...by all means, continue.

Well done!

Whooo hooo, new thread!  I call shotgun!

In reply to Nadya (msg # 3):

Knock 'em dead girl!

Only if you have shotgun proficiency.

To dangle a girl is all well and fun,
But if she has a brother, you better run.
I'm down in the bottom of the well.
Its late, and its night, and there's no rope to climb. I'm down in the bottom of the well.
I'll stop now.

In reply to Amalric (msg # 5):

If I use buckshot, I am almost guaranteed to hit somethingone!

 Story time.
When I got my first shotgun, and went out for lessons, for the certification, I was with a group of seven. Four of them couldn't hit the paper target with bird shot, let alone the 9mm shot.  My first turn was messy, but it hit.   Oh, and those four, we are talking for the whole class.

Shush. Fictional buckshot is much more fun than real life buckshot.

In most games I can hit 2-3 people with a shotgun at 7 yds.

Irl my Remington 870 throws a pattern about the size of the palm of my hand at 7yds (With 00). It would be bigger with birdshot (#8 for the curious) but still way smaller than a cheap paper plate.

The general mayhem of rpg shotguns is just plain more exciting.

New thread!  New thread!

 Right, I'm going to need to pick the brain of the collective.

I'm helping a DM run a game, because his aid is off due to family stuff.  I need an image for a long-running NPC, just for the party's mental benafit, that's orcish, male and bald,   If anyone is useing an image or knows of an image that fits these characteristics... could you kindly give me the tag number?

MCM341 might work.

mfd089 has an overweight bald orc or half-orc in banded armor.
mfd300 also has a sad or contemplative bald orc in a breastplate.
mfd416 has an angry bald orc barbarian with leather bandoleers.
mfd585 has a dour looking bald half-orc in a cloak clasped with a brooch.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:21, Thu 27 Jan 2022.

Thank you both, I'll snatch one of these and run.

There's a 5gp Gang Green royalty on snatch and flee jobs. Just sayin'. ;)

Or is this a kidnapping? We need to know for our bookkeeping.

And the requisite paperwork will cost extra, naturally.

Some of the adjectives for half-orcs are clearly redundant: dour, angry, bald, etc. Clearly those should be taken as given, and only exceptional cases explicitly mentioned - jovial, eccentric, intellectual with an umbrella, and the like.

In reply to Amalric (msg # 16):

My wizard in my Strange Aeons game carries an umbrella, as he is quite mad, his name is appropriately Zagyg! I stole one from Gary himself!

Hey all,

I had to make a sudden trip to my parents' house, sans notes. I'll be back at it on Sunday.

We shall await the sun's return, with hope that all will be well in the Sun's journey. We shall fight the dark with fires and candles.

Translation: May the DM's journey be safe, and we hope all is well with family.

@DM - I hope you have a nice weekend.

It was a 'help the parents' weekend but it went okay.

Updating all tomorrow.

Way cool that it was a help the parents weekend Jeff, rather than an emergency.

In reply to Hauraki (msg # 22):

Yes, good to hear.

The hint of judgemental reproach made me smile:

No offence taken; I like it. Evaga wouldn't even notice if it was said to her face. One advantage of being socially inept.

Another character in our group noted that our party doesn't lack for bold characters, and that boldness is usually tempered by experience. Usually. :)

 A DM that was running the other D&D game I was in, before I had to leave RPOL for a while, loved to put traps right behind doors.  Sometimes walking in triggered the trap, sometimes just opening the door triggered the trap.     It wasn't a sure thing mind, so Lady or tiger references   were made often.

Updating all groups tomorrow.

Updates tomorrow.

that's what you said last week...

In reply to Goruug (msg # 29):

It isn’t tomorrow yet.  Soon though.

 Taunting the DM,  risky business that.

Level  three thief
Just a girl in the world.
Statement one  is contrary to statement two me thinks.

I am a girl of contradictions.

Isn't that redundant?

I represent that remark.

Heavy migraine today. Therefore, tonight's update is postponed until tomorrow. Sorry, all.

Feel better soon!

Thanks!

In reply to DMJSC (msg # 35):

Hope you are feeling better.  I'll whisper just in case.

Sorry to hear. Nasty things. We'll still be here when you're ready for us.
Best wishes!
This message was last edited by the player at 23:06, Wed 16 Feb 2022.

Get well soon!

Have you talked to your doctor about allergy testing?

Yeah, I watch my diet regularly, but I've had chronic migraines since I was a kid. The difference now is I have preventatives and rescue meds that help, but sometimes I still have to crash for a few hours if it's a bad one. I know I sound like I get a lot (which I used to) but my Botox shots have really cut down on the overall number of migraines I get each month.

In reply to DMJSC (msg # 42):

Hope you're doing better Jeff.

Much. Thanks!

In reply to DMJSC (msg # 44):

My next character is going to be a cleric of some sort who goes around burying all the dead monsters/giants/etc that adventurers slay.

Ever think about it, there has to be bones nearly everywhere, in game.

Corpses into the portable hole for the necromancer to create undead later on.....

One guy I played with dragged a wagon around to add the corpses to his necromancer's  "charnel heap."

"Bring  out your dead!"..........If only we had a wheel barrow and a chaos cloak!"

Did I not put those on our list of assets?

Gelatinous cubes are on clear-up duty. If we stop kiling them.

I cant stop,I wont stop....and  cant  nobody tell me nothing

I thought gelatinous cubes were on the dessert cart?

Right, for all you magic types, I'm going to be taking over a level 4 human mage in another game, Advanced D&D, and can either pick stinking cloud, or levitate as my second level spell. I'm kind of undecided on this.  I have shield as my first level spell, and that's it.   So, utility and the possibility to drop heavy objects on people, or  stink cloud, what would you pick?

I'd personally go with levitate. Stinking cloud is great, but depending on your DM you might just have monsters run through it whilst holding their breath or something else that they metagame to reduce its effectiveness.

Levitate has many and varied uses including defense, exploration and rescue :)

. . . but Stinking Cloud can be hilarious at parties!

I'd go with levitate. It is an offensive spell too. It can hold an opponent on place, unable to move. Then use ranged attacks.

Yeah I don't think that would wash when the spell says creatures caught within the spell area MUST save versus poison and the spell effects visual and olfactory organs as well.  In reality (IMO) Stinking Cloud is far too powerful to be level 2.

I'd always go with Stinking Cloud because I like spells that can't be saved against.  Levitate is neutralised with a successful saving throw, Stinking Cloud is still effective even if saved against.

Creatures that emerge that make their saving throws are still helpless for 1 complete round.  That's helpless.  As the DMG says pg 167



Stinking cloud can be a kill spell even to creatures far more powerful than you and when a mage of mine has one he usually always carries it in reserve for emergencies.  Get yourself a Necklace of Adaptation and you become a killing machine since you can dump the spell upon yourself and remain unharmed whilst everyone around you is spluttering and choking.

Levitate might seem useful but it is seldom used.

Anyone who has played a drow was used to having levitate innate

It was sometimes useful

Stinking cloud is offense and defense in one.  Take it!!!

This message was deleted by the player at 04:20, Sat 26 Feb 2022.

I've used stinking cloud to get the party out of nasty scrapes.
I've found awesome hidden treasure using levitate.

Which you choose should be influenced by the type of game the DM is running and the balance of classes in the party (e.g., lots of fighters might mitigate the value of stinking cloud; a DM who never hides treasure in ceilings or down pits would make levitate less useful; etc.).

Hauraki has it right, Stinking Cloud is way too powerful for lvl2. Any spell that still affects you even after a successful saving throw is a game-changer.

SC wins.
I learned moments ago that I will be inside a sizeable bandit camp, with only  a few spell conponents hidden on my person. I'll be a prisoner of said bandit camp.    Stinking Cloud just seemed like  the way to go.

In a bandit camp Levitate won't cut it, unless you want to become a pin cushion.

In my live group, the party's paladin has boots of levitation. They find all sorts of useful ways to implement his levitation ability. But in a bandit camp? Yeah, I'd go with stinking cloud as well. :D

Right so if  you are a ranged character for sure levitation can keep you out of melee range and get  you up into a tree  and has potential to escape lots of situations....

But SC utility far outweighs it for battle field control, offense/defense, etc....

Oh, yeah...SC is a no-brainer if you're a prisoner in a bandit camp. Have fun!

All I know is it's WAY harder to win Pool of Radiance without Stinking Cloud.

Is it me or has it been just a little quiet? I ask because the front page has said I have unread posts, but then when I go to a game there isn't any. I am using the r.rpol.net interface and wondering if there is a bug...

You can get that when someone posts in a group you don't belong to or if group permissions are changed.  It has, however, been a bit slow in my games of late, perhaps in part due to World Crises and partly time of year.

We're still here though.

Last couple of days have been surprisingly quiet for me as well.

I'm just glad that others are seeing the bug and it's not just me.

You can always check the cast list for the latest post dates. But yeah it seems slower.

Everything seems normal to me. I'm still using the clunky old Web 1.0 site though.

Sorry, all - had a heckuva week, including one ER visit, two late nights at work, and a migraine until just a couple hours ago to finish out the week. Now I can update all groups and games.

@ Gilbert - great hit!

***
Edit - @DM: just saw the above post - Hope you feel better v soon. Best wishes!
This message was last edited by the player at 14:06, Sat 05 Mar 2022.

Take it easy for this week end! You can update next week.

Hope you feel better very soon, DMJSC!


So do I plus I suppress (do not display) the avatars. My needs are simple, just clean lines and clear text.

This message was deleted by the player at 22:53, Sat 05 Mar 2022.

Updates later tonight.

47,000 posts in the game! Everyone have a round of Skullwhomper on me!

This message was deleted by the player at 21:52, Thu 10 Mar 2022.

*clinks a mug to Wehostan’s*

Skoal!

Does Wehostan even chew that brand? I think you mean "skol!".

And who draped this pendant pendent on me????

What is a "pendant pendent?"

It is a pendant that is pendent (hanging/suspended).

tax season ,been super busy at work, I will get my posts in later today.

Hi Nadya!

Is the pendant pendent from a pedant?

I prefer to remain independant

Ha! That's a gem.

Seriously? Quit yankin' my chain.

You need a magic jar spell to do that.

"Son of a horcrux!"

Hey all, visiting the parents this weekend. Have a great weekend! Resuming Monday.

Have a nice visit!

Enjoy your time together.

In reply to Delmedus (msg # 98):

Enjoy them while you have them. I lost mine more than 20 years ago. Miss them terribly.

Have a good time, boss.

In reply to Sard (msg # 100):

If you still have your parents, you should talk to them at least weekly and visit when you can. I saw my parents at least every week and talked to them every day. That all ends when they're gone.

It's a spelling error. Actually two. Try "pedant pendant" instead.

I wish my kids understood that.  The only one I even get to talk to is in two online weekly games with me.  One hasn't talked to me in years.  That hurts.

I am rependant for all my thefts of pendants.......

I didn't speak to my dad from age 16 - 1987 (when he stopped coming for weekend visits) Until my son was baptized in 2002.

pre-covid, we went down for a week once a year.

So there is still hope.

The more time that goes by, the harder it'll be for either of you to bridge the gap.  He might want to talk but not know how.  Perhaps you need to be the bigger person and reach out.  I don't know your circumstances obviously so take that how it is intended.

My dad died a couple of years ago, but is still alive in my head in a hundred ways always ready to visit whenever I delve into my memories.  That takes some considered reasoning to understand, but it is true for everyone.  Our brains simply can't tell the difference between what we vividly imagine and physically experience.

Unfortunately that's not a concept many people want to entertain, but since we're all linear beings it's the best we get and I'll take it.

My mother who was always bubbly and positive, now just wishes she was dead which is sad as she has so much she could give if she just chose to look on the bright side of life.  I feel a song coming on....

I have no way to contact him.  He has blocked me on all social media, I have no number or address, or email for him and his siblings won't pass messages from me to him.  It is sad that he surrounds himself only with those who support him in this, but won't even tell me why he won't talk to me.

Perhaps they can tell you why he is angry at you. Good luck, I hope he comes around before it is too late.

What a sad story... but it can be still turn around.

I have the same thing with my younger brother.  Have not spoken to him in decades...no clue what the problem is.....

I have had a lot happen in my life, good, bad, indifferent, but that is the one thing my mind comes back to.

In reply to Falco (msg # 111):

I've spoken to my brother once in 20 years, haven't heard from my sister in 10 years, don't even know if they're alive or dead.

I can't assume to know your situations or why they are as they are. However, maybe write a sincere letter opening up and wanting to reconnect at their pace? Maybe have another sibling who is in touch pass it on.

Even if small it never hurts to try and bridge the gap or fix the one that was once there,especially from your side of it. At the end of the day though sadly, it is up to them and they are allowed to do cut those ties on their side of things. Eventually they may reach back out to you. It can be really painful either way though. I'm glad that despite things in my own family, that we still talk and communicate with each other even if we could be closer or not. I am sorry however that is the state of things for y'all, I hope the best for each of you through and through.

Can't, don't have an adress, when they moved, they said nothing. No phone, no email. It is as it is.

Sorry for the longer pause than usual - got sick over the weekend and was too wiped out to update. Tonight after dinner for sure, though.

Attention, all:

GaryCon is once again a live face-to-face convention, starting unofficially on Wednesday, the 23rd. GaryCon, combined with Spring Break immediately following, means that the odds of any game updates between March 23rd and April 4th approximate zero. I will be looking in and saying hello, but I won't be at my desktop, so I won't have my pdfs and docs to refer to.

I'd love to be able to go to GaryCon. I've known and talked to Ernie for years, but have never met him. Wish I could.

Noted, host stupid big dungeon party while DM is gone.

I kid.

Break out the silly string and cheez doodles!

I'd love to be able to go to GaryCon as well.  I've known of Ernie longer than he's known of me.  Actually I'm not sure he even knows I exist.  Boy will he be surprised.

I'm still not convinced that you exist. Can I take another saving throw?

What type of con is "GaryCon" anyway? I've heard of Ponzi Schemes, Three Card Monte, The Fiddle Game, etc...

In reply to Errol One-Eye (msg # 120):

It's a long con...not to be confused with LongCon in Longview, TX. ;)

I just ordered a dehydrator, so I’ll soon be able to produce my own iron rations for dungeon parties.

My cousin and I went to the oil museum in Longview in the 80s.  (my mom's side is from Tyler, was spending the summer with grandma.)

Nope, won't work.  I'm a figment of your deranged imagination.  You think that's bad, somehow I've come up with you.  I mostly don't tell anyone.

Ah, another student of the famed philosophical view of "I think I am, therefore I am... I think".

Never went to a con

In reply to Solomon Silverstream (msg # 126):

I never went to a game con, I used to attend Historicon for military miniatures, that was cool! Haven't been there in years either, expensive hobby. Time consuming, and I'm old now.

Hey? Who wants to help me get the decorations out from the crawl space?

I'm short! I'll help, sweetheart! :D

Skeletal remains are not really decorations!!!

Depends on the season/holiday, really. ;^)

I shall provide you with a possibly  useless fact.  If you take the final square root of any building's cost, or Keep with surrounding environment, then divide that square root by 52, since it originally is in weeks, you will get an accurate amount of time required to build it using the rules.

At least, so far, all examples I've done this with, it works.  The equally interesting thing is the time is pretty accurate, historically, for those castles I have of similar size, and time required.

Please note, this is an attempt to prevent a series of problems from other games from following me here.  This has so far not happened here, and I hope will not happen here, but as it has happened to me in other games, and given this is the last game I’m in on RPOL at this time,  I really want to stop a problem from following me:

1. I don’t hide the fact I’m blind.  I do my level best to adapt to it, to adjust to this  website, and contribute to the game as best I can. However,    I understand that not everyone wants to RP with someone with a disability - - please don’t post commentary on this fact - - it happens. Some people have anxiety over spiders, some people have anxiety over offending people with a disability.  If you RP with me, and it makes you anxious, please let me, or the DM no in a Private Message. I’ll leave if there is no way to properly  accommodate the player, or players in question, but please, please, don’t do it in an OOC thread.

2. If my posts are too long, if they need to be formatted differently, then, again, PM me. Let me know, I’ll make adjustments.  Again, please let me know before they drive you nuts, because I can’t make adjustments  if I don’t know.

3. If you think someone has offended me, by something, ask me about it. Private Line me, PM me, but ask, because it more than likely doesn’t/ hasn’t.  I’m a pretty patient guy, with a pretty long fuse, and I’ll usually give someone the benefit of the doubt in those  really rare instances where I am.  If it does happen, then I’ll handle it. In a Private Message.   Please don’t handle it for me, on my behalf.

Again, let me stress that so far none of this  has happened to me here, I hope it never will, but since it has happened,  I want to take steps to prevent headaches where I can.

Thanks, have a good one.

That's a really well formatted post for a blind guy!

I really can't imagine how hard it must be for you to use rpol, and I certainly don't mean to be rude, bit well bloody done!

In reply to Tyrian (msg # 133):

I'm seriously impressed too. Maybe I can get you to talk to my roommate someday if he loses his sight, he says if he goes blind he'll kill himself. He's diabetic and gets shots in his eye balls. Not happening quickly and he may pass away before that even happens. It depresses him badly though because all he does is read, he feels life is over if he can't read any more.

I'd game with you any day Tyrian, though you might not like gaming with me. I'm not verbose or descriptive like others.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:16, Sun 20 Mar 2022.

With text-to-voice and voice-to-text software, I'd actually think managing games on this site aren't too bad.

Anyway, Tyrian, I'm glad you're in the game and having fun. I haven't had the pleasure of having one of my PCs in a group with you, but maybe some day!

In reply to Wehostan, son of Bardolf (msg # 136):

Same here. My memory wouldn't keep up with it, he's definitely more with it than I am. I'm in 3 groups here, but not any with him either. Tern, Birahu, and Mitsubishi.

Quoted for truth; I moved into my condo nearly 30 years ago and we have two blind homeowners here (there were three back then). At first I'd give them very wide berth, as if they couldn't tell I was nearby (stupid, I know). Finally, I decided that I was being rude and they were very friendly people, so I just said 'Hi' and introduced myself.

Now I ask (always ask first!) if I can assist in any way, let them know if I'm able to hold a door or whatever. I am SO glad that I got over it. Being different isn't bad and I would have missed out on making two friends in my vertical neighborhood.

In a coincidence My first job as a rehabilitation counselor was for the Division of services for the blind (DSB). I had more than a few clients who were avid roleplayers...

I find the gamers on here to be very welcoming as lots of folks on rpol are playing in a language that is not their only or primary one.....

It’s not the typing I’m most impressed with. It’s navigating the different threads. I’m thinking some kind of Braille display is used but man, even that blows my mind.

In reply to Lionel Lizardbane (msg # 140):

As Wehostan, son of Bardolf (msg # 136), said there’s text-to-speech software. I use JAWS - - cue all the shark jokes - - a screen-reader produced by Freedom Scientific.  Braille displays are  mega-expensive, and well outside my price range.  The biggest issue though, for me on RPOL, is when people post visual images as part of their games. DM is great about using text-based maps, but some DMs use image maps instead. Its okay, I don’t mind, but it means I have to ask questions. The other issue, which is more common, is people use their character images as primary info about their character,   and I have to remind myself to ask them questions in OOC to make sure of things. I’ve done it IC a few times, when I should have done it OOC instead.

“So, are you an archer?” doesn’t work well as an IC question when the image has them holding a bow, or its on their back, but still visible.

@Tyrian - Thank you for having this discussion. Anything like this paralyses me with fear of causing offence or being condescending or something. If i can help with anything in the game I'd be pleased to try, OOC or PM.

Happy gaming, hope to meet you IC some time!

In reply to Evaga (msg # 142):


How to annoy Tyrians player in  easy steps:

1. Taking control of his character without the use of mind-controling spells, or talking to him about it in Private-Line, or PM.
   
2. Doing something to Tyrian without allowing him the proper response, pick-pocketing without allowing him a possible chance to notice... it wasn't his pocket in one instance.  You get the idea.
   
3. Player-versus-player combat. No, I'm not talking feats of competitive  strength here, or friendly sparring, I mean, let's kill Tyrian!   I really don't like PVP.  If you do, I'm fine with you liking it, but I'm going to stand... over there.  Also, and I get from the friendly hint from the DM, 'you might not want to play evil,'  that PVP isn't a part of this game.   If it suddenly becomes part of it, I'm gone baby gone.  I mean cue the cartoon puff of smoke, level gone.
   
4. Expecting me to know something visual, OOC. IC, I'm playing a sighted character, so I should know sighted stuff, but  if I ask you an OOC question, then you can give me a one-word reply , but don't give me hell for it.

If you are not engaging in any of the above,  Odds are pretty good you won't be annoying Tyrian's player. Secondly, just for your up and up, I was born with really bad vision, and then went blind. As someone originally "legally blind," I got asked tons of questions. I still get asked them now that I'm blind.  The only one I got asked, in the history of my life, which I wanted people to stop was, back when I could still see some, was how many fingers am I holding up?

If you are worried about it, I understand, but seriously, I'm so totally not going to give you any grief about it.   The PM door is open.

The answer to the fingers question is, "If you don't know, why should I ruin the surprise?"

Actually, Tyrian's Player, you're a bit of an inspiration.  Without correction, I would be legally blind. (I'm at -13 diopter) Had glasses since before I started kindergarten, and when I got contact lenses in the 7th grade, my eye doctor "hoped the rigid lenses would keep me from going blind".  Telling a 12 year old that retinal detachment was in your future is not a good plan.  Luckily it hasn't happened, but at every exam they tell me the symptoms to watch out for.

So the fact that you're here, and playing means I wouldn't have to leave Nemrac if, God forbid, it ever happens.

Well I'm glad you cleared that up, because finding someone to practice that spell on isn't always easy.  Stay cool I don't see it happening in the immediate future, I mean our characters haven't even met, and Hauraki doesn't even know, but sometimes things can just happen and before you know where you are you're in front of a magistrate, explaining why the car boot and the fencepost .........oops sorry that story isn't going to be helpful.

Sorry to leave some of you hanging, but here's where we'll pause (I may still answer PM questions). Thank you all for your patience.

Happy Con!

No worries good DM, perhaps we will set camp in the mega dungeon and have a multi-day roleplay extravganza for your ammusement....perhaps Grundy will curl up with unsespecting PC's during their sleep....

Enjoy that!

Did Lyra and Glaucon finish decorating the inn yet?  I was revarnishing my lute, but it should be ready shortly...

In reply to Imre Rillsong (msg # 152):

I was in the hospital all night with my wife, she has an infection that apparently went septic, had no clue. They're keeping her a few days. I'll post if and when I can. She almost died.

In reply to Tern D'Guul (msg # 153):

Prayers up!

I hope she gets well soon Tern!  Sepsis is serious.

All best wishes!

Best wishes to your wife Tern, what a nasty turn of events for you both.  Hopefully she's through to recovery now.

Here's wishing a quick and complete recovery!

In reply to Tern D'Guul (msg # 153):

My brother had a similar situation, very frightening and certainly not to be underestimated. Best wishes to you and your family, so glad it was addressed!

Hoping for a swift recovery

Thank you all for your wishes and prayers, she is doing much better. though still sleeping.

In reply to Tern D'Guul (msg # 161):

Glad to hear it.  Be well.

In reply to Brother Byron (msg # 162):

Thank you. Just spoke to the doctor, it was a blood infection that turned to Sepsis, started with walking pneumonia apparently, though she showed no signs of pneumonia.

Good it is getting under control...

It's really scary. Glad that she's getting treatment. Hoping for the best!

blood infection.
Man that's ugly: sorry to hear about that, here's for the best though.

I wonder what that married couple are doing in the crawl space.  It doesn't usually take this long to get the decorations out.

In reply to Hauraki (msg # 167):


 Well, if they  were here, and it was Friday night, and they were my neighbors on the left side of me...
(sings)" let me tell you about the birds and the bees,
And the flowers, and the trees,
And the moon up above,
And this thing called love."

If, oh, if.

Probably didn't want to start the party while people were sympathizing with Tern's situation.

Now that Tern's wife seems to be recovering, let's get the party started!

In reply to Wehostan, son of Bardolf (msg # 169):

Thank you, pass the cheese doodles and beer! Time to PARTY!

Great to hear

Let's not party too hard. Nothing good ever comes from that.

Dance on the tables and drink until you drop!

Yup; waited to determine if it was cheez doodles and silly string or unbleached candles and solemn black incontinent. Cheez doodle dust doesn't look good on black velvet.

Glaucon starts tossing bags of cheez doodles around like Mardi Gras throws.

"Strike up the band!"

In reply to Glaucon (msg # 174):

Tern, Birahu, and Mitsubishi stick doodles up their noses and quaff a gallon of beer each! Then Birahu starts to look for good looking women!

Doodle dust around the nose is hard to explain to the police......

Wash it off by snorting beer!

"Music sex and cookies, cookies, music and sex...

...the cops ain't never gonna arrest me
For having Oreos on my breath."

https://youtu.be/R_MQfyNnS9c

He almost sounds like he bought those cookies at Alice's restaurant!  Thanks for the link  :)

Imre was ready, and when Glaucon called out for the band he immediately struck a chord on his lute.

"Hello!  Hooray! Let the show begin."

"Grommit tottered out from beneath the dining table. Bleary-eyed, he called out, "Did someone mention cookies?!"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:38, Sat 26 Mar 2022.

In reply to Grommit Axeltop (msg # 181):

Greetings Grommit! Have a beer and cheese doodle
This message was last edited by the player at 11:28, Sat 26 Mar 2022.

Wehostan climbs up on the bar and opens up a cask of beer. "Drinks are on me, at least until this cask runs out...which won't take long. None of those doodle things for me, thank you. Just beer. And maybe a dance."

The halfling fills his mug and then steps out of the way.

Dusting cobwebs from her shoulders and hair, Lyra walks among the group and hands out assorted fun hats and gaudy beaded necklaces to complete the festive atmosphere. For herself she chooses to wear a multicolored beanie with a propeller on top.

"Did someone say drinks? The clarion call!"

Amalric helped himself to Wehostan's cask. In moderation, naturally.

Is that a cask of amantalodo???

In reply to Solomon Silverstream (msg # 186):
"Mr. Montresor, I presume?"

Solomon, but my wolfhounds name is Grundy…


A good grommet is hard to find

I once sampled a cask of amontillado, but after that I swore, "Nevermore!"

In reply to Imre Rillsong (msg # 189):
Grommit takes 3d6 pun damage.

In reply to Grommit Axeltop (msg # 190):

Poe fellow!

looks like a lot of poe-ker faces....

For the love of God, Montresor!

Time to Usher in a new set of jokes or we will Rue the day this all started...

Starts reading “the narrative of artful gorgon pun”

In reply to Solomon Silverstream (msg # 195):


How solemn is Solomon I wonder.

More solemn than Saruman.

How grungy is Grundy is a better question.......

In reply to Solomon Silverstream (msg # 198):

Solomon Grundy? I remember that name from a book. I can't remember which one, but I remember the name. From 50 years ago.

In reply to Solomon Silverstream (msg # 198):



Grumpy's grumpiness is a front for the fact that his parents seperated when he was a kid and he has trust issues.    Any negative event afterward is internalized and adds to the general belief that the world will only let you down.

Solomon Grundy was a famous villain from Batman comics or the Gotham TV series

For my Grundy is an Irish wolfhound who explores the mega dungeon with me…

In reply to Solomon Silverstream (msg # 201):

Ahhhh! Thanks for clarifying that for me! I watched the Adam West series all the time when it was on in the 60's and then in reruns!

Solomon Grundy was also on the Superfriends cartoon show. Pretty sure he said his name before his sentences.

As a child I heard of SG in a rhyme that taught the days of the week.. I don't know if this was only used in England.

I just checked online and apparently the rhyme was first published in 1852, but it's inferred it existed for an unspecified time prior (via spoken tradition only). There's speculation about it's origin but IMO that's exactly what it is: speculation.

In reply to Solomon Silverstream (msg # 201):


 Actually he was Superman's antagonist  for a while, way, way back when Superman was more man than Super... couldn't fly, but could jump really high, etc.

The commentary I posted earlier was, I kid you not, part of why he was, what he was.    The fact he had other cognitive issues, and anger issues,  and super toughness and strength, is what made him  more of an antagonist, rather than a 'bad-guy' Like many comic antagonists, he made the rounds. Sometimes with Batman, sometimes with flash, sometimes with Spider man.

It was, I think with Spider man that the childhood backstory came out, along with how atomic chemicals changed him into the lug he was throughout comic book history.

Whether he is based on the Shadow radio drama's Grindle Societies cast off is a matter for debate.

In reply to Tyrian (msg # 205):

Spider-man is Marvel.  Solomon Grundy is DC.

It’s a 19th century nursery rhyme picked up and run with by DC comics.

Solomon Grundy,
Born on a Monday,
Christened on Tuesday,
Married on Wednesday,
Took ill on Thursday,
Grew worse on Friday,
Died on Saturday,
Buried on Sunday.
That was the end,
Of Solomon Grundy.

In reply to Rystro Drakken (msg # 207):

Wow. learn something new everyday!

My grandfather used to sing old dan tucker to me as a kid.  I believe you can find a youtube video of bruce springsteen singing it.  I looked it up online and found tons of versions, but there were some parts he sang that had variations in the song lyrics for sure.  A fun song none the less.......It is a good one for the local bard performing in the tavern...

*Jeffery's giant disembodied hand drops off another barrel or three of Skullwhomper Ale before vanishing back into the ether....*

In reply to Rystro Drakken (msg # 207):

According to Herry McKay,
"Tales of the Old country," 1787, has him die on Saturday, although that version is attributed to the Welsh. For those that don't know, Grundy, sometimes called Grumpy Grundy,  sometimes called Solomon Grundy - - sometimes with a 'k' instead of a 'g', can be traced back to the Anglos, and from them the Norce, as a sort of spirt/ Fae character, who is variously responsible for all kinds of misfortunes (See Georld Olsmith's "legends of England and Europe" Volume II   published 1904, for more information on some fifty-five pages on the history of the character in myth before the 20th century).

In regards to Spiderman, the character Solomon Grundy  has appeared in four cross-content comics, according to Philip Whiteman's "history of Popular Culture," Library of Congress publications.  The first was in "Wars of Chaos and Order," 1980, the second issue in that series, then in three  subsequent comics in the early to mid-90s, "A bad day," "All quiet on the New York front," "Its not easy being a crime-fighter," and "Spider's to the rescue," with the last being, according to the author, the only cross-over with Spiderman and Wonder  Woman to date.

The only one I have personally read, back when I could still see a little, was the  "Wars of Chaos and order," and not all of it either, although I understand there is, or was a graphic novel for all of it.

 Should I be getting the giant space hamster of Ill Omen with this, or giant floating magical hand?

Just want to know what my prompt here is for emotional and scene behaviors.

Hey guys, who wants to be my designated drunk?!

Ooo! Sign me up. It's easier to pick pockets when you're already stumbling into people.

Sorry if I learned one thing in the army, it was never volunteer…

 Excellent, we've found the designated driver.

That’s even worse…
Everyone knows that when your 4 friends say midnight…after they have been drinking they become very disagreeable
So no one is leaving the bar until 5 am
One will be trying to go home with a homely woman, one will be arguing loudly with a man (usually a cop); one will be wanting to get food (probably Taco Bell) and the fourth one (lightweight) is puking in your floorboard….

Angles, Anglos? The ancient Brits? as in the Angles and the Saxons?

I know I'm a week out, but I might forget otherwise. I'll be out from Apr 9-18 for a trip to Ireland. My posting will be sporadic at best. Please NPC me as needed. Also, please don't kill me. Thanks!

In reply to Rystro Drakken (msg # 218):

Don't kill you? 8-| That takes all the fun from NPCing you doesn't it? ;-P

In reply to Rystro Drakken (msg # 218):

We don’t kill meat shields, we cast cure light wounds on them

In reply to Solomon Silverstream (msg # 220):

Good point, keeps the rest of us alive then.

In reply to Mitsubishi Tokugawa (msg # 217):


 That is his spelling, in my braille copy. Its not the first source where the word "Anglos" is used, from that time period. All of my braille works that use it are from the UK, so I can't just say its an error due to the U.S. prison system.    Other than that... I seem to recall the term from  other readings as well,  but I'm not able to check the history of the word at  the moment.  I've not done an internet search of it either.   In short, I don't know, but that's what is there.

In reply to Solomon Silverstream (msg # 216):


 Maybe. The designated driver in my circles always gets gas money, a free meal, and all the coke he/ she should want. I get to play pool, since I can't drink, or drive, and still might wind up with a cab  bill at two in the morning.

:D

The only place to play a game round here is in a bar, and so... you get the idea.

In reply to Tyrian (msg # 223):

Ahhh, I forgot about English spelling! ;-)

I saw a cartoon years ago. A blind man with dark glasses with his car smashed into a tree. Helen Keller Driving School on the side of the car! I thought it was funny at the time, because half the sighted people should lose their license for lack of 'seeing' what is in front of them, I've had lapses where I missed a car too. Scary as hell.

That gets really expensive! ;)

In reply to Glaucon (msg # 225):

I can drink many liters of soda a day!

Soda?  Oh wait..riiight...soda!

In reply to Imre Rillsong (msg # 227):

I stopped drinking alcohol 25 years ago or more, never smoked, never did illegal drugs. D&D was always my high!

I am allergic to alcohol.  I have always been the driver.

In reply to Falco (msg # 229):


 I have a friend that is like that, and is usually the driver. I can't drink, because of Meds, which I need,  as they sort of help regulate fluid pressure in my eyes.  Only sort of help, and not as much as they used to.

I love driving, so it never bothered me.

In reply to Falco (msg # 231):

True, and why would I pay $100 to make a fool of myself by getting drunk when I can do it perfectly well sober. ;-)

And, they buy you all of the soda you want.

I used to like to play pool. Some of my best social interactions where had over pool. If you can get people talking long enough, they stop thinking you as the disabled guy, and just think of you as the guy. So making sure that rule was put in place used to be worth it, so I could play pool and just have the closest thing to a normal face-to-face interaction with people.

Yes, it kind of got expensive at times. Synthia could drink a fair amount of fountain coke.

I mean several liters  of coke.

In one evening.

I haven't drunk fizzy drinks in years, and funnily enough I stopped belching like a demon around the same time. I can drink alcohol no problem but it's usually tea for a hot drink and water-based soft drinks.

I drink sparingly, but eat daringly.

In reply to Sard (msg # 236):

Same here, that's why I weigh 305 pounds

I was always a light eater...  soon as the light came on, I ate.

New medications for blood sugars, a change in diet, etc, in the past 7 or 8 months I have dropped about 13Kg.  That isn't yo-yo weight, it is actual loss.

We have returned - I'll get all the groups updated by tomorrow night.

In reply to Falco (msg # 238):

I have lost about 15 - 20 pounds in the last year. It takes a while.

Same here. 20 lbs in about 10 months. But I've been stuck at the same weight for like the last 8 weeks. I thought I was doing everything right, but my body is just like, "Nah, you're good."

Just means your body adapted to whatever you were doing. Which is a good sign. It also means whatever you're eating (macro mix & quantity) are the right balance for maintenance.

That's usually a good indicator that adding a stressor like regular bodyweight exercise is the correct next step, rather than additional caloric restriction or macro rebalancing. Bodyweight has the advantage of only costing you time and there are a bunch of options, especially with YouTube. PM me if you'd like more specific advice.

If you've already got regular exercise (bodyweight or lifting, not cardio) in your regimen, look at your sleep. I have a buddy who locked everything down but still couldn't lose weight. Once he fixed his sleep, BAM!, he shed weight apparently effortlessly.

I had gotten stuck for a while, then I got covid and dropped another 3kg.  I can't do much until after knee surgery, but I am maintaining, and that is not a bad thing.  I still have to remind what's her name to not buy me foods I shouldn't eat.  I have no willpower.

Most people have little to no "will power" I am not even sure it a a real thing.....

In reply to Solomon Silverstream (msg # 244):

I got none!

I lost ten pounds recently… but don’t worry, I’ll find them.

Can Sard use his sling on the orcs without blocking the melee fighters?

If I didn't update your group in the early morning, I will later Saturday.  :^)

I'm on my way out. I might poke my head in while away, but who knows. See you folks in a week-ish.

Hey everyone,

Your DM, while dodging COVID, has run smack into the worst cold he's had in years, so updates have been slow since the weekend. Also, I'll be working extra hours before Easter Weekend, for which I will again be AFK while I visit family. Please bear with me, and the game will soon resume its normal pace.

You do what you need to do to get better and then get to us boss :D

This game is not your job.

Oh, heck, I'll say it again.

This game is not your job.  So, we can wait.

Take it easy and enjoy your Easter time!

Hope you feel better and enjoy the family time.

If it ain’t one virus, it’s another.  Get well soon, chief.

Take the time that you need.  Family first.

I had a cold once. I think that it was in 2019.

Warm wishes to banish your cold

 I take far more pleasure out of making sure this wagon I'm buying is just so, than seems right, or proper.

Work went long - need sleep. Updating all tomorrow.

 Sleep? What is this sleep?

Says the blind guy that is pulling an all night mediation with people in different time zones.  I have a meeting at 9:00 AM, which means I'll have just enough time to go home and eat something, and drink another pot of coffee, no mug, straight from the pot, and then get on the phone... again.

:D

Oooh. Mediation; of a legal nature? I have heard those can be pretty time absorbing. Stay caffeinated, Tyrian! I hope the time zones aren't too spread out.

In reply to Alexi Brambleson (msg # 262):


 Contract  dispute, U.S. where I am, South Korea, or Republic of South Korea, and the UK.  The suit had been filed in the U.S. and so, given the time zone differences, we played a lot of phone tag, and retag, and waiting to be tagged.  I have to do so many volunteer cases a year for my    mediation license, and I end up doing more credit-card cases and contract disputes than anything else, for a host of reasons.    No, I'm not a lawyer.

Sorry again, folks. Migraine tonight. Update tomorrow if all goes well.

No worries good DM
Tomorrow then

Yikes.  Hope it goes away soon.

You might want to check your basement for psionic-using beasts.

Hope you feel better in the morning!

I felt much better today, thanks! Spent some time with friends and family. Then I took a huge nap tonight to catch up on the last day or two. So that update will be on Sunday.

Thank you all for your patience this week. Game On!

Work has been killing me last month or so. Yay for taxes finally being over but still now to catch up on everything put aside to do those.

Thank you all for your patience the last few days. Extra work plus my daughter's Senior Prom plus Mother's Day made this last week a bear. This coming week isn't much less busy, but I'll try to update more often. Updating tonight.

On the map X means door, fine.
What does [X] mean ?

That's just an x-wing with-out it's wings open.

pew pew

That would be >o< and --o-- , at least in ASCII. A TIE Interceptor would be <o> . Wait, now I'm in the mood for a Star Wars d6 game.... To play, not to run.  ;^)
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:47, Mon 09 May 2022.

In reply to DMJSC (msg # 274):

I've been running WEG d6 Star Wars with my live group (not really face to face anymore because of covid-19). Just had a session yesterday. If anyone is up for running a game, I'd love to play in one!

There's a group at our FLGS* that played a few sessions of that before GaryCon. Now they're on an AD&D kick.

* Friendly Local Game Store, for any unfamiliar with the term.

I’ve been looking to get into WEG Star Wars for some time.  For a while, I was in a campaign on Rpol, but it fizzled out.

I’d rather steer clear of Disney cannon, though.

In reply to Wehostan, son of Bardolf (msg # 275):

I'm actually running a Star Wars campaign on RPoL, but I'm using Star Wars Saga Edition as a ruleset.

Ive played quite a lot of FFG SW and like that a lot

I've only played the WEG d6 and the WotC d20 versions. Both were fun, but d6 is a bit more fitting to my tastes.

I enjoyed WEG d6, many years ago. On Rpol I’ve been running a Saga game for a long time, although I think I prefer WEG so all the adventures are based on the WEG ones.

I understand SOP, but just want to confirm it comprises: look for traps, listen for noise, searach for traps (disarming same), examine lock, unlock if required ?
or is there more?

Well, there is occasional supplication to the Bag Dragon^TM, and if there are new people in Nemrac (like Thjardis! Hi, Thjardis!) who haven't paid their Gang Green initiation fees, we have to shake them down offer them our reasonably priced membership rates.

But yes, it's mostly checking for traps, listening for noises, and checking for any locks.

TY, nice and clear.
If you do genuinely require payment from Evaga then unless it's really cheap it'll have to come out of whatevr she makes on this jaunt (assuming).

Don't forget to check for evil.

oh, wait, you can't do that?  Sorry.

Not yet. Perhaps in the morning.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:08, Tue 10 May 2022.

That SOP yields 5 Turns at each door. That's 1 or 2 wandering monster checks by the DM for every single door you encounter.

That's 1 torch for each door, possibly 2/room, since torches only last 6 turns each.

That's...a very dangerous and resource intensive approach. o.O

Fortunately they have some Continual Light stones/coins for light  - as for wandering monsters, so far, so good....

Don't let Sam kid you, Evaga, she's a paladin.  :^)

Updating all later tonight.

Ha! She suceeded. Not playing her at poker!

Without wishing to blow smoke - this is a wonderfully nice crowd.

Except that she never bluffs...

That's paladins for ya. Detecting evil, not lying, preventing new rat gods from dominating the pantheon. All in a day's work.

Is that a bluff?

Nope :)

In reply to Samitha (msg # 293):

Wait I am confused is that a bluff, now?



Princess Bride Battle of Wits poison scene comes to mind.

I know that you know, that I know that you know....That I Solomon Silverstream am a psychic!!

Away for a few days travelling. Connectivity uncertain. Will post when I can

Never go against The Sicilian when death is on the line.

That's a classic blunder all right!

/points/ What in the world could that be?!

Anybody want a peanut?

Wait, that's the wrong part.

That sounds oddly political, in a late 70’s sort of way.

"Your finger." He says keeping an eye on the halfling and a safe distance from his pudgy little arms since everyone knows their profession preference.

/switches goblets without Hauraki noticing while the mage stares at Wehostan's arms/

Hauraki drinks from his own pewter embossed tanked, not a goblet.  With a click of his fingers and the sound of a fart, he drops a stink cantrip on the dear wee fellow as he backs off waving his hand in front of his face saying, "Oh my god Wehostan, have you been eating dung again."

"Oh, no, the smell is just one of the side effects of having Errol the Rat God as a partner."

"Yeah I've been meaning to pass on my condolences since you started.  Still you're taking one for the team."

I'm beginning to feel like I'm a rat god, rat god...

At least it's an ethos...

The ethanol ethos?

"Ethos" is too strong a word for Rat Godism. I would welcome Lionel as Chief Shaman, provided that the sacrifice in Shiny Baubles™ is sufficient. And in defense of Wehostan, on a good day I do smell about as good as he looks.

Fair

Updating all tonight.

I am afk for a hospital visit. Updates asap, probably in a couple of days. Till then, Skullwhomper ales all around!

Would my Star Frontiers players alert the SF game? Thanks!

Best wishes for the hospital visit

In reply to Evaga (msg # 314):

Get well soon Jeff.

Do whatcha need boss, we'll hold down the fort...and maybe not get too drunk on Skullwhomper ;)

Hope you're back soon, fit as a fiddle!

Imre drags a stool into the corner and starts tuning his lute in preparation for the inevitable gathering.  When the cat's away and all...  :)

"Lute, flute and fiddle.....not to be confused with ganggreen, theirs is loot, brute and diddle!"

ha!

Wehostan enters with a bow and a gallant sweep of his arms. "First round is on that mysterious giant ghost hand that keeps dropping kegs in here. Second round is on me!"

Wehostan surveys the tavern for a lovely lady to dance with when Imre strikes up his tune.

In reply to DMJSC (msg # 313):

Stay safe, DM!

Feel better soon, Jeff, and worry not. There are enough Cheez Doodles for all the noses! XD

We'll be thinking about you.

Take it easy and all the best!

Usually in that order too!

Errol starts telling lies... well, more lies than usual. Including something about having been crowned the king of some underground realm or whatever.

Swings from the chandelier.
Begins to change the colors of everyone’s clothes, going for the most clashing combos possible.

“So lift off the cap Jack
And we’ll have ourselves a swig.
Here’s to the jolly sailor   that’s neither prude nor prig.
Here’s to the jolly sailor, and his charming company.
And here’s to the fish eyed baby a bouncing on me knee.”

Tern takes a swig as he hits on the lovely ladies, as he changes colors and gets stone cold drunk! He gives a huge flask of Skullwomper to his friends Goruug and Grung and Lionel! Brayden can get his own! ;-) Kidding, Brayden too, and the new guy in our group!

In reply to Tern D'Guul (msg # 327):

Cugel is in the corner watching the festivities as he puffs on his tobacco pipe, and sipping on some ale.  Just then his clothes change colors and his toes start tapping.  Almost as if he was possesed his leg starts moving and wiggling.  the convulsion like movements roll up his body to his arms and torso.  The small hobbit is now in full dancing mode.  Mug in hand, arms swinging he is moving and grooving to the music & lyrics Tyrian is singing.
"Anyone have any cheese doodles?"

Birahu passes a bag of cheese doodles to Cugel.

Rystro sits in the corner and fears for his life. What have I walked into here?!

In reply to Rystro Drakken (msg # 330):

In the shadows near the back of the room is Stone. He is snacking on some crackers, drinking an ale, watching the antics.  With the sight of clothes changing colors, and the dancing halfling, he starts laughing out loud and is enjoying himself.  The sight of Cheesey doodles, makes him look at his cracker, then back at the doodles. "Where do they get those from.  It has to be a magician who creates those delicious airy crispy wonders."

"A priest, a minister, and a rabbit walk into a blood bank. The rabbit says, 'I must be a typo'."

A priest, a minister and a rabbi walk into the bar.  The bartender says, "Is this some kind of joke?"

in case the knock-knock jokes are coming....

Solomon crawls under a table and says....
"Who's there?"

In reply to Solomon Silverstream (msg # 334):
Grommit looks around, puzzled. "Did somebody just knock?"

No, but I may have cast Charm Person. I'm not saying on who...

Come look into my eyes.....and make your required saving throw versus charm person at -2 please.  Yup pretty sure you failed, best you grab me another drink, and some doodles whilst you're at it.  I'll just be over there.

A little late to the gathering Hauraki orders his Skullwhomper and seeing Wehostan has vouched for the second he orders that as well.  One in each hand he moves to the back of the room where he spies Stone.  His head begins to bop as he goes, steering clear of Cugel as he grooves around in a circle and makes his way over to him.

"A toast! To the person who gave us the number zero, thanks for nothing!" *glug, glug*

"There are fast ships and there are slow ships, and there are ships upon the sea.
But the best ships are friendships,
And may they always be!"

Who recognises from which classic campaign world comes this drinking song:
"The heroes of the North stood strong and proud,
driving those ‘fridhi right into the ground
We gave them a whooping they won’t soon forget
Standing strong we Broke em at the Neck” ?

I'm back home, and all turned out as best as can be. Updating all tonight. Thank you all for your patience.    :^)

In reply to DMJSC (msg # 341):

Welcome back!

'Best' is best.  Welcome back!

My doctor calls me patient.

Do you think it is a mis-diagnosis?

Travelling over the net few days so connectivity uncertain. Will post when I can

Going to be gone on vacation this afternoon through Sunday. FYI


aka Brayden

No worries we are all fine!

Hey all, sorry for the short notice, but I'm at the parents' house for the weekend, so no updates until Sunday night at the earliest.

Oh, and also, 49,000!

49,001!
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:34, Fri 03 June 2022.

I was going to post a HEY 50K post and then did the math...

 Good.

My CIL offices are moving to a bigger HQ, which is also cheaper to rent, and well, the move is this weekend.

No pressure

riiiiight.