This is the OOC discussion thread. Everyone, I want you to come up with one connection each to the other 4 PCs. It can be either positive or negative, just list them in a spoiler and copy it into your profile. Any connection that would require the other person's consent just ask first.
Example:
I'm jealous of Haldorf.
I'm in love with Micha.
I hate Variziel.
You get the idea, you should flesh it out a little more. Include the reason for the connection.
I will be going over everyone's stats for rules mistakes tomorrow.
@ Eleeda - Thorgar's alignment is NE. He's not cruel, just very selfish. He never goes out of his way to help anyone, and is a bit of a cheapskate. If he thinks he can get away with shorting someone on something, or charging a little extra he will.
There is a small common room in The Sleepy Mule, but it serves more as a restaurant than a bar.
If Griswald's okay with this, I'd like to have Variziel have had several philosophical discussions with the Father, and Variziel has helped him dig graves when there isn't much work to be had.
Variziel may well have talked to Micha before, and perhaps could even be talked into giving him some pointers on combat. Variziel also has most likely helped Micha with some handyman jobs.
Variziel has gone to the Sleepy Mule in the past, and occasionally stays there for hours in the evening, losing himself in drink (he only does this once a month at most). Fortunately, Variziel is a quiet drunk, and he usually just sits silently at a corner table, looking very sad and lost.
Variziel saw Haldorf's prowess in the orc raid, and was impressed with the young human's strength and skill. Not too long thereafter, Variziel brought his curve blade to Varran's smithy, claiming it needed looked at. While the blade itself was in near-perfect condition, Variziel was able to glance around the shop at the wares and get a second good look at Haldorf.
Over all, Variziel feels like this town is as close to home as he's going to find, and he'd die protecting it. He views the other townsfolk, who are without much exception younger than he is, as his wards and charges, people he has to protect.
Ok, so with that info I'm feeling to go with this:
She instead works at the Drunken Dragon and was adopted by it's owner Herucle Sternwiv, the bar's big, ex-blacksmith owner. After losing the lower half of his left arm in the orc raid, Herucle left the smithing biz and opened the tavern. The rest of her story would be pretty much the same, just swaping names, except old Kravor used to live at the Sleepy Mule, but would spend most of his time at the Drunken Dragon, which is where he and Eleeda became close.
@DMJ: What percentage of the town might have passed through the Dragon, even occasionally? I mean, everyone likes to slum it once in a while, don't they? ; ) And just how rowdy is it?
Also, how much detail would you like me to make up for Herucle? And what level, stats etc?
@Varizel: Would Varizel frequent a place like the Drunken Dragon (a poorer, rowdier bar)? If so, then this could be his and Eleeda's connection. She would be drawn to the sad, quiet, drunk, and would often help him up and out at closing time, making sure he made it home alright. Perhaps while in his cups he would have shared some of his story with her?
@Father Griswald: Does your inclusion in Eleeda's story work for you? To extend it, he might drop by to check in on her every once in a while. Their relationship is likely a bit awkward, perhaps even strained, as he feels guilt over letting her mother die, and some responsibility for the orphaned girl, while she feels a mix of emotions, anger/resentment that he let her mother die, but also gratitude knowing she likely wouldn't have survived the difficult birth without him and affection that he still cares and has kept tabs on her all these years. Sound about right?
@Micha and Haldorf: Does your inclusion in Eleeda's story work for you, that you both have been suitors to her of one degree or another? If so, I'll leave it to you to describe your relation and level of affection for her and I'll come up with a response to that.
Actually, a rowdier place like the Drunken Dragon would make a lot more sense for Variziel to get slammed at. Like I said, the guy's not an alcoholic; he just feels the need to get absolutely, completely obliterated every now and again.
That connection makes sense. Outside the bar, Variziel is kind to Eleeda, but he's not really ever courting her. For one thing, the racism and suspicion in town makes him stay careful; for another, you're basically a child to him, and he views you more as a niece than a potential love.
Micha would be infatuated with Eleeda definitly. She would seem outgoing and like she had her life together. Someone totally out of his league. He would flirt with her but very shyly.
Variziel and Micha probably have worked on some jobs together. I would definitly be in awe over the elven curve blade.
Father Griswold would have probably delivered Micha and Micha being more of a rough wood worker/lumberjack would probably have the Father help him on projects of a more delicate nature.
Micha would look at both Variziel and Haldorf pretty much the same way he would Bafgad. If they watch him closely he often tries to imitate thier weapon moves with his battleaxe, which he is untrained in, so not very well. He is kind of like a shy puppy dog. Idolizing the way they can fight.
I am quite happy with all those connections.
Micha: Haldorf will offer to train you and often finds it amusing that you watch him. He has taken a liking to the young lad and views himself as a guardian and possible brother figure. He on occasion offers to break bread with Micha to try and break through the shyness.
Eleeda: Haldorf will most likely have tried to court you at least once. He finds you attractive but has since moved on when he noticed that Micha had an infatuation with Eleeda.
Variziel: Haldorf also noticed the way you handled yourself on the battlefield and since then held no ill will to you or your kind. However he does regard you with a slight suspicion since the day that you claimed your near perfect blade needed looking at.
Father Griswald: Haldorf has never been religious so rarely encounters the priest, he gets the impression he is a good man and as such will treat him with respect and courtesy.
I will not be able to reply at length until Monday, but for now I'll say that all the links that the rest of you have come up with sound great. Im very willing to mold my ideas about Griswald's personality around the kinds of things that complement (or complicate) your characters.
Really looking forward to this game. :)
I think this is going to be the most substantial game story wise that I've run on these boards, and it will also be the culmination of six or seven other games worth of learning experiences DMing PBP. So I'm excited for it as well. I'm working on the introduction, and I'll probably put it up later today. The connections things seem to be mostly worked out, if you can't post substantially until Monday that's fine DH.
Thanks. I'm here and can read, bit I'm typing from my phone. Long responses are difficult.
@DMJ: What percentage of the town might have passed through the Dragon, even occasionally? I mean, everyone likes to slum it once in a while, don't they? ; ) And just how rowdy is it?
Also, how much detail would you like me to make up for Herucle? And what level, stats etc?
Probably about half the town will have been there on occasion. It's where all the dirty unemployed lumber jacks, the farm hands, the dwarves and the half-orcs drink. There's a fight there at least once a week, and the small amount of dealing in contraband that does occur in town goes down there.
Hercule would be (N M Human Expert 2), stats are unnecessary for now. You can write as much about him as you like, I'll fill in any holes that might be left as needed.
Gameplay thread is live.
Ok, finally getting around to this.
Micha, Griswald looks at you as something like a nephew (he has a lot of adopted nephews and nieces in town). He's known you since you were a baby and tried to help encourage you towards making good and wise choices. He's also probably the one who first taught you how to work with your hands as some kind of church activity. If priests were allowed to have apprentices, he'd have probably asked you to be his. Instead, he's thrilled you've chosen smithing. (the smith is one of Griswald's best friends and confidants)
Haldorf, Griswald doesn't know you well, and as such you get the feeling that he's out to test your nature. So far he hasn't been disappointed but he's still trying to figure out what's below the surface.
Variziel, Griswald isn't as wowed by you as many of the other townsfolk. You get the impression he's had dealings with elves before and might not have been impressed. That being said, he's not one to base his judgements of an individual on interactions with others. A question for you: are you a follower of the Seven? Has Griswald seen you in church?
Eleeda, For being the town gravedigger, Griswald is pretty bad at dealing with death especially when it's unexpected. He knows he did everything he could, but it's not enough to him. As such, he's done his best to make sure that you have everything you need. Griswald generally keeps his distance from your house because he knows how his presence makes your father feel, but in town he tries to make contact with you as often as possible. If anything, he could be described as doting. More than nearly anyone else in town, Griswald would do anything in his power to make sure you are happy. You've never really asked him for anything, but somehow anytime you needed something, someone would provide it. You're pretty sure Griswald is responsible for that.
That's perfect for Eleeda far as I'm concerned Griswald. Just a note though that it's her adpoted father. She has no idea who her father is. Hmmm, wonder if the town priest might have a clue though. Does he take confessions? ; )
And also, Wow, lots of posts! I checked in yesterday and read the first few but didn't have time to post. Sometimes weekends are busy for me, sometimes their not. Weekdays I can post multiple times per day though if necessary.
EDIT: Oh, and will finalize her equipment and starting spells later today.
Variziel doesn't appear to be a very active, or at least not devout, follower of the Seven to the people of Korostin. He occasionally shows up at the church, but usually only for a few moments or minutes, and the only times people have seen him possibly praying are when he's out in the woods. In reality, Variziel follows the Old Gods of the Elves (think a mesh of the Gods of the North and the Children of the Wild or whatever in George R.R. Martin's stuff), but doesn't talk about them, and isn't very religious or even particularly spiritual
Ok, great. Thanks.
Yeah, there are hundred of deities, but most of them are no longer followed. The green faith is one of the more active 'heresies' still extant in this world.
heading to tacticon for the weekend tomorrow and will be gone til sunday nite. I will try to get on there and post a couple times at least. If I can't I would follow one of the two fighters and try to assist them while staying out from underfoot.
Loving the building tension already and the great posts by all.
If I may, might I make a suggestion Micha? You may of course post as you please (or as our DM dictates ; ) yet in most threads/games on here, speech is coded in bold, while descriptive text is normal. So for example
Wondering what to say, he sat at his computer for a few minutes before finally opening his big mouth and saying "Loving the building tension already..."
So not a big deal at all, but might save me at least from having to do a re-read every now and then.
; -P
Great guide DH! Thanks! Hadn't clued in we were gaming with PbP Royalty here ; )
Nor had I! This makes me feel special.
I remember the first or second PBP I played in, I had just read DH's guide. There was this other new player in that game and I linked them to it, but DH was also playing and I didn't know that. I was like "ooooh, coool." but never said anything :P
Anyway, always glad to play with you DH. We usually agree on things when an argument pops up, except sometimes about tactics. But even then we've always worked it out. Very solid player :)
Thanks folks. I'm glad you found what I wrote useful. So far this game is fantastic. I love groups that treat the game like a story.
Thanks folks. I'm glad you found what I wrote useful. So far this game is fantastic. I love groups that treat the game like a story.
As do I. After all, it's a roleplaying game, which I think too many people forget or sideline...
And as for this particular campaign, it's hard to treat it like otherwise. We're essentially 2nd level NPCs; we aren't that tough, haha.
I tried to make it that way by forcing you to write connections to each other and the town, and making you weaksauce compared to normal PCs. I love me a good dungeon crawl, but I also love me a good story.
For someone who is constantly accused of being a rules-lawyer power gamer I'm trying my best :P
You're doing a great job. The tension's already pretty high.
The only thing that struck me as a little out-of-theme so far was that the two martial characters started with their full weapon kits on them. I don't really mind (especially for Variziel since he's an elf and elves are weird and don't follow cultural expectations as much), but I thought it might be more in keeping with the survival-horror idea of the game to be essentially unarmed at the beginning (what with having been doing construction work and all).
Please don't think this is any sort of gripe. It was just something that popped into my head.
(especially for Variziel since he's an elf and elves are weird and don't follow cultural expectations as much)
Well, gee. Thanks, Padre. Makes me real keen to save your unarmed ass when the zed get here...
It's not my fault you're a weird spirit-worshiping pointy-eared leaf-eater who happens to be armed to the teeth. :)
And it's not my fault that your best idea for a weapon is a really big book :P
I have an 20 strength and Catch Off Guard. I can kill zombies with anything.
Hey DM, how much damage would an Elf do? :)
Hahahahaha!
That visual image or Griswald swinging Varziel around was Great!
And due to my Elven training, and my natural Dexterity, could I potentially also attack while being used as a weapon?
This could be even more fun than the barbarian's Body Bludgeon rage power.
Woah! DM Jelani? That's YOU? You're playing Ardeth and are just about to help Juma from getting his A$$ kicked! lol
I had no idea! Small world! ^-^
Indeed it is I. I didn't realize you were Juma either. Father Griswald is Xanos. lol.
Edit: I'd say an elf is the equivalent of an earth breaker, but he'd take 1d6 damage every time you slammed him into something. Variziel you would be grappled, so you could still attack within the restrictions of the grapple. :P
Seems like a lot of the PbPs I play in have tons of crossovers. My GM in one campaign is a player alongside me in another, and I'll be GMing him in an upcoming game (that I could use another person or two for!)... Jelani here GMs me in two games, counting this one... It's confusing sometimes.
I only have my pistol on me, didn't bring my sword or armour :P
Same as Variziel but I am in Starship Fantasies with DM Jelani aswell :D
I didn't realize that was you running that game. I took a look at it but decided not to make an application because I was late to the party and because many of the applicants didn't really suit my tastes.
I'll role up someone to submit on Monday. :)
So will I! Looks cool! For unlike many, I Like the challenge of PvP :)
In that case I'm sure you'll relish those parts. It's going to be all about planning, getting the drop on 'em, and watching the life drain from another character's face...
heh heh sweet!
Griswald, I'm assuming you meant to ask Micha, and didn't mean the inquire the girl about the mother you, you know, let die ; )
Oh. Yeah, sorry. Still don't have all the backstory stuff straight. Retcon that.
Everyone agreed to head to her house?
Sounds fine; we're not finding anything at the store.
sounds good
yep
yup
Will update tonight, sorry for the delay. Been a bit busy the past couple days.
Ive been falling this adventure simply because it looks so awesome! I think my favorite character so far has been Father Griswald. good job on both players and DM Jelani.
Ive been falling this adventure simply because it looks so awesome! I think my favorite character so far has been Father Griswald. good job on both players and DM Jelani.
*blush*
Aw, shucks.