Between Sessions Observations and Musings

Z's back in town, and I'm hoping we'll play again tomorrow night. To prepare myself, and get myself back into the story, I just re-read the blog to date. While using the FG II chat log as a reference when writing definitely intensifies the blow-by-blow action, I think a lot of the personality of the players--and therefore the characters--is lost in the translation. I know that last weekend there were some great quotes, and several moments when we all either cheered out loud over a particular action, collectively groaned, or when things degenerated into fits of giggles. But, because these instances weren't recorded, I can't for the life of me recall the specifics. :(

Starting with our next session, I need to remember to document those golden moments. Since I'll have FGII open right in front of me, it'll be easy enough to do it right there in the chat log. That way, when I'm typing up the Story Hour at a later date and time, I'll have the notes available, and recorded during the right moment in the action.

Another thing I noticed is that everyone... myself included... still seems to be testing the waters with our 4E powers. We're all MMO-trained. We all understand role-based tactics. But, we're not using them. In every combat, each character has very much done his or her own thing. Well, to be fair, I shouldn't say "her," because Phoebe has definitely been doing her healing duties!

Since this is still a new campaign, still in the level 1 adventure, with new players at the table, and a rule set that's brand new to all of us, I feel like I can take a few liberties when it comes to letting my players behind the DM screen. At the top of our next session, I think I need to give a little bit of a prelude of what's to come, and offer a bit of training.

I'd like to see more active Skill checks. Specifically, Monster Knowledge can provide golden information when it comes to figuring out how to defeat a particularly pesky foe! Z already seized an opportunity to Intimidate a Bloodied enemy into submission. Kudos to him! Most of all, I'd like to encourage group combat tactics, not 5 solo fighters. This next encounter definitely has the potential for a TPK, if proper caution isn't exercised. The way the dice have been treating Paget, I don't want to see him end up as fish food due to lack of party support. He only has a finite amount of Healing Surges for Phoebe to take advantage of!