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I feel like I need a new thread.
Roleplay Online - The Shores of Orthanis
The city of Orthanis was once a coastal trading metropolis, but after a centuries long war with a dark god and geography altering titanic magic Orthanis finds itself landlocked in an arid plain - the center for black market trading, assasination contracts, slavery, and dark magic. The city is massive - with noble houses battling for control of a corporate business structure controlling the city called "The Banking Industry" brimming with espionage, extortion, and murder. Adventures find themselves at the bottom of the ladder, trying desperately to climb up, with the ever-present oppressive watchfulness of a monotheistic conquering Dark God looking over their shoulder.
Everybody comes to the Shores of Orthanis to find what they want, but they get what they pay for...
- This game is highly tactical. I run combat on grid maps which are unique and computer generated. I add combat effects, player characters, props, etc. using Photoshop and I update the maps every combat round.
- I use full color illustrations, most of which are customized for the game.
- I consider this game to be of an 'Advanced RPG skillset'. Novice gamers will find themselves quickly overwhelmed, and even talented, experienced gamers will find themselves challenged - not by the difference between APL and the CR of encounters per say - but by the detail, thoughtfulness, and depth of the game.
- I run the game with a Combat GM. My Combat GM runs all my NPC's, and I storyboard the entire campaign with him. By having two GM's the game is uniquely flavorful.
- This is a campaign for N, CN, LN, LE, & CE alignments. Please don't apply with a good aligned character concept. I know some GM's find it difficult to run an "Evil Campaign". I don't, that's what this is. Bring me your blackguards, assasins, dark mages, shadow clerics, thieves, and scoundrels.
- I run the game on a third party forum, Roleplay Online - The Shores of Orthanis. This forum requires all applicants to verify they are an adult in their place of residence by submitting an age verification waiver. This comes in the form of "My DOB is XX/XX/XXXX and I am an adult in my place of residence." I need that quote submitted in the private message you send to join, verbatum. I honestly don't care what your DOB is, I'm not collecting personal information. As long as it makes you an adult in your place of residence.
- I require posting 5 days a week minimum, 7 days a week in combat. This is a fast paced PbP game, and I don't want 6-8 people waiting and getting bored. If you can't post a lot, consistantly, this game isn't for you. If your posts are more than 48 hours apart, you will be removed from the game due to inactivity.
This is a highly organized, well thought out, fast paced PbP game. Not for the weak of heart, not for kids, not for novice gamers, not for novice posters. If you're reading this and consider yourself to be an experienced poster and gamer, please apply to join my game. I would value your participation, and so would the other gamers! I'd like to think the testimonials from the PC's who have already played would be quite positive.
I'd be interested in joining. I'd really like to play a vermin centric blight druid who controls a small swarm of bees instead of an animal companion. I am very dedicated to my games, and could easily post multiple times a day. I'm also running my own PFRPG homebrew campaign, if you want to pop in and take a look at it to sort of judge my creativity and writing style.
However, I'm not a big fan of joining multiple sites for nothing, so I'm going to wait for confirmation from you here before I set up a profile on rpol.net.
Hello,
I don’t know if you remember me but I lurked in your game for awhile. I’d definitely still like to give it a try, although I’m not sure if I’m what you’re wanting in a player. Like said before, I’m experienced at PbP games but still an amateur at the PF system. I can only do my best not to goof stuff up and of course except whatever penalties/rulings result if I do make a mistake.
I think getting on that Wall of the Dead would be kind of an honor anyway. Some of those entries were hilarious. :)
(I lurked all the way up to the second fight where the heretics killed practically everyone in the alleyway, so I kinda know what’s going on. It looked like everyone was pretty dedicated to the game though, so I didn’t think there’d be any spots opening anytime soon. I‘d be happy to fill in whatever role is needed to help balance the party, since I recall there being some discussion along those lines.)
And to anyone else interested -- even I can attest this guy runs a pretty tight game he seems to put a lot of thought and preparation into. Great maps and game atmosphere, plus deadly combats.
Our intrepid explorers have bested me in combat for the first time! And, to make things that much sweeter, we have one or perhaps two players who may be up for level two in just a moment.
I, for one, think we've managed to gather some of the best gamers on this site. They are both dedicated, strategic and intelligent. Thanks for making my gaming experience better... all of you! :D
Well, it looks as if we need two players. Our group is currently on the precipice of a city changing scene and one player has been killed so brutally, the thought of returning to the horror that is Orthanis sickens him.
We are specifically recruiting for one or more positions within a PC antagonized movement called the 'Sons of Solara'... These PC's will be created in a manner that is very different from their Girzon rivals and will obviously be against the church. We are recruiting at least one (1+) for this group.
We are also recruiting another player for the extremely deadly Girzon faction. It has been stated before, but I feel as if it needs to be stated again: This is a deadly game. Even intelligent, rule savvy gamers will be hard pressed to keep their characters alive. There are devious traps that will take you out. You may starve. You may be killed by violent extremists on the streets. You may simply fall victim to your own team. And if you are very skilled or very lucky and can function within a team, you may just make it to level two. Never hope for level three. Hope, in this world, is the path to destruction.
Some comments on the game:
Hello,
I don’t know if you remember me but I lurked in your game for awhile. I’d definitely still like to give it a try, although I’m not sure if I’m what you’re wanting in a player. Like said before, I’m experienced at PbP games but still an amateur at the PF system. I can only do my best not to goof stuff up and of course except whatever penalties/rulings result if I do make a mistake.
I think getting on that Wall of the Dead would be kind of an honor anyway. Some of those entries were hilarious. :)
(I lurked all the way up to the second fight where the heretics killed practically everyone in the alleyway, so I kinda know what’s going on. It looked like everyone was pretty dedicated to the game though, so I didn’t think there’d be any spots opening anytime soon. I‘d be happy to fill in whatever role is needed to help balance the party, since I recall there being some discussion along those lines.)
And to anyone else interested -- even I can attest this guy runs a pretty tight game he seems to put a lot of thought and preparation into. Great maps and game atmosphere, plus deadly combats.
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Wanted to pipe in as a player in Trennik's game
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So far I'm having a blast.
The world feels well concieved and out-thought. A dark-sunnny, ravenloftyan Golarion.
As to the rule-lawyering. Both DM's seem to go out of their way to keep the game concistent rule-wise. I have myself raised some questions as to their judging but have always been answered promptly and with quotes to the rule in question (although I do it in a PM).
Although the PC's get little sway if the situation is unfavorable or they act without thinking, the NPC's are under the same hat.
So it is a challange, but that's part of what makes the game great IMO.
So, for any player who loves pathfinder and wants a mature themed roleplaying experience I would recomend this game and these DM's.
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Most memorable scene:
The Crying Room: When Elias tore Gorg's face of. F%&*! It was surprising. I also laughed my ass off when Elias started playing with Obsidian using Namaat's severed tail. (Sorry Namaat). The resulting tension will probably keep this scene on the top of memorables.
The Arena: When Calethes pulled the lever and the resulting chaos. Very graphic, loved it.
The ambush: When I realized that the fight would not be straight forward melee or ranged but the party was beeing peppered by spells and bombs. I remember the sinking feeling when I realized we were dead and wondering how the hell the group was going to get out of this one.
Waking up at the temple: Gavin stabbing the accolyte. 'What the f$*+!' I thought. But frankly, in hind-sight, the chaos that Elias and Gavin create have made every scene more memorable than the last. Thumbs up for roleplay guys!
and more, and more...
The campaign world is realy imersing and colorfull (in the various shades of black, grey and crimson) and easy to get lost in the posibilities. The maps are realy cool, the descriptions good and the draconic initiative order, I feel, makes for smoother combat.
What can I say?
Praise, praise, praise Girzon!
edit: Oh! And of course I'll never forget when Namaat stabed Ioseph in the back ;)
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I second Sigz as well. I've been playing for over 20 years and have learned rules that I never bothered to read up on.
In addition, this game allows me to have creativity in realms that are usually taboo - in this case a campaign from those with dark hearts. The subject matter allowed me to scope a character with many flaws that are ripe for role-playing.
I too look forward to this adventure!
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1. The maps are very good and easy to read. Good job!
2. The realism is intense and nail-biting. Someone had mentioned it is akin to reading a fantasy novel. I agree!
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Most memorable scenes so far:
1. The crying room. It was just nail-biting suspense. Waiting to see what would happen and it all hinged on what we did (or didn't do). Having a dynamic environmenment makes me giddy!
2. When Jak'el returned from the ambush and dropped the glaive. That was cool, especially when Severin's troop showed up.
3. The verbal sparring with Elias and Naamat. If looks and quips could injure, we would both need healing.
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Folks - if you consider yourself a serious gamer then this game is for you. I actually like the rpol.net system where the system resides. I like the ability to have different threads going and such.
But the story, oh, the story. It is beyond great - it is epic. We need some dedicated players to breath more life into it, to fan the flames of creativity.
You will not be disappointed. However, be warned that this isn't your dad's D&D game. It contains adult subject matter and the players are dark of heart. To me, that makes it even sweeter.
Come join us!
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I definitely love the maps and the story-line of the campaign. I just wish I would have been more prepared when I entered the world that lies under the darkness of Girzon. I agree that some of the posts are akin to reading a good novel.
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Out of all the books I have read, and all the movies I have watched, there are very few where the evil guy wins. In most campaign worlds the gods are either fighting for power among one another or the god of good holds all the aces. Its a relief to see that good does not always win. Its just not very realistic.
I was the one that originally refereed to this campaign being like the original dragon lance trilogy. When I picked those books up I couldn't put them down until I read the whole series. Only this game is better because I get to choose what one of the main characters does.
More than once something from my background has become a large part of the story. I love that more than anything. I made up the Blade Severin's name with my first character Damian. He was a large part of my background (By the way Damian is still alive, now known as Jek the Reaver. Beware if we ever meet him, he will kill you.)
Two minds are better than one. I think this game is such a great success because there are two DMs working together. I see the best of both Weaver's DM'ing and of Trennik's.
I love the games realism. I really can relate a lot of the events that are going on in the game to real life situations. The sons of Solara operate just like modern day terrorists. Religion always sparks war and the battle between the Church of Girzon and the Sons of Solara reminds me of the medieval holy wars.
I agree with the others that the maps are great.
I love the critical hit chart. I just cant wait until Gavin wields two rapiers with the improved crit feat (15-20 Crit nice.) See hail Solara for how I feel about the critical fumbles.
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Just want to say, as a player in this game...It's awesome, masterfully created and played!
We players would greatly appreciate a player willing to work with a group as a whole. This game is extremely deadly, we need everyone to work together to survive >;)
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1. I concur with the group on the maps, the realism, speed/flow of the game, and the overall mood of the campaign..all fantastic.
2. I especially like that the players have had some hand in the creation of background color (Blade Severin, The Veiled Fist of Girzon etc.). I feel this makes us feel like we are part of the game not just mere players in it.
3. The party. I feel like we have a good group of players here. Yes, we bicker from time to time but that seems to be working itself out. The party is a believable group of individuals. They could easily be a group of characters in a novel. Very cool. Nice work guys.
Most Memorable Scene:
For me, it was the end of the ambush sequence, sneaking around trying to get the drop on the clubfoot.
Also, in hind sight I especially enjoyed the conflict over Gorg and then Pec and the other acolyte.
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Would it be at all possible for me to audit one of your campaigns? I am interested in observing how you handle your games.
thank you for your time.
~S
To anyone else interested in 'lurking' you must go to the RPoL site, register and then submit an RTJ (request to join). It doesn't take long, but we cannot let you lurk without it.
As a note: if you play in the Girzon evil team, watch out for your own team mates to kill you or leave you for dead. Both lasting players are extremely hypocritical and difficult to play with.
Furthermore, come over to the good side, where we have complimentary snacks and pastries. Oh, we also do not team kill nor do we act like adolescent children.
Corruption! Intrigue! Scandal! Murder!
Excitement.
This and more is what you will find in the Shores of Orthanis.
I've expanded my game into two groups. Both these groups will run parallel to each other, and infrequently cross paths for PVP ACTION. One group is of good alignment.
Not as well trained or equipped, but never to be underestimated, the good aligned Sons of Solara fight for freedom, bravery, and justice in a dark, shadowed game setting. I call this group 'Tier 2' and I aim to make it easy to play for any gamer - only it will be Shores of Orthanis style with tactical combat and a well run / well paced storyboard.
Trained as elite soldiers of darkness, the evil group marches under the banner of the dark god Girzon. These sadistic lawless zealots will do anything to stop the Sons of Solara from resurrecting their fallen goddess and wresting control of the region from their evil patron. 'Tier 1' is a challenging and technical PbP group designed to take players to the limits of their gaming potential both mentally and emotionally.
The Shores of Orthanis is open for recruitment (Adults only!). When submitting a request to join please include this line:
"My DOB is XX/XX/XXXX and I am an adult in my place of residence."
The time to put in an application and work on a character is RIGHT NOW.
Currently the group you join could be in the middle of attempting to kill something powerful... you could tip the scales in favor of the group you join or you could let them perish.
It is entirely up to you, the undecided masses.
Shores of Orthanis recently passed FOUR THOUSAND posts.
If you're an adult, and a good, solid roleplayer who loves Pathfinder, you can't afford to not be involved in this game at some point. It's only getting better!
i posted my request to join Shores of Oranthis. i was thinking of trying a diplomatic noncombatant pc if that isn't too bad.