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The Kingdom of Talingarde is the most noble, virtuous, peaceful nation in the known world. This is the story of how you burned this insipid paradise to the ground.... Like everyone else out there, this AP has me hooked from the first line. Unfortunately, a PbP game doesn't appeal to me and I don't have a real-life tabletop group. So I am wondering, is anyone else interested in playing a villainous virtual tabletop game? I would prefer to be a player, although I do have experience GMing games on MapTools. Professionally IRL, I am in the "storytelling" business and would love a cinematic game with other players motivated by dramatic stories, complex characters and enthralling RP. Of course, action is a must too. Any day but Monday and after 5:30 pm MT works for me. Tuesday or Wednesday is best. Please respond with what times would work for you. If there is enough interest I can set up an official recruitment thread with all of the details, or if someone else is interested and wants to GM, I will leave it up them.
The party walks up to the keep. Its walls crumble from negligence. Unskilled repairs have been conducted here and there, but the occupants are hardly able to keep up with the grinding passage of time. You pass through two gates and into a courtyard. The inner walls are no more impressive than the outer. A thatched roof barracks is the only shelter fit for habitation, and barely at that. In the center of the courtyard burns a pathetic fire. Codowyn and his cloaked partner attempt to keep themselves warm. My name is Erodyn, Steel Falcon of the Eagle Knights. says Codowyn's partner. So you need this sword to save yer soul ya say? Must be worth quite a bit to ya. Codowyn does not seem to enjoy the prospect of haggling, but keeps quiet. Ethron notices that the third member of the group is nowhere to be seen.
Another voice echoes from the keep, Let 'em have it Codowyn. It's just relic. Ain't no power in it. Quiet! shushes Codowyn. You don't know that for sure. I don't know for sure it was worth the trouble it took to get it, if that's what you mean. says the disembodied voice. But I do know it ain't no powerful artifact that's going to overthrow tyrants, push the devil hordes back through the gates of Hell and liberate the multitudes. Another cloaked figure appears in the doorway. Come up here and let's negotiate a deal. And bring your friends. No reason fer them to stand out there in the cold.
I know you speak earnestly, but your story does not seem to add up. How did you make a deal with a demon, but are now dead? Regardless, I'm quite sorry for the sad state of affairs of your family, yells Codwyn. but I'm afraid if this sword fell into the wrong hands, a far worse fate would befall upon this world.
PbP GMs, when you open recruitment and state something like, "a great concept and brilliant background will trump everything" else in the character's application, what are you looking for more specifically? And more generally, what are tips for creating great character concepts and backstories? I've never participated in a PbP, although with my schedule, I would like to. Recently, I submitted a character who was declined in spite of the fact I thought he was a fresh concept, at least in terms of what I am capable of creating. Going back to the drawing board for the next PbP application process, I'd like to have a better idea of what sort of character concept and background would be accepted.
From his vantage point, Saito spies a cloaked man standing atop the wall, watching the entrance to the keep. After hailing the keep, Saito wonders if the figure atop the wall is alive, as the figure remains completely motionless for some time. Suddenly, the figure whistles. "Codowyn, they are here and wish to speak to you." Another short time elapses before the sound of chains clanking through gears echoes down the canyon. The keep's doors part to reveal another cloaked figure in the doorway. His feature are cloaked by his hood, but one detail is distinct. He brandishes a crossbow. "I'm Codowyn the Andoran," says the man. "Why do you call upon me?"
A foreboding soft gust blows down the canyon. In the keep above lies the sword that would grant the party their freedom from their pact. But the party also knows that the keepers are good men themselves, and might yet fight to the death to protect it. Stillness descends upon the party at the base of the stone staircase. The distant sound of water dripping down the canyon walls is the only thing that breaks the pregnant silence.
The box canyon weaves for a half mile beyond the Tower. Eventually, it ends in steep rock face. Perched at the top of the rock face is Watchtower Keep. A narrow set of stone stairs is carved in the face and leads out of the canyon to the main gate. It is the only readily apparent entrance to the Keep.
The PCs participated in a raid on the slave ship The Fairtrader. While the party dealt with the crew, Seito's mentor Yashimoto and Gorg kept the city guard and a Hellknight at bay. Ultimately, Yashimoto would sacrifice his life to buy the party just enough time to escape into the sewers with the newly freed slaves. Amongst the slaves were Illiana and Ashteral, who joined the party out of gratitude for being freed. Once in the sewers, the PCs were caught between a rock and a hard place. Do they make a pact with an anonymous devil or face the Hellknight and their almost certain doom? Destined for Hell one way or the other, they chose to do the "favor." Upon entering the pact, the Hellknight backed away. The devil's request seemed rather harmless at first. Bring him the Sword of Balthesar or their souls would be his for an eternity in Hell. The devil hinted that they might have some success by starting their quest by talking to Urdun Gravelhands at the Twisted Fork. After some misadventures with the city guard, the PCs arrived at the Twisted Fork to discover that Urdun was a rather useless drunk. Mostly by threatening to annoy the old dwarf until he went crazy, the PCs convinced Urdun to lead them to the sword. The drunk led them to a small box canyon in hills a half-day's journey outside the city. The canyon was guarded by a small contingent of trained fighters occupying a strategically placed tower. Not wanting a fight, the old drunk gave them directions and begged his leave. The PCs decided their odds were best after dark, and raided the tower after midnight. After the raid left two guards dead, the remaining guard surrendered. Upon inspecting the dead bodies, it was discovered that the guards were freed slaves themselves. They had agreed to protect the gateway to Watchtower Keep for their liberators in exchange for their freedom. The guards also revealed that the Watchtower Keep was garrisoned by Andorans who used it an outpost from which they could strike the slavers. The Andorans expect the PCs arrival.
I'm interested in joining/starting a weekly MapTools/Skype Pathfinder game. I was involved in a MapTools Kingmaker game last fall and winter, which was awesome. Unfortunately, the GM had to step out due to work-related obligations. I'm eager to be part of something like that again. I'm in MST and available in the evening Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I'm down for an AP or Homebrew, whatever other players seem interested in. While I'm not too picky about the style of game, one thing that made my previous experience so good was the way the GM wrapped the character's stories and motivations into the AP. I'm still upset that the game ended shortly after my character had a "Luke, I am your father" moment... but I digress. I would love to find a GM and players who would enjoy that as well.
The sickening sound of splintering skull and rending gray matter hadn't stopped echoing in the chapel as uncontrollable tears welled up in the mighty Inquisitor's eyes. He turned away, knowing his arrows were right and true. Three silent expectant seconds passed. THUMP. The excellent acoustics of the chapel announced the evil priestess's death with resounding affirmation. His mark's body finally found its resting place on the floor. "Aerodus Grachus, bastard son of Octavio" While the chapel was now utterly still, Aero swore he could hear that phrase echoing. Not a soul stirred, the priestess's own long since dispatched on its journey down the River Styx. The children dare not flinch. Yet the imperceptible echoes persisted and boomed like thunder to the archer. No owlbear claw could possibly match the pain of those six words. He would not let his companions see his weakness. He headed instinctually for where he knew the front door once was, his vision much too blurred make out much of anything. Once outside, he wiped the moisture from his cheeks. He stifled his breathing so no one could hear a sniffle. Those words were lies, he thought. There could be no other explanation. His parents were crusading in Mendev. Yes, he couldn't remember them clearly, but he had twenty-one year old memories that proved he wasn't the son of such a vile creature. Imagine, a man so wicked that he would profit from orphaning children and selling them into slavery to be used as canon fodder. He was the fruit of no such man's seed. Or was he? The cruel hand of Octavio was obvious in the orphanage. Aero knew he'd find that here. But Aero could not look for Octavio's hand in himself. He fell to one knee, grasping for his hidden holy symbol beneath his chain shirt. Finding it, he held it tight, his knuckles turning white. "Iomedae, my divine inspiration, please show me some sign that this is not true."
Ah, the hell with the long story about what was wrong with it. At any rate, it seems to be okay now and I can probably join you in voice on Tuesday. Cyd can verify I made a successful test call; I need to do a few more adjustments so it quits freezing my system, but that's not hard. Awesome. I'm looking forward to it.
This is what I have so far It looks like we won't have to rely on Aero to be the tank anymore. I'm looking forward to playing with Graylok. What do you have in mind for his backstory?
I just wanted to put out a disclaimer about Aero's screed. It's not personal. Jeff, the player, doesn't even agree with all of it. But Jeff really enjoys embodying viewpoints that aren't his own and attempting to argue them as far as he can. You guys have been a great RP group and I wouldn't want to create tension or break that up. Just as background, I am trying to explore the darker side of LG. I sincerely believe it exists. I appreciate that JC gave me the opportunity to attempt to craft a framework. It was a lot of fun to write. I'm going to be travelling over the weekend, but I definitely look forward to hearing your reactions. Also, Jeff does not usually talk in the third person. :)
Aero stands with his arms crossed. "Are you finished?" He walks closer to Aurelie, not threatening her, but determined to be heard. He speaks with quiet intensity. His eyes burn as hot as Torag's forge. Aurelie has crossed a line. "Let me explain something to you. Something you clearly haven't yet had the experience to understand, yet something that's been made painfully clear to me in my short life. The world is not a place where one's best intentions are respected, agreements are kept and the meek receive their due. It will not abide by your code. No. But you wish to think we can. In our world the innocent starve, good men are tortured for sport, women are raped in front of their children and yes, even young boys are used as living shields. And you curse my interpretation of justice, my morals, my callousness, my ignorance. Yet you talk of negotiations! Fact is, I have a responsibility to saving those people, to preserving goodness, that you cannot possibly begin to fathom. You weep for Mikol, for the damned kobold chief and you curse me. Ha. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of ignoring what I know. That Mikol's death, while tragic, probably would have saved lives. And the kobold's inevitable death, while regrettable, will save lives. And that my ancient code, while grotesque to you, allows all of us the privilege of breathing this morning air. What you can't face, what you can't accept is that deep down, you know you want people like me. You NEED people like me to do our job. For I am the glue that makes your negotiating counterparts stick to their agreements. I am the wall that halts a scoundrel's treachery. I am the pit in the ruler's stomach that makes them question tyranny. I am the person who makes your vision of 'good' possible. I don't have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to someone who rises and sleeps under the blanket of righteousness that my services provide and then questions the manner in which I choose to provide it. I would rather you just said, 'thank you,' and went on your way. If you think you are worthy of being our ruler, something which I have yet to endorse, I suggest you arm yourself against the tides of evil that will shroud itself under the guise of compromised innocence. For evil does not play by the rules. Evil will take your goodwill and turn it back upon you, multiplying its death and destruction. Death and destruction that will be on your head, and for which I will hold you responsible. If your code does not allow you to comprehend the consequences of these tough choices, if you must avert your eyes from what is necessary for the better good, I suggest you step aside, not for my sake, but for the sake those over which you wish to rule, for those whose life is much too cruel and for those who won't give a damn about your sense of justice when their children are kidnapped, their wives are raped and a spear is stuck in their bellies." Aero pauses. "I will do my job."
I'm in a group that uses RPTools' MapTool even when people are in the same room. We use a projector to show the grid on a wall, but you could easily do the same thing with a large monitor. The program calculates movement and provides templates for spell area effects, like cones, etc. It also keeps track of initiative and can handle some of the other tedious book keeping. As extra credit, you can easily create your own maps, which helps me get into the combat much better than looking at grid with lines, x's and o's. For me, it lets me think less about mechanics and more about what's happening. IMHO, MapTool is the best thing to happen to RPGs since dice.
Aero considers what Aurelie has said. He has to agree. Eliminating the bandits would certainly seem to be the more pressing issue. No doubt Kressle now knows they are close and will seek reinforcements. Then Aero wonders. The orphanage would be an incredible ruse to buy Kressle some time. He thinks over what just happend. "Hmmm. And why do you suppose the bandits wanted you alive? I'm sorry to say, your companion is with Iomedae now." Sense Motive:
Aero took a seat outside the tavern. The soft pleasant sounds of singing and merriment enveloped him in the darkness, but he heard none of it. His thoughts lie far away. He was in moral crisis. Sure, he dealt the final blow to the bandit leader, but somehow, it wasn't what he was expecting. As his sword pierced deep into the bandit, Aero could not avoid seeing the look in the other man's eyes. He expected to see anger, hatred and steadfast determination. He expected the man to claw for Aero as if to drag him to the deepest circles of hell, eager to bind Aero as an eternal adversary. But what Aero saw in the bandit's eyes was surprise, weakness, and then... regret. He had the sense that the bandit was even with the house of Iomedae at that final moment. His debt had been paid. Aero was confused. This man was wicked, wrong, and deserving of nothing, but also redeemable? That's not what he had been taught as a child about the wicked. The wicked were people from whom no good could come. Their souls were the property of devils and it was Aero's job to dispatch them from their mortal coil. But redemption? Surely, if the bandit had died in his sleep, his soul would be bound in hell this night. And yet, because of his own actions, Aero had the distinct sense that the bandit's soul was not in hell. Rather than writhing eternal torment, it was at the point of the sword that the bandit had his reckoning. He merely collected a debt, and now paid, had Aero saved a soul rather than damned one? Aero stared at the clear sky, unsure of when he'd ever seen that many stars.
I like your GMing style. I think it suits me as a player. If you've got some ideas about a game you want to GM, I say, go for it. My only thoughts about what I would like to see in a campaign is an ongoing plot with interesting villains that reoccur--which sounds like what you are describing. Other than that, I am pretty open.
The idea of using Skype and Maptools is really intriguing. I'm in! :P Awesome! Maybe it would be a good idea to get this thing rolling? Itzeebitzee, are you still down to GM? It might be helpful if we give a little more info about who we are and what we're looking for, such as:
-MST--Tues, Wed. Thurs work best for me after 5:30PM my time, but I can be a little flexible.
Once we're more organized, someone should setup a Yahoo group, Google Site or Facebook group to keep everything in one place.
As a PBP noob i'm very interested in trying this out, unfortunate i know absolutely nothing about PBP, I've played PFS in the past and would like to play in such a setting, Map Tool was mentioned earlier, is that what i should use in my PBP indeavors? I don't know how much you've been able to figure out. PbP or Play-by-Post (there are too many acronyms for me) is an online text based role-playing system. Essentially, everyone posts their actions, conducts their rolls and types what their character does and says into an ongoing forum thread. It's kind of like writing a story as a group using game mechanics. It seems to be what 90% of the games people on this site are talking about. Check here for an example: http://paizo.com/campaigns/DMZyrensHeartOfRunes/gameplay What we're proposing is a little different. Rather than using a forum, we'd use MapTools, which is a virtual table top. It's more similar to the Pen and Paper (PnP) game in that it's conducted like a regular session. It's done in realtime and we communicate live via Skype. The program handles die rolls and keeps track of stats, to keep it fair. The difference is that rather than having a table (as in PnP) we're all remotely looking at the live map on a computer screen. Personally, I prefer MapTools to PbP because I think it better replicates the PnP experience. To answer your question, you wouldn't use MapTools for PbP. All the mechanics are handled in the forum through formating your text. Hope that helps.
Hey guys. I'm not really up to date on online RPing aside from play-by-post, but what exactly is maptools? Aside from that, I'd be interested too. That's a good question. MapTools is virtual tabletop application. Essentially, it's a generic tool that handles such things as visualizing the map, movement, dice rolls, light and vision such that everyone can see what's happening in realtime over the internet. In my opinion, when combined with Skype, it's the closest thing to the PnP game you can get without being in the same room. However, the tool is good enough that my other group uses it even when we can get together. The main differences with PbP is that it's visual and happens in realtime rather than having to wait long periods between turns. Here's a link to MapTool
Personally, I like villains that appear to turn the rules on their head. I like having the PCs think they're getting ready to battle one thing, and it ends up being something completely different. The realization doesn't occur to them until it's too late. For that reason, I think Rakshasas make excellent villains because they have deception and surprise built right into them with their ability to take human form. In my opinion, making them Taldoran is only a matter of backstory. Did the noble Taldoran family go on an expedition where they were killed by Rakshasas who then took their form and their property? As far as the locals, servants, etc. are concerned, they are the same people who just picked up some very sinister habits during their vacation. All you need to figure to figure out then is why a Rakshasa would want to spend their time in Taldor and not their home. I also like giving mid-level monsters class levels to make them more powerful and more unique. It's a great way to increase the CR and create something memorable... exactly what you want in a BBEG.
I'm interested in the same. I have been playing with a group over MapTools, but it's been progressively harder getting everyone together. I don't think I could make a daily commitment to a PbP, but putting aside a couple hours once a week on a weeknight wouldn't be hard and frankly, I would enjoy it more than a PbP. |
