Latimer will be heading back to his apartment, yeah. If we want it to be in the same building, that's fine, just need a two or three bedroom space, enough for one person with a workshop. I know you can't take 10 IN combat, I meant that I had spaced out on the fact that now that we're out of it, I had that as an option. Rolling with it as Latimer just having a really bad night.
So Latimer doesn't have an actual shop? That is fine. I like the idea of them being in the same building.
I love that Latimer is having a Charlie Brown sort of night. We've all been there. I stopped playing clerics in Pathfinder because I can't roll d8's for healing. Strangely, when I play on the boards I tend to roll cheatingly well.
Would it be right or wrong or useful or not to sign off every night in the discussion thread? I intend to be posting fairly often from 3-11 or 12 every day, then checking in when I can during the work day, but would it be good for you guys if I just said "Last post for the day" every day so you know that I'll be gone for a while?
It would be slightly helpful, but not really necessary if it's a hassle for you.
I hope we are friends enough that I can say "smartypants." Strong language, I know.
I might cry to myself a little tonight when no one is looking, but sooner or later, I think I'll get over it.
I wasn't trying to be smart, just trying to clarify, as if someone I never met knew me by sight, when meeting in a foreign country, in the middle of the night, I would be pretty surprised. I was just double checking that you hadn't assumed I had spoken my name when in fact I had not.
I've never heard of the Wildcard series. Who's the author?
Actually I'm gaming with one of them on Saturday. Steve Perrin. He also wrote the rules for RuneQuest back in the day.
Would it be right or wrong or useful or not to sign off every night in the discussion thread? I intend to be posting fairly often from 3-11 or 12 every day, then checking in when I can during the work day, but would it be good for you guys if I just said "Last post for the day" every day so you know that I'll be gone for a while?
Perhaps too much. It's looking like a huge post-storm every day. I may need to bow out.
I only just heard of RuneQuest. Just started getting into the LindyBeige videos on YouTube. He's a bit of a character himself, but amongst his eccentricities are a love of RuneQuest, and a hatred of all things D&D.
Quick side-note: How do you feel about romance in the game? Don't know why, but I had a sudden flash of Jarrod and Kishan getting a kind of love/hate relationship going on, and end up as on-again/off-again lovers like Green Arrow and Black Canary.
Anything's possible.
I hope we are friends enough that I can say "smartypants." Strong language, I know.I might cry to myself a little tonight when no one is looking, but sooner or later, I think I'll get over it.
I wasn't trying to be smart, just trying to clarify, as if someone I never met knew me by sight, when meeting in a foreign country, in the middle of the night, I would be pretty surprised. I was just double checking that you hadn't assumed I had spoken my name when in fact I had not.
See, that is why text is a problem. I am a pretty dry, snarky, sarcastic person in the real world, and even my students have a hard time with it because I am so deadpan. I can't manage to convey that on the internet. I wasn't even directing the "smartypants" at the player, who had a reasonable question, but at the character.
Perhaps too much. It's looking like a huge post-storm every day. I may need to bow out.
I don't know that it is reasonable to expect that this post count will keep up. I'm ok with it, but I suspect enthusiasm might wane. Either way, the other campaign seems to be a little slower, so that might be an option if it ends up being a problem.
I don't know that it is reasonable to expect that this post count will keep up. I'm ok with it, but I suspect enthusiasm might wane. Either way, the other campaign seems to be a little slower, so that might be an option if it ends up being a problem.
Perhaps too much. It's looking like a huge post-storm every day. I may need to bow out.
Campaigns do usually seem to settle down after the first week or two. I'm usually a post a day kind of player, so this has been more intense than usual for me too. However, I'm kind of enjoying it, as all my other games seem to be in a lull or a rut right now...
Would it be right or wrong or useful or not to sign off every night in the discussion thread? I intend to be posting fairly often from 3-11 or 12 every day, then checking in when I can during the work day, but would it be good for you guys if I just said "Last post for the day" every day so you know that I'll be gone for a while?
Personally, I'd love it, if it's not too much trouble, at least for the time being when posting is intensive. It's always a major bummer when things are going Post, , Post, , Post, , Post, and then just dead air until morning...
This is about the speed I like PbP games to move. A good momentum like this is the only way I've seen a game survive long term.
See, that is why text is a problem. I am a pretty dry, snarky, sarcastic person in the real world, and even my students have a hard time with it because I am so deadpan. I can't manage to convey that on the internet. I wasn't even directing the "smartypants" at the player, who had a reasonable question, but at the character.I hope we are friends enough that I can say "smartypants." Strong language, I know.I might cry to myself a little tonight when no one is looking, but sooner or later, I think I'll get over it.
I wasn't trying to be smart, just trying to clarify, as if someone I never met knew me by sight, when meeting in a foreign country, in the middle of the night, I would be pretty surprised. I was just double checking that you hadn't assumed I had spoken my name when in fact I had not.
No doubt. I'm the same way. Whenever I play something really dry, I always catch people with that look on there faces afterwards...
Rigor: Good. Perhaps this is the beginning (continuation?) of a beautiful friendship.
I'm fine with the pace, and sign offs are kind of irrelevant to me. I do tend to sleep until somewhere around 6 to 8 pm Central US, (I work nights), but that doesn't seem to have been a major hindrance so far.
Latimer- there's plenty of space in the building. we try to keep a living space separate form the public space (for a threshold). if you need work space, it's not a problem. if you need work, also possible. the pawn/repair shop focuses on 'buying' gold and giving craftsman a place to get their tools repaired cheaply. your skills would come in handy or just use the place as you see fit.
Wisp- gaming with game designers makes me jealous
tumbler- i was going to go with 'yes, tell us your name, Warden. i don't mind giving out nicknames like 'shotgun', but, in your case, 'witchy spice' might stick.' but realized if all that was being translated, i had already heard 'Kishan'. she'd probably prefer dry to snarky.
i'm also fine with sign-offs. would it help if we did the same?
We are after skin game.
Trying like crazy to identify the Warden's Regional Commanders for the US. I could have sworn all four are named, but so far I can only find references for Ramirez and Dresden, Regional Commanders for the West and Mid-West respectively. It does say that there are four regions in the US specifically, but unless someone can find a reference I'm missing, it would seem the other two commanders are characters that have yet to appear in the Novels.
Given the other two regions, I would imagine the last two are likely Northeast and South. The Northeast would likely be New England down to Virginia (or perhaps just Maryland, given the historical divide - maybe someone who has lived there can tell me what makes the most sense) , while the South takes North Carolina/Virginia to Louisiana. A lot of Regions of the US type maps I see online lump Texas in with the Southern States, but from what I recall, Texas is specifically mentioned as belonging to Dresden's Mid-West/Central region.
tumbler let me know if you'd like me to come up with the write up for my Regional Commander, if at this PL I'm a big enough deal to be the regional commander, or if you'd rather keep it in house, make it up yourself, and tell me who it is. If you want me to come up with them, let me know what PL my boss would be (I'm guessing 8?).
the South typically means south of the Mason-Dixon line; though we don't usually claim Maryland unless they're bringing crabs to the hoe down.
Any state who was part of the Confederacy counts as Southern.
Texas is big enough to allow themselves to be in either the south or the central US.
He "dies" in Changes (Book 12), comes back in Cold Days (14), and is out and about again in Skin Game (15).
The Hexen Wolves were way back in Fool Moon (Book 2). The Skin Walker is in Turn Coat (Book 11).
They really are great books, and definitely worth a second read through. I like the Audiobooks too; that's how I consume a lot of literature these days, as a couple hours a day (2 30 min commutes+lunch) seems get you through books with surprising speed.
Boston is such a Fomor stronghold, I don't think the regional commander would be there, too out in the open. At the same time, I don't imagine there are a whole lot who are more powerful than you. You can make one if you want, I've got plenty of other things to work on. I would probably put the commander at a soft PL8, closer to 7. He or she doesn't need to be much more powerful than you. This region is really overrun with enemies of the Council, so it makes sense that multiple powerful Wardens would be here.
Should it be me? Ability wise, I'm up there with the best it seems, and politically/storywise, I was reassigned from my home in the UK to the US to fill a gap in coverage. Could that have been because there was no one powerful or experienced enough in the the North-East USA to take the job? Storywise I joined the Wardens before Dresden (who had more reasons beyond just power and experience to be made a regional commander (i.e. reputation and accomplishments), but Ramirez was made a regional commander not long after, and he's in his early twenties.) Either way, it doesn't make a big difference to me if I am or not, but it poses an interesting question.
The main reason I'm asking of course is because I've taken a prisoner, and initiating an official inquest and potentially a trial that means going through all the motions. That means reporting up the chain of command, either to my regional commander, or direct to Luccio, if I am the regional commander.
North or South: Checked a few forums arguing about where Maryland falls in the scheme of things. Seems like while map makers like to use the Mason-Dixon line as the divider, Marylanders seem to prefer to be considered a Northern state. Using that as the boundary here also puts DC sandwiched between the two regions, which is nice thematically. Of course, since the White Council is a foreign based organization, and a shameless bureaucracy to boot, they would probably draw the line arbitrarily, and not actually care too much about the details. Making DC the divider would probably make as much sense to them as foreigners as it does to me (a foreigner).
Making DC the divider works for me, with DC being part of the south. The Northeast has enough going on without the Warden having to deal with DC politics, since the government is aware of the Council in this setting.
At first I was reluctant to have you be Regional commander because I wanted a supervisor that I could annoy you with, but now I realize that if you are Regional Commander you have a supervisor and underlings, all of which I can use to cause you trouble. So congratulations, you are now Regional Commander of the Northeast United States.
As for Maryland, they were a slave state, and they drink sweet tea, so that makes them a Southern State as far as I am concerned.
I'm from Kentucky, another border state. Someone from Georgia might think of Kentucky as not Southern, but someone from Ohio would think of Kentucky as definitely Southern.
Canadians drink sweet tea, what's that make us?
Ok, here's my version of the regions. Let me know if you think there is a state that should be moved one way of the other. I think I put Arkansas in the Southern region at first, but then I remembered that the only thing I know about Arkansas is that they are just like Texas, but don't like being compared to Texas.
Alaska and Hawaii would probably fall to Ramirez (poor guy), though I could see Alaska being given over to the Western Canadian (or all of Canada given the population) Warden, for sake of geographical convenience (The White Council doesn't care much about borders).
I'll come up with my Southern Counterpart when I get the chance. How many underlings should I have? From what I recall, Dresden has all of three wardens that report to him, despite the size of his region. Second, what PL would you want them to be? 6ish?
Edit:
If you have any ideas for what kind of wizards you'd like under me (annoying or otherwise), give me the basics and I can get the mechanics sorted out if you like. I can work within the archetype you suggest, and leave the finer points of personality to you (since these are NPC's and not Sidekicks or Minions) - .
Power Levels among the Wardens/White Council:
I'm picturing Ramirez likely a PL 7 like me. I'll make the Southern Commander a PL 8, since not everyone can be so inexperienced as we newbies. I picture Dresden as probably an 7-8 pre-winter mantle, probably pushing him to a 9 at present. The Senior Council would all be PL 10's (I see Dresden pushing his PL enough that he's probably not that shy of their power levels now, even if he lacks their experience and versatility. The Merlin might be an 11, or perhaps a 12 tops. Sound about right?
Those regions look good to me. Given the population density, you should have three. I'd say two fives and a six.
I would probably give Alaska to Canada.
You can order sweet tea at restaurants? I've never seen that in Canada.
Ask for Iced Tea. It'll be served sweet. Still remember the first time I ordered an Iced Tea in the US; I was like, "Did you forget something?" In chains you'll get the usual mass-production crud, like Brisk, but if you order at a nice place, it'll be brewed. Serve unsweetened Iced Tea here (unless its really obvious it's brewed, like the bags are still in the pitcher) and you'll get a lot of funny looks. We're not used to it at all. Of course, I live in Western Canada (and briefly in Newfoundland), so generalizing and speaking for all of Canada is dangerous. I don't know what they do in Ontario (or want to know, really...).
As for the Wardens:
Probably stationed in New York, Philadelphia, and... I don't know, Pittsburgh?
Florida here. Lived in Maryland last year.
It's not a southern state, despite the scattering of wannabe rednecks driving around up there.
I would probably put one in Buffalo just to keep an eye on the lakes.
For PL I would put storm front Dresden at 6 with his combat caps maxed. He really wasn't good at several areas of magic back then. I was thinking with the mantel he is about 10, or maybe 9 after the Butters theory. I was trying to figure out levels for some of the bigger folks, but they often veer into plot device territory.
Ya, looking at the map I had cast an eye on Buffalo or Rochester as a possibility. Which of the others would you drop? New York, Phili, or Pittsbough? Pittsbough is the obvious choice, but I picked that one at first since there wouldn't be much in the way of inland presence otherwise. However, Buffalo is kind of inland, so it probably still makes the most sense with New York, Philadelphia and Buffalo.
A PL 10 for Dresden now seems a touch high to me, but not totally absurd or anything. I'm trying to compare him in my mind to Captain America, The Thing, The Flash, or Batman, but my brain refuses to do the math. If I force it (through the blinding pain of butthurt objections), objectively, he probably is more powerful than a few mainstream comic characters... (Freezing an ogre solid and shattering him to pieces again comes to mind)
Pittsburgh. As for concepts, I would have a hard, uncreative battle wizard who uses mostly fire, someone who is a warden because there aren't s lot of choices and is really better at something other than fighting, and maybe a Radaghast type who fights with animals? We haven't seen anything like that.
Awesome! Sounds like fun. Thinking about suburban cliche's and such, I was thinking of having one be a young, suburban ex-teen bubble-pop wiccan type; kind of the stereotypical new age liberal run amok. Obviously, she'd have learned some quick, hard lessons since joining the wardens, but would still have far too many of those instincts and inclinations to be entirely useful (or helpful).
Kind of like Squirrel Girl meets The Craft
Have you played Lego Marvel Super Heroes? I play it with my son (he's just shy of 6), and I love playing as Squirrel Girl. She throws squirrels that explode on impact (Monkey Joe anyone?), and has this area affect attack where she powers up so Squirrels are crawling all over her body, and then she lets them go, killing everybody around her.
She is a great character, and definitely doesn't get enough love. The Great Lakes Avengers era when she is stuck with Deadpool for a few issues just killed me!
Not to mention this!
Another idea would be a wizard who actually is older, but just wasn't talented enough to be a Warden before. Times being what they are, he was brought in during the war.
That's good as well. I'll see what I can come up with...
California here. On warm summer nights I can just hear the boom of Disneyland exploding.
I just read the new Squirrel Girl TP and is is soooo much awesome. And the creators add lots of little details and quips. Very cool people.
Since we're going there, here's Odds Market.
The Odds family opened a local market after WW I, which lasted until the early 90’s. The final incarnation was a block sized complex with 2nd and 3rd floor apartments. Prominent and central was the market itself, with freezer and cooler cabinets along one wall and coffee machines, as well as standard shelving for groceries. The family lived above the store, in a 3 bedroom, 2 story apartment. The back of the market was a loading dock area, with garage space for a delivery truck and a shared, fenced in parking area.
Other frontage stores were a furniture outlet and a bakery. The furniture store featured showroom windows flanking the entry, as well as a 2nd floor warehouse space accessible from the rear by way of an automated ramp and a rear warehouse-style door. The bakery contained the required ovens, refrigerators, and freezers, and also had a dine-in area large enough for the whole Odds family and friends on holidays and customers the rest of the year. An addition space was intended for a commercial office such as the family accountant, with a reception desk, conference room, file room, and three offices.
Above the businesses, and connecting to the bakery and market apartment, are 5 other apartments. (One loft, 2 one-bedrooms, and 2 two-bedrooms.) A shared stair and hall allows entry to each as well as to a joint living room originally intended as ‘family space’ for the group. Shared basement space lies under the whole block, with the standard HVAC, plumbing, power room, back-up generators and fuel storage, and storage space found under commercial buildings.
The building went empty after the family dwindled due a series of accidents and disappearances, ending with the final elder Odds retiring to Florida after their last surviving child was committed to a mental hospital.
The extended building was on the market for years, but went unsold as the layout was unsuitable for separate living or businesses. It was eventually purchased by an out-of-town investor. The first tenant was John Bertanzetti, who added “Pawn/Repair” to the front of the market. While the business is not known for its regular business hours, it does offer reasonable rates for the repair of tools and equipment (if the work appeals to the owner) as well as honest loans or sales on property. Bertanzetti, who quickly became known as ‘Odd John’ in the neighborhood, acts as maintenance representative for the absentee-owner. The next tenant was Aaron Drachmen of Drachmen's Books, a specialty bookstore. Bertanzetti and Drachmen live on the property.
I'm happy for any input or changes from players or GM.
edit: I'm in Virginia, Yorktown to be specific, and I can hear occasional fireworks from Busch Gardens amusement park and daily loudspeaker broadcasts of Taps and the national anthem from the Naval Weapons Station.
I'll be out of the house for most of Sat and Sun with visiting relatives.
I should be on-line Sun evening.
Anything Rynjin wants to add to the description of the base is fine with me.
John will let the others take lead on questioning and planning, but will offer space to anyone in the group who needs a place to stay.
If the Warden doesn't make other arrangements, Set will be included in the offer.
This might be an appropriate time to talk about thresholds. I would guess that Odd John has a fey seriousness about Laws of Hospitality.
Drachmen's Books is cramped, dimly lit, but most importantly very well stocked. Bookshelves line every wall and available space on the floor, leaving barely enough space t walk, and each shelf bulges with books of all shapes and sizes. Despite this, the store is surprisingly clean, each shelf dusted daily to keep the books from being damaged by neglect.
At the back, behind the small desk that serves as the checkout counter is a nondescript door, leading into a small room. Only Aaron has the key to this door, and inside are all manner of real occult and arcane texts. A much smaller collection, but no less meticulously kept. Aaron prides himself on carrying things nobody else in Boston does, and while he's a fairly well kept secret in the magical community, those in the know trust him to have r be able too acquire anything they need...provided they're patient.
Aaron lives in one of the two bedroom apartments, using the spare bedroom as an office. The key to his apartment door is kept just as secure as the one to his special room, largely because in stark contrast to the bookstore, his apartment is built for comfort. It was not furnished with company in mind, and Aaron gets his fill of cleaning during the day, so it's much less meticulously kept.