RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Okay, this is it. The discussion thread for my nascent World of Darkness play-by-post. I have already spoken with a few of you in the chatroom about this idea. I don't really have anything set in stone at this point and I'm pretty open to character types/locations/etc. for this chronicle. I assure you that I have no fewer than a dozen various concept larvae swimming around in my head, so I'm certain I can find one to adapt to whatever we decide on.
Really, I'm mostly interested in gathering information on what YOU as players want. I've prepared a few simple questions for you to answer that will help me optimize the game experience and am also prepared to receive more open-ended feedback.
Questionnaire:
1.) Are you more interested in a character-driven or plot-driven stories? Bear in mind that character-driven stories tend to proceed much slower in PbP format as they are more proactive than reactive.
2.) Within the World of Darkness milieu, please list your character preferences in order from most to least desirable. (By this, I mean to arrange the following in order: Core WoD human, Vampire, Mage, Werewolf. My knowledge of the other systems like Changeling and Hunter are a bit too fresh for me to effectively run them, sorry.)
3.) My games tend to run more towards the "action" side of the scale, so expect that combat will be necessary, often more frequently than your characters would like. To this end, does that fact make you more or less interested in the game? I can certainly dial the "action factor" back, but to make it virtually non-existant is simply not in my capacity. (Besides, "intrigue-style" games run very slowly in PbP due to the amount of social interaction necessary.)
4.) I do not like giving players control over their dice rolls. The largest reason for this is not because I think players cheat, but because I do not want the player to know if their rolls have succeeded or failed (or botched). Botching a critical knowledge check might lead off on a tangent that serves a significant story purpose, but if the player "knows" that the information I provided his character is intentionally incorrect, it removes the element of surprise. In light of this fact, are you okay with me making your character's rolls for you?
5.) With regards to the setting, the game can be varied. I would have no problem running WoD in the medieval era or the Rennaissance, but would generally prefer to run it in the modern era (and in the U.S.A. if possible) simply because my knowledge of such culture is most broad. Please state your desired time era and location here, with a few alternatives for flexibility's sake.
That should get us started. Looking forward to hearing back from you. Aside from the few chatroom folks I spoke to, I would not be adverse to permitting maybe another player or two from participating, so long as they are someone with an established messageboard history who I know I can count on to continue posting regularly. (I've been burned in the past by player dropouts, sorry.)
Questionnaire:1.) Are you more interested in a character-driven or plot-driven stories? Bear in mind that character-driven stories tend to proceed much slower in PbP format as they are more proactive than reactive.
Some of both for me, though I would lean more towards plot-driven. Character-driven storylines are perfectly good though and I like them for ways to make the characters more invested in the overarching plotlines.
2.) Within the World of Darkness milieu, please list your character preferences in order from most to least desirable. (By this, I mean to arrange the following in order: Core WoD human, Vampire, Mage, Werewolf. My knowledge of the other systems like Changeling and Hunter are a bit too fresh for me to effectively run them, sorry.)
For this question...my order would be based on a few assumptions. If sources like Changing Breeds and Second Sight are open for use, then this order: Werewolf/Changing Breeds, Base Human (Second Sight stuff likely), Mage, Vampire. I'm still not as up to speed with the new Vampire stuff.
If those other books are not allowed, then: Human, Mage, Werewolf, Vampire.
3.) My games tend to run more towards the "action" side of the scale, so expect that combat will be necessary, often more frequently than your characters would like. To this end, does that fact make you more or less interested in the game? I can certainly dial the "action factor" back, but to make it virtually non-existant is simply not in my capacity. (Besides, "intrigue-style" games run very slowly in PbP due to the amount of social interaction necessary.)
Intrigue is good for plot development and such, but so is combat. So long as the amount of combat is appropriate to the story, it makes little difference to me. Basically, I like the game world I play in to make sense, random attacks for no reasons other than to just fight tend not to fit my view of WoD. So long as combat falls within the storyline, any amount is fine.
4.) I do not like giving players control over their dice rolls. The largest reason for this is not because I think players cheat, but because I do not want the player to know if their rolls have succeeded or failed (or botched). Botching a critical knowledge check might lead off on a tangent that serves a...
^_^ This is not a problem for me at all. In a lot of capacities, I agree with handling it that way. Go for it.
5.) With regards to the setting, the game can be varied. I would have no problem running WoD in the medieval era or the Rennaissance, but would generally prefer to run it in the modern era (and in the U.S.A. if possible) simply because my knowledge of such culture is most broad. Please state your desired time era and location here, with a few alternatives for flexibility's sake.
My vote is for Modern (or near-modern) Horror.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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For this question...my order would be based on a few assumptions. If sources like Changing Breeds and Second Sight are open for use, then this order: Werewolf/Changing Breeds, Base Human (Second Sight stuff likely), Mage, Vampire. I'm still not as up to speed with the new Vampire stuff.
If those other books are not allowed, then: Mage, Human, Werewolf, Vampire.
Second Sight is perfectly viable (in fact, if we dore Core WoD humans, I would EXPECT SS elements). I have the Changing Breeds book but really haven't had a lot of time to look it over. If everyone else lists this as a high interest, I would not be adverse to giving it a shot. I find it unlikely that the other players will have access to those rules, however.
Intrigue is good for plot development and such, but so is combat. So long as the amount of combat is appropriate to the story, it makes little difference to me. Basically, I like the game world I play in to make sense, random attacks for no reasons other than to just fight tend not to fit my view of WoD. So long as combat falls within the storyline, any amount is fine.
Oh you need not worry about senseless combat, but a lot of times seemingly "random" attacks do actually serve an overarching purpose. >:)
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1.) Plot-driven, at least to start with.
2.) Vampire, Core WoD. I do not own either the Mage or Werewolf books, which would make it difficult to play with them.
3.) I'm quite happy with action games. Not all out constant action, but I'm sure that won't be the case here?
4.) For the big rolls, sure. If you think it won't slow things down to do every single roll, then I'm happy with that (though, I do quite like rolling for attacks!)
5.) My preferred age would be 80's (especially if you use the New Wave Requiem PDF), but modern US would be fine too. City wise, any of Miami, Chicago or New Orleans would work.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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2.) Vampire, Core WoD. I do not own either the Mage or Werewolf books, which would make it difficult to play with them.
Duly noted. I'll let it be known that Vampire is actually my least favorite of the nWoD games, but I do still have a fondness for it and will run it if it suits the majority demand.
3.) I'm quite happy with action games. Not all out constant action, but I'm sure that won't be the case here?
Oh no, constant action would be best served with a controller in one's hand, not on a messageboard. :)
4.) For the big rolls, sure. If you think it won't slow things down to do every single roll, then I'm happy with that (though, I do quite like rolling for attacks!)
Pretty much every roll requires the ST to report the roll's success or failure anyway, so the only "slowdown" that would be experienced would be the 10 seconds it takes for me to make the roll for you before announcing the results. There may be some instances in which players can roll their own, but I expect I'll be handling upwards of 90% of the rolls.
5.) My preferred age would be 80's (especially if you use the New Wave Requiem PDF), but modern US would be fine too. City wise, any of Miami, Chicago or New Orleans would work.
I haven't had a chance to look at the PDF you're mentioning, but I'm not particularly intrigued by the 80s era (despite being BORN in it). Besides, with the exception of computers, cell phones, music, and fashion, there's little functional difference between the two. I have a few "retro" plot ideas, though, so if this is a common interest, I might consider it.
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1.) Are you more interested in character-driven or plot-driven stories?
Primarily plot driven. I enjoy something more like an interactive novel
and love to see how the plot will twist and turn. Much more that than taking center stage to dial up the angst or drama.2.) World of Darkness preference
Mage --> Werewolf / Vampire --> Human
I haven't played any of the nWoD versions, but what I liked about the old ones:Mage: synchronicity in little signs and things coming together. Coincidence that starts to become creepy and make you paranoid. Minor details worked into the background that may or may not be foreshadowing things to come through symbolism or just random things noticed out of context that at first seem to reference the situation hand.
Werewolf: the animism thing and the spirit world overlay. I was always curious what something familiar might be revealed as in the spirit world and what kind of personality you might encounter for abstract concept as well as more material ones. But I didn't really care for the toxic avenger kind of theme. I'm flipping through the new werewolf these days and it looks like they didn't go that way so much.
Vampire: Power struggle for status and scheming. Trying to build something up and defend it at the same time.
Mortal: I haven't read the mortal book really. I have a pdf for flip through, but have never really read much of it. I'm not sure what I would expect in a mortal game.
3.) Action!(?)
I prefer action oriented games. I think the action is necessary in most pbp to keep them moving along.
4.) No Dice for you!
I like rolling dice, but it doesn't bother me either way. And as you say, with some things it is much better if you don't know how well you did.
5.) Desired time era and location here, with a few alternatives for flexibility's sake.
Modern. If not that maybe the roaring twenties? Victorian could be fun too.
Location... Depends on the game to some degree. Whatever works.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Alright, well, since my opinion matters too, I'll go ahead and weigh in my "votes" and we'll see where we stand.
1.) Plot-driven, particularly for PbP.
2.) Mage, Core, Werewolf, Vampire
3.) John Woo would be proud.
4.) N/A
5.) Modern works best, perhaps late-20th century (1960-1999) at the earliest.
So, tallying things up, I'm going to assign 5 pts. to a primary choice, 3 pts. to a secondary, 1 point to a third option, and none to the fourth.
1.) Plot-driven was more-or-less unanimous, so that's set.
2.) Ithy and I both said 'Mage' as our first choice. Mage was Yasha's 3rd option, and Uzzy didn't list it (as he lacks the books). Therefore, 5+5+1 = 11 pts. for Mage. Vampire was Uzzy's first and Ithy's 2nd/3rd (call it 2 pts.), giving it 5 pts. Yasha and I listed it last. Werewolf was Yasha's first, Ithy listed it 2nd/3rd (I'll call it 2 pts.), and my third, giving it 8 pts. Core WoD was 2nd for myself, Yasha and Uzzy, and last for Ithy, giving it 9 pts. So far, Mage is in the lead. However, lacking the books would be a SERIOUS problem for Uzzy, so I'm inclined to move to option #2 (Core WoD) unless Uzzy wants to either a.) buy the Mage book; or b.) cope with having one of us try to explain everything to him (could be problematic and time-consuming).
3.) No one seems to have a problem with an action game. Good.
4.) No one has any complaints, so I will handle the dice rolls.
5.) Looks like modern-day has the majority so far.
1.- Plot Driven. Let the characters develop as the plot twists.
2.- Vampire - Human - Werewolf - Mage. (I only have a bit of knowledge about Changeling and Vampire, I assume Human can't be that hard... but if I can be taught of others and another game is selected, I'm in. I placed Mage on the last spot because I usually suck at systems that use magic, but if it's easier than most...).
3.- As long as it isn't only fighting, I'm in. I enjoy action if it's part of the plot, and not the plot per se.
4.- That's cool with me.
5.- I only know a few places in the US, so I'd be ignorant in most aspects of city/location play; I'll play a foreigner and my level of knowledge will be terribly realistic. I like any age except the 70's.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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2.- Vampire - Human - Werewolf - Mage. (I only have a bit of knowledge about Changeling and Vampire, I assume Human can't be that hard... but if I can be taught of others and another game is selected, I'm in. I placed Mage on the last spot because I usually suck at systems that use magic, but if it's easier than most...).
Okay, so now, with Kiioro on deck, we're looking at the following totals:
Core WoD - 12 pts.
Mage - 11 pts.
Vampire - 10 pts.
Werewolf - 9 pts.
Surprisingly close, but Core WoD (with elements of Second Sight) seems to be in the lead. I can explain the Second Sight stuff to those of you without the books pretty easily. It's basically all psychic phenomena and telepathy/telekinesis stuff.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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I will try it out, I am a blank slate, zero books, and no experience with the system whatsoever. So I have no opinion in any direction regarding any of the settings.
Hehe, duly noted. Welcome aboard.
Okay, crew, we have our players. I'll need to spend a bit of time teaching Jon the basics. The rest of you can start thinking about your (relatively) mundane human characters. I am permitting elements from Second Sight, so your character can be a psychic if you wish. Also (and perhaps more interestingly), everyone could play ordinary humans and I will inflict the supernatural on you. An entire party of psychics right out of the gate eliminates a lot of the "horror" aspect of the WoD, so perhaps it's best to consider utterly fundamental modern concepts right from the get-go.
The game will be modern(ish) day. I haven't quite decided if I want to set in in 2009 or maybe a few years ahead (2011 or so) yet, but it shouldn't shake the concepts much.
Bear in mind, unlike D&D, a party does not have "roles" that must be filled in WoD. That said, tons of overlap will lead to a rather limited scope of abilities amongst the group, so diversity is highly recommended.
Alright, meatsnacks it is! Works good for me. Playing Meatsnacks was kinda my hope of how things were going to go, as you know Fatespinner.
I'll get my character concept up here in a day or so, I should have the character done by the end of the weekend most likely.
wOOT!
Time to work on the character.
For Fate:
Basically I am creating a latent talent for a character. Currently his psychic/hedge magic is pretty much nil, except his Unseen Sense. I would personally like to see some 'inflicting' of the supernatural on him eventually. Unless we decide to go with something else as time progresses, my hope would take the 'Shaman' path under Thaumaturges in Second Sight. Or if things lead that way, towards Mage.
Thought I'd give you that info.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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For Fate:
** spoiler omitted **
Oooooh, I like it! This type of concept has a lot of potential for pretty much any kind of game. A couple of minor things on the character sheet, just for my sake:
1.) Could you please put a '0' next to Abilities that you have no points in? Leaving them with nothing after the colon is slightly awkward for me.
2.) I'm assuming that you haven't finished all the details yet, but once you do all the math and figure out your Virtue and Vice, please list them on the character sheet.
3.) I notice the character has a Resolve of 1. This is not an error or anything of the sort that needs to be "corrected" per se, but consider the mindset of a person with poor Resolve. This is someone who will crack under pressure, give in to temptations, and will likely be very much a 'follower.' If this is not the personality you have in mind, I would recommend possibly reallocating a point from Wits into Resolve to give him at least a bit of determination and willpower.
Other than that, I'll need to take a look at my book when I get home with regards to the Merits. I strongly doubt I'll have any issues with them, but I want to refresh my memory as to how the ones you've chosen work. Everything else looks cool so far!
Cool deal Fate.
Yeah, Resolve is one of the Attributes I am considering altering a bit...argH! Too few points!
^_^
Yeah, obviously I am not quite done...this is a first draft, I somewhat ran out of time over the weekend. Over the week I'll be adding finishing touches, retooling a few points here and there, adding Vice and Virtue, etc.
Glad you like the idea! Being open to a lot of things was a bit of my goal. Besides, starting with a very disillusioned character with suspect motivations for doing anything is a fun idea, IMO.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Quick question. Yasha's character has a second language, without the points in Merits for it. Is that just a background thing?
My character is going to be a Cuban American Cop, so it'd be logical for Spanish to be a second language. Would I have to pay for that?
Yeah, I was thinking about that. Technically you have to spend Merit points for alternate languages. Personally, I think that's a bit strict and I much prefer something similar to oWoD's handling of things.
I'll propose a compromise (and this goes for you too, Yasha): You may burn one of your Mental skill dots (or one Merit dot) to gain full fluency in an additional language (instead of 3 Merit dots). You may burn as many such points as you like for additional languages as you want.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Cool deal Fate.
Okay, I looked up the Merits you purchased last night while I was at home and they're totally fine. I'm sure that the big ones will get used at least a few times in the course of the chronicle and the Natural Immunity will probably factor in at least once or twice... possibly more depending on how things take shape in my mind once I see the other concepts.
I'm definitely going for modern-day (read: 2009) Miami as the setting at this point. Start thinking of reasons for your characters to be in southern Florida. I've got a pretty solid idea of how to get the group together (though if some of you want to form pre-existing bonds, that's fine too).
I had no idea that languages were handled so differently in nWoD. Not sure why I imagined that I would get a language for free. D'oh! I'll drop one spot from a mental skill to adjust it.
Reasons for traveling to Miami: Anu is relatively rootless, so far as he is concerned. New place, new life. Basically he is going to be exploring the night-club scene and other such, trying to nail down a gig doing magic. Easiest and safest way for him to earn money. While searching, he will be performing on street corners, near beaches/boardwalks, etc.
Uzzy: Ah...a cop...lovely. [sarcasm] Our characters are going to get along great![/sarcasm] Should make for some fun roleplay...
^_^
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Yasha: Your Unseen Sense merit is supposed to be angled towards a specific supernatural event/creature per the core book. It can be anything, from the presence of werewolves to the activation of a Mage's spell. It could even detect ghosts or demons if you choose. But it must be a specific thing that it responds to, not an all-purpose "supernatural radar."
Given your concept, I could see it responding to spirits, werewolves, or magic pretty easily. Of course, if you want to be a vampire radar, that's fine too.
EDIT: On second thought, spirits are pretty much omnipresent. Maybe a specific KIND of spirit or spiritual location (banes, wolf spirits, Wounds, loci, etc.).
Hmm...
I'll need to research that a bit and I'll note it on the character sheet once I've figured it out. Time today is limited, but I should be able to check the books out in some detail tomorrow.
Definitely not Vampire Radar though. Spirits definitely...as to what kind...we'll see.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Definitely not Vampire Radar though. Spirits definitely...as to what kind...we'll see.
I did some additional plot development over the weekend and have come up with a pretty solid idea of the general direction of the chronicle, if not necessarily the fine details. In the interest of ensuring that your character's ability does not go under-valued, Yasha, since we are dealing with a plot-driven chronicle here, I would highly recommend you choose one of the following for your Unseen Sense merit:
-Magic
-Demons
-Vampires
-Loci
-Mages
-Wounds
-Werewolves
Specific types of Spirits aren't directly going to be a focal point of any of the plotlines I'm developing, so choosing one of the options above will ensure that your Merit serves a useful purpose.
Or, for extra mystery, you can leave it to ME to choose what it reacts to! If you leave it to me, I will let it respond to two different stimuli instead of one, but you will have no control over what they are (nor will you know what sets it off until you discover it in-game). I promise that at least one of the stimuli will be from the list above. The other... I make no such guarantee, though it won't be completely useless.
Fatespinner,
Take a look and see what is what.
Background will be posted as soon as I can. Let me know on the mechanics.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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See what she looks like here. Download her character sheet here.
As I will mostly be handling this game from work, I would prefer it if you could post the character sheet into the alias's profile (see the other characters above for examples). I can't access either of these links as they are blocked by my office firewall. :(
Okay, how's it look boss?
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Okay, how's it look boss?
That's an awful lot of hardware for someone with Resources 1 and no Contacts/Allies in the underworld. If you want to reflect your character's organized crime ties, you'll need some Merits to back it up. Otherwise, you'll need to ditch the kevlar vest and the forged CCW (unless you want it to be a really s~&*ty forgery that any cop would know was fake).
Okay, how's it look boss?That's an awful lot of hardware for someone with Resources 1 and no Contacts/Allies in the underworld. If you want to reflect your character's organized crime ties, you'll need some Merits to back it up. Otherwise, you'll need to ditch the kevlar vest and the forged CCW (unless you want it to be a really s#!*ty forgery that any cop would know was fake).
understood, making changes now
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Okay, mechanically speaking, I think everyone is ready to go. If you think you have everything you need to get started (background and otherwise), just put a post here with your alias and let me know you're all set. Any questions you have, please ask them now. I'm looking to start the game by next week (sooner if everyone sounds off and is all set).
o7
Ready!
Ready to go.
I'm more or less ready. Will try to finish up tonight.
Ok boss, let me know if there is anything else I need to specify. *sound of pistol cocking*
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Just checking in here. Had a business meeting this morning which added a heap of stuff for me to do today, so I unfortunately won't be able to get the game started today. I intend to start this week, though... don't know exactly which day. Might not be until after Wednesday.
I will keep everyone up to date on my progress. Once things get started, it's easy. The opening, however, is very important.
No prob Fatey!
If you would, just drop a link to the actual PbP thread into this one once its up.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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On the off-chance it's not clear, Jon and Hank are meeting each other at a late-night cafe across the street from the museum and Anu is passing Jon on the sidewalk.
About half a block up the road, Garabina is about to begin defusing a domestic dispute while Adrian looks on from his apartment window and Gabriel spies from the sidewalk outside the parking area.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Okay, a minor request.
For your health tracking, please take a look at your character's Health score. If you would, off to the side, could you record your health levels in boxes along with the wound penalties for the last 3 blocks? Like so:
Health: 7 ([ ], [ ], [ ], [ ], [ ]-1, [ ]-2, [ ]-3)
Then, when you take damage, record bashing with a / and lethal with an X. After taking 1 lethal and 4 bashing damage, your track would look like this:
Health: 7 ([X], [/], [/], [/], [/]-1, [ ]-2, [ ]-3)
Remember that the least severe damage always pushes to the right. This will let me track your character's condition much better. Thanks!
Hey Fatespinner, let us know whats going on once things smooth a bit more for you, okay?