GM Silbeg's "Murder on the Throaty Mermaid" (Inactive)

Game Master Silbeg

From the gameplay thread:

Just want to point out that since we mentioned we weren't starting until later this week, Amaranti and Ibid have not posted. I know Ibid is still traveling. I don't want to cheat them out of their opportunities to participate in the questions, as well as Ibid in particular with his Journal... I also have made my purchase (enchanting my mw chain shirt to +1) and should be all set. I will join in with Lort in searching the ship.

I definitely don't want to keep Ibid or Amaranti out of the loop! I thought that searching the ship would probably not be part of the regular adventure per se. GM Silbeg, I'm sure you'd be cool with retrospective questions for those players, yeah?

I'm happy to tone it down (post frequency-wise) if that makes it easier. I haven't really slowed down on the forum checking as I thought I would. Sorry.

Also, it is so fun to be able to play with you guys after GMing for you. It's an absolute treat - and a big thanks to GM Silbeg for running this! I hope Lort and Cyrus's little game didn't make anyone feel left out. It was a cool idea that Cyrus had, so I ran with it.

I'm just waiting for Finarin to bite on the bait I've cast out into the gameplay thread. Should be... explosive. ;-)

Lort - I was just more worried about us inadvertantly moving the story along because it seems like we have exhausted everything so far. I have no problem with checking the thread and posting often... (Guilty also, particularly today) Just don't want to accidently move forward and leave them out of the fun part in the beginning :)

On a related note, I have been doing this play by post for a few months now. Has anyone else noticed how PbP affects your gameplay at the table? I have found I have really come to enjoy the intro/epilogue posts almost more than the meat of doing the adventure. There is so much more freedom to delve into story telling and description with the written word...

on an UNrelated note... is anyone else trying to figure out who gets the axe, murder mystery style? My first thought was the dignitary, but I am starting to lean towards the body guard...

I like to guess the whodunit in all the cop shows in the first 5 minutes, I have about a 95% success rate... Of course, I don't get to direct one of the characters in the cop shows....

My guess is the bodyguard kills the dignitary... but it's probably best to just avoid guessing such things.

As for PbP, I do love the depth of character it is possible to convey. I do, however, try to do that a lot in RL too. We have a great table who all prefer to role than roll. My one stand out favorite in PbP is to go into the mind of the character. Can't do that in RL (easily)!

I'm with you Lort, I prefer the role over the roll as well. I just don't get into the "acting" part of it, which is much easier to portray with writing. Social interactions always seem to create the most memorable part of any game. The thing I have noticed is how you can take skill checks and even combat and add that social/role flavor, ie stubbornly trying to climb the side of the boat, and letting the reader into the character's mind while he does it... at the table that is harder to do, and generally the character just looks dumb and stubborn :)

Sorry for the quiet.. Things still pretty hectic in RL, hoping everything will be normalised tomorrow.

Don't worry... I won't let you push too far.

I have a good deal of setup, and introductions for you, which would actually be easier to do in person, so I am setting up a few things to make all of our lives easier (such as the map, the Dramatis personæ document, etc).

Hoping that this will help things flow better once we get started!

My guess is the bodyguard kills the dignitary... but it's probably best to just avoid guessing such things.

This murder mystery upon the open sea features a mechanic allowing for a different killer each time it's run to ensure that no amount of word of mouth will spoil the investigation for any team of canny players.

Yeah, it's still my guess as to the killer. What of it? Lort doesn't know the scenario summary...

... kinda interested to see if it comes up with a plausible killer. Hope it doesn't turn out to be like one of those tiresome murder mystery nights where the killer doesn't even realize it's them until half-way through.

I think I missed something... ie the faction mission... Where did that get presented at? I didn't think I read through it all too fast...

And dangit, stop worrying so much Amaranti :) Ibid is on vacation too. We are just insufferable when it comes to refreshing the thread, thats not your fault! :)

Oh, maybe it hasn't been given yet. Campaign info tab is where I got it, and this post:

http://paizo.com/campaigns/GMSilbegsMurderOnTheThroatyMermaid/gameplay& page=1#17

Entirely possible it hasn't been given in game, though! I can't find that reading back through, so yeah... oops?

I have no idea how I missed that...
I guess I got distracted by the pretty barmaid delivering Finarin's missive...

Got it though! I will respond accordingly in the gameplay thread

I got my faction assignment. Wish I had some rogue skills.

Remember I will be spotty posting until Tuesday, but I can post more than Amaranti.

::blows raspberry::

I don't think we've even been introduced to all the principals, yet, so no guessing from me! I have a feeling there will be at least a couple interesting parties that we meet on the Mermaid itself. It promises to be alot of fun. More soft skills coupled with head-cracking.

Edit: Bleh, I guess I'll learn to check both threads before commenting from now on.

@ Lort Remember when ....seems like so long ago.

Finarin's application Click on the spoiler.

@Finarin: I actually dug it up before, couldn't figure out which bits related to your post. I like both the background and the post - I was just curious about what the connection was.

Also, feel free to ask for help with your faction missions (I genuinely haven't read them), if you need stealth, magic or muscle I'm sure your companions would be happy to help. As far as I know there's no ban on getting help from non-faction members. Let's tick some boxes! Y'know, using roleplay and all that.

Application - "Please, let me join in this grand adventure and when you are long gone I can tell your grandchildren what a time we had."

Gameplay thread - "but know that I will tell your grandchildren and your grandchildren's grandchildren stories of your ... valor"

That part - can't wait to tap my ninja friend to steal something for me yet again.

@Lort - it isn't forbidden to share faction missions... unless of course the missions says to do something without being seen, or something like that.

@Finarin, I leave it up to you to determine if you can get help, or not. Or, even if you need it.

I also have to say that I am enjoying how this group grabs for any role playing chance, and runs with it. So much like herding cats!

Why, I can't even type in the interaction going on between two NPCs and the PCs before Miro has posted... twice!

BTW - did I warn you that this one pushes the PG-13 rating a little? There is one scene that I wish I could do face to face with you all... 'cause I don't think I can do it justice in a post. Well, we'll see.

Well, I'm all grown up and don't mind adult-ratings, provided they have RP significance. I look forward to your spin on it!

Finarin: Wow, of course that was it! I thought that wasn't in the background but pleading from you to the GM (in character, but not background). Didn't notice that it was in the spoiler. Thanks for pointing it out to me!

GM Silbeg: Please put anything non PG-13 into a spoiler. I know I tried to get you to come to a strip club with me at Gen Con, but I'm really quite sensitive.

@ GM Ok, so my skills are poor at best so can I take 10 on a DC 10 check, and roll on everything else. Thinking of the rope last scenario.

I am not opposed to some mature content as long as it makes sense thematically. Being older than Lort but sensitive nonetheless.

I can handle adult ratings. I am sure Cyrus would love to find a way to make it really uncomfortable...

Finarin, Cyrus the ninja flea is ready and willing to help you in the sneaky part of your endeavors. And he knows when to keep his mouth shut. Unless it involves awkward thoughts about attractive women. So if that's your mission, better leave me out....

I already can't wait to try our mission...

Wall of text in gameplay! Sorry!!!!

Who knew opposed skill checks could be so much fun :)

Oh what? Did I win? LOL

For all of our antics and fun RP posting, something about Miro's post, and the visual of a tiny halfling holding his hand up then gagging had me laughing out loud. Well done Miro. Well done. :)

I feel a little bad for Ibid and Amaranti, they are going to come back to (78 new)x

Of course, who wouldn't want to just sit down and read through a nice little short story. Isn't that half the reason why we play this game? maybe I don't feel so bad :)

Off topic question. does anyone know if there is a way to put a campaign on "inactive" if you weren't the GM? The very first PbP I did is still "active" even though it has been done for months now... I am a little OCD about it and I want it moved to inactive... its driving me nuts! I have PM'd the GM a few times, posted in the discussion thread, all asking to have it moved, no dice. I was hoping there was a way around him...

@Cyrus: I've been wondering that myself. I too have an inactive but "active" campaign that plagues my profile. I've got a bigger problem at hand, too, that GM hasn't given me a chronicle sheet for something that ended in July! I've emailed the paizo support email address, but no response.

My next step is looking up the Online VC to ask for help. I'm not sure if yours is PFS, but if it is, he should be able to point you in the right direction at least.

Anyone on here know what to do?

Lort, I think you have it right. Email the Online VC (and VL?), and let him know what has happened. At least you have proof that you did the scenerio!

I am sure he can do something to help out. I promise to be much quicker with the Chrons.

FYI - I'll be launching the actual game tomorrow...

WHAT!!! Did someone email and mention my name? That PbP is magically in my inactive list!

Whoever did it... THANK YOU! (checks another OCD box...)

Oh, and FYI - PG-13 is about the worst it will get... no need to offend anyone, and no need to push up against board rules, either. This is still a public game. I'll be able to convey the message without any problem!

Erm, Lort's last post was probably MA15... oops. ;-)

**EDIT** Forgot that I'd removed all the juicy parts. You did not want to read my original post! ;-)

Hey... question...

Have you guys done Thornkeep? I've been itching to run the 5 levels again, so if you were all interested...

We'd probably want to dedicate characters to it... and there would be some gaps in levels that we'd need to do other things (or the characters could be played IRL for a level here and there).

For sure, I would suggest starting at level 2 (Accursed Halls can be played at level 1, but is very dangerous).

@Silbeg, re: Thornkeep: Are you suggesting running parallel games or as one of the "next up" games?

I'm a no for the game with this character lineup. I'd really like to stick with dedicated PFS scenarios with these particular characters - and one at a time. I'm very much enjoying unravelling more about the Society through gameplay.

However, I'll have a level 2 with just one more GM credit (probably my next one) - if I can get the above issues with my chronicle sheet ironed out. I'd be happy to play that character parallel to this. The caveat would be that I would prefer a slightly slower pace with the Thornkeep scenario (ie. I'd be posting only 1-2 times a day, instead of my current insane pace). Mostly so I can keep up my current insane pace with the "main" PFS games.

As for Thornkeep as an adventure setting, I'm not as big a fan of dungeon crawls (Trial By Machine was not my favorite scenario to run - you guys made it good). I'm happy to play it with this group for sure, but I'd like Lort to be separate from that.

Actually, that brings me to another point: With the chopping and changing of GMs, would everyone prefer to run two PbPs instead? One under creative control of GM Silbeg, the other by GM Damo? Obviously, GM Silbeg would need to agree! Not right now, of course, but longer term? I know many of you play multiple games as it is, so it likely wouldn't be too big an adjustment...

I am fine with pretty much whatever. This group is great, so I don't mind running through the muck if need be. LOL

I would use any/all my characters to hang with this group, and I have no problem playing parallel games. (I currently have 4 different characters in 4 different games... When I was doing Trial by machine I had 5 in 5...)

(5 in 5 might have been too much, partly because I was posting at an insane pace with trial by machine...)

My PFS characters are:

Cyrus the Flea - Human Ninja 2 - I want to keep him in this group running this string we are currently on, I am really jonesing on the ideas for character development and backstory slow-reveal. (Ibid and I have already dropped some teasers on this...)

Pooka Bladespinner - Halfling Cavalier 2 - Just started a scenario, tide of twilight. Could be another month or so before he is available.

Thistle Voltare - Nagaji Oracle 2 - Currently running the Emerald Spire Mega-dungeon. No idea how far we will take it, but I plan to keep him there until the GM doesn't want to do it anymore.

Jaender the Black - Wayang Wizard 1 - Riding the pine right now, he was my "placeholder" until I could get Cyrus in with this group. He is available.

I have no problems with dungeons. They do present an RP challenge, but I do enjoy the "board game" portion of this as well. Knowing I have this game stream as a creative outlet for RP, I don't think a bit of hack and slash with RP as the frosting instead of the cake would be bad.

Ok, I would love to play something longer with this group but I am new to PFS and I only have Finarin (who will level to 2 after this secnario) and a newbie in a PbP right now (which is horrid - imagine playing Zork as a PbP). As always I vote a) to keep the band together and b) to game w this group as much as I can.

I was thinking in parallel, with a different character set.

There actually is a good deal of RP potential in Thornkeep... Because there is the whole town above to learn store pies about.

@Finarin if you are in a group of six, you could survive easily on level one of Thornkeep with a first level character. That being said, we should at least get you one chronicle for that character.

So, here is what I think, if everyone agrees. GM Damo runs a 1-2 (maybe a module? There are a couple of good 1-2 modules I haven't played, such as Crypt of the Everflame or The Godsmouth Heresy. I have already played Murders Mark, but it is replayable.

Or we just do scenarios. Or whatever, I am cool with what the group decides. I could run the modules as well, if you'd like. I should be able to pull it off while running this one, I should think, just have to pay attention to them both.

As stated, I just like to play, so I really have no preference. Whatever you guys decide is fine with me. :)

Thornkeep sounds good, haven't played it. I don't have any free lvl2 characters, however. One might be free in couple of weeks, but she's not much of a dungeon-crawler.

So I'm good with levelling up in a module, too :) I've done Crypt' and 'Heresy and currently playing 'Mark, but they are all replayable. Of these I would prefer Crypt; I liked it the best and it was my very first pf/pfs game.

@Cyrus: How have you liked Emerald Spire? A while back I was reading into OSR and the mega-dungeons of old, and it kinda made me want to try. On the other hand, the dungeon-crawls I have played so far haven't been very interesting (excluding Crypt of the Everflame)

Okay, sounds like I'll be running something soon, then! In parallel. It probably won't have my previous pace - but we'll see. ;-)

Oddly, the aborted game I mentioned above is Crypt of the Everflame and is pretty much the only anything I can't give as credit to the character I mentioned above. I'd also rather stick to running PFS scenarios in general, as I'm pretty new to PFS and quite curious about the background and machinations therein.

That said, I think Crypt of the Everflame takes you through a full level, so I could happily apply the GM credit it to a new toon (since everyone seems to like that dungeon), provided I don't run any more (or too many more) modules after that.

That gives me a crazy idea... If we did that module, we'd all get enough credit to level up. So, we could all start new characters and try to work out a group that covers all the bases - actually go in with an optimal (or close to optimal) team. Anyway, that's a question for later.

First up, who wants to play Crypt of the Everflame, and who would prefer something else?

@ Amaranti - I have only done the first level so far of Emerald Spire. Not very challenging per se, but who likes a bunch of tpks when you first start right? The exploration is a little odd, without some meta-game knowledge (read: help from GM) its a little to easy to "go left" but not ever be able to come back and try the "right". I am a completionist at heart, so missing out on parts of the game would have been a bummer. We are starting the second level this weekend, so I am excited to see what is going to happen. There does seem to be some connection of things going on that we are slowly uncovering clues for, which is pretty fun.

@Lort - I own the crypt of the everflame module, and ran it for our real life group (which included Ibid). That said, I have no problem running it as a player, but I have first hand knowledge of all the little tricks. It would be an interesting challenge in player vs character knowledge.

Truly I am up for anything with this group. I would be happy to create a new character to run whatever the concensus is, or use one of my current ones once they are open.

I am good for any of the options, myself.

I have three characters I can play... An Undine Watersinger (bard), and two unmade characters (one at level 1, one at level 2)

Just because, y'know, why not, how about "We Be Goblins!"?

That one really does best with four players. I've run it about five times, and it is always fun!

So, why don't we do a game or two to get some Thornkeep characters together. I will start working on getting things like the dramatis personae set up, and masking for the maps, etc., and plan on Thornkeep when characters are second level.

Note: each of the Thornkeep levels are worth 3xp and 4pp. They are also, for the most part, pretty good in loot.mat least 2.5X the normal scenario for a given level, wih interesting boons

@Silbeg: Would it still work okay with 6 players? The best thing about that scenario is it gives everyone time to decide on their next characters, ready for when they get the goblins credit. Also, no chance of PC death (just goblin death). ;-)

Agreed on the Thornkeep plan.

I've seen it done with six (actually played it with six). Challenge goes way down, unless the gobbos start fighting among themselves. The main issue is that there are only four legal pregens, so you have to have duplicates.

As it happens, though, the two characters (other than my Undine Bard) that I have available both have credit for WBG. No big deal, though, I can always start another character! I have 12 already, what's a thirteenth?

I like the idea of trying Crypt of the Everflame. I can take one of my 1st level characters, and play it (basing my build on what everyone else takes). I am not particularly concerned about it, as I won't be advancing a character, as I have already run most of Thornkeep. Though, if we play some stuff in the interim levels, I will have characters available to do so.

That's my 2¢ on the subject... I'll abide by the the group decision!

I've decided there are too many good ideas and if you twist my arm I will admit that I want to do them all. I realize that doesn't help the decision process, but just know I'm game for anything.

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