DM RichD's Council Of Thieves Campaign

Game Master Briccone

Meet Vasco, the most suspicious raven in Westcrown!

At least according to the dice... :P

It's probably reading a newspaper.

Linguistics to determine accent origin: 13 + 8 = 21

Perhaps I would gain a circumstance bonus if it is from Varisia, as Raveen also is familiar with the colonies.

I would think that's enough to determine he is from Korvosa. I'll leave that up to the GM, of course. :)

@ Naberius: How cruel to put down a young dreamy artist. I love this character already--iconic badass wizard.

I'm glad you like him. He can be a bit of a dick. I'm sure that he and Raveen will get along fine, once he deigns to show his true face!

The only way Naberius could see through his disguise right now is with the aid of his familiar, and even then only by rolling a natural 20. :D

As for the ghost-girl. Raveen thought hard over last night on what to do with her. He would be the last person to talk about enforcing the order of the world as known by Pharsma, but her casual admission of killing her brother (let alone him currently following her) made him reconsider any venture with her. Let alone that she was clumsy, awkward, and drew far too much attention to them than he was ever comfortable at--especially if she kept dropping sexual innuendos that would sink a galleon.

Daww, you are now my favorite psychoanalytic crossdressing rogue.

@Naberius: That's why we pay the make-up guys the big bucks.

@Monday: Truly speaking, they are a rare breed indeed.

Oh believe me Raveen, someone's gonna get jumped.

I hope we won't have to break up a catfight. Monday sounded pretty ticked.

Or a catghostfight.

Not that kinda jumped.

@Nab: You're just grumpy cause Vasco gets more than you!

"Caw! Chicks dig scars!"

"Yes, Yes we do."

*pets the most handsome little bird*

@Monday: Sigh. I'm beginning to think that waiting for an entry that is relevant to the actual game is going to take me a while.
@Tal: That was genuinely good roleplaying--the grapple part. I would appreciate declaring your intentions and making a roll before acting. That goes into god-modding territory.

It's actually funny--one of the reasons I am not interested with displaying sexuality in a roleplaying game is due to the same reason: it is too interactive to be properly conducted with respect to each character's player.
Of course, there's also the lack of supporting mechanics.
Then again--the 3.5 BoEF is always there...

@Raveen: Um, while yes Monday interacts mostly through flirting and innuendos I like to think she has still been moving along with the story and characters.

it is too interactive to be properly conducted with respect to each character's player.

... What?

Just to make this clear, my character is something of a bigoted prude, but I am not. I do not mind sexual themes in my games, even though I don't usually tend to get involved. Of course, this is one of those things that should be talked over with the group before starting, I think. Online games tend to be a bit hard when it comes to this, as are any games played with (mostly) strangers. I think what Raveen is trying to say is that everyone has different boundaries when it comes to mature themes, and everyone should be considerate of the other player's comfort levels.

(Sorry if I'm putting words in your mouth, Raveen. Still a point that should be raised, in my opinion.)

Let's not have a fight, please? :c

@GM on interruption: That was a good way to break up the tension. Sort of undervalued the sentry.

Well-put, Naberius. An issue that arises from online games (at least PbP ones) is the difficulty of coordinating actions. Sexual activity is very interactive--case in point: Mera's post says that her room was empty. Monday says that she was curled with Mera. Which is canon?
On a mundane level--there is Raveen with the young pickpocket/messenger. I stated that I wish to lift a small item to hold it against him, but the GM understood I wanted to lift the paper.

I love online games because they give players the opportunity to write out better dialogues and story--but the mechanics suffer.

I was meaning to propose this for a while.

GM, how does it sound like to use Roll20 for combat? We can even use the sprites I made last time.

Oh! That hehe, that happened because Mera got her post in just before I submitted mine, I will admit I probably made it too brazen.

@GM on interruption: That was a good way to break up the tension. Sort of undervalued the sentry.

Thanks! I figured if I didn't act soon, you all would roleplay yourselves into a fight! LOL

By the way, love the RP'ing this group is doing. I like the fact that you are all playing your characters so well!

GM, how does it sound like to use Roll20 for combat? We can even use the sprites I made last time.

I'm not familiar with this program...

I took a trip to New York for my wife's birthday this weekend. While I had planned to post, she had a full agenda for us and I never quite got around to it.

As to the discussion mentioned above about mature themes, I have no intention of roleplaying any sexual activity or material to that nature. I consider what Mera and Monday had described as acceptable, but if it bothers some I have no problem removing it from the game. When I'm roleplaying a character I tend to try and go with the flow as that character would, not myself. As such the decisions that get made are likely not always going to be the most ideal or logical because I thoroughly enjoy my characters having flaws and making mistakes.

While I find mechanics to the game important, I'm usually more drawn to the roleplaying aspect than the mechanics. I think rules have their place and Pathfinder is quite rules intensive, but I think they shouldn't get in the way of having fun.

Roll20 may be blocked for some people at work and may make things more difficult. For maps I'd say the standard these days is using a Google Docs picture, but those can be blocked as well. I've used Roll20 (and D20Pro) and they both work great. Roll20 has dynamic lighting which is quite cool I must say.

I am good with whatever people post as I do not get offended easily or worry about mature interactions. It is easy as well for me to ignore them considering I am having Tal be more stoic than the rest of you. If needs be I can just have Tal stick his head in the sand and ignore it all. Basically saying that go ahead and have fun with whatever as it won't bother me.

Both GoogleDocs and Roll20 are blocked for me at work but I use an Ipad for GoogleDoc maps when needed. I just can't move icons around then.

Raveen wrote:

GM, how does it sound like to use Roll20 for combat? We can even use the sprites I made last time.

I'm not familiar with this program...

Roll20 may be blocked for some people at work and may make things more difficult. For maps I'd say the standard these days is using a Google Docs picture, but those can be blocked as well. I've used Roll20 (and D20Pro) and they both work great. Roll20 has dynamic lighting which is quite cool I must say.

Roll20 is a free, browser based virtual tabletop. It's very simple to use, and I utilise it often when I run/play games through Skype. I don't really like how dynamic lighting works, as I find that it makes things very difficult to follow. I'd just rather have everyone see everything and trust them not to metagame, rather than have everyone be confused about where everything is! Regardless, it's for subscribers only (i.e. people who pay them money).

I'm fine with anything, though I've never used Google Docs or anything like that as a substitute for a tabletop...

@Raveen: Also, what's this about sprites? I like sprites. :)

GM, Tal, could you please use quotation marks for posts? It gets a little dizzying with all the dialogue. Also, GM, please check your private mail.

Regarding Roll20 and/or Google docs: We can still use the theater of the mind method we use now (with describing the place)--but online PbP tend to be much better through dialogue--and suffers with combat, as I said before. Combat slogs down the game to hours in real life--let alone when we must coordinate several players from different time zones.

Since I want to address the solution as well, I propose these PbP ideas: Shared Initiative, Absent Rolls, and Favored Tactics :

Shared Initiative: A classic houserule: Each team (PC party/enemies/3rd party) all move on a single initiative. The initiative is the average of all initiatives of the components within. Anyone can post a single round's worth of actions as long as the party's turn has not completed yet. The GM determines if a player is unable to reasonably act or decide on an action. In that case--

Absent Rolls: If the player takes too long to post (as determined by the GM), another player (designated by said player) can act in their stead after notifying the GM and receiving his approval. Whether or not allowed to roleplay is up to agreement between the first and second players and the GM.

Favored Tactics: The player who feels that they might not be able to reasonably post in time can write down their favored fighting style and/or tactics.

Character: Tal
Favored Tactic: Holding position in a choke-point; fighting defensively (except against heavily armored opponents); retreating carefully when overwhelmed; coordinating with spellcasters to lay down suppressive fire and/or crowd control; does not break lines unless an ally is in grave danger; willingly provokes attacks of opportunity to allow other characters to move unmolested; does not talk in battle; sits down on the toilet
Controlling player: Naberius (chosen due to coordination with summons and/or blasting.

@Naberius: Check the first page discussion of the other campaign: I've posted sprites if we were to use Roll20 or another visual tabletop mechanic. Link

Besides--male sprites are easier to make. More models.

Shared Initiative: A classic houserule: Each team (PC party/enemies/3rd party) all move on a single initiative. The initiative is the average of all initiatives of the components within. Anyone can post a single round's worth of actions as long as the party's turn has not completed yet. The GM determines if a player is unable to reasonably act or decide on an action. In that case--

This is the only proposal I have any issue with. I tend to find that this method has some unfortunate side-effects. When one side gets to act first, it has an enormous advantage, and usually uses it to mob a single opponent, which is likely to fall against such an onslaught. It also devalues those characters who would benefit from having a higher initiative, even if their initiative does boost the party average. They'll get "dragged down" with the rest, and so the rogue doesn't get his sneak attacks the flat-footed opponents, for example.

The other suggestions are fine with me.

@Naberius: Check the first page discussion of the other campaign: I've posted sprites if we were to use Roll20 or another visual tabletop mechanic.

I'll make sprites for you and Tal--any additional descriptions or robe color? Would Tal or Naberius want a cloak or a vulture hat? I've heard no complaints from Monday, Tuesday, or Mera.

That's really cool. I love this sort of stuff. :)

Naberius' full description is in the profile. He wears a dark frock coat with a green ascot, and carries a cane. His hair and eyes are black. I think that's all the relevant information.

...and I think I'll pass on the vulture hat, thank you. :D

@Shared Initiative:
I know--and I will feel it more than many others (considering my character is the rogue here), but you know what would happen if we go by straight initiative--it will take a very long time--especially if your turn is just around the corner.
We'll just have to agree with the GM to limit ganging up on either side.

At any rate--sprites for everyone!
Link

Note: I've made the sprites easier to see. Everyone is included save Tal (who has a placeholder). I'll be waiting for his feedback and/or description.

@Naberius: I have two versions--the current one is Nab with the satchel mentioned in your character sheet.

@Tal: Any description regarding armor color/style, cloaks, etc.? I only have the generic Aryan look in my mind.

...and I think I'll pass on the vulture hat, thank you. :D

Good. I don't know how to draw one anyway.

Nice job on the sprites. That works quite well for Tal. I wouldn't bother with a cloak at all as it would just obscure the rest. Colors are good as well.

Group init is fine if we are waiting for someone to post but at the rate we are going I do not think that individual init would be that problematic. If we post earlier than our init and nothing major changes we are ok. If something does change people are responding quick enough to alter thier actions without needing to ret-con too much.

I am on everyday at least once everyday and it seems everyone else is als well so absent rolls are not that big of an issue for now. I will let you guys know if I am going to be absent for a long period of time.

Raveen I will try to remember the quotes but all of Tal's speeches are in bold while inner dialogue is italics.

What is our marching order right now just to make sure?

Anna out in front
Morosimo then Tal and Naberius
Monday and Mera with Tuesday in the back

@Shared Initiative:

I know--and I will feel it more than many others (considering my character is the rogue here), but you know what would happen if we go by straight initiative--it will take a very long time--especially if your turn is just around the corner.
We'll just have to agree with the GM to limit ganging up on either side.

I'll roll with it if that's what we decide to do, though I'm still worried about getting mobbed. I admit I am still quite new to PbPs, but the best format I've seen while reading them is this: everyone posts their action whenever they are able (labeling them clearly by round and such) until the bad guys are up, then the GM compiles the posts into a larger post describing the results of the player's actions and/or what the bad guys do on their turns. So if there's three of us before the bad guys, those three post their actions in whatever order, the GM writes a post explaining what happens, and then the rest of us go, etc.

I'm not sure I explained that very well, I feel like my English is failing me. :P

At any rate--sprites for everyone!

Link

Note: I've made the sprites easier to see. Everyone is included save Tal (who has a placeholder). I'll be waiting for his feedback and/or description.

@Naberius: I have two versions--the current one is Nab with the satchel mentioned in your character sheet.

Awesome! Thanks a lot, it's always nice to see your character drawn. Very accurate, I'd say. The satchel is fine, as he always has it with him. So many books and scrolls to haul around... :)

@Tal: You're sure? Well, if you want.
I can make one more Hellknight-like, but I literally have no idea how your character looks like.

@Naberius: You're not alone; this is my first PbP as well. And your English is fine.
I'm glad you like the sprite. I have 40+ sprites made for my characters/friends' characters. It's nice to share.

Regarding marching order: It seems that way. I'd prefer if Tal and Tuesday flank, with Raveen/Anna heading at the front, with Monday and Mera in the heart of the formation.
Chances are we'll blow it when combat starts. Formation tends to be useful for the first few rounds.

Raveen - Awesome once more! I love them!

I GM a lot of PbP's and I rarely use group initiative. I actually prefer it for easy of use, but don't like using it for the reasons Naberius suggests. I beleive it actually benefits the PC's more than the enemies due to their number. Rarely is the party confronted by more than seven enemies and so usually they will get to gang up and buff themselves and the battle has been won before it has began.

I do not like waiting for people to post in order of initiative though because as Raveen mentioned, it takes far too long. The best method I've found is to call out the next three or four players up in init and have them post their moves, moving it along as they come in.

I'll be fine with whatever method decribed.

Tal - I agree with your proposed order, though I just moved Mera up next to Naberius.

The formation was just for now in the sewers so I can get an idea of who is next to Tal and distances in between. BAscially so I know if I would have to speak up to get Anna or someone in the back to hear me.

Combat formations are dictated by the encounter but Tal will be up front trying to have everyone focus on him to allow everyone to buff or do their thing. Tower shield fighters don't come into their own till 5ft level when they lose the penalty for using a tower shield to attack. That and can't wait for 3rd level to get medium armor (+3 to AC) and still move 30ft.

Good to go on the sprite.

I run 2 campaigns on here and use group init as it seems to work better as they all post 1/day and that is while I am sleeping. That way I do the round recap, they all post, and we get a round done each day.

Seconding what everyone else has said, love the sprites :3

Alright. Sprites are finalized. Thanks for the feedback. Tal sort of has a Zero vibe now.

I think that's all our ideas. The GM is free to choose between block initiative and individual, or choose Option No. 3.

Few things:

1. I am totally comfortable with how far you want to take the mature level. I am not a prude so as long as everyone is Okay with it, I'm Okay with it.

2. What the DM does in the pbp's that I play in is that he will post everyone's Initiative order and everyone will then post what their character is planning to do regardless of where they are in the initiative with sometimes a backup action.

i.e.

Initiative Order
Tywin
Sansa
Stannis

Stannis is last in the imitative but he is able to post first, so Stannis might post: I will attack the troll in A34, but if he is dead, I will attack the troll in C34 and include his attack and damage rolls.

The DM will then do a narrative recap: Tywin runs up and critically hits the troll on the left killing the creature. Sansa casts a fire ball at the two trolls careful not to include Tywin. Stannis runs up and finishes the troll on the left.

I would like to try that and see how it works.

3. Dropbox is blocked for me at work, so I am sure Roll20 is too.

4. @ Monday what is your AC and Initiative & what is Tuesday's AC? Also does Tuesday have the Undead traits?

5. I am feeling a little left out not having a sprite! :)

@GM: Sure thing. Do you have a character?

Just my evil DM looking character!

Got it. Sandy robe and cloak. Feel free to add more details.
I'll post it once it's done.

4. @ Monday what is your AC and Initiative & what is Tuesday's AC? Also does Tuesday have the Undead traits?

Monday's AC is 15, 13 FF, 12 Touch

... Just noticed the lack of equipment list on Monday... I'm gonna be hella pissed if that got ate when I was making the profile. Looking if I saved a copy somewhere.

Tuesday is an outsider with outsider traits, all that should be in his profile.

That means Knowledge (Planes) would be used to identify him as what he is, then? I should read up on phantoms. I'll just wait until I see him in action before Naberius starts to make connections... :)

Monday Daud wrote:

Tuesday is an outsider with outsider traits, all that should be in his profile.

That means Knowledge (Planes) would be used to identify him as what he is, then? I should read up on phantoms. I'll just wait until I see him in action before Naberius starts to make connections... :)

Yes, try to think of him more along the lines of Petitioners rather than ghosts... Though he does have plenty of ghosting abilities :3

Of course this could all change once the actual Occult Adventures book comes out.

Every male member of the party seems to be severely allergic to kisses. At least poor Monday has Mera to smooch with... ;)

I'm okay with this.

If Tal knew what she was doing and it wasn't on the cheek then maybe, just maybe, he would be ok with it. Instead there is no explanation just kissing in the sewers. Not going to happen.

Naberius knew full well what she was trying to do, but he has some issues... :P

Note to self, Tal needs a full helm and quickly around this group to protect himself from them.

Tal will be happy to hear that none of Naberius' spells require kissing. :)

Amen brother! We might get along after all.

As a character note. Tal has an int of 14 but I am planning on playing him more naïve when it comes to magic. Yes he knows it is out there but he doesn't understand it and doesn't really want to understand it. Magic items are ok as he does not need to understand the magic itself but just how to use the item. Thus he will be more likely to ask for a spell by description than name. "Hey, Naberius, you go anything to make me bigger and hit harder?" for an enlarge person spell. Even for potions I am going to try and have someone with him for purchasing them so they can describe what they do.

Fine with me. Naberius will get to feel all smart and well-educated.

Huh. Intelligence score of 14 is pretty high for a fighter, though. There must be a tactical genius hiding below all that steel and muscle.

@GM: Posted. I've added a complimentary spider familiar. Because GM.
@Mera: The thing Mera's sprite is holding is supposed to be a mirror, but methinks it looks more as a dagger. Or mayhap it looks like a cheque.

As a character note. Tal has an int of 14 but I am planning on playing him more naïve when it comes to magic. Yes he knows it is out there but he doesn't understand it and doesn't really want to understand it.

Interesting take. Since Spellcraft governs magic, it is fine to just not take ranks in the skill and have a good 'raw' impression of how magic works. I'm sure he realizes the tactical implications, but the moral issue may be interesting to deal with--enchantment/domination, animating the dead, bending the fabric of space and time--All of these are just people playing god.

Well--in this campaign setting, a mage might actually turn into one, so I'm not sure this is bad.

Fine with me. Naberius will get to feel all smart and well-educated.

Perhaps because he is. This was possibly the first pissing contest made entirely of showing off linguistics.

@Tal & Monday:
It might be prudent to follow the format for herolab character sheets to aid the GM in adjudicating various effects and GMing. Naberius, Mera and Raveen utilize the system for ease of use.

Perception rolls hate me. Perhaps the disguise is getting in Raveen's eyes or something.

@Tal & Monday:

It might be prudent to follow the format for herolab character sheets to aid the GM in adjudicating various effects and GMing. Naberius, Mera and Raveen utilize the system for ease of use.

I have also used PCGen which also has a nice little output for the boards.

Also, this reminds me, Naberius, Monday & Tuesday, can I get your status line updated with HP, Saves, Perception, and any other skills you plan on using a lot? Use Mera, Tal or Raveen's as examples. That will help a lot.

Interesting take. Since Spellcraft governs magic, it is fine to just not take ranks in the skill and have a good 'raw' impression of how magic works.

Spellcraft governs the technical side of casting and learning spells, crafting magical items, and so on. Knowledge (Arcana) is the theory. Neither can be used untrained, so I'd say you need some education to know anything beyond cantrips, or really famous and widely feared spells like fireball. Or turning people into toads, everyone knows that one.

This was possibly the first pissing contest made entirely of showing off linguistics.

As an aspiring linguist, the exchange made me very happy. :)

Also, this reminds me, Naberius, Monday & Tuesday, can I get your status line updated with HP, Saves, Perception, and any other skills you plan on using a lot? Use Mera, Tal or Raveen's as examples. That will help a lot.

Done.

Aspiring linguist? You're studying linguistics?

What a nice coincidence. That's my B.A.

Yeah, I started studying English at a local university last year, with the intention of becoming a translator.

Part of the reason I wanted to get involved in PbPs is to practise my writing. Feel free to give me feedback, if you want to... :)