GAL Q 10: Scents and Sensibility

[ChuckDaRighteous]

Walks With The Wind searches around and eventually finds some sticks she can rub together to light her torch. With her torch lit the goblins walk into the cave. The torch plays hell with the light though. The shadows cast by the light against the stalactites and stalagmites dash around like stalking specters. They see nonexistent enemies in every nook and crevice. The fact that Tells Bad Jokes keeps popping in and out of sight doesn't help matters. Before long they come across the wounded spider that had retreated before. It has its back turned and is hissing deeper into the cave. The sound echoes in a most unnerving manner. It hears the goblins and turns. It hisses angrily and postures like its ready to pounce but does not charge. The effect of the lance seems to have worn off but itÔÇÖs not so eager to attack till back up arrives.

► Show Spoiler

.[tabs: Nolandking]Name: Tells Bad Jokes
Color:#804000
Gender: Male
HP: 5/5
Def: 2 (+1 vs animals)
Atk: 2 (3 in water)
Special: Mudhoney curse - if he drinks or touches mudhoney he will turn into a badger until the curse is removed.

Face: Crystal Mask (stealth bonus in natural environments)
Body: Leather Armor (+1def)
Back: Druids Cloak (+1 def vs animals)
Rings: Ring of sanctuary (If you haven't attacked in a current combat, you have a 50% chance to avoid enemy aggression as long as other opponents are available)
Both Hands: Harpoon (2H, +1 atk, additional +1 atk if attacking something in the water)

- Backpack
- 50ft Rope
- pen and ink
- biscuits
- water flask
- dagger (+1 att)
- 2 alchemist fire bottles.(1 use only +4 Attack)
- Red Sphere Ioun Stone (+2 Dex)
- Torch
- Satchel
*Special note: BCotB (note to myself, I know what it means)
[tabs: spiderwrangler]Name: Laughs Creepily
Color:#004040
Gender: Male
HP: 5/5
Def: 3
Atk: 4

Face: Skull Mask
Head/Body/Legs/Feet: Ninja outfit (+2 def)
Neck: Preserved Human Ear Necklace
Both Hands: Lance of Terror (+3 ATT, 2H. A lance of such terrifying appearance it cannot be looked at without causing all those around to quake in fear of the bearer. This lance is intimidating and may cause weaker enemies to flee.)

- Fake Beard
- 2x Healing Salve (+2d3 Hp)
- Samurai Sword (2H, +3 Attack) (on loan)
- 1x Throwing Axe (1h, +1 atk, posion coated, lasts 2 attacks, 30% chance to poison for 2 turns, 1 damage per turn)
- 1x Throwing Axe (1h, +1 atk)
- 1x Spider venom sack
- 10x spider legs
- 8x mangled spider legs
- 1x spider front half
- 2x mangled spider front half
- 1x spider back half
- 2x mangled spider back half
[tabs: patdragon]Name: Forges for Food
Color:#FFFF00
Highlight: #000000
Gender: Male
HP: 6/6
Def: 4
Atk: 3

Head: Circlet of Accuracy (improved accuracy with ranged weapons)
Body: Leather Jerkin (+1 Def)
Back: A sharp looking Man-purse (backpack)
Rings: Gold Ruby Ring (minor fire resistance)
Main Hand: Mace (1h, +2 atk)
Off Hand: Iron shield (+2 def)

- Rope
- Human bones
- Preserved Human Ear Necklace
- 1 healing potion
- 2 important looking letters
- Black Wand of Mischievous Consequences (Chance for victim to temporarily become: blind, deaf, silenced, confused, asleep, berserk, etc. Effects last 1d2 turns.
- 2 books of Evil Badness
- Damaged Trap Tool Kit
- Torch
- 3 Elixir of Brittleskin (-3 Def on a hit, -1 on a splash/save, -1 Def permanently if crit)
- Potion of Recovery,
- Human finger bone with two amethysts (Description can be found HERE)
- Elixir of Healing (recovers 1d6+3 HP)
- Bone dice
- Satchel
- Mouse ChefÔÇÖs Grand Restorative Potion of some sort that should be decent
[tabs: gathersingredients]Name: Walks With The Wind
Color:#008000
Gender: Female
HP: 6/6
Def: 4
Atk: 2 (5% ignite chance)

Back: Wolfskin Cloak: +1 DEF. Very fine quality, provides protection against the cold.
Neck: Silver Necklace (+1 Hp)
Waist: Leather Tie Cord
Rings: Ring of Deathshielding - (25% to protect wearer from Deathblow)
Main Hand: Torch: +1 ATT if used as weapon; 5% chance of setting an enemy on fire; 10% chance of breaking.
Off Hand: Iron Shield (1h, +2 DEF)

- Shortbow (ranged)
- Arrows (x10, +1 ATT)
- Knock-Back Axe (+2 atk, 1h, Chance to knock an enemy prone (must spend a move to stand back up)
- Skull
- Length of Rope
- Bandage (Heals 2 - 3 HP)
- 1 Medicated Bandage (Heals 4 HP)
- Trap Tool Kit
- Cloth Sack
- Skull
- Potion from Mouse Chef (waiting on TL for specifics)
[tabs: badgeaddict]Name: Zaks (Dark Seed)
Color: #80BF00
Gender: Male
HP: 5/5
Def: 3
Atk: 4

Body: Bark Armor (+2 Def, Vulnerable to fire)
Both hands: Samurai Sword (2H, +3 Attack) (on loan from spider)

- Double tipped Spear (2h, +2atk)
- Simple axe (1h, +1atk)[/tabs]

*Nolandking you had previously posted you were going to follow the group. If that's changed or you thought of something else you had wanted to do I'll add it in retroactively.

*Gathers from what you said it sounded like you wanted to go with torch/shield. Let me know if that is in fact what you want. If you wanted weapon/torch let me know if you want to treat it as a second weapon (increased damage) or just a light source (no break chance).

*Pat your "debating" made it unclear as to whether you were going to in fact light your torch. If you want it lit I'll treat it as though it was done last turn.

[spiderwrangler]

Laughs makes sure he has a clear shot, then heaves his non venomed throwing axe at the wounded spider with a giggle.

[BadgeAddict]

► Show Spoiler

So...are we ignoring that goblins have DarkVision out to 60 feet (Common D&D rules)...because RPing aside...Torches seem really unnecessary.

[ChuckDaRighteous]

► Show Spoiler

So...are we ignoring that goblins have DarkVision out to 60 feet (Common D&D rules)...because RPing aside...Torches seem really unnecessary.

The torches are unnecessary. You can see without them, but with them you may notice more details or have use for the fire aspect.

[Nolandking]

Tells will follow quietly nt attack unless more spiders come.

[Patdragon]

For the moment shield and mace are fine for Forges but a lit torch might prove useful later on for webbing and such.

Following his Ear brother he charges forth to try and hurt/kill the beast that poisoned him earlier.

[BadgeAddict]

Zaks will hang back, having seen the effect of this spiders poison on the others. He will look around the cave entrance while the others kill the spider.

[GathersIngredients]

At Zaks' comment about stabbing goblins in the eye, Walks nods grimly and whispers "I thought as much" under her breath, a mirthless smile on her own lips.
She considers whether or not she'd want a person like that to know her name, but in the end she sighs. It won't make any difference if she tells him, or the others do, and Zaks has been introducing himself, so Walks doesn't want to appear rude by not doing the same.
Before he scampers onward, Walks says "I'm Walks, by the way. Walks With The Wind."


Action:
Her torch in one hand, her shield in the other, she stands ready to step in between the wounded spider and any goblin it might hurt as need may be during the fight, but not aiming to use the torch as a weapon, she's just there to reduce casualties on the goblin side.
If the spider gets killed and no more danger is around for now, swap shield for axe to butcher this spider with it and collect the pieces.

[ChuckDaRighteous]

Zaks (overly rightfully) concerned by the single wounded spider looks around the entrance for anything of interest but finds nothing outside of ordinary cave features.

Laughs Creepily hurls an axe at the spider, but the axe bounces off its carapace harmlessly. It seems heÔÇÖll need something with a little more oomph to harm it.

Tells Bad Jokes sneaks up quietly waiting for more spiders.

Forges for Food charges, dead set on vengeance. His bloodlust prevents him from noticing the webbing on the ground. The moment he steps on the web, tendrils of webbing snap upward gripping his lower body tightly. He is now entangled. As he tries to move the strands snap taught and thrum like some twisted string instrument sending out an eerie pulse of sound. Forges for Food hears an immediate response in the form of a hiss above his head. He looks up just in time to see a spider descending down onto him. It digs its fangs into his shoulder. He takes 2 damage from the sneak attack. Luckily it fumbles its landing and its fangs are not in long enough to inject the venom.

Tells Bad Jokes realizing enemy reinforcements were closer than expected springs into action and attacks the spider that descended on Forges. His attack successfully strikes the unsuspecting spider.

Walks With The Wind seeing Forges for Food suddenly vulnerable tries to jump in, only to fall prey to another such trap herself. Another spider drops from the ceiling to attack her. She takes 2 damage. She isnÔÇÖt as fortunate as Forges for Food and the spider gets its fangs in deep and pumps its venom into her. Walks With The Wind is now poisoned. However she has some luck. In her flailing to shake the spider off she touches her torch to the webbing. It ignites, burning away almost instantly. Her legs burn with pain but she gets off lucky as she didnÔÇÖt set herself on fire or do any serious damage to herself. Unfortunately in all the commotion she isnÔÇÖt able to provide any assistance to her companion.

The previously wounded spider pounces at the now vulnerable Forges for Food he has a little trouble with his new restrictions but he barely manages to get his shield around in time.

► Show Spoiler

.[tabs: Nolandking]Name: Tells Bad Jokes
Color:#804000
Gender: Male
HP: 5/5
Def: 2 (+1 vs animals)
Atk: 2 (3 in water)
Special: Mudhoney curse - if he drinks or touches mudhoney he will turn into a badger until the curse is removed.

Face: Crystal Mask (stealth bonus in natural environments)
Body: Leather Armor (+1def)
Back: Druids Cloak (+1 def vs animals)
Rings: Ring of sanctuary (If you haven't attacked in a current combat, you have a 50% chance to avoid enemy aggression as long as other opponents are available)
Both Hands: Harpoon (2H, +1 atk, additional +1 atk if attacking something in the water)

- Backpack
- 50ft Rope
- pen and ink
- biscuits
- water flask
- dagger (+1 att)
- 2 alchemist fire bottles.(1 use only +4 Attack)
- Red Sphere Ioun Stone (+2 Dex)
- Torch
- Satchel
*Special note: BCotB (note to myself, I know what it means)
[tabs: spiderwrangler]Name: Laughs Creepily
Color:#004040
Gender: Male
HP: 5/5
Def: 3
Atk: 4

Face: Skull Mask
Head/Body/Legs/Feet: Ninja outfit (+2 def)
Neck: Preserved Human Ear Necklace
Both Hands: Lance of Terror (+3 ATT, 2H. A lance of such terrifying appearance it cannot be looked at without causing all those around to quake in fear of the bearer. This lance is intimidating and may cause weaker enemies to flee.)

- Fake Beard
- 2x Healing Salve (+2d3 Hp)
- Samurai Sword (2H, +3 Attack) (on loan)
- 1x Throwing Axe (1h, +1 atk, posion coated, lasts 2 attacks, 30% chance to poison for 2 turns, 1 damage per turn)
- 1x Throwing Axe (1h, +1 atk) (needs retrieving)
- 1x Spider venom sack
- 10x spider legs
- 8x mangled spider legs
- 1x spider front half
- 2x mangled spider front half
- 1x spider back half
- 2x mangled spider back half
[tabs: patdragon]Name: Forges for Food
Color:#FFFF00
Highlight: #000000
Gender: Male
HP: 4/6
Def: 4
Atk: 3
Status: Entangled: inhibited movement, +20% miss chance, +20% shield miss

Head: Circlet of Accuracy (improved accuracy with ranged weapons)
Body: Leather Jerkin (+1 Def)
Back: A sharp looking Man-purse (backpack)
Rings: Gold Ruby Ring (minor fire resistance)
Main Hand: Mace (1h, +2 atk)
Off Hand: Iron shield (+2 def)

- Rope
- Human bones
- Preserved Human Ear Necklace
- 1 healing potion
- 2 important looking letters
- Black Wand of Mischievous Consequences (Chance for victim to temporarily become: blind, deaf, silenced, confused, asleep, berserk, etc. Effects last 1d2 turns.
- 2 books of Evil Badness
- Damaged Trap Tool Kit
- Torch
- 3 Elixir of Brittleskin (-3 Def on a hit, -1 on a splash/save, -1 Def permanently if crit)
- Potion of Recovery,
- Human finger bone with two amethysts (Description can be found HERE)
- Elixir of Healing (recovers 1d6+3 HP)
- Bone dice
- Satchel
- Mouse ChefÔÇÖs Grand Restorative Potion of some sort that should be decent
[tabs: gathersingredients]Name: Walks With The Wind
Color:#008000
Gender: Female
HP: 4/6
Def: 4
Atk: 2 (5% ignite chance)
Status: Poisoned: 1 damage per turn for 3 turns

Back: Wolfskin Cloak: +1 DEF. Very fine quality, provides protection against the cold.
Neck: Silver Necklace (+1 Hp)
Waist: Leather Tie Cord
Rings: Ring of Deathshielding - (25% to protect wearer from Deathblow)
Main Hand: Torch: +1 ATT if used as weapon; 5% chance of setting an enemy on fire; 10% chance of breaking.
Off Hand: Iron Shield (1h, +2 DEF)

- Shortbow (ranged)
- Arrows (x10, +1 ATT)
- Knock-Back Axe (+2 atk, 1h, Chance to knock an enemy prone (must spend a move to stand back up)
- Skull
- Length of Rope
- Bandage (Heals 2 - 3 HP)
- 1 Medicated Bandage (Heals 4 HP)
- Trap Tool Kit
- Cloth Sack
- Skull
- Potion from Mouse Chef (waiting on TL for specifics)
[tabs: badgeaddict]Name: Zaks (Dark Seed)
Color: #80BF00
Gender: Male
HP: 5/5
Def: 3
Atk: 4

Body: Bark Armor (+2 Def, Vulnerable to fire)
Both hands: Samurai Sword (2H, +3 Attack) (on loan from spider)

- Double tipped Spear (2h, +2atk)
- Simple axe (1h, +1atk)[/tabs]

*Nolandking I took the spiders dropping from the ceiling to fulfill your unless more come clause. Technically they were already there but you didn't know that.

*Pat I'm not picking on you, this one is your own fault for charging.

[GathersIngredients]

Walks grunts surprisedly and disgruntledly and, if possible, retreats from the immediate combat area enough to suck the venom out of her bloodstream without getting attacked.
If not possible, she tries to keep the spiders at bay with the shield and burn away any more webbings (not attacking, just lighting!) that might be around, attempting to avoid hurting goblins with the resulting flames.

► Show Spoiler

Chuck, don't you think your monsters might be a tad too strong? Walks has freaking 4 defense, nonetheless she took 2 damage now, (that's 6 "attack", enough to kill a naked goblin outright in one strike; don't mind that per se, as you said people going on this mission should have some gear, BUT) she will take 3 more damage - resulting in 5 points HP loss total - again from ONE attack, and again enough to kill a "normal" goblin.
Additionally, we don't have a replenish-able source of healing - unless you allow "resting" like in TL's other games, so if these spiders are just "younglings" and we don't find any more means to get HP back, I don't see us making it to the end.

And I'm disappointed that lighting the torch AND seeing how someone else got caught into a trap didn't aid prevent Walks from stepping into one herself.

Also, afaik spiders - like most "animals" are fearful of fire. So I'm hoping the torch will keep the spiders from picking Walks as first target.

[Patdragon]

Feeling a little stupid for falling for such a trap when he was just about to warn the other to keep out an eye by looking awards as well. Forges fights the best he can attacking what looks like the most injured spider

"Someone burn these damn webs off me."

► Show Spoiler

Chuck, don't you think your monsters might be a tad too strong? Walks has freaking 4 defense, nonetheless she took 2 damage now, (that's 6 "attack", enough to kill a naked goblin outright in one strike; don't mind that per se, as you said people going on this mission should have some gear, BUT) she will take 3 more damage - resulting in 5 points HP loss total - again from ONE attack, and again enough to kill a "normal" goblin.
Additionally, we don't have a replenish-able source of healing - unless you allow "resting" like in TL's other games, so if these spiders are just "younglings" and we don't find any more means to get HP back, I don't see us making it to the end.

And I'm disappointed that lighting the torch AND seeing how someone else got caught into a trap didn't aid prevent Walks from stepping into one herself.

Also, afaik spiders - like most "animals" are fearful of fire. So I'm hoping the torch will keep the spiders from picking Walks as first target.

occ: I'd guess from your description and your first GM style post that shields will have a kind of have a facing bonus if i stopped one but not the other one from behind?

Yeah, sorry I didn't mention that, but explaining every nuance would have gotten lengthy in the first post. Shields will not work against flanking opponents or sneak attacks. In general 1st opp: shield, 2nd: no shield, 3rd: shield, 4th: no shield, etc. There are exceptions like you could block all of a bunch of clustered ranged opponents or if you specifically wanted to block 1 bigger enemy but ignore multiple smaller ones, but those situations shouldn't come up in this quest. There might be a couple other situational or strategic exceptions...

I think whats happening is "sneak attack" from looks of it these things are ATT 4 but sneaking halves / takes two off our defense because our shields aren't blocking it.

But the healing will be an issue soon ish i guess at this rate 2-3 more combats and much like the last mission we will run.
The other group only lasted after their first combat because of the healing amulet which is replenish-able.

[ChuckDaRighteous]

► Show Spoiler

Chuck, don't you think your monsters might be a tad too strong? Walks has freaking 4 defense, nonetheless she took 2 damage now, (that's 6 "attack", enough to kill a naked goblin outright in one strike; don't mind that per se, as you said people going on this mission should have some gear, BUT) she will take 3 more damage - resulting in 5 points HP loss total - again from ONE attack, and again enough to kill a "normal" goblin.
Additionally, we don't have a replenish-able source of healing - unless you allow "resting" like in TL's other games, so if these spiders are just "younglings" and we don't find any more means to get HP back, I don't see us making it to the end.

Pat has it partially right on this. 2 defense from your shield was ignored because it was a sneak attack. What he missed was additionally sneak attacks do +1 damage. This may seem harsh but if I didn't do these things the paltry 3 atk (not 6) from these spiders would do nothing and poison doesn't have a chance to take unless the spiders do damage. If you guys are smart you should be able to avoid more damage (aside from maybe the poison) for the rest of combat. As for healing, I actually put a fair amount into the loot not far ahead.

And I'm disappointed that lighting the torch AND seeing how someone else got caught into a trap didn't aid prevent Walks from stepping into one herself.

I tried to give you guys subtle hints that might make you suspect a trap (it luring you to it, the echoes that weren't all echoes, seeing shadows move), that might make one of you say "Something is not right" or advise caution or any indication you might suspect an ambush. Perhaps the hints were too subtle but I didn't want to give it away too easily. I did consider having walks learn from what she saw happen to Forges, but the way you phrased your action along with the speed of combat, I didn't see this as likely. (You were following him and when he got caught you tried to intervene before your mind processed the trap and got caught a mere 2 seconds later.)

Yes this is meant to be a little rough but learning how to deal with these things now will help you avoid missteps in the tougher fights. If I introduced all the different mechanics and pitfalls of later fights all at once... Well you'd really hate me then.

One thing I will advise to you Pat since you have faced some of the worst abuse here, is that while burning webs off may be the fastest way to free yourself, it is not the safest. Gathers just got lucky on her rolls. Granted chances are low but playing with fire can still be dangerous. Asking someone to burn the webs off isn't a bad idea (except maybe for someone wearing bark armor), but I'm just beginning to wonder if you guys are ignoring hints or missing them completely.

[spiderwrangler]

Disappointed that his throwing axes are going to be completely useless for this entire freaking quest, after he paid good freaking money for them, Laughs stashes his other one and pulls out his spear, bellowing with laughter as he attacks the closest spider he can get to, wary of other snares. Preferably, he'll attack one of the ones going after Forges if he can get to him without being snared himself.

► Show Spoiler

I don't know I can say it's because I picked up any hints, but the throwing axe was Laughs being cautious... With the way you do combat though, they are only good for butchering corpses after, so glad I have the Lance.

Everyone needs to chill out and trust the GM (and hope he doesn't kill us all ).

I just hope we collectively are better at picking up your subtle hints here better than in your last GGZ. . I like the hinting at dangers and the player needing to clue into that in order to navigate through the game, that's how I do it in GAL 8 since the goblins have no stat blocks to roll Sense Motive, etc. with.

[Patdragon]

OOC: I know cutting the web might be safer but in his current predicament he has two spiders on him, is caught in web, doesn't have a cutting weapon and is/was still fulled by a little poison rage I was playing up o in character that's his thought process for the moment. Normally he's quite a calm collected thinker.

And yes i didn't notice any clues I just thought it was descriptive text for the torch and its lighting.

[spiderwrangler]

And yes i didn't notice any clues I just thought it was descriptive text for the torch and its lighting.

Well, ("They see nonexistent enemies in every nook and crevice. ") the word I focused on was "nonexistent"...

[ChuckDaRighteous]

► Show Spoiler

Yes those enemies were nonexistent. The shadows were meant to clue you in that there were plenty of cave features that would make good hiding places.

Everyone needs to chill out and trust the GM (and hope he doesn't kill us all ).

Trust?!?! BIGGEST FOOL EVER er... um... I mean best player ever. Seriously though, I am rooting for you guys and keep hoping you'll outsmart me. No luck yet but there is still plenty of quest left for you to prove yourselves.

I just hope we collectively are better at picking up your subtle hints here better than in your last GGZ. .

...
...
You guys are screwed. I thought I was giving it away with every hint there. Here I'm actually trying to be subtle.

[Nolandking]

Tells move with his harpoon to try and free Forges using his harpoon sharp tip while carefully avoiding being snared in the spider web trap.

[BadgeAddict]

Still remaining at the back of the group, Zaks steps forward briefly to attack the spider attacking the yellow one that, if he was honest with himself, had nice things that were shiny...he liked shiny things....

Shaking his head to clear his mind, Zaks stepped quickly forward, slashed at a spider and hurriedly returned to the back of the group.

"Perhaps if we stayed together, attacked one enemy at a time and....didn't wander off...like someone did." Looking at the yellow one. "We may yet survive"

[ChuckDaRighteous]

Walks With The Wind recoils from the attack. As she backs away she notices another web trap and touches her torch to it. The compressed highly flammable material erupts in a spout of flame. Then just as quickly disintegrates out of existence. Walks With The Wind tries to suck the poison out as she backs away but the spider stays on her and the impact of it against her shield makes it difficult. She only gets a very small amount out. She manages to slow its effects a small bit but it is definitely in her blood stream now.

An enraged Forges for Food attacks the spider that had attacked him outside the cave. He fumbles a little as he adjusts to his confinement but manages to connect.

Laughs Creepily charges into battle being careful of his footing but doesnÔÇÖt notice any traps. He attacks the same spider as Forges for Food and finishes it off with his lance.

Tells Bad Jokes tries to free Forges for Food, but finds the tip of his harpoon ill-suited to the task. The spider he attacked last turn turns its attention to him, and the moment he is jostled his harpoon gets stuck in the web. Perhaps something with a longer edge *cough*like a dagger*cough* would do better.

Zaks finds the spider Forges for Food attacked dead by the time he gets there, so he attacks the one Tells Bad Jokes attacked instead delivering a strong slash to its side.

The spiders attack Walks With The Wind and Tells Bad Jokes but neither can get past their defenses.

► Show Spoiler

.[tabs: Nolandking]Name: Tells Bad Jokes
Color:#804000
Gender: Male
HP: 5/5
Def: 2 (+1 vs animals)
Atk: 2 (3 in water)
Special: Mudhoney curse - if he drinks or touches mudhoney he will turn into a badger until the curse is removed.

Face: Crystal Mask (stealth bonus in natural environments)
Body: Leather Armor (+1def)
Back: Druids Cloak (+1 def vs animals)
Rings: Ring of sanctuary (If you haven't attacked in a current combat, you have a 50% chance to avoid enemy aggression as long as other opponents are available)
Both Hands:

- Harpoon (2H, +1 atk, additional +1 atk if attacking something in the water) (tangled in web)
- Backpack
- 50ft Rope
- pen and ink
- biscuits
- water flask
- dagger (+1 att)
- 2 alchemist fire bottles.(1 use only +4 Attack)
- Red Sphere Ioun Stone (+2 Dex)
- Torch
- Satchel
*Special note: BCotB (note to myself, I know what it means)
[tabs: spiderwrangler]Name: Laughs Creepily
Color:#004040
Gender: Male
HP: 5/5
Def: 3
Atk: 4

Face: Skull Mask
Head/Body/Legs/Feet: Ninja outfit (+2 def)
Neck: Preserved Human Ear Necklace
Both Hands: Lance of Terror (+3 ATT, 2H. A lance of such terrifying appearance it cannot be looked at without causing all those around to quake in fear of the bearer. This lance is intimidating and may cause weaker enemies to flee.)

- Fake Beard
- 2x Healing Salve (+2d3 Hp)
- Samurai Sword (2H, +3 Attack) (on loan)
- 1x Throwing Axe (1h, +1 atk, posion coated, lasts 2 attacks, 30% chance to poison for 2 turns, 1 damage per turn)
- 1x Throwing Axe (1h, +1 atk) (needs retrieving)
- 1x Spider venom sack
- 10x spider legs
- 8x mangled spider legs
- 1x spider front half
- 2x mangled spider front half
- 1x spider back half
- 2x mangled spider back half
[tabs: patdragon]Name: Forges for Food
Color:#FFFF00
Highlight: #000000
Gender: Male
HP: 4/6
Def: 4
Atk: 3
Status: Entangled: inhibited movement, +20% miss chance, +20% shield miss

Head: Circlet of Accuracy (improved accuracy with ranged weapons)
Body: Leather Jerkin (+1 Def)
Back: A sharp looking Man-purse (backpack)
Rings: Gold Ruby Ring (minor fire resistance)
Main Hand: Mace (1h, +2 atk)
Off Hand: Iron shield (+2 def)

- Rope
- Human bones
- Preserved Human Ear Necklace
- 1 healing potion
- 2 important looking letters
- Black Wand of Mischievous Consequences (Chance for victim to temporarily become: blind, deaf, silenced, confused, asleep, berserk, etc. Effects last 1d2 turns.
- 2 books of Evil Badness
- Damaged Trap Tool Kit
- Torch
- 3 Elixir of Brittleskin (-3 Def on a hit, -1 on a splash/save, -1 Def permanently if crit)
- Potion of Recovery,
- Human finger bone with two amethysts (Description can be found HERE)
- Elixir of Healing (recovers 1d6+3 HP)
- Bone dice
- Satchel
- Mouse ChefÔÇÖs Grand Restorative Potion of some sort that should be decent
[tabs: gathersingredients]Name: Walks With The Wind
Color:#008000
Gender: Female
HP: 4/6
Def: 4
Atk: 2 (5% ignite chance)
Status: Poisoned: 1 damage per turn for 2 turns

Back: Wolfskin Cloak: +1 DEF. Very fine quality, provides protection against the cold.
Neck: Silver Necklace (+1 Hp)
Waist: Leather Tie Cord
Rings: Ring of Deathshielding - (25% to protect wearer from Deathblow)
Main Hand: Torch: +1 ATT if used as weapon; 5% chance of setting an enemy on fire; 10% chance of breaking.
Off Hand: Iron Shield (1h, +2 DEF)

- Shortbow (ranged)
- Arrows (x10, +1 ATT)
- Knock-Back Axe (+2 atk, 1h, Chance to knock an enemy prone (must spend a move to stand back up)
- Skull
- Length of Rope
- Bandage (Heals 2 - 3 HP)
- 1 Medicated Bandage (Heals 4 HP)
- Trap Tool Kit
- Cloth Sack
- Skull
- Potion from Mouse Chef (waiting on TL for specifics)
[tabs: badgeaddict]Name: Zaks (Dark Seed)
Color: #80BF00
Gender: Male
HP: 5/5
Def: 3
Atk: 4

Body: Bark Armor (+2 Def, Vulnerable to fire)
Both hands: Samurai Sword (2H, +3 Attack) (on loan from spider)

- Double tipped Spear (2h, +2atk)
- Simple axe (1h, +1atk)[/tabs]

[GathersIngredients]

► Show Spoiler

Everyone needs to chill out and trust the GM (and hope he doesn't kill us all ).

It's not like I wanted to break loose a rebellion against Chuck. I wanted to bring up some valid points as feedback to him and also get back some info from him. You know, a healthy conversation/discussion. And if you look at my other post closely, you'll notice that I explicitly wrote that "... >>>>>IF<<<<< we don't find more means to get HP back, we're unlikely to make it to the end."

As for the "hints": the way Chuck wrote it, it made me feel as if the added light from the torch actually made perception WORSE, contrary to what he had previously advertised. (getting distracted by shadows/light and seeing enemies where "none" where. -.-* )

Last turn: I don't understand why Chuck had Walks burn the trap first and then suck out the venom? I clearly put priority on the venom sucking - because, you know? HP loss! - so either she should have done it first/full turn as necessary or "not at all" because the condition - retreat enough not to get attacked - didn't trigger.
Hence, TBH, I'm kind of confused how to write my actions that gets her to do what I want her to do, if Chuck puts some artistic license spin on them. Especially, since conditional actions can turn into a PITA both for the player to write (if you have to account for all possible outcomes) as well as for the GM to interpret.
In any case: Not telling us how the game works and then eventually going "nya-nya, you're dead" would be really jerky. And I don't mean beef.
I'm NOT saying that Chuck is doing that, mind you. Just saying IF someone did that...

Lastly: it would be nice if we could get some sort of "enemy status" complete with positioning or at least a counter, where we can quickly see the number of (alive, known) hostiles around, preferably with their "level of woundedness". As it is, I find myself confused about how many/where/how healthy spiders are around.
Had to read up on the last two updates twice to come to the conclusion that 2 spiders are (rightfully) left, but I dunno if the single wounded one was killed, or another one, and how badly off (or not) the two remaining ones are. Really crucial info in a fight for life and death (for the goblins), IMHO.

If she can lessen the effects of the venom some more, Walks will do some more sucking it out of herself.
If there is nothing more to be done about the venom, Walks will check for more traps/webbing to burn (and burn them, if any, as long as no goblin is at risk to be harmed from it) and then for a place to stick the torch where it won't go out. Else she'll just keep the spiders at bay with her shield.
If she finds such a place, she'll put the torch there very carefully and equip the axe in addition to her shield, attacking a spider with them (if she still has time enough for that).

[ChuckDaRighteous]

► Show Spoiler

Last turn: I don't understand why Chuck had Walks burn the trap first and then suck out the venom? I clearly put priority on the venom sucking - because, you know? HP loss! - so either she should have done it first/full turn as necessary or "not at all" because the condition - retreat enough not to get attacked - didn't trigger.
Hence, TBH, I'm kind of confused how to write my actions that gets her to do what I want her to do, if Chuck puts some artistic license spin on them. Especially, since conditional actions can turn into a PITA both for the player to write (if you have to account for all possible outcomes) as well as for the GM to interpret.

Walks grunts surprisedly and disgruntledly and, if possible, retreats from the immediate combat area enough to suck the venom out of her bloodstream without getting attacked.
If not possible, she tries to keep the spiders at bay with the shield and burn away any more webbings (not attacking, just lighting!) that might be around, attempting to avoid hurting goblins with the resulting flames.

Attempting to retreat was your first (minor) action (it failed since no one attacked your attacker and he stayed on you). Sucking venom was ordered afterwards as a major action. The burning was given as a free bonus as you retreated, since it was in your conditions. Otherwise Spider and Zaks would have rolled for getting hit. They would of had a bonus for being cautions but still not the highest chances as they don't have the torch. Your conditions weren't quite worded that way but I figured I'd give you the benefit so you don't have to include 50 conditionals of "well if I see this on the way out..." I will say with conditionals, whether or not you can retreat wasn't really something your character could have known, so you tried and failed rather than try to fend him off. If you had been surrounded by half a dozen then yes you could have known it would fail. And I'm not sure if you noticed but sucking did have the effect of you not taking poison damage this turn. You sucked some out (1 fewer turns) and slowed the rest down (delayed 1 turn). Technically this was done after the poison tick but there are reasons a couple reasons for things I want to keep hidden so for now just call it an exception.

And while I don't mind explaining things, hopefully I won't be doing this every turn? As spider put it, have some trust in me. I am acting in your best interests.

Lastly: it would be nice if we could get some sort of "enemy status" complete with positioning or at least a counter, where we can quickly see the number of (alive, known) hostiles around, preferably with their "level of woundedness". As it is, I find myself confused about how many/where/how healthy spiders are around.
Had to read up on the last two updates twice to come to the conclusion that 2 spiders are (rightfully) left, but I dunno if the single wounded one was killed, or another one, and how badly off (or not) the two remaining ones are. Really crucial info in a fight for life and death (for the goblins), IMHO.

I can add that in future updates if you're getting confused. Although confusion would fit with the theme of being ambushed. Still, I'll avoid yielding to my inner evil. Currently:
The retreated spider - dead
Sneak attack spider 1: moderately wounded - attacking Tells
Sneak attack spider 2: unharmed - attacking Walks

[GathersIngredients]

► Show Spoiler

And while I don't mind explaining things, hopefully I won't be doing this every turn? As spider put it, have some trust in me. I am acting in your best interests.

For what it's worth: I don't mean to be an annoying pest here. I'm trying to find a feasible way for both of us (ALL of us; co-players as well, but I seem to be more methodical/rule and/or knowledge dependent than others) can play this game together according to its rules (part of which we don't know) and getting the most fun out of it - as in we don't (need to) discuss everything to death, but we get an idea of what is possible/probable and what is not.

Apparently I just don't work well in "mist". But I'll try my best to deal with you not telling us ALL the game mechanics, since that's what you seem to want. I sincerely hope you can relate to me trying to get a grip of what is going on and WHY and working out how I can get my char to do what I want her to do. And I'm not talking about stuff she CAN'T do, because she's physically not able - like flying without magical or mechanical augmentation - but stuff she should be able to do.
Once I have achieved a better general understanding of the game and how you handle it, I'm sure the discussions will ebb away. Or you can just start ignoring my comments (unless I'm very much mistaken, I didn't actually pose a question in my last post).

Side note: I will gladly acknowledge that the char wasn't able to determine whether or not she could successfully retreat in the given situation, but in my action post/condition I meant it more in the way that >I< don't know if it's possible.
Because, for example I don't know: a) the general mechanics of the game well enough, b) the layout of the cave (e.g. is it cramped in the cave anyway. Which way and how far is the exit? ...) c) the positioning of the spiders in relation to the goblins.
Yet, b) and c) is stuff that my char should have knowledge of, as in: she can see it. So I left the decision with her and/or the GM - because you should know a), b) and c). The char made the best decision she could, based on her knowledge, and she tried (and failed). I'm fine with that. But I had no way of making that decision myself. That's just something that comes with text based games. I'm sure you know the problem from the player side as well...


In any case: thank you for taking my intentions into account and following them the best you could figure. And thanks for your explanations so far.

I can add that in future updates if you're getting confused. Although confusion would fit with the theme of being ambushed. Still, I'll avoid yielding to my inner evil. Currently:
The retreated spider - dead
Sneak attack spider 1: moderately wounded - attacking Tells
Sneak attack spider 2: unharmed - attacking Walks

That will be of great help. Thank you kindly.

[Patdragon]

Hopefully Tells tries to keep cutting out Forges with his dagger but even if he is still entangle he will try and attack (if he can reach) the Spider which was attacking him or Tells.

[Nolandking]

Tells take out his dagger (....while cussing a little) and try to use the dagger to cut Forges free.

[ChuckDaRighteous]

► Show Spoiler

but I seem to be more methodical/rule and/or knowledge dependent than others

I can empathize with that mindset. But that's why you have these easy battles as a sort of discovery phase. Think of it as you're still in the tutorial.

Apparently I just don't work well in "mist". But I'll try my best to deal with you not telling us ALL the game mechanics, since that's what you seem to want.

Well I'm not going to tell you all the secrets to beating these things with ease. I might as well play for you at that point.

(unless I'm very much mistaken, I didn't actually pose a question in my last post).

Technically no, but you did threaten to bog me down with pain in the ass conditionals for every imaginable situation.