Draken

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

@vietmyke, exactly why we should discuss it now. But keep in mind, everyone, that Leviathan and Phoenix were not trained to fight together. Trained to adapt, yes, but not specifically in concert. As such, most of you will not be accustomed to Ilya's supporting fire. As for Galahad specifically, it sounds like he's a flex character. Filling in gaps where needed or as is advantageous. Stina should generally thinking about interference and interception in combat. He could never land a blow and have been a huge success.

There is also the issue of formation, but with all the mobility magics and angles of attack, I'm not sure it really applies. There may be general patterns, but the advantage of 8 individuals who have trained for a decade together is that they have chemistry and cohesion. We'll have patterns, but forget any detailed battle plans unless we're talking about a planned battle on the scale of an entire building. (At which point is it really a "battle" or a siege/invasion/etc?)

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

@Draken I mean, you never know. Could've been like the Hunger Games. Different arena every time.

@CollectorOfMyst

Well I mean, that implies that there's official procedures and neutral parties involved... Then again, I could see duels being common enough for the Seminary to have rules about them, and accommodations, so probably.

@shylarah As far as Rodion and his workshop goes-- each inquisitor is highly individualistic in terms of their ether ability. It's not like there's a 'metalworking class' in the seminary. In fact, I think Rodion is one of the few inquisitors who can do what he does. He showed talent with machines so a curriculum was created specifically for him, just as one was created for Tatiana and her summoning, Astraea and her healing abilities, Ziotea and her ether manipulation, ect.

@Lovejoy

Did each student get a room for them, then? I imagine more "basic" magics would have near identical rooms, but I love the idea of there being a sort of water/zen room for Ilya, with the capacity for dozens of flying targets and hazards to whiz out of nowhere at a moment's notice.

Incidentally, if each Warband is meant to be a highly cohesive unit, should we talk a bit about how combat goes? I think of Father Ilya as a mostly stationary, center figure. A sort of offensive support, taking shots and things trying to threaten the group and landing blows when allies manage to break a foe's guard for a second. He'd use his water abilities sparingly, as an emergency shield and distraction to prevent blows from landing him or his warsiblings. Heck, I could see the whole group having what basically amounts to a fanny pack of water on their back for him to utilize.

That said, the weight placed upon whole warbands makes it even more interesting that a select few members of Leviathan have been chosen to join the invasion of El.

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

@Draken I think she would've been intent on proving her superiority over a son of the Bjornley family and would've demanded Ilya to duel her throughout the years. I think, as far as pure destructive ether potential goes, she would have him beat, but he is definitely more clever than her, so who knows how those duels went (if he even chose to participate in them).

@Lovejoy

He would probably entertain her once a year. Despite it being an annoyance, he would totally start preparing a month ahead of time, even if he lost most of the matches. She almost certainly won the final bout, especially since Ilya isn't about to get any distance in a formal 1v1 scenario. (Turns out that being the gun guy isn't too good when starting at 20 paces and with magic. Plus, I highly doubt they battled while knee deep in water or anything.)

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

When it says "any attempt to work with" you mean she actively sabotaged others trying to do things her way, or that she did what she wanted even if it wasn't the way they were supposed to be doing it, and thus more of including her being disastrous?

@shylarah

She strikes me as the kind of terrible person who violently lashes out at anyone who gets in her way during the action and will throw a fit at people who suggest trying another tactic. Definitely someone nobody wants in charge. The type to shoot the messenger who brought bad news and execute the advisory council everyone was surprised she had in the first place.

Ilya, for his part, would have tried to probe and see if she was open to diplomacy. She clearly was not, and so he would quietly (and internally resentfully) settle in to the family feud - though he wasn't about to start sh*t when there's so much work and learning to be done. He would, however, feel a bit pissy about her special treatment with a individual culmination and special assignment. Part of him hopes its a punishment of sorts, but really he fears someone as terrible as her is being handed a relatively easy path to being regarded as a hero. The brat doesn't deserve it.

As for Ziotea's opposition to Ilya being a leader - she would have had no real say, as a member of a different warband. She can throw as many fits as she likes, but Leviathan business does not concern her - until culmination and Ilya's assignment to join Phoenix in journeying to El, that is. But by then, his position is cemented, it's just a matter of what sway he has on the boat. That will be at sea for a very long time.

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

Conversely, I seem to recall the idea of Ilya being Leviathan's leader being brought up, having been elected essentially by default. I forget what was concluded, but it might make more sense for one of the unnamed members to have the position.

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

@shylarah Cillian being one of Ilya's family's bloodslaves would be interesting. That'd depend on if @Draken is cool with having someone like that for a classmate though.

@Lovejoy

Gah, it's been so long that I'm forgetting who, but one of our characters was a Bjornlie "asset" before. More is chill. I imagine the Seminary has inquisitors low-key checking out all the pumpworks for potential, though. Not just the Bjornlie family.

And yes, Ilya was subjected to the "extra curricular" stuff. He's half-oblivious to that it came from hate, though.

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

@Scout, you have all of our best wishes! Let us know how you're doing, if/when you can, please!

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

Any advice for a rookie Dungeon Master, Draken? I'm working on a bit of a oneshot for my group, in case the DM is ever otherwise occupied, but I've very little idea on where to start.

@CollectorOfMyst

I'm no master myself, with my most recent mistake being to completely forget rewards and XP values.

My one tip that isn't in every other list of tips is to try and add some variety to any encounters you have. If there is a rectangular room, it better not be an empty rectangular room. One recent example of mine was putting my players in approximately a 10x20 tiny cave, with a giant snake that took of half of the space. Other things to consider are debris and monster tactics. (Kobolds, for instance, like to use traps, as well as hit and run.) If the monsters know the players (or some sort of threat) are/may be coming, how might they have prepared?

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

@Scout Ugh, I know right. :p

How is everyone doing? I'll try and get things revved back up tomorrow. Hopefully the site is still around by then.

@Lovejoy

I'm doing well. Remembering how tricky it can be to run D&D, but otherwise all is good.

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

Color me impressed, @Lovejoy. I just graduated with a BA in Media Studies via the film tracks, and even with my college focusing on social causes and artsy, individual/small group projects on no budget, I can get a sense of how much shit can pile up on top of itself at a moment's notice, and the number of things to keep track of besides.