[OOC] D&D 5e - Hoard of the Dragon Queen

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

@Hekazu, there's not going to be a response from the kobolds? Otherwise I am left with only one reasonable assumption.

[VKAllen]

@Hekazu, there's not going to be a response from the kobolds? Otherwise I am left with only one reasonable assumption.

@The Harbinger of Ferocity

Ye could hold your action until there's a response.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

That's the issue @VKAllen, as if they do not respond the only credible interpretation at hand is that they're going to fight. There's no reason for Brannor to change any course of action he has - which is to eliminate the kobolds - without a change in the scenario. Mostly it is just to give Parum a chance to do something, as much as I don't believe the kobolds are going to do anything but fight us.

[Lucius Cypher]

Well, if we go by traditional table-top handling, we won't know how the kobolds will react until it's their turn. Brannor should act however he feels if he has the chance to go; maybe he waits to see what the kobolds do, maybe he does what he wants to do. Unless talking here counts as a free action, there isn't really a way for Brannor to know what their answer is until they do something, which by at that point who knows what they do.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

After reading several articles about it, the only certain thing I can find is this.

You can communicate however you are able, through brief utterances and gestures, as you take your turn.

p190 Fifth Edition Player's Handbook

Which is a divergence from Third Edition, meaning there's really no option here but to engage because of circumstance. Accounting for this, I am going to proceed.

[Ryonara]

I'll be honest, I was kinda hoping that Parum could talk these kobolds out of a fight. Partly to show off Parum's charisma, but mostly because I think only Trear and Parum are at full health while out meatshields are one or two strikes from rolling death saves.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

I was indeed hoping you would be able to persuade them, @Ryonara for those reasons among others, but it seems that isn't quite as viable as it used to be. Either way, I apologize as the player - as much as I would want my character to delay, there's no real reason he would. He neither speaks Draconic nor knew this was going to be Parum's coming approach. Not a personal effort to spite you, this I assure you.

[Hekazu]

Yeah, I'm sorry @Ryonara, but the combat works as it works. For her talking to have an effect, it would be needed to wait until the Kobold's turn in initiative order. Now then, it happens to be my turn! Just a moment...

EDIT: And now it would be Trear's turn to take the stage. To recap, no enemies are currently visible. Go forth, @VKAllen!

[Hekazu]

One more day for @VKAllen before the 4 days is up.

[Hekazu]

Well, it may have been a crit but I'll have to object. Your intended target is in total cover behind a wall, not to be seen. They came out, they shot, they went back. You cannot shoot at something you cannot see. Would you rather wait for an enemy to arrive into your vision @VKAllen?

[VKAllen]

Well, it may have been a crit but I'll have to object. Your intended target is in total cover behind a wall, not to be seen. They came out, they shot, they went back. You cannot shoot at something you cannot see. Would you rather wait for an enemy to arrive into your vision @VKAllen?

@Hekazu

I'd say roll me perception to see if I could see them. Only then I would accept a different target.

[Hekazu]

Whatever the dice would roll, the character couldn't be seen from your current position. It is physically impossible.

[Lucius Cypher]

She could arc her shot, couldn't she? She might not be able to see where the kobold is, but she knows where it went. A nat 20 would just imply that despite the odds, she was able to arc the arrow past any direct cover and nail em anyways. It'd be like trying to hit an invisible opponent you can't see, but you know the general area of or their position.

[Hekazu]

A target with total cover can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some spells can reach suc a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle.

- PHB p.196

Thus, to hit an arcing shot they would have to determine targeting "randomly" by choosing a five foot square behind hte wall to aim at, which would be an attack against the space, not the person. If the person happened to be in said space, sure the attack would hit (and crit with that 20). In this case, making a direct attack like that is not a viable, nor possible course of action.

[VKAllen]

I can tell that this character is of importance.

Therefore meaningless, no matter what I try to do-- something will just be put in front of it to prevent me from being able to pursue them.

[Lucius Cypher]

Different tactic perhaps? Pretty sure that Ashkar might've just got dropped from that crit shot, though I don't remember if he was in the double digits from the last battle. I know I'm at two at least.

[Hekazu]

@VKAllen I will not comment on the character importance, but rules are rules. While it may not be the fun thing to deny taking said shot, if you people were to stand behind the wall of the building you are at, the enemies couldn't target you either. They are using tactics allowed by the rules of the edition and to gain extra safety they are missing out on having an eye on the action. I do not see saying no to you shooting at targets whose location you do not know to be unreasonably limiting. Could you please choose another action for the turn? I am not asking to reroll the attack if you are making a readied/point targeted attack, just to change the action to be plausible. This does also include running after them and seeing if they are in your line of sight after thirty feet. The distance to the back wall of the house is longer than that though, so you might just be redundantly exposing yourself if you chose that. Might.

I am sure we can work something out here, I am not against you guys. The enemies might be, but my ultimate goal is not to kill you all. It is to tell a story with you.

[VKAllen]

@VKAllen I will not comment on the character importance, but rules are rules. While it may not be the fun thing to deny taking said shot, if you people were to stand behind the wall of the building you are at, the enemies couldn't target you either. They are using tactics allowed by the rules of the edition and to gain extra safety they are missing out on having an eye on the action. I do not see saying no to you shooting at targets whose location you do not know to be unreasonably limiting. Could you please choose another action for the turn? I am not asking to reroll the attack if you are making a readied/point targeted attack, just to change the action to be plausible. This does also include running after them and seeing if they are in your line of sight after thirty feet. The distance to the back wall of the house is longer than that though, so you might just be redundantly exposing yourself if you chose that. Might.

I am sure we can work something out here, I am not against you guys. The enemies might be, but my ultimate goal is not to kill you all. It is to tell a story with you.

@Hekazu

I already know what's involved.

Its just that I'm awfully peeved at it for some reason.

Making edits now.

[Hekazu]

There we go. So, on Orchid's next turn if they are to seek an eye on the battlefield do send me a PM with a perception roll prior to that @Lucius Cypher. Then I can tell what they see. Next up would be Parum, meaning it's @Ryonara's turn to see what can be done.

The situation after the first round now looks a little something like this:

Yes, my doodlings are terrible. I hope they aid with something though.

[Ryonara]

What are the lower case t's?