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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Quickbeam" data-source="post: 675820" data-attributes="member: 635">I'm going to combine my exposition with some brief replies to our honorable judge in this post...but first, let me just say WOW!!  It was a very close contest, and I feel genuinely fortunate to have prevailed against Nifft in this battle.  Incidentally, I think he may have had the single best entry overall in the opening round.  I look forward to meeting either seasong or mythago in the Finals, and can't wait to see their list of ingredients tomorrow morning <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />!EXPOSITION:Among all the ingredient lists given to me in the two Iron DM tournaments in which I've participated, this was my second favorite group of theme elements.  The blind dire ape practically jumped off the page and screamed O-R-A-C-L-E to me, and I loved the idea of recording the ape's prophecies in rune form as a neat tie in to the dwarven stonework.  Right off the bat two ingredients had become integral parts of my story.  I spent more time detailing the development of these items than I should have, but the images were too clear for me to skimp. As Incognito mentions in the critique of our round, the mistaken flag of truce forces part of the plot design by dictating that somewhere along the line a misunderstanding has occurred.  I decided to have some fun here.  First by pitting traditional allies in dwarves and gnomes against each other, and second by having the flag fail to deliver its magic mouth message to create the mistaken peace offering.  Also, the gnomes made sense IMO, because as a people they favor snakes and burrowing mammals, and equipping their Field General with the Rod of the Python fit nicely.  It also offered a fantastic means of creating the initial battlefield confusion.  So I had the ape predict an invasion which would force the dwarves to seek assistance from their gnomish neighbors.Now I had a clear foundation for my adventure.  The dwarves and gnomes hate and distrust one another; both sides possess a key to solving the years of confusion; the dwarves have become reliant on a blind ape Oracle who can only speak in cryptic riddles; the precitions are recorded by druids through stone shape creating a cave filled with runes.  So I crafted Kragen as the dwarves go-between with the Oracle, granting him a position of power and influence...and a desire for more.  I felt he worked well as both the adventure's primary villain, and the very lucky sorcerer.  The vicious circle/cycle then became Kragen bringing false prophecies to increase his power; raising questions among the dwarves; which leads to more meetings with the Oracle; forcing more lies to keep the house of cards intact.JUDGMENT:As I stated above, I'll be brief.** I appreciate all of the positive feedback with regards to the magic mouth flag and armor scenario; the gnomes vs. the dwarves backdrop; and blind Oracle ape.  The idea that the physical act of blinding might distort the visions never occurred to me...but I like it now <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D"  data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" />.** I'm glad you found the runes to be a clever use of the dwarven stonework element, but I'm not sure why you feel it was a stretch.  Perhaps you can elaborate at some point?** I thought my sorcerer was very lucky to find himself in the perfect position to assume leadership of Thoren-Bor.  However, I would agree that placing him in the party's crosshairs and forcing him to creatively interpret divinations make him somewhat less lucky.** My mention of the Rod of the Python as a staff at one point was intentional -- foolish, but intentional nonetheless.  I just wanted to use a descriptive synonym for the item.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Sorry for the confusion.** I agree that Nifft made better use of a couple elements; had a better flow/pace to his entry; and presented more vivid scenery at the outset.  And I agree to HATE my concluding paragraph with you!!  This was an unintended snafu, the result of a late rush to post my adventure during site issues.  There was more to this paragraph, but I guess that doesn't matter now.Thanks for the constructive criticism and feedback <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />!!</blockquote>

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