santinj@'s page

May 23, 2009 at 4:26 am. FabesMinis had the last post to this forum nearly 10 years ago (okay, four months shy). I was tripping down memory lane and looked up the writing we had done here--writing that I am still very proud of.

I'm going out on a limb, the adult in me knowing that none of you could possibly still be getting notifications from this forum. But there's a kid in me that wants to believe, so . . .

Anyone still out there?

~santinj@

Apropos of nothing, what's up with the image of Ezren on today's post? Did Kenny Rogers serve as the model for that one? With his mouth slightly open, I can imagine him singing as he works.

"You got to know when to hold'em . . ."

I've taken down the EAGL website that I mentioned earlier in this thread. I didn't know it at the time, but a Eugene gaming site already existed--a meetup site for the Central Oregon Gaming Society (COGS). Check it out at:

http://www.meetup.com/aaCOGS/

We've already held several organized play (Delve and LFR) events. If you're in Eugene, and you want to game, go to the COGS site!

And the fruit plate was good. Atonement good, I don't know. :)

Next time, Fruit Plate of Atonement +1, then.

I appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. I only want to address one thing here:

And, it gives you a chance to resolve Vesh and bring him back into the fold...as a redeemable character, etc...

I thought I had made it clear in my previous comments, and am going to reiterate here, that I have no intention of returning Vesh to the game regardless of edition. I'm sorry if that is (lack of a good word, here) . . . uncharitable (?). It's not that I don't like Vesh, or that I don't like playing D&D. I just can't do the PbP thing.

(And, as a little aside, I also really don't like any of the 4e builds of Vesh that I've been able to come up with. So, yes, I've tried.)

Continuing: I think that the PbP format is one that I cannot sustain in a balanced fashion. For whatever reason, I have a harder time "putting the game away" when I play in this format.

Frankly, if I'm going to invest that much emotion and thought into a character, I need to be writing honest-to-goodness stories, not PbP posts. My gas tank is only so full these days, and my intent is to write. I need to get out of the "someday" or "when I grow up" mode when it comes to writing and into the "right now" mode. PbP's are a fattening writing-substitute for me. I need to crank out a lean beginning, middle, and (most importantly) end to a story of my own.

Thanks for the dialog. It's been helpful . . . and nice hearing from you all again.

Thanks for the comic!

Yeah, that whole Vesh's-sudden-dissappearance-twist is still kind of a sore spot for me...

I'm hoping the fruit platter atoned for some of that.

I'm going to put my 2 cp on the table. Take it for what it's worth.

This group had a phenomenal run that lasted about a year. We did some incredible writing, let alone virtual dice rolling. I'll grant that this PbP has an unfinished feel to it. I'll even grant that Dreamer and NSpicer, coming into the game later than Rags, Arct, and me, are probably left with an even more acute sense of how unfinished the game is. But we are slowly (or not-so-slowly) creeping up on a year since the game abruptly ended. I genuinely thought that when I left, you all would continue on. I thought that Vesh's leaving would actually increase the RPing fodder for the remaining players to use--and it did, I have to say.

But it's pretty obvious that the game is dead in the water without JSL (duh, right). It's also pretty obvious from what he's written here about 3.5, and from my first-hand experience organizing local games with the guy, that he's shifted his attention to 4e and playing RPGA games with folks in Eugene.

It ALSO also seems pretty obvious that NSpicer has firmly, and understandably, staked his ground in the 3.5/Pathfinder camp. He's the RPG Superstar for goodness sake!

With all of that in mind, I'm going to throw out some suggestions. Do with them what you want:

1. How 'bout you continue with the rest of Burnt Offerings with the characters you've come to love, and have NSPicer finish as DM? I suggest this in no way to slight JSL. When he described Vesh getting off the boat in Sandpoint, I knew that we had hit DMing pay dirt. But, if you want to play, and if JSL doesn't want to DM, then perhaps shifting chairs around the table is in order?

2. How 'bout letting the game go, and keeping the characters? You've created wonderful characters. Write about them. Towards the end, the game just kept getting in the way of the fun--the writing. Did anyone really care about how many friggin' magic candles we retrieved from the dungeon and how loot was going to be divided? We never actually resolved that as a party, so I'm assuming not. Forget the game. Write about where Rags came from, or Zieke, or Salome.

3. How 'bout letting it go altogether? It was fun. Maybe it's just over now. Maybe that's for the best. For me, putting Vesh out to pasture was and still is for the best. I still think about him fondly because he was a compelling character, and I'm proud of what I wrote for him. But thinking about playing him as a PC again, or playing in the PbP format for that matter, just makes me tired.

Again, just some thoughts and suggestions on the whole "should we finish Burnt Offerings/getting JSL to DM" thing. Disregard as necessary.

:)

Don't forget to let me know if you guys are going to venture up to Seattle for PaizoCon just to meet up and have lunch or something.

I'm not going to be able to make it up, but I think JSL mentioned going up there.

BTW, I left a little something on the ol' game thread. I got inspired to write, and what you see there is the result. For old times sake (not to be construed as a resumption of that thread).

Aside #2, JSL and I organized a game night here last night, and the DM at my table ran us through the first encounter of Scales of War, the same encounter that I ran you guys through in our 4experiment.

Needless to say, he did a better job than I did with the tactical aspect of the encounter. (Though I think I did a better job with the color commentary, if I may say so . . . one advantage of a PbP . . . though last night it only took an hour to get through what took us a month! Trade-offs.)

:)

Well, y'know, got engaged. ;D

That's great! Congratulations Fabes!

Hope everyone is doing well. If you're ever in the Pacific Northwest, visit Eugene and the one-man-D&D-machine that JSL has become here. Post it on Warhorn, and they will come . . .

Come to the 'Wich House in Eugene, Oregon on Friday nights for game night. This week it's on Thursday--but regularly scheduled game nights will resume on Fridays next week! Check it out.

*BUMP*

Also, if you're around the Wich House on Willamette around six this evening, stop by. The gang there usually plays board games, but JSL and I are going to see if they'd be up for playing a 4e delve. We've got 9 pre-gens, minis, mats, and dice. You bring yourself and a #2 Dixon Ticonderoga and we're all good to go!

I won't speak for them, but I can let you all know that JSL, Dreamer, and family arrived last week with a very large truck full of furnishings, household items, personal effects . . . and two very large Rubbermaid bins of minis. Everything is right with the world when you see that many minis.

Example labels seen on moving day: "Fragile, Framed Pictures," "Kitchen," and, "Undead."

Awe. Some.

Welcome to Eugene, indeed!

Nicely done. But then, I knew you had the chops way back when Vesh met Zieke. Congratulations . . . and a mighty big thanks to your family for letting you go create. Not to be underestimated.

Congrats Neil!!! Woo-hoo! I am stoked for you.

Several years ago there was a Google Group for Eugene area gamers. When I looked for it recently, I could not find it. So, I resurrected it!

If you live in the southern Willamette Valley and want to get people together to play games, please check out the Eugene Area Gamers League (or EAGL) at:

http://groups.google.com/group/eagamers

I'd like this site to be a hub for Eugene area gaming of all kinds, not just RPGs and other table-top games. So if you want to get folks together for a Halo LAN party, this is your place. Want to organize a LARP game at Alton-Baker park? This is the place for that, too. Do you have a local RPG event that you just posted on Warhorn and want to advertise? Post over on EAGL.

Check it out, and let me know what you think!

Regarding the convention: I'm having a hard time getting a sense of how many non-Paizo game companies will be represented (if any). I suspect that even if other game companies are there, it'll still be pretty Paizo/3.5-centric. If that's the case, it's less appealing to me to go. My investment in versions has pretty much swung over to 4e.

Having said that, it'd be a kick to meet Neil, and I know I'll be long overdue for a road trip if I don't take vacation between now and then. I'd go with my wife and stay with her aunt and uncle in Seattle, but I think they'll be out of town in June. So, if JSL does go, I'd see about hitching a ride if the dates work out with my family.

Who knows, we might just be eating lunch with the next RPG Superstar! I guess we'll find out . . . let's see <click, click, click> . . . tomorrow at 2pm! Holy cow! Good luck Neil.

Thanks, guys! I really appreciate it. And especially Dreamer's incredible response in the submission thread. Wow. Thank you.

--Neil

I haven't had the time to read all of the comments in the last few days, but it seems like you're in a two-man sprint to the end with Eric. I'm getting vicarious butterflies!

Even if you don't get the prize (and I'd frankly be shocked at that), it's still superior work. You should be proud of yourself. Indeed, I'm proud of you, and we've never even met except through Zieke and Ceelie!

Good luck Neil. You earned my vote (I won't claim to be unbiased, but I tried to vote on the merits only). It's obvious that you worked very hard on this one. Nicely done.

Once again, Neil, I think your creativity shines through in this adventure outline. Nicely done.

Cool beans, JSL. I'll email you.

On a semi-related note: I started a new google group called EAGL or the Eugene Area Gamers League. Here's the URL:

http://groups.google.com/group/eagamers

JSL and Dreamer, check it out if you get the chance (yeah, right--I know you're both busy). I'm hoping it'll have some utility in getting folks in the area together to play games.

Then we get to move all our stuff in. (Wanna help?)

Do I get to make a saving throw, here? Save vs. Helping Me Move DC = 15, right? I get my Dodge bonus, too!

I'm kidding.

[Many Questions:]Is JSL taking time off after the 31st to get stuff moved in? Do you have a moving day specified for that week? Are you gonna wait until the weekend? [/Many Questions]

I'm happy and willing to help during the week, but I'd need to put it in my calendar ahead of time. Let me know what you're plans are and how many you've got on hand to help.

Good luck with the move! It's such a pain (and it only get worse with each additional time you do it), but it seems like you've got the upside firmly in mind.

Oh, and the weather has been just gorgeous. Brisk (and I mean cold) mornings and lots of sunshine but with rain in the forecast (though, when is rain not in the forecast up here?).

JSL or Dreamer: are you guys going to be in town (Eugene) on the 21st? Not that you'd necessarily have the time to do so, but there are a couple of stores running D&D Worldwide Game Day events. Just checking.

Congrats on making the top 4 Neil! Just got the email today. Way to go, man.

santinj@ wrote:

[patronizing] Clark, Clark, Clark [/patronizing] please cut it out. You drown out your own (very good) critical comments with this layer of lighthearted--whatever it is that you're trying to do--that comes across crusty rather than wizened.

I value everyone's commentary very much...and doubly-so for the judges. So it's okay. And thanks for your support, Santinj. I really do appreciate it.

Retracted. The comments, not the vote. Good luck Neil! This and 26 Paper Street are my favorites.

...being able to say you belong to the Greyhawk HOA (seriously!): Priceless.

I chuckled when JSL told me this . . . it was fun to meet and hang out with him last week. Good luck with the next steps, move, etc.

Neil, good luck with the next round. "Wall of stats," psssh.

All the rest, I've got this thread in my RSS reader, so, yes, I still read your updates now and again. Hope life is going well for all of you.

If you're good as a DM, you can roll with it, but when you read a stat block like this you start to see the appeal of the 4th Ed. style of monster design, where each monster has like 3-5 things it can do.

I've got to agree with Jason on this one. I like 4E monster design for this very reason: at high levels every 3.5 stat block starts to look like a wall o'stats.

The concept is cool, the execution accurate. Go Neil!

Congratulations, Dreamer and JSL! I'm happy for the both of you and glad to hear that the delivery went quickly and without complications.

Baby?

Toobs (sets of about a dozen or so brightly painted plastic figures with a variety of themes--knights, dragons, pirates, sea animals, etc. -- about $6-$8/set) to populate her world with.

I've never seen these before until I looked them up on Amazon. My 3-year-old would love these! Awesome.

Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

I'll probably lurk from time-to-time just to see when the baby comes! Congrats in advance, and I'll pray that the delivery goes smoothly.

I'd like to say, right off the bat, that I don't want to drag this out in any way, gratuitous or otherwise. Once I've written this, the matter can be dropped as far as I'm concerned, and life can proceed apace.

I only want to write to say that I am so appreciative of the things that all of you wrote in response to my post. I find it hard to express in a meaningful way, but I really am thankful. Thank you for your understanding and very kind, very tender words.

Hopefully, by omitting specifics, I did not paint too bleak a picture of my current state in RL. There are some very serious (mostly personal) issues that I need to deal with, that's true. These issues will be life-changing in a positive way, eventually, but in no way are they life threatening to me or my family...or anyone else for that matter. Again, I thank you for your support in this, and echo the truth that both Dreamer and Rags underlined above. Love those around you as best and as selflessly as possible, and never fear to be truly known by them.

A couple of side notes to some things that have come up here and on the 4Experience thread. I do not grudgingly continue the 4E thread in any way--I am happy to do so, and it seems both appropriate and manageable. As I said over there, I don't mind the metagaming (in fact, it is quite helpful), but don't quit role-playing as we roll-play. When we're done with the hobgoblins, I'll bow out for a time. The thread can die, or one of you is more than welcome to pick up where I leave off and carry on with the AP (such as it is as written).

As for Vesh, I'm am happy that my writing moved many of you. That confirms a great many things that I have been too afraid to recognize about myself. Specifically, that I enjoy writing, that others respond to my writing, and that I'm too fearful to write (other than in a PbP game). Thank you, as well, for the open invitation to return to this thread. I may take you up on that one day (I hope it's still going strong), but I truly feel--in my heart--that Vesh's time for this game and this medium has come to an end. There are other characters that I'd be happy to play and explore, none more than Loiosha (Vesh's sister), but Vesh will live on in another project that I want to start.

And, no, I'm not talking about making our adventures into a short story. Your characters are your IP, not mine. Vesh might go on in another setting, however. We'll see. My hope is that one day, when you least expect it, Vesh will appear in a short story anthology that you pick up at Barnes and Noble while you're sipping your Latte and juggling your kids. Hopefully, you'll smile and tell your kids, "I knew him when..."

You have my love and respect. Thank you for giving me yours.

It really pains me to say this, especially after participating in this game from the beginning and devoting a lot of creative energy into writing Vesh. But, for reasons that I really do not feel like going into on a public message board, I am retiring Vesh and withdrawing from this game. Suffice to say that my real life relationships need more attention than I have been giving them, and I also need to take some time for introspection (what a cliché, but it is true)—time that cannot be devoted to escapism and entertainment.

I have posted a final IC post for Vesh that just doesn’t do him justice, but I can’t really devote a lot of time for crafting a more fitting farewell.

I apologize for the suddenness of this all and for the lack of a specific explanation—you all deserve more. This game has meant a lot to me. And, though I don’t even really know your names for the most part, I feel like you are my friends—as virtual friendships go—and I have enjoyed this game, and all of your superb writing, very much.

D&D will always be a part of my life, and I hope to return to the forums someday. My attention just needs to be focused elsewhere right now.

As for the 4E board, I am determined to finish what I have started and will DM that game until this first encounter with the Hobgoblins is finished. After that, I am withdrawing my participation in that board as well. I’ll say more about that on that discussion thread--perhaps tomorrow.

Again, my apologies for how abrupt this all is. Good luck with Hannah, Nualia, and (hopefully) the Runelord himself.

Yours,

John

I hate to add to such sentiment, but I too will have to leave this game. It has been fun to play with you all and to explore Creed's character in this campaign. Dreamweaver, you have a created a complex, compelling world. Keep up the creative endeavor.

Yours,

santinj@

Hey NSpicer. Are you still wanting to run a CotCT? In going back to get the loot list, I saw that you had expressed interest in running that AP. Still?

Thanks NSpicer. Here it is, again:

So here is the loot list (all prices are what you could get for them):

8 everburning candles - 50 gp each (to light, you must apply flame; to douse, rub the wick with your fingers - just like regular candles).

7 books from the study - value unknown, not that you are likely to sell them, but if so, you could probably get no more than 100 gp each from a collector.

glasses worn by quasit - value and function unknown. magical.

mithral ranseur - 1000 gp if sold, but the mithral could be used to make a light armor or heavy shield. Of course, it can also be used as a masterwork ranseur.

3 gems from Lamashtu statue - 150 gp each if sold; but count as 300 gp worth of material for magic item creation.

jewelry box - locked, and clearly not empty. The box itself might be worth 5 gp.

dollhouse furniture - 15 gp; probably of more sentimental value than actual value.

silver mirror - 25 gp. mundane.

skull goblet - value and function unknown. This was used as a brazier in the quasit's nest. magical.

skull w/ 7-pointed star - 15 gp (who would want it?) mundane.

2 knives from Lamashtu statue - 600 gp each. These are kukri. Each is masterwork and silver. One does an additional 1 point of fire damage and the other does an additional 1 point of cold damage on a hit. Both do an additional 1d6 points of the relevant energy damage on a confirmed critical. I think only Zieke and Ehlissa are proficient, so this is kind of a bummer treasure in that sense. However, I will allow that for 500 gp in materials and 4 craft points (each), the enchantment can be transferred to other masterwork blades.

jeweled dagger (found at runewell) - 200 gp. It is masterwork.

quasit's flamethrower - value unknown. You do have a pretty good idea of what it does, but not enough of an understanding to set fair market. If you sold it as a "wand of burning hands", you could get 500 gp for it.

Also, don't forget your 2,000 gp payout from the mayor.

Please let me know if I've forgotten anything. ~JSL

Okay. Does anyone have the loot-list readily available? I seem to remember having a lot of it recorded on Vesh's character sheet at one time, but not all of it. Didn't we consolidate it here a few pages back? If one of you has it handy, please post it. Otherwise, I'll do some digging...after I get a cuppa java.

Once we see the list, if Rags can comment on this thread where we are in the identifying phase, that'd be great. (I really don't want to go back and re-read the game thread to figure this out. Lazy, remember. Though occationally I do have to do work at work. Why not today?)

Then we can decide what to keep/sell/burn/smoke and be done with it.

We also still need to identify certain magic items and divvy loot. I've leveled up Vesh, but there are holes that'll only be filled one I know how much cash he's got.

I vote for doing as much of the loot selling/divvying/magic-IDing off camera as possible.

For those of you who said, huh?

Glad you and yours came out unscathed, Rags.

Hey! I just saw PsionicFox post to another thread. I dropped him a line--nice to see him around. I wonder if Talion09 is out there still? Last I saw him post was in mid-August.

We could have a reunion! Oh, the stories we'd tell. The name tags. The "spouses discouraged" dinner. Wait, where am I?

thereal thom wrote:

Hey, PsionicFox. Nice to see you around again!

Hey mate! I can see that some of the games I used to play in are still going strong!

It's good to be back.

Psionic Fox...we meet again! Good to see you around. Still miss Naelah, man. How are you?

(Sorry to thread jack, everyone. Carry on.)

Now imagining playing Hawkeye from MASH...

"Nurse? Nurse!?"

SJ@ -- I haven't had time to pick nifty magical stuff yet. I'm glad things are going to be game-slow this week, because life is a little bit crazy right now.

I hear you! It seems like everyone's a little jumbled lately. Hurricanes, moving, licensure, babies, job hunt...oh my! Not to mention those pesky vacations. Anyway, no hurry on the wish list. It won't come into play right away.

Rags: good to know that you're high and dry. Stay safe and don't hurt your back moving all that furniture!

All I have to say is, HOLY CRAP! I know I've been out of commish for a week, but my goodness!

Dreamer: Thank you for compiling clues! Perhaps they should be added to the campaign primer for safe-keeping. I'll do that early next week.

Good RPing everyone. Vesh will most likely put the breaks on confronting Hannah, but I'll have to write a truncated post (i.e. Vesh tells the party about his encounter with Hannah dot, dot, dot).

I'll be back in the swing of posting more soon. Now to catch up on the 4E post...

Oh! And am I write in seeing that Rags has a house? Congrats! Welcome to a whole new level of stress. Sorry about your wife's jobs. Sending prayers, good thoughts, and happy vibes her way (take your pick).

Also, is NSpicer on vacation for a week-and-a-half as of yesterday? Just checking.

Sounds like a good idea, though it seems like JSL left NSpicer an opening in the game thread.

One note: Madeline L'Engle wrote A Swiftly Tilting Planet, and {i]A Wrinkle in Time[/i]. Ursula K. LeGuin wrote the wonderful Earthsea books. Both are great authors. As is Lois McMaster Bujold, specifically her book, The Curse of Chalion.

I'm around and can add to the Vesh/Mal conversation if Arctaris would like, but Vesh is otherwise ready to meet with the rest of the council.

Sorry so intermittent this weekend, I'm in the unenviable position of having to look for another job (sort of) because the funding for my current job will end in the Spring. My co-workers are not currently looking to jump ship, but hardly any of them are married, let alone parents. It's a shame, because I really like what I do. So, I'm in job limbo which does nothing but add to my stress level and decrease the amount of time I have to engage in a little escapism over in these parts. :(

On the bright side, I still have a job I like for a little while longer! So, I shouldn't complain too vigorously.

That's fine. Whatever encounters you like. Are you planning to do anything in terms of a starting location? I think most of us probably have access to Fallcrest from the DMG and/or Falcon's Hollow if you wanted to do either of those. I am just thinking in terms of background: where am I and why?

The grid file is in AutoCAD, but I will convert it to PDF and email it to you tomorrow. I will also look into graphic files of the DDM maps.

On the second point (the grid), thanks in advance for sending that. I really appreciate it.

On the first point (starting location), sort of. I want to give you enough of a hook to get you started, but I also want to preserve some sense of surprise. I remember a story that someone wrote about playing an AD&D one-off with Gygax at a con somewhere. Gygax basically set everyone up in front of three cave entrances going into the side of a mountain and said "go."

I'll try to give you a little more than that, but if I give you too much, the gig is up. Let me think about it a little, and I'll come up with something.

Here's what we've got so far:

JSL as Dravos Stonebrow, Dwarf Fighter Defender (m)
FabesMinis as Kriv the Crafty, Dragonborn Artificer Leader (a)
Ragadolf as ________________, ___________ Wizard Controller (a)
NSpicer as ________________, Half-Elf Rogue Striker (m)
Dreamer as _______________, Eladrin Ranger Striker (m)

I know that folks are considering multiclass feats and such, but I'm just summarizing in broadstrokes with the list above.

I want to thank JSL for helping NSpicer generate a character. I would've delegated that task anyway. And, NSpicer, don't sweat not having the books. I've got them, and if you knew how seat-of-the-pants this felt to me you might think twice about signing on!

One note to Rags, roles, and related rant. Please note that I'm the one forcing folks into filling the four roles, not the rules per se. If you wanted a party of four defenders, you could have one. Good luck to you, but you could have one. No, the rules are biased towards party balance, and I'm just making that a requirement for the first four characters. This is a 4experiment, after all! I want to see if having all four roles really creates more fun.

Enough for now. Get those characters posted.

EDIT to above: We've got a Defender and Leader over on the 4E thread, so please lay your claim to a Striker or Controller. First come, first serve! If we have a fifth (and I hope we do), I'll leave it to the group to decide what that role ought to be. Same with a sixth, if necessary.

Here's the >>LINK<< to the 4E Discussion thread that I'm starting. Let's get that ball rolling, so that we're ready to go by the middle of next week (say, Wednesday or Thursday).

EDIT: Please note that my first post to that thread is written with a beginner in mind. I am fully aware that you all exceed my level of knowledge of the game, but I wanted to be inclusive and to lay-out clear objectives from the start, especially if it becomes necessary to recruit a player from outside this group.