Welcome to the Dragon's Demand campaign module! Please dot and delete in the gameplay thread, and use this thread to discuss the opening of the game.
Pre-Game
Take a moment to discuss your characters and find their place. For the purposes of this campaign, it's best the PC's are not natives of Belhaim. This adventure assumes you've only recently arrived. If it would make sense for your characters, a man named Silas Gribb offers you a job as caravan guards, and you need the money. So, it's possible some of you might have known each other for awhile, or maybe just met that day. One or two of you might be in Belhaim for other reasons, because your character would not likely be a caravan guard.
Please discuss any pre-existing connections, relationships, or knowledge of each other your characters might have, but I don't expect you all to have big interwoven stories.
Posting rules
Please plan on posting AT LEAST 5 times a week. I would love to keep a fast pace on this game, because PbP is a slower medium by its nature. I will try to post at least once a day. If everyone has made a post since my last GM post I will do something to move the action forward. If we are waiting on a few posts, I will give reactions or answer questions but give time for everyone to have their say.
Once all but one PC has posted, that final PC has 24 hours to post or I will bot them. If we are in combat rounds, the botted action default will be to make an attack with the last weapon used. I will never bot a player to use any per day ability or other limited resources. If we are not in combat, your botted action will essentially be a variation of "Durian the Wanderer smiles and nods".
If you are going to miss posting due to any real life situation, that is perfectly ok. Real life issues happen. I'm sure I will have them come up as well over the course of the game. Please give us as much warning as you can, and I will happily bot you during your absence and will have your PC do anything you ask me to have them do.
Missing posts
If you do not post anything for a week without letting us know that you will be missing, I will consider your character gone. I will write them out in a suitably spectacular manner and we will move on. I apologize if this sounds harsh, but I have to draw a line somewhere. I would love to play this one to the end, which takes awhile, and I want to try to keep things moving.
Game Style
In the end, I want you all to have fun. Please please please give me feedback on how things are going. I want to make this a rewarding and fun campaign, but I know there are many ways to run a game.
If I'm completely honest with you, I'm probably more of a flexible GM than a strict by-the-book-all-the-time GM. When the stated rules don't serve the narrative well, I'll probably rule in favor of narrative and bend/break/create rules as needed. (If it's a situation where I'm not familiar with the mechanics or rules super thoroughly, this may happen). However, I will play creatures and NPC's as by-the-book as possible, and will ALWAYS abide by the dice roll.
I do like to tweak encounters as we go, either up or down in difficulty to match the party. If you feel like things have gotten too easy, let me know and I will try to keep things engaging and challenging.
This module is "kinda linear," in the sense that it's completely possible to skip entire sections of this campaign unintentionally!. So while the occasional NPC might strongly suggest against certain courses of action, I am happy to roll with the punches if you guys try unexpected solutions.
I would like to highly encourage interaction between PCs. Talk in character, learn about each other, let your PC personalities show through. This medium is awesome for RP if you want it to be. Don't feel like you have to just post once a day and wait for a GM post before posting again. Have conversations, come up with plans, try to figure out the back stories, etc.
Hopefully we will all have fun with this! I love this module and am so excited to run it.
Thomas came by a boat that stopped in Belhaim for resupplying and making repairs. Since there's no way of knowing when the trip will continue or when another boat might show up, Thomas settles in and finds a place to stay, the Wise Piper Inn.
So he's been here for two days, and would only know people that came with the same boat. Might have had a drink with someone in the Inn.
Joriannika also came by boat, but it was a family houseboat/river trading vessel. Perhaps it was the same one? The family that owns it rescued her from the river after an ambush on the vessel she was on previously. She's looking for a way to repay them - but she lost all her coin to the river bandits, so she can't stay at the inn.
Also, just FYI, next weekend I'll have guests and probably won't be able to reply.
Guruthos came down from the north, accidentally passing through Galt, barely making it out alive. He would typically sleep out in the surrounding forest, but in his haste to escape a mob of angry Galtans, he lost his tent. He is now searching for a place to stay, though he is too low on funds to stay at the Inn. He is hoping to trade a few animal skins he's gained from hunting to the local furrier for a few gold. He overheard a man (Silas) looking to hire caravan guards, so he would accept that so long as he's not expected to talk and interact much.
It is possible that Guruthos met Marana while hunting.
To be clear, Silas hired his caravan guards in Cassomir. The reason any of the PC’s he hires get stranded in Belhaim is because he won’t be around very long to pay them.
@Joriannika: not the same boat. You where heading north, that's where I am from.
@Thomas: I was heading north, but it's possible that I passed you on your way south before the bandits ambushed the ship I was on. I could have floated downstream and been found by the trader boat. A bit of a reach, but not impossible. Or it could have been a different boat, as you prefer.
To be clear, Silas hired his caravan guards in Cassomir. The reason any of the PC’s he hires get stranded in Belhaim is because he won’t be around very long to pay them.
So he hired us in Cassomir, then stiffed us at Belhaim?
When gameplay starts (And it will once I get a confirmation that final crunching is done and everyone has sorted out their backstories), it will start with those who traveled with Silas arriving in Belhaim as twilight falls.
I will be posting links to maps, town info, and a loot sheet soon. Today was a busy day.
@Thomas: I was heading north, but it's possible that I passed you on your way south before the bandits ambushed the ship I was on. I could have floated downstream and been found by the trader boat. A bit of a reach, but not impossible. Or it could have been a different boat, as you prefer.
No, why not. Sounds good. So, I was on that family-owned trading vessel that was on its way back to Andor from picking up Kelish cloth in Yanmass. Your ship was taking the route through Taldor towards the Fog Peaks. We pulled you out of the water four days ago and I have been healing your wounds. Thomas is quite the charmer, but hasn't seen much of the world beyond his hometown and some foreign traders. You feel he tries to keep some things secret.
Joriannika was waterlogged but very grateful to you and the traders. She seems immediately trusting, and while you can tell that she's mad at the river bandits, she doesn't let it stop her from cheerfully speaking with everyone on the new vessel. She's both helpful, as much as her pre-healed wounds allow, a good listener, and chatty where Thomas is more reserved... but she doesn't speak much of her life in the city. Rather, she speaks at length about her idealistic views and how they will help Galt, once she eventually gets there.
"But Belhaim is my port of call for now," she cheerily announces as the boat docks. She thanks the family profusely for their help, and promises to repay them as soon as she can. "I always keep a promise!"
She went with Thomas to the Wise Piper, just to keep him company as she tried to figure out what to do.
:)
___
The loot sheet is up. It should be set so that you're all able to edit the page. We will use this to track party loot and wealth distribution. Each player should claim one of the bottom tabs, put your starting wealth in the appropriate cell on the right, and fill out what gear you purchased. It should auto-calculate your net at the top.
On the main page, whenever the party sells loot, we'll enter it there, and all gold distributions will be entered as "purchases".
This was borrowed from another campaign I'm in, and I'm pretty sure the GM said he borrowed it from someone else.
Maps and Info still to come.
Guruthos will be traveling with Silas, and when he finds out that he won't be paid, he will be concerned (as he only has 7gp and a copper). He may seek out the hunting lodge and the furrier to see if they need any traps built.
GM, maybe I'm missing something, but I've looked around and do not see a link to the loot sheet. Sorry for the newb question (haven't done PBP in a few years), but where would I find it?
It's okay. Top of the screen, above the campaign info tab. It'll be more obvious once I post more links up there.
Okay, now it should be set up so that anyone with the link can edit!
Unless you all are okay waiting until tomorrow, if Gobo and Trevforshort haven't sounded off here by this evening (let's say 6pm CDT), I will replace them. I was hoping to get this second table started this morning.
I don't mind waiting.
It's okay. Top of the screen, above the campaign info tab. It'll be more obvious once I post more links up there.
I see it now, thank you.
I'm ok with waiting until tomorrow for them.
Okay. That works for me as well.
Huh, so I took the average rogue starting wealth (140gp), but forgot to add the +15% for having a craft (Trapmaking). Neat, I'm not as broke as I thought I was!
Edit: claimed a tab and entered my stuff. Confirmed it matches my Hero Lab.
how many are we awaiting still? Is four players enough? most APs and modules are designed for this size. I think the original Inquisitor is missing, right?
Correct. This module was designed for four PCs, I was going to run it with 5 because of some sage advice I was given. We're technically still waiting on our original inquisitor and the monk that Gobo Horde had submitted.
@Tivilio, if you would like to play your arcanist as well, that's fine.
I've also informed @Krisam that he could dual-play Joriannika and his knife master unchained rogue, Hanzo Belkin, if he so wishes. (I say he out of convenience, obviously not knowing nor caring about anyone's gender). ^_^
In any case, we need to get started. So with the three we have, I'm going to start the campaign. I'll leave room for Marana if Trevforshort decides to join us.
I should have our first gameplay post done in the next 60 minutes (I'm at work, gotta multi-task).
good news! I never thought about that. But one person playing multiple PCs really speeds things up :)
I can play my Arcanist if he's needed. I'll need to come up with a backstory for him, but I should be able to do that in a day or two.
Okay:
Okay, I guess we've got a party! (I was SO tempted to make a joke about getting this party started. You have no idea.)
Hanzo was with the caravan, so he could know Guruthos? Probably only superficially, considering your background, but maybe they were on a few watches or rode point guard or something together.
Okay, I guess we've got a party! (I was SO tempted to make a joke about getting this party started. You have no idea.)
Hanzo was with the caravan, so he could know Guruthos? Probably only superficially, considering your background, but maybe they were on a few watches or rode point guard or something together.
Yes, and given that they're both unchained rogues (at this point, anyway), they have some common ground. Guruthos is pretty stand-offish and quiet, but a simple head-nod might speak volumes for him.
Okay:
** spoiler omitted **
Sounds good, I'll prep him this evening, but don't feel obligated to use him unless you feel we need him. I'm fine either way.
Yes, and given that they're both unchained rogues (at this point, anyway), they have some common ground. Guruthos is pretty stand-offish and quiet, but a simple head-nod might speak volumes for him.
Guruthos might notice that Hanzo's only weapons are the long knives he keeps tucked away. He isn't talkative like Joriannika, but he doesn't fall in the stand-offish camp with Guruthos either. He seems wary, watchful, like it's ingrained in him... but not unfriendly.
And he does tell some good jokes around the campfire at the evening meals.
Guruthos may catch Hanzo looking at his mask once in a while, a speculative look on his face, but he never brings it up in conversation.
ETA: Friday-Sunday I'll have guests, so I probably won't be able to post then. Feel free to drag Joriannika and Hanzo along on any harebrained schemes. :D
Guruthos might notice that Hanzo's only weapons are the long knives he keeps tucked away. He isn't talkative like Joriannika, but he doesn't fall in the stand-offish camp with Guruthos either. He seems wary, watchful, like it's ingrained in him... but not unfriendly.
And he does tell some good jokes around the campfire at the evening meals.
Guruthos may catch Hanzo looking at his mask once in a while, a speculative look on his face, but he never brings it up in conversation.
Guruthos is quite used to people staring at him, be it his mask or what is underneath. He's also quite content to let Hanzo do the talking. If asked a question, he will typically answer as briefly as possible, preferably with a shrug. Because he must remove his mask to eat, Guruthos typically does not take meals with others. Once, when Hanzo told a particularly bawdy joke during a meal, he thought he heard a short, raspy chuckle coming from the shadows where Guruthos ate... but it could have been a burp.
Got it. Hanzo and Joriannika smile and wave. ;)
Got it. Hanzo and Joriannika smile and wave. ;)
Haha, yep, Joriannika smiles brightly, full of the belief that if you smile the world smiles back, and Hanzo smiles in a way that suggests that he's planning on lifting someone's purse strings right now.
Zeneka's stats are up, but don't feel obligated to bring him in if he's not needed.
Player Handouts has been updated.
Thomas and Joriannika: During your first two days here, if you were likely to go visit any of the places listed in the Locations/NPC list, let me know. If it was a shop, prices will vary depending on their disposition towards you. If you simply walked around, or sat in the tavern drinking for two days straight, I guess that's fine too. ;)
Well, Joriannika has lost almost everything. She might need to resupply. Thomas would be happy to assist her with some coins.
Joriannika is impressed with Thomas' generosity, but demurs, saying that he's already done so much for her! "I'll find a way to pay for what I need without taking your money," she insists earnestly, clasping his hand.
Joriannika would definitely wander the town and become familiar with its inhabitants, and maybe do some window shopping, but she's mainly keeping an eye out for any opportunity to earn some money. Preferably quickly, since she isn't sure how long the traders will stay in town!
from my experience you can't take 10 on knowledge checks. that would create the strange situation that everybody knows quite a lot about everything. The other argument against it is that a bard specifically gets the ability to take 10 on knowledge checks.
Correct, no one may take 10 on a knowledge check, and since we don't have a bard, her abilities don't matter. If you aren't trained in a specific Knowledge "field", you cannot even attempt a check.
The one exception to that is monster lore. When trying to recall or understand what a creature is or it's abilities (etc.), a PC can make untrained knowledge checks as long as the DC=10 or less. Which means only really common creatures like goblins and such. (There are no goblins in the Dragon's Demand.)
And even then, the only bit of information I'm likely to give is the name of the creature.
Ergo, only roll knowledge checks if you are trained in that field of study.
Talia bid you all a goodnight and cleaned a few dishes and went through a door behind the counter.
If you all would like to use this time to get to know each other a bit, that's fine. You may also go straight to bed.
Unless one of you starts something, the night will pass without incident.
Ah, ok. I'll try to remember.
If it's not a class skill for you, you may treat it as a class skill for you for that single attempt. You may also use this benefit to Aid another making the attempt (supplemental knowledge is what I call that!).
If it is a class skill for you, you get a +1 bonus the next time you roll Kn(Local).
Again this is a single use bonus for Thomas and Joriannika.
For this table, I'm going to experiment a few things. One includes narrative-based rewards. Actions/choices you make might earn you an one time use of an extra d6 on any roll (except damage). Or some other bonus.
These rewards will be far and few in-between. (Maybe... it's kinda up to you guys).
I want to encourage this group to be creative. If you feel like the story is going one direction but you want to go another, try it! I'm going to try to go with the flow with what choices you make. If that results in a TPK...well, I'll try not to let that happen. ;)
(Don't worry. It's extremely unlikely we'll have a TPK...)
Thank you all for being my guinea pigs on this.
Your Friendly Neighborhood GM
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interesting conversation you're having. I presume.
Thomas and Joriannika: During your first two days here, if you were likely to go visit any of the places listed in the Locations/NPC list, let me know. If it was a shop, prices will vary depending on their disposition towards you. If you simply walked around, or sat in the tavern drinking for two days straight, I guess that's fine too. ;)
I had a chance to look at the different places. Thomas will most likely have visited Fisher's Row and watched and/or chatted with the fishermen about their success and regional strategies and fish.
That's very strange Thomas. I wonder why Hero Lab (which uses source official Paizo source material) has Daemonic as a language? Maybe it's incorrectly listed in a sourcebook or something. Well, we can deal with this in a few ways:
- pick a language that both of our characters speak (infernal or abyssal).
- pick opposite languages (for instance, you take infernal and I take abyssal, or vice versa).
- individually choose and let the chips fall where they may.
- ignore this for the purpose of this game and continue to treat daemonic as a language.
GM & Thomas what are your thoughts?
well, I was originally expecting that nobody will understand me. That's the expectation of that particular orcale curse in general.
I chose one at character generation. You can check my profile and choose accordingly, or pick one at random.
Y'all could decide that Guruthos doesn't speak the same language that Thomas will during combat, but some of the guttural sounds and a few words are similar that he knows the language itself might be evil or demonic in nature.
Ok I've changed mine to Abyssal.