GM Lorenzo's PFS Quest: Honor's Echo - Redelia's PbP GM Mentorship Program (Inactive)

Game Master Lawrence Smith 2

Since I am no longer melee, but a healer, I wonder if that is true, but I don't think it really matters one way or another.

Since I am no longer melee, but a healer, I wonder if that is true, but I don't think it really matters one way or another.

Ah, gotcha. Well I think we'll do ok in melee. Couple healers will keep us on our feat.

You might consider grabbing the Stonesinger Dwarf alternate racial if you're taking the Earth domain. my 2 cents.

The character was designed core. I have no desire to recreate him at this point.

So, I ninja-dotted (posting as my PC, then deleting the post) into the Gameplay thread of GM Weenerton's running of the subquest: Basilica.

If you haven't yet done so, please ninja-dot into the Gameplay thread now.

Then I checked GM Weenerton's Characters thread. Once you ninja-dot into the Gameplay thread, you should see your PC's portrait and tagline here.

Besides the GM, only Maskini and Melicertes Palaemon appear there so far.

GM Weenerton (and everyone else), I've asked Redelia if we can already resume play, or if we need to wait for her cue.

Besides the GM, only Maskini and Melicertes Palaemon appear there so far.

I ninja-dotted as soon as the forums were posted, to make sure they showed up in my campaign tab. Of course, I am currently listed as the wrong character in all of them, LOL.

I'm going to redot with Dol now. GMs can feel free to mark Maskini as "Inactive"

Depending on update speeds, Blade's timing may end up falling the week of Gen Con.

I'm committed to eight blocks at the convention, and I definitely will NOT be able to either post or run my section during that time-frame.

From Tuesday to Monday of the next week (31JUL to 06AUG) will be sketchy at best.

Just wanted to give folks a 'head's up', so they were aware.

Yeah, I'd like to put things on hold that week. Everyone cool with that?

Yes

No complaints

I'm pretty late on this assignment, but I've completed mymaps for breakdown. Feedback welcome!

If you haven't yet, please dot into the campaign so you'll be ready to get notifications when my quest comes up.

Done!

PbP Tip: Slides

Re your slides, some GMs post their pre-formatted Perception and Initiative blocks here, enabling the players to enter their modifiers. Of course, you can save that information elsewhere, if that's your preference.

Cherry-picking bits I liked from other GMs for the opening pair of my own slides, I also add an image of the scenario cover and an image of basic area-of-effect templates, a matrix of player/PC info for Chronicle preparation, and a couple of standard march orders, single- and double-file, which helps me position PCs on the map when entering a new area or at the start of an encounter.

the templates and marching order are super helpful.

Thanks GM Lorenzo. Updated mine with some outright theft and some modification :)

Any feedback on the map itself also welcome. "Breakdown" has the big skinny map, so I went with 90-degrees and splitting into two major sections so it doesn't feel cramped.

General comments that have occurred to me during 'Basilica':

PbP Tips: Combat Tracking
Some tools I like to use that you might find useful, too.

Hotlink to Current Map
For everyone's convenience, I post a fresh url to the slide that contains the map and images for the current encounter. I've heard folks who play from mobile devices like a smartphone sometimes have difficulty scrolling up and down on a page to find the link if it's posted at the top of the gameplay page. Another option is putting a link to the slides in your GM tagline, though players will have to scroll up and down to find the actual slide we're using at the moment, or the GM can shift slides around to place the current one at the location depicted on the old url. I've found those more troublesome than just using a fresh url.

Conditions/Effects
I often list these above or below the map hyperlink. It's a helpful reminder for the GM and the players of current conditions and effects, and it enables a quick correction, if something's changed or been overlooked.

Round Counter
Posting the round at the top of the initiative order keeps everybody on the same page and helps keep track of the duration of effects.

The 'Reply' Button
Once you've typed up all of the above, it usually isn't necessary to retype it each time. Just hit 'Reply' to your last post, and everything will be copied (with formatting) into your new post. You can make any necessary edits to the draft post, add your recap of the good guy actions and enter the latest bad guy actions and hit 'Submit.' Really cuts down on the effort expended.

Hello all. FYI that I'm going to be away on a trip starting Tuesday, July 31 through Thursday, August 2. I'll likely be posting for part of Tuesday and Thursday and only really be fully out Wednesday.

Feel free to bot as necessary.

Thanks!

I'll be traveling to and from Gen Con over this coming week. I will post when I can, but it will unlikely be every day.

Larry
aka GM Lorenzo

Larry, I'll try to run into you at some point when my schedule permits, but it'll be tough.

I’ll keep an eye out for you!

Action has started up in Blade, Melicertes may wish to comment/post-in before action moves ahead (will move it ahead tonight when I get home from work in either case)

And so Blade is completed.

Thank you very much for joining that segment, and for bearing with the site issues.

It may be a good discussion point for the main GM school to bring up how to handle such things in the future should such a thing happen on a consistent basis, as well as help us learn how to keep a game moving despite connection issues of many sorts.

Thanks, GM Wageslave.

GM OG3, you ready to begin Homestead?

Homestead is mine (Brunoreturns).

Yes, I am ready. I'll get an initial post up this weekend.

People can dot in HERE if they haven't already

Thanks, GM Brunoreturns, for running us through 'Homestead'.

GM PaleDim, are you ready to begin 'Breakdown'?

Thanks, GM Brunoreturns, for running us through 'Homestead'.

GM PaleDim, are you ready to begin 'Breakdown'?

Yes, sorry. I got back from my weekend trip pretty late and am still catching up. I'll put up an introductory post by sometime tomorrow.

PFS PbP Tip: Scenario Prep

Although I've prepped a scenario's PbP text in advance a couple of times, I find the pace of PbP play is slow enough that I can do that as I go. It's much more difficult, though, if you're over-committed to too many simultaneous adventures as player and GM.

When I'm prepping a scenario, whether for PbP or for F2F play, I like to print out a hard copy, double-sided.

I start by reading the scenario's background, summary and its conclusion.

Then I grab a highlighter for non-box text bits I want to convey to the players. I usually highlight further details about an encounter's location, like its dimensions and contents and a description of the occupants. If necessary, I'll make a note about where the occupants are when the encounter begins. Sometimes it's stated, sometimes it's not.

Then I use a blue-ink pen (for contrast) to underline key skill checks, saving throws, if/then statements, any special mechanics like influence points, etc. I usually make a note about these in the margins, too. The margin notes are sparse enough to draw my attention during the game, but not so much that they make my eyes blur.

Then I go through the stat blocks for the encounters, highlighting creature descriptions, weapons, armor, and any other visible gear that I want to convey to the players to paint the picture of what they're seeing.

I underline the abilities, traits, feats, spells that I need to review. I look at the before/during combat tactics, and morale criteria. If there isn't any I just number spells/weapons/abilities in the order I think the creatures will use them.

I usually copy and paste the encounter's text into a post and hit 'preview' to capture it. (When it's particularly complicated, I'll sometimes paste it into a Word.com first.) Then I delete the bits I don't want and format what's left. I might hit 'preview' a few times during that process, so I can see what it looks like and avoid losing my work, if I wait too long.

I address each PC's actions and dialogue, describe any effects, and try to convey the NPCs' or bad guys' reactions to what just happened. This is where the GM brings the scenario to life, where he or she makes the mundane something amazing and unforgettable.

GM Ladile does that better than any GM I've ever encountered. If you ever have a chance to play at one of her PbP tables, you should seize it. She's that good.

Great advice. I am going to need to read this a few times to try to absorb everything.

Question:

When you encounter a combat situation where a map was not provided, how do you decide whether to do theater of the mind or generating a map on your own?

Theater of the mind is particularly effective for chase scenes and social encounters, but I'd prefer to find and use a map that seems to fit the situation, just to avoid GM-Players tactical confusion about terrain, distance, areas of effect, etc.

A pdf download of the basic terrain maps could work, or even a grid layout you find online imported into the slides. The graphics might not be pretty, but it'd be kind of like retro, old-school pen-and-paper.

I will post tonight after work, will see who hasn't been covered by other party members.

Or I can do THAT.

Hopefully that hasn't pissed on anyone's parade? Please let me know if Bobbi needs to dial it back?

PbP Tip: Rule of Two
We'll go with the Rule of Two, which you may already be familiar with. To expedite play, the GM goes with the decision of the first two players who agree to the same course of action. In a do-or-die situation, the Rule of Two is usually not appropriate. However, in a social encounter especially, it can avoid slowing down the pace of play.

In this case, I'm just looking for at least two of you to agree to interact with the same person.

PbP Tip: Posting with a Push
The GM and other players will usually find it very helpful, whenever a post ends with a line or two that prompts action from others at the table. With practice and aquired skill, this can often be accomplished without breaking the fourth wall with an ooc comment.

As a player, I try to indicate my intentions or preferences through dialogue or describing my PCs actions. If that doesn't seem practical, I'll express my PC's thoughts, understanding that the other players can read what my PC is thinking.

Examples:

Ex 1, Dialogue: "Friends, that Dominicus Rell dude's been eye-balling us since we got here. Let's talk to some other folks first, and see if we can learn anything more about him, before we approach him," Melicertes says, hoping his companions will agree.

Ex 2, Action: Melicertes glances at the man hovering nearby, within earshot of the conversation with Princess Eutropia. Catching the eye of his friends, he gives a slight shake of his head, urging them to put some distance between themselves and the nosy nobleman. Spotting Lady Gloriana Morilla, he heads in that direction, motioning an invitation to his companions to follow him.

Ex 3, Thought: I do not like the look of that nobleman. Could his eavesdropping be any more obvious? I'd rather talk to anyone else. Father Basri seemed grateful for our help in the Basilica. I'd rather talk to him first. Maybe he can help?

Of course, a combination of all three is awesome.

When all else fails, an ooc note is fast and easy, even if it's not my personal preference.
Ex 4, OOC: I vote we talk to the Ulfen Guard first. Why not?

I chose driving forward with one option over waiting for input. Particularly because in this scenario it's possible for the party to split up and attack multiple fronts (ahem, schmooze multiple nobles) at once. Too pushy?

Nope, not at all. It's better when players push than when the GM has to pull.

Social encounters often do require various skill checks. An Aid Another boost or two might make the difference between success and failure sometimes.

This does have to be balanced with an entire party feeling frustration because they 'mob-tag-teamed' a given social encounter to try and get at least *one* aid.

Sometimes the visual depiction or description of a given NPC can tell a player all they need to know about a character. -- there was a Season Eight scenario (alas, over VTT) where my less than astute barbarian managed to snag a success in a social encounter by observing the interaction between an NPC and their pet, and walking up complimenting them on how awesome the bond between them was at a fancy party.

Up until that point the entire party was worse than being in need of a slight pull -- we literally had no idea WHERE to start.

...which is why I'm really glad Dol at least opened with something.

Please do tell me if you're feeling frustrated. Certainly not my intent, and I'm happy to make adjustments to accommodate everyone.

Nah, the frustration isn't in the scenario, it was in having to work six days straight and being beaten up by that, then having to prep for any of a number of scenarios that may or may not fire this weekend at a local mini-con.

Sandboxes like social dinners are always a daunting challenge, both for GM and for players.

Apologies if I made life more difficult for not following the rest of the party over to the Ulfen Guard person.

Apologies if I made life more difficult for not following the rest of the party over to the Ulfen Guard person.

I think splitting up is fine, as long as we don't overwhelm the GM.

It is hard to do FtF, but is more manageable PbF. I just wanted to step into the background for a bit, since I took the lead with the princess. Wanted everyone to get their chance for good RP.

GM TIp

Sometimes, a GM has the explicit opportunity to award a circumstance bonus for role-play. Sometimes, the GM can choose to exercise discretion and reward role-playing, as well.

GMs are always encouraged to reward role-playing when adjudicating the reactions of NPCs or the outcome of in-game encounters.

Never hurts to add a little flava-flave to a post. Not offered as a criticism, just a friendly reminder. ;-)

I really don't have a good way to continue discussion/action with the Captain. Dol is already well ahead on offering clothing, and Ijo already mentioned Menander as a target.

Because we're in the middle of a conversation with Seferi, it's going to be highly difficult for Ijo to pass along the information he knows about Eutropia. I'm having a feeling that sort of like the 2E Playtest that in this particular case Bobbi can't do anything to help without making things worse.

I don't like that feeling, and I wish I didn't have it, but that's where I'm at?

I think I know how you feel, Bobbi. When my PC doesn't seem to have a clear way forward, especially mechanically, it sometimes helps me to immerse myself in the setting, observe what the NPCs and my fellow NPCs have said and done, and just react to that in-character.

And by that, I'm suggesting not a sort of internal what-motivates-me response, but an in-the-moment, visceral response to the stimuli present, right now. What did he/she say, what did we/they do, and what the hell would my PC say or do in response.

If we internalize role-play too much, it can seem like self-gratification in the crudest, most narcissistic sense. What we're really striving for is more like an acting class, where we are encouraged not to act, but to re-act to the people and world around us.

Plenty of what the NPCs here have said and done isn't scripted in the scenario. I've tried to imagine them as fully-fleshed beings, presented their appearance, their reaction to your appearance, conversation, and actions and find a way to have them respond to you. As a GM, I try to nudge the encounter along the plot lines and, when necessary, make any mechanics as clear as possible.

I sometimes fall short of those aims, more often than I would like, but in the striving, I hope to provide the catalyst for real role-playing magic. Without boring or pissing off too many players.

Reviewing the scenario's text, there isn't a specified trigger to make Lady Gloriana Helpful. She's Friendly, because you had rescued Aayef during Blade.

Upon reflection, it makes sense that having acquired the information she'd wanted from Solmon Menander, her attitude would improve to Helpful.

If GM Lorenzo doesn't mind, I will explain how to fill out chronicle sheets here, since the other groups aren't nearly ready.

You will each be filling out one chronicle sheet for one other student. You'll then post them for GM Lorenzo to look over and sign. I'll leave it up to you to figure out which other student you'll prepare a sheet for, or GM Lorenzo can make the assignments for you.

Cool.

Okay, gave Inka my best shot.

The party elected to pursue their interactions more or less independently, so the social encounter has played out slower than it needed to have done.

No problem on my end, but it's sometimes difficult to balance everyone's playing preferences. I can appreciate that some players are beginning to tire of the tedium. Working together, interacting with the same NPC is the surest way to pick up the pace.

The discussion thread can be used to work out such issues, even when it's just between the players.

If you need more clarification on the mechanics of this encounter, please let me know.

The character is more tired than the player is. I've played through Honor's echo before so I get it.

Part of this is the character build too. I've already rebuilt Ijo for after this scenario, just not enough for him to contribute to.

To ask a Helpful creature to give simple aid, is a very low Diplomacy DC.

GM Lorenzo, have you collected information from players to put on chronicles somewhere? I don't want to redo it if you already have.

The first step in filling out chronicles is to get a document that is just a blank chronicle. I'm going to describe how to do this with Acrobat Reader on Windows 10; if some of you are working on other machines, we'll help find a way to do this.

You need to open the scenario in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Then scroll down so that you are on the final page, which is the chronicle sheet. Then select print. You want to print only the current page, and print it with Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer. It will prompt you for a name for the new file; select something that makes sense to you and press OK.

GM Redelia, can you provide the event name and event code number that you'd like us to use?

Everyone, please check Slide 2, and let me know if there are any errors.

If you have a Day Job, please roll the dice here in the Discussion thread and enter the result on the slide.

If anyone needs help preparing Chronicles with a mac, let me know.

Thanks.

The event name is PbP GM school, event number 617,150

Everyone will also need your PFS#, GM Lorenzo, to put in the GM number field when we get to that part.

Here is a set of detailed instructions for filling out chronicles.

Because this is GM school, you use your mentors PFS number instead of yours (since as far as Paizo is concerned he is the GM for the scenario), and do not sign it.

GM Lorenzo, can you please assign which student is to fill out the chronicle sheet for which other student?

When chronicles are done and ready for GM Lorenzo to look over and sign if he's comfortable with them, you can place them in this google drive folder.