I'm really very sorry to hear this, Tilly.
There have been times when it was all too much for me for awhile, too. I wish you all the best. With your life, your family's and your mother's. We've been friends a long while, so you know I understand.
God bless you and I hope to see you around again some day!
Scott / Tarondor
My Thoughts on TOR Travel
Having experienced it twice, I understand what they're trying to do, but I don't think they've gotten there. At least not in this medium. The Journey rules are interesting but they involve only one or two players at a time and it takes weeks of real time to get anywhere.
Travel is important in a Middle-Earth game as Middle-Earth itself is the greatest Tolkien character of all. But this is a game and I think the Journey rules are, in a word, boring.
So here's what we're going to do.
In the future, for simple journeys I will just narrate the travel. For longer or more difficult journeys we will borrow an idea from D&D/Pathfinder: The skill challenge. Everyone will be involved, rolling skill checks until we have 3 Successes (or some number determined by the GM) before 3 failures. If you fail, there will be a fight or dangerous encounter. How bad will be determined by how bad the failure is. I think that'll be more fun and interactive.
I wish you all the best Tilly!
Good luck Tilly, I wish you and your family all the best as well. Also hope to see you return in the future!
GM, that sounds like a great idea!
I think that plan for travel works. The travel is important, but I am not sold that it works wonderfully in PBP.
So we're down to three again. I'll recruit!
Bain and Waylon, you should have 1 Valour and 1 Wisdom each.
We're about to get two new PCs. We need to think about how to work them into the story. I'm open to ideas.
Hi!
Sorry, just posting so you see the alias, but I need to rush; will post netter ad more when back from work :)
What are they? That will help to brainstorm their entrance.
Hello all!
I'm posting my Alias here. I'm a Hobbit Scholor from the Westfarthing. I'm going to try to get some background on my alias today.
Prisoners of those coming our way? Or heck, maybe they're already camped out in this ruin somewhere and just figuring out they have visitors?
Wouldn't be the first time Master Gandalf "interfered" with an adventure in progress by sending along additional participants.
Question: Champions need to choose an enemy between Evil Men, Orcs, Spiders, Trolls, Wargs and Undead. For an Elf of Mirkwood, what would you say is a more common enemy? Spiders, perhaps?
Spiders, definitely. Or Dwarves of Erebor!!!
I mean, the spiders are closest, but the elves live on the Necromancer's doorstep, so undead are there, too. There's orcs and wargs in the plains west of the forest and there's never a shortage of evil men. So your call, really.
Just now, Evil Men seems to loom large but that won't always be the case.
Given the character is a geek who loves stories of the old times when elves fought the forces of Morgoth himself, probably orcs or trolls, then.
Bragedauch and Rudigar, I like the idea that the adventure comes to you. For some reason, you're already -at- the Ringforges. What is that reason, do you think?
Could it be that you have no idea where you are? Seems unlikely, but possible. What reason do an elf and a hobbit have to be in the wilderness, anyway?
This message is going out to everyone I play with. Or really, anyone who happens to see it. Don’t be shy.
I’m a long (really long) time GM and my home game has been online since 2020. But it has also dwindled in size and I’d really like to have more great players! So, since we play online that means anyone could potentially play with us. Interested? Just drop me a Private Message!
DETAILS
My players and I are in the last book of an Adventure Path (Age of Ashes) and we’ll be wrapping it up in the next 2-3 months. When that’s over, we’d really like to have more players. 6 to 7 players would be ideal. Right now we are 3 players plus me.
We play every other Sunday from 12-6 Eastern time. We -don’t- use any VTT’s (your GM finds them distracting). We just talk over Discord and use Google slides for images and maps. Works great and there’s zero learning curve.
PLAYER’S CHOICE
One thing I’ll be doing differently this time is that instead of me telling the players what we’re going to play, I’m going to offer the players a choice of 5 or 6 potential campaigns I’d be willing to run (including a few different game systems) and let the players tell me what they want to play. I expect we’ll be playing Pathfinder 2e, but if the players prefer sci-fi or superheroes we might be using a different system.
So anyway, if you’d like to join us and want to have some input in what we play, now’s your chance to get involved!
WHO I AM
I’m Tarondor. My real name is Scott Nolan and I’m a lawyer, a dad, a husband and a big ol’ nerd whose RPG credentials go back to the 1970's. I love pretty much every style of gaming from “kick in the door” to deep roleplaying. I don’t care if you’ve got forty years of experience or if you’ve never played the game, so long as you’re good at getting along with others and don’t think that “what? It’s what my character would do!” is an excuse for screwing your party.
My own style leans towards epic quests. You can get an idea of my GMing style from the many games I run here on the Paizo boards. You can also check out my various guides to character classes and whatnot by clicking on my Profile.
Ooh. Everyone is welcome, but leave your baggage and agendas at the door. We’re just here to sling dice and have fun.
If you’re interested, let me know!
I could have been sent by Gandalf to find some lore about the rings, as he could be becoming interested in Bilbo's ring, and Bragedauch could have come with for protection? Something like that?
Bilbo has a ring?
I don't know, but Gandalf might. He wouldn't tell a wee hobbit like me.
Brag is a day dreamer, his head filled with the stories of ancient and powerful elves who fought Balrogs and evil deities. There's nothing he would love more than emulate his heroes, and noticing dark times coming makes him search for his and steady companions and a wise patron that allow him to feel a contributor on the defense of Middle Earth and the demise of the Black Foe.
We're going to pause a bit and see if those who've expressed interest will also join us.
Gandalf has traveled south for some mysterious reason and won't be back for awhile. When is, he'll be all hot and bothered about some hobbit jewelry or something and won't re-enter this story.
But I have other other patrons who might send you. Let's see what our new players (if new players they are to be) come up with before we proceed.
I wonder what could have captured Gandalf's interest so keenly!
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It's Denethor's 87th birthday and they're servin' ribs!
Gandalf gets bored and talks to all kinds of people. Who can say where the smoking pipe took him.
It's Denethor's 87th birthday and they're servin' ribs!
Good stuff!!
It's Denethor's 87th birthday and they're servin' ribs!
My character for sure loves ribs!
What are they? That will help to brainstorm their entrance.
What do we need aactually? I'm not opposed to a rib-loving elf from the Gray Havens, but could also make a bird-speaking dwarf too.
Ok folks, it's Spring Break here, and we head out of town tomorrow for a week.
Bot me as needed, distribute my stuff evenly if I die!
What are they? That will help to brainstorm their entrance.What do we need aactually? I'm not opposed to a rib-loving elf from the Gray Havens, but could also make a bird-speaking dwarf too.
oops, Bird-Loving Barding, my bad ...
Looking through who's here already it seems like everything is covered apart from Messenger and Captain. With a dwarf, an elf, a Hobbit and 2 'men.' I've never played TOR before but it feels like a game that is less reliant on having all bases covered crunch wise and more about roleplay?
I've a couple of ideas, do you feel either would be a good fit?:
1) An elf Captain, maybe from Rivendel. Prone to bouts of melancholia, reminiscing over lost times and the old glory of the elves. They have taken to wandering the world in search of some fulfilling task. Most at home in conflict physical or otherwise. Enjoys telling tales around a camp fire.
A messenger, either a Hobbit or man of bree. 'Tinker' or trader walking trade routes between hospitable ports, bringing salt one day and returning with spices the next, making their living on their wits and quick tongue. They are always happy to have company on the roads.
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I like the Elf Captain. Makes it easier to understand how you got here. You just returned to Rivendell and Elrond said, “hey, some folks just left that could really use your help, hurry along and catch them!”
Finn Falconsonn could be a Barding Birdspeaker ... but I could be talked into Sunnric Song-Stauncher the Woodman
Not sure which culture would be best to represent, but either could also have been in Rivendell sharing their special skills with Lord Elrond and then get sent after the party.
Do what seems the most fun for you.
Looking through who's here already it seems like everything is covered apart from Messenger and Captain. With a dwarf, an elf, a Hobbit and 2 'men.' I've never played TOR before but it feels like a game that is less reliant on having all bases covered crunch wise and more about roleplay?
Yes, definitely. But it's still probably a good idea to cover those bases. :-)
I've a couple of ideas, do you feel either would be a good fit?:
1) An elf Captain, maybe from Rivendel. Prone to bouts of melancholia, reminiscing over lost times and the old glory of the elves. They have taken to wandering the world in search of some fulfilling task. Most at home in conflict physical or otherwise. Enjoys telling tales around a camp fire.
A messenger, either a Hobbit or man of bree. 'Tinker' or trader walking trade routes between hospitable ports, bringing salt one day and returning with spices the next, making their living on their wits and quick tongue. They are always happy to have company on the roads.
Well, we're losing our "Man" of Bree, Tilly. So another might not go amiss. But either concept is fine. Play what you think will be interesting!
So Erryll and Louxman (and Laird_Thorne, our newest player!), do you need help creating your characters?
Are we using standard book rules? I'll see what I can do tonight.
Going to go with the Rivendell Elf Captain
If Louxman doesn't mind, I may take up the other concept. I like that idea of the "Tinker" trader. :)
It looks simple enough, but will definitely reach out if have questions.
Apologies for delay. I'm here, just very busy at work of late with no time/energy to post. Feel free to bot me when needed and welcome to the newcomers! :)
If Louxman doesn't mind, I may take up the other concept. I like that idea of the "Tinker" trader. :)
It looks simple enough, but will definitely reach out if have questions.
Crack on! Just don't blame me when I end up hating my Elf and wishing I was you :)
Never quite sure how to share from Google Drive, does this link work?
That (with any luck) is the crunch as it stands, let me know if I've messed anything up. Also I'm happy to alter just about anything as people see fit, never played or made a character before so I'm open to hearing your wisdom.
I know its pretty combat centric as it stands, that's not to say I expect or want to be fighting the whole time. Elarioth is a warrior, learning other skills and finding his worth outside of a fight might just be what this adventure is all about for him.
I'll get the fluff written up ASAP.
Guys and gals: Elves of Rivendell are not on the menu. You can play Elves of Lindon (or if you have the supplement, Elves of Mirkwood). No high elves for now.
Hmmm, ok.
Something different then: A runaway hobbit, still a captain (though they don't know it), rotund, talkative, big heart.
Padraig Proudfoot
If that sounds ok I'll redo a character sheet.
Hmmm, ok.
Something different then: A runaway hobbit, still a captain (though they don't know it), rotund, talkative, big heart.
Padraig Proudfoot
If that sounds ok I'll redo a character sheet.
In THAT case, I will do a little more reading about elves (and would love to hear some commentary): I am rather enchanted with Círdan (LINDON), and I truthfully found Thranduil (MIRKWOOD) to be kind of a d@#k in the movies.
But my current concept is a distant cousin of Celeborn, an Elf of the Greenwood who as a 'child', split his time between his parent's homes of Lothlórien & Greenwood (which later became known as Mirkwood).
Right! Let's do it and get this show back on the road. Who needs help creating their character?
OK, take two.
Meet Padraig, naive and idealistic hobbit. His cheerful disposition and ability to bring people together are more useful than the sling he flings rocks with.
C&C welcome.
But my current concept is a distant cousin of Celeborn, an Elf of the Greenwood who as a 'child', split his time between his parent's homes of Lothlórien & Greenwood (which later became known as Mirkwood).
I'm fine with the second part, but let's not make anyone a nobleman or a kinsman of powerful monarchs.
OK, take two.
Meet Padraig, naive and idealistic hobbit. His cheerful disposition and ability to bring people together are more useful than the sling he flings rocks with.
C&C welcome.
Looks good. How's about a picture for that square, though?