Music by Morricone: A Stone and a Hard Place Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Loup Blanc

Okay, so everyone was kind of waiting on each other. For future reference, it may not be a bad idea to post something like that in Discussion or even using OOC text in Gameplay, so everyone's aware of what's up and we can move forward as necessary.

For now, I'll post a brief recap of Round 1, but after that can everyone go ahead and roll Agility tests for the rest of the Chase, just so we get that out of the way? I'll roll the rest for the NPC in my post.

NPCs should know better than to get in my way.

The Joker is much appreciated. And as you have made a confession, I shall do other: I picked Smite only to do Dragon Ball power-ups.

And I regret nothing.

Wow, five bennies and he still goes down. And I thought this guy was actually going to put up a fight.

So did I, until Eddy rolled five Raises on his Toughness and the Soak dice refused to roll above a five for the most part.

Well, he shouldn't have brought a gun to a fistfight.

I'd love to continue this conversation with Doc, but I have a feeling I should probably wait until he says something.

Yeah, sorry, I've been busy with still more traveling and such, as well as some writer's block on moving us from the Savage Tale to the next Plot Point beyond "some time passes." I'll try and have something up tomorrow.

Isn't the next plot point the really fun one?

Oh, it's fun. I just would prefer to come up with some way for you guys to get there rather than just skipping a bunch of game time, but I've been doing Interludes too often, so I'm not sure. Like it or not I'll have something together by tomorrow evening.

What about using the trial Savage Tale? That one's short and is supposed to be part of tying part one and two together.

Hmm. I had actually kind of forgotten about that stuff, since it isn't a full Savage Tale, just a single small sidebar on a page in the book. I wasn't sure about using it originally, since we've been on side tracks for a while now with the Savage Tales, but it's not a bad option if people are okay with it. Like I said, I'll have something up by this evening, but how are people feeling? Do we want more RP time interacting with NPCs and such, or do you guys want to just jump into the thick of things when the next Plot Point kicks off?

I do find a balance between RPing and jumping to the thick of things the best option.

That said, last level Eddy got the Advance "Improved Jumping into the Thick of Things" sooo who am Into decide?

Things have been pretty decent honestly. I always enjoy some more time to roleplay and the like, but I don't really have any complaints.

I think I'm going to keep it simple for this advance and grab Quick. I'll probably bump my Agility up next advance so I can get better shooting later and my Smarts up not long after that. Then I'm basically done with ability scores and I can spend the rest of my advances on edges and skills.

Got caught in huge-ass no data zones during a short trip, will try to cook a nice and exagerated post later today.

Haven't QUITE decided, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to have Biff learn the esoteric martial art of "Wang Chung".

But is he going to have fun tonight?

As my dear pal Sundakan, I am undecided about my advances but I have rounded it down to a few choices:

•Improving his fighting abilities (Either STR or Fighting upgrade or maybe taking Trademark(Fist of the London Star)
•Upping Smite and Healing to d6
•Upgrading Agility to d10 for extra jumping and Eddy style shenanigans

I won't make you decide for me but if any of you have any input on which one would be the most amusing AND crazy, I wanna hear ya.

I also haven't decided? I'm thinking maybe Sam will increase his Spellcasting, or possibly purchase another spell.

Finally decided to boost Fighting to d12, and following levels will be STR and combat edges.

He is, after all, one of the best damned fisticuffers of the world.

Now we get to see what happens when you murder a friend of someone with the major vengeful hindrance.

Alright guys, we've hit the point where I have to ask: What's going on?

Seems like the rate has really slowed up lately, and I'll be the first to say that it's probably mostly my fault. I've been busy moving back into school, I've gotten sick and been dealing with that, and I just plain haven't been as diligent about getting on here and posting as quickly as I probably could. But it also seems like at least some of the party has slowed down as well, and it doesn't seem to be another case of everybody waiting on each other.

So let me first ask if there's something wrong going on here on my end that I can fix. Maybe the game has taken a turn you didn't expect, whether in tone or in action, and you're not feeling it anymore. Maybe you don't care as much about the roleplaying free-form stuff and you'd rather just get to the next gun/fistfight. That's fine with me if that's what you'd like, but what I'd rather not do is keep plodding along and feeling like I'm forcing events on party members who haven't spoken up about stuff.

If it just plain isn't working for whatever reason that's okay too. I'm okay with canning the game if I have to, although I'd rather not. I'm perfectly happy running it as a game for two people--hell, I'd even continue to run it as a solo game if somebody wanted--but I don't want to keep running it with a party of four when the decision-making and interaction tends to fall to just one or two folks at a time, and often the same one or two.

I hope nobody takes this as me attacking them for not posting or anything, and there could be all sorts of good reasons, but I'd like to hear something. Is anything not working here that I can change? Is anything happening that you want to change? (If you've fallen out of love with your character that's okay, let me know and we can work in a new one if you like.)

I'm going to hold off on moving Gameplay forward until this works out some.

I'm primarily waiting for someone to either approve or disapprove of my 'make molotov cocktails and burn those sucker out' plan. I don't want to be the only one who's driving things forward.

There's nothing wrong on your end, I've just been busy getting into school, and I've had a hard time figuring out the direction I've really been wanting to take Sam in this adventure. This whole adventuring, Weird West kind of stuff is so new to him that I figure he'd latch on to whomever he meets who really seems to understand the whole thing, which is either Wyatt or Doc; combine that with his natural inclination towards following the law, and that makes Wyatt the better choice. I'd love for him to establish a more personal connection with the lawman so that it changes something in Sam later on, but I'm not sure how to go about it, other than basically posting:

"Gee whillickers, Mister Earp! Won't you notice me, senpai?"

So I've been trying to figure that out for a while, and coupled with the fact that I've been sick and behind on all my games, this one just ended up being the one that got left at the bottom of the pile. I like Sam, and I like my ideas for where he ought to go, but I'm not sure how I want him to get there.

Hey! As Samuel said, there's nothing wrong with your work, your prose or your DM skills.

For me it is a mixture of having been expelled from college, having to find something to do with my life and a couple other reasons that put me on a state of melancholy and sadness.

To be completely honest, everything has devolved to me having writer's block more than usual and every day rereading the last posts of the games I'm in.. that's it, until one day there's no block and I write something I like.

I will try to be more consistent withmy posting, tho, but I want you to know that I am actually really glad with thegame, the players and you. And I'll be damned before I allow the game to die!

Personally, I'm kind of floundering with Biff here.

TBH, I had expected him to be dead by this point in the game, and the boisterous Brit brawler thing is a bit one note, but I don't know what I can really add to him.

Okay, I hate that it's been so long since I've posted here, so I guess I should say something. Honesty's the best policy, so I'm told, so I'll come right out and say what may be obvious already: I'm a little burnt out on this game, and a tad unsure of where to go and what to do with it. We had some massive slowdown in posting, mostly my fault I know, and that kind of killed the momentum we had. Now I'm at this impasse where I check my games every day, and I stare at this one whether it has updates or not, and open Gameplay and reread the last few posts and try to get something going. And nothing comes up. I don't know if it's just a creative block on this game in particular, or what.

It's not an issue with the Western motif, I'm not tired of that. The other Western themed games I'm running are still around, albeit somewhat slow at times, and I do love the genre. Deadlands is a fun setting, I like this campaign, I like these characters. I just don't seem to be able to crank anything out for this, at least right now. I keep staring at the post box and coming up with nothing.

That said, I don't want to just kill the game altogether and leave you guys without it. You've built some great characters, we've had great fun so far, at least I have. We've had shooting, and hexslinging, and way more fisticuffs than I ever expected when I first decided to run this, and it's been a blast. I don't want that to end. I had plans for where to go with this game, I had ideas, and I don't want that to go to waste.

So what do you guys say to this proposition: let's take a step back. Take a break from this for the time being. I'm running a couple other games. I have ideas for games I'd love to run, even short ones, to break from the other stuff I'm doing and try new stuff and recharge on this. I'd absolutely love to have all of you in another game, I'd love it if you guys hand-pick what of my ideas I'll run and we'll get it going, if you like. I don't want to stop GMing by any means, and I don't even really want to stop GMing for this group. I just don't seem to be able to GM for this specific game right now, and I'd rather give you guys something else to do in the meantime rather than dangling fruitless hopes in front of all our faces anymore.

Does this sound okay to you guys? And if so, are you interested in another game in the meanwhile? I hate to spring this out and I hate that I haven't been as good with this game as I could be, but I'm tired of trying to update without having the juice for it each day, and I'm sure you guys are tired of seeing no updates when you check in.

I think that sounds fair. I ended up having to do that for one of my homebrew games, and the new game is still going strong a year+ later.

Sometimes you just get a block.

I'm alright with a hiatus for a while. If you feel burned out, I'd much rather take a break than have you not enjoying running the game.

I am always up for more gaming, so if you're interested in something else, I would be down to play another game.

Alright, thanks to the two of you for your responses. I've also talked with Drake's player and he's fine with taking a break and doing something else. I have a number of ideas for games I'd like to run, as I mentioned above, but I'll ask you guys first so you have priority on stuff, since you're losing a game here. Anything in particular you've got an itch to play? I have a fair number of systems and given the number of ideas I have bouncing around there's a good chance something will line up.

You know me. I'm usually down for almost anything. And I'll play more or less any system that I have access to.

I tell you the same I yold TGTG: you owe us nothing!

I did enjoy the campaign, the characters and Eddy a lot, and if there is a way to keep playing -even if we Time Stop things for a while-, I am game.

Regarding new possibles games, we did choose Cthulhu Ciberpunk... but what were you saying last recruitment about Japan? *interested look*

Yep, the Cyberpunk game I hope will continue on for however long it'll go with people interested in playing. I never intended that game to replace this one by any means, it was just another game I was interested in running, so we'll definitely have something else come out of this.

As far as the Japan angle... It was a thought I had because I'd been rereading Rurouni Kenshin. I've been thinking on and off of using a pseudo-feudal Japanese setting for a game for a while, because it's a neat period with plenty of interesting stuff going on. The main issue is where to go from there, because while that alone is a great springing-off point, a game does need, well, a plot. But that can be taken care of without much trouble, whether through coming up with something on our own, or adapting a published adventure to fit the setting. I'm up for either if that's what folks are interested in. (I'll also point you here, since it's a currently running recruitment that seems fun. It's a little ways in but there aren't a ton of complete characters yet, and he's looking for seven total, so it's still very much open as far as I know.)

In terms of our doing a game, like I said, I'm up for either a published adventure adapted to fit, or running something of our own. It could be more purely historical and realistic, or more fantasy-Japan stuff. For systems, I'd say Savage Worlds could work, as could D&D 5E or Pathfinder (especially since I have Path of War, Dragon Tiger Ox, and the Heroes of the East supplements, all of which add a lot of flavor to the game. There are also a few smaller, indie systems I have, but they tend to be shorter-lived and less serious--which can still be a lot of fun, of course, but may not fit the idea we want?

It's up to you guys, I've got some ideas of my own but nothing super concrete, and I'm up for about anything if I've got the stuff to do it.

I got an advance review copy of Dragon Tiger Ox and have NEVER had the opportunity to actually use it, so 200% down for that.

I would be completely in to a Japan themed game. I would personally recommend fantasy-Japan, if only because I prefer fantasy games over high levels of realism. For system, I'd say either Savage Worlds (since it works with literally anything) or Pathfinder. 5e is cool, but it doesn't have all that much Asian themed stuff yet, while Pathfinder has books of the stuff. I would also think it was cool to actually use Golarion and do a Tian-Xia game so we have lots of setting material to work with, but that's just my love for the Golarion setting.

I really want the opportunity to play a Samebito or Guaiwu, I remember both being neat.

A wuxia game with DTO and PoW would be SUPER fun.

I actually just realized that I have PoW and PoW Expanded from a friend. So that's a thing.

All the PoW and PowE stuff is on the d20srd now too, so anyone who doesn't have it can look on there.

Definitely worth buying though. DSP needs to make their own RPG, their design sense is so much better than Paizo's.

Sounds like fantasy Japan, with Pathfinder using PoW and LRGG's Eastern-flavored stuff, is the most popular choice. I'm certainly down to do that because it's very interesting and fun. The question then is, would you rather have a fully homebrewed thing, or an adapted adventure path or module of some kind? Also, Tian Xia in Golarion, or a different pseudo-Far-East fantasy setting? I'm good with any of these options and combinations thereof. Creating a homebrew setting is often a lot of fun for stuff like this, and it gives you guys free reign to create backstories and the like for your characters.

Also, how powerful do we want this to be? I figure we'll start above level 1, because that's usually more fun, but do we want level 3, level 6, level 10? (I'd lean toward 3 or 6 myself.) Do we want to do gestalt and/or mythic? (Maybe.) I've got ideas for everything bouncing already, so whatever you guys prefer.

Full Homebrew would be the most fun, but more work for you.

I like starting at 3+, gets past the really swingy low levels.

Gestalt would be very fun. The DTO rules limit it to Monk only, but since we're sticking to an aesthetic anyway, don't know that's necessary.

Let's see... questions in order:

I don't really care if it's a module/AP or a homebrew game. I'll enjoy either, so it's really up to you as the story teller.

I like Tian-Xia because there's some many interesting things there and a lot of pre-made lore. I actually like more detailed settings, because that way it's possible to make a character with a lot of deep ties to the world and the story. In a less defined homebrew, you can have more freedom, but your background has a tendency to be less connected to the setting and the game.

Not too high level to start. Something like 1 or 3 would be cool. While I enjoy higher level play, starting really powerful feels like we're skipping part of our character's lives that was really interesting.

I'm doing a couple of mythic things right now, so no strong desire for that right now. Gestalt maybe.

I will do a sum-up post to answer you all secuentially, please, do imagine Terry Crews speaking with a high-pitch, excited voice.

Rurouni Kenshin...
Yaaaaaaaaaaaas

Path of War...
Yaaaaaaaaas

Gestalt...
Yaaaaas

Ahem. Yas. Now I only need to figure out how to play a one-armed, dextrous and mobile, katana wielding character.

Man... concepts and ideas are already flowing.

Regarding levels, I do like starting low because it really feels like you are a hero when you manage to survive them, but not necesary level 1. Any level between 3 or 6 would do.
And I concur with Claire, Mythic may be fun. But I do think it also may be a clusterf*!@ of serious proportions. It's a complete wild card.

Alright, at this point I'd say it's safe to settle on a few things that we can definitely expect in this game. It'll be Pathfinder with DSP's Path of War and LRGG's Eastern-themed books (Dragon Tiger Ox and Heroes of the East) available for use; it'll start at 3rd level; it'll be gestalt. I'll type up the full run of rules for character creation shortly, but I do have one more question for you guys: do we want to open this up at all for other folks? Obviously all of you will have guaranteed spots, but would we want to see if one or two more people are interested? A party of four is fine by me, but I'm happy to run for up to six folks if you'd like some new blood.

I don't have any strong preference either way, but IME a smaller party is easier to run and stay motivated to run (the sheer fatigue when I tried to run a 9 person game recently sapped most desire to post in ANY game), so maybe stick with that for now?

Edit: Also, I don't have Heroes of the East, would you be able to provide a copy?

I'm fine with bringing in other people if they're interested, although I'm not sure that I have any character concept I'm really intrigued with at the moment. I'm sure something will come to me, but for the time being I'm a little stumped on making something I'd enjoy playing.

I'm good with either as well.

If it helps, I think I know what I'm doing. I'm going to play a warlord/bard who's focused on melee and party buffs. Golden Lion and Scarlet Throne styles most likely.

I'm probably going to be a Stalker on one side. Not sure what on the other.

Are we allowing Psionics? Soulknife (Deadly Fist) would be fun.

I may stick with just the four of you, now that I'm thinking on it, at least to start. If we decide a little ways in to bring in more folks, then we can.

I can get a copy of Heroes of the East to folks if they need it, yeah. Psionics can get a tad strange, I'm not in love with them for this game, since ki is a different thing that fits a similar concept, but I'm fine with the Soulknife. It's fairly low-key on its psionic stuff, especially the Deadly Fist.