I think the general consensus was that an all windling group was not the way to go. I also believe, as of this moment, there's only one confirmed windling(2tricky), and other than that the others were generally leaning in other directions.

Okay. I'll start hammering out some character ideas and promise not to be upset if the consensus swings back the other way then lol

I don't think there was ever actually a consensus to do all Windlings.

In reply to Utsukushi (msg # 35):

There wasn't it was just that everybody expressed an interest in playing one and I decided to make a joke about it before deciding I'd rather talk about a more diversified group composition.
Hopefully we'll land on a single Windling. Who that is is not up to me to decide.

I believe I am the first finished character. Do we want an intro (Race, Discipline, personality) here or in another thread?

I'm definitely playing a Windling.  Concept clarified.  Just deciding on chose or two Disciplines, both work for what I have in mind.

In reply to savioronedge (msg # 37):

I had the thought of creating a dramatis personae thread, to keep track of NPC's and update it with new information about each character as it comes up. Perhaps letting you all use it to add your own notes and observations of each as well. Who's who from your point of view. If that's a thing that sound appealing, I don't mind letting everyone use it for the purpose of general introduction either. A sort of who you were before Kavos sort of feel.

I'd also thought about the concept of the group's Legend Journal. It makes mention within the core books that its a common practice, especially for adventurers, since stories and legends are so important in Earthdawn. I thought it'd be an interesting way to summarize the events of each adventure or arc, while also letting you as the players give your input from your character's perspectives on what happened. I'm not sure how much stock or time is actually put into said Legend Journal by players regularly, but the thought was there.

Regardless, if you'd like to give a brief overview of the character here, savior, that would probably help others who haven't finalized their concept decide on what they might like to go for in their characters.

That sounds like a good idea to me. It's nice to have things like that in a consolidated place that's easy to look back and check.

On another subject, are we using the Using All Talents to Advance optional rule from page 453? Obviously, it doesn't really affect character creation very much, but if we're expecting to go through the early circles quickly, it's likely to come up pretty early on.

In reply to The Teller of Tales (msg # 39):

Yartok is a big guy; a big, goofy looking guy; even for a Troll.

At just under 9' tall (a few inches over if you count his right horn) he easily draws the attention of most namegivers in any area he enters. Those who know Troll customs figure out quickly that Yartok has woven his Katorr to this concept; his honor, his pride, comes from being funny.

He has gray-tinging-on-green skin and dark hair. His right horn sticks up in a fairly tight spiral, about 5" at widest and about 4" up. His left horn curls behind his ear and around to his jaw [ooc note: imagine an extra wide boom for a mic on a gaming headset...it doesn't go in front of his mouth, but looks like it is supposed to.] His hands are somewhat smaller than you would imagine from his height, but still big enough for an average windling to hide inside a loose fist.

This young Troll has three driving goals: to Learn all he can of the world, to find and present the humor and joy in everyday living, and to help the less fortunate. Unfortunately, he is convinced that Trolls are the ultimate race and while obsidemen are nearly as good, everyone else is "less fortunate" by sheer virtue of being too small. [I expect him to learn better very quickly during play] Sometimes his earnest desire to help will come off as condescending or just plain rude; but his heart is in the right place.

He is outfitted for information gathering, not for combat. Although he is wearing padded leather armor, his only weapon is a modified Dwarf sword he usses as an eating knife. Of course, if one were to make him mad, one might find out that this gentle giant has the strength to make one wish they were facing a smaller opponent with a weapon.

«The floor is open for questions»
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Tue 14 Apr 2020.

So... The characters as I see them now.

Saviour: Yartok, Troll Troubadour
Iz2tricky: Didymus, Windling Swordsmaster (or Cavalryman)
Rystefn: Undecided.
Utsukushi: Undecided.
Me: Pending (Waiting for the rest of the crew and will fill in. Human Airsailor or Scout is currently strong options)

Rystefn.
I don't know what the ruling is, but I think the optional rules are foregone until they are either coming up in play or the GM has a better grasp with the Earthdawn world.
In other words; it is only the discipline talents that needs to get to the required Ranks before advancing (No matter what I will object if we need to increase the Free Talents to advance).

In reply to Rystefn (msg # 40):

I don't currently plan on using the the All Talents to Advance Rule, but likewise I'm not against it if the majority of players would prefer to use it. My own personal feelings on the matter are that it is that the Discipline Talents requirement is there because you are following a Discipline, and it is these core Talents that make up the core of your Discipline. Without them, it is no longer that Discipline but something else.

But that's just a personal view, and as I've said, if the majority of players would prefer it another way, I don't honestly mind too much.

And no Arachne, I don't plan on treating Free Talents as Discipline Talents. They are given freely, and are not a requirement unless stated so by the Discipline itself.

So, I'm looking at a Human Warrior at the moment.  If I go with that, what do people think about Tactics?  Personally I find it kind of bossy, but it would fit my concept.  Is it going to annoy anyone (players or GM!) if I take Tactics with the intent of actually using it?

To put it the other way, I certainly won't be annoyed if not everyone follows along all the time, but I think I would be annoyed if no one listens ever, if that makes sense.

It makes perfect sense. ^_^
This message was last edited by the player at 18:35, Tue 14 Apr 2020.

I support it. Give me all the buffs, please. lol

Also, I'm making a human elementalist at the moment, but I'd be willing to swap to wizard if are more into that.

In reply to Rystefn (msg # 46):

No I prefer the Elementalist ^_^

So the Party Composition so far is

Iz2tricky: Windling Cavalryman Swordsmaster.
Rystefn: Human Elementalist
Teller of Tales: Everything
Utsukushi: Human Warrior
Yartok: Troll Troubadour.

I haven't decided between a Scout and an Airsailor.
What would people rather I took?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:05, Tue 14 Apr 2020.

AHAHAHAHAHAHA! I AM ALL POWERFUL!

Within the limitations of world setting and mechanics provided...

In reply to The Teller of Tales (msg # 43) re: reply:


Free talents are always at Current Circle for rank (pg 85), and therefore cannot be required to be advanced.

The optional rule allows for use of Optional Talents in the place of Discipline Talents. Instead of "These 5 are needed, then These 6 then...," it's "5 of these 6, then 6 of these 8... unless you are a Human or non-mage-windling."

In general I agree with Teller, unless there is a compelling reason why a character should be allowed to advance while straying from the discipline (Windling Scout doesn't need to Climb...)

I don't consider it straying from the Discipline, really. All the optional Talents are still on-theme for the Discipline in question. It must gives a little more flexibility so you don't have the same degree of everyone in the Discipline being more or less carbon copies of each other you get with the standard rules. But it's not that big of a deal. I'm perfectly happy to play the standard rules.

I get you. And obviously, the Optional Talents are there to allow variation. Otherwise there would only be 4 talents to choose from so every member of each Discipline would have the same talents by 4th.

I am totally unopposed to the optional rule. I just feel like there is a, well, Patern to each Discipline that builds its power, providing those Defense boosts and Karma bonuses. Straying too far from the Patern should have some consequences, IMNSHO. Thus the Windling who can get to the top of the cliff without climbing still fits the Pattern, but the Obsidemen Archer who never practiced True Shot because he doesn't have the Karma to spare is maybe not ready to advance.

I think we both agree that this decision is not a make-or-break matter. Particularly not at Creation.

100% with you there. I have a mild preference towards Using All talents, but I'm not really bothered if it's not used. Especially since I'm playing a caster, and spell loadout is a pretty solid way to customize and differentiate for those classes.

So that is

Arachne: Uncertain (Not voted).
Iz2tricky: Undecided (Not voted).
Rystefn: Pro-optimised rules.
Teller of Tales: Undisputing any decision.
Utsukushi: Undisclosed (Not voted).
Yartok: Pro-Base Rules.

If I got that right it appears that we have two for Pro-Optimised Talent Rules and the rest of us are fine as long as the rule is easily understood and followed.

So I say we can, with unabated breath and unwavering stance, unite unanimously and unilaterally behind the unified Optional rules.

Are we in unison about that?

So that is
-one Mildly pro-optional rules stating amount of Talents sacrimental for advancement.
-one Mildly pro-optional rules exempting certain Talents from advancement requirements with GM approval.
-two undecided.
-GM awaiting further arguments.

Is that right?
This message was last edited by the player at 07:33, Wed 15 Apr 2020.

In reply to Arachne (msg # 53):

I am pro RAW on Talents for advancement, Rystefn is pro-optional(though not using it for their own advancement), but neither of us care enough to push against anyone who feels strongly.

I've updated last text to reflect this.

I'd rather we stuck to the rule that you need normal number of Ranks in given Talents to progress.  I feel that since progression is about the Character developing the Discipline, then this is what it should reflect.  The Novice/Initiate Talents should only be included if they reflect the Discipline, which some do.

Having said this, if the Character development in that Discipline improves their legend, then as long as it's the same minimum as just Discipline Talents, then that should, with DM approval, be ok too.

I'm sure I've confused myself here.

In reply to Utsukushi (msg # 44):
Re: Tactics

Yartok will Start off not trusting that a non-troll knows anything about tactics... Which is particularly noteworthy in that he doesn't know anything about tactics, or weapons, or fighting really.

I think it would be wonderful for you to have tactics, and for the big guy to learn "the error of [his] mistake."