Ooooo fancy!!! I've never been (flown over it and seen it from afar from the top of a mountain in Lake Tahoe) but I'd love to visit some time. Have fun!
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Ooooo fancy!!! I've never been (flown over it and seen it from afar from the top of a mountain in Lake Tahoe) but I'd love to visit some time. Have fun!
(I definitely have an image of the marrow that came second, by the way. I'm choosing not to post it for decency's sake. You can use your imagination but yes it definitely exists.)
I've arrived safely in Las Vegas and (as I said) will try to keep things moving, :cool:
Have fun! Put $5 on red for me.
Thanks for all the condolences & kind wishes for my poor computer! I was very fortunate and able to boot it up again, and am in the process of making the transfer ASAP because who knows how long I've got this thing for.
I've been several times to Vegas ... and never gambled!
I have local friends and the music, magic and comedy shows are excellent.
Really glad to hear about your computer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuoKNZjr8_U
Have fun!! Are you meeting friends out there? I have some friends (online) just across the border in Arizona. I'll tell them to wave at you :)Quote:
Originally posted by glee
Yes, I've been here several times and it really helps to have local friends (knowing the best places; buying tickets in advance; hospitality etc.)
My hotel room is on the 18th floor, so perhaps you friends in Arizona will see me waving back...
P.S. For game purposes, Aislinn has succeeded in her Ventriloquism attempt.
I look forward to Walker's reaction.
Apologies for wall of text :)
[tried to edit but there's some weird time limit so have to make a new post, sorry]
Sorry, just re-read Choie's comment again after I typed my own and I genuinely hadn't noticed the reference in the last paragraph about whether Walker might not be interested in the women. So my response was typed without realising that you'd typed that. Walker does not appear to be interested in the women. Just for info :)
Walls of text are welcome!
:) Hope you are enjoying Vegas!Quote:
Originally posted by glee
Also hope that this fits in your world-lore, that villagers would probably have some minor cantrips - nothing higher than that - which they may have passed on between generations. I'm just thinking of the sort of cantrips that would, as I said, make the lights a little brighter or the water a little cleaner, or maybe make the fireworks display a little more sparkly. Tiny bits of magic; nothing harmful or overtly healing (beyond perhaps helping a wound to heal more cleanly). Is this ok? I just get the feeling that there would be a small current of magical ability flowing in a number of peoples' veins, and a lot of them probably don't even know it. But watching your grandma sniff at the soup and tut and then stir it, sniff it again and it's good.... or it's getting a bit dim to be able to read and your father squints at the candles and it's a little bit brighter....... that sort of magic that's just inherent in some people, and if you live in a family where that's a thing you might pick up?
If you would like no minor magics like this in the world, then this can all be passed off as Walker just talking as he tends to be doing a lot of, some or none of which may have any basis in truth :)
I am enjoying Vegas!
Every day so far has been hot and sunny ... with zero gambling by me. :cool:
I am only using a few minor magics (cantrips) - they didn't exist in 1st Edition, but it's so useful for some spellcasting player characters to have a couple of such spells.
(These cantrips are listed in this thread; see post 5.)
So let's agree that there would be a few peasants who could use local knowledge e.g. herbs to heal or spice up a dish - but they are not actually using magic.
And Walker will undoubtedly have heard many tales and anecdotes from the farmworkers about 'minor magics' that were not actually true :o e.g.
- she was a witch because she stared at Old Tom and he then got a cold
- his cow could count up to three
- one night on the way home from the pub, he flew through the air (and landed in a ditch)
Quote:
Originally posted by glee
Oh yes, by all means take anything said by Walker with a very large dollop of salt. He's walked around the villages, heard some stuff, possible seen some stuff that's hard to explain, and he's just passing on that info. In his (completely non-magic mind) it's probably completely magic. Yep.
[started typing then decided email was better....!]
I think I'm going to 'park' Saradoc for the moment. (As I've said, Tim is always welcome to rejoin, but I can certainly manage with Aislinn, Walker and Marron.)
P.S. The weather forecast for Las Vegas is 'hot and sunny' - who knew?!
So from your last post in the main thread, are we going to assume that Saradoc is heading back to the keep with the news and trinkets etc, and the rest of us three shall continue on, following Marron's lead with rumours of undead, cultists, bandits and the like?Quote:
Originally posted by glee
Yes, I prefer not to play Saradoc (especially as I'm already running Marron.) N.B. If Tim returns, so will our Hobbit Archer.
As far as items go, this means I can justify having good stuff ready for you when you return to the Keep. :)
Of course it would be great if we roleplayed Walker joining the party.
(Finally see the main thread for why Marron mentioned Undead.)
Can you give me a slightly more precise pointer? :D There are quite a lot of pages and I'm not sure what I'm looking for. I think to be honest it would probably be best as a new joiner to the party, for this to be explained to Walker.... unless it's something he's already heard about on his travels? What are your thoughts?Quote:
Originally posted by glee
Either it's something he knows nothing about or maybe just rumours he might have heard, and Marron here can explain the details, or it's something he knows about already and you point me at the post detailing what he should know haha :D
Oooops! Sorry about that clumsy reference - put it down to jet lag (kidding - I've adjusted.)
Marron will mention Undead in the main thread.
The sequence of events was:
- Marron trains as a Scout / Cleric in the Arthurian tradition
- all Arthurian Clerics can turn away (or even destroy) Undead (the chance of success depends on a comparison between the Cleric's level and the level of the Undead)
- Cleric Gawain (well-regarded in the Arthurian tradition) is ambushed by the forest bandits and killed (they take his items and feed the body to the Lake Ness Monster)
- Gawain's most powerful item was a Holy Symbol of Turning, which meant the wielder was effectively 4 levels higher for purposes of turning away (or even destroying) Undead
- after the party defeated the forest bandits, Marron inherited the Holy Symbol of Turning, so looks forward to using it
Oh I was with ping there--I kept looking at the previous posts trying in vain to find a reference (other than Marron's abilities) to undead or The Dead Who Walk or zombies etc. So what you're saying is, this will, future tense, be of use.
ping, depending on your connection or device, maybe you'd find it less cumbersome to change the number of posts you see on a page? I think by default you see... what, 60? I know if I'm not logged in there are about 6 pages to the game thread. But logged in I've made it so I can see 200 per page. If you'd like to give that a try, you'd just click on "Settings" and then "Edit Options;" or just click this link here. Then scroll down to the post-per-page option and select what's best for you. :)
Thanks to you both for being so polite over my clumsiness!
Aha, all good and explained, thank you :)
I'm fine with the number of posts on a page, thank you choie, it was just that I wasn't sure what I was looking for :D
More importantly: Sodding GLee keeps hinting that we need a party name damnit. I don't think he's going to give up.
I give up!
Dr C forced our party name upon us, I don't recall if I shared this here but I will again. Dr. C is my boss and was/is a colleague of both myself and GLee, and we ran D&D activities. Anyway, out of work, I am in a group online via Discord at some ungodly hour on a Sunday morning with Dr C as DM and a bunch of us misfits who've somehow gravitated to him over the years xD
I'm not joking, it's a group comprising of a lecturer from a university he worked with 30 years ago, 2 student teachers from Turkey and Greece (I think) who visited our school and happened to see a D&D game and absolutely LOVED it, an ex-student who played in our games while in school and is now in university.... etc. Anyways, we play on Sunday mornings online using Fantasy Grounds, and Dr C quite clearly wanted our group to have a party name, so he chose the most socially-awkward and unwilling person in the group (the ranger, as it happens) and decided that as he had a "noble bearing" and "recognisable features" and "people had talked about his daring adventures" or some such bollocks, that our group would be named after him. We are now Arofyr's Firebrands.
Whether Arofyr likes it or not.
Arofyr does not.
And let it be known that my character (the bard) most definitely does NOT like this either, and has made many a tale, ballad, song, poem all in glorious tribute to our wonderful and shining leader.
(Seriously, I got them sent to a publisher and sent him a hardback copy. Don't mess with a bard.)
((Seriously seriously, Dr C was ill recently and instead of a bland "get well" card, I put my party notes into a book lol. It was 225 pages. I called it "part i" as he's not allowed to leave use hanging mid-adventure. But yes, I put in all of the stuff that actually happened plus all of the completely made-up stuff that my bard just pulled out of their arse when it had been a quiet day and the ranger had been pissing them off by looking smug. Anyway, Dr C now has a lovely hard-bound book of 225 pages of mostly-accurate recollections of the adventures of "Arofyr's Firebrands". Grrrrrr.)
1. Just to make it clear: even if the forthcoming film 'Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves'* turns out to use a party name, you lot can happily remain un-named.
*which I am really looking forward to seeing!
2. Because of some fine roleplaying, I'm adding Ventriloquism as a non-weapon proficiency (see post 4 of this thread, which lists those proficiencies.)
So characters who have learnt this proficiency (simply by training) can use it in two ways:
- for entertainment (e.g. make statue appear to speak)
- in combat (can distract one opponent who then misses one action)
Note that Ventriloquism can also be gained as a spell - with the same effects as above.
On a personal note, my holiday is going well. (Hopefully I can still be accurate when running the campaign without my manuals
I recently used my first Uber and also rode in my first Tesla. :cool:
That's really fascinating, ping, thank you for that history! And what an incredibly generous, lovely gift to create for Dr. C.! That must have meant a great deal during a difficult time. (I hope he's doing better, or at least no worse.)
glee, enjoy your vacation to its fullest, I'm sure you'll be able to GM well but your own fun takes precedence! Super lucky that Las Vegas isn't being affected by any of the weird weather afflicting California.
Thanks, choie :) He did seem to appreciate it and is - hopefully - on the mend.
Also agreeing with choie, GLee, I think your lack of manuals won't make a huge difference given (1) your (no offence and probably no surprise to anyone) literal decades of experience, and (2) the fact that our party seem to be perfectly adept at pissing around without needing any rules checking. We're happy just bimbling around.
From an out-of-character perspective, it's clear that it makes sense for Saradoc to head back to the Keep with our news and trinkets and so on and so forth, and that if there's any news of something that needs attention that we could help with, Eye can return that to us swiftly so that we can plan the next stage of adventure, but other than that... was there a plan? I've read back through the topic before I joined but I just don't have the mental capability to figure out what ya'll was planning to do next, eg. if there was a person's plot-hook you were following, or is it just all unraveling slowly as we do jobs for the Count??
If the latter then I assume we just wait to get word back from Eye about whatever Saradoc hears from the Count. It's basically what Walker would be doing next, to be fair, whether he joins up with your group or not. He would check in at the Keep and see if there's rumours or news in the area that might need attention. Walker aside (hence OOC! - I assume that we've talked stuff between ourselves in character that we haven't typed, so it's possible by now that Walker would know what path this group was on before a dragon was foisted upon them...!) I don't know what the plans of the other people had been before we had the dragon encounter. Also, I wasn't joking about asking Kitty for top-ups, while Saradoc and Eye are at the Keep. Separately, is there anything that the rest of us need to buy/top up/repair? I get that we're in a fairly small place now so might need to head somewhere larger if we need more substantial supplies. But, again, until we get news back from the Count/Eye/Saradoc, we don't know what the problem we might be facing.
So yep. What ya'll doin'. (GLee's State-side presence is rubbing off on me, folks).
Ping,
I echo Choie's comment about your thoughtful gift for Dr. C. (do pass on my regards - he was always helpful to me when we worked together.)
As far as the objective goes, the Scouts are on a simple mission:
- get accepted by Count Percival (done!) and the decent folk in the Shire
- learn about Sherwoodshire (ongoing, but teaming up with Walker is a great boon)
- find a possible HQ for a branch of the Drannasmor Scout Guild
and defeat evil wherever it rears its ugly head!
So at present Aislinn, Walker and Marron are making friends with farmers such as Giles and intending to return to Percival's Keep afterwards to claim their deserved reward.
(Unless something happens ... heh)
Thanks for your kind remarks.
My local friends here are making sure I have a good time (I'll send you both an e-mail summarising my first week - entitled 'Gumbo, carpet burns and beauty queens'. :o;) )
Local attractions booked include:
- Battlebots (a personal favourite :fishbeat: )
- Tournament of Kings
- Pinball museum
Oh, and the weather remains hot and sunny :cool:
@glee Walker is having no part whatsoever in an performance, unless specifically asked to tell an account of what happened. However, would it be possible, as Marron plays his flute and possible as Aislinn sings, for Eye to swoop around in a generally dramatic way. If Marron is able to cast Light on a creature, then potentially we have a shiny glowy hawk/eagle (was never sure which) doing swoops and dives over the audience.
There's no problem with characters not performing - that's roleplaying!
So Marron (who is happy to step up*) will first cast the harmless Light spell on Walker's hawk**, then play a suitable 'bird-like' melody on his flute as the shiny hawk flutters around the room.
*As an Arthurian Cleric Marron is used to public speaking / fighting in melee / turning (or even destroying) Undead.
** Eye is a hawk (I relish the Avengers and enjoyed the Hawkeye TV spinoff a lot!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJkg9B8MgCo
Characters are welcome to have a chat before retiring for the night.
N.B. Everyone feels a sense of accomplishment (Dragon-Slaying; helping out at the funeral; making the whole occasion a truly pleasant + memorable one) and this is the sort of thing that Arthur and Nimue appreciate seeing.
So now the characters have a sense of great news ahead...
For info out of the main channel, I'm just going to say that Eye, being a bird of prey with keen sight and a decent intelligence would have picked up on Aislinn's glances and general body postures etc. When she (Eye, not Aislinn, I think!) hops onto the table she is willingly and quite obviously offering herself up for a bit of head-and-neck scratching. Walker's comment to Aislinn is just sort of said as a kind of "permission", so to speak, that it is ok to touch his familiar*. If she wants to. If she *does* want to, the still-faintly-glowing hawk would lean into the strokes and give a sort of deep-throated caw/chirp that almost sounds like a purr. She would stay with Aislinn as long as Aislinn keeps providing the pets haha. If Aislinn prefers not to approach the bird, or shies away, then Walker would do one of his signature shrugs and beckon Eye over to give her inferior neck-ruffles with his inferior hands.
Of course, Aislinn does not have to react to the bird hopping down onto the table beside her, but this was just a response to what might happen :)
*Not sure if anyone has read His Dark Materials (Philip Pullman), but it is VERY MUCH taboo to touch another person's equivalent-of-familiar. I recall reading the books when I was about 11 and I still remember the exact phrase (and where on the sodding page is it! I could flick to it in the book in a second!) that was used when someone touched the main character's daemon (familiar/soul creature): "Faint, dizzy sick, disgusted, limp with shock". Haha - that's a phrase that has literally stuck with me for decades. I don't know if the same would be true here in this world, but just in case, this is Walker giving his specific consent that it's ok.
My campaign is not quite as strict as Pullman's - but certainly damaging someone's familiar would be a huge offence. (It would also literally hurt the familiar's owner.)
So Walker inviting Aislinn to pet Eye shows great trust and is an honour.
To choie: Just wanted to say, Eye is (obviously) sentient and is also intelligent, and she has noticed your glances and perhaps judged a certain level of perhaps envy of her bond with Walker, and is trying to make a connection with Aislinn. She is her own personality so anything she is doing is (except when instructed) separate from Walker, hence his slight miffed-ness about her seeming to prefer you. It might be that she's just saying that, or if it's her being genuine. She's a bird with her own mind! Right now, she would be trying to nuzzle up with the intention of perching up on your arm, but my intention was that it is down to Aislinn to see how she reacts to this. Eye is an intelligent bird so she will read the reaction and if it's a "nope" she would just lean in to Aislinn's arm and accept some more petting if it's coming or if it's not, would head back to her usual place on Walker's arm. Sorry for the essay, just wanted to explain my reasoning :) .
Thanks! I was waiting to see if glee needed to do a check as mentioned in your post, so wasn't sure if Aislinn should respond or not.
Hey out of curiosity: I don't know how PC/Familiar roles work in RPGs (maybe it depends on the GM's house rules)--does the player get to interact as the Familiar too, not counting skills/actions that need GM or NPC input? Or is the Familiar considered an NPC governed by the GM?
Seems right that the PC/Familiar get to interact courtesy of the player herself, especially when we're not all reacting "live" the way we would in a regular TTRPG situation. It'd take forever for Walker to ask Eye a question and wait for GM interaction.
Anyway it's very courteous of Walker and Eye to let Aislinn have a little animal companionship! Thanks for that, ping. :)
I'm not sure how GLee plays it, but in other games I've had a familiar in, it's generally sort of an extension of the player. In that I (Walker in this case) can tell/ask my familiar to do a task eg. scouting ahead, following someone, looking for something... and if it's something I (as the player) wouldn't know about then the GM would inform me what my familiar sees. But it's generally (again just from previous games) basically part of the player, and controlled by the player. Depending on the form of the familiar I have certainly been looking through the eyes of a mouse familiar as they snuck through a castle in the past! The regular Find Familiar spell allows the caster to choose the form of their familiar, but I am not sure how GLee has made Eye. As you say, it would take forever in text format for the GM to have to act out the familiar, so I would personally prefer if it's down to the player to direct what the familiar does, because (in my head, anyway) that's basically what a familiar is.
In answer (out of character) to your (in character) question, I don't know how long Walker has had Eye, we'll need to wait for our GM to stop enjoying himself in Vegas to answer that! All I know is that Kitty put the spell of Find Familiar into a potion, I believe, that allowed Walker to cast the spell and summon Eye. I don't know the mechanics of how GLee would like to continue this, as I suspect that Walker was originally an NPC - helpful ranger with a hawk - and I don't know as a PC how the spell as such works, and if it works like the normal Find Familiar. For example, as a regular spellcaster if my familiar was "bamf"ed out then I could re-summon it with time. I don't know how that will work with the hawk as she was a gift via a bottled spell from Kitty, and Walker himself doesn't have magic. If something happened to her, I don't know if she would come back automatically or if I would have to go get another potion from Kitty, or if she's just gone for good, and also if she can change form. GM has answers!
GLee also will be able to say how long Eye has been around with Walker, before I reply to you in the main channel - I get the impression from the notes I've been given that Walker's been around the Keep and the area for a while and that Kitty "gave" him Eye after he'd been helpful for a while I guess. As I say, we need to wait for our Glorious Leader to return with answers!!
A Familiar is a normal animal that is empowered by the spell Find Familiar to have a magical ink with the spell caster. The caster can see and hear through the Familiar’s senses whenever desired (as long as the two are in line of sight) and the pair are also telepathic.
The Familiar is completely loyal (but has normal animal behaviour.)
The caster will cherish their Familiar (as they can only have one at a time and take damage if their Familiar is injured. Losing a Familiar is jolly serious, since the damage is permanent! (eek) Also the whole spell would need to be recast…
Walker has had Eye for a couple of years. (Druid Kitty used a Potion to cast the spell.)
By comparison, the spell Animal Friendship gives the caster a loyal animal companion – but there is no magical ‘link’ as with a Familiar. Instead the caster can immediately teach their friend three one word commands (such as ‘Guard’ and ‘Attack’.)
To choie: I just wanted to add that, conversely to my previous message xD Eye's action there was NOT controlled by or initiated by me! That is all on GLee, and you can react however you see fit, whether in-character you think Walker asked her to peck at the bandage or not, but out-of-character just wanted to let you know that it was nothing to do with me at all! I don't mind how it plays out but just wanted you to know :)
Aw no sweat, ping. I'd figure that if you/Walker had initiated the move, you'd've written it up in your post. In exposition posts I assume a higher power is at work and responsible for Eye's hijinks. :)
GM question: In-character Walker literally has no idea if what he is suggesting for Aislinn is possible with Kitty's potions or other means. He has seen Kitty do amazing things like healing and granting him a familiar, and has seen other simple magics that can change appearance for example, so he - in-character - is just thinking straight away that Druid Kitty might be able to help. Out-of-character I don't know if there is a way we could get her to cast something or make something to make Aislinn more comfortable, and I suspect there's probably something, but in-character Walker has no sodding clue. So he would like to suggest, when we return to the keep, with Aislinn's permission, that he either get Kitty to look at Aislinn's face, or if Aislinn isn't happy to reveal, pretend it's "for a friend" and ask for a potion or poultice or something that would cover up a facial scar/injury/tattoo.
That was my plan of action, anyway. No doubt will be derailed by a dragon or something!
I appreciate your skillful playing of Walker. :cool:
He has great local knowledge, reconnaissance through Eye and front-line fighting ability.
However he has never been trained in magic - but you can safely leave that to others...
So of course Walker is welcome to speak to the reliable Druid Kitty (and out-of-character I can hint that with both Marron and Aislinn herself both casters, something may turn up! ;))
P.S. I do like a bit of derailing. :woowoo:
Hah, sounds fun :)
I would like to continue playing Walker as complete magic-non-literate. He's seen stuff Kitty can do, he's seen I think something from Marron (berries and I think a spell), and from Aislinn the mysterious and undependable wolf and a suspicion of something more, but in general magic is something that is far from him; it's something other people can do or bestow, so he wouldn't have any idea whether what he is suggesting Kitty might do would be a thing Aislinn herself might be able to do, or Marron. From Aislinn he's seen almost no magic at all, aside from an impromptu wolf, I don't think he's see her cast. So his suggestion of Kitty is just him thinking of the one reliable person who has used magic in front of him several times. That's just my thoughts anyway :) I would like it to be that Walker is basically as magically-grade U as it's possible to be.
Ha yes, that all makes sense to me. We made Aislinn a bit backwards in recalling her magic abilities too, mostly because I'm backwards at AD&D mechanics, as I think I mentioned in my PM. So Marron is undoubtedly the best equipped of the threesome. Er, foursome if we include Saradoc. Or a fivesome w/Eye.
It sounds like you're much like me, ping, in that you're cool w/having your character ignorant of certain things. I've only played one game and two PCs before--but hey, I've done it for 10 years so that hopefully adds some XP, heh--and I try to play abiding by the rule that neither of my PCs know anything they wouldn't believably know in-game.
That includes any info that I (choie) learn in the course of the adventures that Aislinn hasn't seen/heard directly... well, unless it's truly likely that she could figure it out for herself. Same with discussions here in the companion thread, or any stuff that crops up in various future plans between GM & players. I am absolutely fine with Aislinn being ignorant, or screwing up right and left, or telling falsehoods (inadvertently or purposely), or even hurting someone, as long as it's in character.
So if Marron or Walker or Eye or whoever has some secret or is going through something that I know about, I do my best not to magically give Aislinn a brainstorm or action that implies extraordinary luck or insight that realistically she doesn't have. I know sometimes other PCs want to go through their challenges without an easy out.
For example, if a PC (or NPC) has been carried off and is fighting some baddie in a quarry, something Aislinn is unaware of, she won't conveniently just decide spur-of-the-moment, "hey I've nothing better to do, I think I'll go to the quarry."
(Ideally I'm hoping the exposition will sometimes follow that rule... that we're not told that Aislinn suddenly has the urgent desire to skip down to the quarry to collect some shale... or that she's not met by a random messenger running out of nowhere to exclaim "we need several pieces of quartz, Aislinn, please race to the quarry ASAP!" :) :)
Now, if the villain walks casually into the inn and he's described as having rock-related dust on his boots and pebbles in his hair, and she knows the PC/NPC had gone off to fight the villain, then that's info I can use! Aislinn will hopefully put 2 + 2 together and hasten to the quarry.
Far as I'm concerned y'all are on your own! :devil: And hey the same goes for Aislinn if she's the unlucky one off in the quarry.)
(Unless we've planned for this behind-the-scenes! Also, styles differ and if it's deemed necessary to do otherwise, that's not my call of course.)
At least this is the sort of RPing I love most! Makes things more challenging & (to me) interesting. Does this make some sense or am I crazy to have this preference?
I completely agree with characters not knowing something only the player would know.
Also I try very hard not to have absurd reasons for characters to act!
OK, I am going to start the storyline that Aislinn suggested :cool: - please feel free to post whenever your character would join in.
(P.S. It is jolly exciting for me to be co-ordinating between Las Vegas, Eastern USA and East Midlands, England. :D)
Jumpin' Jehosephat what the heck is this manservant screaming about?! Talk about a drama queen. Aislinn's not that ugly. :)
It was more of a squeal than a scream - he is a sensitive chap. ;)
Quote:
Originally posted by choie
Well, considering when I emailed GLee to ask if Walker would recognise the scream as Aislinn's voice, he informed me that it "definitely sounds female, but not Aislinn's", I'd agree that if I find it's a manservant I think Walker would be slightly bemused haha. He is definitely expecting a damsel-in-distress, not some drama queen bloke who's scared of a small woman!Quote:
Originally posted by glee
Fortunately I've taught in a private school, so have experience of dealing with highly intelligent yet slightly unruly people*. ;):)Quote:
Originally posted by pingQuote:
Originally posted by choie
Well, considering when I emailed GLee to ask if Walker would recognise the scream as Aislinn's voice, he informed me that it "definitely sounds female, but not Aislinn's", I'd agree that if I find it's a manservant I think Walker would be slightly bemused haha. He is definitely expecting a damsel-in-distress, not some drama queen bloke who's scared of a small woman!Quote:
Originally posted by glee
Yes, the servant was originally female. Then I was politely asked to change gender (for clever plot reasons :cool: ) to male and happily did so.
Now I may have missed the gender alteration when speaking to ping later. :o
Or I may have had in mind a highly-strung, sensitive chap who is still on edge after having a dragon fly by and who has a naturally high-pitched squeal when surprised! :bravo:
(In either case the squeal wasn't anything to do with Aislinn's appearance - just surprise at her sudden arrival in the corridor.)
*and that was the staff, let alone the pupils. :D
Seriously let me add that I'm enjoying this immensely as the players are full of ideas and dialogue. It's going so well that I'm almost tempted to sit back and see what happens next... :smug:
...but I have a planned story-line and various hair-raising encounters, so will keep at it. :woowoo:
Here's an example of how the manservant reacted to a surprise:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WicIK1IHF4
... and the award for most entertaining post in the roleplay category goes to Ping for:
"Uhh. Massive wolf. This one the friendly one? Can't see any damsels in distress. Aislinn looks ok. Bit panicked but I don't think she's been attacked. There's some vegetables....?"
Quote:
Originally posted by glee
She was reporting what she saw, ok??? :D
Apologies - no offence was intended.Quote:
Originally posted by pingQuote:
Originally posted by glee
She was reporting what she saw, ok??? :D
I just thought it was an amusing juxtaposition.
To Aislinn: Walker, seeing you next to the wolf and him only having the magic he's been granted by Kitty by way of having Eye, would naturally assume that you have the same connection and are currently having a conversation in your minds. :)
[edit because I can't - damn editing time limit! - you will notice the time is off slightly ie. he would have seen you kneeling when he came in, and assumed that during that time you were talking in your head to your wolf. I know you since stood up to have the conversation, but I couldn't edit my post to make the timeline fit. I hope it makes sense!]
That actually works since I edited my post so she's looking at Wolf the whole time and doesn't get up. I goofed and apparently Wolf is supposed to disappear the second Aislinn starts talking to someone, or stops looking at it if I understand correctly, so either my post needs to change completely to eliminate Aislinn speaking, which is unfortunate, or so that the Wolf disappears the instant she utters a word to the others, which is even more unfortunate! I've asked glee if it helps if she's seeing/looking at Wolf and/or talking about Wolf during all this.
If Wolf just up and disappears now that's the worst situation for Aislinn's character purposes, so given the choice I may not be able to have her speak. We'll see if my changes (focusing on Wolf the whole time) work, but I'm not sure; if them's the rules, them's the rules. It's glee's world so I have to abide by the laws. Even though Aislinn is not Lawful Good. (Frankly I'm not sure if I am either.) :)
Meanwhile let me see if I can add the ability to edit your posts for a longer time since like me you like to tweak things even hours later!
I've sent Choie a couple of brief Mellophamt messages, but to help out here let me explain.
Aislinn can talk whilst looking at her Wolf!
(This is an unprecedented precedent, but having two jolly good roleplayers means I'm happy to give Aislinn this bonus!)
https://media.giphy.com/media/3K0z4e...IY95/giphy.gif
Thank you so much!! A victory for human/illusionary lupine relations!
*****************
ping -- I've increased the edit time to 24 hours; will that help a bit?
And these rules will apply to all Phantom Force Illusions that Aislinn casts (I'm looking forward to that happening)
Oh this is all brilliant, thank you both :) And I think that we are both on the same page with the scenario of what just happened. :) So Aislinn got to say her bit to the wolf, and while looking at it said to US that everything was ok, and since then Walker and Marron have had their bit and Eye is returning with Giles behind at some point. And the wolf is still there?
Absolutely to what just happened (e.g. Giles is strolling towards the party and Eye can fly back) ... as far as the Wolf goes, I'm just awaiting a hint from Aislinn!Quote:
Originally posted by ping
Internet cock-up today?? I posted mine at about 11am and it just showed up now. I don't think it changes the narrative though and I'm sure it will make sense. No idea what happened there.
I've heard from Tim P. today.
He apologises for not posting as Saradoc, but (naturally) real life took precedence.
Of course he's always welcome to return (but I don't see it happening.)
However the present party is well-equipped to face the campaign challenges, so on we go.
Walker would know, but Ping does not: would the light spell give basically full illumination to the area? I'm not sure (this is me, Ping, not Walker!) which would be the best option, to have that or to have the head-torch in this situation. Ideas welcome from all people btw! Ping is NOT a Ranger! Out of character question as to what an actual experienced ranger would decide. [edit] Walker doesn't know how the Light spell works, but now it's been described to him, Ping needs the info on how it would affect the situation haha!
Also should add, I've never played a ranger, well, I had one for a few sessions, but many years ago and I think it was a different edition anyway, so regardless, my rangering experience both in life and in game are close to zero. I do have a bow and two daggers (actually, 2 daggers, a hand-axe, a short sword, a long sword and a rapier on its way from the US soon! BUT ANYWAY), but out of character probably couldn't spot an elephant in a room. Often don't. So OOC help required as to what an actual sensible and accomplished Ranger would do!
Walker would know, but Ping does not: would the light spell give basically full illumination to the area? I'm not sure (this is me, Ping, not Walker!) which would be the best option, to have that or to have the head-torch in this situation. Ideas welcome from all people btw! Ping is NOT a Ranger! Out of character question as to what an actual experienced ranger would decide.
Also should add, I've never played a ranger, well, I had one for a few sessions, but many years ago and I think it was a different edition anyway, so regardless, my rangering experience both in life and in game are close to zero. I do have a bow and two daggers (actually, a long bow, 2 daggers, a hand-axe, a short sword, a long sword and a rapier on its way from the US soon*! BUT ANYWAY), but out of character probably couldn't spot an elephant in a room. Often don't. So OOC help required as to what an actual sensible and accomplished Ranger would do!
*I can send pictures and videos of this rapier being made. This guy I know in the US is SO AWESOME. It's for my character in another game who is a bard, I have a cloak made for her (literally; it's lying on my bannister, but in character she requested a custom cloak that was pitch black on one side but reversible so the other side was absolutely sparkling in blue and purple sequins. Yes now my house is covered in sequins, shhh.) and this will be her rapier. I have another friend who does leatherwork and made the sheath to match the dagger!
[edit: handaxe and dagger. I have the videos of them being forged, it's awesome. Rapier incoming!!]
http://www.hsw.me.uk/images/albums/u...blademaker.png
Given that you're just searching a small area of a farm, either Light option is fine.
In the film of the Two Towers when Aragorn is trying to track Merry and Pippin, he crawls along the ground.
So maybe the head torch? Your choice!
As for Rangers:
- they are front-rank Fighters with good health
- they can learn any weapon (Walker has gone down a 'Woodland / Druidical' route by using a wooden Staff and a leather Sling. (He has a dagger just for skinning)
- Walker does extra damage with a hit against any 'Orc-Kind' e.g. goblins, orcs, hobgoblins, ogres, trolls and giants etc.
- Walker can track (several uses e.g. chasing monsters; finding hidden treasure (by following tracks of those who left it); warning party of nearby danger; rescuing kidnapped victims)
- by using so little metal and having acquired an Elvish Cloak (giving 90% hidden), Walker can help Scouts stage an ambush
- they can easily live off the countryside (Walker knows fire-building, fishing and herbalism)
Sorry, the IC bit that made me giggle as I was typing was just the thought of Aislinn walking in to see a ........ compromising situation........... between Walker and Marron, that might assuage her concerns about whether they're going to sexually assault her and make her more comfortable!
I just want to say that in no way was I suggesting that Marron or Walker's characters would be doing anything, or that it would be wrong. I'm not trying to change the story of either character, this was just an amusing image that popped in my head!, it was just one of those random thoughts that come to you after a brain injury and I just thought she walks in seeing them being gay, and thinks "I can relax a bit!!"!!
None of this is real, just something that amused me.
I'm not quite sure how to react (though I'm glad you are enjoying the campaign!)
It can be tricky interpreting stuff over the Internet...
Anyway Marron is pretty devoted to the Arthurian Tradition (especially as he was seen worthy to inherit Gawain's Holy Symbol.)
So at this stage of his life, he's focused on helping others and defeating evil ... and is celibate.
Oh my! So Walker is ace (if they had such a term back then) and Marron celibate. There may be some interesting discussions down the road once the trio learns more about one another!
Er, did Marron just curl up on the ground where all three of them were standing outdoors, or did he teleport himself back to our room? ;)
When not curing the party or fighting the Mordred Cabal, Marron believes in comfort, good fresh food and relaxation.
Yawning, Marron strolls back to the guest room and settles down for the night.
Quote:
Originally posted by glee
Apologies, GLee I was just finding it amusing that Aislinn could have just walked in on a romantic event (but didn't) and that it might have been a bit of a "WOAH!" but also "PHEW!" moment if she knew the two men she was travelling with were not interested in her!Quote:
Originally posted by choie
It might calm her more if she does find in future that Marron is celibate - is that a vow? @choie As for Walker, out of the game as I'm not sure it's a topic that would be broached in-game (except to just say he's not interested... he's not taken a vow or anything), I would say that yes he is ace. He would have, both back at home in his youth and in his travels, encountered both (probably taboo) sexes but finds that neither is particularly his "thing".
Going into more detail I suspect that growing up there near the Keep and in the sort of surroundings and community would have always been the expectation that a young lad of a certain age should be having a young lass by now sort of thing, but that just didn't do it for him. He could see that they were attractive (when pointed out, eg. "Young Emma's so pretty, look at her beautiful hair" .... why yes, yes she is I can objectively see that), but it just didn't work for him, though he went through the motions in the town and Keep dances etc. He did wonder if maybe the young men around him were attractive, and indeed he did find some of them attractive, and may have had a few covert dalliances, as it would probably be frowned upon, but again it just wasn't doing it for him. He found them attractive in the same way he found the women attractive; he could see why other people would describe them so and enjoyed their company, but it just doesn't make a connection for him. It was easier to take a job where he could spend time just being on his own! (Also, if you hadn't noticed, probably autistic).
[edit to add]: I've edited my post to remove references to souls as that is a real-world religious thing, but as Aislinn referenced spirit previously, I hope you're all ok with the idea of spirits? (In a non-religious way, at GLee's request). I am personally totally non-religious so don't give a flying fig either way haha.
I'm glad we cleared that up about any romance - as a typical male Marron had no clue what was going on!
Walker and Aislinn can find out by roleplaying whether Marron is a) celibate and b) has vowed this.
Just to confirm that my campaign has no reference to any real-life religion - it's purely about story-telling and imagination (with rules about what abilities each character class has.)
To draw a parallel with chess: I enjoy chess for the strategy, tactics and analysis involved (plus rules about what each piece can do): I have no interest in comparing the game to real-life conflict.
Hey thanks for the clarity, ping. For the record I have no problem with basically anything that works for anyone's character and the story world in general. Walker's being on the Spectrum has been well depicted and certainly noticed by me, and it's an interesting and challenging character choice!
As far as I'm concerned I'm game for you guys to broach any topic. As a player my one boundary is having my PC say or do something out of character, short of some enchantment or extreme circumstance where extraordinary decisions have to be taken. People's typical beliefs and actions should be challenged sometimes.
I'd imagine any romantic/physical aspects of the PCs' personalities would likely only come up if an NPC starts flirting with one of them, or just generally wondering what the deal is between these two men and the young woman traveling together. Or maybe it crops up in a personal discussion if plot brings anything up. Otherwise it's just a background bit of knowledge.
(But the ambiguity of what Aislinn saw upon entering the room was indeed a funny thought, ping!)
Finally, roleplayingwise, I think it's actually good that Aislinn has no specific "aha" moment where she realizes, "yay, these men are gay and/or not interested in sex so I'm perfectly safe." Or for that matter, if the characters aren't so easily identified as trustworthy because they're a sworn Arthurian so always do the right thing.
An important part of character growth that I enjoy in storytelling (and in life!) is when people must learn to trust despite lack of certainty. That's when trust is an act of faith and bravery, not something easily won. Like all hard-fought prizes, the reward becomes more meaningful.
Just to let players know that in real life I am packing tonight and travelling home tomorrow.
Since there will be important stuff for the characters during the forthcoming night, I don't intend to risk typing all that whilst travelling 6,000 miles!
So please bear with me as there will be a few days delay - but I'm sure it will be worth it!
Oooh, good luck and safe journey! Certainly sounds like you've had (in your words now!) a "jolly good" time! :)
To choie, I totally agree re. trust issues. I personally have only recently come into GLee's world here, and I get that the Arthurian Tradition is a big deal, but from real world experience, you can claim to be the holiest person ever and still commit atrocities and be totally untrustworthy (totally can't Google any examples of that happening, nope, not a single one, hmm...), so - in real life - I wouldn't take someone at their word just because they said they'd taken a holy vow or some such nonsense (my opinion, each to their own!). Especially if (as I suspect in-character Aislinn has) I'd have a reason to be wary.
Spectrum-wise, thanks for noticing :) Lets just say I have some experience. But anyway, Walker would be generally good at masking, particularly in formal situations like at the Keep as he knows and has learned what the "normal" should be like, or when he meets the villages he visits as he knows, sort of like how we talked about picking up basic phrases even if you're not fluent in the language, how to make small talk and make friends with the villagers. Most of the time though he's on his own, and his choice to be a ranger and away from civilization and just peopling in general wasn't an accidental choice. Hence the occasional just muttering to himself or Eye, and this carries over when he's distracted or more relaxed, eg. travelling with friends where he doesn't have to have the mask on, so to speak. Unexpected situations can make him flustered but usually only social interactions, if it's a battle situation he can totally fixate on that. Similarly with the tracking.
I'm back and safely recovered from mild jet-lag.
As you'd expect, there was a lot of stuff to catch up on, but the campaign is now a top priority!
Just a quick note on night watches:
- if Walker and Eye are exploring on their own, they can use the method suggested in the main thread (each in turn tries to be alert to danger whilst also getting some rest.)
It's not guaranteed (especially if the day has been hectic), but it's well worth a go.
- Scouts are taught to share watches (this works with other companions too), so if there are three* or more to share watches, then there is always a guard awake and everyone gets a restful night's sleep.
Eye and Walker count as two!
As this is, I think, technically Walker's first (at least narrated) night with the group, then he and Eye would be doing their usual routine regardless of the others, who might be feeling safe and comfortable in their beds! I assume (un-narrated) we've had at least one night together as a group. In which case Walker and Eye would still be doing it just out of habit but would acknowledge that the others have their routine as well, and maybe at some point they will, or have already talked it out and realise that there's technically four "people" available to watch out at night, rather than two and two, and also that they're in a safe place right now! However, habits are hard to break!
Welcome home, glee! Hope you feel recuperated from your wonderfully lengthy vacation! Takes awhile to get into the swing of things, I've found.
Thanks - although Vegas was fun, I'm glad to be back.
I will post the events of the night soon...
I take the earlier point made by ping that in real life one has to be aware that claims and vows may not be backed up by deeds.
However (as mentioned earlier) this campaign differs from real life (e.g. no resemblance to religion; plus magic and monsters exist.)
Another clear change is that the three belief systems (Arthurian Tradition, Nimue Way and Mordred Cabal) are personally supervised by their respective Beings. So (for example) an Arthurian Cleric who betrayed his way of life would instantly have his Clerical powers withdrawn and his Round Table symbol would catch fire. :o
Is there any in-between? I mean, such as a cleric could sign up to the Arthurian Tradition and the above would happen, but a regular person (or other class) perhaps might subscribe to the ideals but not be bound by them? In other games those such as Rangers have always been neutral-good, so would possibly "follow the Arthurian Tradition" but isn't a card-carrying member necessarily and would be actually be closer to Nimue Way in terms of his nature connection? But it's not a vow in the same way as a cleric?Quote:
Originally posted by glee
There is some 'wriggle room' - occasionally someone will drift from one cause to another. But it's quite a big decision - and especially so for Clerics who have taken vows.
Assume that the Arthurian tradition represents Good; the Nimue Way Neutral (but with reverence for the environment, plants and animals); the Mordred Cabal Evil.
Now an experienced character (e.g a 5th level Archer) who has chosen the Arthurian Tradition would be expected to abide by most (if not all) of the beliefs e.g honesty, chivalry, courtesy etc.
However a peasant who has chosen the Arthurian Tradition would just have to be a pleasant fellow.
Also in a feudal economy, the Arthurian Tradition would embrace many of the Nimue Way beliefs - after all the crops, farm animals and the farmland are vital for all.
Venn diagrams!
So it would be fair to say that Walker is Arthurian from background and employment, and would follow the Arthurian Tradition but understands Nimue beliefs and abides by those too. Having taken no religious vow and having no magic, it should not make a material difference if he's specifically subscribed to a religion :)
Glee will correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, the alignment system boils down to Evil (Mordred); Good with a Nature Fetish (Nimue); and Good, Noble and Pure (Arthur). I stuck Aislinn in the Nimue group since the requirements seem slightly less stringent than Arthurians. Aislinn's done some not-great things, but she does love nature and her heart's generally in the right place.
If one existed, I'd put Aislinn in an agnostic category, but I don't think that's how the universe works here, at least for humans. For example, I don't know where the Lizardfolk lean, if they have different religions. But we have met at least one Ogre named Woody (this was before Walker joined) whose tribe was clearly Mordredy but he was Nimue-ish.
I didn't get a choice so to speak, stepping in to what was an NPC originally with GLee's ideas behind him - he almost certainly didn't plan for an ace autistic, but anyhow - religion-wise it would make sense, as he grew up in and has worked at the Keep for so long, than the Arthurian Tradition is sort of ingrained into Walker. However, as Aislinn, he's travelled and met other folk with other religions (or none), so I would like to put him in the venn-diagram of between Arthurian and Nimue. Arthurian born and bred though never sworn an oath into that (like a cleric or paladin would), is open to other things as he's met them along the way, naturally(!) open to nature and most likely would have met followers of the Nimue path. Without growing up in/around the Keep then he probably would have followed Nimue's path as he enjoys nature more than he enjoys people, but the roots of the Arthurian values are strongly ingrained!
No doubt I am riding rough-shod over poor GLee's perfectly planned ranger NPC here haha sorry not sorry;)
I agree with you both. :)
Note that only one Venn diagram is acceptable - that between Arthur and Nimue.
By contrast the Mordred Cabal is like Saruman in LotR once he has gone over to Evil - he will not change as he only wants power for himself ... and chops down trees for fun. :o
I'm jolly happy how ping is playing Walker (I just wanted a reliable fighter-type who had good knowledge of Sherwoodshire and was chatty ;))
Clearly Walker wears a symbol of Arthur as he was brought up in the Arthurian Keep (also it helps folk to trust him), but he has sympathy for Nimue (and shares her beliefs.)
Choie is right about the alignment system.
It's pretty basic for these reasons:
- it's easier for me to run
- it makes sense given a feudal system and Beings who take a close interest in the world
I'm happy for there to be some overlap between Good + Neutral and also enjoy seeing Evil being converted to Neutral. (N.B. This is not frequent e.g. Evil Clerics will never turn.)
All intelligent inhabitants will take a belief in Arthur, Nimue or Mordred.
Walker has spent some time with one Lizardman community and can tell you they were Nimue (makes sense since they rely on fishing.)
That is pretty much what I had thought. It would make sense for me, for Walker to be somewhere in between Arthurian and Nimue, and having spent time with various peoples - including Lizardfolk - and out in nature by himself would have a good knowledge of/empathy for Nimue, while also having been brought up in a quite strongly Arthurian setting in/around the Keep.Quote:
Originally posted by glee
Your description of the Mordred Cabal as being like Saruman is excellent and as I'd imagined.
Actually I think I absorbed much of my simplistic alignment system from LotR - after all:
- Gondor*, Rohan, Dunedain, Elves and Dwarves are all Good
- Hobbits and Woses are Neutral (and love the land)
- Sauron, Saruman and the Southerners are Evil
*well not Denethor :o
I have to admit this is my first attempt at playing an aligned-good character! I am firmly (in life and usually in game) Chaotic Neutral.
(in the image above I am Gimli or Pippin. )
I assume we are awaiting Marron to react or DM to tell us it's morning :D I don't think there is anything left to add to Walker's dream? Unless Glee you have something to add for him before they wake up.
Watching Walker organise the defence of Giles' farm, I am irresistibly reminded of two marvellous scenes by another hero making arrangements:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yiPLjuV48A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFMY99NXOgc
Haha I wouldn't compare Walker to either of those but he thanks you for the compliment! Just trying to assess the threat, not order people around!Quote:
Originally posted by glee
Quote:
Aislinn glances back at Farmer Giles without expression. Grateful for his hospitality or not, she cannot help thinking: 'Yes, little girl two feet shorter than me, please go and defend my entire farm against some armed soldiers whilst we lock ourselves up nice and snug.'
This is more fine roleplaying. :)
(In defence of Farmer Giles though, he knows Aislinn + co have defeated a Red Dragon. :cool:
By contrast Giles' toughest opponent was a recalcitrant cow. :woowoo::) )
Also out of character and referring to 5e stats (not sure how close it is in this edition), Farmer Giles as a commoner probably has like, 4 HP. We're adventurers on something like 50 HP. Aislinn could probably beat up Farmer Giles with her little finger.... or her mind at this point!Quote:
Originally posted by glee
... and yes, we killed a dragon. A small one, but shh.
Ha! Well, I guess I don't know how "meta" this world is, or how much our characters are aware this is all just a big game. Are all of the PCs meant to understand there's this system of hit points and whatnot? Heck Aislinn barely knows she can cast spells.
As mentioned above, I play her as someone who only knows what she personally experienced (or remembers experiencing, anyway) and understands, none of which is very comprehensive. So she's gonna look askance at big strong farmers scurrying indoors, even if as a player I'm aware that due to the external points system she may have more magic or endurance than these men do.
She's not someone who instinctively knows that everyone who is Good is All Totally Good and Trustworthy, or who automatically knows that people who are Bad are All Horribly Bad and Betraying Liars. I like there being some doubt in my girl's mind, so that trusting is an act of bravery rather than easy. :)
I'm going to gently remind ping that we are playing 1st Edition and also that hit points are what we know, not what our characters know!
As I said, Aislinn is fully entitled to have these thoughts - but Giles' position is also reasonable. :cool::bravo:
I look forward to hearing about how the party is going to deal with an Empire Patrol...
Ah okay thanks for clearing the points thing up! I read "Order of the Stick" and that's so very "meta" that it wouldn't surprise me if some games do work that way--that is, with PCs knowing their points and such.
Speaking of Empires, or former ones anyway :devil: are either of you planning on watching the coronation tomorrow? (Well for you it's today now.)
I have no interest in watching the coronation as the chap being promoted:
- has a valet put toothpaste on his toothbrush
- thinks we should all swear an oath of allegiance to him
- committed adultery
@Aisliin and @GLee
I know, that's why I said "out of character" and this is the companion thread, hence commenting tongue-in-cheek that we as players would know that commoners are squishy, but in character he's just another guy. I was responding to GLee's (out of character in this thread) comment about Aislinn knowing they'd just killed a dragon. No need for the gentle reminder, I'm fully aware of what system we're playing and very strongly not meta-gaming anything. I assumed it was ok to openly joke about the irony of HP etc. in this thread, as GLee had already mentioned it :) Obviously in the actual story I would never make any comments about that, my comment here was just an aside that it was funny that we've just come back from slaying a dragon, and Aislinn in-character would still be like, "you're a strong farmer, why are you trusting me to save you!".
Apologies if it came across as meta-gaming, it really wasn't intended, I never meta-game, even if it has disastrous consequences! it was just a mild poke in a thread separate to the actual game-play, as I have had so many games in the past where players have forgotten just how squishy "normal people" are, and it plays out wonderfully in game when, for example, they try to hide behind the big burly (commoner) farmer rather than have the tiny pixie character (5th level cleric) boldly charge into battle!
Regarding the hat-on-an-old-bloke thing that everyone's got so excited about, no I'm not watching because I have some really important things to do today. I painted the wall in my downstairs loo and paint, it can be a tricksy bastard, so I'm going to be watching that drying. Also, I have 37 Eurovision videos to watch and take notes on, because we all know that the most important day is next Saturday. Also I need to wash my hair.
I think it's the perfect place to joke about meta stuff! I'm very new to all this, and we're all new to this game (except glee) so there's bound to be some breaking-in period where we figure out how the rules work and what our various playing styles are.
Well I bloody well watched the hat show. I didn't study British history and know it better than U.S. history to miss what might be the only coronation I'll see (if Charles has his parents' longevity and I have some very bad fortune indeed). Plus I was hoping to hear some Elgar. I loves me some Elgar. But NOTHING. I didn't even get Parry's "Jerusalem" which is very dear to me for some reason. The only things I could join in on were the first verse of your national anthem (which I didn't, because it doesn't feel right for an agnostic American!) and the Lord's Prayer (which I did, despite the agnosticism and also, y'know, being Jewish; technically there's not really anything in the Lord's Prayer that's specifically Christian, but it is from the NT so it's perhaps strange that I know it and don't mind saying it).
Anyway. It was nice seeing all the horses and Westminster Abbey is always breathtaking. And, Elgar or not, much of the music was truly beautiful and as a musician I reveled in it.
But I completely understand why others object to the whole thing. Now I finally get to go to sleep! :)
ping,
no problem with your "out of character" comment - as we all know the Internet can make it hard to tell wit + humour from serious stuff...
P.S. I relish the idea of you forgoing the Coronation to watch paint dry! ;) :D
For your information, as of yesterday, that will now be Cllr ping, thank you very much :D
[edit: you may address me as Sir, Ma'am, Oh Great One, or any other appropriate title]
Congratulations Councillor ping!Quote:
Originally posted by ping
And your party has the most seats on the council too...
(Choie, this election was at local level i.e. to make decisions within one of our 650 constituencies that make up the UK parliament. I'm confident the US equivalent would be winning Clark County in the State of Nevada, for example.)
Ooh yes congratulations, Cllr ping! I didn't even know Councillor had a prefix. How wonderful. We've now got two elected officials in the RPG section! (EH is a Judge!) Surely this is the most elite and influential section on the whole forum.
I mean it's also the only active section in the whole forum, but that's of no consequence.
Glee, Walker's asking some good questions that I'm not sure Aislinn knows the answer to yet--I know she got general info but the "tutorials" so to speak were elided over in the dream narrative. I'm going to have Aislinn try to remember if Nimue explained any specific limitations (other than numbers of times she can use certain spells, or if she has to be standing still--those I remember).
Is it okay to do it that way? I was thinking then the exposition can just let us know if Aislinn recalls whether Nimue gave her that answer, or if Aislinn will have to figure it out as she goes. (Either way is fine with me.)
I'll contact each player directly about what Eye sees exactly and what Aislinn knows about spells.
(I think it looks much better if you both put the information in your own words!)
For the forthcoming combat there will be a map of the 'starting position' as usual.
a) Would you like me to run the combat round by round? (i.e. one action at at time)
b) if so, would you like a new map at the start of each round?
Personally I think it would be good, not necessarily round by round, but to be able to have input when our characters would react or do something interesting other than just attack mindlessly :D Eg. if we're just hitting them for a few rounds then go for it, but perhaps if there's an interesting moment we'd be moving, interacting, if someone gets hurt, etc.
[edit] Sorry, that wasn't particularly coherent, I meant that I'd prefer to have some input in the battle rather than it all just play out with us on the sidelines until it was over. Some chances of RP in the middle would be nice, unless choie would prefer to just get it out of the way.
Yup I'm in accordance w/Madam Councillor. :) If we're performing general actions like "Aislinn thinks hard" (lol, sorry, she's not the most action-oriented type!), I'd be fine with watching any description that follows about whatever results from that action, esp. if the PC is just gonna repeat that action with only slight variations, until something significant changes that would require our input.
Whereas I would like the action to pause if something happens to which a PC needs to A) respond to make a tactical choice (e.g., choosing between changing to a new weapon or spell, or even fleeing) OR B) react with some physical/emotional response (e.g, if they receive a very painful blow or wound, or notice that a fellow party member is injured, or the enemies have impactful dialogue, etc.).
Like, let's say the exposition gets to a point such as, "Aislinn sends Faux Saradoc to hit the enemy w/his axe, and the soldier blocks the initial attack." It's pretty obvious Faux Saradoc would continue to fight and the actions would repeat. I don't think that warrants a pause on your part.
OTOH, it's quite different if the exposition is more like "Aislinn sends Faux Saradoc to hit the enemy w/his axe, but before Saradoc gets there the enemy swings out and slices him through. Saradoc disappears and the enemy starts looking around in confusion."
At that point Aislinn would clearly react to such things, both to change her strategy and to respond physically/emotionally to the change in circumstances. Those are things I'd want the chance to decide. I'd love for her part to pause to allow me the opportunity to post.
(For your efficiency's sake, you could just leave Aislinn's side of the fight & swap to whatever's going on with Walker until he needs to react. This way you don't have to keep pausing things for us individually, slowing things down. That's up to you of course.)
As for the map:
Unless the environment or various enemies' positions have changed significantly I wouldn't think you'd need to redraw the map. So if it's something obvious like "Three soldiers surround Walker as one continues to fight Faux Saradoc, and the fight moves a little closer to Giles's farm" that's fairly straightforward.
However, in cases like "the fighting continues and the party has been pushed back until you're near a cliff; the wheelbarrow is behind you" or "as you battle on, the soldiers have scattered, with two running to the east and one to the south, chasing Aislinn to a fork in the road while Walker finds himself by the opening to Giles's barn" -- that's probably where seeing things visually might be required for us to make decisions.
Does that make sense? ping does that accurately reflect your wishes too?
Yup, that was exactly what I was trying to convey just with less eloquence :) I'd like the ability to have some RP and/or control if there's a moment that warrants it. Exactly as you said. You described how Aislinn might prefer a moment to post in response to what's going on eg. if the illusion breaks/they see through it, for Walker it would be similar, he will be looking out for if someone was hurt or making movements, and I'd like as a player to be able to react to anything like this.Quote:
Originally posted by choie
Thanks for that helpful stuff - I will experiment with having a map where the environment is in ink, but the characters and all other folk are in pencil (so I can easily show them in a new situation.)
@choie: sorry for jumping in with a double-post there, my email from GLee about what Eye sees came just after the window to edit my original post. Take the two as the same post, the exchange between Walker and Eye would have been instantaneous-ish so take my second post as part of the first rather than me jumping in with a double-post.~
[edit, just checked and apparently it was just inside the edit-window, so sorry for double-posting]
Oh no worries at all, ping! I was expecting a GM post or your own, so wasn't planning on interrupting the flow before we heard a report from Eye. :)
And very fine it is too!Quote:
Originally posted by glee
Note to ping -- you must've been composing as I was editing. There's a section in my latest post when Aislinn mentions her hand itching--it now includes her revealing something to the men. Walker's thoughts would likely be quite different after seeing that! :)
Ah ok, I will check and re-edit.
[edit] I think it was actually the post that I was responding to, only possible change was the itching comment, which I've added in but otherwise his thoughts remain the same. He's seen you readjust your bandages and mess with the glove on your left hand and isn't an idiot. Also knows when to not push a subject. Was most definitely getting the "back off" vibes :)
Oh lol, I wouldn't think it'd take an idiot to notice this girl's massive scars on her hand, rather than whether she has a ring or not. Me, I'd probably assume she's just got a weird anxiety-based habit.
But really it's just that when I'd gone back to add in the glove removal thingy, your post wasn't there. I only spotted it after I'd saved the edit. I felt bad that you wouldn't have seen the new text and thought I'd give you the heads up in case you wanted Walker to respond accordingly--if only to mentally note the ugly wound. He's seemed quite sweetly intuitive about her fear so I figured he might be the same re: the girl's pain.
Ha, maybe what she took as his concern for her fear/safety was more "ugh, why are we stuck with a coward who's gonna be worthless in a fight? Maybe I can get her to leave!" :devil:
Anyway, Aislinn's clueless about his deductive reasoning abilities so alas, she's wrongheadedly decided there's only one way he could know about the ring--a little help from his avian pal!
Could be :P She does watch you while you sleep :P
So yes, in-character you don't know and maybe Walker knows, maybe Eye told him something, or maybe he's just guessing. Out-of-character, he has spent a lifetime watching people (and creatures) to learn/spot their habits and peculiarities to hide/fit in as appropriate, and he's just joined a new group so he's clocking everything you do :)
I'm just giving characters time to make any final adjustments, then the combat will start!
I'm done with Walker's actions.
I think I was clear with what Eye can and cannot do, but just out-of-character to choie: Eye can relay stuff to Walker, as in, if you do the YMCA dance she will be able to psychically describe or even show Walker you looking like a weird person doing a dance, and he can interpret that as "Oh, she's doing that dance!" or more seriously, if it was sign language, or signalling, she might not understand herself what you're trying to convey, but can pass on or show the message to Walker and he can interpret the meaning, then pass that meaning back via Eye or to you or Marron. Talking to GLee, she is similar to a satellite in that you can pass a message up to her, she passes it down to me, I can pass a message or instruction back up to her. She just can't communicate back to you in any verbal way, but can follow my instructions based on the information given. It would be pretty much instantaneous as Walker would be looking out for this in his mind, I would assume unless he is in the middle of action in combat... but then again a familiar screeching in your head will probably get your attention!
Just a clarification / warning:
- if Eye can see (or hear) a party member, then Walker will also know what is happening. (So if Eye is watching from above and sees an enemy creeping up on Marron, Walker will know this.)
- however Eye is just a bird and so it is almost impossible for her to 'pass on a message'. (For example if Eye flies down to warn a party member, she might get attacked herself!)
I assumed Walker would have to concentrate or get a mental "ping" from Eye? He wouldn't be seeing what she is seeing all the time unless he is focussed on that, no?
And yes, in a fight she would be staying out of reach, she's already had that instruction :)
I'm happy for Eye to ping* Walker if there is obvious danger to the party. Examples would be:
- any flying creature that might attack Eye
- large monster approaching party
- large group approaching party
- natural disaster approaching party
*pun intended!
It's been a hectic day, but I hope to move things along soon...
We wait with baited breath... Aislinn is perching in her tree, Walker is hunkered down in the tree-line, Marron has disappeared, Eye is hovering and waiting..............
Hey sorry for messing up as per usual. Glee reminded me that Fake Saradoc was supposed to be placed between and aligned with the hidden party members, not also between the soldiers ahead of them. I've changed that.
That's sort of what I assumed you meant, as per the plan :) Walker is hiding in the trees at the side ready to whack the guy/gal when in range. I didn't ask Eye to check their gender, but if they're the baddies then I'll hit a woman just as easily as a man!
No worries - it's tricky to do combats in an Internet thread. Meanwhile there's lots of fine roleplaying!
I'm preparing the combat - would you like to have one round at a time?
@GLee, what does Marron's Spiritual Weapon look like? Is it just a regular hammer or does it take an a different form?
(Just always love hearing what cleric spiritual weapons look like. My little dwarf tempest cleric has a little thunder-cloud that appears and hovers next to her head, ready to smite with lightning and thunder. Her Spirit Guardians are basically a ring of lightning crackles. My Knowledge cleric summons a holy book to smack people in the face with and his spirit guardians are a cloud of quills. Apologies, both of these are 5e subclasses, but I assume in 1e you would be able to still choose the form of your spiritual weapon :) )
Would the abovementioned idea about combat work here? Where we give our actions and you present us w/whatever the results are, and you'd continue until such point as one or both of the two PCs might want to choose their next tactics--or at least they should, in your secret opinion (though you wouldn't tell us which is which, ha!).Quote:
Originally posted by glee
E.g., if an opponent knocks one of our weapons away, or injures us (or a party member), or the opponent is injured, or something else happens that could need ping's or my input to decide what to do next. Even if it's at a stalemate and it seems Aislinn and Walker may need to step up our game.
ping, I will give a description of Marron's Clerical weapon in the game thread (though it may disappoint you ;) )
choie, that's fine.
In this combat, I have it clear that Walker, Marron + 'Saradoc' all attack the Empire Sergeant until he goes down.
So I'll run the combat until either the Sergeant or a character :o goes down...
I don't know why, but my camera is not downloading the latest map of the combat (which as you can see is going well for the party!)
Bear with me - the next round of combat will be uploaded this afternoon....
I rolled a *1* for damage?? Ughh. I resign my ranger status.
ping, it was a 1 on a d6 - about a 17% chance. And you did Surprise the patrol (worth a lot!)
Honestly, I expected the Sergeant to last longer (but everybody did jolly well - with Marron getting Scout bonus damage by attacking from behind...)
Woo hoo! I sorted my camera problem (surprisingly it seems to have a limit of 418 digital images...)
Just a sort of insight/perception check from Walker's perspective, how's the illusory Saradoc holding up, is there any sign that the people trying to hit hit notice that he's not real, and/or does he seem to be taking damage? ie. does he flinch etc? Walker would be looking out for this out of the corner of his eye because he is damn curious and weirded-out by this apparition. I don't want to interrupt the chat in the combat thread, but just be aware that he is tracking if this figure seems to be taking damage, and also if/when the soldiers notice he's not real.
Also, we must all be rolling terribly haha. Both us AND them! Get some better dice!
(We always joke that when we play with Dr C, and if another player is absent and he's taking control of their character, he sometimes forgets to switch from his DM-dice and suddenly the absentee, who hasn't managed to hit anything all campaign, rolls nat 20s all day!)
It may seem like both sides are rolling poorly, but bear in mind that the troopers have an effective AC of 2 (so Walker needs an 11*; 'Saradoc' needs a 16 and Marron 15 / 18 / 15.)
As for the troopers hitting back - they are 1st level Fighters. (The Sergeant was much more dangerous!)
Walker = 55%
‘Saradoc’ = 25%
Marron = (30% / 15% / 30%)
I've paused the combat to allow Aislinn to decide who ‘Saradoc’ helps next. (Both Walker and Marron look as if they are winning...)
N.B. ‘Saradoc’ should select between Walker and Marron. It will be impossible fight the trooper at the back as Aislinn cannot see round the bend in the forest path.
If anyone wants a further map, just let me know. There are three troopers left; one facing Walker, one fighting Marron and the third some distance away looking back down the path in the direction of Farmer Maggot's farm.
Yikes! I mean yay for the victory, but... gosh, it seems less than honorable to kill a previously badly injured guy who's barely able to stand upright (he couldn't even stand up while watching the rest of the fight--just sat on the wheelbarrow). All he was doing was walking toward us resignedly. Doesn't seem, well, cricket!
I can understand the reluctance to fight the last trooper. However it was the right thing to do for several reasons (allow me to explain.)
a) Empire Patrols will not surrender (and this particular lot had already murdered a shepherd and were ready to slaughter 'Saradoc' too.)
b) I've added the following to post 403 in the game thread to make things clearer.
DM: Marron makes an Alertness roll.
Marron realises that the trooper is simply irritated at having to kill the party himself. He calls out "Fight on - he's going to fight to the death!"
c) I know it's hard to absorb the mass of information I've provided :o , so let me draw your attention to some posts in the companion thread:
Post 3: The Empire uses Slavery. It sends out Empire Patrols around Sherwoodshire to 'practice combat' - which means kill anything you meet.
N.B. However the Empire does respect a diplomatic area such as Freeport and within such an area will only fight in self-defence, to protect Empire property or to recapture a Slave.
Post 7 : The Empire considers non-citizens as 'foreign savages'.
Post 39: It's considered morally acceptable to execute highwayman.
Post 41: There is a discussion of evil (including how to Detect it and what levels there are.)
Empire Patrols (unless met in a diplomatic area such as Freeport), Clerics of Mordred and powerful evil monsters (e.g. evil Dragons) are strong evil and cannot be converted from that.
Note that milder evil beings (e.g. Woody the Ogre) can sometimes be converted to neutrality.
I hope this helps - I've adopted this position partly because Lord of the Rings had similar views and also because it (hopefully!) makes game-play easier.
Thanks for that, I didn't see it before the edit, but the edit makes Walker a lot more comfortable with the outcome than I think he would have been with just killing the man on the cart, especially as Walker was the one wanting Marron to heal him, before Marron effectively refused.
Sure, that all makes sense in a game with these parameters, and no one knows about the Empire & its vile slavery rules more than Aislinn. But even with the retcon and/or granting all those rationales for killing even some badly injured dude who has no chance of survival against you and your two (or three, if you count "Saradoc") mates, it still seems hella inefficient and terrible strategy not to at least *try* to get some information out of the guy.
How else do the goodies learn anything if the second they meet any Empire dude they just lop off his head? Do dungeons or jails exist in these societies? Since the gang was heading to the Keep anyway, they could've wrapped the guy up and marched him to prison or whatever the medieval equivalent is.
Indeed, having death as the only punishment, no wonder an Empire soldier continues to fight until death even when outnumbered! The poor sod's dead either way. If mercy is shown at times, now and then some of the Empire soldiers might realize "y'know, maaaybe I'll just drop my sword and cooperate." Instead we force them to take the murderous route and we lose what could've been a useful asset. I don't think the good guys really thought this through, tsk tsk tsk.
Well, anyway, it's not my gameworld, I'm just briefly visiting it, so I get that Things Are The Way They Are.
I think the issue may have been that final decision was made out of the players hands.
To GLee, I would suggest that him walking towards the party might have sparked something that we could have responded to. Walker clearly had said from the start that he thought the man should be healed, Aislinn has called out... To me it just seems like this would have been a good opportunity for the party to decide to choose to do a non-lethal blow and just knock him unconscious and then figure out what is next, instead of killing him. We know he said he would fight to the death, but we could/would have made the decision to just leave him unconscious and let him wake up in chains later for questioning, if we had the choice. At least, I believe would have been the choice for Walker and Aislinn, but the combat ran on without our input at that point.
In terms of "when do you break off combat and wait for a response", I'd say personally that "the moment before you kill the helpless guy" might be a good one :)
But anyway, what's done is done I guess!
Ooh yes that's a very good point -- I do think the "killing blow" should be the player/PC's coup de gras, if only for the sake of a sense of agency and the ability to play that final moment of triumph/sorrow/regret/fury. It didn't feel very Walkery to just straight-up kill the guy without a final "dude are you really sure about this?" attempt, especially having expressed the desire to heal him, which indicates a sense of honor. All about choices, innit?
Hee, yes, that's a good defining line. Well put.Quote:
Originally posted by ping
Yes, this :)Quote:
Originally posted by choie
You make good points - and I have therefore changed the game thread to read that Marron strikes the killing blow.
(In particular, I should not have made such a decision on Walker's behalf - sorry.)
Marron simply had a rush of blood to the head - although the Empire Soldiers were hard to hit, he should have consulted the party.
(N.B. Empire soldiers are trained in a 'cult-like' fashion to fight to the death against inferior non-Empire opponents...)
Please feel free to change your game thread posts to react to Marron's action (i.e. NOT Walker's.)
P.S. Once you've had a chance to do that, I'll post Marron's considered thoughts on that final slaying and what he suggests next...
Thank you very much for your understanding, glee. I've swapped Walker's action to belong to Marron, from Aislinn's perspective, in both her posts. Also have given her the impetus to pick check the solders' pockets. She may be a bit squeamish but once someone's no longer in need of possessions she'll do what comes naturally to her.
Retconning it, would there be any possibility, DM, for that final blow to be non-lethal, and they realise as they load him onto the cart that he is unconscious and not dead? It's what Walker honestly would have been aiming for; knocking him out, not a killing blow.
If allowed, he would use some rope to tie up the unconscious guy. If not ok, I assume he's just another body on the cart.
OK if not, just wondered if you might give the possibility of going back a bit so it wasn't a killing blow.
Let me think about that helpful suggestion ... I'm just going to watch a European Rugby final, but will post tonight.
Possible options would be that we continue as-is, where we killed all of them and feel bad about it, or possibly Walker held off on his last blow and as Aislinn is checking the bodies would notice that the last guy is actually alive but unconscious (ie it was a non-lethal blow)?
Thanks for your patience! (It's been hectic here...)
Let me introduce 'subduing' an opponent. Any blow described as a 'subdual' only does 1/4 actual damage. If the total damage takes opponent down to 0hp or less, they are forced to surrender (basically dazed.)
However a strong blow may still slay!
So assume a goblin has 2hp and takes a 'subdual' blow of 8hp. The goblin is forced to submit at '-6hp', but only 8/4 = 2hp are actually done and the goblin lives (knocked unconscious at 0hp.)
However if the goblin takes several 'subdual' blows in one round totalling 36hp, then the actual damage of 36/4 = 9hp takes the goblin to -7hp and it dies.
Hope that makes sense (you can probably see why I didn't want to introduce the complicated concept too early...)
Sadly in trying to 'subdue', Marron does too much damage and kills the last soldier.
Please feel free to amend your posts after Marron's strike.
I had forgotten how much I hated some of these 1e rules!
In later editions a character can choose to make their attack non-lethal (melee and ranged only, not for spells) if they announce it before the attack, regardless of the amount of "damage" done. It is known by the DM that even if they rolled max damage, they were aiming to knock them out so might eg. turn their sword around last second and hit them with the pommel or the flat of the blade, or get their arrow in the chest but not the heart, or whatever.
Is there any possibility of anything like this for future combats? As in, if the players agree that they want to take someone alive?
ping, I'm sorry there is stuff you detest in 1st Edition!
Unfortunately I've been playing this way literally for decades, so I'm afraid you're stuck with it...
Next I should explain why 'looting' is the normal practice in Sherwoodshire.
Although Count Percival owns the land, he only has one fortified building (his Keep) and can support just enough soldiers to patrol around the Keep itself. He can send men out in emergency, but not on a regular basis all over the County. Even trade caravans are not guarded.
So bringing him 'monster bits' (e.g. dragon hide) and 'loot' (e.g. valuable Empire equipment) means he can trade with the makers of magic items and thus reward the party with top-quality equipment (which they will need to face various future dangers!)
I realise the characters do a lot of roleplaying (and are jolly good at it!), but my campaigns also feature regular combats and a reward system based on searching for treasure (i.e. 'loot'.)
Ireally hope this is acceptable to the players, as I am enjoying this campaign a lot. (yay)
that's a good idea if feasible. --sorry this was responding to ping's proposal; I'm just seeing glee's response now.
Of course the rules are the rules. I think maybe some of what we're bumping up against is this: we're in a strange position as such a tiny group with technically only two PCs. Marron was such an important role in the group--as healer and cleric--that we can get away with having one non-magical character (Walker) and an idiot ignorant (relatively speaking) scout/illusionist.
But there's a conflict: as an NPC, Marron is 'gifted' with meta knowledge, and has the advantage of knowing what the DM wants/needs the group to do. Here, glee's plot and the game's worldview seems to need that soldier dead, by hook or by crook, and so glee-as-Marron, well, deaded him.
Given the current makeup of the group, there's no way around needing Marron as an NPC--okay there is though I'm not sure it'd be allowed, but I'll get to that in a second--but if he's an NPC I wonder if it's possible to ensure that he knows his place, so to speak, as a non-protagonist who doesn't drive plot or make ultimate decisions unless the two hapless PCs end up running in circles or have made a choice that could/will get us all killed, or are in a deadlock during some decision-making situation.
The other option that'll likely be nixed (or just not workable) is having one of the players create another PC, i.e., playing two. And by "one of the players" I mean ping, because I'm barely sentient enough to handle one character in this format. Ping, you got "stuck" playing an NPC-turned-PC whom you didn't invent, exactly--although you have significantly fleshed him out with a unique personality and abilities. Would it be too difficult/confusing to add another new person? Of course there's the possibility of taking over Marron, if you didn't mind being yet again stuck with someone else's OC. We haven't learned that much about Marron, though, so maybe there's scope to expand him a bit. OTOH there's the minuscule possibility that Mal returns, but if that extremely unlikely situation develops... well, tough on him. :devil: He can roll up someone new
Anyway... is that too much work for you? Glee would that be allowed? Presumably the new character would need to be a healer or whatever else would balance out the party as needed, but the concept would be ping's own. We could meet up with them at the Keep and have Marron duck out. (Or maybe Walker and Aislinn kick him out for killing a guy we specifically wanted kept alive, lol!!)
One reason I bring this idea up is that I play two characters in this forum's Star Trek RPG, for similar reasons: we'd lost a couple of players and needed to beef up the crew; but in that game, as I've mentioned, we're pretty much entirely storytelling, w/o the usual RPG-based game mechanics other than general having strengths in certain areas and of course a GM who runs the missions. As a writer I'm more than capable enough of writing two PCs there as I don't have to keep different stats in my head, just different personalities / dialogue / histories / capabilities. (Whereas in this game, I'd never survive trying to figure out all the mechanics, and glee would eventually kill me for being such a pain. I'm probably working his last nerve already, or at least I would if he weren't so supernaturally patient!)
The advantage of ping adding an additional PC (either an OC or taking Marron on) is that it gives you (ping) a chance to play both a regular guy like Walker and a magic-capable character who has an entirely different personality from Walker, if you wanted to expand things a little and feel locked in by Walker's original status as an NPC.
(That's another benefit of my playing 2 characters in the ST game. My OC is a royal brat who's quite the sheltered, inexperienced damsel in distress. The 2nd character allows me to play a down-to-earth pilot/engineer with a raunchy sense of humor and much more experience... of all kinds. It's a lot of fun swapping between the two. Especially when they don't get along, which is often!)
Anyway, just rambling now. The long and short of it is, I think it must be hard to separate Marron-the-PC from Marron-the-NPC-who-knows-everything-the-GM-does. Our party has too much knowledge of how the game/plot is supposed to go, and that leaves the two clueless PCs in a much weaker position. At least I think so.
Oh and as an addendum, in the game thread:
I don't think Aislinn has shown herself not very willing to 'loot' the patrol--she's the first who volunteered to look through the pockets for some coins, her instinct as a thief having survived her amnesia. Although she's justifying it as offering it to Maggot and the dead shepherd's family. If Maggot subsequently gives them the armor/magic goodies/etc that's up to him solves the question about the reward system. It might be something Walker is squeamish at, but I think that seems like a good conflict to play with.Quote:
Originally posted by Marron
(In short--which I know seems impossible for me--if I gave the impression Aislinn isn't willing to take the good stuff off the dead soldiers, I didn't mean to. She might not be thrilled because ew, corpses, but she's doing it anyway because that's how she rolls, materialistically speaking.)
I do agree that a 3rd real person in place of Marron-NPC would be good, and would avoid situations like we just had, where all actual-people players had decided one route, but DM-player and DM had a different plan.
I would happily take on another character, preferably one of my choosing if we happen to drop Marron off at some point xD I would most definitely be some sort of chaotic cleric. But aside from that I have been asking other people I play with if they would like to submit an application to GLee to join. I agree, again, that it's always going to be a bit difficult with just the two of us characters and the GM with all the knowledge playing another character while also running the baddies.
Thanks for your input!
I agree that having the DM play a character is not working as I hoped it would (I do regret attacking the injured soldier without letting the players act first.)
So here are some options for your consideration (with comments):
a) Aislinn and Walker carry on by themselves (Marron steps out to do worthy stuff elsewhere.)
I can balance the encounters easily enough, but there would be a distinct lack of healing. The party already have a deal with Druid Kitty at the Keep to replace Potions, so both characters could stock up on Healing Potions.
b) ping takes over Marron
N.B. I'm sending a copy of Marron to each player (via e-mail.) Even if this option isn't chosen, I'm sure the sheet will be of interest to you...
The advantage of this (I know ping is not keen on it!) is that Marron has been in the adventure from the start and neatly combines healing, turning and Stealth.
c) ping gets a Cleric to replace Marron
The main difficulty I foresee is that this character will not have any Stealth, which is a jolly useful attribute for everyone to have in a small party.
(I am also nervous about chaotic Clerics, even when played by ping!)
Thanks glee! I'm sorry to make trouble by being such a pedantic roleplayer! I really appreciate your being so flexible and patient.
Is it possible for there to have been another Scout training, er, house/college/club where a hypothetical 2nd cleric could've learned his Scouting? Or maybe he started with the rest of us, but didn't quite pass w/flying colors due to his chaoticism (I know, not a word!) and his roguishness put him (or her, just realized doesn't need to be a male cleric) at somewhat odds with the trainers or whatnot? But this cleric's still got mad skillz so Percival might be happy for them to join up w/the grad Scouts. Heck the new person could be someone from Percival's court, maybe a Merlinesque tutor (or an apprentice to one--a friend of Kitty?) who might have a slightly higher level than the rest of us.
Or is there another route by which one can learn Stealth? If New Cleric/Healer person has come by Stealth from some other purpose... maybe if he were a spy for Percival or some other bigwig, I dunno. Or... hang on, I just remembered the name of the game. How much of "Sherwoodshire" involves "Sherwood Forest"? While we've seen Arthur--who AFAIK isn't involved in any of the Robin Hood myths--could Cleric/Healer be whatever the equivalent of Friar Tuck would be? Not actually Friar Tuck if there's no literal Robin Hood in the universe, but someone who played a similar role in some noble gang of well-intentioned thieves? There is a Thieves Guild, after all, and as I recall we'll be meeting them eventually.
My point being, surely that sort of person would certainly have to be good at Stealth if s/he's secretly helping steal from the rich to give to the poor. (Or if actual thievery is too sinful for a Cleric--even a chaotic one--s/he might have cast a blind eye to such goings on, and offered shelter/sanctuary to those who needed it.)
Anyhoo just throwing out some stuff to get you guys brainstorming. It should be up to ping and you to decide what'd work best. :)
I'm not sure I'm up to taking on Marron, to be honest. Walker is at the very edge of the range of my usual RP anyway! (I've never played a lawful good character... at least Walker can edge towards neutral good a bit) Marron's strict morals might be actually better played by you, Glee, as I don't think I'd be able to stick to that, but I also agree that it's a bit jarring to have the DM also having effectively a 1/3 role in the party!
@GLee, I understand how you feel about chaotic characters, my personal brand of chaos isn't bad, but I know how it might not work in this setting.
How would you feel about a druid? Neutral Good.
I feel very fortunate to have such thoughtful players. :)
I think I have the solution, based on ping's helpful offer - a Scout / Druid. :bravo:
I'll send ping a sample of that character and if it works for ping, then ping can generate one to their specification. (I already have rules about such a character... :cool:)
The Scout / Druid would be Neutral and worship Nimue, so I think it would fit very well with Walker and Aislinn.
Watch this space...
Thank you, if you will allow some mild adjustments I think this will work :)
Meanwhile I assume that the party is continuing on - taking the sheep back to the farm, burying the soldiers with Marron saying some fitting words, then figuring out what to do from there I guess?
Eye would fly back to the Keep to check in on any news from Saradoc, and that might be a good point for her to maybe meet a new person...?
I'm pleased you like the look of the character. :)
You are very welcome to make adjustments - think of it as a template.
Also I'm going to make three changes myself - two large, one small (but all jolly useful.)
I'll soon email you the revised character with notes and look forward to your changes. :bravo:
Many thanks to ping for being helpful...
So when the current party return to Percival's Keep, Eluned a Scout / Druid will join the party and Marron will depart (but be available if needed.)
Also ping has found a possible third player and the new party line-up therefore will probably consist of:
- Aislinn
- Eluned or Walker(ping's choice)
- Eluned, Walker or a new character (third player's choice)
I'll move the adventure along.
Now once we've sorted out the new party line-up, would you like me to start a new game thread?
I should state that my style is for the party to gather treasure after a successful combat. Think of it as 'recycling' rather than 'looting'!
Sometimes the valuable stuff is on the bodies - sometimes in a nearby lair or hiding place...
I don't want to offend anyone - but I hope this adds something to the game.
Monsters (like the Dragon) can supply 'bits' for potion ingredients (e.g. a Giant's hair would make a Potionof Strength or a Manticore tail would make a Potionof Fly.
Humanoid armour and weapons is worth something (though the party may have to consider a weight limit!)
Oh another player would be wonderful, I hope that works out, ping!
(It would be a shame to lose Walker; I've grown fond of him, short though his tenure has been. But playing someone wholly your own might be more appealing to be sure, and the druid sounds intriguing. Edited to add: Honestly I think it'd be great to have four PCs, if you're still willing to double up and if it's allowed by Sir GM--new person could be whatever else we're missing, balance-wise. Whatever Saradoc offered, maybe.)
Thanks for the explanations, glee. I don't think Aislinn would have a problem with looting or, uh, recycling. :) Walker's being more conscientious seems very in character.
I don't think we need a new game thread, btw. The current one isn't very long--well, not to me anyway, but I'm used to very long mission threads, so I don't have problems keeping track. If it's easier to handle for you, though, that'll be fine too.
To be honest, when my friend gets back from his jaunt in London and has time to read all the stuff I've sent him (and email GLee) I might actually chat with him so that Eluned (for info: Welsh name, pronounced El-in-ed, shortened to Lynn) and his character can join together, knowing each other. I'm happy to run 2 characters if GLee is fine with that - though he did say that he'd like to limit it to 3 I think. But *technically* it would only be 3 of us, right? :D
I think GLee's plan is Fighter, Magic-user, Healer.
At the moment we've got you firmly as the magic person, Walker as the fighter and if I took Eluned, she would be healer in place of Marron... I need to get Jareen back from holidaying and talking to see what he would prefer.
I appreciate the thoughts - roleplaying should be enjoyable for all!
I'm jolly grateful to ping for finding a possible third player.
I much prefer a maximum of three players, because experience shows that the more players there are, the longer the wait before they all react.
Since both of you are happy with ping playing two characters, then let's try that. (I know ping can cope from our time together!)
So how about this:
- choie plays Aislinn
- ping plays Walker and Eluned
- new player can either roll up a new character* or play Marron (whichever they prefer)
That gives us four characters in a well-balanced party.
*the new character would need Stealth (as even four characters is less than the normal party size, so they need the benefits of sneaking + ambushing; plus it fits in with my storyline.)
So I'm happy to offer as the fourth character:
- Scout / Cleric (i.e. Marron)
- Scout / Archer
- Scout / Barbarian
- Scout / Ranger
In real life, I completely agree with your recent game posts about not killing and showing respect for the dead.
However my campaign is inspired by the Lord of the Rings (and the early Middle Ages), when there was constant struggle between good and evil. :(
So I warn you that there is pure hatred and evil in the land. :o
The worst examples are Mordred Clerics, evil Dragons and the Empire.
These opponents will slaughter without remorse, never surrender and show no mercy. For example, if you inform the Empire that a Patrol was killed, they will either enslave or execute the messenger. :devil:
I do hope you can accept this grim outlook, as my storylines rely on it...
Oh, IRL and IC are completely separate! IRL I'd probably be a bit more morally vague than Walker is :D !
I'll keep you updated with Jareen, and it would be nice for his character and Eluned to join the group together I think.
I hope nobody minds that Marron is going to be my 'mouthpiece' for my style of play regarding:
- 'recycling' from defeated opponents
- acknowledging that pure evil exists in the campaign
(As you both know, I've spent decades building and writing Sherwoodshire, so it is jolly important to me to use the two features mentioned.)
Quote:
Originally posted by glee
Certainly! Entirely understandable. I think there's some conflicting styles going on here--this and the "Aislinn remembers Druid Kitty saying 'Percy's awesome I promise you'" thing make it clear.
I (as player) buy that people (or whatever) are evil, 100% no backsies; I can also buy that Druid Kitty's words are true and Percival's trustworthy. I like intrigue and mixed motives, but if these are the rules of how the game world works, that's how it works.
But Aislinn doesn't know meta stuff. So for her, she won't believe someone just saying "oh everyone knows these guys are pure evil" or "Count Percival is completely trustworthy."
What I think would ease her concerns is the well-known, cliched standard advice I give to authors (as a fiction editor): "Show, don't tell."
IOW, if the evildoers are depicted doing evil, or if Aislinn sees Percival protecting or defending someone from the Empire's wrath, or doing something against the Empire's interest... that's showing more proof Aislinn can hopefully rely on. She doesn't trust what she doesn't see, nor for that matter everything she does see. (As an illusionist and mostly as a former trickster/con artist, she understandably knows images can be deceiving.)
So while Aislinn did indeed already remember what Druid Kitty told her--she told Walker she knows about Percy's alleged reasons for having the Empire crest up on the wall--she won't be convinced until she sees proof.
It might be frustrating to have goodies not automatically believed, but--at least for me, I can't speak for ping--I'd love to see how you'll show Percival as a guy doing good things, or the baddies doing evil. Maybe it'll take a little extra work and I understand if that's not something that's always possible. But if it is, I think the gameplay will be even more compelling and visceral, and the world will truly come alive. Most of all, the stakes get higher and that's almost always the point of adventuring.
In short (too late): Aislinn doesn't really need reminding that Druid Kitty said the Count's a good guy and won't deal with the Empire, or that Empire soldiers and dragons are always evil. She knows what she's been told. This is a girl who was 'arrested' for a pretty petty crime (bit of a spoiler there, sorry ping), so her beliefs about others' judgments have been warped. Words aren't enough. She needs evidence.
Does that make sense? Your players understand the world's fixed rules. The PCs may not, and that allows for more nuance and suspense in many situations. It's also kind of a challenge for you too! Aislinn needs your :devil: characters to show us just how evil they are, and for your unquestioned heroic :angel: cast to do some unequivocal good!
Or, as Lerner & Lowe put it so beautifully:
https://youtu.be/0WbRyU8uuNk
Thanks for being so clear!
I fully accept that Aislinn would want to see proof rather than just rely on words (especially with her background.)
I hope that the players will get such evidence as the storyline unfolds.
(N.B. So far an Empire Patrol have killed a shepherd and were ready to murder a drunk hobbit on sight. :o
Also Count Percival has accepted an Ogre into his service, showing trust in the party.)
As for the overall campaign, I did like the idea of a clash of cultures having a diplomatic area to avoid wars. I trust players will find it interesting as they learn more about the various Powers in the region. :cool:
P.S. I did enjoy the video, so enclose one of my own - in which there is clear audio evidence of a minor offence...
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/a2mYjjxab_A
Hmm, I don't recognize that tune. it's not Lerner & Lowe, and it's definitely not Cole Porter. Noel Coward, during a rare scatological moment?
Hi, sorry for late reply, I've been away over the weekend without a laptop visiting husband's family up in Whitby. Lovely weather for it :)
I totally agree with choie's comments, and was about to comment effectively the same myself to be honest. I don't fault you at all, GLee, for building your world and running it as you see fit, but as they say, the best laid DM plans will eventually encounter the players! I think both Aislinn and Walker are building up to be well-rounded (if a little wonky) characters and it would be unrealistic for either of them to be totally blinkered to "these guys bad!" "these guys good!", without questioning. It makes perfect sense in Aislinn's case particularly (obviously I don't know the whole back-story) that she wouldn't take someone's word that someone is "good" without seeing evidence of that. Walker would definitely trend between lawful good and possibly straying towards lawful neutral, just because he's seen a lot of the bad and good on his travels and would be wanting to judge people based on - as choie says - what they show, not what they just tell.
Also just in terms of roleplaying, I just wanted to clarify to both of you (I think choie understands where I'm coming from): what happens in the game thread stays in the game thread, and vice-versa. No meta-knowledge I have from this companion thread or any other knowledge of D&D etc. will be used in the game thread, unless it is explicitly said (either via email or here) that my *character* would know that. Similarly, Aislinn and Walker feeling a bit icky about killing people isn't an out-of-character reaction to your world-building decisions; that was two characters reacting to what had just happened... though I do agree that as players we would have liked to have the choice of the final blow there :) Any update on whether we can choose to say that we want to land a non-lethal blow, by the way?
In other news, I've sent your contact details to Jareen, GLee, and he landed back in Netherlands yesterday evening so hopefully will contact you soon. I think he was leaning towards barbarian, in which case I'd be happy to run Walker and Eluned.
I'm not sure of the tune, but it's definitely a Wind instrument. (heh)
I do appreciate that Walker and Aislinn are roleplaying with sympathy towards all life and a perfectly reasonable judgement based on deeds not words.
(I have spent a lot of time with players who had a very black /white view of the world, so this makes for a pleasant change!)
I'm going to stick with my rule that you can certainly try to land a non-lethal blow, but will nevertheless do 25% real damage.
I fully agree that the characters only know what they know, not what the players know!
Also I'm moving the party back to the Keep (Walker is welcome to post something he wants to do before that, in which case I'll adjust.)
I've now heard from Jareen2 about joining the game (he's recommended by ping :cool:) and have sent him where to find the game + companion threads, plus many character choices.
So there will naturally be a short delay as we sort out the new party line-up - but it's well worth doing (and my thanks to ping.)
Jareen said he's still deciding but I think we will bring both of our characters (Eluned + whatever he decides) in together and we'll plan out how we are wherever we are together. So it's up to you whether we advance or wait, but for now I'm happy to pootle around the Keep and it might be a good chance for some RP and learning some stuff in-character as well.
Will we learn here or in-character what the possible magic items are available?
I'm happy for Jareen2 to take his time deciding.
So we will definitely have Aislinn, Walker and Eluned, with (hopefully) one extra character. (I can make it work either way.)
I'll have a think about suitable magic items for you all (and you will be welcome to roleplay within the Keep then too!)
One thing that occurs to me is that Potions don't seem to get used much - would you prefer if I changed them to items that give you one Potion effect daily?
(That would be somewhat easier for me to keep track of....)
I think we haven't really used the potions just because we've not been seriously injured yet, and Marron was doing a fine job of keeping us upright when needed, but truthfully we have made it through each battle fairly unscathed. I'm happy with keeping them just in case, or if it's easier for you to swap them for something else that's fine as well.
This is all exciting news--so grateful to you, ping, for finding us a barbarian to trot around with! I know not of such things from this gameworld or even from an RPG at all but it'll be interesting to see what they do and how Jareen depicts this specific one. Glee, if you could let me know when Jareen registers, or wants to register, and what screenname he'll use, that would be great so I can get him set up smoothly.
Also ping, thanks for adding your POV about our characters being uncertain, guarded and perhaps downright ignorant at times, even in a system of fixed roles, not to mention long-established and important elements to the gameworld. :) Sounds good.
Yay that's wonderful! Can you maybe remind the NPCs of that too? :devil: Just seems like there've been several times (including in the most recent GM post) where the NPCs know just what our PCs are thinking, worried about, or need!Quote:
Originally posted by glee
I mean, dang, what are the odds that there's been this wall decoration with the four different realms for however long Percival's had it up, but literally as soon as Aislinn privately acknowledges that she's not happy about the Empire's crest being up there, the very next time she's at the Keep... voila! it's being covered up, with Kitty making a point to address/explain things in a way that's meant to reassure Aislinn's qualms about the crest that Kitty shouldn't even know about. Quite the convenient coincidence, that!
Now really, good sir glee! I humbly entreat thee not to be so nice to the characters by whisking away obstacles either mental or physical as soon as we discover them. (Especially when it defies previously stated continuity--in this case, our having learned earlier that Percy expressly had the crests installed to show unity--well, not unity, but at least lack of open emnity.)
I think you're such a goodhearted and generous person that you hate to see even fictional characters not being perfectly at ease and confident. Your sympathy is so great that you want to fix things and make the PCs' doubts, conflicts and emotional wounds vanish ASAP. 'Tis a noble instinct indeed.
...Except we (and by now I'm feeling comfortable in presuming that "we," ping!) love that stuff! I hope there'll be a titch more restraint against such generosity! We're out here creating character quirks, minor intra-party conflicts and mild (or serious) emotional angst, all of which are quite fun to build on and play out throughout the stories. They allow for character growth in a natural, organic way -- character arcs that grow and change throughout the length of the game.
It's a bit of a letdown when the instant a PC reveals or displays these beliefs or traits--sometimes not even aloud, just in private thoughts!--some NPC pops up with the solution to allay those doubts, solve the conflicts, and salve our emotional wounds as easily as Marron with a potion.* And thus the opportunity for the intended character journey slams shut. We've crossed the moat and reached the city goat gate only to get a portcullis dropped in front of us before we've had a chance to explore.
(I'm editing now to say yes, I just noticed I'd originally written "goat" and decided it was too amusing to completely erase.)
Of course it's very possible that some things are completely incompatible and would never, ever, ever happen in this gameworld, and (worse) could actively create huge problems for planned plot elements. When that's the case, maybe a compromise solution could be that if some quirk that you see being problematic needs to be 'adjusted' so something else works as it should, you could PM us and see how we can resolve it in a "realistic" or at least character-appropriate way?
(Just as you did with Aislinn's spellcasting memories when you gave me the heads up! We haven't reached that trigger point yet exactly, the ideas we hashed out seem to satisfy both our needs.)
Sorry, I hate to seem as if I'm trying to teach you your job. First, I really don't mean to. And second, I can't, because I absolutely don't know your job. Third, even if I did know your job I don't have decades of experience. And fourth, even if I had decades of experience, it's still not my dang job because you're the GM in charge here!
I guess all this stuff falls into the sort of thing a TTRPG would discuss in a Session 0 (if I'm getting the RL RPG lingo correct). Trying to hammer out the sort of playing style or general likes/dislikes of the players/GM. The rules of the game are already fixed, but nuances that will make the game rewarding to these specific players as well as the GM are, hopefully, kosher to discuss like this. So far, your kindness and generosity in these areas have been extremely welcome and I only hope I'm not wearing those out!
TBH I'm not sure how exactly to play Aislinn's reaction to this latest display of uncanny events that seem specifically designed to address something she only just thought about/said. (Is it any wonder why Aislinn feels paranoid when things she thinks or hides are suddenly intuited by everyone around her? It's beginning to feel like she's on the new season of The Truman Show. :) Which, if you haven't seen it, see it! Wonderful movie.) Is there anything we can do to maybe "retcon" that crest-hiding stuff? If not and it harms continuity, I'll deal with it, of course. But if it's not integral and you don't mind, it'd be hugely helpful!
Thank you for reading, as always.
* Speaking of potions: I've no opinion on whether potions should be exchanged for some other mechanism. If they're normally part of this world's toolset, I have no issue with using them if a PC has the ability to utilize them. As ping said, none of us have really been injured (possibly because the GM being so nice to us! :angel: though I imagine as we meet higher level foes that will likely change). So there's not been cause for healing or whatever other benefits our potions offer. If we're adding a druid I'd imagine potions would make sense for her to tote around. But I don't know that much about druids either so I could be wrong.
^ Everything that choie said, haha!
Yes, I agree, and having playing in-person with GLee he is very nice and likes his worlds to be nice as well as his players (except when he killed my companion wolves, grrr, but anyway), so I think there is the leaning to making the world and encounters nice for us. Which is fine, it's just a different play-style to what I'm usually used to, but as choie says, sometimes it would be nice for our characters to have challenges, and I don't just mean fights, where we can explore a little more. I think I'd be right in saying that both choie and I (and I know I definitely speak for Jareen when he arrives!) enjoy delving a bit more into our characters and making a story out of this rather than just "I go in, hit stuff. It dies. Next quest."! So yes, it would be good to get some more points when the answers aren't just handed to us on a platter... especially if it's something that was said in a character's head! :)
I appreciate that you are concerned about your private thoughts being read, but I think you are both missing the point! ;)
The reason that Count Percival ordered the Empire symbol to be covered up was that an Empire Patrol had murdered a local shepherd (and were probably going to do the same at another farm...)
I will try to add as much roleplaying as possible (I point to the Aislinn / Woody sub-plot as an example.)
I have given each character several possible story-lines (and Aislinn has added a lot to hers. :cool: ) Please keep an eye on that material. :)
Nevertheless a lot of my plots are advanced by combat, so I hope you'll cope with that.
I would add that combats need to be carefully balanced. Nobody wants to see a beloved character slaughtered, nor does an 'easy stroll' interest me.
(I note that ping still remembers losing her wolves - which shows both how tricky the whole thing is and that I'm not necessarily a 'nice' DM. :o )
It's obvious that this Internet stuff is harder than face-to-face games. Although I've had the pleasure of playing with Tim for decades and ping for a few years, I've never met Malacandra nor Aislinn.
A face-to-face roleplaying game not only has loads of chat but also helps with the 'mood of the room' and detailed discussions afterwards.
The fact that I've been playing with the same group for over 40 years shows something. :smug:
I will happily let you know when Jareen2 gets back to me. I gave him a lot to think about and I'm sure he will be carefully considering it.
(He hasn't chosen anything yet, so there may not be a barbarian...)
DM question:
I know it's probably explained here in this thread somewhere, but there are 388 posts and, no offence intended, the search function is rubbish! How do the familiars work? I recall you said to me that Eye was magical (ie. doesn't need food etc.), but also that she's a physical actual bird. I know while I have her, I gain HP, but that if she dies, I take twice as many HP *permanent* damage, is that correct? I was just looking up the 1E version of Find Familiar:
"A familiar arrives and serves the caster loyally. The familiar has 1d3+1 hit points, an AC of 7, is remarkably intelligent, and can speak with its master. The familiar only fights for the caster in a life-or-death situation (and imps and quasits are 90% unlikely to fight if there is any risk to their own lives).
While the familiar is within 12", the familiar's hit points are added to the caster's. If a familiar is slain, the caster loses double the familiar's hit points, permanently."
- are these the rules used here? So, when you drink the potion (equivalent, I assume, of casting the spell but without the need to sit around for a day with a brass brazier and whatnot, the familiar appears, it's not like Walker had to go out and find a physical hawk, no? It's not like an animal companion that you've bonded with? Sorry, as I said, the answer is probably in this (massive) thread somewhere....
I have heard more from Jareen2 (and it looks like there will be some sort of Barbarian joining us :woowoo: )
However I'm rather pressed for time at present, so apologies for a delay.
Onwards and upwards!
Oooh, fun!
(I'm pretty sure just Jareen is fine by the way, I think the 2 came in from a second account or something? Either way they'll just be whatever their character name is, once they arrive!)
Sorry for my delay too... I've been mainlining the news yesterday and today. Bit of a stir going on here.
While bingeing on various news and social media feeds, I spent time with an online art editing thingy to create a sort of image of Aislinn (pre-tattoos & scars).
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/29/25/47/2...cb1590217b.jpg
(I wish I could get rid of the makeup entirely, but alas, the program has its limitations.)
Very pretty!
Thank you! Went through many iterations. The program tends to use very glam, wide-eyed, heavily idealized prototypes for its AI models, which makes creating someone who's merely 'pretty' rather than 'goddess-like" a challenge.
I just whipped this one up as well. The Wolf here is, uh, rather small, but again, the program doesn't want to scale its size for some reason. Let's pretend this is Wolf as a pup.
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ab/d2/cb/a...6de8e5b1f6.jpg
I can have a go with Photoshop if there are specific things you would like changing.
For info in the main thread: Walker's thought of "she's beautiful" wasn't a sexual or attracted thing, it was just an observation having not seen Aislinn as she should have been. I wrote that and then realised it might be misread as that he was attracted to her. No, but he can objectively assess whether someone is pretty or not, and it was the first reaction to the surprise reveal. Hope that explains what I was trying to get across.
http://www.hsw.me.uk/images/albums/u...linn2Bwolf.jpg
I removed some of the "make-up" effects and made Wolf look more like... well, Wolf :)
I'm not a brilliant photoshopper!
WOW that's fantastic, ping! What a generous thing to do! By the time I was done fiddling with that app it was Crazy o'clock here and I still hadn't slept, so I couldn't even think of opening photoshop. You did a really wonderful job. Thank you so much!
And don't worry, I knew Walker was just expressing surprise at the appearance. Aislinn would've picked up on anything with some "undertones" but after his reaction to the prank earlier, she's already understanding that he's not inclined to that sort of thing. I think on an instinctive level that's part of why she trusts being alone with him.
I've heard of these AI generator thingies but I'll admit I never have used one yet. Whenever I have a character that I think is going to be in a campaign that is going to last (!) I generally turn to Twitter and throw some money at artists for commissions. I love what they come up with and I love helping them out. I've got some gorgeous commission art for my characters, all of whom have sadly been in campaigns that have died. I think the moment I commission the art, it curses the campaign to fail (time commitments meaning too many players missing sessions, people being dicks and getting kicked out, DM losing interest, etc.).... but I guess there's nothing lost in the process. The artists get money, and I get cool character art to reuse in another campaign or one-shot. I think I prefer that to getting an AI to do it, though don't get me wrong, I am VERY pro-AI! Our entire sodding house is AI-enabled xD
Otherwise I tend to (try to) sketch my own, but I'm a terrible artist. At least when I do that though, the campaigns tend to last longer :D
Here is Eluned. I've not got/made a pic of Denzil (heehee spoilers) yet.
http://www.hsw.me.uk/images/albums/u...1/2/Eluned.png
Those are excellent pictures!
They also help me visualise the party even better. (cool)
Minor clarification:
Eye is indeed from the Magic User spell Find Familiar and ping's description in the thread (post 388) does apply.
Aislinn has been given a Druid Potion of Animal Friendship to use when she sees fit. (N.B. The Nimue Way is to get the animal's agreement first before drinking the potion. For example if Aislinn meets a pack of wolves, someone should cast Speak to Animals and ask if any wolf fancies a life of travelling with Aislinn*, acting as her bodyguard.)
*N.B. There will always be one animal that likes that idea!
Any 3rd level Druid (including Scout / Druid) gains an animal bodyguard through Animal Friendship.
I think this might be something that Eluned might be able to help with clarifying for Aislinn, when they meet.Quote:
Originally posted by glee
Eluned looks great, ping. Has a sort of Renee O'Connor (Gabrielle from Xena) vibe! Although I might just be thinking of her since I used her image as a rough look at what my previous RP character looked like in the recent Middle-earth rpg we played here--a game that departed like the Elves. (Good grief, what was her name? I don't want to look, that would be cheating.)
Normally I do the photoshop stuff myself, as I too am a little leery of AI engines that use unknown sources. I came up with one of my Trek RPG characters, this gal using a combo of three different models (paid for royalty free stock photos), gave her scales, a somewhat playful expression and green eyes. Curiously I haven't done the same for my first character, whom I've played for much longer. Hmm.
I would love to be able to commission some art too. I'd probably do so for a particularly long-running game, if needed. The AI art engine I used was kind of fun--you come up with a basic face, then find other images uploaded or created by users to select as your character's "parents." (You can have any number of parents.) Aislinn has about five different images for "parents"--I needed to give her wavy hair, a young face, dark eyes, a fairly sober expression, etc., and then once I found the right combo I customized it via age, clothing, makeup (that's the one I had trouble with), etc. Like inventing a recipe without knowing exactly how your ingredients will work together. I could probably have found somene with a face tattoo, but didn't have enough patience for that. Anyway, I'll do that part myself if I have the time. Or maybe that would be a nice inexpensive job for some artist!
Thanks for the added info about the animals, glee. As I mentioned via PM, since Eluned likely has an animal buddy (I'm guessing that's "Denzil," oui?), I'll probably keep Aislinn solo for a while, as I think three in a group of four seems like a strolling zoo! Aislinn will make do with her imaginary wolf. Anyway, who knows if we'd even run into a pack until we head north, assuming she stubbornly wants a Winter Wolf. :)
Looking forward to both new party members!