The Walking Dead of Golarion, by GM Fiendish

Game Master Fiendish Zen

My male wizard, Tolvan, has a relationship with Anna, the party's rogue in our Carrion Crown game. The rogue's player, also a male, initiated it, but has done great job not breaking the 4th wall and its PG at best. It also very much made sense in the setting of horror for that character, trying to be so independent, to suddenly need someone. It was like she came to him in a moment of weakness after loosing a party member. Our DM had done a very good job creating a real feeling of horror - it was somewhat over the top.

The relationship is complicated. If Tolvan were to do anything to try to define it he would likely loose Anna. She comes to him when she needs him and he knows better than to push for anything more for now. Yet, she is protective of him and quite jealous. I have to say its made the AP more interesting and enjoyable for everyone playing I think.

If you are really interested there are 5500+ posts Here. Its been one of my all time favorite games.

Our DM, who was superb for almost 2 years, recently had to drop. One of the players has found a new DM to take over and I look forward to seeing where the relationship, and campaign goes next year.

That's an interesting question Lenneth :)

I've not RP'd relationships as such via PbP yet (though have in RL games for both PC/PC and PC/NPC pairings), but as Polo says I think the PbP medium is actually really good for it, being part game and part collaborative novel.

Your question is actually quite well-timed for this campaign given the potential Solace has for extensive relationship building, so it's worth my commenting here so everyone is sure where my boundaries are too.

So my general approach is to present the opportunities for characters to engage in pursuing a relationship if they want to, I try to make my NPCs living and breathing people so they will respond according to their personalities and the demands of the situation.

As to the er, urm, 'intensity' of the writing, there is likely to be little need to go beyond a PG level to describe relationship actions. Mills & Boon level description of a scene is probably unnecessary, we can all operate on the understanding that where relevant a 'fade to black' is inclusive of naughty business ;p

I think the golden rule really is to go with your own comfort level, and you can always check with a player or me first via a quick PM if you aren't sure! I think we have a mature group of players here so let's not be embarrassed about asking each other and potentially losing what could be another enriching facet of the playing experience.

Oh and just for the record, I have no prejudice around gender and fully support Paizo's approach that characters can find love with whoever they choose!

***

On a separate note, Merry Christmas to everyone!

I hope you and your loved ones enjoy the festive holiday to the fullest :)

I'll still be updating when I get the chance but don't stress about keeping up with posting as it's a busy time for everyone!

Yep, happy holidays everyone.

I agree Paizo has been deliberately open-minded in their presentation of relationships in their published work which is to be commended in fairness.

However, on a practical level, I can't see how small and medium sized races might couple (average halfling is about 3 foot, average human is about 5'6") so it's lucky Polo hasn't moved on from his wife because Whisper seems pretty cold at the moment!

I echo what has already been said, it can really help build the rp and give another dimension to the characters pc/pc or even pc/npc.

I like to flirt a little in games (pc/npc normally) and in my home games anyone i would get attracted to would normally end up dead.(Im sure all to advance the plot) So i get teased a little for now falling in love with the main female npc.

But yes, we're all grown up and i don't see any major problem if we act it.

Also i'd like to wish you all a happy holiday!

Merry X-mas.... everyone!

Thanks for humoring me with my questions, everyone! You've all actually given the most positive feedback for relationships within a game in general, both NPC/PC and PC/PC. To be fair, most of the responses I've gotten have been neutral to good, with a few people hesitant whether PBP is the best format since you don't have the advantage of knowing the other player IRL. I'm glad that everyone seems comfortable with the idea if it should come up, though I should clarify that my own personal comfort level is also around the PG13 level so don't worry about naughty things in the gameplay thread ;)

However, on a practical level, I can't see how small and medium sized races might couple (average halfling is about 3 foot, average human is about 5'6") so it's lucky Polo hasn't moved on from his wife because Whisper seems pretty cold at the moment!

One of the players in my Kingmaker PBP has a halfling lover written into his backstory...the character is 6 feet+ so I'm morbidly curious about how that would even work! But anyhoo...

In other news, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and the like! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and that you receive your heart's desire, whether it's something material or something less tangible. And for those that find this time of year to be difficult, hang in there - it's almost over :)

I've seen some well-done relationships on the boards, and keeping with the PG-ish board guidelines keeps things from getting too uncomfortable. Fiendish, I'm with you on supporting Paizo's inclusivenes.

Enjoy the holidays, everyone.

For funsies, I've been searching the internets lately for cool portraits to represent some of my PBP characters. This is what I came up with:

Lenneth
Indigo

DeviantArt is like a goldmine for this stuff :)

Nice.

Sorry, folks, my access is going to be spotty for the next few days. Feel free to bot Valex as needed, and I should be all calmed down and caught up by next Tuesday.

Thanks.

This game really messes with your emotions :/

This game really messes with your emotions :/

All the feels ;_;

And this is the only game I'm in that's more or less still updated as usual over the holidays so I don't even have the benefit of levity from my other games right now :\

I feel like this is only the beginning..

On the bad side, sorry its made you sad :( On the good side yay for you being so involved with the story :)

Well, it's an hour in to 2015 for me here in New Zealand, so Happy New Year!

Thanks for making my little homebrew such a success, it wouldn't be half the game it is without its fantastic players :)

Wherever you are, hoist a glass and chant 'brains!' ;p

Happy New Year to you too. Still almost 14 hours to go here in central USA.

Happy New Year, everyone! (Almost; 17 minutes to go here!)

I first heard this song used in a fan video for a zombie game, but it always makes me think of this game when I hear it :)

Standing at the End of the World

Happy new year to you all!

Ah thanks for sharing Lenneth, good pick!

For the moment, the following is the song that resonates with the campaign most for me...

The late Great Mr Cash

How about everyone else?

Happy New Year, everyone! (Almost; 17 minutes to go here!)

I first heard this song used in a fan video for a zombie game, but it always makes me think of this game when I hear it :)

Standing at the End of the World

Never heard this one. Reminds me of Timbuck 3. I like it. :) too cheery for the theme of this game. though.

Ah thanks for sharing Lenneth, good pick!

For the moment, the following is the song that resonates with the campaign most for me...

The late Great Mr Cash

How about everyone else?

My wife is a big Johnny Cash fan. I remember when this first came out. Very well done. Almost too true to his life.

I had not thought of a song to contain the theme of this campaign - it may be too big for a single song.

Never heard this one. Reminds me of Timbuck 3. I like it. :) too cheery for the theme of this game. though.

Well yes, it's a little too cheery for the game at this very moment but I thought it was fairly fitting over all. Of course I also have a warped sense of humor, so there's that :3

Still here; Lenneth just doesn't have anything to say at the moment that someone else hasn't already said better.

We have had a death in the family. Sorry for my recent slow posting. And I may not do much better for a few days.

I'm sorry for your loss, Lilith. You and your family are in my thoughts.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Sorry to hear that Lilith, thanks for letting us know.

Take your time, we'll be here when you're ready.

Sorry to hear that, Lillith. Take care and all the best to you and your family

Sorry to her, Lilith. Take care of you and yours.

Sorry for your loss Lillith, take care.

Thanks for the well wishes. It was my father that passed away. I spent two days without sleep in an ICU waiting room. The most helpless I have ever felt. He seemed to be gaining strength after open heart surgery, but had a heart attack about 30 hours after the surgery. They could not revive him. I am actually working today but will be traveling to his home town tomorrow and Wednesday to do the funeral and handle estate issues. I am the oldest of 4 and am really doing fine. My stepmother, who has never been the most stable person, is having quite a hard time though.

You have my condolences. To loose someone is always hard... to loose a parent or a child is lifechanging.

That was a fun exchange with nikolai ;D

I enjoyed it as well. :)

I enjoyed reading it, can't wait to see what's to come!

Ditto

Lilith could cast Invisibility on herself and they dimensionally step in past the door to observe Violet more closely with +20 to stealth from invisibility its unlikely she would be observed. Thoughts?

You can do as you like but I would like someone to stare guard outside if you needed help. Someone big strong who could break down a door.. Azmerai

Righit. If she were to do this she would do it now, with everyone outside the door. My hesitation that that 1) I might need the spell later, and 2) I really doubt looking over her shoulder will reveal much.

Just to let you know guys, I am going on holiday next week until Monday 26th. It's unlikely I will have much access at all

All good Polo, will bring PoloBot online when necessary.

Going anywhere exotic?

I am traveling from the 17th through the 24th myself, but hope to have decent internet most of the time. I am traveling to Iceland through Toronto.

Bulgaria on a ski trip. Been keeping up to date and there's tons of snow and cheap beer :)

Enjoy, Polo. Lilith, vacation or work trip?

Borovets?

Be safe and enjoy your trips, you two :)

Assuming that Lilith's is also vacation and not a work thing, that is.

I have been to Borovets previously Lilith but last year and this we went to Pamporovo. Great for us because it's suitable for a range of abilities, really goodski school and nice town with restaurants and bars. Can't wait.

Where do you live Polo?

Swansea in Wales (Here!)

Where is everyone from whilst we are talking about it?

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. (Though my last boss was from Aberswyth...gratuitous Welsh connection for ya!)

I have lived most of my adult life in Huntsville Alabama where I work for NASA. My wife and I like to travel and get about when we can. I have traveled to London, but not Wales. Rest assured that Wales is on my list though.

Munich Bavaria Germany.