The Unseen Servant forums

FYI: I'm at ground zero for that blizzard heading for New England so if I go radio silence this weekend, that's probably why. NPC Marodin as you like...

Hey everyone, thirdkingdom has graciously allowed me to join the game as a late entrant. I have many fond memories as a kid of Basic D&D and the Grand Duchy of Karameikos setting, so this is a nice bit of nostalgia for me!

I posted my character Lanny in the Characters folder. Not sure exactly when or where we all will meet up, but please try not to kill me on sight. Looking forward to the game!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome, Lanny!

Welcome!

My stepsons had swim meets all weekend, so I will get an IC post up later tonight or tomorrow morning.

Got my power back but no Internet at home, so I'll be posting during work hours only. At least I'm back in the game!

Welcome, Lanny!

Thanks all, glad to be here.

Man, really glad to be in this game, really enjoying it so far. Just wish I could post more often.

Good. I'm glad you're having fun. And your posting rate is fine. By the way, I just sent frobozz a PM with some information re: Saul's question.

This seems like a good time for some behind the curtain information. I use the pretty standard idea that the level of dungeon compares with the general monster level; the deeper one goes (or the higher, in a tower), the more powerful the threats. Now, this is not a hard and fast rule. I will throw in some more powerful monsters in the easier levels, and the converse, as well. I will, however, try and give plenty of clues/warnings of the upcoming threat. There will always be the potential to run away or negotiate, as well. I feel this is one of the hallmarks of an "Old School" game, where encounters are not always "balanced".

Luis wrote:Man, really glad to be in this game, really enjoying it so far. Just wish I could post more often.

Well, I'm just posting a lot right now because I'm the center of attention. But I do quite like the brief post/fast pace game format, as it keeps the story moving. And for those who have never experienced the Grand Duchy of Karameikos, it is a wonderfully detailed campaign setting, full of colorful personalities, history, and culture. I've been looking for a PbP-style game set in the Grand Duchy for a long time...

thirdkingdom wrote:This seems like a good time for some behind the curtain information. I use the pretty standard idea that the level of dungeon compares with the general monster level; the deeper one goes (or the higher, in a tower), the more powerful the threats. Now, this is not a hard and fast rule. I will throw in some more powerful monsters in the easier levels, and the converse, as well. I will, however, try and give plenty of clues/warnings of the upcoming threat. There will always be the potential to run away or negotiate, as well. I feel this is one of the hallmarks of an "Old School" game, where encounters are not always "balanced".

So, guys, just how many flasks of oil do we have? And how many missile weapons?

sulldawga wrote:So, guys, just how many flasks of oil do we have? And how many missile weapons?

Lanny has no oil, and while he does wield a longbow, I'm assuming (unless I hear otherwise from the GM) that he has none of his weapons, armor, or equipment either on him or in the room they are currently in. I'll make the case that he does still have his Magic Missile spell memorized (prepared on the day of the caravan attack but never used).

GM says Lanny has "some" IC knowledge of trolls, so I'll take that to mean he has heard of the connection between trolls and fire and will share that with the rest of the group.

That is fine. I am willing to assume that in a setting like Mystara certain things are known to the adventuring class. Lanny's gear, along with that of his captured companions, are still in the room. Somewhere in the mess. Lanny saw the chief shovel handfuls of coins out if the chest into a sack before leaving.

I am more than happy with non-balanced encounters. It is our responsibility as players to assess the threat before we fight, not the DM's! Sometimes, death is a matter of being unlucky but other times it is usually doing something you shouldn't be doing.

Marodin trying to make the little goblin a henchman! Love it! Now that is old school....

Unless there is any objection, I'd like to add Lanny to the rear of the "standard marching order", allowing him to use his heatvision and longbow to spot and target long-distance enemies sneaking up on the party from the rear. He can also assist Marodin with emergency first aid for any PCs suddenly reduced to 0 hp, as his first aid/wisdom score is second only to Marodin's.

Proposed marching order:

Row 1: Thordin / Bregalad
Row 2: Ox / Tratlin
Row 3: Drusda
Row 4: Grey Jake / Saul
Row 5: Marodin / Lanny

We haven't heard from Ox/Dogma in a while, so unless we do it would be best to leave him out of the marching order.

It looks like Ox has posted, so unless anyone has any other ideas or suggestions, Lanny will line up alongside Marodin on the back row once the party gets back into its usual marching order. I figure this gives the magic-user and thieves a little extra protection too...