Welcome to the Jade Regent discussion thread! I'm going to briefly go over how I do these and what I've found works best in this format. If you have any questions, let me know. If you're new to play by post, don't worry, it's fairlyy easy to pick up.
Roleplaying/Dialog/Character Interaction
I use the 'out-of-character' tags a lot for anything that involves dice rolling, skill checks, etc. I use spoilers sparingly, usually when it involves a specific character knowing something the others don't, or when I have to make 'secret' rolls. I use the 'bold' tags for character dialog, and regular text for descriptions and narrative.
Combat
Creating grids and maps for combat and updating them every round is a lot of work and sometimes slows the pace of the game down. I tried doing this for a module game I ran, and while the results were great, it took a lot of my time to update the map positions every round. I still might use these sparingly for times when cover and environment are major factors, but I mostly want to rely on narrative descriptions of combat - I'm going to be fairly lenient with positioning, so if you're able to flank, charge, etc. I can tell you if it's possible to do so. If I use visual aids, maps, player handouts, etc., I usually link to a photo-sharing site directly.
In a combat round, I roll Initiative for everyone at once. Players can then post in any order, or coordinate their attack strategies if they wish. Once everyone has posted what their action is for the round, I do a summary post for the round with narrative descriptions and dice rolls out in the open. Once you see how I do it, it should be fairly easy to figure out and follow along!
Occasionally I might make skill check rolls for you (things like Perception, Knowledge, etc.) in order to reveal information I think is important to the plot or story. With such a large adventure path like this, I'll try to strike a balance between giving the PCs a chance to explore and keeping the PCs on the right path. I'll try not to railroad too much, but APs tend to have a more rigid structure in terms of plot and story. I'll do my best to give you enough hints and info to keep you on the right track!
Posting Frequency/Time Zones
It's likely that we have at least a few players who are posting in different time zones, which is not a problem. I usually post between 5 PM to 12 AM EST daily, including weekends most of the time. If you are going to be unable to post for an extended period of time (a week or more) let me know in advance - as long as I know how long you'll be away and when you'll be back I won't have to look for a replacement. If someone doesn't post for longer than a week and I don't hear from them, I bring in an alternate player.
Feedback
Periodically, I might ask for some feedback from you guys regarding how well you like the combat, how the pacing is going, how well the story is progressing, etc. Be honest and let me know if there's anything you would like to change or if I've made any mistakes along the way. I'm reasonably well-versed with the rules, but I'm not an expert - sometimes I might miss something obvious. This is a collaborative effort between me and you guys, the players, to have as much fun as possible!
I'm going to go ahead and put an initial post up in the gameplay thread, and I'll take a quick glance at your characters to make sure everything is correct today. Feel free to start posting in the gameplay thread at any time!
Looking over some of the backgrounds and posts it appears at least three of us are in the militia/guard so we should at least know of each other.
Garridan looking over your background it is very similar to mine and I think we could link them up, saying you and I were in the group of boys rescued by Shalelu.
Three of you have an existing relationship with Shalelu, so she's going to have a prominent NPC role in the adventure path. If you guys want to collaborate or elaborate on the back story, that works for me.
Eliaera has an existing friendship with Ameiko, and Ostar with Koya. I'll probably develop this a little later down the road by playing both of the NPCs off of what you guys write.
As a side note, Eliaera is going to be posting with a 15+ hour time zone difference just so you guys know. Shouldn't be too big an issue in a play by post.
What age were these youths? Garridan didn't become serious about learning to fight until he was rescued by Shalelu, and I wanted him to be well into his teens before that occasion, that way he had already wasted his youth reading old tales and daydreaming.
I had envisioned them somewhere in their pre-teens, around 10-12 years old.
I would be willing to revise my backstory at need, but honestly I think I would prefer to leave it as separate incidents -- yours as something that happened in your youth, mine as something a bit more recent. Despite that, we would probably have quite a bit in common because of the similarity of the events.
Hey all!
The time-zone difference probably won't be that much of a problem overall. Depending on my classes/work schedule for the day I might be posting at night-time EST - that's around lunchtime here in Australia, and if I have a break I can easily whip up something on my laptop or phone. Otherwise it'll be early morning American time after I get home.
I suspect that all the characters might be vaguely familiar with one another--i.e., "Oh that's G...Garridan? From the militia, right?" "Oh, Eliaera is that Varisian girl who's often hanging around the Rusty Dragon with Ameiko." And so on.
I thought I would give the rules for Relationships (JR Player's Guide, p. 13-15) a try in this game. Here's a summary of where you guys are at so far, along with any XP you have gained.
Garridan Imoroa – Shalelu -> Cha Modifier (1) + Trait Bonus (4) = 5 (Association)
Amelius Blacktower – Shalelu -> Cha Modifier (4) + Trait Bonus (4) = 8 (Friendship) +400XP
Caerwyn Callandril – Shalelu -> Cha Modifier (1) + Trait Bonus (4) = 5 (Association)
Ostar Foehammer – Koya -> Cha Modifier (1) + Trait Bonus (4) = 5 (Association)
Eliaera Casateri – Ameiko -> Cha Modifier (3) + Trait Bonus (4) = 7 (Friendship) +400 XP
The relationship rules can apply to any NPC, I just listed the ones that you have an associated trait with. You can change your relationship scores by 1)gaining a level (+1) 2) changes in your Cha modifier 3) giving a gift or insulting the NPC and 4) a special event occurs in the AP.
In addition, the GM can reveal gifts/insults at the start of the campaign:
Gifts/Insults
Shalelu – Gift: survivalist gear, Insult: pro-goblin comments
Koya – Gift: detailed map, Insult: crass comments about her age
Ameiko – Gift: exciting adventure story, Insult: misogynistic comments
In addition to using these rules as a framework, I might use a little GM fiat if things develop organically. Also, a romance is not autmatic once you hit a certain Relationship Score, you have to initiate it, but that's probably a ways off. You can stay at the Devotion level even if you don't pursue a romantic relationship. There are no in-game benefits for a romantic relationship with an NPC, but the role-playing possibilities seem pretty intriguing.
I'll also cover the Caravan Rules in more depth here in the discussion thread once we get to that point in the AP. I have a pre-made caravan ready to go with the details of Sandrus's fledgling caravan "Star of Avistan", but beyond that...well, let's just cross that bridge when we come to it. If you are interested in running the caravan, let me know, or if you would prefer to focus on your character, I can run it 'behind the scenes'.
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Insult: misogynistic comments
Aw man, I love Ameiko more and more. Why is she so COOL?
Phil, I guess you'll let us know if/when our relationship scores get to the point where we can pursue romance? Or will it be like RL where we have to blindly guess and hope for the best? :P
I'm curious about the caravan stuff, when we get to it, but I guess the more important thing is whether it's more convenient in the PbP medium to eschew the rules or use them more directly.
There is a threshold (the exact number is a GM secret) for each NPC that you have to hit with the Relationship Score in order to trigger a Romance, but like I said, I'm going to just see how it goes - if something develops, or the timing is right....
Got a little bit of a Dragon Age vibe going on, don't it? Seems cool, though. I almost shudder to think of Amelius's honest attempt at a romantic gesture.
I had a personal tragedy that's going to prevent me from being very active for the immediate future. I apologize for this in advance. I'll try to make some brief actions when I can so it doesn't bog down the story, but I hope I'll be back up to snuff soon.
I'm really sorry to hear that, Kagehiro. I hope things start to look up for you soon!
I had a personal tragedy that's going to prevent me from being very active for the immediate future. I apologize for this in advance. I'll try to make some brief actions when I can so it doesn't bog down the story, but I hope I'll be back up to snuff soon.
Not a problem, take as much time as you need. If your posting is going to be limited, I can 'NPC' your character for the time being if the party needs Amelius's skills in combat or otherwise. I hope things work out for the best.
My condolences on whatever has happened -- I hope everything will be alright.
Sorry to hear that, Kagehiro. Hope everything will be okay.
I too must apologize for my lack of posting. Work has been crazy busy since Wednesday and my family and I are going out of town for the weekend starting tomorrow.
Everything should be back to normal starting on Monday and I should be able to resume a normal posting schedule. If you need to please feel free to 'bot me to keep the story moving.
How should we deal with treasure? Should we divide it up out of character, or discuss it in character?
If we do divide it up out of character, should we discuss it and give it to the best person to get it? Track and evenly divide GP value of gear taken? Some sort of dibs or auction system for favorite items? Or a dozen other methods.
I've always been a fan of out of character division by need -- we all discuss in this thread who should get each item, and give them out rationally. After all, the more effective everyone is the better off we all are -- treasure isn't a zero sum game.
Thoughts?
I'm going to back the division by need system, as mentioned by Garridan. If we try to treat everyone equally on some sort of GP value system things could get messy. But if we treat each other fairly, and in the spirit of friendship, I'm sure things will go smoothly.
This cloak, for example - it wouldn't be of any use to me, as it won't stack with my existing resistance bonus. Trying to lay claim to some share of it would be kinda creepy, in my opinion. Maybe whomever has the lowest total of bonuses to their saves should have it?
As far as rewarding XP, would you guys prefer an event based level system or just straight up encounter and story XP? I can keep track either way.
By 'event based" leveling, you would all progress in level at certain points in the story. This can kind of be a disincentive for exploring though.
I have nothing against either kind of leveling -- having done both in PnP, I find a group that is interested in exploring will still explore, and a group that was trudging through the material to get XP probably wasn't enjoying it. If the group is having fun, giving out XP by fiat or encounter doesn't really matter.
As for the cloak, Eliaera and Ostar have the best base saves, and Ostar can't use it anyway. Myself, Caerwyn and Amelius could all benefit from it, but of us three, Amelius has the worst stats in most of his save stats. I would lean towards him needing it the most, although any of us three could take good advantage of it.
I can get behind either system, to be honest - I do think I prefer the good old xp system, if given the choice, but leveling up via fiat is a good way to ensure that we're able to meet the challenges ahead. Also, in a PbP, regular leveling can keep interest up.
Re: the cloak, I have always found it useful to try and bolster the fighter's will save as much as possible - nothing says TPK quite like having our #1 fighter attacking his own party!
Well, I certainly wouldn't object to a magic item, and my Wisdom is only 10, so my Will is pretty bad. I plan to take Iron Will... but I have a bunch of prereqs to run through for certain feats, so at the moment its several levels away (though if needed I could always take it early -- the advantage of being a fighter).
I'm generally pretty easy-going with loot; I suggest we simply give things to whomever needs it most.
I agree with giving the meat shields--err, the fighter types a bonus to saves first... :)
As far as XP goes, I'm okay with either method. As a GM I tend to prefer levelling the group up when I feel it appropriate. I've never thought that it disincentivised exploration, but then again I never really go hunting for more XP so much as follow plot/story threads.
I take no offense to meat shield with this build;)
I'm a shielded fighter who fights with a shield and will be taking basically every 'shield' related feat. Also, as the only guy with d10 HD, and eventually heavy armor, I'm pretty meaty.
If there are no objections then, I'll equip the cloak before we get into any more danger. Improving my protection from being mind controlled before seeking out a witch is probably a wise move, anyway;)
@ Eliaera -- um, 1d3?
OOPS. That explains the terrible attack roll. :P Sorry, I was posting on my phone and didn't proofread good enough! *FIXED*
"Hey, everybody! Thought I would...sort of re-introduce myself - you'll be able to talk to me directly from now on when you're back in Sandpoint, rather than read everything I say in the third person - which is kind of weird, when you think about it. Anyways, I'm sure you all are having a great time out in the marsh hunting goblins, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I'll be showing up - as myself - at some point in the not so distant future!"
Awesome! Can't wait for some roleplay with the "big" NPCs. Wouldn't mind getting to know my fellow party members better, too!
"Goblin hunting - something I excel at, but this time I have decided to leave it in your capable hands. I know you won't let me down. I...I've been speaking with Ameiko, and I've been thinking about maybe venturing away from Sandpoint, and maybe seeing more of the world. We'll talk at the Dragon when you all get back in town.
Awesome -- that's a great pic for Shalelu. Really looking forward to more!
This is shaping up to be a great game.
"Heard there's a group of adventurers out there in the marsh - I'd like to meet these heroes when they return - I've got some big plans, and I'm looking for some folks with a little spirit who might want to travel with me."
"I've been telling you Sandru, we need to get out and see the world, my boy! Perhaps you are right, these young folk might be just the thing we need in our little caravan - and that Ostar fellow has his heart in the right place, even if he worships that dwarven forge god! Ah well. The harrow deck shows good portents - but also hardship and great sacrifice ahead...
Awesome idea!
(I found it funny that nobody connected with Sandru... poor guy.)
How would this familiar thing work for Amelius or I, who are spellcasters but don't have the arcane bond class ability? Or even Ostar?
Personally I think it would be all kinds of cool to have an ugly evil rat-man come along with us, but Eliaera is a little creeped out by him... :P
How would this familiar thing work for Amelius or I, who are spellcasters but don't have the arcane bond class ability? Or even Ostar?
Personally I think it would be all kinds of cool to have an ugly evil rat-man come along with us, but Eliaera is a little creeped out by him... :P
Yeah, I'm kind of am going off script here because the combat encounter per the AP seemed like it would be difficult to pull off via play by post. Maybe I should have thought it through a bit, but improvisation adds a little fun to it, for me anyways. It's working out the details that can be problematic. Let's approach it like this:
If you decide to make the deal with Skitterfoot, the ratling would become an ally, not an actual familiar as per RAW. The prerequisites for having a ratling familiar are having the Improved Familiar feat, class level 7, and alignment: chaotic evil. So none of you could actually have Skitterfoot as a familiar, but the distinction isn't going to be important to him in a role-playing sense.
Basically, if you accept his deal, he'll tag along as an ally. Not a bad ally to have - invisibility, dimension door, summon rat swarm as spell like abilities, tongues, and scroll use - and 2HD with a good armor class due to size and dex IIRC. His current alignment is chaotic evil though, so it could make for some interesting scenarios - and may also eventually result in his alignment shifting if he spends enough time with a good/neutral-aligned party. Still, if you do decide to let him travel with you, he won't do anything to intentionally harm the party (his sense of self-preservation being greater than his propensity for mischief), and his abilities may be of some benefit when you get to the Licktoad goblin village.
It's entirely up to you guys though. If you do decide to break down the door and end his horrible existence violently, that's an option as well!
As a player I think the idea of having Brown Jenkin, er, Skitterfoot along would be pretty cool, although my character would certainly be wary of the idea. Garridan is a good old farm boy, not the type to feel comfortable around a creature like that at first.
If we're going to be travelling with a big caravan, it would be cool if we could collect people/creatures along the way to add to it, even if they didn't directly help adventure with us. That might just be me being a huge fan of the Suikoden videogame series, though;)
Allying with the little bugger would probably be not be Ostar's first choice, but trying to sway the little man-beast onto the path of good.... or at least, not evil, might be appealing. Ostar is about more than just thundering blows with his warhammer, ya know!
Also, we could ask him to scuttle into all sorts of tight spots, act as a little scout, etc. This little guys possibilities are endless - just like the little wheel we could have him run on to tire him out for sleepy time! And we could rename him. Lil' Jenky?
I would also love (as a player) to gradually pick up various strange companions like this! Even if they wind up just being background flavour that hang back with the caravans most of the time. Also, trying to turn a blood-sucking rat-man to Good (or at least Chaotic Neutral) is certainly a task that sounds super fun to me... :)
I suspect that Kagehiro's character would be more inclined to accept the offer than the rest of ours are. Perhaps we should just acquiesce for now and sort out the details later? (Including, erm, putting Skitterfoot down, if he should be too unruly.)
Amelius would be fine and possibly eager to do so. I will make a more involved post when I get home from work tonight. Sorry for the prolonged absence; I had not anticipated how busy and rough the week was going to be.
No worries, Kagehiro! I hope that everything is alright on your end. :)
Well, we know who gets that item.
Skitterfoot. :P
Holy crap. A +2 (equivalent) weapon at level 1? Duuuude.
Eliaera is hardcore hankering for that rapier... if nobody minds? :P
Fine with me! Jiminy cricket, though, at 1st level .... that's a great find!
Holy crap. A +2 (equivalent) weapon at level 1? Duuuude.
Eliaera is hardcore hankering for that rapier... if nobody minds? :P
One of the big over-arching themes of this adventure path is that the PCs have a special destiny of their own. Finding a unique and powerful sword in a place where it has no business being is a part of this. It might wind up having some importance down the road perhaps, or it might be that you were in the right place at the right time. I've got some other unique items in mind for each of you, but it might be a while until they reveal themselves, so to speak.
It's also a reward for some good role-playing of my ad-hoc ratling encounter. If Eliaera was a rogue or a fighter, I might have knocked the power level down a bit. However, she gets the opportunity to be a bit of a daring, swashbuckling duelist now, in addition to her performance talents, if she so chooses! I hope the fighter and rogue aren't too envious. Torag may see fit to reward his follower as well, and the strange bloodline of our sorcerer is going to have some interesting implications later on.
On a side note, I hope I'm not rushing the pacing too much. Normally, I could have had you guys make a lot of skill checks, and I usually stick to the script a little more, but I'm hand-waving a lot of that to keep the pace of the story pretty brisk. Hopefully you're not feeling like I'm riding the rails too hard! I'm hoping that we can do a full volume of the AP in 6-8 weeks (that's being very optimistic, admittedly!), so that's going to require some condensing in places - but I'll still give you guys plenty of opportunity for RPing and combat as we move along.
I think the pace has been fine -- I haven't had any complaints about anything so far. I like the idea of keeping the game moving (as you may have noticed from my posting rate, I spend a lot of time on my computer, and it's always nice to see progress).
As for the magic item, I'm really not worried about it. As long as one party member doesn't have magic items for their magic items (and a magic statuette serving as a porter for spare magic items) while the rest of the party is still in common gear I won't complain. (Note: Never let an already questionable DM run a game with his girlfriend as a CN Rogue -- not only did she get almost that much magic stuff, but he also let her steal most of the treasure the party was supposed to get without any real dice rolls).
No complaints so far.
I'm quite happy with how this game is going! It's very fun. Although your 6-8 week timetable is possibly a little TOO ambitious... knowing the pace of PbPs... but optimism is fine too! :)
I just wish I could post more than I do. I regularly read the thread on my phone while I'm in class, but typing out anything significant on there will just give me a headache.
Eliaera will definitely NOT be asking for a share of any other special magical items we find for a while! +1 keen rapier is too awesome for words.
By the way, on the scrolls we found - maybe Eliaera should keep one of the scrolls of cure light wounds and Ostar should keep the other, just in case one or the other goes down.
...and the strange bloodline of our sorcerer is going to have some interesting implications later on.
I figured if there were a decent opening for an oni-bloodline, this was it.