Strategy talk

[dmw71]

I would just ask that other than mundane technicals that move us forward as a party, that everyone gets a chance to register a yea/nay/opinion on potentially important decisions concerning the party!

I don't think you'll get much argument to this.

I know that I monitor these forums pretty frequently and will almost certainly maintain a high activity level. My intention will never be to dominate the action, but I will do what I can to keep the party progressing through the mundane tasks (and I encourage any/everyone else to do the same).

I think if anyone takes too much liberty and formally announces an action for the party that probably should have been discussed and agreed upon first, can we all agree to take the situation in stride (it'll already be too late to do anything about it at that time) and react to the situation in the best manner possible, but use it as an example of where to draw the line in the future?

[ToniXX]

I think if anyone takes too much liberty and formally announces an action for the party that probably should have been discussed and agreed upon first, can we all agree to take the situation in stride (it'll already be too late to do anything about it at that time) and react to the situation in the best manner possible, but use it as an example of where to draw the line in the future?

This is a good point and I agree. Over analyzing every move in a FtF game is bad enough... doing it in a PbP game is arduous, as Alethan pointed out.

[Alethan]

I think if anyone takes too much liberty and formally announces an action for the party that probably should have been discussed and agreed upon first, can we all agree to take the situation in stride (it'll already be too late to do anything about it at that time) and react to the situation in the best manner possible, but use it as an example of where to draw the line in the future?

This is a good point and I agree. Over analyzing every move in a FtF game is bad enough... doing it in a PbP game is arduous, as Alethan pointed out.

"arduous" is a fun word.

We should not over analyze our analysis of over analyzation.

Let's see what is behind door #1...

[dmw71]

Let's see what is behind door #1...

[ToniXX]

We should not over analyze our analysis of over analyzation.

and we should also eschew obfuscation and espouse elucidation.
(sorry... carry on!)

[Alethan]

Trapped secret door? Hmmm...

*reviews notes from the escaped slave who told us about the secret passage*

Nope. Don't see anything there indicating the secret door was trapped. I think someone knew we were coming...

[Alethan]

Also, I retract one of my earlier statements.

We should have a standing order to search all closed doors (secret or otherwise) for traps before opening them.

[Computer +1]

[dmw71]

Also, I retract one of my earlier statements.

You mean this one? LOL I'll bet you're glad we didn't stick with Freda opening the door, eh?

We should have a standing order to search all closed doors (secret or otherwise) for traps before opening them.

All joking aside, I still agree that secret doors will most likely not be trapped... yet, there's no harm in spending a few segments having Blodgett run some diagnostics first.

[Alethan]

Also, I retract one of my earlier statements.

You mean this one? LOL I'll bet you're glad we didn't stick with Freda opening the door, eh?

We should have a standing order to search all closed doors (secret or otherwise) for traps before opening them.

All joking aside, I still agree that secret doors will most likely not be trapped... yet, there's no harm in spending a few segments having Blodgett run some diagnostics first.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, as well. As long as it is a standing order, it won't really take up that much more time.

I'm not sure I can remember the last time I've ever found/seen a trap on a secret door - it is definitely an infrequent event in my experience...

[dmw71]

Metal armor and noise.

Blodgett, Phanstern and Dread are the only characters not wearing metal armor, and I think it's safe to assume that Phanstern and Dread will not be off doing any recon.

Does Blodgett plan on sneaking ahead by himself to perform his tasks, or do we risk sending another armored character along as an escort, knowing we risk announcing our presence?

(FYI... Kayen is wearing elfin chain, which I assume makes noise. Maybe not? If it is a more quiet armor, he might be a nice option to serve as the escort).


Thoughts?

[ToniXX]

Metal armor and noise.

Blodgett, Phanstern and Dread are the only characters not wearing metal armor, and I think it's safe to assume that Phanstern and Dread will not be off doing any recon.

Does Blodgett plan on sneaking ahead by himself to perform his tasks, or do we risk sending another armored character along as an escort, knowing we risk announcing our presence?

(FYI... Kayen is wearing elfin chain, which I assume makes noise. Maybe not? If it is a more quiet armor, he might be a nice option to serve as the escort).


Thoughts?

Blodgett will be willing to scout forward alone when necessary.

[rredmond]

Elfin chain is much lighter, and quieter, but still it does clink.
It's certainly not as quiet as a Halfling in leather armor.
I think it isn't affected by heat armor spells as other armor as well.

[dmw71]

Elfin chain is much lighter, and quieter, but still it does clink.
It's certainly not as quiet as a Halfling in leather armor.
I think it isn't affected by heat armor spells as other armor as well.

Thanks for the clarification. I think, for short distances especially, that the initial recon will be performed by Blodgett by himself, being covered by the ranged weapons of his fellow party members.

Once a decision has been made to enter a doorway already inspected, we can move the rest of the party in as carefully and quietly as possible (although, I suspect without much luck in the 'quiet' department).

[Argennian]

Also, I retract one of my earlier statements.

You mean this one? LOL I'll bet you're glad we didn't stick with Freda opening the door, eh?

We should have a standing order to search all closed doors (secret or otherwise) for traps before opening them.

All joking aside, I still agree that secret doors will most likely not be trapped... yet, there's no harm in spending a few segments having Blodgett run some diagnostics first.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, as well. As long as it is a standing order, it won't really take up that much more time.

I'm not sure I can remember the last time I've ever found/seen a trap on a secret door - it is definitely an infrequent event in my experience...

I was thinking the same thing. I'm sure that trap was added after the slaves we got our intel from escaped the complex.

[Computer +1]

In light of the narrow hallway the party is operating within, Elwita makes sure to relay the message from Blodgett to the rest of the party and further signals that the party should organize into their standing marching order (pardon the poor attempt at recreating the hallway, below) and make their way to the door.

Image

Once the full party has been assembled, Elwita will try her luck again and resume her role as "party door opener" by carefully opening the door (ooc: I don't know if there's a handle, lever, knob... but let's find out what's in there).

I thought Freda was going to watch down that hallway. I think we should have at least her and another watch for whats coming while we recon the rooom.

[Knight of Gondor]

I thought Freda was going to watch down that hallway. I think we should have at least her and another watch for whats coming while we recon the rooom.

Dred does not mind helping with guard duty.

[Alethan]

In light of the narrow hallway the party is operating within, Elwita makes sure to relay the message from Blodgett to the rest of the party and further signals that the party should organize into their standing marching order (pardon the poor attempt at recreating the hallway, below) and make their way to the door.

Image

Once the full party has been assembled, Elwita will try her luck again and resume her role as "party door opener" by carefully opening the door (ooc: I don't know if there's a handle, lever, knob... but let's find out what's in there).

I thought Freda was going to watch down that hallway. I think we should have at least her and another watch for whats coming while we recon the rooom.

Freda is most definitely still watching down the right hallway, slightly to the right of the secret door so the others can move past her to the left...

(Obviously, we're not always going to be able to maintain our standard marching order. As long as it is noted, I don't think that is an issue. Or if someone else wants to take "watch the other path" duty when we come to a fork in the road, that's fine with me, as well.)

[Alethan]

Ok... reading the other thread now, I see what you were talking about.

Guess Freda was no longer watching the other hallway.

Makes me no nevermind, either way, but I do think we'll have to sometimes forgo the standard marching order for short periods of time in order to accomplish certain tasks. There's not really any way around that.

[Computer +1]

I was thinking about some things last night, which is sad.

I think we should split the group into two squads. One would be the main squad who will more or less
lead the way, enter the rooms first be the first into the fight. The second group will be a reserve group who
watches for anything from behind, can do independent scouting (like head down the other hallway we are facing now), checks for hidden treats etc. The squads can either be perfectly balanced or not, it will depend on what role we want them to take at the time.

The squads do not have to be set with permanent teams either. When characters get hurt we can switch them around,
depending on what we encounter we can swap them up as well.

I think we are all going to get in each others way and already I am finding some of the posts to be contradictory, I think this will clear thing up a bit. And if things get really bad we can salvage a total wipeout if one squad can escape. Escape and return to the rescue that is!

And as an after thought we can keep the squads in close contact if we think things will get hairy, I just want to make it clear, splitting up completely I think is a bad idea.