Professor Silverstone exclaims pointing at Jinx and Paartu, "Great! If you two wouldn't mind coming down here then."
"We will need a couple more volunteers," Professor Gosteth adds. He then points to a kobold, Gutboy and then an elf.
After the volunteers have all gathered at the front, the two professors start to arrange them into position.
"Right, if we have you standing here," Professor Silverstone says as he moves to Paartu to the side. "Okay, now I want you to pretend that you are a barbarian. And you are going to 'attack' our group of heroes here."
He then positions Gutboy a couple of feet away from Paartu facing him, "You are going to be our front liner. You have to defend the group from the 'barbarian'."
Then Prossor Gosteth positions the kobold behind Gutboy, "You are going to support the front liner," with Jinx and the elf at the back.
"Right, so our fighter is engaged with our barbarian," Professor Silverstone explains addressing the rest of the class again. "Now we have someone close to him, to support him, if need be. However, the two at the back are still vulnerable if they face an attack from behind. However, by making use of the terrain..."
The half-orc then places a table behind Jinx and the elf.
"... now it is difficult for someone to sneak up and attack these two from behind. Especially, if you imagine this to be a wall."
"They still have two escape routes, to the sides, if need be," adds Professor Gosteth. "This is why it is important to make sure you don't cut yourselves off by standing in a corner. A tunnel or passageway could work, but you'd need to make sure that you don't have someone following you and cutting off your escape route.
Does all that make sense?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
Alcazar frowns, his gaze going from the professor then to the group, and then slowly back. "Imagining a wall, the flank is still vulnerable to attack from either side."
Jinx stands where the professors pointed her to, and she takes a defensive stance, trying to look as threatening as possible, imagining that Paartu is actually a berserker barbarian keen on mowing her down.
Sylvie rests her head in a hand, intently watching the demonstration. She leans over to the group, mumbling. "Or from above. But the general premise behind it is easy to grasp."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The ever growing document of character concepts can never be too long, can it?
Professor Silverstone shakes his head, "The heroes at the back of the group will see them coming from the sides. And you still want to have an escape route. If you have no escape route, you will get surrounded and you will be at the disadvantage."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
Paartu raises his hand, “ What is my goal in this fight? Am I clearing a route? Am I trying to harm morale? Am I claiming territory? Also, I should not use force directly, yes? Because this is just pretend-time.”
Professor Silverstone shakes his head, "No, we just want you to stand there. This is still your first day. This is just to help visualise the battlefield."
"Anyway, let's move on to the next method then," adds Professor Gosteth.
"The next method is called attack interception. This means that an attack meant for someone else can be intercepted by another. For example, fighters, like myself, can take different fighting styles. One of those styles specialises in protecting others."
"Others that are great at protecting their allies include paladins who have taken the Oath of Redemption, clerics of the Grave Domain, bards of the College of Lore, and even wizards of the School of Abjuration."
"That's something to consider whilst continuing your education.
Now a similar technique of intercepting an attack is to draw attacks towards you. That is also something that some of us fighters can do. Specifically, Battle Masters and Cavaliers are great at provoking enemies."
"However, there are others as well. They include paladins who know the compelled duel spell, Swashbucklers and even barbarians who follow the Path of the Ancestral Guardians."
"The rare thing that barbarians are actually good at.
The final method is to make use of magical barriers."
"We spellcasters can make use of many spells that will help protect the flank if no other obstacles are around. There are many spells that can achieve this goal if used creatively. However, some of my favourites to use in this way are flaming sphere, fog cloud, minor illusion, wall of fire, and grease."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
Jinx raises her hand. "How can a gnome like me be most effective in battle?" she asks. "I'm pretty fast, and I can be really sneaky when I set my mind to it. I would prefer to attack from behind or get the drop on an enemy!"
Miawynn tries her best to pay attention but finds herself day dreaming about her days in the forest. It isn't until Sylvie speaks up that she comes back to with a renewed interest and begins paying attention. Uncrossing her arms she begins to draw out the scene in front of her on she paper so she can go over it again in the future.
As a man of broad experience Alcazar had heard of -- and occasionally seen -- some of the things that the teachers were mentioning. The real difficulty with all the fanciful tales told around camp fires and to children was discerning what were true and what were not. At this place he might at least develop a more concrete understanding of the true powers of those who, mostly, only figured in heroic tales written by bards. His eyes glazed over a little as he tried to remember if he had ever met a paladin. A lot of his memory was still foggy.
He grunts at the mention of compelled duel -- it was one ability that he had always relegated to the ranks of fair tales; it sounded like a basic enchantment, not really something he associated with holy warriors. When they finally turn to the magic of true spellcasters -- something of which he had a lot more experience -- he pays closer attention hoping, at the least, to get some insight in whether the teachers actually knew what they were talking about.
Nepharios starts making notes of all the details about paths and oaths and domains, trying to make sense of this to him new nomenclature. Maybe there would be a test. Being a mere apprentice he realized he had not yet learned to cast any spells that could protect a team's flank.
Professor Silverstone nods in response to Jinx's question, "For those who are more swift and stealthy, rogues and rangers for example, you can position yourselves to attack the flank instead."
"That will be a lesson for another day though," adds Professor Gosteth. "That will be a lesson for another day. For now we want to focus on defending our flanks."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
Sylvie occasionally jots something down, though mostly keeps her eyes on the instructors. She was much more used to learning by watching and doing. Her brows furrow as she thinks about all the magical abilities and spells being suggested. A train of thought distracts her from the lesson some.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The ever growing document of character concepts can never be too long, can it?
Paartu quietly fumes. There are many factors in determining actions in combat (or whether to engage in combat at all). Simply listing possible actions without context was not useful. He was reminded of why he disliked coursework again. Too abstract, too detached from reality. Their constant dismissal of his chosen path did not endear the professors to him either. It constituted an obvious blindspot. Wasn't this the school he'd been sent to because his own people felt unqualified to train him? Had he come to this strange land for no reason?
"Now before we finish today's lesson," says Professor Gosteth. "Here's another strategy. For those of you who grew up on the streets, you have the uncanny ability to find the quickest way between two points in a city.
Well, there is a way of improving your ability. If you have an artificer, a cleric of the Trickery Domain, a druid, a paladin who has taken the Oath of Vengeance or Glory, a ranger, a sorcerer, or a wizard in your party they can cast a couple of spells on you. First, they cast the spell pass without trace, this spell helps the whole party to move more stealthily.
The second spell is haste which they must cast on you. This will allow you to move twice as fast for one minute, then when you are a city, you will be able to take the secret passages even more quickly."
"Well, I don't know much about magic," replies Professor Silverstone. "But that does sound like a useful skill.
Anyway, that's if for today's lesson. Feel free to study upon today's lesson in the library and to practice in the training grounds."
Jinx nods when Professor Gosteth mentions those who grow up on the streets are basically experts at navigating cities. She is intrigued by the mention of these spells that would make it even easier. Pass Without Trace sounds especially useful to her. If she had only had that before, she could've made a fortune!
When the lesson ends, Jinx returns to the rest of the Pale Hand. "Who's up for a little practice?" she asks. The other option, studying in the library, sounds utterly dull by comparison so she doesn't even entertain the idea.
Alcazar strightens his frock coat but demurs, "I have an appointment with some books, it would seem, but not before some fresh air perhaps."
He will accompany the others outside and take the opportunity to inspect the practice area before heading to the library. As he goes he keeps an eye out for the student records office, wondering where it might be.
Nepharios goes through his short notes before putting them away with a frown. "I'm not against a practical exercise but what exactly will I be practicing? I am certainly one of the weak ones and I have no spells that can cover any flank. I would simply be standing there as no help to anyone so I think I would be of better use to the team by doing some studying in the library."He mutters and shakes his head.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Professor Silverstone exclaims pointing at Jinx and Paartu, "Great! If you two wouldn't mind coming down here then."
"We will need a couple more volunteers," Professor Gosteth adds. He then points to a kobold, Gutboy and then an elf.
After the volunteers have all gathered at the front, the two professors start to arrange them into position.
"Right, if we have you standing here," Professor Silverstone says as he moves to Paartu to the side. "Okay, now I want you to pretend that you are a barbarian. And you are going to 'attack' our group of heroes here."
He then positions Gutboy a couple of feet away from Paartu facing him, "You are going to be our front liner. You have to defend the group from the 'barbarian'."
Then Prossor Gosteth positions the kobold behind Gutboy, "You are going to support the front liner," with Jinx and the elf at the back.
"Right, so our fighter is engaged with our barbarian," Professor Silverstone explains addressing the rest of the class again. "Now we have someone close to him, to support him, if need be. However, the two at the back are still vulnerable if they face an attack from behind. However, by making use of the terrain..."
The half-orc then places a table behind Jinx and the elf.
"... now it is difficult for someone to sneak up and attack these two from behind. Especially, if you imagine this to be a wall."
"They still have two escape routes, to the sides, if need be," adds Professor Gosteth. "This is why it is important to make sure you don't cut yourselves off by standing in a corner. A tunnel or passageway could work, but you'd need to make sure that you don't have someone following you and cutting off your escape route.
Does all that make sense?"
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
Alcazar frowns, his gaze going from the professor then to the group, and then slowly back. "Imagining a wall, the flank is still vulnerable to attack from either side."
Jinx stands where the professors pointed her to, and she takes a defensive stance, trying to look as threatening as possible, imagining that Paartu is actually a berserker barbarian keen on mowing her down.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus & Phandalin Adventures
Sylvie rests her head in a hand, intently watching the demonstration. She leans over to the group, mumbling. "Or from above. But the general premise behind it is easy to grasp."
The ever growing document of character concepts can never be too long, can it?
Professor Silverstone shakes his head, "The heroes at the back of the group will see them coming from the sides. And you still want to have an escape route. If you have no escape route, you will get surrounded and you will be at the disadvantage."
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
Alcazar frowns and crosses his arms, but nods at the answer, saying nothing more.
Paartu raises his hand, “ What is my goal in this fight? Am I clearing a route? Am I trying to harm morale? Am I claiming territory? Also, I should not use force directly, yes? Because this is just pretend-time.”
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
Professor Silverstone shakes his head, "No, we just want you to stand there. This is still your first day. This is just to help visualise the battlefield."
"Anyway, let's move on to the next method then," adds Professor Gosteth.
"The next method is called attack interception. This means that an attack meant for someone else can be intercepted by another. For example, fighters, like myself, can take different fighting styles. One of those styles specialises in protecting others."
"Others that are great at protecting their allies include paladins who have taken the Oath of Redemption, clerics of the Grave Domain, bards of the College of Lore, and even wizards of the School of Abjuration."
"That's something to consider whilst continuing your education.
Now a similar technique of intercepting an attack is to draw attacks towards you. That is also something that some of us fighters can do. Specifically, Battle Masters and Cavaliers are great at provoking enemies."
"However, there are others as well. They include paladins who know the compelled duel spell, Swashbucklers and even barbarians who follow the Path of the Ancestral Guardians."
"The rare thing that barbarians are actually good at.
The final method is to make use of magical barriers."
"We spellcasters can make use of many spells that will help protect the flank if no other obstacles are around. There are many spells that can achieve this goal if used creatively. However, some of my favourites to use in this way are flaming sphere, fog cloud, minor illusion, wall of fire, and grease."
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
Jinx raises her hand. "How can a gnome like me be most effective in battle?" she asks. "I'm pretty fast, and I can be really sneaky when I set my mind to it. I would prefer to attack from behind or get the drop on an enemy!"
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus & Phandalin Adventures
Miawynn tries her best to pay attention but finds herself day dreaming about her days in the forest. It isn't until Sylvie speaks up that she comes back to with a renewed interest and begins paying attention. Uncrossing her arms she begins to draw out the scene in front of her on she paper so she can go over it again in the future.
As a man of broad experience Alcazar had heard of -- and occasionally seen -- some of the things that the teachers were mentioning. The real difficulty with all the fanciful tales told around camp fires and to children was discerning what were true and what were not. At this place he might at least develop a more concrete understanding of the true powers of those who, mostly, only figured in heroic tales written by bards. His eyes glazed over a little as he tried to remember if he had ever met a paladin. A lot of his memory was still foggy.
He grunts at the mention of compelled duel -- it was one ability that he had always relegated to the ranks of fair tales; it sounded like a basic enchantment, not really something he associated with holy warriors. When they finally turn to the magic of true spellcasters -- something of which he had a lot more experience -- he pays closer attention hoping, at the least, to get some insight in whether the teachers actually knew what they were talking about.
Nepharios starts making notes of all the details about paths and oaths and domains, trying to make sense of this to him new nomenclature. Maybe there would be a test. Being a mere apprentice he realized he had not yet learned to cast any spells that could protect a team's flank.
Professor Silverstone nods in response to Jinx's question, "For those who are more swift and stealthy, rogues and rangers for example, you can position yourselves to attack the flank instead."
"That will be a lesson for another day though," adds Professor Gosteth. "That will be a lesson for another day. For now we want to focus on defending our flanks."
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
Sylvie occasionally jots something down, though mostly keeps her eyes on the instructors. She was much more used to learning by watching and doing. Her brows furrow as she thinks about all the magical abilities and spells being suggested. A train of thought distracts her from the lesson some.
The ever growing document of character concepts can never be too long, can it?
Paartu quietly fumes. There are many factors in determining actions in combat (or whether to engage in combat at all). Simply listing possible actions without context was not useful. He was reminded of why he disliked coursework again. Too abstract, too detached from reality. Their constant dismissal of his chosen path did not endear the professors to him either. It constituted an obvious blindspot. Wasn't this the school he'd been sent to because his own people felt unqualified to train him? Had he come to this strange land for no reason?
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
"Now before we finish today's lesson," says Professor Gosteth. "Here's another strategy. For those of you who grew up on the streets, you have the uncanny ability to find the quickest way between two points in a city.
Well, there is a way of improving your ability. If you have an artificer, a cleric of the Trickery Domain, a druid, a paladin who has taken the Oath of Vengeance or Glory, a ranger, a sorcerer, or a wizard in your party they can cast a couple of spells on you. First, they cast the spell pass without trace, this spell helps the whole party to move more stealthily.
The second spell is haste which they must cast on you. This will allow you to move twice as fast for one minute, then when you are a city, you will be able to take the secret passages even more quickly."
"Well, I don't know much about magic," replies Professor Silverstone. "But that does sound like a useful skill.
Anyway, that's if for today's lesson. Feel free to study upon today's lesson in the library and to practice in the training grounds."
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
Jinx nods when Professor Gosteth mentions those who grow up on the streets are basically experts at navigating cities. She is intrigued by the mention of these spells that would make it even easier. Pass Without Trace sounds especially useful to her. If she had only had that before, she could've made a fortune!
When the lesson ends, Jinx returns to the rest of the Pale Hand. "Who's up for a little practice?" she asks. The other option, studying in the library, sounds utterly dull by comparison so she doesn't even entertain the idea.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus & Phandalin Adventures
Paartu nods to Jinx, "Practical exercise is preferable. Something even a barbarian can do."
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
Alcazar strightens his frock coat but demurs, "I have an appointment with some books, it would seem, but not before some fresh air perhaps."
He will accompany the others outside and take the opportunity to inspect the practice area before heading to the library. As he goes he keeps an eye out for the student records office, wondering where it might be.
Nepharios goes through his short notes before putting them away with a frown. "I'm not against a practical exercise but what exactly will I be practicing? I am certainly one of the weak ones and I have no spells that can cover any flank. I would simply be standing there as no help to anyone so I think I would be of better use to the team by doing some studying in the library." He mutters and shakes his head.