paizo.com Recent Discussion Posts for Into the Haunted Forestpaizo.com Recent Discussion Posts for Into the Haunted Forest2012-09-10T17:21:25Z2012-09-10T17:21:25ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionStorycrafterhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#842012-12-06T18:03:28Z2012-12-06T18:03:28Z<p>Horfil, </p>
<p>Yeah, I realized the sad truth of it back around Nov. 19th. I'll take the blame for it — I didn't keep the pace moving or give you guys options <i>out</i> at critical times.</p>
<p>I still very much want to play more PbP, but I'm taking this as a lesson that I may not have the skill (yet) for DMing this style, or perhaps it's a question of time (baby due in a few weeks). I would like to have rebooted this campaign into something more "sandboxy" at Falcon's Hollow, but I think the momentum was already dead at that point. Rather than drag you all along further on a failed path, I decided to declare defeat and release you to more rewarding pursuits. :)</p>
<p>At any rate, happy holidays, and thanks for playing as far as you did.</p>Horfil,
Yeah, I realized the sad truth of it back around Nov. 19th. I'll take the blame for it -- I didn't keep the pace moving or give you guys options out at critical times.
I still very much want to play more PbP, but I'm taking this as a lesson that I may not have the skill (yet) for DMing this style, or perhaps it's a question of time (baby due in a few weeks). I would like to have rebooted this campaign into something more "sandboxy" at Falcon's Hollow, but I think the momentum was...Storycrafter2012-12-06T18:03:28ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionHorfil (alias of Zotsune)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#832012-12-06T13:42:26Z2012-12-06T13:42:26Z<p>So I'm going to assume that this campaign is more or less dead...</p>So I'm going to assume that this campaign is more or less dead...Horfil (alias of Zotsune)2012-12-06T13:42:26ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionStorycrafterhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#822012-11-27T01:16:13Z2012-11-27T01:16:13Z<p>Ours was good, thanks for the well wishes. Hope yours was enjoyable as well.</p>
<p>My pregnant wife con'd me into Black Friday shopping. I got a few deals and a hell of a flu to show for it :)</p>Ours was good, thanks for the well wishes. Hope yours was enjoyable as well.
My pregnant wife con'd me into Black Friday shopping. I got a few deals and a hell of a flu to show for it :)Storycrafter2012-11-27T01:16:13ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionHorfil (alias of Zotsune)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#812012-11-22T16:05:30Z2012-11-22T16:05:30Z<p>Happy Thanksgiving from the U.S. (if you are from other places other than the U.S. then good day to you because I have no idea if you celebrate anything on this day or not. I am not trying to be ignorant to other countries holiday's I just simply don't know what you do or don't celebrate).</p>Happy Thanksgiving from the U.S. (if you are from other places other than the U.S. then good day to you because I have no idea if you celebrate anything on this day or not. I am not trying to be ignorant to other countries holiday's I just simply don't know what you do or don't celebrate).Horfil (alias of Zotsune)2012-11-22T16:05:30ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionKensington Stone (alias of Kristev)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#802012-11-19T19:25:08Z2012-11-19T19:25:08Z<p>Yes DM, this wasn't your fault. It was simply a module our characters were incompatable with.</p>Yes DM, this wasn't your fault. It was simply a module our characters were incompatable with.Kensington Stone (alias of Kristev)2012-11-19T19:25:08ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionColwin Throssle (alias of Byden)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#792012-11-19T17:22:16Z2012-11-19T17:22:16Z<p>Probably for the best I'm sad to say, thanks for the game Storycrafter. I hope you don't get turned off DMing though, I think this was much more a case of a bad module than a bad DM. PBP is a very challenging medium, players don't have the same social obligations they do in RL groups and resolving tricky situations takes far longer.</p>Probably for the best I'm sad to say, thanks for the game Storycrafter. I hope you don't get turned off DMing though, I think this was much more a case of a bad module than a bad DM. PBP is a very challenging medium, players don't have the same social obligations they do in RL groups and resolving tricky situations takes far longer.Colwin Throssle (alias of Byden)2012-11-19T17:22:16ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionStorycrafterhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#782012-11-19T17:15:09Z2012-11-19T17:15:09Z<p>OK, thanks for the feedback. Having said such truths, we should probably call it a day with that. My original scope was to run a short module — something long enough to get a good flavor, but not so long as to require a year's commitment from anyone. After I got us off track on the module (yeah, it was too railroady, and I didn't loosen the rails enough or on time), trying to reset back to a sandbox based on the original hooks is a too little too late, methinks. It's apparent that I've lost too much momentum and interest has waned.</p>
<p>I do thank you all heartily for taking the chance and time to play this with me. Although I wouldn't call this a success, I do appreciate the experience. I do regret, though, that we couldn't really finish out any adventure fully. I wish you all luck and much fun on your other campaigns.</p>OK, thanks for the feedback. Having said such truths, we should probably call it a day with that. My original scope was to run a short module -- something long enough to get a good flavor, but not so long as to require a year's commitment from anyone. After I got us off track on the module (yeah, it was too railroady, and I didn't loosen the rails enough or on time), trying to reset back to a sandbox based on the original hooks is a too little too late, methinks. It's apparent that I've lost...Storycrafter2012-11-19T17:15:09ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionLeoian Mousekewitzhttps://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#772012-11-19T16:02:08Z2012-11-19T16:02:08Z<p>I'm inclined to agree with Colwin, more frequent DM posts could very well help to move things along and keep our engagement. I'm part of another game as well, and the DM posts usually twice a day for updates, NPC interactions and etc. I don't mean you need to post as often as he does, shorter but more frequent posts might help us to move along quicker.</p>
<p>Also like Colwin said don't be afraid to make some decisions for the PCs as long as they make sense for the character. Situations sometimes change from one player's actions to the next, especially in combat, so you need to take a bit of liberty once in a while, and adjust things so that we're not doing something like attacking an already downed opponent.</p>
<p>I don't think it's necessary to have a pre-existing connection with the rest of the party, but a fairly significant event that can bring us together more very early on would be good, a big battle protecting a town or some other common goal can do this nicely. I'm not opposed to a reset, though I'd prefer to keep my character, if we decide to keep going as we are you'll probably have to throw the adventure at us. At the moment our characters have no real IC reason to stay in Falcon's Hallow we'll need something very clear and concrete to stop us from simply passing through.</p>I'm inclined to agree with Colwin, more frequent DM posts could very well help to move things along and keep our engagement. I'm part of another game as well, and the DM posts usually twice a day for updates, NPC interactions and etc. I don't mean you need to post as often as he does, shorter but more frequent posts might help us to move along quicker.
Also like Colwin said don't be afraid to make some decisions for the PCs as long as they make sense for the character. Situations sometimes...Leoian Mousekewitz2012-11-19T16:02:08ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionColwin Throssle (alias of Byden)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#762012-11-19T00:45:35Z2012-11-19T00:45:35Z<p>I think the main thing is you need to post more GM Storycrafter, its a DM that drives the pace of a game and in PBP you need to prod things along frequently. I run a Serpents Skull game which at least has pretensions of one post a day, it started a week after this game and has nearly double the posts, but I post at least twice most days and prod things along in discussion as well. Its certainly not perfect, but it has a good pace for a PBP game.</p>
<p>Things that seem to hold up a game are players being unclear on what is going on, what they need to do and decision making. I tend to handle this by asking in discussion if things need clarifying, making "obvious" decisions for the PCs - usually with a we can always retroact if anyone strongly objects caveat - and setting time limits. For example if the party has a few paths available I might post, I'll wait until tomorrow to move you on either going with the majority vote or randomly rolling for the path you take. That means more active players have more say, but I'm okay with that.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if we would not be better of doing a redux and saying people can create new characters or simply reset their current characters. I think this might reinvigorate interest and get us back on track, but my main priority is getting the game speed upped significantly. Thoughts? Creating a new group of characters as a group together might also enable us to form a more cohesive party, and perhaps have a preexisting connect to one another, etc.</p>
<p>I'd also suggest a bit of clearly defined adventure, with lots of battles and few decision points to get the pace up.</p>I think the main thing is you need to post more GM Storycrafter, its a DM that drives the pace of a game and in PBP you need to prod things along frequently. I run a Serpents Skull game which at least has pretensions of one post a day, it started a week after this game and has nearly double the posts, but I post at least twice most days and prod things along in discussion as well. Its certainly not perfect, but it has a good pace for a PBP game.
Things that seem to hold up a game are players...Colwin Throssle (alias of Byden)2012-11-19T00:45:35ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionGM Storycrafter (alias of Storycrafter)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#752012-11-19T00:23:02Z2012-11-19T00:23:02Z<p>I won't disagree — the pace has slowed. I'll take the blame for that.</p>
<p>What are you thinking of for a fresh start? The group is finally in Falcon's Hollow, which is an interesting place rife with adventure hooks (none need be modules). Are you thinking something different?</p>I won't disagree -- the pace has slowed. I'll take the blame for that.
What are you thinking of for a fresh start? The group is finally in Falcon's Hollow, which is an interesting place rife with adventure hooks (none need be modules). Are you thinking something different?GM Storycrafter (alias of Storycrafter)2012-11-19T00:23:02ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionColwin Throssle (alias of Byden)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#742012-11-18T21:21:24Z2012-11-18T21:21:24Z<p>I'm beginning to think we have simply lost too much momentum here. I just cannot maintain an interest at this kind of pace. Perhaps we could start out again, a fresh start might reinvigorate things? At the moment we are simply prolonging the inevitable imo :(</p>
<p>I think generally you want to be shooting for one post per person a day, probably a little shy, but we are struggling for one a week here.</p>I'm beginning to think we have simply lost too much momentum here. I just cannot maintain an interest at this kind of pace. Perhaps we could start out again, a fresh start might reinvigorate things? At the moment we are simply prolonging the inevitable imo :(
I think generally you want to be shooting for one post per person a day, probably a little shy, but we are struggling for one a week here.Colwin Throssle (alias of Byden)2012-11-18T21:21:24ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionColwin Throssle (alias of Byden)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#732012-11-13T12:59:55Z2012-11-13T12:59:55Z<p>Works for me.</p>Works for me.Colwin Throssle (alias of Byden)2012-11-13T12:59:55ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionGM Storycrafter (alias of Storycrafter)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#722012-11-13T04:41:57Z2012-11-13T04:41:57Z<p>If it's all right with you guys, then, let's see what adventure awaits us in the Vale.</p>If it's all right with you guys, then, let's see what adventure awaits us in the Vale.GM Storycrafter (alias of Storycrafter)2012-11-13T04:41:57ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionHorfil (alias of Zotsune)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#712012-11-12T23:48:19Z2012-11-12T23:48:19Z<p>I don't mind what we do. Honestly consider me a person with no role playing experience, but with a lot of knowledge making characters and optimizing them for specific tasks (I make characters in my spare time if this one dies I have about seven back up characters ready to go with avg. gold for the class at level one and a feat line to follow as the levels come, for instance I made a character just for the two-bladed sword, yes he is a fighter but that is beside the point).</p>I don't mind what we do. Honestly consider me a person with no role playing experience, but with a lot of knowledge making characters and optimizing them for specific tasks (I make characters in my spare time if this one dies I have about seven back up characters ready to go with avg. gold for the class at level one and a feat line to follow as the levels come, for instance I made a character just for the two-bladed sword, yes he is a fighter but that is beside the point).Horfil (alias of Zotsune)2012-11-12T23:48:19ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionGM Storycrafter (alias of Storycrafter)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#702012-11-12T21:26:35Z2012-11-12T21:26:35Z<p>The general consensus I got was that quite a few people are already running or playing RotRL, and that a sandbox adventure (or set of adventures) was the next best plan. Darkmoon Vale's got a lot of cool stuff:</p>
<p>— there's plenty of opportunity for intrigue (there's a possibly corrupt lumber consortium and tensions between many factions)
<br />
— adventure (the region has a history of lycanthropy and there are several ancient sites)
<br />
— and danger (there are several evil forces in the region, including an ancient dragon and several organized raiding forces).</p>
<p>Shackled City is still a possibility if there's consensus. That's a commitment, though.</p>The general consensus I got was that quite a few people are already running or playing RotRL, and that a sandbox adventure (or set of adventures) was the next best plan. Darkmoon Vale's got a lot of cool stuff:
-- there's plenty of opportunity for intrigue (there's a possibly corrupt lumber consortium and tensions between many factions)
-- adventure (the region has a history of lycanthropy and there are several ancient sites)
-- and danger (there are several evil forces in the region,...GM Storycrafter (alias of Storycrafter)2012-11-12T21:26:35ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionAldaara Drower (alias of SoldierSolidus)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#692012-11-12T18:12:14Z2012-11-12T18:12:14Z<p>So the plan for the moment is to finish the mission in Darkmoon Vale, and then go from there? Are we heading for an AP or something in particular?</p>So the plan for the moment is to finish the mission in Darkmoon Vale, and then go from there? Are we heading for an AP or something in particular?Aldaara Drower (alias of SoldierSolidus)2012-11-12T18:12:14ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionGM Storycrafter (alias of Storycrafter)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#682012-11-11T16:12:48Z2012-11-11T16:12:48Z<p>One thought occurs to me. Assuming we continue on to adventuring in the Vale for a while, you may (or may not) want to supplement the party's skillset. I'm not advising that you do or don't, but if you wanted to, say, add a member of the party through the guise of picking up an additional adventurer at one of the major towns in the Vale, we might want to start that recruitment now (and then RP it when it comes up). If the party heads north to Falcon's Hollow, there are a few places where fellow adventurers might hang out.</p>
<p>If you have thoughts of recruiting, then I would recommend that you/we make a post soon on the boards, and I'd leave it up to you, as a party, to vet the new member. A group interview, if you will. I think that might be kind of fun, but I may be alone in that thought, I know.</p>
<p>Of course, if you guys are happy as you are, then please ignore me and play on! :)</p>One thought occurs to me. Assuming we continue on to adventuring in the Vale for a while, you may (or may not) want to supplement the party's skillset. I'm not advising that you do or don't, but if you wanted to, say, add a member of the party through the guise of picking up an additional adventurer at one of the major towns in the Vale, we might want to start that recruitment now (and then RP it when it comes up). If the party heads north to Falcon's Hollow, there are a few places where...GM Storycrafter (alias of Storycrafter)2012-11-11T16:12:48ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionGM Storycrafter (alias of Storycrafter)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#672012-11-08T15:22:51Z2012-11-08T15:22:51Z<p>If you have the patience, gimme another day or so. I've been trying to put together a plausible connection in the Dark Moon Vale. I'll see if I can get some dangling threads for you guys to pull on by the end of day.</p>If you have the patience, gimme another day or so. I've been trying to put together a plausible connection in the Dark Moon Vale. I'll see if I can get some dangling threads for you guys to pull on by the end of day.GM Storycrafter (alias of Storycrafter)2012-11-08T15:22:51ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionKensington Stone (alias of Kristev)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#662012-11-08T12:21:23Z2012-11-08T12:21:23Z<p>So what are we going to do?</p>So what are we going to do?Kensington Stone (alias of Kristev)2012-11-08T12:21:23ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionAldaara Drower (alias of SoldierSolidus)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#652012-11-03T05:51:17Z2012-11-03T05:51:17Z<p>I'm GMing RotRL so that won't work. Shackled City sounds like it could be a lot of fun. However my character would very much want to finish the mission that she has started. Perhaps afterwards?</p>I'm GMing RotRL so that won't work. Shackled City sounds like it could be a lot of fun. However my character would very much want to finish the mission that she has started. Perhaps afterwards?Aldaara Drower (alias of SoldierSolidus)2012-11-03T05:51:17ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionHorfil (alias of Zotsune)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#642012-11-02T13:26:24Z2012-11-02T13:26:24Z<p>I'm Good with either B or E (I haven't done Rise of the Runlords however it looks like we have someone who has already done it (at least a little bit of it) before and I also haven't done Shackled City but same reasons as Rise of the Runelords).</p>I'm Good with either B or E (I haven't done Rise of the Runlords however it looks like we have someone who has already done it (at least a little bit of it) before and I also haven't done Shackled City but same reasons as Rise of the Runelords).Horfil (alias of Zotsune)2012-11-02T13:26:24ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionColwin Throssle (alias of Byden)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#632012-11-02T09:40:08Z2012-11-02T09:40:08Z<p>I'm in a Rise of the Runelords campaign to, but I'd be very interested in both Shackled City and Thornkeep. Its a fun group, and I've had no issues with the DMing, just the scenario. I should disclose that I've play the first three or so levels of Shackled City, but it was a long time ago and I'd like to finish it someday :) That would of course mean that Colwin would sit back on the decision making a bit so I can avoid meta gaming.</p>I'm in a Rise of the Runelords campaign to, but I'd be very interested in both Shackled City and Thornkeep. Its a fun group, and I've had no issues with the DMing, just the scenario. I should disclose that I've play the first three or so levels of Shackled City, but it was a long time ago and I'd like to finish it someday :) That would of course mean that Colwin would sit back on the decision making a bit so I can avoid meta gaming.Colwin Throssle (alias of Byden)2012-11-02T09:40:08ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionLeotian Mousekewitz (alias of Leoian Mousekewitz)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#622012-11-01T20:30:12Z2012-11-01T20:30:12Z<p>I'm late, but Happy Halloween to everyone. I think continuing our original mission might be good, we do have a job to do. It doesn't really seem like we're heading in the 'do what the sheriff tells us' direction so we could easily flee north towards Darkmoon Vale without breaking out of character.</p>
<p>I'd rather not go to Sandpoint, as I have another character who just started a Rise of the Runelords campaign</p>I'm late, but Happy Halloween to everyone. I think continuing our original mission might be good, we do have a job to do. It doesn't really seem like we're heading in the 'do what the sheriff tells us' direction so we could easily flee north towards Darkmoon Vale without breaking out of character.
I'd rather not go to Sandpoint, as I have another character who just started a Rise of the Runelords campaignLeotian Mousekewitz (alias of Leoian Mousekewitz)2012-11-01T20:30:12ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionKensington Stone (alias of Kristev)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#612012-11-01T15:57:21Z2012-11-01T15:57:21Z<p>We should finish our job in the Darkmoon Vale. After all, it could be fun having the sherrif chase us, and the place is bound to have a legal system that could help us.</p>We should finish our job in the Darkmoon Vale. After all, it could be fun having the sherrif chase us, and the place is bound to have a legal system that could help us.Kensington Stone (alias of Kristev)2012-11-01T15:57:21ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Into the Haunted Forest DiscussionGM Storycrafter (alias of Storycrafter)https://paizo.com/campaigns/IntoTheHauntedForest/discussion&page=2#602012-11-01T14:39:13Z2012-11-01T14:39:13Z<p>OK, after giving it some thought, I'm thinking that if you want, collectively, we can make a major change here.</p>
<p>Here's what I'm thinking we can do:</p>
<p>a) Stay with this module, or at least the premise, and see where it leads. You can go wherever you like, find the panalopy or not. Kill the sheriff or not. Who knows what trouble you may create, or what may happen as a consequence of not paying back the Doctor, as he claims you must do?
<br />
b) Head north, as on your original mission, to the Darkmoon Vale. Who knows what trouble you can find there?
<br />
c) Head to Sandpoint — there's a festival about to begin there (Rise of the Runelords)
<br />
d) Head to a city named Cauldron (Shackled City)
<br />
e) Head to the River Kingdoms, to an infamous village named "Thornkeep" (Thornkeep Kickstarter prize, released yesterday)
<br />
f) Call it a day and wrap this up somehow?</p>
<p>3 or 4 of those will probably require finding one more player (rogue?).</p>OK, after giving it some thought, I'm thinking that if you want, collectively, we can make a major change here.
Here's what I'm thinking we can do:
a) Stay with this module, or at least the premise, and see where it leads. You can go wherever you like, find the panalopy or not. Kill the sheriff or not. Who knows what trouble you may create, or what may happen as a consequence of not paying back the Doctor, as he claims you must do?
b) Head north, as on your original mission, to the Darkmoon...GM Storycrafter (alias of Storycrafter)2012-11-01T14:39:13Z