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 Recent Posts
Hey folks, sorry for the extra day off. my birthday was turned into a birthday weekend on me and even a day later I am absolutely wiped. My test went fantastically well, thanks for the support. Don't know if I passed or not, but I'm pretty confident that I did. Alright, I want to apologize for the lagging feel of this game. I had a lot of grand ideas for it, but the start didn't seem to jive the way I expected, as a result I hit a big writer's block, and updates often felt like chores and I realized that what I had in mind for the game, at least in its original form, wasn't going to work, not for a PbP style game anyways. Today I had a brainwave about it, a direction that is at least new for me to run and I think will be a lot of fun to play (though it does fly a little into EU cannon, but whatever.) and I'm really excited about it. Enough that I want to make an update now, but I think this next one will probably be a sizable one and its quite late, so I'm going to hold off till a free period at work tomorrow for my update. More of this gamechanging idea when we finish this intro adventure. Lastly, to help you have an easier time OOC, I'll tell you up front. The station is (unless someone has a stroke of genius) impossible to save. It's meant to be that way, to show just how far the Empire will already go. This isn't to say you can't be heroes, as I tried to hint at before and will try again next update, but "saving the day" isn't the point of this one. Though player's have surprised me in the past, so it could happen. Anyways, wanted to clear that up, off to sleep. Update soon, promise.
a Head's up, I have my RL game tonight, and Martial arts practice after that. This weekend is my birthday and my black belt exam so its most likely I won't be able to update for a couple of days. And I'm sorry to those who've been put to the side for Pel's excursion, the time shift is coming soon. and video = Lol!
Hahaha, And you are entitled to try that, and in fact there are storylines being set up for both for Cormyr and the Cormanthor forest. Keep in mind that complete freedom doesn't mean no consequence. As an example. let's say there's an adventure group in Waterdeep who hear a rumor that the Zhentarim are making advances on the city, the party says "Hey, lets go for a trip to Damara, see what's up there." Its very likely they would return to find Waterdeep in Zhentarim control.
Just to nip a possible worry in the butt. For anyone who may worry that Ruhk is being lined up as "The Hero," He isn't. Well he is, but you all will be. Every character will have these kinds of Epic moments and storylines develop for them, Ruhk's just the first to get his. (Well actually Arikor is, but Ruhk's revealed itself first) but I wanted to say that up front so that no one felt like second fiddle. I've got huge plans for this game and I hope they come to fruition. Some of them probably won't. I mean I just stated a possivle BBEG and he came to a CR of 36.... I'm the kind of DM that likes epic storylines, Fellowships and big battles and saving the world and all that. But with this game especially I want you guys to be able to do what you want. So as it stands, in Shadowdale there will be leads to a fair ammount of quests. At least four of these quest lines will have a direct effect on the world around you. I'll also warn you that these won't stay stagnant as you work on other ones. What that means for you and Faerun, well we'll see.
A good suggestion. I think I'll try posting the ACs and see how that works, but keep the HPs to myself. My issue with posting stats is twofold, one is that it makes things more mechanical, something I try to avoid in my games. The other is that I like screwing with stats. One of my favorite fights I had as a player was against a Dretch who had twenty levels of Sorcerer. But it would speed things up, so we'll give 'er a shot with the AC.
This is not all the buildings and businesses in Shadowdale, but its a good sampling. You would learn most of this after the first couple days in Shadowdale. On Shadowdale The Old Skull Inn – One of Shadowdale’s most iconic building, this five story inn and tavern has existed for decades at least, and is currently under the propriety of Gareth Oakenvale, a former adventurer, his wife Meredith and their daughter Alice. The Broken Shield – This squat stone building his distinguished by its sign, or lack thereof; instead a wood and banded metal round shield that bears a foaming mug as its crest with a massive crack in its right side hangs above the door. The smith is owned and run by a stout Dwarf named Thordan Battlehammer. Eversong Arrows – Said to be the best Bowyer west of Cormanthyr Reborn. The Eversong is in fact owned and operated by Eladar Windsong, a retired half-elven ranger who once served the court of Ilsevele Miritar, the Lady of Myth Drannor. Old Sage Stables – A horse stable and ranch on the edge of town. Here Lysa Tullen breeds and cares for a fine stock of throroughbreds, from Palfreys to Destriers. It’s rumoured that the now aging Madam Tullen once had a torrid affair with Elminster and chose to name her ranch after the Old Mage. The Abbey at Shadow’s End – A small church and monastery run by Abbot Brynden Folswyth. The Abbey houses a small order of monks, and has conducted the tutelage of a number of Clerics over the years. Sauldin’s Supplies – The town’s General Store. Silver Sword Brewery – Run by a retired but pious Paladin of Torm named Darran Swann, the Brewery makes all of the local ales in Shadowdale and maintains a small export to the other Dales as well. The Wispy Bitter is a particularly popular stout.
Correct me if I'm wrong (I will go and check the rules in a moment, but can't a wizard copy from another's spellbook (and I'm assuming Alchemists and witches). So one of you should be able to copy the spell from the scrolls, and the others from that person's spellbook (once Ruhk gets a spellbook) :p And yeah BoggBear, Lathander is still kickin and Aumanator has not been reborn. There are sects who claim Lathander IS Aumanator reborn, but he is still refferered to as Lathander, and if this true, well only the Gods know. More lore coming soon, this time it'll be locations and a little bit on Shadowdale. I'm drawing my influence from a lot of different places for this game, Tolkien is probably my biggest one right now (I know, shock) but I have been on a big kick of his. I'm downloading LotRO, watching the Peter Jackson movies (I really love the visual style from it) and just got the Silmarillion on audiobook. and I just saw a really good Fanfilm called "Born of Hope." My Elves are, visually at least, very Tolkien inspired. The ornate but slim armor, the curved swords and just the look of em, very classic. My humans are also at least as much taken from George R.R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. So expect feudal lords, bannermen and political and Knightly intrigue. Especially when/if you ever make it to Cormyr. Haven't put too much thought into Dwarves yet, it'll probably be fairly Tolkien-ish but a hint of Warcraft, and Dragon Age and of course, Pathfinder stuff as well.
iPod post, so forgive any bad grammar. I will let you decide how to handle loot (there is more you haven't gotten, btw) but I advocate fair cop. A note, Ruhk getting that rush of knowledge was a special event, and he still needs to study to make sense of it. New skills and knowledge are gained through study, skill and practice. There is no final fantasy music here.
Sorry for the lack of update today, its been a busy week and is going to continue to be at least till my weekend. (I'll give a run down of all my projects later for sympathy when it isn't midnight :p) I will have an update up by tomorrow morning to very early afternoon my time, but its the best I can do. Don't worry too much about Hish's size, I don't see it being any more complicated that regularly running combat without a map. We just need to keep in mind that he's a big boy, and will probably get a lot of Attacks of opportunity at first. Well actually Stormtroopers will mostly just try to stay the eff away, but you get what I mean.
The first bit of Lore. The Church of the Nine The Church of the Nine is a relatively new faith, if it can be called that, that arose after the Spellplague as the deities involved banded together to aid the mortals of Toril. Since that time many have come to worship the Nine collectively, offering thanks or praise to a particular deity when in relation that that Deity’s place within the Nine. Churches still exist devoted solely to single gods that are within the Nine, though most will acknowledge their God’s allegiance with the other Gods of the Nine.
02: Selune – The Maiden, Goddess of the Moon and paramour of Lathander. She is worshipped by the young, especially maidens, and travellers. Represented by the color Purple. 03: Chauntea – The Mother, Equal in strength and worship to Lathander, Chauntea is the Goddess of Life and the Earth. Represented by the color Green. 04:Torm – The Warrior, Patron of just warriors, paladin and martial strength in the defence of Good. Torm is represented by the color Silver (Argent) 05:Sune – The Lady, Goddess of love, represented by the color red. 06: Oghma – The Scribe, God of Knowledge and scribes. A patron of scholars and travellers alike, Represented by a color of light grey. 07: Gond – The Smith, God of creators, smiths and craftsmen, Gond is represented by the color Bronze. 08: ---- – The eighth seat of the Nine has always stood empty, but the Gods have made it clear that such a seat does exist and does stand empty. 09: Kelemvor – The Arbiter The God of Death and the underworld, Kelemvor is not an evil deity and shepards souls to their proper place in the underworld. Actual worship given to him is rare, but he is acknowledged as one of the Nine. He is represented by the color Black. Clerics of the Nine each hold one of the Nine as their patron. Robes of the Priesthood are pure white with markings, at the most basic a single stripe across the shoulders and chest, of their deity’s color. The symbol of the church of the Nine is a white, nine pointed star. each point is shaded a different color in representation of one of the gods, save one white point for the Lost seat. It should be noted that the Nine are not the only religion that exists in the Realms. Far from it, many deities still claim power and worship, the Church of the Nine is merely a newer way with which the people of the Realms may pay their worship.
asking a question and telling the rules are different and I find, in any group, go a long way to keep things running smoothly. "Hey I thought Orcs had problems seeing in daylight?" goes a lot farther then, "Orcs can't do that!" etc. And by all means, write all the flavor text you want and I'll deal with the results, games would be pretty boring if all you ever got to write was "I attack it with my sword"
I'm glad everyone seems to be on the same page, its been awhile since I've run a PbP and then decided to run three, so I worry that I end up lacking for it, but overall I'm pretty happy with how this has been going. I actually don't know what your question was Arikor, you edited before I could see it, but I want to say that anyone should feel free to ask anything that concerns them or they're curious about, be it lore related or rules related. I understand that I flub the rules sometimes, and am not afraid to admit mistakes. I would have totally stolen those 2 Hp from you guys if Glorgrim hadn't of asked about AoO's, which prompted me to check the rules on chanelling. As I've stated many times, the narrative is my favorite part of D&D, and I'll very rarely retcon something once its been done (On my end, no rules abuse! :p ) but I will easily say "You're right, we'll do that different next time) or in a case like this, it's easy to retroactively fix the mistake. Also if anyone has a question or discussion they would like to bring up privately, my email is open. I'll hopefully have some campaign Lore up here for you guys soon.
Well, that sounds a tad more clinical than I'd thought of it, but yeah it pretty much sums it up. Some encounters will be heavily weighed against you (You're a small resistance against a galaxy spanning empire) others will actually end up ridiculously in your favor (I find Stormtroopers become pitifully easy after a few levels, unless they've been upgraded or have some sort of help) Mostly its just a warning that I don't like hand holding in my games and to not expect it. While I do try to work around unexpected deaths that are both not the player's fault and anti-climactic, it is entirely possible to bite it.
Of course, Pitiful fools have stumbled directly into my trap, now witness the power of this fully armed and operational battle station! Actually this mostly came up because I realized I had not made a similar declaration to a different PbP I'm running and they've come to their first "boss" fight who knocked everyone down by 5 hp, which at lvl 1, effin smarts.
Danate:
Because I'd hate to take away rolls that good, I'm going to count your current attack, but please remember, you only have one dagger and technically just threw it into a drow, following the rules you would be unable to attack with it again until retrieving it, a full round action at least. (Moving to the corpse + pulling it free) I'll let it slide this time, but please keep track of your characters attacks and possessions.
We aren't. For a number of reasons, chief among them being that I don't have time to make them and personally find that they take away from the narrative feel of D&D. When combat encounters happen I'll describe the place as best I can, and if needed or asked for, I'll give a more technical description as an OOC text. Its what I've done in my other games and its worked well so far.
I thought this was something I should put out in the open. On combat and character death. I am not one of those DMs who feels it is my job to make the player's life a living hell or that my campaign really isn't doing its job unless I have a TPK (unless its a Tomb of Horrors game). On the same note I'm not interested in throwing out freebies to players to help them along. At any point though, it may look like I'm doing either of these things, I'm not. I try to build my worlds and stories as realistically (relatively speaking) as I can. This same philosophy applies to monsters and villains. While I try to make sure that no one gets killed by a random encounter, combat can, and in my opinion should have the possibility to, be deadly. This is a somewhat roundabout way of saying up front that while I will not endeavor to strike anyone down, I won't pull my punches in combat either. PC death is a possibility (A very real one at low levels) and I wanted everyone clear on that.
I thought this was something I should put out in the open. On combat and character death. I am not one of those DMs who feels it is my job to make the player's life a living hell or that my campaign really isn't doing its job unless I have a TPK (unless its a Tomb of Horrors game). On the same note I'm not interested in throwing out freebies to players to help them along. At any point though, it may look like I'm doing either of these things, I'm not. I try to build my worlds and stories as realistically (relatively speaking) as I can. This same philosophy applies to monsters and villains. While I try to make sure that no one gets killed by a random encounter, combat can, and in my opinion should have the possibility to, be deadly. This is a somewhat roundabout way of saying up front that while I will not endeavor to strike anyone down, I won't pull my punches in combat either. PC death is a possibility (A very real one at low levels) and I wanted everyone clear on that. and thanks for the sheet Morthos!
I thought this was something I should put out in the open. On combat and character death. I am not one of those DMs who feels it is my job to make the player's life a living hell or that my campaign really isn't doing its job unless I have a TPK (unless its a Tomb of Horrors game). On the same note I'm not interested in throwing out freebies to players to help them along. At any point though, it may look like I'm doing either of these things, I'm not. I try to build my worlds and stories as realistically (relatively speaking) as I can. This same philosophy applies to monsters and villains. While I try to make sure that no one gets killed by a random encounter, combat can, and in my opinion should have the possibility to, be deadly. This is a somewhat roundabout way of saying up front that while I will not endeavor to strike anyone down, I won't pull my punches in combat either. PC death is a possibility (A very real one at low levels) and I wanted everyone clear on that.
Nope, N.K isn`t like Mexico, it`s a complete dictatorship, the country driven to poverty but the leadership wants both its own people, and the outside world at large to believe its some sort of paradise. So they do things like build a big city on the border, complete with a maintenance schedule and street sweepers to make it look like a bustling metropolis, but on a closer look, is revealed that there are no people, and half the buildings are empty shells. For awhile the USO had tours to a different "propoganda village" but a south Korean woman who was on the tour crossed a line that they were told not to cross at night and was shot for it. Since then there's been the nuclear launch test last year and now the back and forth that's happening, the tours were never re-started.
I'm thinking something along the lines of that, However while I want to give the ferry some kick, I don't want to give the players a speedboat, kind of takes away from the whole "Lords of the Frontier" idea if they can ferry supplies to and fro within a day or so. I'm thinking a Thassilonian device built in that works the water wheel to a major excess, allowing the ferry to make it down to Magnimar in 2 or 3 days, but still takes a week or two to get back, because they are going against the river. Another idea I stole off the boards :p was to foreshadow both Magnimar and Fort Rannick through any NPC villains who survive. After the adventure, these villains (Let's say Orik and Tsuto, as an example) are held in Sandpoint for a couple days, When the Sheriff asks the PCs to escort them to Magnimar for trial. Once there the PCs will be called as Witnesses in a trial proceeded over by Justice Ironbriar who, barring unforseen circumstances, will be given the "option" to swear allegiance to the Blac Arrows. The Party will then be asked to escort them to Castle Rannick. This will foreshadow Ironbriar and give a reason for Shalelu to ask for the PCs help with Fort Rannick.
Well first, to counter your arguments. as far as Wolf's Ear goes; I'm the DM, Wolf's Ear likes what I say it likes. :p I picked it because I wanted it close enough that they could make Sandpoint in a couple days ride but far enough away that they still had some frontier to play with. I also picked it because it is on a path for the Storval Stair. Now, that being said, I think I'm going to be rethinking my plans because I'd like the PCs to become heroes to much of Western Varisia and not just Sandpoint. So the Fort will stay where it is, and I think there will be some Thasillonian magic to one of the ferries or somesuch to let it travel downriver at faster speeds. The Black Arrows will also have a number of Guard Towers throughout the land, most of them sadly abandoned due to the order's dwindling numbers.
you've already seen this, :p but oh well... Danate, RE: your arcane bond item Valid point, so please don't take this as a DM-smackdown, its simply what I feel is fair. I'm not going to give a retcon and for future reference please specify when you are using your bonded item to do so. On that note, according to the rules, a bonded item needs to be an Amulet, ring, staff, wand or weapon. You have yours listed as hat. Now I actually think that's kinda cool so I'm good to let you keep it, but it will be much easier to knock away from you, and would take your characters head slot. The spellcraft check was taken into account when I wrote the description, short order is your character has no clue what this thing is.
Danate, RE: your arcane bond item Valid point, so please don't take this as a DM-smackdown, its simply what I feel is fair. I'm not going to give a retcon and for future reference please specify when you are using your bonded item to do so. On that note, according to the rules, a bonded item needs to be an Amulet, ring, staff, wand or weapon. You have yours listed as hat. Now I actually think that's kinda cool so I'm good to let you keep it, but it will be much easier to knock away from you, and would take your characters head slot. The spellcraft check was taken into account when I wrote the description, short order is your character has no clue what this thing is.
I'm currently running a PbP of RotRL and we are a ways away from HMM (they're still saving the swallowtail fest.) but I've been brainstorming the rest of the AP to get some ideas and foreshadowing and have been mulling over Fort Rannick. I think Rannick poses an excellent point to use the kingdom Rules established in Kingmaker. Obviously the PCs wouldn't be founding the kingdom, but they will become Lords and Ladies of the land, with holdings and what not, and I thought this could give way to some interesting sidequests. I've read that a lot of people have said that they found Rannick to be too far away, to solve this I think I'm going to move the Fort to the Fogscar Mountains and change Turtleback to Wolf's Ear. Will this cause any unexpected problems? I would note, I chose Wolf's Ear because it is a ways from Sandpoint, but not as far as Turtlback. I want to establish the the Black Arrows are there to protect the region and not just one town. Another idea I had was, should he survive, that Kaven offer his service as repentance for his crimes, possibly becoming the castle's steward (depending on PC decision) Sorry if this is all jumbled, its pretty late, but just looking for opinions and ideas.
gameplay wise I didn't find it to be that bad, and in fact quite enjoy popping on it for an hour to kill some stormies. My only gripe gameplay wise is the repetition of enemies. The story itself sounds like it was a great story on paper... but they forgot to put half of it in the game. We've got a great beginning, and a solid ending, but there's nothing in between to make me care about it. I don't mind that questions don't get answered, there's obviously supposed to be a sequel (or was, given rumors) but I don't feel like there was a character arc, at all.
Don't worry too much about real life getting in the way, if you miss by a day, oh well. If its more, just try and pop on and let me know you'll be absent. As for your use computer check, if no one has a major problem with the freebie, I can just say that you can consider it a class skill, and are allowed to train in it at next level. As for taking pilot skill. Up front I'll be clear that I don't mind more than one pilot in the group, it's Star Wars! If I can get you all in space fighters in a pitched battle over a "not a moon" than I'm happy. That said, Cordal has been built towards being a Pilot with the racial ability to reroll pilot checks and the Force Pilot feat to let him sub his UTF skill for pilot.
I will do my absolute best to post an update to the game every weekday. I will not always accomplish this, I teach full time, am working on an independent film on weekends and have a full life aside from gaming. On top of this, I am in Korea, which for most of you probably means I'm at least 12 hours ahead of you, your day will be my night, and when you're awake I will be asleep and vice versa. That said I will do my best to post monday to friday and expect the same from everyone else, though there's leeway for monday and friday because of the time difference. I generally don't post on my weekends and won't hold anyone else to it either. If I can give an update on Saturday or sunday I will, but it's never a promise. If this doesn't work for anyone, let me know right away please.
Lol, sorry for not answering, it's been a busy day. I already know where Aran and and Zee are going to start, you and H'ishmau will start together. Not sure yet exactly where Cordhal and Keros will start. I would like to not have Keros paired up with Jedi just yet, because Jensaarai tend to not like them all that much. Honestly, with Forum games especially I don't mind people not starting together. Splitting the party tends to be a lot less of a game breaker if all it takes is an extra paragraph and a few hours to think about it.
Meant to have the opening up, but sadly out of time, so I'll have to do it after class or tomorrow morning. To tide you over until then.
Gah, there's always one extra with a concept that interests me. Prince, I am hesitant to take more than 5, but I do like the idea. Tell you what, write up a background for the character and I will give it consideration for a 6th spot. No promises though, I'd like to see how you make I fit. To everyone else, any new submissions will be rejected outright. Sorry. Also for those interested I will be starting one more PbP shortly after this gets off the ground.
Please use the point buy system, not 4d6 rolls, :p and technically all of those Jedi chose to end their relationships, or in the case of Kit and Aayla, never really pursue it at all. With the exception of Quin, he still has a son running around out there somewhere.
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