Ustalav introduction campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Browman

For prospect GMs, I really recommend Master of the Game by none other than Gary Gygax himself. Fantastic read!

It's out of print so its best to get it from the library.

You guys don't mind my having Hailey taking an opposite, more suspicious view of everything and everyone, do you? It's just the way I am naturally.

I do not mean my role-playing to derail anyone else's enjoyment of the game, an accusation I have endured once before.

Reading what an expert has to say is rarely a waste of time.. even opposing viewpoints. I was just wondering because although we have followed a fairly straight line so far, its been pretty seemless.

You guys don't mind my having Hailey taking an opposite, more suspicious view of everything and everyone, do you? It's just the way I am naturally.

I do not mean my role-playing to derail anyone else's enjoyment of the game, an accusation I have endured once before.

Not at all. All gnomes are a bit quirky. Feel free to RP how you want.

Reading what an expert has to say is rarely a waste of time.. even opposing viewpoints. I was just wondering because although we have followed a fairly straight line so far, its been pretty seemless.

Well, I think the child birthing scene through our GM for a loop.

Personally, I'm enjoying the game because it feels a lot like a shark movie - one where Hailey gets to be the marine biologist. I love being put in that position.

It helps when your players want to do more than just kick down another door and kill everything on the other side. play by post also tends to focus more on role-playing than rollplaying

Another thing I love. You see, I'm an old hand at play by post, in 3.0 & 3.5 games. It's Pathfinder I am grossly inexperienced with.

Garekk wrote:

Reading what an expert has to say is rarely a waste of time.. even opposing viewpoints. I was just wondering because although we have followed a fairly straight line so far, its been pretty seemless.

Well, I think the child birthing scene through our GM for a loop.

I thought I handled that well. It would have been a lot harder to deal with in a face to face session.

lmao @ Roice.. yea, threw most of us for one, or at least it threw me! @Hailey: Play to your hearts content. I think that the quirkyness is part of the appeal. That and you speak your mind even when its contrary to popular oppinion.

Sir Rois Grave wrote:

Garekk wrote:

Reading what an expert has to say is rarely a waste of time.. even opposing viewpoints. I was just wondering because although we have followed a fairly straight line so far, its been pretty seemless.

Well, I think the child birthing scene through our GM for a loop.

I thought I handled that well. It would have been a lot harder to deal with in a face to face session.

especially trying to keep a straight face...

With the childbirth scene, I wanted a reason to be there beyond "we are all drinking in a tavern when...". :) Everyone handled it just fine.

I do have to say this. I think we've all gotten a bit brief in our posts compared to where we started. This is probably at least partially because at times we are posting remotely via phone. We all, myself included, could stand to do a more more expository writing.

Beyond that, I am pleased as punch to be in this campaign as my first PbP game in Pathfinder!

Admittedly, I'm an old hand when it comes to play by post. But only on a message board now long lost, and only in 3.0 and 3.5 games. That's how I knew what counter-spelling was. It's just that, while I've owned the core rule book for years, I have had very, very few actual opportunities to use it. So with Pathfinder, I am quite inexperienced and, as yet, am still thinking like a 3.5er.

I've played many types of characters, until I finally found my favorite niche: Druids from a half-orc subrace of my own creation that, eventually, became one of my self-published novels. They, of course, shun combat and physical violence as I do, but still allow for wonderous variation. Generally in practice, this results in half-orc druids who no one understands because they're not what you think they should be. In-game, they are world-class healers nearly equal to any cleric, though hardly any help in battle. Which is fine with me, for I dislike melee battles. Unfortunately, it is not a well-understood concept. Most people think in terms of warrior/mage/skilled thief/medic.

But I wanted to play against type this time, and wished to conform with the DM's requirements. So the intention was to create a cleric who ran wild with the ability to channel energy harmfully against his enemies, and as I began to create the character, the idea that, firstly, she's female, and secondly, that she's a cleric/wizard/mystic theurge just kind of created itself without a hint from me.

I suspect that you'll find your characters developed on their own in a similar way. There is something special about this game. Almost as if we're meant to be playing it. And I'm enjoying it.

We're almost there. Who'll break 1,000?

Guys, I might have to drop this game. The pace is too fast when combined with my timezone, Ilive in east Asia. I don't think I need to yet, but there are days when I wake up and there's more than 50 posts I miss. I love you guys and am having immense fun with this character, but I don't want to drag it at all or be absent for it. This is an amazing game, I'm happy to say it's my first pbp, but I don't know if this is sustainable for me.

Talking less frequently fits the brooding nature of your character. As long as you can post most days I don't consider it an issue if you are posting less than others.

It is true. We will see how it plays out. I guess I'm just voicing my concern then.

It is true. We will see how it plays out. I guess I'm just voicing my concern then.

Better that you voice your concerns now and we try to deal with them than you just disappearing because things get overwhelming.

Is there anything we can do to make things easier? I can slow the pace down a bit if that helps.

I feel like the pacing is fine because most of it is roleplay, which is amazing, it's just that when I wake up I have no idea how to interact when I read through it.

I don't really know if there is a 'solution' outside just reading through and posting when I can.

With combats thus far the pace slows down naturally, which makes it a lot more manageable. I don't know. But it's not like how I described above every day, just every so often.

I guess just assuming that Vorelloex is brooding to himself while bickering under his breath in draconic, staying near mostly Rois or Swift passively assisting if actual stuff is happening is the best way for now.

I assume I am speaking in accordance with the rest of the group, but I'll do anything in my power to make things easier for you to stay with us :)

Thanks buddy. This has been a blast certainly, and I certainly don't want to leave

We could limit the number of RP posts per day. Say, 2 posts for each player in the gameplay thread. Unlimited posts on the discussion thread.

It's not ideal...But it could be a good compromise so at can keep the party intact.

This game is going strong and i don't think anyone should quit because they feel overwhelmed. We will try to do what we can to keep you in the game.

Usually games have the opposite problem...no one posts. Ever.

This is a good problem to have and i am sure we will come up with a solution.

The two posts per day is a good idea. Excluding myself of course because otherwise things could bog down quickly. But I will try to avoid posting unnecessarily.

I will likely also lead to everyone doing longer posts, which is rarely a bad thing. It will probably also keep the gameplay thread more focused on game stuff than off topic.

And it will make the two post limit more worthwile. I like it!

I think I can live with that.. especially if it will keep everyone together. I don't want anyone to drop, and I certainly don't want anyone to feel left out or lost. I love the pace and the flavor of this group.. and the two post rule may help get the roleplay back up to par. May I make a suggestion of two posts and a rebuttal? Just in case there is a convo going on in game?

-Posted with Wayfinder

Two posts per day will limit our interpersonal interaction, though. Especially for Hailey, who can only post at night. That concerns me.

We have 7 players. If we do 2 posts per player that's 14 posts per day. Long ones too if we amp up the rp. With rebuttals, that's now 21 posts... and we are close to what we do now, I think.

If Vorel feels comfortable with the two post limit and thinks he can do more, we can add rebuttals. But i think he needs to make the call.

yeah idk if that would be the way to go either

i mean i dont mind being 'the brooding mysterious guy in the corner' when i have to be because of everything.

good effort at thinking of creative solutions though!

i have immense appreciation

the math does make sense though.

Has there ever been a precedent for anything like this in PbP history before? lol

Two posts per day will limit our interpersonal interaction, though. Especially for Hailey, who can only post at night. That concerns me.

Good point. Do you have an alternative suggestion?

I don't, really. I want to be inclusive but it shouldn't be inclusive for one person at the determent of another.

Maybe we just need to be conscious of avoiding several short posts when waiting a bit and doing one longer post is better. And keep the gameplay thread for gameplay, if everything yo are posting is OOC, then it should probably be in this thread rather than the gameplay one.

EDIT: I reformatted the figures to count in Bowman as GM...

I like to do things by the numbers, so I worked out the math.

Thursday (yesterday) we had 52 posts. 11 of these were ooc-only posts. So, we really had 41 gameplay posts.
22% of our posts are ooc-only posts!

Using 41 posts as a baseline, we currently have an average of 5 posts per player per day (7 players + Bowman)

So...

If we limit the number of posts to 2/day (16 posts), we reduce the number of posts by 25 posts (-61%).

If we limit the number of posts to 2/day + a rebuttal (so, 3/day), we reduce the number of posts by 17 posts (-42%).

4 posts/day = -9 posts (-28%)

I'm not going to make any suggestions right now. Please look over the math and think which of these you would be most comfortable with. Or, if you have another suggestion, feel free to post that as well :)

Sorry for short and few posts lately. I've been quite busy. I won't be able to post today/tonight with Voryn either. Browman feel free to npc him if needed, of if anyone else wants to control him that's cool with me too. He is with Sir Rois and Garekk. I'll be back tomorrow. Have fun.

I like to base things off of the numbers, so I counted the number of posts yesterday vs. posts that were ooc-only.

Thursday (Yesterday) 52 posts. 11 ooc-only posts
21% of our posts on gameplay thread are occ-only posts

If we eliminate the occ posts from the gameplay thread, that would leave us with 41 posts. That's an average of 6 posts per player per day.

That's still a lot. I think that 41 posts should be our baseline when talking about limiting the # of posts per day.

So...

If we limit the number of posts to 2/day (14 posts), we reduce the number of posts by 27 posts (-65%).

If we limit the number of posts to 2/day + a rebuttal (so, 3/day), we reduce the number of posts by 20 posts (-48%).

4 posts/day = -13 posts (-31%)

5 posts/day = -6 posts (-14%)

at 6 posts/day, we will be posting more frequently than we do now.

I'm not going to make any suggestions right now. Please look over the math and think which of these you would be most comfortable with. Or, if you have another suggestion, feel free to post that as well :)

How many of those posts were made by me?

Including the GM in an average post per person is probably going to skew the numbers.

As I said I think the best move going forward is that people try to combine posts when possible and keep OOC stuff out of gameplay.

Sir Rois Grave wrote:

I like to base things off of the numbers, so I counted the number of posts yesterday vs. posts that were ooc-only.

Thursday (Yesterday) 52 posts. 11 ooc-only posts
21% of our posts on gameplay thread are occ-only posts

If we eliminate the occ posts from the gameplay thread, that would leave us with 41 posts. That's an average of 6 posts per player per day.

That's still a lot. I think that 41 posts should be our baseline when talking about limiting the # of posts per day.

So...

If we limit the number of posts to 2/day (14 posts), we reduce the number of posts by 27 posts (-65%).

If we limit the number of posts to 2/day + a rebuttal (so, 3/day), we reduce the number of posts by 20 posts (-48%).

4 posts/day = -13 posts (-31%)

5 posts/day = -6 posts (-14%)

at 6 posts/day, we will be posting more frequently than we do now.

I'm not going to make any suggestions right now. Please look over the math and think which of these you would be most comfortable with. Or, if you have another suggestion, feel free to post that as well :)

How many of those posts were made by me?

Including the GM in an average post per person is probably going to skew the numbers.

As I said I think the best move going forward is that people try to combine posts when possible and keep OOC stuff out of gameplay.

Ya. I realized that right after I submitted. The changes have been made to the original post.

The math is sound, and as I am one of the culprits for the OOC posts, I will adhere more closely to moving those over to the discussion forum. I really dont think that there is much of a precedent for this.. Ive had the opposite problem for the most part.
One of the things that predisposes me personally to more posts is that 1) My job is pretty loosely structured time wise, and 2)even when the firewalls are being pissy, I found a app for my phone that makes it easier to read and post. Conceivably, I could post a whole lot more X-D.
Callie has a point, but I do not want to lose Vorell either. I think that other than the childbirth, his brooding and the great role play that evolved from that is part of what cemented this group from the beginning. All that being said, I really don't have any other suggestions.
Vorell.. Take a bit to think on this and decide what works best for you. One of my friends said it best last week, when talking about issues that we have been having getting a home game set up.. "I want this to be everyone's relaxation and a de-stressor from their lives; Not another source of stress."

"I want this to be everyone's relaxation and a de-stressor from their lives; Not another source of stress."

Absolutely! I couldn't agree more.

Swift: That may work, but then we run the major risk of splitting the party and not being able to hook up if there is trouble. I would rather have the group together, at least for the outset. Besides, splitting the group will increase the posts, and that may not be such a good thing right now.

Swift: That may work, but then we run the major risk of splitting the party and not being able to hook up if there is trouble. I would rather have the group together, at least for the outset. Besides, splitting the group will increase the posts, and that may not be such a good thing right now.

Then why don't we all meet up at the cathedral? Hailey is already there and the church would make a more secure safe house. Besides, most churches have some sort of protection spells cast on them which would make our job easier. Its probably a tall building, so we can put scouts on the roof and all that.

Garekk wrote:

Swift: That may work, but then we run the major risk of splitting the party and not being able to hook up if there is trouble. I would rather have the group together, at least for the outset. Besides, splitting the group will increase the posts, and that may not be such a good thing right now.

Then why don't we all meet up at the cathedral? Hailey is already there and the church would make a more secure safe house. Besides, most churches have some sort of protection spells cast on them which would make our job easier. Its probably a tall building, so we can put scouts on the roof and all that.

Fair enough, I was just trying to think of different ways to go about doing it :) If something were to happen to the church, we have to be sure they can get out. They are all funneled in there, makes it easier for the baddies to do their thing

Now are we going to just hole up there, or just defend it in case something happens so that we can get people in there? Maybe the best bet would be to start in the tavern, set scouts etc, then we would be able to escort those staying in the inn over to the church.

Hard to investigate the problem if we're waiting for an attack that may not come, guys. :)

My concern is that while we are investigating the town is being overrun with undead. I'd like to avoid that scenario, if possible.

Playing devils advocate here, but Callie does have a point.. we need everyone to weigh in before we decide. Also, whatever happened to the junior necromancer that we captured?

We left him with the baron, who, no doubt, will have him put in some type of punishment.

I think a 50/50 split with half in the investigation and half to shelter the town is reasonable. I know splitting the party is commonly said to a bad idea, but at times, it may be the only solution.

Instead of becoming the Persian Empire (not bashing them, I adore them)

Let's try the 2.5 post thing out. We will have to adjust a bit to making our posts more structured and potentially multi-faceted, but it might not be the solution we want in the long run.

I also don't think that I should be the sole 'decider' in this. I am but one person among a magnificent 8.

Ok.. So we have a working solution for now for the postings.. what are we going to do ingame? Calli and Hailey are out in town with swift, and the rest of us are at the ?tavern?.. Whats the next step?

yesh much confusion

I can join Hailey's group. I'm not sure where I am anymore XD So I figured I would let you know here.