There's been a lot of xp, I think

Okay, sure Marivhon, I can see why you're pissed about the 1st level thing. But check out the math.

So you have 1800 xp. What that means is since you've joined the adventure, the PCs have grossed 1800 X 5 = 9000 xp. That's a lot. In real time, yeah, a month or two has gone by. But in the game, you've been on two adventures. 6000 xp came from the unicorn thing. 3000 xp came from the monks. If you're complaining about the real time, that's out of my hands. I try to update the blog daily if not more than that, but if we're in combat, and people are out for a few days in between rounds, you can see how that'll slow things down. "It wasn't me..."

Yeah, you killed a lot of unicorns, but if you look, you'll see that most of those unicorns SUCKED. They had 1 or 2 HD. Romeo and Andicorn were tough, but they had maybe 4 or 5 HD. Still not worth 1000 xp. Most of the xp comes from the magic items and the valor of the deed of defeating the unicorn king.

You guys grossed 3000 xp for defeating a few low level monks, four medium level monks and one 6 HD modron. Not bad I'd say.

If you'll check DM's guide, you'll see that a 1 HD creature is worth approximately 20 xp. So I think I've been fairly generous with the xp awards. In fact, that's why I threw the GMoF in the mix... if you could figure out a way to beat that module, it'd be worth a crapload of xp and everyone would level. Didn't happen, but hey, no one died, you got some xp, and in the end the campaign was advanced in an unexpected way.

I'm still running this full steam. So if you want xp, get off your ass and get out there and adventure. If you lead somewhere, the other PCs will follow. They kinda won't have much choice. Don't know where to go? This is fucking 1st edition. Treasure maps, pirate ships, ancient crypts, all that crap is all over the place. Just ask around or whatever.

Hope this clarified things.

'Cuz I'm going to Cali, see...

So I won't be posting until next Tuesday. Good luck everyone!

Descent into Depths: Table Talk

And by the way you all should really buy mp3 players they really are pretty cool but I ride a bike so that might influence how I feel. BTW godfrey just got DSL. he should join soon.

Marivhon

ok, lets cut the old skool crap.
I'm a non-retarded monk....who has been a part of killing 13 or so Unicorns, including their fucking king, and I'm 1st level still. No wait you might ask what else have you done. Well, I was challenged to single combat by the Grand Master of Flowers, hows that catch ya.
I would think that by "old skool rulz" I would be at least 5th, adjusted for stingy dm, maybe 3rd. What I don't get is why the hell after almost 2 months and I still 1st goddamn level...;.dfkgaosdj. Ok just had to get that our of my system.... Fuck coke anyone have a pilsner urqell shit.... And while I'm pissed, fuck guest DM's bullshit. I want second level before some other wacko screws me, the first guy isn't finished with what he started for christ's sake. And that damn Vrill guy has me worked up. Secret plans....shit he has the goddamn lever, it's no secret, we all know he is able to pull that shit as need be to gain a level and a free teleport ring. He is at the level where he would teleport right, I mean the guy isn't going to use an invisibility ring, right? Shit. Ok.... Calm down. Anyone got that Pilsner...... I mean for crying out loud I do a goddamn d3 for damage..... You guys could have told me that monks suck....no wait they don't as we have seen because the Grand Master of Flowers just showed up. You might say hang in there buddy, but come on after all I've done, still 1st level. I just don't know..... Anyway if you've read this far I congradualulate you on your dedication to the game.......see ya....
¶ 7:30 AM
8.30.2005

Neva mind

Okay, yeah Mark, I think you're right. The whole 'I'm busy' thing was just a cover for me to ask about guest DMing, which is totally an old school 7th grade thing. But then I remembered that it never really worked all that well. So call me an Indian Giver, but I'll keep DnD rocking, with no slowdown.

And hey Mark? Could you go like reboot Ed's computer or something? He is being remedial-slow.

Next week

I'm leaving for San Francisco tomorrow, and I expect I'll be out of email range for a week-ish. So yeah, maybe taking it slow for awhile would be a good thing.

I'm down with guest DMing - I'm down with other people DMing - whatever. But I suspect between SF, and mom coming in, and moving to Portland, and looking for a new place and starting a new school and all, I'll be a bit busy in September.

Anyway. If anything happens tonight I'll post in - otherwise, I'll talk to y'all in a week.

What? The DM has a job? WTF?

I don't know, I have always been sort of a purist. Part of the fun is linked to an expectation of continuity. Guest DMs didn't work so well in 7th grade, not sure that they will work today.

I have another idea: I can just start a parallel universe. No problem.

If you want a break, I can easily start another blog. Something like *Star Frontiers*?

Or we can just let things go slow, I am cool with that too.

This week's special DM is Steven Jeffries, age 6, and his adventure "Dungon of Trobbel"

Ya, sorry gang, sometimes the shit just *don't* happen. I can't wrap this module up until Ed posts, and like Shi said, he does have two rounds. So maybe he can make it happen. But even if not, hey, at least you're not dead. When you go for the big $$, sometimes you fall a little short. Still, well played by all.

I was thinking, though, that work is getting a little hectic here, and it might be interesting for others to try their hand behind the screen. I'm not saying retire DnD, absolutely not! But what if, maybe starting in a week or two, we've got 'guest DMs'. Each of you could take a week. You can play your own guy as an NPC and I'll play Mike the zombie. Sunday to Saturday, then at midnight, poof, back into lowly PC, next guy takes over. We could just rotate through players, and then after a month, I'll come back on deck and clean up any mess that was made ("that Rod of Lordly Might was alllll a dreeeeaaam").

Actually, depending on how things go, I've got a thing in mind that will nicely segue into having different people guest-star as DM, probably starting in a week or so after wrapping up here, and maybe heading back to Greyhelm/Grito. Any thoughts?

Hunh.

Well, I wasn't expecting THAT.

Ah, well. I suppose I'm not upset, really - it's given me an out with honor, you know?

Besides, when I go back to the temple to report:

(Other Priest of Odin): '...well, let me get this straight. You and your companions showed up to this monestary, that you saw was a former temple to the Big Guy. You sniffed around a bit, and saw Grunna all mindfucked, so you went batshit. Killed a bunch of monks and modrons. Then the Grand Master of Flowers showed up. You tried to get Grunna un-fucked, no dice, and then you were about to smack the GMoF, and that's when your buddy torched you unconcious and carried you out. Is that right?'

(D, FoO): 'Ummm . . . yeah, that's about it.'

(OPoO): 'Well, good try. GMoF, hey? That's some heavy shit.'

Then maybe the Big Guns of Odin will go in there and put some flame-striking Holy Wording smack down.

Hmm...

So sorry, Dave.

Maybe Marivhon is right, maybe it is a test, however, I sort of doubt it. I don't think Odin is that kind of God. I think he just fucks shit up.

I couldn't take the chance.

Oh crap.

Dave, I hear you. I know that this dude is asking the impossible, but it is suicide. Total suicide.

Is there any hope for finishing this another day? I mean, this guy has a -6 AC. That means only a natural 20 will hit. And the guy has something like 50hp.

I would hate to lose the Fist of Odin, here.

Dave, Fist of Odin

Ummm - I'm not walking away from this guy.

I mean, SOMEONE's come in and fucked up a perfectly good temple to Odin, and SOMEBODY went and fucked one of Odin's helpmeets in the ass (mentally, anyway), and SOMETHING is going to be done about it. The someone and somebody are both this cockmonger; the something is Dave, Fist of Odin.

I know. It's totally hopeless. I know. Dave, Fist of Odin is going to die, right here, right now. But when you play the priest, you roll with the punches - my church wants this Valkyrie freed, and that's what I aim to do. Ah, well. It's been a nice run of things - magic plate mail, floating zombie heads, clobbering - no regrets.

Well, give me a round or two to see if we can get Grunna up and running - if not, no reason for us ALL to die. Besides - toe to toe with the GMoF - that's pretty fucking sweet.

Uh...

Dudes, I just looked over my PH, and things are not good. Not withstanding all of the abilities that Rob might give him (i.e. Fox Spirit Trick), this guy has endless crazy abilities. NOTE: He is immune to all poisons, he has been since 11th level.

I say that either we get Grunna into the action somehow, or get out of here.

I mean, hey, my God just asked that I kill unicorns. This Odin guy, now he's nuts.

Marivhon

Damn this guy is immune to all poisons and pretty much all mental spells we could throw at him.
can't we get Odin down here... Or wake that Valkyrie up...

Marivhon

I'm for doing this...
But what do you guys think. He'll give us first shots. I don't know what that means. He has 18d4 plus con for HPs. Brogg you have like a really high strength right? Could you just break his neck like the turtles.... Dave do you have any spells that could help. Cinder if you have blade poison maybe now would be a good time to share. We could all heal up and try to pop him... This looks bad.

Tactics?

Hey, we tried to close the door and cast a silence, but it seems that I couldn't lock or wedge the door, and these 5th level guys doubted the silence into non-existence. Cutting the bell cord had no effect either.
And Dude, I just no-save, attacked myself twice for 18 points of damage. When your spells don't work and both you and your opponent are attacking yourself, it can really bum you out.
But, we'll plod on, no less; it's an adventurer's life.

are we supposed to

Tactics I thought we just rolled dice and shit. I would like to point out I have tried some things like talking and other stuff...but come on. When I have to make a check I'm gonna fail it. So I don't know. When we roll to hit some of us hit ourselves...it's just kinda rough out there, but I'm sure we'll pull through right.... I mean if ed posts things could change a lot..... I hope. If we are using the dragon rules monks had a d6 and a better thaco advancement and I believe more damage unarmed.... Just to mention it. I mean come on their experience to level is high. Well I done. No wait lets try a tactic..... See what it gets me.

If you wanna be known as a brave hero, start acting like one!

Oh boo hoo, you're fighting a master monk and scared by his great moves. If I may be so bold, you guys aren't really shining in the tactics department. And you should know better than to assume NPCs are cookie-cutter PH dudes. Besides, you were warned that this module was for characters level 10-14. Actually that modron is supposed to have about 12 HD but I toned it down. Maybe that other modron '5' is more your speed?

I can't wait until I get Turn Opponent to Corpse.

Yeah, I guess that these extra abilities must have been in a special issue of Dragon or something.

nice haiku.

Old men know nothing
Doing justice at all cost
A long time has passed

Marivhon

yeah well I am watching these cats very closely so when I'm 5th level I can do all sorts of crazy ass things because I can't find them in the players handbook anywhere.
I agree with mark WTF. I guess it's their high WIS.

WTF?

Fox Spirit Tricked?

But maybe this is all a dream

Well Marivhon, no, I think it probably is too late to change sides. Imagine a bank robber. He goes into a bank and shoots a couple guards, threatens the teller to give him the money, but then he thinks about it and says "Oh, no, wait, it looks like you guys have a reasonable checking account program. I'd like to open an account, if it's not too much trouble."

You killed all the masters (except Shi). To whom will you pay your special training funds?

Marivhon

And another thing these monks seem a lot better than I will ever be.....I should have given my money to train with them........jeesh.....maybe it's not too late to change sides..

Marivhon

I'm a little nervous guys.....
I've got 7hp and a 10 ac.......... fuck me
I do 1d3
but hey I move 15......

I think that Dave read the module

I mean, it doesn't have to go down like that, maybe Shi Jukka is a total badass, and after that comes the janitor who's not too rough and there you go. Acutally, the thing I like best about the 'G' series of modules is that in G3, when you go to the fire giant castle, you fight the King Fire Giant in like the first room. Makes sense, enter castle, there's the throne room, you don't have to wander through halls and halls of flunkies to get to the king, what's the point in having an impressive throne room if no one's going to get there?

Cool Marivhon, I gotcha. And yeah, if you see wookies or stormtroopers, well, then you can start to ask if the DM is retarded. Glad you're back with us Dave, take care of that rib. See ya soon!

Does B23 come with an Egg Roll?

Sounds good, these damned non-believers are rough. Odin must be pissed. I hope that we can get Grunna back to her senses. She could be a big asset.

Like a kung-fu movie

So here's what I'm thinking - we took down some cheeseheads, and now we're fighting some minor bad-asses. Next will come some slightly less minor badasses who will still be strokes, and then the big boss. I'm full of healibility; after these four monks I'll bust an Aid on someone, maybe me - I'll save the badger for when we fight the Big Guy. Whatya think?

No, it is go time.

Yeah Dave, it is go time with these assholes. Just drop that Silence spell, eh? Note my post.

We should then equip Grunna, and raise hell.

About your equipment list, It has a limit to the number of things that you can list. I had that problem too. Either abbreviate what you have some, or continue it in your "Interests" section.

Let's do it!

Oh, and no ham on that pizza, ok?

Let's get a pizza...

Before the shit goes down.

I have a new post, but I must have pressed 'draft' instead of 'publish'; it shows up before Paul's post. Bad shit time, here!

And my profile isn't showing all my magic items. I gots me a bunch of potions and the Ring of Big Heals that aren't showing up... ah, well.

I'm just about rolling initiative here - hopefully Mike Our Zombie Friend will see that and hold me back. I'm not sure my character is good for any talking about what's going on or making plans or anything for a little while, unless it's go time, which I'm all for.

Go Time!

Marivhon

Ok I get Marivhon is not retarded but I think he's better when he has some time to think things out. I think he's not a very good on the fly problem solver. I get what yer saying Rob. I feel comfortable with the wis and think things have been fine, right?

Please remember though if we meet any stormtroopers or wookies they are pretty much retards.

And as for Indie rockers. well I don't know any.

And Goblings.....heh.....hrm. Has anyone ever considered them a threat or read a book written by a goblin...no. they're laughable little men, and women I guess.... I'm just not sure it's an analogy you should draw to prove my characters powers of reasoning.

eh.....
Over.

Dave

Hey all,

Sorry for spacing out for so long - between coming down from the end of the term and my broken rib, I've been a little AWOL. But. My side still hurts, but it doesn't feel like there's something wrong in there anymore, so that's good, and now I've got some free time whereas before I was either too busy, or just wanted to sleep.

Last week I was sleeping 14-16 hours a day. But I'm better now, thanks.

I'll update my character sheet tonight.

What's next.

Yeah, I was planning on taking the back seat as we just finished a quest for Grisbane, but I have got some ideas. The Oracle of Gryss would be cool, and I think that we are close anyway, but I am also up for finding Vrill, robbing the Monks of Progress, or finding Grunna.

Before we head into L1: The Secret of Bone Hill, I would like to stop by Grito and visit Greetles.

I am going to defer for a bit, then I'll take charge.

Time for a new adventure

Okay Dave, 'scool about the down time. Still, you guys need to come up with a new adventure. You can go see Grunna after all, but it's sort of silly to do an Odin quest if Dave's generally out of commission. Or you can still go after the Oracle of Gryss. Or try and find Vrill. Or shit, buy another treasure map. Or decide to go the next country over where they're featuring "L1: The Secret of Bone Hill" or something.

Idears?

Any more Mt. Dew?

Hey all,

Sorry for spacing out - I just had a week of vegetating, and didn't do so good on the internet stuff. Whew.

If it happens again, I'll go along with whatever questy plans there are, as long as it involves clobbering. You know. Dave, Fist of Odin isn't so good at the strategy - it's about all you can ask of him not to just wade in to a potential combat.

And in combat, just assume that I go for the biggest, baddest motherfucker around. I've got some spells to cast, sure, but mostly I just like clobbering with my mace.

I'll redo my character sheet so that everything important shows up, too. I put it all in, and blogspot summarizes so my shit don't show up. Feh.

Were we going to get a pizza?

Monk Stuff

Well, Marivhon, I have finally put up the Monk Reference stuff on the DiD Player's Reference Page. Let me know if you want anything else.

Unfortunately, while I was at it, I found some info on page 70 of the DMG that restricts Monk stunning by height and weight. The table is on the Reference Page. I guess that Andicorn got a bum rap. Heh.

I also realized that Monks are basically thiefs, but a whole lot better.

Chris' story

He says his connection is too unstable blah blah. I don't know I have brought it up a couple of times but he did just start living full time with his one true love and all. (if you read this Chris it's uh not well you know.)

On Chris

Hey Paul, any word if Chris is going to be joining this thing? Get in while the getting's good...