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

[Ryonara]

I'm not doing so great, but I'll try to post something this Saturday too. At least something about what Parum is doing.

[Gordian Nought]

Love the collaboration! Especially, the willingness of Kyra to sac a half-orc for her vision and version of a higher cause. :)

[Lucius Cypher]

Honestly, I'm more surprised at how short it is. Usually my collabs are at least thirty or so paragraphs long, but I'm honestly surprised how curt I can make a conversational collab. Helps that Orchid isn't very verbose. Still I feel a bit dirty only contributing two paragraphs...

[Norschtalen]

Love the collaboration! Especially, the willingness of Kyra to sac a half-orc for her vision and version of a higher cause. :)

@Gordian Nought

Thank you! Originally I had thought Kyra was suppose to be a bit sweeter, and I think she still is, but the things she's seen happen to her home town has changed her dramatically. Before the worse thing she's ever had to deal with was an uppity noble getting too cocky on his high horse. All that did was test her resolve to treat others better, believing that her faith would allow her to come out the better person. But after all of this, Kyra's perspective has taken a steep turn.

I'd like to think if Falconmoon knew what she was doing, he'd notice a stark contrast between the kind, loving Priestess of Chauntea, and this bloodthirsty huntress before him. I will admit though that I personally, and I think Kyra does too, have a bit of a conflict about the direction she's going. On one hand she's justifiably angry at these raiders and wants them all gone. But just how far will she go for justice? At what point does her pursuit of justice just become a chaotic frenzy for vengeance?

[Gordian Nought]

@Norschtalen I'm always a sucker for internal catharsis; it anthropomorphicizes the character, demonstrating that righteousness is impotent without the contrast of depravity.

But @Lucius Cypher, I love it when you type dirty.

Hope things get better, @Ryonara. Sooner than later. By the by, that blade bow concept is so slick; might have to borrow it for another campaign. :)

[Ryonara]

@Gordian Nought

When you said Blade Bow, my mind first though you meant a longbow with blades on the arms. Which I think is also pretty cool except I don't have a character like that. Until you meant bow as in the viol bow, which surprising me is actually not too uncommon. At the very least, I found more than two pictures with someone using a blade bow, so it's certainly has a niche.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

Character conflicts, especially contrasting ones as with @Norschtalen or emotional ones like @Ryonara, do a lot to complete an identity. Granted all are still 1st level characters, with a very long road ahead of them in terms of story and game progression, these additions are pretty influential to that future. I am unsure how they'll affect whatever is to come, but I have no doubt they'll certainly do that.

[Gordian Nought]

@Hekazu Exactly what I was hoping!

Torus/Xaron would like to not only pool the DM but also, OOC, the audience.

Currently leaning for Xaron's ability, to control and converse our elder buccaneer, to be largely dampened but not completely nullified. Yet, her memories and thoughts should be historically submerged and embedded into his psyche, so much so, that the telepathic imprint subconsciously continues to spring into a mixed dialogue (purple text) and potential flashbacks. Or should there be triggers for her involvement (i.e. battle) instead of being ever-present?

What do y'all think? Any suggestions/comments/complaints?

[Norschtalen]

I'm honestly not entirely sure what's going on with Torus. I try not to read other people's CS to avoid metagaming them too much, and I'll admit just reading your posts can be a bit of a chore because I have to decipher your flowery linguistics. I don't know how the Remove Curse will affect Torag in any way particular that I feel the need to be concerned about.

As far as I can say IC, I don't think Kyra herself even understands what's going on with Torag well enough to notice any difference. As far as she can tell he's still the same senile but skilled old man as he was before. Maybe she might take notice if he speaks less cryptically, but she simply doesn't know Torag well enough to figure out if this is suppose to be normal or not for him. Outsiders are always strange.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

I believe it is only fair to pose the position that, "If it benefits the progress of the character without detriment to the party, there is no reason one should not consider it."

The character, from my understanding might only be free in the sense that he is no longer actually "cursed", but the effects of the curse are not cured. There will always be some part of Xaron that exists, even if only memories and thoughts but not an "entity". It is one of those scenarios where the demon might be banished but is far from dead. Torus might both remember and know Xaron still, despite there being no actual control and domination. He could even believe the presence to still be with him from time to time or fall back into habits or routines of that other personality, even with it "gone".

Knowing these options and more, I see no particular reason the character should not make that decision provided they would make it. If Torus really does wish to be free, this would be that first step. The largest step, but that shadow of evils past will never quite disappear. Conditions that arise for the influence should be based on that; just how much remains.

Again, my only concern is that it is best for the character without costing the party. To give a simple but direct example, Torus does not suddenly forget how to cast his spells. Given this is a module and we are still quite low level by virtue of that, we haven't the luxury to piece together Torus' person as a side quest. A worthy one I think that would be and something I would be willing to do, but I cannot speak for anyone else. This story to my knowledge centers on what we can make do within it by the rules and what our Dungeon Master is willing to contend with in their game.

[Hekazu]

I cannot comment on whether the module holds any spots where it would be natural, maybe even beneficial to take the time to "piece Torus together", but I can tell that I am in no way rigidly enforcing you to stay on the beaten path. However, since the story is heading into a certain direction, too big of a diversion may end up making things monumentally harder in the future. Hopefully I will be able to establish a certain sense of urgency even within IC, so that your characters can naturally choose to pursue "the main quest" over the side mission of helping their friend when the game would call for it.

And of course, if all else fails, I still have the DM staple of asking "Are you sure?"

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

I have been under the assumption that you have been more open with it, @Hekazu. I know by design there will be a few periods of that, as it was often complained about in older editions, but I would rather not derail the game too much. I am all for helping people flesh out a character objective provided we aren't essentially wasting what little precious time a module might give us that we know nothing about. While I think it might be more obvious this edition now, and with your assistance in that written medium of storytelling, there is always that element. Thus far I haven't seen an area where time or urgency was poorly conveyed so I am not too worried.

In the end @Gordian Nought, go with what feels right for the scenario and desires in mind. Those are my general thoughts.

[Gordian Nought]

@Hekazu@Norschtalen@The Harbinger of Ferocity

Thanks be to all, for your input. I agree with your statements, especially Harbinger's. For now, I've decided Torus will likely still wear a tiny scent of demonic possession, but with, more than less, complete autonomy. I will plan and hope to develop his/her backstories as we have natural openings, without derailing our posse from our module, unless DM & co feels we can integrate them seemlessly together.

Again, mucho gracias everyone! I will likely post tonight.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

This all accounted for, you can expect a post from myself relating to Brannor either this morning to come or that very evening. I think I have sat myself on the sidelines long enough to see the character into something now; I did not want to interrupt that little exchange or stumble into the other duo on their way out.

[Hekazu]

As I mentioned in my status, May day is here. I will most likely not be available until Tuesday, if things don't go my way exchange that for Wednesday. I hope this once a year thing won't be too much trouble.

[Lucius Cypher]

Tis cool with me. I think I'm the only one due for a post, so I'll just do my thing and we can wait for you from there.

[Hekazu]

Tis cool with me. I think I'm the only one due for a post, so I'll just do my thing and we can wait for you from there.

@Lucius Cypher

I'm back! Did you want to post something, or shall I go ahead?

[Lucius Cypher]

TBH all I could think of for Orchid is more obersvations and light protest. Mez a think that Parum ez better talker than Orc Kid.

[Gordian Nought]

I feel a BBEG is about to be sprung on us. :)

[Norschtalen]

Yes, a post! @Hekazu, should we do a bit of a collab to find Escobert or the governor? I still want to try to capture a prisoner if possible.