Total posts: 5,653
Posted in:
Luvash grumbles: Yes, Madam Eva. The old bat is sending another group of people on a wild goose chase. She sent a rider a day or so ago telling us to expect some travelers returning our horses. He pauses and sighs, gaining his composure. The girl is my daughter, Arrabelle. This... boy... Alexei was to be watching her, but lost her as she was playing along the woods yester evening. If you located here I would be in your debt.
Arrigal grins: Yes, please do go tromping about in the woods. Speaking of dusk elves and mongrel pets kept under thumb, you'll want to visit the houses at the bottom of the hill.
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@Buddamoose
(He's still there in the town square, milling about)
Created:
Posted in:
I don't see our government shooting anyone except criminals.
Then you aren't looking hard enough. Remember that you're not a "criminal" until after you are tried and convicted in a court of law. And, in the US, there is no mechanism for summary execution without due process.
Also, no government can rule without the consent of the people.
Well that's just patently false. I'm not saying that the US is one of those governments, but they clearly exist.
Do you really think that our military could defeat 300 million armed citizens? If Americans ever said enough is enough, no force on earth could stop them.
While there is almost 1 gun per person in America, not everyone is armed. Only about 25% of Americans have a gun, and many of them are probably in the military and law enforcement professions that would be on the antagonistic side, here.
Breaking it down into realistic numbers, we're talking about 1.5 million military and law enforcement personnel versus about 80 million armed civilians.
And, of course, that's assuming that every single one of them raise up in armed rebellion.
So the question is, can a single military or police officer, with modern gear and equipment, with tanks and fighter jets and nukes, take out 50 untrained armed civilians armed with hunting rifles and purse guns?
I think so.
Created:
Posted in:
The older brother looks up and over at Roberts and scowls slightly. None of your business, interloper. Arrigal, do you know these... strangers?
Arrigal smiles an oily smile. Ah, yes. I do recall this lot. Invited here on behalf of our kind Lord. I hope you are finding your stay in Barovia warm? He chuckles. As for what is happening here: we've lost one of our own, a child. And this man was responsible for keeping watch over her. She was Luvash-
Luvash: Enough. This is an internal matter. What do you want, stranger?
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@Grugore
Guns aren't outlawed here and the government is shooting citizens anyway. So what's your point?
So, if someone asks you to give up your guns, here's how you should reply..."I'll relinquish one bullet. Where do you want it?"
Fine advice. Which law school do you go to again? The idea that an armed populace is capable of resisting a government backed by a modern military (combined with a militarized police force) hasn't been valid since the civil war.
Created:
Posted in:
Roberts heads to the main tent. Piled outside a wagon are several empty casks of wine. From inside the tent comes the crack of a whip followed
by the howls of a young man. Three sputtering campfires fill the tent with smoke, and through the haze you see six Vistani passed out in various places on the dead grass.
A barely conscious and shirtless teenager hugs the central tent pole, his wrists bound with rope and his back streaked with blood. An older, larger man in studded leather armor lashes the young man with a horsewhip, causing him to scream again. Standing in the bigger man's shadow is a third man also clad in studded leather.
Easy, brother, he says to the whip-wielding brute. I think Alexei has learned his lesson.
You recognize the younger brother as the man who delivered the original letter luring you into the valley.
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@TheDredPriateRoberts
(There isn't currently anyone in sight to inquire to. You have some houses around the base of the hill or the tents at the top of the hill. Where would you like to go first?)
Created:
Posted in:
Roberts (and whoever is with him) pass through the gate and follow the road west out of Vallaki. They take a small path off the main road toward the Vistani camp. The woods part to reveal an expansive clearing: a small, grass-covered hill with low houses built into its sides. Fog obscures the details, but you can see that these buildings feature elegantly carved woodwork and have decorative lanterns hanging from their sculpted eaves.
Atop the hill, above the fog, is a ring of barrel-topped wagons that surround a large tent with a column of smoke pouring out through a hole in the top. The tent is brightly lit from within. Even at this distance, you can smell the odors of wine and horses that emanate from this central area.
Created:
Posted in:
(Assuming that Eikka would give Snerp a little boost via guidance)
[Snerp Stealth Check: d20 (3) + d4 (2) + 5 = 10]
Snerp tails behind the man as he casually waltzes through town. He heads down the south road, almost as if going toward the burgomasters house but then turns to a different area of the town that opens up into a vast town square.
The shops and homes that enclose the town square are decorated with limp, tattered garlands and painted wooden boxes filled with tiny, dead flowers. At the north end of the square stands a row of stocks, locked in which are several men, women, and children wearing crude, plaster donkey heads.
In the center of the square, peasants in patchwork clothes eye you suspiciously as they use cups and vases to draw water from a crumbling stone fountain. Standing tall at the center of the fountain is a gray statue of an impressive man facing west. All around the square are posted proclamations:
Come one, come all,to the greatest celebration of the year:THE WOLF'S HEAD JAMBOREE!Attendance and children required.Pikes will be provided.ALL WILL BE WELL!-The Baron-
Next to the sign is a tall, monsterous looking figure. It is a young man, tall and bald. He is otherwise normal looking save for his right arm, which is longer than the other, covered in barbed spines with long fingers tipped in vicious claws. A whiff of yellow smoke can occasionally be seen wafting off of it.
Next to the man are two nervous looking guards. One of them rips down the current sign while the other posts up a new one:
COME ONE, COME ALL,to the greatest celebration of the year:THE FESTIVAL OF THE BLAZING SUN!Attendance and children required.Rain or shine.ALL WILL BE WELL!-The Baron-
Created:
Posted in:
Man the man frowns. No, I am not.
He gives a curt bow. Good luck in your efforts.
Then heads off.
Created:
Posted in:
The man smirks: So you recognize them as a farce, yet willingly participate. I'll have to ponder what to make of that. What I'm interested in is keeping the town truly safe. And I'm always on the lookout for like-minded people.
Created:
Posted in:
Man: Oh, I take it upon myself to keep an eye on any strangers that... wander into town. Looking out for the town's best interests and all. After all, you don't think it's made safe by some little party the baron throws every now and then, do you?
Created:
-->
@Death23
"[t]his is not an official warning" is the "no offense, but..." of the moderation world.
Created:
Posted in:
Robert and Co.
Robert (and whoever else) gather the horses and head toward the western sunset gate. As they approach, they hear the two guards posted there talking.
Guard 1: Damn near burnt my ass off. I tell you.
Guard 2: Well, that's what happens when you get on Izek's bad side.
Guard 1: I don't know why the baron houses that... monstrosity anyway.
Guard 2 shrugs: He's an orphan.
Guard 1: Eh, he's a freak of nature.
The guards pause as they allow Roberts and the horses through.
Snerp and the Rolling Gnomes
Snerp doesn't get much attention with his playing. Vallaki doesn't appear to be that busy at this time of morning. After a while, a slender, well-dressed man drops a gold coin at the gnomes feet. He loiters around the gnome, looking around at everywhere else except him, as if checking to make sure they aren't being watched.
Man: Have a nice visit with the baron?
Created:
Posted in:
(This is the only module I've actually gone through start to finish. It's much easier to DM for a campaign you've already gone through once)
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@Buddamoose
(Naw. The Magic/DnD crossover really doesn't interest me)
Created:
Posted in:
Urinw furrows his brow and scratches his head. You told them to leave and return here at noon, Da?
Created:
Posted in:
At this time of morning, the tavern is not very crowded, with only three patrons milling about, none of which are the hunters. Behind the bar Urwin smiles over at Snerp.
Urwin: Back so soon?
Created:
Posted in:
(Let's get the game back on the road. Post some actions)
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@Buddamoose
(The plan is that they attack during the festival)
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@Buddamoose
(You're right. Should be Day 6 at night)
Created:
-->
@triangle.128k
A word of caution in PMing with bsh1: don't. He can and will use the content in the PM to direct other mods to take action against you.
Created:
Posted in:
(We can continue on and kinder can provide his spellbook choices later)
GAME UNPAUSED
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@TheDredPriateRoberts
(The reroll/respect is the ability to change any thing about your character, up to a complete rebuild. Budda have used theirs Earth)
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@Buddamoose
(When you swap out spells it has to be a spell of 1st level or higher)
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@TheDredPriateRoberts
(It's not limited. So whenever you take the attack action on a turn, you get two attacks. So if you use action surge to get another action, that'll be four attacks total in a single turn)
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@secularmerlin
@Buddamoose
@Earth
@TheDredPriateRoberts
@kindertina
(Note: If you have yet to do so, now is the last chance to make use of your free re-reroll/respec)
Eikka
- Proficiency Bonus increases to +3
- Destroy Undead: Your Turn Undead ability will now destroy weaker undead.
- Gain 2 level 3 spell slots
- Can now prepare up to 7 spells up to level 3
- Gain nondetection and speak with dead as automatically prepared 3rd level spells
- Eldritch blast now produces two beams instead of one. You may target two different creatures or the same creature twice with a single casting
Grahf
- Proficiency Bonus increases to +3
- When you take the Attack Action on a turn, you may attack twice
- Gain 1 level 1 spell slot
- Gain 2 level 2 spell slots
- Gain warding bond and zone of truth as automatically prepared 2nd level spells
- Lay on Hands increases by 5
Luraxt
- Proficiency Bonus increases to +3
- Gain 2 level 3 spell slots
- Choice: Add two Wizard Spells to your spell book, up to level 3
- Can now prepare up to 7 spells
- Firebolt damage increases to 2d10
- Ray of frost damage increases to 2d8
- Gain the ability to cast darkness once per day.
Roberts
- Proficiency Bonus increases to +3
- When you take the Attack Action on a turn, you may attack twice
Snerp
- Proficiency Bonus increases to +3
- Bardic Inspiration die increases to d8
- Font of Inspiration. You regain all expended uses of Bardic Inspiration when you finish a short or long rest
- You gain 2 level 3 spell slots
- Choice: 1 Bard Spells, up to level 3
Player Summaries:
✶Eikka - 38/38 HP - 16 AC - Channel Divinity: ⬤ | Relentless Endurance: ⬤ | Spell Slots: 4|3|2
Grahf - 44/44 HP - 16 AC - Breath Weapon: ⬤ | Divine Sense: 3 | Channel Divinity: ⬤ | Lay on Hands: 20 | Spell Slots: 3|2
Luraxt - 27/27 HP - 13 AC - Arcane Recovery ⬤ | Spell Secrets ⬤ | Spell Slots: 4|3|2
✶Roberts - 44/44 HP - 18 AC - Action Surge: ⬤ | Second Wind ⬤ | Spell Slots: 3
✶Snerp - 28/28 HP - 13 AC - Bardic Inspiration: ⬤⬤ | Feather Fall ⬤ | Spell Slots: 3|3|2
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@Earth
(Well, you can try, but actions have consequences)
Created:
Posted in:
As Grahf does so, the bones begin to glow. A golden glow pulses out from the bones and washes over the church. Even as the light fades, the interior of the church seems just a tad bit brighter, and the air feels a tad bid cleaner.
GAME PAUSED - LEVEL 5 REACHED
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@Earth
(You have the choice to do whatever you want. Your character does nothing unless you choose for him to do it)
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@Castin
I didn't come out with the intention of being this intense. When I first provided my feedback of the CoC, I was being deliberately uncritical of the content and how it was to be implemented. However, when Vaarka came in with an explicit violation, and bsh1 basically refused to comment on it, even in a hypothetical capacity, I admit that that just stoked some ire in me.
His stance in general, and his actions in particular, bear a heavy level of scrutiny and should not go unchecked. I have seen some significant cracks in the integrity of the system overall, a position that has infected the entire moderation team, who will basically parrot each other on any given issue.
In regards to bsh1 post in #24. The first thing that sticks to to me is this idea that the owner of the site shouldn't be the final judge in what goes on with the site he owns. Like, what world is bsh1 living in? Mike created this site. He put in his own time and money, but he doesn't get to say how it is run?
The rest of it is all based upon that singularly insane premise. Issue of practicality are just that: issues of practicality. It's certainly fine for Mike to delegate moderation, but I don't see how that delegation requires him to literally cede his own authority. That's not delegation, that's abdication. The way bsh1 describes it, he's in charge of the site and Mike is just the techie guy he has on hand to deal with the annoying coding stuff.
And he basically says that unless this is the case, there might as well not be a moderation team. Of course that's stupid. But the subtext here is: he won't moderate unless he's at the top of the food chain.
Created:
Posted in:
While the rest of the group attempts to divine knowledge about vampires and how to deal with them, Grahf heads to the church and flags down Lucien. When Lucien discovers what Grahf has, he hurries up with his current sermon and ushers the patrons out of the church.
Moving the podium he reveals a secret door leading to the crypt of St. Andral and encourages Grahf to place the bones in the church.
Created:
Posted in:
(You all are huddled around the outside of the shop with Grahf and dem bones. What do you do?)
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@DebateArt.com
Is it possible to do some analytics on the back end? What is the average time to post an argument based on the timestamps? Each participants' argument has a "published" date, you can just subtract one published date from another, then average out the deltas.
The current option for 12 hours seems sufficient. Unless we have people regularly posting arguments very quickly, I'm not sure I see the need.
Then again, if it's a simple coding change, it doesn't really hurt anything, either.
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@TheDredPriateRoberts
Because that's now how any legislative system works in any government I'm aware of. Any law is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Has the Canadian legislature evaluated amphetamines like a.d.d. drugs to be:
a) what people want;
b) not considered harmful;
c) has an acceptable risk?
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@TheDredPriateRoberts
What does one have to do with the other?
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@DebateArt.com
Excellent!Improved some email notifications' links, now the links take you straight to the comment, post and so on instead of the parent debate or topic.
Created:
Posted in:
Grahf runs into Snerp and the rest of the group as he leaves the building.
Created:
Posted in:
The bookshelf has a handful of storybooks and carpenter's manuals. The wardrobe has a modest array of clothing and carpenters outfits. Grahf finds the false floor in the wardrobe. The secret compartment contains two sacks. A large one containing a set of humanoid bones and a smaller one with thirty pieces of silver, each bearing the profiled visage of Strahd.
When Snerp and company come upon the Coffin Maker's shop, they find the southern door busted open, and no sign of occupancy.
Created:
Posted in:
-->
@Castin
It has to be coupled with a moderation team that is actually going to enforce it as written, which we don't have. But I suppose the answer to your question is whether or not you see inherent value in separating legislative and executive powers.
Created:
Posted in:
Maid: Hm? Oh, the daughter of the burgomaster from Barovia? Yeah, she's here. She's with the Baroness and the other ladies.
Created:
Posted in:
The kitchen contains a square table surrounded by chairs and shelves of provisions. The modest bedchamber holds a cot and several wellmadepieces of furniture, including a table, a paddedchair, a bookshelf, and a wardrobe.
Created:
Posted in:
This large, drafty room is strung with cobwebs and takesup most of the upper floor. Stacks of wooden planks lie amid several crates marked "JUNK."
Created: