Basically, if I want to run a one-off short module, if I want to test how I work with a group, if I want to do something short and sweet and at least a little bit wierd... it goes here!
Fair warning before we begin: I have attention deficit, dyslexia, and children (ages 5 and 2); I originally "wrote" much of this via a talk-type program on my phone while dealing with life stuff. I have since scanned it for potential errors, buuuu~uuut... eh, things slip by me. Sorry!
This PM has been sent to Just a Mort, Robert Henry, and Luke_Parry.
OK, so here's the deal. I'm actually excited about gestalt games, I enjoy strong characters with lots of options, and I like the concept of running a group of three through Rise of the Runelords! Further, I am happy I and flattered that anyone would ask me to GM; that shows a surprising amount of trust. Thank you. However, there are several caveats for my acceptance. I will understand if any of these are breaking points - I am not trying to be harsh or unfair or limiting, but I am trying to help myself (while making a better experience for each of you).
Caveat number one: I need someone to take care of the Maps for me, if we're going to use them beyond vague visual reference. As a GM, I do know some of my own weaknesses, and, especially on play by posts, for whatever reason, I am very bad at maps. I'm not sure why, and I can't really explain it - sorry! Most people have more or less agreed to theater of the mind, but still seem to be in the camp of, "I tend to prefer to have maps." - as a result, I propose this as a possible compromise. And whichever way you all, as a group, prefer is fine! But, if we use maps, I will need somebody to take over that duty. I will still be GM, I will still run the NPCs, their tactics, their motivations, and so on. But I will ask that someone else take care of the maps. What this means, as a slight byproduct, is that I will be relying on the three of you, or at least the map-person, to be able to separate their in-character and out-of-character knowledge. It's not going to be a lot of knowledge, mind you, but still. If you prefer to divide the duty between you, that's fine - it will be up to the three of you to determine how best to take care of this among yourselves - map, no map, or one or two or three map people. If the group is in more-or-less agreement with a plan, I'll go with it, unless it seems not to be working.
Caveat number two: I only "guarantee" that I'll run the first adventure, Burnt Offerings, at this time - that is, if everyone is having fun and wants to continue, I will not abandon the game; but I only guarantee that for the first installment. Harsh, I know, however I have to limit my promise to only running that first installment at this time. I know Just a Mort may be disappointed that I cannot guarantee going beyond that, at present, as that was a stated goal of hers; and I do apologize for that. That said, upon completion of burnt offerings, I will review where I and my mental/emotional state is, as well as where we are, as a group; at that point, I will see about the possibility of renewing my "contract" as a GM. I do apologize for not being able to guarantee more, however I do not wish to fail to uphold another promise or guarantee any more, involving play-by-posts. Thus, I will not commit to something that I cannot be certain to see through the end. Believe it or not, I'm actually excited about the idea of doing this, however I am aware of my own history, and, in the past, due to outside influence unrelated to the game itself, I've been known to build up a very unreasonable mental pressure on myself. To this end, I'm giving myself guaranteed break points so that I don't fail at a commitment I take seriously. It also may be easier to find a pick up or interim GM if you've got the first AP under your belt, and I flake for some odd reason. To ease any transitions between GMing styles (or even worlds/minor history), I will be providing your character with a couple of items/effects as part of their backstory. I will provide details after I start the game thread (presuming you still want me as GM). See below. Additionally, at the present time, I have only reviewed for Burnt Offerings.
Caveat number three: I have a (very limited) say in your character builds. This comes in three "flavors" as follows:
1) You must choose a single campaign trait, which must differ from each others' (the exact story of how long you've been there is adaptable - "born and raised" need not be an absolute statement - but it should somewhat influence your character backgrounds. You may choose two other traits - though I tend to prefer following the rules, if you have a compelling reason for "I really gotta have these two from this same category." perhaps we'll hash it out in the Discussion thread for the game.
2) I am glad to let you all gestalt, but I want your "second" class to be a a prestige class. You may ignore alignment restrictions (unless using your class abilities is inherently evil, such as sacrificing babies to a demon lord or something), spell casting prerequisites (though you need to choose a single class to progress your casting, if the class does), and base attack bonus. Required class abilities, skills, and feats are automatically granted to you as a "bonus" to your own. Required saves are reduced by two (minimum 0) and granted to you as a bonus to your own. Exactly what classes you can choose will be vaguely limited by your campaign trait, but I'm flexible enough to be swayed if you have a solid concept. I have seen most of your gestalt builds, and they generally go after, "this purpose, plus <extra>" - that 'extra' feature is pretty consistently able to be acquired via prestige class of some kind, and, to that end, I would like you to choose the PrC. Classes available come from: Core, Base, Hybrid, Occult, or Psionic. I am not familiar with Path of War, but have heard good things; talk to me, if it's a thing. I am also not familiar with the variant magic rules, but those, too, are on the table, if desired. I will be relying on those familiar with the systems to use them properly. If there is a third-party class you're hankering to take on... let me review it first.
3) choose a different 20-level class - you gain one feature of that class from ~2nd level, ~5th level, and ~11th level: if that feature changes quality or power with level, presume you're 11th level for determining it. If that feature is particularly lame, or non-extant, I'll work with you (for example, we may shop around for a 10th or 12th level ability in lieu of 11th; hence the "~" in front of the levels). You may choose an archetype, however you must follow the archetype's rules, here - if an archetype gives up something, you can't cheat your way around grabbing that. On the other hand, if you really want to exemplify a given class - such as, say, by grabbing two incompatible archetypes - work with me, and I'll be glad to do so with you.
4) I have three items/special effects I am granting to each character. These are metagame artifacts - specifically the scar of destiny (the in-game representative of people vanishing for some reason or another) and sliver of the amalgam mind (the in-game representation of group decisions made in the Discussion thread), both of which are in your characters since as long as you can remember, and each of you has discovered a singe hourglass of transfiguration at some point (just in case you're really dissatisfied with your character builds for any reason). Additionally, as a kind of "GM hint" mechanic, you collectively gain a (1/map) augury-like effect (CL = your level, but % correct is +9% more than normal for that spell) - in-character, each of you occasionally has "hunches" (or take impulsive actions that just kind of work out, or luck out/make lucky guesses, or experience moments of hypercognition, or however you want to flavor it) that tend to be accurate; don't abuse this; it's mean to help if you get stuck. In general this is limited to once per map (instead of once for each per map); assume off-screen your characters get something like this once per week or so to help out with "non-AP-essential" situations in-character.
5) While you guys can handle any resurrections that come up normally, I will be offering a partially in-character option as well. It is probably not as preferable as normal, but it will be there. This is partially related to the caveat below.
6) I want each of your classes to be as unique as possible - no overlap, if possible for your character concepts. If, on the other hand, you do have a strong concept that requires class overlap, sell me on it.
7) ... I don't know what I was going to write here; taking care of kids with ADD is a thing.
I am requesting this for two purposes - a) this provides flavor and focus for each of the characters and gives each of you (and me, and thus the world) a kind of "signature style" to know them by, and b) it lets me understand how to handle and think about your upcoming abilities. I am aware of pretty much every "broken" possibility this opens up, and, frankly, don't. By which I mean, "don't focus on how to get the most mathematical/numerical gain from this option, but instead come up with an interesting character." - this is not being against optimizing (heh, me against optimizing - that's funny), but rather I'm simply pointing out that you don't need it. You are part of a team: if we do this, I will want the three of you to chat about your builds together and develop something that works well, both for flavor, and for a team.
In requesting this, I'm not interested in forcing specific builds on people - instead, I'm pointing out a presupposition that I, as a GM, have, and will be looking at handling, as I can.
(Exclusively for the purpose of disclosure, I am of the opinion that there is a Caster/Martial-Disparity, and I understand it; I tend to think of casters' abilities as a feature, not a bug, and I understand the simplicity of the martials being a draw to many (though I would also enjoy there being powerful martial options). This is not meant as a convincing argument, but instead is meant to explain how I tend to view things.)
Caveat four:I want to play a single, short module with you, first. The characters in the module will not be the characters you use in RotR - instead, you know that second 20th level class you chose three features from? That one? Yeah, I want you to make a single-classed 11th level character from that class. I guarantee it will not matter how the module ends. Spoiler alert, this vaguely ties back to your characters in RotR, though not necessarily in a direct way. This will take place about six hundred years prior to the present (around ~4109 AR). You needn't concern yourselves with perfect accuracy or fidelity to the world at that time. It's enough to know that you're in the rough vicinity of Varisia, prior to its settlement by Cheliax (which won't come for another three hundred years after this period; Aroden's death is still nearly 500 years away, though all the Starstone gods have ascended). It does not matter which race, ethnicity, or region your character hails from, or if this differs a bit from history during that time - the vague basics are enough. I am going to be clear - your RotR character will recall snippets of this character's life. This will not be a long adventure, and it will hopefully show us how well we work together. If you aren't interested in making a perma-alias just for a short game, that's fine; in that case, feel free to simply use another alias. The name of the alias won't matter too much - in the profile page of whatever alias you choose to use, place your "real" character's name in the "Race" line before any other information. Similarly, feel free to temporarily change that alias' avatar, before changing it back, later, if you so desire. If you do want to make a "perma-alias" I encourage you to feel free (though let me know).
Caveat five: Though I will be as dedicated to this game as I can be, my highest priorities - even in gaming - are elsewhere. I may have temporary week-or-two hiatuses, generally due to travel or real-life events (especially the upcoming holiday, as well as the beginning of what may be a very long medical issue my oldest niece is going through). I will seek to avoid this, but it may occur. Especially if something significant enough happens with the latter event, I may excuse myself from GMing duties prematurely. Similarly, I can't promise a high posting speed. While I can guarantee at least one per day (presupposing I'm not in one of the other elements; and maybe more, depending on what's going on), I can't guarantee more than that. Though I'm a rather prolific poster, much of my posting is "in between" other things - the thoughtful, creative method of posting either is slow, or too much for my normal posting speed... and GMing certainly falls into this category, as it leaves me with a lot to talk about. I will also be running this same AP for my wife (it's a single-player game, though with six characters - and a very different set up/hidden backstory!), so if I make an occasional mistake... you now know why! (As if being ADD, dyslexic, and stay-at-home for two boys didn't cause enough confusion...) That said, I expect that since I'll be reviewing the AP for both groups, I'll be pretty solidly on it.
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Okay! So... that about sums up my caveats. If you still want to do this, let me know. If you decide that I'm not the GM for you... totally understandable; I've put up a few relatively large caveats and some weird elements to the game. I'm actually excited by the possibilities of this game, and hope you enjoy them too! I actually really like the idea of running this for you guys, and, in a perfect world, I'd commit the heck outta finishing the whole AP (as it sounds awesome)!
Also: holy carp! That PM looks so stinkin' formal! Uh... quick! I gotta do something silly! Um... um... um... does casting about in a mild quasi-panic count?! No? Still formal? Uh... I cast Power Word, Nonsense: *FRIPPERY*, I say! Hah! Formalize that worl-... oh. They, uh, they did.
Welp, I got nothin'. Guess it's strictly formal from here on out! Totes formal, that's me...!
If you have any clarification questions (Like, "What happens after we reach level ten?" or, "Who was the last of the Mohicans?"), we can hash those things out in the discussion thread, if I become your GM.
Thanks for considering (and asking) me.
Peace, and may the love of the Lord guide you and grant you peace and joy always,
~ Tac (or TL, or "hey, you")
P.S. HAH~! And you were worried about rambling, Robert Henry! Eat text, poseur!*
P.P.S. Oh, yeah! In order to lure me into this game, you must each post something in this thread, and this thread!** Muwahahahah~! I have gone mad with GM POWAH~!***
* (I do not actually recommend eating text, nor do I actually think of you as a poseur.)
** ((You don't actually need to post there, but I encourage you to post in Diego's, as he's a pretty awesome guy!))
*** (((That's a total lie. I was insane long before becoming a GM, and I'm not particularly angry at anyone...)))
GM Sekerit Project:
OH! POOP!
I forgot something super important, you guys!
I wanted to ask: what are your opinions (as a group) on the Big Six items? Are they must-haves for mechanics or for the experience (not experience points) it brings?
Does it make your heart happy to get that hidden gem of a +1 weapon, or do you just feel like it's a bonus you have to have to stay relevant? Or both? Do you like trading old weapons for new, or would you prefer an (extremely simplistic) "upgrade" system?
EDIT: It occurs to me that, depending on your lingo, you may not be aware of what I mean when I say "Big 6" - regrettably it's not Big Hero 6 (SUCH AN AWESOME FILM), but instead certain items that grant specific generic +X bonuses:
No, you cheating cheater peak-a-boos, it's not going to be a direct copy/paste of either of those.
Backstory or whatever wrote:
Oh!
Story!
Gotta have story!
*Ahem*
The backstory for this particular... event, as it were, is as follows:
A particularly wealthy elven "noble" (it's a loose translation) has lost his daughter - the young woman was last seen in the depths of a local forest. For reasons they're uninterested in discussing, the elves are unable (or unwilling) to go themselves.
They've promised a generous 11,000 gold - each - as well as a free restoration (and/or some sort of return from the dead, if necessary) for the safe return of the girl. The contract was was exceedingly focused on the fact that she be entirely unharmed. It recognized that some minor harm (such as cuts, bruises, or similar) may have befallen her, but nothing can be caused by your actions (directly or indirectly).
Before the contract was sealed, the father, apparently in a moment of fear for the well-being of his daughter, eventually confided in you that there was even more wealth to be had, if you would negotiate with the council that summoned you - apparently a vast horde of something north of 60,000 gold for the taking - easily double what the council was currently promising; he explained that you could negotiate for that, as well, and the elves would not trouble you, if you just asked. The council showed surprise, but agreed instantly - no negotiation, just agreeing that you could keep the horde of wealth (however large) said to dwell within the ruins. They did confirm that it was over 60,000 gold-worth, however.
That said, money was not the only thing they lured you with.
The strix was promised aid for his people. Golan was informed that, should he successfully complete this mission, the elves would actively assist the strix in their... "troubles" with humans down south. Though exceedingly suspicious, they'd gone to the trouble of delivering several exotic weapons and armors to his people merely as a lure, with the promise of combat techniques, negotiation advantages, and more.
The half-orc was guaranteed the extremely rare privilege (with guides!) of exploring some local ancient ruins, maybe even seeing "the tower" itself.
The last member of the crew, the *mumbles, mutters something, something, incomprehensible stuff*...
And so, with that clearly sorted out, the three were hired. Of course, they were promised the "right of salvage" - any foes faced may have their stuff confiscated.
Basic supplies were provided as-needed - mounts, basic survival gear, food, and the like (though it's all elven, so I suppose you get what you pay for...).
The trip to the ruins was surprisingly simple. A few bandits, a few minor nuisances... nothing major, and certainly nothing any of you couldn't handle in your sleep. The highlight of the trip was running into a nymph - she was unusually forward and open for one of her kind, welcoming you into her glade and by her pond - so long as you held no ill intent, of course. She was grateful for the company and conversation, though, upon mentioning of where you were headed, she gained a wide-eyed look, shook her head slightly, lower lip trembling, and quietly hurried off in tears.
When you found the ruins, you had to wonder if it was a joke... I mean... it's basically just a circle of collapsed menhirs in a dilapidated glade, albeit menhirs with ancient writing on them...
An edited version of this post with a bit more info will be forthcoming as the first post in Gameplay. The story and things promised is representative of what they would offer rather than definitive. Please update as you like. The backstories for these characters need not be as... extensive as those for the actual AP.
Doom of the Chocobo
http://www.1zoom.net/big/64/25075-aleni.jpg
Horned Lord
https://pre00.deviantart.net/9b91/th/pre/f/2015/178/a/b/xenagosthereveler_b y_jasonchanart-d8yze53.jpg
Witch of Fire
https://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/marveldatabase/images/8/80/X-Infernus_ Vol_1_3_Textless.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20100129035247
Heaven and Earth
https://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/marveldatabase/images/f/f6/1602_Witch_ Hunter_Angela_Vol_1_4_Textless.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150714235527
Tentacle Lady Two
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/monstergirlencyclopedia/images/9/97/280 _mindflayer_L.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/250?cb=20150614142749
Tentacle Lady Three
https://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/monstergirlencyclopedia/images/3/3f/Sh oggoth_L.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150729165013
Tentacle Lady Four
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/monstergirlencyclopedia/images/5/5f/Scy lla_0.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/362?cb=20130710011646
