DM Ray Council of Thieves (Closed: DM Dragon Cat's Group)

Game Master Molech

The transition posts in Gameplay are up and ready for Roleplay.

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I would really appreciate if we can all strive to keep Gameplay dedicated to roleplaying in character -- not Out-of-Character Questions, Discussions, Comments and the like. This Discussion Thread is perfect to have all the peripheral conversation. The boon of that is that Gameplay really can read like a story; one can just read in-character posts and roleplay. .... In the same vein, if we can keep all dice rolls under Spoiler Tags I'd appreciate it. Combat rolls take up so much space anyway that it's really more aesthetic if they're hiding. Skill Checks and such, well, this is really important for me that you make an effort to keep them behind Spoiler Tags: Occasionally I won't have a DC for a Diplomacy, or a Knowledge, or a Whatever at the tip of my notes -- and if I see the Result of your roll before I can think about and determine an appropriate DC, well, that puts me in a tough spot.

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I'm in (Sarasota) Florida -- where is everyone else from?

Monday through Thursday are my most likely days for posting. Fridays are for my Homegame when the group comes to my house to sit around the table and throw some dice, move about some miniatures, and spit Nat 20s at all my monsters, mooks and BBEGs. Saturdays and Sundays are actually my most free -- and some weekends I can post and post and post. But often weekends are when I just unwind, rest, and do whatever in The Nine Hells I want to do.

Here is the original PbP game from DM Dragon Cat -- for your reference whenever you feel like, um, referencing it.

GAMEPLAY LOGISTICS:

Right now all PCs are in The Shadow Plane reflection of Westcrown.

Four NPCs are present as well -- and are ready to roleplay -- answering what they are able to answer, asking whatever questions they may have of you, and reacting according to their character to what just happened: Getting chased by HellKnight initiates through a Portal to The Shadow Plane.

It's important to note that not everyone in the group is yet privy to all this information -- though it has been posted in Gameplay for all to see if you looked at other PC's Gameplay material.

1) Janiven Keyes -- this woman runs Vizio's Tavern where each of you were advised to go. She brought you to the private room; she voiced her concerns about the current state of affairs in Westcrown -- and when the Armigers burst into Vizio's Tavern, she immediately led you through a secret door and with 'Rod' opened a Portal to Shadow Westcrown.

2) Aidonis -- this well-dressed pale human gentleman, clad in a fine, soft brocade doublet with images of golden flowers woven into the sleeves, brown pantaloons and brown boots. Judging from the greying hair and well-groomed beard, you'd guess he's in his mid-sixties -- entered Cobbles, Bobbles & Bows to buy a map, then things got odd in the backroom of Nita's place and when she came back he was gone. He did leave her a note & 20 gold saying to meet him at Vizio's Tavern.

3) Quirri -- a young Tiefling who apparently is part of the gang called The Bastards of Erebus. She knew Cassynder years and years ago before he left Westcrown -- and he is under the impression that she'd love to escape the Bastards.

4) Calseinica -- this young actor / opera singer is actually a face some may recognize if they're interested in Westcrown's opera scene. Not famous or anything, but if you went to see a play in Westcrown this past year, you might recognize her as a background singer / actor on stage, behind stars (such as the legendary Baroness Delour Aulamaxa). Calseinica came to Vizio's with Sanchia Corvus.

All four are looking around with uncertainty, just like you -- especially at the long, two-story building with the crenelated Shelyn heads and the massive door and arch-statue of Zon Kuthon.

Any questions for any of them?

Regarding the vast amount of info in the Campaign Tab -- only look at parts when you are ready. The Campaign Info Tab is for reference for whenever you may need it.

I posted Janiven Keyes's response without describing an interior of the Cenobite structure: I didn't want to presume everyone entered. If the group chooses not to enter (It's a scary looking place afterall) then I will describe it. As for Nita sitting on a pew, well, she's blind. Who's willing to point out to her that she's sitting on a broken bench just outside the structure? .... Um, does that work?

Eager to get going! >:)

As for locations, I'm in (Hastings) Minnesota.

I'm on the East Coast US.

DM Ray, I accidentally posted my first post with the wrong alias. I fixed it with an edit, but I think the campaign has still logged Whisper Blueflame" as a character. Could you please mark that character as inactive, leaving Whisper of Westcrown as my active character? Thanks.

I'll post the description of the entryway into the building soon -- just want to give everyone a chance for six seconds (or thereabouts) to talk or what-have-you before committing everyone inside.

Please let me know if there are any questions or confusions about the logistics.

Yeah, I wasn't sure if the glowing eyes in the dark were still there. Are they?

Yes.

You guys have moved quite a bit away from where you first entered, while looking for a building with 'a Shelyn's face statue on the eaves' so you're probably a few hundred feet away, and on a different street or alley.

But you must assume those eyes are still there.

Just wondering if a few Players are having a tough time remembering the roleplay that’s already been played.

I don’t know how much each PC’s background and goals was discussed with DM Dragon Cat through PM (or Recruitment that I missed) and how much of each PC’s intro was roleplayed completely Cold; I’m slowly getting the impression it was mostly Cold. Obviously I just read the Gameplay and ran with it. Also, I don’t know if Players, for their own edification and enjoyment, read *other* PC’s roleplaying intros. And further, I don’t know how much each Player remembers the details of the opening Gameplay roleplay. I’ve been reading and rereading it quite a bit the past week or so and it’s therefore very fresh in my head.

Please feel free to reread your PC’s Gameplay posts from July to the present as a refresher – I’ve really made an effort to as-seamlessly-as-possible integrate original Gameplay with ours.

Following are the truncated intros from the first Gameplay. Feel free to read them, even though there will be (hopefully only a taste of) information your PC is not yet privy to – hopefully in our next several Gameplay posts you all will roleplay the sharing of information as your PCs start to trust each other a bit and really decide to become a group.

The reminders are welcome since we did have several gaps in play.

I've made a real effort to try to make sure everything in the opening Gameplay happened as roleplayed, including the exact contents of that letter Whisper confiscated. .... I have given myself a little leeway with 'some' of the 'facts' behind the roleplay, so characterX 'said,--' but the actuality is slightly different. A couple trifles, such as going from "Baronettess" to "Baroness" Delour Aulamaxa, but I'm trying to keep true. There have been a couple changes the PCs would not be privy to, such as the nature of the NPC, Aidonis -- but that isn't something that the players could know. There was one that I was concerned with and I sent a PM to the Player (It was more a potential R Rated interpretation that, you know, must be resolved out of game -- and I'm following the Player's lead to stay PG or maybe PG-13 as appropriate. Ultimately, we are all doing our respectable best to keep going, each knowing that we also may have to be a tiny bit flexible.

Oops I missed this. Re Everett's lead, I was basing this off the trait, I think Dragon Cat was just playing along and no specific NPC I'm aware off tipped him off. I'm going into this AP more or less blind but I'm assuming the thieves guild pulled a Keyser Soze which influences Everett's thinking :)

As I'm sure you've guessed by now, Thanksgiving week has turned into a monster!

I am coming soon, and we can get this going properly.

Happy Arlo Guthrie Day wherever you are in the whole wide world. Don't forget to take twenty minutes, sometime today, to visit Alice's Restaurant -- in harmony -- and help end war and stuff.

Aww, you beat me to it! :P

Hope you have a Thanksgiving dinner that couldn't be beat! ;)

Hey W E Ray! I know we took a break for Arlo Guthrie Day (and Thanksgiving) :) so wanted to remind you I'd rolled to look for the shadowy eyes to see if they're still there.

And Cassynder had asked Quirri some questions too! :)

I'm here I'm here I'm here!

So Sorry -- business has been (wonderfully) BUSY!

If I can not get into Gameplay this week -- or even if I can -- I am DEDICATING Saturday and Sunday to get to our PbP!

I swear.

I am VERY excited about getting this campaign going. And I really AM confident that I can make time for it. A post or two each Monday through Thursday and occasionally on the weekends (Fridays are harder). It's just these past two weeks.

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I own a small business in Florida and Thanksgiving week up until now has been absolutely exhaustingly busy. In the evenings I have just been brain dead and not wanted to do anything but sleep. I'm in the Gold business and if you follow the Markets you know Gold has been really moving!

Thanks for the clarification on your situation! I think I speak for everyone when I say we'll be ready when you are! :)

I will be off-and-on all day Sunday; and going forward I should be on at least for an hour or so each day this week (excluding Friday).

It'll take me a few posts Sunday to get to everyone's posts -- but I am definitely here and posting throughout Sunday.

It's not exactly an auspicious beginning, and I offer my apologies, but I made it!

Regarding the long building you are presumably entering,... In the Campaign Tab, under 'Parego Spera,' this is the "empty long building" that is being turned into an orphanage or school soon.

Yeah, some stuff may have gotten missed but I'm pretty sure the conglomerate of NPCs has answered what they could. Aidonis half-mentioned getting out of The Shadow Plane asap.

If there is something an NPC didn't address -- such as no one mentioning the "Shadow" stuff Nita brought up a moment ago that conspicuously was ignored -- you can roleplay it. I mean, a handful of strangers get tossed into The Shadow Plane and are running around unsure of what's happening, especially with everyone whispering, there's bound to be dialogue that is missed.

We're back bayBEE! :D

Okay, okay, Fine! It's gross metagaming to separate the PCs from the NPCs. Truthfully though, if y'all want to use actual logic on separating the group or not, maybe having a mix of PCs and NPCs on each side, I have no problem whatsoever. .... And actually, this is Play-by-Post not Over-the-Table -- it won't be hard to manage if both PCs and NPCs go explore while a mix of both PCs and NPCs stays. or, you know, you could all stick together and I juggle four NPCs providing dialogue with which to roleplay.

I support this especially as I expect it will be easier on you. :)

Seconded!

Does this Link work for everyone?

I am not so good with technology. And, uh, this is the best I can do though I hope to get better. Obviously I know how to use Excel for bookkeeping and accounting, not so much for game-maps. But I'm trying!

Does this Link work for everyone?

I am not so good with technology. And, uh, this is the best I can do though I hope to get better. Obviously I know how to use Excel for bookkeeping and accounting, not so much for game-maps. But I'm trying!

No, it is requiring a Microsoft login. You may either need to set your permissions to anyone with link or transfer the document to Google which allows that level of sharing more easily.

Okay, I think I found a way to help out: I can "Share" editing ability with other emails. You could send me a PM with your email if that's how it works.

Meanwhile, I'll also try to find how to "Set Permissions" -- wish me luck.

Okay, try this: Obsidian Portal

It's asking me to sign in or make an account?

Looks like we'd need to sign up, I'll do that tomorrow.

DM Ray, when in your Microsoft document and pressing "Share," it will default to entering in emails, but you can press the gear icon at the top of the window and you can then select "Anyone."

https://1drv.ms/x/s!ArT_T_Fp-0y72RXhF4TRKUhGkdCG?e=LO6giI

How's This?!

Yeah that works.

That works!!

https://1drv.ms/x/s!ArT_T_Fp-0y72RXhF4TRKUhGkdCG?e=FthCpp

Updated!

So, the PCs are briefly walking through the kitchen -- a pretty shadowy place, and, um, have gotten a 14, a 10, and a 9 on Perception checks.

So, you can tell that you're only seeing the superficial, that if you want to Search the place, you can take the time and search. (Take 10 or 20) But the 'Quick-Three-Second-Perception-Check-as-We-Move' may not be getting the results you wanted.

Sorry I hadn't been able to reply sooner! Busy week at the hotel!

https://1drv.ms/x/s!ArT_T_Fp-0y72RXhF4TRKUhGkdCG?e=vu4l9E

Oh boy!

I really thought using this particular building -- a structure that I've used quite a few times over the decades as a DM -- would be pretty easy to use in a PbP. Oh boy!

So, I jumped the gun a little on the Searching -- assuming you're all just Taking 20 to Search now.

I think, over-the-table this kind of thing only takes a couple minutes and is no biggie, but, after several days' posts worth of Perception checks less than 15, just giving you guys plenty of Take 20 minutes. Cassynder got us started with a 26, which pretty much covers everything.

So now you have the whole place and can post for your character more than just a few Squares at a time.

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As far as posting -- I am trying to post Monday through Thursday with the occasional weekend post. And I absolutely think that is a manageable goal. Even though I just missed both Monday and Tuesday already this week. But I'm trying.

Realistically, if we have found nothing yet, then the party does not know it has failed a roll, amd will continue on. We have to be ready to accept failure when die rolls are called for.

Moving forward if there is some crawling happening, can we set up an autosearch procedure if we are not immediately entering combat. In my groups we have often done this, where we just establish a rough marching order and declare we are taking 10 to search every room, with rogue checking all doors and containers for traps, rolling as needed. If we say something like, "Oh there's a carpet here? I look under the carpet" that should suffice for, for example, finding a trap door under the carpet. If there is nothing to to find, the GM makes that clear so we can move on.

Aassuming we are always taking 20 isn't feasible, however. It is in-game time consuming and I am assuming the game's clock doesn't stop for us. We're first level characters so the likelihood of us beating much higher than 15 on a regular basis is low. If the story can't advance without rolling high, we need multiple routes through a scenario in the event we fail, or we simply need to notice what we're supposed to notice without rolling if it is that essential for us to proceed.

On posting, most games have an every 1 to 2 day posting rate. With slowdowns on weekends. So we should be fine.

Going to be offline or slow from Friday through about 12/28 (not to mention work is in a crunch right before I take time off). Happy holidays to all; even if you do not celebrate I hope the growing light after solstice gives you hope.