I'm considering putting together a Shadowrun PBP game with around five players, but I first want to see if anyone would be interested in the game before I dust off the books and give them a good re-read. If you are interested please leave some sort of feedback indicating so. If I get a good amount of interest I will start putting it together.
The game would incorporate some elements from both 3rd and 4th editions (taking the best from both). This will make the game a little harder, but much more satisfying in the long run I believe. If you are interested, please leave some comment about the level of you knowledge of the system so I know how many "tweaks" I can safely make without throwing my gamers for a loop.
Alkuin
I'm game! I also have lotz of experience with both 3rd and 4th editions of shadowrun.
"As is most definately evident to all three of you, there has been a murder here in Kront. I was already informed by Nash about what he saw at the scene of the attack and that you, Mynis was it, was also present, but unconsceince for the entire duration of the fight. Al-God¨®n, you have been a boon for the herders and goodsmen of this area for nearly a month now and I put full faith in you willingness to help in this manner."
"Herders and goodsmen, huh? I'm impressed good sir knight. I would have though the men and women of the fields beneath the duties of one so esteemed."
As you finish talking something you hear something outside in the garden. You're not sure what exactly it was, but something made a sound.
Mynis pushes his plate away from himself and stands to take a more thorough stretch. As he kills time waiting for Lord Chinilvur to arrive he moves over to, and takes seemly casual glances out of, the window looking into the garden.
Spoiler:
If the window is openable I would like to open it a bit to see if I can here anything suspicious.
Alkuin wrote:
Nash thinks for a few moments, and starts talking a few times, but eventually gives up and goes back to his reading. Almost as soon as he has started to read again the door opens and Lord Chinilvur walks in. He wears no sign of authority except the air that there are things to be done and he is the one to get them done. His small body quickly moves to the head of the table and looks around the room at everyone before speaking.
"Welcome to my home. Please sit down."
With this minor greeting he takes a seat at the table himself.
With this Mynis follows suit and also retakes a chair as directed.
As he leaves Nash takes a seat near the head of the table and looks around nervously.
"I've never been in the lord's manor before. It's so much nicer than the rest of Kront. What do you think he'll want to say to us? I just...
Nash is interrupted by a knock on the door and the guard sent by Xander to fetch food entering. He looks towards Mynis and nods, placing the food on the table. Having accomplished his slightly mundane mission he leaves the room. The meal is a somewhat palatable looking plate of lamb leg and some damp looking greens of some sort. With the man gone the room quickly falls into an awkward silence.
Largely undaunted by the scene at the tower, Mynis allows himself a small portion of lamb and greens. Eating enough to keep up his strength but not so much as to make him sluggish. "For just lying still in that contraption for a few hours I've managed to work up and healthy appetite. I also feel as if I've had a few 'go rounds' with one of my brothers." Mynis emphasizes his statement by stretching his neck and rolling his shoulders a few times.
"Worry not my new friend. It is likely that the lord will want to know as much about the happenings up at the tower as is necessary to bring the late gnome's killer to justice."
But of course. The Order of Aster would be happy to assist in anything that is bringing this sort of stress to the locals here.
Al-Godón leans towards Mynis and Nash and offers a hand.
Mynis takes the hand in a firm but friendly grip. He nods his head and intones,"Chruch knight".
Al-Godón wrote:
Greetings good men. I assume you are here to help with this as well. I know not your capacity here, but if this man(Al-Godón gestures to Xander) is looking for this much outside help, it must be something quite unusual. This is usually such a quiet town.
With that, Al-Godón falls in behind Xander.
"Sorry sir, no request to that effect has been made. I am here as a witness only. Although I don't know how much help I will be in this regard. Not only was I incapacitated at the time, but my memories of events, facts, and even the layout of the room prior, are also sketchy at best."
Xander steps forward with his hand extended in friendship. A large smile has come across his face.
"So you ARE back in town! Lord Chinilvur was just mentioning how much better off we'd be if you were back. I am Xander Capstal, head of the militia here in Kront. I assume you'd be Al-Godón? I guess you've heard by now. That ol' Gnome finally got it up at the tower, but now I've to clean up the mess. Would you be willing to come and meet with Lord Chinilvur about this matter? Your expertise would be greatly appreciated."
As Xander addresses this Man, Al-dodon, Mynis reaches into his tunic and pulls out his flask of spirits. After taking a pull off of it he hands it to Nash. After Nash has had a swallow or two Mynis extends his hand to politely ask for its return.
Alkuin wrote:
Xander, smile once again gone from his face at the mention of his work, looks back towards Mynis and Nash to see if they are ready to continue onward towards the lord's manor.
Because Xander is on duty, and assuming a church knight wouldn't want any, the dusky skinned warrior re-stoppers his flask and stows it away, then waits patiently as the two men finish up their greetings.
"I obviously don't remember him, and all we take with us of those who have passed is that memory. There must have been something of this man that intrigued me. Something inspirational enough to allow him to muck with my mind. I can't help but feel I have lost for not being able to remember him. Will my memory of him return, or will I have to accept that there will be no remembrance of him and his unique ideas?"
"That'll have to wait. Let's get going if you are both ready. Lord Chinilvur is waiting for us and I have a lot of work to do today."
"Ready, willing, and able. Let us be off."
Alkuin wrote:
Nash, looking a little hangared, steps forward and begins talking excitedly.
"I'd say around two hours. It was amazing though! I thought you were done in by the Cavern of Wind, but... Wow! Flying across the room like that! Maybe, when this all gets sorted out, we can have another try?"
"Perhaps, it seems an odd form of training for a warrior however. I seemed more befitting of a magus or priest. I'm not sure I fully understand the benefit of such a device. One can ponder riddles and trade philosophy here in the real world. One need not visit some imitation reality to do so. On the other hand perhaps I was but interrupted before I learned anything of value."
Xander eyes you carefully when you refuse the accompaniment back to the town proper but says nothing until you are dressed and ready to go. As you move to leave he calls out to you.
"I hope you wouldn't mind if my deputy here and Nash went with you back to the town proper? Lord Chinilvur would like to have a word with both of you."
"No problem at all sir. As long as I can grab a quick bite somewhere. I feel as If I haven't eaten or had a good drink in days. Come to think of it, how long was I incapacitated by this contraption?"
"Don't be worried, you are not a suspect. Nash here witnessed a good bit of the conflict and you were asleep for it. Now we would like to escort you back to town to keep you safe and so we can continue our investigation.
"Thank you Mr. Capstal, But an escort will hardly be necessary. Give me but a moment to field dress this and redon my things and I will be able to look after myself." Mynis then adds as an afterthought, "Thanks to my special training of course."
After cleaning his wound, and refitting his gear in their usual arrangements, Mynis sets off tword town proper. "Time to find myself a nice stiff drink and a room for the night."
Your legs aches more than it did a few moments ago and the wetness of your blood seems more real now. A gruff man with greased back hair is standing over you with his face only inches from your own. Two other men are at your feet removing some sort of apparatus with no sign of gentleness while another man, or almost a man as he looks as if he is at most 15 years of age, complains about damaging "it". The gruff man's severe eyes peer from one of your eyes to the other as if looking for something. Suddenly he grunts in an apparent sign of approval and says,
"Eh boy! Welcome back to the reality. Some things have changed since you've been gone."
"Excuse me good sirs. My name is Myins Morne. Who might you be?" Mynis waits expectantly for an answer and after their reply he say, "Well met. Does any man here know who or what has wounded me?"
Mynis then takes a moment to look for and retrieves his weapons and armor if they can be found.
As you place the last stone all the stone turns to white and the second globe on the far door lights up. The stones start to slowly screech their way into the boulder as before. Suddenly the boulder is not there anymore. The screeching sound has also disappeared. Everything has gone black in the room, but more than that. The space that used to be occupied by the boulder is now empty space and your torch has disappeared. In every direction all you can see is blackness. Suddenly you feel a tugging on your fingers and toes as if someone is trying to remove something.
Is the tugging like a sensation or more of a phisical jurking?
Mynis flexes his fingers and wiggles his toes. "Enough is enough." Myins muses. "These are tests more befitting of a magus that a swordsman like myself. I think its high time to take my leave of this place."
Mynis moves carefully in the darkness. Drawing his dagger, once again, as he goes. Having reached a wall he follows along it, useing his free right hand, till he comes to one of the three door. Fumbling around in the darkness he tries his best to open the door. "I wonder which door this is? Will it take me deeper into this accursed place, or is it freedom that I will find behind it?"
Heck we may be even aiding another on you so you get the uber check result! How cool would that be? 2 large warrior types slapping you on the back saying how we couldn't have defeated that ogre without ya. The ladies have got to love it!
Will I would consider switching your int and your cha. With the extra skill points you get you can use them to be just as good at diplomacy/bluff etc and still have some left over. Also Your int based skills like Lock/disable/search will improve. You get the best of both worlds, just as charming/deceitful as before but now more cunning/quick witted as well.
Let me know what you think of the idea.
Its a good idea. Mechanics-wise it's all up-side, unless I one day were to multi-class to bard. Even then it makes other multi-classing easier.
Character-wise, it makes Rolan the ugly one of the party, as Myrnis and Al-Godon both have 16 CHA.
Rolan sighed into his lonely beer and scowled again at Myrnis and Al-Godon. They ignored him, distracted by a flock of simpering tavern wenches.
I'll think about it; it would be nice to have an extra 4 skill points to spend. Might even be able to ride a horse!
Will
Remember your charisma may be less but that's not what matters. You have practiced your social graces and honed your natural abilitys to beyond that of myself or Al-Godon (ie. its the skill check that matters, nobody makes cha atribute checks). Especially if you put your extra points into Gather info/diplomacy/bluff etc.
Offer away! I may ignore most of it for the sake of character concept, but i'm always keen to hear ideas. Rolan may get more power-oriented as he grows up (and/or gets scared).
Thanks!
Will I would consider switching your int and your cha. With the extra skill points you get you can use them to be just as good at diplomacy/bluff etc and still have some left over. Also Your int based skills like Lock/disable/search will improve. You get the best of both worlds, just as charming/deceitful as before but now more cunning/quick witted as well.
From what prime said, we'll be doing a little more roleplaying and skill using, so I think I'll be glad I made the choices I did.
Hey that's totally fine with me. Was just offering assistance. I may even be able to help a little with healing and conditions as we level and I gain access to more powers.
After moving all the stones you notice that the black piece in the middle is still black. The stones slowly slide into the boulder with a loud screeching and reappear in their original positions.
Mynis makes another attempt at the puzzle as follows.
so I'll have the balance/climb/tumble/jump skills down, along with the classic Search/Open Lock/Disable Device skills. I don't want to feel like I'm restricting you though, so feel free to play whatever.
Sounds good to me. I'll have Gather info/sense motive skills maxed as well as some handy knowledge skill. So if Psionics = magic then knowledge psionics doubles for knowledge arcana the same with psicraft/spellcraft correct?
Also Alkuin is a friend of mine. I'm sure that he would be willing to play a mage/sorc if Prime003 thought there was enough room.
Ahhh.... come on. Feel free to venture an opinion. I figure that the more that the rest of the group enjoys the other characters the more fun had by all. That being said what character pulls to you more?
Sounds good, and I like your writing. Go into the Play-by-Post forum discussion and look for "The Test of Golden Cinders Discussion" and find my e-mail. Send me an e-mail and we'll get started on character creation and work you into the story. The quicker the better.
After moving all the stones you notice that the black piece in the middle is still black. The stones slowly slide into the boulder with a loud screeching and reappear in their original positions.
I think I would like a little imput from the rest of my fellow gamers here. What would you guys like to have me bring to the "table", A Telepath (mostly charm, suggestoin, read thaughts, and gathering info abilities) or a Monk (with movement baced feats, simmilur to a Jakie chan style of Mobility)?
Now I'll tell you this is my 1st DM'ing PbP so we'll take it slow at first. Any Dice rolling issues anyone have? Or recommendations for programs/methods to roll? If we don't use a program we'll have to trust each other... though this will be as much RP as Combat. I just love using Skills. It's my favorite mechanic of 3.x
I don't know how you would like all the responsibility, but I'm fine with you making all of my rolls behind the scenes. I think it would create a more immersive feel.
Hmmmm.... Mynis the mind seed is a twisted hook that I could use later on in the campaign and the Monk sounds like a perfect Cipher. The Mindseed character would obviously be a Telepath right? And the Original Nym (if you are a copy) would be level 11, not 7. An Ardent would fit the Belief = Power themes of a PS game nicely too.
The original Nym could be any level, depending on whether or not he has made any copies yet. If he has made copies he would have to be level 15 (mindseed is an 8th level power). All copies should be level 7 or higher (mindseed is a 8th level telepath power. Minimum manifester level of 15. 15-8=7.)
Btw what is an Ardent?
I like both ideas very much, do you have a preference?
Looking for 4-6 players starting @ 3rd level using 32 pt buy. My favorite levels to play tend to be the early mid-levels so we'll probably take this up to 12-13th or so. Planar races are encouraged (planetouched, spiker, bariaur [med sized version], rogue modrons, etc.) but run your concept by me and we'll see.
To describe the idea I have for this campaign I'd have to say it's a romp around the Outlands and its Gatetowns with a few forays into the neighboring planes and a trip to an infamous Inner Planar Metropolis. You'll start out as agents of the Planar Trade Consortium working for a blood named Spiral Hal'oigt. The Aasimar merchant is one of Sigil's Golden Lords and calls kip in the Lady's Ward. You however will be starting from the most excellent World Serpent Inn awaiting your contact and next job.
Primover003 I have 2 ideas I would like to run by you and see witch one you think fits better in your story.
Spoiler:
Idea #1
Nym
LE Human Psion lvl 3 (planar)
Playing off the idea that belief = truth in the planes this character has some really far reaching ideas. He believes that he can become a god. He believes he can accomplish this by using mindseed on lots of people. Mindseeded people slowly become him mentally 8 levels lower. When there are enough Nyms about believing that they "Nym" can become a god then he (the origanal) would. At least this is what he would believe. Now weather this character is the original or a copy is up to you. Note however that if you decide to go the copy route (and you don't need to tell me which I am if you think it would be cool for me not to know) that I should actually be level 7. So you would need to use some mechanic to account for the additional level loss and my memory loss to the loss of levels. Did that make any sense hehehe?
Idea #2
Kohei
LN Human monk 3 (planer)
One or both of Kohei's parents were planers that moved to and settled on a prime plane. The parent(s) never told Kohei about his planer heritage so he could focus on fitting in as a prime (or somesuch).Or we could use the dropped off on the monastery doorsteps of a prime is fine with me also. Having grown up in a monastery Kohei uses running (also climbing, swimming etc.) as a moving meditation. On one of his runs he encountered a portal to sigil (witch he can see because of his heritage) and in his meditative state mistakes it for a path to enlightenment (in a weird sort of way he may not be wrong) and passes threw it.
Feat progression would be wild talent, speed of thought, fleet of foot, up the walls (jackie chan style), and maybe run.
”Light contains dark, dark contains light, both will bring a change, and the world will mature. With two moves of light, and one move of dark, create a world in which, only light can persist”
The door has no visible handle or any type or opening mechanism. The shining globe on the top half of the globe glows unnaturally, but there is no sign of the source of the light. After searching the door thoroughly you notice that there is a second, hardly noticeable circle on the bottom half of the door which looks like it can be lit up like the top half.
Feeling as though he has missed something, Mynis returns to the puzzle laden bolder. This time inspecting it further.
”Light contains dark, dark contains light, both will bring a change, and the world will mature. With one move of light, and one move of dark, create a world in which, only light can persist”
Mynis grasps the first piece between the mailed fingers of his left hand. Choosing the white piece on the top row, He removes it with delicate precision then replaces it one space to the left of its starting location.
After contemplating his second move carefully, Mynis pulls the black metal piece from the bottom row and puts it in the 4th column from the left second row from the bottom.
The torch casts eerie shadows on the walls of the room as you creep towards the boulder. The silence is deafening as you approach step by step. Finally, after many tense seconds, you get a clear view behind the boulder. Nothing. Surveying the room you see a closed door opposite of the one you entered through as well as another door located on the same wall as the one you entered through, also closed. The boulder itself has some words inscribed on its surface, which are difficult to make out in the torch light.
Mynis stows away his dagger safely back in its sheath. Bringing the torch in his right hand closer to the boulder, he rubs his left over the runes to brush away any accumulated dust and cobwebs. Mynis studies the inscriptions, trying to grasp their meanings.
Slowly surveying the room you see no signs of any type of presence besides yourself. The boulder in the middle of the room provides a blind spot in which you cannot see.
Mynis slowly creeps into the room. Left shoulder leading, so as to provide a smaller profile to anyone who may be behind the rooms only cover.
As much as I want to play the "hard-ass" GM, I just can't seem to do it. Especially as you've yet to use your stats for anything. By the ay, this is what I meant when I said your Paladin had no wisdom. Nate was just more direct.
After making sure the wound is clean, Mynis makes himself ready to proceed. Unsure as to whether or not he faces some sort of mystical assailant Mynis draws his dagger into his left hand. Right hand holding the torch he tries once more to survey the room ahead. This time trying to discern if there are signs of an invisible, or Chauntea help him, ethereal attacker in the room.
The torch light illuminates the small room and you can make out some sort of inscription on the boulder. As you look for other significant signs the whole room starts shaking. It lasts for a only a few moments, but after it subsides you notice you have a sizable cut along your left leg.
Mynis inspects his newly discovered wound. Looking for clues as to when he sustained it and to what its source might have been. "How did the cut pierce threw my mail? Is the cut long like a blade or wedged like and axe wound?" All these things sail threw Mynis's mind like he sailed threw the room previous.
As you press the stone it slides into the door and there is a slight rumbling. The door slide down into the floor until only a foot of it is sticking out of the ground. The room beyond the door in fairly small, around twenty feet across in both directions. A squat boulder sits in the middle of the room. The details of the room are somewhat vague as there is no light source here.
Mynis stretches his arm as far into the room as possible and slowly moves his lit torch from the left to right.
Mynis - it may be useful-ish to post your character stats in your profile for easy reference. That way you can keep your character updated, and Stefan can just clicky on your mug to see what your current stats and things are. Clicky on my beautiful face for an example. I haven't put up the background info that Stefan and I have mailed back and forth, but it's at a start, there.
edit: I have put up a little background, but it's not really complete yet
I don't know if you realize this or not but with that wisdom score divine spells will be out of your reach.
The hallway before you is made from rough stone and moving in the torch light is somewhat of a challenge. More than a few times you stumble on your path, but regaining your footing is not a difficult task. After walking for a minute or more you come to a large door, still of uncut stone. In the center of the door is another stone surrounded by a circle of script, but is still in a language you do not understand. The stone is different from the door in that it is smoothly ground in the shape of a circle and slotted into the door like a peg. About an inch of the stone protrudes from the door.
Unsure what to do here, Mynis tries pushing twisting and pulling on the smooth stone peg.
"Weapons are the instruments of ill omen, conflict is a negative quality, warrior-leaders are officers of death with no heaven above, no earth below, no opponent ahead, no ruler behind. Do not think you have won today, for that thought will lead to your destruction in the future."
"Won?!? For me to have won, someone else would have to have lost. No good lady, I don't think I have won. Today I only survived. From were I'm standing, that is victory enough."
With this Mynis relights the torch he found upon entering the cave and turns to explore anew.
Not to worry you'll catch on quickly! Besides the only real folk who speak Cant are Cagers. PS is more about the Tone and Feel of the setting. Belief is power is one core concept, the others are the Unity of Rings, the Rule of Three, and the Center of the Multiverse. You'll get tastes of these in any good PS game.
I'm open to any Psionic characters. Psions, Wilders, PsyWars, Ardents make especially good PS characters as they're so tied to their philosophy. Gives me a good excuse to throw in Illithid and Githyanki!
I think I have a really fun idea for a psion! Let me mull it over a bit and round out the concept some. I should have a working outline soon.
With this the creature motions to its sister and they both make off towards the blackness beneath. They leave you suspended in midair, only a few long feet from the platform, trapped by the winds.
Mynis laughs a great thunderous laugh, at his own expense, as they disapear into the blackness below. "I hope they get board and return before night falls and the lights go out." He mutters to himself.
Mynis waits for a short while taking in the situation. Then, not content to let sit idly by and accept his fate a hopeless, Mynis starts thrashing about in a attempt to move himself about the room. When this meets with little success he slowly begins removing one of his javelins from its quiver. Grasping it with both hands, he uses the tail end to push himself away from the platform and back toward the mouth of the cave. Thinking to himself that if this works he may be able to kick off the cave wall and sail threw the light and into the cave on the other side of the room.
