This is the discussion thread for my CotCT PbP.
This first post is to set forward a few groundrules. Forgive me if I miss something, I'm trying to cover all of my bases.
First is that I expect at least one post per 24-hour span per player. If you don't post, no big deal, I'll just DMPC you as I feel necessary to keep the story going, especially during combat.
Prepared spellcasters, at the beginning of each in-game day, I'd like a spoiler with the spells you have prepared for the day.
I will run combat as the following: When combat is declared, I'll have everyone roll initiative and post their first action. When all of the actions are completed, (and I've also rolled initiative) I'll post stating what happened that round, and then declare round two. Rinse and repeat.
All posts in the gameplay thread will be in-character. OOC discussion will be for the discussion thread. That thread will also cover any rules questions that you have for me.
I'd like you to format character actions and character dialogue differently. My preference is that dialogue is bolded. In addition, (this seems pretty standard, but I'll mention it anyway) spell names should be italicized.
You will level up via DM fiat, (whenever I say you do) to make sure everyone stays on the same page and the pacing is right. Such level-ups will generally be after big combats. Put a spoiler in the discussion page for me telling me what you got from the level-up. (e.g: 1 rank in linguistics, 1 rank in intimidate, 1 use of smite evil, two spells known, burning hands and shadow conjuration, +1 BAB, +1 fort save.)
I'll try not to be too draconic about rules, and I'll try to make this as cinematic as possible, but I'm not that experienced of a DM, so if you have any advice for me, feel free to share it.
Have fun! I hope I didn't leave anything too important out.
Yay, hi!
I'll be posting some spoilers in the gameplay thread shortly, and then we can get going.
Hi guys, excited to be here. :)
Annnnnd note to self - make sure the Alias is available BEFORE you name the character.
Raijin, can you put another section in your stats with your spells known in it? Thanks.
And excited to have you here!
Done, sorry about that. And thanks!
Oh, before I forget: I'm going to be somewhat afk this weekend - I'll be at the Penny Arcade Expo in Boston. I should definitely still be able to meet the "post once per day" guideline, but I'll be a bit slower than usual. In return for being a pain in the ass, I'll bring you guys back some info about D&D Next. :P
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Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I think Sarenrae is the best fit, so I'll go with that.
Hey guys! I'm super excited to be here and playing with you all. I've read through everyone's back stories and there are some seriously cool characters here :D
Just as a forewarning, I'm away from the thursday before easter until the monday after. I'll be able to post from there using someone else's smartphone, but I very little time to myself whilst I'm there. This means my posts will probably lack a fair bit of flavour, but I'll endeavour to keep the game rolling.
'Tis perfectly fine, I was just reminding you.
I'll post the next bit when Goffred gets here.
Oh, before I forget: I'm going to be somewhat afk this weekend - I'll be at the Penny Arcade Expo in Boston. I should definitely still be able to meet the "post once per day" guideline, but I'll be a bit slower than usual. In return for being a pain in the ass, I'll bring you guys back some info about D&D Next. :P
If anyone was curious - D&D Next is pretty neat. It removes the usage of maps and minis, bringing it back to AD&D / 3.5 rather than what 4 had. At the same time, it simplifies a lot of the math and makes things flow more smoothly.
I don't know what character creation is like, since ours were premade, but Spellcasters get osirons to use anytime you want as often as you want, more like Pathfinder, which was especially cool for our Wizard, who had a pretty low number of spells.
Skills looked VERY simplified, and as though they no longer have ranks and it's more randomized? Again, I'm not sure how much of this was set up specifically for the play test. But it was like, roll a d20, plus the attribute modifier, and if you have a relevant skill, roll an additional d6. It looked like Saving Throws were gone and are just normal checks now?
So, overall, we had a blast playing it. It definitely seems like it would be much easier to get new people into, it feels less rules-heavy and definitely smoother. I felt in some ways that it seemed dumbed down, but I'm also used to 3.5 (I never got into 4th).
Seems pretty neat indeed. I dunno that I'd like that, from your description. I honestly prefer complexity. However, if I was trying to get new people into gaming, it might be something I'd use.
Hey guys, poll. I have no idea where Goffred is. Should I try and PM him or something or just go find someone else? Or are we fine as-is?
Sorry, I didn't see this at all. I feel incredibly embarrassed right now...
I'll get a post up by midnight, for sure.
We missed you! :)
Well, I've gotten my post up, so I guess I've begun trying to make up for my absence.
Oh good, you're here :D What was I supposed to think? Beds empty, car gone, no note! You could have been seen! YOU COULD HAVE DIED!
But at least I couldn't have lost my father's job :P
Thank Wizard God for that.
Allo Goffred!
So, this is the last day that I should be slowing things down. Again sorry for any inconvenience.
We missed you too! :D
'Tis all fine, Raijinn.
If any of you fall behind and have something to say for certain situations, don't feel bad about posthumously posting. (heh, get it? POSThumously? :D)
Like this:
To Steve, "Blah, blah blah blah blah interparty drama."
"Sometimes, I just don't quite know how to give effective examples.
Page one filled up in the gameplay thread :')
So many posts. :D
Glad folks are happy.
Sorry 'bout that Nostrum. I'll make sure to pause a bit longer in between the "Okay, let's go" posts.
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No, it's more than fine. I'm loving the pace of this, it just means that I'll have to post posthumously from time to time to allow character development between our party.
I'm also sure that once we as a gaming group get use to timing and each other, a lot of these problems won't be as pronounced :)
I'll be at a seder this evening, and thus will not be posting. Please don't have me cast anything other than a cantrip while I'm gone.
Question all: Would you prefer if I posted the results of your actions, or would you prefer if I gave out the defensive abilities of the creatures you face so you can describe the results of your own in-combat actions? My default is the first, but if you all prefer to describe your own sword sinking sickeningly into various kinds of flesh, I'm okay with that :D (I've seen it done both ways to good effect, is all)
I dun care either way, though it would probably go faster if we could post. However, it might also get out of your control quickly if we start posting killing stuff, etc, and if you wanted to do anything dramatic or GM-y it might cause problems.
I prefer you taking over that one for the reasons that have already been said. I think it works better if we describe what we want to do, and then you paint a picture of how dramatically we succeed or hilariously we fail.
Not meeee!
I'm in Boston, GMT -5.
I never sleeeeep!
I similarly do not sleep.
I'm in the Seattle area, Pacific time.
GMT +7 ... Thailand ... though I'm moving soon.
GMT-5 for me.
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So, in roughly 3 hours I head off for the Easter long weekend, and pretty much won't have web access. I'll keep posting until I have to go.
Whilst I'm away, please keep playing I'm looking forward to reading a hectic narrative when I get home. GM can play Nostrum at his discretion.
Whilst I'm away feel free to either roleplay nostrum sparingly or to run wild with his character. Anything you do with his character I will assume canon and will play with when I get back. A few basic assumptions:
General
- Nostrum will generally seek to support others in combat (casting to modify combat) before charging in to do damage.
- If there is no smart move to aid, it's battleaxe to the death.
- Nostrum will take any opportunity to discuss Rovagug with people.
Specific
- As a roleplaying element, I like the idea of messing with Nostrums's capacity to remember things as an effect of the drugs. Feel free to have Nostrum forget small (or big) details here and there, including parts of his past.
- Nostrum will do anything he can to find a home for those children. At the moment he is contemplating taking them all back to the church building of the Brotherhood.
- Nostrum plans to offer Gaedren forgiveness and a chance to repent before he'll attack him. If/When we finally find Gaedren, Nostrum will not draw a weapon on him til he's had a chance to try and offer him his religious views. Nostrum is actually somewhat thankful for Gaedren as he helped lead him to his deity. That doesn't forgive Lamms evil actions though, so if Gaedren rejects/ignores Nostrum, it's 100% damage all the way. Charge into combat, focus on Gaedren first, Axe, no combat tricks.
- Nostrum absolutely trusts both Akiki + Raijinn because they've suffered (directly or indirectly) through the Lamm experience. He's not so sure on the other two yet, although he'll accept Fredo's leadership unless it clashes with his LG-ness.
Happy Easter! :D Sadly, Thailand is oblivious.
Aye, happy Easter.
Exactly how Lawful are you and what kind of Lawful? For example, there are the kinds of Lawful people that follow a code and are unflinching in trying to spread that way of behavior around (e.g Hellknights) or there are the kind of Lawful people that hold themselves to a very specific and static standard (e.g Monks) or there are the kind of Lawful people that believe legal=right, and uphold the letter of the law under all circumstances. Good vs Evil is easy to interpret but Chaos vs Law gets a little more complicated.
Happy Easter Wednesday XD