Zeitgeist Adventure Path (Inactive)

Game Master Malvoisin

Welcome players!

Please let me know how I can be of assistance as your character sheets take shape.

Thanks FK! Submitting Elan for review.

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Woo Hoo! Thanks for the opportunity. Looking forward to this. I'll be driving most of the day tomorrow, but really only have background left. Is it OK with you if I get creative with some battle names that Merle might have been a part of...Not major battles, just some skirmishes from the last war?

Sweet!
Here's Robert Barret; I'll finish the sheet and the background ASAP, but no promises what with the holiday coming up.

Quick Question though: I'm currently reading through the Player's Guide, but is there any Risur noble families that would be a good fit for Robert to come from, or should I just create the Barret's myself? (I can change the name of Robert easily enough)

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Woo Hoo! Thanks for the opportunity. Looking forward to this. I'll be driving most of the day tomorrow, but really only have background left. Is it OK with you if I get creative with some battle names that Merle might have been a part of...Not major battles, just some skirmishes from the last war?

Sure, go right ahead and create those kind of minor details as you see fit.

Sweet!

Here's Robert Barret; I'll finish the sheet and the background ASAP, but no promises what with the holiday coming up.

Quick Question though: I'm currently reading through the Player's Guide, but is there any Risur noble families that would be a good fit for Robert to come from, or should I just create the Barret's myself? (I can change the name of Robert easily enough)

Understood, I expect that the upcoming holiday weekend may be slow, gaming-wise, for all of us. (Well, all of us in the US at least).

I don't know of a noble family that would be a preexisting fit for Robert, so inventing the Barret name seems like a fine way to go.

Thanks FK. Lookin' forward to it.

Quick question about traits, it's pretty clear that you're only allowed to take one trait from each category (one from Social, one from etc...) and I just wanted to check if you're willing to bend that rule? There's a couple of Social traits that would really suit is all.

Also, for the other players, I dunno if you wanna have pre-game links to one another, but the good Dr van der Djann has been attending to the peculiar deformities and moribund ailments of the noble elite for some time, assisting his father, the famed and illustrious and somewhat unorthodox Dr Abernathy van der Djann. Dr van der Djann (snr) who cured the Lord-Mayor of Bole's chronic scabriosis (a month regime of bathing six times a day in a tub of hungry gorse-ducks) and halted the outbreak of lingering vanishitis at a prestigious finishing school in Slate (a liberal application of daggers to the headmaster's pate, may he rest in peace), currently serves as State-Physician to an unnamed but regal personage (rumoured to be King Aodhan himself!).

Young Dr Crispin van der Djann, no longer content to live in his father's ever-widening shadow, has recently taken up a position at the Royal Homeland Constabulary after two years serving within the hallowed halls of the Risurian Grand Coroner. It is hoped that his skills and expertise will greatly assist the RHC in their pursuits.

Well it's start anyhoo :) and a link to characters with noble backgrounds (or finishing schools).

Thanks FK. Lookin' forward to it.

Quick question about traits, it's pretty clear that you're only allowed to take one trait from each category (one from Social, one from etc...) and I just wanted to check if you're willing to bend that rule? There's a couple of Social traits that would really suit is all.

Sure, I would bend that rule if you spend a feat for the traits.

Also, for the other players, I dunno if you wanna have pre-game links to one another, but the good Dr van der Djann has been attending to the peculiar deformities and moribund ailments of the noble elite for some time, assisting his father, the famed and illustrious and somewhat unorthodox Dr Abernathy van der Djann. Dr van der Djann (snr) who cured the Lord-Mayor of Bole's chronic scabriosis (a month regime of bathing six times a day in a tub of hungry gorse-ducks) and halted the outbreak of lingering vanishitis at a prestigious finishing school in Slate (a liberal application of daggers to the headmaster's pate, may he rest in peace), currently serves as State-Physician to an unnamed but regal personage (rumoured to be King Aodhan himself!).

Young Dr Crispin van der Djann, no longer content to live in his father's ever-widening shadow, has recently taken up a position at the Royal Homeland Constabulary after two years serving within the hallowed halls of the Risurian Grand Coroner. It is hoped that his skills and expertise will greatly assist the RHC in their pursuits.

Well it's start anyhoo :) and a link to characters with noble backgrounds (or finishing schools).

Preexisting links of this sort would be great additions to your backgrounds. However, be aware that the group will start the game as part of the same RHC squad, so we'll want to assume that you all know each other (at least in passing) from the start. Still, if any of you want to take your connections to a deeper level, that's great.

Sure, I would bend that rule if you spend a feat for the traits.

well here's the real rule bend...

By spending one feat two get two traits, I'd pick up:

Social Traits:
Rich
Adopted (gain a racial ability from adoptive parents) in which case I'd pick up the Human Bonus Feat.

and then spend that Feat on more Traits:

Caretaker
Anatomist

It's a total rules bend, and I'd get it if you said that's flouting the system. But those traits really are appropriate for Crispin.

Mmmm, I think three traits for one feat slot is a bit much, truthfully.

Mmmm, I think three traits for one feat slot is a bit much, truthfully.

no sweat. my GM alarm bells went off at the idea too :)

Hiyas everyone. Here are the basic stats for Tok, my human summoner:

background soon to follow. Basic idea being that she is an orphan genius who had to build friends to have people to play with. Prolly something of a Rainman type personality though of course far more functional. I'll come up with reasons for her to be adventuring soon, unless other want to coordinate with me on a background and link our characters.

Finder's Keeper wrote:

Sure, I would bend that rule if you spend a feat for the traits.

well here's the real rule bend...

By spending one feat two get two traits, I'd pick up:

Social Traits:
Rich
Adopted (gain a racial ability from adoptive parents) in which case I'd pick up the Human Bonus Feat.

and then spend that Feat on more Traits:

Caretaker
Anatomist

It's a total rules bend, and I'd get it if you said that's flouting the system. But those traits really are appropriate for Crispin.

Actually, that's less a rules bending and more of a rule misread, as it is a race trait, as in from the race trait list, not a racial ability.

huh. well there you go.

will still have all those traits. just will gain the benefits of Rich and Caretaker (and will still be adopted and know his anatomy).

I'm plotting out Jerrold's background; right now I figure him as the child of a large and moderately successful merchant family operating out of Shale. With plenty of brothers and sisters to take up the family job Jerrold was able to follow his interest in the old ways and learn the Old Mysteries from one of the less-insular wood elves. I'm still working out how he fell in with the RHC...

Just a quick note...I know this a busy holiday weekend for many of us (myself included), but I'll still be popping in from time to time to answer questions and monitor any progress. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Starting to look over some character sheets...

Pixel, can you please expand a bit on the end of Elan's b/g, to explain how he came to be in the employ of the RHC?

Anyway, when do we start?

** spoiler omitted **

Anyway, when do we start?

Okay, I can work with that background idea.

When we start depends entirely on when character sheets get completed. What with the holiday weekend, I don't expect everyone to really dig in until next week. That said, I'm ready to roll anytime.

Reading the campaign game again to help with the background. Will get into the hotel early tomorrow evening and should have time to get everything written up.

Reading the campaign game again to help with the background. Will get into the hotel early tomorrow evening and should have time to get everything written up.

Sounds great, thanks!

Character history posted, ready to go!

Character history posted, ready to go!

Excellent!!

Merle's history posted in profile. I will add more as the campaign develops, but this should be enough to get his point accross.

Merle's history posted in profile. I will add more as the campaign develops, but this should be enough to get his point accross.

Great, I'm happy that things are progressing nicely.

Question: Will Merle be using Display of Heroism, the Yelesco Veteran theme feat?

edit: I appears that I might ask the same of Jerrold and the Skyseer theme feat. What say you, loimprevisto?

Yep. I was in the middle of editing my character when my computer crashed yesterday- I thought I had already added that. Skyseer feat and spell selection added.

mangalore, Lass, AlanM:

How is progress coming on your characters?

Just checking in.

The sheet is almost done, the background needs a little more work (I may end up writing it in general terms to start with and filling in some blanks as I get the time). Quick question about the The Man with Two Guns is God theme feat: 1) How does this feat interact with having a melee weapon in one hand (say a shortsword) and a pistol in the other? Do I get the benefits of the TWF feat with the pistol, but not the sword? and 2) Is it just TWF with firearms, or is it the TWF tree with firearms?

The sheet is almost done, the background needs a little more work (I may end up writing it in general terms to start with and filling in some blanks as I get the time). Quick question about the The Man with Two Guns is God theme feat: 1) How does this feat interact with having a melee weapon in one hand (say a shortsword) and a pistol in the other? Do I get the benefits of the TWF feat with the pistol, but not the sword? and 2) Is it just TWF with firearms, or is it the TWF tree with firearms?

My interpretation of the feat: 1) You can draw one or two guns using Quick Draw, but the Two Weapon Fighting benefit only applies when wielding two firearms. So, when you have a sword in one hand and a gun in the other, no TWF bonus occurs. 2) I'd say just the TWF feat, not the whole tree.

Crunch-wise the good doctor's been ready to check for a while; fluff-wise I don't want to bring too much to the background and like to let my characters evolve a little while I try them on for size. There's a couple of background points I will add though, will let you know when they're done (tomorrow).

The character sheet is done. I'll give a nice lil write up soon. How much info are you looking for?

Another question, this time regarding gear and the Gunsmithing feat: Is it alright if I purchase firearm-related items, as if I had made them with Gunsmithing? (I'm mainly asking for ammunition, as purchasing it as if it was from a merchant will cost 55 gp for just 20 rounds and powder).

The character sheet is done. I'll give a nice lil write up soon. How much info are you looking for?

Enough to show you've given some thought to a background, but you certainly don't need to write a novel. Maybe a couple of paragraphs or so, that would be fine.

Another question, this time regarding gear and the Gunsmithing feat: Is it alright if I purchase firearm-related items, as if I had made them with Gunsmithing? (I'm mainly asking for ammunition, as purchasing it as if it was from a merchant will cost 55 gp for just 20 rounds and powder).

Sure, you can go ahead and do that.

Things seem to be progressing! My hope is to have the IC thread up and running in the next couple of days.

Checking in....how are things going today?

How many players are we missing? Because you might want to consider re-recruit some.

How many players are we missing? Because you might want to consider re-recruit some.

I don't think anyone is actually missing, we're just waiting for everyone to finish up character sheets.

So the character sheet is done, and here is a brief overview of Robert's background (emphasis on brief); sorry I haven't gotten more to you quicker, but my professor must be conspiring with one another or something.

Thanks, AlanM! That should be enough to get started on.

All, I've decided to set a firm launch date for the game thread...Friday morning.

Merle, Elan and Jerrold look ready to start.

Crispin is essentially ready, although I would like to see a brief background (even a few bullet points would be fine).

Robert is essentially ready as well. I would like to see an avatar pic assigned to his profile, though!

Lass, we just need you to post an alias for Tok and Wrench. Let me know if you have any trouble with that.

Not a problem, here you go!

Now, should I just let Barret's be arms merchants, or is there a more applicable/interesting route they should go?

Now, should I just let Barret's be arms merchants, or is there a more applicable/interesting route they should go?

Jerrold's family sold textiles and dyes, if you'd like to work out a shared history...

Not a problem, here you go!

Now, should I just let Barret's be arms merchants, or is there a more applicable/interesting route they should go?

Nothing springs immediately to mind. I'd say you could certainly stick to your original plan, or go with something shared with Jerrold.

In the meantime, I remain on track to start the game tomorrow morning. Looking forward to it!

Everyone, as we head toward the launch of the campaign, I wanted to go over a few house rules and expectations.

1. Skill checks are a very important part of this game, so please do roll dice for skill checks often. I will call for specific rolls at times, of course, but a timely roll when chatting up an NPC or looking around a room is very likely to have a meaningful impact. You all have these wonderful skills (social, knowledge, profession, etc.)...put them to use!

2. Please use the die rolling code on this website for all of your rolls.

3. When rolling dice, please separate out all modifiers individually, and apply them all separately to the base roll. After the roll, please include the reason for each modifier. This makes it a lot easier for me to make sure that nothing has been overlooked.

For example:

1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 2 = 22 (Flanking) is much preferable to simply 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

4. I will roll for each PC's initiative whenever combat occurs, to help speed things along. I will also roll for passive skill checks (e.g., Perception) when needed.

5. In combat, we'll use 'initiative blocks' to help streamline things. For instance, if the init order looked something like this:

18: Robert
16: Merle
12: Elan
11: 2 Thugs
10: Tok
9: Jerrold
8: 1 Mercenary Captain
6: Crispin

I'd first call for actions from Robert, Merle, and Elan, and resolve them in the order of their posting. This makes it easier for each player to build off of the actions of those who post first, especially if a particular die roll is pretty obviously a success or failure. Following the resolution of actions for those three characters, I would resolve actions for the two thugs, and then call for actions from Tok and Jerrold. After those two resolutions (again, in the order they get posted), the Merc Captain goes. Then, I'd need Crispin's action, end the round, rinse and repeat. Hopefully, by using this method, combats can get completed in a relatively timely fashion.

6. If 24 hours have elapsed since one of my posts without response from a player, I will reserve the right to advance the game. In combat, I will either have the PC delay action or have the character perform some basic action such as a routine melee attack. Out of combat, it will be assumed the PC simply goes along with the flow suggested by the other characters.

That's all for now. Please feel free to ask questions or make comments.

Eh, I couldn't wait any longer. The IC thread has now launched!

See you there. :D

Guys, normally I'd like to try and have a new post for you every day, but for now I'm going to wait a bit longer since we've only had half of you post in the game thread so far. Hopefully, the others will join you soon.

Weekends are always slow on the forums, so don't worry

Well, looks like we might be down two players. Anyway, my plan is to go ahead and accelerate my posting rate now, to get the game truly rolling. If we have only four players right now, that's enough to get the game off the ground. Maybe mangalore or Lass will catch up. If not, we'll recruit one or two more to join us in the near future.

New IC post will be up a little later today.

** spoiler omitted **

My approach to this situation depends on whether drinking in public is illegal; even if it's only "technically" illegal...