TwiceBorn's page

Hey Evil Genius,

I hope your absence is not due to a health problem or difficult personal/family situation... and if it is, then I sincerely wish you (and yours) all the best.

In case you do eventually start this game up again, consider me to have resigned (with no hard feelings whatsoever)... but thanks for giving me the opportunity to play.

Hey Rev,

Thanks for agreeing to split the party.

For the sake of simplicity, I think I'll keep the shifter ranger (Baldrech the Unkind) I had originally created for Evil Genius's game. I'll just change his background... does this qualify as something "mindbending"? If it does, I would gladly make a race from the PHB, likely an elf or half-elf given the background you've provided (I only made a shifter because all of the other PHB races had already been spoken for in EG's game).

Hey Rosey,

Thanks for getting things rolling -- the initial premise sounds fun!

My vote is to split the party in two. If that's too much work(and I understand that it could very well be), then I might just bow out of this game.

How does everyone else feel about a party of nine vs. two smaller parties?

Midnatt Sol "Where Twilight Dwells"
Black Sabbath "Tyr"
King Diamond "The Eye"
Leaves' Eyes "Lovelorn"
Tristania "Beyond the Veil"

Yesterday... The Church "Sometime Anywhere" (double CD special edition)

Chris?

am I not seeing some posts?

I think she meant Charles.

I'll confirm that I'm in. I'm in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (GMT -7). Thanks for taking this on, Rev!

I'm one of the players Jonventus spoke of. My character is all set to go, and you can find his stats/avatar in my profile (Baldrech the Unkind, a shifter ranger). I'm willing to modify race and background, if need be.

Thanks for starting the thread, Jon.

And Rev Rosey, thanks for your interest in DMing a PbP...

Sigh.

I created a new thread to recruit a DM. My first priority would still be to play this one, so if you're around, Evil DM, please speak up.

Otherwise, if anyone here wants to play in or run the new campaign, here's the link. I suggest posting there asap to reserve a spot.

4th Edition Campaign

This situation seems awfully familiar, doesn't it Jon? ;-)

Must be quite the hangover he's nursing... ;-)

Nothing at all...

I think the PC powers menu would definitely need to be reduced and toned down for 4e to be able handle a gothic setting like Ravenloft (which also happens to be one of my favourites). Bumping up the power levels of PCs and/or monsters would only further take away from the flavour of Ravenloft, IMO. More so than any other setting, Ravenloft would probably need a player's guide of its own... but I don't see WotC going down that road. Expedition to Castle Ravenloft already steered Ravenloft further away from gothic horror towards "high action hack and slash horror"... and sadly, I don't expect to see WotC reverse that trend. I don't think there are enough gamers out there that really appreciate gothic horror.

Mothman wrote:

Hey, just a check on how the game is going for everyone? Everyone enjoying themselves? Stuff you'd like to see more of, or less of? The pacing alright?

Sorry - only 2 weeks late on replying to this one!

No complaints at this end, though I've been a little busy of late and haven't had a chance to post as much as usual. So apologies for that.

Well Ash, you weren't the last to reply to this question (sorry, Mothman). I'm happy with the game, too, and we've probably got the best group of players we've ever had... And we're back into split party/spoiler mode, which heightens suspense :-). Mothman, I think you're really keeping us guessing, and your descriptions are top notch... no complaints from me!

If my posts seems a little sluggish, it has nothing to do with my interest in the game... you all know what's going on. It's nice to have an escape, though. Thanks for your patience and understanding, and my apologies for making my personal issues "public." That normally isn't my style...

Anyway, on with the game...

The guy who normally listens to heavy metal has got some mellower stuff in the CD player these days:

. Bruce Springsteen "Greatest Hits"
. Jeff Martin "Exile and the Kingdom"
. Feist "The Reminder"
. Feist "Let it Die"
. Dido "Life for Rent"

Don't worry, guys, I'll soon return to my regular frame of mind and dive back into some Opeth and Amon Amarth...

I strongly support this idea.

Hey guys - I'll be unable to post from June 27 - 30.

Opeth "Watershed"

Timitius wrote:

Fake Healer wrote:

I am a bit hazy about specifics from most of the late 80's and early 90's. ;)

So, I decided to listen to Metal Church last night, and there, the first track on "Blessing in Disguise"?

Fake Healer.

The true metal roots of your alias REVEALED, sir!

;-)

I think it's time for another test! I need more of your blood.

Sign this affidavit so my insurance won't go up!
I'm a Healer.
;P

I'm trusted and respected, says my diploma on the wall

Is Strevlik still in the game?

And just a heads up... I'll be unable to post from June 27 - July 1.

Cheers!

I'm sorry about your relationship, TwiceBorn. Glad to hear you are coping, and that your support network is kicking in. You sound like a great person, so I'm hopeful that things will work out in a positive way.

Thanks for the kind words, Jon! I'm too busy to be depressed (never thought I'd be so thankful for being overloaded at work)!

On another note... looks like the backpacking trip is on again... so I'll likely be incommunicado from Friday until Tuesday night...

This may be weeks old news in the USA, but I was delighted to find a set of 'customizable dungeons for your D&D Roleplaying Game!' in my local bookshop last night.

I grabbed a set entitled Dire Tombs (DT6) for less than a tenner ($9.99 US price) and was pretty happy with the contents. It also happened to be perfect for todays adventure which takes place in mystical Egypt.

At the price I'll certainly buy more of these - and what a universally useful supplement even for ye olde AD&D player : )

Weeks old news? Where do you live? IIRC, the first set came out more than a year ago...

Glad you're enjoying them, though... I agree, they do look nice!

Robert, forgot to mention... A Viking-metal band I swear you will love: Leaves' Eyes (Norwegian singer, German band). They're fronted by a female with a beautiful voice, and their albums "Vinland Saga" and "Legend Land" are concept albums dealing with the discovery of Greenland.

Midnatt Sol (Midnight Sun) is also a great female fronted Norwegian folk/metal (!) band... give 'em a shot!

And if you haven't tried Apocalyptica, you'd probably like them too... a Finnish cello quartet that plays heavy (and I mean heavy) metal! Their first two albums were mostly cover oriented (the first album was all Metallica cover songs), but I'd say their best albums are "Cult," "Reflection," and Apocalyptica" the ones that are still primarily instrumental and which feature their best original compositions. Every album shows a definite progression, with the addition of more instruments (e.g., drums, vocals, etc.... for better and worse).

Ideas of bands for the Viking/Norweigian type metal with good vocals would be appreciated - and anything that resembles the Dream Theatre / Blind Guardian prog-rock trend.

Robert

In your case, I'll say Opeth again, but would encourage you to start with their newest album, "Watershed," or perhaps "Ghost Reveries." Yes, there is quite a bit of "demons being exorcised" type vocals, but they are well-balanced by beautiful clean vocals, as well. They're a Swedish band, don't have any Viking themes, but do have very complex themes to their songs and poetic lyrics... don't know if that'll do...

EDIT: And by the way, Opeth have been touring with Dream Theatre this year on the Progressive Nation tour...

dmchucky69 wrote:

But as much as I like Megadeth; you gotta admit that Mustaine isn't exactly a great singer. His is an acquired taste. It wasn't his voice that made "Wake Up Dead" such a great song; it's the riff.

So true. He sounds a bit better now that he's no longer on all sorts of odd drugs, but still...

I think Mustaine sounds like a cartoon villain... but it fits his music... He's definitely got a distinct vocal signature!

Here's a question: I love folks like Protest the Hero, Oh Sleeper, Misery Signals, My Bitter End, and other folks who manage to do the prog/hardcore/metal thing. Does anybody have recommendations of bands I might not have heard of who do similar things? I'm looking for someone who's harder than Dream Theater (though they're awesome), newer than Metallica (though they're awesome as well) and slightly more accessible than Dillinger or Between the Buried and Me (though they, too, are awesome). My ideal band is aggressive, alternates between brutality and really melodic stuff, and changes up the riffs constantly so you never get bored.

What have you got?

Have you tried Opeth? I think they'd fit the bill. "Damnation" is quiet all the way through, and although it's a great album, if you're looking for contrasts, go with anyone of these albums:

. "My Arms, Your Hearse"
. "Still Life"
. "Blackwater Park"
. "Deliverance"
. "Ghost Reveries"
. "Watershed"

If this is your first taste of Opeth, "Blackwater Park" or "Ghost Reveries" would probably be a safe place to start... very heavy, but with a good dose of acoustic/quiet parts and amazing vocal melodies.

You might also want to try Tristania:

. "Beyond the Veil"
. "World of Glass"
. "Ashes"
. "Illumination"

Wow, our in-game thread cleared the 3000 post mark a few days ago!

Best Megadeth Album: "So Far, So Good... So What!"
Best Metallica (yeah, I've since lost faith in them too): "Master of Puppets"

Best new(er) metal bands: Opeth, Tristania, Amon Amarth, Apocalyptica (minus the latest album). Therion's "Secret of the Runes" is a masterpiece.

Saw Megadeth live for the fifth time last May... must admit that that was one time too many.

Seeing Iron Maiden a few weeks back was quite an experience, though... one of the best live performances I've ever seen, up there with U2's Popmart and Tool.

Glad to see that Erik has some metal in his soul!

I also played some W.A.S.P. tonight, "The Headless Children". Ah, the memories.....

That, sir, is an awesome album, dare I say their best by far? And it's not just a good album by W.A.S.P. standards. It's "awesome," period. Blackie Lawless has one of the best and most distinct/emotional voices in rock. Totally underrated.

But he also has got to have the worst presence/acting in music videos... bad cheese all the way.

Folks, thanks very much for your concern and kind wishes. No need to worry. I've had good chats with friends and family, and work is keeping me so busy that I have no time to mope around. And as a matter of fact, I've also been speaking with my ex... and I think some time to think and reflect is what we both need. Things may not be "permanently over" after all, but only time will tell...

On another note, it's starting to look like I may be staying at home next weekend after all... The friend I was expecting to go trekking with can't make it.

Calgary, Alberta (Canada).

Just a heads up that I probably won't be able to post from June 27 through July 1. My apologies in advance for the inconvenience.

TwiceBorn wrote:

I've been around (nursing a broken heart),

Sorry to hear that man. I saw something on FB and feared the worst, but didn't want to say anything unless you brought it up.

No worries. The only way to get over it is to talk about it... and to keep busy. Life goes on. But thanks...

Jonventus wrote:

Had a really busy weekend and haven't had a chance to read the updates. Nicolai will post tonight when I get home (in about 7-8 hours)

No problem man. I think Twiceborn and Ash have been busy over the weekend too, and Utak is away most of the week - so you haven't missed much at all.

I might just aim to move things along a bit ... try to put together a post sometime today.

I've been around (nursing a broken heart), but I've been waiting for a reply from Laithe before undertaking further action. I failed the most recent Spot check, so didn't bother posting the result.

I will, however, probably be away from June 28 through July 1.

I agree with Mistwalker. Krome, what were you doing before Paizo introduced the 3-speed XP chart?

I'll probably end up ordering both the Beta and the final.

No. The board hiccuped when Evil first posted the Discussion intro, and two copies showed up. The one we've been talking on should still be here.

EDIT: It's here

Thanks, Pat, you're right... I just found the correct one. Cheers!

Weird... all I see is Evil Genius's very first post. Everything else we've posted since then seems to have vanished... am I the only one with this problem???

Remember that Mothman house ruled that you can use your charisma bonus (if you have one) to increase the number of 0-level spells known, and those that you can cast per day...

Will one large volume really be that much cheaper than two smaller ones? Even after the 34% Amazon discount, Ptolus (670 pages plus extras) still cost me more than the three 4th Ed core books in the slip case (with a higher total page count), which makes me wonder how a 600+ Pathfinder RPG could possibly cost less than separate PFRG Players' and DM's guides.

Yes, I did say that I would make a Shifter Ranger... but I might need to delay posting my character stats for another day or two (will try to get everything done by tonight, buuuut...). My apologies, everyone...

This article by Andy Collins suggests that one of the "S"s might be the Summoner (see the paragraph on the Wizard).

Since we may also end up without a rogue in the party, I might take the Sneak of Shadow multiclass feat, which could work with my character concept... we'll see... But yeah, the absence of a cleric seems like a fairly significant gap in the party.

... or each player could make 10 advance initiative rolls, which the DM can make use of as needed. This would give the player some "control" over their rolls, but the game would not be held up come combat. Just a suggestion...

I = Illusionist?
W = Warmage? or Witch (possibly a spin on the binder from ToM)?
S = Sorcerer? Probably not, but who knows...

I won't force you to use online dice rolling methods if you don't want to. We'll be using the honor system, though. Besides, it will be obvious if someone cheats. I will ask that you post die roll results like this:

Feel free to check the other PbPs I'm in for evidence of my honesty... generally speaking, I'm a pretty crappy roller! But thanks for not forcing on-line dice rolling...

Please tell me that you will not steal away the small pleasure I have of rolling physical d20s for my initiative, attack rolls, etc. I also vote for accessing all game info through the DM's profile link.

I think it would be best to start with a self-contained adventure, rather than aiming right away to complete a longer campaign with a more distant goal. We can move to another adventure if the interest/commitment of the group remains after we've completed the first scenario. Speaking from experience, I think that aiming right away to undetake a a 10- or 20-level campaign arc can be a little too ambitious, especially in a PbP.

Just my two cents worth...

Alright, I guess I'll try a shifter ranger. I should hopefully have the character done by Monday evening.

Do you have a particular stat generation method in mind?

I may be interested... curious about playtesting the 4e rules.

(A) Any situation that could be related to game rules, must be able to function using the game rules. Situations that are not related to the game rules don't need to function using them. For example, if there is a situation where someone is stabbed, because there are game rules for stabbing people, the game rules must function for that situation. Since there are not rules for pregancy or giving birth, then that situation can be "hand-waved".

For rules on conception and pregnancy, see The Book of Erotic Fantasy, pp. 47-49. Yep, there really are rules for everything in the d20 system. But to answer your question, I generally lean towards "B"... story is more important than rules, IMO.