How much should players know? Player reference?

[Humphrey Boggard]

Another player and I have joined the campaign late (I joined not long before the battle in the clock tower, the other player joined at the start of the third book, Hook Mountain Massacre). Both of us would like more background on the parts of the AP that we've missed and our GM has been too busy to fill us in.

Would it spoil the third book to read the first and second books of the AP? Are there any online resources for players so that we know at least the plot and who the (non-player) characters are?

[Johnico]

I haven't personally read Runelords, but I'd advise against reading the first and second books of the AP. Often there are things that are explained for GMs in book, say, 2 but won't actually be revealed to the players until book 4.

I don't know of any online resources along those lines, sorry.

Perhaps, if the GM is too busy to fill you guys in, you could ask one of the other players to give you a summary of what's been happening?

[Humphrey Boggard]

It doesn't really seem like the other players are as much driven by the narrative - part of the problem is that the other player is playing as Shileluegh (sp?) and doesn't have much of the background info to know who here character is.

edit: I think her name is spelled Shillelagh.

[Bandavaar the Brave]

Shalelu, if he/she is playing as the NPC in this AP.

I'd say if you want to be surprised then don't read the other books. Just enjoy the game from the point you stepped in.

You run the risk of ruining a lot for yourself if you do read the previous books. :(

[Humphrey Boggard]

Bandavaar the Brave wrote:

Shalelu, if he/she is playing as the NPC in this AP.

I'd say if you want to be surprised then don't read the other books. Just enjoy the game from the point you stepped in.

You run the risk of ruining a lot for yourself if you do read the previous books. :(

Clear reading the AP is out. Still, how do I find out who everyone is (in light of the overworked GM and otherwise under-interested fellow players)?

[Thorkull]

Just ask your GM who each NPC is and why you care about them when they show up or are mentioned. Keep notes.

[Humphrey Boggard]

In the end I talked with the group and decided to compile a players' reference specific to our campaign. I've been doing most of the legwork and am busily compiling background and past events front the other PCs and GM.