Gauging Interest -- "Kirthfinder" Playtest PBP

[Kirth Gersen]

kyrt-ryder wrote:

Dibs! (How long do I have to put a character together? I'm rather behind on the rules.)

You're in!

You have until probably after Thanksgiving, say November 28?

[kyrt-ryder]

Kirth Gersen wrote:

kyrt-ryder wrote:

Dibs! (How long do I have to put a character together? I'm rather behind on the rules.)

You're in!

You have until probably after Thanksgiving, say November 28?

Plenty of time. I'm considering a Ranger, but we'll see what I decide after I read through the system again.

[Kirth Gersen]

kyrt-ryder wrote:

Plenty of time. I'm considering a Ranger, but we'll see what I decide after I read through the system again.

Cool. If you haven't seen them yet, TOZ posted the latest versions this morning (same link, new docs).

[kyrt-ryder]

I noticed, but it's good to have that link near the top of the second page. (In fact, since you still have time, it might be wise to edit it into the top post in [bigger][b] tags for easy finding.)

[Patcher]

I'm interested, though would need a little bit to think up a proper character concept.

I'd probably try out the Favoured Soul.

[psychicmachinery]

I'll roll something up. No Vikings in Mithral full plate, right?

[Kirth Gersen]

psychicmachinery wrote:

I'll roll something up. No Vikings in Mithral full plate, right?

Hey! No fair! You're already in the home game!

Seriously, though, if someone else drops out, I'll be happy to cycle you in -- but first refusal should probably to go to people who aren't already actively playing what some wit dubbed "Kirthfinder," and what I still think of as a S(uperior) H(ybrid) I(nteractive) T(abletop) RPG.

[kyrt-ryder]

I always knew your work was shit Kirth :P

[Patcher]

Is it possible to get some quick TL;DR synopsis on what the party is going through and what the general plot seems to be? I'm quite enamored with the Bones / Cult mysteries, but they seem to have great potential for disrupting the party / derailing the plot. I don't want to be that player (if I have a shot at all).

[Kirth Gersen]

Here goes:

A gang of bandits have attacked and burned a wagon caravan passing through the South Estren frontier territories. Intervening are Jaegr "Knock Knock," a mountain dwarf fighter; Wyvurn, a hobgoblin monk of elven ancestry; Vanya Volkov, a drunken human battle sorcerer; and Kelsin, a wood elf druid (who had tracked the bandits from his home forest). Also observing is Caspian, a hafling recently escaped from the devil-worshiping nation of Aramni, who subsequently joins the heroes. Although the caravan goods are lost, the bandits are routed (with two captured), and two of the merchants are rescued.

When the town marshal (a tough hobgoblin) arrives, he immediately begins killing the captive bandits, rather than bringing them back to the nearest town to stand trial. Jaegr and Wyvurn intervene and the marshal is struck down.

In town, the marshal's office has no one in residence but a seemingly idiotic mute mongrelman, sweeping the floor. In the town bar are a group of sinister Avionan inquisitors, who seem to have some business with Vanya. Vanya becomes annoyed with them and attacks; the others intervene and these people are locked in the marshal's jail.

Desiring to search the jailhouse, Jaegr is invited into the cellar by the mongrelman. When he fails to emerge, the others troop downstairs, only to be ambushed by the mongrelman, who can not only speak but proves to be a wizard of great evil talent. He nearly destroys the entire party before he is forced to surrender and locked in another cell.

The mongrelman's papers indicate correspondence with an elf-lord of Aviona, as well as with a goblin from the nearby wilderness; they discuss an impending invasion of the town by goblins in a matter-of-fact manner. Jaegr also discovers and knocks down a section of newly-patched wall in the cellar. Inside is a box containing a stone monster's head, which is apparently a malign artifact of some kind.

Enlisting "Black Snake" Charlie, a local guide, the party goes to the cave of the goblins. Jaegr, Vanya, Wyvurn, and Caspian sneak in at night, while most of the goblins are out prowling; Charlie and Kelsin go to dispose of the rock head somewhere. In the caves, the party fights bugbears, goblins, darkmantles, and a dire wolf, before winning their way to the Goblin King's throne room. The Goblin King is a barghest, waiting for delivery of the stone head to cement his power over all the goblins on the frontier. Caspian wounds him with a sling stone, breaking his spell of despair; Jaegr cuts through his bodyguards and lays low the barghest itself.

Unfortunately, the group stayed too long underground, and the rest of the goblins returned at dawn. Three goblin rangers, mounted on worgs, arrived for an audience with the barghest, and the group is currently in desperate straits fighting them.

---

Understand that the above is a broad summary of only the most action-packed parts of nearly a year's worth of play, including a good deal of investigation and interwoven plots.

[Patcher]

Thank you kindly.

Would the Bones / Cult mystery be unfitting for the story, in your opinion?

[kyrt-ryder]

Hmmmmm, would it be possible to perhaps BE one of those Goblin Rangers? Either have a change of heart/be sick of being under that monster's thumb, or have infiltrated from another tribe, waiting for the opportunity to take him down? I do love some espionage =D

[Mark Thomas 66]

I'm definitely interested, but it looks like you already have your 2 people.

[Caspian Barefoot]

Yes hurry before we all die horrible deaths in the stew-pot!

[psychicmachinery]

Kirth Gersen wrote:

psychicmachinery wrote:

I'll roll something up. No Vikings in Mithral full plate, right?

Hey! No fair! You're already in the home game!

Seriously, though, if someone else drops out, I'll be happy to cycle you in -- but first refusal should probably to go to people who aren't already actively playing what some wit dubbed "Kirthfinder," and what I still think of as a S(uperior) H(ybrid) I(nteractive) T(abletop) RPG.

Ha! No worries. I'll humbly stand aside and let some others take a crack at the PbP. Please feel free to use Skjorn as an NPC should the need arise.

[Jaegr "Knock Knock"]

Caspian Barefoot wrote:

Yes hurry before we all die horrible deaths in the stew-pot!

Even goblins won't like Mountain Dwarf Soup

[Kirth Gersen]

In answer to recent questions:

1. Bones mystery is fine -- but evil characters trying to knock off the rest of the party aren't what I really need right now. If you're just a creepy dude/gal who happens to be able to animate the dead, and you come up with some reasonable motivation for joining the party (and a backstory that explains why you haven't been lynched for animating grandma, which is illegal in Aviona), then more power to you, and welcome!

2. By the same token, yes, you can be a goblin ranger, but your change of heart should be sincere.

Shoot, you can play a half-troll cyborg necromancer from the planet Meebzor, if you can come up with some reason for being in the campaign setting and some reason why you haven't been hunted down and killed as a monster yet -- but the onus is on the player in those cases to make it work; I'll continue to play the townsfolk and NPCs as befits their personalities.

[kyrt-ryder]

Kirth Gersen wrote:

2. By the same token, yes, you can be a goblin ranger, but your change of heart should be sincere.

Oh I agree, when I was discussing espionage, I was referring to possibly being a spy goblin for another clan, not a spy on the party (in the right games that kind of thing is awesome, but not for my first dice-based PbP game as a player :P)

Sounds awesome then, I'll try to get my reading finished some time today and decide for sure whether or not I want that character or something else.

[Patcher]

Alright. I'll think of something. May do a complete turn and go Life for simplicity's sake. I'm not going Bones simply to be "that evil moron that ruins everybody else's fun", though. It isn't my style.

Will post a first draft later today or tomorrow.

[Jaegr "Knock Knock"]

Kirth Gersen wrote:

In answer to recent questions:

1. Bones mystery is fine -- but evil characters trying to knock off the rest of the party aren't what I really need right now. If you're just a creepy dude/gal who happens to be able to animate the dead, and you come up with some reasonable motivation for joining the party (and a backstory that explains why you haven't been lynched for animating grandma, which is illegal in Aviona), then more power to you, and welcome!

Not that I want to steer anyone's character direction, but I don't think Jaegr would be keen on undead being "On our side"

[Kirth Gersen]

Jaegr "Knock Knock" wrote:

Not that I want to steer anyone's character direction, but I don't think Jaegr would be keen on undead being "On our side"

Yeah, I sort of figured that, but also figured I'd let you guys sort it out yourselves -- if that ultimately ends up being Jaegr making his point by means of a pickaxe to the head, well, life on the frontier can be harsh.

[Doodlebug Anklebiter]

I can't tell who all these different people are (applicants, established characters, etc.), so I'll just say that I would be interested in playing.

I won't even ask to be a goblin paladin.

[houstonderek]

I am watching all of this with keen interest. Partially because I really enjoy the setting and like seeing more lore, but mainly because I want to know why the heck all these damned mountain dwarves decided to leave the mountain!

It's getting to be an infestation, I tell you...

[Kirth Gersen]

houstonderek wrote:

I want to know why the heck all these damned mountain dwarves decided to leave the mountain!

Jaegr's backstory specifically spelled out that he went looking for the heretic priest, Rim Cairntracker, in order to convert to his faith.

[houstonderek]

Kirth Gersen wrote:

houstonderek wrote:

I want to know why the heck all these damned mountain dwarves decided to leave the mountain!

Jaegr's backstory specifically spelled out that he went looking for the heretic priest, Rim Cairntracker, in order to convert to his faith.

Oh, cool! :-)

[hogarth]

Kirth Gersen wrote:

Shoot, you can play a half-troll cyborg necromancer from the planet Meebzor

So tempting... :-D

[Doodlebug Anklebiter]

Should I bother pitching a character, or are you full up?

[Kirth Gersen]

Doodlebug Anklebiter wrote:

I can't tell who all these different people are (applicants, established characters, etc.), so I'll just say that I would be interested in playing.

Established players/characters:

Jaegr (mountain dwarf fighter), played by David James Olmos;

Caspian (halfling bard), played by Freddy Honeycutt;

Wyvurn (hobgoblin monk), played by Chainsaw.

Being cycled out:

Vanya (human battle sorcerer), formerly played by nightflier;

Kelsin (wood elf druid), formerly played by downrightamazed.

Current Applicants:

kyrt-rider (accepted due to previous offer);

Patcher;

Comrade Anklebiter (maybe).

Tell you what -- Patcher, you and the Doodlebug can make up characters and brief (1-paragraph) backstories, and I'll let the etsablished players (DJ, Freddy, and Chainsaw) vote on which one gets to join... or is that too arbitrary for peoples' tastes?

[Doodlebug Anklebiter]

Kirth Gersen wrote:

Tell you what -- Patcher, you and the Doodlebug can make up characters and brief (1-paragraph) backstories, and I'll let the etsablished players (DJ, Freddy, and Chainsaw) vote on which one gets to join... or is that too arbitrary for peoples' tastes?

I appreciate the offer, but if Patcher came first, then I'll step aside.

I would, however, like to hereby sign up for the next opening...even if it's a year from now.

[Kirth Gersen]

Doodlebug Anklebiter wrote:

I appreciate the offer, but if Patcher came first, then I'll step aside. I would, however, like to hereby sign up for the next opening...even if it's a year from now.

Righteous.

Confirmed new players are kyrt-rider and Patcher; I look forward to seeing what you guys come up with.
Doodlebug -- you are hereby confirmed for the next open spot (as kyrt was for this one).

[Doodlebug Anklebiter]

Thanks, Kirth!

[Patcher]

Truth be told I can't come up with a decent character concept at this time being (must be stress) so I think I'll have to sit this one out.

Good luck with your campaign, Kirth.

[Jaegr "Knock Knock"]

houstonderek wrote:

Kirth Gersen wrote:

houstonderek wrote:

I want to know why the heck all these damned mountain dwarves decided to leave the mountain!

Jaegr's backstory specifically spelled out that he went looking for the heretic priest, Rim Cairntracker, in order to convert to his faith.

Oh, cool! :-)

Yes, that is mainly correct. He actually is looking for Rim to join his faith to fulfill a promise. Jaegr expects it to take a long time to find him or he may never. This is his way of not having to join but keeping his promise in a literal sense but not in the spirit of the promise

[Kirth Gersen]

Patcher wrote:

Truth be told I can't come up with a decent character concept at this time being (must be stress) so I think I'll have to sit this one out. Good luck with your campaign, Kirth.

Thank you for the interest, and especially for your great courtesy -- I salute you. If some time in the future another opening appears and you do want it, I'd be happy to have you join then.

[Kirth Gersen]

Comrade Anklebiter, looks like you're up after all.

Wow, it's bad for the ego, having potential players falling all over each other to not participate!

[Doodlebug Anklebiter]

Yay! And they say no good deed goes unpunished!

I don't plan on being up much longer, but, quick question: Is the World of Warriorcraft thread the one I should be reading to get acclimated to Kirthfinder?

[TOZ]

Yes, it is.

[Doodlebug Anklebiter]

The first document is 40 pages long! Egads, you guys.

[seekerofshadowlight]

Wasn't there two of these Pbp going? Did one fold?

[Kirth Gersen]

seekerofshadowlight wrote:

Wasn't there two of these Pbp going? Did one fold?

TOZ was going to start one about a year ago, but then he got deployed.

[kyrt-ryder]

Kirth Gersen wrote:

seekerofshadowlight wrote:

Wasn't there two of these Pbp going? Did one fold?

TOZ was going to start one about a year ago, but then he got deployed.

They say War does things to a man...

[TOZ]

And then he does them to his player characters. ;)

[seekerofshadowlight]

Ah ok, I thought I recalled talk of two games. Glad to see your game is still moving along.

[TOZ]

I may take it up again, depending on how things go with my group. Two players may drop out due to new baby, and two more have joined in my absence.

[seekerofshadowlight]

Yeah new baby makes getting together to game a bit hard at times.

[TOZ]

I'm kind of torn about it. They're the two most involved in the setting, but also the reason we can't game at my other friends house due to cat allergies. :/

[seekerofshadowlight]

Ah, yeah that sucks. It is always bad to lose involved players. But they may be back once the baby is older.

[Doodlebug Anklebiter]

Hey, Kirth, so how should I generate my stats?

Was thinking about a goblin (surprise, surprise!) spell-caster of some sort.

If you're out there Kyrt, what are you thinking of making?

[kyrt-ryder]

Doodlebug Anklebiter wrote:

Hey, Kirth, so how should I generate my stats?

Was thinking about a goblin (surprise, surprise!) spell-caster of some sort.

If you're out there Kyrt, what are you thinking of making?

How ironic, I'm still strongly leaning towards a Goblin Ranger. Not set in stone yet though, regrettably.

[Doodlebug Anklebiter]

You want to be from the same tribe? Or even siblings or some such?

Do you know how we're supposed to generate our stats?