In reply to The Seer (msg # 354):

Got a link? ;-)

Are you talking about a new game MAP?

today was one of those days that you think are gonna be sedate and they turn out to be a ball buster. I'm probably not going to post or work on the stupid map until tomorrow.

Sorry for the delay.

The Management.

Ah! There's my map. I hope that helps.

:)

I meant a game MAP. That's what happens when fatigue sets in. Pardon my idiocy...

I've uploaded the second level of the game map. FYI

In reply to The Seer (msg # 360):

Thanks! We coming out of room 5, or 6? In room 7, it is BIGLY!

I'm going to pause hear to wait for a few more folks to have a chance to post.

I'm looking at the map...both levels...where are we exactly?
the only throne I see is on level 1.

I think we're using the Map in the 'Game Map' link rather than the Maps thread.

Bruno is correct. I'm having difficulties with my eyes, so it is easier for me to go with a jpeg than trying to format through image shack. Quite frustrating, to be honest.

The picture is pretty grainy, but that lends itself to a certain feel in this campaign.

Gang, don't forget to look at the Game Map for the 2nd level.

TV time out.

Fellas: there's a bit of frustration with folks going in a lot of different directions. You've split the party at least 2x that I can recall. If you keep doing that, you're in for a world of hurt. I am a fairly forgiving DM, but at this point I've given you the map you requested and it feels like your still going in circles.

How many of you didn't realize that you are on the second level now (Rhetorical - you don't have to answer). If you didn't know that, take another look at the game map. You requested it after all.

The other issue is comportment: You can't have characters smashing things and making all sorts of noise and expect that it'll work itself out.

I need all of you to pay attention to detail and get in line with the rest of the party. If that doesn't work for you, I can always shut the campaign down and go about my business.

I'm heading out of town next week. I've got a ton of work that needs to be finished so that I don't leave myself with a ton of work when I get back. This seems a good stopping point for the time being. When I get back I'll ask for a show of hands of who wants to continue the adventure.

It's easy for Dugger, he's following Ulrich lead.  He may wander a bit but will always remains in his general vicinity, unless specifically stated otherwise
This message was last edited by the player at 16:57, Wed 02 June 2021.

Ulrich, sorry for getting your name wrong again in the previous post.

Kullonar, I know you're not human. Your god IS, though. Cuthbert and Pelor are both human gods, and given that Bruno and Moradin have been present since the beginning of the group does it surprise anyone that he might note that his god has been 'Othered' by Ulrich's statement? (Were I not playing a cleric I think I would've ignored it, but it just seemed to juicy not to rp a response.) ;)

Seer, I read your words here before going to the IC thread and I think it pushes me in the direction of something I'm sorry I didn't say earlier:

I don't think WE are, or have, intended to split the party up to this point. Rather YOUR reading of our posts have split the party.

That is, in THIS case, the only posts prior to the one I just left IC (#220) has the PCs that posted so far following Myrrick.

Perhaps more importantly, when we got into trouble in the room/scene BEFORE, my intention/understanding of what we were doing was 'fanning' out -- moving from 2 x 2 to a wider group in front with a smaller (Bruno, et al) behind in support, and moving into a seemingly large and very dark room that would required us to move in close proximity to each other whatever our marching order for light. (In a post before describing us each group being in a different location you seemed to understand and even support, if one wants to read the tone as such, our actions.)

I understand why you decided that we were splitting given the nature of the room's geography, but nobody put into their posts that they were streaming willy-nilly into a profoundly dark room not paying attention to where everyone else was.

In other words, you could have read what we were putting down as our moving into the room within the compass of our light sources (i.e., so that we could actually see each other as well as obstacles) and described that because of our formation we were losing track of each other and given us an opportunity to regroup before winding up so far apart.

But you didn't. You described us as having broken up into groups without paying attention to each other and winding up a great distance from each other.

So, it might be argued that we didn't break up the party. You did.

And I get it. I know that I've misread posts and gotten annoyed or frustrated or taken an action that with hindsight I might've done differently. Or maybe you thought we'd read the situation and respond differently. Not only is it easy to misread or miscommunicate things here, but it's easy to get impatient. I know I do and I have probably contributed to yours and others' impatience as well, mea culpa!

Another thing that has occurred to me several times recently is that almost everything that has gone wrongly or was misunderstood by me, and much of what I've seen from you and every other player would have never have happened if were playing in real time either at the same table or via Skype, etc. When each of us comes to the game we're taking an often quick break from dealing with whatever else is going on RL and unlike a face-to-face session we've got no time to decompress, get into character, and dive into the scene.

Seems to me the break we'll have while you're away will help everyone. I'm happy to keep playing as I've enjoyed the game since the beginning and I appreciate and admire the effort you make here and the rp from everyone else.

But if you're not having fun running this. I'd be okay with stopping. For that matter, if you think that my action/lack of action/something else is a problem, I'd be willing to drop if that helps the game continue, because I don't want to diminish anyone else's fun.

No hard feelings and, like I said, much appreciation for you and everyone else in the game!

The old adage: If it's to be, its up to me...

At this point, I've taken the first level map off the grid and the second level is now the game map. I'll continue feeding maps as it becomes necessary.

That should allay some concerns. If you have questions, PM me - let's not keep this in game - its a distraction from what most of the players want, which is a fun adventure.

Well said, Bruno.
We would have already blown through this were we sitting around a table and rolling real dice and drinking beer and eating potato chips. Play-by-post (pbp) games can sometimes derail over maps (or lack thereof), posts being misread, etc.
For me, I'm just frustrated with the pace. Kullonar (myself) just wants to finish this mission and get out of this hole! He's already decided he doesn't want to be buried. Either burn his body or but him on a bier (sp?) to rot for the crows. Hence, my posts > if there be giants in here or giant undead or and undead army, bring it! Let's get this done!
Now that we have a map (thanks Seer!), we can go through it provided everyone is on the same page. To do so, we need a caller > someone who will make a decision for the group. For example, after a couple of posts, the caller could say, "Our group enters the large chamber, keeping to the left-hand side and moving ahead. Ulrich is in the lead with his flaming sword, backed by Myrrick and the rest of the group. If our light reveals a door or a stairwell, Dugger steps forward to check them for traps." Or something like that.
Does that make sense?

Seer, my apologies if I caused any unnecessary frustration.

you guys asked for a map and I provided one for the first level. then I provided one for the 2nd level which is where you are at. Ulrich's stairwell is on the far left. the party is moving left to right toward the statue. I deleted the 1st level map to avoid confusion - there's only one map at this point on the link atop the banner to the right of the dice roller. you should be able to view the 2nd level. If you cannot, let me know and I will take measures.

Not sure where we went off track. The best course for you guys to take is to stay together.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I do want to address the points made regarding Bruno and Kullonar: I don't recall major issues with play by post in the earlier chapters of this module. For some reason we came off the rails, its up to me to correct it. It should not be a major effort to fix.

And for the record, I've played in more shitty face to face games than I have Rpol, even with the sometimes dramatic turnover with play by post. For me, face to face is a non-starter between work and my writing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:14, Wed 02 June 2021.

First: All of you should be conversant with the "Game Map". I'll remind you again, I'm not storing them in the map threads anymore. I'm using the Game Map that sits atop the User Preferences. The "Game Map" is to the right of The Cast and to the left of the dice roller. Everyone should understand that.

I've cut and pasted the 2nd level. You guys should be able to understand it now. Go to the game map and see for yourselves - if you still have problems PM me.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:50, Thu 03 June 2021.

In reply to The Seer (msg # 373):

We're in room 7.

Before I continue I want to make sure everyone sees the Game Map. I'm not pushing on until I'm satisfied that you have an idea of what I'm seeing.

In reply to The Seer (msg # 375):

Throne in middle at the top of room 7, I see it now. stairs on left and right corners, tunnels in the opposite corners.

fyi: I've got a shit ton of work today so you all should have ample time to look at the Game map.

In reply to The Seer (msg # 377):

Take care of yourself my friend, Don't fret over us too much, life is hard as you know.

I appreciate your well wishes, Ulrich. I know your struggles are weightier than mine by a long shot. This is just a game, so perspective should be a priority. I appreciate all you do and hope that we can right the ship and carry on smartly.