The Unseen Servant forums

OGRE MAGE wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 4:19 pm

Edeldhur wrote: ↑Sat Jan 11, 2025 1:06 pm (not sure how you want to run the interaction between Daliedhur and Cinder OGRE MAGE, so I will improvise. PHB says 'A familiar is of certain benefit to a magic-user, as the creature adds to the spell caster's hit points, it conveys its sensory powers to its master, and it con converse with and will serve as a guard/scout/spy as well', but a talking cat feels weird as heck to me. I am basing my interaction on assuming we can communicate pretty freely, since 'Each is abnormally intelligent and totally faithful to the magic-user whose familiar it becomes' but say for example I speak to Cinder but he replies with cat sounds Daliedhur has learned to interpret to a certain extent. Hope that makes sense )[/ooc]

Familiars cannot speak. At least not in my games.

The “conversation” is part of the mental link, similar to the other sensory perceptions.

So consider it a telepathic communication of understanding each others thoughts, and not an actual “conversation”.

Karaunios wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 6:55 pm So no meow meow. Oh...

Jernau35 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:59 am So, a little something like this then?

https://youtu.be/HMCx7RmOb0w?si=CQ4jPtZ3rMtMOcJX

Jernau35 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:59 am So, a little something like this then?

https://youtu.be/HMCx7RmOb0w?si=CQ4jPtZ3rMtMOcJX

Scott308 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:47 pm Rob, after the encounter is concluded, can you put in a reminder for us to go back and read the spoilered stuff? I (and probably others) will completely forget about it and I'd like to read it when allowed to do so.

OGRE MAGE wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2025 7:03 pm
Daliedhur's eyes only!

OGRE MAGE wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 6:21 pm Great question!

This applies to any player in my games......

I prefer you play as though your PC's have (at least some) minor knowledge regarding the things you encounter out in the wild. (I have personally never seen a silverback gorilla, but I am pretty sure I know what it is, and that I shouldn't mess around with it.)

Information and communication are the two most important factors at our disposal in these types of games (especially in the PbP format), so I really try not to limit that in any way. You have heard stories and read books about all the weird creatures you might encounter. So, you would know about Trolls and other monsters, even if you've never seen one yourselves.

There may be exceptions to this over time, but I will be sure to point out if there is something unique that your characters wouldn't know anything about. (even if you do as the player)

This is also why I also recommend reading all of the threads in my games, even if you aren't playing in those scenarios. This information would be shared openly with each other once you gather back at the tavern or wherever, so I don't restrict that knowledge just because you weren't physically there at the time.

I have heard this style is not necessarily customary with other DM's, but why someone would want to keep information from the players or from each other in a game that is mostly about figuring things out is beyond me.

I hope that makes sense to everyone!

ateno wrote: ↑Mon Feb 10, 2025 12:13 pm Keya looks at the jumble but is determined to do his bit. He hears rational conversation, but can't hear it over the din of combat. He stays with the torch.

Keya Redd

Edeldhur wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2025 2:45 pm
Hey ateno, any chance you could try to turn some of the undead fighting the gnolls? Are they too far, or..?

ateno wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2025 4:45 pm

Edeldhur wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2025 2:45 pm
Hey ateno, any chance you could try to turn some of the undead fighting the gnolls? Are they too far, or..?

Yeah I could, but the room seems to end and if i turn them, they have no where else to go.

I will watch for my opportunity though, thank you.

Eric

Edeldhur wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2025 6:28 pm
What happens if they have nowhere to go? Don’t they cower in the corners or something?
Would like to keep as many of our gnoll allies alive :/