GM_Eric |
Welcome to my run of WotR.
Some ground rules:
We are running with a large party; I won’t always wait for everyone to chime in on decisions. I’m fine ret-conning portions of conversations/etc.
The first week of game time (not real world time) is pre-adventure starting. Please interact with each other and Kenabres. Invent places/shops/inns/temples as needed or use any of the larger well known locations. I’m happiest if you’re building off each others stories, helping to create our version of the city and your character’s place in it. I’ll chime in from time to time, but this is mainly you’re chance to introduce yourself and set the stage. If you’re character wants to be a loner until the adventure starts, please indicate that in the discussion thread and others will respect that, (i’ll try to throw extra RP opportunities your way during this stage to help keep you involved.)
Please don’t interact with Anervia, Aravashnial, Horgus, or Irabeth directly at this point. I’m ok with other named NPCs (such as Terendelev, etc) being interacted with.
GM_Eric |
So I think everyone has reported in to one of the two threads.
I just got home from running my IRL tabletop group through their second session of this AP, extremely excited to get this one going.
I'll chime in a bit in the RP thread in the morning, doing some stage setting. But don't worry about finalizing profiles, I expect the weekend will be a little slow -- for those of us in the US, its a three day weekend for many, plus valentines day. I know I'll be out of posting from Friday night through Sunday. If people have time, would be great to see some introduction roleplay.
GM_Eric |
Let me know if you'd like more direct interaction from me, or more just "scene setting" as I've been doing. I'm really enjoying what's already emerging, think we've got some great characters (and players behind them) here.
Abdul-Azim Usama Samad |
I wouldn't mind meeting some of the party. If your feeling thirsty or hungry come on over the the Defenders Heart. Set with the strangly dressed Quadiran sitting by himself :) I am trying Azim as a mix of Antonio Bandaras in the 13th warrior and Saladin't General from Kindom of Heaven the one Orlando Bloom let go close to the start with a horse.
Abdul-Azim Usama Samad |
GM_Eric |
No problem. I'll probably get one more gameplay post in before I disappear for friday evening/saturday all day. I should re-emerge on Sunday, but that could be late in the day.
Trying to gradually steer the party into two groups, possibly getting everyone to Defender's Heart. No problem with me if the two groups split and re-mingle or all coalesce. I'll probably start steering things into the official start (Armasse) early next week.
For the characters who live in Kenabres, would love if your home/temple/neighborhood/neighbors get invented/worked in.
Abdul-Azim Usama Samad |
GM Eric, I seemed to make a huge mistake, I haven't played a Dervish in a long time and I wanted to go STR build, but it seems Battle Dance only works in light or no armor. Would it be terrible or too late to switch a a muse touched and go DEX build? I only ask as I was going to wear full plate but that won't work now and my AC will stay poop. Thanks and sorry just let me know.
GM_Eric |
That's fine with me. Is that going to impact your backstory or your planned multi-classing?
Abdul-Azim Usama Samad |
No it won't it is if anything more consistant with being a Dervish of Sarenrae. I'm still going Oath of vengenance paladin. This Oath maybe will come into play when I find Hana has been captured/murdered/changed sides. Will leave the details up to you :) thanks. Is it too late to pick up a drawback and a trait. Muscel of the Society would be nice as I still want to portray the larger build guy but he never mastered using his strength more farmer strong when it matters. Thanks for being understanding. Guess I shouldn't have rushed to get him done :)
GM_Eric |
Muscle of Society and Love Sick sounds like a good trait/drawbakc pair. I've no problem with you adding those.
Mia Rumsfield |
GM, bird familiars like the thrush are able to speak 1 language i can.
How would you rule their vocal performance in doing so?
As in, can they do a variety of voices, like high voices and low voices?
This is not mentioned in d20's description, but flavor wise it would be fun if the bird could.
GM_Eric |
Hmmn... Thrushes are reasonable mimics.. I'd say the familiar would be able to do voices, probably well enough to be recognizable as a person that is well known to the audience, but not well enough to confused as the persons voice... Ie the bird is obviously doing a good impression.
GM_Eric |
Hmm the defender's heart scene didn't go as I thought it would :) that's what makes this so much fun. I have a few ideas for what to do next, but waiting a bit to see if the entrance of Baradesh engenders anything before I introduce the next element.
For the three on the street, I feel like there should still be more to that meeting before I move it along so I'll give that another couple of hours.
If anyone has particular aspects of their character they'd like to explore during this meet & greet time period, please drop me a PM.
GM_Eric |
There's no intrinsic plot reason for him to linger. If he's through with his introduction to Meria and Mia, feel free to move him along and I'll come up with something else for him.
GM_Eric |
Going to add some Kenabres details here to help people decide where they might want to go. These are all very public locations that just about any local would be able to give directions to.
Kenabres is a large city, population 12,000. However its swollen with additional people in preparation for Armasse. The city itself is built atop a cliff overlooking the West Sellen river. Old Kenabres contains the innermost and oldest district of the city. The main landmarks of in Old Kenabres are Cathedral of Saint Clydwell, Clydwell Plaza (the site of the Armassee celebrations), the main Temple of Iomedae, and the Kite (the stronghold housing the city's Wardstone. Crusaders pledging their service, tend to do so at the Cathedral rather than the Temple (but both are dedicated to the Inheritor). There's a few homes here, normally old families that never decided to build larger houses in the more spacious outer districts. Many more governmental buildings and garrisons.
The next district out is the "Ring District" containing the rest of the northern and southern regions of the highest elevation (after Old Kenabres) . Truestone Park lies here, a favorite place for crusaders back from the front to seek out nature and rest. This is primarily an administrative district, few people live here. If you're looking for a government official, you can likely find them here.
"New Kenabres" encricles the eastern and southern edges of the Ring District. (The western edge is still the walls atop the cliff face). Home to the more affluent families who wanted a larger estate that what would fit in Old Kenabres. Numerous warehouses are also present.
The final district is the "Gate District", which encases all of New Kenabres and the northern edge of the Ring District. The western edge is still the wall atop the ciff face. Most of the population lives and works here. Temples to all the allied deities ( Abadar, Sarenrae, Sheyln, and Torag). Defender's Heart is the largest and most famous inn. There's also the Librarium of the Broken Black Wing, one of the foremost libraries on demon lore.
North of the city are vast camps of different crusading orders, both formal and allied with holy orders, and those informal troops of low templars.
GM_Eric |
Don't worry, not a plot device. Nothing is critical right now, was just trying to get the characters talking :).
Just want the characters to meet each other (or not) and meet people in Kenabres before Armasse. I will probably fast forward a few days at some point, once I have some ideas what everyone is likely to be doing
GM_Eric |
That sounds intriguing. The bar downstairs from my work has a blueberry mead I keep meaning to try.
GM_Eric |
Might be telegraphing a bit too much, but I'd appreciate it if you can jot down on your character sheets which equipment is always on your character and which they leave behind at an inn/rented room if they're generally staying put in the city.
GM_Eric |
Thanks! I've also reached out to two of the characters that we haven't seen in a while (more than 48 hours) to see what I can do to help draw them back in. I'm aiming to get the story moving (to get to a cliff hanger for the expected slower weekend)
GM_Eric |
Might be a touch too meta-gamey, but.... for the sake of plot:
Yes that is a Balor and a ancient silver dragon fighting. Yes the Balor is accompanied by other similar powered demons as well as many weaker ones. No, your PCs are NOT expected to engage said high-end demons. If you try, don't be surprised if you get stepped on and killed (literally and/or figuratively)
Assume you have a few minutes in game time before the next large-scale event happens. That's not going to be enough time to get out of the plaza, but otherwise I'm pretty good with whatever you come up with (collectively or individually).
GM_Eric |
OK, hopefully this gets things moving :)
I know its the weekend, so I expect things will be a bit slow again. But I should be around and I'll try to get some RP hooks going, if people are posting.