Okay, the headaches of the last three days are over, and work is done for the day. Time to start updating things.

I'm posting where I can.  Been really tired and working lots of late.  Last week wasn't good with lots of times having to do the worst part of a Chaplains job.

Meta game reason for picking a fight--

Last time we fought it brought Corym within about 360XP of advancing his thief level. Since we all started out the same, and no one has gotten individual XP awards (that I'm aware of), and we have three multi-class rogues in the group (Kitheras, Corym, Sirenya) it seems like we're one good fight from three people popping a level.  Not as good as a mage level, maybe, but it's more HP and more skills.

Hello again. I have been able to type relatively well again for some days now... I hope everyone else is doing well!

In reply to Elorfindar Silveroak (msg # 897):

Hope you are well Elo

Getting hit by a hurricane today--I'll post as soon as I can

DM--One of my signature abilities grants my party a surprise round if I have the opportunity to observe the enemy for 1 turn.

Kitheras has observed the building for at least a turn, he's seen this hobgoblin.

How much more does he need to see?  How do we practically apply this ability in this context?

I guess, more specifically--does any of this observation count toward my turn of observation?  I've always been intrigued by how this ability would play out in-game.  Do all of the clanky tanks have to stand by in attack formation while I observe 1 turn prior to the start of combat, or can it be more of a recon style where I view them, then go back and get my party with a fully formed plan of attack and we get a surprise round automatically?

Krackor is always examining his surroundings.  When on guard, he is seen to know his surroundings and gets a big bonus within 60ft with Ranged.  If not examined, still gets a bonus.
"A Barakor always checks around his or her feet and overhead often and takes care to know the distance and exact direction of features in his or her surroundings.", always wins initiative when on active guard duty ;-)
Together, I think Kitheras and Krackor'd be an awesome pair of guards.

Sorry for the delay, folks. I've had headaches pretty much constantly for the last week and a half. Really saps my creativity. And then of course when I come back I roll an 84 on Krackor's Divination...

Kitheras, rereading the Justifier's ability, it looks like it's primarily meant to be just prior to starting an attack. So yes, clanky tanks hunkering down for a turn while you observe. I would allow a more lengthy gap between observation and attack to also work in situations where you can observe, report back, then bring everyone to the attack, but only as long as nothing in the observed group changes between the observation and the attack, and your group can close distance without alerting the enemy.

So, say you want to attack those hezrou. You watch them through a window for a turn. They're all mostly sitting there, arguing with themselves. You then leave to get the group. If when you and the group get back the hezrou are all still there doing the same thing, the ability triggers. If one of them decides to leave, another one comes down from upstairs, they get spooked by something out the windows and are crowding around to look, or they all get bored and start fighting each other, enough as changed that your ability won't work. They may still be surprised normally, however.

Basically, you're the head of a special ops squad pointing to each person and saying, "You, three steps through the door, turn right, there's an orc there. You, fireball through the third window to the left, that's where the ogres are." The more time elapses, the greater the chance that those instructions you're giving won't be valid.

In reply to DM (msg # 903):

And the Barakor's ability to know where things are and who if within 60'..!

Only if you're at a guard post keeping watch. It's not something that moves with you.

In reply to DM (msg # 905):

Yep.  Would have to be outside too or the glass gets in the way of the Crossbow Bolt ;-)

Corym's plan of battle does its best to minimize the involvement of NPCs in the combat while still recognizing their very real existence and using them to the best advantage of the party. I would not normally tell so many PC's that they need to 'stay behind.'

Have we slept since The Elf Spirit attack?  I think we did but just would like clarification

We slept right before that.  We were exploring the neighborhood because not enough time had passed for another rest.

Oh wait! you might be right!  We did a series of watches already

In reply to Corym Ildroun (msg # 910):

Thank you.

Mean only cast maybe 3 spells, Divination and Sacred Guardian twice so everyone is covered.

Have an Iron Vigil spare.

For the Hobgoblin attack.  Opposite entrance to where we are (North I think).
Will be casting a Cloak Of Bravery on someone when we are about to enter, not having any Shaman trying to Fear us.
Krackor still has his Iron Vigil on.

Everyone, please welcome Qasida yr Deidre al Milil, otherwise known as Kas, a paladin of Millil from Athkathla. She is currently being held in durance vile by the hobgoblins, after a rather rough introduction to the Ruins of Myth Drannor. She'll be the joining the party after the hobgoblin raid is over.

Everyone, please also welcome Euin Hawkhand a half-elven Harper also currently being held in hobgoblin durance vile.

Hey gang!  Glad to be coming aboard.

Hey everyone! I'm glad to be here and I look forward to writing with you all.

Welcome!  Elorfindar and I are the last remaining original members, but Krackor has been here a good-long-time.

We're happy to have new players on board.

I also play Kitheras.  A new player designed him and I fell in love with it from a concept perspective and adopted it once the player stopped posting.  It's thus been a refreshing time for me to explore this game with different eyes, and I'm happy to have you on board!