edit - one more question:

3. Can the ogres see the entrance into the caves from where they are currently stationed?

[thirdkingdom]

A couple of questions for clarification about the cavern:

1. Does Jake see any elves in the cavern other than the ones passing by him?
2. How narrow is the narrow cleft (ie. how many people can fit through it at a time)? Also, is it physically blocked the ogres, and/or are they standing right in front of it or next to it? If not, how far away from it are they?

Edit - one more question:

3. Can the ogres see the entrance into the caves from where they are currently stationed?

1. No.
2. 5' wide. Single file, although two people could pass one another. It is not physically blocked by the ogres; they are approximately 10' away from it.
3. Yes, they can see the entrance to the cave.

[thirdkingdom]

Note that it would be possible for Grey Jake to sneak back down through the narrow opening. The elves appear to be emerging/leaving at regular, spaced intervals and the sound of hammering does much to drown out footfalls.

[thirdkingdom]

I'm going to be less generous with flaming oil -- at least in terms of using it outside -- then I have been in previous encounters. It's raining. Like, pretty hard. Just lighting a torch and keeping it going is going to be tricky. Y'all would probably have fewer than five minutes to act before the water dilutes the oil to where it won't light.

[frobozz]

@TK:

1. Were there any obvious exits from the cube room that Jake could see?
2. Is it safe to say that these ogres appeared much more attentive and possessed that the ogres we faced earlier?
3. Are the tendrils metallic or organic or some combination thereof?

I'll submit a longer post IC after work.

[thirdkingdom]

1. No other exits or entrances were visible.
2. Yes, the ogres appeared more aware. They also moved with a curious synchronicity.
3. The tendrils -- and the Cube itself -- are made from a material unfamiliar to Grey Jake.

[frobozz]

@TK: Is there any movement whatsoever by the ogres?

[thirdkingdom]

@TK: Is there any movement whatsoever by the ogres?

None that is visible from where you are.

[thirdkingdom]

There are two options on the table:
1)Fire at the ogres from outside the cave.
2)Loose one or more of the elves and see what they do.

I would like a decision on this within 24 hours.

[frobozz]

It's possible we may have to do both. If we keep the elves tied up, they will keep doing damage to themselves.

Lanny would not mind firing an arrow into the cave. He might first empty a couple of oil flasks at the cave entrance to act as a slippery slick in case the ogres come out (does anyone have a couple flasks he can borrow?). He would still be interested in seeing the reaction of freeing an elf without giving her the empty basket. If she follows the basket, Lanny will suggest that the party free the other two elves and that Quinthos take all three baskets with him and lead those three elves to safety. Lanny will then pour the oil on the ground as indicated and then fire an arrow into the cave and then retreat behind cover.

I was imagining a pied-piper-style rescue of all of the elves. However, I also don't want to slow down the game with this idea, so Lanny would be ready to attack after freeing the three elves and ensuring their safety.

[rremedio]

Sorry guys, the power was off since yesterday. I need to catch up delayed work and other things, but I'll post in a few hours,

[thirdkingdom]

Keep in mind that after a certain point (game time) I'm going to start ascribing penalties due to the rain (to missile fire, footing, etc.). You guys are welcome to spend as much time OOC -- within limits -- figuring stuff out, but time is elapsing when you're trying stuff IC. It is close to 4:00 now, with no sign of rain letting up.

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

Capturing the elves was great idea, Lanny and Tratiln. Like Thordin, I think it is now time to fight the ogres. Let's not use flaming oil, though, because the other elves will most likely walk right into it.

After the ogres are gone, it looks like we may need to confront this strange being -- that is, if the spell upon the elves does not break. So, please stay invisible, Jake!

[Bouv]

I think so too. Tratiln just has a spell that can be useful but only outside.

[zebediah]

Sorry for the lack of posting guys, I'm on the road since Thursday.

Drudsa still has a sleep spell we can use. Not sure if it will work given the circumstances but we can try.

[thirdkingdom]

So, essentially the deal is that if you guys stay in the tunnel you will be limited to, at best, three characters having line of sight (assuming Thordin is in the front row). If you come in and fan out inside the room every character can have line of sight.

[frobozz]

@TK:

1. How far is it from the end of the 20' tunnel to where the ogres are standing?
2. Did it appear to Grey Jake that there was some slack in the tendril line between the ogres and the cube (ie., to give the ogres some freedom of movement)?
3. Would simply touching or being touched by another creature break the effects of the Invisibility spell, or would Jake actually have to attack a creature to lose his invisibility?

@all:

Lanny's thought was to pass through the 20' tunnel, set up a wall of plate mail (with room for others to manuever behind it), and then use as many missile weapons as possible on the ogres, retreating only if necessary and as directed by the primary fighters (Thordin and Marodin). Like Zeb said, I'm wondering about the effectiveness of a Sleep spell in this situation. Lanny is assuming (correctly or incorrectly) that the ogres are currently utilizing the brain (and therefore the hit dice) of the more powerful creature, which might make them immune to Sleep. If they were somehow detached from the creature, then I think they would probably be back to normal ogre hit dice. But that's just a guess.