Post by Malakbel on Jan 26, 2019 22:22:02 GMT
Mercenaries
Hello there! This will be the first time that I am running an adventure on this site, thus it would be a good idea to give a rundown on what sort of guidelines I am using, but they are essentially the same ones I've seen Arikarka run with, thus in the effort of keeping things simple, I'll lay down the quote here.
Hello everyone!
Here is my first DMed Adventure Thread I will be hosting for some of you. To get right to the point? Here's what sort of DM guidelines I will be following:
But what do these all mean? Let me go into a bit more detail for you
Passive Skill Checks
I will require everyone who wants to join to post here, their skill list, what they are proficient in, and if any feats (such as observant) or abilities affect their passive scores (10+skill mod). Passives aren't as big a thing in 5e as it is Pathfinder, but I love the idea of passive skill checks. So I use them. I feel it promotes quicker play, lets those who should be good at something be good at something when it comes to non important rolls/checks, and lets you focus more on what your character is doing instead of waiting around for me to say 'make a roll'.
Though this list does not cover skills, it does a great job in describing a 5e translated version of what your ability scores end up equating to in the real world. I will be using these to judge passive successes. Ability Score Ranges Described
DM Calls for Rolls
I will call for rolls when they are needed. Do not ask me if you can make a roll. Worse case scenario? You end up writing your character proceeding a bit further then intended, I send a quick OOC message saying hold up! Make a roll here, and we edit posts. No biggie. But with how I intend to set this up? It will be clear beforehand what will require a roll or not. This walks along side my first point on passives. If this is something a background, class skill, or thing your character should be able to do? You DON'T need a roll! If it is something above and beyond and requiresthe Fate of Dice to determine success, a pivotal moment (such as unlocking a door, checking for traps, making the persuasion or intimidate check for an important/major NPC) I will tell you to roll. If I don't tell you to roll something, you are free to decided how your character proceeds. Just remember, succeeding all the time gets boring. Failing can be fun and should help grow your character.
Semi Non-Order Posting
PBP board posting is amazing because you can write at your leisure and go at your own pace. Some people have more time than others to spare, and that's alright. I wish to be open to all levels of devotion by breaking from the traditional unspoken 'rounds' of posting. If I post, and Player 1 (P1) posts, then P2, then P3 then I post again? From there on out, traditionally, it is DM, P1, P2, P3. P1 might be a fast poster, but P2 only writes once a week, and P3 maybe 2-3 times a week if they get the time. It ends up taking 2 weeks to move from point A to B... and there is an alphbet in front of you.
I will have DM Update Posts be the major 'continue the story' style long descriptive posts about once a week (unless of course everyone is a faster poster, then it will adjust accordingly), but will have smaller interaction posts in between. I will respond to players between these large descriptive posts in smaller pieces of writing guiding them through their passive skills. At most, as it stands now, I will do this a max of 3 times per player per DM Update Post (this might change in practice). This allows interaction within the big week to cater to the slower or faster poster, without letting everyone fall behind and get lost with what's happening. It also lets anyone who might have had too busy a life in one week not hold up the story. It will then be their responsibility to 'catch up' with reading and quickly respond a post to bring their character into the current time. My hope is then after investigations PCs then also post back and forth to each other in-between DM Update Posts to build character relationships, share information they've found with their skills, etc.
Heavy Descriptions
As you may have noticed, I like to write. A lot. It's my favorite hobby and I will not apologize XD <3
That being the case? I plan on taking the time to write up descriptive, thought provoking, and beautiful theater of the mind like descriptions. I will add music to my posts, pictures, and describe as best I can sights, sounds, and scents. I will describe the time of day, weather, seasonal related, etc. This length of writing is not expected to be matched, or be in competition, with anyone who responds. This is me gifting to you, the players, the best PBP based DMing I can through the written word.
Plot/Character Tie Ins
Have an idea, plot nugget, or characterization seed you'd like to see appear to challenge, boost, or even hinder your character? Is there some sort of fear you'd like your character to face, or an obstacle to overcome? Let me know!!! I will incorporate all I can, perhaps not immediately in the first few posts, (or even this first Adventure Thread) but I will use it. Let me help you help, your character... or cripple them with 2d6 emotional damage... I can do it all
Additional guidelines
— There is a limit of 48hs for posting, as I'd like the thread to keep advancing at a steady pace. Those who haven't posted by the time I reply, will be skipped a turn. If in combat, their actions will be determined by the GM as opposed to treating them as Stunned. If an absence is posted, we'll discuss the issue and sort it out together.
—Difficulty. This is an important aspect. The threads/adventures I run are challenging. The Challenge Rating of the encounters the player characters will be facing will be higher than usual, as such running and hitting everything head-on might not always be the smartest strategy, at player discretion. Online encounter calculators put most of my encounters on the deadly category.
The plot
A nobleman by the name of Merwald Silvercrest has called in for adventurers to help him with a problem, with the promise of gold and loot. The piece of land under his jurisdiction is being scoured by foul Orcs. Normally the soldiers would take care of such a menace, but due to the tense political situation between Lord Silvercrest and his liege he is being denied that aid. His local guards do what they can, but they have proven no match against these foreign creatures, and they are already stretched thin as it is.
A surviving townsfolk from the town of Amphail which is just a mere three days ride from Waterdeep, claims he has seen the Orcs retreat westwards towards the mountains after they looted the village and subjected the survivors to unspekeable horrors. Merwald Silvecrest wants seasoned adventurers who can find the lair, or camp of the creatures. He wants to find out their number. He wants to know any weaknessess they might have. And then he wants them dead, to which end he will also provide guards if needed.
—I'm looking for 3 to 4 players. If more sign up I'll split them into two adventure threads with similar objectives. Signups will be up until playable
—Characters of any level are appliable. Be mindful of applying with level one characters, however, and keep in mind their given approach to a situation.
—The first post will be made either when the slots are full, or when enough volunteers show up.
—It is possible that the adventure will be separated into two parts.
If you have any questions, or concerns, let me know.
Hello there! This will be the first time that I am running an adventure on this site, thus it would be a good idea to give a rundown on what sort of guidelines I am using, but they are essentially the same ones I've seen Arikarka run with, thus in the effort of keeping things simple, I'll lay down the quote here.
Here is my first DMed Adventure Thread I will be hosting for some of you. To get right to the point? Here's what sort of DM guidelines I will be following:
- Passive skill checks
- DM calls for rolls
- Semi non-order posting rounds
- Heavy descriptions of place, a full sensory experience
- Plot or goal tie-ins for PC characters
But what do these all mean? Let me go into a bit more detail for you
Passive Skill Checks
I will require everyone who wants to join to post here, their skill list, what they are proficient in, and if any feats (such as observant) or abilities affect their passive scores (10+skill mod). Passives aren't as big a thing in 5e as it is Pathfinder, but I love the idea of passive skill checks. So I use them. I feel it promotes quicker play, lets those who should be good at something be good at something when it comes to non important rolls/checks, and lets you focus more on what your character is doing instead of waiting around for me to say 'make a roll'.
Though this list does not cover skills, it does a great job in describing a 5e translated version of what your ability scores end up equating to in the real world. I will be using these to judge passive successes. Ability Score Ranges Described
DM Calls for Rolls
I will call for rolls when they are needed. Do not ask me if you can make a roll. Worse case scenario? You end up writing your character proceeding a bit further then intended, I send a quick OOC message saying hold up! Make a roll here, and we edit posts. No biggie. But with how I intend to set this up? It will be clear beforehand what will require a roll or not. This walks along side my first point on passives. If this is something a background, class skill, or thing your character should be able to do? You DON'T need a roll! If it is something above and beyond and requiresthe Fate of Dice to determine success, a pivotal moment (such as unlocking a door, checking for traps, making the persuasion or intimidate check for an important/major NPC) I will tell you to roll. If I don't tell you to roll something, you are free to decided how your character proceeds. Just remember, succeeding all the time gets boring. Failing can be fun and should help grow your character.
Semi Non-Order Posting
PBP board posting is amazing because you can write at your leisure and go at your own pace. Some people have more time than others to spare, and that's alright. I wish to be open to all levels of devotion by breaking from the traditional unspoken 'rounds' of posting. If I post, and Player 1 (P1) posts, then P2, then P3 then I post again? From there on out, traditionally, it is DM, P1, P2, P3. P1 might be a fast poster, but P2 only writes once a week, and P3 maybe 2-3 times a week if they get the time. It ends up taking 2 weeks to move from point A to B... and there is an alphbet in front of you.
I will have DM Update Posts be the major 'continue the story' style long descriptive posts about once a week (unless of course everyone is a faster poster, then it will adjust accordingly), but will have smaller interaction posts in between. I will respond to players between these large descriptive posts in smaller pieces of writing guiding them through their passive skills. At most, as it stands now, I will do this a max of 3 times per player per DM Update Post (this might change in practice). This allows interaction within the big week to cater to the slower or faster poster, without letting everyone fall behind and get lost with what's happening. It also lets anyone who might have had too busy a life in one week not hold up the story. It will then be their responsibility to 'catch up' with reading and quickly respond a post to bring their character into the current time. My hope is then after investigations PCs then also post back and forth to each other in-between DM Update Posts to build character relationships, share information they've found with their skills, etc.
Heavy Descriptions
As you may have noticed, I like to write. A lot. It's my favorite hobby and I will not apologize XD <3
That being the case? I plan on taking the time to write up descriptive, thought provoking, and beautiful theater of the mind like descriptions. I will add music to my posts, pictures, and describe as best I can sights, sounds, and scents. I will describe the time of day, weather, seasonal related, etc. This length of writing is not expected to be matched, or be in competition, with anyone who responds. This is me gifting to you, the players, the best PBP based DMing I can through the written word.
Plot/Character Tie Ins
Have an idea, plot nugget, or characterization seed you'd like to see appear to challenge, boost, or even hinder your character? Is there some sort of fear you'd like your character to face, or an obstacle to overcome? Let me know!!! I will incorporate all I can, perhaps not immediately in the first few posts, (or even this first Adventure Thread) but I will use it. Let me help you help, your character... or cripple them with 2d6 emotional damage... I can do it all
Additional guidelines
— There is a limit of 48hs for posting, as I'd like the thread to keep advancing at a steady pace. Those who haven't posted by the time I reply, will be skipped a turn. If in combat, their actions will be determined by the GM as opposed to treating them as Stunned. If an absence is posted, we'll discuss the issue and sort it out together.
—Difficulty. This is an important aspect. The threads/adventures I run are challenging. The Challenge Rating of the encounters the player characters will be facing will be higher than usual, as such running and hitting everything head-on might not always be the smartest strategy, at player discretion. Online encounter calculators put most of my encounters on the deadly category.
The plot
A nobleman by the name of Merwald Silvercrest has called in for adventurers to help him with a problem, with the promise of gold and loot. The piece of land under his jurisdiction is being scoured by foul Orcs. Normally the soldiers would take care of such a menace, but due to the tense political situation between Lord Silvercrest and his liege he is being denied that aid. His local guards do what they can, but they have proven no match against these foreign creatures, and they are already stretched thin as it is.
A surviving townsfolk from the town of Amphail which is just a mere three days ride from Waterdeep, claims he has seen the Orcs retreat westwards towards the mountains after they looted the village and subjected the survivors to unspekeable horrors. Merwald Silvecrest wants seasoned adventurers who can find the lair, or camp of the creatures. He wants to find out their number. He wants to know any weaknessess they might have. And then he wants them dead, to which end he will also provide guards if needed.
—I'm looking for 3 to 4 players. If more sign up I'll split them into two adventure threads with similar objectives. Signups will be up until playable
—Characters of any level are appliable. Be mindful of applying with level one characters, however, and keep in mind their given approach to a situation.
—The first post will be made either when the slots are full, or when enough volunteers show up.
—It is possible that the adventure will be separated into two parts.
If you have any questions, or concerns, let me know.
