Cool, if the others want to play, I'm up!

That’s how I interpreted your position as well. Thank you for further clarifying

Well, at the moment two people want to discontinue or felt that the game is coming to a close. If and S and wants to call it quits then that becomes the majority, and then I would follow suit. If however she still wanted to play the game I would say yes to continue the campaign. Hope that clarifies my position on the matter.

For clarification, I was asking for all of your feedback if to continue the campaign, as I was perceiving the lack of activity as a lack of enjoyment by the players. I’m also going to have to put the game on hold middle of may as I’m traveling. if the majority of you actually want to continue I’ll keep running the game. I did enjoy running a story, but this module has a lot of moving parts and very few of them have an immediate impact on the story progression. Gnomengard, the mill and the dwarven excavation are primarily role playing opportunities to buff up the characters. Hence the fetch and carry style. the connections written into the module are pretty flimsy, and I think it would take a more experienced gm to change it to a more cohesive feeling. I’m going to give it another try with a story of my own later this year, just to have a bit better control of the world and it’s elements, I feel perhaps to much tied to the story as written. so if the others want to venture on, we can find a way for Gilavar to make a graceful exit, or simply call it a day. Your choice.

Hey there! As this game comes to a close, I want to express my gratitude for the dedication and effort invested in our collective journey. I've relished the opportunity to immerse myself in D&D and explore its depths, and for that, I am thankful. Delving into the world of PBP gaming has been a rewarding venture too, the shared moments of triumph made for an unforgettable adventure and helped craft friendship. Reflecting on our journey, it's clear that the recent slowdown stemmed from the module’s systemic issues, particularly evident within the gnome's cave; the stark contrast in complexity posed unforeseen challenges… sensory impairments, wild magic, indifferent NPCs and whatnot; the abrupt shift in atmosphere may have contributed to the struggle. Moving forward, I intend to delve deeper into the mechanics of this system, armed with newfound insights gleaned from our experiences. Should I find myself running the essential kit, I will be better equipped to navigate potential pitfalls. In offering feedback, I would suggest fostering proactive communication amongst players. Not only does this aid in clarifying rules and mitigating misunderstandings, but it also fosters collaboration and camaraderie, enriching the overall gaming experience. If feasible, I kindly request keeping the thread accessible for consultation purposes. I foresee the need to revisit my character template in the future, and having continued access to it would greatly facilitate any future endeavors or reference needs. Your consideration in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Once again, thanks for your investment throughout this adventure. Though our journey together may be ending, the memories forged and lessons learned will endure.

Thank you for the kind words. The dragon was still pretty far away, except if you would have the bad luck of accidentally running into it.

I think this is a shame that you have felt that the game has lost steam; I feel there was still potential in finishing this campaign/game and meeting up with a dragon? However I will go with the majority here; thank you for running this game and taking the time to DM it much appreciated.

I think your Katya was a very interesting character with incredible potential. If you would be so kind to send me some feedback via pm about what you liked and where you think I could have done a better job. This was also my first campaign so I want to use this also as a learning experience. I learned that I don’t particularly like premade modules. also any future campaign will no longer have flanking involved.

It's a shame, but I guess inevitable, I'm going to have to save Katya to use somewhere else cause she was a treat to play. Good luck in future game, maybe we'll play again together soon. Thanks very much for running the game as far as you did , for what it's worth, I enjoyed it.

Thanks Shocker As messaged, I'm going to leave the game at the earliest convenience for you. I'm not having fun with this game, and wish you all the best. cheers

The total lack of any responses since Sunday makes me believe, that this campaign has lost it’s steam/appeal. Still would like to hear back from you, but I propose to abandon this. There is no point in torturing anybody by making them participate. , please let me know what you are thinking.

The Gnome is visibly confused by the lights and how quickly his contraption is falling apart. He spins it around wildly targeting the bear shaped Katy, glowing Makaria and Vala all at one time. He wants his one shot to count, ultimately he settles on the paladin. And fires his last shot.

Makaria's witch bolt shears off another of the previously undamaged weapon arms. At the same time as the bolt's energy is leaving her body, Makaria feels a tingling sensation, from all of her body tiny motes of light come out and hover 2 inches from her form. Casting the area around her in a multitude of flickering colorful lights.

MAKARIA : The Sorceress of Hlal AC: 13* | Hp: 13* Speed: 30 ft. Level: 2 Sorcery points: 2* (equal's one 1st level spell slot replenish after long rest) Draconic ancestry: Brass & Fire resistance. *Draconic resilience trait's. read/write/speak Draconic. Asmodeous bloodline: *Intelligence increase & Thaumaturgy cantrip. read/write/speak infernal. Makaria moves to the left of Vala as positioned on the map to gain a clear line of sight of the Gnome. Since the Gnome is inside a cage of sorts; she tries to aim though the gap's of the cage that she can see. Casting Witch bolt unleashing a crackling blue beam of magical lightning towards the target, concentrating for a minute, cast, as a level 1 spell slot. Note: Physics, and grounding rules wouldn't apply. Count only the 9 points damage (she can only cast from a level 1 slot) Should be 1d12 not 2d12!

Sounds about right! Changing topics, Happy Easter to those that celebrate it. Cheers!

The ferocious attacks of the Paladin, fail to penetrate the cage, but manage to crack on arm of the platform and destroying the string of another of the crossbows. Makaria is up

It may not be so much as "leaving someone behind now" but pressing on together in an attempt to try and get past the Gnome without any casualties? If we head back to the other Gnomes; the way we came they would definitely be pissed to hear that we messed with the Gnome that's based on the turret. When its her turn going forward no matter the danger, and joining both Katya and Vala maybe the only viable option? Who, by now have definitely got on the "bad" side of the Gnome on the turret. The time for persuasion and chatting I think has ended.

Sviga lævi - Vala Hel | ᚢᚨᛚᚨ∶ᚺᛖᛚ ᚺᛖᛚ - Paladin II (Vengeance) "" AC (18) Initiative (+2) Speed (30 ft.) HP (22/22) PP (9) LH (10/10) Status: Normal Saves & Abilities Vala Saving throws: Str (3) Dex (-1) Con (2) Int (-1) Wis (1) Cha (5). Unarmed attack: 1d20+5, (4). Abilities: Divine sense, divine smite, dueling fighting style (+2 to damage), lay on hands, spell-casting (DC 15) or (+7), spell-casting focus (decade/valknut). Mule & Cart Saving throws: AC (10) HP (11) Str (2) Dex (0) Con (1) Int (-4) Wis (0) Cha (-3). Attack (hooves): 1d20+2, (1d4+2). Abilities: Speed (40 ft. | 4.5 mph | 7.2 kph) Capacity (300 lbs. + 1900 lbs.) In the dim-lit labyrinthine corridors of the dungeon, as the clamor of battle echoed off the cold stone walls, Vala, the stalwart paladin, found herself at a crossroads. With a determined glance back at her comrades, she realized her duty lay in clearing a path for their escape. Yet, before she could enact her plan, a sudden surge of primal energy burst forth as Katya, the enigmatic shapeshifter, transformed into a towering bear and charged headlong at the gnome and his menacing turret. Vala's heart swelled with admiration for her companion's fearless charge. In that pivotal moment, she knew that to abandon Katya was to abandon a valiant ally. With a resolute nod at Makaria, Vala forged a new path —one of unwavering sorority. "No one is left behind!" she roared, her voice a thunderous declaration that reverberated through the dungeon's depths. With righteous fury coursing through her veins, she charged alongside Katya, her spear gleaming with divine purpose. In perfect synchrony, they closed in on the gnome (flanking), a whirlwind of steel and fur. With each strike of her spear, Vala carved through the air, creating openings for Katya's ferocious assaults. Vala's voice rang out once more, a clarion call to victory on the horizon. "For honor and glory!" she cried, her resolve unyielding as she lunged forward with two swift and precise strikes of her spear, with righteous fury. Flanking with the spear, and delivering two strikes with polearm mastery.

The bears claws rake broad furrows in the mesh cage surrounding the gnome, but you fail the get a hold of him. This is certainly getting his attention, if he was startled before he now is down right terrified by such a large foe in his cave. Future will show if it is wise to try to intimidate an armed gnome. OOC No your wings were already gone. Vala next.

I am impressed by such a bold action, shapeshifters are quite imposing. Oh that is right.

Well I think we do need to get past the Gnome on the crossbow turrets safely first.

Katya just used up her second wildshape, so until we get somewhere safe, she's probably staying in bear form!

This is how I would also summarise what has just happened in the scene too. Except, Makaria moved over towards her left where she thought Katya would be? however didn't realise that she had turned into a spider at some juncture? However, now Katya has changed into a bear so its safe to say that the Gnome's subsequent actions/response will be significantly changed after this encounter. Makaria, may not see a small spider but would definitely see a large bear!

Katya Evermoon | Circle of the Moon Druid | Human AC: 12 | HP: 11/11 | Speed: 30 ft | Spell-casting: +5 / DC 13 Senses: Passive Perception 20, Insight 15, Investigation 19 STR: Score: -1 Athletics: -1 8 | DEXScore: +2 Acrobatics: +2 Stealth: +2 Sleight of Hand: +2: 14 | CONScore: -1: 9 | INTScore: +2 Arcana: +2 History: +4 Investigation: +2 Nature: +4 Religion: +2: 14 | WISScore: +3 Animal Handling: +3 Insight: +3 Medicine: +5 Perception: +5 Survival: +3: 16 | CHAScore: +2 Deception: +2 Intimidation: +2 Performance: +2 Persuasion: +4: 14 Languages: Common, Elvish, Draconic, Druidic FeatsObservantQuick to notice details of your environment, you gain the following benefits: Increase your Intelligence or Wisdom score by 1, to a maximum of 20. If you can see a creature's mouth while it is speaking a language you understand, you can interpret what it's saying by reading its lips. You have a +5 bonus to your passive Wisdom (Perception) and passive Intelligence (Investigation) scores. | FeaturesRitual CastingYou can cast a Druid spell as a ritual if that spell has the ritual tag and you have the spell prepared Wild ShapeStarting at 2nd level, you can use your action to magically assume the shape of a beast that you have seen before. You can use this feature twice. You regain expended uses when you finish a short or long rest. Your druid level determines the beasts you can transform into, as shown in the Beast Shapes table. At 2nd level, for example, you can transform into any beast that has a challenge rating of 1/4 or lower that doesn't have a flying or swimming speed. You can stay in a beast shape for a number of hours equal to half your druid level (rounded down). You then revert to your normal form unless you expend another use of this feature. You can revert to your normal form earlier by using a bonus action on your turn. You automatically revert if you fall unconscious, drop to 0 hit points, or die. While you are transformed, the following rules apply: Your game statistics are replaced by the statistics of the beast, but you retain your alignment, personality, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. You also retain all of your skill and saving throw proficiencies, in addition to gaining those of the creature. If the creature has the same proficiency as you and the bonus in its stat block is higher than yours, use the creature's bonus instead of yours. If the creature has any legendary or lair actions, you can't use them. When you transform, you assume the beast's hit points and Hit Dice. When you revert to your normal form, you return to the number of hit points you had before you transformed. However, if you revert as a result of dropping to 0 hit points, any excess damage carries over to your normal form, For example, if you take 10 damage in animal form and have only 1 hit point left, you revert and take 9 damage. As long as the excess damage doesn't reduce your normal form to 0 hit points, you aren't knocked unconscious. You can't cast spells, and your ability to speak or take any action that requires hands is limited to the capabilities of your beast form. Transforming doesn't break your concentration on a spell you've already cast, however, or prevent you from taking actions that are part of a spell, such as Call Lightning, that you've already cast. You retain the benefit of any features from your class, race, or other source and can use them if the new form is physically capable of doing so. However, you can't use any of your special senses, such as darkvision, unless your new form also has that sense. You choose whether your equipment falls to the ground in your space, merges into your new form, or is worn by it. Worn equipment functions as normal, but the DM decides whether it is practical for the new form to wear a piece of equipment, based on the creature's shape and size. Your equipment doesn't change size or shape to match the new form, and any equipment that the new form can't wear must either fall to the ground or merge with it. Equipment that merges with the form has no effect until you leave the form. Circle Form: MoonThe rites of your circle grant you the ability to transform into more dangerous animal forms. Starting at 2nd level, you can use your Wild Shape to transform into a beast with a challenge rating as high as 1. You ignore the Max. CR column of the Beast Shapes table, but must abide by the other limitations there. Starting at 6th level, you can transform into a beast with a challenge rating as high as your druid level divided by 3, rounded down. Combat Wild ShapeWhen you choose this circle at 2nd level, you gain the ability to use Wild Shape on your turn as a bonus action, rather than as an action. Additionally, while you are transformed by Wild Shape, you can use a bonus action to expend one spell slot to regain 1d8 hit points per level of the spell slot expended.<1/2> Wild CompanionAt 2nd level, you gain the ability to summon a spirit that assumes an animal form: as an action, you can expend a use of your Wild Shape feature to cast the Find Familiar spell, without material components. When you cast the spell in this way, the familiar is a fey instead of a beast, and the familiar disappears after a number of hours equal to half your druid level. | ActionsWeaponATTACK: - RANGE: - MAGIC BONUS: - CRIT RANGE: - DAMAGE: - TYPE: - DESCRIPTION: - | SpellsCantrips GuidanceGuidance Divination Cantrip Casting Time: 1 action Range: Touch Target: One willing creature Components: V, S Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute Description:You touch one willing creature. Once before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to one ability check of its choice. It can roll the die before or after making the ability check. The spell then ends. DruidcraftDruidcraft Transmutation Cantrip Casting Time: 1 action Range: 30 feet Target: See text Components: V,S Duration: Instantaneous Description: Whispering to the spirits of nature, you create one of the following effects within range: You create a tiny, harmless sensory effect that predicts what the weather will be at your location for the next 24 hours. The effect might manifest as a golden orb for clear skies, a cloud for rain, falling snowflakes for snow, and so on. This effect persists for 1 round. You instantly make a flower blossom, a seed pod open, or a leaf bud bloom. You create an instantaneous, harmless sensory effect, such as falling leaves, a puff of wind, the sound of a small animal, or the faint odor of skunk. The effect must fit in a 5-foot cube. You instantly light or snuff out a candle, a torch, or a small campfire. Level 1 <3/3> Speak with Animals Cure Wounds Entangle Detect Magic Her mandibles chitter as she hears the Gnome cackles loudly while it attempts to skewer her companions, attached to the ceiling just above it, she decides that the offender is not going to stop without intervention, as he clearly does not care for their words. Moving a little further behind him, she loses her grip on the ceiling as her body begins to change forms once more as she falls through the air, rotating so that when her large bear paws hit the ground and room shakes from the weight, she is standing, many heads taller than the Gnome before her, whose weapon is facing forward at her friends. "Grrrrrrr....." The low grumble escapes her throat, and the strength she feels coursing through the rippling muscles of the bear form are intoxicating. The gorilla form had felt strong, the wolf form had felt swift, but as a bear? It felt unstoppable. As gently as she could, she moves to grapple the Gnome, hoping to pull him away from the machine and to end the onslaught without her friends getting hurt, or upsetting any of the other Gnomes that would likely take the assault of their companion as a slight towards them. This was a peaceful mission, no matter how hard others would try to make it. If the Gnome was trapped in her grasp, she would simply lift him off of the platform and hold him there, forcing him to listen to them. Well, not to her. The bear form was many things, but eloquent was not one. Movement: 5ft behind the Gnome Action: Attack: Grapple +4 (STR) Bonus: Wildshape second transformation into brown bear OOC: Observant feat Weird question, but do the butterfly wings stay in wildshaped form? Show this

Thanks, Vala has maintained a vigilant stance throughout our journey through the caves, keeping her guard up and adopting a defensive posture whenever potential threats arose. If you believe we should provide more technical descriptions, I'm completely open to adjusting our approach. Regarding the recent encounter, we were forewarned about the possibility of traps and informed about the gnomes' security measures against intruders. Thus, when you emphasized that "actions have consequences," apart from approaching a gnome stationed on a turret as a complete stranger, I would have suggested a more cautious approach, gathering the group to assess the situation carefully. However, Gilavar initiated contact with Faktore, the gnome. At this point, Vala made way for Gilavar and inspected the turret before assuming a defensive stance, which I explicitly mentioned before combat ensued. The gnome's reaction to Gilavar, pointing his turret at the party, initiated combat. And according to the initiative order, here's a breakdown of events: Pre-Combat: - Gilavar approached the gnome and engaged in conversation (Vala allowed Gilavar to approach). - Vala inspected the turret from afar, and prepared defensively. - The gnome reacted to Gilavar, initiating combat. Combat Round 1: - Makaria attempted to persuade the gnome to redirect his aim. - Faktore attacked. - Gilavar attempted to retreat. - Katya transformed into a spider. - Vala utilized the dodge action and moved away (following the girls). To clarify, I'm not suggesting that Faktore should or shouldn't have attacked Gilavar. Rather, if Vala was the intended target, she should benefit from both her dodge advantage and partial cover, given Gilavar's initial positioning at the front. Regarding the direction Vala proposed during our retreat, I indicated it in our Out of Character communication. I suggested navigating towards the right corridor, and marked it with a line, whilst leaving a note with Vala's name in OBR (it shows in your screenshots). I was waiting for Makaria and Katya to confirm the direction they chose after the retreat order, prioritizing their safety without neglecting the group's cohesion. Since my actions are aimed at safeguarding the entire party, I would move following the group.