Monday, February 24, 2014

Email Skill Challenge II: Responses (Part 1)

My players did a great job role-playing with this latest skill challenge! Here are some highlights {with my notes in fancy brackets}:


Character: Ely, gnome illusionist
Player: Mac

Though the Maiden of the Moon was an Archfey, not a proper deity, there were nevertheless many sects throughout the lands that worshipped the Fey as Gods. Elyjobel saw Bigglesby tossing restlessly, and gently called out his name. "Tell me of the Hunt; tell me of the thrill of the chase, noble woodsman. Tell me of the nights spent in trees, enduring now for the sake of glory later..." If she recalled her practical theology well, her phrasing should strike a chord in the halfling and remind him of the precepts he still lived by, even far from the Maiden's camp; if she spoke poorly, she risked reminding him of better times and worsening his depression...

Secondary Check - Religion: 34 [Nat 20, yo!]

{Mac asked specifically if he could hold off his Primary Roll, so that he'd get a bonus from someone else right off the bat}


Character: Bigglesby, halfling ranger
Player: Tristan

Bigglesby's couldn't get comfortable on the damp stone. He much preferred a dry bed of leaves under soaring canopies, or even the soft, arid dust of the Feymoon. Underground was no environment for a halfling, especially in the cavernous high caves of the Underdark. How could anyone feel cozy here? Softly, he heard Elyjobel reach out to him and recite the Call to Share. He didn't think Elyjobel actually wanted his stories - there was no proper campfire and this night they needed rest. But he appreciated the effort. He began to softly recite one of his favorite stories, just as a murmur, and it helped strengthen his resolve.

Primary Check - Endurance: 27

{I'm not all that familiar with D&D lore, mostly by choice. I've seen it used too often by pedantic nerds to prove their "superiority" over more casual players. But this? LOVED IT. I guess the difference is that it dovetails perfectly with what we know of the characters. And it moves us closer to the goal, of course.}

Thinking of the Call to Share made Bigglesby miss the roaring fires of the forest. He knew that a big fire would be dangerous in this space, but perhaps, before he drifted off, he could make something that would warm one of his compatriots. A few mushrooms in a corner of the cave looked dry enough to use as tinder. Tearing them up and spreading them out, Bigglesby quickly set to work creating a small flame.

Secondary Check - Nature: 29


Charachter: Travok, dwarf fighter
Player: Reuven

Despite all of the pent-up rage Travok has simmering internally, he's surprisingly calm in light of all of the recent excitement. Still, it does take some doing to get all of the residual jelly from his beard. It would seem this rather simple routine (beard-cleaning, not the jelly part) has a mollifying effect. Contentment in rote. Travok also takes some comfort in the confines of the environment. Even with all of the dangers that seem to be lurking, the feeling underground is so much more... insular. With ears still attuned to the echoes of caves, safety seems easier to ensure. There is no sky for the sounds of approaching beings to get lost in. Everything reverberates off the walls. Including the crackling of Bibbglesby's fire. And the shadows from it.

Primary Check - Perception: 33

Those shadows are too big. The light and warmth are sure to be welcome to the others, but Travok bristles a bit with that bright of a source in these confines. This isn't the outdoors! Carefully masking the flame behind a rock barrier, he protects his companions from the bright-light beacon effect while still letting them find solace in the fire.

Secondary Check - Dungeoneering: 24

There. That's better. Travok moves back to the dark side of the fire barrier and curls comfortably onto the rock floor.

{Sometimes communicating via email can remove the spontaneity of an interaction - think of every message you've received on a dating website EVER - but in this case my players do a great job of spring-boarding off each other's ideas.}

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