The Unloved Ones - Bloodlines and Black Magic

Game Master Patrick Curtin

I think that's part of it. CR is balanced against party of 4, and between shatter and unluck, everything on paper goes right out the window.

Yeah I'd be cool with reforging, since it's been written into my backstory. It's a class feature (Harvester's talon), it ties into mu Arcana (Fantastic Mentor), and it’s supposed to level as I do. (Ironically at level 2 I can restore it by sacrificing my own HP, from 2 on I add my level to it’s hardness and 2x my level to it’s hp)

Maybe we can write up something. I’m sure there’s a local smithy. There are tons of artisan people around

That can fix a 300yr old wakizashi? That'd be impressive. heh

That can fix a 300yr old wakizashi? That'd be impressive. heh

You’d be surprised. There are a lot of artisan craftsmen. Plus, I was planning to have you level up. That restore function you were talking about could come into play. Perhaps Miyuku reforging it truly bonds it to her

Given the presence of peculiar occult weirdness in this town, some legendary smithy tucked away in a forgotten corner of the village feels just strange enough to fit right in.

Heh that would be pretty cool.

Kinda my thinking exactly. Always see the opportunities in disaster

"Funny," they say. Danged mundies.

Geez. Will try to get caught up.

I cannot favorite Miyuku's post enough. Kick its arachnid ass!

So I have a scenario in place for the reforging of Miyuku’s sword. Also, I’m scratching my head about who we can invite in. I’d like them to be known quantities, but I was also thinking of advertising on the B&BM board on FB as well b

I have no idea who you will get on a FB post. That could work out well or be a disaster.

You could post an invite on the discussion threads of some of your other PbPs - you know they are dedicated PbP posters reading it. Feel free to post an invite on the discussion board of my Ravenloft game as well if you would like.

Yeah, kind of my thought. One the one hand the FB page has people familiar with the scenario, but that doesn’t translate into a good PbPer.

Yeah I’ll send out some invites on gaming discussions

Poor Nace, getting side-eye from both ladies.

Does his one eye appear like flame all the time, or only when he's exercising his powers?

Yeah but Miyuku's side-eye is more you're a cop!

Poor Nace, getting side-eye from both ladies.

Does his one eye appear like flame all the time, or only when he's exercising his powers?

Most of the time, it just looks a little off - certainly the color is highly unusual, but also there is a sense of movement when beheld in your peripheral vision. It only “dances with flame” when he uses particular infernal abilities.

Man, I miss Columbo.

And thanks for the clarification on the weird eye. I didn't want to have Miren react inappropriately to it.

If the Japanese I threw into the dream sequence is too opaque let me know. I’m googlesavanting it

I got it. I think. I should be looking for a Bard?

I got it. I think. I should be looking for a Bard?

Indeed

As a GM, I have learned never to hide essential information behind a skill check. Sometimes the skill check could be the “easy way” to learn something, or could provide some benefit or advantage in what follows. But if you put information behind a check, you are all but guaranteed that the party will fail.

The dice gods have spoken. What is plan B?

(Edit: Not at all saying that Patrick did that! Only that we are about to find out what the contingency is for failed checks.)

I've decided Miren is Irish and am changing her last name to O'Blivious.

Nope you are correct. I hid essential information behind a Perception check. Stupid GM move 101. Do, I just have to have it come out another way. No worries.

As an aside, I just got into a huge zoom meeting with the bloodlines & Black Magic design team (!!). Got the skinny on a lot of upcoming stuff. I love gamers.

Cool! Are they fixing a lot of the inconsistencies?

They’re rewriting the whole thing - so, hopefully!

It looks good. I’m excited

Speaking of which, this game came up in a FB discussion about Bloodlines & Black Magic. I love Clinton's gonzo design sense.

Nice! Where was that?

I'll try to find the post

I just tagged you in the FB post. It's a post by Jason Sonia

Nope, no notification. What page is it on?

FYI. Mercury dimes are worth about $2 each. So kinda flashy, but not crazy valuable

By the way Nace, it looks as your gun will be repairable if you find a gunsmith.

It’s probably not a major priority, but he might if the opportunity arises.

FYI folks, I’m heading out to the Poconos for the long weekend. I might post, but if I go quiet, that is why.

Have fun.

Lol. How the heck did you guys sneaky to the inn?

We're stealthy :D

Magic

Magic!

I know it's a generic "The Shine" not the specific "The Shining" (feel free to point that out), but the more I think about it the more this all fits King's world too perfectly.

I tend to lean on King for stuff. You’ll see that in this game, especially since you are located in King country. There’ll also be Lovecraft stuff, X Files, Clark Ashton Smith, Robert E Howard, Friday the 13th the series, Warehouse 13, Stranger Things, William Hope Hodgson, Dresden Files, Anita Blake, old mythos stuff, and a lot of Grimms fairy tales.

I just bought this bundle.

Time to meet Old Heph!

Have you guys taken a look at the new Bloodlines book? Any thoughts on if you want to change over?

Hey guys, sorry I’ve been away. It’s been a busy week.

I didn’t explicitly state that Nace was bringing his broken gun. Would I assume that he did?

Sure. Wouldn’t you like a magic pistol? ;)

Have you seen the American Gods adaptation on Starz? The take on Hephaestus and how he maintains power in the modern era is...@#$@ up but makes sense.

Yes I have. I love that show, and it really encapsulates a Planescape-type of sensibility towards godhood which I love. Vulcan is a perfect example of a being evolving to maintain their power through more modern methods. In the same way their personality changes to suit the type of mana they are absorbing.

My Hephaestus has forsaken this path, and is slowly attenuating as his power becomes limited to stories and legends rather than worship. He is an old god, but other powers rise to take his place. I’m sure in my world somewhere is a being much like Vulcan from American Gods.

Let the battle of the bands commence !