As a DM, I would like for the solution to this 'problem' to be a bit more than using cantrips. Popping them with cantrips is fine, but just leaf blowing the spores away with a cantrip makes me feel like there shouldn't have been an encounter in the first place. These encounters are random, the way the module sets them up. But still...
I would like to have a cost in materials or spell slots, or risk. Using spell slots will only matter later if I roll an encounter during the long rest.
I'm not going to be adamant about this, but if all it takes are cantrips to get past this, then I can't really justify awarding even the measly XP these things give.
I'm fine with no xp if we use no resources and move on with the adventure. Not every random encounter is meaningful for every level range and every class combination.
I'm fine with no xp if we use no resources and move on with the adventure. Not every random encounter is meaningful for every level range and every class combination.
I'll second this opinion.
If we didn't have a wizard with Gust, that wouldn't be a possible solution. If we didn't have a cleric who could cast Lessor Restoration, this encounter could be lethal for almost no experience.
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Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
My tabletop group ran into one of these at very low levels. They did not know what it was and set it off. It killed 2 NPC's and a player. It is a nasty creature for low level characters.
So it seems you all agree, due to the prior experience with these, and the combination of having cantrips to pop them, and a wizard with the Gust cantrip to clear out the spores, then this encounter is a breeze (sorry), and not worth experience?
I suspect somewhere down by D14 might be where we'd set up camp - kind of easy to defend?
Sounds good to me. The sleepers could be behind the rock at C15.
Beegred is on shift, so probably at D12, behind partial cover and with a good vantage point.
I know no one was foraging for water, but looking at the map, I think the party found some. (Unless the water is muddy or something. EDIT: Just read the word "filthy" in the main thread... nevermind.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Beegred lets out a loud Tarzan yell, to wake the others. (Hoping that is a free action or a bonus action.)
If he still has his Action, then he uses to to strike at tomorrow's lunch. (If lizard-snake is palatable. Goodberry, day after day, gets boring.)
Normal Attack: 12 Damage: 7
Dread Ambusher Attack: 19 Damage: 11
At my table, I would never make talking during battle- regardless of intensity (volume) - an action, unless it clearly couldn't happen within 6 seconds. And just for curiosities sake, I went to look at the rules in the player's handbook...
Per the PHB:
Other Activity on Your Turn
Your turn can include a variety of flourishes that require neither your action nor your move.
You can communicate however you are able, through briefutterances and gestures, as you take your turn.
You can also interact with one object or feature of the environment for free, during either your move or your action. For example, you could open a door during your move as you stride toward a foe, or you could draw your weapon as part of the same action you use to attack.
So, I continue to experiment with ways to post the rounds and what is happening. I used to fill out the actions in a table in OneNote then screenshot, paste to Imgur and link here. Now I'm trying to manage a text version of a table, and frankly that sucks. I'm not doing that again, not without some serious improvements.
With the release of the combat tracker here on D&D Beyond, I'll be using that for the next encounter and try to figure out how I can relay the info here.
As a DM, I would like for the solution to this 'problem' to be a bit more than using cantrips. Popping them with cantrips is fine, but just leaf blowing the spores away with a cantrip makes me feel like there shouldn't have been an encounter in the first place. These encounters are random, the way the module sets them up. But still...
I would like to have a cost in materials or spell slots, or risk. Using spell slots will only matter later if I roll an encounter during the long rest.
I'm not going to be adamant about this, but if all it takes are cantrips to get past this, then I can't really justify awarding even the measly XP these things give.
I guess I don't see the need for risk on our part when we've dealt with these things already in the past successfully
Tabaxi with a penchant for shenans. He will....shenan again...
I'm fine with no xp if we use no resources and move on with the adventure. Not every random encounter is meaningful for every level range and every class combination.
That would kind of be like saying - I know I can put this fire out with water, but instead wouldn't it be more fun to try and smother it with my body?
Tabaxi with a penchant for shenans. He will....shenan again...
I'll second this opinion.
If we didn't have a wizard with Gust, that wouldn't be a possible solution. If we didn't have a cleric who could cast Lessor Restoration, this encounter could be lethal for almost no experience.
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
My tabletop group ran into one of these at very low levels. They did not know what it was and set it off. It killed 2 NPC's and a player. It is a nasty creature for low level characters.
So it seems you all agree, due to the prior experience with these, and the combination of having cantrips to pop them, and a wizard with the Gust cantrip to clear out the spores, then this encounter is a breeze (sorry), and not worth experience?
I don't think the XP or lack thereof is going to break us down the road
Tabaxi with a penchant for shenans. He will....shenan again...
That's fine with me
Alright then, moving on!
Guard duty during long rest:
Random Encounter (DC 14+):
Don't look until after the battle is over!
I suspect somewhere down by D14 might be where we'd set up camp - kind of easy to defend?
Tabaxi with a penchant for shenans. He will....shenan again...
Sounds good to me. The sleepers could be behind the rock at C15.
Beegred is on shift, so probably at D12, behind partial cover and with a good vantage point.
I know no one was foraging for water, but looking at the map, I think the party found some. (Unless the water is muddy or something.EDIT: Just read the word "filthy" in the main thread... nevermind.)Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Is D14 where Skameros is sleeping? Or was that just to get the convo started with the group?
The lower left corner sounds like a good idea, yes.
Rodolfo would bed down at B16 or C16. He doesn't have a problem being between a rock and a hard place.
Yeah it was more of a prompt for discussion about camping spots
Skameros will probably be leaning up against the wall at like A14
Tabaxi with a penchant for shenans. He will....shenan again...
OK.
Let's say E16 for narstin
Just to put this out there...
At my table, I would never make talking during battle- regardless of intensity (volume) - an action, unless it clearly couldn't happen within 6 seconds. And just for curiosities sake, I went to look at the rules in the player's handbook...
Per the PHB:
Other Activity on Your Turn
Your turn can include a variety of flourishes that require neither your action nor your move.
You can communicate however you are able, through brief utterances and gestures, as you take your turn.
You can also interact with one object or feature of the environment for free, during either your move or your action. For example, you could open a door during your move as you stride toward a foe, or you could draw your weapon as part of the same action you use to attack.
So, I continue to experiment with ways to post the rounds and what is happening. I used to fill out the actions in a table in OneNote then screenshot, paste to Imgur and link here. Now I'm trying to manage a text version of a table, and frankly that sucks. I'm not doing that again, not without some serious improvements.
With the release of the combat tracker here on D&D Beyond, I'll be using that for the next encounter and try to figure out how I can relay the info here.