Always preview, and always copy. I've learned that in the worst possible ways, and still forget on occasion. :(
I'll rather wait with another reply for now and wait for Tiferet's reaction and call it a night. But a nice start so far. :)
Me too. See you tomorrow!
Kind of my sentiments, other than the 'bed' part. :)
I'll still be here, and will be more than happy to reply... in a few hours and/or intermittently. Need to head to the hospital for a bit.
I was wondering if anyone would want to link up with Eirikr? He was traveling with a Varisian caravan at the end of his backstory, if that works with anybody else's character.
@Eirikr - actually Morgraine has been traveling with a caravan at the end of her backstory as well, so that could work well.
Did you still want to link stories with someone Eirikr? Or just play like we're meeting now? Keeping my post vague for now till we decide. No worries either way. :)
Also, my skills should now be corrected.
Either is fine with me. It looks like things have gotten started now on the gameplay thread so we might want to just go with having just met rather than linking backstories.
Sounds good!
Cool, skills look good.
Ooof. I am sorry I forced you to make those introductions twice, Tiferet. I will take your post into account though.
Regarding background skills - it does not seem like I picked any. I was considering calligraphy, but that seems implied in linguistics, anyway. Maybe choreography or painting?
Don't worry, it's fun!
RE: background skills, Perform (dance) is actually among them, so you now have a free point to spend on a core skill of your choice.
Appraise
Artistry
Craft
Handle Animal
Knowledge (engineering)
Knowledge (geography)
Knowledge (history)
Knowledge (nobility)
Linguistics
Lore
Perform
Profession
Sleight of Hand
I believe both Craft (painting) or a Lore skill would be solid choices!
Profession(Modeling)? :P The appearance section I went to to read up on what she looked like had a section stating she'd spent a lot of time being painted.
Also, how much does Mouse know about you now, Nath? Like I said before, I don't just read people's backstories, so what parts got left out so that the twitchy-eared elfses couldn't hear it? If you don't mind, making a cliff notes account of what she heard would be nice, otherwise it becomes really, really impossible for me to not know what she doesn't know by reading. :(
One more thing: more as a matter of homogeneity than anything else, are we going to write our posts in the present or past tense?
I believe the former is standard on these forums, though both are fine with me. Expressing you actions in the past tense actually gives a fine touch of narrative prose to a PbP.
Thanks. The former probably did a better job portraying Tiferet, but I couldn't get past the haughty pose and the exposed belly. I understand going for a pulp feeling rather than realism, but bikini-like armor usually breaks any remaining suspension of disbelief I have left.
Also, Tif: Very nice post. It had everything I could really want from you in such a setting :) The use of the smaller tag let me skip the things Inire wouldn't know that you were talking about. :)
Which mostly means she's confused by a lot of metaphorical flowery language on a distant and far-off topic. :)
I usually write in past tense, but sometimes I mix things up...
I mix and match for the situation. I'm not really conscious of it. :) I focus a lot more on the character-y stuff than the proper use of prose and the like. I'm here for the emotions and discovery, and slowly-formed bonds and the like.
I don't get out much...
Also, sorry about that. I can be really responsive at times. I didn't see your choice to move from Inire's rudeness to disarming the situation by offering food to the fox (once more) as a break of continuity. It just seemed natural, and served to pull another character into the limelight. It was a really good movement from my perspective. :)
Either way, I deleted my between-post and merged it, so continuity is restored and Inire isn't reacting to something that's about to happen. Even if that is her secret super power. :)
I do quite like the misunderstanding of Mouse sticking her foot in her mouth (and thus ignoring social mores) and Nathara thinking it's because she's a monster, as being the reason Mouse is acting that way. Granted, the fact that she was asking for raw meat being the source pollutes that a little. :P
I liked Tiferet's post as well and was considering to offer a counter point to her opinion on demons, but Nathara did not want to talk that much about herself and her own issues after all.
PS: I think I'll switch to write in presence, then.
I don't think I've ever played someone with such a wide gap between their will saves and reflex saves. I find it funny that I went with a 'mind can't keep up with her body' approach even before I pieced that together. But I was working off of her low wisdom for that, and relatively low charisma, so it's still a fit. :)
I'm gonna hold off on responding for a bit. As everyone is present in the scene and the show has kinda been stolen, giving the others a chance to interact with things as they happen may be wise.
Mouse's actions may be kind of over-the-top if I don't see how other people are interacting with things, after all. :)
Oh, wait. I thought Nethara climbed on a table, not just walked to ours. That makes considerably more sense if that is the case.
I agree. Beginnings can get chaotic very fast once everyone tries to interact with everybody else; I've tried to reset the scene by setting up a small sing / dance event for everybody to join (if they want to!)
The Valkyries and the Beast are in the house tonight!
: speaking of night, I know you said the time is supposed to be around mid-morning, but I can't help but think that the whole scene would make much more sense if it was set during evening-time.
Since I understand we're all sleeping at the Silver Stoat, what you say if you just describe how everyone's retiring for the night once you feel it's time to kick things forward? Then you can set up a new scene once we awake.
(Just a suggestion: not trying to steal your job ;) )
I must admit that I stressed a bit far what Nathara would do. She has only charisma 10... which is the lowest in the group if I am not mistaken. I might wait for Tiferet's help next time.
But to clarify, Nath walked to our table specifically, and did not climb on one? This is precisely why I was waiting. I couldn't really rationalize the choice to clamber onto a table in the middle of a tavern. :p
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I was planning on having the first plot hook pop in once everyone had introduced themselves, but this scene has gotten significantly larger than I'd expected. Serves me right for underestimating your ability to roleplay I suppose :P
What time this scene is happening isn't terribly important, so if people would rather it be at night so we can get things rolling in the morning, that's fine. Whenever you're ready to move on, just say you're going to get some sleep. Once a few people are ready to turn in, I'll move on to the morning and the plot will begin.
But to clarify, Nath walked to our table specifically, and did not climb on one? This is precisely why I was waiting. I couldn't really rationalize the choice to clamber onto a table in the middle of a tavern. :p
Erm... no. She doesn't make it habit climbing on other people's tables. You'll have to get a lot more drunk if that's what you're waiting for. :D
For what is worth, Tiferet's still at her table; a singing drum-pounding approach would have probably been too much, not to mention the risk of turning the whole campaign into a musical.
I'm fine with having her staying in the background for a while, lest things get too chaotic. I'm sure the campaign will find a way to get us all together sooner or later ;)
I edited. I think the deer-in-headlights colored my perception of your approach... or complete lack thereof. :)
Upon re-reading, I fully get the ambiguity. It was more of a "you go make friends, I'm staying here for a while" gesture plus some cool theme song to bolster her confidence, but it looked like Tiferet was joining your table as well.
I believe that between a half-lycanthrope and a raw meat-eating Tiefling, Mouse already has her hands full socializing ;)
"So... what... you're a half-half-wolf..? And how does that make you feel..?"
"I believe quite like a quarter wolf"
So to recap, we have Mouse and Eve being joined by Nathara, Eirikr supposedly standing near them, Tiferet still at her original table and Morgraine quietly eating her meal.
I believe skinwalker is in his tags. I knew. :)
Well, I don't want to make this awkward for anyone, but even though she knows her for like half an hour, Nathara has a bit of a crush on Tiferet. I can skip that, though.
Hey! You're about to get married!
Yes, that's the detail that bothering Nathara by now as well. :D
Well, at this point I believe the situation is not going to develop dramatically any more, so we might as well move on...
Nathara would be discussing her plans to go to Quadira and find out more about that land... apart from leading discussions about the planes and it's inhabitants with Tiferet.
I removed five silver pieces from the inventory, gonna mention it in-game on occasion.
There are also two other people who haven't had a chance to react to the flurry of activity. I'd like a chance to get to know them a little more as well, personally.
Still plenty of interacting to do, if you ask me. :)
Yeah, Morgraine and I haven't really gotten a chance to interact yet (I've been at a job interview for most of the day). I'm a bit shocked by how much has happened today. If everybody else wants to move on that's fine, though I would appreciate a chance to get involved.
I hope your interview went well :)
Feel free to jump in whenever you're ready. Your wolf buddy just got his meat and you listened to some epic drumming.
Ok, I hope the continuity of that isn't too confusing, I wasn't really sure what part I should be responding too.
Just go with the flow, continuity will be sorted out eventually (or just retconned) ;)
Yes, a PbP start is often a tumultuous matter, but posts tend to become more regular and less hectic given time. Getting to know each other's posting habits also helps.
Evelyn seemed a little taken back by the elven singalong
I am not sure about the "elven singalong"... Nathara is an elf, so you might describe it as such, but the language she use is Taldan... and Taldan is common.
To clarify, Evelyn has shown no signs of you not being welcome. In fact, she would have welcomed you to the table had you not disappeared before she could (if you look at the posts you ignored for your post, you'll see that she actually said you could if Mouse was okay with it).
Mouse, likewise, only has problems with the eating habits so far. I don't think Mouse will be eating for a bit while you guys that eat blood-dripping-beef are eating. She's likely to overcome that with time, but as it stands, Mouse is a sheltered half-human who knows a lot about the world but doesn't really understand the world. You were welcome, your food wasn't. :P
Likewise, her irrational fear is actually more an extension of being outside of her comfort zone. She basically lived in one place for her entire life, and has been away for roughly two weeks; you can't know that in character, but a lot of her mannerisms are very focused on acting as she did in the society, where a lot of folks were used to standing out and anyone who interacted with Mouse was likely there because she'd read a book they wanted information on. Or because they liked her to begin with. As such, she's going to be spending a lot of time learning how to deal with things outside of her comfort range.
Were it a more one-on-one affair, rather than everything coming in pairs as it seems, she'd probably be better with coming to terms, but when a big scary-monster-not-drow comes to her in her hidey-hole after she says she's sorry for eavesdropping (at least in her mind), and then a bigger-scarier-human who seems to be her friend starts singing a song, it puts little city-mouse in her place. :P
I've tried to depict her reactions as being stemmed from specific things (pointing out when she starts acting up by listing the cause), as opposed to just a 'you in general'. :)
Also, I still have no idea how much Mouse was able to eavesdrop about you. So as it stands, I'm still just going with 'not-a-drow' and 'has a fiance'.
erm.. wait!
I was under the impression that Eirikr was still at his table. If both Eirikr and Morgraine joined us, Nathara will simply address Tiferet at the first opportunity and not ignore Eirikr. Sorry about the mistake...
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I think it's better if we all assume the situation is pretty fluid with the Silver Stoat's common room being small enough for everyone to overhear everybody else if they so choose.
Personally, I'm ready to move on. I'll gladly reply to whoever wants to talk to Tiferet as well as waiting for Eirikr and Morgraine to have another chance at getting some interaction going this evening, but I'll refrain from taking any initiative from now on. Tiferet's just happy to stay in her corner pounding on her drums for now ;)
Once everyone feels he's done enough pre-game tavern RP (no pressure!), we can lit the GM-signal and kick this PbP into gear!
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I'm pretty much good whenever at this point.
On the topic of divergent timelines and creating 'new scenes', I try to avoid both. I find that it's really easy for me, most times, to just go with the flow, respond to hooks, and continue with what I was doing... or not, if it no longer makes sense.
The reason for not liking creating new timelines is because it works off of the belief that nothing said between now and then will possibly affect your actions... and I very strongly feel that the actions of others should have impact on what you're doing. If they don't, then start a novel; you don't need the other folks.
Likewise, starting a new scene doesn't add a place to start, it adds one more major thing that they -need- to react to, along with all of the thing's they'd like to have reacted to.
I do think that what you called a scene change was more of a hook, though, Tif, so it worked out, especially since it drew the others in. :) Sadly, the timing (and wording) put Mouse off, as it coincided a victory song with the not-drow winding up in front of her. Which kind of exacerbated how she was feeling. :p
Though, these are just my observations and they may be far from correct. YMMV.
Also, I'm having a lot of trouble working mouse into the current scene because wirhout knowing how much mouse knows about Nathara, I don't know exactly how to interact with the situation at hand. Likewise, I don't even know how Mouse has interacted with her at this point, due to the recounting of my and Evelyn's actions. Had she actually acted queasy to her face, she'd probably be apologizing... But I don't think that ever happened... I honestly don't know...
I think I'm just going to go with Nathara's version where she asked if you two could join us and then she turned around to have a romantic moment instead. Likewise, I'll just assume Nathara's story was said in such a way that Mouse didn't overhear. It makes things make more sense, and places the onus back on me to try to learn, instead of asking again for what she knows. :)
That nicely cleans up the scene for me.
I'm pretty much good whenever at this point.
On the topic of divergent timelines and creating 'new scenes', I try to avoid both. I find that it's really easy for me, most times, to just go with the flow, respond to hooks, and continue with what I was doing... or not, if it no longer makes sense.
The reason for not liking creating new timelines is because it works off of the belief that nothing said between now and then will possibly affect your actions... and I very strongly feel that the actions of others should have impact on what you're doing. If they don't, then start a novel; you don't need the other folks.
What you say is, obviously, sacrosanct. A PbP can be considered an experiment in collaborative writing, and people carving private scenes for themselves feels like trying to kick the others out of the continuity.
Indeed, the only time I advocate doing something like that is when the divergent timeline is causally disconnected from everyone who is not a part of it. The only example which comes to mind is when two players want to drag along a conversation between their characters without stalling the whole campaign because of it. In a Serpent's Skull PbP, it was pretty common to have the GM set up a new exploration scene with people still doing some "RP by the fire the night before" under spoilers.
Likewise, starting a new scene doesn't add a place to start, it adds one more major thing that they -need- to react to, along with all of the thing's they'd like to have reacted to.
I do think that what you called a scene change was more of a hook, though, Tif, so it worked out, especially since it drew the others in. :) Sadly, the timing (and wording) put Mouse off, as it coincided a victory song with the not-drow winding up in front of her. Which kind of exacerbated how she was feeling. :p
Though, these are just my observations and they may be far from correct. YMMV.
I called it "resetting the scene", and yes, it was absolutely meant to be a hook. It was a bit awkward in retrospect. Why resetting? I thought of it as a clapperboard. There were four narrative lines going on, Tif+Nath, Eve+Mouse, Eirikr and Morgraine. By giving something everyone could react to, I hoped it would help synchronize them, just like a clapper sound is used to align various timelines during editing.
In the end, if I understood you correctly I believe we share the same views ;)
Also, I'm having a lot of trouble working mouse into the current scene because wirhout knowing how much mouse knows about Nathara, I don't know exactly how to interact with the situation at hand. Likewise, I don't even know how Mouse has interacted with her at this point, due to the recounting of my and Evelyn's actions. Had she actually acted queasy to her face, she'd probably be apologizing... But I don't think that ever happened... I honestly don't know...
I feel you.
I too had my share of multiple conversations going on on different time-lines and I also found them manageable and enjoyable once properly compartmentalized. Obviously this is an exclusively PbP issue, but the greatest struggle I had with them is when they all happen to take place in the same time-line (i.e. usually upon the PCs initially meeting each others). With 6 people = 15 potential interactions around, the causal nexus between posts sometimes became a tangled mess to unravel, with people reacting to the same events at irreconcilable moments in their conversations. Two-stage introductions tend to ameliorate this phenomenon in my experience, with – say – three two-people groups interacting in a far more linear way than just 6 individuals. The downside of it is that it might lead to some sort of initial party granularization, but it usually isn't a problem if every player is mature enough not to dabble in intra-party bickering, as it looks to be the case at a perfunctory glance of the various submissions coming in.
I think I'm just going to go with Nathara's version where she asked if you two could join us and then she turned around to have a romantic moment instead. Likewise, I'll just assume Nathara's story was said in such a way that Mouse didn't overhear. It makes things make more sense, and places the onus back on me to try to learn, instead of asking again for what she knows. :)
That nicely cleans up the scene for me.
I too believe it makes a lot of sense. I'm going to roll with this as well!
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Thanks for the quick reply. I'm not always good with critiquing situations, as I worry far too much about offending people. Also, kindle autocorrect is a monster. I think you mostly understood what I'd intended.
We are pretty much exactly in line. I also have done quick narrative things 'outside the timeline' to have my character do things without taking up other people's time... and in the WotR game I'm in, there have been a few occasions where scenes finished out as we were continuing. :)
I still feel I have plenty I can do within the scene, so to you guys still getting your feet, don't feel rushed. I'd love to interact with you more. I'm just also in the camp of 'I don't need to push the scene anymore and will just dig in for character hooks'. :)
Also, if I ever say something weird, assume it's autocorrect, and that I was in a hurry to finish the post without proofing because something came up. :p. Don't be afraid to 'wait... what?' at me. :)
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On the contrary, you've been very nice and polite. I've loved your feedback and I'd be glad to get more of it in the course of the campaign – few things ruin a PbP experience faster than people being bothered by something but not expressing it for fear of sounding rude.
Yes, the situations you described are exactly what I meant.
Awesome. I'll try to keep it up, then. :)