DM Vord's Zeitgeist Act I - Portents of a Starry Sky

Game Master Vorduvai

Has anyone else read the Mistborn series of books by Brandon Sanderson?

While the first three books are more of the common fantasy setting the next trio of books really give me the feel of the Zeitgeist setting. I am currently reading the last book, Mistborn: The Bands of Mourning.

Just thought I would share with everyone, should they be in need of some books to read. :)

Boy, I am getting hammered right now. I've rejiggered my schedule, so hopefully I won't be so exhausted all the time and will post more often.

Just re-read my post and Tobias' intent was not to protect Heward *from* the local authorities, but to secure them as protection for Heward. Just worded it poorly.

Has anyone else read the Mistborn series of books by Brandon Sanderson?

While the first three books are more of the common fantasy setting the next trio of books really give me the feel of the Zeitgeist setting. I am currently reading the last book, Mistborn: The Bands of Mourning.

Just thought I would share with everyone, should they be in need of some books to read. :)

I'll have to check that out! Just this past weekend I was at a book store (which are getting rarer in my area to find unfortunately) with the family, and though I wandered over to the fantasy fiction section I realized I hadn't the faintest idea of what might be good to check out.

Boy, I am getting hammered right now. I've rejiggered my schedule, so hopefully I won't be so exhausted all the time and will post more often.

Well I'm always looking forward to more Anneca posts, so I'm glad the schedule might be a tad bit easier for you coming up!

@All In general I'd like to see all the players get into a three-per-week post routine more often, as it generates more momentum and can really spur the PC-to-PC interactions once players know/trust other players are going to pick up on those various hooks and interaction opportunities.

My current schedule (and lack of other PbP games right now) is allowing me to update nightly, so I'm putting forth effort to do that. Unfortunately my schedule doesn't afford me to update during the day very often now, but if I can personally keep up a nightly frequency on most nights I should keep some fair story & NPC momentum going for you all. This module is not linear and has a lot of ways it can develop, so your efforts to reveal clues - and then decide which way you want to pursue those clues - will have a lot of impact to the way your story develops.

Sorry all, rearranged the house this past 4th of July and still having problems getting all of my computers to connect. Cisco Routers do not like to talk to Asus routers very well in a Root/Non-Root wireless bridge configuration. I have enough access to post today and tonight until I can implement my new configuration.

My apologies again, it took me until 12:30 AM to get everything working to/from my Windows Server > Sophos UTM Old Computer Free (aka Astaro) Firewall > Cisco 1811W Non-Root Point-to-Point Wireless Bridge > 1811W Root Bridge > Juniper SRX 210 Firewall. Tonight, I am going to try the current Non-Root 1811W configuration with the Asuswrt-Merlin Asus RT-AC88U router and see if I can receive a stable association and pass packets. Last night was trifling and I even had to reboot the 1811Ws to get them talking to everything. They were some how confused in how they should work after major configuration changes in deleting vlans, routes, switchports, and radio sub-interfaces.

I kind of prefer the infrastructure I configured last night but there are advantages to the 1811W Non-Root (Media) Bridge to the Asuswrt-Merlin Root bridge as well.

Decisions ... Decisions ...

Now off to catching up with the group.

Will try an post after work today. Jesselle does want in on that meeting with Gale.

DM Vord wrote:

"Well I go to the Thinking Man each week with my hardest workers and buy their rounds in appreciation, so I know the place fairly well. I can offer a name or two, but going in like you...well...in your greys and all official-like isn't going to go as you'd expect, if you take my meaning."

Tobias smiles back at the other man. "I can be pretty persuasive my friend, and these cloaks are easily removed." As he speaks he lets his country accent slip out and he slouches in stature a bit. "I'm jus' a boy from the country lookin' fer work."

"That being said, I do already have plans for this evening, unless my colleagues think this might be a better lead?" He raises an eyebrow at the rest of the constables, wondering if he should meet the Danoran secretary or do some recon at the Thinking Man.

I was hoping for some feedback here from the rest of you. I'm not sure if this mystery is intended to be solved by the end of the day, but I suspect not. So Tobias has offered this evening to either meet with the Danoran Secretary to get the file on the Doctor that Nilasa met with before she died, or disguise himself and find some of her contacts at the Thinking Man.

Hi everyone. I'm back from vacation so will be right back in the thick of things.

I've got a work project that I have to go in for this morning, but looking to post when I get back.

To just add to the post above, I can confirm that this investigation does take multiple days, so the decisions you all make on what and when to investigate are totally fluid. Every morning you MUST report in to R.H.C. Flint Branch for briefings with Stover Delft, unless something is taking you away from the city or deep undercover for that period, in which case you need to speak with the Inspectors and gain approval for that. In addition it's customary (but not mandatory) to bring in any evidence at the end of the day and write up your reports and such in the evening before you are "off duty" ... unless of course your investigation needs you to not be off duty and to keep working at night! How each PC then deals with that with any family or friends is up to you...the "hey xxx I'm not going to be home tonight so have dinner without me" letter delivered by trusted courier hehe.

Did DM Vord not prefer that we stay together as a group instead of splitting up? It kind of makes sense, but at the same time if any small group encounters trouble... it would likely mean that we do not make it back/out.

Hi Gang!

Sorry about the last couple of days here, so I'll see if I can post something quick this morning and then follow up with a scene change tonight or tomorrow night, work permitting.

Let's see here...okay regarding the possible evening split with meeting Tia in North Shore and attending The Thinking Man Tavern in Bosum Strand. I can handle a split there if you'd like...though I will hint that there would be more interesting things to do or play out at Thinking Man, so it's up to you. Obviously it just means anything you learn won't be shared until the morning of 2 Spring when you'd meet back up at Flint Branch for morning briefings.

As far as the current day, by the time you get out of Sechim's factory and in the carriage it's quarter-till one o' clock, so you still have several hours to investigate other aspects of your clues before the evening - that's essentially what I'd like for you all to figure out when I get you all back in the carriage as to what/where you want to investigate next.

So should we all investigate Tia at North Shore this afternoon? Once we wrap that up we could all go to the Thinking Man. It would be easier for the us to post.

Tobias secured a dinner date by charming Tia in order to get the file, so it might be awkward if everyone tags along. I definitely want to do the Thinking Man, but Tobias wouldn't cancel the meeting with Tia, especially if it means he's got an 'in' in the Danoran consulate for the foreseable future. Maybe he can meet a few other constables there if he's got the time?

Okay, I obviously read something wrong regarding Tia and the Thinking Man. I'm up for whatever is the easiest to achieve in pbp.

Hmmm...so while I don't want to break story verisimilitude here, I will profess that the whole thing with Tia and getting more info isn't really worth an entire scene. Now I can make it that and put more into it, but I can just as easily let it be more of a descriptive post that happens "earlier" in the evening and then you all meet up "later" at The Thinking Man's Tavern, so that Tobias doesn't miss out. I'm inclined to do the latter, but can do the former if that's desired by Xynen.

So it's 1 Spring @ 1pm and you all have at least a few more hours of investigation time on this first day, so I would like a consensus from at least three players on where to go next. NOTE that this is not linear at all and what you choose to investigate could be minor or major in impact. It's going to require more effort on your parts though to keep it going. I would look back through your clues and the prior posts and bubble up next steps here to get things moving!

Rough Itinerary So Far:
1 Spring, afternoon - ??? (could be multiple events)
1 Spring, afternoon - ???
1 Spring, evening - Tobias meets Tia Jedeau at ??? in North Shore, Fethryth watches Heward Sechim at Parity Lake?
1 Spring, night - Interested constables meet at The Thinking Man's Tavern, to follow-up any connections/associations with Nilasa Hume

2 Spring, early morning - Flint Branch Briefing w/ ACI Stover Delft
2 Spring, morning - Head into Cloudwood to find & meet Nevard Sechim

EDIT: Remember too that Prestige is available to you to call in a daily favor or favors and get some resources to help you. Read pgs 17-18 of the Players Extended Guide for reference. If you want to try it out, describe generally what you're looking for and I can calculate the Prestige level for you to make a check against and such.

I think Fethryth going to The Thinking Man is a bad idea, it's not the kind of encounter she's built for. Her watching over Heward is a good way to both keep her busy and away from the tavern. ;)

As for what we do now, maybe going to see Barnaby Camp in North Shore? He was the one listed as a primary contact for Dr. Recklinghausen

I also think that Gemma going to The Thinking Man isn't such a good idea and she'd be happy to tag along to help with the Heward watching. She's going to be uncomfortable going to the Cloudwood but obviously will still go as part of her duty. She's most interested in finding out about the strangers but I believe the lead has gone temporarily cold on that one and may be picked up at a later time. She's also very interested in finding out what the stuff is on the cloth.

I'm fine with glossing over the Tia encounter and moving on to the Thinking Man.

I am currently out of state and visiting family because my Grandmother just passed at 96. I may be extending my time here but maybe returning home today depending on work. I will have a severe reduction in posting until I return home.

I'm so very sorry to hear that Greg. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

All right well that's no problem - take care of important time with the family and in the meantime I'll have Willem cover the rest of the group with a sharp eye!

As for what we do now, maybe going to see Barnaby Camp in North Shore? He was the one listed as a primary contact for Dr. Recklinghausen

In the interests of moving the story forward, I'm going to go with Feth's recommendation that you head to Doctor Barnaby Camp back up in North Shore, as that was the only direction posted here in discussion. I'll get the posted scene up shortly.

So the way you all decide how you want to move through this investigation is entirely up to you (aside from generally not splitting up to completely different areas of the city). Since you all seem to be having a bit of trouble right now forming a consensus for next-steps in where you're going - and again this is by its very nature more difficult to do in PbP than around the gaming table - perhaps an idea is to appoint one of the players as determining the "where are we going" aspects for that day, subject to "veto" if several of you feel strongly about a course of action. You can even keep it egalitarian by having a different player take a different day. Or whatever you want to do.

Obviously you've all made the decision to focus on finding Nevard Sechim on 2 Spring, so that's good. I think I (maybe sorta kinda) know how you're splitting up in the 1 Spring evening to have a couple of dinners and some/most/??? of you visiting The Thinking Man's Tavern in Bosum Strand later in the evening (after work shifts when the tavern is in full swing w/ patrons). So it's off back to North Shore and Barnaby Camp, and you probably will have time for another avenue before it gets late enough to pack it in back to Flint Branch for check-in and any instructions for R&D.

I'm so sorry to hear that Anderlorn. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Putting one person in 'charge' for each day works for me. It's definitely harder coordinating everything over PbP.

I'm down with the leadership recommendation unless a specific character seems distinctly more cut out for a particular encounter.

Thank you for your sympathy.

I am back, catching up with all of my games now.

Much easier to post with a computer than an iPhone while with family.

Hello All - coming off of a long weekend with a major work project due by me, so I'm looking to catch up with your Dr. Camp answers. I'm also contemplating a scene change soon to give you a quick narrative of what you'll find at Parity Lake police station (per Gemma's statement), and then get you all back to Flint Branch before you get into your evening-time events.

Whew. What a tough semester. As it turns out, summer semesters are very hard in law school. But I lived, and I will be catching up soon.

Summer semesters are always hard because you cram in what 16 weeks into half the time?!

I owe you all a scene change, so once I get that done you'll have more to do and we'll get back on track. Hopefully by tonight, but possibly tomorrow due to some project work I'm wrapping up.

I'll be on vacation starting tomorrow going until the 8th. There's a slight chance I will be able to get a post or two in, but feel free to bot me instead of assuming I'll be able to respond.

Once we get a scene change, I'll be able to contribute again. Maybe she'll head to a corner and light something aflame.

Just having a bit of trouble on my end constructing the scenes - had to go back a bit through several characters' backgrounds and rethink a few things I'd like to present in the story. Posting coming soon, with everyone "somewhere" in the evening time of around 8pm in one of three different locales.

I am ready to go once you get a chance to post and get back into the swing of things.

Okies, got something up at least for you all to read, and coming up with the evening scene-setting posts for you all next. Tobias will be at a fine North Shore inn with Tia Jedeau...with Anneca having to keep an eye on things from a distance at the bar. Fethryth and Gemma will be at Heward's place in Parity Lake keeping an eye on things. Emerson, Jesselle, Willem along with Devinn and Talyssa will be at the Thinking Man's Tavern in Bosum Strand. Think about what each of you are wearing (R.H.C. standard uniform, dress uniform or civilian clothes) so that you can describe it once I get the posts up.

I just wanted to give you all a heads up. I've been slammed with stuff this week and I probably won't be able to post for another couple of days. Bot me if you need to.

I just wanted to give you all a heads up. I've been slammed with stuff this week and I probably won't be able to post for another couple of days. Bot me if you need to.

I think it's fine for a couple of days for Gemma to move your evening scene along, so not a problem.

Cromlich and I worked on updating the Flint Map today (Map of Flint w/ Locales), and also put it at a higher resolution. Check it out!

Working a final major project today for my work, but should be clear to post by this evening.

Hi All - in addition to some major transitions in my work, I will admit I'm having some trouble in writing for this triple evening scene. On my way home from work however, I thought up a couple of ideas that would make the Thinking Man scene more fun, as well as some minor tweaks for the other two scenes. So bear with me and I'll get us back on track soon!

Hi Gang,

Once again my apologies for the impromptu hiatus from this game, and I appreciate your patience on this. In full disclosure I am in my final week of a fourteen-year job, which is interesting as I prepare for finding the next one. I should have a bit more time to write actually! For various reasons I've been experiencing a writer's block over the past two weeks, though over the weekend I feel rejuvenated and eager to write once again. So action coming soon after I review the last half-dozen posts or so today.

Cheers,
Vord

No problem. Every game has its lulls. Keep up the good work!

Real life is always first especially when you need to bring home the bacon. I am confident you will find one you like pretty easily.

Two scenes posted, and I'll get Fethryth & Gemma's going in the morning.

@ Emerson, Jesselle and Willem

Posting the Thinking Man's Challenge Encounter here as well, for any questions you may have on it.

Challenge Encounter
Duration: 3 Rounds (each round 10 minutes)
Goals: To win over each group that knows Nilasa Hume in order to find out useful information concerning her activities
Contest: Contested Diplomacy Check versus chosen group’s leader, with modifiers based on approach used.
Roles: Each PC can choose one of the following roles per round:
• Primary Talker – a PC can take this role, rolling the overall Diplomacy check for the round and choosing the approach used. More than one PC with this role does not benefit the others and does not stack.
• Secondary Talker – a PC can take this role, rolling an ‘Aid Another’ Diplomacy (DC 10) check to add +2 to a specific primary talker’s check.
• Observer – one PC can take this role, rolling a Sense Motive check (DC 15) to discern the most advantageous approach for the group. Obviously, if chosen this must be done prior to the primary talker PC making their roll.
Approaches: Each group has a hidden favorable (+4), neutral (0) and unfavorable (-4) approach that they respond to, as it relates to getting the group to assist the constables with Nilasa’s murder. One approach must be chosen for each group in the round, and reflected in the dialogue post(s):
• Class Strife Motivations – Use motivations of laborers versus elite or traditionalists versus industrialists to convince the group to help them.
• Personal Motivations – Use motivations of personal connections to Nilasa Hume (and therefore personal outrage over her murder) to convince the group to help them.
• Academic Motivations – Use motivations of wanting to solve the mystery of a committed crime to convince the group to help them.
Final Note (to get started): The three of you can use Discussion to sort out who does what for each round, but before you start rolling please feel free to start an introductory dialogue with the group to get a feeling for them. When you’re ready to post your challenge encounter checks, use the template below as a guide.
************************************
Encounter Challenge Name
Encounter Challenge Round
Group (being attempted), PC Role chosen, Approach chosen
Skill Check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Descriptive text of post to describe skill action above and how your character goes about it.
************************************

You have three rounds to try and sway three different tavern groups to relate to you what they know about Nilasa Hume, which will come down to a contested Diplomacy check. Each PC takes a Role, and the PC group must decide on their target Group AND an Approach prior to running their roll checks for that round - which modifies the overall Diplomacy check.

Please don't go willy-nilly and post different checks for different groups - decide as a collective group your target Group for Round 1, each PC's Role for Round 1 and your Approach for them. Also, feel free to post an opening dialogue (without checks) to get things going - I'll give you a feel for how they react to you which may provide you some insight. Generally speaking, when you make your checks and perform your actions, the posted dialogue and narrative should reflect what you're doing.

Any questions?

I was in so much of a hurry and too eager to post, it clouded my concentration. Can I use a Hero Point to retcon or save the scenario since it is kind of Foo'd now? ... :-)

Here are our true targets - the halfling Jered Lawman of “The Band” in the far corner, the ringleader Hennet Rinus of “The Professors” group at the combined tables nearby, and schooner captain Griggs MacBane of “The Sailors” group just inside the barroom area…

I think we just need to take it how it is.

Jess has the highest Diplomacy and Willem has the second highest sense motive. I'm suggesting the following but we can do whatever the three of us thinks works best.

Jess - Primary Talker
Emerson - Secondary Talker
Willem - Observer

If the groups' names are any indication I'm guessing their motivations/leanings are:

The Band - Class Strife
The Professors - Academic
The Sailors - Personal

We should probably do the sense motive first anyway since nothing is as it seems in Zeitgeist.

Ok, that sounds like a better option than my suggestions and immediate thought. I was going to quit the game but I will stay to role play through my foo and fix my focus issues.

I was in so much of a hurry and too eager to post, it clouded my concentration. Can I use a Hero Point to retcon or save the scenario since it is kind of Foo'd now? ... :-)

Yeah no reason to retcon - while the Barb reaction may seem as setting the group back, in game terms it really doesn't with the upcoming skill challenge encounter. I just had to play the scene as-written since she just gave her information already, based on the group's excellent diplomacy rolls and prior posts. So no harm no foul BUT I want to make sure my newly-created encounter challenge goes as intended. I think this will be a bit more fun and rewarding than open free-form with the patrons of the tavern.