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I'll try to respond to everything that's been brought up. Before that though, please know that neither I, nor hopefully anybody in the party, will hold it against anyone who decides to leave. The reason we all play Pathfinder is to have fun, and if someone isn't, I'm not going to ask they do something they don't enjoy in hopes that at some point, maybe they will.
That said, it has seemed to slow down more and more recently, and I know that I am a part of that. As Dromer said, it's my first time running a PbP, and I'm sure I underestimated certain aspects of that. For example, Forlen mentioned another GM who would push the party to the next room when things were slowing down too much. It's something I've tried to avoid doing, probably in part since I'm used to physical play, where you can subtly nudge someone along and have it maybe take 5-10 minutes tops, versus a few days. Forlen, I do appreciate the advice, as I know it's to improve the game for all of us, and not just a complaint.
I know also that I simply haven't posted as often as I should have. That was never my intent, and I certainly intended to be more active when I started this campaign. For all the adventures in Iron Gods, the chronicle is given at the end of the adventure, which even at a decent pace would take some time to finish this one. I just took a promotion at work a couple weeks ago, and I don't see myself being able to post much more than I was at that point.
It's not something I ever really thought of before, but Dromer makes a good point about the cycling players that maybe I never noticed was impacting my overall interest. We lost one player right after entering the cave near the start, and when Dromer took a hiatus after that his replacement stopped posting after a couple of days.
All in all, as much as I have always hoped I'd never have to say this, I think that between my schedule and the slowing down of the adventure, I don't know that my heart is in it to keep going right now. I hate to be one to support stopping, but I don't know that I can keep running this in a way that makes progress and keeps the game fun for all of you.
I'm interested in hearing any thoughts from anyone here before the group makes a decision though, and if we do stop, then I apologize greatly.
Congratz on the promotion. I similarly took a higher paying job that has impacted my availability. Whereas I used to sit down to a game 2-4 times a week, I now play maybe once every other week. Even my Forum activity has lessened tremendously.
Regarding the Chronicle, there is no minimum amount of play required in Campaign Mode. You could literally narrate the entire AP, never rolling dice once, and hand out Chronicles afterwards. If possible, I'd like the Chronicle, but if you're not comfortable issuing it I understand.
Congrats on the promotion! And thanks a lot for the clarity of your post and your oppenness about the situation. And what I said was just a suggestion, if you're not comfortable with it, please do it your way. No need to force yourself into something you're not okay with.
Would a handover to a different GM solve things? Stopping the adventure sucks, and while a change of GMs might not go smoothly, it's better than the alternative, I think. I'm not necessarily nominating myself (I haven't PbP-GMed either), but I have a lot of free time due to me quitting school for a while (long story, but the gist of it is I have crippling school-related performance anxiety). And if it doesn't, I'm fine with a slower pace, it's better than nothing.
OMG Forlen you're quitting school? I cant leave you alone for five minutes now can I?! (Ok, ok just kidding, I know its hard for you)
I get hopelessly attached to people. Even in play by post. I'm hopelessly attached to Dromer. The inner rat wants to groom him and adopt him into the pack. Because its clear he needs it.
I would like to continue. If its hard for Andrew to continue, we could switch GM duties (if he would like to play).
Forlen could take over. Or I could. Or I could coach Forlen in online GMing.
There's no shame in games ending. I always tell people I'd much rather they drop out of a game I'm running if they are unhappy than play because they feel an obligation. This applies doubly so to GMing.
Life changes, interest waxes and wanes. Availability shifts etc.
I'd much rather stop on a pleasant note than drag along a game that doesn't have our hearts in it.
I know my heart isn't in it anymore, and it sounds like that's true for our GM as well.
Not quitting school, but haven't followed a course since the start of this year. Something snapped in me last year that's taking very long to fix. But that's not the issue here.
Fair point on ending on a high note. If, however, we think it's salvageable, maybe we should try it (if all people agree, of course).
Iantha, aren't you way too busy with several other PbPs? How many do you have running anyway? :P
My life is a pit of chaos O_O
Nah, just a little bit. And the forum seems to agree as it hasnt been displaying 'new posts' next to my PbPs, which is incredibly annoying.
It's been like that since they tweaked the new Starfinder Forum. It's being worked on.
All of my PbPs have ground to a halt.
Fixed?
Yeah, looks OK now
Hi guys!
My two cents are that I agree that we could end here on a high note after enjoying the game with our current characters, or we could let another GM jump in if they're very sure they can take over the game and keep it moving. I personally love the interactions between Dromer and Iantha (Iantha is one of my favorite characters I've ever played with, I think), but I also have more responsibilities at work which have caused me to take less time to write meaningful posts, which can lead to less interest in general for all of us.
In other words, I vote we end here unless one of the other players is absolutely sure they can take over and take on all the responsibilities.
Tyler
Ironic coincidence, the GM for my Thursday night Shattered Star game announced last night that he's not into it anymore, either. Another player is considering taking over, but that messes up our party dynamic.
I think maybe APs in general are doomed to a high rate of failure. I've been through:
Book 1 of Kingmaker (twice)
Book 1 of Shattered Star
Book 1 of Reign of Winter
Books 1-2 of Carrion Crown
Books 1-3 of Hell's Rebels
And yet I've run, and played in, multiple lengthy home campaigns (and almost 5 years of PFS).
I'll probably attempt another AP again, but I'll go into it recognizing that odds are against completion.
I'd be willing to take over, but it's my first PbP game. I ran through book 1 of Jade Regent before that group fell apart and I'm almost a four-star PFS GM, so I'd like to think I'm a decent GM, but PbP is different enough that I'm slightly hesitant. People want to end on a high note, and I get that, so I'll leave it up to you whether we continue.
Honestly it's probably best to get a bunch of PbP scenarios under your belt first, and determine your limits, before attempting something as grandiose as an AP.
A year ago, when we started this, I was unaware of that necessity. Since then I've learned a lot more about what it takes. It's surprisingly challenging.
Yeah, that's why I'm not immediately announcing myself as the new GM. >_>
Hi guys!
My two cents are that I agree that we could end here on a high note after enjoying the game with our current characters, or we could let another GM jump in if they're very sure they can take over the game and keep it moving. I personally love the interactions between Dromer and Iantha (Iantha is one of my favorite characters I've ever played with, I think), but I also have more responsibilities at work which have caused me to take less time to write meaningful posts, which can lead to less interest in general for all of us.
In other words, I vote we end here unless one of the other players is absolutely sure they can take over and take on all the responsibilities.
Tyler
Ow, thank you so much! I feel really flattered. You're really a person I look up to. So it means a lot to me.
I see Forlen tomorrow (we have local gaming con) so we can talk it trough. I already have some ideas for this. But will probably be brain dead by the end of the weekend due to GMing too much.
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I want to say, like others, I've really had a blast with these characters. I don't know how I'm going to live without a regular dose of half sixteenth-orc hair flipping in my life - seriously, as benign and unimportant as that was, there was something about it that made me happier than nearly anything my players have done anytime it came up. As someone who used to frequently participate in discussions in the PFACG forum, it was also nice to finally get a chance to play a game with Miranda.
Dromer, I had actually thought about what you said about the chronicles and what's technically required to get them. Unfortunately I've always felt, when that topic gets brought up, that it feels almost like it cheapens the experience and I'm not entirely comfortable giving out a chronicle that way. You're right about running an AP though. In general, they are so in depth (and long if you run multiple parts) that they inherently are going to have a higher failure rate. Adding to that being the first content run as a PbP, I think it's very risky. Maybe once I've got more control over my schedule I'll consider running some one off PFS scenarios instead, as I do enjoy it and since my physical group moved to 5e PbP is my only Pathfinder experience for play or GM.
I had plans. THen forlen and me got con-crud :(
Alrighty. GG guys. It was a pleasure getting to know you all. I'm sure I'll see you all again in the aether =).
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:(
I got really attached to Dromer you know. Had plans to adopt him into the rat-family. Could have been 1/16 orc 1/16 rat.