BrOp's Dragonbane RPG game

Game Master Branding Opportunity

All out-of-character discussions of the game will be in this thread.

First question for all players: Do you want to play the adventure contained in the Quickstart guide "Riddermound"? If so, try not to spoil it for yourself by reading anything from p. 26 to p. 34.

I find it a lot easier if all the characters are together on one page. That way we don't have to go around clicking on each of your character portraits to find out what armor you are wearing, etc.

I would like to use an online character keeper for that purpose. It can be found here: Dragonbane Online Character Keeper

I know it's a pain, but please copy your characters over there before we begin.

Looking forward to this! I’m on the road until Sunday, I’ll populate the character keeper by the end of the weekend.

Also, I have no problem with the adventure in the quick start guide.

Hey everyone, and thank you for running this GM BrOP! There should be more old school and new school OSR games in these forums ;)

Weekend has been busy with family activities. I will get to filling out the spreadsheet today hopefully.

EDIT: Also ok with the adventure in the QuickStart.

Info added on the spreadsheet!

I see a cell named Inventory - should we write all our items in there? Even though my pregen only has weapons, armor, torch and flint an tinder.
I am skipping the obsession with perfume :P

I see a cell named Inventory - should we write all our items in there? Even though my pregen only has weapons, armor, torch and flint an tinder.

No, I'm not sure what that is for (I copied the character keeper). I would just put non-weapons and armor in the blank fields below the "Trained Skills".

Ok, that should work.

All right, I'll post with my mage shortly! Thanks for running!

Here is Albion's alias ;)

I'd also like to begin discussing the group motivation and personal motivations of the group. I find that having both group and personal motivations to help bring about good RP.

Let me set the stage a bit ...

You find yourself in the Misty Vale, which gets its name from the frequent fog and mists and roll off the mountains or arise from its swamps. None of you are native to the place and you are generally unfamiliar with its layout and inhabitants but have come here for some reason. What is that reason? How did you get here? Were you part of a merchant caravan? Are you escaping from someone or something?

I think it would help if all of you know each other (at least a bit) and have learned to trust one another (at least to a certain degree).

This is a chance to create some backstory and do some world-building.

Here is G-unit’s pc. Info added to spreadsheet.

I think Krisanna is fleeing from something. I’m leaning toward her getting on the bad side of a noble and fleeing with the first merchant caravan departing. Her momento is a treasure map … I think she stole that from the noble.

I think Krisanna is fleeing from something. I’m leaning toward her getting on the bad side of a noble and fleeing with the first merchant caravan departing. Her momento is a treasure map … I think she stole that from the noble.

Excellent! Lots to work with/play off of there.

Bastonn is currently undergoing the initial stages of his Rite of Passage, as all Wolfkin do - he is supposed to travel the World, and understand what is his place in it.

Once he has done so, and he has proved he is able to survive by forging his own 'pack', he is allowed to return to his family. In the Returning ceremony, he is expected to share word of his travels and accomplishments, and also present those he now considers his Pack Brothers and Sisters.

Something like that :)

I would agree with us already knowing each other, and perhaps been traveling together for a while?

Hi, Veniir's mage is here!

Will add stuff to the sheet tomorrow.

His curiosity got the best of him, so he's looking to catalogue the mist's comings and goings, and try to see if there's a pattern to it.

If Krisanna is up to it, they are old friends. He's kind of scared of Bastonn.

If Krisanna is up to it, they are old friends. He's kind of scared of Bastonn.

Sounds good. I can see Aodhan using Krisanna for odd jobs, to procure hard to find items and ingredients. Was Aodhan’s trip planned and Krisanna slipped into his journey? Alternatively, did he find out Krisanna was abruptly leaving and used it as an excuse to leave?

@ Bastonn - maybe we met during the journey of the merchant caravan. Perhaps we encountered some hazard and overcame it with your help. Since then we have been tight as ticks (so to speak).

Hi, Veniir's mage is here!

Will add stuff to the sheet tomorrow.

His curiosity got the best of him, so he's looking to catalogue the mist's comings and goings, and try to see if there's a pattern to it.

If Krisanna is up to it, they are old friends. He's kind of scared of Bastonn.

Any small morsel will be enough to make us best of friends hehe

Archmaster Aodhan wrote:

If Krisanna is up to it, they are old friends. He's kind of scared of Bastonn.

Sounds good. I can see Aodhan using Krisanna for odd jobs, to procure hard to find items and ingredients. Was Aodhan’s trip planned and Krisanna slipped into his journey? Alternatively, did he find out Krisanna was abruptly leaving and used it as an excuse to leave?

@ Bastonn - maybe we met during the journey of the merchant caravan. Perhaps we encountered some hazard and overcame it with your help. Since then we have been tight as ticks (so to speak).

That sounds good to me :D

@Krisanna: So, I figure learned that Krisanna was going there and it just popped in his head that the mists were a cool thing to study. He totally feels it's going to be smooth sailing and nothing wrong is going to happen in the trip.

@Bastonn: I'm sure we'll get along great. But I kind of feel that Aodhan is somewhat scared of dogs and projects this to Bastonn.

Thanks for posting your character ideas in the thread. We're now waiting for everyone to fill in their character in the online keeper and we'll be ready to go!

Rules elements to remember when we start playing:

Skill Rolls and Ability Rolls

If you faill a skill or ability roll you may reroll it by "Pushing Your Roll". Just roll it again, applying all modifications to the roll as before but you have to abide by the new roll. Immediately after the roll, you have to pick a condition (these are listed in the keeper under your attributes: Exhausted, Sickly, etc). Any future rolls involving that attribute or skill linked to that attribute (each skill is linked to an attribute) you roll with a Bane (meaning you roll 2D20 and take the worse result).

Combat
Remember that both Parry and Dodge are actions and you only get 1 action per combat round, which means you can't attack on your turn and then expect to Parry or Dodge when someone hits you later that same round. Both Parry and Dodge can be performed as Reactions, however, which means if you haven't used your action for that round, you may Parry or Dodge a successful attack against you when it's not your turn. This means that it's good to go first in combat, but often it's better to go later.

Most humanoid creatures (and NPCs) have to make attack rolls to hit you, but monsters (non-humanoid or non-human-sized creatures) AUTOMATICALLY HIT YOU and just roll damage. Monsters also can't be parried but can be dodged. This obviously makes monsters very dangerous. Some monsters are even more dangerous and can act multiple times during a single round.

Experience
This game has no levels so you'll be advancing your skills through experience. Each time you roll a 1 (called a dragon) or a 20 (called a demon) while making a skill roll, make a note of it on your character sheet by BOLDING the skill name in the online keeper. After a certain number of posts (exact number TBD) I will call for Advancement Rolls. Roll 1D20 for each marked skill and if the result exceeds your current skill level, the skill goes up by one. I will also give you a few bonus "marks" to potentially advance skills you haven't rolled 1 or 20 on.

I'll copy this post into the Campaign Info thread.

Good info. Thanks.

I'm liking everything about the system so far. Very different from usual d20 games.

Hey everyone, I will be traveling with the family from tomorrow until the 21st of July. So my post might be... Sparse :)

Hey everyone, I will be traveling with the family from tomorrow until the 21st of July. So my post might be... Sparse :)

Thanks for letting us know, Edeldhur.

I've put my opening post in the Gameplay thread, so head on over!

How would you all feel if I created a GMPC for this game? I would play a support-type of character, I think, and generally let you all take the lead. Extra people help keep momentum going, IMO.

Sounds like a great idea.

Sounds like a great idea.

Well, since there are no objections ...

ROLLING STATS (4d6, drop the lowest)
4d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 3, 5) = 15 : 13, I'll assign that to Agility
4d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 5, 2) = 10 : 9, I'll assign that to Will
4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 1, 1) = 13 : 12, I'll assign that to Constitution
4d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 1, 3) = 13 : 12, I'll assign that to Strength
4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 1, 6) = 12 : 11, I'll assign that to Intelligence
4d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 6, 5) = 17 : 16, I'll assign that to Charisma

KIN
I'll pick human

PROFESSION
I'll pick Bard

AGE
I'll pick Adult

SKILLS
As a bard, my trained skills are Acrobatics, Bluffing, Evade, Knives, Languages, Myths & Legends, Performance, Persuasion

OK, I'll think about this a bit.

Hello! Assuming my invite hasn't been rescinded, I've decided to grab onto the Mallard pregen Makander of Halfbay. :D

I'm currently at work, but I will get an alias updated and the character details uploaded at your Character Keeper before the end of the night.

Hello! Assuming my invite hasn't been rescinded, I've decided to grab onto the Mallard pregen Makander of Halfbay. :D

I'm currently at work, but I will get an alias updated and the character details uploaded at your Character Keeper before the end of the night.

It has not been rescinded as we are in no position to rescind. Welcome!

Makander reporting in!

Makander is the youngest son of the Baron of Halfbay, who resides at his seat of power many days’ travel to the east. Knowing that the title will pass to his older (but lesser) brother, he searched his soul and decided to forge his own path. He takes great pride in his name and honor, and accepts missions that help the weak and punish the wicked.

What's not listed is that Makander left behind the love of his life who will likely be married to his brother erelong. He has convinced himself it is better this way, and his departure will make everything smoother. He has walled off his sadness with a gruff exterior and has thrown himself into his knight's oath to protect those who know not how to do so themselves. And yet, Makander has a touch of humility knowing there is still much knowledge of the world for him to learn, stronger techniques to master, and that better gear will enable him to continue on the path of defender of the weak.

The world is wide open, and what better way to begin his journey with taking part in a hunt for treasure with which he may upgrade his equipment and pay for tutelage at the hands of masters.

@Everyone: If we are going with the mutual attack on caravan as the catalyst for togetherness, Makander would have been present at invitation of the lead merchant. Why would they not avail themselves of the presence of a knight? Otherwise, I can work on a different introduction if you want to keep that one for just the three of you.

To be fair, Aodhan would never say no to a duck in armor. I know I wouldn't.

Hi

So I assume that you roll-up our characters? The book that I had downloaded, had little to say about professions or race.

I see my character as a werewolf like creature with a conscience. He'd be drawn to the hunt though.

I will call him Rex

How would you all feel if I created a GMPC for this game? I would play a support-type of character, I think, and generally let you all take the lead. Extra people help keep momentum going, IMO.

Still traveling, so did not get back to this one GM BrOp - I am fine with you running with an GMPC of course :)

I have a few questions:
- Should we join the Discord? I kinda already did, but I can leave the server hehe
- Is it ok if I add a shield to my character. The pregen does not seem to have one. Also will need to read on the effects of shields :P
- Would also be cool to add perhaps an extra spear or two for throwing. Is that ok?
- Do you want us to stay on the rails, or is it ok to go off exploring, and act somewhat out of script?

Thanks!

@CucumberTree: Not sure if you are into it, but we could come from the same tribe/pack?

@CucumberTree: Not sure if you are into it, but we could come from the same tribe/pack?

I'm cool being in your gene pool. I just need to get a species summary, and work within it.

Given two new players, I'm going to not introduce my GMPC right now.

CucumberTree, here's what the main rulebook says about Wolfkin:

Wolfkin are the untamed fury of the wilds. They may be highly intelligent creatures, and like the elves, they have an unfailing tendency to sink into thought, pondering the mysteries of the universe. But simmering under the surface are ancient hunting instincts and an unquenchable anger over past wrongs committed against wolfkin, wolves, and the wilderness in general. As hunters and pathfinders they are second to none, but wolfkin can also be found as heavily armed mercenaries, or mystics and healers in human settlements.

So I assume that you roll-up our characters? The book that I had downloaded, had little to say about professions or race.

Actually, most of the players are playing the pregens from the Quickstart Rules.

I have a few questions:

- Should we join the Discord? I kinda already did, but I can leave the server hehe

Do you mean my personal Discord? No, there's no reason to do that. We can do all of our communicating here in the forums, that's probably simpler than spreading things out to multiple channels.

Is it ok if I add a shield to my character. The pregen does not seem to have one. Also will need to read on the effects of shields :P

- Would also be cool to add perhaps an extra spear or two for throwing. Is that ok?
- Do you want us to stay on the rails, or is it ok to go off exploring, and act somewhat out of script?

Yes to all of these things. I am a big proponent of going off the rails as long as it works for everyone, i.e. if you are about to take the adventure in a new direction, make sure that everyone playing is okay with that and wants to play that kind of adventure.

I'm not rolling anything until I'm told to.

The more I play, the less I like 'proactive rolling' :P

I'm also a large fan of this way of roleplaying. My original gaming background is Warhammer Fantasy RP which by and large is not a system you actually want the dice to be involved, so roleplaying your way out of things was always the preferred method if you wanted to stay alive, sane, and unmutated. :P

However the irony is in this system, if we don't roll, we can't advance except by the GM's grace since we need those dragons and demons. Kind of a tricky one there on whether to call for rolls or not.

@GM Br0p: Any chance you can link the community character sheet in the campaign header so it appears at the top of each page, please?

However the irony is in this system, if we don't roll, we can't advance except by the GM's grace since we need those dragons and demons. Kind of a tricky one there on whether to call for rolls or not.

That's actually a very good point. Feel free to make skill rolls at will (within reason). On the subject of skills, they are (I believe) intentionally worded somewhat vaguely, which means that you should feel free to stretch their meaning and apply them to various situation. I'll be the ultimate arbiter on whether they can be used in a given situation.

@GM Br0p: Any chance you can link the community character sheet in the campaign header so it appears at the top of each page, please?

Done.

Much appreciated! That should make things very convenient.

And now Makander waits frozen in time to see if any of companions can succeed at healing the man. Rolling below 5 may not be worth risking a demon given the likely outcome of that failure being the man's death or Makander poisoning himself if the GM's feeling sadistic!

Archmaster Aodhan wrote:

I'm not rolling anything until I'm told to.

Bastonn Bloodjaw wrote:

The more I play, the less I like 'proactive rolling' :P

I'm also a large fan of this way of roleplaying. My original gaming background is Warhammer Fantasy RP which by and large is not a system you actually want the dice to be involved, so roleplaying your way out of things was always the preferred method if you wanted to stay alive, sane, and unmutated. :P

However the irony is in this system, if we don't roll, we can't advance except by the GM's grace since we need those dragons and demons. Kind of a tricky one there on whether to call for rolls or not.

The way I see it, the DM can always roll for me if required and I did not roll. I like rolling in combat, but I really do not find I need to roll for anything else myself, unless the DM prompts me to do it.

Just my old grognard self, used to rolling behind the screen and adding modifiers my players were never even aware were relevant ;)

Well, sounds like wounded dude is out of luck unless our newest player enters game with purify poison or some other magical healing.

You have discovered a quest.

Dying Wish - Delivery
Accept? Yes/No

Bloodjaw Clan

In the massive eastern valley of Treg, the Bloodjaw clan roams nomadically through it's plains and forests. The Great Open Valley was trapped within an opening 'V' of mountains that stretch to the coast. The pressure of long-past glaciers carved through the valley, well over thirty thousand years ago. The fertile soil now hosts varieties of plant and animal. Mild winters and temperate summers were a blessing for the clan. Rex loved his migratory life. His purpose. Scouting prey for the pact.

For what it's worth, I think Krisanna was truly just curious as to what McGuffin we received not trying to steal it.

Of course, the archmaster can interpret her interest any way he chooses. Just my two cents in case of any misunderstanding. :)

CucumberTree, don't forget to please enter your PC in the Online Character Keeper

Strategy: None of us close enough to the goblins to attack them this round. Letting them go will allow us to optimize our reactions (hopefully) to minimize damage.

CucumberTree, don't forget to please enter your PC in the Online Character Keeper

Added

Also remember what I said about ducking into cover to minimize missile fire.

I wanna use VETERAN this round.

✦ Willpower Points: 1
Activating this ability at the start of a
combat round allows you to retain your
initiative card from the previous round
instead of drawing a new one. Doing so
does not count as an action.

Hey, GM, I'm not finding the "Adaptive" spell in the book. Do you have its description?