Dogbladewarrior's page

So anyway my comp decided to start acting weird the other day and would have a hard time starting up and now it is doing this thing where it is randomly losing power for no apparent reason, often seeming to take some kind of inanimate malicious joy in cutting me off when I am writing something long.

Based on this and a previous incident with my phone I am starting to believe there may be a god of technology out there somewhere and I am also starting to believe that maybe I have offended him some how and that he hates me. Oh well, it’s not like I am trying to do anything that heavily involves my computer right now, like start up my own PbP…oh wait >_<

Anyway I have a techy friend coming over later to see what I need to do to repair it or just jury rig it into functionality so it shouldn’t be an issue too much longer.

@-TCG-the goddess thing will work well as a hook into the epic events as they start going, and the game has officially begun, the reason I am talking in short bits and not posting in the game right now is I’ve run into a bit of computer trouble, more on that in a bit.

@-Krigare, glad to see you’re still in=)

@-Lynora, sorry to hear that, But when real life beckons, what can we do but answer? Even if we have to answer with doing mountains of homework, bleh! Anyways you’re welcome to join at any point in the future=)

@-Spugly, hehe I’ve always enjoyed the Hell having a bureaucracy idea, definitely run with that, I like it.

Sure, you guys can permanency other spells not on the main list and I’m not going to police it heavily, just be reasonable.

Yes you can use the ARG to build custom races, 40 RPs is about what a noble drow is as Akor mentioned, which I oked back in the day, go ahead and build a fiend to fit your concept if you like.

Shaezon = Sparel. Still can't edit from my phone.

Hehe, I know, I can just mouse over your characters name to see who you are=)

@-Monkey God, You can pick your own starting date if you wish within DR1372 and events after flow largely as players want them too. I have learned from experience not to concentrate too heavily on dates and times in a narrativly open game as players like to move their stories at different paces it becomes mostly just a headache that adds nothing of value to the game to try and keep track of it and match the stories up to a precise date. When blending your story with another player just try and mesh the parts that need to be meshed as best you can and whistle a jaunty tune as you quietly sweep the details that will never line up correctly under the rug.

@-Tenro, yeah dude looks good, from here you can continue as you wish and mix narratives with myself and the other players as you please.

Regarding the timestop+timeless magic planar trait situation: what is hilarious is after reading the descriptions involved I am pretty sure TCG is correct and that you can get an infinite timestop. However, with a bit of imaginative use this could create problems far in excess of simple instant magic item spawning(particularly in the rules heavy epic events I will be running), so I am going to have to make this illegal for this game. (TCG said he won’t use it for much but there are future players to consider) In game rational for it not working? I dunno, maybe time magics don’t work together well, or maybe it breaks one of Mystra’s more obscure rules, or maybe there is an angry omnipotent squirrel somewhere whose girlfriend used this trick to cheat on him in the past so he made it impossible to use in the future, you know, typical storyline crap, whatever….

are we clear to start posting in the gameplay? i am working on an opening post but itll be awhile before i finish

Yep, go ahead when you are ready.

A bit busy tonight and I will be tomorrow as well, but I am checking in real quick.

@-TCG, yeah that's ok with me, telekinesis is an awesome multipurpose spell but it won't break the game, go ahead.

I'm very sorry, I know I said I'd give it a try but writing my own character's novel is a little more work then I realized. I sat trying to put together an opening post for a while, thinking of doing a flashback or just some exciting adventure scenario with my character being involved, but it still feels like I'm trying to write a book which I don't have ideas for making. I must respectfully to Dogblade withdraw from the game and hope that it is enjoyable for the others.

It's all good dude. I apologize for not being clearer with what the game was about initially, I didn't mean to make you waste all this effort going in=(

If I launch another PbP in the future sometime I'll make sure to go on at length about is how that particular game will be structured right in the initial post to avoid anything like this happening again.

Cool. I'm spending my spare time at work today finishing up the last bit of crunch on my guy, really need a name if anyone has some suggestions for an old Netherese warrior/mage I'd appreciate some input lol.

I looked for a list of Netherese names online but couldn't find anything, you may have to resort to pulling a name out of your posterior the old fashion way!!!=D

@-Lord Manticore, lol your welcome, enjoy.

@-Spugly, lol sure man, welcome back.

The Lane Bryant here is not helpful to many ladies and treats the men worse. I have heard them complain about crossdressers openly. They didn't know they were complaining about me. I was shopping with a girlfriend for her. Those employees have moved on but the attitude hasn't.

Oh...well that's no good, sorry for the bad suggestion then, lol

@-Bob well I'm not an expert on women's clothing but you might try shopping at Lane Bryant. The have alot of quality clothes designed for plus sized women and I've heard their staff are very helpful.

We will begin the game using my original narration style, but we may add DMs and stricter styles for individual stories as need arises.

While I realize there is much work still left to be done building many PCs and their factions I believe I will launch the game now, what with it being Saturday (my original estimation of launch time.) Don’t feel rushed to join however, take your time and join when you feel ready.

The Game.

I am Elminster of Shadowdale, called by some the Old Sage, and called far worse things by others. I've walked these realms for over a thousand years. Yet, I am far from the oldest, wisest, or mightiest being to walk the ground of Faerûn with my well-worn boots—and that is truth. But if ye learn the long history of my deeds, ye'll know precisely what I stand for and what I am. And that's a rare and precious thing, knowing yourself. Do ye know exactly what ye stand for? –Elminster, Chosen of Mystra.

The Forgotten Realms; ancient, majestic, and packed to the brim with Gods, Monsters and Magic. It is a world of endless opportunity as well as stark danger and black horror. The Realms are vast, and full of adventure, and while they cannot be said to be a particularly fair place, as the deserving often go without and the corrupt and useless handed more power than they can reasonably handle, there does exist a kind of a savage meritocracy for those with the will and ambition to take what they desire.

It is said that every mortal heart, from purist saint to darkest sociopath, harbors within it strong desires and dreams; deep seated wants that call out to be fulfilled. All men hear this internal siren, but intuitively understand that the deck is stack against them, that they are likely too weak and the world too hostile for them to ever obtain what they want. To merely survive their life with their desires unfulfilled is a bleak proposition however, so they try to talk their heart down. “I must be realistic.” Some say when they think of their dream. Others: “If the world were just I would have what I deserve, but as it is not, there is nothing I can do.” Some go even so far as to tell that most heinous of lies: “It’s alright in the end, I didn’t really want it anyway…not really.” The history of the sentient species is mostly one of dreams dying young and desires left behind to rot.

But this is not always the case….

There also exists people who, for reasons ranging from burning altruistic conviction to pompous megalomania, spit in the eye of an unfair world and demand that there dreams be fulfilled. The hearts of these individuals burn like a star compared to the faint candles of the average person. They have the courage, passion, and downright arrogance to believe that one small being in a vast multiverse can not only live a life that matters, but overturn the world with sheer bloody minded determination.

What follows are the tales of such larger than life figures and the conflicts, setbacks and victories of their manic struggles to squeeze a life of meaning from a spiteful and tyrannical world. Will their tales end in agony and defeat? Or will they achieve their ambitions and live their dreams? Only time will tell.

Join me now, and listen as their stories unfold….

Familiars don't advance beyond the table, they don't get skill points, feats, etc, allowing one to level up makes them more powerful than cohorts

Which is ok with me, because of players access to 20th level and below monsters and npcs anyway and the influence of HOPF for main PCs meaning if you aren't a PC you aren't really anyone, I don't find it too much of a concern.

I understand the complaints, but this style has been a lot of fun in the games I’ve DMed and played in with it. Two things I guess I should make more clear is that limited DM interaction during the group roleplay style is not no interaction, I will be involved, I just won’t be dictating anything and secondly there is no limited on how much you can wrap your stories in with the other PCs or even just use the other PCs to control certain elements, you don’t need to tell your story alone unless that’s what floats your boat. For example, in one game I am DMing right now the story is based around a group of countries with each player playing a ruling family, in this story every PC controls NPCs in every other players court and we cycle around the focus for maximum storytelling fun with occasional breaks for I the DM to bring in outside threats or complications to the kingdoms, all in all it seems to work very well.

@-Monkeygod-Glad you’re looking forward too it=) and yes you have the right idea.

Yes your other characters can and will level and can gain epic levels, however, only your main PC should ever gain Horrificly Overpowered Feats, which are kinda the game rules embodiment of your characters uniqueness.

@-Krigare yes, that is how it works and while I have never played Birthright I have some older gamer friends who have talked about it and it sounds pretty similar to what I am shooting for here.

I have a question about familiars from a rules perspective: Is there anything in the rules that state that a familiar cannot be trained in a given class. My angle on this is to create an Improved Familiar (azata) with levels in sorcorer (probably 12-13 assuming I take the feat at level 7) or wizard.

Not that I am aware of, I'll allow you to do this, sounds fun=)

As I mentioned earlier I'm willing to shift the game towards a more classic DM run play style for those who want the structure and consistent scene setting from another player but I'm going to have recruit some straight up co-DMs to make that work given the amount of material involved and my sometimes wonky RL schedule.

Lol alright, I hear you guys. I’m trying to think of a way to explain this type of game since apparently either it is not a well known style or I am simply explaining something people would otherwise recognize wrong. The best way I can think of explaining it at the moment is that the game is spilt into more or less two distinct parts that cycle to keep the games energy up, the group roleplay part and the more classic DM run adventure part.

In the group roleplay part you are narrating the personal story and perspective of your character. Likening it to writing a novel or just talking to yourself is a fair criticism but it’s not meant to be a strictly solo endeavor unless you want it to be, mixing narratives and entertaining each other by taking the role of NPCs and setting encounters for each other is also standard fair. This part of the game tends to be rules light. Another big (and fun) part of this is developing the relationships between the PCs if the choose to interact.

In the adventure part the game shifts into more classic D&D mode where the rules matter, the DM sets the scene and the event has a beginning, middle and end. Players are not forced to participate in the adventures but they make for a more crunchy and exciting segue between what is typically the more dramay and angsty story lines of the group role-play part.

This particular game is meant to be based around the theme of ambition, with each character working towards their dream and narrating their perspective and each epic event being based in some way around the theme as well…i.e. ambition run wild and dark, what will you do to achieve your dreams? etc.

It’s a largely roleplay based style and it is not for everyone I know, I apologize for not being able to explain it very well. I feel I may have let y’all down with you expecting one thing and putting a lot of effort into making your character and getting something else at the end=(

I'm pretty ok with this style. I hope I can more or less use the style you offered, even if others don't want to. It works for me, though as I said I plan on using some sort of GM when I want something a bit important or special to take place.

Yep, go ahead, anyone who wants to use the original narrative style can.

Hmmm, alright, well as I mentioned earlier you can use other players or the DM as your narrator in certain parts, but I can see how that might not be enough, and it sounds like more active DMing is what will be desired in many cases. I enjoy that but my biggest problem will be the way my RL schedule works, I am often extremely busy times for stretches of time where I can’t check in more than to say yay or nay which is followed by times where I can basically post all day long. I was going to use these downtime times to run the events when the stories felt like they were at the right point for them and just sign off on things when I was busy. If more active narration is required honestly I think the best thing if I want to make this work is for me to recruit additional DMs to set the stage for players who would like a closer to standard game style.

Would anyone be interested in being a DM for players who prefer more of a standard style? You should have a least a decent knowledge of the Realms and I would share with you the ability sign off on epic material and run your own events for players as well as the more standard ability of running the big shot NPCs.

Edit: The additional DMs may also still play their own PCs of course.

Ah, sorry, this kind of narrative style is quite common in my real life circles and I guess I just assumed people would know what I was speaking of when I talked about the game being narrativly open and largely player driven. I realize now that prolly has different connotations most other places outside my personal gaming circles. However, I don't want y'all to feel like you have wasted your time with something you weren't expecting so I am willing to take a much more active role in narration if you wish.

What style would you the players prefer for this game?

Dogbladewarrior wrote:

Korin Telemar wrote:

Well, various of those people mentioned are into the epic levels themselves, wouldn't that fall under the need to hash it out with the DM sort of thing?

I mean.. how narrative is all this intended to be?

Yes, but a simple nod from me is all that is required to move forward, unless it bumps up against a specific issue.

The answer is very narrative, it will largely be a cooperative storytelling venture, the epic events i set will follow more standard D&D format of DM narrating to players but otherwise you are free to tell whatever stories you wish, mixing it up with the DM and the other players as you see fit.

That's a bit.. I dunno, it's a bit closer to just being outright freeform than I was thinking this was going to be. Was that the intent?

Yes it is. The mechanics part is largely intended to be used primarily in the epic events and as a guideline of specific abilities within your personal stories.

I think the Mythic rules could help here as well. After all, they are designed to push you past 20, without increasing numerical bonuses.

That's a good idea.

Well, various of those people mentioned are into the epic levels themselves, wouldn't that fall under the need to hash it out with the DM sort of thing?

I mean.. how narrative is all this intended to be?

Yes, but a simple nod from me is all that is required to move forward, unless it bumps up against a specific issue.

The answer is very narrative, it will largely be a cooperative storytelling venture, the epic events i set will follow more standard D&D format of DM narrating to players but otherwise you are free to tell whatever stories you wish, mixing it up with the DM and the other players as you see fit.

Also, in the future, as you gain levels past 20th I believe I will allow 3rd ed epic feats to be gained(with perhaps the exception of epic spellcasting as a blanket access feat to epic spells, that thing is a mess.) As to whether classes will have epic bonus feats I haven't decided yet how that will work, I must think (and I am open to suggestions)

Dog Blade,

Do you have access to Power of Faerun? It seems like a perfect book for this game.

I do!

How should we handle interacting with NPCs in our narrations?

For example,

Akor tries to convince House Jaelre and Jezz the Lame to cease open hostilities and join the cause, so to speak. How do I resolve this? Do I just assume he agrees cuz I'm way more powerful and persuasive? Should you step in, as this is some what important? etc?

Something like that you can simply narrate, if you'd like to add a bit of randomness to your own story you can set a DC and roll your diplomacy against it and if you fail your character can be forced to find an alternate route to peace etc. Combat largely works the same way, you can simply narrate the action or actually run one if you like. The one exception to this is if for fun's sake you want a truly reactive social scenario or combat you can ask myself or another player to take control of the NPCs and play them for the scene.

fnord72 wrote:

What's the viewpoint on converting 3.5 races? I think there's room for a Sharn in this game.

That's allowed.

Actually let me clarify that real quick, what's blanket allowed is what's on the Pfsrd, and having thought more on it I'll allow a bit of 3rd addition material on a case by case basis, in general I'd prefer you stick to pathfinder material because of the wonky ways 3rd edition material sometimes mixes but I like the idea of having a Sharn character and (more importantly)I have access to monsters of faerun so I'll allow this specific thing.

In the creation of Npcs and the like you can use all the 3rd edition material you like however.

Are the five "epic events" the only ones you're doing, or could we come up with our own as well? Which would then be co narrated by you?

Say Akor decides to slay Lloth, that would most likely not be one of your five events. Would you help resolve this?

Yes, you are free to come up with your own events subject to my signing off on them, whether or not I co narrate depends largely on my RL schedule and if you like my narrative style. I would love to control the Gods in deicide events but I won't strictly require it.

What's the viewpoint on converting 3.5 races? I think there's room for a Sharn in this game.

That's allowed.

This game is indeed a bit of a creative energy investment so for those without the time or inclination it's all good. Have fun in your other games=)

About the games structure:

The story will begin with an introduction from myself, after which PCs will begin telling their tales. After a time when characters have established themselves and their place in the world narrative I will introduce the first epic event, after it’s resolution the tale will go back to individual stories, than at an appropriate time the next event will begin etc.

I’m planning 5 events in total, you do not need to involve you’re character in them but if you do at the events completion your character will gain +1 character level, +1 Horrifically Overpowered Feat and an event associated unique epic reward.

Being largely a cooperative narrative story the game will function more like a series of linked novellas than a rules heavy dungeon crawl with a united party and the DM making all narrative world decisions.

The most important things to keep in mind in this game is to always play nice with your fellow story tellers and that you can do whatever you like with the game world, only needing a nod from me if you are fundamentally changing an organization or using an epic element (which I will usually grant unless I need that element for one of the Events or it will obviously be disruptive to others players stories, in which case a conversation must take place about how it will all work.)

The discussion thread is up=)

This is the thread for ooc character planning, story crafting and other fun chatting=)

Hmm. So where is DM and when do we start talking specific world events toward pursuing our goals?

You can begin talking about your goals when you like and I'll answer any specific questions you have as they arise.

Oh, and a question for some realm historians, 1372 had a lot going on, and I know it got ruled that this starts after Shade came back and Azoun was killed, but wasn't Bane resurrected in 1372 as well? If so, anyone know a place with a good month by month breakdown of what all went on that year in chronological order?

For simplicities sake I think I am gonna say that all big events that happened that year have already occurred, just to make things easy to keep straight.

Edit: Tried to find a breakdown online and couldn't with a quick search, I'll try and find a bit to link to about it later when I have more time.

Quick question: Any races are allowed? I was thinking of a disguised drow noble for this role.

Yes, that's cool.

I would love to get into a campaign like this. I was with a group years ago that played in Faerun so it (hopefully) won't take long to get up to speed. I'm thinking about an "old-fashioned" wizard (battlefield controller type). I'm going to be at a medical conference all weekend, and since it calls for rain the whole weekend (figures), I'll have plenty of time to do some crunch and create a good character. I did have a couple of questions though, based on the thread that I have seen so far:

As long as we can explain it, we can have "+5 to X stat" across the board kind of a thing, do I understand it correctly?

Can we use the Stronghold Builder's Guide to create our keeps/towns/villages, etc.? I know it's not supported on the SRD site, but it does make a handy guide for that sort of thing?

For those who take Leadership, can we use the Epic Leadership tables on the 3.5 SRD site to determine an accurate count of our followers/cohorts? I know we are not "true" epic yet, but the Leadership formula used by both 3.5 and PF will likely give us "epic" numbers by 20th level.

Finally, how close will all of us be when the game starts? Are we going to be close together (relatively speaking) and we just meet/know each other at the outset, or is this more exploring Faerun and running into each other? I might have missed it in one of the posts, but I didn't get a sense wither way how this will go.

yes to +5s.

You can use the SBG as a resource if you like, I like that book myself(although some of the prices in it leave me scratching my head)

Yes you can use that table if you wish.

Ah, you can place yourself where you like and your relationships with other PCs is something you the players should work out between yourselves.

Sorry guys, today has been a very busy day and tomorrow is looking rather bleak as well, bear with me if it takes me a bit to answer all questions, though I'll see if I can do it now as I have a minute.

Crappy is the keyword there. I was very specific with what I was looking for and within an hour, I had dozens of messages from men and women that clearly had not read it.

=(

Yep the wincing at the sound of your own voice is familiar to me as well.

To myself I sound something like this.

To others I think I sound like this guy=D

Here's a full body shot.

You are pretty cute Bob=)

Plenty of Fish is not the site I want to use. Tried that. Not a good place for anyone.

The first time I saw an advertisement for that site I thought it was Plenty Offish. I thought finally! A dating site for the aloof and argumentative....unfortunately my friends who use it have told me its more of just another crappy hookup site though...=(

Just curious,

How detailed does our minions need to be? The high level ones that is? I understand name, some background, race/class/levels, but how much more beyond that?

I don't really wanna have to fully stat up half a dozen or more mid to high level characters, unless I must.

All I would really like is for them to be slightly fleshed out from a storyline point of view(enough so that they can have a relationship with you, their master, beyond just being a mindless minion, although really that doesn't take too much) the only time the statistics will matter to me is if you'd like to take them along on one of the games epic events.

For the record,

I have extentsive knowledge of th Realms and can offer all sorts of advice, guidence, etc for PCs who need help fitting in.

Some questions for Dogblade:

1) at this level, can we expand the list of spells that can be made permanent?

2) I'm using the gestalt feat to gain levels in Ranger. If I choose the animal companion, can I be allowed something a bit beefier or maybe add a few templates on to a normal comanion, so its not a auto death in a serious combat?

Yes, definitively. Even in average powered games I usually allow that, although in this case I'm not gonna to police each addition, use what you like.

Hehe, yeah a 10th level ranger companion is gonna get slaughtered at this level, and since you have access to higher level monsters anyway in this game go ahead.

Ok got my horrifically overpowered feats, now just need a good location in Faerun to set the kingdom. I sadly am only familiar with a few things FR and do not want to step on toes or change any of the well known places I know. (Waterdeep, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter, Amn)

I think in the case of a lich run kingdom your placement should depend largely on who you want your neighbors to be and what type of relations you would like, alternatively, you could set yourself out in the boonies somewhere if you'd like to remain undisturbed from a political point of view. Depending on what you'd like I can recommend a few places.

Sheet is about 90% done. I've got to add minions, flavor text, and a few other things. Feel free to look it over and give draft feedback.

Yep, it's looking good.

I think I'm going to go with the master spy idea. She has multiple personas and nobody knows which one is real. She's what you'd call morally ambiguous and has a network of rogue types who report to her.

Could definitely use some suggestions for location though. Not as familiar with the realms as some. :)

You can invent and detail your own city/lair if you wish and then based on the theme of the city I could recommend where it should be placed or alternatively a city like Waterdeep would work well as it is a great place to be embedded as a master spy and has lots of traffic and resources.