Adventures in Wrack (Zweihander)

Game Master scranford

I've been keeping an eye on here for progress and will be redoing my equipment also somewhat, thanks.

Was my earlier background ok or does it need some adjustment? I will add some more for more recent events of course.

You're background is fine. Might want to "Copy/paste" it into your profile for easy access.

I'll open up the discussion thread with a thread about where you are and what you're doing soon, so you can begin to build your "Adventuring Group" in character before we properly begin.

I'm tending to limit swapping out of too much gear. I don't have a problem swapping out one weapon for another, but selling the cost of the weapons to buy more weapons, or other gear is a bit out of spirit to me. It kind of defeats the "trappings" effect of the game to allow unlimited swapping... might as well just give GC to start the game and allow you to buy equipment.

The only reason I'm allowing any swapping out is that you've already adventured (1000 xp) a bit, and as this isn't the "Old World", I haven't really had time to give cultural weapons to each group. In future iterations of the game I'll probably roll randomly for beginning culture, and you'll start with those weapons... so if you make changes in weapons or armor... Swapping one for another, think about your cultural upbringing before making the swap.

Remember in a "Dark and Gritty" game things aren't fair or balanced. It's up to you as a character to pull yourself out of the dregs and into the light.

Agree - hence why I noted that what I was mooting wasn't in the spirit of things.

Appreciate that this game world is not fair etc - just wanted to check before we finalise characters.

If we're concerned about that sort of thing, I'm happy to lose the dirk and garotte, just trading the rapier for a stiletto. I just like the image of an envoy with a knife in the dark much more than a rapier at her side, particularly for this character. (I feel like I'm potentially the most 'roguish' in the group, and I'm interested in playing that up a bit.)

Apologies if I've opened a can of worms on this one lol... not my intent. Was just trying to square off options for other characters as much as myself.

Like I said Brunhard is from a maritime background, so pike is a much better thematic fit of him.

@Little Aurelie: If you go stiletto in favour of the rapier, then Brunhard will give you the coin (2SS) for the garotte.

@SupremeBeing: As an adventuring company presumably "pooling" extra cash (or gifting it to other players) would be permissible? Could have been lost in games of chance or bets - whatnot as we kicked in downtime (or during an adventure)?

Regards names for our Adventuring Company - noticed on the map that there is the River Styx... got me thinking about Charon the Ferryman (and the the old paying the ferryman proverb/saying...

Something derived from that might be suitably dramatic and foreboding?

No problem with the sharing of funds. I like the idea that perhaps you've been travelling and adventuring together a bit, and perhaps this first meeting in the Inn is to put together the details of your adventuring band. In fact, I'll say that you each just paid your 1 Pound fee to become registered Adventurers to the local Adventurers Guild chapter in Bards Gate, and must turn in the paperwork tomorrow. It lists.

• Name of the band
  
• Location Chartered (Bards Gate in this case)
  
• Statement of intent
  
• Names and occupations of members
  
• Coat of Arms & Symbol
  

Your group has 48 hours to fill out this paperwork, and turn it into the guild headquarters... or your admission fee is forfeit.

I like the idea of playing off the River Styx bit. How about, the Hounds of Charon??

For a Coat of Arms, a black hound's head against a blue field (to represent the River Styx). like this, on a blue shield

Sounds good Kurdran. Are we going to have it where most of as are listed as occupation and statement of intent basically be Mercenary?

Most us are warriors, Murgrim has a personal goal to become a smith and locate dwarven lore but wouldn't expect that to be the parties. He would be trying to get by in the world while on his quest with his skills being weapon use (or at least threatening their use on others).

@Kurdran: Like it - very cool. Did have a look for a Chimera but am guessing they would be creatures more associated with Chaos?

@Murgrim: Am guessing that Adventurer would be an acceptable occupation? If not , as you say, Mercenary would cover a multitude of sins and sinners lol.

I'm setting up an "Obsidian Portal" account about this campaign. If you're interested in accessing (Not mandatory), either join and send me your OP username, or PM me your email address, and I can invite you that way. If you don't want to sign up, no problem, but it will be an easy central place to keep information.

Ah, Obsidian Portal! That's a solid site, and a very useful tool for games like this. I've used it in the past and I've been thinking I'll use it again soon in the future. I'm LoupBlanc over there, same as here without the space.

@SupremeB: Just set up an account - Username: Black_Dow

Ok got background done. Let me know if I overstepped on some of the religious stuff.

Included you at the end Brunhard, if you don't mind :)

Will get a gameplay post up tomorrow, it's a bit late and the brain's getting fuzzy.

@Nuriah: No issue - would make sense for it to have been a "hall" of shrines or somesuch where she met Brunhard - (he's a follower of The Leviathan, but could have been there making an offering to St Algon I guess?). Also he's not a dwarf :) - he's just a big Furgen human lol.

Ok got background done. Let me know if I overstepped on some of the religious stuff.

Included you at the end Brunhard, if you don't mind :)

Will get a gameplay post up tomorrow, it's a bit late and the brain's getting fuzzy.

Looks good... except for the whole Dwarf Faux-pa. I would suggest however that St. Algon be narrowed down a bit. ie... Saint of Death in combat, or Saint of Mounted combat, or swords, or healing from Combat injuries. With 100 saints (And growing), I'd need to narrow things down a bit.

Am holding off carrying on the game thread conversation until some of the others have pitched in with their personalities.

Meantime I've started my Obsidian Portal PC info (not sure if we need it - but can't hurt right?)

Definitely won't hurt. As we develop the "Game Log" which I intend to keep updated, but welcome any input your guys wish to provide from a "Character's perspective", having your characters profiles will allow us to link to the character profile when pertinent.

BTW... I have updated the Map on OP with more geographic features, and I'll be working on the Wiki information more over the weekend.

Ha, hilarious... no idea why i thought he was a dwarf....like I said, fuzzy brain :) Profile background updated.

St Algon is now the Saint of Death By A Thousand Cuts, usually visualized by an agonized soldier bleeding from a multitude of cuts and piercings.

Have referenced a past adventure gone sour - Red Hill Keep - hopefully not overstepping either (if so just ignore lol). Just thought it would make sense for us to have shared history to draw upon :)

Will throw in Brunhard's misgivings regards the cheap cost of the Chartership once we've had some more comments from the others.

Btw - loving the measured interaction between us all. Great stuff.

After re-reading the skill section... it appears that instead of giving a bonus to the skill, focus lets you ignore penalties due to damage track. Still OK on the one skill roll we've made so far, since nobody has taken any damage yet to track.

Out of the country on business through Thursday, and Internet is spotty... so if I disappear for a few days don't fret. I'll be back.

Just to lay things out on the table, I travel a lot for work, but can usually post at some time during the day... and I'll try to warn you if I can't.

Is everyone here comfortable with daily posting (Not so much on weekends). Also, to keep things from bogging down, I'm going to say that majority rules. If at least 3 characters agree on a course of action, I'm probably going to go ahead and proceed. We can always retcon if needed to allow for other actions.

In the beginning of the campaign, I'll suggest places that you can use skills and talents. As we get more familiar with the rules set... and with the other characters, I'll reduce that assistance. Feel free at any time to ask questions in [ooc] in the gameplay thread about any usage of the skills.

This campaign is officially kicked off now, and looking forward to seeing what mischief you guys can manage to get into.

This is a new game system, and I'm learning it as well, but seems to be simple and straightforward enough to run pretty well on PbP. If I'm messing up, or something doesn't make since, bring it to my attention in the discussion thread, and we'll come to some resolution.

Well met, and happy adventuring!

I'm good for posting each day and online most of the time over the day.

I can usually check in on games at least once a day, and post so long as there's something to respond to. So that should be good for me. I'm looking forward to the game!

We're old sparring partners Scran so you know I'm good with whatever you require of us.

Looking forward the system and the game :)

I may have busy periods every now and again, but for the most part once a day sans weekends posting should not be an issue. Also fine with the majority rules... errr rule.

I try to post daily, but as with the others, sometimes I slip. Looking forward to this one! :D

Sorry guys. Got in late tonight, and had a bunch of stuff to take care of. I'll get up a post in the morning.

Hey there, this is a friend of Loup Blanc. He sent me a text to let you know his computer is currently busted, and he's not sure when (or if) he'll be able to get it fixed. He's looking for other means of posting, but if those don't pan out he'll likely be MIA for a while until he can find a way to get online and post.

And Loup Blanc here letting you know that it was probably a false flag--things look to be okay for now. It was probably just a crash, but I've had bad luck with computers in the past so I was expecting a worst case scenario. I should be okay, but if I go dark the old message stands.

A quick note about skill checks. I'd like for us to standardize on how to display our rolls I think the following would allow for less confusion.

Difficulty Classes:

• Trivial (+30%)
  
• Easy (+20%)
  
• Routine (+10%)
  
• Standard
  
• Challenging (-10%)
  
• Hard (-20%)
  
• Arduous (-30%)
  

I like the following technique...

List your base chance, then after it your adjustment...

ie... Fellowship (45+10) for a Routine Fellowship roll. Then just roll a d100, and compare to the results. In this instance if the roll was 55 or less it's a success. This allows a quick check to make sure the adjustments are correct, and no modification of die rolls.

EXAMPLES:

Martial Melee-Hard (44-20): 1d100 ⇒ 74 Failure 24 needed.

Alchemy-Easy (37+10): 1d100 ⇒ 35 Success 47 needed

Roger that chief.

It appears that I am smack dab in the middle of the hunting grounds of an angry Air Elemental named Irma, so if communication stops for a while be aware that I'm probably hiding in a hole somewhere, but will pop my head back out when it's safe.

So we still haven't addressed some of the travelling issues. I have the following determined. Let me know of changes / modificatons.

Travelling order On the road you can travel two abreast, so I'm assuming Odd numbers on the left, Even on the right, unless you choose to travel single file.
Single File

• 1. Brunhard (Carrying Map and Pike)
  
• 2. Kurdan
  
• 3. Litttle Aurelie
  
• 4. Mule 1? (Led by Kurdan?)
  
• 5. Nuriah (Leading Frye and donkey 1)
  
• 6. Skeggi
  
• 7. Frye and Donkey 1
  
• 8. Mule 2 (Led by Skeggi)
  
• 9. Donkey 2
  
• 10. Murgrim.
  

Double File
Brunhard----------Kurdan
Aurelie-----------Mule 1
Nuriah------------Skeggi
Frye/Donkey 1-----Mule 2
Donkey 2----------Murgrim.

If you wish to change anything let me know.

Watch Schedule???

Any special travel or watch/camp precautions???

Marching orders work for me.

I'd like to add the marching order, watch order, and link to the Obsidian Portal page up at the top under "Campaign Info" but not sure how. Can anybody instruct this poor computer challenged old man?

If you want it on the Campaign Info tab, you post it in I believe the "long description" under your view of that tab as GM. If you want it right up at the top of every thread for the campaign, it goes in the short description. (At least I think that's what they're called, off the top of my head.)

I have been on holiday with my wife in Ireland for the past few days and will be through the 22nd. My apologies, internet has been far more spotty than expected. Please feel free to DMPC for the stretch if necessary.

Enjoy the Emerald Isle chief. Where about are you?

Has anyone heard from Kurdran / Wanderer82? I sent him a PM today.

@SB: Couple of posts up Scranford.. :) He's on vacation and posting will be spotty until after 22/09.

Two week business trip. Should be able to post most days, but might be spotty. Camping on 22nd through 26th, so AFK then.

Great scene SB. Probably our last lol... but suitably grim chief :)

As we're entering the first potential combat of our campaign, I just wanted to wait for a bit to give everyone time to act. Is it just Brunharad, and Skeggi going into the combat, or are others coming as well? Didn't want to move them too far out in front of everyone else.

Also, Most of the faster moving game I'm in the GM rolls for initiative and let's everyone act in blocks. Is this good with everyone?

I'll give till tomorrow evening, then I'm going to move on with the scene. Don't want things to slow down too much.

GM initiative works for me.

On a related note, Zweihander print-on-demand leaked $49.99 at DriveThruRPG if you're looking to pick up a copy.

http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/210516/ZWEIHANDER-Grim--Perilous-RPG?sr c=hottest

No problems on adjusting things for PbP. :)

GM doing initiate makes sense and does speed things up - so all good from my pov.