From his knowledge of history, Charn knows that the Outpost is built on the ruin of Castle Vuzuvaan. Most other people know that because when they walk around, they see just under half of a castle. Charn also knows that Castle Vuzuvaan is on the very outskirts of the Empire. Most other people know that because they came from the Empire and it took a really long time to get out to the frontier.
Alrighty. If anyone wants to talk to anyone or do anything else at the Outpost, let me know. If we're not doing anything else by tomorrow morning I'll advance us to the road.
The safest option for the living would be to cut the rope from the ground. Cutting a rope with an arrow or an axe would be extremely difficult, though possible. A better option would be a magical strike, such as an eldritch blast or an enchanted blade. A magic stone spell probably wouldn't work due to the blunt nature of the stone. A magic stone spell could work if you struck the actual tree branch, but that could bring down much more than you bargained for.
The safest option for the deceased would be to climb the tree, then gently lower the body to the ground.
The tree itself is quite leafy, but the branches look strong and sturdy. An adequate Nature(Intelligence) check or a great Perception(Wisdom) check would be helpful in assessing whether or not there is a vantage point in the tree that would give a view of the surrounding environs.
Continuing his long history of terrible rolls, Caleb knows absolutely nothing about the history of the group.
However, he does know a thing or two about the religious implications inherent to the iconography contained within the embellishments of the "C" used by the Thousandfold Men of Industry. The group uses the same serifs as several metropolitan monastic orders. It also lacks many of the swash indicators that are standard for the accepted metropolitan monastic orders. Either the Thousandfold Men of Industry are purposefully indicating that they exist outside the bounds of decent society or they are woefully uneducated in the proper forms of religious calligraphy. Caleb does note, however, that the "C" is marvelously symmetrical for a free-hand embellishment. Consequently, he can assume that the inscriptionist is extremely skilled. Caleb knows that there are martial orders which use calligraphy to hone their own martial skills - if the inscriptionist of this "C" was so trained he or she would be quite lethal with a thin blade.
Caleb wants to stop about twenty yards from the entrance to the barn and declare the party's presence and intentions to treat peacefully with the merchants. I'll roll a Persuasion check and, if I still have that Inspiration saved up from the prologue, I think I would like to use it now. If not, the first roll will have to suffice.
Persuasion (inspiration?)
I rolled 1d20+4, the result is 17, 4 = 21.
I rolled 1d20+4, the result is 2, 4 = 6.
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
The PCs are in a barn with four non-combatants and many, many sheep. They could attempt to leave with the wagon. They could attempt to improve the fortifications in the barn. They could attempt something else. Please decide what the PCs intend to do prior to the arrival of the marching drums.
It would not be unreasonable to assume the marching drums presage a retinue of murderous communists coming to kill you all.
Caleb thinks the first order of business is obviously to get everyone, even the noncombatants, up to 100% fighting strength; if only because fighting strength is directly proportional to "fit enough to run away strength."
He will climb the ladder and cast cure wounds on the idiot Hollinger.
Cure wounds vs Hollinger (Wis bonus)
I rolled 1d8+3, the result is 7, 3 = 10.
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
There are two scenarios that are more likely than not. The first is that there is a fight outside the barn. The area has been described as "barren" and with clear visibility. Anyone engaged in ranged combat is going to love that scenario. The second is that the drum-toting commies come into the barn. The barn is jam-packed with sheep, a wagon, and has rightly been called flammable. Effectively, every square with sheep will be considered difficult terrain, which is hilarious. If you disagree, you are wrong.
If combat breaks out, you'll have to decide where. If you want to forestall combat, you'll need to figure out a plan. Either way, let me know so I can draw up a battlemap.
I intend to forestall combat. Able doesn't know enough to choose sides between the established political system and insurgent communists. While the orphaning of her children seems bad, just having children isn't proof that you are a good person - lots of tax collectors probably abuse their position to line their own pockets.
Plan 1 - We claim we have captured the son/daughter/merchant now lets use hostages to negotiate with the powers that be. Once we understand their objectives we can decide which side we should be on.
Caleb literally worships the government so he isn't interested in why they killed the tax collector. It is enough for him to insist the children are under his protection and let the Communists decide if they're willing to attack him over it.
He will go outside and wait but leave the door open behind him.
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
Charn is disinclined to consider the family hostages. He'll say, "It was communists that murdered their kinswoman and hanged her from a tree. They don't seem like the negotiating type to me. Nobody marches around banging their drums to talk about the weather or bargain." And then he waits outside with Caleb.
Not an awesome roll but maybe it didn't make it worse. If they don't attack us outright, we still have a chance to secure the hostages before the fighting starts.
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
Having unlocked his gibbet, Eryndir is going to try and sneak up behind Narad (5ft of movement), draw the dagger from the High Elf's neck as a free action, and stab Narad in the motherfucking throat, then use his remaining movement to hop into the wagon.
It looks like the takeHighest function doesn't work well with a modifier. You rolled an 8, to which we add 5 to get a 13. His AC is a 12, so you succeed. Please roll damage with your sneak attack.
Are elves tall in this edition?
From 5 feet to over 6 feet tall. Similar language for humans.
Once folks step onto the road to civilization described in the IC post, we will consider sheets locked.
What spells did you recommend? I'm taking those.
Did you want combatty spells or utility spells? Eldrich blast alone is top tier combat, but you may want other stuff to support it.
Cantrips - Eldritch Blast, Prestidigitation; 1st level Charm Person, Comprehend Languages.
Sounds good. Have you guys figured out if you're going to speak with Dyrakus or if you're going to set out?
Caleb wouldn't be opposed to hearing the tiefling's side of the story before we leave town.
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
Let's do it. I gotta know why he paid for sonething he didn't receive.
Charn attempts a History check to get a better sense about what the drow is going on about the history of the place.
From his knowledge of history, Charn knows that the Outpost is built on the ruin of Castle Vuzuvaan. Most other people know that because when they walk around, they see just under half of a castle. Charn also knows that Castle Vuzuvaan is on the very outskirts of the Empire. Most other people know that because they came from the Empire and it took a really long time to get out to the frontier.
Alrighty. If anyone wants to talk to anyone or do anything else at the Outpost, let me know. If we're not doing anything else by tomorrow morning I'll advance us to the road.
Rolls
More rolls.
The safest option for the living would be to cut the rope from the ground. Cutting a rope with an arrow or an axe would be extremely difficult, though possible. A better option would be a magical strike, such as an eldritch blast or an enchanted blade. A magic stone spell probably wouldn't work due to the blunt nature of the stone. A magic stone spell could work if you struck the actual tree branch, but that could bring down much more than you bargained for.
The safest option for the deceased would be to climb the tree, then gently lower the body to the ground.
The tree itself is quite leafy, but the branches look strong and sturdy. An adequate Nature(Intelligence) check or a great Perception(Wisdom) check would be helpful in assessing whether or not there is a vantage point in the tree that would give a view of the surrounding environs.
I'll check it out.
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
Caleb is quite confident the tree has branches.
Intelligence, Wisdom (no bonus added)
Athletics check.
And another for the trip down.
The trip down is trivially easy. Charm succeeds.
History and Religion checks are appropriate upon hearing about the murderers.
Rolling
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
Continuing his long history of terrible rolls, Caleb knows absolutely nothing about the history of the group.
However, he does know a thing or two about the religious implications inherent to the iconography contained within the embellishments of the "C" used by the Thousandfold Men of Industry. The group uses the same serifs as several metropolitan monastic orders. It also lacks many of the swash indicators that are standard for the accepted metropolitan monastic orders. Either the Thousandfold Men of Industry are purposefully indicating that they exist outside the bounds of decent society or they are woefully uneducated in the proper forms of religious calligraphy. Caleb does note, however, that the "C" is marvelously symmetrical for a free-hand embellishment. Consequently, he can assume that the inscriptionist is extremely skilled. Caleb knows that there are martial orders which use calligraphy to hone their own martial skills - if the inscriptionist of this "C" was so trained he or she would be quite lethal with a thin blade.
Caleb wants to stop about twenty yards from the entrance to the barn and declare the party's presence and intentions to treat peacefully with the merchants. I'll roll a Persuasion check and, if I still have that Inspiration saved up from the prologue, I think I would like to use it now. If not, the first roll will have to suffice.
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
He does very well with his persuasion. Go ahead and update the IC thread with a convincing oratory.
Nothing to see here.
The PCs are in a barn with four non-combatants and many, many sheep. They could attempt to leave with the wagon. They could attempt to improve the fortifications in the barn. They could attempt something else. Please decide what the PCs intend to do prior to the arrival of the marching drums.
It would not be unreasonable to assume the marching drums presage a retinue of murderous communists coming to kill you all.
It would appear our situation is purty nigh hopeless!
Caleb thinks the first order of business is obviously to get everyone, even the noncombatants, up to 100% fighting strength; if only because fighting strength is directly proportional to "fit enough to run away strength."
He will climb the ladder and cast cure wounds on the idiot Hollinger.
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
There are two scenarios that are more likely than not. The first is that there is a fight outside the barn. The area has been described as "barren" and with clear visibility. Anyone engaged in ranged combat is going to love that scenario. The second is that the drum-toting commies come into the barn. The barn is jam-packed with sheep, a wagon, and has rightly been called flammable. Effectively, every square with sheep will be considered difficult terrain, which is hilarious. If you disagree, you are wrong.
If combat breaks out, you'll have to decide where. If you want to forestall combat, you'll need to figure out a plan. Either way, let me know so I can draw up a battlemap.
I intend to forestall combat. Able doesn't know enough to choose sides between the established political system and insurgent communists. While the orphaning of her children seems bad, just having children isn't proof that you are a good person - lots of tax collectors probably abuse their position to line their own pockets.
Plan 1 - We claim we have captured the son/daughter/merchant now lets use hostages to negotiate with the powers that be. Once we understand their objectives we can decide which side we should be on.
Caleb literally worships the government so he isn't interested in why they killed the tax collector. It is enough for him to insist the children are under his protection and let the Communists decide if they're willing to attack him over it.
He will go outside and wait but leave the door open behind him.
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
Charn is disinclined to consider the family hostages. He'll say, "It was communists that murdered their kinswoman and hanged her from a tree. They don't seem like the negotiating type to me. Nobody marches around banging their drums to talk about the weather or bargain." And then he waits outside with Caleb.
Not an awesome roll but maybe it didn't make it worse. If they don't attack us outright, we still have a chance to secure the hostages before the fighting starts.
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
Lo siento.
That's all right. I was going to attack them as they were leaving even if they did everything I asked anyway.
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
It's like you worship the government or something. Could I get init from everyone, please?
Eryndir's initiative.
That's just Dex, right.
That's right, unless you have something that changes it. There isn't much that changes it.
Init.
Making an init check for FoxWyrd
Having unlocked his gibbet, Eryndir is going to try and sneak up behind Narad (5ft of movement), draw the dagger from the High Elf's neck as a free action, and stab Narad in the motherfucking throat, then use his remaining movement to hop into the wagon.
That works. Give me an attack roll, with advantage please.
Third time's the charm for getting the roll mechanic correct.
Attack roll.
It looks like the takeHighest function doesn't work well with a modifier. You rolled an 8, to which we add 5 to get a 13. His AC is a 12, so you succeed. Please roll damage with your sneak attack.
Damage
Top marks for enthusiasm, though. You really wanted to roll those dice.
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
On his turn, Charn will move to the square due west of Raven and fire his crossbow at Fat Two. As he fires, he bellows his best draconic roar.
(Hrm. Evidently light crossbows are not a thing. Just heavy and hand crossbows. Ah, well.)
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