For discussion!
Questions, comments, wishes, desires, fears, hopes, requests for in this game?
Awesome! I haven't been in a solo game before, so I don't have anything that instantly jumps to mind on how I expect a solo game to flow, nor your style of GM'ing.
I always like creative problem solving, part of why I chose alchemist, and a solo game seems like a really good set up for that - you don't have to really worry about splitting the party, or going off exploring and scouting.
I know in the thread you said that the amount of combat depends on the player - my only goal with combat is that it works towards a goal of some sort, or offers a new opportunity for reactions and roleplay. I know a lot of published adventures have encounters vs things like big spiders, or hungry wolves, and that never really pushes the story anywhere.
I think the same question applies to you - do you have anything you'd like to see out of the campaign?
Me? I wish for the same things I hope for every game. To tell a great story and for you to h ave a blast playing in it.
One last thing, I need you to tell me if something isn't right. A scene too long, too short, too boring, too emotional, you tell me. Same goes for everything from fights to NPCs to plot. Your criticisms help make the game better and tailored to what you want!
With that, let's get started...
Happy holidays! Posting will be slow today of course
Sorry, got a bit of a bug while on holiday visits. Just not up to posting. Will be back in a couple of days probably (OR THE GRIM REAPER WILL TAKE ME).
That's fine! Feel better soon
I am doubly sorry about this game because we just got started. I don't do this often!
It will be me some time to plan this game out a bit though...
I'll use the downtime to update my appearance a bit, I realized what it has currently doesn't even mention that she has a tail and little wings (from racial traits). Woops
Actually, make a choice. Do you plan on buying mundane supplies (like food and stuff we won't track) from towns as you go or do you plan on not doing so and avoiding elf towns/cities?
Hmmm. I think avoiding towns and cities until Isahade.
Got it. Probably best. Your legal status in Kyonin is gray since non-elves are officially banned. You have permission from the gnomes and you have Anna with you but still, best not to tempt fate?
Sorry for delay, early Christmas party! I'll make a post on the drive home, I'm not driving then
Posting while you drive would be a neat trick. Even speech to text wouldn't work with the formatting you'd need....what do you think of the leprechauns?
"OPEN BRACKET THE LETTER B CLOSE BRACKET Hello -"
Unreliable rapscallions, just like leprechauns should be!
Are you a chess player in real life?
I know the rules and what all, and that there's various opening strategies and whatnot, but doubt I could reliably beat anyone in an actual chess game.
Is the game too slow? Not enough stakes? Just want to ask.
I like it! It's meandering a little, but my favorite part of D&D is making plans (long term or short term), and part of that is collecting information.
Conversations with the guards and waitress were fun because it's like a puzzle to not say the suspicious thing, while still getting more information and not boxing yourself in.
Hopefully we can punch it up!.....with this exciting chess scene?
Great
*prepares owlbear attacks*
Have you had enough pulse pounding chess action?
This is where I challenge the waitress to chess too, right?
I'll get my post up when I get back from the train.
As a devoted player in real life, I could do a whole game based on a chess tournament. But I think you'd fall asleep first.
That said, you did gain a goal. Smuggler's map!
For some reason I am having trouble keeping this game punchy.
Thoughts?
Grrr, I had my gameplay and discussion post all typed up, but I forgot to post them before I left work.
Social encounters are hard, definitely. I think one of the reasons the intro bit was so neat was because it had what were almost mini plot twists or encounters inside of it. The scene was A) figure out how to get the gnomes to pay attention and B) find out what was going on, but then a surprise C) deal with elf intruder!
So those kind of mutating/morphing scenes where something unexpected happens is nice. Obviously can't be done every time, though. But concrete small goals towards a larger step can be good for important scenes.
Like with Mastrich, it started very standard goal and expectations of "this information exists and I need to get it, will probably need to do a favor" but kind of swerved into more interesting territory because now there's a looming question of "Why does Mastrich want to leave Isahade? What is his end goal?" that's sort of a step towards figuring out what's going on with all the smugglers in relation to Cicatrix.
I know that information exists, but I might not be able to get it right now. That can flavor future dialogue and scenes and that's fun.
So you are enjoying it then?
I like to throw in a few curveballs.
Yep!
Sorry for the slow posting, my sleep schedule has been really rough recently. Tried to go to bed at 6 because I was so dead tired, still awake by midnight. Don't feel any better than before :(
Hope you get more sleep. It is important!
Sorry for delay, I've had a convention last weekend, and then another one this weekend that started on Thursday! Haven't forgotten!
Am going on vacation! Will be back on February 9th. Will report back then!
Sounds good, have fun!
Thanks! It was fun.
Back and better then ever.
So do you prefer this over running through a swamp chased by random encounters? That was the initial plan.
I adore stuff like this! It's one of my favorite things in D&D, because it just isn't possible in anything else.
Really glad you are enjoying it! I try to give each player what they look for in a game.
Anna isn't be a huge fan of all this back-dealing.
Haha I didn't think she would be, but getting both of them on equal footing against each other is probably the best way to weaken the smugglers hold on the town entirely.
It's mutually assured destruction, except neither of them are gonna know the other has that capability
You'll have enough maps to wallpaper a house!
Plans? I don't want things to bog down here.
Sorry for slow posting! Work has been busy recently and after work has been just as busy haha
That is fine, I understand. Life is like that sometimes.
Are you enjoying the game?
Yes! I've just been bad at posting regularly, my schedule has been hectic and I've fallen out of a lot of my normal routines.
Current goal looks hard, not sure if Naali has a way to finish without resorting to loud combat or waiting time for the right opportunity. Decisions decisions!
I wish you the best of luck!
Bah, made a mistake. That archer gets +2 against you. I just recalled you are an outsider and that NPC happens to have them as a favored enemy.
*sweats* Oh boy
Also, I honestly don't know whether the tanglefoot bomb discovery also deals damage. The rules and FAQ are kinda unclear.
Doesn't mention whether it does or does not. A faq says smoke bombs still do damage, but it's up to your interpretation.
If it does,
I'm kinda ambivalent about which interpretation, because one makes tanglefoot way better at combat, but worse at utility stuff, and vice versa.
Interesting question. I think I'll have it cause damage if they fail the save? Like the sticky stuff is hot from whatever chemical reaction makes it. Seem a fair compromise?
That makes sense!
I'm glad this game is getting back on track. Plot stuff is coming up, I promise.
Nice, and same! Sorry I've been less reliable than the start of the campaign, daily schedule has been weird, but it's getting better recently.
I don't blame you, I just know they are less fun when they are slow.