Into the Breach: OOC

[LatemYvaeh]

Great thanks

[grego]

Sorry guys real life has been very busy for me lately. I don't think I can keep playing. Had fun though, good luck on your quests.

[LatemYvaeh]

any update for us?
I think we all got on the boat to head down steam?

Please tell me this is still active and everyone is just recovering from easter vacation.

[Vhaeryl]

Going to have to back out myself; just got assigned an extra bit of litigation that I wasn't expecting, and its probably going to steal any free time I have for the next few months. Sorry for ditching, especially after what happened last week, but priorities have to be what they are. Good luck with the rest of the campaign, wish I could stick around :(

[Dustyme]

I've enjoyed the Campaign so far.

How many players do we still have left? We may need to open a new recruiting thread if we're at 4 or less... (Obviously up to the DM)

PbP's tend to take longer and I'm willing to give it another week personally before I assume the game is toast

[Bender]

I think 2 people dropped out, so we're still at 6. Or I missed something. And Darius mentioned something about recruiting a couple extra players because in PbP there are always dropouts for various (mostly RL) reasons. So we should be ok. (if our beloved DM eases the EL's appropriately )

I hope Darius himself is ok, since he hasn't been on this site since his last post...
Does anyone have any news from him?

[Maryring]

I'm still around, and hoping that this game doesn't die. As far as I'm concerned, the game rocks. I hope it will continue soon.

[LatemYvaeh]

I haven't seen him on but he mentioned having some easter stuff to do which means he may still be on easter vacation. Half the schools where I live had it last week the others this week. Hopefully he will post soon so we can move on.

[GimliFett]

I'm still around, but I've been sickeningly busy of late. Things should start slowing down. I'm in if Darius'll still have me.

[LatemYvaeh]

Hey Darius you around?

[Darius]

Whew - I am back. Sorry about the longer than expected "vacation" as I went unexpectedly off the map for awhile. Give me a few minutes to read some of the posts, and I should get things rolling today. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Darius

[LatemYvaeh]

(>")> <('.')> <("<) <( . )>
Kirby does the happy dance Darius is back

[Bender]

Welcome back Darius!!

[Darius]

To give you an idea of what Big Rapids looks like. It is not quite to scale, but it gives you the impression of what to expect.

Scouting will show that the highland hills of the Flinty hills make it nearly impossible to assault from any way other than across the water. The burning smoke you saw from the distance can be found from the various houses and wooden structures that are near the keep proper. There is a definite "fog of war" that may be used to the advantage of say a small force to sneak about unnoticed under its concealment (either to the keep or to the encampment).

Since the keep is primarily stone and has slate roof and stone structures, you could speculate that the denizens of the fortress have extinguished any fires that may have been started within.

http://24.97.85.139/java/mmee/

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[Darius]

The question regarding wind is difficult to answer as wind direction can shift. The big "clouds" on the map show a basic idea of areas where smoke and fog from the heat differences exist. For simplistic reasons, one would speculate that you could sneak up to within view of the camp and then need to make Hide vs. Spot checks thereafter (since no one would want to camp in the middle of a bunch of smoke).

Likewise, it would be difficult to make to the fortress as the only way in is through the waterway, and there is a big chain that is spanning the channel. You may be able to get over the chain at the middle in the longboat since the chain is designed to prevent larger ships from approaching.

Swimming, of course, is always an option...however, the water is very cold and without endure elements spells, you would most likely die of hypothermia and heat loss.

[GimliFett]

The question regarding wind is difficult to answer as wind direction can shift. The big "clouds" on the map show a basic idea of areas where smoke and fog from the heat differences exist. For simplistic reasons, one would speculate that you could sneak up to within view of the camp and then need to make Hide vs. Spot checks thereafter (since no one would want to camp in the middle of a bunch of smoke).

Likewise, it would be difficult to make to the fortress as the only way in is through the waterway, and there is a big chain that is spanning the channel. You may be able to get over the chain at the middle in the longboat since the chain is designed to prevent larger ships from approaching.

Swimming, of course, is always an option...however, the water is very cold and without endure elements spells, you would most likely die of hypothermia and heat loss.

Not to mention drowing in all my heavy, heavy gear! What's my swim check like, -10? Nope. Only -8!

[Dustyme]

Not to mention drowing in all my heavy, heavy gear! What's my swim check like, -10? Nope. Only -8!

Meh, swim checks are easy to pass just roll all Natural 20's

[GimliFett]

Meh, swim checks are easy to pass just roll all Natural 20's

You a funny man, Dokta Chones!!!

[Darius]

Just checking to see what the plan is so I can put up a post...

Plan recaps:

A) Take longboat and land near village. Use fog and smoke to cover approach.

B) Take longboat and head to pier of fort. Use fog and smoke to cover approach.

C) Land longboat near fort on fort side of chain and try to climb the highlands. Use fog and smoke to cover approach.


I would like to add that you can carry the longboat (it is heavy, but can be done). So, if you wanted to take it with you on the side of the encampment, you could.


Then, I need to know what your plans are in terms of if the six of you wish to do battle against several scores of orcs with leaders.

[Bender]

Mellavin wants to go for plan A.

He won't force his opinion and go along with another plan if the group decides so, muttering that they should not forget the poor, defenceless villagers.

Unless they are surprised, he'll buff when the air smells like an upcoming battle.

When scores of orcs are around, he'll look for Jaeur, or anyone else with tactical experience, for orders.

[Dustyme]

I've said my bit so unless we need a tie breaker I'll follow the majority.

[LatemYvaeh]

Looks like plan A is the main choice

IC Jaeur and Shep both presented good arguments for it so Jomei is acting as if that is the plan

[Darius]

Map update - let me know if you would rather be somewhere else.

Just a FYI - it will be nearly impossible to go "around the back way" since the hills behind have patrols and are too devoid of cover to hide you.

http://24.97.85.139/java/mmee/

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Also, I will roll the Move Silently and Hide when you guys do decide to head out. I will simplify it down to one roll for each movement taken by the character who is moving with the lowest chance. It will be a one v. one roll (even though there are lots of orcs that could see, I am only going to roll once).

[Darius]

Jaeur: -5 Move Silent; -5 Hide
Jax: +9 Move Silent; +10 Hide
Jomei: +7 Move Silent; +7 Hide
Kirke: +1 Move Silent; +1 Hide
Mel: -1 Move Silent; -1 Hide (your armor penalty did not show up due to location on sheet)
Shep (Best): +4(+3) Move Silent; +6(+3) Hide


Now, if you guys wish to split into groups instead of going en masse, you may (or if Jaeur wishes to strip off his armor, he can). The one roll rule will still apply for each group. For instance, say Jomei and Jax wish to sneak ahead to infiltrate the tent area to try and locate the leader.

I would roll a Move Silent at +7 and a Hide at +7 and then roll a Listen and Spot (not telling you the bonus ) for their approach. Then, let's say they cut the tent wall and go inside - then I would roll separate rolls for those inside and +7/+7 for Jomei and +9/+10 for Jax. Make sense? I wanted to make sure you guys knew that before deciding how you wanted to infiltrate the camp.

[Darius]

I just wanted to let the players currently in game know that we will be getting some typing traffic here (hopefully) as I put a shout out in the currently recruiting thread. Now would be a good time to add some extra blood as I could work their entrance easily into the story.

[Vazzaroth]

Hey, I'm that new blood that was ordered.

I'm thinking about submitting a re-design of a previous character that did not get into a game (10+ people applied for 4 spots...). A reaping mauler fighter. In other words, A grappler. Is there anything in particular the party needs otherwise? I can always find a new class to play certain roles.

Also, is there and differences to the starting character making since you started the game?

[Dustyme]

Meat Shields are always welcome.

Come stand in front of me I have no problem watching the action from afar

That's why I take Precise Shot

[Vazzaroth]

How do you feel about shooting into a grapple?

Also, I need approval of a feat:
Superior Unarmed Strike from Tome of Battle. It gets my unarmed damage up to be 1 increment under what a monk of equal level would be. I kinda need it for this character to not completly be gimped.

And are you guys still at third level? I'll wait for the DM to come back to make sure, but I can set myself up at your level for now.

Edit: Griff Brutalles, weaponless fighter.

I need help with a BG, because I want to be able to work it into wherever the campaign is. PM me, dm?

And I don't know exactly what you mean about 1/2 HP from the DMG, what page? a d10 gets 10, 5, 5 or what?

[LatemYvaeh]

Yes we are still at third level


Darius - K using the grid labels Left to Right A-V and Bottom to Top 1 to 21
Looking at the map we should be S-12
are the jagged block lines near the shore rocks or more smoke clouds
I am making the assumption that we Landed around G-3 and then moved along the 2-3 three row across the bottom of the map to the back side of the hill to the spot you currently have us located.

If that is correct let me know so I can make the IG post of my actions

[Bag_of_Holding]

I'm interested in joining this party. Are you still recruiting? I was hoping to play a dwarf warblade, but if it'll overlap with the dwarven cleric I'm willing to be a half-orc (a thog II, even).


Edit: Just after I posted this I got an inspiration for a half-orc warblade. His alignment will be CG, with Int and/or Cha as dump stat but at least 12 in Wis. So he won't be of much help when it comes down to diplomatic mission or puzzles but he'll know what he's doing.


Edit 2: The final stat is 18/10/14/8/10/14; a half-orc crusader with max. A charismatic half-orc sounded very nice.