[Adventrue] Lord Ogglebottoms Odd Tasks II: The Mysterious Imlach Island

[Velmont]

[SBLOCK=OOC]To make a skill challenge harder, you can:
A) Make some time restiction
B) Do not reveal the primary skills. Sometimes, they are obvious, other time not.
C) Raise the DC
D) Not even tell it is a skill challenge. I did it once. It was flowing well with the story. A great roleplay moment. But in such case, the challenge must be build with a good roleplay moment.[/SBLOCK]

 

[Tomalak]

[sblock=Neurotic] ? I think they are often mishandled by DMs, using skills that are too rare, relegating some players to 'backup' roles - something everybody has to do on occasion, but few actually enjoy. Using rare skills, or allowing too few skills, are common ways skill challenges are mishandled, IMO. Also, the requirements & results are too often modular - the more distinction each action has from the others, the better. The DMG2 section on skill challenges was really interesting (IMO). [/sblock]

 

[Velmont]

[SBLOCK=OOC]For example of the last skill challenge I made. The primary skills was changing every two success, and everything was roleplayed, so it was evident enough the skill was not the same.

The group had to find the hideout of some of the lieutenant of Rinch the Risen, who had been defeated lately and the lieutenant had taken charge of the gang and who had kidnapped a competitor, who was the friend of a PC:

1) Find the trace of one of the PC's friend (Streetwise, Diplomacy) => Success: They find the place where an old goon of Rinch gang work.
2) Find the goon within the docks (Diplomacy, Insight, Perception) => Success: The goon is found and flee
3) Catch the goon (Streewise, Athletics, Acrobatics) => Success: The goon tells a goon of the lieutenant come to see him that night for recruitment.
4) Follow the lieutenant goon (Stealth, Bluff) => Success: They follow the lieutenant goon to a cemetery and lost his track within it.
5) Find the lair (Perception, Thievery, Religion) => Success: They find teh back entrance.

Failure at step 1 to 4: The group is attack by a group. Instead of finding the lieutenant, the lieutenant have found them and have sent their brute squad. Tough encounter and one of them will talk about the cemetery after being beaten.

Failure at step 5: The group find the main entrance, which is trapped. Equivalent to an average encounter.

In the end, everyone had a chance to play a part at one time. Social people would probably had the lead most of the time, but the rogue was happy to lead the shadowing of the goon and the swordmage to run after the old gang member.[/SBLOCK]

 

[DMDanW]

[sblock=OOC]
I plan on improving the way I run skill challenges in the future, and thanks for the example and advice. I hope to read more of the other adventures going on to find out how the other DMs run theirs and pick up on their style.
Thanks for the patience as well.
[/sblock]

The group stands outside a large opening in the side of a hill, the chittering sound you heard a moment ago suddenly stops before you can advance further. The wind blowing through the trees and that of your own breathing the only sounds you hear.

Messar turns and as quietly as he possibly can speaks "Thiss asss far asss Messsar go. Messsar go hide once youss goess inssside"

[sblock=Status]
Good Guys
Gellan – HP: 33/33; HS: 7/9; AP: 0 <= Used Swift Panther Rage

Gloom – HP: 39/39; HS: 9/11; AP 1

Martelai – HP: 38/38; HS: 7/9; AP 0

Minharath – HP: 24/29; HS: 8/8; AP 1 <= Used Beacon of Hope

Thorn – HP: 30/35; HS: 10/11; AP 1

Zharne – HP: 34/36; HS: 8/9; AP 1

Leonard - HP: 20/20; HS: 1/1

[/sblock]

[sblock=Map]

[/sblock]

 

[RedBeardJim]

Gellan moves as quietly as he can towards the entrance of the cave, ears alert for the slightest sound.

[sblock=OOC]Move to H-9.
Skill checks: Stealth 23, Perception 21[/sblock]

[sblock="Mini stat"]Gellan Bonesaw - Level 2 Halfling Barbarian
Passive Perception: 17, Passive Insight: 12, Initiative: +4 Senses: Normal
AC: 19, Fortitude: 17, Reflex: 15, Will: 12 -- Speed: 6, Size: Small
HP: 33/33, Bloodied 16, Surge Value 8, Surges left 7/9
Action Points: 0, Second Wind: not used
Powers -
Pressing Strike, Whirling Rend
Second Chance, Whirling Lunge, Hunter's Quarry
Combat Sprint, Whirling Frenzy
Swift Panther Rage[/sblock]

 

[Neurotic]

"Don't go too far ahead, remember, they are probably digging as we speak. Leonard, retreat a bit and climb on that tree, you can throw your knives from there and drop down once they appear."

He moves in front of the group and speaks with Messar
[sblock=Draconic]
"Messar, it might be prudent you leave immediately if you don't want to fight."
[/sblock]



[sblock=Actions]
Move: J4, concealment from Shadow walk
Standard: Ready action to move to L4 if he feels the tremors underfoot like last time
[/sblock]

 

[Banesfinger]

Thorn scans the ground, looking to pounce on any 'insect' threat.

[sblock=Actions]
Ready'ed action: charge the first enemy he sees within range - using his longspear's reach.

If all remains quiet and the group wants to advance, he'll take up position behind Gellan.
[/sblock]

[sblock=Thorn stat block]Thorn Male Longtooth Shifter Fighter 2
Initiative: +6, Passive Perception: 19, Passive Insight: 14, Senses: Low-light
AC:19, Fort:18, Reflex:15, Will:15
HP:30/35, Bloodied:17, Surge Value:8, Surges left:10/11
Action Points: 1, Second Wind: unused
Powers:Sure Strike, Reaping Strike, Covering Attack, Longtooth Shifting, Grit & Spittle,
Comeback Strike
[/sblock]

 

[Velmont]

Gloom walks in front of Messar, his plate making a loud noise and wait for Gellan to explore.

[SBLOCK=OOC]Move: Walk to I4 (Stealth (1d20-1=1))
Standard: Ready action: Charge/Attack with Ardent Strike against the first hostile creature within range.[/SBLOCK]

 

[DMDanW]

Gellan quietly moves up to the edge of the cave and peers in, hearing nothing and seeing only darkness.

Martelai and Gloom slowly advance a few steps and Thorn holds ready to pounce at the first sign of danger.

Leonard moves to the nearest tree and begins to climb at Martelai's instructions.

Messar nods as Martelai speaks to him in Draconic and as quickly and quietly as he can heads back the way the group came.

A few moments pass with nothing happening........

[sblock=Mini Update]
Leonard moves to F0 and begins to climb the tree.
Messar moves off the map and is effectively out of this encounter now.
Zharne and Minharath yet to go, but feel free to take additional actions if you'd like as there is so far no sign of the enemy.
[/sblock]

 

[Tomalak]

[sblock=Actions]I'm holding my action, untill somebody gets attacked or more than say, 8 squares from Min.[/sblock]