DM RichD's Council Of Thieves Campaign

Game Master Briccone

Moving that far ahead would interfere with Monday's "Bodyguard Mera" protocol :3

Moving that far ahead would interfere with Monday's "Bodyguard Mera" protocol :3

I'll just go out and assume Naberius meant that you can send your Eidolon to fight with Tal.

Yeah, I can't update the map. Work won't let me access my dropbox or maptools!

Monday Daud wrote:

Moving that far ahead would interfere with Monday's "Bodyguard Mera" protocol :3

I'll just go out and assume Naberius meant that you can send your Eidolon to fight with Tal.

I was just pointing out that there is room for additional ranged attackers, but that is a possibility. I am very curious to see what Tuesday can do, but Tal sems to have the zombies under control... :)

Yeah, I can't update the map. Work won't let me access my dropbox or maptools!

Doesn't that make Dropbox kind of useless? Do we have an alternative that wouldn't be blocked? We discussed both Google Docs and Roll20 earlier, but I can't recall if either of those worked for you. It would be immensely useful to have a map that anyone could edit, so someone could keep updating it even if some of us can't see it for whatever reason.

Why would Dropbox be blocked, anyway? I'd imagine that could be pretty useful, depending on where you work.

Any type of file host is blocked. I think they don't want us to upload company documents to our personal drives. They even disabled the USB ports on our computer so flash drives don't work. Maptools is flagged under the category 'games'.

I believe Raveen had mentioned the possibility of sharing the map from my dropbox. If someone is interested, I believe I can create a 'share' folder in my dropbox and store the map and campaign file there. I haven't done this so I don't know if its easy or not, but it is an idea...

Any type of file host is blocked. I think they don't want us to upload company documents to our personal drives. They even disabled the USB ports on our computer so flash drives don't work. Maptools is flagged under the category 'games'.

I believe Raveen had mentioned the possibility of sharing the map from my dropbox. If someone is interested, I believe I can create a 'share' folder in my dropbox and store the map and campaign file there. I haven't done this so I don't know if its easy or not, but it is an idea...

Even Googledocs? Strange.

If not, I'm sure we can do something with edited imagery and paint. If push comes to shove and we fight the Man, there are very canny ways to get around censorship--I mean proxies.

Yes--MSPaint. Please don't judge me.

I'm sure uploading the idea as attachments and emailing them works. If they are too big to be emailed--we can set up a shared email (username and password shared) to access its saved messages (in the draft folder) to download the new map and upload it. That works against most services that bar file mobility.

But if things come to that, we might as well just stage an electronic revolution and don Guy Fawkes masks.

21 New Gameplay
16 new Discussion
1 Overwhelmed player.

ahhhmagawd

Tehehehe :3

@Mera: Seconded.

I wonder what these fellows intend to do. This is clearly a grassroots movement. Under what manner of speech do they intend to rally Westcrown?
Perhaps that's up to us to determine.
I do not envy the GM; having to flesh out all these characters could be a nightmare.
Would you need any help delegating the NPCs? It would be funny if everyone gets a 'sidekick'.

I wonder what these fellows intend to do. This is clearly a grassroots movement. Under what manner of speech do they intend to rally Westcrown?

Perhaps that's up to us to determine.

I suppose some clever, cross-dressing rogue is going to have to swoop in and make a few improvements. :)

I think if Raveen shows up now, he might be murdered as a traitor! Guess Anna is here to stay. :)

If everyone is getting a sidekick with this rebel group do we have to draw straws for first dibs?

It seems Monday is going after Avaya but what about the rest of you?

I can see Tal working with Ermolos or even Morosimo directly.

Well, we'll just have to see if any of them live up to Naberius' impossible expectations... :P

I was kidding; I don't think we'll really get control of NPCs. But in case we do...

While on the topic--I'm getting the feeling that the master-apprentice relationship is sort of implied in the Children of Westcrown (if we're really choosing that name). The two characters talking about magic (inborn or taught) seem to be heading towards magic, right, Naberius?.

Because I need a badass ninja sidekick, so dibs on hot Tian chick, if we actually do get control.
Slitting throats romantically under the moonlight. My kind of date!

@Tal: Choosing the underage kid? He doesn't seem your type...
Actually, why not include Lily in these light-hearted revolutionary shenanigans?

Tall you can be my sidekick.

While on the topic--I'm getting the feeling that the master-apprentice relationship is sort of implied in the Children of Westcrown (if we're really choosing that name). The two characters talking about magic (inborn or taught) seem to be heading towards magic, right, Naberius?

We'll just have to see about that... Naberius is not an easy man to impress.

@Tal: Choosing the underage kid? He doesn't seem your type...

Actually, why not include Lily in these light-hearted revolutionary shenanigans?

You gotta get 'em while they're young an impressionable!

I think it's quite fitting, especially if Morosimo is an orphan. They'll be a family! How sweet. :)

@Raveen, I am leaving it up to RichD to decide how involved Lily will be in the revolution. I will have to PM and work together on that aspect.

Mera, if RichD causes Tal to get a divorce then you and Monday will be the first ones I turn to. Until that happens though tall will still be able to offer his services as a body guard.

Naberius, your right. Tal has a soft spot for kids and if he can teach Morosimo how to survive in the city then so be it. It might also make it easier to convince Lily that Tal is helping the 'Children of Westcrown'.

edit* to replace bald with able. Stupid autocorrect on the Ipad.

We'll just have to see about that... Naberius is not an easy man to impress.

It'll be wickedly amusing if they decide on the Undead Bloodline and Necromancy School to spite him if he rejects their applications.

They'll be a family! How sweet. :)

An interesting development to say the least.

Mera, if RichD causes Tal to get a divorce then you and Monday will be the first ones I turn to.

There is always the hazy status of ownership of backstory characters. Many players insist on roleplaying them, with the GM's supervision. Others prefer for the GMs to roleplay their important relationships.

Both are valid in my opinion, though I prefer the former.

But I think we're getting too ahead of ourselves right now.

Until that happens though tall will still be bald to offer his services as a body guard.

...Strange.

Roleplaying groups always find the post-adventure plans difficult to decide upon, mostly due to the fact that the players often meet again, and that finding another player (or GM) usually disrupts the adventure greatly.

How far (and you don't have to post an answer) would everyone here go in pursuit of completing this adventure? The GM and I agreed on some leeway in pursuing our own goals within the context of the story, but I didn't ask whether or not this may evolve into a full-fledged sandbox RPG.

But the question that actually deserves an answer is not that; it's how far will the characters go to help these revolutionaries, and when is too much?

How far (and you don't have to post an answer) would everyone here go in pursuit of completing this adventure? The GM and I agreed on some leeway in pursuing our own goals within the context of the story, but I didn't ask whether or not this may evolve into a full-fledged sandbox RPG.

But the question that actually deserves an answer is not that; it's how far will the characters go to help these revolutionaries, and when is too much?

I would say I'm quite motivated to see where this Path will take us. So far all the APs I have played in have been interesting enough storywise that I have felt little need to go completely off the rails. Of course, sometimes there are things that the writers expect the players to do that they wouldn't, so it's good to remain flexible. There is very little point to playing a tabletop RPG if the player's choices have no impact, after all.

As for your second question, I deliberately created a character who has very few options but to aid the rebels in the beginning, but on the long run his motivation depends heavily on the other characters' involvement. Naberius is definitely a reluctant hero, and wouldn't be the first to lead the 'Children' to a glorious revolution. He might grow some personal connections that keep him around, however. In fact, I'm counting on that. :P

@Naberius: That is a very commendable take on roleplaying games as a whole---also fitting considering that this is an urban social adventure.

I hope I can help during the overall transformation of your hero.

Of course I'm interested in how this campaign goes, wouldn't have applied to otherwise :3

For the second question the twins are easy like that.

Monday goes wherever the pretty girls are.

Tuesday goes wherever Monday goes.

Tal will be committed to overthrow as much as possible if that means Lily gets a better life and it improves the chances of kids like Morosimo from avoiding life on the streets. To that end I am ready to see the AP through to its completion.

As for the sidestory stuff, well I meant that Tal would be available for guard duty when not needed by the revolutionaries. Long term plans would to be either a part of the new regime with city guard or start his own smithy if a direct hand inthe leadership is not available.

@Monday:
I feel there is a lot of unexplored potential. Monday is a spiritualist with her dead brother as a phantom haunting the world to this day. Is she not curious about the cycle of souls? Is she OK hauling around her brother's corpse? Is she not hunted as a heretic by the Pharsman church, or by free-agent undead slayers?
Does she not want to explore the forbidden Chelish arts of binding creatures, and by so doing, learn either how to bind more creatures (learning more of where her brother is now), or understand the underpinnings of the universe by stealing unholy knowledge from Cheliax?
Does she not want to find some part of Tuesday that was lost during his death and return (perhaps the part that does the talking), or perhaps she wishes to learn more of contract devils and ask for a wish to bring him back (since his body is gone, normal Raise Dead does not work)? I suggested (and you seemed to be interested in) the fact that Monday and Tuesday might be different to differentiate in instances of passion (like anger, sadness, etc.) What does that mean for them--does Tuesday begin to dominate and steal his sister's body? What if he is doing it subconsciously? What if part of Tuesday is alien, and Monday suspects it has taint of the lower planes (better yet, what if this knowledge came via Harrow Cards?)

I mean, there is much more potential in your character than hitting on anything that moves, really.

@Tal:
Ah, good answer. But the question is how much is he ready to sacrifice? Is he ready to sacrifice himself? His marriage? Lily? All these questions lead to very entertaining (and potentially game-ending) paths.

Actually Monday hitting on any girl does have to do with Tuesday's condition, since he retreats into her subconscious when she sleeps and they have a telepathic link his feelings and urges flow into her. Before she became a spiritualist she had absolutely no interest in women.

And she is interested in anything that might, while not return him to life, repair his throat.

And yeah I could see the Pharasmins not liking them that much.

If destroyed she knows he simply reforms on the etheral plane. She is extremely joyful over his now near unkillable state.

A worry of Tuesday that I don't think I've said (mainly because he doesn't talk much) is that he has a nagging fear that he isn't the actual Tuesday, but an astral construct Monday made in her grief in the mental image of her brother, the fact that there's some physical differences between phantom and man certainly doesn't help matters any (Tuesday was not that tall in life).

@Monday:
That's interesting, but nothing ties Monday to the events in Westcrown any more than anything else.

Actually, perhaps that should be something discussed with the GM. I'm sure he can whip up something.

But then again--I'm getting the distinct feeling (due to split-up posts) that we're being a little overbearing.

Or maybe that's just me. I love this game too much to be civil about it.

I feel there is a lot of unexplored potential...

When it comes to character motivation, the only person who truly knows their PC's needs and goals is the player. You really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. I'm sure Monday is playing the character she wants to play. Her attitude is certainly more laid-back some of out more intense party members, but that does not mean she is not involved in the events. I'm not sure this game could handle five Raveens...

I guess I'll take this moment to say that I really like the siblings. While Monday's interactions are mostly light-hearted, there are some wonderfully creepy undertones to her character. Tuesday is actually kind of intimidating, which is really hard to pull off. I really wasn't expecting Naberius' fear of the undead to come to play so strongly and so soon, but I think that we are going to get a lot out of that... :)

I guess I'll take this moment to say that I really like the siblings. While Monday's interactions are mostly light-hearted, there are some wonderfully creepy undertones to her character. Tuesday is actually kind of intimidating, which is really hard to pull off. I really wasn't expecting Naberius' fear of the undead to come to play so strongly and so soon, but I think that we are going to get a lot out of that... :)

^w^

@Naberius:
Very true. In the end, it is entirely up to the player to decide where their character goes.

At any rate, we just got our first plot hook: the Bastards of Erebus, and the Title Drop comes down.

Now, I would suggest some things in turn:

Now, just imagine the kid has a knife.

Money, message, muscle...Did I leave anything?
People, Pennies, Posters?

Yes--the poster for the 'Other Group'. The 'bad cop'.

Translation: Be Faithful to Thy Mother. Join us today.

[spoilers=Ethical concerns]Kidnapping? Demagoguery? Advocacy and propaganda that might just be lies?
True comrades in revolutions don't have these concerns. There is always the scent of gunpowder in every poster against the oppressor.
[/spoiler]

@GM: Are you OK with Craft (Alchemy) creating gunpowder? I'm sure everyone uses it, but not as intended (see the Gunpowder Plot for reference).

@Monday:
I'll like to apologize to you for my conduct. Although it is difficult to read people across the internet, I think that I, at best, sounded imposing, and at worst, condescending.
I will cease pressing the point if you wish.

@Naberius:
What's your real-life Diplomacy modifier?

I am going to be quite occupied through the weekend. I'll make attempts to check in but I may not be every day. If I'm holding something up (like combat), bot me as necessary GM.

@Raveen: Ish okay *pats head*

1: Name: Calling the group the 'Children of Twilight', as Westcrown is also known as the 'City of Twilight'. It also carries connotations of the shadow-beasts, which may turn out useful if the true mastermind behind the curse is revealed.

I like that, OOC. Naberius doesn't really care, though he would advise against anything having to do with Aroden...

2: Face: Coming up with a 'style' for the revolution. A socially-acceptable revolution needs a socially-acceptable face, and a socially-acceptable message. I suggest an 'Independent Westcrown, with the freedom to find her place in the world, without the betrayals of House Thrune to bring her down'.

If he does get more involved, I'd imagine Naberius would advocate a more moderate approach. We'll see.

A good image for this is actually a fairly peaceful one: Westcrown, our mother, who is stamped on by her wayward child of Thrune--abandoned and mistreated, dishonored and betrayed, is protected by her other children (I.E. citizens). It would look good on a poster--imagine a pretty middle-aged lady stabbed in the back by whom she is embracing.

I love the idea of distributing posters. The rebellion needs a graphic designer. :D

4: Finance: Speaking of getting richer...the players may be OK with looting chests, but the organization won't get bigger unless we have financiers. I would suggest smuggling, organized crime, selling secrets, and kidnapping of officials for ransom--possibly even raiding tax caravans. When the rallies become great enough, the nobility will have to bow down--hopefully we can get a visit or proposition from one, thereby securing our financial states. If not--kidnapping is still an option.

Interesting propositions. Perhaps these 'Bastards' have some operations that the rebels could subsume once we are done with them?

@Naberius:

What's your real-life Diplomacy modifier?

I find that it depends heavily on the situation. Generally, I just want everyone to get along. :)

@Tal:
I'm impressed at how you kept the many feelings of Tal constrained in a concise post. Good roleplaying!
Even if it almost got my character knocked out.

@Naberius:

Raveen Liquean wrote:

A good image for this is actually a fairly peaceful one: Westcrown, our mother, who is stamped on by her wayward child of Thrune--abandoned and mistreated, dishonored and betrayed, is protected by her other children (I.E. citizens). It would look good on a poster--imagine a pretty middle-aged lady stabbed in the back by whom she is embracing.

I love the idea of distributing posters. The rebellion needs a graphic designer. :D

I think so as well. Perhaps also a composer to drop symbolic songs.

Interesting propositions. Perhaps these 'Bastards' have some operations that the rebels could subsume once we are done with them?

Nice thinking.

Thanks Raveen.

Quick comment on the options you guys are throwing out. I know that Westcrown is the city of Twilight, but aren't we trying to return it to its glory. To me twilight seems to imply that the best is past and we are nearing the end. I am not that creative in creating something inspiring but I am looking for something that instills a passion for what was and what could be. Something innocent yet symbolic enough for change to occur and it to stick. "The People's Hope".

I do agree that we should stay away from religious ties as that is asking for trouble.

FYI, I just noticed that I missed a post from you Raveen. I will acknowledge it later once I am back from my errands.

'Twilight' can refer to daybreak as well, can it not? Perhaps something that is clearly to the contrary, like Children of the Dawn?

*sees everyone else get serious over picking a club name*

...

*withholds comment*

These things are really important! It might not seem like it right now, but imagine when we actually get big and we're still stuck with some lame name that these guys came up with while sitting around drinking cheap wine. All awesome organizations have awesome names. Ooh, and a logo! We need a logo...

*pursed lips stretch into a tight smile*

*You can almost see the bottled sarcasm start to overflow from her*

Quick comment on the options you guys are throwing out. I know that Westcrown is the city of Twilight, but aren't we trying to return it to its glory. To me twilight seems to imply that the best is past and we are nearing the end. I am not that creative in creating something inspiring but I am looking for something that instills a passion for what was and what could be. Something innocent yet symbolic enough for change to occur and it to stick. "The People's Hope".

I'll give you my reasoning.

1: The name of the city--which we all acknowledge.
2: The symbolism is double-ended: A: they are people from Westcrown. B: They are those who suffered due to where it is right now.
Taking this name implies that (like Westcrown) the people suffered, and are willing to make their hatred to Thrune their very identity. That makes them very terrible foes.
3: The name hints at the shadow-beasts, which is also part of their first grievance against the capital. The name also sounds politiclaly neutral (even though it clearly is not), and not immediately obvious from the first glance: People are more receptive to neutral names, and would be curious to check them out, giving us a wider audience.
4: Twilight also symbolizes the transitional phase of time. It is the sunset of House Thrune's reign, and the sunrise of independence. The People's Hope would ring better as an organization that follows the revolution--not the revolution order itself. Also--although the order does not officially follow Sarcenrae, their people would suspect so, and so would join us. That is also why I prefer Children of Twilight to Children of Dawn.
5: The People's Hope sounds at best a little pretentious, and at worst imposing. The revolution didn't claim anything so far--why claim we have the trust of the people yet?

I do agree that we should stay away from religious ties as that is asking for trouble.

Raveen would agree--but not for the reasons stated.

All awesome organizations have awesome names. Ooh, and a logo! We need a logo...

Indeed we do. I have an idea running in my mind--but it's still raw.

@Previous post: Misspelled politically.

I am going to be quite occupied through the weekend. I'll make attempts to check in but I may not be every day. If I'm holding something up (like combat), bot me as necessary GM.

Any advice as to how you'd like to be controlled?

I am assuming that Monday would volunteer to control Mera at all times. Or perhaps Mera is the dominant one.

@raveen

You have given this a lot more thought than I have about a name than I have as I don't even know if we get to name the group. As for icons and symbols and all of that, go ahead as that it not my interest.

I am assuming that Monday would volunteer to control Mera at all times. Or perhaps Mera is the dominant one.

As much as Monday would like the latter I'm guessing Mera likes being pampered too much to be the dom.

I'd say Switch also works.

Doh, the hour editing window passed before I could find This comic.

@Tal: I'm sorry, but do you mind shifting that post for later in continuity?
It's awkward to retroactively add posts without the whole thing coming out a little jarring.
Edit: Do you want to join Naberius and Raveen?

Naberius is just about to run off, so Tal can come in at that point to have his little chat about honesty with Raveen if he wants to.

@Naberius:
That will be amusing. But then again--I think Tal might to add Naberius in his 'let's have a talk' scene.

Raveen: "It's the cops! Run!"

Tal's post was meant to be before Raveen left the room with Tal, Naberius and Janiven.

Tal's post was meant to be before Raveen left the room with Tal, Naberius and Janiven.

That part was clear; you said you missed the post, but would you mind shifting it for the next scene? It's better to roleplay new additions than to add new things retroactively.

Besides--a chance of scene would be nice.

I would think not as Tal vocalizing such sentiments out where thers are would raise questions about what Anna is not being truthful about.

If you want Tal to follow after you and bring it up with others around I will.

Anna/Raveen could just ignore it as well and keep walking out the door for that matter.