OOC I

[dmw71]

I performed a bit of housekeeping in this game.

I split the original update of mine into two different topics; renaming the original, and naming the new, as follows:

• Session 0.5: Ocean Pearl
  Session 1: Vanderlandt

All of your responses have been moved to this new topic.

Marullus, I initially left your response in the original ('Ocean Pearl') topic, but eventually decided to move it as well. Your new post caught me mid-work.

A couple notes:

• My focus in terms of keeping the game moving is going to be on the new 'Vanderlandt' topic.
• While not prioritized, I will still go back and reply to any/everything from your initial replies that will be posted back into the original 'Ocean Pearl' topic.

[dmw71]

Guys, I'm not going to lie, it has been tough lately to keep up with gaming. I did just update the now main action thread, but, just be aware that a response in the 'Session 0.5: Ocean Pearl' topic will most likely not be following any time soon.

I will, just not right away.

I need to update my other 5e game still, and my 2e game nearing the end of a challenging battle, so I am tentatively planning on focusing more effort on it.

I still plan to keep up the 1-2 updates per week in this game, but the emphasis will be on the main action thread. At least for the time being.

[Marullus]

Before I post IC: did my conversation with the wind spirits on this breezy day provide insight successfully? Just wanted to know if I had anything useful to add.

[dmw71]

Before I post IC: did my conversation with the wind spirits on this breezy day provide insight successfully? Just wanted to know if I had anything useful to add.

To be honest, I wasn't positive how to handle that part of your request. You rolled extremely well, so I want to give you something, but, at the same time, your 'Wind Speaker' feature gives you the ability to speak a handful of different languages/dialects, but doesn't exactly let you talk with the actual wind.

The arcane magic you command is infused with elemental air. You can speak, read, and write Primordial. Knowing this language allows you to understand and be understood by those who speak its dialects: Aquan, Auran, Ignan, and Terran.

There are nine pages of creatures (see link below) that have those specific languages (primordial, aquan, auran, ignan, and terran) that your feature will allow you to communicate with:

• Wind Speaker: Creatures

But, absent a creature that actually speaks one of those languages being present and able to respond, you can't just throw a question into the literal air and have it respond.


Let me think on this and I'll get back to you.

[Marullus]

It's fair and I know it's a reach. It depends how magical your world is. When we're on a "breezy" day, does it imply the presence of air elementals making the wind? Or is it just science with the thermals of changing temperatures?

I am positing more to the former, that his norm is to actually converse with the lesser spirits inherent in nature on this plane (particularly wind and wave).

It's your call as to when (or if) they are actually there. I appreciate you even considering it - it's his main thing as a Storm Sorcerer, I will adjust RP based on your ruling.

I was using it broadly to color his reasoning and worldview; we implied it was linked to or the source of his sorcerous knowledge:

For two centuries the kingdom under the sea and the gods they tried to drown have whispered to him, the waves bringing complaint of what stirs below. ... He sighs contentedly as the sea spray hits his face and listens as the wind groans in the sails, annoyed at the impediment of them. He clucks his tongue and admonishes the wind to get to work and push harder.

Even if you allow it in this case (with a great roll and you caveating it is a windy day) it is up to you if you want that to be a norm or not... I am okay with him just talking to himself some of the time. It's your world.

[dmw71]

It's fair and I know it's a reach. It depends how magical your world is. When we're on a "breezy" day, does it imply the presence of air elementals making the wind? Or is it just science with the thermals of changing temperatures?

In my mind, it has always been the latter.

I took a look at the actual 5e creature:

Elementals are incarnations of the elements that make up the universe: air, earth, fire, and water. Though little more than animated energy on their own planes of existence, they can be called on by spellcasters and powerful beings to take shape and perform tasks.

While they can certainly create it when they're present, they, in my opinion, are not the driving force behind wind. The wind just exists.

I hope you can understand how I don't want to allow a relatively simple, 1st-level class feature (that, by the book, is only meant to grant a handful of extra languages) to offer what is essentially unlimited divination abilities since something as basic as air -- or wind -- is literally always available.


---

Actually, you know what, the last thing I want to do is discourage your efforts. There's no reason, under most circumstances, you shouldn't receive at least some sort of reply.

Don't expect to learn the exact details of everything that happened on the island/new colony because literally your first action as a character is to ask the wind, but a response of some kind is warranted. Just understand, a vast majority of the time, the response you receive will be pretty limited.

But, every so often...


Then, of course, if/when you do formally encounter an elemental creature that does speak one of the languages you know because of this ability -- have at it!

[Darklin2]

This need corrected. Only 4 spells not 5 so Detect Magic is a ritual

Cantrips Known: 4 (3+1)
Chill Touch
Fire Bolt
Mending
Ray of Frost [/url]
Spellbook
1st: 6 (Burning Hands, Detect Magic, Identify, Magic Missile, Shield, Sleep)
2nd: --
Memorized Spells: 5 (Intelligence modifier + Wizard level) Should only be 4
1st:
Burning Hands
Detect Magic (as Ritual)
Identify (as Ritual)
Magic Missile
Shield
Sleep

[dmw71]

This need corrected. Only 4 spells not 5 so Detect Magic is a ritual

Thanks for the reminder.

This should be fixed.

[Marullus]

Actually, you know what, the last thing I want to do is discourage your efforts. There's no reason, under most circumstances, you shouldn't receive at least some sort of reply.

Don't expect to learn the exact details of everything that happened on the island/new colony because literally your first action as a character is to ask the wind, but a response of some kind is warranted. Just understand, a vast majority of the time, the response you receive will be pretty limited.

Thanks!

And, of course! Just cause I talk doesn't mean they listen, that they're intelligent enough, or that they're interested in what I wish they were. Standard rules for talking to animals, for comparison, usually say they only know things relevant to their own priorities (food, safety, etc). You could go further by rolling disposition (just because he's conversant doesn't mean that they're friendly - more likely aloof or disinterested, and sometimes winds are angry, you know?).

I appreciate your willingness to play along. I enjoy making opportunities for you to advance your plots.

[dmw71]

I'm just posting this in all my games.

This week has been incredibly busy, and stressful. I have drafts started for all my needed updates but just not the time or energy to return to them.

That said, I will move all my games sometime this weekend. Apologies for the delay.

[dmw71]

I will move all my games sometime this weekend.

Sorry, this game won't move until tomorrow (Monday).

[Rex]

No problem,

[Marullus]

We want to be fun for you. Don't worry and no need to hurry!

[dmw71]

Sorry, this game won't move until tomorrow (Monday).

Okay, let's try Tuesday.

Sorry, guys! I am excited to keep this game moving; time just escapes me.

[dmw71]

Okay, let's try Tuesday.

I'm very close to having the update finished, but literally dozing to sleep while typing so I'm not going to be able to finish.

It'll definitely be tomorrow, Wednesday.

[dmw71]

Apologies for the delay.

While things continue to be crazy lately, the biggest source of delay was a new laptop. One that runs Windows. My plan is to use it almost exclusively for gaming (and writing) so it took me a long time (read: days) to get it set up and configured how I want it, and get all my purchased content downloaded to it.

Speaking of purchased content, I have 816 items in my library on DriveThruRGP/DMsGuild/OneBookShelf. That doesn't include anything from other sources (e.g. Kobold Press, Nord Games, Paizo, etc....)

I still need to go through all the various third-party publishers I've purchased products from, but I did finally finished going through all my OneBookShelf content (and downloading/renaming everything how I want) last night.

Anyway, I expect for things to resume here either later today or tomorrow.

[dmw71]

I expect for things to resume here either later today or tomorrow.

I was able to participate (as a player!) in a Roll20 game earlier tonight and only had time to update one of my games. My 2e group is engaged in a long battle (they're entering round 15!) so I elected to move them first.

I plan to update this and my other 5e game tomorrow or Thursday.

[Monsieur Rose]

No worries. Life is busy.

[Rex]

No problem.

[dmw71]

Marching order would not have the Mage with no armor in front, Sorry Middle or Back for sure.

I do have a note next to the different orders indicating that characters are currently listed alphabetically.

This is still a discussion you guys will need to have.