Author: Richard Robertson

Hello, fellow Tavernites!

I have a question and would like to hear your thoughts on the matter:  Can one Aid an Aid move?

There are some differences of opinion about how Black Magic’s two-targets (-1 damage) tag should work.

I’ve always thought of it as both targets take the full damage.

The other opinion is that after subtracting 1, the remaining damage is divided between the targets.

What do you Tavernites say?

Johnstone Metzger , the Mutant move Spit Acid:

Acid Spit – When you spit acid (reach, 1 piercing) and deal damage, your target’s armour, if any, is reduced by one point.

Is that generally considered a Volley move, or some other sort of move?

I need to see another precise weapon.  Some sort of dagger version, a stiletto maybe?  Any suggestions?

So, how does the reach tag work in actual play?

In the hands of a PC?  This is how I do it. I’d be curious to hear if someone has another way:

On a 10+ deal damage and the enemy is still at reach. (They could, of course, move away.)

On a 7-9, deal damage, or keep them at reach.

On a 6-, the GM makes a hard move. Deal damage, disarm, etc…

What about in the hands of an NPC?

Defy Danger to get past:

On a 10+, you close to close or hand.

On a 7-9, you stay back or take damage and close range.

On a 6-, you generally take damage and stay at reach.

By generally, I mean of course that other moves are available to the GM.

Combat Question

When facing multiple opponents, and the player rolls a 10+,  what do you do about the ones poking him in the back that he cannot defend against?

If I remember correctly, you decide how many can effectively attack him and how many he can effectively defend against.  Unless his back is against a wall, the latter will be greater than the former and that/those will deal damage.

Is that correct?

I’ve just started a Number Appearing PbP game and would like to recruit a couple more or three players.

Any takers?

Next Question:    How do I use Hirelings?

Let’s take the Warrior, for example:

Warrior

Warriors are not masters of combat, but they are handy with a weapon.

Man-at-arms—When you deal damage while a warrior aids you add their skill to the damage done. If your attack results in consequences (like a counter attack) the man-at-arms takes the brunt of it.

What if I don’t want him to Aid me?  What if I’m The Wizard and hire 2 Warriors and 2 Protectors?   I order the Warriors to dispatch those two goblins and the Protectors to stay back with me.

What happens?

I’ve got a question about the Defend move.

The Fighter is getting attacked at far range by archers.  He rolls a 10 on Defend.  With the archers is a warrior holding a couple leashed dogs.

The Fighter wants to spend his 3 hold to:

• Halve the attack’s effect or damage

• Open up the attacker to an ally giving that ally +1 forward against the attacker

• Deal damage to the attacker equal to your level

Now, a long time ago, I asked when do you say ‘No’ to your players?  The answer I liked best is, don’t say, no, ask them how?  In this case, the how is the player is taking NPC agency and saying a dog pulls free, rushes him, so he can deal his damage, and the whole thing provides a distraction for another PC to get +1 forward.  

I guess I’m not comfortable allowing that much agency over NPC’s to allow him to spend his hold.  He’s got an axe which is great at close range and he’s advancing, so he can’t really bank the hold.  I am a fan of the characters, but I feel this is too much.  I feel the how should be how he does it not how it happens.  Am I wrong?