EotM - OOC Thread

[Daos]

This thread is for general OOC chatter.

And just before we begin, I want to say, this adventure is something of a railroad.  It may even get a bit frustrating at points, so try not to blame me for that, I'm just running it as written.  On the bright side, Granker's gladiator background and Sumina's Vengeance Vigor ability will probably finally get some use.

[Matt4]

Well, I hope we get through it quickly if it's that bad! D: is it a long adventure?

[Daos]

No, it's fairly short, especially considering how linear it is.  I'll try and get us through it quickly.

The main crux is the party isn't really afforded any agency.  The module often reads a lot like, "The party is captured.  If they try to fight, they are overwhelmed with numbers.  If they try to escape, they are immediately caught.  If they do anything they are not supposed to do, they fail."  Basically, the module expects things to play out a very specific way, and I guess assumes the party just goes along with it, and it tells the DM to brute force things when they don't.

And I mean, all modules railroad to some extent.  It's necessary.  After all, if we are running Tomb of Horrors, it's assumed the party will delve into said Tomb.  They can't just up and leave and go explore the nearby forest.

But most modules I've read tend to offer alternatives if the party does something they are not supposed to.  Like, "The party is captured.  If they manage to fight their way out, consider having Y or Z happen so the story stays on track.  If they manage to escape, here are some ways to ensure they still learn the vital info they need that they would otherwise miss."  That sort of thing.

The problem with brute forcing is, that in my experience, the less agency the players feel they have, the more they act out; which tends to require more brute forcing.  And if they find that there is nothing they can do, they tend to stop caring altogether.  Plus, players have a propensity for solving all of their problems with violence.  So if you introduce an unlikable NPC that bullies and harasses them, and then tell them, "No, you can't kill them" it rarely works out well.  The module does offer the party payback, but not until the very end.  Until then, you're just expected to deal with it.

[TristenC]

Sorry, just got back from my honeymoon a day or so ago. Playing catchup today

[Matt4]

Awww, congratulations Tristan!! Where did you go?

[GreyWolfVT]

Congrats Tristen!

[TristenC]

Ty Ty ^_^
we went to the Florida Keys, it was nice and warm
but we are planning a cruise in the summer as well around the british isles

[HorizonsDream]

Honeymoon? Wow, Congrats. Welcome back. Sounds like you had a good time.

[Igordragonian]

I am super sorry.
Is there any chance I can rejoin?
I understand if not..

[Daos]

The only issue is, Parra was left behind on the ship and there's no reasonable way that I can think of to pop her back in at this point, as the party has been captured and imprisoned.  You might have to wait until the next adventure begins to re-integrate her.

[Igordragonian]

That fair.
If it's very far ahead, maybe I can try to introduce conceintly meddling kender or gully dwarf?

Though I like Parra, so maybe I'll wait.
But thank you.

[Matt4]

Daos said this adventure is really short so I don't think you'd need to wait that much anyway

(Or maybe we could just do a quick retcon and say that Parra was captured along with the others..? After all we didn't really do that much yet)

[Matt4]

Daos I have a question: is the spell Hold Person ineffective on minotaurs in general or is it because this particular guard is bigger than average?

[TristenC]

It doesn't affect minotaurs

[Dallion80]

Sorry guys been a rough week here i plan on catching up on my pbps later tonight