OOC - Fiend's Embrace - D&D One-Shot Adventure

[Malvoisin]

Okay, Voadam, I had some time to look over the dark companion variant, and I think it looks pretty cool. Provided Aeligim pays the cost, and takes the required time to 'summon' it, go right ahead and take that option.

Fun role-playing opportunities with that, too, in my opinion...

 

[Voadam]

I have to look it up as well again then, I just skimmed a bunch of PHII stuff and remember the dark companion sounded cool, a magical shadow panther within the hexblade that comes out in combat to curse foes by its mere presence. Certainly sounded more thematically appropriate than a familiar which the party already has enough of. I don't remember the costs so I will look it up again.

 

[Malvoisin]

I have to look it up as well again then, I just skimmed a bunch of PHII stuff and remember the dark companion sounded cool, a magical shadow panther within the hexblade that comes out in combat to curse foes by its mere presence. Certainly sounded more thematically appropriate than a familiar which the party already has enough of. I don't remember the costs so I will look it up again.

Cost is merely 24 hours of time, and 100gp worth of 'magic materials'....

The 24 hours is no problem as the expedition into the swamps will probably take at least one day of in-game time for preparation (to purchase supplies, etc.), which would allow Aeligim time to summon his companion.

While the 'magical materials' may or may not be easily available in Eru Tovar, I would have no problem assuming that Aeligim already had such necessary materials with him, so long as you just spend the 100gp.

On a side note, I should mention that while Ortak's mechanical hawk is a familiar, Idivien's raven is just a pet. Presumably, it exists just to add some flavor to his character.

 

[Malvoisin]

Players,

Arakk's responses to your initial round of questions is posted now. Good job so far! Please ask any further questions as you like, and hopefully at the end you'll all agree to participate in the quest! At that point, I'll have Arakk present the map and journal notes.

@Rayex: I've set up a situation for Gnro to reveal her race to the rest of the party, if you want to do so at this time. If you'd rather handle her 'unveiling' in a different way, feel free to have her decline Arakk's request.

@All: FYI, as Phyrrus hasn't been seen on ENWorld since May 20th, I'll be NPC-ing Ortak for the short-term future. Hopefully, Phyrrus returns soon.

-Malvoisin

 

[Malvoisin]

@Whizbang:

I'm presuming Harval is going to give some sort of affirmative response to join the quest into the Cold Marshes. I'm ready to have Arakk present the map and journal notes at any time, but I'd rather wait until you post first. If you aren't able to by tomorrow morning, I'll go ahead and post them at that time, under the afore-mentioned assumption.

@All:

Feel free to take advantage of this 'lull' in the conversation to talk to one another and introduce your PCs to each other.

 

[Malvoisin]

Hoorah, the map and journal excerpts are up on the IC thread! (I suppose someone will have to read aloud for Harval's sake, eh? )

I realize that the map, being rather stylized, is not easily read. Let me know if you have questions about how to read or use it.

 

[Malvoisin]

Guys, I hate to even be asking this, but how long do you think is a reasonable amount of time to wait for an unexpectedly absent player to return before looking to replace him? Of course, I'm talking about Phyrrus. I don't mind NPC-ing his character for a while, but with no indication of if/when he's coming back, that makes it tough. I guess the main reason it's on my mind right now is that it will be much easier from an in-game perspective to replace a PC while the group is still in Eru Tovar. Once in the Cold Marshes, it will be more challenging to write in a new character.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[Malvoisin]

Arakk's offer to provide supplies is before you now. Think carefully about what you might need and respond in kind. Remeber, though, the characters will need to carry it all themselves, unless they want to try and take a pack animal into the swamp.

Remember also that the swamp's environment is a potential hazard to the PCs, just as much as any monsters or foes which may lurk therein.

Finally, keep in mind that there are no paths or tracks in the Cold Marshes, so Survival checks will be needed to keep from getting lost (although, having the map will help mitigate that somewhat).

Just some friendly food for thought...

 

[Malvoisin]

Let's see, Phyrrus is MIA, and Voadam is away this week. Land Outcast and Whizbang, you've been doing a nice job of carrying on the conversation.

Rayex, anything for Gnro to add? Does she have requests for any supplies?

Today and tomorrow are pretty full days for me, since it's the Memorial Day holiday weekend here in the United States. So, I may not be able to post a whole lot until Tuesday. But, I'd like to get things rolling into the swamps on Tuesday, or, at the latest, Wednesday.

So, please try to wrap up the current conversation as soon as you can. Thanks!

 

[Rayex]

Sorry 'bout that; this weekend has been more than usual of things happened. *grins*