Supreme Beings Pathfinder 2E Shattered Star (Inactive)

Game Master scranford

* @Aduriel: I'm going to need an Athletics Check (DC 15 to reach your sister and start dragging her to the bank. Maybe someone will help you with her when you get her to the bank.

140 XP

I'm going to let you guys' Role Play the arrival of the new party members and resolve any other open issues this weekend. I'll move us along on Monday.

But also Aduriel, just to level set ... MAYBE NOT.

Because this is the only campaign in the Universe whose primary focus is on not having weapons drawn prior to battles AND where the b*ts**t girl who used the Scared Harp of the Undead or whatever can just go drown herself and the party mostly holds a meet & greet to chat with old and new friends. This is like a Dr Who episode, I love it. I mean, thankfully it isn't Firefly because the whole season would have been 1 episode where they let the Alliance get Summer because they were arguing about money.

Maybe Variel will go ahead an be the helper ;)

I thought Aduriel was going for her. Plus, was not paying attention to her not my charge. I did however see a recently separated friend who appears to have been on the cooklist of the local orcs. So, how did you get here with a follow on of how many more are there? Surely he could walk his sister back into shore. And quit bellyaching about the rules.

Really just poking fun, I love the rules. I have learned more here in a week than in the rest of the boards, it's pretty fascinating tbh.

I went to re-read also in case I missed something, and maybe you are right. Maybe I responded to up-to-her-neck like it was more serious than it was, good point.

I thought Variel was merely going to assist Aduriel. Something like (to Adayil) “Don’t have to time for deeper introductions, and it seems like your friends are also keen to see you are ok - as a do-goody cleric I am honor bound to assist maidens in this dress”. Or similar.

Link to Assylum.

Ollies Institute for Unique Behavior

The Asylum

NOTE: My boss is in town this week through Thursday... so posting will be sporadic. I'll try to keep things moving along at least a little bit... but feel free to talk among the new players integration.

Aid Discussion

It must be done before the attempt. The aiding player must describe what they are doing to provide the aid... then take that action which uses a ◆ at least. Then if successful you give that bonus to the character you are attempting to aid. For Instance.

The "Aid" is a reaction... but it is set up by a previous reaction... therefore you can't aid before you act.

"I take my staff, grab a low hanging branch, and extend it towards the struggling swimmer".

You would then suggest what ability you are using (Survival, Acrobatics?), make the roll and if you succeed it will add to the roll of the acting character... in this case the Athletics roll to swim.

140 XP. Listed earlier in gameplay thread

Today is a crazy day... so won't have much time after this. Things should return to normal tomorrow.

A word on Recall Knowledge. Remember that unless requested by the GM that this is a Secret Check. You suggest what skill you'd like to use; give me your bonus and I make the roll and distribute information. If you choose the wrong skill but make a good roll, I can still dispense the information or give you hints on what the correct skill is. I'll also prompt the correct skill if it's something your character should be familiar with like the Orcs in Adayil's case.

One of the first things we did in my tabletop games was to rule that the players could make their rolls as long as they didn't meta-game... but after playing it weekly or more for over a year we've went back to the secret rolls. It just makes the story better.

For example, on the Runes you might think it's something occult and roll that, but I might say you think it's more of a maker's mark requiring crafting. On a low roll I might tell you it's the mark of Cordlis the potion maker in Bards Gate when it's actually some top-secret religious sect. This is one of the more discussed systems in Pathfinder 2e but it works Okay... just one of the few areas that require immense GM judgement.

Recall Knowledge

Some potential guidance for Recall Knowledge:

Recall Knowledge

Creature Identification

I tend to see it as the character knows better than the player, plus I don’t typically compartmentalize information in my head where i have to determine which set of info i am going to ponder. When i consider something to determine if i recognize it I don’t have to apply my computer knowledge and later realize i should have used my camping knowledge, i just use the appropriate knowledge. My two cents.

Regarding the symbol, Telurion only has medicine and warfare so i’ll consider it from the medicine side as it could be a drug.

All recall knowledge can be used untrained

GM - in the past, I would use Prestidigiation to dry clothing.

This campaign is a touch more specific about, well, everything, and I did not want to assume that minor magic could do something that would not carry forward.

While I personally feel that the principle of warming clothes enough for them to become dry is not disimilar to warming food, I would rather have the course of action blessed when you have a moment.

Thank you.

I completely forgot about that particular use of prestidigitation, even though I *just* used it to clean the hide armor.

Perhaps I’m scarred from my other PF2 game where my elf who had charged into a swamp to fight a frog monster asked the party bard (who did *not* charge in to said swamp to fight said frog monster) to use magic to dry her breeches and the party bard cast a light spell on them “for fun”. I actually had to take that particular incident to the Discussion thread to clarify.

Having said that, drying clothes is one thing, but drying bodies and hair is probably *beyond* the purview of the spell. Thus: pyre! Also removes bodies.

* Variel: Sure, the drying of clothing is a minor thing. It might seem I'm inflexible...but in fact I'm very flexible as long as it fits in the structure of the rules. In fact, I encourage players to get creative with their abilities. In this case the use of this spell to dry the clothing of the others has no mechanical effect on the game so it's a great "outside the box" moment. If it somehow affected the mechanics of the game, I might enforce the casting of the spell to allow you to warm/dry 1-lbs of material per casting... but it's more immersive this way.
The characters might be a bit wary when this individual they just met that wondered out of the forest starts casting spells on them... but I'm fine with it.

* Adayil: The 1-lb per casting of the spell might be the only drawback to drying entire bodies. I would probably rule this to be the fourth option which could take substantial time... though still probably less than drying off naturally. A drying cloth is still the most effective and quick method.

Tidy

I tend to see it as the character knows better than the player, plus I don’t typically compartmentalize information in my head where i have to determine which set of info i am going to ponder. When i consider something to determine if i recognize it I don’t have to apply my computer knowledge and later realize i should have used my camping knowledge, i just use the appropriate knowledge. My two cents.

Regarding the symbol, Telurion only has medicine and warfare so i’ll consider it from the medicine side as it could be a drug.

Gotcha. We can all find ways that rules in a RPG differ from real life, but they are here to codify. Using medicine you might think "I bet these are potions of some sort". If you look at it as Society you might think "This is from a particular crafting guild". etc.

Early systems didn't have skills so you just used what you character should know from his background... but that required a lot more Dungeon Master work.

Well, I’m not sure I would class a living thing like a body or attached biological material (hair etc) as an “object” or people totally will get creative with using prestidigitation as a weapon. Like I said a) I’d forgotten about using magic for this and b) happy to light a fire.

I’ve posted elsewhere on the forums about the problematic nature of this particular spell, and the mindset of designing a million spells to do a million different variations of what I *personally* think should fall under the scope of “prestidigitation” so probably best not to open this particular can of worms…

Well, I’m not sure I would class a living thing like a body or attached biological material (hair etc) as an “object” or people totally will get creative with using prestidigitation as a weapon. Like I said a) I’d forgotten about using magic for this and b) happy to light a fire.

I’ve posted elsewhere on the forums about the problematic nature of this particular spell, and the mindset of designing a million spells to do a million different variations of what I *personally* think should fall under the scope of “prestidigitation” so probably best not to open this particular can of worms…

This is also why its facelift in Starfinder is TOKEN SPELL, which much more accurately captures its essence. The final descriptor in the spell listing does preclude damage however ...

"Prestidigitation can't deal damage or cause adverse conditions. Any actual change to an object (beyond what is noted above) persists only as long as you Sustain the spell."

I am currently on holiday, and Internet access is a bit more spotty than I thought. Might be a bit slower posting in the coming 2 weeks.

What do you guys think you are doing? is the plan really to run through this world, and accuse everybody of everything that comes to mind, as soon as you see them?

@Aduriel: it seems as if Lil and Telurion are somewhat a) upset that Alhindri were released “to then cause havoc” and b) Lil is a bit upset with the nature of the Asylum.

However misplaced such notions may or may not be in the eyes of the Asylum keepers I have no problems with these two characters acting….in character? Lil seems particularly upset about individual free agency, and Telurion seems like a typical villager upset that…his…village…was preyed upon.

From your post above, it seems like you are questioning Lil and Telurion’s players what the point of their actions is/are? Likely Aduriel might be upset that what is nominally Aduriel’s family business has been hijacked by wanton interlopers, but he can definitely say as much to the Asylum staff to try to “rectify” the situation.

I think there might need to be a conversation about “metagaming” and “character agency”.

@All: I’n finding the interaction between secret rolls, rolls, and social situations a little tricky. In this instance, I would prefer our characterisations to follow a narrative discourse, and then have SB make a roll based on what the intent is perceived to be. Otherwise we can in character say whatever we want, and then have the mechanics totally not jive with what was said.

I thought the idea was that we acted according to what our character intended, and SB would adjudicate and make a roll. The alternative seems to be to spam Social rolls (Diplo,Intim, Decep) and see how the chips may fall.

In Adayil’s most present Gameplay post, she isn’t “trying” anything, she’s merely trying to be heard, and to find information. But it could be seen as “Intimidate” ing to shush everyone to get them to be quiet so she can talk.

@SB: Do you want us to tacitly tell you which Social skill we are attempting; and do you want us to roll? Do you give bonuses for particularly compelling words?

@SB - also, Aduriel requested a Loremaster Lore check on the scaly rider/black staff….

@Aduriel: it seems as if Lil and Telurion are somewhat a) upset that Alhindri were released “to then cause havoc” and b) Lil is a bit upset with the nature of the Asylum.

However misplaced such notions may or may not be in the eyes of the Asylum keepers I have no problems with these two characters acting….in character? Lil seems particularly upset about individual free agency, and Telurion seems like a typical villager upset that…his…village…was preyed upon.

From your post above, it seems like you are questioning Lil and Telurion’s players what the point of their actions is/are? Likely Aduriel might be upset that what is nominally Aduriel’s family business has been hijacked by wanton interlopers, but he can definitely say as much to the Asylum staff to try to “rectify” the situation.

I think there might need to be a conversation about “metagaming” and “character agency”.

Why do you all assume that the asylum released her. Perhaps she was taken against their will or knowledge by some nefarious foe. You have jumped to judgement without supporting evidence. I understand them being upset and have no issues with the way they approached this... but there are consequences. Lil isn't a trained medical / mental individual, and can assume this is inhumane if she wishes... but there are perhaps reasons which could be uncovered with discussion... if you hadn't burned these bridges.

You can still find this out, by capturing the staff, or sneaking in to find out for yourselves, or using a disguise to attempt again... but they are unfriendly towards your group, so the easy way is out the window... without some way to use a social skill to swing the pendulum back.

This is why the skill actions are in the game.

@All: I’n finding the interaction between secret rolls, rolls, and social situations a little tricky. In this instance, I would prefer our characterisations to follow a narrative discourse, and then have SB make a roll based on what the intent is perceived to be. Otherwise we can in character say whatever we want, and then have the mechanics totally not jive with what was said.

I thought the idea was that we acted according to what our character intended, and SB would adjudicate and make a roll. The alternative seems to be to spam Social rolls (Diplo,Intim, Decep) and see how the chips may fall.

In Adayil’s most present Gameplay post, she isn’t “trying” anything, she’s merely trying to be heard, and to find information. But it could be seen as “Intimidate” ing to shush everyone to get them to be quiet so she can talk.

@SB: Do you want us to tacitly tell you which Social skill we are attempting; and do you want us to roll? Do you give bonuses for particularly compelling words?

If you look at the TRAITS on these skills, they don't call for secret rolls. I might give a bonus to players saying / doing things, but these skills are here to acknowledge what you character does, not the player.

@SB - also, Aduriel requested a Loremaster Lore check on the scaly rider/black staff….

My bad on this. I knew I'd already rolled this, but it was for the Orc tribe.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 RK: Loremaster Lore

Well I'll be damned. Here is the situation. The DC of this check is very high, and the 28 is a critical failure. Which moves this from a critical failure to a standard failure.

So no knowledge of this group.

BTW Aduriel can still make diplomacy check for his request to move her from indifferent to friendly again... then Caks diplomacy would simply lower her to indifferent again. Still struggling with what skill Lil would be using here... perhaps an assist for whichever approach she's trying to influence.

First of all, from a RAW PoV, I do not think that Friendly, etc, should have been changed without rolls. I do think that we should be able to RP as we see fit, and then if you think a roll is needed, make one then.

Next, I never assumed the asylum released her. In fact, as Lil has said more than once, she was assuming everyone at the asylum would be dead. Lil expected it to be filled with dead corpses, walking ones, or both.

However, yes, Lil is big on individual agency, and has a distrust of authority, and tends to be skeptical of people in charge, especially when they get bristly at simple questions. And, well, everyone we have met who is in a position of authority gets bristly very easily. Also, I know Lil might come across as aggressive sometimes, and if it gets her in hot water, then it does. As a player, I'm ok with that.

Also, you really can't ding us for jumping to conclusions without evidence when when we ask questions - like the ones that have been asked here - we get met with hostility and not answers.

But, as I said in my latest post, if Aduriel goes "It's ok if they take her.", then Lil immediately backs off. It's his call, after all.

I would also think Ms. Abagail, if she is on the up and up, would not only be /expecting/ an investigation, but welcome one. Crazed mobs have burnt hospitals down for much less than unleashing a horde of zombies on a town!

@SB - I’m finding your responses don’t mesh with what I’m talking about.

Firstly: Neither I nor Adayil have “assumed” anything. Nor has Caks, nor Aduriel. Lil and Telurion are acting naturally, and how that is perceived by the staff is entirely up to them.

Life is full of perspective dissonance.

To Lil, the presence of burly orderlies, and men with halberds might be at odds with her concept of “medicine” or a “hospital”. She’s upset.

To Telurion, there has been a lapse in responsibility. Somewhere. People have died horribly. In his village. Yesterday. He is looking for answers.

To Aduriel, his “friends” are jumping the gun. He needs help with his sister.

To the staff, a crazed bunch of armed weirdoes have burst in with an escaped patient and are variously: speaking to no-one, asking about strange beings and demanding answers in a manner that conveys a certain amount of unwelcome and likely unwarranted suspicion. The staff are possibly angered, and possibly rattled.

Caks justs wants someone, anyone, to acknowledge her. She’s small.

You are stating that “we” have burnt bridges. We aren’t a homogenous single entity. And apart from Telurion’s tacit roll, there haven’t been any skill-related failures.

It might be useful to take a an approach that seeks to understand what the characters are doing, and how the world reacts rather than going partly off narration and partly off rolls.

For me, I’d not be surprised if the staff react badly. But that’s life. You takes your chances.

Caks also failed a diplomacy check, the Lil just brought her back up to indifferent. Aduriels diplomacy should settle the matter once and for all. The fact is if the first approach wasn’t rude, no rolls would be required … consequences… we started a social encounter now we’ll have to finish it.

Telurion's initial question was direct and to the point. This is what happened, what do you know about it. Rude but not accusatory and a reaction of an exasperated, "I don't know squat about it" may have sufficed but instead they got defensive. So, that seems like they may have something to hide. Poor care, lax security, something. I doubt they were actually complicit but stranger things have happened.

This isn't modern day, it's not even the wild west. So limited law means you can take the steps necessary to serve the good and these people are culpable. People were just killed and they want to act like nothing has happened. They're getting a wakeup call.

@Aduriel: it seems as if Lil and Telurion are somewhat a) upset that Alhindri were released “to then cause havoc” and b) Lil is a bit upset with the nature of the Asylum.

However misplaced such notions may or may not be in the eyes of the Asylum keepers I have no problems with these two characters acting….in character? Lil seems particularly upset about individual free agency, and Telurion seems like a typical villager upset that…his…village…was preyed upon.

From your post above, it seems like you are questioning Lil and Telurion’s players what the point of their actions is/are? Likely Aduriel might be upset that what is nominally Aduriel’s family business has been hijacked by wanton interlopers, but he can definitely say as much to the Asylum staff to try to “rectify” the situation.

I think there might need to be a conversation about “metagaming” and “character agency”.

I have posted that question in dsicussion and not in gameplay because I am asking about the players.

If you wanted to get information, then a civil conversation could be had. When you got so well... blunt she reacted defending the principals and morals of her institution.

If you had spent the better part of a century building a trustworthy and good reputation, and a group of armed strangers that you know nothing about stomped in, returning a missing patient, then started throwing barbs I believe you'd react in kind. I know if people come in and verbally attack me, I don't say... "Oh dear. Let's get a cup of coffee and discuss". If you come in and say that you'd like to find out what happened, then that is the reaction you expect.

Social interaction began when you fired a shot just like a combat encounter. And this is a perfect time to use your Hero Points. You are heroes. Bad dice rolls shouldn't ruin your chances for a more civil discourse. Not sure why you guys just don't use them for the most part.

I understand Telurion is blunt and to the point, and don't have a problem with that... but you reap what you sew. This group doesn't really have a "Face" so I'd expect there to be challenges in social situations. Again... nobody did anything wrong, and if you feel that way, then perhaps you can emphasize with the way Abagail feels.

Sure. Makes sense. You get more flies with honey etc etc…

As for “Hero Points”, I have made a conscious decision to ignore them across all my PF2 games.

Firstly, because I don’t consider myself to be a hero, nor Hero. I am not blessed by gods nor fate. I play protagonists, usually one of a group. Perhaps if I were playing an Exemplar when it releases, I might.

Secondly, they aren’t…Heroic. They should be termed Fate or Luck points, because they can actually make a bad result worse. I have seen it happen. Which isn’t Heroic.

Thirdly, because the limit to what mechanics that you can apply them to are stupid. Two specific sets of activities - basic checks (so d20 rolls) and stabilising to notdie, but not damage rolls. Not gaining extra actions. Nothing particularly…heroic. And given the way they are designed means there is a chance at worsening your activity….no thanks. I already do that everytime I roll a check. Ludicrous.

Fourthly, because the heroism is already engendered in risking fate, not having “another, similar” chance.

Fifth, because the awarding of them is completely arbitrary and not always for being “heroic” but often more for “narrative strength” or “a great die roll”.

All in all, I think they are an interesting, if flawed concept.

People might argue I am hindering myself and thus the group by not using the mechanic. They may be right.

You're right, I should have used a hero point to blow up my intimidate. This lady is dirty, we're bringing her and her whole operation to its knees. You thought the orcs were bad but this lady is like the queenpin of crime. I'm sure after waterboarding she'll cop to everything.

Didn't Father Grimble send her a letter about the attack?, That's what he told us, that he had sent a letter and got one back. Even if he did not, we have mentioned multiple times that Raven was attacked by undead raised by her escaped patient and that multiple townsfolk died as a result. She has not reacted to that in any way. While I do not believe that was your intent, that lack of reaction may make her seem suspicious (which is how Lil sees her atm), or even guilty (I can't say for sure if any other characters see her that way. But, if I were GMing her like that, and one of my players through she was guilty, I'd understand why.)

She has not answered any of our questions, ok, you gave reasons for that. I can accept those reasons, but it does not give us anything we can work with.

I do want to say that I do not believe, OOCly, that she is a villain. I also want to say that I appreciate the mention of abduction, in the last word of your latest post. That is useful information.

Now, imagine that when she was introduced, she enters, looking concerned, runs over to hug Aladindri, and says something like "Thank you for saving her from those horrible abductors! I'm so sorry about what happened in Raven!"

That sets a different tone. That creates sympathy for her and removes any initial taint of guilt. Instead, you brought her in throwing out orders, ignoring both the attack on Raven and the fact that Aladindri's brother is in the room, and basically acting all imperious. At the same time, she is insistent on removing Alahindri from us, which might also make her look guilty, even if her motivations are pure.

Now maybe that is IC for her. Maybe she is one of those types of people who view her place of work as her kingdom and sees herself as a Queen here. If so, that's fine. That's an interesting characterization and an obstacle to overcome.

But, to me at least - I can't and am not trying to speak for anyone else - this has felt railroady. Like, we were supposed to show up, drop Alnindri off, and then leave, and when we left the tracks, it feels like we are being punished. But, when IC words are ignored, when declarations of intent are ignored, when she is ignoring the fact that Alhindri's brother is in the room, that's how it feels.

I do not think that is your intent, btw, but, to me, that's how it feels. But, maybe be a little less defensive when RPing NPCs, or try to think about how the characterization comes across to the players.

If you think back to Thenur, in my game, I did an OOC to make sure that everyone - as a player - knew the crazy way she was acting was not me trying to pick on anyone or make RP harder, but because the NPC was - well is - insane. We can't read body language in this format, we can't hear vocal inflection. All we have as players to judge an NPC on is the words in how they are portrayed, and that will often gauge how we react.

We may have very well been too aggressive here, but ICly we have ample cause to be. However, the way Ms. Abigail has been played has not helped anything at all either, and has been as much as - if not more - a factor in the situation we're in now.

Not touching the Hero Point thing, at least not today! If you want, we can debate that, Adayil, in a week or two :)

I agree with what happened in Raven... or at least as much as Father Gimble shared with her. (You didn't see the missive), but from her point of view you could all be complicit in what happened in Raven. You have Alhindri, and came in aggressive which automatically put her on the defensive.

Int might not have been your intent, but when the first words out of your moth are accusatory then it throws up flags for her as well. How would she know your intent from the original exchange.

Now that the situation has calmed down you will almost certainly get some answers to your questions. You're assuming she knows anything about the abductors, how they got her away from the asylum, and that she knows the intent of the abduction. Perhaps this is something she might need Adventurers to investigate, but we started out rudely, so she clammed up. Again, she doesn't know you from Adam's housecat.

You ask me to determine your characters intent without taking time to understand hers. AGAIN, I can't stress enough that your groups actions are what led to her reactions. I don't believe her first words were unfriendly.

She is intent on removing Alhindri from you because it is her charge to care for this patient and perhaps, she's trying to restore things to order. I tend to give my NPC's depth, and reasons for what they do, so expecting her to just open up to presumably hostile approach isn't realistic. Every time she brought up taking her away, I clearly stated unless you do something to stop her. This doesn't have to be physical. Perhaps this is a way to reopen the social encounter?

Many of your comments here lead me to believe that your party should be absolved of starting the social encounter by choosing the aggressive approach. So... basically your groups choices instigated the reactions. You pissed her off then expect her to ignore that and follow a script?

More reasonable heads intervened and now the plot moves forward with the goals of finding out what happened restored, so I don't see how that is railroad in any way. Your parties' actions are what provoked her reactions. Should she just ignore your accusatory approach?

There is also a mechanic in the game to help determine intent. Nobody attempted to "Sense Motive" with a Perception check, but instead jumped to conclusions. Honestly, I don't have a problem with the way you proceeded in your game, but you do stretch the rules a bit more than I do. I would have needed a "Sense Motive" roll for Thenur in my game. Again, not critizing the way you run your game... I love it and it probably works better in PbP than mine, because I expect the players to make most decisions for uncovering information, and intent.

We've worked past the original terse encounter, so let's move forward. We'll never completely agree on how mechanics run the game, so let's just find a happy medium.

Just FYI my original campaign arc was the return of prominence for the worship of Thyrr... but since the new Telurion didn't want to pursue the Champion path I've had to change the arc. Not a problem... just a change of approach.

I'd like some comments on you guys if you'd like the continued frequent combats, more "Dungeon" exploration type things, more exploration activities, or more social / role playing encounters. Perhaps list on a scale of 1-4 in order of preference to the following so I can design things.

Combat Encounters
Dungeon Crawl
Exploration (Sandbox)
Role Playing

Also, wanted to express that I find this group challenging... but in a good way. If you're not asking for clarification, then you're not paying attention which is not good for a campaign. We've had a lot of early turnover, but I think the group we have now has great potential to tell a story we all enjoy.

BTW I'm really a storyteller GM, not a rules lawyer at heart.

When the expert set for Basic D&D came out I was all about the sandbox idea of going out, random encounters, kill monsters, and find loot. Not my thing anymore. I prefer an overall story arc with of course different encounters (combat, discussion, investigation) along the way. I think combat is the primary reason to play something like Pathfinder/D&D otherwise you could just tell a cooperative story. The game is necessary to define what one can and cannot do. So, with all of that said...

1. Combat
2. Role play
3. Dungeon Crawl
3. Explore (dungeon crawling is exploring just underground)

BTW... I have come up with a way to award hero points to those of you in favor of using them. In addition to great roleplaying, I'll give opportunities throughout the game for you to add to the story, and here is the first.

If you like to make up a short story about one of the residents of the asylum that Abagail mentions as she escorts, you to the room there could be a HP awaiting you.

Combat Encounters
Dungeon Crawl
Exploration (Sandbox)
Role Playing

For me, I would have to say:

RP
Exploration
Dungeon Crawls
Combat

I want to, kindly & gently, take issue with Telurion/IP's suggestion tht dungeon crawling is just exploration underground. While I might want that to be the case, and in practice I love it when it turns out to be the case, classically it is rarely the case. Dungeons, again at least classically, rarely follow any intelligable structure or eco-system. Monster after monster, room after room, with no way in or out or to sustain themselves ... I can admit that I totally LOVED this as a kid when we saved up to buy the original blue box set of D&Dand all we wanted to do was hack & slash & collect, but at this point, I want the world to make at least a little sense for the characters, and I want the dice to be confirming or augmenting, not determining.

Yep, I am that guy. If I type an awesome speech, the GM/DM should be able to simply say, wow that was good, of course the NPCs do what you want. and yeah it's great if there's also a Nat20 and a wandering choir of angels happen to make the clouds part at the dramatically appropriate moment, and yeah, it blows when a Nat 1 means you probably had a bugger hanging from your nose during your noble death speech.

Having brought that up though, I will also say that RP is the single most super positive aspect of PbP, second only maybe to PbP being non-sequential and not (mostly) time constrained. Not saying I don't like RP in person at the actual TT, and I'm not saying that I mind RPing in VTT/Discord either, but I do like being able to craft thoughtful dialog, which can be presented without the Comic Book Guy in the group jumping in and interrupting.

I'm confused.

Grimble told us that the asylum was built 80 years ago. Abigail just told us 240. Which is it? Why is it different? It's not even a close difference, it's massive.

Re: the four pillars. I don't care, I like them all, as long as the overall game is fun.

I'm confused.

Grimble told us that the asylum was built 80 years ago. Abigail just told us 240. Which is it? Why is it different? It's not even a close difference, it's massive.

Re: the four pillars. I don't care, I like them all, as long as the overall game is fun.

That was probably y our GM having a Senior moment. Lets say the building is 240 years old, and been under her stewardship for 80. I need to write this stuff down

yep. hard to keep up with all those minor details.

As for your Question:

Dungeon Crawl,
Roleplay
Combat
Exploration

But most important some overarching secret to discover is thew most fun for me.

PS: Still in vacation mode, sorry for the infrequent posting.

But, if you make that change, everything Father Grimble told us is now wrong.

We were told that Alhindri and the people she was with came to build the asylum. If it's been built for 160 years at that point, there's no need to build it.

If it was being repaired, then there would have been people there, and likely multiple witnesses to the massacre. That would mean less mystery as well as more information for us from him. That's not a bad thing, per se, but it would have completely changed the scene with him.

This is not a minor detail.

Here's just one way that it could matter, and there are likely many more.

We know that at both events - the one ICly yesterday, and the one 80 years ago, there were tracks from some sort of cloven-hoofed creature. If the asylum was being built 80 years ago, the creature could have been accidentally released by the workers, taken over Alhindri for some reason, and killed the rest.

That would have been a one-time event, probably caused by accident, with the second event being unexpected in any way.

However, if we have an attack in the area of an established building 80 years ago, and then exactly 80 years later, then it gives us the ability to look back further.

Was there an attack 160 years ago?
Was there one 240 years ago when it was being built if you retcon the build date?

If it is 240 years, with an attack every 80, then some of the red flags of the asylum make a lot more sense, and could shift from being red flags to common sense precautions. It would also make the actions of Raven's town leadership more suspect as they should have expected something to happen.

That's just one possibility. I can think of a lot more.

I'm the kind of player that takes notes. Both to keep the details straight for myself and to help other players. I also base decisions, both RP and mechanical, on the information that the GM gives me. If I cannot trust that information it can be problematic.

I apologize for my lack of recalling the details. Ill make efforts to be more cognizant of the details. I'm making this up a we got so Ill take better notes myself. It takes time to understand what is important to your characters / players sometimes. The Asylum wasn't built at that tine it was just a good place to keep her. I can assure you OOC that the timeline has no effect on this story Arc. Sorry its messing up the game for your.

I'm here. Don't worry. I wouldn't ghost people if I was leaving the game, I'd say so openly.

Not getting much activity on this game... so I guess I'll assume you guys aren't digging this part of the adventure. I'll move the plot options forward sometime today unless we have major objections... just don't accuse me of railroading... :-)

Please let me know if you're not interested in continuing.

Also, considering tracking loot is so underused in PbP format thinking about going with the Automatic Bonus Progression system.

Automatic Bonus Progression

Thoughts?

While I have not posted, mostly as the things Lil would bring up I'm trying to come up with a way to say it that would not be taken instantly as hostile and put us down that same rabbit hole once more, it looks to me as if Adayil, Telurion, and Caks are following up on what they hope will be leads.

I’ve never been a fan of ABP as I feel it does two things - abstracts from actual items, where I’m definitely wanting less abstraction in the narrative AND ruleset; and removes the pleasure of fun items. I also don’t really gel with the idea of “needing certain items” to stay relevant. Having said that, runes that add dice to weapons are kinda expected at higher levels, so….I guess you have to actually accept the reality of the ruleset. I’ll go with whatever folx want.