OOC Chat

[BigRedRod]

*Dons DMing Shorts*

Well we're up
I'll start to get the background information posted, whack up some chargen and then ypu kids can dance to my merry tune and post your sheets

[BigRedRod]

You have your concepts and I have a world to flesh out. Time for the details

Starting XP : 1200 (that places you at level 2 to begin with. Up to an extra 250xp is available for a caracter sheet that is pretty, complete and contains a solid backstory that expands upon your concept)
Starting GP : 900 (Which is the Standard. No more than half on any specific item. Prices as per the books)
Stats : 4d6 discard lowest (Use this (http://www.irony.com/mailroll.html), my email is BigRedRodThePirate@Hotmail.com)
Books : Ask (I have a large collection of D&D sourcebooks. The Core 3 present no issues, but older books tend to be rather sakey o nthe balance and the 3->3.5 shift made it worse)
Bonus Stuff : A choice of either :


+4 Points added to your attributes in any way you fancy (no scores above 18 without racial adjustments)
A single feat (I'll be very nice here. You can take the free bonus feat at either level 1 or 2. This means it could potentially be a "1st level only" feat or a feat which has requirements you only reach at second level)
A magic item worth up to 2000 gold pieces (This option will require more work on your part, the item would need to it's own backstory and description that allows me to weave it into the plot. The 2k limit allows you to buy any +1 magic weapon or armour. The cost of the base item may be taken out of your normal funds, the 2k is just for the magic.)
Did I miss anything?
Either way, whack your sheets up in the character forum (not the NPC one) with the title as the character name. We aren't in a rush here as I'm in Japan from the 22nd to the 31st. So go for quality and ask questions now

[SponkleofInfini]

Hmm stupid dice roller....it says how many times do you wish to repeat the dice roll not how many times total it should be done....got a good 5 rolls to :( Anyway sent both to you.

[BigRedRod]

Yes, that is rather an odd system
Oh well, now the other players know

17.
11.
13.
14.
9.
8.

You got a 17, quit complaining :)

[SponkleofInfini]

I will get my character up within the next couple of days.

[elpresidente]

Ooooh shiney new OOC thread. Bit late to be rolling dice right now, probably get to it friday as im rather busy tommorow. Probably get to posting it a monday

[AllTogether Andrews]

ok, you just got 3 lists of dice from me for the swires character. The first was accidently 7 rolls, the second had an average of a 9.3 average and qualified for a hopeless reroll, the last one has a max modefier of +2 but I can live with it. Sorry about the slew of E-mails.

[BigRedRod]

12,15,15,8,11,11

It's ok, waking up to larger wodges of email makes me feel special

Hmm, no Alcotroll yet
I'll dispatch the atomic monsters

[The Alcotroll]

*Pauses to catch breath*

I'll get to it, but my hatred of technology makes me wary of this dice-rolling contraption.

Gaz, read my goddamn E-Mail before you post your sodding character!

*Carries on running away from atomic monsters*

[The Alcotroll]

Done it. My rolls were feking shite.

Big surprise there.

[BigRedRod]

Yes, I encourage plot weaving to be commenced beteen the two of you
And you managed to roll seven times :)
We'll just ignore the last to save time
12,12,14,8,11,9



Just Gaz to drop off his rolls now


On a side note as you seem to rolling fairly poorly I may offer some kind of additional jazz
Most likely a choice between four stat points, a feat or say a single magic item of value up to 2k (the magic item route would require a big wodge of explanation as to how you ended up with it, and a good history t the item's creation. Herditery items and so forth are all fine. But I'd be seeing it as an additional plothook and expect you to work with me.)
Does that seem fun and fair to you people? Or am I just baiting the powergamer within which would have horrific consequences?

[The Alcotroll]

Well it's not the stat line of a King's bodyguard, but then again, you know damn well that I always roll poorly. I'd just like enough strength that I can actually carry my armour and weapons without passing out.

Gaz has apparently lost his E-Mail account or somesuch, so I'll have to PM the cunning plot to him. I'm trying to persuade him not to be a rogue/sorcerer. The last time I saw him do that was a disaster; the only useful thing he could do was sneak attack. We already have at least two magic users I think, and we're severely shy on the theivin'/sneakin'/bluffin'/openin' front that every party needs.

There's also a clever spin on your 'Gaz's character will be Craig's character's bitch' plan.

[BigRedRod]

There's also a clever spin on your 'Gaz's character will be Craig's character's bitch' plan.An integral part of me picking you and Gaz was that your characters meshed together so well and easily (the proud son setting out to find the cause of the world's problems and his less-than-a-woman servant who the household have decided to both get rid of and provide the son someone to do his washing). If you screw up that meshing I'll hunt you down like dogs

[The Alcotroll]

There's better meshing. Far better. None of that 'less than a woman' business that no-one but yourself seems to understand. It all hinges around Gaz actually reading that E-Mail, however, so don't hold your breath.

[BigRedRod]

Yay, I found an internet terminal in the airport lounge. Really I Should ask when and where my flight is. But this seems more entertaining. I need to locate myself a drink first too

Anyhow
My idea for meshing you together was very simple. Craig, I Think we can assume you were alone in not understanding

-) The Aart are a male dominated society
-) The Aart are a household dominated society
-) A boy becomes a man when he is sixteen and returns from a period of survival in the wilderness. He then becomes a man of the household
-) A woman belongs to her father at first. When she is married (again age is sixteen here, although there is no need for a trial) she belongs to her husband
-) A boy who both does not belong to a household and does not spend time in the wilds is not a man. He isn't even treated with the respect a boy would be. He is in fact less than a woman
-) A household may keep some disrespected outsider for some unknown reason (performing tasks that would even dishonour a woman possibly)

Bam. Simple.
Gaz's concept seemed to fit the less-than-a-woman servant slot perfectly

[The Alcotroll]

A little bit of shuttup from you will do perfectly.

[elpresidente]

And gaz did sit infront of the mystical gateway to his email account and chanted of the mystic pasword, the one problem being he can't remember it.

The oddesey continues

[elpresidente]

ta da! a nice 17 but two 7's, first time i rolled it managed to sneak an extra two rolls in there, and using my astounding necromantic powers i ressurected an email address thought dead for centuries, that being ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION CRAIG? theministryofgazfulness@hotmail.com

[The Alcotroll]

Cheers. Now read the two PMs while i re-write all of my plotsy goodness.

[The Alcotroll]

BRR; what am I doing with these here stats. They're not low enough to justify a re-roll according to the good book, and it's not fair on the others if I get preferential treatment. However, I'd rather not be playing a fighter with them: As the group's only meat shield, I'd be taking a lot of knocks, and I won't even be strong enough to wear decent armour.

If I'm keeping them then I'll play a Rogue or suchlike

[SponkleofInfini]

That reminds me...I should probably get off my arse and make up my character. Diablo 2 is just so addictive however :evil:

[BigRedRod]

Moan moany. Whiney whiney. I'll make a rogue It seems odd that you'd want to make a rogue wen they arguablly requite better stats to do well. and it unrelated to your concept
Other than that I'll take your little rant as a "Yes Tim, we'd love the option of +4 stat points, a free feat or a magic item with plenty of backdrop". and then you can get back to making your mighty Aart Jarl :)



I get back and see no characters. this makes me a sad panda. Talk to me people. Then we can get this party started

[BigRedRod]

17,16,14,13,7,7.
Quite a nice set for ElP

[SponkleofInfini]

Well my character is up..now who has been a good little boy :)

[BigRedRod]

Prohibited School (Enchantment, Necromancy)
No dice Sponkle
I'll let you focus elsewhere but I expect your wizard to have a healthy complement of necromancy spells. not all mages from Hollowfaust need be necromancers, but you can't totally deny the school
But well done on making more progress than anyone else. Help yourself to a kudo from the bowl


Oh and Sponkle, you are missing out on possible bonus xp with your sheet layout. Use the post formatting tools to make it more readable and feel free to spread your character description and brief background into multiple posts in your character thread.
If anyone has any character elements which they want me to know but not the players just PM me

[SponkleofInfini]

In order to go red wizard I need to be in a specialised school of magic...those schools I did not plan on taking many spells for and hence got the chop. However if you have a problem with necro spells only then I will choose another school as a prohibited one.

[BigRedRod]

That was my point
Specalise all you want, just don't choose Necromancy as your prohibited school when you attented the world premier necromancy school :)

[SponkleofInfini]

Gotya ;) will change

[BigRedRod]

Just to make sure everyone is clear:

The chargen has changed slightly to include the rules one the choice of bonus gift I'm offering you. If it isn't clear then ask.
and if anyone is going to choose the item, understand that I'll make you dance for it :) I see it as an extra plot and RP opportunity rather than a source of power, perhaps you should too

[SponkleofInfini]

I took power :evil:

[The Alcotroll]

I'll be needing those four extra stat points. I was pointing out that a fighter with a strength of 14 and a constitution of 12 was looking for an early grave in a party full of Wizards.

Gaz, have you read those PMs yet? I can't get my background typed up until you have.

[BigRedRod]

I was pointing out that a fighter with a strength of 14 and a constitution of 12 was looking for an early grave in a party full of Wizards. A party of four with a single wizard is now classified as a party full of wizards?

[BigRedRod]

Ah
and another character emerges
I apologise for not having more of the setting detail up I've been feeling a little fuzzy since I got back
Not jetlag it is more like a long term hangover, which is slightly odd.

I'm sure i'll be back to my happy posting self shortly

In other exciting news I'm torn about doing individual prologues which would push your characters into contact and get the ball rolling. Swires and Mel seem quite well formed to have found themselves at a situation equivalent to my plans for the chapter one start. I Could run two prologues, with two of you in each, let you bond with one another and then introduce you to the other pairing. I'm still not sure, it may be best to ignore unneccessary pauses like that and just get cracking

[SponkleofInfini]

Prologues are good...not to mention the game feels much less forced that way.

[The Alcotroll]

So what kind of characters do we have then?

I know there's at least one Wizard, and I was under the impression that we also had a Sorc and a Rogue/Sorc (which I'm frantically trying to dissuade Gaz from submitting since the last one was such a flop).

Whether Gaz decides to go with my cunning plan, or whether he decides to stick with the original background, it would make sense to stick us both in one prologue effort, since we both come from Aart.

I should have my character posted by the end of the night. I hope. Minus background.

[BigRedRod]

I know there's at least one Wizard, and I was under the impression that we also had a Sorc and a Rogue/Sorc (which I'm frantically trying to dissuade Gaz from submitting since the last one was such a flop).
An Evoker, a cleric who is about as fighterish as they com, a fighter and either a rogue or a rogue/sorceror

(which I'm frantically trying to dissuade Gaz from submitting since the last one was such a flop).
He was just trying to spread himself too thin. Rogue/Sorceror is plenty doable, you just have to take into account there are a boatload of ways to play a rogue and you shouldn't try to do them all at once

it would make sense to stick us both in one prologue effort, since we both come from Aart.
which is what I had planned

[The Alcotroll]

When I next see you, remind me to give you a clout around the earhole.

[BigRedRod]

So long as you give me back the sleeping bag (and anything else) I left at your house, then fine ;) Incidently you should come down to Ben's more often, Danny and myself seem to be there on most days

In other news, to aid you in making your character sheets readable here are some samples of good and bad plucked from other places
Good (http://www.online-roleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?t=942)
Good (http://www.online-roleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2731)
Bad (http://www.online-roleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2867)
Bad (http://www.online-roleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2629)

[SponkleofInfini]

I am content being somewhere down the middle when it comes to character sheet design ;)

[BigRedRod]

Using bold rather than italic in yours would vastly improve things
Plus the possessions section is a little messy with you using identical type settings for categories and contents

I loathe to dredge through the mires that some people craft rather than character sheets. It leads to random game problems (such as character abilities getting overlooked) and puts me in a negative diposition towards you and your character ;)

[BigRedRod]

Tick ... Tick ... Tick

ElP claims to have his character omplete ad just needs to find an internet connection to post it. The fact that he lacks a connection should worry me, but rather than do that I'll ignore it and assume it is a very temporary problem.

If the rest of you could make sur eyou are good to go as and when his sheet emerges, that would be super. I was hoping to have been on out way by now

[elpresidente]

Sorry guys i've just been rediculously busy i should be back to my happily normally posting self in a weeks time

[BigRedRod]

Gaz I'd have a look at the revised char gen rules and update your character. Also try and make things clearer, it is a bit of a random mismash at the moment. Just copy one of the good sheets I linked to and change the details to suit your own character, that way you know I'll be happy and stop bugging you ;)

edit : oh wait. I spy a +1 rapier. I'll get the hoop and you can practise your jumping while you tidy and finish your sheet

[BigRedRod]

You've had another crack Gaz and I can see you are trying to go for clarity through exciting colours but you need to change the basic layout into something more streamlined

Sponkle is using something close to the standard form of a D&D character on these boards. You used it yourself in DT. Go with that. Little things like having the ability mod in brackets and not arbitarly numbering your skills. I can't work out your hp either, so you may have done something wrong there

Craig, you'd be better to favour the vertical rather than the horizontal. Pretty colours though but some parts are confusaing (your saves and skills for example)

ATA, you have the layout down quite well. A few different types to break things up would be handy though

Sponkle, yours will do as a bare minimum as I can read it. So I don't need to prod you and you've accepted you won't get much of a bonus.

And remember I'm luring you all with bonus xp here :) You aren't being made to dance for free.

All in all we are close to being able to start
I'd like a physical description of each character too. It helps me when I post

As for Craig and Gaz, I'll actually need some idea of what your interlocking pasts are if you are going off a tangent. One of you email or PM me with what is going on. I don't mind suprises, I just don't want ones that will disrupt any plans I make when I see your backstories

[The Alcotroll]

I'll E-Mail you with the whole shebang as soon as Gaz reads his damn PMs and lets me know whether he agrees or not.

Horizontal rather than vertical. How so?

[SponkleofInfini]

Okay I have prettied up my sheet by making some simple heading edits. Hope it is more appeasing to the eyes and easier to read.

[BigRedRod]

Very pretty Sponkle, well done


Craig, on the subject of the horizontal vs vertical
Just things like your saves all being in one squished up line. Each piece of unrelated info needs its own line (so I don't mind the weapon info being one line. But each save is different). Reversing your things like hp would be helpful to though
so rather than :

HIT POINTS; 10+1+5+1; 17
do this :

HIT POINTS : 17 (10+1+5+1)
Although the main problem is exactly what your skill and save bonuses are. I get the feeling you haven't actually worked out your total bonuses, which is silly.

[The Alcotroll]

Oh gods save us! He's gone ahead with his sorcerer/rogue despite the fact that we all know it'll crash and burn.

Damn you Gaz! Damn you!

[BigRedRod]

it's his character. Leave him alone, you're not his mum

[SponkleofInfini]

I have worked out my skill bonuses...however they were hard to see...so I changed their colour along with saves etc to make them stand out a bit. Hope that helps you.

[BigRedRod]

I was talking to Craig, your sheet was fine from what I could see

[SponkleofInfini]

Oh well it looks better now then ;)

[BigRedRod]

Dammit
Craig, Gaz hurry the hell up

Just get your damn backgrounds, physical descriptions and all that sorted out and posted. I would actually like to be able to start this game some time i nthe forseeable future and a huge stall now does not bode well for the game

[SponkleofInfini]

Create a prologue for those who have finished their characters while you wait ;)

[BigRedRod]

Actually that isn't a bad idea.

I'm still not convinced about prologues though, I Get the feeling it could lead to a stall for some of the players as we wait for the slower members to catch up

[The Alcotroll]

I'm all ready, I just need to get in touch with Gaz, who seems to have fallen into a black hole. I'll text the sod, since I can't get through with the rest of the glorious panoply of technology. If he's still alive, and answers his phone, then one way or another I'll have a background up tonight.

Edit;

Turns out Gaz is in Paris. He says his ETA on a computer is wednesday.

[BigRedRod]

Paris, eh?
I thought hwas just being lazy

Wednesday it is then. I've decided to forgo prologues, I don't like the time problems both in and out of game that I predict they'll cause.

My current plans involve the game starting in Edinway. It works for the two complete characters as both of them seem to be idly wandering, and idle wanderings tend to lead to population centres. I'll be following Craig's idea of a little PM carrying description of how your character came to be there, as a kind of pseudo-prologue

I'm pinning hopes on the game starting on Wednesday or Thursday. At which point I'll wang up chapter one and award background/sheet xp

[The Alcotroll]

That was my idea? Wow, I'm certainly full of surprises!

By the way, is my character sheet any more easily interpretable?

[BigRedRod]

Yup, it is certiainly a step up

[BigRedRod]

And we're off!
I'm dividing the bonus xp into two categories. Crunch and Fluff. Crunch is worth 100 and is concerned with your character sheet being complete and readable.Fluff is worth 150 and is concerned with a solid, interesting backstory, physical description and so forth

Gredrin Godwinson
ElPresidente
Crunch : 30/100
I had to edit your thread title and your sheet to make things a little more clear. Jedaart isn't a language, they speak common there too (although I encourage you to show the differences in Dialect through your dialogue). Quite why you numbered your skills isn't quite clear, especially when they aren't in any useful order, although I'd rather not mess your basic layout.I failed to notice any rule errors however and everything was included
Fluff : 100/150
Good backstory which connects you to another player character. Good expansion on the concept you presented. Good physical description. Although you didn't really present much for me to work with plot-wise with respect to your character

Harald Godwinson Ulv-Hale
The Alcotroll
Crunch : 35/100
I felt compelled to make a few minor changes to your sheet. I rejigged your weapon details as it was presented in a slightly confusing manner. Maybe you had some hidden convention with colons and semi-colons but it seemed fairly random to me so I tried to make that slightly more uniform. A little use of bold would have gone a long way. Exciting colour choices. You haven't recorded your xp anywhere on your sheet, I didn't see any other omissions or mistakes
Fluff : 115/150
Good development of Aart culture and the character's family. Lots of good little details. Nice description. Solid backstory that weaves with another player character. Once again not much presented on the potential plot hook front

Meleaga the Redeemer
SponkleofInfini
Crunch : 70/100
No specific weapon details (hit bonus, damage, etc for crossbow). Nicely laid out sheet. I didn't spot any mistakes
Fluff : 50/150
A slightly lacking physical description. No surname or family details. We're still waiting on that more specific background although the murder presents a solid plothook

Swires Hofhofenson Dumuzi
AllTogetherAndrews
Crunch : 50/100
I like the idea of every sub-section being granted it's own colour. However, in practise some of these are hard to read as a result of poor colour choice. There is no Z in Wisdom. But a solid effort. A little bold, italic and underlining could have really helped in some areas. No breakdown of attacks on a per weapon basis (which would be useful judging by the armourey the dwarf is carrying)
Fluff : 75/150
The physical description is very lacking, some idea of clothing and appearance beyond what is presented is needed. Paragraphs are your friend. Further details of his friends death (how/ what his name was/ etc) would have been welcome, altohugh it still provides a decent plothook along with his non-clerical attitude. But I do like the little bugger, he certainly seems like he'll be a character rather than a walking stat block.


So there it is. Add your xp totals, bitch about me being unjust and on with the game! Oh and I didn't really find any rule errors or omissions but I'm not the best at spotting them, so they could exist but we can sort that out as we find them

I'll write up the initial post and we can get going. Good job people

[SponkleofInfini]

Fluff : 50/150
A slightly lacking physical description. No surname or family details. We're still waiting on that more specific background although the murder presents a solid plothook

Yeah I meant to do it...never got around to it obviously :P Stupid Diablo and its addictiveness...hmm it is calling me right now ;)

[The Alcotroll]

Maybe you had some hidden convention with colons


Yeah, I have a hidden agreement with my colon. It involves fibre and regular excercise for one thing.

[BigRedRod]

As might be expected I'll wait for eahc of you (i.e. Gaz) to post before I do anything else. That way you get to make your own introductions before you commence the investigation of the screams and fire

Oh and ATA, stealing directly and obiously from Pratchett is a sin. Try to make it less obvious ;)

But yay, three IC posts while I was sleeping. Hopefully this bodes well and once we get in to the rhythm of things we should zip along

[AllTogether Andrews]

What? What did I steal? The physical description is original. I remember no references to plucked pidgeonish faces in any of the Pratchett books that I have read. The only thing that you could get away with saying I stole is the last 4 words. And even then phrases like "what a horrible man" are quite common. It's not like Pratchett invented the phrase or anything, he just used it. I probably would have used a similar phrase even if I hadn’t read any Pratchett books. While I freely admit that the first attempt at a character was a bit of a rip-off (with humorous intent) no plagiarism was intended or attempted with this one.

[The Alcotroll]

It's that whole 'running at the door with an axe while shouting an off-pitch Dwarvish war-yodel', I believe. Straight out of 'Guards! Guards!'

[AllTogether Andrews]

Hmmm, didn't even notice that.
While there is no axe and no guards having axes thrown at them and the door is a door and not metal gates and while the yell from "guards! guards!" was not off pitch and mine wasn't a "war" yodel (just a yodel) the point is noted that it is somewhat similar to the referenced scene.
Then again, would you have rathered "I hit the door"?

[The Alcotroll]

No. Creativity is good. We like creativity. Keep up the good work.

Thinking about it, I have a character in another game here who's a shameless pastiche of Detritus.

[BigRedRod]

Then again, would you have rathered "I hit the door" Not at all. And I think perhaps you took the point a little too seriously
As it occured via coincidence it doesn't matter as much. I just had the dread feeling that I could expect a torrent of Pratchett-quote posts. If not we're good and I by no means want to risk stifling the creativity of anyone


I have a character in another game here who's a shameless pastiche of Detritus. Dirty Hypocrite

[BigRedRod]

Ok, it is quite a long post and I assumed a few actions but it seemed better than waiting for indiviuals to post mundane things. The place I stopped seems to have a few actual options rather than a linear direction.

Plus I find it better for games to start with something actually happening, fighting, fires, murders, pirate-invasion, assassinations, etc. :)

[The Alcotroll]

Plus I find it better for games to start with something actually happening, fighting, fires, murders, pirate-invasion, assassinations, etc.

...or getting imprisoned by an empire, freed by some rebels and then teleported into the middle of nowhere with none of your starting equipment...

Gaz; this looks like diplomacy business to me. Use your manly charms on this woman and find out who celeste was, who took her, and which direction they were headed in. And do it quickly. Take point!

[elpresidente]

I I sir though she's not really succeptable to seduction at the minute so the old "hey bebi " technique won't work. CURSES!

[The Alcotroll]

"Aye Aye, Sir!" Is the phrase we're looking for. It's a dirty Navy phrase, so you'd better wash your hands before you touch it again.

[The Alcotroll]

Is this house on a T-junction or a crossroads?

Whoever abducted the child can't be far off if they're on foot, and no-one ran past us.

If they slipped away using magic then we're better off concentrating on stopping the fire, but if they legged it up a back-alley then we should be after them.

Does anyone have the track feat by any chance?

[BigRedRod]

more like a Y function :)
but yes, three roads

[The Alcotroll]

So whoever stole the child flew away then.

Damn.

[BigRedRod]

Just to be clear :
Is Harald heading inside the house to search for clues? or having a look around the front and two roads on either side?

[The Alcotroll]

Round the front and the roads. I was led to believe that the inside was on fire, which is always guaranteed to put the stoppers on any attemptive clue-searching.

[BigRedRod]

I was led to believe that the inside was on fire, which is always guaranteed to put the stoppers on any attemptive clue-searching.
Oh, I'm sorry
I thought you were playing a man!
Not a little girl sitting the corner playing with her dolls

[The Alcotroll]

Just hand me those dolls then.

[BigRedRod]

ATA I deleted your last post. I think it was one aimed at the ooc that got stuck in the IC

I wasn't waiitng on anyone, I was just distracted each time I attempted to post

[The Alcotroll]

Would Harald know enough about wizards to wonder if these feathers belong to a familiar?

I only ask this because ordinarily, I wouldn't bother to pick up a feather when I was looking for human tracks, and I wonder if it would occur to Harald.

[BigRedRod]

yeah he'll have some knowledge of dirty evil wizards

But big black feathers in the middle of a city seemed enough to catch a man like Harald's attention

[The Alcotroll]

So you don't get Crows and Magpies in Bristol thgen?

I'll assume that he knows that something is up, wave it at the others and hope that Sponkle's wizard takes the hint and has a sniff at them. Or whatever it is wizards do.

[BigRedRod]

Big
I'm not saying they are roc feathers
but they look to mr "I spent four months in the artic wastes eating wolves" rather larger than birds which typically enjoy living with humans

[The Alcotroll]

Jolly good. I rather assumed that they were like raven feathers or something. All the more reason to talk to Mr Wizard.

[AllTogether Andrews]

ATA I deleted your last post. I think it was one aimed at the ooc that got stuck in the IC K'. Just thought that the pause in IC posts were getting suspiciously long and that everyone was waiting on everyone else.

[BigRedRod]

Nope, that one was entirely my fault.
I'm glad to see I have players willing to try and break up the dead spots though :)

[SponkleofInfini]

Bah Dm's work dang nammit!!!

[BigRedRod]

Altohugh to Gredrin's eyes it is just a feather, he wouldn't notice anything special about it unless told

[The Alcotroll]

What kind of freak child are we chasing?

I say we leave her to die!

Joke....

[SponkleofInfini]

Okay from next Monday I will be in another state scouting out houses and wont be able to post for a week. Sorry for any inconvienince guys...feel free to NPC etc.

[BigRedRod]

Friendly DM Hint :

Bearing in mind that it is very late, going from door to door in a strange city searching for a friendly urban ranger to hire is most likely not the best of ideas

Although if everyone agrees to such a course of action then I won't stand in your way :)

[SponkleofInfini]

Well I didnt mean now ;) we can go searching for one the next day or something.

[BigRedRod]

Craig can you go and check your skills on your sheet please. Make sure everything is included. I'm guessing you neglected to include the +2 survivial bonus from self sufficent in your skill bonus, and I have a feeling you may be short on skill point (did you include the bonus human ones?)

[BigRedRod]

Just to clarrify what the deal is with your current location via a crude paint drawing!

The blue arrow is the path that you are following (to the best of your knowledge). The red is the door. You are the purple spots. The arch is the light grey. It is all fairly straight forward I think, I just wanted everyone clear

http://bits.bris.ac.uk/bigredrod/Redmoon_wall.GIF

[The Alcotroll]

Who brought zombie-kicking kit?

Any ideas on how we're going to deal with this? Even if we can knock the door in, we have few enough friends in this place, without breaking in to a quarantine zone (and probably one crawling with disgruntled undead). I doubt any of us are capable of scaling the wall either.

In fact, I think Mr Harald may have backed himself into a corner. He's dead set on retrieving the (mutant)child, and reluctant to hang around and lose the initiative, but on the other hand, he's probably smart enough to know that if we break in, then rescued girl or not, we're going to get lynched.

Is it worth back-tracking and trying to find some way on to the roof-tops, possibly through the gutted house?

[AllTogether Andrews]

I’d say that that’s the logical thing to do but at the risk of sounding metagamer I'd say that the door is the best bet simply because the DM has supplied it. If the DM gives you a dungeon he (usually) means for you to go into it. This especially holds true for real time campaigns were going other than the suggested way can force the DM to improvise which can sometimes lead to high entertainment and good adventure but in most cases flops. In a situation such as this however I am evenly split between the two options. In character however I am dead set against opening the door (clerics generally have a healthy fear of plagues from having seen them firsthand) and that’s all that really matters anyway.

[The Alcotroll]

You've not been in one of BRR's games before, so I'll forgive your naivety. (If I didn't hate smileys, I'd probably put one here.)

Our beloved DM is a self-confessed evil bastard who loves nothing more than supplying spurious details and red-herrings with which to screw over his players.

In any case, if the DM supplies details of a big cliff with crashing waves at the bottom, you don't jump from the edge do you?

I think that the best option is to head back and look for a way onto the roof-tops. Harald is definately dead-set on going after the killers, if only to humiliate that stuck-up twat with the club. I'm interested to know what Gredin and Meleaga (as opposed to Gaz and Sponkle) would want to do.

[AllTogether Andrews]

Our beloved DM is a self-confessed evil bastard who loves nothing more than supplying spurious details and red-herrings with which to screw over his players.

thank god for that!

[BigRedRod]

@Using the burned out house as a method of rooftop access is an open route to the rooftops, the question is do you really want to take that many balance checks? :)

Although if you went pretty damn slowly it wouldn't be that much of an issue

[The Alcotroll]

I was hoping for a handy water-butt/hanging eave combination along the way actually. What's the point of a sprawling city if there isn't a handy roof-top access point every street or so?

[AllTogether Andrews]

yeah, what about fire escapes? supposedly fire is a big problem here so thee should be some around.

[BigRedRod]

yeah, what about fire escapes? supposedly fire is a big problem here so thee should be some around.
Those would be called doors :)
If you want to break in to someone elses house to use one of their upper windows, feel free :)

[BigRedRod]

If no one has any objections or a better idea then I'll post. Most likely tomorrow, for now I have sick to be feeling and work to be doing

[BigRedRod]

Whether the burned shell of the house would support a horse on its upper floor in its current state is debateable

Whether a horse can fit a window is a question with a rather more clear answer

As soon asa you cross that bridge I can continue your merry rooftop adventures in the world of balance checks :)

[The Alcotroll]

A horse. Well I didn't even realise we had one with us.

Damn.

[BigRedRod]

I did mention it quite a few times

[The Alcotroll]

I probably wasn't paying attention.

ATA; do you mind tethering your horse somewhere nearby, or do you want to find somewhere more secure for it?
There's no way in heaven or hell that we're going to get that bugger onto the roof-tops.

[AllTogether Andrews]

I don't mind tethering it. If someone steals it we can have a fun little side quest hunting the thief down and making him very sorry.

[SponkleofInfini]

Wel i am back...for a little while at least anyway. Looks like I will be heading out again wednesday for another week long trip. Not sure if you guys want me to post during the meantime or not.

[BigRedRod]

ATA can you try and adopt a better posting form?
I know that my own posts tend to end up riddled with typos (Although when I notice them I tend to edit and correct) but if you could try and post in the 3rd person with basic punctuation it would make the posts read better.

[The Alcotroll]

More black feathers. This kid is moulting!

Edit;

Any thoughts on marching order?

I know it's traditional to send the rogue first in such situations, but I think ATA has a better chance of spotting any potential threats with his higher wisdom score and his darkvision.

How does a 1/2/1 formation consisting of Swires, followed by Harald and Gedrin, followed by Meleaga, sound?

[BigRedRod]

Wizard at the back, eh?

I'll give everyone a little time to make any decisions concerning the order and to share your thoughts on spending your time looting the houses of the plague victims

[AllTogether Andrews]

order sounds good to me. Don't melee units usually go in front anyway? whats the point of putting rogues in front?

[SponkleofInfini]

To disarm...to scout in the most stealthy way as humanly possible ;)

[SponkleofInfini]

I should also remind everyone I am heading away for another 5 days or so NPC at need BRR.

[BigRedRod]

whats the point of putting rogues in front?

So that you don't notice a trap when it is being set off by the stupid barbarian :)
Typically, rogues have spot and listen, this makes them prime examples of what needs putting at the front of a party

[BigRedRod]

I have a post half typed up but as I'm heading out now I can't finish it off

Expect it finished tomorrow. If everything goes to play I just have a 9am and should get it doen soon as I get home. If something has gone wrong I have an unexpected lab and won't be out till gone 5pm

The moral is I've half typed it up and saved it, so that even if I get a crash I can just finish off the crunhc tomorrow

[The Alcotroll]

Typically, rogues have spot and listen,

Equally typically, our own personal Rogue eschewed those particular skills...

[BigRedRod]

Hence the "typically" qualifier :)

[elpresidente]

*extends central digit on left hand*

[The Alcotroll]

Remember your heritage damn you!

Two fingers! Never just the one!

[BigRedRod]

ATA try and keep your character in roughly the right timeframe. The term "a can of whoop-ass" is pretty much completely out of place. I'm not asking you to go overboard with historical ocrrectness but a little discretion goes an awful long way

And although I don't normally make your hp scores public knowledge I think I'm going to reverse that decision and get an expendables thread thrown up

But it turns out that it is currently 2:15pm and I have a meeting at 5
I really need to get my rse in gear and do some work first

[elpresidente]

Im sure it the french that started the V sign

[The Alcotroll]

Your ignorance is appalling.

During the Hundred Years War, (that's the one where the English gave the French an almighty kicking), the English armies made extensive use of Longbows.
The French hated the Longbowmen so much that a captured archer could often expect to be brutally tortured. He would certainly have the first two fingers of his right hand cut off, which would prevent him from firing a bow again.

To taunt the French, English archers would proudly display their two fingers as a boast and a threat.

[BigRedRod]

I'll post ASAP
I've just been snowed under with RL obligations and work for the past week

I think things clear up after lectures tomorrow

[SponkleofInfini]

Well I am back and shouldnt have to go away for awhile yet....so on with the game..so to speak.

[BigRedRod]

As we were in combat you didn't slow the game down at all with your absence Sponkle

First Harald gets a crit and now Swires gets one after I manage to roll absolute shite for the rat attacks

[SponkleofInfini]

Good to hear, a question though...what happened with my action? Did it do anything? Or did the rat obtain SR from a magical pixie stick it devoured last round :)

[BigRedRod]

welcome to day four of trying to post

On the upside it has proved that my system can last for long periods without needing a reset (possible the random reset issue has gone away). On the downside I can't believe I've been so long without any ability to write anything coherent

I'm going to make another push this evening

[SponkleofInfini]

Hmm he has lost his mojo...where are the dancing leprechauns?

[The Alcotroll]

Whoa there, Sponkle! Jumping the queue is bad form you know...

[elpresidente]

The shame!

[SponkleofInfini]

He would load his crossbow anyway...there are rat creatures about and this little wizard is out of spells.

Queue jumping...as far as I am aware we dont need to post in order. Unless youre talking about something else and then I would say Live Long and Prosper ;) and then you would dance around a pixie stick...and I think that is to much drugs for me.

[The Alcotroll]

Just hand me that pixie stick, I've dancing to do.

[BigRedRod]

Gaz you have a PM regarding your character's knowledge of the symbol
Reading it and posting seems in order

[The Alcotroll]

And now an interesting question:

Does the crazy hard-arsed Viking eviscerate the scrawny southerner who just insulted him? Well it would be entirely within character wouldn't it...

[SponkleofInfini]

You better expect him to claw at your face like a little sissy boy...oh yes you just damn well better!!!

[BigRedRod]

I'm sure that with Meleaga's above par wisdom he would know not to provoke the burly northener (and most likely his brother by extension). As much as I'd dislike intra-party violence or conflict of any kind to an extreme, letting the smug little bugger get away with it may well be out of character

[BigRedRod]

Sponk I'm going to warn you about being a twat with your character.

You seem to be trying to split the party. If Craig wasn't tempering Harald's actions with a view to stuick together than in all honesty Meleaga would now be dead

I recall similar problems from your time in the jail cells in DT, so I don't think this is actually part of your characters' personalities.

[The Alcotroll]

I smell frying fish... Herring I think... Definately a Red Herring.

Shall we continue gentlemen?

[SponkleofInfini]

Being sarcastic was definately my intention for Meleaga this time around. However that is not to say he wont warm to the party members soon enough. However Meleaga would find some of Harolds words insulting and hence replies in kind. But you know how these things go...soon enough they will be the best of friends ;)

[BigRedRod]

Yes but picking a fight with someone much bigger thanyou is how you end up dead and Meleaga hasn't come across as the kind to woefully overestimate his own powers so far.

When a 2nd level wizard stands next to a 2nd level fighter and a fight starts the wizard has to be very lucky not to die very quickly

[SponkleofInfini]

I never initiated a fight...Harold did. So what else ya got ;)

[BigRedRod]

Yes, yes you did
You caused a situation which gave another player the choice of either stifling his concept or causing intra party combat

You are in the wrong here. I'd like you to at least be able to see that rather than tying to weasel out of what you did

[SponkleofInfini]

So I should forfeit my concept for his? Please as I mentioned Sarcasm was my intention for this character...the fact he choose to initiate a confrontation was his choice. Not to mention the confrontation worked well with my intentions for this character. He does not hold his own life in high esteem...coupling his own death as part of his redemption.

So stop trying to play my character for me and get on with it!

[BigRedRod]

I'm not attempting to run your character for you. I'm simply poitning out that creating sitautions in which you forfce other players to act out of character for the sake of the game is a very bad thing

You should know this and it is a character trait which Meleaga had not shown previously in this game. Yet it seemed very similar to a certain pointless argument you initiated in Dagern Travels toward the start.

Characters may not need to be the bestest of friends. Harald is arrogant enough that I doubt he'll ever get on especially well with Meleaga, but the duty of keeping the game from degenerating to a brawl between characters is not solely mine

Stop trying top defend yourself when you are in the wrong. Accept it, learn from it and someone needs to post (most likely ATA)

[SponkleofInfini]

I never forced anyone into anything...if you want to avoid battles talk to the person who has the hot head for a character.

To address your point about not showing ths previously in game...there really hasnt been much opportunity...it has just started afterall.

Now please I am really interested how I am wrong here...and turned into the well whipping boy. When the real aggresser here really hasnt had anything said to him...at least not on these boards. I have looked over the posts and I did nothing at all agressive or showed any intent at an encounter. To say I should basically know better cose he has made his character a hot head isnt really in the spirit of IC roleplaying as they have only just met.

Now to just say it is my fault without actually pointing to the post and saying yes...this is aggressive and shows intent to fight with a PC is poor form for a DM of your caliber.

Now I am not going to back down...so get off the power trip and concern yourself with the real aggresser.

[BigRedRod]

Meshing the group together as a cohesive party is something the DM and Players have to work together towards.

Harald is an easily provoked burly gentleman from the island Meleaga and many other mainlanders percieve as a wild land populated by savage barbarians. This burly gentleman also happens to have his less burly Brother with him.

I don't think I need to point to specific posts as you know full well what this is about

If you are still insisiting that playing Meleaga's suggestion (to devote more time to the study of the mark one of the rats) as you did was essential to his character you must recognise that you put The Alcotroll in a very difficult position while pretty much ignoring any thoughts on forging group bonds. His response was aggressive but far less so than it would (or should) have been.

It is in the past now and I'd rather than game actually moved on as it has been stagnant for a while now, but Meleaga has had it made very clear in character that Harald is not going to let him off so lightly should the wizard decide to talk down to him

This argument is going nowhere and I'd like the game to continue. Let that be an end of it for everybody

[The Alcotroll]

Ok. I'm tired of this argument. It seems sensible at this point to justify my own actions so that Sponkle has a better idea of why Harald acted the way he did.

I'm sure you've read the background on Jedaart, and fully understand that here is a society established in a harsh, uncompromising land populated by harsh, uncompromising people; much like the dark age Viking society which it seems to draw much of it's inspiration from. In such a society an unavanged insult is a stain on one's personal honour, and any Jedaart native would consider himself justified in challenging the perpetrator to a fight. Harald, with his background as a bodyguard to the Tzar would be no exception.

As much as Harald is aware that he is no longer in Jedaart, and can no longer act acording to the mores and morals of his society, nevertheless he has been insulted by Meleaga and to simply take the slight would be out of character not just for Harald, but for any Jedaartian. As far as I am concerned, the conflict was resolved successfuly, because I didn't kill anyone and the party is still together. Aggravating this conflict further IC would be foolish for both of us.

Back to the game. It is fairly evident that this mark or brand is completely irrelevant to us at this present time. We have a specific mission objective which we need to stick to. We haven't particularly made great friends with the locals, and we now need to "sort this mess out" before daybreak, if we don't want to get run out of town. We've broken into a quarantined plague zone in the search for this mising girl, and the only way we'll justify that to the locals is if we bring her back out again. I suggest that we concentrate on following this trail and worry about rats that worship Goblin gods another time.

[BigRedRod]

bah
with ATA AWOL along with gaz it seems that half of the players in this game are gone.

I leave it to you too to post then, you can merrily assume that Swires has shared his knowledge. So between the two of you I'd decide whether or not to ponder the mark further, continue along the trial or do something else relating to the sudden unexpected attack from rat-people

After the game picks up momentum again I'll find replacements. I think I have a decent idea of where to throw in new characters. I'd just rather not lure fresh blood in to a game which is dead

[AllTogether Andrews]

Hello again and many apologies for my legnthy absence. My computer was acting up and I thought it had a virus. I was using it little as possible to slow any progress the virus may have been having. After consulting technicians and installing the correct virus medications on my machine it was revealed that there was no virus after all and that my lost files were sitting quite happily in the recycle bin. Apparently my sister had deleted them accidently and then failed to inform me of this. I will post immediately and sorry again for the delay.

[BigRedRod]

the obvious trial in the ash around the burned tavern and leading in to the maze of derelict buildings is still obvious. There are no more convient feathers

[The Alcotroll]

Sodding lazy DMs.

I've edited my post now, so damn well move us on Tim!

[BigRedRod]

I've edited my post now, so damn well move us on Tim!

I can now that someone has posted something close enough to "X moves on" post

[SponkleofInfini]

Sorry I forgot to post here in the chaos of moving house...well I have moved and am in my new place, so there shouldnt be anymore delays in my posting...except for the fact I am tired now...I shall post tommorow... ;)

[BigRedRod]

Good Good. Glad to know that you, Craig and ATA are all around. I just need to make a decision concerning Gaz, althouh I don't like to kick people when they're down

Well I suppose I do. But it is a habit I'm trying to cut down on when it comes to friends ;)

[The Alcotroll]

I'll text the little bastard and abuse him some. That way, he'll end up hating me more than you, which I can cope with easily enough by inviting him down to Manc' and getting him royally pissed.

Everyone wins.

On with the game.

[The Alcotroll]

I'd just like to point out that you don't have to see the lock to be able to break in silently. Doors like the ones described; bolted from the inside, are easily, if irreversibly opened by means of a fine saw, which is the sort of thing usually found alongside the picks and tweezers in a thief's tool kit.

[BigRedRod]

Yes there is a saw in the selection of stuff provided by thieves tools although I'm not sure sure silent is the word for trying to cut through a metal bolt of any thickness.
I don't like presenting the options too clearly to the players, hence only mentioning the lack of a lock until someone actually has a decent shuft at the doors themselves to find a way through without breaking them

[The Alcotroll]

We've been through this in Dagern Travels I believe. Don't let's go there again.

ATA, are you still around?

[BigRedRod]

you had no skills or equipment which were relevant to lock picking in that case. And anyway the lock was open, it was a valuable lesson in looking before you act

[SponkleofInfini]

Hmm I thought thought it was locked also, however reviewing the post:

It seems very strange that this well has no way of being accessed from the surrounding buildings apart from the long winding alley and this sturdy-looking door. The door itself is bound with iron and if it is locked then it is from the inside.


We miss read ;)

[The Alcotroll]

We're taliking about a different door. This one certainly is locked, because I posted that I was checking to see, and it didn't open.

Now is Gaz going to try and unlock this damn door, instead of turning up his nose at it 'cos he's no lock to stick his pick into, or are we going to have to kick it in?

I'm reliably informed that the well is too narrow for any of us to fit down, and in all likelihood there's only water and rats at the bottom of it in any case.

[The Alcotroll]

Before I act precipitously, does anyone have a cunning plan they want to share with me?

I was intending to leg it down the stairs and put my sword at the old bugger's throat (should give me a hefty bonus on any intimidate rolls...). Can any of you smart arses think of a better way to deal with this?

[SponkleofInfini]

How about asking politely...you just never know with these evil villians ;)

[AllTogether Andrews]

no brilliant ideas in this corner.

[The Alcotroll]

Well I could wait for Gaz to post, but I don't have a spare month. Looks like it's time to act precipitously.

Follow me men!

Edit; Change of plan. It's probably sensible for the meat-shields (me and ATA) to look for things that actually want to fight, while gaz or Sponkle deal with the old bugger who's fallen over.

[BigRedRod]

Ok, so while we wait for ATA, I've had an idea :

Recently I've been pondering how to better include the characters in the plot. So that who you are actually matters to what is going on. To help me out I was wondering if you lot wouldn't mind filling in little questionaires and then emailing me with responses that I Can file away and hopefully use to reshape my current polt ideas. I'll get working on some questions, but if anyone has any thoughts or concerns at the moment then lemme know.

It seems that now would be a good time to do his as we're early on and it would be easier for me to set wheels in motion for your connections to certain larger plot elements

[elpresidente]

Yeah sounds good.

[BigRedRod]

*Drumroll*

I've stolen and modified -J-'s questions from his Eberron game. Some of the material you will have covered in the backgrounds you have already presented, try not to contradict yourselves but add to your stories and try to provide me with at least a few potential plot hooks that I can work in to future plot development
When you are done, send the answers in an email to ts2584@bris.ac.uk
Browse through the threads on world info for the limited info I've presented on the world but feel free to push the boat out and be creative

Character Questionnaire



Who were your parents? What was their profession and position in society?

Do you have any familial traditions/legacies/curses/enemies/allies/patrons? If so what/who?


Where were you born?


Did any childhood events shape your personality?


Do you have any childhood friends/Mentors that you still see/keep in touch with?


Did you have any childhood crushes/relationships? If so how did it/they end? Did you part as friends?


Who are your heroes?


Does your character have a code of conduct? If so summarize your personal ethics.


What sort of things motivate you now?


What were your motivations in your youth?


Have you had any recent changes in faith/way you look at the world? If so what? How did it/they affect you?


Describe your adolescence.


Does your character have any firm beliefs on what motivates the Red Moon to appear?


Anything else you think is important to know about your character.

[The Alcotroll]

ATA, are you American by any chance?

[AllTogether Andrews]

American-ish. Why do you ask?

[AllTogether Andrews]

Oh and about the current GM update.

If not he will shove his crossbow past the northerner and plug the man with a bolt.
You would think that this setup would make it rather difficult to hit Harold in the back with the crossbow. As close as I can figure it I would have to ricochet the bolt off of no less than two walls past all three of us to pull the trick off.

[SponkleofInfini]

Yeah but you see he dosent want to kill the wizard just yet ;)

[BigRedRod]

You would think that this setup would make it rather difficult to hit Harold in the back with the crossbow. As close as I can figure it I would have to ricochet the bolt off of no less than two walls past all three of us to pull the trick off.

errr
Not at all
Have a look at the map
the corridor line up goes :
Swires->Meleaga->Harald

[The Alcotroll]

American-ish. Why do you ask?

Blue-on-Blue just seems to be something of a national passtime....

[AllTogether Andrews]

Swires attempts to work his way around Meleaga and Harald
If it's a standard 5 foot whide corridor (especially considering my size) it shouldn't be too hard to work my way past the skinny wizard. And if it is impossible then you could have said something before you decided to have Swires start shooting anyway.

Blue-on-Blue just seems to be something of a national passtime....
What's Blue-on-Blue?

[BigRedRod]

If it's a standard 5 foot whide corridor (especially considering my size) it shouldn't be too hard to work my way past the skinny wizard. And if it is impossible then you could have said something before you decided to have Swires start shooting anyway.
I'm not entirely sure how you expected to move around two characters were there was no space whatsoever, unless you were playing tp hyically move the wizard and northener out of your way. Given an impossible action I'll usually just interpret to the best of my ability rather than try and coax something possible out of the player in charge

[The Alcotroll]

Blue-on-blue is the same thing as 'friendly fire'

[AllTogether Andrews]

why are americans particularly prone to it?

[The Alcotroll]

Watch the news more often.

[SponkleofInfini]

So true :P

[AllTogether Andrews]

Wouldn't help. Most of our news is whitewashed for content. Not to mention that reporting on the war in Iraq is currently out of style. I'm assuming that I could probably find what you're talking about on BBC though. Some sort of major friendly fire incident recently?

[The Alcotroll]

Not so much recently, since we've been out of your AOR. But earlier on in the war, you were all over the place. How the hell you can fire on a Chinook (which the Iraquis don't have) or a column of Saladin recon tanks (which they don't have either) is beyond me, much less how you bring down a Tornado with a Patriot missile.

Anyway. Enough of that. Someone goddamn post. I assume it's Gaz holding us up?

[BigRedRod]

Quite, I've done the usual txting
I'll NPC as soon as things slow down

The last day of uni is usually hectic and this one seems to be no exception

[SponkleofInfini]

a botl looses itself from the crossbow of the wizard and snaps against the far wall

I found that quite funny...right in the middle of a dramatic moment the wizard fires of a fizzled bolt.

[The Alcotroll]

Dammit Sponkle, we need a post in the IC thread, not in here!

[SponkleofInfini]

I am near the end of innitiative...I prefer to see what people do before I post my action...unless people are waiting on me...hmm best check that.

[The Alcotroll]

From the map, it looks like the sensible thing is for you two (ATA and Sponkle) to defer your actions until I've moved. If I go for the big one, Swires goes for the little 'un, and Meleaga helps out whoever is doing worse, we should nail 'em both.

To that end, I'm going to be precipitous and post now.

[BigRedRod]

Friendly characters can move through one another's spaces. The problem earlier was that ATA was trying to put Swires either past Harald in a space occupied by an enemy or between Harald and Meleaga, in a space that didn't exist

[BigRedRod]

Also, as it is rapidly approaching the big day, I expect that everyone is as busy as me. However, I'm also busy afterwards with once again tootling off to Japan. Then I have exams. I'll be back in early January, then busy for a few days of apin. Then I'll finally free around the 8th or 9th (in theory, I get the feeling I have a project due, but as we all know projects can only be done in the early hours of the morning before they need presenting)

Happy Holidays Kids

[AllTogether Andrews]

I'm gonna have sporatic internet access at best for some time too. I'll try to keep up though.

[BigRedRod]

Japan over, Exam over, It's a mini adventure

Time for some el postage on my part

[The Alcotroll]

El postage eh?

Damn right it is, so bloody well get on with it and stop faffing around!

[BigRedRod]

Less of your moaning, I had a busy two days

[The Alcotroll]

So grandad would rather die than damn the world.

Is my alignment likely to change if I oblige him?

[BigRedRod]

He isn't old, he's older. Middle-aged fella

Theo ther guy is just much younger, possibly 16ish

[The Alcotroll]

And my alignment?

[BigRedRod]

You're right, I should dock you xp for not having one listed

[The Alcotroll]

You mean I don't have one?

Bugger. Serious omission. The question was; would it be evil of me to kill that awkward old sod?

[BigRedRod]

Well yes, as much as I hate alignment, taking a prisoner and then just killing him afterwards is unquestionably evil.

[The Alcotroll]

Oh well. Does anybody have any rope? 'Cos otherwise, we'll probably have to knock 'em both out.

Gaz, if you happen to read this some time in the next month, perhaps you could see your way clear to using less violent means to persuade the old... sorry, the middle aged man to talk to us?

[The Alcotroll]

Cheers ATA. Now we have an extra prisoner to deal with, and we're still injured.

Here's the plan.

We knock out our three friends, since we don't have any rope, and even if we did, I doubt we've the skills to use it properly. We comb the building systematically, killing everything that resists, until we find the girl. We grab her, mutant or not, and pull out sharpish with the prisoners.

If we're attacked on the way out, then what the hell we'll do with one mutant girl and three prisoners is anyone's guess, and as for how we'll get over the fucking wall again, well I'm only glad that at current rate of posting, we won't have to worry 'till some time in the summer.

[SponkleofInfini]

What an optimistic post you have there...I think I will call it buttons.

[The Alcotroll]

Think of it as realism.

[BigRedRod]

Edited the last post to fit in Harald's suggested action for Gredrin as Gaz seems to have fallen off the edge of the world

[BigRedRod]

I don't feel that a clw deserves it's own post from me, so everybody remember that I need to include the spell in my next post

[BigRedRod]

Yes, yes, I know I need to NPC Gredrin. I just didn't want to make another post before anyone had had the chance to do anything

I'll post and I'll NPC and there will be rejoicing by all, I'm sure

[The Alcotroll]

*rejoicing by all*

Right. Planning time.

We've accounted for five, and there are eight stools. That suggests that there are three people beyond the door, and if they're trying to keep quiet then they're probably waiting for us. I imagine that the first person through that door can expect a couple of crossbow bolts.

I suggest that Meleaga (who, minus all offensive spells, is frankly useless in combat) remains to guard the conscious prisoner, while Swires makes his way (quietly) to the door. He and Harald go through quick and hard and engage the nearest targets, while Gredrin hangs back as a reserve, if possible to secure and evacuate the hostage and if not, then to support the assault.

Edit; In fact, if we were feeling particularly cruel, we could fetch one of the two prisoners and get them to open the door. That way, in any projectiles come out, they get it and not us...

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[BigRedRod]

The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry

I'm impressed with the stool-thinking though

[SponkleofInfini]

lol I should have looked here before posting IC, where I made my suggestion. Umm I am privy to using the hostage as a shield, I see it as logical not evil ;)

[BigRedRod]

No, it's evil despite how logical it may be. The two aren't mutally exclusive

edit : and as Alco just pointed out to me, Gredrin is whispering to Harald. He is doing a piss poor job of it if Meleaga can hear them from the other room

[The Alcotroll]

That strikes me as an unnecessarily complicated plan, and in my experience, such plans tend to fail, especialy when exposed to the bloody minded awkwardness of our DM. Let's just go with a short, sharp room-clearance drill.

[SponkleofInfini]

Ok...:Evil:

[The Alcotroll]

It's not evil. It's pragmatism.

[BigRedRod]

No, it's evil

It is a deeply selfish act

[SponkleofInfini]

Bah...being good is no fun -_-'

[The Alcotroll]

Hey. Shall we all become evil?

[BigRedRod]

One evil act doesn't make you evil. It just puts you a step down the ladder of goodness.

Of course a single noticed step down can turn an angry mob of villagers against you

[BigRedRod]

Choose a plan and implement it. Some IC disucssion wouldn't go amiss

Mel has gone to the trouble to ramble out something, either explain to me what each character is doing or someone suggest something better

[SponkleofInfini]

Yeah I like my plan better...if they think it is transparent what is going on then they wont follow...then what; we're in our respective rooms in relative safety until they either decide to come out or we formulate another strategy. Alcotroll's seems to be rush in head first and hope they dont ambush us and fire a volley of arrows as we enter...I dont know about everyone else but I would prefer not to have to take the hits...I am far to fragile for that kind of plan.

[The Alcotroll]

I'm prepared to put money on this one going badly, but I can't be bothered to argue right now.

[BigRedRod]

Someone explain who is going where and doing what via this useful OOC thread. Sponkle's original statement of the plan seems slightly confused

[SponkleofInfini]

Yeah I didnt want to be to specific with who goes where I prefer for people to make up their own minds in that regard.

[BigRedRod]

So that is ATA out of the running for door opening bait. I'd rather avoid using Gaz as the cannon fodder and Craig has made his feelings clear for this plan, I doubt he wants Harald to die over it.

So that leaves Meleaga as the bunny. You good with that Sponk?

[SponkleofInfini]

I ah woo..ah umm hmm...mummy, I ah mean bring it on!!!!

[BigRedRod]

Post will be forthcoming, I've just had a busy day and now I have a weekend of work before the deadline monster coup de grace's me

[BigRedRod]

Remember when posting that Swires and Harald are unable to see what has happened (if they could, then they also would have been seen by anyone coming down the corridor and the plan would have been even more flawed), but it is safe to say that the sound of a wizard being shit twice and hitting the floor isn't too ambiguous a sound

[SponkleofInfini]

Yeah...kind of expected that to happen... -_-'

[BigRedRod]

ATA, editing your posts is becoming a real chore

1) Meleaga is a man
2) How in the hell are you using a dying wizard as cover? He is lying on the ground

In other news I might send out feelers for a gaz replacement

[The Alcotroll]

Heavily armoured figure. Warhammer. Both hands.

Shit.

[AllTogether Andrews]

He may be lying on the ground but I'm a dwarf. Therefore short. It's ended up being a moot point anyway because no one shot at me.

[SponkleofInfini]

You arent that short ;)

But as a highly injured individual why would you heal me and then proceed to try and use me as a shield?

[AllTogether Andrews]

If I get KO'd that's one dead party member. If you get KO'd then I can still stabalize you with a heal check. I'm the only person in our party with the heal skill.

Plus I'm a self centered grubby little dwarf.

[SponkleofInfini]

Yeah still no excuse to use me as a shield...not many people like the idea of being continually shot with bolts and arrows ;) It kinda makes them want to blast you with a fireball in the future :P

[The Alcotroll]

Might be helpful if someone covers Gredrin's back so he doesn't get caned by a flanking attack from a man with a big fuck-off hammer.

[SponkleofInfini]

Well as I shall be cowering in the other room I think that leaves swires the only man for the job :D

[The Alcotroll]

Gosh. What a glowingly descriptive combat post.

[AllTogether Andrews]

Meh, I've got the flu. Gimme a break. Plus BigRed is doing such a good job of being descriptive it sems a shame to preempt him. Although it's mostly the flu.

[BigRedRod]

1) never refer to a creature by its map code again
2) a trip attack is not the same as severing someone's foot, for very obvious reasons. You've ignored my subtle proddings about this so I'll just tell you.

[The Alcotroll]

This could be in the running for shortest lasting game on the boards.

Can we please have some fucking teamwork? Is that too much to ask? This has been a clusterfuck from start to finish because everybody is running around doing stupid things.

ATA, if you'd looked at the schematic you'd have seen that the sensible thing to do was guard Gredrin's back and prepare an attack of opportunity, or better still go straight in and engage the cleric. Instead you tried to leg up the guy that Gaz was already dealing with. Judging by your success so far with that particular manuver, I'd have thought that you'd have the sense not to bother.
Best of all, you've allowed yourself to be enfiladed and that Cleric made you pay for it. Now we've got two team members who can't be risked because they're damn near dying.

I'm not even going to start on the fact that Gaz hasn't posted in months, because the DM is doing a better job of playing his character than he would.

As for Sponkle; I appreciate that you've had a near-death experience, but hiding behind a bed is not particularly helpful. We could have done with some of those magic missiles now, but it's too late to worry about that. At least come out and use one of those damn scrolls on ATA.

This whole thing is going south in a spectacular hurry, so can we please have some sensible decisions now? ATA, for the moment I suggest that you fight on the defensive and hope your dice are good until Sponkle can cast a protect on you. Gredrin will have to tie up the swordsman, and if Harald's dice are anything like average he'll be able to engage the armoured bastard next turn and you can pull back. If you bug out now, Gredrin is going to get clattered and that leaves me having to deal with two, or possibly three hostiles.

How the hell we're going to get back out of this place, in the state we're in, is completely beyond me.

[SponkleofInfini]

Well I had all intentions of casting some buffs on you guys form the very beginning to then find out they're self only I believe. From my experience in our last encounter my crossbow work was pretty shotty to say the least so I consider it best at this point to let the muscle do its work for now and secure a room for bunkering down if need be.

In other words, I cant do shit, I am out of spells my current scrolls arent useful to you guys, I stupidly forgot to buy myself a melee weapon and my ranged attack is also down the shitter. Not to mention at my current state of health wouldnt even make good fodder -_-'

[AllTogether Andrews]

a trip attack is not the same as severing someone's foot, for very obvious reasons. You've ignored my subtle proddings about this so I'll just tell you.


IMPROVED TRIP [GENERAL]

Prerequisites: Int 13, Combat Expertise.

Benefit: You do not provoke an attack of opportunity when you attempt to trip an opponent while you are unarmed. You also gain a +4 bonus on your Strength check to trip your opponent.

If you trip an opponent in melee combat, you immediately get a melee attack against that opponent as if you hadn’t used your attack for the trip attempt.



The damage to the foot was supposed to represent this part of the attack. I assumed that the extra attack could simply represent damage done during the tripping action itself. Swires is indeed attampting to cut the foe off at the ankles. How much damage is actually done is up to the rolls.


Judging by your success so far with that particular manuver, I'd have thought that you'd have the sense not to bother.

Statisticially speaking Ive actually got a better chance to damage an opponent if I try to trip him first. Just because I've gotton unlucky with it up to this point doesn't remove any of the merits of the system. No matter how many times you flip tails you still have exactly a 50% chance to get a heads on the next try.

[BigRedRod]

Ah, well in that case you are just being overspecific rather than rules ignorant, which I suppose is a little better. Anyhow, the moral is : posty posty

[SponkleofInfini]

Oh my god forbid ;)

[BigRedRod]

You can combine drawing a weapon as a free action with a regular move, as it says in the PHB. Although drawing a weapon itself does not provoke an AOO, so running away wasn't very sensible as the posiitoning screwed you.

Although I'll be nice and say that you were withdrawing, so that you will have stepped through the doorway when they get their AOOs, and so you'll have concealment. Lets see what the dice say

[AllTogether Andrews]

You can combine drawing a weapon as a free action with a regular move, as it says in the PHB. Although drawing a weapon itself does not provoke an AOO, so running away wasn't very sensible as the posiitoning screwed you.


First off, it's cover, not concealment. (+4 AC instead of 20% miss chance)

Players handbook page 122, section 1, Paragraph 3 "Provoking an Attack of Opportunity"
"If you move within or out of a threatened area, you usually provoke an attack of opportunity. If all you do is move (not run) during your turn, the space that you start out in is not considered threatened, and therefore enemies do not get attacks of opportunity against you when you move from that space."

Second off I got away with out any attacks of oppotunity anyway. I've got my 5 feet of free movement inside the threatend zone and then I leave with a standard move.

Edit thy post.

[BigRedRod]

First off, it's cover, not concealment. (+4 AC instead of 20% miss chance)
I found that out on my foray in to the book to gather the mechanics

Second off I got away with out any attacks of oppotunity anyway. I've got my 5 feet of free movement inside the threatend zone and then I leave with a standard move.
You can only make a 5ft step when you make no other movement in that round. But yes, a single 5ft step does avoid any AOOs

Edit thy post.

In conclusion : Nope

[The Alcotroll]

Bloody buggering hellfire! Why are you so fucking stupid? Why can nobody listen to plans? Does anybody understand the concept of teamwork?