A chance to play eh? I wouldn't be opposed top this at all. Plus this way we can keep the heavy metal, horror movie and wrestling reference.
I... mmm... I'm itching to know this mysterious benefactor.
"Fine, fine, fine...I'll get the meat puppet I use to contain a tiny fragment of my being in this 'real world' of yours to make contact with you in the next few days."
"Be aware that this game was picked by Shadow when my human offered to keep one alive. My human had intended to play the AP himself. That means he has to fetch the materials, look over them, check on what you did and all that other fancy prep-a-ration stuff."
"So, yeah, the show will go on, but kick back and take it easy for a week or two, you'll get ample warning before the intermission ends."
Creepy...
What sort of sick twisted support character should I create Yin?
Keeping with the godling theme?
Hum, as my...uhm...Alter Ego pointed out, it will be a while until I'm ready to restart this. I'll have to buy the AP and find time to read up both on it and your gameplay.
But I'm getting ahead of myself there: I suppose I should first do a proper "Hello"/Introduction post.
I've been gaming for a pretty long time(at least it feels that way), more often being GM than getting to play, in various systems. I like to think it was because of the memorable characters, the multi-layered stories, the believable worlds, but it may just as well have been a combination of availability and system mastery *grin*.
I have only run one game on the boards, so far. Part of the reason is that while working full-time, I have a 2-year old and a 2-month old at home. I simply never felt I had the time to run a second game with the amount of alterations and sub-plots I want to do. Nothing about that changed, but more on that later.
I do believe in a pretty open environment and mutual respect. We're all here to have fun, so lets focus on that. I do not like antagonistic GM styles, but if you do something stupid, I'm not stopping you. "This action will have consequences." is a big thing, too - albeit possibly not to the extent I prefer.
In the years I've been running my one game, I learned plenty about the differences between pbp GM-ing and face-to-face games...among those that long-running subplots taking years to resolve are not...optimal - so yeah, I'll try and keep track of whats happening, but I'll not try that approach again.
To put Storytellers comment into context: Before he announced his desire to join you, I had already invited one of the players who originally applied for this game(and who happened to have a Godling Adept) - he was in another game of Shadow, together with me - that game was dropped, and for...reasons, I did not feel comfortable taking it over.
Either way, my motivation was to save a game from being dropped, and let as many players as reasonable continue their journey. At the same time, I told Shadow that _IF_ he ever found more time again or felt capable of taking on a game, I would gladly hand this game back to him, simply having kept it alive for however long it took ... as such, it makes sense to keep him in the loop.
Result: He will be playing a unbound Improved Familiar with Mascot Archetype and a "free" Sage Archetype - that way, he can still be around, keep the in-jokes going, keep tabs on the game, without all the "work" involved with a regular character(after all, he dropped games to reduce his workload), and I don't have to uninvite the aforementioned other player I already asked to join(on the condition that JAF does not respond within the next week).
So, that's where his question was aimed...but I'm extending it to the team present...we're not in a hurry, so if there's any suggestions?
A beheaded? A cat sith? A mockingfey? *shrug*
Either way: The above-mentioned limited time is somewhat real - that gives me two options if I want to keep a reasonable update schedule:
1.: Stick close to the AP as printed and simply make sure challenges are adequate.
2.: Employ Yin as Co-GM. She is a creature of the Dimension of Dreams. That means she may make things up on the go. That allows for some...dynamic aspects, but requires a certain level of operational freedom. (e.g. strange things may happen that I would not have the time to make sure are 100% workable in raw and/or explain in detail)
We can probably alter that in-game as well, but if everybody could voice their preference between 1 and 2 there, that'd be great.
That said, I think it's a plenty workable hello, and if there's any questions, I'll try and come back to them as soon as possible.
(I am usually on daily, but don't get to post every day...real life takes precedence. I want to aim for a 2/week update rate that I could consider realistically possible, but sometimes life is not so great and I only get 1 update a week done. Still better than the game shutting down, I suppose ;) But yeah, if any of you want to jump ship because you didn't sign up for this, or I'm not to their liking, or whatever other reason...let me know.)
Hi! I'm Randee and I can't remember who I am :)
Jokes aside, pleased to meet you. I'm a spanish player and was also in some other games under SS's tutelage.
I'm totally ok with whatever schedules you think you can meet. After all, we're here for the lols, and being realistic about your time makes it a better gaming experience for you than being always rowing to keep the expectations. And, we all know that, if the GM is happy it is much easier than the rest of the group is happy as well.
The reason I joined some SS's games is, apart from his cameos with Heavy-Metal, Wrestling and Lovecraft (take as an example the name of this very game), the fcact that his were all steady though calm games, not having dozens of updates. For that, I had other games. So, a calmed schedule is more or less what we had already, and thus I guess none of us will find it unfitting.
As for your choice of employing a helper or not, well, both choices have good and bad parts and blah, blah... *insert philosophical dissertion here* ...but, in a game like this specific one, the chaos factor you say Yin would introduce would be rather awesome and adecuate, so I have to vote for your choice number 2.
About Randee, I have found some small mistakes that should need reworking (having to do with his bloodline choices and some others), so I was wondering if, while fixing those, you would mind if some other minor details were reworked. I don't even know if they will be necessary, but they might, depending on how do I fix the glitches.
So thatis mostly everything I have to say, I guess. Looking forward to see you take on this one :)
TL;DR: Most SS's games are slow but steady ones anyway, so we're fine. I vote choice #2. Can I tweak Randee a bit? Some of his choices are illegal anyway.
Belgrim, as a typical stoic dwarf, folds his arms and grunts in agreement with Randee.
*pokes Thral with a flesh-to-stoned snake-stick*
"You alive?"
*turns to the other two*
"You can tweak stuff...but maybe you want to wait for that familiar-sized plot device and that planeshifted Godling before making any decisions. Or not. Maybe you want to pick randomly? In fact, lets do that! I'll come up with a game we can play..."
For the protocol(I know there was 2 yes, but I did not exactly explain), Yin was actually a character in a game - I quite liked her - but as she used a lot of custom rules, there was no chance to use her in a different game as-is.
So I gave her a promotion - I had always considered to eventually go for a Level 20 Gestalt/Mythic 10 Way of the Wicked campaign with her as GM ... but that won't happen, most likely, so yeah :)
Mostly, it will allow me to spontaneously alter things by utilizing GM powers and estimates instead of working out exactly by what means something happens rulewise.
Because, you know, reality is kind of warpable. As mentioned, fun is the focus, and I dislike antagonism, so there should be no 'abuse' of that, and stuff that happens doesn't have to be negative, either.
That said, she would, in a way, become a powerful NPC with her own agenda (that could or could not align with your own goals at certain points).
Also, as said, do feel free to utilize the downtime for any (minor) tweaks you want to make.
Sorry about that, I got sucked back into Diablo 2. I'm ready, just need to fix up my sheet. I got a little complacent, I'll make sure it's in tip top shape for our new eldritch overlord.
To address a few thing, I have not a single problem with you holding the reins and dming this while storyteller settles his life and "gets better" so to speak. If that means he come back to take over, perfectly fine with me. I hope the same happens for his Forgotten realms game, I'm not holding out on that.
If you were antagonistic, honestly I'd be fine with it. My first ever tabletop Dm didn't understand game balance, so every encounter was life and death, so very player Vs Dm kinda vibe. It was really thrilling. As for Yin, I'm fine with you using her, I've always been open to Dmpc's/Dm loved NPCs. THe only thing about thral is, his race is a variant kobold and SS allowed me to use feats from the 3.5 splatebook Races of dragon.
@Antagonism: Oh, life and death is real. I did not say I was pulling punches. Just that I am not particularily out to end your existance.
*shrug* May just be me, but I don't REALLY see the appeal in that if I am the omnipotent arbiter of everything that happens.
@DM-loved-NPC: I suppose that would qualify, but mostly, she'd be an additional plot device. She's particularily shiny. I mean insane. Which did make her a good enough fit for the setting that I considered her in the first place. (What I'm trying to say: she'd be less of an actual character, just that I'd give her an off-screen agenda she would further/she will have a motivation for what she does. (Beyond her love for blueberries and her fear of Kittens.))
@variants and 3.5: not REALLY a fan of 3.5 content but hey, it's already been approved. I'll not undo any call made by SS before, I'll simply work around it.
That's fair, my old Dm was a nice guy, was just ruthless with encounters. Very encounter there was a strong chance of dying. We had a Tpk once when fighting a razorboar. I was unlucky when the Dm rolled two 20's and cut my character's head off.
I'm fine however you use Yin.
As for the feats, I had planned to take other ones with Storyteller. However paizo has some that are similar enough or outright the same.
"Ha, I knew you could not resist! Literally. To celebrate my future involvement in your decline into madness, I'll grant a boon to the lot of you! Enjoy a -1 on your Will Saves henceforth!"
Yin...that is not how a boon works. It's supposed to be positive for the PLAYERS.
"Hum? Really? That does not sound particulary exciting? They are already godlings, are they not? They don't need MORE power."
Yin hovers shortly in front of each of you, then turns back to face a being only she seems to see:"I know, we'll have them all think about how they'll work better as a team, and then make a random part of that vision a truth in this reality!"
Works for me.
Each of you(including your Mascot) gets to pick ONE Teamwork-Feat they think would benefit the group. All picks have to be unique and the person making the pick needs to meet all prerequisites.
After everybody has choosen, Yin will roll a die to randomly determine who(alphabetical order) 'wins'. The Feat named by the rolled player gets added as a Bonus Teamwork Feat for the whole group(regardless of prereqs - but depending on the Feat, numerical boni may be halved for people not meeting the prereqs).
There aren't many to choose from since we're all 2nd level.
Last time I checked the list there were plenty available...it's true that some have additional prerequisites(a certain Feat, a certain Ability Score, a race or size...) - but even just counting those without any prereq ( - ) there's about 25...I'm certain you'll find something worthwhile considering it's a freebie :)
Ooh, I really like that and I know what feat I'm adding to the lottery.overwhelm
Count Overwhelm for me too.
Hello. This is Granite. I believe I'm the Adept Godling who will be stepping in if JAF0 doesn't respond. I thought I would come say hi and see what kind of tweaks might be needed for this character if I do step in. I originally made this character for this game, but ended up playing him in another one of SS's game. Based on the limited notes I had in his profile, my original intent was to have him believe that he's a very tall dwarven paladin.
Design-goal-wise, Granite uses the summoner spell list and casts with his Dex. He's meant to be mostly a support melee character with a focus on defense over damage. Magic-wise he focuses on buff spells and abilities, though he may pick up some witch debuff things as well. He also has the bodyguard feat, and I was considering eventually going crit fisher, but with butterfly sting. He's also got some pretty solid knowledge skills, though I'm not sure how that would work with amnesia. He's probably going to end up getting more witch/oracle abilities as well as time goes on.
So I guess what I'm wondering from this group right now is what people generally do in combat? Will I generally have a melee buddy to stand next to and use bodyguard with or would I be more useful just trying to set someone up for flanking? And what summoner spells would be useful for people? Right now he has Enlarge/Reduce person and Summon Monster 1 (I think I had the summon because it combos nicely with more witch abilities).
I'm frontline. The others are too squishy, but they help me out when they can.
Haha, I think everyone is going to look squishy compared to someone with crazy stats like yours. What HP method did y'all do at level up? I can't really tell by looking since it seems a little mixed.
1d12(max) + 4 Con/level
So, with the restriction of picks being Unique, so far we have Overwhelm as one suggestion, and 4 picks still open.
@Belrim or Storyteller: Maybe you could drop me a note regarding those stats? I suppose there's something going on in the background?
Because creation guideline was 25 point buy, but you had a guaranteed spot with a more than 75-point buy(=> 16 base for all but strenght â 10 points plus 20 strenght for xx points - and on a quick first look, no idea how you even get a 20 strenght)
If there was some background or plot reason for this, I'd prefer to know what was going on so I can work around that arc.
Fixed.
Alright, I didn't get further than the B section on the table, beccause I saw this one and suddenly...
...suddenly I thought... "mental communication between us all? This can be taken a further step up."
What if we can communicate... because we're all the same being? A powerful entity whose persona, avatar or mind has been divided in four parts (who can communicate between themselves). Now that would be awesome! Don't you think?
So what I'm hearing is that we're all secretly Voltron? ;-P
Just finished reading through the gameplay thread. Doesn't look like there's a whole lot of stealthing going on, so since Bonded Mind was taken, I guess my vote for a teamwork feat goes to Escape Route for added mobility.
I guess since I'm the resident small character, I'll be our stealth character. Despite my low dex.
As for roles, I plan to make thral a rogue like character with whatever dragon theme things I can find. I use a scimitar for higher crit chance, but don't be afraid of taking your character crit more. More crits the better.
Edit: just saw how high your dex was, feel free to stealth.
Oh, I only mentioned stealth because if we did it a lot, stealth synergy might be a good teamwork feat to nominate.
Fair enough, since belrim is voting for overwhelm I'll cast my vote for stealth synergy.
That should make for a nice pool thus far.
1- Belrim - Overwhelm
2- Granite Ward - Escape Route
3- Randee Sauvage - Bonded Mind
4- Thral Bitterbite - Stealth Synergy
This is what we finally got, I believe, in alphabetical order.
"Aye, that you did. Your mascot would have had a chance to name something, too, but seems to be a bit in a world of it's own right now. Regardless, with the other picks locked in, it can get a spot in the wheel of fortune."
Moving to the list, Yin adds "5- Unknown Familiar that may or may not exist - Any one(!) TW Featie not already named."
Cool.
No problem here, gives me a little bit more time to fix up my character.
Still around as well. Though tbh, I was kind of hoping we'd get bonded mind. It would have been an interesting introduction if they suddenly started to hear my thoughts randomly. Oh wells, maybe next time.
With Yin running around, I wouldn't be surprised if we got bondedminded anyway. With nasty surprises, of course, but that's how life is, right?
Curses for everyone!
Amusingly, when I peeked the week prior, the result of the D5 roll would have been bonded mind.
That said...what Randee and Thral said ^_^
Things are still a bit stressful, but i did find a little time to look at the materials - I'll still need to catch up with your gameplay, though, see what happened so far...no guarantees for the end of this week, but we're on a steady course forward here.
Ok, pretty much done.
I will be going on a 3-day business trip on Monday. That means, aside from social expectations, 2 nights in a hotel and some more time waiting at an air port for a connection flight.
I fully expect to manage to get a first post up in gameplay during that time. So, consider that a heads-up that the admittedly lenghty transmission period should come to an end, and we'll resume scheduled activities shortly. Please keep your heads and legs on your torso at all times, and refrain from patterns of behaviour that could land you in an asylum. Well, or don't. Who am I to judge.
*thumbs up*
Cool. I do not think there was anything in particular that I wanted to redo for Granite.
My apologies for the prolonged absence but I was hoping that working through some things would clear me up to retain a good chunk of my posting interests.
Unfortunately, that is not going to be feasible.
I need to start working a second or third job possibly in the coming months so my time will be much more limited than it was before. As a result I will need to withdraw from this game even on the limited basis I was going to be participating.
Thanks for understanding.
Take care storyteller.
Aye, do take care.
For the record, I'm still hoping to get the post up ASAP but I may be delayed a day or two - a colleague has fallen ill and that allowed a significant amount of work to pile up during my business trip.
Just figured I'll give a quick status. "Any day now", as they say ;)
Yeah, that day did not work out. Way to make a first impression around here, hu? :/
Aside from covering for my co-worker, I was tasked with cleaning up a serious mess that happened a little while ago - I was head of the investigation process then, so I was "volunteered" to spearhead the task force to set things right. Before the end of April because after that, legally fixing the transactions becomes impossible(back-dating/altering transactions too far past would be fraudulent - there's only a certain time frame where it can be fixed.)
So yeah, all my games suffered from that backlash. Most of the GM's know I'm usually very reliable, but I figured I should give you guys a bit of an explanation.
Thing is, we had not started proper YET...so whenever I had a little time on my hands in these past 2 weeks, I kind of always made sure to update those games already up and running that I was 'holding up' as a player(since I usually always post within reasonable time, most GM's do not bot me quickly). In retrospect, that was a decision that came naturally but not one I feel I can properly defend - I should not have viewed this game differently.
That said, I do fully intend to see this through, it was not a decision taken lightly and I apologize for the hefty delay after I thought we'd be ready to start. I'll need to re-read a few bits before posting, but I promise we'll be on the road within 72 hours from now.
(Since I had Board Goblins twice today when checking, I am just reconfirming that I'll post tonight(I'll stay up longer if necessary), hopefully still within the set time frame.)
Yeah I love this site, but sometimes. I always get goblins when updating characters and I seem to always fail to upload to a word processing file first.
Glad to see this is moving forward. Thanks for taking over GM Mordred!