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I forgot Yalka also gained a Rage Power - Knock Knock(Back)
The second note: Larcifer, I apologize for putting you in a situation where something happened to your character (the discussion in the farmhouse) in a session where you weren't present, but I didn't see a solution.
Sachiko handed out the potions that --as you point out-- the party agreed she should find.
Martaug noticed something and eacted strongly against his dose.
Valdisara tried to detect if the vials or you were evil.
And there we are. I wish you'd been playing in that play-by-chat session, but I did my best to play Sachiko in a fair light.
And the active players used "suspicion about Sachiko" as the convenient excuse to separate the four active PC's from the rest of the party.
It's natural for you to feel frustrated, and for you to want to portray Sachiko as being upset at that, and at Grumblenaught's language.
But.
"You role-play your character as you like, and I'll role-play mine as I want" goes so far but no farther. Whatever else all of your characters are, they're competent adventurers who've agreed to work together, now in a very dangerous situation. (Sachiko and Grumblenaught are the same alignment, for that matter.)
For what it's worth, I don't think anybody's crossed a line so far, but I wanted to point out that the line exists, and "I'm just role-playing my character" doesn't excuse disruptive behavior like attacking another PC during a combat, stealing from a comrade, etc.
Is there anything I can do to relieve tension here?
Is there anything I can do to relieve tension here?
No worries here, I am not offended by any of what's happened so far, tho since we've only been together as a group for two nights now, I am not certain that Grumblenaught would've "blubbered in his sleep" regarding his mother and brother, tho he DID mention them while traversing Carrion Hill with Yalka earlier. <shrug>
If positions had been reversed, I'd be just as offended as Sachi was at Grumble's choice of words. I would've been surprised had she just ignored them - this is a Roleplaying game, after all... :)
Anyhow, I wasn't trying to offend anyone or be a disruption, just doing my best to be the Grumble.
It's been my experience that large parties, and play-by-post parties, can sometimes get so bogged down in the moment-by-monent play that they lose track of things. Everybody remembers parts of some backstory information, and everybody remembers most of the mission, but the flow of the story gets away from some players and plans fall apart.
(Your experience with large parties at conventions may differ. That's fine.)
In this case, I want to step outside the official Dungeon Master seat to point out that you believe you're going after wights --and old wights at that, who might well have class levels and who seem to have magic-- and a shadow.
That encounter is winnable, even without a cleric, but it's also likely to be deadly if the party isn't prepared with a coherent gameplan.
You did a great job at the farmhouse because everybody knew their job and followed through. Something like that needs to happen here, too.
Between Valdisara, and conversations you've had with Orislav, you should consider that you have all the information in the SRD for wights and shadows.
And, if I may add, there are few solutions to intra-party bickering and friction, quite so effective as building everyone into a team.
--
To get things started, I'd recommend that everybody, in character, post a fact or an idea that you think others in the party might have missed, or a conclusion they might not have reached.
Thanks for that "out-of-character" post, GM Chris :-)
...I was pretty aware we could easily face a bad situation if we tried to bring the fight to the Blackspears right now, certainly without Orislav with us and our weapons not being effective against the Shadow, but Yalka was pissed at this cowardly mocking, especially after the irritating Gnome, so she just had to take that pot-shot. :-)
So, it looks like the party is Martaug, Yalka, Grumblenaught, and Valdisara. A druid, a barbarian, a ranger, and a paladin. A great party for melee strength, with some divine power as well.
This is a fine party, and I can certainly design adventures for you. My question is: would you like me to actively scout around and find another couple of PCs? (And from where, I suppose, would new characters enter?)
...Would it be easier on the new parents if you two could "tag team" play both of yours' characters, thereby increasing both character's post rate but reducing the demands on each one of you individually? If you can chat about the game in person, I'd think you could do a good job of covering for each other...?
...I'm thinking if anybody wanted to "slip in", the boy we found could be a suitable PC,
maybe being a Rogue, or just discovering his Sorcerous/ Clerical Powers?
Do you know anybody you game with who might be up for a PbP, and you feel would be a reliable poster, Chris?
I just would rather play a small game than have a new player who's flaky.
...Would it be easier on the new parents if you two could "tag team" play both of yours' characters, thereby increasing both character's post rate but reducing the demands on each one of you individually? If you can chat about the game in person, I'd think you could do a good job of covering for each other...?
...I'm thinking if anybody wanted to "slip in", the boy we found could be a suitable PC,
maybe being a Rogue, or just discovering his Sorcerous/ Clerical Powers?
Do you know anybody you game with who might be up for a PbP, and you feel would be a reliable poster, Chris?
I just would rather play a small game than have a new player who's flaky.
My preference would be for a smaller party as well - big groups, especially with the anonymity and lack of accountability that PBP/teh Intarwebz grants, can be horribly problematic. As far as fitting new folks into the game, if it happens, I know I personally would dislike being "given" a character to play
Kelly and I do post swap at times and will continue to do so as the game moves forward. Kelly will be returning to work in the next week or so, but other than that our lives are settling into more of a routine now, so posting regularly should theoretically be easier...
Chris, any plans for more Chat Sessions?
Keep up the good work, everyone!
So, it looks like the party is Martaug, Yalka, Grumblenaught, and Valdisara. A druid, a barbarian, a ranger, and a paladin. A great party for melee strength, with some divine power as well.
This is a fine party, and I can certainly design adventures for you. My question is: would you like me to actively scout around and find another couple of PCs? (And from where, I suppose, would new characters enter?)
My vote is to keep a small party - if we add anyone, I would say 1 PC would round us out well. My vote would be for some healing or a magic-user. However, I am fine with continuing with just the 4 of us.
GM Chris - I know you had mentioned some difficulty with maps previously... I just noticed this post over at the Dragon Avenue blog:
Haven't checked it out in detail yet, but it might serve your(our?) needs.
Folks. I will be out of town from Saturday, March 14th, to Sunday, March 22nd. I'll probably be off-line that week.