For out-of-character chatter...

Hello new friends, some of whom may be old friends.

Always a possibility with the number of games that hobgob runs.

Hello!

Night Below and Ancient Magic here.

In reply to Tris Havri (msg # 4):

Both of those and also Call of Destiny for me.

You must be Davor/Lucien then!

Yup

Welcome, everyone! We'll probably be adding one or two additional characters soon.

In the meantime, be sure you've read the Ptolus Player's Guide and then you can get started working on your character sheets. Use the 27-point buy method for determining your Ability Scores. Don't roll for starting gold but take the equipment provided by your Class and Background. And feel free to sell (at full price) anything you don't want.

Read!

It's very Monte Cook. Invisible Sun is a favorite of mine, and this almost felt like a less strange supplement.

Hi! I'll get my sheet done as soon as possible, but that might not be until the weekend. I've got a busy next few days.

Hello all,

Looking forward to roleplaying with ya, Zolrah is a, "mother hen" type of paladin who seeks to protect those she is closely associated with. She has lost too many friends in the warrens and so imagines that it might be virtuous to lay down her life defending others. She is soft spoken and exceedingly polite. Diz was a novice member of the City Watch and was called on primarily to keep the streets free of drunkards (and so is really great with a club).

Zolrah is a martial adept and has the ability to Rally an associate (1d6+3 temp hp) and Riposte.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 8):

My character sheet should be ready. Sold two shortswords and the longbow & arrows (121gp). Bought a battleaxe, a warhammer, a handaxe, a shield, and 4 javelins (92gp).

Toramar is a bounty hunter, but he has standards. His motto is: I'll get my hands dirty if I need to, but I don't take dirty jobs. He's lived in Ptolus his whole life and his father was actually a member of the city watch, but he needed a less regimented life.

Thus far, Tris seems to be the most morally grey of the group, as she will absolutely take dirty jobs if it gets her closer to her goal.

The good news is that she values allies more than anything in the world, and sticks very strongly to the code that you "don't betray those who've stood for you, you stand for them in turn."

She's starting as a warrior, but she'll deviate from that path pretty quickly. She's got her grandmother's legacy to live up to.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:42, Thu 17 Nov 2022.

Yes, it's very much a Monte Cook setting, but I love Monte Cook's work, so that's not a bad thing!

No problem if you need a few days to finish your sheets.

Please send me a PM when you get your sheet done, though, so I can look it over.

We'll start once everyone is ready.

Hey y'all, I look forward to playing with all of you! Would anyone happen to have a RPOL compatible sheet ready? Otherwise I'll tinker up my own one :)

Maeghar is a charming noble from Ptolus, hailing from the Driesman family who serve as soldiers and knights for House Dallimothan. Although he is charming, kind and presents himself eloquently he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty for the mission or his own goal. That being said he is loyal to friends and allies and strives to protect those that he considers close.

Maeghar is a red Draconic Sorcerer, evident by his reptilean green eyes and the thin red draconic scales that grow on him, the latter being hidden underneath beautiful clothes.

I used this one.

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Basic Information

Character Name  :                           Height :
Player Name     :                           Weight :
Character Race  :                           Eyes   :
Alignment       :                           Hair   :
Deity           :                           Size   :
Total Level     :                           Speed  :
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Character Class Information

Class and Level     :
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  Inspiration         AC       Initiative       Speed


Health points           Hit dice             Proficiently
      /


Stats
      Strength  Dexterity   Constitution   Intelligence   Wisdom   Charisma
        10         10           10             10           10        10
Saving throw
      +/-x

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Attack/spell               Attack bonus          Damage/type





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Skills

    Acrobatics (dex)
    Animal handling (wis)
    Arcana (int)
    Athletics (str)
    Deception (cha)
    History (int)
    Insight (wis)
    Intimidation (cha)
    Investigation (int)
    Medicine (wis)
    Nature (int)
    Perception (wis)
    Performance (cha)
    Persuasion (cha)
    Religion (int)
    Sleight of hand (dex)
    Stealth (dex)
    Survival (wis)

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Person

Personality traits


Ideals


Bonds


Flaws



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Features and traits


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Equipment and Money




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Other features and Languages



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Spells




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Thank you kindly! :)

In reply to Maeghar Driesman (msg # 17):

Happy to help <3

I don't have my sheet done yet, but since everyone else is introducing their characters, I thought I should jump in with a brief description. Baltazar is another Ptolus native. He's a former gang member who is trying to find redemption for the things he's done in the past.

I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone. It looks like we have an interesting group.

The first game thread will be open momentarily. I'll give everyone a chance to post before we get started with the actual story.

It is not necessary for any of your characters to know each other when we begin, but if you'd like to have them already know each other, feel free to work that out here or in PMs before you post in the game thread.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Do any of the other Ptolus natives want to establish ties?

I figure Baltazar and Toramar might have been at odds before. Zolrah and Toramar might know each other through mutual friends in the guard.

Maeghar is a noble so anyone who might have or had business in Oldtown or the Noble's Quarters might know him.

I figured I should get some conversation started, the rest of you, feel free to jump in :)

What language is that?

Dwarvish!

When you use the language group it scrambles the words for those not in the language group. So if you don't know the language it becomes more "realistic" since it just becomes gibberish.

Cool, just making sure things are working.

In reply to Toramar Greymane (msg # 21):

Sounds great! Perhaps the two were meeting up to discuss dinner plans for the evening?
This message was last edited by the player at 22:04, Mon 21 Nov 2022.

In reply to Maeghar Driesman (msg # 22):

Maeghar might have hired Toramar for a job in the past perhaps?

In reply to Zolrah Diz (msg # 28):

Sounds good.

I could see how the Driesman family might've hired Toramar when Maeghar was a wee lad =)

Are you all ready to move on? What do you want to do next?

Oh I thought we were walking and talking on our way to meet the client.

Let's head back to the chapel to see if Phon is there.

In reply to Toramar Greymane (msg # 33):

Agreed

In order to move things along, I assumed that Baltazar and Tris would take the alley and the others would take the main road. The two groups are on either side of the thugs, about 15 to 20 feet away from them.

I am the wrong person to be doing any social rolls. Just want to make sure that's clear.

In reply to Toramar Greymane (msg # 36):

lol

Do we not have a face?

I don't know. It's not me.

Tris is sociable, but not used to people outside of her family.

I can do something about that at level 3 if we are really hurting.

I don't want to volunteer Zolrah, but she is a paladin.

In reply to Toramar Greymane (msg # 41):

Yes, that's true-I am indeed a paladin <3
This message was last edited by the player at 20:14, Mon 16 Jan 2023.

But does Zolrah rely on natural charm, or is it something she's put work into developing?

In reply to Tris Havri (msg # 43):

Zolrah does that a persuasive force of personality.

Let me know if there is anything any of you want to do overnight. Otherwise, we can move on to the next day when you're all ready.

I'm all set to proceed to the next day.

All set as well

Good to go!

Me, too!

So it looks like Zolrah and Baltazar are starting at Phon's house while Tris and Toramar are going to the warehouse. Is that correct?

Yes sir

100%

yep

Great. I'll post later tonight.

Zolrah, did you see my last post? Do you think we should try talking to Phon again?

In reply to Baltazar Ruh (msg # 55):

My apologies, a bit of a crazy week for me.

No, Zolrah does not detect anything with her Divine Sense ability.

Lol

Are you ready to move on to the evening?

Think so!

Sorry we dithered so much trying to find clues.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 59):

Yup

Yes.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 59):

Yes

Sleepy question, and sorry if I've asked this before.

Did anyone make a character who can be a decent Face?

Zolrah should be your go-to for that.

I've got to run now. I'll try to get something posted for you tonight.

Ha, I asked the same question in January.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 65):

huh-what?

If you had proficiency in Persuasion or not.

Then I forgot.

In reply to Zolrah Diz (msg # 67):

Presumably talking to people.

Zolrah is proficient with Persuasion. What is this face business, I am so confused

In the RPG Shadowrun, the party "face" is the player responsible for being good at social interactions. They talk to clients, get better deals, higher paychecks for the party, talk their way past guards, etc, etc. It can be really hard to play Shadowrun without someone designed to be a proper face.

Lots of TTRPGs employ the archetype. Blades in the Dark comes to mind. I'm sure it's older than Shadowrun, but that's the game where I was introduced to the concept.

I'm applying that lingo here, asking if we have someone with decent Charisma and proficiency in (at least) Persuasion, which we do. You!
This message was last edited by the player at 02:24, Fri 31 Mar 2023.

More importantly the rest of us are actively BAD at talking to people because we're gruff unpersonable mercenaries.

In reply to Tris Havri (msg # 71):

Oh, why didn't you just say so!

Cause I was trying to be clever, and failed miserably.

:)

It's two hours after dusk, right?

It's one hour after dusk (see Message #214).

Shit!

I swear, the dice roller is mocking me.

I sent Zolrah a PM this morning to see if she's still here, but I haven't heard back yet. I'll post the results of this round tonight or tomorrow, rolling for her if necessary. Thanks for your patience.

Hope they are alright. Haven't seen them since the 6th.

Isn't Phon a seamstress?

She is indeed.

I've been sticking with Priestess since the initial lie, though I'm not sure it's doing anything anymore.

@GM: Did I find anything interesting on the dead man?

No. Just his armor and weapon. And he's not dead.

@GM: can I hear the action in time to act this turn?

Yes, Toramar hears the shouting.

A friend of mine killed himself this week. I don't expect to post again until Monday.

I'll say this again, I'm so sorry, please take all the time you need.

Take care.

Thanks. I'll try to move things along soon.

How are folks doing?

I came down with something over the holiday weekend which is always a bummer, but its an excellent excuse to just lay around in bed.

Sorry! I've been unusually tired lately and have crashed after dinner every day this week.

No worries. I've crashed after lunch on Friday and Saturday. Slept for 15 hours yesterday.

History checks from the locals to know the name?

Yup yup, good idea.

None of you recognize the name.

I've got to run now, but I'll try to get his response up later today. I'll be gone from Thursday through Sunday, so don't expect anything else from me until after the weekend.

Yes, Toramar (and Baltazar) would know where to turn in someone for a bounty. If you want to proceed to do that, let me know.

Yeah, go see if there is one. If there is, we'll turn him in and cut the others loose?

I think that's the play, yes.

I'm ok with Tris taking an 18 gold share for doing all the interrogating if you are Baltazar.

Seems fair to me.

Let me know when you're ready to proceed to the next day.

Also, it would probably be beneficial for you to have a fourth character in the party. Let me know what you think about adding someone else, and I can post an advert, if appropriate.

Happy to move on to the next morning, good with a 4th.

If I'm going to play the face I might need to rethink a few things, build wise, as we start to level.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:10, Mon 07 Aug 2023.

I might have a player if they can create their own character?!

Been gaming with them for close to a decade now.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:31, Mon 07 Aug 2023.

I'm also good to move on.

Definitely happy to add a 4th.

Ditto.

Yes, it would be a new character. Tell your friend to submit an RTJ.

Awesome.

They are thinking Urban Druid right now.

Hello! I'll be your hopefully useful druid.

Currently just keeping an eye out for a good time to cross paths lol.

Hello, welcome!

There is plenty of work to be found in Ptolus. Unless you have something particular in mind, I can tell you about a few postings that would catch your characters' attention.

Also, this would probably be a good way to introduce you all to Abelia; the three of you could respond to an advert simultaneously with her.

If you have other ideas about introducing Abelia and/or what you want to do next, let me know, though. You're not quite ready to tackle the next part of the story.

Tris is here to delve!

I'm okay with a bump in at the job board. As to delving... I'm sure there are secrets of the Circle down there too. :D

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 112):

I'm ok with looking at postings. That's essentially what Toramar is suggesting anyway. No inherent objections to looking for work delving, but Toramar wouldn't suggest that in character.

She's here to Delve, but that doesn't need to be the 2nd thing she does.

Sounds good to me! I'm up for whatever.

Just to clarify the present scene, this is just recollection of fliers and ads they've seen around the city?

In reply to Abelia Orifir (msg # 118):

Yeah, right now we're outside of St. Gustav's Chapel in Midtown which is basically across the street from Delver's Square.

I'm assuming you're intending to have Abelia introduced in Delver's Square. If so, that works for me.

Roughly what I was thinking, assuming that works for Abelia.

It certainly does.

Athletics to pry open this grate?

It'll be a Strength check.

Using the crowbar will give you Advantage, Toramar.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 125):

Cool. We might still be here awhile if a 19 doesn't do it though.

So my thought is that generic rats should be pretty prevalent in a sewer and Abelia can talk to one using Speak with Animals or entice one with Animal Friendship. Toramar doesn't really understand the specifics in character.

That is basically it, I'm just overcomplicating IC as Rats are rather social animals so they'll congregate according to territory, etc.

@DM: I think we're looking for regular rats rather than ratkin.

Aye, regular rats to tell us where the ratkin might be lol.

Tris, you have come across many rats, but none of them have been able to lead you to a ratkin nest.

Have they all run away by chance or have I had a chance to speak with them? As that was something of the other component.

Abelia would have had the chance to talk to them. I should have let you roleplay that, but I didn't, and I don't recall why. Sorry about that.

Like Baltazar said, Ptolus's sewer system is immense, and ratkin nests are not easily found; otherwise, they probably wouldn't be a problem.

I'd like to help with a Survival check if we make one.

I'd be fine with that just want to confirm before hand if the DM feels that'd give us another clue? Either way, moving towards one of the less frequented areas of the sewers is still a good play.

I'll post something tomorrow. I can barely keep my eyes open right now, so I'm going to head off to bed.

My apologies I've been so quiet. Things with the Union got real busy, and I've been behind on all my games. Catching up now that it's the weekend.

Let me know if there is anything you want to do overnight; otherwise, we can move on to the next day.

I'm good to move on.

Good to move on!

Ditto.

Likewise! Not much for Abelia to do at present other than weird druid things to keep nature trucking along as best she can in the city lol.

Question for the group.

Has anyone taken a look at the rules update coming next year with OneDnD?

Can't say that I have just yet.

As far as I can tell, it's more an optional rules update than a new edition.

Hob is leaning towards sticking with 5e, but if people were super excited about the update they were open to a potential switch.

Definitely could be interesting depending on what they do with it. More options are always nice lol.

I haven't looked at it at all. I'm sure I'll end up checking it out when it rolls out, though.

I've listened to people talk about it a bit, but I've not looked into it myself.

How much is room and board at Danburry's?

We each get one gold piece and five silver pieces, correct?

Yes, you would each get 1 gp and 5 sp in payment.

Tris, Danbury's doesn't have rooms. In Midtown, you'd probably want to stay at the Ghostly Minstrel, as it is the meeting place of choice for adventurers and delvers. Rooms are 5 sp, 7 sp, 1 gp, or 2 gp per night, depending on the size, location, etc.

I just want to clarify as the latest update is a bit ambiguous... Is the combat over and the last ratman out of reach? They're just turning to flee as their action this turn?

In reply to Abelia Orifir (msg # 152):

I'm making an attempt with a ranged weapon. Out of character, Tris' suggestion is a good one though. Let it flee to its nest.

My principle action is basically to not die considering I'm at 1 hp.

I just have actions beside since healing word is a bonus action lol.

*EDIT* Re-did post slightly to read better lol.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:28, Fri 24 Nov 2023.

I think a short rest and spending hit dice is in order. Better than Abelia spending the rest of her spells. Tris can scout while the rest of us rest.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:56, Sun 26 Nov 2023.

To the taverns!

Is this Investigation? Perception?

Neither.

The trail does lead into the rubble.

As a heads-up, I'll be out of town for one week starting on Saturday. I don't know how frequently I'll be able to post while I'm gone.

They all missed us then?

The one who threw the bottle missed; the others have not attacked yet.

Sorry for not responding. I've been strangely busy this week. I should be able to get a post up this weekend.

Who is leading the way? Tris and Toramar both indicated that they wanted someone stealthier to go first. Baltazar is usually the stealthiest, but he's currently carrying a torch. And Abelia has tended to stay in the back during combat.

Unless our Dwarf wants it, me then.

I am, in no sense of the word, stealthy. It's all you.

I can sneak but it's by no means a trained skill for me yet lol.

What would the check be to disarm the tripwire?

It'll be a Sleight of Hand check.

I vote for Tris' remotely triggering the trap then.

Which tunnel are you taking?

I'd asked in a tag in one of my IC posts if the trip wired mine was the one they went through tracks wise? May have missed an answer.

From Message #612: "Abelia easily finds tracks of both ratmen and rats of various sizes leading into and out of each tunnel. Additionally, she spots a tripwire stretched across the southern tunnel."

I was assuming the southern tunnel then.

Apologies then. Been under the weather the last week so missed that in the skim over.

Southern tunnels it is.

Tris, the giant rat bit Toramar, not you.

Updated

Did we get any attacks of opportunity on the ones that rushed the back of our formation?

Abelia, the ratman who attacked you is already dead. Who do you want to attack instead?

Next closest is fine at this point.

I'm also good with a short rest.

Just to confirm my mental image, I assume the rats and ratmen aren't bottle necked at the cave entrance?

They are close together, but they are not bottlenecked. They are in the first cave right after the entrance.

Baltazar, you're the worst off so I think it's your call, but for my part I'm willing to dive back in after only a short rest.

Same.

I'm out of spells, but I'm mostly a melee fighter right now anyways, a short rest is fine for me.

I should be fine after a short rest. But I don't think we should try to take the short rest down here.

In reply to Baltazar Ruh (msg # 186):

Lunch in the fresh air?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:47, Fri 23 Feb.

Works for me.

Ditto.

Yeah. Let's get to the surface for a short rest.

I think we need to make this call out of character because we seem split. I'm still good to go after that short rest.

My question is for the DM.

Do we think we finished off the whole nest, or do we think there is more to do? If there is more to do?


It's a payday, but not a huge. I'm thinking that if we think the nest is cleared out, we give the job's board another pass and decide what we want to do next.

I'm good to go, too.

I don't think we've cleared out the nest completely, though we've definitely thinned their numbers. If I recall correctly, there were still some unexplored tunnels. I'd like to go back down there--either right away or after a long rest--and see if we missed anything.

Let's long rest then to restore our spells (and get Abelia to level 2), then finish it.

Level two and a bit more spell oomph is always nice especially for a generalist druid.

Sounds good to me. Definitely agree that we didn't clear that whole nest.

Long rest and then finish the nest it is!

Please post your plans in the game thread.

Do you intend to return to the same entrance to the lair?

Probably with some extra precautions towards ambushes and traps I think. Else we're demonstrating that we learned nothing lol.

Agreed.

Abelia, what tunnel/entrance are you referring to?

The one leading deeper into the refuse chamber? My understanding is it's rather tight unless I've lost the thread of thinking here.

Basically, the idea on my part was to drop entangling vines in there after a charge is provoked.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:38, Sat 23 Mar.

The entrance to the refuse chamber is 15 feet across.

Prefect. Entangle covers it fully and then some.

Abelia acts first in the round, so Baltazar, you will be healed before your turn. You can revise your action.

@GM: I keep forgetting to apply the extra +2 damage from my dueling fighting style. I don't suppose that's enough to have finished off that large ratman with my last attack?

Also, sorry team. I hate to waste a turn, but I don't have enough movement to reach the rats ahead and I'm hoping that this will at least give you some time to finish off the rest behind us while preventing them all from surrounding us. I could have thrown a javelin, but I'm hoping that the fire might at least work on the swarms of "regular" rats which felt more efficient.

Yeah, I still have spell slots to drop entangle... I just need to extricate myself from melee at the moment.

FYI, there are still three small ratmen and one larger ratman near the party. Also, Toramar, one of the small ratmen is currently engaged in melee with you, so it will get an opportunity attack if you try to run away from it.

I'll adjust the damage to the one you hit, but it won't be enough to kill it.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 210):

I'll take the attack of opportunity if I can block the tunnel.

Alright, Abelia and Baltazar try to get behind Tris and I this round if you can (that last spell to get Baltazar on his feet one last time?).

It was healing word. May not be enough in this case but fired it off and am dashing towards the line. I'm a little over half health unfortunately so an AoO may ruin me.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:09, Mon 15 Apr.

Can I get into position to Hunger of Hadar the three without hitting my own?
This message was last edited by the player at 00:23, Mon 15 Apr.

Do you mean Arms of Hadar?

It really depends on what happens before Tris acts, and she will act last in the round. I can let you wait to post until it is your turn, if you'd like.

Sounds good

Toramar, you are still engaged in melee with the large ratman, but thanks to Tris's spell, he will not get a reaction, so you will be able to retreat without worrying about an opportunity attack.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 217):

Can I know if Abelia's attack downs it before I take my action? She goes before me and the large ratman I think.

You should be able to escape the ratmen's lair easily, as they are not following you. But let me know if there is something else you want to do.

Options as I see 'em:

• Short rest and come back.
• Call it for the day.
• Call it for good.

I don't know what that medallion's worth, but it's probably more than a bunch of rat tails.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:56, Fri 19 Apr.

I feel it best to... ah, call it on the rat hunt. Otherwise, if the others are in favour of continuing... We stock up on healing items and a few bits and bobs to try and turn these ambushes to our advantage.

To the jobs board!

I agree with Tris.

Works for me.

Yes, you can take a short rest.

What's your plan? I'm waiting for someone to post your next steps.

I think poke around for work then long rest then appraisal of the necklace + me checking if magical via detect magic.

1. Find an appraiser for the gem, do not sell
   
2. Let the System Monitors know where to look.
   
3. Long rest
   
4. Inspect the gem for magic
   
5. Sell the gem if it's not magical
   
6. Go to the job's board
   
7. Find a new job

Figure we can take care of 6 before the long rest, but yes.

1. Go to the job's board
   
2. Find an appraiser for the gem, do not sell
   
3. Let the System Monitors know where to look.
   
4. Long rest
   
5. Inspect the gem for magic
   
6. Sell the gem if it's not magical
   
7. Find a new job

Tris, you already alerted the System Monitors to the location of the lair.

Thank you!

Assuming I'd need a bit more but could I roll that against Nature to see if I can get a theory on what we might run into?