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

[Lucius Cypher]

Well, common dnd meta is that healing in battle isn't as effective as simply laying on the damage. It's out-of-combat most people need, and 40 HP from a level 1 spell is pretty good. Granted Cure Wounds is far more useful if you need the heals now, but 10 berries that can heal 4 HP each would be great for an after battle snack.

I also like the idea that with things like magic initiate, our characters are just learning spells from each other. Assume Parum is going to the College of Lore (which is what it looks like from her backstory), even she'll get in on the cross class magical learning. Heck even Orchid could since I intend to take him down the Totem Warrior route, and someone's gotta teach him Speak with Animal and Beast Sense.

[Hekazu]

@Lucius Cypher
Is true. On the other hand multiclassing this early would delay core class features from both classes, so I still do not see a reason to outright ban the combination. Even if up to 40 Hit Points restored by a 1st level spell is quite ridicoulous.

[Lucius Cypher]

The smarter thing to do would be to wait it out till level 4 where she can get magic initiate the feat. This way she can get herself goodberry and two into cantrips.

Also I posted. Dunno if we're getting into a fight right now or if we can parley a little. At the very least Orchid told everyone his plan so they won't be surprised.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

Welcome to the group, @Norschtalen. It is a pleasure to have you with us.

Introductions out of the way, the notion that out-of-combat healing is superior to in-combat healing holds true and strong even in this edition; some might recall the Wand of Cure Light Wounds or Wand of Lesser Vigor debates of old. It is also worth mention that while save or die spells are far more rare, there's still a fewer number of save or lose options, but not as many as the hit point affecting types. Given this, hit point damage is still steadily common enough to the point it is more or less the only real reason one would regularly die. Short of preventing an ally from going unconscious or outright dying, healing is usually the lesser option.

The Goodberry trick? Excellent outside battle and comes on early for characters. Not too versatile - I cannot really imagine forcing a berry into healing an unconscious ally by forcing it into their mouth - but it tremendously improves group longevity, namely at low levels. We as a group still have not hit second level, which I am guessing this dragon fight might change, but that's a loosed bolt in the dark, but I digress to the example that all of our hit dice are expended for the most part and we lacked a consistent healing member until now.

I would say it helps avert the 5 Minute Work Day of the Third Edition, but requires a pretty strong suspension of disbelief... even in Dungeons and Dragons. I like it more than the wands option by far because it is rewarding to the player responsible, but there should be a give-take balance on it.

[Hekazu]

I will likely post tomorrow, detailing what the people with eyes outside can see. The post will assume you all will move onto the battlements soon, so poke me if that is not the case with your character. Of course, the druid with merely a familiar on the move being an exception.

[Norschtalen]

I actually have thought of the Goodberry idea @Gordian Nought in another campaign I played! My GM at the time wasn't sure if the Life Domain applied to healing spells that weren't in the Cleric spell list, so I'm glad to see that there is some official sources that says it's possible. I was using a variant human cleric and chose Magic Initiate to use it, though back then our group was pretty good at defeating the enemy before sustaining much damage. Back then my cleric was much more melee oriented and I only took the life domain to gain easy access to heavy armor. She acted more like a paladin then a cleric now that I think of it.

And depending on how things go I might do it if we reach level 4. Personally I like to improve my character based off how things go in the campaign, like how I made my human cleric into a more paladin type of person since she tends to be in melee and was very aggressive. She started off more innocent and wanted to help the people in her kingdom, but the party was close to the neutral-evil side of things, so she had to keep them in check since we were suppose to be honorable knights.

[Gordian Nought]

So delicious! I truly adore tanky clerics. Very cool.

I think playing by ear is wise. (Bard joke intended) We will have enough overlap with Torus, Parum, and Kyra, by Level 2 that in or out of combat healing shouldn't be too much of an obstacle.

[Hekazu]

I hope the proper introduction of your foe is to your liking. Also @Lucius Cypher, as your DM I feel obligated to ask you "Are you sure?" when it comes to your plan.

[Lucius Cypher]

I'm like, 60% certain I could pull this off. The other 40% is still looking for other options.

[Gordian Nought]

Marvelous post, @Hekazu! The dragon is literally upon us.

Eek! Just for tracking, here goes, Torus' rolls based on his ability scores.

Torus' initiative is 2.
Torus' wisdom saving throw against Frightful Presence is 18.

Since I need to roll separately, in addition, for the raven, it's stats are as follows:

STR 2
DEX 14
CON 8
INT 2
WIS 12
CHA 6

AC is 12 with a total HP of 1.

The raven's initiative is 4.
The raven's wisdom saving throw against Frightful Presence is 10.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

Rolls

Rolled a 19 for Initiative.
Rolled a 9 on Wisdom saving throw to resist Frightful Presence. Ability checks and attack rolls are at presumed disadvantage.

Fortunately I had not intended for my character to be anywhere near the dragon itself, so I am glad to see my plan went well hand in hand with the fact I rolled poorly.

[Lucius Cypher]

Rolls

Initiative = 22
Wisdom Save = 20

Ha ha! The dice are good to me today! Hopefully it'll continue to be good when I scale this dragon!

[Norschtalen]

Kyra's Initiative is 12 and her willsave hit 17 exactly. Do we have a free round to react or should we wait in initiative order for now?

[Ryonara]

I didn't do so well, even with Brave giving Parum advantage against being Frighten.

Initiative = 13
Wisdom Save = 12/10 with Advantage, but neither one is going to beat a 17.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

I would also like to request a crude map, given I imagine cover and concealment might be fairly significant here. I personally do not look forward to being breathed on by a dragon - I do not imagine the thing is going to be pulling any punches, official module or not.

[Hekazu]

@The Harbinger of Ferocity Well, you all know how horrendous of an artist I am, but a crude drawing you shall have!

As per request

Indeed, the roof is quite barren and the best cover you can find (that is not on the the upper battlements where the you have met with the governor at the very top of the tower behind you) would be to dive back inside. Also, a more accurate call regarding your distance to the dragon would be more like 80 ft. I'll fix it to my earlier post.

In any case, Orchid (aka @Lucius Cypher), you are up! We'll be taking the normal initiative order.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

The face you drew upon the dragon does indeed capture the terror of this night, @Hekazu. Well played, sir.

Accounting for as much, I will continue to have Brannor use that entrance doorway as cover and concealment, just for your reference. The sort of deadly dance of step out, loose an arrow, step back into cover.

[Lucius Cypher]

I shall post as soon as I get home!

[Hekazu]

That would be the first adventurer accounted for. @The Harbinger of Ferocity, your turn. I trust your plan will not be quite as "Victory or death!" as the first one to go.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

On that you would be correct, @Hekazu. Though by miracle I might just have hit said dragon, disadvantage be damned. I am certain we will find out soon enough.