Dungeon World - Strom's Six (Inactive)

Game Master Infernal Zero

Also...are your roman numerals accurate? You are the...22nd Fizzwiddle Glockenfleffor of your line?

Yep the 22nd Fizzwiddle Glockenfleffor. Of particular note, since Bikke pointed it out, are Fizzwiddles 5, 9, 15 and 18. Of particular shame are 2, 7, and 11

Ah friend dwarf. Fizzwiddle Glockenfelffor the 22nd. But my friends call me Fizzy! We seem to be heading in the same direction...would you let me join you?

Elena shrugs at Gromroir's question. "Probably not. It keeps wanting to phase shift on its own, it's always falling off. But the explosion risk is within acceptable limits." Elena knocks back more of her apple beer, then pulls out a parchement covered with scribbles and half-finished notes. "See, if I add some more coils and mix in some elven yew bark, you could get twice the kinetic blast and make the beams blue too! And it would stain whatever was hit, they'd go flying and be bright glowing blue. Great for dark tunnel fights, eh? Early tests smelled awful, but no big deal, right?" A fresh bandage is wrapped around her wrist, and a faint blue glow can be seen under it. Along with a slight odor of rotten mushrooms and burned wood, barely suppressed by mineral oil and alcohol.

"Oh, a gnome! Howdy, Mr. Glockenfellfor, I'm Elena, engineer extraordinaire!" Elena extends a gloved hand, oblivious to the fact it has turned translucent gray.

(Fizzwiddle Glockenfleffor XI was alright, but the series got stale after Fizzwiddle Glockenfleffor XIV. It's been downhill ever since.)

Maybe we're looking at this wrong. Perhaps gnomes breed in enormous litters, and Fizzy's parents just named all 22 sons Fizzwiddle Glockenfleffor Jr. and all 21 daughters, I dunno, Sarah.

Agreed with Tublat, I think this tavern scene is just kind of a non-canon in-character interaction scene, and when we start the campaign properly the DM will smash-cut to a different scenario we're all in. Maybe? I dunno how he wants to do this. :)

Ropetail: RatMousefolk Arcane Duelist

Watch it!

Sure Fizzy, I am a dwarven artificer, what do you do? He asks

What do you say I share the original cannon tech, and you build a prototype before we start tinkering with the Myrmidon? I ould like to see this in action, and you might benefit from seeing a rigorously engineered schematic. he jibes, smiling, before downing half the pint in one gulp. The girl is good, might even be great, if she can learn some focus and discipline he thinks

Agreed with Tublat, I think this tavern scene is just kind of a non-canon in-character interaction scene, and when we start the campaign properly the DM will smash-cut to a different scenario we're all in. Maybe? I dunno how he wants to do this. :)

I gave the basics of where you are now and how you ended up there in the opening post. Whether this is actually canon will probably be up to you to decide. That includes not doing something that forces me to say it isn't canon.

DM Loopy wrote:

Ropetail: RatMousefolk Arcane Duelist

Watch it!

Sorry, I had to. To see if you'd notice, and for my own amusement. Glad to see you're paying attention.

Be careful, though. Tempt me enough, and Lord Strom's official name for you will be "Fuzzles" or something.

While I remember:

DM, Lord Strom is the alias that my shadowy employer uses when he issues orders to me via his lackeys. My character looked up the name when he was in the Service and there's no such Lord, so Ropetail knows it's a fake name, but it's all he knows to call him by. Question, are we all here at the behest of the same person, or is there some kind of cabal that contacted us separately? Regardless, right now my character doesn't know that, but I'd like to know ooc.

Everyone is here and at work at the behest of Lord Strom - though almost certainly not directly. I imagine many of you were contacted separately from one another, so as to better tailor his...offers...to whoever they were attempting to convince. That means the full spectrum of lying, bribing, extortion and the like as necessary. When your loyalty was assured, you were directed to a rendezvous to meet the rest of your group. It was ensured that any fabrications would not conflict, and that you were "only given the information that was either necessary or may be of interest to you." That way, when the lies meet, it only builds a bigger picture.

Uh... thats a lot of posts :) I'm creating a bard :)

EDIT: Never mind, going to create a charlatan, if that's ok :) If not, I'll create a bard

"I've heard they call you many other names than those, Nonna." Terestria says, leaning in "Coldmother, Winter's Crone, I think I even overheard someone at the bar call you Ravin' Maven. I'm Terestria. Tria if you'd like."

Terestria takes another swig of her ale, she enjoyed the taste but her druidic powers meant she took no sustenance from it. Still, she found that people opened up a lot more when everyone had a drink in hand.

"Don't worry about my future Nonna, I've had people do that for me my whole life. Besides, the job is so straightforward - what could possibly go wrong?" She says, her ears pricking out at something bellowing over the din.

"Is that a Gorilla?"

The crone emits another chuckle. "Yes, yes, they do have quite an imagination for names, dearie- Miss Terestria, I should say." She chuckles a bit more.

What large teeth you have, springling. Will they keep your eyes, so wide, even through your tremulous path? Is it enough to be a wolf in babe's clothing, or will the hunter catch you out?

Still smiling, she turns to look past the four at the bar, and spot the beast in the corner. "Can't say I have much experience with the creatures, dearie. They don't have winter where they're from."

Wondered what happened to you.

Not so fond of the Charlatan. Looking it over, it seems a lot like "+1 - the class." A lot of the stuff is just bonuses. If you want to be a ruthless liar though, I do have something that suggests alternative class moves. Here's the relevant one for the bard:

Teller of Tall Tales (replaces Charming and Open)
When you spin a false story or tell a lie, roll+CHA. On a 10+, the target believes your story completely, and the Bard gains +1 forward to their next interaction with the target, whether that is a sneak attack, more lies, etc. On a 7-9, the target questions some of the details or is unsure if the story is true, but is cautiously accepting of at least some of the story. On a 6-, the target knows the story is a lie and is not happy about the attempted deception.

Be fully aware there are limits to what you can get people to believe. Argue all you like, the moon is NOT a potato. Not unless you have a VERY good way to convince them of it, or your target is a bit kooky in general.

Ages long past, when even I was a drooling babe at the feet of greater powers, the moon is a poptato, the end.

Fizzy elaborately kisses Elena's hand and says to Grom Oh I do a bit of this, a bit of that, mostly I like to read books and play games. So where are you all headed? I figure we could travel together as long as our paths don't diverge.

Wondered what happened to you.

Not so fond of the Charlatan. Looking it over, it seems a lot like "+1 - the class." A lot of the stuff is just bonuses. If you want to be a ruthless liar though, I do have something that suggests alternative class moves. Here's the relevant one for the bard:

Teller of Tall Tales (replaces Charming and Open)
When you spin a false story or tell a lie, roll+CHA. On a 10+, the target believes your story completely, and the Bard gains +1 forward to their next interaction with the target, whether that is a sneak attack, more lies, etc. On a 7-9, the target questions some of the details or is unsure if the story is true, but is cautiously accepting of at least some of the story. On a 6-, the target knows the story is a lie and is not happy about the attempted deception.

Be fully aware there are limits to what you can get people to believe. Argue all you like, the moon is NOT a potato. Not unless you have a VERY good way to convince them of it, or your target is a bit kooky in general.

Hm, thanks! Will create my character as a Bard! :)

Still smiling, she turns to look past the four at the bar, and spot the beast in the corner. "Can't say I have much experience with the creatures, dearie. They don't have winter where they're from."

Shows how much you know. Winter we have, at the top of the mountains, there it be winter forever. You hear in the back of your mind.

Don't...Like...Snow the Gorilla mutters. You get the sense that he's much better at speaking through the mind than out loud, but he's trying to act it off.

Thanks for the alternate move! Will be taking that! :)

Ultrageek here! Done my character! Here's just a brief description, which can also be found in my profile:

When he walks into a bar, flashing a wink and a grin at the nearest woman, you might think Ramonde was just your normal Minstrel. In fact, you might even be true. But that's not what Ramonde thinks. Nay, in fact, he profoundly disagrees with you. While minstrels tell stories, Ramonde makes them. Whether he goes out and slays a dragon, or stands on stage pretending that he slew a dragon... well, that...that my friend, is based on how he feels. Ramonde travels the land, creating adventure and following his every whim ,learning of stories, listening to stories, and creating stories. For he is a bard, and that... well, that is his life.

That sounds very agreeable, Mr. Glockenfleffor. where is your destination? He asks, before catching the barkeeps attention and ordering Fizzy a drink Come to think of it, What brings you here Elena? you haven't come all this way just to show me your latest half-baked ideas, have you?

Well for the moment my destination is here! he says growing very excited at the drink coming to him

Can I join in the tavern scene? :)

(I don't think anyone would mind, seeing how this whole scene is pretty much non-canon, as far as I know anyway. Speaking of which, if you guys are wondering why Bikke hasn't said anything IC in a while, it's because I'd want to limit our non-canon interactions. I mean we all know our characters' personalities already. The banter is fun, though.)

Well. I suppose now's a good a time as any.

We've got a lot of great characters here, I have to say. Each one of you has your own merits. But thinking on it, I think 8 is a bit much to handle for my first time. Thankfully, we have 12 players here - enough for 2 games of 6.

So - would anyone be happy to run a second game so nobody gets left out here? With all the wonderful characters we have here, it would be a shame not to be able to see them in action. It'd be interesting to see how things diverge from the same setup too. Just please don't offer if you wouldn't want to do it or can't really do it. That's not going to end well. If multiple of you are up for it, I'd prefer you decide amongst yourselves - this isn't going to be my game, after all.

If nobody is able or willing, I'll move onto selections.

I am already running a game, which as loopy knows I am still learning, so I'm out for running

It's also helpful to let me know if you can't, like Fizzwiddle here. I can't know if you don't say.

(I'm also GMing another game right now, so nay.)

Sorry, I wouldn't be able to either. PbP is my chance to avoid being the designated GM in meatspace.

I'm in the same boat as Elena here. I GM a fair bit in real life, so this is my chance to actually play.

I'm sorry but I also don't think I can, I have never been a GM (real life or online) and I'm not sure I can do it without running dry of ideas.

Kinda already running one,and tried running a second, didn't work out. sorry

Can't run, sorry. Already running a game on pbp

Well, this is good for me. Elena's informed me that she'll be able to take another table. That seats her firmly with me, and gives everyone a chance to play.

So, here's how this is going to go. There are 5 spots open with me, and 6 with Elena. Just state your preference between having me or Elena run your table, and we'll see how this works out. I'm the inexperienced one, and Elena is not.

I'm still not taking Bikke AND Gorn though. I don't know if Elena takes doubles, but otherwise you should sort things between the two of you...provided Gorn's still watching the thread. I'll probably end up PMing him.

I think that the artificer and the mechanic will be a very cool dynamic, so I would prefer to be at your table, Loopy.

I would prefer to stick with you, Loopy. I know you a bit better. I'm ready for some twisted plots and shades of grey.

Wheeee! Two already. I'll do my best!

You know, before Elena PM'd me, I was actually considering a more Lord Strom view as to who to hire to help me pick - who'd be more capable as an assassin, who'd be more problematic for whatever reason, etc. Something on top of who I liked to pick people, because damn was it hard. You guys! Youuuu guys!

Just thought I'd mention after Nonna's talk of twisted plots and shades of grey. Gonna do my best here. Apart from construction, the issue's probably going to be knowing how far to go with things. I...have a bit of a tolerance, to put it one way. I'd be hard pressed to find something I was too opposed to, and there are some really dark shades of grey.

I'm open to either.

I think the Winter Herald and I got off to a great RPing start which I see as canon, and the contrast between two mechanical characters and two highly magical/nature characters could really be interesting.

Though I think Terestria is a slightly more campy character, who might benefit from a more colourful world than a twisted grey one. Maybe something that would work well with thieves, bards, and gnomes?

I'd be also interested in RPing with Ropetail, wherever they end up. I'm thinking of how many hilarious ways to engage enemies that a tiny mouseman and a druid lets you do. Shapeshift into a hawk and then mouse-death-from-above? Shetland-pony-druid mount?

Any thoughts Loopy?

So the opening I'm thinking of using will be a dungeon, the Gaol of Kas the Bloody, a prison built by the warlord Kas to dispose of their enemies. Why you're there, who sent you, and just who Kas is/was is up to you.

I'll stay w loopy unless Elena wants the gnome

I'll take whoever is willing. We did apply for Loopy's game after all, mine's just a backup.

So if I'm understanding the situation:

DM Loopy (5/5):
Elena
Gromroir
Winter Herald
Terestria? (wants to stay with Winter Herald, but open for both)
Fizzwiddle Glockenfleffor XXII

DM Elena (-/6):
Terestria?

Unslotted (6):
Bikke (Arr)
Yizid
Gorn
Ropetail
Tublat
Takesh

I see a problem here with both Bikke and Gorn unslotted, and with Loopy's table full. I suggest Terestria switches to DM Elena's table and Bikke joins DM Loopy's table.

I think there's room for us both at Loops table Bike.

6 per table am I right?

Well, I'm just going by what I'm hearing. If Loopy has 6 spots then sure, neat.

There are 5 spots open with me, and 6 with Elena.

I totally forgot Ramonde, though, so two tables of 5 and 6 don't work if the plan is to get a table for all 12.

Loopy has 5 spots other than me.

I'm willing to go either way, but I would prefer Loopy for now as well. I would have offered to DM, but I've only DMd the start of a campaign irl before now.

Bikke, it's 5 non-Elena spots, as she said. If it helps, think of it as 6 slots, and Elena's just already nabbed one.

Preference doesn't necessarily mean getting a spot, it just means which table you'd prefer to be on. Which means we may have to do some sorting out later. Takesh isn't going to be able to answer for a while, so that affects things too.

Also, poor Ramonde! How could you forget about him?

Whoa. This took off even more than it had! =)

It looks like things are settling out nicely. All honor to the house of Blibberblab for taking on a table!

I'm a simple man, with simple tastes. Hence I'd prefer the newly christened table of Elena's.

So too it seems that my choice of professions be causing some tumult. I pledge that if thems what wish it do wish it, I'll give off fighter in place of the Slayer. (I just wanna hit things, and that seems the best solution. =)

So, so far, this is what we're looking at:

Loopy's Table - 5 open spaces
Gromroir - Preferred
Fizzwiddle - Preferred
Terestria - Willing
Bikke - Preferred
Nonna - Preferred
Tublat - Preferred

Elena's Table - 6 open spaces
Gorn - Preferred
Terestria - Willing
Tublat - Willing

Undecided
Yizid
Ropetail
Takesh - Unable to decide until at least Monday
Ramonde

If you want to join my table, then please speak up, but Elena could do with some people. It might be useful to know why you want to be on a particular table, and what you're interested in. Just do be aware that, as I had in my mind, Lord Strom isn't necessarily the nicest individual. You are off to kill someone, at the behest of someone more selfishly motivated, and from what Ropetail's said is quite powerful and unattached to all of you. Even if this job's "nice", the next job may not be, and you may have to watch out for your employer. Lord Strom does not take people saying no, no matter how bad what you're doing is. Be aware of that.

thats precisely why I want to be at this "table" what a conflict for poor fizzy! Also being in other games with Loopy, I feel i have a good idea of how you play, and im not concerned about asking questions and feeling stupid.

I played with Elena briefly when I was posting on the boards under the alias DM Frogfoot. He played Blibberblab the Goblin Bard in that campaign, and it was a lot of fun, short-lived as it was.

I appreciate you taking on the sacrifice of being a GM instead of a player, Elena. Ropetail would be honored to be thrown in your gaol, the gaol of Kas the Bloody.

Ah yes. I recall Bladderityblibberty well. He did that one...thing. With the guy? That had the hair?

Good times. Good times.

I'll miss Ropetail, but the chiaroscuro of technology vs magic, winter vs spring, and experience vs naivete is too tempting. A lot of good lines to divide the party along, so a lot of rich roleplay potential.

It might be useful to know why you want to be on a particular table, and what you're interested in.

(I just think Bikke would go well with Gromroir for comedic reasons stated earlier, and because I think Bikke would fit more the role of a "hired assassin gone wrong" instead of being a prisoner of some warlord.)

"Arr," Bikke said as he realised he had gone hours without saying 'arr'.

The insane goblin bard was entertaining.

To clarify, you wouldn't be prisoners breaking out (unless everyone wanted to), I was thinking more along the lines of adventurers breaking into a prison for some reason. Rescue mission? Finding some weird thing? Assassination? Basically a dungeon crawl in a fortress used as a prison.