I'm thinking of running the Hollow's Last Hope free module as an introduction to GMing. What do you think?
Running it as a PBP? On this site?
Or is it live?
PBP. I've never actually played any RPG live.
I have to say, I've never used a module in my life.
Tell me, what is the gist of it?
Modules are excellent ways to get started.
You looking for players? I'm always up for a game, if you are ok with that?
People in a small town in the middle of almost nowhere have a plague is the gist of it :).
It's a starting level module for four 1st level characters. It's probably best if I stick close to the book.
Here's the module background:
Adventure Background
In the past week, numerous residents of Falcon’s Hollow have fallen ill, each suffering from the same hacking affliction.
Local remedies prove as useless as prayers at the Church of Iomedae, goddess of valor, justice, and honor, and already at least one town elder has been claimed by the wheezing death
Are you interested in being a level 1 player?
Sounds good to me.
When do you plan on posting it? Am I applying or am I in?
Any class you recommend?
You're in.
Wilderness types would do well here. Here's what I'm thinking of posting What do you think?
Background for me:
I started playing on these boards nearly three years ago and have really enjoyed it. Figured I'd try GMing and see how it goes.
One spot is already accounted for. So I'm looking for three more players.
Background for Module:
In the past week, numerous residents of Falcon’s Hollow have fallen ill, each suffering from the same hacking affliction.
Local remedies prove as useless as prayers at the Church of Iomedae, goddess of valor, justice, and honor, and already at least one town elder has been claimed by the wheezing death.
You are a part of a group in a race against time to find a cure and save the townfolk.
Falcon's Hollow is located in the shadow of Droskar's Crag in Darkmoon Vale which is a frontier region in northwestern Andoran.
Starting Level:
First
Abilities:
20 Point buy
OR
Roll 4d6 drop lowest, reroll 1s.
IF you don't like what you get from the rolls then you can choose a 19 Point buy instead :)
Classes:
Any Paizo, Use Unchained versions where available.
Sources:
Only Paizo material. It's my first time DMing guys.
Hit Points:
Max first level. Not going to level up in the module.
Starting Wealth:
Average for class
Alignment:
Strongly prefer good, no CN, CE.
NE or LE characters can play in this module but I want you to be a team player. Also you'll be afflicted by the sickness at the start so.... :|
Traits:
2 Traits.
Maps:
Nooo... I don't even know if I can handle the text part of this right now let alone maps. Will try and describe things to the best of my ability.
Posting Rate is Once daily. Nothing from me on weekends so I don't expect you to post then either. If I don't think I can post for a while then I will let everyone know to the best of my ability and I hope the rest of you would provide me and your fellow players the same courtesy :)
I will try and push things along though so hope you don't mind being botted :)
My GMing style:
Hells if I know. But I'm sure it will involve plenty of mistakes.
House Rule:
I'm going to play it pretty vanilla cause it's my first DM experience and all. ONE thing that I'd like is to try and streamline the more 'investigative' parts of the game and get on to the roleplay and the combat. In my experience the looking around and finding out part of Pathfinder really drags in PbP while RP is the strength. Hell that might be true on the table too (I've never played live).
So this is what I'm thinking.
Out of combat/high stress situations your characters will be taking 10 on Perception and any trained Knowledge Skills AT ALL TIMES. I will keep track of these skills and in every new area and will let your character know in spoilers what they see. If there is information that is hidden behind a check that is greater than 10 and lower than 20 away from your relevant skill than I will roll a d10 for you and add it to your take 10. No need to wait a day for someone to make one roll and then one more day for me to respond. On a Knowledge check you'll have to ask the appropriate question though while Perception is always active.
So if your character has a +3 in Kn:Local then I'll just tell the character the knowledge checks that are DC13 or lower when you ask (so if you ask what the name of the mayor is and that's a DC5 then you won't be flummoxed if you roll a 1 on a d20). If knowing the name of the local cutpurse is at DC15 then I will roll a d10 and if it rolls a 2 or higher then I will let you know. This was inspired by a Gumshoe system recruitment on these boards. I think it'll work well and it's definitely worth a shot.
In combat/high stress situations you roll as normal.
For verisimilitude I will be more likely to pick characters that seem like they would reasonably be in or around Darkmoon Vale. Resident of Falcon's Hollow or a merchant caravan from close by are two plausible approaches.
For my own sanity I will be less likely to pick highly optmized characters.
For the survivability of the group I will be looking for a well balanced party. So healing, martial, spellcasting, and skills should all be present across the four chosen characters.
Any questions?
1. Put y our background at the bottom.
2. Put something in about races.
3. For maps call it 'theater of the mind'. That is what the pretentious people like to call it when we just use our 'umble words.
4. When you post it, use bold and spoilers for things. Makes it look neater.
Otherwise, looks OK.
I'm thinking barbarian, so you can add that.
Any advice would be appreciated on how I do.
Be happy to do so!
Bah. Didn't realize I was up. Will post soon.
Is your barbarian ready?
Question for you. How did or how would the old captain deal with this kind of insubordination? Attempted theft, vandalism leading to death and injury of fellow crew members etc.
Hmm. Good question.
Algross was a good man, but expected loyalty. Probably lashings then left ashore at the next port. He wouldn't kill anyone, not on purpose or even do enough to cripple them. And of course, taking any pay they were owed as damages.
Other pirates would kill them out of hand or keel-haul them or sell them into slavery.
Cool, cool, something to think about. Queshem would be taking cues from him.
Is your barb ready?
Actually, life has gotten busy on me. Do you think you have enough applicants to pick four instead of three?
Besides, I can help you as a Gm then, instead of a player.
Sure, no problem. I'd rather you be able to focus on being an awesome GM anyway :p.
I hope you're not experiencing burnout GM. You've got a lot of games on your plate :).
Burnout? These games are sometimes the only reason I get out of bed in the morning.
Kidding, but no. I am enjoying them. Somedays it is hard to update every single one but usually players come and go as well. For example, this very game had a pause of several months.
It is a blast to create worlds and stories with cool and clever people from around the world. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
Good to know :)
It is your turn, btw.
Typing as we speak.
Does Here for Cargo mean they're looking to buy and sell slaves?
Could be, or they are looking for the oozes.
Have to find out...
Happy holidays Mowque! Might be sporadic in posting next four days. And could you take a look at how my module is going? Seems like the players are happy with the intro at least.
Sorry everyone, got a nasty bug. Should be back tomorrow but also going away on New Years Eve weekend.
Hope you get better in time to have an awesome New Years.
Happy New Years!
Happy New year.
Still feeling my illness, but well enough to post.
Here is to another year of happy gaming!
An interesting idea....surely there are no downsides!
Well a lot of what Queshem is thinking is predicated on the idea that it wouldn't be hard to take over a ship and then drop the survivors off in the Mwangi Expanse which is close by. That way the attack on the ship wouldn't get be tagged on her. Is that unrealistic?
Nope. Is the Expanse close by? Bag Island might be a better choice. It is a island run by a halfling who is vigorously opposed to slavery and ti is literally right next door. he is a member of the Pirate Council.
I love it when it comes together, don't you?
Hopefully somebody suggests it to Queshem in game! This does sound good.
Trying to get an Abadarn cleric NPC on board. Do you think it's possible or should Queshem look elsewhere?
How big of a cast do we want? I like the idea of a cleric, and it makes sense, but we already have Magner, Polos, Draflo, Parcell.....can we have too many? Or is that not a problem for you?
I suppose I can just kill a few of them off.
Don't forget Tound!
I was thinking two more. A cleric and a bard. What are your opinions on that? They don't have to be fully fleshed out if you don't want. It's more of a case where Queshem would want to keep both Sea Dragons and native crew members happy.
And it seems like eventually Magner's going to have to go. Dude has some astounding Bluff.
I have no problem with it. You'll probably need a good ship carpenter as well.
Oh gods, now I have to be intelligent and witty.
You're doing incredible so far!
Busy today. Phone one liners at best.
Don't worry about it.
Was Xaikon too obvious? I wanted to give you an easy in, but I don't want it to feel fake or forced. Is it ok?
No it's good. I enjoyed it. I kind of forced things myself with Queshem 'sensing' Xiakon's clericness.
Qeushem talks a lot :|. That's her character though.
Just say you you think Queshem would say! Don't worry about too much or too little.
I can't wait for Queshem to get her own chance to set up a sea battle. Hopefully she doesn't go the way of her predecessor.
Just realized that I didn't explicitly put an end point to Queshem's messages with Chan Ai'Huao. Kind of assumed that there would be one more 'dream' spell for one more target and then they'd meet up again somehow. But that's kinda just implied...
Things will pick up here...
Hey. I love the game, but I'm feeling a bit heartsick over recent world events so I'm not up to heavy RPing. I'll be a little slow in posting.
Are you a fellow American?
If so, I know exactly how you feel.