So, we start next week with good success in killing the orc tribe and their leader. However, in the ordeal Taladel fell. This was a big, serious battle with victory, but at a cost.
A good portion of Cave Entrance A has been explored but there is much more up to the North. You were paid to explore and excavate all the caves. One has already been allowed to survive, Squeezilpop the kobold, but will others? None tonight! Too many orc haters in the group!
On another note, Kylor has dipped his hand into this magical pouch. What will he pull out?
Kylor Speaks: I am concerned about how are we to bring Taladel back, can we afford to do this? I know he had fallen before, BUT do we know if Taladel would want to return AGAIN?? Is this something his religion supports? Again, how can we afford to bring him back?? Viceak may actually know these answers, since they are so close. As far as affording to bringing Taladel back, I am sure perhaps his upper district parents could fit the bill. The church would expect task, coin, and some donations of some sort. This place is not cursed, I agree we should take Taladel back to Montravail. I say we avoid the church, for the church would put demands upon Taladel, IF they bring him back. Are we sure this is a course of action he would want, remember the last time he was brought back he was put to six months of service to Captain Bluebeard. Who knows what the church will demand. I think mommy and daddy money bags is the right course of action to bring him back. Isnt Mr Agaraen a big wig in the church??? perhaps he could bring his son back
By the beard of me grandpappy, these caves of chaos be taken the lives of many of meese friends. Wormstone! This be the 2nd time me goods friend Taladel perish within this dungeon. We needs to go back to Montravail ASAP so we can bring him back. Me Acid Darts be workin overtime battling filthy humanoids. Acid Darts may not be dwarven weapon, but kill many Kobolds & Orcs.
Sean Speaks- I have found memories of the Keep on the Boarderlands being extremely difficult for several reasons. The module was set for low level characters, required teamwork and thinking, and a sure number of baddies, plus on top of that the open nature of the game which allowed the DM to create encounters that made sense to their game. All these years later, it is still true. Unfortunately, what occurred to Taladel was due to the fate of the dice. Several bad dice rolls culminated n a horrible outcome. Being fearful of the module is good it means we will be cautious and make smart decisions moving forward, like not sleeping in caves where we know there are still more creatures deeper inside. LOL (sorry it had to be said) Remember this module was not meant to be a death trap like the Tomb of Horrors but to encourage thinking, problem-solving and teamwork. I recall reading that Gyax ended his tips to players in the module with these words: “The game is designed to challenge the minds and imaginations of the players. Those who tackle problems and use their abilities, wits, and new ideas will succeed more often than fail. The challenge of thinking is a great deal of the fun of the game.” Let us keep that in mind, and be on our "A" game moving forward. This will not be a cakewalk but a real challenge. Let Taladel's death be the last, we can overcome this challenge by working together.
Sindrax speaks.
This place is cursed, I tell you. Now taladel has fallen, just like his last group mates. What , or who is next.
We can get taladel back. If we bring him to Montraville, his chruch should be able to this. He is Paladin, this must account for something in his chruch. Paladin are ones of the holiest of persons in a chruch. The trip to montraville is not far. I am all for the trip back, to see about bringing him up. But we should search out the rest of this place. The orc leader is dead and his minions. What else could be left in this place. Maybe we can find something here that can bring taladel back.
The keep, has been extremely challenging. And we have had some good luck and some very bad luck aswell. I definitely thought Sindrax was done. And was not expecting Taladel to be the one that falls. When I was sooo close, myself. I felt like there was alot of 1's and 20's rolled that night. Taladel rolls a 1 and then a 20. What are the chances of that. Just goes to so,this game can take a turn at any given moment. Really crazy when you think about it. And I have seen this go both ways over the years. How many times did we end a game session with a battle, that we where clearly losing. And then start the battle up on the next session, and Bamm we won the battle. I am stating to get a bit fearfull of the keep. The keep has technically taken 4 character lives, so far.
DM Speaks:
The battle last evening was not one I anticipated any loss of life of character life from. I agree it was a tough battle, but damage wasn't so significant that I felt one would be knocked unconscious and not killed. However, critical strikes and such can always change that. I always appreciate player understanding when a bad situation happens to their character. Thank you, Mike, for being fair, even keeled and not angry with the DM. It wasn't me after all but those nasty savage orcs! HATE THEM!
The Keep mission is interesting as we know battle is expected. Most creatures might not be epic in strength but there will be many in gangs and swarms which is just as big of a problem if not more. Advantage is key to every battle. When you plan and take the advantage things almost always work in your favor. Of course, an unlucky dice roll can change that but that's the randomness of a savage battle.
Kylor Speaks: It appears the orc tribe has been defeated and its leader. However, we know there is more left to explore moving forward. I hope we are able to cross this off of our list quickly. I am concerned about how to bring Taladel back, can we afford to do this? I know he had fallen before, do we know if Taladel would want to return?? Is this something his religion supports? I look towards Viceak they were close friends and I am sure he knows these answers and can guide us to the correct course of action. I would assume the best way to do this would be to travel to Taladel's church in Montravale. This is a grim reminder that the task before us is not a cakewalk and that we need to be on our "A" game moving forward. There were mistakes made that caused us to lose an advantage, the best we can do is learn and do better next time.
Sean Speaks: There was a single male orc and nine orc babies allowed to evacuate the orc caves.
Yes, Squeezilpop, the kobold was allowed to survive as well.
My head was spinning last night as to the events that lead to Taladel's death. That was a tough battle, but one I expected to survive as I was at full hit points.
But a natural 20, and a 20 on the critical hit charts, and then a 1 on the D4 was immediate doom. Think about the mathematical chances of that playing out as such!
But that is what makes the game fun and challenging. How exciting would it be to play every week, and feel no danger or risk of death?
Hopefully Taladel can be brought back.