Rather than have to go over it all IC, can we just assume that Joab has shared the general layout of the cave he's explored so far?

That is what I assumed.

Yeah I'm fine with that. I'm probably going to get rolling with filling out the map a little more now you guys are pressing forwards. Shouldn't take too long but hey ya never know.

Hmm. Actually that's a point. Would people be okay with my only drawing the room you are in when needed (such as combat occurring)? I know it leaves the exact morphology of the cave a little less stable but it would save me a ton of work. Especially if you just go in and alpha strike everything again like in the last battle.

Whatever works best! Can just follow along fog of war style, only show what we've explored if it's easier.

I'm happy us going in and alpha striking everything too. And hoping Vaeca actually connects with something this time...

@Garren

Same opinion.

@Everyone

You can continue the discussion as much as you want, but Sandal is growing restless, we will refrain now from making any suggestion and he will only tag along at his pace.

Seems to me everyone was about ready to push on in anyway.

btw. Didn't Sandal just totally change his mind in his last two posts?

Not at all, boldness is for the others, not for him. If you wish to be bold, he will induce you to be, but if you include him, he will run away.

Not boldness, just intending to head into the cave. Then not.
No worries! Im interested to see what happens.

Yes, he wants to go, but only playing safe like he said. If you choose to be bold, he will play safe.

Aha gotcha. We'll get him involved somehow I'm sure

I could have entered too, but Sandal is a coward at heart. I need to stay IC.

Also I needed to play Sandal a little less clueless than my initial intention. I don't know the overall level of experience of anyone playing here, so it would be nice to know. To PBP I am just a beginner, but I started playing at 2nd edition (initially I thought it was 3rd); the D&D board game; played the computer game Icewind Dale and expansions; and Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 (almost one time with each class); and I read more than 50 old adventures.

This is my first ever PBP but I have been playing D&D on and off for 30 years or so.

BTW, Joab's recklessness and Sandal's cowardice remind me of when I used to walk my 2 dogs - 1 fat and 1 fit - at the same time when I was a kid. I was always stretched out, being dragged by one and dragging the other. I think that is how Vaeca, Lee, and Argun feel right now.

They must feel that way, yes.

Now my personal opinion. I think trying to storm the dam too dangerous for more than one or two character to do, too many chances to derail, specially considering the fact that most of this party does not have darkvision. So avoiding the main tunnel seems like a reasonable tactic. We can pick the first room and if it connect to other room, we proceed from there. If not, we return to the main tunnel and try another side passage, while avoiding the main tunnel, possibly trying to pick the goblins at the dam from the other side if possible.

This.

GUYS YOU MADE THE DRUNKARD AND THE CLERIC AGREE ABOUT A PLAN. THAT MUST MEAN SOMETHING!!1!

I understand and appreciate acting IC. As I've been getting into Vaeca I've been trying to show (and understand) more of his character - thus the long posts and loquaciousness!

As for D&D experience, I've been into it since reading the Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms books back...well 25 years ago? I never actually played the pen and paper game, but got very much into the computer games - Icewind Dale, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights etc. I'm familiar with the world and backgrounds, classes, magic etc and the stats, just never actually tried to get into the mechanics of it - until now! I also used to do a lot of freeform roleplay on a small but active forum (that died a long time ago). Loosely D&D based but anything went really.

I'm finding the 5e really easy to get into, once I got my head around the initial working out of all the stats and how things work. Still a lot to learn but you learn by doing right?

And with regard to the characters interaction - I do feel my head being pulled in different directions. It's great. Would be awesome to play these guys in a proper live session! Could really have some fun with them.

Haha! I think eventually all these guys will learn to appreciate each other!

And yeah wasn't intending on steaming Vaeca in guns blazing, but wanted to get him moving at least. Dealing with the wolves was a good way of checking that room out.

But also, with the noise of the stream and waterfall there's actually cover if a couple stealthy types get into position.

Island you are a lucky lucky guy. You literally hit the DC dead on. If you hadn't have offered them food they would be trying to kill you right now.

I was lamenting the fact that I didn't change a prepared spell to Animal Friendship, and just hoping for a good Animal Handling roll. Vaeca was trying to play it cool...

I am waiting only for 2 more characters to enter the cave to move Sandal inside. A coward needs to act as a coward.

Unfortunately he failed his will saving throw too soon, damn trap, I was hoping to fail at a fight for him to run leaving the others behind dumbfounded. I think that was for the best.