Szombulis's page

Curses...the cavalier playtest will have to go on without me... I have three clinical intakes and psychological assessments to do...BEFORE Thanksgiving. Well, mental health care is busy, if not economically rewarding.

Please go on without me, guys...I'll be watching!

Best, and thanks!
Dave

Thanks for understanding, Szombulis!

Szombulis, I think that choosing a slurk is a little too 'out there' for my tastes, and it would require a bit more work on my part to figure out mechanically, as seeker points out above.

I do agree, however, that in order to properly play a cavalier you will need a mount. In order to expand your options for mounts which would be appropriate to take into a dungeon crawl, I would be willing to gloss over the fact that certain animals are assumed size 'small' at first level. For example, if you wanted to give your guy a boar or a dog, it would be fine with me. We'll still use all of the stats of a small version, but assume that it's still large enough for your cavalier to ride. The animal's stats would improve at 4th level as normal. As pointed out, wolf or big cat would be good options, too. How does that sound?

If all Paizo printed material is available, may I consider a SLURK from "Crown of the Kobold King?" It's a CR2 slime-shucking underground toad, often used by kobolds as pets/mounts. I have the information if the storyteller does not have it available...

I think having an underground mount makes sense in an underground dungeon-a-day game/campaign. This way, I can try out the cavalier's abilities with a mount, and truely playtest trhe class. This new creature is also Paizo-specific, which is kinda nifty. Finally, this mount would prevent me from having to leave a pony or typical mount outside when we go underground.

Thoughts?

Any restrictions/advice on a halfling mount for my cavalier in a dungeon? While I realize the boar is out of bounds until later, a riding dog should seem appropriate (but is named as a later choice). I'll open this up to the group for feedback as long as this question doesn't highjack the thread into a cavalier mount Q&A.
Thanks...

I would like to try the cavalier, using Pathfinder rules. I haven't used the newest Pathfinder (Beta playtest is where I stopped with other, real-life distractions) ruleset, but I think I will more likely be a role-player than a roll-player. Initially, I may lean towards a halfling, if this race will be allowed. I anticipate playing a defender role in some capacity, so oracles and wizardly folk are okay with me, as well as a primary combatant. I gather we would post daily, then?

The small group of heroes seems pleased with their initial meeting. Such civil greetings must wait, however, as eight lively oni-aka pour down from the rooftop and drop down from above! Only the headhunter retains his wits at this time! The reddish goblinoids attack two of the yamabushi from behind and slay them with quick swipes of their long bladed knives. The sage who pledged his student to this very righteous cause now quickly clasps his hands together and begins rubbing his hands with vigor. In the meanwhile, two other patrons fall to the murderous advances of the evil spawned before your very eyes...

To the Headhunter, only:

Please roll and report Initiative.

The local village historically received significant attention from its local magistrate, Husuto the Humble. Master Husuto rose to power as a diplomatic and kind samurai and received his fiefs as his loyal reward from the Empire. Various young warriors joined watchmen ranks and patrolled both village boarders and town gates, inspired by Husuto’s honorable work and dedication to the lives of his people. Most times, the local guards dispatched to the area would have addressed something horrific as these oni-aka. Many rumors have spread as to the reasons why no help has arrived…

A quiet yamabushi strokes his long beard and loses his hand within the burley mass. “Ahem…the oni-aka are a mindless mob of filthy beasts seeking refuge in chaos. Their own desires are lost amid their random impulses, but one thing seems certain,” he says. As his extends his hand from his bread, he carries a small peach. “Like this fruit, the oni-aka once sprang into being as simple seed in this region. Whether carried here by strong winds, or planted deliberately, each seed needed nurturing to arrive in its current state. Finding peach trees will be easy, if you but look. Finding its gardener will be more difficult, I fear. Also know that both the oni-aka and the peach can be sliced open easily, but I do not recommend eating goblin flesh!” He older warrior monk boldly laughes to punctuate the last comment.

Ichimura stands to address the remaining gathered people. His long white sleeves flutter slightly and as he raises his arms to speak, his chest lies bared and reveals many intricate tattooed patterns. A most striking ink shows a boar chasing a hare in a circular pattern. “I pledge my faithful student to the task - Kouji Saikubo.” To accentuate his offer as some special blessing, the tattooed man throws a handful of cherry blossoms in the air. These petals explode in bright colors and the charred remains blow towards the direction of his student. “Ours is the magics of defense and knowledge, which we all seem to need at this time. He will serve us well.”

Aohashi the ashigaru stands up and leans mightily on his staff. “I could help, too.” His candor inspires many to smile, and some to laugh: the old farmer could barely stand up himself, but his courage seemingly courses through the group. Several others begin talking about wanting to help, including establishing an evening patrol, ending business before sundown, and using torches to illuminate the night.

The young boy who sought a closer inspection of the oni-aka now comes before the mighty hunter and extends a hand to him, holding one of the broken head-horns. "Are you sure you want to hunt that?" A look of disgust wringes his brow, but a secret smile betrays the boy's fledgling sense of hero-worship should your answer be true.

"Indeed, hunter, are you equipped to handle unnatural forces such as these wicked denziens? Well practiced in arts of ambush, oni-aka wield weapons wrought by man, as well as their own sinister intellect. They plunder the weak and sickly of their own kind, and yield no honor. Certainly, these demonic hordes vary greatly from deer, brave man." The yamabushi finishes his inquiry and for the first time, he sits at the chair and begins wrapping his feet in sturdy cloth. His brethren follow suit; you get the impression these men might be leaving, or at least preparing to travel. A foretelling omen appears- the morning sun finally bore through the light fog and rests calmly upon the heads of the yamabushi at this time...enlightment, indeed.

Several other tea house patrons begin to gather their belongings and a couple place early morning orders with their host.

Please accept an initial 50 XP for each character as our adventure begins! For successful completion of your pedigree/lingeage chart, please accept an additional 20 XP (if you have NOT done this xercise, please consider trying it and record your results. I think I have seen almost everyone's experiement, and consider this table to be a success! Again, the link for the Lineage Chart is HERE.

Anything that my character would know about his mentor? If the mentor is human or a fellow hengeyokai and whether or not the mentor likes to sneak a peek into the women's side of hot...

GREAT STUFF!

Come to think of it, I do have two things to ask:

One, when a Hengeyokai changes shape, is it like a 3.5 druid's shapechange where the carried equipment and clotheswear are melded into the new form or would the Hengeyokai have to stash the equipment and clothing away before shapechanging?

Two, does a Shugenja start out with a free scrollcase/spellcase or should the Shugenja buy one at the price of a blank spellbook (100 gp)?

Btw, thought of some alternate names for the protection from chaos and detect magic spells. For Protection, something like Kaihi (avoid) Kodawari (trouble) work or maybe use kame (turtle)? For detect magic, something like Saigen (return) Mahou (magic) items (kajou) work or maybe use Inu (dog) Fecchi (fetch)?

Szombulis wrote:

Excellent! I approve this initial character. I would like to give your character another spell, but am not sure which way to do this. I'd welcome input about your interests and use of spells in the game. Regardless, I am renaming the "Sleep" spell as "Kitsune," which means "Come and sleep" as well as referring to the playful fox spirit known for its magical abilities.

Sounds fine by me; the occ/charop in me would probably go for adding "Prot. from Chaos I" as the extra spell- but the roleplayer part of me would imagine it more in line for the mentor, knowing how much of an impulsive youngling his charge is, to teach Kouji something harmless along the lines of "Read Language"/"Detect Magic" (if only to keep him from getting into too much trouble). ;P

That being said- it is a good question of how magic should be done in the game. As a path of least resistance, the idea of the standard vancian spellbook-use (or scrollbook, as the case may be) is fine by me. Another suggestion would be to handle things like the 3.5 sorceror, making arcane magic innate- possibly as a byproduct of being a Hengeyokai.

The game is now live, found in THIS LINK. I have so much enjoyed this gaming experience with you, and we haven't begun to PLAY yet!!!

The Un-carved Block & the Law of Unintended Consequences

As the morning sun burns away the lazy fog, Kagami’s citizens begin their day most unusually, yet characteristically busy. The empty smith shop echoes birds’ chirps, but not resounding hammer blows. The fish cart sits empty, but normally crests full of smelly wares before baking in the midday heat. Yagushi the Young cannot be found peddling his foreign trinkets or calling out to the beautiful women. Amid this scenic change, our heroes enter the local farming community with distress. No trade will occur this morning, and most exchanges have dropped with the recent drought. Few visitors have wandered this far since once-important shrines have chosen not to compete for their faithful.

Today, our heroes walk through the village. Each has arrived at their own time, seeking greater wisdom and hopes for understanding. Their survival is linked to this small. The Enno tea house has seemingly become a focal point of many villagers this morning. The dirt path leading down to the small eatery has been beaten to dust with activity. As our heroes explore the tea house, they eventually discover an uncommon scene.

Four men dressed in yellow robes and red sashes stand close together. One man stands atop a small table and appears to address the crowd. His eyes fill with intensity and fire that could almost match the brilliant silk clothes he wears. His fanciful, embroidered sleeves flutter like the dragonflies stitched on his clothes as the man moves his arms while talking. His similarly dressed companions stand close together. Upon further inspection, our heroes can discern ornate scabbards resting comfortably within the recessed folds of the yamabushis’ robes. All four men sport wild, thin black hair, including unkempt beards and a couple matted foreheads.

Finally, the heroes can heard the speech given by the supposed leader of this group:
“…and after twelve nights, we tracked the foul oni along the river way. They lived in a small cave less than five miles from this very place! My brothers and I fought them with cold steel and colder resolve. Good people, you must know that this – thing – know lies dead.” At his words, three of the bearded warriors step apart and reveal a large woven sack. Their outspoken leader jumps from the table top and quickly opens the bag and reveals a most disgusting figure! A small man lies crumpled and falls to the teahouse floor with a soft noise. The color of his skin shocks some of the women and draws some of the children. A bright crimson hue adorns the flesh of this small man. His eyes are somewhat larger than one might expect, and his hair looks even worse (if possible) than the yamabushi wear! Long dirty fingernails jut from the red man’s elongated fingers. Some pox or curse surely befell this poor creature, because his bare chest and shoulders seem to be covered in scales or an extremely dry skin disease. Most shocking is his lack of modesty- the man wears no clothing or loincloth. Yet, somehow this man appears less than what he seems, while being something more than what is examined.

As the audible gasps fade, the loud warrior continues his lecture. “Good people, my brothers and I must return to our daimyo in three days and await his orders. He will surely be displeased to learn of this ugly creature walking in your midst. I charge you with protecting this village. Take up arms and fight these wicked imps. Do not be fooled by their appearance boy,” he says while addressing a young man who thought it fun to poke the red man with a stick when nobody was watching. “This is an oni-aka, a red goblin! I tore off its horns from its head as it bit at my very soul!” For dramatic effect, the yamabushi discards two fist-sized horns matching the reddish coloration of the reddish creature. These horns land and bounce on the floor near the heroes.

“Will you protect the village in our stead? We are merely dutiful pilgrims sent on task to examine to cause and extent of drought. We are not free to remain here. Who will drink from the cup of honor and stand tall?” The crowd looks around as if trying to answer this non-rhetorical question.

The heroes need not know one another in advance. This opening was designed to include few pre-existing ties. Feel free to evaluate this situation and respond this weekend…

Let the adventure begin! Nippon Bonzai!

I googled some basic Japanese phrases that I thought we can use in our dialogue. What do you guys think?

basic Japanese phrases 1

basic Japanese phrases 2

Sorry- couldn't resist!

Translation

I am very hyped for this game!

I will have a starting point for all of you tomorrow. I expect that I will have a local patron offer free food and lodging to discuss some issues, and let things unfold from that point. Kind of standard opening, but with a few limited starting points for characters to undertake. Does anyone want something special in the village/town, beyond local shrines and a basic salesman/men?

Hey, sorry if I appear to be unhappy about the dietary restrictions (I actually don't mind it that much, I just wanted to get all the details, still trying to get use to "less rules, more rulings"). But I really like the craftsman perk. I think it's cool to be able to make items, even though they have to be non-metal. Crafting items, though, brings up another question that I have on the back of my head.

There are always craft feats, but they are rarely taken because in most adventures, there is usually a time element. The DM don't always allow players to sit around and craft stuff, since after they save the children, they have to save the village, and after the village, go on another quest. Some of the more hardcore stuff also takes days if not weeks to craft...

The crux of my question is, will there be a good chunk of time, in between quests, to concentrate on crafting? Can crafting time be split to a couple of hours a day, like at night before I retire to bed?

Sorry, I seem to be asking a lot of questions. I must emphasize that I like this perk a lot. Just want to be on the same page as the Ref.

Hey, I didn't feel like you were mad or anything, so it's all okay :) I just wanted to make players' characters feel a little special!

Alternatively, instead of the current health augmentation, I could simply make YOUR Headhunter a master craftsman. By this (without bells and whistles to describe), your character could make natural, non-metal items and equipment at a fraction of the cost (maybe BASE 10% off + 1d6 x 10% MORE off). For example, buying something that normally costs 50 ryo would be at LEAST 20% less for you to have made it (figure BASE 10% + 1d6 (minimum 1)x10% MORE off). The best you could make something would be 70% off. I could have you sell items that you made at 90% listed cost + 1d20 (%). Quick math suggests that if you could find a buyer, you can make a profit most times. If you wanted to make something kooky or unusual (i.e., not listed somewhere), we could take that item on a case-by-case basis (maybe roll your intelligence to see if your character could desigt or make it correctly). You appeared unhappy about your dietary restrictions, so I'm offering an alternative to it that might be more enjoyable and still provide a role-playing opportunity for you. Also, I'm open for suggestions if neither perk works for you, or even if you don't want a special perk.
I'm at the library right now, so sorry if this isn't entirely tthought through right now...limited time...
-Dave

As an aside, I thought I should point out how it astounds me that a wicker, the equivalent of a backpack, costs 10 ryo. With that money, you can buy a chest (large, wooden) or a tent (large, 4 person). I wonder if that's a typo, or there is some kind of explanation as to why, in Japan, a wicker cost twice the amount vs. a western backpack. I place my bet on expensive labor...

Is a western sack (15 lb capacity) open for purchase?

I think I had this question on the back of my head but just didn't get around to addressing it. Is there a strict tally on whether or not we eat?

A lot of games that I played in don't really address food. Certain DMs subtract a certain amount of gold per week for upkeep, but that's about it. My character investment seems to suggest that there will be oversight on when we eat and even what we eat. Is this really what, as a Ref, you would like to incorporate into your game?

So in this game setting, how abundant is fruit/grain? Is there such a thing as dry fruits (I actually don't think dry fruits are very healthy), so I can sustain my diet over long trips w/out having to stop every couple of hours to gather fresh fruits? Would I have to carry cooking utensils to cook the grain, or is there a simple way to doing it? I use an electronic rice cooker, so I wouldn't know...

And what is the trade offs of starving vs. non-fruit/grain food? I imagine I would lose some temporary STR or DEX or CON. It seems unclear whether it's worth starving myself over eating poisonous non-healthy foods (at low level, a couple of bad meals can literally kill me).

I'd like all players to consider how their characters meet standard needs. I also agree with your assessment that tracking food might be somewhat boring. Surely, you could preserve foodstuffs like dried fruit and the like. While you might not have to report or sometimes even buy food you need, I think how you view food lends to some interactions and a unique character.

I had all three characters manage special resources: the shugenja had some control over spells, the headhunter had control over hit points, and the sohei had control over some unique hired help. Knowing this, I WON'T be offended if you didn't like what I set up for your character; please provide some other suggestions if you'd like.

Character Investments
As the initial party comes together, I offer the following creative bits to each character:

To Kouji Saikubo, The Rainbow-Winged Shugenja:

To Akemi, Sohei of Great Compassion:

To Takeshi Kaneshiro, the First Born with Two Heads:

All, please feel free to check out each other's spoilers after having first read your own. If you feel any of this information is imbalanced or unfair, please share your thoughts and reasoning polietly here and we can move forward. Feedback is appreciated.

...snip...

I had a blast doing the family lineage (outcast! how perfect), but think the family traits could have been improved (poor hygiene? come on). How much each character’s family will come into play really depends on the Ref. I like the ideal of evil twins, though!

Fantastic stuff, everyone! It looks like we have three players willing and ready to commit to game play. Let's double-check stating gear and make any final adjustments. I will finish my preperation by tomorrow and have a few nifty bonus tips for each of you at that time. While waiting, please check out this interesting chart for use in "Ruins & Ronin." Would we like to use it? I'm thinking it'd be a fun option for players to creae a tad more history for new characters.

Lineage Generator

This is what I got so far (Used actual dice, will go with an online roller for char gen by request):

Hengeyokai (Sparrow) Male Shugenja

Str: 9
Int: 16 +1
Wis: 10
Dex: 15 +1
Con: 14 +1
Chr: 8 -1

HP: 7 (3 in sparrow form)
GP: 110
AL: LG
Spell: Sleep
Equip: TBA

Envisioning a relatively young character raised under the tutelage of an older Shugenja but still has ties to his hengeyokai family (distant as it may be, if the local hengeyokai village is located far from where the adventure starts out). Possible motivation for "adventuring" might be a lack of patience with his tutor's "wait and see" attitude regarding the events that are unfolding.

Akemi gave up her family name upon joining her temple, where she has trained for 10 years. Now she is on a journey to connect with the spirits of the land, and to aid the poor.

Neat! I'll take a closer look at the material tomorrow.

Should all posts be made here now (until the game starts)?

Please feel free to read the information and provide feedback. At this time, I see only two characters in action (which could be good, mind you, and help develop a rich story over simple dice rolling).

Thanks again!

I started a new discussion thread about characters and backstory, as well as taking advice and making some of my expectations known. The link to the new thread can be found here. Thanks, everyone!

Game Expectations and Overview

This play-by-post game will begin in August 2009, and run indefinitely. Posting rates should occur about once daily (at least). Failure to post longer than about one week may result in character forfeiture, unless prior arrangements can be made (i.e., attending a wedding or funeral out of town, illness, etc.). Players should create Japanese-like characters using the White Box edition of the “Ruins & Ronin” game. “White Box” terminology refers to classic 0D&D that had limited resources or supplemental materials; this game seeks to recapture the interactive freedom and story-telling that fewer rules may permit. Players may want to have their own dice to use, but will only need six-sided and (a) twenty-sided dice. Again, this gaming system attempts to do more with less. Alternatively, players may want to record their dice rolls using an online dice calculator, like Invisible Castle or many others; the storyteller assumes players want an honorable gaming experience, so dice rolls can simply be posted without links to outside sources- I will trust players until they prove untrustworthy.

For more information about traditional or “original” style gaming, please read the free “Quick Primer for Old School Gaming” by Matt Finch, available here:
Quick Primer for Old School Gaming

All players should have a copy of the White Box “Ruins & Ronin” campaign expansion for the White Box “Swords & Wizardry” role-playing game. BOTH FREE .pdf files are available online:
Ruins & Ronin Supplement, White Box Edition
and
Swords & Wizardry White Box Edition
Additionally, other character classes and races are possible by visiting author Mike Davison’s website, here:
Sword +1 Website

Finally, know that the basic “sandbox” world includes a low-magic setting. While Sohei and Shugenja (traditional clerics/monks and magic-users, respectively) may become powerful, most NPCs and monsters will not have access to (many) powerful magic items. Note- this restricts the Hengeyokai race; I will allow only one player character to be a member of this magical race. Please temper expectations accordingly.

David, I googled your name. Are these really yours?

David Kot

Sorry about posting later than anticipated...life kinda got in the way today a bit, but I typed a good draft that I can re-post here. For now, please know that we are going with the White Box rules, which means that you will only need to d6's and d20's from here on out. This means that Hit Points are used by rolling d6 (or in the case of the headhunter class, with maximized hit points houseruled in, plus your Constitution bonus in effect Wilhem, you'd have 6+6+1+1, or 14 hit points at first level.). So far, I like both characters descriptions well, and approve.
I would like to try R&R before revisiting BoL again, but it's on my radar (especially since Simon Washbourne gave me props in the credits for editing!---see my "real name" and you can see who I am).

I think the editing needs to be tightened up a little on it, but it's a nice piece of work.

I am assuming we will use the S&W ability bonuses, but will it be White Box or Core?

I would like to play anything really.

I think in this thread you need to determine exactly who will be playing and then go to a discussion thread. (from past experience)

At the moment I am leaning towards a sohei.

Wilhelm - it may help if you think of Swords and Wizardy as a clone of the very first edition of D&D from the '70s before feats, skills et al.

Seriously- I have both sets of rules, so whatta you guys want? Sorry for sounding very wishy-washy. I want to have some buy in from folks, but need some input. Quite honestly, I tend to tell stories dynamic in nature, and even willingly deviate from rules when needed to promote the story.

It's Friday night. I'l post something about character ideas in a new thread later tonight or tomorrow.

Alright, a few questions. There will be more questions as I read more, so hopefully no one will get annoyed. All are free to help.

1. Rolling 3d6 for each stat. Do we roll 6 numbers then assign them to the ability we desire, or the first number is definitely STR, the second number is def DEX, etc? In other words, are we free to assign any of the six numbers we rolled up to each ability?

2. There doesn't seem to be feats or skills. What happens when you want to dual wield or sneak? Are they solely governed by ability scores now?

3. Mechanic wise, do you get anything for being Human?

I'm going to drop out, for reasons unrelated to this game. Sorry.

Here's where you can find a copy of the Swords and Wizardry rules- best of all, they's for free- the pdf version that is. And if I recall correctly, it's also up for an Ennies too

Great! I'll copy-&-paste the introduction topic to the gamers wanted section...

Any ideas on what you'd be interested in playing in Ruins & Ronin?

Had a quick glance over the pdf. Must say that I can kind of understand it (due to my previous experience on D&D), but have questions over certain parts. Will need assistance in character creation, any help is appreciated.

The pdf also feel a bit skeletal. I have the same thought as JZ that Ruins and Ronins looks like a supplemental. Is there a "core" book out there or can Ruins be run on it's own? Most importantly, can a character be created with just the Ruins pdf or is there something else that explains the rules in greater detail?

I shall take a closer look at the pdf tomorrow and post questions.

Agreed. And not to take the decision away from Szombulis, but I found a dynamic PBP to be much more enjoyable then a stale one. Furthermore, I find posting a response (even during work) to be ridiculously easy.

On a similar topic, I bumped into a DM Manifesto a while back. I thought it clarified nicely the expectations of the DM before the game started, which in terms helped the players understand the flow better. If you're interested:

DM Manifesto

Are these rules a supplement to Swords and Wizardry?

Fantastic news, all. I would like a daily post rate. I only mentioned the slower post rate as the indicator by which a character would revert to NPC status. Therefore, in less confusing jargon, I'd hope for daily posting (but understand that people might be busy some days), but after a week of slackin', the character becomes an NPC unless some other situation is approached (i.e. vacation, loss of loved one, etc.).

Does this concept seem easily digestable?

Grab the rules and let's discuss possible characters. Should I make a new thread about characters, or would this idea be contained here?

Thanks, all!

Welcome to Kagami, a gentle farming and fishing village. Kagami also provides would-be heroes a backdrop setting for playing “Ruins & Ronin,” a Japanese-like Swords & Wizardry role-playing game. At this time, the narrator seeks players’ interest in making characters for a play-by-post game. Here are some additional ideas to help make informative decisions:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This play-by-post uses the core rules set forth in the “Ruins & Ronin” 2009 release, either print or .pdf version, available at Ruins & Ronin (sword +1) Blogsite . Note, the 80-page .pdf costs $1 USD. Alternatively, there are *FREE* rules at this same web blog site, too.

Use any of the four core character classes: bujin, shugenja, sohei, and half-ogre. Additional inquiries about other classes and races are welcomed with intelligent rationale.

Ascending Armor Class [AAC] will be used to determine defenses.

Use new names for coinage. For example, page 18 equates “Gold” with “Ryo.”

Starting Hit Points are maximized- no need to roll.

Report other starting numbers honorably, including money and ability scores. Roll ability scores and assign results in player’s favor to create a character class/race wanted.

Alignments are restricted to Law and Good for the moment. Three deities prominent in Kagami citizens’ lives, including small shrines located in the village, include:
Amatsumara (male, patron of smiths), Kannon (female, patron of mercy), and Takitsu-hime (female, patron of rainfall). Other possible deities are welcomed for discussion.

Unless otherwise noted, players failing to post longer than one week’s time will have assumed to abandon their characters. Characters can be played as NPCs or left to some other fate fitting to the narrator.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The adventure story introduction places the small village in duress. Several small streams feeding the town have dried-up unexpectedly, making farming more difficult and even threatens the summer harvest. A neighboring daiymo raised taxes and political pressure builds for your young lord to do likewise. Recently, more migrant farmers arrived to escape the heavy taxation. Other residents followed, including a quiet family of half-ogres. Lastly, the Kannon shrine in the northern way has been silent for weeks. No divinations or pilgrimages have happened since the last full moon. A single teahouse rests against the largest brook in the village, and Enno Cherry Blossom welcomes many visitors. Rumors persist that many yamabushi frequent the teahouse, but none can confirm reports of wild-looking, unshaven monks attending to this village.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope for at least three people expressing interest in the game by Friday of next week (July 24 '09), with characters made within a week of expressed interest. Therefore, the game should be underway by August, hopefully. Thanks for your interest!

Great! I'll copy-&-paste the introduction topic to the gamers wanted section...

Any ideas on what you'd be interested in playing in Ruins & Ronin?

Hmmm...a day later yet no responses. Would it help to change the rules to the FREE .pdf White Box edition rules of Ruins & Ronin (also available the the "sword +1" website)? Feedback is welcomed...

Welcome to Kagami, a gentle farming and fishing village. Kagami also provides would-be heroes a backdrop setting for playing “Ruins & Ronin,” a Japanese-like Swords & Wizardry role-playing game. At this time, the narrator seeks players’ interest in making characters for a play-by-post game. Here are some additional ideas to help make informative decisions:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This play-by-post uses the core rules set forth in the “Ruins & Ronin” 2009 release, either print or .pdf version, available at

Ruins & Ronin (sword +1) Blogsite . Note, the 80-page .pdf costs $1 USD.

Use any of the four core character classes: bujin, shugenja, sohei, and half-ogre. Additional inquiries about other classes and races are welcomed with intelligent rationale.

Ascending Armor Class [AAC] will be used to determine defenses.

Use new names for coinage. For example, page 18 equates “Gold” with “Ryo.”

Starting Hit Points are maximized- no need to roll.

Report other starting numbers honorably, including money and ability scores. Roll ability scores and assign results in player’s favor to create a character class/race wanted.

Alignments are restricted to Law and Good for the moment. Three deities prominent in Kagami citizens’ lives, including small shrines located in the village, include:
Amatsumara (male, patron of smiths), Kannon (female, patron of mercy), and Takitsu-hime (female, patron of rainfall). Other possible deities are welcomed for discussion.

Unless otherwise noted, players failing to post longer than one week’s time will have assumed to abandon their characters. Characters can be played as NPCs or left to some other fate fitting to the narrator.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The adventure story introduction places the small village in duress. Several small streams feeding the town have dried-up unexpectedly, making farming more difficult and even threatens the summer harvest. A neighboring daiymo raised taxes and political pressure builds for your young lord to do likewise. Recently, more migrant farmers arrived to escape the heavy taxation. Other residents followed, including a quiet family of half-ogres. Lastly, the Kannon shrine in the northern way has been silent for weeks. No divinations or pilgrimages have happened since the last full moon. A single teahouse rests against the largest brook in the village, and Enno Cherry Blossom welcomes many visitors. Rumors persist that many yamabushi frequent the teahouse, but none can confirm reports of wild-looking, unshaven monks attending to this village.
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I hope for at least three people expressing interest in the game by Wednesday of next week (July 22 '09), with characters made within a week of expressed interest. Therefore, the game should be underway by August, hopefully. Thanks for your interest!

Thanks, all of you, for the kind words. I believe we all have unique strengths, and need the help of our family, friends, and even strangers (who may become family or friends) to guide us through our own mistakes. While I somehow discovered my talents in counseling, I certainly dread doing taxes or balancing my own checkbook (rounded numbers look prettier, I think).

I have reviewed my caseload, and spoke with my partner tonight. We have agreed that while I might share a bit of information, it is I who will bear the knowledge of traumatic events alone. This maintains professional ethics, and keeps her sanity intact (or at least no worse :) Alas, I was not able to haggle more gaming time as my personal "therapy" or stress reducer.

Again, thanks for the support. Never undermine your own strengths, and certainly NOT in this economic recession! Embrace what you enjoy doing...it helped me manage unemployment woes and helped me unearth other talents, like writing. Game on!

Dear Paizo Community,

Since January, I have struggled finding a good job for family and myself. The American economy seemed mired in stagnation (at best). At times, I found myself quite depressed and questioned my professional skills and abilities as the primary provider for my wife and young daughters. At my height of unemployment, I submitted over 200 resumes and applications either online, through mail, or in person. I waited, evaluated, and re-evaluated.

During this time, I rediscovered my gaming hobby. I have made several contributions to games like Mythweaver, Swords and Wizardry (White Box), and Barbarians of Lemuria. I am rather proud to have a regular column writing for Mythweaver, and for having Simon Washbourne acknowledge some editing/suggestions for the recent revision of Barbarians of Lemuria in the “Special Thanks to…” title page. I have recently begun blogging about RPGs, and my wife will begin her solo adventure this weekend!

What does this have to do with Paizo.com, and gamers in general? Please let me explain. My new job capitalizes on my experience with children’s mental health services and my graduate degree in human services. Tomorrow, I begin work as a clinical behavioral therapist. My specialties include sexual assault and self-injurious behavior cases. For some unknown reason, I have good skills in these areas to help others without really damaging my own psyche in the process.

When times get dark, though, as sometimes happens with a large caseload, I imagine I will have a “bad day.” While my wife and family and friends will be there to support me, I enjoy another outlet, too: gaming. There is something refreshing and rewarding about swinging an imaginary sword at the big bad evil guy. Maybe this outlet is my mind’s way of cleansing itself from the garbage of kids’ traumatic life experiences. Maybe it’s my way of managing stress. Maybe I just like making munchkin characters and finding loop holes in the rules. For whatever reasons, I enjoy role-playing. At Paizo, I have found a supportive community of respectful people who seem as excited about each other’s lives as they are about the next new product or play-by-post game.

Thank you, Paizo community. Game on…and remember: when the light dims at the end of the tunnel, hire another torch-bearer. :)

No probs. I still need to get my backside in gear with creating some NPCs. We also need JZ's PC (how many acronyms? ;) ) finished.

Malvoisin wrote:

Roll them bones!

3d6=8, 3d6=9, 3d6=14, 3d6=13, 3d6=9, 3d6=12

Hey, Fabes, I was just about to assign these rolls, but I see a discrepancy in the order Rosey used (more modern convention), and that hogarth used (OLD SKOOL). Which would you prefer?

I think we're on the honour system here, so don't worry about it too much!

Looks like a good cleric here, or a druid...I'll double check the requirements...

10, 8, 16, 6, 9, 8

Core Rules was what- STR, INT, WIS, DEX, CON, CHA, right?

Remember that the idea of 'party balance' and 'roles' has no place here. :D

Be a godi if you want to be, Rosey!

I will have sporadic internet access until Tuesday 14 April. Until then Vandis will go along with any sensible plan.

Yes, she is okay. REALLY whacked her head while running, which made her head swell and discolor at the point of impact. Not fun for a 15 month-old, you see. Again, she is okay, though. Thanks!

Cat-face is also a logging term where the trees have been ripped near the base, but not felled.

I'm glad you like it so far! I hope we get others back in the swing today!