[COURT OF SWORDS // E96 // Q&A] Karate Monsters

[AdamKoebel]

you’re right! hey @itmeJP you had your magic bonus added twice so i fixed it

[AdamKoebel]

I was watching old Office Hours episodes recently and question 3 of episode 55 asked “How would you make D&D 5e into a goal-based reward structure?” You were pessimistic that it could be done without starting at a deeper level because just changing the reward mechanic doesn’t change the fact that most of the tools are still methods of killing.

Court of Swords switched to exactly that kind of reward system a couple months after that, and now it’s been just over a year since then. With that experience, how do feel about your previous answer? Has goal-based XP worked out mostly despite D&D, because of the nature of the show and its cast, or is there enough available in the skill system to still make it work?

I’m still pretty sure D&D is only really about fighting. Goal-based XP has been fun and helped a little but it’s still not enough to change the core stuff about D&D. It’s a hack, and a band-aid, but one I am enjoying. It’s nice when we do get into fights, because the game is ready to help, you know?

[stevenx]

I actually thought Ramus was going to kill Yotta for a second there. Which, like, is preposterous, but I suckered for it anyway.

Bless this show, as well as Dan’s fucked up journey into becoming the enkindled undead.

[CyborgSama]

hey @adamkoebel I noticed that you said that the old man who took care of Nunu didnt have a family, but the first time we met him there were children around riding on it. Im just making a quick headcanon that old peasent let other peasent children play around. Just a thought

[AdamKoebel]

I noticed that you said that the old man who took care of Nunu didnt have a family, but the first time we met him there were children around riding on it.

yeah! those kids weren’t his, just like, kids around the area

[Point1985]

This is more a question for zeke. In the post show you we’re pretty bummed about Yotta Zo. He is underskilled. I know you got HAMMERED by maharib. After that the 2 fuckerydoos fucked you up as well. you didn’t do much to stop the second attack and in a 1v1 fight you are pretty useless mostly. As for being under powered Yotta is not! in a team fight you are the disabler for Berg. you will stun the damagedealers. disable the casters and Berg and Maharib will swing in with the big damage. Ramus will always be OP.

So for a question. At that moment in the game where you fucked up the exhibition, got knocked out by the 2 monks and ramus Incinerated them. did you WANT Ramus to kill you so you could make a new character? @Ezekiel_III

[Womprats]

I can’t remember, did we ever learn why Ramus was also enslaved back when he was first introduced?

[Olf_Himself]

Yes we did but I’m not sure about the exact details off the top of my head.
I believe he injured the son of a powerful merchant or noble that was talking shit about his temple or something similar.

[AdamKoebel]

I’m pretty sure he was arrested for being Ramus I mean have u met that guy

[Nomokop]

What if the Gaja goes into a drunken meditation just to come out completely sober and Zeke could reroll him into a much needed charisma party member and lean into him being a sacred cos creature (I just miss Kali ). Just random thoughts, I’m sure Zeke’s idea he mentioned in the postshow is gonna be great.

Best Krill moments and CoS moments of all time, I almost thought he was gonna full level fireball Yotta.

Also when Berg finally goes ssj heaven hammer and Maharib and Yotta get to see his divine aura is gonna be amaziiing, looking forward to the live show and new studio, CoS is my favorite fantasy adventure since swan song, thanks for the great show everyone.

P.D I’ve wondered if jesus Berg miracles could help Krill, I would think the God of bad luck and Fei would know about what the tower did, and use it to their advantage in heaven monopoly.

[Dalon9]

Week 96 roll results and statistics:

---

Ramus Krill (DansGaming):

Roll 1

• type: Skill check
• Skill: History
• Roll: 18
• Modifier: +5
• Result: 23
• Advantage: 0

Roll 2

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Religion
• Roll: 12
• Modifier: +5
• Result: 17
• Advantage: 0

Roll 3

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Insight
• Roll: 5
• Modifier: +9
• Result: 14
• Advantage: -

Roll 4

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Initiative
• Roll: 7
• Modifier: +2
• Result: 9
• Advantage: 0

Roll 5

• type: Spell
• Spell: Wall of Fire
• Damage: 58
• TargetsHit: 2

Roll 6

• type: Spell
• Spell: Healing Word
• Healing: 8

Roll 7

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Persuasion
• Roll: 13
• Modifier: +3
• Result: 16
• Advantage: -

---

Yotta Zō (Ezekiel_III):

Roll 1

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Insight
• Roll: 11
• Modifier: +7
• Result: 18
• Advantage: 0

Roll 2

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Initiative
• Roll: 18
• Modifier: +4
• Result: 22
• Advantage: 0

Roll 3

• type: Attack
• Roll: 5
• Modifier: +8
• Result: 13
• Advantage: 0
• Hit: -
• Damage: 0

Roll 4

• type: Attack
• Roll: 20
• Modifier: +8
• Result: 28
• Advantage: 0
• Hit: ++
• Damage: 13

Roll 5

• type: Save
• Skill: Strength
• Roll: 6
• Modifier: +4
• Result: 10
• Advantage: 0

Roll 6

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Insight
• Roll: 15
• Modifier: +7
• Result: 22
• Advantage: 0

Roll 7

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Performance
• Roll: 9
• Modifier: +3
• Result: 12
• Advantage: +

Roll 8

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Initiative
• Roll: 8
• Modifier: +4
• Result: 12
• Advantage: 0

Roll 9

• type: Attack
• Roll: 7
• Modifier: +8
• Result: 15
• Advantage: 0
• Hit: -
• Damage: 0

Roll 10

• type: Attack
• Roll: 13
• Modifier: +8
• Result: 21
• Advantage: 0
• Hit: +
• Damage: 8

Roll 11

• type: Attack
• Roll: 9
• Modifier: +8
• Result: 17
• Advantage: 0
• Hit: +
• Damage: 10

Roll 12

• type: Attack
• Roll: 4
• Modifier: +8
• Result: 12
• Advantage: 0
• Hit: -
• Damage: 0

Roll 13

• type: Save
• Skill: Constitution
• Roll: 6
• Modifier: +1
• Result: 7
• Advantage: 0

Roll 14

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Insight
• Roll: 1
• Modifier: +7
• Result: 8
• Advantage: 0

---

Berg (GassyMexican):

Roll 1

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Athletics
• Roll: 19
• Modifier: +8
• Result: 27
• Advantage: 0

---

Maharib (itmeJP):

Roll 1

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Perception
• Roll: 17
• Modifier: +3
• Result: 20
• Advantage: 0

Roll 2

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Persuasion
• Roll: 19
• Modifier: -2
• Result: 17
• Advantage: +

Roll 3

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Initiative
• Roll: 10
• Modifier: 0
• Result: 10
• Advantage: 0

Roll 4

• type: Attack
• Roll: 8
• Modifier: +11
• Result: 19
• Advantage: 0
• Hit: +
• Damage: 16

Roll 5

• type: Save
• Skill: Constitution
• Roll: 14
• Modifier: +9
• Result: 23
• Advantage: 0

Roll 6

• type: Attack
• Roll: 7
• Modifier: +11
• Result: 18
• Advantage: -
• Hit: +
• Damage: 21

Roll 7

• type: Attack
• Roll: 1
• Modifier: +11
• Result: 12
• Advantage: 0
• Hit: –
• Damage: 0

Roll 8

• type: Attack
• Roll: 10
• Modifier: +11
• Result: 21
• Advantage: 0
• Hit: +
• Damage: 19

Roll 9

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Performance
• Roll: 15
• Modifier: -2
• Result: 13
• Advantage: 0

Roll 10

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Insight
• Roll: 7
• Modifier: -1
• Result: 6
• Advantage: 0

Roll 11

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Persuasion
• Roll: 10
• Modifier: -2
• Result: 8
• Advantage: 0

Roll 12

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Intimidation
• Roll: 12
• Modifier: -2
• Result: 10
• Advantage: 0

---

Adam Koebel:

Roll 1

• type: Arcana
• Skill: Initiative
• Result: 24
• Advantage: 0

Roll 2

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Insight
• Result: 3
• Advantage: 0

Roll 3

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Initiative
• Result: 6
• Advantage: 0

Roll 4

• type: Attack
• Result: 8
• Target: Yotta
• Advantage: -
• Hit: -
• Damage: 0

Roll 5

• type: Attack
• Result: 6
• Target: Yotta
• Advantage: -
• Hit: -
• Damage: 0

Roll 6

• type: Attack
• Result: 9
• Target: Yotta
• Advantage: -
• Hit: -
• Damage: 0

Roll 7

• type: Attack
• Result: ?
• Target: Yotta
• Advantage: -
• Hit: -
• Damage: 0

Roll 8

• type: Attack
• Result: ?
• Target: Yotta
• Advantage: -
• Hit: -
• Damage: 0

Roll 9

• type: Attack
• Result: 14
• Target: Yotta
• Advantage: -
• Hit: -
• Damage: 0

Roll 10

• type: Attack
• Result: 13
• Target: Yotta
• Advantage: 0
• Hit: -
• Damage: 0

Roll 11

• type: Attack
• Result: 15
• Target: Yotta
• Advantage: 0
• Hit: -
• Damage: 0

Roll 12

• type: Attack
• Result: 6
• Target: Yotta
• Advantage: 0
• Hit: -
• Damage: 0

Roll 13

• type: Attack
• Result: ?
• Target: Yotta
• Advantage: 0
• Hit: +
• Damage: 11

Roll 14

• type: Attack
• Result: ?
• Target: Yotta
• Advantage: +
• Hit: -
• Damage: 0

Roll 15

• type: Attack
• Result: ?
• Target: Yotta
• Advantage: +
• Hit: -
• Damage: 0

Roll 16

• type: Attack
• Result: ?
• Target: Yotta
• Advantage: +
• Hit: +
• Damage: 21

Roll 17

• type: Attack
• Result: ?
• Target: Yotta
• Advantage: +
• Hit: +
• Damage: 18

Roll 18

• type: Save
• Skill: Dexterity
• Result: 14
• Advantage: 0

Roll 19

• type: Save
• Skill: Dexterity
• Result: 9
• Advantage: 0

Roll 20

• type: Skill check
• Skill: Athletics
• Result: 9
• Advantage: 0

Roll 21

• type: Skill check
• Skill: ?
• Result: 19
• Advantage: 0

---

Average Results

• Ramus Krill: 15.800
• Yotta Zō: 15.500
• Berg: 27.000
• Maharib: 14.750
• Adam Koebel: 11.071

---

Average Rolls

• Ramus Krill: 11.000
• Yotta Zō: 9.429
• Berg: 19.000
• Maharib: 10.833

---

@itmeJP Would it be possible that I get access to the game on roll20? That would make writing down the rolls easier for me and I could also add the rolls that aren’t displayed on stream.

[profnesbitt]

Question unrelated to this episode. I was reading about the tarot for unrelated reasons and couldn’t remember if the fool has ever come up in court of swords. I see where sometimes it’s considered part of major arcana and sometimes it’s a separate thing all together. @AdamKoebel Is The Fool a part of the major arcana in this world? Or do the PCs (maybe just Berg) represent the fools journey through the major arcana?

[Madguitarman47]

They did a post-show for this last episode and they talked a bit about that question you have. The episodes where stuff like this happens always have a cool post-show. I think Zeke was literally saying in the chat at the end of the episode that he was disgruntled and wanted a new character (I didn’t notice this). During the post-show Zeke, in the process of venting his frustrations, kinda came full circle on making a new character. I think they made a decision during the show when Adam kinda paused everything and asked everyone to talk as players. That being said, it was made pretty clear that in that moment he did want to retire Yotta Zo one way or another but he kinda backed off when no one else seemed to want that.

I am so excited for this next episode because Zeke was kinda talking about having his character go through some major changes based on the outcome of his duel and the fight in the hall. Zeke spoke of how Yotta Zo might have a developing relationship with Maharib based on his terrible defeat. Zeke really shines as a player when his character has these types of hardship.

[TheJeroenBrouwer]

I love how Maharib has basically become Yotta’s Everest. A fine lesson in humility was taught this episode. I understand Zeke is dissappointed as anyone would be, but as in all rpg’s, dealing with failure can be as much fun as dealing with success. I’m sure Yotta will come out a stronger person.