The Metal Bard

Initiative matters when there is a risk. If combat only lasts one round, going first is a massive advantage. Accordingly, the longer combat extends, the less important initiative becomes because results will eventually average out. Recently, I had a session where this was more perceptible. Artwork by Bertdrawsstuff Right now, I'm testing a deadly combat system. I mean deadly ; combat usually lasts one to two rounds (and I like it that way). The characters won most initiative rounds and used their resources to attempt to dispose of as many enemies as possible before the enemies got a response. This was effective. It mitigated the damage they accumulated, but it costed resources (spell points, abilities, etc). Having realized the importance of winning initiative (specially against necromancers and cultist), the players even consumed meta-currency to turned failed initiative rolls into successes. To understand this a bit better, I must tell you that our meta-currency--called Divinity ...

Last session the adventurers managed to capture a stygian creature that consumes minds through fear --the Gemyndsuga. For this, they doused bait with a sleep potion and fed it to the Gemyndsuga. Once incapacitated, the Wizard teleported it to a prison in the palace of the Ogre King. The creature was needed to test vulnerabilities against a greater Gemyndsuga that has been growing thanks to the actions of a secret cult. Lady Arobell, a priestess rescued from the cult by the adventurers, undertook the task of testing for vulnerabilities. After days of work, she found out that the creature is most vulnerable to the blessings of Alter--the deity of water and stone. Armed with this knowledge, she crafted a large ceremonial cord interlaced with smooth river stones. "It must be placed around the Gemyndsuga and prayer chants to Alter spoken with true faith." * * * During this time, the cult has also been active. After being exposed and the priestess rescued, the cult decided to ful...