Thank you all so much for joining my game. c: That said, I'd like to get some housekeeping done before we get going! This meets two objectives: 1) It ensures that all of the players who were accepted actually make it into the game and haven't gone missing. 2) It gives you time to figure out how you know each other and why you're doing this adventure. 3) It gives you time to give me whatever odds and ends I need from you! :)
So! Housekeeping!
1. I'd like you to review my expectations once more, if only so we're all on the same page.
I've GMed in the past and am currently running a seated homebrew campaign. I've only run a bit of an AP in the past (we, in our infinite wisdom, picked the last two weeks before finals in our fourth year of undergrad, so the timing was, uh, not good). I've never tried pbp on Paizo before, so I'll probably be making a lot of silly mistakes with the forum (and also because I'm silly), so please do be patient with me and private message me to let me know what I've gone and fizzed up.
I really, really, really like reading, writing, and good story/roleplay. I would like to be able to envision your characters - please, let them come to life in my game - it'll liven the experience for everyone (I hope). A good, strong background/history will call to me like... I dunno, candy to a small, hyper child?
Have fun! We're all here to play a game, get in some good laughs, some RP, and have some fun! If you're not having fun, please let me know so we can discuss what could help to change that. If nothing works, then it's okay for you to go - don't stay if it's not fun for you.
Please post at least once a day. Don't feel pressured to give me trash posts, but a quick post that's telling me what's going on with your character - are they considering what just happened but choosing to stay silent? What are they thinking? - is always, always welcome! You're not playing with a group, so I consider it a courtesty to be considerate of the others who are awaiting your actions. In combat, I will delay your character. It's what I do at my seated table and keeps us from holding up the table.
I will be prepared to post at least twice a day. If there's nothing for the GM to add/include to the thread, you may not see anything, but I'm pretty much on the website all day, crossing my fingers for posts in other games, so you can bet I'll be doing the same with this one, especially with combat.
You will each have my email address. If you cannot post within 24 hours for any reason, please let me know. I will do my best to bot you/arrange for someone else to bot you (if you designate) until you're back to normal.
Update your tagline. Information - your current health/max health, active conditions, perception, saves - means that I can do the rolls, resolve the effects, and keep the game moving forward in a single post rather than just kind of weeping at the game for wasting a whole round of posts from my beloved players. I'll try to keep track of all players via HeroLab, but I'm still essentially a HL newbie, so anything that makes information like that more readily available will make me smile. I'll have specifics in discussion once I've selected players.
Several types of PC rolls will be made by me just to keep things moving, such as initiative, perception, or saving throws. Player dice rolls of these types will be ignored, unless specifically requested by me. This is to keep things from getting bogged down.
Combat is really hard, so please simplify it. I love roleplay - please, please type me up some of your character's thoughts, actions - and with flourish! But when I'm trying to get down to the number crunching bits and pleases, I'm going to ask you to just tell me your actions in ooc at the end of your post. Move action, standard action, etc. Also, move your avatar on the map as necessary! It's not that I don't trust you guys - I don't trust myself just yet, since I'm mostly self-taught and... Well. Rules can get confusing for me. Knowing what you're doing in which phase makes it a lot easier for me to understand what you're trying to do.
Let's stick to a standard format, shall we? I'm talking bold for dialogue, italics for in-character thoughts/telepathy, etc., and for out of character questions or other discussion. We're also going to stick to third person and present tense for the present and past tense for... the past.
2. I did mention that I'd ask you to update your taglines for me. I've decided on stealing this tagline from... I'm not actually sure, so if anyone happens across it elsewhere, please let me know! Please update the appropriate areas with the appropriate information! c:
3. I know the forum's been really wonky this past week. I'll be PMing everyone that checks in my email for emergency situations.
Thank you all and welcome to the game. c:
Thank you, hiyami. I will do everything by tomorrow night.
Thanks hiyami. It will be fun.
Chombo - I feel like there should be a simple explanation for two half orcs to know each other. Like maybe that time Urhan beat Chombo in arm wrestling at a bar... Urhan may have done something underhanded to win but he still won't let Chombo forget it. You got any ideas?
Yay! Glad to be chosen, happy to be on board! Updating tagline.
Aicard checking in. I'll be going over the rules and details and be sure to update my 'status bar'. One question remains: what is SM? Sneak modifier?
Thanks for having me! Looking forward to have a blast of a game with all of you.
Checking in! I need to browse the other profiles and think of how I would know them. I'll be posting again in a couple hours.
Thanks hiyami. It will be fun.
Chombo - I feel like there should be a simple explanation for two half orcs to know each other. Like maybe that time Urhan beat Chombo in arm wrestling at a bar... Urhan may have done something underhanded to win but he still won't let Chombo forget it. You got any ideas?
That sounds great, Urhan. Chombo just can't figure out how you beat him. Urhan is so puny.
Maybe he cheated? :D Or Chombo was drunk?
I'll be posting the start up somewhere this afternoon, after everyone's tagline is updated. I'll be running an IRL game this evening, but I'll try and post again after that... which, in all honesty, maybe somewhere past midnight. (So it's equally possible I give up and straight up pass out, orz.) Just wanted to give everyone a heads up. c:
@Shae - it could be that Aicard and Shae got talking during one of Aicard's trips to the countryside (ah, fresh air! a reminder of home). He is the physical embodiment of a sword for hire and while rough around the edges, is more than willing to socialize and chat. A 'heh, you ain't tough enough for this' from him might have triggered something inside the woman to chase her dream with even more passion.
@Urhan - quoting from your background: Urhan’s love of a good story, eagerness for action and need for money have driven him toward becoming an adventurer...at least part time. Perhaps the two found themselves staring at a message board at an inn for adventurers before turning their heads to face one another. Repeated run-ins led to them occassionally sharing a drink together and putting down the groundwork for a possible excursion or expedition of sorts. Contacts matter, after all, when it comes to adventuring. The ill-prepared tend to become bitter reminders of mortality for those who come after them, with little more left than bones and scraps of cloth and armor.
I am not sure how to update my tagline. Does this look right?
@Dakka Could Chombo have met Dakka at the inn in Absolam? Maybe Dakka looked lonely and Chombo bought him a drink.
@Aicard Maybe Aicard met Chombo in a bar and become drinking buddys?
@Shae Could Chombo have met Shae on one of her trade runs to the city?
@Chombo: Almost! Take out the 'Gender:', Race:', and 'Classes/levels:' at the beginning of each section. That's the section you want 'em in for organizational purposes. You don't have to include the categories themselves. c:
Where you've noted 'Greatsword +6 (2d6+6), you could note any special abilities you have, such as Orc Ferocity 1/1.
Aside from that, it looks good to me. c:
Testing the tagline..
@Chombo: Seeing you might be an acquaintance/friend of Urhan, that seems appropriate. Aicard is hastily in need of some extra gold as his reserves are dwindling tho ;)
@Urhan: I have your CMD as 16/13flatfooted - did you forget to add your Dodge bonus? c: You also get a +2 Will save from being a Skald. I've got your SM at 0, though - what am I missing? o: Aside from that, I think it looks nice. c: Don't forget to add your spells to your profile!
.. what is SM? :'D ..
.. what is SM? :'D ..
I supposed it could be Sense Motive, at least the letters match. :)
Sense Motive! That's correct - my bad, I thought I'd noted that in here somewhere, orz.
EDIT: Can't guarantee when my next free moment is going to be, so I went ahead and opened the gameplay thread. c: Post over there, in character, once you've discussed and sorted your relationships out. ^^
@Chombo - That could work! Maybe we went to the same trade post/market. Maybe we saw each-other often enough that we became kinda friends/definitely acquaintances.
@Aicard - I like that idea. Shae is a strong, independent woman so a man telling her she's weak...That would definitely stir up some feelings. Would we have a friendly competitive nature?
@Urhan Quinn - I think it would be interesting if I was at least acquaintances, maybe even friends with your sons mother. That could cause some tension between us at times, overall I think Shae would have an understanding of you. Since Shae is a Half Elf, she tends to try to be friends with anyone who is half something, as they tend to understand the struggle. Or we could have went to the same tavern.
@Dakka Nobu - I have no clue how we could know each other.
@All - I'm just throwing out some ideas. If any of y'all have a suggestion, please share!!
@Shae - competitive? that might make sense, though Aicard might be a source of infuration and frustration as he would hate to see a flower stained by blood. Than again, he does need gold. Now. Bad. It's hard to say no to someone who is so willing and, if she's to be believed, capable when you need someone to watch your back. I dig it!
That sounds great, Urhan. Chombo just can't figure out how you beat him. Urhan is so puny.
Rage? He started singing as you sat down to wrestle?
Cool Dakka knows Chombo from a tavern. Dakka will talk to anybody, about anything they want. He has no real social agenda other than to undermine whatever it is that the person talking to him believes.
@Dakka Nobu - I have no clue how we could know each other.
If you know Chombo you've met Dakka? Dakka has some sympathy for and interest in outsiders and people that don't fit in. He'd be interested to know where you're from and why you're here.
Alrighty, just poking around for the time being before bed. c: Once you've gotten your ties sorted, go ahead and join Chombo in the gameplay thread and I'll post up the next piece of our venture. ^o^
@Urhan: I have your CMD as 16/13flatfooted - did you forget to add your Dodge bonus? c: You also get a +2 Will save from being a Skald. I've got your SM at 0, though - what am I missing? o: Aside from that, I think it looks nice. c: Don't forget to add your spells to your profile!
Fixed!
So looking at our web of knowing each other:
-Chombo and Urhan once met in a bar and have kept in touch since on account of them both being half-orcs
-Shae knows Urhan's family
-Aicard and Shae have met before in the countryside
-Dakka is a drinking buddy of Chombo
Seems like we at least have a basis for knowing each other. As the charismatic one in the group, how about Urhan has recruited Shea and Chombo to do some adventuring...who in turn grab Dakka and Aicard. Any objections?
Sounds good to me!
Aicard has plenty of light sources (a set of torches and sunrods) and food plus some break-in tools like a shovel and crowbar. Is anyone bringing any spikes or climbing pitons?
No, I'm not paranoid at all :'D I'm just making sure we're prepared.
Does the guy who hired us have a name yet?
Mr. Fletcher c:
Got the post up! Sorry for the delay, guys. I was experimenting with Google Slides. @_@ I've never GM'd online like this, so I might make some mistakes here and there. Please be patient with me! c:
Just out of curiosity, what time zone are you all in? o: I'm currently EST/GMT-4. I was wondering since I wanted to know when the best time to check and post would be for me to get everyone in. c:
Chicago - GMT-6 I think(?)
Holland so GMT +1 (Central European Time). I tend to be an early waker tho and more often than not stay up quite late ;)
Maryland!
By the way I'm camping for the next couple days. I'll still try to post though !
Korea! GMT +9. I'm usually most active before work which is around 9 p.m. EST.
Oh, nice! c: Korea's the easiest time zone for me to keep track of since I've got family over there. c: Well, I guess Maryland is technically the easiest since I live in Virginia! :D
That does seem to be useful info them. o: Looks like I should expect most posts to happen overnight (for me, anyways). That is super good to know :D For a while there, I thought maybe I was just a confused lil' gobbie.
Also, sorry this post is taking me so long - I'm basically doing it and redoing it and redoing it because I'm a derp who is... winging it? Trying this for the first time. c: It should be up in the next ten minutes!
Chombo is MT -7 GMT.
Apologies for the massive delay - paizo was down for me for the last day, more or less. I'm in the midst of a bit of construction, but as soon as I'm able, I'll be posting.
Don't sweat it! And I hope all is going well. Construction and moving are generally stressful times.
Ahahaaaa, thank you! It's nothing so big as moving - we're making a new gaming area desk/workspace! It's a big ol' table that we're calling a desk. We're making it out of wood and pvc, so it's definitely interesing! @_@ Since our current set up is a bunch of folding tables thrown together, it'll definitely be an upgrade. c:
Happily, we had a bit of downtime, so I could get a post up. :D That last dog is fleein'!
No problem. I have had trouble accessing Paizo, too. The table sounds great. Love to see a picture when you are done.
I'll have to get a before and after! But yeah, I can definitely share pictures. c:
I apologize for my interruption into your discussion thread, but on behalf of FreakyFlyingElf21 (my coworker), it appears that the site itself is completely unreachable only during the entire 8-12 hour chunk of time that we are available to post, while they deal with whatever issues they are having getting the site to work right.
Sorry to hear that! It feels like the paizo servers are constantly pulling DNS tricks..
No worries! I'm not going to penalize anyone or get grumpy for the chaos that is the downtime the site's been giving everyone. Until we get something a bit more stable, I imagine everyone's posts will be affected. I will do my best to bot those in the meantime (assuming I can get on, LOL). c:
Yeah, twice today I lost what I was typing. Arghh.
Oof. :c I've taken to ctrl+c'ing everything before I hit submit, just in case.
Just a note to let everyone know that I will be offline July 1st through July 5th. I will try to let everyone know Chombo's plans during that period before I leave.
Aicard feels truly blessed having such a wonderful crew waving him off as he climbs towards his certain demise :'D
He will be remembered!
Ahahahaaaa! You guys crack me up c:
Doing Father's Day early today so I'll try to get a post in later this evening.
What is stealth? Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me, no more.
At least we're getting the bad ones out of the way with stealth right?