A Faerie Affair - OOC IV: Petal to the Metal

[Archmage1]

I'm currently thinking conversations are continuing as Violet continues singing twinkle twinkle little star, so I'll respond, well.... later?

[Archmage1]

Violet: Keeping politically informed, like any good earthworm.

[Archmage1]

There's asking nicely, and then there's asking really nicely, and then there's asking really, really nicely and making sure that all other outcomes are actively bad for the askee.

[Archmage1]

Incidentally...

If we're playing a primarily social campaign, with some avoidable combat, Violet'll be fine.

However, if we're aiming to do a more combat heavy campaign, it might be wise for me to create a different character. Violet's not a good choice for such a campaign, and judging by how the last bit of IC has been going, that may be an issue.

[WindStruck]

Well, my character has been going the whole game without any real offensive spells... unless now you consider Bestow Curse as one. Might just be the nastiest thing she ever gets, honestly.

Really depends on what you want to do. If you want to keep playing Violet, keep playing her. If you'd rather make something else, well, I'm sure we can work that out, too.

[Archmage1]

Bestow curse is pretty nasty.

Violet's most offensive one is either suggestion, or plant growth.

I'm all for a more social approach, but from the conversation, it seems like that's almost been dismissed, and I think that between the three of us we'll struggle to win fights, but we can probably avoid them pretty well.

And Violet's pretty fun to play. Admittedly, getting the right mix of silliness and seriousness is a bit tricky, but that's a part of the fun too.

[Ninja_Prawn]

I mean, we can keep the focus of the game on social situations easily enough. The whole point of the hunt was to get Soren and Reena to work together to defeat the drow - so it'd be the faerie soldiers doing the bulk of the fighting - and it's been established that their combined power should be more than a match for what is a fairly small expeditionary force.

The next big story scene is going to be when the two courts come together to kick off the hunt, which is sure to be a delicate social situation. And then there will need to be some kind of peace discussions if and when the drow are defeated. There's certainly a risk of combat happening at various points, and I think Kor wants to have some involvement in the actual hunting, but Violet and Astra should be fine.

[Archmage1]

Then Violet'll have a wonderful time!

And get to hunt for other bards, to get a parade going!

[Majin]

I'm fine OOC too about pursuing non-combat solution, though Kor did promise he'd be there to keep an eye on one of the nobles (and help make a bear-tank)

[Ninja_Prawn]

To note, in case Archmage isn't aware: the others met Lady Claddath on their journey up to Cormanthor. They know she's a powerful arcane caster and from what Elendar says, she's presumably not particularly friendly with the Cult of Lolth.

[Archmage1]

Thank you, I was indeed not aware. OOC division in the ranks is probably the most reliable way to repel the attack, even if it isn't the perfect solution. IC, Violet has lots of questions to ask about the tree, and, well, getting the background about the drow. But she's trying really, really hard on focusing, and finding a way to get the drow to be nice.

I do find it amusing that Astra seems to think Violet would be deterred from visiting Lady Kenafin by things like common sense, reason, guards...

Elendar, on the other hand, might realize that none of those things really register to her.

[Archmage1]

Hey now, that's not entirely fair to Violet.

She's collected quite a bit of valuable information.

That there's a split in command, one seems to be primarily focused on the church, and one doesn't.
That the church leader likes snakes, and is quite concerned about appearances. Which means that a faux victory might be viable. Also, that dressing well will enhance our ability to chat.
The split suggests that this is political, rather than a racial drive, so a better chance for peace there.(A distraction from troubles at home).
Lady Kenafin is scary, so her followers might have other options, given sufficient inspiration.

Plus, there's always phase two of the conversation: Suggestion enhancement! Everyone likes a little enchantment in their interrogations, right?

OOC causing an internal schism is likely our best hope.

[WindStruck]

Well you're right about that. We have got some useful information. Violet's intent, though..

But will Astra catch on? insight: (1d20+5)[10]

[Archmage1]

As it might be slightly relevant, does Violet actually know about any nice divine beings that also exist somewhere other than in her imagination and hopes?
(1d20+2)[20] religion?

And am I correct in OOC assuming standard forgotten realms cosmology?(Which I might need to read up on for 5e, since I know the 3.5e ones)

And with a 20, I think I can probably safely assume that she's at least somewhat aware of most of the relevant divinities?

[Ninja_Prawn]

Yeah, more or less standard Realms cosmology. Planes-wise it's a Great Wheel situation, if that ever becomes relevant. I'm gonna say all of the Dark Seldarine other than Lolth are dead, except Eilistraee, who was resurrected 5 years ago. If Elendar was to turn his back on Lolth and rededicate his life to doing good, she would be his most likely destination. I guess with a 20, we could say Violet just suddenly remembered that fact... not sure how she'd know that, but I guess bards are good at collecting random trivia even when they live alone in the woods.

[Archmage1]

This should be fun. Assuming Violet's silliness is sufficiently persuasive. And Elendar is sufficiently contrite...

Edit: To be clear, I'm considering this after your next post, not currently.

[Ninja_Prawn]

Okay, I'll make a response this afternoon.

[WindStruck]

Now I'm wishing one of our characters had more experience with fishing to bring up the analogy of the crab bucket mentality...

[Archmage1]

Violet: Trying to be persuasive.

It seemed like what she'd try to do.

[Ninja_Prawn]

It's definitely smart to appeal to his selfishness rather than trying to get him to do the right thing for its own sake... Give me a Charisma (Persuasion) check please!

[Archmage1]

Being nice is like being fishing.

Persuading someone to do something nice is giving them a fish.

Persuading them that being nice is better than being mean is teaching them to fish.

(1d20+6)[25] Persuasion!
(I really should have taken expertise in persuasion, rather than performance. Ah, well.)

[WindStruck]

Well with that roll, it seems violet knocked that ball out of the park! And yes, Astra is also impressed!

[Archmage1]

Anywho, next step... Muffins! At least, once Violet remembers that there were muffins in the offing again.

And then... maybe finding musicians for a victory parade?

[Ninja_Prawn]

Apologies for the slow posting... I kind of fell down a youtube rabbit hole for a few days there.

[Archmage1]

No worries!

Violet would look tired, but she's much too excited to let anything silly like that slow her down!

[WindStruck]

Let's try an alchemy roll! I guess that'll by my Arcana skill.

(1d20+4)[23]

[WindStruck]

Oh! Nice!

And while I'm on a roll, maybe there's something Astra could do to help Kor heal his tooth? She can cast cure light wounds.. and there's also the medicine skill.

Medicine: (1d20+5)[19]

[Ninja_Prawn]

I guess we tell stories about a 'tooth fairy' for a reason, eh?!

[Majin]

I imagine there are some fairies in Faerun who like collecting teeth, just for fun.

[Majin]

Hmm, Ninja, did Astra and Violet regrow Kor's tooth completely, or just attach the chipped off bit?