GM/Lictor Lane's Who Needs Parenting? = CoT Team 1 IC Thread (Inactive)

Game Master michaelane

Whew. Thanks!

I'm at in-laws for holiday and my Internet is atrocious, so campaign page update will probably have to wait for late tomorrow or Monday. I don't think it's in horrible shape though. I think my only character to add to the cast is Marius who Jo hasn't met yet. I do need to add locations for the abandoned Aroden temple/safe house, Alarra's uncle, Ermolos's smithy, and Marius's shop. If there are others I'm forgetting, let me know.

As for recruiting, I'll let you guys decide. I think Ithad is gone. We're at one of the easiest moments in the AP to phase people in or out because some, like Satinal, Franco, and apparently Ithad will decide that the risks are too high and that they'll help the Children in more subtle ways while some of the Children may be inspired by the PCs and want to do more (including Children you haven't met yet). I'd prefer to be running 4-5 PCs because that minimizes the need for scaling and also keeps PbP combat under control. If this group is committed, I can see about recruiting one more to get us to 5. If any of you would prefer to take a couple months off, I can probably work that out too and then recruit replacements.

I am enjoying the heck out of playing Jo. Like the campaign too, but the turn around on posting has been really bad. I am fortunate enough to have a smart phone and can post several times a day, so that may be frustrating me. I am new to PbPs so maybe this is the right pace. I am not sure. I have no intentions of bowing out. Jo is just too fun to play and the inteaction with the party has been great. Just hoping to get some more commitment to the campaign from those who seem to be away for too long.

Hey Lictor Lane,
I was looking for a listing of all NPCs in one place so I don't have to page around to find out if it was Azeal or Arael. If you can- it would be great to have all the people we've met so far with a brief affiliation- there have been many, obnoxious gnome, hafling lady, Rizzardo, Eremelos, etc. It helps the players keep track of things esp when things are moving slowly.

I don't mind so much that this is a slooow campaign. I've got several really speedy ones that I have to check often. It just depends. I don't want to pause for a couple months though and don't really care if we recruit anyone else at the moment. I think we still have our bases covered.

As a group, we won't pause at all. Since both of you are clearly still active, it's an offer to others if they individually want a break. I'd rather not since Alarra and Coran both have upcoming personal plot twists :) I'm also willing to bring back Ithad or Franco if they can provide a concrete guideline like I'm back in now or I'm out till Jan 3 or something like that.

I'd really like to keep all four of you that I think are still in - Jo, Moondark, Alarra, and Coran. It's a well-rounded group and you all have provided strong ties to the city that I'd really like to see play out since they will make this a very unique Council of Thieves.

I too am in a couple faster moving games. I wouldn't mind picking this one up, but I have found that it is harder for me to post often as a GM than player simply because of things like building maps and whatnot. There have also been times though where I have waited to respond just to see if we get more than one player acting.

So, we'll see where Alarra and Coran sit before deciding to add players. I do think the right addition would help pick things up a little. I recently joined a Carrion Crown campaign where having someone new seems to have picked things up.

On the topic of campaign guide, can you let me know if this link is working.
A to Z: Who's Who in Westcrown

Would it be better to migrate that to the campaign page or just add some links there? I've run into some trouble in other PbPs with accessing Google docs when I'm on a mobile device. If you guys are having trouble accessing Google sites, I should definitely migrate, but if you've just forgotten it's there, here's a reminder :) Lots of city maps there too and I'll add art where I have it.

I am really enjoying playing Coran and this campaign. I am not lucky enough to have a smart phone and because of my job have to rely on wifi hot spots during the day. I can guarantee at least 1 post a day, I will try to post more if I can.

I would not be opposed to adding another player, to further round out what we have.

As for the Google docs I am not having any issues with the links.

ah, i forgot about the google docs. majorly inconvenient though. i'm being denied access again anyway...
i'd prefer npc info on the campaign page personally.

I think I'm going to bow out now. I'm overcommitted at the moment, which means I don't post much. It's not fair to the rest of you that I'm holding things up like this.

Sorry I wasn't more active, and good luck!

Well, that sucks. Alarra and Jo had a bright future together.

Sorry to see you go, your character had a wonderful flair.

I'm sorry to hear that too Alarra. I was looking forward to seeing how things developed between you and Jo and I had some interesting plans that would have taken this AP in some interesting directions based on your background. I'll write you out for now, but if you decide to return, please just pop back in here in the Discussion Thread and I will bring you back as soon as I can.

For everyone else, I will seek 1-2 additional players in the recruitment thread. I will post a recruitment message today and allow people until Friday to submit concepts with the new player(s) starting Saturday. New players will have to submit two NPCs and two locations as well as a detailed concept. Basically, I will ask them to create characters that have recently joined the Children of Westcrown that you will meet back at the safe house. I would value your opinions on new characters so I will post thoughts here before I final decision. Please feel free to post your thoughts as we get applicants in the Recruitment Thread.

Wow this game has definitely picked up some steam. Sorry to hear it Alarra although with your ties to the Dottari, I could feel a catfight coming on. ; )

As for recruitment, I'd say spell slingers, fighters, and rogues are welcome.

Could use another front-liner. I think Franco would have filled that void nicely, but alas...

GM - Any possibility of inviting some of those that did not make the initial cut?

Looking Back through there are a Bard and a Summoner that didn't make the cut and left emails. Would either of these 2 be an option.

Faelar Braegen the Bard

Mina Seewicket the Summoner

I hadn't rememberred Faelar tried out for this game. He's actually been recycled into my LoF game. Not alot of applicants so far :( but if we get a wiz and ftr that would be fine.

Is the game on hold until the Recruitment is done?

IDK - Seems to be another Hiatus. Not a peep from the GM. This is discouraging. Maybe time to fold up shop?

Sorry guys, rough week at work and I kept thinking I was going to get a post up and didn't. Then, I had to make up for lack of attention at home earlier today.

I did consider picking up Faelar or Mina, but as Moondark commented, Faelar got picked up into a LoF game. Mina is an odder case as she is running a game as Mina right now.

Some thoughts...

I would be happy to reach back out to Faelar and Mina. Both seem to have become regulars on the boards.

Raging Bull - I'm ok with that background. A bard would provide an arcane caster, but doesn't fully fill that wizard or front-liner you guys are looking for. DMing a group and seems pretty active in both that campaign and the campaigns where he plays.

Dreaming Warforged - I've played with a couple times. Dedicated player. Too bad he didn't submit a character, but I could encourage him.

Joy - another very active player/GM although not one I have player with before. Would be good to see a concept.

Waltz - seems to be a newer player.

Partly because of my slowness and partly because we don't have a lot of options yet, I would like to extend recruitment a little longer.

Sorry about my impatience and the bad week.

I would be fine with Raging Bull's bard

I would like to the fleshed out concepts for both Joy and Waltz.

Also I am wondering with the shift would it be better to have Coran change Classes to a Cleric of Abadar to get the full healing a cleric can offer. I haven't used any of the Oracle abilities. Now that being said I am just trying to help the party with missing slots and I am fine with Coran as an Oracle. Just throwing it out there.

Yes, I'd be okay with that shift. In my experience the Oracle of Metal tends to play out as a decent fighter and utility healer. You can take the cleric in quite a few different directions. You certainly won't be stepping on anyone's role if you go in that direction.

Ok will do the conversion, just trying to figure If Abadar or Cayden the second might fit Coran better where as Abadar fits the story.

Waiting on the entries to get the finished stats up for Waltz, Joy and Raging Bull.

Roman Fomin seems solid and adds a ranged fighter with utility spells but doesn't cover the Arcane niche we need. I like his background ok with his npc's and like the locations but not sure if the Book store would be allowed in Westcrown with that much freedom.

Basil Kettering again seems solid as well but doesn't he duplicate Jo with a front line Barbarian. I like his NPC's and locations and the background as well.

Cayden would fit the story well too. There is a theme of anti-slavery here with Coran's background, Arael, Mother Muddlumm, and the Bellflower Network. It actually isn't part of the original Council of Thieves, but I'm running with it.

There is certainly nothing that says a couple of priests cannot be friends and I would guess the differences between a Chaotic Cayden and Lawful Abadar might play out in interesting ways eventually. There is an Abadar story here that did not have a strong part in the original Council of Thieves, but that I am expanding as a result of Gauner and Coran.

You make a good point about the bookstore. I think I will provide some advice to Roman about that. I'd like to see the witch get expanded.

I did express concern with the Jo overlap for Basil. I do like his NPCs and Locations, but if we include him, I will need to more tightly integrate the two while leaving separate roles for each. Could be difficult.

I think Raging Bull's bard would be fine.

I'm unclear why the Heretic Inquisitor has Gorum listed as a patron- sounds more like a heretic of Asmodeus or I just don't get it.

So cool thing that fits with both storyline and Coran, he is a Seperatist Cleric that Worships Cayden for his Freedom aspects and Abadar due to Gauner for his protection aspect. I think that fits nicely without breaking anything in game.

Coran - I think we can make that work, Will be some tension between the lawful side of Abadar and the chaotic nature of Cayden for sure.

Yes there will but that makes for good role-playing. The new sheet is in the profile.

So far of the three I like Emmett Eschaus the best. Has the best skill set that the party could really use with the whole lawyer thing. Add to the that the spell casting ability.

A tight second would be Edger - A Bard with some real teeth.

I would like to see what Faelar comes up with since he was cut from the original recruiting group. If he comes up with anything that supports front line operations, I will probably be game.

It is ashame Basil won't change his background a little, although a background in The Pits would immediately bond Jo to him.

Ragan Tolnaro probably would not have tolerated any floating pit fighting rings to exist anywhere near the city. By the time Jahat died, The Pits was the only game in town.

I agree to see what Faelar comes up with. Right now, I would also put Emmett first. I think he fits the arcane slot you guys are looking for. Out of the more melee types, I also lean Egder 2nd even though I have a feeling Jo will have a terrible time with his name.

I am good with Emmett, I am going to reread the rest and also answer Gauner in a little bit.

note on Jo's naming of his hammer- Moondark has already picked the name Hellstryker for the mithril dagger she is planning on buying someday : )

maybe go with something like Whack-an-imp or 'imp my maul. ; )

...though I have a feeling Jo will have a terrible time with his name.

Jo has a terrible time with everyone's name!

BEWARE! If Faelar ever casts 'Enlarge Person' on Jo, I cannot guarantee his survival.

I can't even think what he would do if he sees it cast on someone else.

I will post hopefully later RL crap hit big time.
Will update if there is an issue.

Ok for the New PCs

1) Emmett - I like the character and I think it fits 100% with the game

2) Faelar Braegen - I like the concept and would like to see how a Sorcerer can be a frontline fighter.

3) Egder - Interesting concept and I think the Bard would add a nice flair to the group.

4) Basil Kettering - Very well thought out but seems to close to Jo, 2 barbarians in a Party would be neat.

5) Roman - I like the character idea but we need another frontline fighter or Arcane Caster.

I like all the concepts. As I have said in the past - the creativity on these boards is amazing. They all deserve shots.

The final decision is the GM's but here are my thoughts:

1 - I think Faelor deserves the first shot as he was promised a look if we lost people. He has a good concept and seems to post a lot.

2 - I love Emmett's concept and he too posts a lot.

3 - Would like another front-liner weapon-swinger but since the GM knows the source material better, it should be his decision on who fits the campaign best to allow us to achieve the goals set forth.

Just my 3 cents.

I think it is Faelar and Emmett based on your thoughts. I agree with both of them. I would agree with Egder, Basil and Roman after that. I will take emails from them if they are willing in case we need it.

Moondark - I'll let them know tonight unless I hear a concern from you.

Maybe take three?

In my experience the witch is a rather weak class, but Emmett seems to know what he's doing and he's a great character. As for the other, I think either the Bard or Sorcerer would be fine.

I'm cool with whatever the GM decides.

I would be ok with adding 3.

i dunno. it gets a little crowded esp if the GM is going to run subplots for everyone. I just don't want things to get even slower :(

I was thinking maybe we could get a little more RP between PCs. That would certainly liven things up.

More RPing between the PC, would be good and might take some pressure off the GM if he can't post.

I'm willing to go with three. I may wind up having to scale up some encounters. I'm less worried about the subplots except when you all split up. So, I think it will be Faelar, Emmett, and Egder. I will thank Basil and Roman and let them know that we may be in touch if we have future needs.

Faelar, Emmett, and Egder - welcome to Council of Thieves. For everyone, I am traveling right now and will be home mid-day on Saturday. Moondark is headed back to the safe house/temple to meet back up with the Children of Westcrown and Jo will be headed there with Ermolos once they get something to eat :) I am going to try to wrap up Coran's visit with Gauner and then it will be time for him to return as well. That should put us in a position to do IC meetings on Saturday unless you guys want to take it unto yourselves to do introductions IC sooner. Basically, my plan is that all three of you will be members of the Children of Westcrown that the PCs did not meet last night, but you will have answered Janiven's summons and come to the safe house.

Thanks for having me!

The idea for IC meeting works for me.

(I used average gold for level 1. Let me know if I need to updaye anything.)

Thank-you for accepting me into this campaign. I will try to make it as enjoyable for everybody as orcishly possible.

I have everything done in my profile, but not sure if I have got the money right, how much do we start with at level 2? I checked the CoreRule Book and found out it said 1000 GP, but just wanted to check.

Other half-orc reporting for duty!

Xianae, with two halforcs being in the same organisation, with common goals in a hostile city, it would make sense to me if they had talked before. If you're ok with that, tell me what you'd like. I'd prefer a friendship or a healthy rivalry.

By the way, Xianae is pronounced : See-Are-Nay

Go ahead and use CRB average for level 2 - 1000 gp. Definitely feel free to play up any connections between your characters.

Children of Westcrown
The group just got named over dinner the evening past. This is an organization that has come together over the last few months, organized by a half-elf worshiper of Iomedae named Arael and his close friend, Janiven. While there are some different opinions among the group, Arael and Janiven are seeking ways to improve Westcrown without going directly against the current authorities. Of the other PCs, Jo and Moondark are brand new members, and Coran has become a member within the last week or so.

If you have time, you can read through the rest of the thread to get a little more background. While your characters were not at the dinner last night, it can be assumed that Janiven caught you up on what happened in the sewers when you arrived at the safe house this morning.