Gedanken 1: Scenario 4—Wandering Monsters |
Calenril_i
Subject: Gedanken: Scenario 4, node 3
[[Gedanken GM]]
--Narrative--
The pasture gate is painted red. It is marked with the #3 and a symbol that looks like a cactus. After closing the gate behind you, the scene dissolves and you find yourself in the same desert location as before. The door behind you is blue. It is painted with a #5 and a figure of a tree behind a pasture gate. The doorknob and hinges are gone--this door has become a wall.You are in a flat low area between some sand dunes. Rising up from the sand are four doorframes (counting the one you just passed through) made of limestone and set with heavy wooden doors. The doors stand near the edges of the low area defining the corners of a square that represents the boundary.
The sun is a little bit higher than before--it looks like about a half hour has passed.
Blocking your path are five red gridbugs just like the ones in your first encounter. They attack as before, but are not able to move their thin insect legs quickly through the sand. In this environment they seem less dangerous than the previous ones.
--end narrative--Your options are:
- Attack with hand weapons
- Fire a ranged weapon
- Use a spell
- Run away
- otherPaddy can get one free shot in at point-blank range or farther if he wishes. He will have to take a chance if he wants any more shots than that.
You will get two attacks to their one.
Calenril_i
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Scenario 4, node 3
Q: But tarantulas don't have any problem walking across the desert, so why should gridbugs?
A: This spot is sandworm territory, and the ground is much less solid than a normal desert. Humanoid feet still stay on top of the sand. These half-mechanical bugs don't have feet at the ends of their legs.
Calenril_i
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Scenario 4, node 3
[...]
In the meanwhile, there are those misplaced gridbugs. Since you get two attacks to their one, you may post two rolls for melee at once. Paddy still gets only one free missile attack, though he may attempt a second if he wants to risk hitting one of the Black Hands.
My guess is that this combat will be pretty much over after one round. Then, we get on to some new stuff.
HK has some nice hints on mastering a game. Hack-n-slash has a limited appeal. It's that twist that turns combat from die rolls into a puzzle that makes it fun. Even in my Gedanken, which is necessarily full of hack-n-slash, I try to throw as many twists in as I can. Those twists happen to slow down the game, yielding a low amount of data points, but they make the game worth playing.
I could have actually done this game without players by running computer simulations with players characters running on a script based on common moves. That would have had value, but would have left out the human element. Consider Ryone's method of dispatching the gridbugs in Scenario 1. I had not at all anticipated that move, and certainly did not expect it to work like it did.
Jaxdracon
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Scenario 4, node 3
<<[[Calenril_i]] I could have actually done this game without players by running computer simulations with players characters running on a script based on common moves. That would have had value, but would have left out the human element. >>
[[OOC]] And what computer simulation could spout off limericks like our Paddy? ;) Ok, don't answer that....
[[Paddy]]'s thoughts of healing the poor dogcow in the gazebo are pigeonholed when the Black Hands are faced yet again with hostile grid bugs, albeit ones that are clearly out of their element.
Paddy does exactly what Flynn's computer simulations of him expect: he lets another blue crystalline stone fly at the nearest bug, but the Leprechaun does not tempt his (bad) luck with another sling shot.
[[OOC]] DEX SR 6+1 + 5 + 16 = 28 (I have added in the bonus provided by the magical bullet).
[[OOC]] I have added a much-delayed link to the Gedanken site from the PBP Archives. Nice work, Calenril_i!
Eickeric
Subject: Gedanken: Scenario 4, node 3
Those who have been playing/following the Gedanken game recall that I have a Web site associated with the game.
Yes, at http://homepage.mac.com/hutcherl/RPGs/Gedanken/GedankenMain.html.
Visit now, and visit often!
I quit updating the site in September when the time and effort required to update it became unreasonable.
What could possibly take that much time?!?
Soon it will even be able to do HTML encoding and will also fix Eickeric's messages.
Oh.
Blocking your path are five red gridbugs just like the ones in your first encounter. They attack as before, but are not able to move their thin insect legs quickly through the sand. In this environment they seem less dangerous than the previous ones.
Subject: Re: Gedanken: web site
<<Visit now, and visit often!>>
I visited there but no one was home. As you know I'm easily distracted by shiny objects. Please add shiny objects to your web site if possible. *grins*
Eickeric
Subject: Re: Dangerous Gedanken
Heading out to Hawaii for 2 weeks.
If I can't find access to a computer while I'm there, Nitro will cede leadership to Paddy and follow his plans.
Likewise, Jay will do his best to heal and help the others as much as possible. (Basically following the orc brothers.)
Pax!
Mistwalker_
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Scenario 4, node 3
As soon as Paddy fires off his shot wendy steps in front of him protectively to intercept whatever the stone hits when it retaliates.
As soon as any bug gets close to them she starts stabbing viciusly.5th: 5, 2, 6, 1 +6 = 20 hits.
6th: 5, 2, 6, 1 +7 = 21 hits.
Calenril_i
Subject: Gedanken: Scenario 4, Round 1
[[ooc]] Okay, Jaxdracon, Paddy hit the gridbug (their sloth makes them easier to hit, plus that magical stone worked, so it would have been real hard to miss). How about a damage roll?
Gerbica-- would you please roll three dice, add them up for me, and post that Charlie attacked with her sword?
Wendy--You get another attack before the gridbugs go again.
Jaxdracon--I believe that Talan_Fire has at least temporarily abandoned Ryone due to RealLife(tm). You may move for Ryone. He will get two moves, as well. His stats and weapons are on the Web site. His Myc and Str are currently at normal levels.
Talan_Fire--If you want to post for Ryone, jump in at any time.
[[Gedanken GM]] The gridbugs are a pitiful sight as they valiantly and stupidly try to fight in the sand. Their pointed, footless legs sink into the sand, so they must drag themselves through sand to maneuver to fight. They can jump a few feet and they still have those nasty teeth and spikes and such, so they can still do a lot of damage if you give them enough time.
Elsewhere, at a computer terminal, Flynn observes the action, shaking his head at the lousy critters. "Looks like I need to write some new programs," he says to himself.
Calenril_i
Subject: Gedanken: loose ends from node 5
Paddy and Gerbica were unable to help Clarus--Flynn chased out anyone hanging around after she was hit by Paddy. Clarus may have been alive when the Black Hands left, but they had no way of knowing for sure.
Jaxdracon
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Scenario 4, Round 1
[[OOC]] D'oh! I forgot Paddy's damage roll: 6+5 + 6 = 17.
[[Ryone]] saves his Mystic and his ingenuity for another round, and defaults to hack'n'slash with his sax and poniard, twice. (That's what, (2d6+5 + 2d6 +3) * 2? Here are 8 rolls; you can do the math: 3+4+5+6+3+4+3+1 = 29.)
Eickeric
Subject: Gedanken: Scenario 4, Round 1
Paddy and Gerbica were unable to help Clarus--Flynn chased out anyone hanging around after she was hit by Paddy. Clarus may have been alive when the Black Hands left, but they had no way of knowing for sure.
Clarus probably lived. Evil fiends have a way of coming back for you.
Jaxdracon--I believe that Talan_Fire has at least temporarily abandoned Ryone due to RealLife(tm). You may move for Ryone.
Greedy Jax is now running more than half the party.
The gridbugs are a pitiful sight as they valiantly and stupidly try to fight in the sand.
If it was anyone but Nitro (or an irredeemably evil tsexy Cthulhoid monster) I'd feel sorry for the poor louts. As it is, Nitro will whack `em again with the bludgeon, if necessary.
Rolled the following:
5th ed: 5 + 2 + 2 = 9 points damage.
6th ed: 9 + 1 add = 10 points damage.
Mistwalker_
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Scenario 4, Round 1
Wendy's 2nd. attack...
Old: 6, 1, 3, 3 +6 =19.
New: 6, 1, 3, 3 +7 =20.
Calenril_i
Subject: Gedanken: Scen. 4, Round 1
[[ooc]] Those gridbugs were designed for a larger group, and there is one extra, this time. Even with them slowed, the three fighters and Paddy need some help for a quick victory. So, I added attacks from Charlie. I'm anxious to move on to other challenges.
[[Gedanken]] Paddy's shot smashed one in the head, significantly hampering it's ability to fight. The trouble these monsters have getting around doesn't reduce their fight, and the uninjured ones prove their toughness. The wizard and the fighters, with their extra speed, are still too much a match for the gridbugs. After a couple of minutes, it is clear that the creatures cannot win. It is clear to the Black Hands, too, that without Charlie's help this time, it would have been much closer.
[[ooc]] It will probably take 3 more rounds to actually finish the bugs off, but you can skip that, if you like, since they don't have a chance of getting past your armor. If the Black Hands just leave instead of finishing the fight, Paddy will not be able to recover his stone. Jaxdracon, since Paddy is currently the leader, your post will determine whether the team finishes the fight or leaves early.
Jaxdracon
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Scen. 4, Round 1
[[Paddy]] realizes that recovering a magic bullet when he has ten(?) left isn't worth wasting the time to finish off the vicious bugs. "Aye, these critters are not worth the trouble! Onward, valiant Black Hands!" he says, taking off running toward blue door #6.
[[OOC]] Lessee, we have 4 doors in this node: a red #2 (Gazebo), a red #5 (Clarus) and blue #6 and #8, right?
Calenril_i
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Scen. 4, Round 1
[[ooc]] The exits are marked as follows.
#2 (Red, Gazebo)
#5 (Blue, Pasture, but currently not available)
#6 (Blue)
#8 (Blue)Paddy now has 2 fewer blue stones than when he first found them. For the record, it adds 5 to saving rolls when used as missiles. Their properties probably give them other uses, too.
Eickeric
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Scen. 4, Round 1
[[ooc]] It will probably take 3 more rounds to actually finish the bugs off, but you can skip that, if you like, since they don't have a chance of getting past your armor. If the Black Hands just leave instead of finishing the fight, Paddy will not be able to recover his stone. Jaxdracon, since Paddy is currently the leader, your post will determine whether the team finishes the fight or leaves early.
[[Paddy]] realizes that recovering a magic bullet when he has ten(?) left isn't worth wasting the time to finish off the vicious bugs. "Aye, these critters are not worth the trouble! Onward, valiant Black Hands!" he says, taking off running toward blue door #6.
What, are you nuts? Three rounds is not a significant length of time, and the stones have already proved their usefulness, by hopefully killing the evil dogcow. Stay and finish the fight- and besides- last time one of the bugs turned into a red token or something. For all Nitro knows it might happen again.
Fight on, and Nitro fires Paddy as leader once again.
Mistwalker_
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Scen. 4, Round 1
"Oh pixie poop. What fun is that?" Wendy comlains. But she'll follow him, ready to fend off any bugs that try to give chase.
Calenril_i
Subject: Gedanken: Scen 4 Round 2
[[ooc]] Need some clarity. Eickeric, is Nitro fighting on his own or was that just a vote? Jaxdracon, considering the input of other players, do you still want to exit?
BTW, Nitro and Paddy are still wounded.
Eickeric
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Scen 4 Round 2
[[ooc]] Need some clarity. Eickeric, is Nitro fighting on his own or was that just a vote?
Consider it a vote, although it was more of a comment on the overall situation we faced.
Nitro didn't fare too well against multiple opponents alone before, and has no wish to repeat the experience.
Hence, if they're leaving, he is as well. If anyone changes their mind and stays to finish them off, he's there too.
Jaxdracon, considering the input of other players, do you still want to exit?
Irregardless, Nitro IS still firing Paddy as leader.
BTW, Nitro and Paddy are still wounded.
`Tis but a scratch.
Calenril_i
Subject: Gedanken: Node 6
[[Gedanken]] The Black Hands quickly follow Paddy through door number 6, leaving behind the gridbugs and the desert. When the door closes behind the last team member, the scene changes.
You find yourselves on a sunny bank beside a clean, cool stream. The water is so clear, it is almost invisible. Yet, it seems to have a light of its own when you observe its spray against the stones in the stream.
There are no monsters, dogcows, cows, dogs, or other large animals to be seen. You are not attacked.
[[ooc]] Time passed in node 3: 2 rounds.
Mistwalker_
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Node 6
"I guess we're supposed to search for the chip in here." Wendy says, and promptly heads for the stream to start turning over stones.
Calenril_i
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Node 6
<<[[Eickeric]] Nitro drinks some to wash the apples down, then starts to wash around his wounds.
..
Are there any exits, or small animals to be seen?[[Gedanken GM]] As Nitro drinks the water, feelings of energy, power, and well-being fill him. It is beyond freshening--it is healing. He is cleaned and healed completely. As he bathes, Flynn's voice comes from the sky, "Behold, my son, in whom I am well pleased. Hah! I always wanted to say that. But seriously, congratulations. The power never tastes as sweet as from a pure source. Just be careful you don't overdo it."
[[ooc]] Roll a L1 SR on IQ for Nitro. If he fails, the sense of well-being and safety makes him not want to leave. If he fails the SR, then he will want to lay around for 1d6 turns and will not leave unless convinced or carried.
-L1 Chr to convince him to leave.
-L2 Str to forceably carry him away--he'll not put up too much of a fight.-If any others drink the water, they will receive the same benefits but must also make the IQ saving roll. The maximum time the team will stay around is 6 turns. If your character fails the saving roll, he or she will not attempt to get another to leave until his or her own rest time is up.
-Applying the water externally will clean and disinfect a wound and heal 1 con point.
Calenril_i
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Node 6
[[ooc]] After a couple of minutes of turning stones, Wendy has found nothing but some bugs, worms, minnows, and tadpoles--no tokens. There may be bigger fish in the stream, but they're not around.
Jaxdracon
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Node 6
[[Paddy]] notes Nitro's wounds have healed, makes the connection, and dips his face into the stream for a drink too. [L1SR v. IQ: 4+6 + 18 = 28 pass]
"Ahh, much better methinks! And no tokens did we have to expend! Now what exactly did Master Flynn mean about overdoin' it?"
Paddy explores the immediate area for another exit, and [presumably] finding none, heads for the door through which they entered the placid scene [if it is indeed there]. "What say ye we go back an' finish off those blasted bugs?"
Eickeric
Subject: Gedanken
Calenril: As Nitro drinks the water, feelings of energy, power, and well-being fill him. It is beyond freshening--it is healing. He is cleaned and healed completely. Flynn's voice comes
Subject: Gedanken: node 6
<<[[Wendy]]
"I guess we're supposed to search for the chip in here." Wendy says, and promptly heads for the stream to start turning over stones.>><<[[Paddy]] notes Nitro's wounds have healed, makes the connection, and dips his face into the stream for a drink too. [L1SR v. IQ: 4+6 + 18 = 28 pass]
"Ahh, much better methinks! And no tokens did we have to expend! Now what exactly did Master Flynn mean about overdoin' it?"
Paddy explores the immediate area for another exit, and [presumably] finding none, heads for the door through which they entered the placid scene [if it is indeed there]. "What say ye we go back an' finish off those blasted bugs?">>
<<[[Eickeric]]
Nitro continues his dominance of saving throws.
6+5=11+ 10 IQ= 21. Good to go.Paddy: "What say ye we go back an' finish off those blasted bugs?"
If there were/are no other exits, Nitro will agree.
However, before we go, if anyone has anything to carry water in, Nitro will suggest they bring some along. It might not be effective outside of this node, but we won
Subject: Gedanken: node 3, Scenario 5
[[bic]] There is one door behind you and three others, all together forming corners of a square. The door behind you is painted red and has the number 6 on it as well as an icon representing a stream. As before, all the doors are heavy hardwood set in sand-worn stone frames. The door diagonally across from you (about 40 strides away) is blue and the others (about 30 strides away) are red. The one on your left goes to node 5 (now locked). You have not yet gone through the one on your right. But that's not important right now. This is...
"Oh, Felgercarb!" you hear. Three hobbit sized creatures in black monks robes and carrying rakes are scrambling toward a tiny chamber protruding from the ground. Two disappear into the chamber right away, leaving behind a wagon with a couple of non-moving gridbugs stacked upon it. The third one stumbles and trips, its rake flying one way and a bag flying another. Out of the bag fly several blue tokens. It frantically runs to the bag of tokens, reaches in, and throws out a red one.
The red token throbs thrice and then seems to expand or explode into a thickening red mist, finally turning into a camel and a rider. The camel looks like a regular camel. The rider appears to be a warrior in white scale armor with red trim and holds an oxtongue lance. The weapon glows red. "Well, Bob, what have we here?" he says to the monk, "a nice litter of kitties to mess up your nice clean litterbox. Go on, I'll take care of this."
But the little chamber has already receded into the ground, leaving Bob the monk and his guardian alone in the desert.
The red rider turns his camel to face you.
What do you do?
You may:
- Flee through the door behind you.
- Run for another exit.
- Stay and fight in melee.
- Use a ranged weapon.
- Use magic.
- Talk.
- Other.
Jaxdracon
Subject: Re: Gedanken: node 3, Scenario 5
[[OOC]] Lessee, we have 4 doors in this node: a red #2 (Gazebo), a red #5 (Clarus, locked) a red #6 (Stream, just stepped thru it) and blue #8 (diagonally across from us), right? If we haven't gone thru the one on our right, that must make it #2, for we haven't entered it from the desert side.
<<[[Bob's Guardian]] "Well, Bob, what have we here?" he says to the monk, "a nice litter of kitties to mess up your nice clean litterbox. Go on, I'll take care of this.">>
[[Paddy]] raises his hands in peace. "Hallo good sir! We're here by Flynn's request, as... as uh, gametesters, methinks. Don't mind little ol' us! Jus' passin' through!" he says, winking avuncularly and grinning his best. He doesn't advance past where he stands, however, waiting instead for the guardian's response.
Mistwalker_
Subject: Re: Gedanken: Scenario 1, after combat
Wendy'll fidget nervously, looking back and forth from the doors to Serena. She'll follow the leader, wherever she chooses to go. :)
Calenril_i
Subject: Re: Gedanken: node 3, Scenario 5
<<[[bic]] There is one door behind you and three others, all together forming corners of a square. The door behind you is painted red and has the number 6 on it as well as an icon representing a stream. As before, all the doors are heavy hardwood set in sand-worn stone frames. The door diagonally across from you (about 40 strides away) is blue and the others (about 30 strides away) are red. The one on your left goes to node 5 (now locked). You have not yet gone through the one on your right. But that's not important right now. This is... >>
Correction--I got the red and blue doors mixed up. There are three blue doors and one red. The red door is across from you. The only one you haven't gone through is the one on your right. The red one goes back to node 2--the gazebo. The door on your right (blue) is node 8, but you're too far away to read that.
<<[[Paddy]] raises his hands in peace. "Hallo good sir! We're here by Flynn's request, as... as uh, gametesters, methinks. Don't mind little ol' us! Jus' passin' through!" he says, winking avuncularly and grinning his best. He doesn't advance past where he stands, however, waiting instead for the guardian's response. >>
[[Gedanken GM]] "Testers? Of course you're being tested. What do you think the Game Grid is for? _You're_ here to be tested, and _I'm_ the Wandering Monster. But if you really want to pass on this one, then go on, that way." He motions to the red door (node #2). "Otherwise, you can pass through...my large intestine! Hahh hahh!" he laughs at his own joke.
Meanwhile, the Black Monk has finished gathering all the blue tokens and is heading toward the untried door.
Eickeric
Subject: Gedanken
Nitro will agree. However, before we go, if anyone has anything to carry water in, Nitro will suggest they bring some along. It might not be effective outside of this node, but we won
Calenril_i
Subject: gedanken: Node 3, scenario 5
[[ooc]]
<<Fair enough. If anyone is worried about the `overdoing it
Eickeric
Subject: Re: gedanken: Node 3, scenario 5
<<Fair enough. If anyone is worried about the `overdoing it
Jaxdracon
Subject: Re: gedanken: Node 3, scenario 5
[[Paddy]] sighs at the turn of events, and scuttles out of the way of the charging camel. When he gets a chance, he prepares a magical stone in his sling.
[[Ryone]] fires off a TTYF at maximum strength at the guardian.