Okay, plenty for me to catch up on here! It will be interesting to see if the Dashing Hero is willing to ally with pirates and necromancers... Kinda wish I had more bonds to fill out now, but the playbook only has four. =[
Morgan, do you want to be a hunter, stalking smelly beasts through muddy forests, or a hero, with a noble steed and a flair for the dramatic? ;-)
I'm thinking maybe Gilder could have been a subject of Morgan's kingdom, and his heroing would have given him some manner of reputation. Perhaps Morgan sought him out before fleeing, hoping to secure his aid?
Also, here's an odd question for you - should Morgan be referred to using male or female pronouns? Sorry for my ignorance, but gender-bending isn't a common theme in most of my games, and I want to make sure I'm not offending anyone, in- or out-of-character.
I think Mandus is going to be pretty interesting. A good necromancer? Can't say I've seen it done, but we'll see how it plays out...
And Deliverance, if you do end up 'using humor to weave veiled insults into conversation', Gilder has a wisdom score of 8. You could have some fun there. :P
Good question! For Morgan you should use male pronouns. Although for royal titles, by blood he's a prince, but by "office," so to speak, he's a princess. So probably Princess Morgan would be his preferred full address.
I think Morgan will like Mandus, since their beliefs in Duty are similar. :)
Here is my character, or atleast the name and avatar, still gotta put all the bits inside. This is mostly just to indicate im still here.
Okay, plenty for me to catch up on here! It will be interesting to see if the Dashing Hero is willing to ally with pirates and necromancers... Kinda wish I had more bonds to fill out now, but the playbook only has four. =[
GM Mogthrasir wrote that we can have up to 8 bonds. So you can always write your own :)
Which brings me to my final bond:
I owe Horn my life. I shall help him defeat the source of the living shadows. My honor depends on it.
Mandus looks really cool. I'm quite conservative when it comes to fantasy races but I look forward to seeing him in action.
Gonna pinch a couple of bonds from other classes, then. Let's see here...
Mandus does not trust me, and for good reason.
Morgan owes me his life, whether he admits it or not.
Giltharon knows incriminating details about me.
Little less jerky than the Dashing hero bonds. >.>
Gonna pinch a couple of bonds from other classes, then. Let's see here...
Mandus does not trust me, and for good reason.
Morgan owes me his life, whether he admits it or not.
Giltharon knows incriminating details about me.Little less jerky than the Dashing hero bonds. >.>
"Morgan owes me his life, whether he admits it or not." could be turned into something jerky :) I bought the Dashing Hero Playbook. It's really good.
I'm just going off the character sheet from my last game. And you're right, it could be jerky. Guess it depends on how Morgan wants to take it. :p
Shamelessly stealing Gilders format for this since I dunno the "accepted setup" for this stuff. Also, just realized both our names start with Gil, and to be clear, this character is re purposed from a game that fell through, so its not even like I just made the name :O
Class / Background: Giltharon is a Pirate. Once a captain with a ship at his command, he served the Grand Armada of the Da'asthyrian Empire, before having his career unceremoniously cut short. His ship obliterated in the ongoing conflict with the dwarves of the Steel Fist Conglomerate (Specifically rammed to peices by a Ramshead Juggernaut), he drifted for days, clinging to a piece of driftwood. Normally, an elf in his position would have ended his own suffering, for every elf is taught that death is preferable to failure, but Gil held his own life too dear to let go. He felt great shame at his inability to do even that, but thankfully, that was soon to change. Unconscious, dying of thirst and his brain boiling in the oppressive sun, he was picked from the waves on the fourth day by a passing pirate ship. They had been prowling the wreckage of the battle, looking for easy spoils when they happened on the elf.
At first they intended to use him for a bit of sport, for the Da'asthyr were no friends of pirates, who not only sought to plunder their ships, but also flew in the face of Da'asthyrian values with their menageries of mixed race crews, living and fighting together and very much breaking the order of things. But as Gil awoke, it soon became clear that his days at sea had not been kind to his head, his very identity burned away by hunger, thirst and the sweltering heat of the sun. There really wasnt much sport in killing him as he was, but having a "converted" Da'asthyrian as a crewmember? Who could pass it up? Why, the other Da'asthyrians would be practically trembling with indignation when they got robbed by one of their own!
Gils time on the ship wasnt easy. Not only was his elven heritage a bit of a tough pill to swallow for some of the crew, but despite his amnesia, the racism of his people still lingered as a shadow of its former intensity. It took many confrontations and beatings, but in time, his imaginative racial slurs became, if not endearing, then atleast accepted as goodhearted jabs and jokes. Even Gil came to see it as such, each seething insult delivered with a devilish smile on his lips.
Years passed, and Gil enjoyed his new free life, somehow knowing that the life he had forgotten had been oppressive and regimented. But like most pirate ships, his did not stand the test of time. Eventually, their luck ran out, and Gil once more found himself afloat, clutching a piece of the wrecked ship.
Thankfully, this time he was close to land, drifting ashore two days later.
This is where I need our Skink to give some input, since I was thinking about having them meet here.
Race:
Gil is an elf of "The Most Glorious Empire of Da'asthyr", raised to find all but his own divinely proportioned race to be most vile and unworthy of any regard. The Da'asthyr carved a bloody path across the world in the millenia preceding the rise of man, and have jealously held on to their lands with a xenophobic zeal that exceeds those of any of the known races. They believe themselves the rightful rulers of all creation, a thought hardcoded into their species by their creator, Da'asthyr, their namesake God.
While having been pushed back somewhat, Da'asthyr is still an immense empire. Nestled in the north, it is a beautiful land, expertly tamed and groomed by the elves to a pleasing aesthetic and efficient in its layout. Mountains encircle much of its borders, creating an easily defensible peremiter, which coupled with elven tenacity likely accounts for Da'asthyrs continued standing as a superpower. However, since its decline in the face of the other races, none of Da'asthyrs emperors have been content to let the usurpers keep their ill gotten lands, and Da'asthyr has been in a constant state of "war" with its neighbors, constantly hatching schemes and plots to retake what is rightfully theirs. Full fledged military excursions are rare, and what most of the common folk hear or see of the elves is the many roaming war parties, each on a mission of some sort to further the Da'asthyrian expansion.
Very few people have ever seen the land past the looming mountain borders, and those who do do not return to tell of it, for Da'asthyr for all its distaste of anything non-elven, is a nation build on slave labor. Thousands, possibly millions toil away for their pointy eared overlords, so that Da'asthyr may focus all its attention on military might.
Personality and appearance: Giltharon very much possesses the mannerisms of a buccaneer, having sailed almost a decade beneath the black flag. But to a true pirate, something seems off about it. While capable of "playing the part" and acting as one would expect of a man of his "profession", most of the time he seems reserved about it, seemingly hesitant to embrace his personality. He knows he was once someone else, and ever feels the desires of his other self, tugging at the back of his mind.
Giltharon knows his true name, the only thing to truly come back to him since he forgot who he was. Not knowing why, he takes great pride in his name, but also realizes, without knowing why, that he shouldnt flaunt it, as someone may come looking for him if they hear of it.
Giltharon struggles with companionship, actively seeking it after so many years as a pirate, but at the same time finding everyone else inexplicably revolting to him somehow. Were he to describe it he would liken it to a bout of heavy drinking "At once feeling sick to your stomach, but still wanting more"
The Da'asthyr put great stock in family names and inheritance of duties, but even so, they are not fools. The right person for the right job. Gil landed himself a post as captain through name and wit both. He is no genius by any means, but has a quick, wily mind, a healthy balance of studied knowledge and sly intuition.
Gil prefers to go in with a plan, disliking the usual gamble with life attitude of other pirates. However if the gains of success are great enough, even he will play a seemingly foolish gambit. Be it playing it safe or a glorious gamble, Gils actions are always a product of cold calculation.
While capable of obnoxious levels of elitist behavior, Gil still possesses that special elven allure, which to a great degree compensates for his personality. Is it the ears? The eyes? The flowing platinum hair? Who knows? Coupled with the underhanded, stealthy delivery of his insults, Gil seems rather charming to those whose wits arent quick enough.
Gil seems tall to most, but is in truth not much taller than your average human. However unlike most people who stand and walk with a slight slouch, Gil inexplicably always stands tall, chin raised, some would say even striking a pose. Just like any elf, Gil is blessed with a divinely well proportioned physique, sleek and slender as a mongoose, with well defined muscles despite his lack of any actual brawn. He is however also as willowy and naturally frail as his kin, the one unfortunate compromise made when Da'asthyr created his people. A closer look does reveal the telltale signs of a rough life at sea however, his hands visibly more gnarled and rugged than one would expect of an elf.
Crunch:
STR 9, DEX 16, CON 8, INT 13, WIS 12, CHA 15; Damage: d8; Armor: 1; HP: 16
Equipment: Scurvy rations (4 uses, 1 weight); Cutlass (close, precise, 1 weight); Boiled Leather Armor (1 Armor, 1 weight, Can be eaten as a ration). Backup weapon: Flintlock Pistol (Reach, Gunpowder, 3 Ammo, 1 weight). Adventuring gear (5 uses, 1 weight), Healing Potions.
I probably got a bit carried away with describing the elves in general, but I just couldnt help myself, since you did say for non-humans to have a hand in the history and mannerisms of their race.
On days or weeks where death did not visit the Skinks, however, Mandus was left with little to do besides reattach the odd severed body part. On one such relaxing day, Mandus was strolling along the beach looking for poisonous urchins and stumbled upon Gil, unconscious and with an octopus on his head. After determining with some disappointment that Gil was indeed still alive, he decided to revive him, and using his considerable knowledge of biology and medicine stitched him back to health. He did not bring the elf back to the tribe - elves had hunted and slain lizardfolk for generations, after all - but he saw no danger in helping a single elf pirate survive. It turns out his judgment was right, as you didn't kill him the moment you were able to.
Morgan: I think there's room in your Nemesis' character idea to have great racial disdain/hatred for lizardfolk, don't you? A common enemy would be good reason for my character to serve with you - Mandus is at his heart a patriot, and seeks the betterment of the lizardfolk in all things.
I'll try to come up with some extra bonds for the new faces. I would imagine that Karm is going to harp on Mandus' necromancy a fair bit over the course of gameplay. It is a rather glaring example of the very same powers he has come to shun.
Actually, I dont see Gil having any problems with necromancy. The elves are all about the war effort and using the enemy against themselves seems rather fitting for a race with no regard at all for the "lesser races". So after they send in waves of ill equipped slaves to fight the enemy soldiers, cadres of necromancers revive slave and fallen enemy alike and march on them with everything.
While it wont be even remotely Geb levels of cultural necromancy, I can even see the practice of reanimating slaves to keep working for a time (Cave-in kills slaves, necro animates em, back to work!)
Mandus is well-aware of the stigma that other cultures place on the dark arts. He takes it all in good humor - some of the noises dead folk make are so hilarious that he can't really be grim about anything.
By the way, Mandus wears an eyepatch over the eye that you can't see in the picture (so his left eye.) He has two perfectly functional eyeballs, but he flips the eyepatch down whenever he takes his eyeball out and leaves it somewhere. In fact, Gil, when you first awoke, I was out of the hut, but I had left my left eye in the hut where I was tending you, keeping an eye on you so to speak, and I knew when you awoke that way!
There's a lot of great stuff here that I'm excited to read through when I'm not on my phone :P. Looks like we're about ready to start as well. I look through everything tomorrow and make sure we're all set. Then we can get to gaming!
You know, I only just noticed the simlarities in our names, too? Shows how attentive I am. >.>
Gil, I've decided that one of the corpses I start out with in one of my hexed canopic jars is one of your former shipmates, that I found on the same beach as you. You can dictate the general appearance and race of the thrall; hope you don't mind me "using" him or her. ^_^
"Ol' Barley was more unbearable than most, and thats saying something that is! See this scar right here? Good riddance to him I say." Gil said, looking possibly more sour than usual. "He was a useless lout. I cant imagine that potbellied, peg legged, baldheaded, slack jawed paragon of human ineptitude would be of more use in death than in life, but by all means, give it a go." He waved the skink away dismissively, apparently needing to be alone to seethe.
"ssss....Barley, eh? Charming name," the Skink comments, looking his newest acquisition over. "Looks like he took a blow to the head when your ship sunk," he says, gesturing at the back of Barley's skull. "This peg leg won't do...first humanoid corpse I find, I'm swapping legs for a replacement. Peg legs..." the lizardfolk scoffs. "Anyone equipped with a wooden prosthetic limb is simply in need of a skilled necromancer's services."
Things look really good! And I think that as long as you guys are ready, then it's time to kick this off!
Yes, you are welcome to create a number of different bonds. I'm fine with several things that tie you together, but would ask it to be limited to no more than 2 per person (since they can be used for the Aid move, and a bonus of more than 2 gets kinda ridiculous).
And Giltharon, I love the amount of background you put in. All of you have given me quite a bit of things to work with, which I will be able to weave into this world. Don't be too surprised if I add in a few things here and there, but I won't mess with your vision too much. I want to keep it what you envision, but add in some surprises along the way.
I also have a question for Mandus:
--------------------------------------
Gilder, Horn, Morgan, Karm, and Skorabor had things well fleshed out and have great connections. I like the way you've been able to incorporate Mandus and Giltharon with shorter notice, though they seem to be outsiders somewhat at the moment - which is perfect. A skink that brings the dead to life (though culturally acceptable for his people) and a pirate from a xenophobic race certainly would be outsiders to begin with. I like the dynamics this provides and am certain we'll be able to draw together while maintaining the integrity of our characters!
Giltharon and Mandus are outside of the room where the other 5 are. You may decide where, and why.
Once we have an idea on those, then we're good to start. So I'll likely have the post up either later today or early tomorrow. Thank you all for the work and creativity you put into getting this started. Things will flow much more naturally from here!
I also pointed this out at the beginning of my other Dungeon World campaign, and should point it out here.
My main rule:
This will likely be broken, at which point I will redirect you away from mechanics and back to the fiction.
We are telling a story and living and adventure first, not rolling mechanics. Because of this, the mechanical aspects rise out of the story and help guide the story, but they are not the story.
When you act, begin with fiction. What are you doing and how are you doing it. Some of those things will require a roll, which will lead to more story. But don't let the mechanics become the actions. This then leads to more story, more fiction. Fiction is the beginning and the end.
Do not:
- Say "I attack the golem for x damage" then roll hack and slash and damage.
- Describe an action simply as the mechanic that rises out of it.
- Treat NPC or PC interaction without words or actions.
Instead:
- Describe the attack. How are you fighting? What are you trying to do? You are not Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots, you move and feint and jab.
- As above, explain the action and method that leads to the mechanic.
- Use words and body language.
*Note: I will not penalize a charismatic character with good rolls for a less than persuasive speech or argument. But I still want to know what your character says.
And here was a reply that I found extremely helpful:
This is a very useful guide for a getting a feel for how the game fiction works.even if you don't read the content, read the example play or scenarios. Thus was a huge help for me in understanding more accurately what is meant by the "fiction".Actual Play podcast
This audio was also instrumental in hearing how it plays in real life. I was floored at how fluid combat was and how much more engaging everything was. Being a huge fan of the Penny Arcade dnd podcasts, this came as a complete surprise.The best thing you can do for yourself is to always imagine the GM asking "how?" to your actions (like a kid always asks "why"). In this way, you have a very simple way to draw out an evocative narrative of your actions.
Example: I try to bribe the guard. By giving him a satchel of coins. By casually walking up along side him and, as if we were well acquainted, slip the coins into his back pocket and whisper, "You know what I need."
A question about the bonds: how often do we get to resolve them and make new ones? I'm mainly asking because right now I don't have any bonds with Giltharon or Mandus, as Skorabor is yet to meet them. Will there me different "stops" when we review our bonds or is it up to us to discuss it wheb we feel that a bond has been resolved or a new one should be formed.
Another question I have is regardibg the fiction. I'm not a writer and not a native english speaker. I've found that I have to spend quite a lot of time on posts trying to emulate "good" writing, and the results are rarely (as in "never") stellar. I'm not going to resort to "I hit it with my axe" kind of statements, but my posts won't be all that "flowerly". I hope that's not a problem?
A question about the bonds: how often do we get to resolve them and make new ones? I'm mainly asking because right now I don't have any bonds with Giltharon or Mandus, as Skorabor is yet to meet them. Will there me different "stops" when we review our bonds or is it up to us to discuss it wheb we feel that a bond has been resolved or a new one should be formed.
Another question I have is regarding the fiction. I'm not a writer and not a native english speaker. I've found that I have to spend quite a lot of time on posts trying to emulate "good" writing, and the results are rarely (as in "never") stellar. I'm not going to resort to "I hit it with my axe" kind of statements, but my posts won't be all that "flowerly". I hope that's not a problem?
Generally, bonds will be resolved and opportunity given for new ones at the "end" of a particular adventure. (So this first one might be right after you escape or overcome these shadows, as long as there's not something immediately pressing). At these resting points, you will get xp as a group if you:
- learned something new and important about the world
- overcame a notable monster or enemy
- or looted a memorable treasure
At these points you will also be able to level up your characters if you have anough xp to do so (which is current level +7).
As for the fiction, I'm really not worried about whether anyone's a good writer or not. I don't mind grammatical errors, or whether you're able to express something in flowery ways or not. I just want you all to describe your character as if you're telling a story, rather than rolling an outcome.
Like Sebastion illustrated, get used to asking yourself the "how" question. How did you attack? By swinging your sword? Then how did you swing it.
"I swing my sword in low, chopping at his feet." tells a story, and can still be simple. So don't worry about writing skills. And even if anyone reverts to mechanical actions, then I'll just remind you by asking "how" you did it.
I like character building and revel in stating out my characters and finding funky combinations and builds. That said I detest "I roll Perception" gameplay. This is looking like a better and better game to me!
That said, while I wont skimp on the roleplay, I might "break the mood" from time to time by playing the mechanical aspect wrong. Im so deeply invested in Pathfinder at this point, that even though this system is simple, learning another system is still hard for the old thinker. It gets set in its ways so to speak.
BONDS!
Mandus Bond: "That lizard is quite the freak, I mean hes not an elf for starters, but the scales and the death worship? I mean necromancy is practical and all but he seems to enjoy it a tad much! Then theres that weird lisp. Bah! Either way, he pulled me to safety where most wouldnt, and thats what counts to me. I owe him."
Mandus Bond 2: "Oh and he did save my arms from falling off. Gangrene, nasty stuff! You should have seen the size of the piece of wood that was stuck in it, big as the biggest icicles it was...why do I know what an icicle looks like, Ive never even seen snow! Ah, who cares, point is I owe that freak my life AND my arm, even if its still numb from whatever mojo he worked. Damn bugeyed lizard keeps saying it will pass but its been months!"
I guess these two could really just be one Bond, but im open to suggestions.
As for other bonds, Im kinda interested in having someone have spared my life in a ship raid (Or maybe I spared their life instead?), you know, had a sword at my throat and spared me when either they or the pirates fled. Im personally thinking Morgan, the battle rages on a royal ship, but the pirates have to flee when backup arrives. But dont be shy, if anyones wants in on it im all ears :)
EDIT: Btw, did I miss something somewhere about the setup for the game? Choosing where we start and why we are there is kinda hard without context.
I like character building and revel in stating out my characters and finding funky combinations and builds. That said I detest "I roll Perception" gameplay. This is looking like a better and better game to me!
That said, while I wont skimp on the roleplay, I might "break the mood" from time to time by playing the mechanical aspect wrong. Im so deeply invested in Pathfinder at this point, that even though this system is simple, learning another system is still hard for the old thinker. It gets set in its ways so to speak.
That's a big part of what the guide linked a couple posts up is about. I'm so used to DnD and Pathfinder that there's a lot of areas where this system trips me up sometimes. Think of this as a pallette cleanser :)
Bonds look great, Giltharon. Here's a link to where the setup was. Apologies, I really should have linked this initially!
--->LINK<---
The 5 character options have already been selected. And many of the others have been discussed a bit in the conversations that follow. I obviously won't tell you which of the rumors are true, but I'll compile what you've decided of each other and your reasons for being there so that we have it collected.
Hmmmm...effeminate royal male spares the life of a brute. Anyone read or watch Berserk? Getting definite Griffith vibes from that idea.
Havnt watched Berserk, no. Anime?
I haven't, but apparently you can online. (Read it, that is.)
"Where was I? Oh right, so all this walking around and not getting in any decent looting has got my belt pouch looking a little slack, you know what I mean? I was all set to just leave the damn lizard, even if I do owe him. But wouldnt you believe my luck, I hear about this Gilder fellow. Now I know what youre thinking "Gil, lots of people named Gilder out there surely, how you know this is the same guy?". Well I aint never forgetting that pompous windbag, and the descriptions were spot on. Apparently he makes it a point to ensure everyone knows his description and supposed "deeds". The bard I talked to wouldnt stop going on and on about the woes of having to suffer through memorizing it all before he would leave him alone."
"Anyway, so I hear hes in the next town over, and I...What? Tell you how I know him? Well I suppose I need to now dont I? But only because it makes for a proper story, not to try to fill that cavernous expanse excuse for a brain between your rounded ears with something useful! Now then..."
"So captain catches wind of this royal ship going to be passing through our turf. Easy pickings, or so he said. Sure enough we get them in our sights, and sure enough its mostly stuffed with fat aristocrats and gold. So we board the sorry saps and get to killing and looting. Being the smart fellow I am, I head straight for the cabins, figure theres gonna be all sorts of good stuff lying around down there. Turns out, one of my shipmates, Billy, got the same idea. Billy was a useless sack of human filth, such a waste of perfectly good flesh and bone, but that day he had a good idea just like me. Well in the end it wasnt such a good idea, but im getting to that."
"So I barge into the big fancy main cabin, you know the one with a window view and all, like the captains quarters but real s%+!& and span. Billys already in there, getting all handsy with some highborne lady. Got a knife at her throat and shes struggling. I cant rightly say what got into me, but I wouldnt let it stand. Maybe it was her beauty, I swear she must have some elf in her. Or maybe it was the fact that I hated Billys guts. Probably a bit of both. But I gutted that swine good I did, right in the stomach so he could squirm a little before dying."
"But then the lady picks up this fancy sword of hers off the ground. I guess Billy must have surprised her or something, because aint no way he managed to disarm her with her guard up. Flicked my cutlass right out of my hand she did, although to be fair my guard was down. She dont stick it to me though so I bolt out of there right quick."
"What? Yes, yes, Gilder im getting to it damn it. Just because your useless body doesnt stand the ravages of time like mine does doesnt mean I have to rush the story! Now you want to hear the rest or not? Good, then I shall grace your feeble faculties with the rest."
"So I get up on deck, and its a gods damned rout! Theres guts and blood and dead sailors all over the place! You took a wrong step and youd be liable to slip on some poor saps liver! And at the center of it all is this man, twirling around like hes dancing at a ball, just, instead of leading a lady he skewering my mates. Not a drop of blood on his clothes. Now he was good, ill give him that, but behind the glint in his eyes there was this vacant expression, like he didnt have much to work with if you catch my meaning. Just in the span of a few seconds I saw him dodge a slash and a thrust, both from enemies he didnt even see coming. Some god smiles on that fool. He avoided the slash bending down to check his pants for stains! I swear, if I didnt know better id say all of your kind has some measure of whatever this man had, how else would you all still be here?"
Anyway, had any of my mates been anything but useless mongrels I might have wept in rage, but instead all I could do was stand there like a fool and look at it happening. Id be lying if I said I didnt take a great deal of pleasure in seeing so many of you people cut down."
"So captain calls the retreat and we get out of there, but the one man army corners me. Boarding grapples are being cut all along the railing and im standing there with a rapier at my throat. Thats when the lady comes out running. She takes one look at me, a long stare like shes arguing with herself, then says "Gilder, let that one go." He doesn't hesitate in lowering his weapon, nor do I in leaping across to the ship just as the last lines snap and the ships pull away from each other."
"So thats that story, now back to what I intended to say. So hearing this fool Gilder is nearby, I figure, might as well track him down and remind him of our meeting. I bet I can get him to give me some gold for the road. I did save his lady friend after all. I may owe her my life, but he owes me hers!"
"Fine story aint it, and told with the skill of any bard this land could hope to muster. Thats gotta be worth another pint I wager, dont you?"
---------------------------
Gilder: "Im the reason his lady friend didnt get dead while he was off heroing on deck instead of keeping her safe. Ill should be able to spin this to my advantage."
Morgan: "That vixen saw something worth saving and let me go, and im willing to bet it wasnt just because I saved her. I dont know anything about her, but she aint like the other fat cats, wielding a sword like that. I find her inexplicably alluring and the thought of her human touch doesnt fill my mouth with bile. I must have her!"
Cant wait to hear what you guys think about my wall of text and the bonds that came of it. Open to suggestions and vetos.
Gil... That's brilliant. I laughed so hard when I read that, and I think you've got a better grasp on my character than I do! Well done!
Rough couple of days, will try to post soon. Like what I've seen so far. :)
Gil... That's brilliant. I laughed so hard when I read that, and I think you've got a better grasp on my character than I do! Well done!
"You honor me with your approval Sir Gilder, even though your heritage does sour the compliment somewhat. But thats a mere detail."
A question about the bonds: how often do we get to resolve them and make new ones? I'm mainly asking because right now I don't have any bonds with Giltharon or Mandus, as Skorabor is yet to meet them. Will there me different "stops" when we review our bonds or is it up to us to discuss it wheb we feel that a bond has been resolved or a new one should be formed.
Another question I have is regarding the fiction. I'm not a writer and not a native english speaker. I've found that I have to spend quite a lot of time on posts trying to emulate "good" writing, and the results are rarely (as in "never") stellar. I'm not going to resort to "I hit it with my axe" kind of statements, but my posts won't be all that "flowerly". I hope that's not a problem?
Generally, bonds will be resolved and opportunity given for new ones at the "end" of a particular adventure. (So this first one might be right after you escape or overcome these shadows, as long as there's not something immediately pressing). At these resting points, you will get xp as a group if you:
- learned something new and important about the world
- overcame a notable monster or enemy
- or looted a memorable treasure
At these points you will also be able to level up your characters if you have anough xp to do so (which is current level +7).
As for the fiction, I'm really not worried about whether anyone's a good writer or not. I don't mind grammatical errors, or whether you're able to express something in flowery ways or not. I just want you all to describe your character as if you're telling a story, rather than rolling an outcome.
Like Sebastion illustrated, get used to asking yourself the "how" question. How did you attack? By swinging your sword? Then how did you swing it.
"I swing my sword in low, chopping at his feet." tells a story, and can still be simple. So don't worry about writing skills. And even if anyone reverts to mechanical actions, then I'll just...
Cool, sounds good :) One (last?) question regarding in game posts: Do you prefer if we describe our actions then roll for the move, or should we just describe our actions and then you'll say if an action triggers a move?
** spoiler omitted **...
+1!
Lizardfolk freely trade with other races, but don't invite socializing very commonly. Thus, my Skink heritage is fairly unusual.
Gilder, Morgan, humans don't get the chance to meet Lizardfolk often. What were your reactions upon seeing me for the first time? Your first impressions will help me to define my Bond with you.
Skorabor: Lizardfolk and Dwarves think alike in many ways. For both species, the greater good is emphasized over the individual, and family is of the utmost importance. Would you be quiet and secretive about your shame? If so, Mandus would seek out the cause. I'm thinking of something like: "Skorabor is a mystery to me. Something haunts the dwarf, but what?"
Horn: Lizardfolk mistrust halflings. There have been territorial disputes in the past between feral halflings who have moved into the forests and the Treeborn Skinks who reside there. I'm thinking of playing into that racial prejucide for my Bond: "Horn is one of the little people, and cannot be trusted."
Karm: Mandus has great respect for fellow practitioners of the Art. However, you take issue with necromancy. I think my bond should be, "Karm's brilliance is overshadowed by his unwillingness to follow the path to power wherever it leads. I will show him examples of my power."
Cool, sounds good :) One (last?) question regarding in game posts: Do you prefer if we describe our actions then roll for the move, or should we just describe our actions and then you'll say if an action triggers a move?
Great question. A lot of times it should be fairly obvious to you that you're triggering a move. So it always makes things quicker in that instance to roll it as well. However, if you're not sure, then I leave it up to you to decide what you'd rather do: You could roll it on the off chance it may come up, or you could wait and see if I ask for it. I'm comfortable asking for rolls where I see the need, and won't penalize you for a roll you make if it's not needed.
Now to answer some questions you didn't ask, but you reminded me of:
Some moves will require multiple rolls. Because initiative isn't an issue in this system, feel free to describe a full action even if it involves multiple moves/rolls. If you want to go slide between the troll's legs, then jump on his back (for whatever foolish reason) - you can describe that instead of feeling like you have to stop at the first defy danger roll. Most of us have a mindset the involves "action economy": how many moves can I take in a turn? Well there are no "turns", so you can draw your weapon, move a reasonable distance, hurdle a wall, and bring down your hammer... I'm good with that. The only concern is that you not string too many moves together. The reason for this is that, depending on your rolls, I can make either soft moves or hard moves as consequences of your actions. So if you string 4 different moves into a single action, and all of them end up 7-9 rolls or 6-, then you may very well kill yourself with all the backlash or set up some big consequences without the proper opportunities to deal with them.
And treat the gameplay thread as a discussion. Feel free to make frequent use of the "ooc" tags. Ask questions, convey ideas, or even propose things you think might be going on. I prefer a gameplay centric conversation there, rather than jumping back and forth between that thread and the discussion thread to get a full idea of what you're doing and thinking. Discussion thread can be used to talk about your weekend or theories on time travel.
Giltharon, very well written snippet! It gives a great feel for your character, thank you! So by that, I'm assuming that the other 5 don't necessarily know you're around yet? If that's the case, then we would assume that any bonds they have with you are from previous encounters or are based on first impressions whenever you reveal yourself.
Also, I'll get the game going this afternoon. It looks like people are all ready, and I'm eager to get playing. Feel free to continue to tie up loose ends if you'd like once the game starts, or leave them loose... they'll get addressed eventually I'm sure, so not everything needs to be answered.
I was thinking that Gil had convinced Mandus to let their journey pass through that village so he could see "an old friend"
Was thinking maybe weve just woken up the tavern owner to inquire if he is there when whatever happens upstairs happens?
But lets see if Mandus has any idea for being there, maybe we work something out.
I was thinking that Gil had convinced Mandus to let their journey pass through that village so he could see "an old friend"Was thinking maybe weve just woken up the tavern owner to inquire if he is there when whatever happens upstairs happens?
But lets see if Mandus has any idea for being there, maybe we work something out.
Sounds good.
And I haven't seen a character sheet for Mandus yet. He'll want that together before making any moves.
I've tried to compile all of the information so far relevant to the beginning adventure. I have my own collection obviously of your backgrounds, personalities, etc. But the following collection should help us all start on the same page.
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- Knowledge is Power - Karm - You have painstakingly set up a ritual in this room which has to power to trap the creatures you've lured here.
- Ignorance is Bliss - Gilder - No one else realizes it yet, but there's too many of these things for Karm's ritual to work exactly as he planned. There weren't supposed to be this many.
- According to Plan - Horn - You have struck an agreement of sorts with a colony of bats that call chapel belltower across the road home. A window has been left open, and on Horn's beckoning they have offered to lend a hand.
- Speak Softly... - Morgan - You're hidden in the closet. Gilder felt it best if you hide from whatever might be coming. None of these things seem to realize you're there though, which gives you an advantage.
- ...and Carry a Big Stick - Skorabor - With the help of a hermit living just outside of town, Skorabor has undergone a ritual that temporarily imbues his axe with runes that will release a powerful blast of light when called upon. Once activated, these runes will dissipate.
- The Cavalry Has Arrived - Giltharon and Mandus - While not in the room, Giltharon and Mandus have recently arrived at the Inn. Mandus senses something is amiss, and Giltharon has spotted something suspicious.
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- Living shadows or restless spirits pressed into service of dark magic. They resemble their creature, only remain faceless.
- Are they "living shadows" to be destroyed, or are they "enslaved spirits" needing to be put to rest?
- Conjurations, serving something much more sinister. They are merely minions.
- Hunters whose services were bargained for with blood.
- Can blades even harm these things? Some say they are mortal enough to be permanently slain, but how?
- Perhaps they can be harmed, but rumors tell that they move too quickly to actually be struck. But some things, such as screeching bats might stun them.
- They are shocked by images or memories of what they used to be.
- They walk through shadows as easily as one walks through a doorway.
It seems they had been pursuing Karm, after the secrets contained in the marks that cover his flesh. Though perhaps they are really after Morgan. If this is true, then there's little doubt as to who might be involved in sending them.
Some of you found yourselves here by happenstance, as a location to set up Karm's ritual. Others by acting upon the advise of Morgan's sister Leona.
Karm has been fleeing them for quite some time - since he left The Redoubt. It was inevitable they would eventually catch him, but not unprepared.
Yes, Morgan's sister Leona. (Is this sister a princess, or is she perhaps an illegitimate child? We'll see). She is an extremely proficient duelist, and designated this inn as a place to meet, but is so far markedly absent.
Perhaps Horn, Skorabor, and Karm have been working together to abolish these abominations. You've been tracking rumors of their presence/fleeing their pursuit. Gilder and Morgan are confidants. At the moment, your objectives align. You're also the only ones who seem to be aware of what's going on.
Several of you are apprehensive about working with Mandus, the Necromancer, especially Horn. At the moment, however, these shades and their master seem the greater threat. Enemy of my enemy, and all that...
Gilder and Morgan have been travelling together, the former acting as Morgan's personal guard. They met the others at the Inn.
Horn and Skorabor met through an encounter with a witch, which lead them down their current path.
Mandus met Giltharon when he kept him from the brink of death. Giltharon has also encountered Princess Morgan and Gilder before. Though they travel at the behest of Mandus currently, Giltharon seeks to encounter this strange duo again.
Skorabor: Lizardfolk and Dwarves think alike in many ways. For both species, the greater good is emphasized over the individual, and family is of the utmost importance. Would you be quiet and secretive about your shame? If so, Mandus would seek out the cause. I'm thinking of something like: "Skorabor is a mystery to me. Something haunts the dwarf, but what?"
Skorabor won't bring up his family's history himself but he won't be secretive about it either. One of the defining tenants in dwarven society is honesty, so he won't ever lie. He might even interject when others are lying in his presence :) Plus the tattoos on his back tell of his family's shame, albeit in dwarven.
Do the lizardmen and dwarves have any trade relations? If so it would be possible that Skorabor had been sent as a envoy with a caravan earlier in life, and met Mandus then. If so then the bond should probably reflect the change Skorabor has made since then.
Skorabor: Lizardfolk and Dwarves think alike in many ways. For both species, the greater good is emphasized over the individual, and family is of the utmost importance. Would you be quiet and secretive about your shame? If so, Mandus would seek out the cause. I'm thinking of something like: "Skorabor is a mystery to me. Something haunts the dwarf, but what?"Skorabor won't bring up his family's history himself but he won't be secretive about it either. One of the defining tenants in dwarven society is honesty, so he won't ever lie. He might even interject when others are lying in his presence :) Plus the tattoos on his back tell of his family's shame, albeit in dwarven.
Do the lizardmen and dwarves have any trade relations? If so it would be possible that Skorabor had been sent as a envoy with a caravan earlier in life, and met Mandus then. If so then the bond should probably reflect the change Skorabor has made since then.
That's an interesting idea: that someone may have known you before you became a slayer.
Indeed. Perhaps your trade caravan arrived during a death ritual (funeral) that I was officiating. Could you tell me some of the greatest physical differences between your character back then and your character now?
Also, I need to come up with an idea for why I would have left the Great Expanse to go adventuring. Perhaps I caught wind of this necromancer's activities and decided that I wanted to take him down out of a sense of professional embarrassment.
Mandus: I know you're working on a number of ideas, and I want to make sure you have time to do that. Let me know when you reach a point that the game can work with and we'll get rolling.
Ooh, and it already appears that you have the character built. Bravo.
Indeed. Perhaps your trade caravan arrived during a death ritual (funeral) that I was officiating. Could you tell me some of the greatest physical differences between your character back then and your character now?
Skorabor was pretty well built before taking the oath of the slayer, so the greatest difference would be that he looks more fierce. Along the lines of "before" and "after".
Also, I need to come up with an idea for why I would have left the Great Expanse to go adventuring. Perhaps I caught wind of this necromancer's activities and decided that I wanted to take him down out of a sense of professional embarrassment.
Might be abit cliche, but since "good" necromancy is a commend practice among the sinks perhaps Mandus had a vision from Quetzalcoatl warning about the necromancer? Some kind of dream quest.
Indeed...Death IS one of Quetzalcoatl's many domains. May His scales reflect the resplendent light of the sun!
Okay, so I hear about this necromancer from a dream-vision, and have to leave the Expanse. As I'm leaving is when I find Gil and return him to health. I would have invited Gil the Pirate to follow me both for practical purposes (having a living traveling companion is preferable to a dead one) and for social reasons. Mandus is a fairly sociable necromancer.
When the two of us arrived in town is perhaps when you, Skorabor, saw me again and waved us over? I could have noticed you, as well - Mandus never forgets a face, and certainly would've remembered someone as striking as Skorabor.
If I understand correctly, Skorabor's hair and beard would be much shorter now. He had to cut everything off when he took the slayer's vow, afterwhich he can no longer cut it. So it depends, I suppose, on how long ago Skorabor made his vow.
So somewhere on the way to Karl's Creek, Morgan and Gilder had to take a ship. I feel like that raises some interesting questions about why my sister Leona would have us flee somewhere so far as to require a ship (especially one of a size to attract pirates!). For my bond with Gil, it seems that something must have prevented me from wishing his death; and probably more than just his exquisite elf-ness. :P Instead...
I have seen Giltharon in my dreams.
I dreamed about this elf before I met him. I cannot recall specifics very well--there was a vast ocean, and dark shapes, and the elf standing tall and shining against them. I do not know what this meant, but when I saw him on that ship, I knew that we would meet again.
As a minor but not inexplicable issue, Gil, I have since modified Morgan's stats and gear from my original post (which is what is linked to in an earlier character list). I have since traded out my short sword for an ornate bow instead. That said, there's no reason I couldn't have switched in the fiction at some point.
As far as Mandus goes, Morgan had never met any non-humans within his own kingdom. He probably believes all sorts of (mostly) incorrect fairy tales about the skinks, if he has heard of them at all. That said, Morgan's hopeful outlook and appreciation for Duty probably puts Mandus' own piety and respect for his community in a good light--perhaps not exactly good enough to absolve his scary necromancy, but it's a start. As far as the Nemesis is concerned, I think that they're a little closer to home...
EDIT: Oh, and I forgot to actually write up a bond!
Mandus looks like something right out of a fairy tale--and not one that ends Happily Ever After.
In the context of things, the meeting I described took place atleast a couple of years ago, im thinking 5 years or so. So it shouldnt impact any recent circumstances.
I like Morgan's idea about hearing rumors concerning Skinks. This world is not one where true information travels very easily, and even if it did there's not an abundance of "true information" to even communicate. Anticipate a vast amount of superstition and rumors that are not true. So in this, feel free to come up with rumors concerning other races, as they likely aren't accurate.