Out Of Character

[waysoftheearth]

Another thing to potentially start thinking about:

the heroic tier players--particularly the neutral ones--might be starting to have ideas about their own personal goals (including attracting retinue as befits a hero!) that need not necessarily align with a single "whole of group" goal....

[flightcommander]

Folks, I've been swamped with work and an upcoming move, apologies for Armando's relative silence. Should be back in the saddle next week.

[sully]

Another thing to potentially start thinking about:

the heroic tier players--particularly the neutral ones--might be starting to have ideas about their own personal goals (including attracting retinue as befits a hero!) that need not necessarily align with a single "whole of group" goal....

We're going to need a few retinues if we're going to take Ket back!

[flightcommander]

Highbough descends creakily from the bell tower. To Beringar he expresses, "Gratitude, lowly serf from the north, Man whose name I cannot recall."

I did have time for a mighty laugh here, though

[ehiker133]

Another thing to potentially start thinking about:

the heroic tier players--particularly the neutral ones--might be starting to have ideas about their own personal goals (including attracting retinue as befits a hero!) that need not necessarily align with a single "whole of group" goal....

I'll have to ponder this for Desmond...

As a player, I've always shied away from retainers/followers/hirelings. But after Shade Of The Evermore's deep one retainer in Mushgnome's Carcosa game, I'm not quite as opposed to them as I once was.

But I think Mondes might provide some added difficulty, in any case. Who's going to want to follow a two-headed halfling? I see Condorcet's reaction to him as probably typical of what most people would do.

At least he'd have the wider range of fighters and thieves to pick from, yes?

[waysoftheearth]

But I think Mondes might provide some added difficulty, in any case. Who's going to want to follow a two-headed halfling? I see Condorcet's reaction to him as probably typical of what most people would do.

At least he'd have the wider range of fighters and thieves to pick from, yes?

Picking up of retainers all comes down to your charisma score.

Desmond has 11 charisma, so that is normal, and allows up to four retainers. On the other hand, he does have the additional challenge of being a...two-headed freak! which will probably impose a -2 penalty on any initial reaction check, but the effect would wear off once they get to know him, so it wouldn't affect loyalty.

[ehiker133]

Picking up of retainers all comes down to your charisma score.

Desmond has 11 charisma, so that is normal, and allows up to four retainers. On the other hand, he does have the additional challenge of being a...two-headed freak! which will probably impose a -2 penalty on any initial reaction check, but the effect would wear off once they get to know him, so it wouldn't affect loyalty.

I believe the insult bandied about was "mutant".

So is this a thing where you have to spend so much money around town to "advertise" what you are looking for? Or can he approach any NPC that might be a perspective retainer (like one of the followers outside the abbey?) if they show any interest in earning a living as an adventurer?

Seems like Desmond should have some brutish 6'9" tall fighter who can carry him around on his back... Or has that already been done?

[waysoftheearth]

So is this a thing where you have to spend so much money around town to "advertise" what you are looking for? Or can he approach any NPC that might be a perspective retainer (like one of the followers outside the abbey?) if they show any interest in earning a living as an adventurer?

http://ddo.immersiveink.com/dd.html#retainers

I think the idea is that retainers are not ordinary villagers, but are monsters or NPCs with player-type levels. Note especially that they are of the same alignment as the player (one of the important effects of choosing an alignment is which side you're on, and who else is on that same side).

yes, retainers can be sought by spreading the word in various ways (advertising) or else by face to face negotiations; even in dungeons.

[waysoftheearth]

Desmond moves around the bend in the hallway, again checking for tripwires and more pit traps as he goes. If he can tell where to walk by studying footprints or disturbances in the dirt on the floor, he will use that to aid him in avoiding any further nasty traps.

| So as to not slow down progress by stopping at each turn in the hallway, the above directions (moving ahead, checking for traps or danger, making sure the others aren't left in the dark) will stand until he spots something notable or the hallway splits directions. |

I will always assume that a thief character behaves like a thief. That is; sneaking, sticking to shadows, being alert for traps, secrets, and surprises along the way, and so on. In fact all players will be moving as a cautious adventurer unless they say otherwise.

This "autopilot" level of caution will warrant you a chance of spotting curious in passing (and a thief is particularly good at spotting various things).

On the other hand, if the player specifically takes the time to check something, or to look specifically at something, they will find it (if it is there) unless there is some specific reason why they shouldn't find it (i.e., it is magically invisible, or similar). Even if something is cunningly hidden, I would probably give the player a clue if they looked right at it.

The point of this is that active player participation is always more effective than autopilot.

[ehiker133]

I will always assume that a thief character behaves like a thief. That is; sneaking, sticking to shadows, being alert for traps, secrets, and surprises along the way, and so on. In fact all players will be moving as a cautious adventurer unless they say otherwise.

This "autopilot" level of caution will warrant you a chance of spotting curious in passing (and a thief is particularly good at spotting various things).

On the other hand, if the player specifically takes the time to check something, or to look specifically at something, they will find it (if it is there) unless there is some specific reason why they shouldn't find it (i.e., it is magically invisible, or similar). Even if something is cunningly hidden, I would probably give the player a clue if they looked right at it.

The point of this is that active player participation is always more effective than autopilot.

Good information to know, WOTE. Thanks.