While we work out the characters, check in!

Haakon the Dressmaker here.

In reply to Haakon Pedlar (msg # 2):

hello

Princess Gondioque will put in an appearance.

I've got work-related projects distracting me from important game-related stuff, but I hope to be on tomorrow (Saturday) and catch myself up on everything going on here!

I'll need to draft a biography for Gondioque, one that is "realistic" but is not too inconsistent with the Gondioque of old.

Leanna is still here :)

I've done a timeline of Gondioque's life, up for approval. Happy to have Leanna as part of Gondioque's team. Details to be worked out.

I've changed Haakon's description to include some of the stuff I can remember him doing in the past... oh god, it's nearly ten years isn't it?

Sorry but I won’t be participating. Could I please be removed from the game?

You should have told him no.


Haakon, I think Ben's game did start 2008/9.      I played that first year too, albeit with another character.       Looking forward to roaming Europa once more.

No!  NO ONE is removed from the game, EVER!  I have paid Russian hackers to get into all of your computers so you cannot ever leave!

Smashing your computers won't help, I will MAIL you written updates!

In reply to Ben (msg # 14):

NO, not the ruassian hackers!

Yes I thought so.  It's been a LONG road

Gondioque did you want to hash out some past adventures/stuff in PM's?

Yes, but Gondioque's history and some matters are pending. I'll post as soon as those are settled.

Oki

Pfffft. I died and didn't leave a forwarding address.

Poking my head in to say hi to the other players. May the odds be ever in your favor.

thanks

Gondioque has posted a PM to Leanna. More soon, I think.

I have seen! And I shall reply tomorrow as my brain is going into protest mode against anything not involving sleep

I'm afraid I've got some major work projects that are making it impossible to get into things here. I'm also a bit uncertain how Titus is supposed to fit into things, but a creative player ought to be able to get around that, eh?

Anyway, forgive what must seem like extreme flakiness. I hope to hop in finally by Sunday!

Had a busy week for a bit.

Almost set.

I'm going to possibly have a slight delay in posting: my desktop bricked this morning. Hopefully I can un-brick it when I get home from work.

Hey everyone- I’m an old player with a new character.
Druk is an Ook - that is an Orc that was born without ferocity and doesn’t want to hurt or be hurt. He represents a servant caste among the Orcs.

Awesome!  Glad to game with you!

Welcome! I'd forgotten about Ooks. Will Ooks defend themselves?

So I am going to play him as afraid of confrontation but able - he will be a combatant but more about indirect attacks.

Do the Visigoths have any restrictions concerning the carrying of weapons in Massillia?

I'm away until Tuesday and will have only an iphone for posting, so am likely to be slow in the meantime.

I'm baaaack. Did y'all miss me?

Good. Yes.

YEAY! Happy dance. Y'all come on over to the ummm...place I'm working and I'll greet you!

I hope you guys see the humor in this. It is my skill list which include an in character explanation of why she has them. It is the explanations I am really proud of...well that I think bear the greatest humor.

Appraisal     Int  4 = +2  +2  (Like I have to be able to tell which clothes are better, duh)

Concentration Con  9 =  +1  +8 (Like casting magic and stuff)

Disguise      Cha  6 = +4 +2   (Like, I'm a woman, I know how make up works)

Diplomacy Cha  12 =  +4    +8  (Like I had to learn all about manners and stuff)

Perform (Dance) Cha 12 = +4  +8 (Like I love to dance, and people watch me move and stuff)

Profession (Courtesan) Wis 7 = -1   +8 (Like people pay me to make love with them, win/win!)

K: Nobility Int 4 = +2  +2 (Like it is important to know which king and queen and you are
                            under and which handsome prince is single, duh!)

K: History Int 4 = +2  +2 (Like important stuff like what people were wearing you know?)

I plan tomorrow to post a draft of Gondioque through arrival and settling in.

In reply to Bryon (msg # 37):

I can be very diplomatic too!

In reply to Swift (msg # 39):

Sweet

In reply to Bryon (msg # 40):

Yes I am!

Uh - Me too-

I'm just waiting to see where I turn up.

My Diplomacy is +9. I don't have any ranks in it.

That’s mine too with no tanks uh ranks... circlet of persuasion and synergy. Did we all make charisma characters?

But my real talent is to blave
This message was last edited by the player at 08:55, Wed 22 Aug 2018.

My diplomacy is also 9... but I actually have ranks in it.

I am mostly sneaky and cute.

Sneaky and cute? Please! I'm married to a wereweasel! ;) :) :D

THe very best part about playing Bryon is I don't have to worry about remembering pesky things like names or details...LOL

Hey, all! First OOC post, sort of getting my feet under me in-game.

Quiquises is very sneaky, too. Not cute, so much, though.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:56, Tue 28 Aug 2018.

So where did Gondioque go, did I miss something?

Gondioque checked in to Cabreus House Inn, in that thread, and sent Bryon off on a quest.

She sent Swift to contact Haakon after searching the suite for spyholes. Then she found out about the house routine and make herself available to names guests. Ben hasn't posted about that yet.

Oh, so where is Haakon? I am so lost which is not good for a scout.

Haakon is hanging in the House Palantus thread.

I just found out about this today. Rita is definitely in!

So is the next generation game on pause?

I'm finally back in town, and now working on dealing with the obnoxiously large paperweight that used to be my computer.

Will try to catch up over the next few days.

We are bumping the time to the next day.

ALL the characters may attend the Palantus Luncheon, if they wish, since a lot begins there, and they are all related to this... except Bryon and Druk, who still can, if invited by another character.

Gondioque would have to have her two messages sent and receive an invitation before she could attend.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:24, Thu 06 Sept 2018.

So after setting up the musicians that night Druk will have set up the messenger business as discussed. He will have had the first two letters delivered and be engaged in working out the details with his partners the next day.

The Visigoth king is nowhere near here (Lucky for him), he is in the distant city of Tolosa.

It will be a while before a response.

From the local overtyrant, returns come when he feels like it.  It is best to keep Humans waiting, lest they think they are actually important, so it may be a while before that letter is responded to either.

So I’m not sure what to do. Do you want me to role play the business set up? Shall I just summarize it? Do I show up somewhere? I have no invitations to anything at the moment.

You can summarize it if you want.  Accounting and business deals are not everyone's idea of role playing.

Of someone wants to take her, Bryon will be on "best" behavior.

Hey all, Hurricane Florence is about to hit, so I could lose power

In reply to Belenus (msg # 65):

Same here.

For clarification, are orcs allowed to use magic without penalty?

In reply to Florian (msg # 67):

The "Orc Magic" system of this world, and Orcs in general, is entirely different from how many people think of them.

In a nutshell (and this would be known only to very knowledgeable characters, but is useful for a player perspective)...

Once upon a time, Orcs lived as savage bloodthirsty barbarian tribes, mostly underground.

The gods ignored them.

But there were other beings, collectively known as "Infernal Powers" or "Demons", some of which were overthrown and rejected deities from a time when deities had no morals and worked solely on a Terror system, (Dagon and Pazuzu are in this category).   Beaten down by the glorious gods, they eventually realized what was going wrong:  they had no civilizations glorifying them.  Note that gods of death, such as Pluto, are not considered Infernal- even if they might live down below they are loyal to their pantheon and civilization.

Sooo... the Infernals struck a deal with the Orcs.  We'll make you a civilization.  Conquer everyone, and serve and worship us.  Since Orcs were really into conquering as a hobby, they eagerly accepted.

Issue number one, though:  Orcs were hunter gatherers.  Hunter gatherers simply can't produce food like agricultural civilizations could.  So the Orcs would be up against unimaginable odds, unless... instead of wiping out the conquered civilizations, they could use them to provide food.

And that led to other things.  Humans were just so much better at managing an economy.  Keep it under control, and you can be rich!

And THAT led to two other things:  First, the Infernals realized (Or maybe knew all along) that really Evil evil isn't about death and mayhem, in fact, great horrors seem to inspire humans to acts of heroic goodness.  Really Evil evil is in the corrupting of the good.  Second, the Infernals are not good at getting along with each other.

So now, we have the Demon Mephistopheles, patron of the Overtyrant of Massilia, using the Orcs to control the city, allowing the Orcs their to be wealthy and powerful, and allowing Mephistopheles to have a wonderful playground in which to tempt and corrupt Humans.

The Infernals grant magic to the Orcs, but it is not the same as that of the other races.

Useful to know, but let me re-ask the question; a non-orc who uses magic is likely to meet an unpleasant end; can a proper orc use magic in public without recourse?

Yes.

In what thread is the Palatues Luncheon?

Gondioque is talking about having one musician play while Bryon dances before the captain.


"Quiet ones," the Captain says.  "I don't need a music hall.  I need a skillful player who knows that the music is just the background for Bryon to dance to."

I had her do this so Florian would have chances to interact.

Sweet!

I thought I already took care of that the night before - you planning the next date?

Giving options to the Captain, but second date, yes.

I took the liberty of starting an alphabetized information Storehouse, which should be a PM to you. If you think this is a good idea, please do a PM in the thread so it can be added to. It's a pain to search back for info.

Also, should a name list be created?

It would have worked for longer had there not been a potential crisis at the luncheon.

So we are sill waiting to move to the wonderful gala that Bryon will Be served as Be serving desert.

Don't forget me. I'm still waiting on music to impress the captain.

I'm travelling for the coming week for work, so I may not be able to post again until next Sunday at the earliest.

So... we have a few players on break?

I’ve been traveling lately but seem to be caught up.

I’m still building my new home and Melissa’s new Inn. It’s going very well all the goblins love the twisted tower!

No one seems to have popped into the Breakwater thread, which is why I ask.

I was waiting to follow the others.  ?

I'll be making two posts later.

sorry i haven't posted lately, life has been insane

I am really confused. What is the timeline?
I know we are in different days but I am confused anyway.
This is how I see things:
1) Bryon dances for The Captain/ while Godioque is with Florian
2) Bryon sleeps with The Captain/ most everyone else is at Breakwater
2)a Bryon will talk to Druk here or in 4?
3) Bryon is in current time with Gondioque
4) Bryon will uhh talk to Druk?

Please help

The Caberus House is the next day; my take.

See, everything falls into place.  Don't worry so much.

It's in my nature.

Hungover; my take.

Sorry for the delays; in the process of being job hunted.

Organization....

Gondioque has sent a letter to the Tyrant.

She has helped set up a messenger service.

She is exploring the possibility of creating an artsy industry using shells. See Cabreus House thread.

She want to discuss matters with Titus.

I will be traveling across the country and back this week.  Thanksgiving airport madness awaits!

Sorry Ben.  I lost my place in this one and to be honest, it doesn't feel like the sort of place where Haakon belongs.

Gondioque had plans for Haakon. I note slow posting. Maybe it's time to discuss the game. To me, the logic has the group building up organizations that can make money. Then the organizations can become instruments. However, I'm not sure whether a quasi-business simulation is all that interesting to the group.

That is the sort of thing one expects to see pms used for but i don't mind watching.

I'm thinking general discussion.

I think/hope Bryon and Druk are a half-day+ ahead. Bryon and Gondioque, if memory serves, had an interaction.

In reply to Gondioque Bourgogne (msg # 100):

A rather nice one, which was almost a very nice one.

Haakon doesn't mind the quasi business thing, indeed that was what he had been playing all along, hence his trip down the Danube before the reset.  But he's most definitely not an urban character.

I'm kinda lost.

Where is everyone?

The game is at a standstill.

Gondioque is at the waterfront shopping area by you. She also will be at the Cabreas Inn the next afternoon holding a meeting with all the PCs if she can contact Titus. Bryon and she have finished a next-morning post (before any meeting).

Sorry I’ve been slow - I. Just didn’t know what to write and was waiting to see if anything else was going on.

I’m still here as always - I was also still watching 539 but that hasn’t had a post for a long time.

So let's fade to black on the Breakwater and jump to the next morning?

There is a new thread!
I must have done something wrong, no one noticed.

The Meeting With the Teacher.  This is the following day, with Florian, and anyone accompanying, who can worm his or her way into the story line.

Sorry; yes.  I'll post presently.

Sorry for being distracted. Long story short, I think I just sank a lawsuit from a crazy/psycho/(expletive deleted) ex-coworker for wrongful termination with the cataclysmic power of timely documentation showing complaints against her on both a professional and personal level.

Yah for paper trail.

are we back?

We're sort of back, with the story moved to Massillia, where the characters are up against a Goth tyrant.

Sounds like a job for Bulwyf the dragon slayer, demon slayer and such.

We have to come with a reason for him to be here, then.

Titus has been gone a long time.

Hello, sorry for my unannounced absence! The past several weeks have been rather harrowing at work, but I'm hoping to be able to be on more consistently now.

I'm still here, classes have been busy

Gondioque is stuck until Titus answers the knocking.

Gondolique, I posted in the House Mercator after you did.

You described 'visiting' and I described 'arriving'.

So... We're both there?

I think it's more a matter of Titus hasn't heard a knock, because it doesn't seem as anyone has arrived, and wouldn't be answering the door even if he did. (Life is good as a noble, no?) ;)

I do check to see if there is a post for me,

I've been so busy and I am so sorry about it. I will get caught up after exams this week, will post then.

We've hit the point where without any interest on the characters's part there is no where for me to take this.

I'm interested, Ben, but it seems as if Gondioque and I have been paused for a while... Granted, RL has had me rather distracted and I've been unable to check in here more than a few times a week, but I posted in my thread at the beginning of April (link to a message in this game) and have been waiting for something to happen there, so I thought that you had actually lost interest!

Whatever the case, sorry for the silence from here!

I've been checking at least once per day. Ben, what sort of game do you have in mind here?

Intrigue and rebellion?
Orc civil war?
Raid by Vandals?
Ostogoths invade?

Necromancer to the west menaces everybody?
Visigoths declare war on Burgundy? On the elves?
Dragons decide to take over?

I would like to link the characters together to make some sort of adventuring group, to follow a single arc instead of diverging.

Is there any way to bring Gondioque and Titus into the Minerva Academy arc?

G&T are going to the slave mart. they could go to the teaher's area in their tour later and walk in to the current time there.

they could be psst-ed that it would be a good idea to go there.

Bryon could suggest that the Princess would be a wonderful addition. They search her out and find her with Titus. Bonus! Two for one!

I am happy to be moved in whatever direction works best for you and the story, Ben.

I think we can manage that.

I am going to start a new thread to kick things off again.

Belenus and Druk? Guess Florian is gone.

Here, sorry

In the process of moving - and busy I thought I would just wait a bit and let the rich people figure things out.

Not here but... 66666

I will be AFK from tomorrow the 6th to Thursday the 18th.

Im back, just fyi

Sorry Druk, I’ve edited to respond to your delightful post. ;-)

*Nudge*

Been distracted by Personal Life!  Now I am back.

Bryon is hoping to be part of Gondioque's retinue. That gives her a good excuse to be here. Or she is here as a servant from the hotel catering deal. Either I'm good with.

Gondioque regards Bryon. I think you, if you're willing, should be an attendant for me. Just be yourself; you can go of on your own as the party develops. You probably will be asked about me. You can be candid.

Well! That's quite an introduction. BTW, Bryon is like Mr. Rogers...sorta.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL3xSctTB5c

You know I didn’t think of that before but she is a lot like Fred Rodgers. He had his own little world of make believe that he preferred to the real one, he always wanted to be friends, yea I totally see that.

Tomorrow I get back from holiday travelling and return to writing posts!

Hey Ben, just checking in to say hi, Happy New Year and holidays to you and folks. I haven't been on RPOL much at all the past year or so. I'm glad they didn't deactivate my account. Bill S. had a heart attack. Last I heard he was recovering at his sisters place. Be Well.

Well...long time no see.

Nice to see you. =-)

Parsley scrambled and let’s attack the lurker!

Ha ho!!!!

The whimsied wizard charges and vanishes once again before making contact. Perhaps he was never really there.

Well it's good to hear most of us are okay, Steve.  I will have to check on Bill.

I’m still here Boss, just watching The Princess work.

Happy me.  Started a 6th decade on the planet a few days ago.  It's been grand, in spite of the modern Plague running about willy nilly.

Well congrats, young man. I outrank you by about 2.5 years in those terms. ;)

Just thought I'd pop by for old times' sake, haven't been on RPol in nearly a year until today.

Grats. And here I thought I was feeling old in my fifties. Glad to see the old gamers still kicking the gaming can down the road. I've also dropped from rpol for a while and only recently returned though at a much reduced rate.

I’m here boss. You have been giving attention to Gondioque, and I don’t mind, but I am still here. Waiting patiently.

With Titus gone, I need to sleep on this before posting. I gatgher we have three active players.

Druk is here however I am now traveling for an indefinite period of time. I don’t know if I will have enough off time to post regularly or be working long shifts it all starts today.

I’ve edited my post, Hope you enjoy.

Maybe advert? Honestly I would not be opposed to making this a 5e game, they get lots of attention.

For this type of game, in my opinion, I don't think the rule system really matters that much...

I agree. I know a lot of people who won't even apply unless its 5e though.

Steve, if Ben thinks it's a good idea, care to b e a Rogue?

I'd play just about any character but I'm pretty busy trying to run 2 table top games remotely. I might be able to swing something like 1/week. I am reluctant to commit to something when I don't know if I'll be able to participate in it properly.

I hope this interests you.

I've been thinking about this game. The setting, IMO, is too promising to disappear. One problem with it is Gondioque. In one way, she's the character who is central to what is going on IC: Center of the speeder's web. In another, she's not a character who wo9ud be trying to sneak into Minerva's temple. So she could be reported to and could make suggestions, and who would do her thing...which is to interact with petitioners, business people, and VIPs. Also, she's royalty with concerns beyond Massilia. I'd need to discuss her with Ben. In addition, she has two NPCs, I think: A handmaid and a clerk. Discussion about that.


Thoughts about PCs, with some reference to who they are:
For Minerva's temple, I'd suggest
Byron, a sorceress who is also a priest of Venus with two special abilities iwth skin touching: Positive, sensual thrill; negative, any evil being's flesh will, at Bryon's will, turn into semi-liquid goop.
Druk, a demon hunter
Florian replacement: Rogue who wants racial equlity
Dwarven fighter who accompanied Gondioque to demonstrate the solidity of the dwarven-human alliance
Priest(ess) of Minerva

Thaat maay bee toooo foocuuseed oon aa siinglee chaaraacteer.

Bryon is not a priestess. She worships no gods.

Color me surprised to see this one pop up on my radar as having new posts! :)

I"m not talking abut Gondioque dominating others in the game. She's not suitable for regular d&d dungeon crawling etc.

I was writing about Byron adding to her character.

What I was writing about was using the setting for a viable game setup. It may be that Gondioque should be back in Burgundy, not in this setting. If so, what is the premise of the game?
I'm glad of the comments; I hope there are ideas for salvaging this game.

Ben had a number of different threads running simultaneously which is a huge amount of effort to run. The upside of that is that different types of PC's could do different types of things. However, running a game that way is hugely time consuming and difficult to maintain over time. How Ben did it for so many years is truly an amazing feat. That said, having a focused one party game makes it a whole lot easier for a GM to run the game. However, that means the PC's will have to be onboard for the type of adventure that's being planned and work together. Naturally that involves some compromises and may not be for everyone. It's also sometimes hard to entirely let go of something that you put more than a decade of your life into so there's that too. It's Ben's game so whatever he decides I'll support.

I'm thinking in terms of the PCs, with Gondioque not present, going into Minerv's temple. As Ben wishes, she can be involved in diplomatic, and maybe business stuff in general or whatever detail seems worthwhile for game success.

I have learned a few things over time, regarding what I can make work and what I can't.

It's a matter of "GM Demand Per Character".

When the Demand is relatively light I can have a lot of characters.
When the Demand is high it means only a few.

Demand is reduced when the same GM input can respond to multiple characters.  In a simply old fashioned fight the monster take the treasure game, one "What are the Orcs doing now?" post works for the whole party.  Demand goes up when a character wants to have involved exchange with an NPC that has nothing to do with the goals of the party as a whole.

Here, things trended to the extreme end of demand.  The characters developed their own agendas, their own things they want to do, and in the case of one Treant, pretty much an entire tangential world.

Everyone wants their own solo game, basically.  I can't do that.

I have been thinking of a game to run, but it wouldn't be like this.  It would be more old school in style.  Party faces common obstacles, in pursuit of common goal.

And so Gondioque passes into the annals of alternate history. Thank you, Ben, for your past and present GMing. And thank you, Bryon and Druk.

Welcome. Ben you know what this game has meant to me. If you need anything dont hesitate.

What I would need is an idea, how we centralize things and make a common arc for the characters.

I'm thinking the urban sandbox doesn't work for that, too many temptations to run off on different paths.

How about-
PCs are invited to a wedding, but must cross the continent in order to arrive in...Italy or Greece, even Great Brittan could work. It is a common goal. Along the way they are stopped...very often...and asked for help.

"You are the great deed doers who follow Gondiuque. Please rescue my son/daughter/husband...great grandmother"...who cares. Rewards could be as simple as a warm place to sleep, a hot meal or bath, a book...whatever.

As word of their might deeds spread and get magnified as stories oft do, they are asked to perform more and more difficult tasks. Since the wedding is a year off they always seem to have time.

Once they arrive they might find something terrible has happened and only they have the power to make things right. That is off the top of my head though.

E.   The Alpine Dwarves
Once considered the western branch of the Rhaetian Dwarves, the Alpine Dwarves built great mountain cities south and east of the mighty Materhorn.  Now, they have left behind empty cities like Brigantium (Briancon) and Praetoria (Aosta) but they are gone.  Some small clans, families, and even isolated individuals claim to be left over from the Alpine Dwarves but have shared no knowledge of the fate of their kin.

I've *always* wanted to play in an all Dwarf campaign. :)

The others have provided some interesting possibilities. These could be mixed with seeking the cause of drastic salination and turbulance of the Rhine River combining aspects of the abandoned Alpine Dwarf areas. Which the group travel through where they are sought out to assist in resolving localised problems.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:15, Fri 17 July 2020.

I like playing dwarfs in general but a daily posting requirement I probably couldn't realistically maintain at ths point.

I did have a concept of the dwarves retreating into their mountains and undergrond cities, rebuilding their strength including the building of massive flying war machines and bringing the battle to the orcs and demons. The dwarves also created large teleport runes (with appropriate security restrictions) in their cities to allow fast coordination of troops allowing them to do more with less.

I also had a concept of the elves & fey retreating to cloud sky cities built with powerful magic. The elves also built sky ships but were much more elegant and not soley war based.

Humans in general like freedom. Given the chance, many/most of them will fight for it. Pretty much any obstacle can be (eventually) overcome with magic and tactics. I thought if the current leaders of the orcs/demons could be goaded or tricked into battling each other..which is typical for evil based creatures then they are much easier to defeat independantly rather than united.

The artifact of legend. A god/goddess decides to assist mankind with an artifact that will greatly assist in the downfall of the current regime. Something like a crown of leadership and persuasion that must be worn by a lawful good pc. But finding the crown is not enough. It must be 'powered' by some number of magic gems that have been scattered about the lands that the party must find and acquire. Some may be guarded by monsters, creatures of power, or even orcs/demons themselves requiring a variety of force, persuasion and trickery to get the job done.

Well that's all I got for now. Got to get back to work.

The idea of having the characters do some necessary journey sounds appealing.  Sure, it's a very standard story mechanism, but it's been around for so long because it works.  Lord of the Rings, Wizard of Oz, even Star Wars was a journey story.

And long before that, what did King Arthur do when they needed a new plot line?

"Dudes, Road Trip to Find the Holy Grail!"

So, we will come up with a Road Trip.

Gather quests are always good.  They're fairly linear with beginnings and ends.  I'll vote for the Dwarves along the lines of Steve, particularly his last point.  Such as, they are making efforts to reconnect their scattered lands throughout the world, by tunnel, mystic gate, or "simple" teleport portal.

In a particular hold, a new jarl has risen to lead the clan which once held the line of the Dwarven high seat.  Ancient prophecies say a Dwarf from this clan will someday unite the clans again and this young jarl has taken it to mean him or herself, supported by a somewhat sketchy priest encouraging such thinking.  PCs are all from said clan and are given tasks to complete in pursuit clan goals.  They head out into the world and hilarity ensues.

I have to veto the whole “everyone is a dwarf” thing. First I only play humans, sometimes halfelves, but 99.99% of the time it is human. I don’t mind playing with a dwarf, but being a dwarf, no thank you.

Now if I am allowed to play a not-dwarf with all you dwarves, then I can do that. I can be Snowhite and you guys can be my...seven...shorter than normal friends?

So yea. Veto the everyone is a dwarf. Sorry to the dwarf lovers.

Well, hmmm...that was mite sharper than expected.  I do try never to "veto" anyone else's fun, suggesting they ought to confine their play to my ideas.  We're just tossing around ideas and trying to entice Ben with wonderful ideas.  Fortunately, it's Ben and I expect we've each developed a level of confidence in his ability to negotiate our fractious ways and tell amazing stories. :)

It also is unusual to tell everyone what sort of character they will play. As you said, I have total confidence in Ben.

I'll just let this go.  No one's told anyone what they can or can't play.  Brainstorming without negating other's ideas seems to be a forgotten art.  Maybe something will happen and maybe it won't.  But I'll not comment further.

Brainstorming

IMO, Gondioque would be doing her own (Bungundy's interests) things. She would not be in the group activity. For one thing, she's royalty, so automatic leader unless ousted--no good. If anything, I'd be writing stuff for Ben to consider regarding
alternate history events. There are the Visigoths and Ostogoths to deal with. (I'd mourn for Gondioque to disappear, and I think there's a campaign use for her regarding later contact with PCs.)

Remarks about the current situation (as I'm guessing it). Burgundy is an expanding power with friendly relations with the dragons and the kingdom to the north (forgot the 512 AD events here), and neutral relations with the Franks to the west (who are ineffectual). Burgundy and the Dwarven lands to the southwest have a firm alliance to the point that the people travel freely among themselves and there is some intersettlement. The Savoy elves are weighing whether they should join in this alliance.

Burgundian people are settling in the little-used lands along the Rhone toward the Orkish lands. Burgundy is expanding eastward and furthering workable relations with Orcs in the area.

It would be natural for the dwarf-elven-human powers near the abandoned to investigate the abandoned dwarven area because to-be-determined. The idea of the powers is these are lands for future settlement.

P.S. Kobolds are present, modified from the canon. If one wants the exotic, one could be a kobold character.

I have an idea for a campaign.
Actually I have a blending of ideas from the discussion.

It actually works as a follow on to the Massilia Campaign:  By luck or effort, Titus, Gondioque, Druk and Bryon have caught wind of an Orcish plot.

The reported gathering and march to war against the Ostrogoths, which so many of the Orcs have talked about, is really a diversion.  A powerful Orc leader has uncovered a secret, and has sent various stooges and flunkies out to search for something.  The Orc army was assembled to make others think the servants of the Over-Tyrant are merely scouting, because sending your stooges and flunkies out on searches draws lots of attention, and even the Over-Tyrant has enemies.

The characters can either be the characters from the Massilia campaign, or Heroes You Have Recruited... somehow.

(No, we don't need Bryon to explain how)

Sounds interesting.

Just like Massilia I'm going to target this as 5th level, because to me, that's where all the fun is, the characters are advanced enough to be heroes, but still have room to grow before it gets to the "Every encounter becomes wickedly complicated with characters and opponents having entire pages of spells and special abilities" of the higher levels.

That also means some characters, if they want, can import directly.  Others we may have to adjust.

Okay, one off kilter sprite.

In reply to Ben (msg # 187):

The woes of surf deprivation...

Fiddle de de... it looks like the long legged are trying to play hide and sneak.

new characters?

I've been waiting for input from Bryon and/or Druk.

I am staying, of course. Ill be converting back to warlock.

New characters for some.  Should be 5th level.

A male human rogue? Stats or point buy or go through questionnaire?

Will he be suave, dashing, and handsome?

Another question is, I think, more relevant.

Druk would like to continue

In reply to Gondioque Bourgogne (msg # 194):

Go straight to point buy, 5th level 30 points.

What could possibly be more relevant??

Sexual orientation.

Eh...regardless he can still be pined over.

POOF!

Human male ugly skills monkey who is a librarian research consultant in the stacks, not front desk) ostensibly. 6 CHA OK?

No Orangutans

Huh?

Everyone's favorite library monkey(primate, actually).  I thought that's where  you were going.

Nope. But a charisma of 6 is how I see the character...not to mention that I want to use two precious points for worthier purposes.

Portrait: mfr 053 rogue p. 2

Alopecia universalis Body hair gone.

Well, what do we need character wise? I can fill gaps.

My new character would like to be acting as a servant to somebody who is traveling on horseback.

In reply to Gondioque Bourgogne (msg # 209):

ME! I need a servant.

Good. That will fit: The Charisma will more-or-less balance.

Byron have we travelled together.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Wed 29 July 2020.

Nope, we’ve never met. Your group didn’t want more crazy. I’ve always wanted to meet you IC.

In reply to Bryon (msg # 213):

Cool... We free thinkers can spice up things... ;^)

I have spent the day, a long day, either driving or waiting around. Hope to get description and character sheet done Saturday.

Is Greynull in the room.with Byron?

No. At the moment, he's holding yarn with tow hands for Gondioque's maidservant's knitting.

In reply to Greynull Nepris (msg # 217):

Noted.

Anybody else joining?

That's a very good question.

Do we have a group here?

Are we getting a game organized, or is it just shenanigans?

Have you requested players?

No, I figured we had enough, but most haven't checked in.

Sooo... hello?  Who have we got?  Just the 3, Bryon, Mystal and Greynul?

I’m here Ben

I know I'm here, and I apologize for being gone for so busy, classes killed me

Druk

What is the relationship between Gondioque and Mystal?

In reply to Gondioque Bourgogne (msg # 227):

Both are Princesses...

:^)

Gondioque will, I hope, be speaking to you soon. I've been slow.

Mystral, can you pass as human or or maybe half-elven?

In reply to Gondioque Bourgogne (msg # 230):

Hum... a strapping 11" tall. Besides she  flies about and is generally invisible 24/7.

Humm an half giant orc character in an campaign that has the race as the enemy.

There may be trust issues.

It's a pitty you both aren't interested in addressing this.

Bryon really doesn’t care what anyone is. She just wants to be friends.

Greynull...who knows what he is thinking?

Could someone explain to poor Mystal just why it is that Druk is trusted?
It would seem an odd situation to a stranger.

I think we should travel with the caravan. North - East is ok. We aren’t in a big hurry, right?

I made it clear I am not going to run a game for split up characters.  No.

There are issues to resolve and the game isn't moving forward until/unless they are.

"But that's how my character behaves" is not a solution.

In reply to Ben (msg # 238):

Noted, and will wait accordingly

Sorry guys

trust issues - yes that makes sense.

Druk was made as an Ook a kind of gentle orc - he's a rogue with all kinds of alternate class features but is not really much of a fighter

I had made him based on an episode of one of the old game where Cirostis and Dunduin and Arctos came across a bunch of Ooks. Ooks are basically Orc slaves

Druk freed himself and works finding people urban tracker - he's had a lot of time with Gondioque in the recent reboot and made a business with her - but trust? i don't know maybe Gondioque has a hunch...

Gondioque would have to handle this IC.

It's been  a week.  No progress.  I guess we can assume no one has sufficient interest in continuing, then?

In reply to Ben (msg # 242):

No quite, it could be a case of waiting for thread progression.

I believe the party is starting out east.

I decided it is best to impart her findings to Greynull rather than Byron; who has a predisposition for random actions.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:59, Fri 30 Oct 2020.

Sorry Ben, everything has been on11 for me. Lately. I’m hoping to return in another week. I don’t mind if you assume Druk’s actions for a bit. I will be back.

I gathered that thank you Did Byron say anything?

Nope.

In reply to Bryon (msg # 248):

Thus the ?

Anything she would say would give away that they know something. She isn’t the wisest person but she does remember things pretty well, and she has been told often anough not to “spill the beans” that she just keeps her cake hole closed.

In reply to Bryon (msg # 250):

Ah, so the bean were spilt by Greynull

Where are you three sleeping? I'd rather post after Greynull knows.

A lovely bed...soft and warm.

Man I hope that covers us.

In reply to Bryon (msg # 254):

Send in Thud the 500lb thug

I believe Thud was my first PC I played in Ben's game pre RPOL and that was many many moons ago. He nearly got taken out at first level by a woman wielding a metal pie plate or frying pan as best I can recall. Never underestimate a passionate cook! The great adventures continued from there.

Mystal hasn't responded as she didn't hear Greynull

I am reminded of the Smothers' Brothers routine where, in the middle of a fast paced folk song, Dick says "Take it, Tom!" and Tom doesn't 'take it'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Kj_ZoQZUps

In reply to Ben (msg # 258):

And rightly so...

Byron finds that her clothes have deteriorated so much that they littery fall off her.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 21:40, Thu 11 Mar 2021.

Oops

Why would that happen?

Druk will try to get a job for the Orks if the humans in town don't talk to him.

Good idea, Druk.

Should I do a story jerk and have Greynull be with Bryon while she looks around, perhaps to find work? I'm uncertain what Mystal is doing, but is seems she could flit around the prison and find out things.

I think at some point we need to get together and make a plan. But I believe we can do better if it doesn’t seem like we are together.

Mystal can you go flit around the prison without being seen and get an idea of who what and where the prisoner is?

It’s been so long but I think our goal is to get the prisoner out.

Then what?

More adventure?

Ideas:

Bryon scouts out the town for possible getaways.

Mystal scouts the fort so a plan can be made.

Druk fishes and scouts water approaches. (Sell fish to fort personnel?)

Greynull can either fish or be Bryon servant.

My thoughts exactly

I’ll just continue as I am early morning I’ll go out to the road into town to meet with you guys and explicitly share
This message was last edited by the player at 04:01, Wed 14 Apr 2021.

Cool! Make it a game, tell Bryon there is a man or a magic bobble or something that she has to find. Fun times, noodle salad.

In reply to Greynull Nepris (msg # 268):

Any reconnaissance of the Fort is limited to areas with open accessibility. As Forts generally place cells in their lower levels locating the prisoner is a matter of luck.

I don’t get what I s going on is Mystal not a scouting type character? Is she arguing with Greynull?

If you guys can include us in this maybe we can work something out? I don’t really know what kinds of roles mystal and greynull want I’m guessing Grey is more front line.

If mystal is refusing to scout or can’t do it let me know and I’ll find a way to get a job at the fort or something

In reply to Druk (msg # 272):

Hum.. Infiltrate a gang of orcs, to locate a prisoner and break them out of a cell and chains Isn't that what warrior types do best...
This message was last edited by the player at 06:18, Thu 06 May 2021.

Um maybe I don’t get the sarcasm but that seems hostile.

I just want to help cater to what you as a player want in playing the game so we all work together.

We can make a plan for just the three of us if that is preferred and Mystal can engage when she wants?

So .... Druk can go the other way and try to infiltrate- I thought that was too risky but we could try it. I am great at disguise. And gather information so if I can get I with the Orcs eventually it might work

Or we could use Bryons spells. Are there any spells that could help locate the prisoner?

Greynull do you have any skills or ideas?

Yes, two questions. Mystal, what are you intentions? What do you want out of this game?

In reply to Greynull Nepris (msg # 275):

It's the same as yours, to rescue the prisoner.

Not at all, don't you think she gets along with you?
This message was last edited by the player at 07:14, Fri 07 May 2021.

Some thoughts.

Glass half full or half empty?

Mystal does have reduce size. She's already tiny so she probably could be so small to fit through openings in most door stops and bottoms or maybe even large keyholes.

Other options is she can summon a water or air creature. Both of which can probably get through doors.

A third possbility may be a creative use of the mending spell. Like perhaps there is a way to reverse it on a door.

Fourth option is to wait or trick someone or something to open the door for you. Numerous options for doing that.

This of course is assuming doors are the actual problem...

This party has got to figure out a way forward, and if players are so committed to playing characters that cannot contribute, why don't we scrap them and refigure things with workable characters that can contribute?

I agree.

Mystal is quite prepared to venture into the complex with company. Sending one character alone is a good way to loose the character, as they have a limited field of sight. So far the characters have been of the opinion she reconn unaccompanied.

Has Mystal suggested that?
You can't just react, you must advance your own ideas.  If you have a plan, present it!

Hey Byron let us Faeri explore this prison together...
This message was last edited by the player at 01:25, Mon 10 May 2021.

First find out the fort's layout and personnel schedule.

Second, figure a way in.

Third, free the prisoner with least disturbance possible. Might even be possible to have a dummy look like the prisoner.

Fourth, get out of town, perhaps by boat to a near shore.

Second first, first second. Byron has offered to cast invisibility to help so go for it.

If the prisoner is found why leave them there especially since the he's accessible and can be freed at that instance.

Possibility:

Fort has a boat landing. Mystal and Bryon (invisible) are in boat, as are Druk and Greynull. The males catch fish, land at the landing, Mystal and Bryon get out as the guards approach. Druk tries to sell fish direct to fort, cutting out middleman.

If they buy, Druk and Greynull return some time later to sell more. If they don't, maybe Bryon has to swim away from fort.

Looks like a good idea to me.

Knock knock..

Umm hello Mystra.  did you just awaken the game?

Wow!  I didn't expect this game to pop back up with unread messages!  I do have nostalgia about it, though.  It sure was fun while it lasted.

I miss you all!

Checking to see if Ben is about and to wish all a HNY

Greetings folks. Been awhile. Do miss playing. I'm running a table top game and playing in another so I'm about at my limit for gaming until I retire which most likely won't be for at least 3 more years. Don't hear from Ben much but hopefully he'll check in at some point. One can hope anyway. HNY All.

I am NOT going Dwarf Delving!

Now this was a surprise. HNY!