Discussion for a Kingdom of ashes

[The_Universe]

We are on the docks, approximately where the arrow is pointing towards, on one of those docks there.

Actually, you're already off the docks. I'll attach an image with a big red dot representing where you guys were at the end of the last session, according to my notes. (see below)

From here we move into the city somewhat, establish a position on the edge, preferably having accumulated some guardsmen, soldiers, etc, as well as having started other people to spread the word to evacuate the city.

There's no more than a dozen watchmen that you can see in the area (in this case, the area is within visible range), and very few soldiers (no more than 20 not directly engaged in combat. Those soldiers that are on or near the docks have either already been disemboweled (like the watchman that was killed by the Vilewight last time) or are locked in pitched battle north of you, in and around the navy base.

There either hasn't been enough time for the army personnel to muster and head down to the docks, or something has already gotten into the city that far, and is keeping them away...

Also, you have about 30 crewmen from the HMS Maelwys, under command of Captain Darin Seaborne (formerly Darin McShippy--McShippy is just TOO dumb of a name for a recurring NPC). They're not trained as warriors, but they exist, and by now they are off the ship and running toward the cliff face (which is far less likely to collapse).

This is a task we cannot take upon ourselves, because our combat power is too important to be wasted on that task. Thus, we delegate. I'm sure there will be plenty of people running around that we can conscript (heck Freckles might be useful in this regard, despite his stature).

Yes, Freckles might be useful. Heheh. He needs a last name! Or maybe Freckles IS his last name! I wonder what his first name would be? HMMMMM...

From there we retreat to the Duke's palace and take up positions there. The forest is also a possibility depending on how thick it is, but for now I'm saying the palace, which provides certain defenses. From there, we go to the barracks, assemble further teams depending on the situation there (this will require us to take charge and be cool and in control no matter the situation in order to get them to work with us and to our mutual advantage)

Don't count on the use of the Duke's palace (you'll see why when we play again). Also, the forest is a well-kept public park. The Forest is not jungle-thick, and there just isn't enough of it for you to hide in for long. However, it's better than standing in the middle of the street! It's surrounded by a 12 foot high decorative brick wall, with gates at regular intervals.

As a general rule, you may want to go gather some help at any of the above places BEFORE you start your stand, rather than trying to gather them along the way (may is the operative word here--it is YOUR plan). There are sufficient numbers of enemies present that it is unlikely that even your relatively strong characters will last long against the onslaught. Anybody with a decent wisdom in the group will see that you'll probably need more people before you stand...

but this will be beyond our control for the most part, so we should not worry too much about it.

It's only out of your control if you choose for it to be. You can spend all of your resources organizing an evacuation, rather than fighting---then you can do whatever you want with the gathered refugees (rather than just letting them scatter) as long as they don't know that you're wanted for murder and treason. Remember that I'm not trying to railroad you into fighting (or not fighting) here. But your choices will have an effect on what happens in the future...

I would also counsel an envoy to try and obtain aid from the Orcs, at least, in the bogs. All people of this continent/island have an interest in seeing the defeat of these invaders and Orcish combat power is not something we should look down upon.

While there are friendly tribes and villages of Orcs in the area, the Black Orcs that have taken up residence in the bogs of the Southern Hills and the craggy peaks of the Goblin Mountains are clanless, honorless rogues, thieves, murderers, and worse. These are the orcs whose clans have banished them, orcs whose spirits are tainted with something that make them unfit for even the rough-and-tumble life spent with other orcs. When they are banished from the clan, Orcish shamans (and sometimes human priests, if the population of orcs lives close to humans) blackens the skin of the offending Orc to let the world know that THIS orc is not to be trusted...

but Kennon's comments have put everything into black and white. So I'm rarin' to go. Who's with me?

I may have overstated a bit, above. But fighting a force of thousands without a plan (as has been your particular idiom thus far) is VERY likely to kill you all. If you're going to run, having a plan is a lot less important. You just RUN.

I never go out of my way to kill characters, but I wanted you all to understand that THIS was going to take some thought, unless you don't want to be in charge. If so, run to a living authority figure elsewhere in the city, and offer your services. They'll probably take you.

Above all, don't metagame and assume that you can win this fight (or that I have deliberately set it up so you can't)--I won't fudge the dice for or against you, but sometimes, the challenges are just too big to take on alone, or too big to take on right now.

 

[The_Universe]

Out-of-game administration stuff

Any consensus yet on when we're playing? I prefer friday night or saturday, but I am technically free sunday. But, I need to know when we're going to play soon so I can tell my MD friends what the deal is.

Also, I think Liz and I are going to try to go see Starsky and Hutch or Hidalgo this weekend...probably friday night. If the rest of the gang wants to come, you're welcome to tag along. Then, afterwards (depending on how late it is) we could maybe do something that ISN'T D&D for a while! :O

Also, the rules I plan to use for any mass combat that the PCs participate in/lead are contained in CRY HAVOC, a book published through Sword and Sorcery Studios by Malhavoc Press. Monte Cook and Skip Williams wrote the book. It's available at the RPG shop here at ENWorld, and at amazon. I recommend it for those of you interested in the subject.

 

[The_Universe]

As it turns out, Kat's Mom has apparently laid claim to her for the whole weekend--which means that we'll be down a player (Kat and I are already trying to figure out what L'Aurel will be doing) no matter when we play. Based on that, when do you guys want to get together and vanquish some unholy draconids?

There's also the possibility of getting together at another time this weekend (or quitting a little bit early) to do something OTHER than play. Watch a movie perhaps? Play a game (not an RPG?) Murder a hobo?

Liz and I are thinking about going to see Hidalgo (what she wants to see) or Starsky and Hutch (what I want to see) or both (everybody'd be happy!) this weekend. Anyone care to join us?

One of the things I truly appreciate about this group is that we're not just a gaming group--we're friends. If this weekend won't work, let's get together and do something outside of RPing soon!

--Kennon

 

[Xath]

Unearthed Arcana

Anyone know if Unearthed Arcana is good or not? I read the review at wizards.com and all that i know is that Unearthed Arcana gives the option to change the hitpoint system of D&D to the Vitality/Wounds system more commonly associated with Starwars D20. Along with some other pretty sweet looking stuff such as the monk fighting style variant, and the prestige paladin. However most people say that all of the variants are available online if you look around long enough.

I don't know if it's good or not, it's gotten mixed reviews. Let me know if you know anything.

- Gertie

 

[The_Universe]

Unearthed Arcana

I have it. It's good. Not all of the variants work well together (in fact, most do not) but all of them can be added to a D20 game depending on the "flavor" you want to produce.

It's on my shelf at home--this weekend look at it, and then you can decide if you want to buy it. It's definitely a DM's book for the most part, not so much for players (although there are some things that are useful).

Does that help, Gertie?

Any particular reason sunday works better for you?

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

I think that Sunday is probably the only day that I would want to play based on the number of people that will be present..
However, I am not keen on playing without people at such a crucial point in the game... I do not think that it makes sense for us to split up at this time and, as such, trying to fit it into the story that Kat just happened to slip away and do something else is not something that I think Justice would support...

So, I would say that we should probably just not play this weekend... those of us that are free should get together, go see a movie, and hang out...

However, if that is not something that people are willing to do-- well then, we'll just have to split up...

There's my thoughts...
Cheers.

 

[Xath]

Bored

So, I have a bit of time to kill until 3:30, so I've been exploring Amazon.com. Did you know there is an official D&D Roleplaying Soundtrack? Not from the movie, but a soundtrack just for playing D&D...crazy.

 

[Laurel]

At Last!

Testing 1.... 2... 3... testing.... If this was an actual emergency...
Wahoooo! Finally Kat/Laurel the real me is on Yeah

 

[The_Universe]

So, I have a bit of time to kill until 3:30, so I've been exploring Amazon.com. Did you know there is an official D&D Roleplaying Soundtrack? Not from the movie, but a soundtrack just for playing D&D...crazy.

Yes--I was aware of the existence of that musical monstrosity. You like synthasizer? 'cuz if you do, this is the SOUNDTRACK FOR YOU! Feel like there's not enough black lipstick in this world? 'cuz if you do, this is the SOUNDTRACK FOR YOU! Ever bite somebody because you got "too into the LARP?" 'cuz if you have, this is the SOUNDTRACK FOR YOU!

 

[The_Universe]

Testing 1.... 2... 3... testing.... If this was an actual emergency...
Wahoooo! Finally Kat/Laurel the real me is on Yeah

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