Congrats on making it as far as you did Robert! I'm quite sure you'll have some new additional work given that showing! You just don't know exactly what it will be yet :)
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I still have two to read. I love Pezzack though so it has lots of sentiment going for it. I've been using my Realmworks beta to outline a campaign set there that goes a very different direction than Robert's story and I also have a strix PbP concept from there that I'm hoping to get into a Wrath of the Righteous campaign.
Congrats Robert!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!
Just as she sets foot on the Gunnery Deck, Skimmer comes winging out of the steam below to meet her. "Is it magic Skimmer or has she done something to the ship? Oh, you're hurt. Stay here, that's going to have to wait for later." She begins climbing down into the steam.
Thanks Clockwork! I'm really enjoying both the shared storytelling and the shared problem-solving in game.
Ok, should be caught up. I reasoned that Skimmer would attack in this situation even though Talyssa isn't there to give him the attack command. Since he missed anyway its irrelevant, but if a similar situation ever comes up in the future, just let me know how you'd prefer to handle it. I'll return him to hovering next round if you would prefer.
Talyssa utters a satisfied "Got him!" as the powder bag explodes in a white cloud where she thought the butler had been, but she quickly loses sight of him in the ensuing commotion. "I've lost sight of him. Tell me if any of you spot him." Out of targets on the Second Deck, Talyssa turns her attention back to the puddle of grease she left on the deck below. Think I heard Ian down there. I'd better get rid of that mess if he's going to help us. She reaches back into her pack and draws out a second small bladder. Aiming for the same spot where she failed to catch Sorkana moments before, Talyssa squeezes out another spray of liquid that scatters to cover the deck below. "That should clear things up for you Ian, go get them." She spins back to the center of the ship and moves forward to the ladder to the next deck.
I've had GMs run PbPs that way and it works well. Gets GMs and Players into separate blocks. Are you going to have players act in order of post within the block?
I'm rolling a 5th level Shaman for a playtest. Looks like a pretty interesting class. Definitely a lot of potential for great flavor. Can't wait to see what you do with it. Arcanist doesn't really fit what I'm going for with Talyssa, so she'll be staying pat.
Hate to bring it up, but you might need an Acrobatics roll there Ian. I think the area where Sorkana was standing is still covered in grease. Was planning to have Talyssa dismiss it once she knew that it was going to be a problem.
Investigator perhaps :) BTW, your interpretation makes sense to me. At least it gives us a crack at getting him!
Talyssa watches powerless as Sorkana manages to keep her footing in spite of the grease, then barely covers her eyes in time to avoid the retaliatory spell. "Nice trick. Something like my color dazzler. I'll have to see about replicating that one." Seeing Sorkana shift between the decks again she calls. "Go slow her down with your spikes Skimmer. I'm going to keep helping up here." Talyssa reaches back into her pack and pulls out a packet of powder. "No playing hide and seek with us Mr. Butler. I'd rather that Filby and Alastair be able to see where you are." She leans into the doorframe and tosses the powder past Filby to the spot she last saw the halfling.
Getting ready to post Talyssa and Skimmer. Any ruling on whether Skimmer was able to get going last round and if so, how far?
I'll take a look at the Arcanist, but it is likely that Talyssa will be staying pat.
After looking at it more closely, I don't think I can reach her with a color spray cone, so I'll take a shot at getting her with grease. Thought about greasing that gem, but since I can't read her thoughts about its importance that would be too meta. I'm not 100% sure she can also send Skimmer off this round, so if she needs to wait, go ahead and hold that action for next round. Skimmer has 40 feet of flight. I think Sorkana is roughly 35 feet away so Skimmer might be able to get off his caltrops this round, but it would also be reasonable to say it takes him a little while to find his way to the lower deck (Int 6).
Talyssa grabs her pack again, pulling back the flap. She reaches inside, pulling out a small bladder with a brass nozzle covered with a wooden cap. With a flick of her thumb, she pops off the cap which drops clattering to the metal grate before finding on opening and dropping through to the next deck. The raven-headed woman lowers the bladder to the floor and squeezes it violently sending a spray of a yellowish liquid through the grate toward Sorkana's feet. "Maybe I can slow her down from wherever she's trying to get to." Without waiting to see if her plan has worked, Talyssa gives Skimmer a little push and points at the woman. "Bombard her Skimmer." With a scrape of metal on metal, the ungainly construct begins to flap toward the lower deck.
Clockwork, is it reasonable to cast something like grease or silent image through the grating? I suspect it is too far for color spray, but may as well ask about that too.
Cool, will go see if I can get a post in tonight. If not, tomorrow!
That would be a nice way to handle it. Bit of an interlude for character development. BTW, did everyone see Talyssa in today's Zeitgeist Kickstarter update!!!
I'd say it depends on how long you'd be gone although that may not be something you can share. I'd say if its less than a month, let's just put it on hold. If its going to be longer, we can have someone take it over.
Welcome almost back!
No worries Clockwork. The last week or so has been a bear for me anyway, but should be in good shape once you're able to be back.
Its awesome you're willing to do it. I'm good either way. I think I'd lean toward waiting a little longer to see if Celeador has a chance to let you know his situation.
Hmm, if anyone has ideas I'm open to contributing too. I suppose a satellite connection is out of the question. Thanks for the heads up. I'm not going anywhere :)
If Talyssa could send Skimmer after Sorkana without having to pass by the sprites, she would do so, but I don't think there is a way for that to happen, correct?
Talyssa's eye focuses on a single drop of Anya's blood flying toward Alastair, seeming to arc across the room in slow motion, before it splashes against his shoulder. "Wait...Anya? That wasn't supposed to happen." Talyssa takes a hesitant step toward Anya, unsure what to do when she sees Alastair take an awkward step toward the other woman, struggling in his enlarged state. Recognizing Alastair is better equipped to save Anya than she, Talyssa calls out, "Hang on Alastair! I'll return you to normal." Rushing forward, Talyssa depresses a switch and the apparatus seems to fall away from Alastair, returning him to normal.
Sorry for the holdup. Had a very busy week. I see Talyssa's hasn't quite been DMPCed yet (though you should feel free to do it in the future if I'm holding things up). Working up a post now. And congrats Ifris - that is awesome!
You're fine Clockwork, I think we still have a couple people outstanding for round 39. This is a pretty awesome scene. Love it!
Talyssa looks up from activating her armor, just in time to see the Duchess disappear out the window. "Now, why would she..." The young woman pauses mid-sentence, her mouth shaped into an "O" as she sees the King's sister drift slowly down to the Devilfish and the kelp-headed woman. For a moment her eyes glaze as though she is trying to connect a couple conflicting thoughts. "Fascinating. That other woman. I think it might be the Arch-Fey Beshara. I was just reading of her and the other Fey-Lords in the RCD library last week. I thought it was just a tale...oh, is that Anya?"
Talyssa nods to Alastair, "Of course, as soon as you're done, just give me the word and I can deactivate them." She immediately pulls out a couple metallic devices with a passing resemblance to bracers and greaves. She quickly straps them onto Alastair and presses a plate in the center of each while murmuring an incantation. Greenish-yellow light crackles to life across the surface of the devices.
Talyssa tilts her head at Filby's suggestion as her devices extend together with Alastair' arms and legs. "Oh, of course you mean we should get ourselves ready too. I have just the thing." Again Talyssa rummages through her pack and pulls out another pair leather armbands with metal wire stitched through in a pattern of interlocking squares and rectangles. She tugs at the end of the wire and a soft blue glow expands to cover her arms and chest.
Cool, look forward to playing with him.
Not giving it all away yet :) Love what you're doing with Docker culture too. Gen Con is awesome! We go every year. PFS is getting bigger every year. I heard 250 tables this year. I GMed 8 slots (including both levels of Bonekeep) and played the other 2. First year GMing for my 17-year old. He ran 6 slots and had a great time. My 14-year old will probably be GMing next year. Gen Con hops around a little so some years it is before school starts for us and some years after, but it's a tradition now for us. Older one is looking at Illinois or Purdue so assuming he gets in, he'll continue to be nearby for at least another 4 years.
Sorry for the extended absence. I fell behind on a few things following GenCon and I got pretty bad about procrastinating as I saw the message count grow. Thanks for the kind words about Talyssa and the PM to give me a much needed kick in the backside. I should be back to regular posting now that I'm caught up. I also have a new portrait of Talyssa and Skimmer to show off! (from Zeitgeist artist Claudio via the Kickstarter)
Seconds before Alastair crashes into the door, Talyssa hears a sound. Her head snaps up and she takes a step toward the door, ready to join Alastair's assault, but realizing he is much better equipped than she. "We've got a bigger problem than that Inspector. I hear someone groaning in pain in there. Something has happened." Talyssa kneels down on the floor and begins digging through her pack. "Alastair, I haven't tried this on you before, but I have some parts in here that with a little work can make you larger and stronger. It will only take a few seconds. If I can get them together, can I put them on you?"
Quite a meaty post to dig into there Clockwork! A warning that this is GenCon week for me. I'm going to do my best to get a post up tonight or tomorrow before I go, but I will definitely be out of touch while I'm there. I am GMing all but two slots and those two I'm playing. Back up for air on Monday.
After the arrival of the king, Talyssa leans in to Alastair, "You know, I think I'm going to take up Masarde's suggestion. I've spent a lot of time on board the Coaltongue but most of it has been at the docks. I'm looking forward to seeing how she operates underway...and if anything unexpected has changed. Care to join me?" She casts her eyes around looking to see if Masarde is gathering people for the tour yet and spies Ifris looking like she is getting ready to join in. Talyssa nods in the direction of Ifris. "Looks like Ifris is going too. Just a moment." She turns to Skimmer, "Think you can keep yourself out of trouble up here Skimmer. Let me know if anyone else causes any." With a roll of her shoulder, she sends Skimmer back into the air to watch the main deck and goes to join Ifris.
Talyssa continues fiddling with the bolt. Seeming to have convinced herself that there actually is something needing attention, she even reached into the pouch at her side, drawing out a small wrench which Masarde responds. Machines that can think...what a challenging proposition... To no one in particular, she begins ruminating aloud, "We've solved the challenge of getting them to take input through a sensor and take an action based on that of course. But thinking, that would be quite challenging. A higher order of problem. We'd have to consider choice and getting them to select the right one in a given circumstance. And something to handle that complexity, because one choice can lead to many more. Its almost like the branching of a tree or a road, but they're even more interconnected." Suddenly seeming to realize that she is speaking aloud, Talyssa presses her lips together like she's making a concerted effort to keep the words from continuing to spill out. "I'm sorry. The Coaltongue. Steam power. Quite the creation, isn't it?"
Talyssa smiles at Masarde's greeting and while Alastair introduces himself she manages a hasty and shy hello to the officers present. Sensing the conversation is turning toward the typical small talk she finds so difficult to follow, the young woman begins looking about to see if Masarde has left any new creations around for her to dissect when she overhears Alastair's question. She turns with a quizzical look and blurts out, "Alastair, what a strange question. Why, we nearly saw the need for your skills just a short time ago while waiting for the king. Our machines are quite sophisticated, but even Skimmer here could only do so much to look for trouble and he would have been quite hopeless if we'd actually had to apprehend anyone." From her shoulder, Skimmer lets out a low buzz followed by a couple of clicks almost sounding saddened by the criticism while Talyssa suddenly realizes she may have said too much and quickly occupies herself pretending she has found a loose bolt on Skimmer's leg needing attention.
I'm just going to pop in and apologize for my absence. I have been more buried with our move than I expected and we also have a big pitch for work coming up tomorrow morning. The good news is that the pitch is done tomorrow and we have to have our move done by Friday. So I will be posting again Thursday or Friday as soon as I have a chance to read and make a proper post. My apologies again. It will get better now that the move is (almost) done.
Just checking in, I should have something up in Gameplay tonight or tomorrow. We're in the final stages of a household move within the neighborhood. Almost done!
The sound of Devinn's voice catches Talyssa unexpectedly and she spins to seek its source before realizing that he has her. A plot on the Governor? Not the King. Dafton Marne? Why does that name sound so familiar? Her mind whirs while she takes in the rest of Devinn's request. Find the rest of the wolves. That's something I can do. It suddenly hits her. Marne. A fighter. Rough sort. But how will I ever find him in this crowd. Better to find Devinn. Now, if he messaged me here, he would have had to be... Just then, she hears a familiar voice. "Alastair. Excellent. You know where Devinn is? He just told me there is a plot against the Governor. It's Dafton Marne. I've heard of him before, but there's no time. Show me where you saw Devinn. He needs me to get the rest of the Wolves." She signals Skimmer to swoop down as Alastair fills her in on Devinn's location and bright scarf. "Perfect Alastair. That will be easy for Skimmer I find. I just wish I could help Devinn with Marne too." Skimmer swoops to her shoulder, the clicking of metal on metal preceding his weight settling in its familiar place. "Can't miss him Skimmer. We need you eyes up high. Alastair says he has a scarf the color of the sea and wouldn't you know his hair matches too. Get up there. As soon as you see him, give us a screech and point with your snout. Then go find the other Wolves and bring them to Devinn." As quickly as he swooped down, Skimmer relaunches into the air. Talyssa's eyes follow Skimmer up. Good thing I had him today. I don't know what I would have done in this crowd without him. A loud screech rends the air, managing to penetrate the sound of the crowd. "This way Alastair. Skimmer is going to find the rest and bring them." She begins pushing her way toward Devinn's location. Putting aside her uneasiness with the crowd again, she concentrates on just pushing through, trying to keep the direction Skimmer was pointing with his rigid body locked in her mind. And then, there he is, the green and blue-haired Docker confronting a much more poorly disguised Marne just ahead.
That sounds like a great plan Devinn. That way if you don't succeed, the rest of us are positioned to step in and see if we can get him.
I've enjoyed this skill challenge too. I think its given us a great chance early in the campaign to start getting a feel for our characters and it has definitely gotten everyone involved.
Not sure how many of you have joined the Zeitgeist Kickstarter yet. We're into stretch goal territory that adds player options right now and the first one up is a prestige for technologists who design and pilot their own magical mecha suits! Hell yeahs! Here's the full list. Its at $32,002 as I write this: $32,500. Steam Pilot. For technologists who design and pilot their own magical mecha suits. $33,000. Urban Empath. For spirit mediums who psychically connect to an urban environment. $34,500. Applied Astronomist. For a skyseer who invokes the powers of the various planets. $35,000. Mad Shootist. For gunsmiths who want freeze rays, rocket launch ers, shrink rays, and the like. $35,500. Polyhistor. For martial scientists who are experts in intelligent combat maneuvers. $36,000. Notorious Celebrity. For dockers who roll with a posse. $36,500. Notbringer. For eschatologists who learn to ignore impermanent reality. (Yes, it's a little esoteric. They're philosophers after all. And they're literally able to talk you to death.) $37,000. Maverick Captain. For Yerasol veterans who are fearless behind the helm of a ship. $37,500. Vekeshi Dreadnought. For Vekeshi mystics empowered by the magic of a centuries-long vendetta.
Cool, this is looking like a really fun AP and I'm enjoying all of the posts so far too! I've also kicked on the Kickstarter project.
Also if I'm not mistaken, Anya still has a Round 2 action.
She does have nearly black hair and a kind of pale complexion :)
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