Greedy pack of jerks.
It's not even all about the money, it's that they are using the excuse of, "well, they did a bunch of different tests on the blood that they drew." Most of those tests they've never even done before. I just thought it was for the usual cortisol level check and my cbc like they usually do. They NEVER said anything to me about all these other tests that they supposedly did. Plus, they sent me that bill AFTER I told his receptionist that I wouldn't be coming to see him anymore due to the fact that I was going to be quitting UAMS. It all smells like b!~@%!%! to me. Thats why I asked for the itemized list, and I'm taking it to a lawyer to look at to see if by not telling me about the tests beforehand I can actually do something actionable.
The medical industry as a whole always makes me a nervous. Any situation where one side holds all the cards is just asking for a scam (see the auto repair industry scam that came to light in the 90s). They can say whatever they want and charge you whatever they want.
On a game-related note, I wanted to get folks opinions on some things.
Thanks Skaar, I know it's probably a waste of time to go after them and try to hold them accountable, but I'm sure as hell gonna try. I'm not just gonna roll over and let them f$~@ me in the ass like that.
So, what's on your mind?
?
You should certainly make a stink and call them out on it if you think there's foul play involved.
To start, I think the NPCs are getting out of control. This was a concern that I brought up with Henry a long time ago (back in the beginning with Rando and his crew) and it seems to be creeping back up again. I know we are all attached to the NPCs and are forming bonds with them but I think it’s important to divorce mechanics from the narrative in this kind of situation. It was a big immersion breaker for me when we were a group of level 1s traveling with 10+ level 5 characters. It’s an immersion breaker for me now when we have five equal level NPCs and at least three significantly higher level NPCs hanging around town.
Since nobody has replied, I’ll assume I still have the floor. =)
As things are now, it’s hard for me to be motivated as Skaar as he feels largely unimportant. Even though we’re level 5 (and most of us are mythic) Verrin and Godrick could easily take his place (by virtue of being more than twice his level and having incredible gear). This really hurts the experience for me. I’d hoped this feeling of ‘unheroicness’ would correct itself a bit as the plot got underway again and moved away from Valwick but, that wasn’t the case, we brought three of our extra characters along.
I might be the only one feeling this way but putting my thoughts out there seemed like a better idea than fuming and hoping things get better on their own.
Well, we are going out and will be back later. Our friend needs us to take him to wall mart to get a weed eater, and Henry....needs some time to let off some steam. BBL
I get it.
I don't exactly think that the PC's have to be the biggest badasses in town. At least not before levels 9-11 ish. Even the it just depends on the game.
and I understand that we shouldn't make dragging NPC's around on our adventures a habbit. Though now that Cyna is a Captain, either I drag one along now and then or I do Green Circle only stuff now and then. Which was my plan for Hadrinn's tomb problem. Be Captainy.
I tend to think the PCs should be the biggest badasses or at least close. If they aren’t, there needs to be a good reason why they’re the heroes instead of the NPCs - means, motive, or opportunity. Aside from his leadership responsibilities (which he recently passed off), there’s really no reason Godrick and Verrin can’t go solo/duo whatever adventures we’re about to embark on and between Corda/Alethiro/Sienna/Ylrhea/Clara, we have a whole second group of equally powerful and important characters to compete with. I suppose Sadhana’s special sword makes her irreplaceable.
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It's not a competition and the only way to lose if death. It's an interactive storytelling experience, not the murder hobo championships. In the best fantasy novels, the lead characters don't exist in a bubble
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And yet the horseman of war wants you and not them. We've got Fate and Destiny and half the panthion on our side.
Someone has to do the boring stuff. paperwork and diplo checks mostly. The logistics of building a town and keeping it safe. I don't want a desk job. I get enough of that IRL.
I’m not referring to it as a competition in the direct sense. I’m referring to things at a narrative level. With the large cast of very powerful NPCs we have around, Skaar simply doesn’t feel relevant.
Yes, in the best fantasy fiction the character don’t exist in a bubble but they also don’t share the spotlight with their super powerful allies. Gandalf is simply absent for a large portion of Lord of the Rings. Jon Snow and Bran share almost none of the same space. Past the second book, Rand and Perrin are rarely near each other for important scenes.
And each is surrounded by a dozen named Aes Sed similar power level.ai, Ashland and Will, many of
Dawn typing from a phone
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Skaar got his own adventure, Cyna got a dark hole with a scary statue. For which I contributed very little to.
I am perfictly fine hanging around NPC's until she's strong enough to kick some ass on her own. It gives me motivation to get stronger beyond simply having stronger enemys to kill.
That's one of the best ways of putting it
Yes and that solo/duo adventure was awesome. I was looking forward to playing Skaar again but not like this. Playing Gandalf’s sidekick is not fun for me.
If everyone else is having fun with things as they are, maybe it would be best for me to part ways with the game. I don’t want to drag anyone down.
Maybe getting that second game that Henry pitched a couple weeks back would be a good idea.
Hey, Sādhanā, what's Anyka's family name?
Did we ever learn the mysterious origin of Drago's last name?
It's his mother's?
He'd hinted at it in the beginning but Henry never figured it out.
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Skaar, I think by level 5, while the PCs are definitely going to outshine most NPCs, there will (and should) by some of greater mechanical power. That said, such NPCs shouldn't be randomly found with great frequency. Do consider though:
- We're on a forsaken island where the weak perish quickly.
- Powerful characters may opt to not use their power because of motive.
- When narrating a story, sometimes the mundane bits get glossed-over to fast-forward to the juicy (read: level encounters of actual significance). It's the same reason you don't see people taking a dump for 5 minutes in a 90 minute action movie.
I think the existence of a decent number of mid-level NPCs is possible, and I think Henry has done a good job of giving them niches in the world. If you feel like you're encountering too "beefy" of NPC types, keep in mind encounters with them yield more experience, so the difference in power will normalize itself.
However, if the NPCs work out to be an untenable power level above the party (say, level 10+ at the moment) with much frequency, we run into the issue of implicit airplane mode; any deviation in course may be fatal.
Are you suggesting we beat up the excess of friendly NPCs and take their stuff?
That seems extreme even for Harakhty. =P
Again, you are completely overlooking the obvious point that's being made...by everyone I might add.
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Again, you are completely overlooking the obvious point that's being made...by everyone I might add.
Skaar's a diva, gotta be center stage. Maybe he just needs a snickers...
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LOL, I'm sorry I really shouldn't laugh, but I can't help it. Skaar would be a great asset, if he could loose the total macho egocentric thing. I'm sorry, I call em like I see em. I know alot of it is just him playing the character, but there comes a point where any player has to realize that they are not always going to be the center of the universe, or the most important person around. We are all a team, ALL of us. No one is more important than anyone else. There is NOTHING wrong with the way Henry is running this campaign. All of you wanted a real feeling world, and that's what he's done. I'm sorry if not everyone can appreciate that.
I'm sorry you see it that way and I'm afraid you seem to be missing my point too. My issue has little to do with ego or machismo. I agree, WE are a team - we being the PCs. Honestly your last post is kind of offensive but I'll chalk it up to miscommunication.
Henry asked for feedback previously and I'm giving it. Was that offer to start a spin-off game still open?
If that's what you want. Anybody else want to join Skaar?
If there's no way a good middleground can be reached, I'd appreciate it.
Some of my favorite moments were navigating the Vishkanya city and first touching down on Zhavroma. I don't think we're going to have anything like that again with the size of our current cast of prevalent characters.
Apparently not because there's a huge difference of opinion here and I'm not going to bother beating the dead horse. So, I'll start a different game for you and whomever else would like to join you.
Do you mind keeping a shared discussion thread?
There ya go.
BTW: I'll be sending Nicatha with you, so you'll have a healer.
Sounds good. Depending on where you're sending us, I'd say Drago should come too.
I'll let him decide.
I'd say Corda should come too but I rather like the idea of Skaar worrying about her in his absence.
In completely unrelated news, I got home to find a hefty check from the my escrow company in the mail. That brightened up my night significantly.
Money is always good.
It's one of my favorite things.
Heading to bed.
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I completely apologize for the lack of input on the subject. This week has just not been good for me posting wise, and it doesn't look like it's going to let up soon either.
Anyway, on the discussion of the NPC's. Of the one's we've acquired, they maybe of equal level now, but I am fairly confident that is going to change rather quickly when we get to the necromancer slaying. So I say leave them as is, because I believe they're just as essential as the rest of us. It gives us something to lose, and that to me is a reason to fight harder. That's one of the things I have a hard time with in some games, yeah slaying the BBEG and saving the world is a good thing, but after that, I rarely see anything for the PC's to go home to. Usually by the end of an adventure, they've changed so much that going back to their old life really isn't an option. So getting something else to live for is beautiful to me.
Of the higher power one's, like Godrick, I see them as the old guard and they will be/are passing the torch to us. I mean the world has been around for a long time, so it makes complete sense that that there are older powerful beings that we can benefit from, even if it's just piece of mind.
In other words, don't change a thing Henry, this story is beautifully crafted, and it should be allowed to unfold naturally.
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Is it possible to favorite a post more than once? 100% what Drago just said.
Sorry I've barely been around today, spent most of the day in court while on a 30 hr stint without sleep. Then crashed for 6 hrs.
It's okay, I think most of our schedules have been jacked up. I know I haven't been sleeping for s+$@ lately. Which is gonna make going back to that hell hole tonight even more fun when all I want is for a giant rock to fall outta the sky and destroy that damn place. My sister can get a job somewhere else. I have to be careful what I wish for though, things have a way of happening sometimes.....
I just hope Henry is feeling better by the time he wakes up. By the time he went to bed he had a backache, headache, AND an upset stomach....so, it might make having to go out with his mother today a little uncomfortable if he isn't better. I made tea for him last night, but it seemed to do little good.
I think I'm better today. As long as we don't have pizza.
I'm afraid you guys still don't quite follow what I'm saying. Primarily I want the NPCs to go back to being NPCs. Is it impossible for them to exist within the story and not be on the front lines at equal level? Most players will balk at the presence of one DMNPC. We have at least half a dozen and they're not subtle.
I'm not suggesting these characters shouldn't exist or they shouldn't be involved in the story. I'm saying I don't want to be a party of 15.
You're not, you're a party of one now, maybe one and a half? Better?
The hyperbole probably isn't going to help anyone.
Surely there's something between 1/1.5 and 12+.
It's not that no one gets what you're saying. It's that we don't agree with your assessment.
Simple as that. Everyone else is fine with the game as is. You aren't.
You have your own game now. Problem solved.
The replies seem to largely suggest otherwise but I'll take your word for it.
I'll still be following along with the main game. Maybe down the line, if the cast thins out a bit, I'll work with Henry to return. I'm not sure what Henry's got in mind for Shadows but Skaar might pass through Valwick at some point anyway.
Skaar is entitled to his opinion, he wasn't enjoying the game as much as he used to. Nothing wrong with that, it just happens to be the minority here. Most of us probably were trying to change your mind but it is what it is.
Though I get the sense Arista may be slightly offended?