- I felt a need to railroad the players a bit, because I wanted them to encounter Captain Jorvik and hear the explanation of the two wars around Cardior. I'm pretty sure that I chose the right way to railroad them; I said, "I'd like to railroad y'all to encounter the top side of Cardior first," and they very nicely cooperated by suggesting that the teleport be taken off course. I think this was much better than trying to railroad them subtly.
- Dani was very pleasant about the discussion of the ring of protection, by saying 'I don't mind, but Prolix is going to make a fuss and hold his breath until he turns blue about it.' Doing it that way turned Prolix's obstreperousness into something we all enjoyed. I really appreciated him handling that issue that way, and I told him so, both immediately and after the session.
- I felt fairly happy about the roleplay with the soldiers and Captain Jorvik--I was kind of flustered when they were dealing with the soldiers, but that was okay, because the soldiers were too. I think the players got a pleasant little surprise from the crossbow-wielding soldier saying nonchalantly, "I'm a prisoner, so I can't take you any further." I didn't say all the things I'd thought of about the two wars and the rules of war, but that's fine--the players got the point.
- We got more emotional roleplay than we often do--I particularly appreciated Liandra's concern over Viggo and her uncertain moment with her sister. Thanks, Lori; that was great.
- I got off a horrible pun with one of the minor battles: the half-dragon PC used his secondary bite attack against a shambling mound (a big animated plant-creature), but he rolled too low to hit. "Sorry, no," I said. "Your bite is worse than its bark."
- I managed the pacing just right (or, at least, I lucked out with the pacing). Just as it was getting time for Lori to leave and the game to wrap up, I surprised them with an arrow attack and the voice of Viggo (one of the NPCs they were trying to rescue) calling, "Run, Liandra! I can't stop myself!" Others agreed with me that it was just the sort of twist Buffy would have just before a commercial break.
The combats might have been a little low-key, but that's okay. I still feel very pleased with the evening.
