Jaye's Carrion Crown (Inactive)

Game Master Jason Sonia

"Protocol; A, fifty-five, i, five, t." She says, quietly and calmly. Smith nods,

"Confirm, A-5-5-I-5-T." He replies and walks over to stand beside Creel. Following the other man's gaze to look up the stairs.

*Applies forehead to desk.*

Ah, I just meant that the exterior cladding of the home is granite with a slate roof :)

I said the following in another thread because of some confusion during our first combat in that thread so I though I should share it here before we have any issue :)

Also, just to clear up any misunderstandings, I'll do my best to give a download on how I typically handle combat.

1. I'll make a starting post wherein I try and describe the scene, whats happening and post a map, sometimes with beginning locations already marked.

2. I let the players post as they notice the initiating post and ask that they roll initiative during this post. I'll then either ask that players either choose their starting position or script out their first turn. Also, as Celeste did at my suggestion, since once you've made a post with dice rolls the rolls can't be changed you can edit these posts to reflect your actions.

3. After everyone has made their posts I note down the initiative order on a piece of paper and plot out the turn according to initiative and then roll out the turn for the enemies and compile this into a single post I think of as the "Round Capping Post". After this I change the map and re-link it so people can see where they are at the start of the new round then I rinse and repeat until the end of the combat.

Some of the issues with this are initiative order since sometimes the actions of a later poster with higher initiative kills outright the target of an earlier posters attack, in this cases I do the ole' invoke rule zero and try and shift the attack to the next most legitimate target.

Hope that helps codify my version of the workings of combat via PbP

Yeah, I tried post order but found that it did away a with a few more effects then I was happy with that rely on initiative. I do generally however roll passive checks, though feel free to keep your initiative dice :)

Basically the way this would work as an example is this...
Steve, John and a Bandit are facing off.

John posts that he shoots the Bandit with his bow and hits doing half the Bandits damage

Steve says he charges the bandit and does two thirds of the Bandits damage

However the initiative is Steve (19), Bandits (7) and John (3)

Now when it comes time for me to finish the round I do the rolls for the bandit attacking Steve and do 3 damage to Steve.

I now write up how Steve charges the bandit and hacks at him with the sword doing some damage. Then I narrate the damage being done to Steve before finally ending the narrative by having an arrow hit the Bandit and Mr Bandito dying.

Technically there's the whole issue of shooting into melee here and I make the rolls for it, for the sake of simplicity, however, I handwave that even though John might not have shot the bandit when Steve was attacking him he does in this case. Its one of the things PbP doesn't handle well so its just something we have to put up with within the medium.

Sometimes this might result in a different target being selected etc but it does actually make PbP a little quicker which I think works out in our favor.

I'm sorry Madeline but my response to a command code was pretty much exactly the same as TarkXT. Having Smith look like a robot is one thing but having him be a robot is another, as I've said I'm aiming to run a horror fantasy game. I'm not big on the steampunk hence me blocking the gunslinger abilities (also they're playtest still), its too much of an anachronism for me. If you read the rules for the summoner they're mechanically a sorcerer who focused their efforts on binding their will to that of an outsider, they're definitely arcane, not technological and when you can think "check upstairs" you wouldn't come up with code phrases.

My response was more about what the code actually was rather than the anachronism.

I'm sorry Madeline but my response to a command code was pretty much exactly the same as TarkXT. Having Smith look like a robot is one thing but having him be a robot is another, as I've said I'm aiming to run a horror fantasy game. I'm not big on the steampunk hence me blocking the gunslinger abilities (also they're playtest still), its too much of an anachronism for me. If you read the rules for the summoner they're mechanically a sorcerer who focused their efforts on binding their will to that of an outsider, they're definitely arcane, not technological and when you can think "check upstairs" you wouldn't come up with code phrases.

I loved the command code, but then I put a GLaDOS reference in my eulogy.

Oh, and good combat/posting guidelines. Thanks

Okay, yeah, sorry didn't even notice the code was l33t speak for ASSIST, that actually makes it kinda worse for me (I once ran a LARP game for a while wherein one of the players would post to an in game email list only using l33t which has given me a lifelong aversion to it).

Okay, yeah, sorry didn't even notice the code was l33t speak for ASSIST, that actually makes it kinda worse for me (I once ran a LARP game for a while wherein one of the players would post to an in game email list only using l33t which has given me a lifelong aversion to it).

Was that Leet? I just saw a clever pun, but then I can be a bit out of the loop.

~Creel

Typically using numbers instead if letters is at least partial l33t speak hence the 33 in l33t rather then ee or perhaps even spelling it elite. Sorry its just a couple of pet peeves but having the summon not only look but talk and act like a robot is just kinda setting my teeth on edge, especially after I've mentioned that I didn't want steampunk being in this game. I mean if I wanted pulpy steampunk I'd run some Ebberon :)

To be fair I honestly don't mind the steampunkness though it does kind of corrode the very transylvanian flavor this thing seems to be going for. Honestly I think it could be handled slightly differently. There are mechanical type lawful outsiders the eidolon can be modeled after(see Inevitables).

Well now that the DM' snoozing......

On Transylvanian steampunk...
Or a Frankenstein vibe. Frankly (ha) that's where I thought Mr. Smith was going

~Will

Well now that the DM' snoozing......

** spoiler omitted **...

I doubt anyone but myself will even get a second turn.

As for how the stirges got in there's always the distinct possibility that someone busted the window with a rock and they just flew in by themselves. I don't want to read too much into it. The professor was apparently an unpopular man and those who previously feared what he might do alive might take advantage of his property and loved ones in his absence.

As to the summoning I'm not going to comment. As that would be blatant metagaming. :P Rendel definitely needs to interrogate the Druid as to the inklings of knowledge)nature.

PREPARE THE THUMB SCREWS!

Creel wrote:

Well now that the DM' snoozing......

** spoiler omitted **...

I doubt anyone but myself will even get a second turn.

As for how the stirges got in there's always the distinct possibility that someone busted the window with a rock and they just flew in by themselves. I don't want to read too much into it. The professor was apparently an unpopular man and those who previously feared what he might do alive might take advantage of his property and loved ones in his absence.

The timing is too tight for them to have just wandered in. Unless the area is suffering from a plague of the little beasts. We heard the window break and saw the stirges w/in a round or 2. This gives 2 real options. 1) They broke in on their own. I don't know enough about stirges to say yea or ney here. I suppose it is just possable that they smashed through a pane of darkened glass because they felt like it. 2) These are trained or controlled somehow. In this case a rock or something was used to smash the window. If we find it we will know for sure.

As to the summoning I'm not going to comment. As that would be blatant metagaming. :P Rendel definitely needs to interrogate the Druid as to the inklings of knowledge)nature.

PREPARE THE THUMB SCREWS!

I'm sorry as a paladin I cannot counternance torture. Anyone else want some coffee? It's a bit of a walk so I may be gone for some time.

Oh, is that so?

I'm pretty sure he'd endure it and then watch you writhe in a pit for quite some time.

Beyond that, he didn't really think of "what is this" so much as "it's destroying the house, remove it or slay it!" He'll be sure to check it after the fight, I'm willing to bet.

I'm pretty sure he'd ... watch you writhe in a pit for quite some time.

I always thought there was something about you Dwarves.

Creel, author of "Quote mine your way to riches!"

Hello! Just awoke and read the summons to the OOC.

*reads back through swathe of postings...*

Ah.....

Sorry, I just thought the l33t speak for commands to Smith would be 'neat'/'cute''fun' and add character flavour. Not that I have any idea really as to the language itself, just a quick google put me on the immediate path to that simple little address there.

Normally I was thinking of having Smith et-al speak normally, well if at all and then sparingly. As a summoned critter, Smith is not the sharpest sword on the wrack.

*ponders*

So....in a word...."Don't do IT!" is the response from the DM?

*Nods* I shall work at creating a separate 'page' for Smith. Of course, finding an Avatar that is close to his current incarnation will be the hard part.

*Bows*

*Reads musing upon other, adventure related things*

There is a mask avatar on page 11 of the list that might be useful.
~creel

*Nods* Saw that and thought about using it. The plain black and white one I have chosen seems nice as well. It has a face, as does Smith, and is yet austere in its chromatically limited black and white image.

*Bows*

"This one, to save people digging..."

Ha! Broke it with a simple paradox! That was easier than logan's run.

"Conflict...is...not...broken..."

What do guys think then if I do some modification to bring in the steampunk vibe a bit more, I'll let some character rewrites occur after the current combat and allow the gunslinger info into the game, this will change some of the game a bit but nothings that's occurred yet so it should be fine.

Hey Thranic!! some strange person named Jason Sonia crashed the furneal and is stepping all over your lines!

Oh, don't you worry. I'll handle that upstart right away...

Summoners are strange even to folks who routinely treat the laws of physics with the same respect a Saudi diplomat reserves for NY traffic ordances.

Heheheh.. or a Kuwaiti obeying any ordinance at all.. (I live here, I know how they drive...)

A5 For the l33t...

Normally, I'd sigh and have a similar response, but I kind of like the theme. I like the alien, offworldish (possibly tech) feel it evokes. But then again, I write Stormpunk as a hobby and have a whole setting devoted to it!

(There's a link in my profile).

So, yeah, I'm biased.

;)

What do guys think then if I do some modification to bring in the steampunk vibe a bit more, I'll let some character rewrites occur after the current combat and allow the gunslinger info into the game, this will change some of the game a bit but nothings that's occurred yet so it should be fine.

Don't mind me getting all wordy, but here it goes. As far as Golarion goes, it's definitely a kitchen-sink setting with plenty of room for different themes (even Steampunk/Stormpunk), provided they are hinged to the overall feel the GM has clearly stated he wants to unleash in this AP. If we find ourselves with pink-robo-bunnies speaking l33t and forcing the atmosphere away from the darker, Slavic feel, then yes, it should go. We're definitely playing within a very specific arc and the GM made that clear. (and, ultimately, he has the final say).

However, if the persona of Mr. Smith can add to the creep-factor, I'm all for it. Especially if he starts to develop a personality of his own (think Anne Rice's The Witching Hour). Not only do we tap into the whole, " spirit manifesting as a creepy automaton" genre, we do so in a way that deepens Madeline's character, as well.

As for the guns, they can work, too. I remember watching the TV series Friday the 13th as a child and wondering about that entire shop, with its weird items, cursed family heirlooms, and the like. There's certainly no reason Madeline can't tap into this, as well.

That being said, it's a tight rope (pun intended) to walk. You're already playing with two specific genres inside of the overall "horror scene" and it'll be a real task to pull of. If you're successful, it'll also be a real treat. If not, however, it'll definitely detract from the overall movement in the setting.

Of course, this is all a moot point if the GM hand-waves (either off or on) the entire concept.

If I had a say, I'd keep the Mr. Smith and just forget about the Gunslinger persona (and the headaches that come with that).

That's my $.02.

Sincerely,
Jaye

Actually I wonderfully less morally outraged now, twenty four hours and some hindsight does wonders. One of the only issues I have concern with is in the second part of Carrion Crown is that you guys come across an alchemical(I think its an alch) golem with a soul and the moral implications of dealing with it :)

Actually I wonderfully less morally outraged now, twenty four hours and some hindsight does wonders. One of the only issues I have concern with is in the second part of Carrion Crown is that you guys come across an alchemical(I think its an alch) golem with a soul and the moral implications of dealing with it :)

I smell story hook! Did our lovely madeling create Mr. Smith all by herself the way she thinks she did or was she fed some of that info? If so by whom? Her parents? The professor? Were any of these people entirely trustworthy?

This is a great oppertunity to tie the Madeline/Smith firmly to the story.

On the larger steam issue I remain divided. I like Mr.Smith. I see it as a quiet shout out to Frankenstein/I married a zombie. The l33t and command codes are silly and fun. I trust Sunset not to go overboard.

On the Gunfighter I am not so sure. I must admit that I am not that familiar with the class. However I have qualms about allowing such advanced tech as revolvers into a fantasy game. I know guns and fantasy can work together, the wonderful 50 Fathoms for Savage Worlds proves it. So I don't know.

Things I would like to know:
a) stats for the proposed guns. Better than a bow? Better than a wand of magic missiles? How much better?

b) Would it allow Madeline to over shadow other players? If so how will we deal with the issue.

c) As a party we are weak on ranged and arcane. Would Madeline be able to fill both roles alone? I am particulary concerned with things like the knowledge:arcane skill, spellcraft and odd languages. These can be VERY useful to have in a party and I am worried that we may lack them.

d) As someone who depends on armor for AC I am painfully aware that what goes around comes around. I am not looking forward to facing a group of Ghasts wielding longarms for example. As a warrior of holy light I will be quite the archery target when I light up. I do not need massed musketry added to the mix.

Finally I guess I come down on the side of yes. I think that we could add some steam to the gothic. I suggest a trial basis, say 1 or 2 levels? It would mean keeping 2 versions of some characters which will be a pain. Doing so however will allow us to quickly swap back to the steam free versions and quickly retcon the steaming elements.

Anyway that's my view.
~Will/Creel

*Nods* Saw that and thought about using it. The plain black and white one I have chosen seems nice as well. It has a face, as does Smith, and is yet austere in its chromatically limited black and white image.

*Bows*

I like it. The black and white seperates it nicely from Madeline and the rest of the players. As Smith won't be posting much the occasional splash of monochrome will be a nice accent. Good choice.

*Reads back over previous posts*

First: I do not want to influence/change anything. Jörmungandr DM is doing the very hard yards as the Dm and I, for one, am eternally grateful and will bend over backwards for said DM (Just make sure the sacrificial knife is warm...;) )

Upon that note, I must confess to maybe being a little influenced by the Privateer Press Role Playing setting of Iron Kingdoms (Not Warmachine).

As with all my characters (Yes, I have more than just Madeline and Sunny....just, not many...*blush*) Madeline literally created herself, almost fully formed, over the space of a day or so, the same goes for Suny and her 'clones'. When the inspiration strikes, my character backgrounds can get quite wordy...S.c.a.r.l.e.t.

When Jörmungandr DM said "No Gunslinger", I must admit I was...hard done by to come up with a way of re-working the character. Though finding a way to chat to Jörmungandr DM in 'real time' and with the help of freinds I managed to pull Madeline through.

Would I like for the character of Madeline to have a gun? Yes, since the loss of her parents to some mysterious force in/from Alkenstar is worked into her background/psych.

I never wanted Madeline to be a Gunslinger. Ever. Using a little piece of technology, to go with any future things such as 'Goggles of dark-vision' etc would be nice.

The 'techno' side of Madeline is window dressing. She is a magic user. She is not some persona with a dream of becoming a Mechnical-Lich (See afore mentioned Iron Kingdoms). At second level, I intend to 'dip' into Fighter class, just to get some better armour and weapon picks.

Don't forget that Summoners Eidolons can change at every level! As a second level Summoner she will have access to more evolution points and have more money to spend. The thing that 'Smith' turns into might be a completely different....beast...

So, just some rambling thoughts and heart/sleeve revealing in response to other peoples comments and seeming cnaptions over Madeline.

Thank you indeed Creel, for your comments.

*Bows*

As for some way to alleviate Poor Wandering One concern:

Things I would like to know:

a) stats for the proposed guns. Better than a bow? Better than a wand of magic missiles? How much better?

Golarion guns are...different. The people of/at Paizo have gone for the classic 'Black powder' shot and ball type weapon. On a natural 1. The gun jams. Roll a second dice. Get a second natural 1? Good chance you've done the weapon's damage to your character's hand.

In some words? Not good. Yes, there are ways to minimise these odds. This costs more character gold and more character feats.

Range. A pistol has a range increment of 20'. Yup, over a long distance you aren't hitting the broad side of a barn with your pocket protector. A Musket (As in 'long arm' has a range increment of 40'. Still not good long odds, hey? ;)

Re-loading times. Again, in a summary, worse than the amount of time it takes to re-load a X-bow. Again, character money and feats can over come these.

b) Would it allow Madeline to over shadow other players? If so how will we deal with the issue.

If Madeline is over shadowing anybody it will be because of the awesomeness of her creators roll playing. (Totally tongue in cheek!)

I do kind of think, however, that my jibe has a grain of truth behind it.

c i) As a party we are weak on ranged and arcane. Would Madeline be able to fill both roles alone?

Fill these rolls alone? No, she is a Summoner first. They have their Eidolon with which to proxy 'Tank' with and they...well...summon things...go figure. Since this is the very first time I've ever played a Summoner, every one will be learning as we go! =)

c ii)I am particularly concerned with things like the knowledge:arcane skill, spell-craft and odd languages. These can be VERY useful to have in a party and I am worried that we may lack them.

My answer to this is maybe we get a Bard. :P A Summoner gets 2,yes TWO whole skill points per level! Move over Fighters and Wizards! Woot!

d) As someone who depends on armour for AC I am painfully aware that what goes around comes around. I am not looking forward to facing a group of Ghasts wielding long-arms for example. As a warrior of holy light I will be quite the archery target when I light up. I do not need massed musketry added to the mix.

I think this question goes back to your 'Gun-phobia' of earlier times. Guns, as weapons in Paizo, are useful weapons and to a character pretty much devoted to using a gun they could very well be impressive. Then again, this is the same for any character who invests feats and character gold into their 'prized' possession. Again, on the plus siude, we have an Eidolon damage soaker for the party to stand behind. :P (Can you tell how much Madeline loves her Mr Smith?)

Madeline Thanks for the answers. I am now solidly behind the pro steam position.

I do take exception to the 'gun phobia' crack. I am simply not sure pathfinder made the right choice in making them target touch AC. The jury is still out and I am looking forward to seeing the final versions of the rules.

Now I wonder when the downstairs attack will start....

*Bows*

I'm sorry, it was a 'throw away' comment that wrote itself into the mix as I typed.

The guns of the Iron Kingdoms are interesting. A higher damage output, with out the 'Touch AC' criteria. *Shrug*

I, personally, like the touch AC part of Paizo guns. We are talking about reasonably small amounts of metal being propelled by controlled/contained chemical reactions. Far more power than in simple mechanically stored mechanisms, after all. =)

Makes it just that much more impressive when the 15th level Monk catches that bullet and throws it back at you. XD

As for the latest version of the rules. Down load the free PDF here Link: =)

Much cheers to every one. =)

Actually I wonderfully less morally outraged now, twenty four hours and some hindsight does wonders. One of the only issues I have concern with is in the second part of Carrion Crown is that you guys come across an alchemical(I think its an alch) golem with a soul and the moral implications of dealing with it :)

ARGH! SPOILERS MAN! SPOILERS!

As for myself I'm honestly not for it. At least not to the extent being proposed. MAdeline is "unique" in that she seems to have embraced her art as a mechanical science rather than a source of power or an artform. To me that's fine adn flavorful. The trouble is two fold..

1. Golaria has one city in all the world with gun. One. And it's very very far away in a magic deadzone. We are surrounded by a superstitious and paranoid people. It's bad enoug we have a half-orc, a dwarf that's practically a walking rock himself, and now a mechanical man, but now we are introducing these people to an even stranger and much more terrible force than what they're used to coping with. So she's using a rare and dangerous item that she has little way of getting repaired quickly if it gets destroyed or damaged.

2. If we take the route that guns or more common. Well... it's a long and tiring argument but I don't want to get into the impact of firearms over the course of world history nor the relevance or lack thereof in a world of magic missile wands.

Puts away the Psychic dis-fimbulator....

*Looks innocently at rest of group*

XD

"The lad'll be alrigh'. What ye saw is th' power of th' elements. Ye may call it 'acid', and Ah can do tha' only so much. Ah'm more at 'ome outside, but Ah'll be fine in 'ere. Th' lad's righ' - it's too soon t'be over yet."

....Que?

Hahah, I knew it'd catch up eventually.

It's my take on the accent, I can cut it out if it bothers too much.

"The lad'll be alright. What you saw is the power of the elements. You may call it 'acid,' and I can do that only so much. I'm more at home outside, but I'll be fine in here. The lad's right. It's too soon to be over yet."

Note: Rendel has told no one his name, occupation, or purpose in this land yet. :P

Note: Rendel has told no one his name, occupation, or purpose in this land yet. :P

Aw C%#$p. I hope I can still edit.

Ok I i fixed the most recent. To quote the great one "Sorry about that chief."

TarkXT wrote:

Note: Rendel has told no one his name, occupation, or purpose in this land yet. :P

Aw C%#$p. I hope I can still edit.

Ok I i fixed the most recent. To quote the great one "Sorry about that chief."

I just find it amusing that no ones bothered to ask him and when they did something happened to spare him from it. We can make it a running gag.

"Thank you stranger for saving our young virgin lads from the lusty clutches of the cult of Calistria! Please stranger tell us your name so we can honor ye with a statue."

"My name is R"-RRRRROOOOOOOAAAARRRR!! "By Iomedae's filled breastplate! It's a Red Dragon! Flee! I'll hold it off!"

Upon that note, I must confess to maybe being a little influenced by the Privateer Press Role Playing setting of Iron Kingdoms (Not Warmachine).

Oooohhh!! I'm a big fan of the Iron Kingoms!! I won't go into the "their guns vs. Paizo guns" debate, but I can see the angle you're working from. They are much different animals!! Off chance, were you on their boards at some point? I was Mech_Lord over there (I haven't been on in a few years, though) and did some freelance for BuccaneerBass.com (One of the US IK fan sites).

They're meant to be doing a new release of the Iron Kingdoms RPG this years (new home grown ruleset too apparently) :)

Madeline

*Goes weak at the knees at Jörmungandr DM's declaration...*

Though I will be sad to see it drift away from D20/Paizo compatible...:(

*Hugz all their iron Kingdoms books...*

Them all, I haz tehm. XD

Soooo might I ask the resuls of my perception check about them getting in?

"That puts them inside the room!"

"You're reading it wrong!"

Sorry, couldn't resist. =)

"That puts them inside the room!"

"You're reading it wrong!"

Sorry, couldn't resist. =)

Dibs on being Hicks even if I die like a b$@!~ in the next movie.

Jorgmander I find it VERY odd that she does not have storm shutters. Glass is expensive and fragile from what you have hinted about the climate storms should be strong and frequent at least in winter. Is it normal for a house this size not to use storm shutters or am I seeing things that are not there like a madonna in a slice of toast.

Just had a look at the only picture of Ravengro I could find and one of several buildings in sight has shutters so I presume, and this is in line with what I was thinking, while there can be quite a lot of rain and lightning in the area high winds that could damage a building aren't common.

Also did some quick visual research and this seems to be true of most homes in England during the Victorian Gothic/Romantic period this games milieu seems to embrace :)

Fun fact, in Northern Australia pretty much every home has louvers instead of storm shutters, its a cultural difference.

Just had a look at the only picture of Ravengro I could find and one of several buildings in sight has shutters so I presume, and this is in line with what I was thinking, while there can be quite a lot of rain and lightning in the area high winds that could damage a building aren't common.

Also did some quick visual research and this seems to be true of most homes in England during the Victorian Gothic/Romantic period this games milieu seems to embrace :)

Fun fact, in Northern Australia pretty much every home has louvers instead of storm shutters, its a cultural difference.

Well you have to keep the terrifying Funnel Death Spiders, killer ants, and vicious man maiming koalas out somehow.

Those are actually Drop Bears not Koalas, common mistake for a tourist :P

Those are actually Drop Bears not Koalas, common mistake for a tourist :P

Ah I'll be sure to note the difference when one tears my face off in a tree while trying to escape a rampaging Emu. They seem gentle and sluggish but that's only because they're saving all there energy for hate.

No I think I'd rather walk around the african plains alone than go to australia. At least there I get murdered by things that actually look like predators.

Notes that TarkXT forgot about the many different types of snakes, the Dingo's and the many other lethal fauna, not to mention the many poisonous flora. =)

Now, Emu's...they are truly evil. No bird should be able to stand before you able to look you in the eye and yet have a brain about the size of a walnut.....*shivers*

If I were a mad scientist dedicated to making a creature of pure hate I'd combine a Funnel Web Spider with a European Wasp and then upsize it to the size of a face-hugger...

...I'm really glad I'm not a mad scientist