DM themed play-by-post D&D game : OOC thread

[beowuuf]

Unless anyone has any objections, I'll let OB catch up and add anything tomorrow, and then update for Soorec's return tomorrow evening. I assume Westian, etc might have a couple of questions to throw at him. Don't be shy, I really want to move us out of Soorec's room by the end of the week at worst

[Ameena]

Do we know what's happening with LB? Is he having really bad RL issues or something?

[beowuuf]

He was having elbow/arm RSI issues a few weeks ago, plus was going to shift his internet and living arrangements. So yes, I had suggested he just bow out into the background for a while, but he seemed to think he'd be able to dip in and out. Despite seeing him browse a week or two back, obviously he's not really posted, hence why I've said Aurek should be treated as in the background or even just in a state of quantum existance right now

[beowuuf]

Note to OB: I've just given Falkor access to a few more spells. I'll list out yours, though at the moment (unless Westian confers with Falkor on rune knowledge again) he's stuck at the YA, VI, YA IR stage. Basically, beating Soorec was destined to give OH tand ZO to you guys - two pretty important runes for all spellcasters. Beating, or dealing, with 'the priest' is destined to net you the BRO rune. Once Westian has the BRO rune, only spell knowledge and occasionally clerical level will hold him back from a buttload of poweful potions!

Note that there are two more healing spells that you, as a player, may not be aware of. However, Westian is probably goign to recall spells he should know well - as a NETA follower. Those are VI BRO NETA (heal caster) and VI BRO RA (heal party). These are powerful none potion healing spells available in Nexus. Just like Falkor gets his complex lightning bolt for free under his school, Westian should get these spells 'for free' just now. Except no BRO rune I'm a stinker.

The good news is I also have a terrible memory, level 6 was where Westian gets access to his second (and last) domain!
http://www.dungeon-master.com/forum/vie ... 13#p100247

He can go for a domain he doens't yet have the rune to (paradoxically) but of course won't yet get the rune for it automatically. Also remember that you can cast one spell per encounter with that associated rune in it as if one level higher (maxing out at your maximum spell level)

[beowuuf]

Aww, everyone seems to have not posted yet today (except OB).

Anyway, Soorec generally answered Westian's comments. Feel free to dive itno that conversation, or at the very least make final preparations. I think it would be best to try and move onwards in the next day or two!

[ian_scho]

yeah sorry Just got too busy today - doesn't happen often! Will post tomorrow

[Ameena]

Our resident murafu wants to get a bit more shut-eye, or at least put off moving onward for as long as she can. She'll have to budge her arse once Haynuus decides he wants to get up, of course, but she'll stay where she is for now. Hopefully he won't just sit up really quickly and dump her on the floor in the process .

[beowuuf]

@ian Not a problem, just a surprising co-incidence of people

[oh_brother]

I cannot decide on my last domain...I would like something that fits in with Westian's background. Maybe the Sun domain.

Thanks for the extra spells, since I have not played DM2 or any of the other sequels all these spells are new to me. I just need to get the Bro rune now!

[beowuuf]

Just like for money, I'll list all the applicable spells and how close you are to getting them soon (yours were less copy and paste since some are related to the magical map, etc). Obviously the trickery domain (in a way) is closest to Westian's interests...if it's named differently in his head. Once you can see the runes needed for various spells, it might make it easier to spot a good fit both mechanically and character wise.

[oh_brother]

Yes, trickery could fit in nicely. Maybe the order would call it "deception" or "sophistry".

Maybe I will go with that!

[beowuuf]

Sophistry, I like it! Here's the spell lists so you can decide. You shouldn't have to wait until defeating the priest to get BRO, btw... I think I'll be nicer than that. You guys have been at this long enough to not have cool spells to use.

Here's a list of the spells for priests across the different five games:

Potions / shields you know:
VI - health potion (VI)
YA - stamina potion (YA)
YA IR - physical shield
YA IR DAIN - spell shield

Spell shield:
Only grants partial protection against damage-based spell attacks. Grants a spell level bonus to saving throws against the spell. Any spell without a saving throw gains a basic saving throw for half damage. Spell shield degrades at one spell level per round, and does not protect against secondary effects (eg poison). Spell shields stack to a maximum of +9.

Potions / spells you need BRO for but would know:
VI BRO - anti-poison serum (BRO)
YA BRO - personal shield potion (MA)
VI BRO NETA - personal heal
VI BRO RA - party heal

Potions you don't know yet:
YA BRO DAIN - 'wisdom' potion (DAIN)
YA BRO NETA - 'vitality' potion (NETA)
OH BRO ROS - dexterity potion (ROS)
FUL BRO KU - strength potion (KU)
ZO BRO RA - mana potion (EE)

Spells you don't know yet:
DES IR SAR - darkness spell

OH EW KU - party aura (strength)
OH EW NETA - party aura ('vitality')
OHE W ROS - party aura (dexterity)
OH EW DAIN - party aura ('wisdom')

ZO BRO ROS - reflection (physical or spell)

ZO EW ROS - create porter minion
ZO EW NETA - create guard minion


Spellsthat are useless to you (maybe):
OH GOR KU - reveals creatures on magical map
OH GOR ROS - reveal hidden items on magical map
OH GOR DAIN - reveals spells on magical map
ZO IR NETA - creates an anchor for the tech shield teleport in DM2

[beowuuf]

Ok, I've put Falkor in harm's way because, you know, it's fun. Anyway, so time to figure out how long your character's rest, and how much of Soorec's swag you want to try and blag.

Since money seems a little distracted, I'll give you guys a decent length of time to get everything together. Probably a light poking-type post tomottow evening, with the big push onwards on Friday!

[money]

Guys, I'm struggling a bit and away next week... work is like... killing me at the moment, I've almost forgotten what my boy looks like Still, a week of rest and no - and i mean no distractions That said I will be trying to get some wireless access while away so should in fact be able to update... but if wireless fails then Falkor is not going to give anything up...

[beowuuf]

Still, a week's holiday's sounds good! Very, very good!


Anyway, if you are sure that the current action of Falkor's is what you want to do, then it's pretty easy to give you an out for an extended week (I think you can guess the outcome!) Unless, of course, the group act pretty swifty to come to Falkor's defense, and even then Soorec is not going with the group anymore I reckon, nor allow Falkor to go with them.

In that case, Falkor can be 'dead' or a captured for a week and a bit, ready to be freed or escape once you're back.


Never mock short wizards with powerful friends... and never doubt your DM will kill your character, albeit temporarily, if its player action and not bad luck that puts your character in harm's way!

[Ameena]

Woah, I think Falkor is asking to get himself donked...eek...

[oh_brother]

@ beo, which kicks in first, the ranks I added to bluff or the trickery domain? i.e. did my 3 points get me 1.5 ranks, or 3 ranks?

[beowuuf]

You can apply the trickery domain first so you can gain 3 ranks.

Just like intelligence increases netting you more skill points right away, the beneficial one always seems to get applied first

[beowuuf]

Cool, full house (minus LB )...whatever will happen? Something shocking? Something cop-out-y? Dun-dun-dun... we'll see afetr this pause for enjoying sunlight, food, and soft chairs

[Ameena]

Heh, hopefully Falkor won't get randomly eaten/squished/stabbed/impaled/stepped on/nuked/all of the above by the grak-graks and/or Soorec at some point in the near(ish) future. Ameena is attempting to sort-of distract him while at the same time asking questions that are actually relevant and also see whether he still thinks she's in charge and stuff. And trying also to stay on his good side (such as it is...well, umm, if he even has one...I suppose it's the one where he doesn't just kill you/have you killed straight away ) so that maybe he'll forget about Falkor for the moment and get on with happily telling the group about whatever it is they're about to go up against. Well, presumably Ameena may not if Soorec sticks to the deal they made (did they shake hands/paws on it? I can't remember...not that that would necessarily mean anything to Soorec, and to Ameena such gestures are merely weird things that humans etc do for various reasons) wherein she'll stay behind and chat to him while the rest of the group go to face Priesty-dude.
I had a thought about Farel and Ardur, though it's probably largely irrelevant now - Soorec sent a couple of grak-graks with them, and one of the grak-graks remaining with the group took on the shape of Farel to show that he was unhurt. But should he reach the dungeon exit, presumably the grak-grak will turn and head back down into the dungeon, and having parted ways with Farel will revert to its natural shape (or something) since it's not with him any more. So the group will never know for sure whether Farel and/or Ardur made it out - whatever happens, the grak-grak will stop showing itself as Farel (well, I think it already has after Falkor's little erm...display of attitude ), but it could be either because Farel got out of the dungeon or because the grak-grak changed shape right before it gutted him .

[beowuuf]

Indeed. So one simply has to worry over the timing of that one. IF the grak-grak changes in two seconds, maybe they didn't get out. If it happens in half an hour...hmm, who knows?

Someone should have thought about that before accepting it. Or simply trust the poor little gnome!

[ian_scho]

Found another die roller
http://www.dicega.com/

[Ameena]

Heh, well I didn't actually think of that at the time, but I suppose Ameena was sufficiently knackered that she was allowed to not think of some stuff herself .
Meanwhile, it looks like everyone is gonna have to stop calling each other by name if they don't want the scary priest dude to start possessing them or whatever .

[beowuuf]

Well, as long as you don't say his name first or do anything huigely spiritual to grab his attention, you'll be fine...

And don't worry, no one has done that....that you guys know of (and OOC Ameena you probably don't know of either...)

[beowuuf]

I'll hang back to see if what money wants Falkor to do, plus it's just nice to let the 'bite' of Westian's realisations linger a little So I guess have a good weekend guys if you can't check back over the weekend!

In my next update Soorec will hint, and then as DM I will indicate, the 'rules' by which your character will be screwed or not screwed as you start to head towards the priest (all this knowing names and suchlike). Hmm, Falkor's defiance might have added a little wrinkle to the next part, hopefully once passed that, I'll be able to introduce you to an interesting little area....

Things to look forward to:
- ditching Soorec at some point, and focusing on this new priest (the elf Dolo Smitre, though only one character knows that name for the moment)
- seeing if anyone (bar Ameena who has good reason) will start to wonder at Falkor's motives.... He doens't have a hidden agenda, he's just a 45 year old halfling who likes to do things his own way... but Ameena aside none of the PCs should actually know that.
- paying off Aurek's invocation of the elemenatals, and hinting at the start of a path you could attempt if you wish to find the FUL YA pit. Note this is a side quest though.
- watching Westian get nastily tested against the priest (teehee)
- starting to pay off Haynuus's paranoia about knowing the SAR rune, and starting to link him to one of the other bosses
- finally revealing the mystery of the memories. And, if you guys discover it the wrong way, screwing you over royalling in the process. I mean... yeah, I mean screwing you over royally.
- meeting some old 'friends'
- making the occasional new friend/enemy


Also, I've come to the realisation that many, many times I look at a player action, and simultaneosuly think that is both the best and worst thing they could possibly do. I have yet to figure out if that's because of you players, or if it's because, as a DM, I keep adding evil consequences to everything! Save the baby from the monster? Hah, turned out the baby was Lord Chaos, and the monster was the last of the good mutant zombies! (Of course, you know the baby is currently innocent and the monster likes eating brains...)

[beowuuf]

Oooh, full house, and great cliffhanger from money!

Will fill in the previous Soorec intereactiosn with next update tomorrow morning (so tired now), and then let you guys then react to Falkor's disappearance just before Soorec does!

[beowuuf]

Damn, I've just realised Falkor's reaction follows directly from the previous update. So basically, my last two updates shouldn't have happened. However, it is far too sunny a day right now, and probably far too confusing, for me to correct that. So how about you kinda squint, twist your midns a little, and imagine that somehow the halfling was still under the previous danger and so his disappearance could be because of Brighteyes or something else, while all the previous exposition still happened for your characters. That sounds good - and to think I was going to get an early start outside. It'll be 12 and there'll be people everywhere now Stupid small town and bright day!

Anyway, hope that's acceptable to everyone! Soorec's questions to Westian, given the situation of Falkor disappearing, were always goign to be retorical and only potentially re-visited (they are more an insight into Soorec's mind than actual plot beats for you to worry about, OB - though Westian can feel free to be paraoid). So yeah, no need to cram in any answers / questions to Soorec before reaction at the disappearance.

Enjoy the weekend! Hope it's as hot and sunny with you as it is here!

[beowuuf]

Eh, reading back again it all seems good. So yeah, you might have gotten rid of Soorec...for now. Maybe, at least.

[beowuuf]

Anyway, since DM borrows alot from our world, I don't feel toooo bad about allowing OB to have taken Corellon Larethian from the D&D mythology, nor pulled Lolth from there too. Because demons have a different place in this world, and even in fiction before I have always pithced them much differently, I've taken the more evil and otherworldly aspects of Lolth (spider queen, demon queen, trapped, etc) and created one aspect, while the more human (well, elven) origins and aspects seem better suited to a more human-like High Lord. Hence Lilith (and her full name is Lilith Araushnee if that means anything to anyone...)

Also, I do not see Lolth (a demon) as just empodying elves. Drows were not mentioned as any form of character in the little canon we have. So I think 'drow' in the Dm world can be akin to general outcasts. With elves being the most prominent due to how far they would fall, and how high they could climb the other side

Anyway, this is as much D&D as I want to have touch the DM world really... in a way, the DM world seems to have many little hints at our world. Once oculd imagine echoes in the multiverse, who knows. Very Michael Moorcock when all is said and done, I am sure

[ian_scho]

Oh wow. Just been reading about Michael Moorcock in wikipedia... He created the Stormbringer! I assume that there is no connection with the DM world in this one though.