To Worlds Unrambled

Game Master Scribbling Rambler

Hey all, I added some House Rules to my DM Rambler profile.

Check them out and let me know what you think, though the Grapple rules will probably not change until we play with them a bit.

I'm not sure these are gonna work for me....

Hey all, we've been bogging down a bit again lately. I know that site issues contribute, and I'm as guilty of the occasional lapse as anyone, but I have a few suggestions which may help (in any of the games).

• Come up with some standard procedures: door opening procedure, post-combat procedure, room entry,... It makes it a lot quicker if I know that Thorthal is going to try all the key-rods, then Haer Kul picks the lock, but Morgrom is first into the room (for example).
• Also try to come up with standard formations: single file order,
  double file order, how we generally are positioned near a door.
• Split up the loot and let me know where it is. Roy has been tracking things on a spreadsheet, but it would be a big help if we all knew who had healing potions and keys (at the least).
• Be more assertive in your action statements, even if your character isn't. Rather than ask, or say "I think", choose an action. I will give time for people to contradict a declaration, if appropriate. Similarly, just roll for healing you give to somebody - if they don't want it, it can always be contradicted later. Often I have been waiting for a final decision, which gets me out of the rhythm of posting.
• Try to keep your banners up to date, to help everyone with things like who needs healing.

Thoughts?

Sounds good.
For door opening procedures, Slick will stand to the side of the door with his back to the wall and katana out, if possible, ready to run in first if initiative goes his way. His goal is to be out of sight. If there is no square beside the door that is out of sight, he will stand in third rank behind Haer Kul and whoever is next, which should be someone with a 20' move.

Bardos will fill the "whoever is next" spot.

Ok I propose the following door opening procedure for this spaceship or whatever.

- Petronicus and Haer Kul take 10 to do a quick search for traps
- If no traps, we touch the metal rods to the door opening thingy until it opens and step out of the way
- Thorthal fills the breach so he is first with his stumpy little legs.
- If the rods don't work, Haer Kul attempts to pick the lock, taking 10.

Make sense?

For post combat, we automatically search any downed opponents and try to identify any items found, taking 10.

This seems good.

If a door doesn't open after this procedure, then depending on the urgency, Haer Kul can either roll disable device checks until he gets it or until it's clear he won't, or he can take 20, or we can just pick another door.

May I suggest that you give all of the key-rods to whomever is going to usually be first through the door?

Yep let's give the keys to Thorthal.

Thorthal is fine with opening the doors

Edit: And being the first one to walk into the ambushes

I guess Bardos didn't see your edit.

Thorthal would like to use the +1 studded leather armour we found. Anyone object?

I think that's a good idea.

Sounds good to me

All yours.

After 2 years of gameplay, I finally got Haer Kul's name reference!

Did you also know he's Haer Kul the Pyro?

Welcome to gaming with Roy.

Hey all,
Taking a Delay action is a bit more problematic in pbp.
Don't get me wrong, it's still tactically sound, and often the best choice. However, it is harder to "speak up" when you want to act than it would be in a tabletop session.
So whenever possible, please indicate when your character is acting after delay, and even give their actions if appropriate.
EX: Montegue delays until somebody flanks his opponent, then will stab stabbity doom: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 17 + 2 = 217d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 5, 2, 6, 2, 3) = 27