Discussion DOT.
GM, I cannot post in gameplay. It ate my post, claimed it was number 3, but still shows a blank. Maybe you do have to post first? Or create a different gameplay thread somewhere else for us to play in?
Attempted to report the bug, in case it helps.
EDIT: It did!
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It would seem that the best way to start gameplay would be having the team re-uniting in Vigil as we've been recalled for a different mission. Proposed timeline of events, starting with graduation:
1. Daen, Kassie, Eilidh, Grimold, and Zohruk complete training at the Bonewatch, become Knights of Ozem.
2. The team is deployed to Ustalav to support the mission to keep the Whispering Tyrant captive. Each member of the unit may have had different day-to-day tasks, with occasional objectives they completed as a unit.
3. While in Ustalav, Eilidh disappears and the Knights of Ozem presume her dead. Some members of her unit may believe differently, and no body has been recovered.
4. Zohruk is reassigned to a secret mission (his trip to Urgir); none of the others know any details.
5. The remaining Knights (Daen, Kassie, and Grimold) are recalled to Vigil under similarly vague and mysterious pretenses.
6. Our story opens with Daen, Kassie, and Grimold arriving in Vigil roughly concurrently with Zohruk and Rataji. This gives the players an opportunity to catch up and establish updated characterization and interactions and maybe flesh out the details a little more, and when the GM is ready, they are finally briefed on their new mission together, kicking off the campaign proper.
If the above is accepted, that would set the team having been sent to Ustalav just a bit prior to the start of the current crusade. The first year of the crusade occurs while the events in Ustalav are occurring, and the whole team is recalled during the second year of the crusade after it has begun to fail.
A question for the DM - what is the current status of Gallowspire? Knowing that, we the players can work backwards from the current situation to flesh out the events that our characters were involved in in Ustalav.
Thanks for the summary, Grimold. Looking at your header reminds me that I should do mine! So we two will run into you three on the road into Vigil, then? During step 6 of your timeline?
Possibly on the road, though I was thinking in Vigil itself. Probably one group made it back a day or two before the other and have been stewing in Vigil waiting for the briefing.
That sounds good to me. So you guys would be the "IN VIGIL" group? Pick a spot in Vigil for us to meet up in!
GM: We still need to figure out some final group purchases, and Rataji needs to purchase more scrolls. It may take us a couple days OOC to figure this all out!
Thanks again for letting us in!
Taj
We can be, sure. It would give Grimold a chance to check in with his family off-screen. It would make sense that we'd meet in the Bonewatch, but a chance reunion at the Rose Chalice, a favorite haunt from our scrub days, wouldn't be remiss either.
I like the idea of the Rose Chalice... Taj needs a bath, warm food and a proper drink after the last two weeks.
I'm considering making a second Daen avatar, I think it will help keep things separate.
2. I would like for us to have pulled investigation duty to discover an undead spy, specifically an undead Zombie Lord or even a Vampire with high charisma and disguise skill. He (or she) would have infiltrated several key places and gotten some minor information. Our group would have been tasked with finding the spy and fixing the threat. Discovering the lair of the creature would have taken some time, as there's plenty of ways to hide in Ustalav, and we might have run into a nest of some kind of undead as well, possibly low level spawn.
3,5. During our investigation, Ellie was kidnapped (with note!) calling us out into a trap. It's possible that before we went we could have been recalled, as the spy became much less of a priority than the outright defeat of Lastwall. I would have liked that we got the orders as we were about to head out, and maybe we finished the task on our way home. (it was on our way, of course) Though we defeated and caught the spy, Ellie was not there, and we could not delay our return, as the orders were clear. We'd not go home happy.
6. Since we delayed a little looking for Ellie, we'd probably come a day or two late. I recommend that Zoh and Taj start us off.
A second avatar? Sir Daen, perhaps?
Daen, how would the meeting change for point 6?
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Do you have any idea how tempting it is to see if it's not too late for this thing? Kassie just messaged me saying the whole group was getting together.
Hope you don't mind me popping in like this, GM.
Allie's coming back?!!!
I'm really, REALLY not sure. Here's my situation, so I can make it clear.
I'm GMing 3 games. KM, CC, and a homebrew. I'm playing in 6 others. Now, right now, only about 3 of those 6 are very active, so I could pick up another game. BUT, if those games decide they suddenly want to go at 1/day or faster, I will 100% be swamped, especially if I was in this one.
EDIT: That and I'd need to rebuild Allie to (presumably) a different standard.
Well, if you come in, I recall that you were a pretty good archer (I am a sucky one). And skilled. So I could rejigger Rataji's skill list and maybe let go of the archery in favor of wielding a flag... Or I can leave her as is.
So if you come in, let's talk.
I'm not worried about spell overlap. Inquisitors and oracles have very different spell lists, especially with me pulling in the spirits. But my skills and feats might shift a bit if your character comes in.
For what it's worth, I'd recommend holding off with a load like that. With the story we currently have, there's definitely opportunity for you to jump back in if your load drops, but I'm a firm believer in maintaining current commitments before taking on new ones. In either case, your input on the details surrounding Eilidh's current status would be very welcome.
And as far as the rebuild standards go, it's actually pretty similar to TLV. The point-buy is similar, we get 3 traits, and lots of bonus feats. Also, we're using Automatic Bonus Progression.
Daen, good idea on the second alias. I might do the same if I can figure out what to name it.
Okay. Here's what I'm going to do. I really, really want to make this work, so I'm going to give it a shot. I'm pretty sure I can keep up, it'll just mean a little less video-gaming (which doesn't hurt anyone, really).
* Nods *
We did write you in as MIA, which would give you a chance to pop in later if a couple games end unexpectedly.
EDIT: Or you could come in now!!!
6 was just a clarification of who was waiting for who, which I figured we hadn't decided yet.
Getting Eilidh back? Yes please! Not only would it give us even girls and boys, but the sister dynamic is good too.
I hope 6 isn't too much for the GM, it is a pretty large group for PBP, and we'll definitely need his okay to make it happen. He's been pretty enthusiastic, but he definitely gets the say so.
Inquisitors are really good at skills and knowledges, so I might be cool with giving up planes or Dungeoneering (or both) to focus on Arcana and topping off my current skills.
Testing new Avatar...
Wanted a new updated picture too, I kinda like this one. He's always messing with the blue eldritch energy.
Yeah, this should make for an interesting surprise for the DM tomorrow. I get the impression that Malleus is probably worried more about the administrative burden rather than the strict number of players, given the second table.
We should do what we can to ease that administrative burden. We were all really good about handling combat in TLV, so that shouldn't be a problem. Tracking treasure is something the DM requested help with in the recruitment thread. And the sooner we can put together an official story, the better.
Oh snap! Mythic Daen!
If the GM can't handle it, I don't need to be here. Up to him.
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Good to see the lost member of this intrepid band.
As for what I can handle.
It is infinite.
LOL
Welcome though, we can join for sure.
Stipulation for the backstory timeline.
You all would have been sent to Gallowspire still during you training to learn the history of the place. Other more experienced knights and crusaders would have went with you.
Zohruk is reassigned (I'll work out secret details with him) But on his way back from Urgir, the horde mobilized. So the only safe route for him to have taken back was to follow the North Path river west across the plains as the entirety of the Orc army moved south. Once he reached the mindspin mountains he could have moved south through the mountain pass into last wall, swinging back east to Vigil.
The rest of you would have come down mountain range south of gallowspire and skirted the foot hills along the flood road until you got south of the current wall. Then cutting west it is a weeks travel to Vigil.
You all know that the Crusade is in it's 18th month, but you have all been away from the main fighting body for three months. The last you left Vigil it was fine, the crusade was going strong.
If you want to RP, do it on the crossroads of the Flood road and North Path as you both turn south to make the final days journey to Vigil.
You are currently 5 days south of the front line, in friendly territory.
Welcome though, we can join for sure.
Huzzah!
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Oops. I guess I can't see Vigil from where I am then... But we can do the retcon. Thanks for welcoming Allie in, GM! I am also looking forward to seeing the Tilernos sisters in action again!
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So... Equipment.
We had talked of each setting aside 1500 dollars to cover:
1) 2 wands of infernal healing
2) First aid gloves
With Allie in the mix, we could do two more wands if we want them. Do we want Protection from Evil? Feather Step? Endure elements? Or alchemical stuff and potions like anti-toxins, etc?
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You realize that Shivaji is going to go nuts if I'm traveling with twins? My off-hand comment from him in gameplay seems much, much funnier in retrospect now that Allie has joined us.
Playing copycat here.
So, how does everybody feel about the angle that the shady events leading up to the attack on the Bonewatch from TLV were actually part of the final trial, which had been in the works from day one? I included it as part of the original story, but that's pretty well gone out the window by now.
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Rataji, I love your uncle.
Good night for now folks talk to youse bright and early on the morrow!
Sirs Daen and Grimold, looking good!
Malleus, I'm glad you like Shivaji. Since flame is going to be one of my go-to spirits, I really wanted an entertaining personality on him. Though I'm going to be striving for entertaining personalities on them all, over time.
Everyone, thanks for welcoming me into your little circle. So regarding book keeping, how about I make a folder for Last Light in Google Drive and then give you all permission to edit? PM me your emails (you too, GM) and let's do this!
Taj
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Great to see you back Allie!! It really didn't feel quite right going on without you!.....
Hot damn, we really do have the band all the way back together, don't we? Lemme digest what's said upthread. 'Taj and I had a lot* of info worked out already, and I need to see what tweaks need tweaking in what we talked about.
EDIT: having looked at a map, it almost seems like we have to go around almost to the area of Trunau, then back to Vigil?
EDIT 2: MORE EDITER: DM, any word on allowing custom weapons (as per the Weapon Master's Handbook)?
Psyched,
Zohruk
*More than that. Nope, more. Still more...
Okay, I've got Daen, Allie, Zohruk and Grimold on the folder which only has one partial document in it so far. But it's a start! If you have important NPCs in your backstory (like Fisk) feel free to add them to the document. Places too!
I'm also psyched.
You all would have been sent to Gallowspire still during you training to learn the history of the place. Other more experienced knights and crusaders would have went with you.
Did we finish training in Ustalav, or did we take a field trip to Gallowspire, return to Vigil to finish training, and then go back to Ustalav?
You all know that the Crusade is in it's 18th month, but you have all been away from the main fighting body for three months. The last you left Vigil it was fine, the crusade was going strong.If you want to RP, do it on the crossroads of the Flood road and North Path as you both turn south to make the final days journey to Vigil.
You are currently 5 days south of the front line, in friendly territory.
I'm having trouble making sense of the routes. Who is at the crossroads of the Flood Road and North Path? Who is 5 days south of the front line? I understand that Belkzen is now a full-on war zone, but is that true for Ustalav as well?
Thanks for having me, then!
@Daen: I can take both those skills. Planes and Dungeoneering. I think I can cover Religion too, if no one else has it.
I've got Religion, but there's nothing wrong with a little doubling up. I've also got a bit of ranged capability, but it's not like I'm a Zen Archer build over here.
It feels wrong to have a 5th level inquisitor without knowledge (religion). Could I convince you to trade dungeoneering or planes?
EDIT: Don't worry about it, actually.
I have all Knowledges as class skills. Trade with me! Just tell me what you want me to focus in and I will.
Nah, I'm fine. There's nothing wrong with overlap, and I didn't have any skills I really wanted instead.
You all would have been sent to Gallowspire still during you training to learn the history of the place. Other more experienced knights and crusaders would have went with you.
Did we finish training in Ustalav, or did we take a field trip to Gallowspire, return to Vigil to finish training, and then go back to Ustalav?
I'm having trouble making sense of the routes. Who is at the crossroads of the Flood Road and North Path? Who is 5 days south of the front line? I understand that Belkzen is now a full-on war zone, but is that true for Ustalav as well?
You all know that the Crusade is in it's 18th month, but you have all been away from the main fighting body for three months. The last you left Vigil it was fine, the crusade was going strong.If you want to RP, do it on the crossroads of the Flood road and North Path as you both turn south to make the final days journey to Vigil.
You are currently 5 days south of the front line, in friendly territory.
First, I was mistaking the north path river for the Kestrel River which is what I meant.
Secondly, I am making some adjustments to exactly where Vigil is located. It is directly south of Urgir, near the edge of the forest south of the Kestrel. East x North east of Trunau.
You know.... I just realized Grimold doesn't get religion as a class skill. Right now, my skill focus is in nature, but I can switch it in a heartbeat.
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You know.... I just realized Grimold doesn't get religion as a class skill.
"The numerous zombie teeth I had to pick out of my chainmail are proof of my total non-surprise at that. 'Zombies are repelled by egg whites.' What the hell was that about?"
Any of you enjoying a winter wonderland like I am?
Not me, no. I'm in New Jersey, and it's raining here today. We got our snow in the blizzard last weekend.
Malleus --
I'm from Minnesota too! Are you in the Twin Cities? I walked to work today (2 mile trek down the Minnehaha Bike Parkway) and it took me twice as long as normal!
Taj
I work in Golden Valley and live in Forest lake, took me over 3 hours to drive home yesterday.
I live and work in South Minneapolis. By PbP standards though, we're practically neighbors.
I thought I'd take a moment to introduce myself since I'm the new kid to this group of players. I'm Hilary, a purple-haired librarian and aikido enthusiast. I've read through three quarters of Long Vigil's gameplay, so I haven't gotten to the section with undead-repellant egg whites. Those must be some chickens!
Allie and Sir Daen know me from the Kingmaker game that Allie's been GMing. Zohruk knows me from our Statler and Waldorf routine on the sidelines of another one of Allie's games. We hit it off there, and decided that Rataji and Zoh had to play together at some point.
Hmm (aka Taj)
I'm a New kid on the block too
Name's Corey. I don't have purple hair. I am a mountain dew enthusiast.
I'm also enthused by fantasy and science fiction, both writing and reading, also love movies and history.
What sort of history do you love, Malleus? I'm a literary omnivore, like most librarians, but I tend to geek out on all sorts of world history. I'm especially fond of the 1800s as an era, but I enjoy just about everything except medieval Europe. (Okay, I like medieval Europe too... but most people treat it so shallowly. Maybe it's just pseudo medieval Europe that I dislike. Of course, what am I playing in? A game with a bunch of Knights of Ozem!)
You can call me Felix, or Zoh is cool too. 'Taj, you won't find any reference to egg whites; I suspect that happened off-camera during the brief time Zoh was in Ustalav with the gang before getting recalled; decisions whether Grimold was yanking Zohruk's chain or was actually that clueless is left as an exercise for the reader.
I've watched far too much TV & movies in my time, as evidenced by my attempt to make a "Previously, on Knights of Ozem..." textual version of a season-recap summary.
And the fact that in my head, Zoh and Taj had three seasons of a detective show, titled "Half & Half" that was on ABC from 1981-83.
And the fact that the new trailer for Archer is just about the most freaking brilliant thing I've ever seen.
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I enjoy the period leading up to world war 1 including the unification of germany into one state and the absolution of the Prussian empire.
I also like Roman history as I am a fan of Marcus Aurelius' writings. And I really like ancient greek mythology. Also Celtic mythology, really any mythology..
Oh and the european medieval period focusing on the material incorporation of the catholic church by Constantine, and the politics surrounding it.
I don't have any degrees or anything, just a layman's interest.
Yeah, Grimold only gets Engineering and History (and Martial, naturally) as knowledge class skills. He's a devout Desnan, so I figured I could at least justify Religion. If desired, I can switch Religion to History.