The Back Room: Live Tabletop Games

12:14 AM

how're things going?

@Shalvenay hi! We playtested one of my boss monsters. @Miniman broke him with a hasted quadruple polearm smite combo, 63 damage in one turn

Shalvenay

@daze413 yeah, that was a nasty piece of paladin work

nitsua60

@daze413 [ahem]

=D

Shalvenay

I skimmed the logs from that

daze413

oh, and stunning strike cheese

nitsua60

12:16 AM

(I wonder where that haste came from...?)

daze413

oh, yeah, credits to the sorc for the haste

nitsua60

CHEESE!? Yeah, it might be a little OP cheesy. But, just like a sharp cheddar, not a Gorgonzola.

@daze413 It might be one of the most overpowered class features in the early game, methinks. Super-low cost incapacitation, as part of the thing you were probably doing anyway!

daze413

thinking about it: If a monk interrupts ki in the body, which is described as magical, then stunning strike should be magical.

Miniman

@daze413 Yeah, it's a character concept I've been wanting to do for a while - I didn't plan it as a perfect boss killer, but it sort of worked out that way.

daze413

but the 4 and 5 rolls were pretty bad so i guess it's how it was meant to be

@Miniman only if you have the slots to use, I guess. It definitely pushes the DM to waste those slots early on

Miniman

12:20 AM

Yeah, Paladin is really interesting from that POV - no other class can blow all their resources like that.

daze413

Anyway, I'm off... Have actual work today >_< see ya!

Miniman

@daze413 Cya!

Shalvenay

cya @daze413

and wb @Sdjz

Sdjz

oh hi I was just reading through all the playing

Shalvenay

ah :) we've been doing some playtesting around these parts as of late

(all D&D 5e, but two very different sorts of setups with a couple different DMs)

Sdjz

12:27 AM

Firaga's mini adventure was an interesting read

Shalvenay

@Sdjz yeah -- that's a dungeon I'm playtesting these days, actually

Shalvenay

1:09 AM

hey there btw @Adeptus -- just here to lurk, or are you interested in joining?

Adeptus

I probably can't commit to joining... I'm supposed to be working. So... lurk lurk

Shalvenay

@Adeptus gotcha

@Ben -- got a link to the charsheet for me?

Ben

@Shalvenay Nearly there... Sorry, I had the majority of it down, just figuring out the deets.

Ben

1:28 AM

Ok, sorry this has taken so long... Adboe crashewd halfway through so I had to re-do it all

@Shalvenay drive.google.com/file/d/0BxUpc8Bim0DzRVZ3NTkxdzNySlE/…

Shalvenay

haha

also, before we start -- you're not an arachnophobe, correct?

Ben

Haha, no. I'm all good. You might have picked that up from the Character sheet though hehe

Shalvenay

cool

Ben

So do we have any others joining us?

Shalvenay

@nitsua60 should be joining shortly

Ben

1:35 AM

d20

Dice Service

2

Ben

poo. Haha (the dice roll, not about @nitsua60)

nitsua60

@Shalvenay what's the scenario/character need?

Ben

I have made a Dungeon Delving Fighter (see the google doc link above)

Shalvenay

@nitsua60 we can use your monk from before -- just repost said monk here

nitsua60

1:41 AM

What level?

Ben

@nitsua60 lvl 1

Shalvenay

yep, L1, same as before

nitsua60

okay, gimme 1 sec...

(or 120)

Ben

@nitsua60 I was counting too :P

nitsua60

@Shalvenay drive.google.com/file/d/0B9uH6592UvDcZExRdGJsay1PaDg/… work?

Shalvenay

1:46 AM

gotcha

Ben

Worked for me :)

nitsua60

Okay, where are we?

(And who are you again, @Ben? I mean, who's your character?)

Ben

@nitsua60 Basically, Link, from LoZ haha

Shalvenay

alright, so you have arrived at an octagon-shaped castle off a pack-road in the deep Elven woods. The local constabulary has sent you in search of a tax collector who's been missing for a week and a half, giving you a name and a description: Tharvyrion, a young, well-dressed city-slicker elf with a rapier and buckler

nitsua60

[check]

How big's the castle look?

Shalvenay

1:49 AM

fairly decent sized -- it was used as a fortress to guard the road at one point, but the door is now wide open and the drawbridge replaced by a permanent bridge

nitsua60

Condition? Any other obvious ins and outs?

Shalvenay

It looks to be well-maintained, with no other obvious entrances or exits

nitsua60

So, Link, I guess we... just walk in?

Or cry a "hallooo there!"?

Ben

[Shrug, nod.]

nitsua60

Hallooo, there!

Shalvenay

1:52 AM

There is no reply so far

nitsua60

And starts to walk toward the entrance, so as to see in.

Shalvenay

You see inside a fairly well-lit entrance a tan giant tarantula with blue iridescent accents on the left, and an unmanned receptionist's desk with a coat-of-arms display hanging behind it on the right

Behind the desk (i.e. in the back right corner) is a machine with a pen and inkwell next to a slot in the machine that appears to have a scroll in it, and over the door is a mechanical clock-and-calendar contraption if you look up

nitsua60

[Raises hands to either side of mouth with wiggling 'creepy-crawly' finger. To the spider:] Hallooo?

Ben

[So to clarify, there's basically a giant spider blocking the entrance?]

Shalvenay

The spider waves back at you in a spidery-greeting-sort of way

[kind of off to the side -- there's a lane between the spider and the desk]

Oh, and on the desk, there's a sign with a spider-symbol pointing to the left that says "Ralphie" on it as well

nitsua60

1:54 AM

[continues crawlies] Mind if we look around? ...Ralphie?

Shalvenay

The spider sort of motions you inside

nitsua60

looks to Link: ???

[to Ralphie] do you understand me?

Shalvenay

The spider kind of stares unblinkingly at the question, not really comprehending these people who think it has more brains than it does

The spider then gives up on staring and motions you inside again

Ben

[Link approaches with his shield raised, he doesn't quite trust the spider, and sidles past]

Shalvenay

You can feel a trigger underfoot -- as you do, it springs to the tune of mechanical whirring and clanking accompanied by a booming voice "Welcome to the Talespinners! Please sign the guest roll."

nitsua60

1:58 AM

Ardryll, a wood-elf monk, sidles even sidlier than Link.

Shalvenay

Ardryll sets off the same trigger shortly thereafter to the same response

nitsua60

@Shalvenay [startled] Oh, jumping candles!

Looks around for Ralphie--any reaction?

Shalvenay

The spider doesn't react to the trap-spring and voice

Ben

Link does as he's told, scribbling his name in the book

nitsua60

Looking at the book--is T-boy's name there?

Ben

2:00 AM

Good point

Shalvenay

The guest roll doesn't really provide a review facility like that, unfortunately

(file a bug report please :P)

nitsua60

I don't understand.

Shalvenay

(it was meant to be a joke about the machine lacking support for such functions)

nitsua60

Do the names disappear or something? Are there no previous sheets in the "book"?

Shalvenay

It looks to be not a book, but an automatically-moved roll of parchment

nitsua60

2:02 AM

(I got the bug report. I don't get how a book of names can't be reviewed, in-fiction.)

Ahh.

Is this the "scroll with slot" you mentioned?

Ben

@Shalvenay Oh you mean it's like a scrolling piece of parchment or something?

Shalvenay

@Ben exactly

@nitsua60 yup

hence guest roll instead of guest book ;)

nitsua60

Gotcha. Was it progressed once Link signed in?

Ben

Ok, so if we wanted to find the name, we'd have to dismantle the contraption somehow

Shalvenay

@nitsua60 it actually progresses once the trap is sprung, so it might have progressed twice, but no worries -- you can both squeeze your John Hancocks into the same slot ;)

nitsua60

2:04 AM

Hey, Ralphie... [looks back] did an elf fitting this description come through here a few days back? [describes T-baz]

Shalvenay

The spider kind of stares at you...then gives a sort of spider-nod, the best a spider can nod that is

nitsua60

Did he come back out?

Shalvenay

The spider shakes its head the best it can at the question

nitsua60

Is there another person-sized way out of here, that you know of?

Shalvenay

The spider just stares at you, but you can now see inside the castle -- it appears to be three octagonal tiers. There are red running-man symbols on signs over doors on the far right and far left -- the other doors on the top level appear to be much less conspicuously signed. Ramps in front and back connect the top and middle tiers ,and the bottom tier appears to be a pit, occupied by a funnel-shaped spiderweb

There are walls behind lecterns on each side of the middle tier, and seating in the front part of the middle tier as well. More inconspicuously signed doors are in the back part of the middle tier

nitsua60

2:08 AM

So, it's a spider-lecture hall, or something? With evacuation exits marked in red?

Shalvenay

@nitsua60 yup :D

nitsua60

Ralphie: do you mind if we go look around for our missing elf?

Shalvenay

The spider seems puzzled by the reference to the elf as "missing" and just stares at you with beady eyes

nitsua60

Okay.... Well, nice talking to you. [looks querulously at Link]

Ben

Link is eyeing the spider, still distrustful. When Ardyll looks at him, he shrugs again, then heads in

Keeping an eye out for any more traps

nitsua60

2:14 AM

[follows]

Shalvenay

You can hear voices from down below, in the web...

Ben

2d20

Dice Service

7

8

Ben

+4 = 12 checking for traps

Shalvenay

You find nothing further trap-wise, at least anywhere close to you

Ben

2:18 AM

At the edge of the tier, Link looks down into the web, calling out "Hello?"

nitsua60

We are on the top ievel? Middle?

Shalvenay

seems like top-to-middle on the front ramp

You hear a feminine elvish voice calling up from the web "Oh, hello there! Sorry, didn't hear the receptionist's bell going off! The lecture for today got called off, if that's what you're here for"

nitsua60

Uh, yeah. My friend just told me I should come. What was it about?

(@Ben sorry)

Ben

All g. It happens :)

Shalvenay

Oh, it was supposed to be about some divination magics...but I've been too busy with this tax fiasco to prepare it! The feminine voice pipes up again

nitsua60

2:23 AM

Ugh, taxes. Tell me about it!

Seriously: tell me about it.

(I'm a good listener.)

Shalvenay

Ah, yes...did you not hear about the changes to the tax code that went through recently?

nitsua60

(gotta run in 5, btw)

Shalvenay

(for how long?)

nitsua60

(for the night)

Shalvenay

(gotcha. do you want to pause this and pick it back up, or have me continue onwards without you?)

nitsua60

2:25 AM

I'm fine if you keep going. Do you (@Ben) want to run both chars if combat ever crops up?

Ben

A small globe of light appears out of the hood on Link's neck, illuminating his face. He begins speaking with it in an odd language, while Ardyll continues speaking with the woman

@nitsua60 Sure, I'm ok with that.

nitsua60

Alright--night!

Ben

@nitsua60 I assume you want either myself or Shalv to rp for you?

Shalvenay

I'd be more comfortable if Ben took over RPing both PCs fully :)

nitsua60

You can--or just keep Ardryll a little meeker.

Ben

2:27 AM

Oki. Night then!

Shalvenay

cya @nitsua60

Ben

Link is continuing his conversation with the small globe of light, while Ardyll continues speaking with the Elf - "No, I have been travelling a lot recently, and haven't had much time to focus on the current events. What happened?"

Shalvenay

The city-slickers tried to plug some loopholes, but managed to upset the whole applecart for every grove and coven in the land in the process!

And the temples, too!

Ben

"Single handedly??"

Shalvenay

You hear a small sigh from down below as well as a different elven voice go Why...why'd I get sent to deal with this mess? This is way above my pay grade! in protest

The feminine voice pipes up again Very! Mind coming down, as this explanation might take a little while?

Ben

2:34 AM

"Indeed, one moment!" He looks around, then calls out again "Uhh, how do I get down there?"

Shalvenay

Just go down the ramp and climb on down in! There's plenty of seats still down here! Avoid the sticky, glistening parts though, because the Headmistress hates having guests stuck to her desk...

Ben

Ardyll looks up at Link, who has finished his conversation with the small light, now floating silently by his head. They exchange a look, then head down to the lower tier.

Shalvenay

You both clamber into the web, which looks to have a figure matching the tax collector sitting up bleary-eyed in a hammock-like seat woven into the web, a simply dressed elfess with a hatchet, scrolls, and pen at her hip standing on it, and a large, pale-skinned, wizened drider-like figure with a tarantula's body standing across from the two. Several paths and vacant hammock-seats are woven into the web as well

Ben

Link is visibly uncomfortable, but Ardyll appears to be ok with it, if a little awkward climbing through the web

Shalvenay

The standing figure introduces herself I'm Rethvara, as to your names? as the drider-figure looks up from something she's been reading Oh, hello there! I'm Lothadriel, the Headmistress of this place. This has been one of the most confusing weeks of my life since I was first gifted this form...which was a few hundred cycles ago!

Ben

2:42 AM

"I am Ardyll, and this..." he turns motioning to Link, who simply blurts his name plainly.

Shalvenay

Rethvara replies A pleasure meeting you both Ardryll and Link and the Headmistress pipes in with Please make yourselves at home

So...yeah. It used to be that we weren't taxed, but that was until the city-slickers messed things up. We sent a request for interpretation to the treasury several months ago, but they've barely gotten an acknowledgement out to us, and that was but days before we got saddled with a treasury-sent houseguest

Ben

Ardyll, nods slightly, and Link simply crosses his arms. Adyll speaks up again "Actually, while I would love to discuss the current tax situations with you, we are actually on the hunt for someone. Does the name Tharvyrion mean anything to either of you?

Shalvenay

Oh yes! The Treasury sent him into this tangled web...

and he refuses to leave unless he gets what he believe we owe...

at which Tharvyrion nods, groggily Well, the High Court ruling here, which is the most on-point thing I can find, says you have to pay full rate on improvements and fruits...

at which Rethvara chuckles Full rate relative to what? Crown land isn't taxed, so how are you supposed to come up with a basis for the improvements rate?

Tharvyrion replies with a protest I'm not qualified to answer that question!

Ben

"Well, it appears that we are here to return you."

"Forcibly, if necessary"

Shalvenay

Tharvyrion replies Um...who sent you? I sent a letter of my state and the situation four days ago to the treasury...but obviously, it's probably not even there yet

Given your presence here...

Lothadriel interjects What I don't get is why the lease rate doesn't satisfy this whole silliness...since the Crown is having us lease our territory from them instead of treating it as reserve-lands anyway...

Ben

2:52 AM

"The Constabulary has asked us to retrieve you. Might I ask why you refuse to leave? Given your apparent lack of qualification to deal with this situation?"

Shalvenay

Rethvara replies to that You'd think it would, but apparently they tried to write the lease up without... only to be interrupted by Tharvyrion Do you not know your traditional territory's bounds? which draws a reply from Lothadriel I don't think we have a single surveyor in the whole of the Talespinners...

Tharvyrion yawns The Treasury told me I should collect what is owed, not leave it for later...because I'd be reassigned by the time "later" comes up

I wasn't prepared for someone to argue that a Crown lease wasn't worth the scroll it was written on!

Ben

"Well it appears that 'later' has arrived. Please come with us." Ardyll turns to the Dryder. "I hope that if they send another agent, he might be a bit better qualified to deal with this issue."

Shalvenay

Lothadriel gives the tax collector a sympathetic look before turning to Ardryll I hope so! Or at least, they can send us an interpretation letter... drawing a response from Rethvara And a surveyor! Or will they make us hire that ourselves? And counsel to argue this before the courts, too? I would be flabbergasted if we were the only folks in this predicament!

Ben

"If you could write that down, I'll be sure to deliver it with the elf here."

Shalvenay

Speaking of counsel... Rethvara grabs a blank scroll and starts to scribble on it madly Would you two be a peach and retain counsel for us in the city? I'd go myself, but the witch-hunters would flay me alive...never mind pressuring the judge, as they have not a whit of respect for the rule of law...

Ben

2:59 AM

Link walks over to Tharvyrion, grabbing him by the upper arm, and pulling him to his feet

Shalvenay

Tharvyrion stands weakly Uh, thanks. I just hope that the Treasury gets my letter and understands what I got put in, and doesn't fire me for this...

Ben

Link grunts "Being under qualified for a special case isn't something I would consider a fire-able offense."

Shalvenay

I'd think not, but some of those folks in the city are a little...crazy at times about stuff they don't see for themselves

Rethvara finishes the briefs and passes them to Ardryll Here you go. You should be able to find competent counsel in the city...just make sure the identity of the client stays between you and the counsel of choice, right?

Ben

Ardyll nods to Rethvara, and waits for the parchment. He takes it and nods politely. "Enjoy what remains of the day." He turns and leaves, following Link Scrambling through the web, with Tharvyrion in tow

Shalvenay

The three exit without any incident whatsoever and head down the road...only for an elven bandit to appear in front of them backed by a burlier looking elf, and another elven bandit with a spider behind her to pop out of the woods behind them (roll inits)

(Tharvyrion +3 front +2 back +2 spider +3 thug +1)

5d20

Dice Service

3:05 AM

2

14

17

8

17

Shalvenay

The thug grins A tax collector...with escorts, I see. Surrender now, and we'll make it easy for you.

Ben

2d20

Dice Service

19

14

Ben

Link and Ardyll +3

Shalvenay

init: Link 22 back 19 thug 18 Ardryll 17 spider 11 Tharvyrion 5

Ben

3:09 AM

Link responds by immediately drawing his sword and shield, then launching at the bandit.

d20

Dice Service

7

Ben

+2

Shalvenay

The front bandit sidesteps Link's charge as he draws his thick, rapier-like sword and the elfess in back does the same, prompting Tharvyrion to draw his own rapier and buckler

The elfess in back tries commanding her spider to attack Link (DC 10 AH at a +0)

d20

Dice Service

18

Shalvenay

The spider eyes Link hungrily...

the thug then pulls out his mace and goes to swing at Link "Feisty young one, eh?"

Ben

3:13 AM

AC 16

Shalvenay

(at +4)

d20

Dice Service

1

Shalvenay

The thug misses the still-moving Link wildly (Ardryll's turn now)

Ben

With a momentary meditation to centre himself, Ardyll leaps at the spider with his spear

d20

Dice Service

10

Ben

3:16 AM

+5

(hit?)

Shalvenay

Ardyll connects with the spider...

d8

5

+3 = 8 dmg total

The spider jumps back, clearly hurt by the stab

The spider tries to bite Ardryll, distracted by this stab

(at a +3)

d20

Dice Service

3:20 AM

4

Shalvenay

The spider can't gets its fangs onto Ardyll due to its wounds

Tharvyrion glares at the thug briefly before thrusting at him with his rapier

Back off before I have to put you down like the cur you are!

(at a +7)

d20

Dice Service

10

Shalvenay

Tharvyrion's thrust connects with the thug...

(at a +3)

d8

Dice Service

7

Shalvenay

and pierces the thug's thigh, causing him to wince momentarily and slacken his stance slightly (back to the top with Link)

Ben

3:24 AM

Link swings at the elf again, in an upward arc

d20

Dice Service

19

Ben

(I'm assuming that's a hit haha)

Shalvenay

Link's slash connects quite handily...

(which elf btw?)

(Link and the spider are the only not-elves on the field :P)

Ben

(The same one, the "leader")

Shalvenay

(got it)

(roll damage :)

Ben

3:27 AM

+2 dmg

d8

Dice Service

8

Ben

10 total dmg again

Shalvenay

...tearing open the burly elf's uninjured leg as well as his left arm, sending him staggering back a few steps in pain before he can regain his composure.

The back bandit abandons commanding the spider and tries to stab Ardyll in the back while he's engaged with the spider...(+4 with adv for flanking)

d20 d20

Dice Service

13

16

Ben

AC 16

Shalvenay

3:29 AM

Her sword connects with Ardryll handily...

(at a +2)

d8

Dice Service

5

Shalvenay

going through the elf's shoulder to the tune of a visible gasp and wince from him and a "Hah, serves you right!" from her

Ben

Down to 2 hp...

Shalvenay

Enraged by Tharvyrion's insult, the thug swings at the tax collector again with his mace

(at a +4)

d20

Dice Service

10

Shalvenay

3:31 AM

(I forgot a bandit in the init order!)

(front bandit is init 16 so right after Ardryll)

The thug's mace connects with Tharvyrion...

(at a +2)

d6

Dice Service

•

Shalvenay

slamming into his chest and winding the elf briefly, causing him to stagger back a step "Eat that!"

(Ardryll's turn)

Ben

The sword left a rather bad wound in Ardryll's shoulder, but he continues his assault on the spider, attacking first with the spear, then following up with an unarmed strike

spear first, +5

d20

Dice Service

7

Shalvenay

The spear fails to connect this time

Ben

3:39 AM

He then jabs at the spider with his fist

d20

Dice Service

12

Ben

+5

Shalvenay

His punch connects with the spider...

Ben

(I believe unarmed strikes go off the stat modifier, don't they?)

Shalvenay

off of DEX for a monk, yes

Ben

3:42 AM

In which case - 3 dmg

Shalvenay

with a d4 minimum damage die

d4

3

6 total

Ardryll squishes the spider's head in with his fist

The front bandit finally overcomes his combat-fright and thrusts at Link...

(at +4)

d20

Dice Service

3:43 AM

2

Shalvenay

...only to miss altogether

Tharvyrion spits out a bit of blood, snarling at the thug and going for another thrust...

(at +7)

d20

Dice Service

6

Shalvenay

...which connects

(at +3)

d8

Dice Service

4

Shalvenay

with the thug's side, gashing him along his right flank under his ribs.

(back to the top with Link)

Ben

3:46 AM

Link chuckles out loud at the Thug's attempts to fight, and thrusts straight at the elf's torso... +2

d20

17

d8

4

+2 damage = 6

Link's thrust connects with the thug, running through him left-of-center just above his waist. You can see the thug slowly stagger back, losing his grip on his mace... (he's out of the action)

or wait, no

I don't believe you add proficiency to damage, although let me check something on Dueling

Ben

3:49 AM

@Shalvenay It's from duelling, yeah. That's why it's only +2

Shalvenay

oh wait, you are right and I'm off base :P

I thought dueling was +2 to attack

so yeah

The elfess bandit is enraged by seeing their leader taken out of the fight and abandons her attack on Ardryll, trying to outflank Link now with a thrust from behind (at +4 with advantage -- flanking given the bandit in front of him)

d20 d20

Dice Service

17

9

Shalvenay

The elfess' thrust connects with Link...

(at a +2)

d8

Dice Service

2

Shalvenay

...only to gash his arm but nothing more