Crossed Paths - OOC

[Manzanita]

OK. I handled the centipede encounter rather poorly. As you know, this is my first DMing foray, and I'm still figuring things out. I'd envisioned this campaign as a tight, tense, and somewhat rapid. I don't know that it's turning out to be any of these, although I am enjoying it. I would like to keep it moving, as you know, & I've largely stopped even rolling for wandering monsters. I want the encounters to be more plot relevent. As you may know, you are now, for the first time, in a published module, the 1979 Judges Guild module, The Caverns of Thracia. I've taken the liberty of modifying it in numerous ways, and plan to do some more editing as we continue. This centipede room had no treasure, no other exits, and thus little to contribute to the plot. It also would have been a one way slaughter since centipedes aren't very tough. Thus I didn't really want to play it out. I'll probably do away with most of these sorts of encounters in the future. Unlike most dungeon forays, the PCs are interested in more than just maximizing XP and treasure.

Enough insight into my psyche! Just keeping you posted on stuff. Player feedback welcome as always. Carry on!

 

[Krilith]

OK. I handled the centipede encounter rather poorly. As you know, this is my first DMing foray, and I'm still figuring things out.
This centipede room had no treasure, no other exits, and thus little to contribute to the plot. It also would have been a one way slaughter since centipedes aren't very tough. Thus I didn't really want to play it out.

Not that i feared it would not contribute, i was still thinking, omg 20? and being stung by a centipede once (okay i was 6 at the time) and my total lack of knowledge in the monster manual did help in that decision.

I'll probably do away with most of these sorts of encounters in the future. Unlike most dungeon forays, the PCs are interested in more than just maximizing XP and treasure.

~Nods~ the reason for venturing into the chamber was just for exploration and clues to the roman archaeologists.

You're right. We did take the direct route. It was the comment about the door mechanism that had me thinking that we went that way (I got distracted wondering what it was that marcus had done to the mechanism).

I thought that Marcus jammed the mechanism so that it could not be opened when we where there talking with G’ruk (a stone in the mechanism or something?), and maybe G’ruk would have been that and that could have been less pleasant as well…therefore another trip through the ‘goo’.

 

[doghead]

Mananita, no complaints about the DM'ing from this end. The centipede encounter was quickly dealt with by getting out and closing the door.

Krilith, I did do something with the secret door, you right. But if memory serves me correctly. I just checked to see if it could be opened from inside before we shut it. I haven't gone back an looked it up.

 

[Inez Hull]

OK. I'd envisioned this campaign as a tight, tense, and somewhat rapid. I don't know that it's turning out to be any of these, although I am enjoying it.

Things maybe haven't been as rapid as they could have been lately, but you've definitely been running a tight and tense game. I've been really enjoying this game and am glad things are getting rolling again.

 

[Manzanita]

Thanks for the positive feedback, Inez & doghead. I'm certainly glad you're still fitting this one into your increasingly busy schedule, Inez. (what's her name, by the way? )

I think Caverns of Thracia was well received; there is actually a Return to Caverns of Thracia out there. A version of Sergius appeared in a Dragon module called Citidel by the sea in the early 80s. Eoghant actually caught that. Are you still out there Todd?

 

[Manzanita]

I'm thinking of opening this game to recruitment again. I'm very happy with our current 5 players, but it appears we've lost Eoghant. Tullius, however, remains with the party and I'm reluctant to NPC him or to dump him. I also think another player or two could be a big help here, as there are some very tough encounters in these caverns. (you have been warned!) I also feel that there are a lot of players out there who want more games, and its up to we DMs to deliver!

I'll wait a day or two to see if the current players have any comments.

 

[Krilith]

Oh, if we are recruiting again, is it possible for me to ask my roommate into the game? he played a game on enworld a half a year ago that lasted a sadly 6 or so pages, but i was so drawn into that roleplay that i made this account and started looking for games myself. i play 'regular' dnd with him too and he'll be quite active too if it concerns dnd.
i'll drop him a note.

and the fact that we would be with so much players isn't realy bothering me, we're not ll huddled around the same table or anything. it gives you more to read and roleplay with, in my humble experience that is of course.

 

[doghead]

Some thoughts from this end.

I'm thinking of opening this game to recruitment again. I'm very happy with our current 5 players, but it appears we've lost Eoghant. Tullius, however, remains with the party and I'm reluctant to NPC him or to dump him.

I'm with you here. In my experience a DM, one NPC party member is fine, two becomes a bit of a pain. Having someone take them over is the neatest solution, and in the case of Tullius, there hasn't been a great deal of IC action to have to take on board/allow for. I don't even know what class he is. - a fighter I suspect given his choice of weapon. Another option would be to have him run by one (all?) of us (the players).

I also think another player or two could be a big help here, as there are some very tough encounters in these caverns. (you have been warned!)

I think that is fair to say that generally, the larger the group, the slower things tend to move. Whether the current party is equiped to handle the rest of the caverns is something I can't judge. But as a player, I have no problems with having the characters retreat, recover, and return.

On a related note (ie. survival) I been feeling that we could do a lot better if we were a little more organised. Personally, I'm not much of a tactician (as TH can attest to, and as my last ic post probably reveals. I don't think that hanging the wizard out on the left was a good suggestion. But then again, Marcus is a gypsy. He's winging it here.). It seems to me that we have been caught in the hop a few times. What do you guys think? Or what do you think that your characters will think? Marcus will probably bring it up at the next opportunity as it has been playing on his mind somewhat. But I thought that I would ask here as well.

A final note. I'll be away from the Thursday til Thursday next week. Sorry, another trip. I think that my online access will be very limited so I don't think that I'll be able to update during that time.

doghead

 

[Krilith]

I think that is fair to say that generally, the larger the group, the slower things tend to move. Whether the current party is equiped to handle the rest of the caverns is something I can't judge. But as a player, I have no problems with having the characters retreat, recover, and return.

On a related note (ie. survival) I been feeling that we could do a lot better if we were a little more organised. Personally, I'm not much of a tactician (as TH can attest to, and as my last ic post probably reveals. I don't think that hanging the wizard out on the left was a good suggestion. But then again, Marcus is a gypsy. He's winging it here.). It seems to me that we have been caught in the hop a few times. What do you guys think? Or what do you think that your characters will think? Marcus will probably bring it up at the next opportunity as it has been playing on his mind somewhat. But I thought that I would ask here as well.
[doghead

I agree with Marcus here on both points, a bigger group has the risk of being slowed down, i do know on the other hand that Manzanita did a great job on speeding up the combat (didn't u do that when we first encountered that orc, with the spear point? i keep forgetting his name).
And about the tactics, we are a bit unorganized but from my perspective, and Dhormiums as well, it is good roleplay up to this part. the interaction between players is somewhat limited, it is there. but so is the somewhat coordination of the combat. as for Dhormium and interaction with players, Dhormium is quite curious for the reason that you are all travelling around together.

 

[Manzanita]

OK. thanks for the feedback. There's an interesting part coming up where I think it would be cool to introduce a new PC, but honestly, it could be next week or it could be months away depending upon the PC's actions.

For now, let's just try to find a replacement for Tullius. Krilith, do you think your friend would be interested in taking Tullius over? As you know from taking Dhormium over, I would only require that the things the party currently know about Tullius remain consistant. He would be someone who could wear chainshirt armor, and fight two handed w/battle axe and short sword. He would have to have been in the Roman military and be hired to be in charge of security for an archeological expedition. The exact class, feats, skills, alignment, and ability score assignments could be set any way the new player liked, as long as it didn't contradict the above.

If your friend is interested, have him/her post here, then we'll start up an email conversation & get it all fleshed out. The sooner, the better, I'd think...(check IC thread )