In reply to Phil Webley (msg #45):

True. Although if we are a small core of players, I doubt we will be splitting up for major plot-points very often, so hiding the threads shouldn't have too much of a negative effect. The bungled raid on the Ju Ju House should have taught us that much.

Group,

1) I will split up the threads when it makes sense, and it'll be done in terms of narration.

2) Separating the group can be problematic because time can become uneven and some investigators will always be more active than others. It's probably more of an issue in London where there is lots to do but could happen elsewhere. This is more of a player decision, of course, as you can't be expected to keep all the investigators joined at the hip!

3) My apologies, I just don't like secret threads for most purposes. So if you don't want to know, don't read! Sometimes it will be appropriate to create a separate secret thread (like someone goes off alone and does something dangerous and foolhardy) and I can always make a thread secret if I think it will be of aid to the game.

I'll take a few minutes to "re-thread" Singh's adventures.

It's great the game is on one of our player's home grounds, this can be a special experience if the GM takes a little effort. I always welcome input on locations and historical flavour! Period can be especially difficult to pull off.

I run a Twilight 2000 game here on RpOL set in my home city of Vancouver, and one of the players is a friend who lives here too. We get together when we can at crucial or strategic locations. (Not in a LARP sense but just to walk around and make plans, observe and take pictures for the other players.) Wikipedia, Google images and Google Maps (with street view) are my go-to resources but nothing beats walking the ground, if you can.

Tony

Let me say, Tony, that I appreciate the effort you're putting into this. Thank you.

In reply to Imran Singh (msg #48):

I fully agree, thanks Tony! I had assigned Phil (his files) to my dead character directory. I had to resurrect him! First time that has happened, and he gained sanity. Beat that!

In reply to Imran Singh (msg #48):

My pleasure!

Singh has been split into his own little alternative-universe thread.

The posts for Molly are awesome.

Tony

I definitely agree. GMs like you are a rare breed. Keep it up!

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #51):

Ha ha, I prefer that people keep their expectations low!

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg #52):

Too late!

In reply to Howard Lampton (msg #53):

You are too kind. I should hope to keep fulfilling them, as long as I don't get burned out!

Tony

Group,

Great posts in Soho. Anyone going to keep the London/Park Lane Hotel thread going?Someone better bloody well answer Molly! We also have a semi-new player to bring up to speed.

Game map has been uploaded. Kindly select the Game Map link from the menu above. Interestingly, satellite doesn't show any alleys in that block so one has been created to run in behind the stores and shops. Rejoice! Hope it looks authentic. There is kind of an open-ish area in behind so I wouldn't be surprised if an alley ran in behind there at some point if the buildings changed.

Anyways, Darlington is well-familiar with the area and the alley, having staked it out for at least a few days. A small lorry could (barely) fit into the alley connecting Litchfield to West, but not into the reat-alley behind the club. The club has doors both into the side alley and into the rear alley. Parcels and deliveries go to the side entrance.

Also, I "touched-up" my description of Singh a little. He's deliberately looking not as distinguished as I first thought. Not that bad, but jacket is somewhat worn and he's wearing army boots, something Darlington would notice. [Private to Albert Darlington: Also, Darlington notices a tell-tale bulge in the man's pocket. Likely a pistol.]

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:04, Sun 02 Oct 2011.

Wait, is Singh a GMPC?

Cynthia is not answering Molly in hopes that she goes away :P

Not a GMPC. I'm still playing Singh. The 'touching up' occurred in the GM's description in the Soho thread, I think.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #56):

Sorry for any confusion!

Indeed, I changed Singh's description in my narration to be a little less distinguished because he posted he was deliberately dressing down, something Darlington would note.

As a rule, my NPCs will always be identified as such. There are no real GMPCs in this game (as I understand the term) with the possible exception of John-Marc, and he's been taken up as a 2nd Investigator by a player. I try (not always successfully) to main a degree of independent decision with the NPCs as befitting their situation and the relationship.

1) At this point Fulty and Storm are placing the telegram/call to New York to check on Falcon.

2) Speaking of Falcon, his 2-seater "Brisfit" (Briston F.2) is parked at Croydon Aerodrome, London's main airfield. He is staying at the adjacent "Aerodrome Hotel", formerly an RAF billet during the War. As Croydon is a long commute by bus or train he may want to lodge at the Park Lane instead.

3) Dr. Weston is spending the day doing some research at the Royal Library on cults.

Tony

Yes, John-Marc would like to move in with the team, if no one has no objections.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg #59):

That can be done in a narrative post. He can also easily call Karlheinz from the Aerodrome Hotel to come from Lympne and pick up the Brisfit and fly it home, as I believe Kent has a direct-dial exchange at this point. Karlheinz could drive Falcon's truck or take the train/bus (Lympne is just off the rail line to Dover).

One thing I'd like to ask is how comfortable people are with the language and vernacular of the day, specifically racial epithets and nicknames. I'm a pretty politically correct guy but I don't mind if it's used in context and not gratuitously and I hope you feel the same. For example, I will personally refer to Simmons as an "African-American" in narration but NPCs may refer to him in dialogue as a "negro" or "darkie" and even "wog", depending on the context. (I find I still draw the line at the "n-word".)

Tony

Yes, I would like to ask the group how they feel about these racial slangwords. Darlington is from the east-end of London, and I know from experience that these people have certain attitudes towards race that would be considered downright offensive and illegal in this modern age, but are ingrained in that culture. If anyone is remotely offended then I would rather sacrifice accurate charcaterization than risk upsetting someone.

In reply to Albert Darlington (msg #61):

I'm really enjoying Darlington's authentic vernacular. (Molly's too, of course!)

Tony

I'm okay with in-character, in-period epithets, right up to the n-word. I still consider that too raw for any use at all.

Singh, however, may take offense, in-character.

Group,

Just to reassure everyone, I don't mind at all when players take liberties with the setting or even NPCs. Less work for me! It shows you as players are engaged and being creative, "seeing" the scene and adding details I might have missed. Also, if you want to narrate an interaction with a waiter or bellboy, or a tube ticket-taker then go for it, no harm no foul.

If I can work something in I'll try and do so. Sometimes I can't or there will be a reason why not, and I'll make it clear if anything needs to be pulled back.

For example, the rain starting is a nice touch, and while in real life there is no alley there I can easily create one to accommodate the players. (There still just isn't anyone in the club, so there it is.)

Speaking of the club, I'll make a slight correction. Staff arrives around 4pm to be ready to open for 6pm. My earlier information (via Darlington) didn't take some things into account, thus the adjustment. I FEEL SHAME! Carry on.

Tony

Yeah, since I've been playing a lot of shared narrative indie RPGs I have developed a habit of narrating lots of those kind of gameworld details in my posts, such as the alley and the rain. I feel it allows the players and the GM to build the world together (which, IMHO, is a bunch of fun). I try not to do it with elements that will affect the outcome of the game much (such as named NPCs, important game locations etc), but if I ever do something that screws with the way you want to run the scenario then please correct me, I won't be offended.

I'm fine with epithets, however I suspect Cynthia won't use any (nor the upstanding gentleman, Mr. Singh, I'm certain). Unfortunately, I'm not fantastic at the local vernacular, although I enjoy reading it, as long as I can get the actual message in the end :)

In reply to The Keeper (msg #60):

Yes, even for historical 'correctness', I would really hate to see that word used.

Group,

Glad to hear we're on the same page regarding what is appropriate and what isn't. Whether or not your investigator uses "impolite" language is up to you but I think everyone here is mature enough to handle it.

Not that I think this is a problem in this game but be aware that no actions will take place unless you specifically state IC or OOC that your investigator is actually starting it. Other games I'm in have had this problem; the stakes are so high players get lost in planning and merely pose hypothetical questions instead of concrete actions. Again, not probably a problem with this crew but just making sure it's known.

Also, regarding players my philosophy is as long as I got one player willing to play I'm going to run the best Goddamn game I can. Less players means less work for me! Pre-generated NPCs are a bonus!

If you have to drop out please let me know if possible. I'm not going to get into a panic or be despondent if players drop out, it happens all the time and you're welcome to return with no hard feelings. If you don't post for a few days I might NPC your investigator if it's holding up the action, especially if we're waiting for a response or decision.

Tony

I'm casting Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound.

In reply to Howard Lampton (msg #69):

"I am Galstaf, Sorcerer of Light!"

"Then how come you had to cast magic missile?"

Tony