Hey you're right! Happy third, everyone. Thanks for hanging with me for so long and helping me write this thing.
Wow! Happy Third! And thank you Luke!
Awesome. Nice job, all.
3 years? Goodness!
I'm heading out to visit my parents Wednesday through Saturday. Not sure what my posting opportunities will be there. Please bot me as needed.
Finally moved in with internet service up and running. Sorry for the long absences! Things are getting back to normal finally.
Yay!
Note to self: get darkvision as a spell ASAP.
WB Emi!
Sorry guys, life went completely insane for the last few days. Am now back!
I don't think we have a a way of dealing with this encounter. My suggestion is to back out.
Yeah that's reasonable. I was just hoping that they'd have 2hp each or something but fleeing is never a bad idea.
I remembered Ravnos has the scent ability—would that help at all?
Yes!
I'll likely be without internet access until Tuesday afternoon. Please bot my PC if necessary to keep things moving.
Sorry guys I'm sick as hell and thought I could keep up but cannot. Please GMPC for now. Should be back on my feet in a day or two.
Feel better soon Regeris!
Kayleigh would cast remove disease on you, but she's currently out of those spells.
Plus, you know, she'd almost certainly role a 4 on her caster level check anyhow....
Get well soon.
Re: Frustration and Gridlock
I've been playing Kayleigh as the soft-hearted person she is. To point: She's been preparing a lot of remove disease spells, sometimes to use on PCs, sometimes for NPCs. That'll be changing.
Truth of the matter is that even when I roll above a 4 and actually succeed in removing the disease, the spell description says the recipient can become infected again if exposed again to the disease...which is kind of automatic in Korvosa right now. Although I'm not sure this is true, it's possible that those who throw off the blood veil on their own might become immune to it, so from here on out I'll likely just have Kayleigh use the Heal skill to give sick folk a bonus on their next Fort save (plus have the one domain slot remove disease spell in reserve for an emergency).
So spells like daylight, dispel magic, speak with dead, and the like will be back on the proverbial menu shortly.
Heck, I was even thinking that we might be able to pinpoint Jolistina (and/or Rolth) in that jumble of buildings by having Kayleigh prepare locate object and then concentrate on a Keylock dagger. The more I think of it, leaving those two free to hunt in the city seems like a really poor decision.
I LIIIIIVE. Thanks for your patience folks. I'll catch up.
Gonna have to make sure Ravnos' stats are up to date later.
BTW, she's a molly.
The rooms on Helvara's maps (click the floors) now have labels on the rooms.
Also, I just remembered I have four castings of Invisibility prepared.
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I think I'll be picking up communal darkvision with my next level-up. Communal darkvision and maybe lightning bolt or haste.
Apologies for lagging behind in posting. We've had an unexpected surge in business at work. I'll have a post up tomorrow.
So....
Call it a night and let Kayleigh work on folk's ability score damage? (My Vote)
Nighttime stakeout of Lavender's and/or the candlemaker's alley?
Something else?
I think calling it a night makes sense. Then let's try again for the basement in the morning. I think just trying to fight the disease the way we have been isn't working.
Hey gang, I want to call a moratorium on the thread thru the holidays. I'm traveling again throughout, as I'm sure some others are. The posting rate of late has been very slow, so I'm thinking we should each re-evaluate our desire and ability to continue, and recommit in January to a better pace. We've been going more-or-less constant for better than three years, so hats-ff to each of you for sticking with me (and together) this long. This is definitely the best thread I've ever been a part of.
So Happy Holidays to each of you! I'll post back into this discussion thread in 2020 to collect your thoughts, and we'll evaluate as a group in what form we continue.
I'm committed to the end. I think posting rate is suffering from a lack of momentum and direction in the group - it creates analysis paralysis. The oppressiveness of being overwhelmed by the city and the plague makes the tone of the game fantastic, but figuring out the most sensible thing to do next is obviously a trick for us ;)
I agree with Regeris. I've got no plans to go anywhere so I'm not worried so much about that. I wouldn't mind if our pace picked up a bit, but I think really I feel like it's less posting speed and more progress overall where I'm getting frustrated.
I have to admit the plague is really starting to become not fun for me. I know it's a fine balance between showing its effects and hammering us, but I feel like we can't get ahead of it. Everything we're trying seems to fail, in part because we're using our resources every day to fight off effects of the plague. Maybe it's just fudging some Fort saves for our close NPCs that would allow us a little more breathing room, since I don't want Kayleigh to have to act out of character, but we just can't make any progress.
I'm struggling a little to find ways to move forward (and I know I need to go back and look at the plot threads available to us). We just seem stuck. And for me, at least, while I love the ROLE-playing aspect of the game, I wouldn't mind a little more ROLL-playing (beyond saves vs. the plague). It's been two and a half years since we leveled up. That's a really long time even in a character intensive game ... Other than the aborted fight in the dark, I don't think we've had a single combat in that time.
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I'm also committed to going all the way to the end of this campaign. I've probably been the weakest link for the last few months. The reason is too much going on all at once in RL rather than a lack of interest. But if it comes down to it, I'll drop another campaign or two to free up more time for this one.
My thinking is the same as Regeris and Nebbin's. I'm torn because on one hand the density and detail of this campaign is a big part of what makes it so great. It's more like a novel than a comic book. I'm not knocking comic books, I'm a fan, but it's fairly easy to find campaigns that run at that level, and I've seen precious few to no others that do what this one is doing.
But right now I think we have come to a point where we no longer know how to sort out all the information we have, and all the directions it's pulling us in. It is decision paralysis, everything seems equally urgent and equally unsolvable in the short term. And yeah, the plague is enough of an ongoing drain on our time, readiness and resources that it's hard to go after any of the plot threads in a committed fashion.
I really don't want to sacrifice plot density or the campaign's feel. The claustrophobia and foreboding are great elements in the campaign's flavor, but right at this moment we may need some sort of deus ex machina kick at the log jam to break things open and move the plot along again.
My feeling is that most of the plot threads do tie together in some way, maybe one small break or victory so we can cross something off our list of things to do would be the fix.
Alternatively, if messing around with the plot would be difficult, just some relief from saves rolled and spells used for the plague could help us get some momentum back.
Another thing, I do believe we have lots of clues and information to work with. But they're also spread out over a lot of time, and come from a lot of disparate situations. One thing I haven't been able to do in a long time is look back at what's happened.
Since we're going to have a couple of weeks on hiatus, I'm going to try and reread a bunch. Things might come together better for me after a review.
Maybe we could all do some of this? Try to get an inventory of the clues and linkages me can find so we can try to put together a better idea of what the bigger picture might be? It seems to me like we've stopped thinking in those terms so much, and instead we're mostly running about trying to put out fires.
Hmm...maybe we can get Shirleigh Holmes back on the case!
Some things worth investigating (off the top of my head):
1) Site where the webbed gang members were removed by the wain.
2) Tassira's mother (Why was she sleeping with a crystal ball? Has she relapsed/sleepwalked?)
3) Use locate object (Keylock dagger) to try to pinpoint Jolistina's/Rolth's position for a raid on Artists' Overground?
I'm all for a reinvigorated game after the holiday break.
Another thing, I do believe we have lots of clues and information to work with. But they're also spread out over a lot of time, and come from a lot of disparate situations. One thing I haven't been able to do in a long time is look back at what's happened. Since we're going to have a couple of weeks on hiatus, I'm going to try and reread a bunch. Things might come together better for me after a review.
Maybe we could all do some of this? Try to get an inventory of the clues and linkages me can find so we can try to put together a better idea of what the bigger picture might be? It seems to me like we've stopped thinking in those terms so much, and instead we're mostly running about trying to put out fires.
I think that's a good idea. Even something like this, which I did in a War for the Crown campaign (so, spoilers...), would be helpful. I know we've got the website, but maybe it would make sense to do it in a Google Doc so we could go update?
I often put links to momentous events in a campaign notes tab in my profiles, but I think that's been tougher here because of the slow build (which I agree is what makes this more of an in-depth story). This has been lots of little events building up, so it's hard for me to call out plot points as easily as I do in some other games.
Just wanted to note that I've just changed back to a second shift at my job; if anything, I think it means I'll likely be a little bit more consistent in posting, though my time of posts will probably switch to most often in the late mornings/early afternoons. I'm not sure how often yet I'll be able to post in the evenings with the new job.
I've run a ton of PbP games and there's a core weakness with the format to navigate here. It has a tendency towards inaction, and trying to sort through information can be really hard.
Time and time again if I run PbP games that don't have a linear path, or are (worst of all) mysteries, I find that what seems like a stupidly obvious way forward on a GM side leaves players baffled and directionless. I'm sure we've all been in situations where a dungeon door has held up a group for like four RL days.
This game has such an amazing, personalized, and intricate storyline. The city feels lived-in in a way I haven't had with other GMs (and I'm also running this damn AP in another thread lol) and the details and care is astonishing. Like I can't rave enough about how impressed I am. However as we're all saying the lack of a clear way forward means we treadmill. Add the plague on top of that which slows and frustrates progress (as its intended to) and we're kinda left weeping in a puddle lol.
Happy Holidays!
I think I'll have enough free time over the next few days to go back a ways and compile something regarding the various quests and missions we're got on our collective back burners.
Looking forward to restarting things after the new year!
Happy Holidays everyone!
I'm doing the same thing Kayleigh. I chose right after the fight with Devargo Barvasi as my starting point. I'll likely miss some earlier stuff but trying to do more would probably be beyond what I could get done.
Important Loot Post! (That Everyone Except Regeris Missed/Ignored)
By my calculations, that works out to 2,432.5 gp each, without selling any of the items.
Speaking of the items, there's no reason why the ring, amulet, cloak, and slippers shouldn't be in use by the party at this point. The ring and slippers might prove invaluable when we finally raid the Artists Overground to apprehend Jolistina, and the amulet would benefit a frontliner; the cloak, too.
Regeris should also take the mwk thieves tools (if he doesn't own a set already) plus the two scrolls of cure moderate wounds, in case Kayleigh's not available to dispense healing.
Since Kayleigh got the high-value item last time (wand of spiritual weapon), she won't claim anything from this haul (except maybe a share of the coins).
Nice find. Can I grab the amulet, Emi? I think my AC is lower than yours. (Actually, that will be only my first magic item as far as I can tell.)
I'm happy to take or leave the other items as other folks want.
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Sure Nebbin, looks like your AC is considerably lower than Emi's.
Thanks for finding that Kayleigh, I'm so miserably bad at keeping track of loot I probably wouldn't even realized the stuff was unaccounted for.
Looking at saves I'd say the cloak should probably go to Nebbin too, although Tassira could benefit as well.
I like the slippers for Tassira. They would be an excellent quick escape if she found herself threatened.
You take the ring Regeris, you mentioned it back when, and also the portion of gaseous form?
Emi can take the elixir of love. It could come in handy for intel gathering under the right circumstances.
Just my suggestions :)
Looks like I may have been overly optimistic when I said I'd go back and compile stuff from the Gameplay Thread. I have some stuff collected regarding the shiver trade and spiders, which I hope to pull together tomorrow...plus a few other notes.
Happy New Year's Day, folks!
Happy new year guys! And thanks for doing the legwork Kayleigh.
Regeris is up one ring and one potion.
But yeah a fundamental thing here looking back on everything is I REALLY LIKE THIS GAME and want to keep going. :D
OK, here's a list of potential next steps Luke gave us a while back and my thoughts on some of them.
1. Try to track down Berind's supplier/partner in drugs.
2. Further investigate Lavender's.
3. Go back to the temple to treat plague victims (escort Cassandra & tend to Carawyn).
Kayleigh's invested in this.
4. Visit Tassira's mom. (Maybe Orisini, too.)
5. Try to muster support for a raid on the Artist's Overground
I feel this is where we should focus our efforts after helping Helvara. We're letting a serial killer and his kooky elf wench run free in the city.
6. Help Helvara cleanse her haunted basement.
Maybe we should research the summoned wasps: Will PfE work or do we need PfC (since we're dealing with a disciple of Calistria)?
7. Question/examine Tiora.
[I]I guess she's not working for Helvara like I thought....
8. Think about relocating.
I think Helvara invited us to stay at her place, but Kayleigh was tending to sick Cassandra at the time. Also, she'll be staying with the priests until all the Lambs have thrown off the blood veil.
9. We've also got the shiver war/waking dreams thing going on. I'll post more thoughts and some of my findings on that later.
I want to keep going, too. This is easily my favorite game on these forums.
So...next step is re-investigating Helvara's basement, right?
We might want to visit the Pantheon of Many (or at least attempt some Knowledge checks) to see if our original plan (the use of protection from evil spells to guard against the summoned wasps may be flawed: We might need protection from chaos instead, as wasps are generally neutral and Calistria is more a chaotic deity (and not an evil one).
Also, Kayleigh will prepare two daylight spells to deal with the darkness plus a bunch of whatever protection from... spells we deem appropriate.
I'm still in the process of reading through the old posts but I'll add one thing to the list that we sort of already know, but might not want to forget.
The Pharasmans mentioned in one of our meetings with them that the Shoanti's remains we recovered were missing a tattooed piece and suggested the purpose was for speaking with the dead. It also seems Jeggare was targeted and killed to get access to the book, which dealt with the pre-Korvosan era.
Both of these imply there's something contained in Shoanti ruins under Korvosa that the Key Lock Killer is searching for. He's gathering history and lore trying to locate it.
Thank you Kayleigh for your investigative work!
Rather than voting for any particular one or two things Kayleigh has listed to pursue, I'm going to take a different tack. I think we should choose something we are more confident we can take action on, and that action will close the book on it. we need to reduce the number of threads we're chasing so we can focus our attention on the bigger things and stop ricocheting around among them.
Conversely, we should leave of investigating things briefly. Every time we investigate something we wind up finding an extra something that also needs to be investigated. Most recently possible vampires. We need to trim branches right now, not add new ones.
Speaking of investigations we should/shouldn't undertake...I'm wondering who's in charge of Eel's End now that Delvargo, Helvara, and Anpujit have left. Is shiver again being sold there?
But maybe that's something we can ask Helvara and Anpujit about.... :)
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Thanks guys. And Happy Holidays! My travels are complete, safe and sound. I hope everyone else had some down-time to recharge the batteries - I know I needed it badly. My fuse at work was getting super short.
I appreciate both your efforts in-thread, and also the helpful ideas and criticisms here. I've definitely tried my best to obscure and change the details of the plot to keep it interesting to write and read. And the hurtful truth is that some part of the plot frustration is intentional on my part, like an attempt to fill the experience gaps between encounters in the AP plot with many intersecting storylines. Stretched out over time like a pbp is, it's probably alot harder to track than I think. Mix in villains who I want you to think of as active threats, and who should be smart enough to cover their tracks when they have time to act cautiously... and here we are. For my part, I'm enjoying the hell out of this thread and have sideplots planned that stretch through to the end of the AP and beyond. At this rate that might be twenty years from now, but they're still fun to think through sometimes.
In the nearer term, you guys are right on the cusp of encounters on several plotlines, so scratching almost any itch is going to draw blood. And I have a fistful of time-triggered and sequenced events that are coming as well, so I think/hope we're about to have a long string of actions. Now if you guys go diplo-speaking your way out of perfectly good fights though, you can't blame me :)
There's another element to this time-framing thing that I guess I'm struggling with though. I think the sickness theme of this adventure, its stages of progression, etc have imposed in my mind a weird time cadence to the whole thing.
To whit:
Also, I think to some degree I'm probably role-playing a little bit as the plague, and the pain of the consequences of the plague - the frustrations of never starting at full strength and being scared for the fate of NPCs you've become invested in - are the only ways for the plague to hurt characters of your level. None of you will die from the plague unless Kayleigh and the victim have spectacularly long sequences of crappy rolls. But also, none of your stats or combat tricks help much to defeat it mano-a-mano. Its horror lies in its long-term effects on the nerves, mixed with an (un)healthy portion of body horror when you catch it and have to fight it off. It's kind-of like the BBG of the adventure (but not really), and like any other good villain, it has to be annoying and frustrating and frightening if you're going to feel good about defeating it.
So all that's to say that I probably won't turn down the heat on the plague too much, but I definitely feel your pain where plot confusion is concerned. I'll try to narrow the sandbox a little bit to give the story more momentum toward some conclusions.
I have all the most recent posts up-thread still to go through, and I've been thinking during my sabbatical (lol) about how to surface the plot threads in a way similar to how a 'Journal' features work in a CRPG. Nebbin's first posts over the break suggested someplace editable by you guys and I think that makes the most sense. I think I can add editable pages to the google site if that helps, but I'm also still brainstorming that part. I also compiled a list in my notes of possible next-step clues I remembered dropping. I'll cross-reference that with Keyleigh's new list up-thread and see if I can add anything.
Thanks again guys, for sticking with me this far. I'm positive that many of the best parts of our story are still in front of us!
Darn! Emi gets Post #4000.
Hi guys! Sorry for the little absence - had a chance to get away with the wife for a couple of days and we carpe diem'd.