GM Aest's Wandering Eye Inquisitives: An Eberron Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Aest

Hello, all. These getting to know you sessions never seem to go as well as planned, but I'll try it anyways. More coming.

My original idea with this campaign was to bounce between semi-connected subplots on the way to an overall archplot. It was going to feel episodic, without a whole lot of connections between "episodes". In other words, it was going to be House rather than Game of Thrones. I can certainly run it either way, and I'd like your feelings on which style you'd prefer.

I am pretty ok with either style. I've not done too much of the way of Episodic but it could make a feeling time having flowed between dangers to give the people a feel of having a life outside of just adventuring constantly.

Will there be an explanation of how much time has pasted between "adventures" and would we be able to do things with the downtime like craft magic items or other things presented in the Ultimate Campaign?

Rataji snuck into the premises and ninja dotted the place. I look forward to reading your gameplay!

Bojd reporting for duty!

I like both, though episodic can include a broader plot arc, à la X-Files.

I would like if our backgrounds came into play. Not all the time or all at the same time, but it would be nice for characters to get a shot at expanding on their background and/or pursuing theor own goals.

I know that I don't get a vote, but I think that episodic may be more satisfying because you get to solve the small mysteries and have a little closure. And it's so fitting with the genre!

@Episodes: That's kind of the idea of the episodic campaign. I'd say there's a couple of jobs per month, with long periods of downtime between them, at least at first. There are, in fact, a fair number of plot arcs and an overarching BBEG behind the scenes of something, but I'm thinking about "bosses" less in terms of something you deal with all at once and more in terms of recurring villains a la some of CSI Miami's criminals.

@Backgrounds: Your backgrounds will certainly be considered and characters will show up from them, which is why I asked for characters and for backgrounds. However, the first job or two are pretty well fleshed out, so don't expect instant background.

@Downtime: I'll allow some downtime, for sure. I'm not sure I want everyone running their own businesses on the side, but crafting is a go, as could be contact rules. Which rules systems are you most interested in?

Checking in. Thank you for selecting me, I'm excited to finally get to play in Eberron.

I like the idea of a more episodic approach. I think it definitely fits better with the theme you set up in the interest/recruitment thread and it'll be a nice change from the norm.

Checking in. I'm good with whatever narrative structuring you think works best.

I still need to adjust my skills for the Background Skills variant.

Bojd, would you like to coordinate our spell selection since we're using the same list and we're both spontaneous casters? If we can minimize redundancies, I imagine that we'll be able to have differently-flavored kinds of psychic spellcasters.

Checking in. I like the episodic idea, it's different to what I'm used to, so it should be new and interesting.

Bojd, I see you've got ranks in Disable Device. I currently have one of Quill's masks granting the Skilled evolution for Perception and Disable Device; should I keep that, or would I be better off spending those points elsewhere?

For those not familiar with the archetype, the Masquerade Reveler gives up rage, and gains masks instead, usable for the same number of rounds per day as a regular barbarian's rage. Each mask grants four points' worth of eidolon evolutions. It's a bit odd, but it should be fun, and I'm trusting Aest to bring down the hammer on anything that seems too OP.

I still have to work out my skills, gear, and a campaign trait bonus, so I'm not quite ready to go yet, but I'm here and I'm eager.

Checking in. I'm good with whatever narrative structuring you think works best.

I still need to adjust my skills for the Background Skills variant.

Bojd, would you like to coordinate our spell selection since we're using the same list and we're both spontaneous casters? If we can minimize redundancies, I imagine that we'll be able to have differently-flavored kinds of psychic spellcasters.

Hi Tavick! Your list and mine are mostly different. You have more offensive spells, which makes sense in the long run. The only overlap is detect thought (you have it as a sla?) and sleep. I'll review my sleep spell, possibly going for an offensive spell, or a buffing one. I'd like to keep detect thoughts though, given his investigator bent.

Checking in. I like the episodic idea, it's different to what I'm used to, so it should be new and interesting.

Bojd, I see you've got ranks in Disable Device. I currently have one of Quill's masks granting the Skilled evolution for Perception and Disable Device; should I keep that, or would I be better off spending those points elsewhere?

For those not familiar with the archetype, the Masquerade Reveler gives up rage, and gains masks instead, usable for the same number of rounds per day as a regular barbarian's rage. Each mask grants four points' worth of eidolon evolutions. It's a bit odd, but it should be fun, and I'm trusting Aest to bring down the hammer on anything that seems too OP.

I still have to work out my skills, gear, and a campaign trait bonus, so I'm not quite ready to go yet, but I'm here and I'm eager.

Hi Quill! A changeling with masks! We'll never see your real face. For DD, it's up to you. It's good to have two with the skill, but it doesn't have to be either. I'd say follow your concept.

@Downtime: I'll allow some downtime, for sure. I'm not sure I want everyone running their own businesses on the side, but crafting is a go, as could be contact rules. Which rules systems are you most interested in?

I like the Leadership Handbook, which builds on some of Ultimate Campaign rules, in particular the contact rules.

It might be a good fit for this game.

Rataji snuck into the premises and ninja dotted the place. I look forward to reading your gameplay!

Same here. And as far as TV comparatives, wouldn't it be Burn Notice or The Rockford Files for an inquisitive campaign before House? ;)

Slinking into the shadows,
Redblade

Switched Sleep for Shield.

@Zohruk: Happy to see both you and Rataji around. And yes, either of those would be better, but House is what was in my head.

@Bojd: I'll check out the Leadership Handbook a bit later and see if I like what I see. Are there any parts of Ultimate Campaign you guys liked?

@Campaign Style: Okay, it seems everyone's more or less okay with Episodic as a format. Here's how I'll do it. I'll present between two and four episode pitches in Discussion, consisting of a title and brief/cryptic description. From there, you can vote on which one you'd like to do and then we'll roll right into it. Sound reasonable, or would you prefer something more linear?

EDIT: Here's an example.

Two Winks, No Sleep

In which an old lady can’t sleep, a pair of Eyes can’t find what they’re looking for, and the PCs take the graveyard shift!

OR

They Belong in a Museum

In which the PCs get involved in school politics, the claws sink in deeper, and someone reads the truth!

From Ultimate Campaign: Contacts for sure, and reputation and fame.

I love your format for episodes!

I also have disable device so it looks like locks won't be much of an issue for us!

I like the option to vote on a story arch, feels like prioritizing cases which fits.

Selmy should be mostly ready, I swapped out skill focus for Additional Feats as I mentioned I was considering in recruitment. Ran into a bit of an issue where the remaining categories for traits didn't quite fit up, so if it's okay with you GM I took the regional trait: Bandit hoping I could just reskin that to compliment Selmy's background growing up on the streets of Sharn, let me know if that's cool with you.

Oh yeah, traits...

I'm The Bookworm. As such, I wouldn't mind something having to do with cyphers or with investigation. Some traits offer a +1 to Linguistics and some other situational bonus, which could be used to decypher, or to tell a few things from the person who wrote the note, allowing a sense motive check?

Also, keep in mind I used two feats to build a lot of synergies with my Linguistics check.

It looks like everyone has checked in, which means that Rataji can go off and get her nails done. Looking forward to seeing the stories unfold.

Your peanut gallery,
Rataji

It looks like everyone has checked in, which means that Rataji can go off and get her nails done. Looking forward to seeing the stories unfold.

Your peanut gallery,
Rataji

Does that make us Statler and Waldorf? :-D

Well personally I love the downtime/business section personally though I understand the limiting of people owning their own businesses.

Generally as a bard I do tend to take the Leadership feat at some point (I've never touched the 3rd party book you mentioned...Leadership Handbook but I like the idea of non charisma characters being capable of being excellent leaders. Though I've seen some people Roleplay it out as their cohort being the one that was inspired by their character and he is the one with the following [Using his Charisma to represent the levels of stuff and such]). Personally I tend to balk at 3rd party stuff myself but I'm curious about this one.

My thoughts weren't as far as a business to really go nuts and purchase buildings that would make me money but make sense for information gathering like a tavern, a dance hall, a hospital, maybe a guild hall...but not stuff like magic shop or the like. Some place to put the various lvl 1 followers and some of the higher ones as management in the long term....

There is going to be a lot of Changeling shenanigans apparently given there are two of us ^^.

@Jynn: Leadership is fine, as far as I can see. It'll be a bit before you're qualified for it anyways. In the meantime, something more akin to contacts might make more sense. Let's hold off on alternate businesses for now, until this one's solid.

@Bojd: If you'd like to look at a Linguistics boost, go for it. I'd tie something more to it, though. Maybe a situational bonus to Diplomacy or Knowledge (local) when finding information or something?

@Selmy: Bandit is fine. It's a decent trait.

@Tavick: Once you've signed the lease, we'll be officially off!

Here's our first 3 choices, then.

Two Winks, No Sleep!

In which an old lady can’t sleep, a pair of Eyes can’t find what they’re looking for, and the PCs take the graveyard shift!

OR

They Belong in a Museum!

In which the PCs get involved in school politics, the claws sink in deeper, and someone reads the truth!

OR

Black Clouds and Silver Dance Shoes!

In which the PCs attend the ballet, the dancers end up en pointe, and all the theatre’s a stage!

Does that make us Statler and Waldorf? :-D

It does. You reserve the box seat, I'll bring the popcorn. I've always enjoyed having half-orcs as heckling partners. :)

@Everyone: Hmm (Rataji) and Redblade (Zohruk) are both veterans of games I've played in/GM'd. I assume they're going to be lurking.

Black Clouds and Silver Dance Shoes!

@Everyone: Hmm (Rataji) and Redblade (Zohruk) are both veterans of games I've played in/GM'd. I assume they're going to be lurking.

Hence the "Lurker Extraordinaire" in my header.

(shows up with double armload of stuff, nods head at Rataji) I'm with her...

Okay, I got popcorn, which I hate but everyone else seems to like, so eat it or don't, I won't be offended. I also got Peanut Chews, both kinds of M&Ms (country and western), and I got chocolate covered raisins, which beats having nothing, I guess. Maybe.

Tickets are in my pocket, I'll get 'em soon as I put this junk down, and I figured I'll run back out for drinks at the first commercial break. You ready...?

Rataji finishes the last coat of paint on her nails, blows on them, and then looks up at Zohruk with a smile. "How'd you know I liked M&Ms? Country, Western -- love it all." She puts her arm in his, kisses him on the cheek, and then pats her bag with her other hand. "I also brought two pairs of opera glasses. We don't want to miss a thing!"

_____________________________
BTW, Zohruk, I'm a big fan of Long Vigil. You did a lovely job there. This'll be so much fun!

"How'd you know I liked M&Ms?"

"Because everyone loves M&Ms. Well, everyone but rakshasas. I hear it's 'cuz their funky hands have problems with the thin candy shells."

Thanks a ton, that was an immense gratifying experience. I've rarely had that much fun getting into a screaming match in a church. That campaign's early end was my biggest gaming gut-punch since City of Heroes shutdown. :-\

Okay, that's one vote for "Black Clouds". Anyone else?

Hmm, I reckon I would vote for Black Clouds as well. A pair of Changelings at a ball...that can only go awkwardly.

My vote is also for Black Clouds.

The Leadership Handbook is great, but Ultimate Charisma is better. More expensive, but a lot more content, including the psychological combat stuff. :D

Looks like the group voted before I got in, but it works out, as I was going to vote for Black Clouds anyway!

Lurkers, if you do go full Statler & Waldorf, I expect heckling and bad jokes.

There's still a teensy bit of work I still need to do on Quill (campaign feat and crunch for the campaign trait), so if anyone has suggestions for those, I'm all ears. Having just done my shopping, I'm all crunched out.

Also, how do we all know each other? I feel like that's something we should figure out at some point >.>

Ditto on the Statler & Waldorf, if we're not getting heckled you're not doing it right!

As for prior relationships, Selmy traveled a lot during the war protecting high value targets, so it's possible he ran into any number of the current party. As a spy, Quill in particular may have delivered pertinent information to Selmy's group, though who knows what form you may have been in. Let me know what you think.

These are your adventures. We're only houseguests; the S & W analogy might not have been 100% apt. :-)

I won't move further until Tavick posts, and I'll shoot him a message tonight. I'd thought he was around, but he never dotted (ninja-dot or otherwise).

Aest, this might sound like a silly request, especially coming from one of the Designated Lurkers, but I figure what the heck, I'l make it anyway.

Those long strings of "=" you use to make separator lines, is there any way you can break those up to put some spaces in them? I ask because my mobile browser sees that as one "word", and thus renders the page wide enough to fit that whole thing, with the side effect that the text shows up eye-bleedingly small.

Just figured I'd ask. "Shove off, ya tusk-mouthed monster, I'll do it however I please" is an acceptable response (if not my preferred one). :)

Thanks,
Zohruk

Aest, this might sound like a silly request, especially coming from one of the Designated Lurkers, but I figure what the heck, I'l make it anyway.

Those long strings of "=" you use to make separator lines, is there any way you can break those up to put some spaces in them? I ask because my mobile browser sees that as one "word", and thus renders the page wide enough to fit that whole thing, with the side effect that the text shows up eye-bleedingly small.

Just figured I'd ask. "Shove off, ya tusk-mouthed monster, I'll do it however I please" is an acceptable response (if not my preferred one). :)

Thanks,
Zohruk

Tough crowd!

Tough crowd!

If you mean that in response to my imagined response of Aest's, it's meant to be in good fun. In the PBP in which we met, Aest's character didn't think too kindly of me. "Monster" was her preferred form of address for me (the things Allie said to a fellow child of the Burning Mother...). :)

Y-you're a t-t-terrible...a terrible m--monster!"

I mean, um, sure. Like this?

= = = = = = = = = = = = =

I don't have a mobile device, so I didn't realize. Sorry.

Zoh's face goes crestfallen at the sound of the girl's voice.

"Oh, hi Allie. Shouldn't you be getting shanked by a Sczarni in a back alley somewhere?

Pretty please...?"

That will make a ton of difference in readability. Drav, Eilidh.

Those of us who are reading on mobile appreciate the change!

As for heckling, I'm more likely to memorialize moments that I'm watching in really badly written songs. You can ask Quill about that. Still, Zoh and I will have fun watching this, I think. It's nice to have another lurker to talk to about what you all are doing.

May the dance begin!

Hmm

Somewhat away for the weekend. Bot as needed :)

I'm here, I'm here, I'm here!!! *panting*

As it so happens, my vote is for Black Clouds as well!

Also, my skills are updated and I corrected the fact that I had only spent ranks as though I were a 1st-level character. Facepalm.

And Bojd, thanks for the response: I agree that we should both have detect thoughts (and I can't avoid it since it's an SLA for me anyhow), but I do like the idea of building more towards offensive spells. Fits my discipline's theme nicely as well.

I'm ready to go whenever you guys are. When do we sign the lease?

Right now. It's up. I got excited a couple days ago.

The lease was more a cutesy way of letting people "dot" the thread. It's not necessary to sign it at all.

I can confirm Rataji immortalizing things in song. Her bard wrote three songs after my paladin died. It was awesome. (And don't worry. He got better.)

I can work with having delivered intel to Selmy before. Anybody else want a link? I imagine Quill may have gotten around quite a bit; maybe Tavik leaked select pieces of information she obtained?

I'll do a gameplay post tomorrow; I'm currently... a little tipsy.

Her paladin's death hit the group hard, and I think I wrote my finest song in Kingmaker in response. It was an epic moment. Thank goodness he got better, because Kaz's death hit the players as hard as it did the characters...

I'm looking forward to hearing more on your group's connection with each other. Zoh and I demand more backstory!

Her paladin's death hit the group hard, and I think I wrote my finest song in Kingmaker in response. It was an epic moment. Thank goodness he got better, because Kaz's death hit the players as hard as it did the characters...

I'm looking forward to hearing more on your group's connection with each other. Zoh and I demand more backstory!

Gorum and Sarenrae, spoilers, woman! O_o

"Quill already spoiled it above. I just confirmed." Rataji raises an eyebrow, then grins at the half orc. "You're so cute when you're angry. Did anyone ever tell you that, Zoh?"

If Rataji ever does enter this game, I think I better list Zoh as my boyfriend given the way I've been flirting with him...