I would like Varen to have the Instinctual Defense talent. He's sharp and quick in reflexes. Let me know if that is ok.

In reply to Varen (msg # 10):

Hello.

I think it's the same book.  Page count is the same and I picked it up off Drive Thru RPG a week and a half ago.  So it should be the most current.

I am not using AutoHarp.  Would like to, but can't get it to load.

Races from the Core book are all good.  I notice Varen is an Elf from your description.  Good for me.

You are OK on the Instinctive Defense.  Character sheet should be open now.

Couple of things:

Don't try to optimize too much for combat.  I do recommend taking at least one 'social' or 'hobby' skill.  I'm the kind of GM who will throw challenges from that direction.

Since you are my guinea pig, you will keep all XP you earn at the end of the intro game.  You can then rework Varen as you like, or apply the XP to a new character.  Your call.

I am working on my world building for the game.  Hope to have some background up later this week.

Questions?

Sounds good. In that case, I will not take Instinctual Defense and use the points for other things that are more "soft skills".

Good to know.

Can't get AutoHARP to load? What are you using: A PC or a Mac? AutoHARP uses Java, which needs to be installed before it can work. The default installation path on a PC will force security on it, so you want to pick another path outside of Program Files. Finally, if all else fails, just have it run as Administrator (on a PC) and it ought to work.

I had several issues with it, and I found several solutions on the IronCrown website talking about it.

I now need to find a printing template that will allow me to copy the text so I can put it on the character sheet.

I have typed up a HARP Character sheet for this game and for my character. I plan on submitting it as a sheet to the admins, since it doesn't look like there is one available right now.

I have added some basic details to the sheet already (stats, talents) so you can check it out.

I haven't gone overboard with the stats. I realize that skills are where the progress is done fastest (+5 bonus per 1 development point).

I'll be working on entering the skill over time.

Sheet looks good.  Thanks for doing that.

Stats look okay on first blush.  I'll look at the PC later in more detail.

So you know, I am usually offline Wednesdays and Saturdays.  But will check all my game boards once a day during the rest of the week unless I've posted otherwise.

I hope to have some world building stuff up starting Thursday.  Will see how much I can get done tomorrow.

Thanks.

No worries on the timing. I myself am moving slowly these few days. Work and life (and that election craze) is just slowly eroding everyone's peace. Sheesh.

And no worries about world building. There's no hurry at all. I know world building takes an extra 8th day of a week to accomplish. Take your time.

In reply to Varen (msg # 15):

Getting close.  Put up a little bit of world background.

Varen will start in Oln's central plains, which is perhaps where he grew up.  Your call.  But he is currently in a city called Golwith.  For whatever reason you decide, he needs to get out of town.

There is a merchant who will be heading upriver to the town of Green Bluff.  He's hiring on guards and porters.  When we start, Varen will be reporting for duty with the merchant's caravan to head north.

Questions/comments?

No questions. Looks straightforward to me. Politics, borders, nobles and their turf fights.

A caravan guard assignment is a good one to get from town to town and get paid at the same time. He would gladly seek those out for short or long range travel between larger destinations. Safety in numbers and all that.

His motivations are very light: do the right thing, and go see the world. He's got no backstory trauma, so he can engage in anything he wants freely and enjoy himself in the process.

I'll re-read again over the weekend and work on internalizing some of the names and locations. I'll also keep working on the character.

Just adding in some house rule stuff and background for when the game goes live.

Will be adding more as we go.

You think you might be comfortable with starting the first storyline Thursdayish?

Yeah, I think I can. I haven't paid attention to the character for a bit, but what I really need is a way to account for the culture, adolescence, and level 1 ranks on the sheet.

After that, I think I need to manage the money and equipment, and get to learn the armor penalties a bit.

Nothing too hairy. =)

In reply to Varen (msg # 19):

Yeah. I remembered how crunchy Rolemaster was when I saw your ad.  But it turns out I forgot how crunchy Rolemaster is.  Ha.

I'm just glad we're not doing this table top.  I remember the first time I did a Rolemaster table top.  We spent more time flipping through pages looking for the right table than actually playing.  Good times.  Good times.

One more thing worth mentioning.  Since we are PbP, I will be handling initiative differently.  Basically, players will always win it.  You'll roll once at the start of each combat and I'll have resolve in that order.  If someone hasn't posted an action by the next time I check the boards, I don't wait on them.  I assume they are defending and push on for those that have.  Otherwise we get stuck waiting on slow posters.

If you are thinking of taking any talents, etc. involving initiative, keep that in mind.

Thanks.

I'm still plowing through Martial Law.  But experience is the best teacher.

I will post the first story thread tomorrow.  You can finish Varen as we go if need be.  The first story line is just getting you to the Blue Duke's Lands anyway.  It's all about a test run.

Thanks.

No problem.

I've contained myself to just the core rulebook, so you don't really need to plow through Martial Law, unless, of course, you really want to. I am certainly not going to stop you. =)

I should have my character finished by the end of this coming weekend.

We can do a lot of basic roleplay without dice until then. =)

In reply to Varen (msg # 22):

Hello.  I posted a lead in thread to the first story.  You still there?

Yes, here. Sorry, I have been out of communication. It's been quite busy at home and work. I was planning on posting today, but I am still in a remote meeting here at work as I type this.

Let me make that a reality this evening and get the story kicked into gear.

In reply to Varen (msg # 24):

No worries.  Just wanted to make sure.  Take your time.

Thanks.

To All My Games:

We are entering holiday season.

This year, I will be taking time off in November.  From this coming Friday Nov 20 until the following Friday Nov 27 I will be offline.  It's my Five Oh birthday and I have been told we are doing something big for it.

I plan on being online all through December.

This time of year is always catch-as-catch-can on RPoL.  Once I return from vacay, I will try to check the boards at my usual rate and keep games moving along.  However I will be understanding about lags in posting times.  Everything usually returns to normal come January 2nd.

Please let me know if there are any questions or concerns.  If I don't say it before the end of the year:  thanks for gaming with me in 2020.  Hope we get to continue in 2021.

Hey hey,

Sounds great. Knock yourself out in your big party. I will be 50 coming March, but I am not planning anything big.

I don't have as many social obligations as others often have, so November and December do not actually slow me down.

But, it is the time to "eat and be sleepy" so good cheers to all!  =)

Hello Folks.   Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving/week.

I am working on playing catch up.  All games should be updated no later than tomorrow.

Thanks.

Ok, my skills are up.

If you take a look at the Ranks column, you will see up to three numbers there.

The first one is Cultural points, the second is Apprenticeship points, and the third one is actual Level 1 development points. I have included a [Total] by each skill category so you can double check my math for level 1. It is supposed to be 100 total points spent.

I have also included my preliminary equipment. I will probably also include a change of clothes or two there, but I haven't written that down yet. So far the cost is correct.

I have taken the liberty of obtaining two extra bow strings at 2cp each, weighing 0.25 lbs each. I also have added belt pouches, at 1cp each. It wasn't on the core books equipment list, but I can't imagine it not actually being available. I'll see what I can find in the other books.

I'll be checking and marking any armor penalties as soon as I fully read through that section.

Oops: I didn't finish the last two categories. I'll finish them tomorrow in the afternoon.

In reply to Varen (msg # 30):

You can assume incidentals like a couple of extra shirts and underwear are yours.  I'm not going to sweat you the coin to buy sundries.

If it has the potential to be gear you will use during roleplay (an instrument if you are a bard, an expensive set of marked playing cards, a silver chalice), you will have to pay for it.

If it's just window dressing and it's reasonable to assume you own it (a couple of changes of clothes, some cheap gaming dice, a tin cup, etc.), I'm fine with handwaving that in.

Sounds perfectly good to me. Casual non-significant incidentals will be there then. =)

I have finished the character sheet writeup. It now has all his skills, his talent bonuses, racial bonuses, spells, equipment, and combat definitions all set. Varen is now a complete level 1 ranger.

Let the goblin parade commence. =)

The percentage roll system seems to result in fewer rolls than I thought they would.  Interesting.