Merric Bonemeal's page

I would like to see the GM post fairly frequently, at least twice a week and more if possible. I can probably post as often as 6 days a week, but would prefer closer to 3 or 4.

Like another poster said, I'm not trying to "beat the GM", but to have them facilitate a good story for me and the other players. And of course, give us the opportunity to act out our characters.

For example, Merric is far from a genius, and only has slightly above average wisdom, so you won't see him making complex tactical decisions in the middle of a rage, but he may just switch targets if he sees a companion take a monstrous hit. Of course, if it's someone he doesn't like very much, he may just be too angry to care...

For the game, I would like a higher emphasis on roleplaying and creative solutions, as opposed to pure tactical combat. My character won't be doing much (if any) diplomacy, but I would still like the opportunity to act out his dispositions/motivations.

Plenty of chances for RP, whether or not I'm the one doing it, and really more of a "living story" feel than 6 strangers smashing skulls. Not that Merric minds smashing skulls. He just prefers to do it among friends.

I would much rather see players treating combat as another chance to RP, rather than something to grind through. Obviously, some encounters will be straightforward "kill 'em all", but I would enjoy the chance to see others work their non-combat skills into avoiding (if it makes sense) fights, or solving them creatively.

Another thing I want to see players avoid is extensive metagaming, like in preparation of spells or using magic items. If you know that a certain kind of monster is immune to your abilities, but your character shouldn't, then you go ahead and burn a spell on it (if it makes sense).

Obviously, this isn't going to happen all the time (and too much is just stupid), but I think it adds a lot of flavor to a campaign to have a spellcaster fling what he thinks is going to severely hamper an opponent, only to have him laugh and shrug it off, seemingly with no effect.

As a rule of thumb, I'd like to see stats and powers explained IC, because I feel like it adds a lot to the character. Obviously, with spells it's a little more difficult, but things like Merric's rage or a stat dropped to 7, both deserve a decent explanation, as well as flavor that somehow affects RP. By extension, if you've got 20 in a stat, you had better realize that you're basically a god by mortal standards, when it comes to that stat.

Oh and decent grammar is a must. You don't have to be an English teacher, but at least capitalize your sentences and put periods at the end. No "netspeak".

Human Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager)

Alignment: Neutral Good
Stats: 18/15/16/7/11/7 (St/Dx/Cn/In/Ws/Ch)
Starting gold: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 2) = 10 vs 105 avg -> 105.
Traits: Chance Savior, Reactionary, Heart of the Wilderness (Racial)
Feats: Power Attack, Raging Vitality
Equipment: Greatsword (50gp), Studded leather (25gp), etc.

Merric is a native of Ustalav, farm-raised with the strength to show it. He spent much of his youth helping his neighbors build farmhouses and other minor constructions, and so has picked up a knack for architecture. However, his fiery temper and less-than-stellar mental faculties led him to a life of adventuring, not that he really minds. Sustained concentration bores Merric, and he prefers to throw himself into the task at hand, instead of wasting time planning ahead.

A childhood full of rough encounters and physical labor left him with two principles: hit first and hit second. The scars covering his body make him a ugly sight, but acquiring them has given him the ability to shrug off pain that would make any other man cry.

Merric is driven by a desire to grind bones to dust -- those of the undead, at least. The mere mention of those unliving horrors is enough to set him off, and woe be to skeleton that crosses his path... Merric hates the undead, and will gladly aid anyone who needs protection from them. Money doesn't hurt either.

During a brief stint as Professor Lorrimor's hired muscle, his quick-thinking placed him directly between a battleaxe and the professor, earning him the man's undying gratitude. A long scar on his right shoulder pays testament to that fact.

Merrics greatest strength is, well, his physical strength. Well above average in height and weight, he cuts an imposing figure, though he rarely uses that to his advantage. He prefers to get things done with his sword.

His greatest weakness is his lack of education. Merric secretly wishes he had the brains to be an architect, so that he could one day build something great. He knows, however, that that is not his lot in life, and so contents himself to following his heart, smashing things along the way.

If Merric were a piece of furniture, he would be a sturdy wooden chair. Straight-forward and reliable, without any unneeded padding or useless frills.

PbP experience: None
Estimated posting frequency: 2-3 times a week, possibly more if requested