Hey folks,
I'd like to speed up the game a bit, but I'm not sure how to proceed (this is my first time DMing a pbp game). It seems the game has slowed down a bit, but I don't know why. Are people losing interest? Do they just not have time to post? Am I giving too many options?
I'd like to think it will speed up on its own once you get fully "involved" in the adventure, but it still requires frequent postings form everyone. Jaku, Pindara, and Liet haven't posted since Tuesday, and Indo not since last Saturday.
So any ideas on how to keep this thing running strong?
I think it'll come, and I'm having fun so far. I'll also try and be more conscious about moving things along. I do check the board at least once in the morning and once in the evening, but lately things have just been a little busy.
One tip I would volunteer is that in the other games I play in I've posted that anyone is more than free to dictate my PC's actions for non-combat, non-crucial type stuff to keep things moving. That is to say, if the group needs to make a decision, you don't need to wait for me to weigh in. I'm fine with the first player to post laying out the decision for the group. It's something that would be akin to stepping on toes in a real time game sitting around a table, but helps with the pace in PbPs.
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I apologize for the delay in taking care of those last details. ALso, some part of me still assumed specialists got an extra bonus spell from our school at first level. Memorized spells have been corrected.
This bugs me, too. I view the extra spell benefit at every level to be irreplacable. The damage causing abilities are better than first level spells, but most of the rest are not.
Hmmm. If the intent is to distance then classes from their 3.5 versions a bit, I suppose this is a decent wat to do it. Sure gonna miss my extra spells though.
I have chosen Bonded Weapon for the playtest purpose. Any second now, Indo will wish for his shield, but he'll have to get over it. : }
Something to go in the playtest notes, then.
So no Immediate Magic, then. Ok, great, we'll see how the new abilities work. And you can always get a regular shield - you don't need any kind of action to use one of them! :P
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One tip I would volunteer is that in the other games I play in I've posted that anyone is more than free to dictate my PC's actions for non-combat, non-crucial type stuff to keep things moving. That is to say, if the group needs to make a decision, you don't need to wait for me to weigh in. I'm fine with the first player to post laying out the decision for the group. It's something that would be akin to stepping on toes in a real time game sitting around a table, but helps with the pace in PbPs.
That's a good idea, and I'll probably start something like that. I think I may get everyone to make a lot of rolls too, to be used for combats or skill checks if they're not there and things need to move along.
Um.
Why exactly are we braining the halfling?
This is going to be a problem.
*snort*
I think once you hit someone on the head with a mace, you're into intimidation a bit more than diplomacy. Either way, you've made sure they start at hostile.
We need to think about what we're doing a bit more, perhaps.
Didn't wanna jump in after the halfling, not with my low Str.
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Well, the arrow trap is on the boat on the north side of the pier [F10-F11] while the drunk is on the barge on the other side of the pier.
As for the drunk, think of him as an obstacle more than a combat encounter. He just gets mad at anybody coming near him. :)?
Also look back at the game thread for another option.
I am on a short break until Sunday evening. I'll try to keep an eye on the game but computer access may be sporadic at best.
Feel free to NPC the barber if needed SargonX.
Cheers
I think I'm probably going to quit this game.
The electron cloud initiative system isn't working for me.
When everyone gives their actions and then it all resolves at once, you get characters going places and doing things that no long make sense.
Combine that with the obvious "annoy the players" design of this encounter, and I'm really not having fun.
I'll finish this encounter (although I can't actually imagine it ending any way but with Samir escaping... it was pretty much designed that way) but then I think I'm out.
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I think I'm probably going to quit this game.
The electron cloud initiative system isn't working for me.
When everyone gives their actions and then it all resolves at once, you get characters going places and doing things that no long make sense.
Combine that with the obvious "annoy the players" design of this encounter, and I'm really not having fun.
I'll finish this encounter (although I can't actually imagine it ending any way but with Samir escaping... it was pretty much designed that way) but then I think I'm out.
I'm sorry that you feel that way.
I prefer individual initiative rolls as well (and will probably go back to them for future encounters), but I thought it would be a good way to keep the chase scene as fast-paced as possible.
As for the chase itself, it seemed like an interesting encounter, and while it would certainly be more efficient at a table, I wanted to see how it would work in a pbp, and use it to test out some of the new Alpha skill rules.
Of course, the choice is up to you, but you're welcome to stick around and see what develops. I've enjoyed having you (and Jaku) in the game, but I understand your point, whatever you decide.
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Jaku going would be a great shame but I'd rather people voice their opinion and possibly move on at the beginning before we all form much stronger ties.
I agree with the initiative cloud being a bit confusing but it should highlight just how much effort SargonX is capable of putting in on our behalf. He has to bring each round together.
His use of the electronic map and rules knowledge also bode well for the future. Perhaps you could give the game a month or two to see how the game improves, possibly thanks to your comments?
Finally I find it ironic that the one PC who has almost caught our quarry is the one disappointed at the encounter. My guy is useless in this environment but do I care, no, I'm just enjoying what is happening to you as you set off all the fun ahead of me!
This is widely regarded as a good encounter and part of a very good starting Dungeon scenario called Mad God's Key. I have to side with the DM on this one, I reckon it's a pretty interesting start.
My 2 pence worth.
I like the tone of the adventure so far, and agree it's a shame to have Jaku leave. Apologies that Pindara is bit rubbish in this encounter, but I hope she proved her worth in her whole undercover agent bit with the dancer and the bartender.
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Jaku going would be a great shame but I'd rather people voice their opinion and possibly move on at the beginning before we all form much stronger ties.
I agree with the initiative cloud being a bit confusing but it should highlight just how much effort SargonX is capable of putting in on our behalf. He has to bring each round together.
His use of the electronic map and rules knowledge also bode well for the future. Perhaps you could give the game a month or two to see how the game improves, possibly thanks to your comments?
Finally I find it ironic that the one PC who has almost caught our quarry is the one disappointed at the encounter. My guy is useless in this environment but do I care, no, I'm just enjoying what is happening to you as you set off all the fun ahead of me!
This is widely regarded as a good encounter and part of a very good starting Dungeon scenario called Mad God's Key. I have to side with the DM on this one, I reckon it's a pretty interesting start.
My 2 pence worth.
Okay...
First, I apologize if I came off as putting SargonX down. That was not my intention. I realize he's putting a great deal of work into the encounter, and the adventure as a whole. Props to him for that.I also find it ironic that I'm the only one disappointed (actually, frustrated and irritated are more accurate) with this encounter. It's designed so the only classes that really have a chance at it are the ones that can bury jump (and really... who does that?)
If we hadn't switched over to 3.PF, I don't believe anyone would have gotten as close as I have. (Certainly not me - my 3.5 jump was +0.)
As things stand, I'll probably be unconscious or dead before I actually get to say "tag!" Unless, of course, I try the 20' jump, at which point I'll just be wet.
Thank you for letting me know that this encounter is widely regarded as a good one and that the scenario it's from is also widely regarded as very good. It's not my cup, and so I disagree.
I shall, however, remain for a while, since it's not actually the DMs work, and I don't want to judge his adventure on the basis of someone else's product.
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Stunty, I didn't take it as you putting me down. Different DM styles, different play styles, different adventure styles, etc.
It is kind of ironic that as the most successful "chaser" you're the most disappointed, or maybe not, because as you're the primary chaser, you've run into most of the "obstacles," which does sort of dog pile everything onto you.
Actually, half of you have a good chance to excel here, you're just the only one who really took on the challenge. Skittle has even higher Acrobatics than you, but chose to stay back and deal with the halfling. Indo has a good chance as well, but he hung back to cast a spell, putting him one round behind, and one round in a chase can make or break it.
Regardless, this encounter will be over soon, for good or ill, and we'll see how the rest of the adventure develops.
Thanks for sharing your views (I appreciate your honesty), and no hard feelings.
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Looks like Alpha Release 3 is out folks.
The good news is: Pindara can update to the new sorcerer.
The bad news is: Still no bard for Bedu, or ranger for Skittle or Indo.
Looks like there may be a few other changes as well (to skills, some races, maybe some classes?), but I won't have time to really look at the new rules until the weekend.
So take a look for yourself, see if there are any changes to be made, and we'll look at any further updates that need to be done after the encounter is over and after we've had time to digest the new rules.
Glad to hear you're sticking around for a bit, Stunty. I should say that I'm enjoying this game so far, and really like the use of a map. As for Skittle, I've had a bit of a disconnect. His Jump bonus was pitiful and his base move is only 20', and I was working off that, and not thinking about how his great acrobatics bonus overcomes his short stature. I was also thinking it would be good for someone to grab the halfling in case Samir got away. The fun part is, I was expecting Skittle and Liet to play bad cop/good cop respectively, when Liet, to my surprise, smacked her on the head with his mace.
I have to say, I'm currently in three PbPs, and they all happen to see people leave (or just outright disappear) over the last few weeks. I'm too tired to put much thought into it, but I have to say, it's a lot more fun when you have a character that is easy to get into. Just my $.02, for what it's worth. Not implying anything, just making an observation from my own experience.
Alpha 2 calling Bedu, come in Bedu! Ahh there you are.
Skills rejigged but left much the same.
Should have chosen favored class for a dwarf. But it seems strange to have to do it at level 1 when I am playing a bard. Anyway Fighter it will be.
I shall look through the rest of the document again to see if anything else is needed.
Cheers
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Everyone, to get the best use of playtesting info, we should probably switch over to the Alpha 2 rules.
The main changes are in skills: for example, Sense Motive is once again a separate skill (useful in the current situation), and ranks are once more able to be divided a little more.
Also, the human weapon proficiency has become martial only (sorry, Indo).
Pindara, sorcerer is now out, so you can convert now.
Unfortunately, we still have to wait for bards and rangers. :(
So take a look at the new rules (they just replaced the old file with the new one in your My Downloads page), update your characters, and please post here when you're done for review, or if you have any questions on the update.
Cheers!
Oh yes, sorry, I've spent so long debating which bloodline to take, I forgot to actually do it.
Apologies to all, but I took an unplanned internet vacation. I'll catch up and post as soon as I can.
Might should wait to see if he tries to leave when I do. It'll probably make a difference in how that all plays out. I doubt he will, since he's got the next leg of the adventure, but you never know how the DM will play this kind of thing.
Maybe it was all about your violent PC?
Liet will be praying a thousand litanies for that mistake.
Good.
Perhaps he could put in a couple extra for Bedu too?
By extra you mean, a million. :D
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Change all your alignments to CE immediately. If you're going to play evil characters, they must be evil. ;)
On a related note, you're now down the sole rogue in the party. And you've got tomb explorations up ahead. Should I put out a call for another rogue to full the ranks? I'm happy with a smaller party, but it's up to you all. New player, yay or nay?
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Change all your alignments to CE immediately. If you're going to play evil characters, they must be evil. ;)
On a related note, you're now down the sole rogue in the party. And you've got tomb explorations up ahead. Should I put out a call for another rogue to full the ranks? I'm happy with a smaller party, but it's up to you all. New player, yay or nay?
Or we can simply hire several henchmen to carry our loot and to test for traps. Anyone interested in playing a henchman using the d20 base class from Nodwick?
Or a new rogue player would be nice.
Or I can introduce Ivan Shadowmantle, one of my old characters, and we look instead for a cleric?
*blink* What just happened?
LOL - okay, my response was similar, but more along the lines of :
*blink, blink* WTF?
Well, if he doesn't enjoy it, then I respect his decision. I think there are some hard-nosed characters in the group but I don't think evil.
The halfling mace attack was a little puzzling, Rad... ;)
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I'm creating my character. Her name is Lotus and she is a Rogue. This relic hunter doesn't know the meaning of danger and that does get her into trouble at times. So far however she survived all those perils.
Str 14
Dex 16
Con 14
Int 12
Wis 8
Cha 10
What level should I start her out at? My registration on Invisible Castle last night failed, but I'm working on that. I hope to have her up and running today. Could I get a short summary of what situation I'm getting myself into?
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We met at a barbers shop, went for a meal in a tavern. Good food. Then a man offered us a job linked to people burning in teh city and Lamashtu the Goddess of Twisted Deformities and Monsters. We agreed for a small fee.
The person we sought, narrowly escaped us that night because he had just passed through our inn to meet a girl.
Following morning, we headed into the docks and chased him across the boats and jetties. He was caught and a deal was struck for a map of the way to the tomb. That is when our last rogue decided we were a bit too mercenary for his tastes and left.
Then we followed the man, Samir, back to his nice home in the catacombs whereupon we found someone else had raided the place stealing the map and an amulet.
Group consists of;
1) Dangerous mace wielding cleric, Liet Kynes
2) Girl potter, Pindara
3) Skittle Beck, a warrior
4) Indo, a jungle warrior
5) Bedu, a dwarf barber
There are many more details but I should read the thread to pick those up. However that is the skeleton of it.