Understood, and no hard feelings. Funny thing is... I was telling Boxhead last night that I was feeling a bit overburdened as well, playing in three PbPs, trying to keep a pen 'n' paper campaign on track, juggling a heavy workload and personal commitments... and that if one of the PbPs I played in came to an end, I wouldn't seek to replace it with another. Did I wish too hard? ;-)
Sooooo... thanks, Brendan and everyone for an awesome game, it's been a blast. I appreciate all the work you put into the game, Brendan -- I imagine that being a PbP DM can be an especially thankless and time consuming tasks!
So cheers, and good luck with school and everything else...
P.S.: That having been said... if someone else wanted to pick up the DM's reigns for this particular game, I would consider staying on as a player. I think we have a really excellent group, and interesting PCs, and a pretty decent commitment level, overall...
On the pathfinder verses 3.5 debate, I don't mind either way. The story telling in this game is what makes it brilliant, we could be using the crappiest rules set in the world and it would be my favourite.
Your excellent story telling and roleplaying has mde me raise my game in real life and in the other sign ups I am currently in.
That sounds both wonderful, and like a frightening amount of work at the same time!
Have fun! :)
Thanks... and yes, it's a bit of both -- pleasure and pain (but I've been backpacking in the Rockies for nearly two decades now, so I'm used to it)! But, unfortunately, this past weekend's backpacking trip was cancelled. I think our upcoming 7-9 day trek along the west coast of Vancouver Island will potentially be even more painful -- one week of food/fuel/gear on our backs, having to contend with coastal rain and racing against the tides, trudging through soft sand, hopping over large boulders for kilometres on end, wading through creeks, climbing hundreds of feet of ladders and surge channels, crawling along muddy/treacherous paths and bogs,... I'll hopefully lose at least 10 lbs. after all this!
Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I wish I would have had more time to make the tale more colourful, rather than "we went there and we did this, and then we met so and so, and then we went there and we did this." But alas, time did not permit... and still, the tale became much longer than I had intended! But it hopefully serves as a useful summary of what has happened up to this point, especially for those who have not been in the game since day 1...
Wow, this thread fell into the archives due to recent disuse!
Anyway, here it is again on the main boards...
Just a heads up... I'll be unable to post from Sept. 3 - 19 or so -- will first be backpacking here in the Rockies, and then along the west coast of Vancouver Island. I might have a very brief window where I can post between Sept. 7-8, but we'll see...
Heads up... I'll probably be unable to post from Sept. 3 - 19 or so -- will first be backpacking here in the Rockies, and then along west coast of Vancouver Island. I might have a very brief window where I can post between Sept. 7-8, but we'll see...
Yeah, I do need a break - hoping to take a week off sometime mid September, just chill.
I'm not suggesting that we should change to the new rules for this game - I'm not sure that the power boost that all characters get under the new rules is quite suitable for the gritty 'ordianry heroes' feel of this game. But if the large majority of players want to, I'll go with it.
Do you need a break from DMing sooner rather than later? Are you losing interest in this particular PbP? Neither are crimes... ;-)
Mothman, you really sound like you need a break... Just a heads up to let you know what I will be taking a break of my own in the near future -- I will not be able to post between Sept. 4 and 20 (exception: might be able to squeeze a quick post in on the 7th and 8th), as I will be on vacation during that time without access to e-mail.
I'll probably be unable to post from Sept. 4 - 19 or so -- will first be backpacking here in the Rockies, and then along west coast of Vancouver Island. I might have a very brief window where I can post between Sept. 7-8, but we'll see...
Eric/Dorvarr correctly observed during our tabletop games that PCs whose weapons have weapons (e.g., halberd) that do triple or higher damage on a crit tend to get shafted by the cards, which seldom do more than double damage + effect, and frequently normal damage + effect (and drawing additional cards does little to remedy this). We have house-ruled that weapons with higher crit multipliers add one to what is indicated on the card.
We've been using the critical fumble cards as written -- they can be pretty deadly though.
I'm happy either way, with cards or without... though if we use cards, I would love to draw my own (don't worry, I won't cheat).
As for PFRPG vs. 3.5... I'm happy either way, there as well. If we do play PFRPG, I am fine with Davi's suggestion that we wait until the release of the cavalier (and think a conversion should occur when we level).
I have both a Paizo brand Critical Hit and Critical Fumble deck for the game's use if you'd like. I could draw a card and report the results for each such instance.
Yeah, I have them too, and the suggestion came up a while ago... but I think it was concluded that drawing cards would just slow things down too much in a PbP (unless Wyrd had the decks, which I don't believe he does). In a PbP, I'm honestly neutral on whether we use critical fumbles or not.
I'm not too picky about the pace, have had alot on my plate as well and little time for posting... Enjoy your camping. I'm still debating whether I shouldn't do the same this weekend.
Hi Saorti. You know, I was about a day away from posting to advertise for a new player to the game when Chubbs mentioned in another forum that he’d like to find out how to join a pbp game, so I invited him to join this one to replace a player that we lost a while back.
Having said that, I’m as happy to run a game for six as for five; I wouldn’t object to having another player, and so long as you think you’ll enjoy the game and can commit to a reasonably regular posting schedule (say once every day or two at least) then I’m happy to offer a space to you – on the assumption that its ok with the other players.
Guys, what do you think, any objections to six players?
Alternatively, if that’s an issue for anyone, I will offer you a reserve spot, in case Chubbs doesn’t end up going ahead with joining, or if one of the others needs to drop out at some point.
Saorti, are you familiar with the campaign and/or the setting? Do you have any character concepts in mind, or any thoughts on how to introduce a new character to the group?
Welcome aboard Chubbs.
Mothman, I'm neutral on the 5 or 6 player thing. More important, I think, is the commitment to post on a regular basis.
On that note, I may not be able to post this upcoming Friday - Monday. My girlfriend's off to Africa on Tuesday for a month, so last chance for some alone time before she leaves.
Orphaned Land "Mabool"... genally unknown and underappreciated (in my neck of the woods, anyway), unique, progressive Israeli metal. Interesting blend of metal and traditional middle eastern music.
Thanks mate, as I said in the other thread, I'm mostly better now, but its work thats the killer. My boss is going away for a month from Friday, and the last couple of weeks have been super busy as I have to head out to all these meetings and briefings so I can look after most of his projects while he's away (as well as all of mine of course). Fun. And given that he's away for a month, I think the busy times will continue (and probably get worse). Ah well, hopefully I'll find some time to slack off while he's away.
Ah, I had my turn in that position for much of last year. Feel free to put the game on hold -- I know what that kind of pressure feels like, and you don't need the weight of multiple PbPs on your shoulders at the same time.
Sorry guys, been very busy and sick over past few days, will try to update today or tomorrow.
No worries -- I've been busy myself and haven't had much time to check in lately. Get well, and don't push it! I'm sure that we can wait a few more days for you to get better...
Oooo, my brothers went there shortly after I got married. Sounds like it's fun. P.S. remind me to show you my wedding album next time I see you... Pirates!
Pirates??? You were dressed as pirates for your wedding? Were there any dinosaur-riding vampire ninja pirates? ;-)
Cool, have fun. Is the rafting trip part of the wedding or a seperate thing? ;-)
It was part of the wedding.
Now THAT sounds like a cool wedding!
Hope it was as much fun as it sounds!
It was... the rafting part was kind of a substitute for the stag/staguette. The wedding was small and simple (just the way I like them), held outdoors amid beautiful mountain scenerey.
Sorry I wasn't able to provide feedback on your query -- good luck with it! I love the idea!
That having been said, I probably won't be able to post until Wednesday or Thursday night, at the earliest. I'll also be away from May 29 - June 1. NPC me as necessary!
Thought I'd ask you guys this. I've had a query approved for an 1800 word article in Kobold Quarterly and was wondering if any of you might be interested in giving it a read and critiquing it? Here in the Junction don't realy have too many gamers to fly it by. I believe I have most of your emails so if you're interested let me know and I'll send it on to you. I should submit the article in a week. Thanks in advance.
Have you made any changes to it since the draft I saw? Oh, and send to Twiceborn, I'm sure he'd like to see it, whether he has time to comment or not...
Yes, please do send it to me... xcattarinich (at) hotmail (dot) com. Anything in there I can use against Eric in our Midnight campaign? ;-)
...if Vlad's the face, the rest of us don't need to have manners...
True, and I think Ragnarr is taking that statement and running for a few miles with it. In his own, rather charming, way. Sort of like a dog that pees on your best carpet.
:-)
Sorry, haven't checked the discussion thread in a while... but that's hilarious!
Guys, can you each provide me with a short wish-list of two items (magical or otherwise) that you would like your character to have?
I’ll see about working them in as treasure or whatever in upcoming parts of the game. Hint: stuff that is thematically and level appropriate will see you more of a chance of getting it sooner!
I presently use the PDF cards produced by The Other Game Company, but would also happily purchase spell card decks from Paizo... as others have said, it would save me alot of ink, and they're so handy at the table.
I'm having fun... I worry a bit about forgetting people and events (when making a post I generally keep about 5 tabs open- one on the current post, one on my character stats, one on previous pages of posts, one on Invisible Castle, and the last on the actual new post), but I'm loving the feel of the game.
I do worry a bit, though, that I'm overshadowing everyone else. If that happens, just beat me down a little, hey? If I start monologuing on, just have action interrupt me.
Nah, I wouldn't worry about it, you're playing your character as he should be played, and I don't think you're overshadowing at all... Right now, you're driving the action, and I think that's fine (and we wouldn't want Ragnarr to be out front parleying, now would we).
Just to check in. I know that my absences kind of wrecked the initial flow but just wanted to check in and see if there is any reason for the gaps in posting. I often find that I post something but can't really add any further until some of type of action is taken. So wanted to see if there was any reason? Are people uncertain as to the descriptions, events. Not too keen on the current situation? Too much RP?, too little viking hacking mayhem? In short is there anything I can do for you as the players to speed/facilitate play?
I'm happy with everything -- I was especially impressed with some of your recent descriptive posts. I'm more likely to get bored if there's too much combat and not enough RPing, so the current pace is fine (long combats can become a real drag, especially in PbP). I'm very much intrigued with what is happening to the earl and hersir.. Keep up the good work!
If I'm slow sometimes, it's just because life/work are really busy.
While returning from their impromptu mission to the Tearfall Caverns east of the village of Koln that led to the brutal slaying of a legate and four orc soldiers, Garn, Loic and Vallin were caught off guard by the blades of an unlikely second party lurking in the trees off the trail: Wendell Gale, a self-important gnomish trader; Klot, an uncanny-looking Erenlander with what you would consider to be a perfect blend of Sarcosan and Dornish traits, who claimed he was a soldier that had deserted from the Shadow’s ranks, and who still bore an army-issued breastplate; and three hooded, woodland fey -- the mysterious Lady Rhiann and her quiet companions, the gaunt and serene-faced Eirinn, and the mercurial, white-haired Bayal.
The meeting was a fateful one: both Loic and Garn had come to Koln with the intention of meeting with Wendell, and Vallin likewise was looking for work of an unspecified nature… by joining with the trader’s mysterious party, the three would also be putting some distance between themselves, Koln, and the Shadow troops that would soon scour the hills in search of the missing legate and his orc soldiers, and of those who may have played a role in their disappearance. The entire village likely would pay the price for the disappearance of the legate and his retinue… but what was done was done, said Wendell, and there was nothing you could do now to save Koln. And besides, a higher purpose awaited you, and he had need of your extra muscle… He assured Loic that he had the time to conclude his business with his grandfather, and that Jorg would be long gone from Koln by the time the Shadow’s reinforcements arrive.
After the lady Rhiann performed some sort of ritual at the Tearfall Caverns with the water spirit that Garn had encountered therein, she identified the cloaks that both Vallin and Loic had acquired from the contraband chamber, as well as the boots that the latter had scavenged, as having been crafted by her people. The cloaks would help conceal those who wore them when their hoods were drawn, and the boots would confer increased agility upon their wearer.
The party set over the pass in miserable, rainy conditions. Wendell explained that he was guiding the elven emissaries to the old gnomish trading post at Kurgun Falls, in the Kaladrun Mountains, and that from there they would be escorted to the dwarven settlement of Durgis Rock for a meeting with the clan’s Dorith. Wendell was quite excited about the mission – he claimed that it had been more than two centuries since gnomes had been to Kurgun Falls; it likely would have been longer since elves had had any dealings with dwarves. “Something important” was bound to happen…
While the trading post at Kurgun Falls was on the banks of the Carina River, going upriver by barge during the current period of high runoff was impossible, and it would be foolish to follow the stretch of river that winds through the open plains and into the mountains. The route the party was following would reduce the likelihood of being observed by Shadow forces. A few days walk would lead the party to a natural bridge over the Carina River, which would connect with the old gnomish caravan route that some traders used to follow when the river was too high to penetrate deeper into the mountains. Given the lack of river traffic and the route’s remoteness from current Shadow strongholds and primary targets, Wendell expected the journey to be safe… relatively speaking…
Finding a dry path across the flooded lowlands beyond the pass was nearly impossible. The group moved as cautiously as possible, but sometimes had to backtrack as they encountered natural obstacles. As a long day full of exertion wearied the party, a submerged, heavily carapaced, scorpion-like bog creature lashed out from a pond with two long barbed tendrils that wrapped around Bayal, and threatened to pull him under. The white-haired elf struggled to free himself, as the rest of the party fought the beast off, eventually slaying it.
That evening, you made camp on a peninsula of dry land, and stole your first glimpses of the lady Rhiann’s unsettling facial features – her sinister, all black eyes made more than one of you shiver with discomfort. The lady also manifested sorcerous powers as she healed Garn, Vallin and Bayal of their wounds. Rather than eating rations with you, the fey kept to themselves, drinking only an odd-smelling brew in small silver cups that they heated without fire on flat black stones.
The night and following day passed mostly without incident. The weather improved, and the sun even poked through the overcast skies on occasion. Klot ranged higher on a nearby ridge, keeping an eye out for signs of pursuit, but finding none. Late in the afternoon, however, you stumbled across some worrisome signs: the criss-crossing tracks of some unfamiliar predator with large paws resembling those of some oversized feline or perhaps even hound; and the remains of some apparently long dead, club wielding giant. The animal tracks stalked past the skeleton towards the east, in the same direction you were headed. Not far beyond the remains, a knoll arose from the lowlands, atop which you spied the ruins of some ancient structure.
You cautiously investigated the site, noting that there were no bones or other signs that the ruins might be the lair of the predator whose tracks you had observed… but the tracks did explore the area before moving on further east. While the upper stories of the structure were ruined, the ground floor was relatively well-sheltered from the elements. Some wall sections had crumbled, but at least the ceiling overhead was intact. The structure was well-positioned defensively – it stood 50 feet or so above the surrounding lands, and one side of the hillock consisted of a sheer, thirty foot rock face. A cursory search revealed a badly rusted greatsword, perhaps of Dornish origin, and the weeks old ashes of a burnt out fire, but little else. In the distance, through an opening in the ridge to the south, you could see a river… the Carina River, you assumed.
As dusk neared, you decided that this would be as safe a spot as any in which to set camp for the night, and so began to make preparations accordingly…
I don't know of this question has been answered elsewhere in this or another related thread, and I don't have time to sift through hundreds of posts, so please forgive me if the question is redundant...
1) This may be too late for the current Bestiary (hope not!), but in addition to alphabetical and CR listings of monsters, would it be possible for Paizo to include terrain, climate, and creature type listings of monsters? I'm a big fan of Expeditious Retreat Press' Monster Geographica books, and liked the way they used those additional categories (exception of climate) to list the contents of the book... I know that saves me alot of time during adventure design.
Thanks in advance for your time... looking forward to the release of the book!
.Took 3rd level in bard
.Increased INT by 1 point
.Gained 6 hit points (incl. CON bonus)
.New 0-level spell: Minor Disguise (from Spell Compendium)
.New 1st level spell: Charm person
.Added 6 skill ranks: 1 to Perform (Oratory); 1 to Diplomacy; 1 to .Gather Information; 2 to Move Silently; 1 to Hide.
.New bardic ability: inspire competence
.Increased BAB and Fort saves by +1
Under a stormy sky, Garn, Loïc, and Vallin raced on foot across newly planted corn and potato fields and boro pastures, and into sparsely wooded meadows, following the obvious hoof prints of the legate’s retinue. As a steep rocky escarpment emerged to the right of their route, the adventurers spotted the feint beginnings of the high road where Tanner Hurly suggested it would be. The horse tracks heading east confirmed that the Shadow’s forces had kept to the low road.
The fifty foot climb to the top of the escarpment was tricky, and resulted in a few near-falls. At last, the three reached its summit, and resumed the race. In order to maximize your pace, Vallin carried Garn on his shoulders. As you continued to race along the gradually ascending high road, you caught a glimpse of a pair of orcs and several unmounted horses in a small clearing near the foot of the escarpment. Yet a few miles further, you found to your dismay that a 70’ deep and 15’ wide chasm blocked your way. Wooden stakes wedged into the rock on both sides of the chasm suggested that a rope bridge might once have spanned its width, but none was there now… you mulled over in your minds how Mr. Hurly could have omitted to mention this obstacle. The razor sharp and uneven rock surface in this area made a running jump risky. Instead, you pursued another daring option: the muscular humans swung the feather-light gnome across the chasm, with a rope tied at his waste. Garn then secured the rope at his end that enabled the humans to cross the chasm in turn.
Over the next few miles, the rocky plateau gradually followed a downward slope and entered a wooded thicket. As you made your way down towards the woods, two figures emerged from the thicket. One raised a weary hand, and, as if finally able to give up and rest, the other staggered and dropped to its hands and knees, groaning in pain. You approached cautiously, your calls being responded to in an unfamiliar language. The one figure turned to aid its fallen companion… and as you came closer, you realized that the two must actually be mountain fey! None of you had ever met a mountain fey before. What could they be doing here? As Garn stepped forward with hand outstretched to greet them, wonder turned to fear as the pallid-skinned dwarves rose, and, with blood-curdling shrieks, hurled their urutuk hatchets at you. Their aim was true, and they nearly felled Garn and Vallin with one blow. As they closed for combat with claws outstretched, the awful truth finally dawned on you… these fey were undead!
The Fell dwarves fought savagely, driven mad by the unsatiable hunger evident in their glassy eyes. At last, you destroyed your foes, but the damage was done. Garn and Vallin had nearly lost their lives in the brief encounter. The prospects of survival if you faced a half-dozen heavily armed and armoured orcs and their legate commander were grim indeed. You looted the bodies of your foes and, despite being significantly weakened, you resolutely pushed on with your mission.
As dusk approached, you reached the spot where the high and low roads intersected once again, in the valley bottom. Your spirits sank deeper when you found tracks that suggested that your foes had beaten you here, and were still ahead of you. A half hour or so later, you came to the edge of an incredibly broad, thick bog that emerged from out of nowhere… and which gave you a distinct feeling of unease. A rope-and-plank bridge stretched across its full 500 feet. Once you reached its far end, Garn sabotaged the ropes that supported one side of the bridge.
Not long afterwards, you reached your destination. Four orcs stood by the cave entrance, pacing furiously and grumbling in their guttural language, apparently unhappy about something. You were too late…
On a “discrete” scouting trip around the area, Garn caught the attention of the orcs, who immediately gave chase. The little gnome ran for his life. Hearing the commotion, Vallin and Loïc took positions among the trees to each side of the trail. As Garn ran by with his pursuers a few yards behind, the Erenlander and the Dorn emerged from cover and silently dispatched two of the orcs. The other two, not noticing what had befallen their companions, continued to pursue Garn over a half-mile distance, back to the bridge over the strange mire. Nearing exhaustion, Garn scrambled across the first span of the bridge. When the two orcs followed, the sabotaged span abruptly dumped them into the mire. Vallin and Loïc appeared as the orcs struggled to free themselves from the waist-deep muck. The two humans fought their foes from the edge of the mire, while Garn peppered them with sling stones from a distance. At last, the gnome and freemen took the lives of their enemies—but the final swing of the orc sergeant’s vardatch knocked Vallin into unconsciousness. Garn and Loïc desperately tried to save their companion’s life. Their skills and collaboration enabled him to regain consciousness—just barely.
As the trio trudged backed toward the cave, they heard Drugan Deem coming down the trail, looking for his legionnaires. Fortune smiled upon you, and like the orcs, the legate paid for his sins with a violent death. After looting their bodies, and in accordance with local folklore, you beheaded the legate and his troopers, to prevent them from rising as Fell… and then, you dragged their corpses into the mire.
A careful search of the Tearfall Caverns revealed the concealed contraband chamber. The contents of the chests included a small cache of daggers, shortswords, light maces, spears, light crossbows and bolts, as well as some bundles of clothes, including three sets of good quality boots and cloaks. The chamber also contained a few barrels of preserved food.
A more thorough search of the cave complex revealed a narrow passage that only Garn could comfortably navigate. This passage opened onto a small chamber containing a crystal clear pool, which Garn soon discovered was home to a water spirit. After ascertaining that the gnome was not a threat, the spirit allowed Garn to collect some water from the pool, which had minor healing properties. It explained haltingly in the Traders’ Tongue that it believed that one of the Shadow’s demonic servants (an astirax) had entered its cave recently. The spirit killed the wolf in whose guise it believed the demon walked, but it feared that agents of the Shadow would return, and therefore asked that you hide the access to its chamber.
After doing the spirit’s bidding, you settled in the contraband chamber, hoping for a restful night’s sleep in the dark and extremely humid cavern… contemplating what to do now that you have the blood of a legate and four orc soldiers on your hands…
Mayor Derryk Grandmill was thankful for the help provided by Garn and the other strangers. He was badly shaken and practically delirious as he began to reflect aloud on what had transpired between him and the legate. Apparently, the legate had been informed that something in the area radiated magic, and he had come to seek out the source of the aura. Lord Grandmill stated that he had no idea what the legate was talking about, but out of fear for his own life and the wellbeing of Koln, he did blurt out that there was a network of caves nearby—the Tearfall Caverns—a few miles to the east, inside fey territory… perhaps the magic was coming from there?
Although he said nothing of it to the legate, Lord Grandmill had heard rumours suggesting that smugglers had made use of the caverns in the past. If the legate found evidence of Resistance activity in the caverns, Koln surely would suffer for it. Given your willingness to help him even as an orc stood by, the mayor sensed exceptional bravery in you, and begged that you aid the town by racing the legate to the caverns and by removing any contraband that might be found therein. No other townsfolk could safely perform the deed. He also stressed that you should not engage the legate and his orcs, for doing so would only spell trouble for the village. The Sherriff and a local trapper by the name of Tanner Hurly might have other information that would be useful to you, as they had knowledge of the lands between the village and the caves. The village’s dire need, and your own hatred of the Shadow, led you to accept Mayor Grandmill’s call for aid. Before leaving the Mayor’s residence, Garn managed to convince the lord to safeguard some of his belongings, and to provide the gnome with accommodation upon his return.
Sherriff Azahn was reluctant to admit that he had ever been to the caves, but eventually confessed that contraband was indeed hidden therein; he also explained where to find the concealed chamber in which the contraband could be found, and the location of the poison dart trap protecting the chamber. He accompanied the band of unlikely companions to the shop of Tanner Hurly. Like the Sherriff, this man was not eager to share his knowledge with Koln’s mysterious would-be saviours. He eventually did provide you with instructions that would help you locate a shortcut to a concealed trail he called “the high road,” but not before trying (unsuccessfully) to convince you to barter goods for his knowledge. The high road, he said, might enable you to beat the legate to the caverns. The legate would be required to dismount after riding the first part of the low road, which is longer and more circuitous than the shorter yet perhaps even more challenging high road.
Jörg, being considerably older than the others and with a goat in tow, opted to remain on the outskirts of the village and await Wendell’s arrival, out of sight of the orcs who had remained in Koln, while the gnome and the two outlander youths undertook the quest to save the village. The Shadow’s mounted forces already had a significant head start on the party…
