I believe it was Datablue who first suggested a DF-Inspired DnD game online using OpenRPG. I'm not such a big fan of the DnD rules myself, so I have offered to run a game using the QAGS rules. The rules are simple, flexible, and easy to learn, and I will gladly provide them to anyone who wishes to play. So far I have one definite and one maybe player, but I'd like to have at least three or four before starting.
The plot I've come up with to start out is fairly short and shouldn't take more than one or two sessions to play through. It is mostly to test out my ideas and see how QAGS rules work with DF. It is intended to be somewhat humorous, entertaining, and offer a great deal of creative freedom to the players and GM.
I live in New England, Eastern Standard Time. I can play on most days pretty much anytime from about 1 PM to about midnight, so there's flexibility for people in different time zones. Anyone who is interested, please post here with the days and times you are available. I will send each person interested a link to a PDF file containing the necessary portions of the players' section of the QAGS manual. I highly recommend that everyone who is able pick up a copy of the book: it's only about $15, it's a great read, it's a way better system than DnD, and the guys who wrote it deserve the money for their hard work.
==UPDATE==
Here are the most up-to-date links for what you need to play the game. The old links (hand scanned-in by me) can be found at the bottom of the page, and you can always buy your own materials on the cheap at www.hexgames.com :
Rules for Creating Your Character
Examples of In-Game Mechanics
Official Character Sheet (For Reference)
Official Qik Start Rules
==UPDATE==
This is the link to the chat room where we set up the sessions immediately before connecting. Look here to see what's up for the day. Thus far we have been running games on Sundays at 4:00 PM EST (GMT-5) but this is subject to change.
==UPDATE==
Here are the links to the game logs, all in one handy place! Thanks to Turgid Bolk for posting these online for us:
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
Session 4
Session 5
Also, the Wiki Page, also created and maintained by Turgid Bolk.
Intro to my plot:
It is a simple but honest life, working in the fortress-city of Crimsonworked. It is the best fortified fortress in the kingdom, and home to King Hameclear himself. It is the one place where dwarves have little fear of being attacked by the vicious Dragon, which regularly raids the outposts established under the King’s orders. The Dragon is well-known for being greedy and bloodthirsty, and steals whatever treasure it can find from the outposts after slaughtering every dwarf in sight.
Yes, you are safe here, but the fear is always there.
It is early morning when you are awoken by a member of the Royal Guard. The stalwart dwarf will not tell you why, but you have been summoned into the presence of the King. In your pajamas and without breakfast, you are marched into the throne room to hear the King’s request...
Old Links:
Character Sheet: http://www.mediafire.com/?3hlz2vba2vd
Advanced Character Sheet: http://www.mediafire.com/?b3h2xays9wv
Front Cover of Manual: http://www.mediafire.com/?amly9wmvh33
Back Cover of Manual: http://www.mediafire.com/?egwbx13sabl
[ September 30, 2007: Message edited by: Sappho ]
[ October 14, 2007: Message edited by: Sappho ]
[ October 23, 2007: Message edited by: Sappho ]
ill join tho
[ August 21, 2007: Message edited by: Keilden ]
Mind... Incoherant. Sorry, bedtime.
[ August 21, 2007: Message edited by: Dreamer ]
So that's two people who have given me times... Should I assume that everyone else is available 24/7? :P
[ August 23, 2007: Message edited by: Bluefire ]
My work hours vary each week, so my available hours will not always be the same. I am definitely NOT a morning person, but I become pretty incoherent when it starts to get really late.
How about I throw out a few times, and everyone can tell me if any of them work? This week I can do Wednesday from 1 PM to 3 PM, or anywhere from 9 PM till about midnight. I could also do Friday night from about 9 PM till midnight, or Saturday night from about 5 PM till midnight.
All times are EST, which is GMT -5; I'm 3 hours ahead of California, and 5 hours behind England.. So, who can play at one of those times?
[ August 28, 2007: Message edited by: Necro ]
That's 12 - 2, central time, right? I can never get my time zones straight...
[ August 28, 2007: Message edited by: Dreamer ]
I haven't hosted a game yet on OpenRPG, so let's all meet on an instant message program to set it up at 1. I think I still have AIM on my computer, though I haven't used it in a very long time. My screen name is Subconsciousmess, add me and send me a message when you see me on tomorrow at 1. At the very least, if not everyone shows up, we can start making characters, figure out how to use the program, and get things ready for an actual game!
Okay... I got AIM. Waiting for us to start up.
[ August 29, 2007: Message edited by: Dreamer ]
The QAGS rules seem to be a success, I certainly didn't hear any complaints. The system is geared towards telling a story and getting into it with characters that have real unique personalities, not cookie cutter adventurers with long lists of skills and equipment and lots and lots of dice rolling. If anyone else wants to get in on this, I'm sure we can find the time to make up some more characters to join the plot, as we haven't officially started yet.
I'm no fan of AIM and it seems you guys aren't either - it just happened to be the one chat program I had on my computer. Is there a single program that everyone can agree on for setting up games? I was getting harassed anyway by people who used to talk to me on AIM with whom I had no desire to speak, so I'd be happy to leave that program behind.
Reality_Unknown, sorry we missed you, I didn't realize you were looking to join or I might have checked here and sent you a PM or something. If you want to join in, maybe you and I (and anyone else who's interested) can make up some characters before the next actual session.
And as for the next session, we need to pick a time. Tentatively, I can do:
Saturday anytime between 5:00 PM and Midnight or so
Sunday anytime between 2:00 PM and Midnight or so
Monday anytime between 2:00 PM and 6:30 or so
Tuesday anytime between 2:00 PM and Midnight or so
Wednesday anytime between 2:00 PM and Midnight or so
Thursday between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM
Friday between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM
Next Saturday between 1:00 PM and Midnight or so
As always, all these times are EST (GMT -5)
Slow work week next week so I have lots of time for playing. That ought to cover it for now. What's good for you guys?
Also, I don't think I've sent you a link to the manual yet, Reality_Unknown, so I'll PM it to you. Anyone else who still needs that, let me know and I'll send it to you. As I've told everyone so far, you don't need to read the whole thing, but it's very helpful and a joy to read. Start with the introduction. If you like that, you'll want to buy the book so you can read the parts I didn't scan in! I am giving you guys less than half the book so that everyone can have a copy of the rules, but that is less than half the manual (GM secrets is mine, yes, they are my preciousss!) I've actually read it cover to cover several times just because it's so funny and enjoyable, I can't push enough that these guys deserve the money. (And for the record, no, I do not work for them and I do not get any of the money, but I want more people to start playing QAGS so we can get away from complicated DnD rules and move towards a more flexible and enjoyable system.)
I suppose that's all for now. Everyone join in, it's gonna be fun!
quote:
Originally posted by Sappho:
<STRONG>
And as for the next session, we need to pick a time. Tentatively, I can do:
Saturday anytime between 5:00 PM and Midnight or so
Sunday anytime between 2:00 PM and Midnight or so
Monday anytime between 2:00 PM and 6:30 or so
Tuesday anytime between 2:00 PM and Midnight or so
Wednesday anytime between 2:00 PM and Midnight or so
Thursday between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM
Friday between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM
Next Saturday between 1:00 PM and Midnight or so
As always, all these times are EST (GMT -5)
</STRONG>
I can't do Saturday, unfortunately. I'm actually working from 5 to midnight, and likely into the morning. I can do Sunday, though. The rest of the times are okay, but I'd have to leave for work around 4:30 PM (GMT -6; 5:30 GMT -5) or so. Sorry if it's inconvinient...
I found a nice chat site and created a private room here: http://www.chatzy.com/508744878667
The password is toodeep
So we can use that, it's free and doesn't require any downloading, and doesn't even use flash or java, so it should work for everyone (I hope).
Reality_Unknown, perhaps we can create a character for you via email or something beforehand, so everyone will be ready to go. Could you PM me your email address if you'd like to do that? If you've had a chance to read over at least the character creation part of the manual, that would give a good head start as well.
Anyone else interested in Sunday?
I think that chat room looks pretty good, Turgid. Everyone okay with meeting there instead of an instant messaging program? It does require javascript but nothing more.
Looking forward to it!
I would like to ask everyone who has not done so already to read over my examples on how to use Yum Yums during gameplay. The document is here: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=ddfqpx6n_39fxgjmp&hl=en Alternatively, or in addition to this, you may read the section in the game manual on Yum Yums, chapter four, on page 30.
Even if you don’t have time to read the whole chapter, I would like everyone to look over the section on improving your character, if possible. It starts on page 31 and continues through the top of 34, and I’d like to start by doing this for anyone who wishes to at the beginning of the next session. Yes, I’m looking at you, Dumat.
As for the next session, which I hope will be soon, the times listed above all still work for me. Everyone else, what days and times work for you this week, or next weekend if need be?
Unfortunately, as I realized immediately after closing the OpenRPG program, I forgot to save the chat log as I had intended to so that I could review what had happened in detail. This isn't a huge deal, just disappointing, as there were a lot of great one-liners during the game that I would have liked to remember. I will recount here the basic sequence of events for the game, as well as I can remember. If I misremember who did what, one of my players please feel free to correct me! We played for nearly five hours, so it’s already quite a long story.
First off, a terrible Dragon has been ravaging the dwarven kingdom, raiding the poorly-defended outposts and slaughtering every dwarf in sight, making off with all of the treasure. Those living in the great fortress-cities have always been safe, though all are still terrified at the very mention of the horrible beast.
As our story begins, the dwarves in the King's fortress-city, the best defended in the land, are still asleep. Two of them, Oddom and Dumat, are awoken early by members of the Royal Guard and brought before the King in their pajamas. The King informs them that the Dragon has grown bolder and has attacked and destroyed and entire town - and their closest loved ones were living there. They have been killed in a brutal fashion which the King recounts in graphic detail. (The King is just and kind, but not very bright, and he seems to lack the wisdom to know when to spare listeners the details.) He then offers the two dwarves the chance to avenge their deaths, and save the kingdom all at once - and as a bonus, they are offered rewards in return for the jewel-encrusted left eye of the dragon as proof that they have slain it. The rewards play strongly at their greatest weaknesses, just in case revenge is not motivator enough. Oddom and Dumat, though lacking any combat skill whatsoever, equipped themselves with weapons and armor and set out in the direction of the Dragon's lair.
Halfway to the lair, after several hours of travel, they come upon what they were told is a safe haven – the home of a friendly human hermit named Morul. The hermit appears to be a crazy old man with a few whispy gray hairs and three half-rotted teeth. He feeds them and gives them a place to sleep, but spends the night calling them liars and uttering nonsensical claims about how they had failed to do what they claimed they would do, and the others must have been eaten. He seems to think he has met them before, though they have never seen him.
Meanwhile, two players showed up late and were brought into the game. Vallan and Edos are then awoken and brought before the King, who tells them that he has been informed that their loved ones were also living in the destroyed town, and recounts their brutal deaths in detail. He gives them the same offer to slay the dragon for revenge, save the kingdom, and earn tempting rewards. Edos equips himself with a weapon and armor, while Vallan loads a hand cart with food, ale, rope, spikes, poison, and other effects which slow his travel immensely. Edos is annoyed but cannot convince him to leave anything behind. The two set out for the hut to meet up with the others.
When they arrive, the others are already asleep. The old man lets them in, mutters about how impressed he is that they have not been eaten, and shows them where the food is before flopping down in bed. The dwarves introduce themselves to each other briefly and try to establish what the plan is. One of them seems certain that they are to catch up with the main army sent to slay the Dragon, while the others seem certain that there is no army and they are to act alone. Eventually they all go to sleep.
The next morning they try to get information from Morul regarding the dragon. He is insistent that he has already told them what they need to know and continues to call them liars. He does mutter something about following the sound of her munching. Eventually they give up and head out, trying to form a plan on the way there. As they near the cave, the landscape is charred and there is no cover. They stop for a moment and argue about their strategy. Some want to search for a back way in, others want to set a trap, and there is talk of simply running in there and killing the thing. They argue back in forth in a very entertaining manner for a while before one of them simply starts towards the entrance. It is determined that there is no back way in.
Vallan decides to climb up above the entrance to the cave and wait. Once he is safely perched above the opening and things finally quiet down, the others suddenly hear sounds coming from within the caves. It is not munching sounds as Morul had suggested, but yelling, coming from quite a distance away. Someone suggests that there is an army after all, and they need only rush in and join them. The three start to make their way into the maze of caves, stepping over piles of bones and stone trinkets and moving towards the sounds of the yelling. The closer they get, the more certain they are that a fight is going on, and they can hear the occasional clang of metal. Vallan, wondering what is going on, strains his ears and finally hears the fighting sounds, and so decides to jump down from his perch and follow them in.
Edos is the first to reach the Dragon’s lair, and as he rounds the corner he sees the Dragon, fierce and terrifying, standing tall and looking right at him – but between them is a group of four humans, three men and a woman, clad in shining armor and wielding fearsome weapons. The dwarves are just in time to see the humans deliver the final blow to the monster and go about the business of cutting out its left eye. The humans are clearly well-trained in fighting and have managed to take down the beast after a long battle.
Edos, enraged at losing his opportunity for revenge, rushes into the room with his weapon raised and starts hacking at the dragon’s corpse. The humans simply stand and stare as his weapon clangs off the dragon’s scales. He then proceeds to kick in the other eye and yells semicoherently about his revenge. The others try to calm him down and confront the humans. The two groups trade a few insults, and the humans claim to have done the dwarves a favor by ridding them of the terrible Dragon – they are safe now. The dwarves, though glad the Dragon is dead, still want to claim their rewards from the King and so need the jewel-encrusted left eye. The humans, of course, refuse to give it to them, pointing out that they need the eye in order to claim their reward as well. They go to leave, while Edos follows them trying to get them to show him the eye and Dumat following him nervously. Vallan goes back to the cave entrance and starts trying to set a trap, and Oddom stays behind to look over the room.
Oddom examines the Dragon’s corpse and finds that the scales are hard as steel and he cannot remove them. It is lying on a large pile of treasures of dwarven make. Suddenly, something yellow catches his eye and he moves to examine it – there are three large yellow dragon eggs which have gone unnoticed in the corner of the room. Images of being a legendary dragon tamer fill his mind. He eagerly empties his backpack to make room for one of them, though it is so large he is unable to fully close it. He then starts to make his way back to the entrance.
At the same time, Vallan is gathering large rocks and hauling them to his perch above the entrance of the caves. He gets several up there, along with a sack of smaller rocks for throwing, and waits.
Meanwhile, Edos and Dumat are following the humans, trying to reason with them. Eventually the stubborn humans stop listening and begin to walk faster. Their long human legs make it easy for them to get away from the dwarves, who are soon alone. The two decide to go back to the entrance to form a new plan.
As Oddom nears the entrance, he keeps to the shadows against the wall of the cave, attempting to keep the egg hidden. Vallan, however, hears his footsteps and assumes them to be human, and readies a small rock to throw at his head. As Oddom steps through the entryway, he hears the rock whiz past his ear, and looks up to see Vallan, who is angry that Oddom would walk into his trap and potentially give away his position to the humans. The two argue a bit while Oddom finds a secure-looking place to set down the backpack containing the egg. Though Vallan looks directly at it, he is too consumed by greed for his promised reward to pay much attention and fails to notice it.
After a few minutes, Edos and Dumat arrive looking hopeless. They stay inside the entrance of the cave so as not to completely lose their night vision, and see Oddom sitting outside. The two have assumed that the humans have already made off with the eye, but Oddom tells them they have not yet come out. They are confused as to how they made it out before the humans, and suddenly wonder where Vallan is. Oddom points up and says he’s waiting with a trap. Edos decides to go back in and look for the humans, and Dumat follows.
After a few minutes, they hear the humans muttering in low voices and arguing over something. As they get closer the conversation makes it obvious that the humans, not used to caves, are completely lost, and though they have a map, they are not smart enough to be able to read it properly. After a few more minutes the humans start to move again, but not in the direction of the exit.
Edos and Dumat return to the entrance again and share the news with the others. The four of them spend several minutes laughing about how pathetic it is for anyone to get lost in this small maze of caverns, and ripping on humans in general for being beardless, ugly, and stupid. After several minutes of this, they decide to go in after them and try to bargain with them – they can lead the humans out, but they want the eye. There is talk of laying a trap for them, but they don’t have all their tools with them. Vallan mostly sits quietly and focuses on his plan to drop rocks on their heads.
The three others find the humans looking over their map and arguing, and Oddom steps forward and gets their attention. He makes fun of them for being unable to find their way out, and hints that he and his comrades can lead them out for a price. The humans do not take kindly to being insulted, and proudly refuse to admit they are lost. They start to move off in a random direction and again quickly lose the dwarves, who return to the entrance again.
The four of them again start discussing possible plans, arguing and cracking jokes about the humans. Suddenly, their conversation is interrupted by a loud cracking noise and an irritating squeak. Oddom immediately recognizes that his egg has hatched and grabs some food to give to the newborn. The others quickly discover what has happened – the baby dragon is peeking out of the backpack, covered in slime, munching on the food it has been given, and peering at them with its tiny eyes – the left one encrusted with jewels. Oddom tells them that there are two more in the Dragon’s lair. The conversation suddenly turns to what to do with them.
Vallan immediately decides that they should be killed – Dragons are dangerous and this one will grow into a dwarf slaughterer just like its mother. Dumat at first thinks it is cute and should not be harmed, but when it snaps at his hand he immediately yells to kill it and runs off. Oddom thinks it should be brought to the king as a gift, so it can be trained to defend them, but the others do not think dragons are tameable. Edos suggests that they get the other two baby dragons, which must have hatched by now, and sick all three on the adventurers – maybe if they get taken by surprise, they won’t be able to defend themselves properly and the dwarves can make off with the eye. The others point out that they took the full-grown dragon down pretty easily, and these ones are miniscule in comparison. Vallan takes matters into his own hands and throws one of his rocks at the baby – his aim is perfect, but the dragon easily dodges the stone. Oddom gets angry and yells at him not to harm the dragon.
Suddenly, the argument is interrupted by the sound of human voices – the group has found their way out and is approaching the dwarves, though they don’t yet see them.
To be continued…
[ September 03, 2007: Message edited by: Sappho ]
I, too was dissapointed that I forgot to save the log, but! It turns out OpenRPG saves the logs automatically! In ...\OpenRPG\myfiles\Logs, as html files, hooray! So may I present to you...the First DF RPG session!
If you don't want to read the whole thing, Sappho's summary is pretty good, except it wasn't Dumat who became enraged at the human scum, but Edos (who seems to have some anger...issues). Dumat is far too much of a coward for such antics. :)
I edited the log a bit, taking out all the extraneous stuff at the beginning (which was just getting on the server, etc). We wait around for awhile, settle in to the software, and get right into gaming a couple screens down. The log gets a little confusing as people come in and change names, and it's a little hard to follow the action when the group splits up, but often it's even more hilarious to see the dwarves interact one-on-one. The players in this drama so far are (in order of appearance):
The King, royal guards, Morul, humans, baby dragon, and anyone else besides the protagonists - brilliantly played by Sappho, our GM
Dumat Rigothul "Rough Craftedpants" - (no pun intended) played by yrs truly Turgid Bolk
Oddom Idobur "Oddom somethingsomething" - Rollory (not sure of translations)
Vallan Lombukog "Vallan somethingsomething" - Reality_Unknown
Edos Umrilbor "Amaze Pinechunk" - Dreamer
(feel free to provide translations, guys, and I'll stick'em in)
A final note: the log is what I saw, but keep in mind the players and GM can talk to eachother privately, so you don't always know everything that's going on. I'm pretty sure this happens at least a couple times. I didn't send any private messages, so that log is only the public ones. Oh, and YY or yum-yums are basically bonus points that can be used to bribe the GM for favorable results, in the QAGS system. Usually represented by pieces of candy.
[ September 03, 2007: Message edited by: Turgid Bolk ]
Those had to be some of the greatest conversations I've been able to take part in. Even if someone's not interested in playing or Roleplaying in general, some of the conversations were simply brilliant.
As a side note, Edos Umrilbor translates fully to, "Amaze Pinechunk".
Last week we started at 3 PM EST, though not everyone made it until an hour later. I think that time worked out pretty well, and if anyone needs to show up late, we can spend the down time learning how to improve characters (and I can go through this with the latecomers at another time). Has everyone done their homework and read up on this part of the manual?
There is a slight possibility that I will not be able to make it tomorrow, but I will not know for sure until tomorrow morning. If this turns out to be the case, I will post a message here for everyone as soon as I know which will include a sincere apology. I do not think this will be the case and fully plan to play tomorrow, but I wanted to alert everyone to that slight possibility just in case.
As for the newcomers, it would be tough to integrate more people into the storyline at this point. I'd be happy to have you watch the game tomorrow and create your characters, and then bring you into the story at an easier spot (I already have one in mind). Does that sound alright to everyone?
See you all in a few hours!
Of course, the manual is a fabulously good read and, I can't stress this enough, everyone should totally buy it.
We made some more progress last Sunday (does anyone care to post the chat log again? I can do it if need be, just have to find the file on my hard drive) but there is still more to be done! Prizes to be claimed, lies to be told!
Reality_Unknown, I played your character for you since you were not there. No harm has been done to you, though the dragon had to be left behind.
The short summary is that through trickery, cheating, taking advantage of weaknesses, first-degree murder, and a large helping of luck, the group has managed to obtain the eye from the humans and made it back to the hermit's shack. Argument is now being had over what to tell the king when the characters arrive back at the capital.
I'm thinking next session should be held on Sunday at 4:00, since several players are unable to join us until 4 anyway. Watchers are welcome to come and witness the glorious storytelling.
Oh, by the way, I figured out a way to improve the character sheet to make it easier to roll. With this one, just click the Word, it will automatically use the appropriate Number (or ask you for the Number), and look like
Dumat Rigothul: Body: [10] = (0)
for a success or
Dumat Rigothul: Body: [18] = (1)
for a failure. I'll send the new! and improved! node to everyone next game.
I can do a custom fancy QAGS roller, which would say Nerve: [13] vs. 12, Failure! or Job: [10] vs. 10, Lucky Break! &c. but everyone would have to put a couple new files in their dieroller folder. Pretty easy, but maybe more hassle than it's worth for every new person to install python, openrpg, and download a new dieroller. Still, if you want to do that let me know and I'll whip it up.
[ September 13, 2007: Message edited by: Turgid Bolk ]
Oh, and was the sound thing something that he had on his computer and was playing at you somehow? Cos there's a unit in Dawn of War that screams "Meet your Doom!" all the time...
By the way, guys, I have discovered that I misunderstood some of the combat rules earlier. No need to retroactively change anything, but from this point forward I'll make sure we do it right. The key difference is that in melee combat, characters don't take turns hitting and dodging - they try to hit each other at the same time. If only one character succeeds in their hit roll, they do damage to the other character equal to their roll. If neither succeed, no damage is done. If both succeed, the character which rolled higher does the damage, which is equal to their roll minus their opponent's roll. It's actually pretty simple, but unfortunately I misread it before.
With missile combat, one person is attacking and the other is dodging. If the dodge succeeds, no damage is done. If the dodge fails and the hit succeeds, the damage is equal to the hit roll. If the hit fails, no damage is done.
Hope that makes sense to everyone. Turgid, thanks again for posting the log and setting up that macro on the character sheets. You're just a great big suckup aren't you? Well sucking up to god gets you Yum Yums, so that's very wise of you. I'll have to slip you a couple of extra YY at the beginning of next session.
I think that's all for now. How many of you will be able to play next Sunday?
We'd love to have you join the game. The system is very painless and easy to understand. Obviously, the focus is on roleplaying, so the number-wrangling only takes a few decisions about your character, and maybe 10-15 minutes, and you're ready to play. The thing that brings the character to life is how you play it.
Edit: Beaten to it.
Yeah, I thought we were doing the rock-throwing combat a little weirdly, but forgot to mention it afterwards. And I'm not trying to suck up! I just kind of...do these things? I guess? :)
[ September 13, 2007: Message edited by: Turgid Bolk ]
For anyone who doesn't have it, the set-up chatroom is http://www.chatzy.com/508744878667, password toodeep
Any new players interested in joining, this next session will be a good one to be brought into the plot, so feel free to post here or contact me privately to let me know!
Meet in the chat room if you want to join. The link is in this thread somewhere.
[ September 23, 2007: Message edited by: Sappho ]
I'm in GMT+1 but that doesn't really matter, I'll roll to see if I'm awake.
So far I've come up with a name: Nural Zas :D
Unless everyone can agree on a different time, I'm planning on 4 PM EST (that's 1 PM PST, 9 PM GMT) this coming Sunday. I will try to arrive early, and anyone who wants to should be able to make improvements to their characters.
Everyone, please feel free to post any and all other days and times you would be able to play. If we can find a better time than what we're using now, that would be great.
Hmm, I don't think that sunday's a very good day for me, I'm usually (always?) away then. You don't have to change to another day just for me, whatever is good for most of you is best.
I also work evenings and weekends (as well as days) on a random basis so I will have a hard time to join, but maybe I could play a character that gets separated from the group a lot :D
Ideally, aim for any day except sunday, I tend to stay up late so that shouldn't be a problem.
Quick summary time: We got together and made some characters a week before the story started. In the first session, Dumat, Vallan, Edos, and Oddom, are sent by the King to avenge their families' deaths at the claws of the great Dragon. If they return with it's bejeweled left eye, they will each recieve a wonderful prize. They set off, sleeping in the friendly human Morul's hut on the way. Once they arrive, they see a group of humans has just slain the dragon and taken the eye for themselves! The dwarves attempt to negotiate for the eye to no avail. As they plot some way to get it, the humans get lost in the cave system of the Dragon's lair. The dwarves return to the entrance and debate whether to ambush the humans. Oddom's dragon egg (which he had pilfered from the lair) hatches, and the other dwarves start talking about the hatchling. As they talk, the humans emerge from the cave! (For a better summary, look at Sappho's on page 2).
In the second session, we learn the story of Vallan and Dumat's arrival at the capital years ago. We then rejoin the group at the cave entrance. Dumat, Oddom, and Edos take cover behind a boulder, and Vallan has climbed to the top of the entrance, waiting to drop large rocks on the humans as they emerge. Oddom tries to keep his new baby dragon quiet, while the others try to remain hidden, throwing rocks (and a nearby rat) and firing a crossbow. The sun has just set, so the dwarves have an advantage in the dark. As the human leader walks out to confront them, Edos pickpockets the eye from her, just before Vallan strikes her down. The dragonling gets hungry, and escapes Oddom's grasp, leaping at the remaining humans and taking one down. As it feasts on the man's face, two more miniature dragons emerge and join it. The other humans decide to retreat back into the caves. The tired dwarves decide to go home with their eye, leaving the baby dragons behind. On the way they argue about what they should tell the king. They make it back to Morul's place before collapsing in sleep.
Finally, in the third session (the latest so far), they make it back to the capital. They finally settle on telling the king it was they who slew the Dragon, and the humans ambushed them. (They want to take credit for the Dragon, but stay true to the evidence at the scene, in case the king sends someone to deal with the babies.) As they approach the capital boasting of their deed, they meet Urvad, who is on his break outside. Urvad informs them that the king is now in prison, overthrown by the prince. The dwarves are stunned, but they go see if they can claim their prize. The young prince rules harshly, and refuses to meet with them and honor his father's promise. They are kicked out of the city, and informed that anyone wishing to immigrate must travel to the immigration office, located in a fortress to the south. The dwarves (well, mostly Dumat) are outraged that all their possesions and rooms have been taken, and they are being treated like strangers instead of heroes.
One sympathetic guard lets on that he knows who they are, but the prince claims the king had killed them by sending them on the quest. If their succesful return was made known, he could not hold power, so anyone who speaks of them will be punished. The guard tells them to get immigration papers in the south and start their lives over. Urvad goes to see the king (on display in the prison). It turns out the king is something of a bumbling fool, and cannot help them after all. In fact, he seems to think his son was simply mistaken, and he doesn't grasp that no one supports him anymore. He refuses to say where he kept the prizes.
As Urvad lets the rest of the group know this (out at the cliff face), a crazed dwarf comes running outside, screaming something about "rough...color." He runs at them, brandishing a dagger. Edos quickly cuts him down with his axe. The guards at the entrance seem indifferent to the maddwarf, and Dumat moves to finish him off with a crossbow bolt to the head. Vallan protests, but the crossbow jams and breaks as Dumat pulls the trigger, sparing the babbling dwarf. Vallan comes over and bandages his wounds (and searches his pockets). In despair, Dumat throws away the eye they worked so hard for, but Vallan quickly snatches it up so he can sell it later. The dwarves now ponder how best to proceed. Vallan wants to get the crazy guy to a bed, then somehow get their prizes, Edos is at a loss on how to get them, Dumat seems to have lost all hope, and Urvad (who has nothing much to lose, it seems) is willing to help them restore the king to power. Oddom is there, somewhere. Or not. What will happen next!?
*whew* I didn't really do it any justice, go read the logs for the good stuff! Most of it is awesome and hilarious. Also, come watch or play with us, it'll be fun.
[ September 29, 2007: Message edited by: Turgid Bolk ]
The more the merrier, even if some people just watch. Everyone join us who can! Dreamer, I'm confused about your schedule: does this mean you won't be able to play until 5:30 EST on Sunday? I'm confused!!!
*Machine translated, I don't really speak Norweigan. (Yet.)
If we all move in together, we can cut the rent down!
quote:
Originally posted by Turgid Bolk:
<STRONG>Oddom is there, somewhere. Or not. </STRONG>
Probably not. For various reasons, I (Oddom) probably won't be making it to any more of these. Just say the character got pissed and wandered off on his own somewhere.
While I haven't used openRPG before, and as I said, I'm a little new (ergo, nervous), but I think I can churn out a few more chuckles and heroic moments to get YY for all!
If you'll have me, that is...
and if you do, I'll probably just sit and watch the next game, which is in... 14 hours from now, if I'm not mistaken. Though, if everyone is an hour late, I might have everything set up by then. But who knows?
Er, planning too far ahead seems to be my weakness. <.<
To join us, download and install OpenRPG (here). Run it once, so it updates. Then come on over to the set-up chat room (here), password toodeep.
It would also be helpful to check out the QAGS Quick Start Rules ( http://hexgames.com/main/system/files/QAGS+Qik+Start+Rules.pdf ), but we can just explain the basics if you don't. They're pretty easy to learn. See you in about 7 hours!
Also, a few of you know that Hex (the makers of QAGS) has offered to possibly hire me as a freelance writer to publish Fictons and adventures and such through them. I heard back from the creative director yesterday and they have approved one of my proposals - a world where women have taken over and shipped men overseas to prevent their aggressive tendencies from causing violence and strife. Obviously there's a lot more to it than that, but one of the key points of the setting is that the players will all have to have female characters. :D I'll be working for a little while on that in my free time, so you might see less of me around here, but if a few of you are interested I might bounce some ideas off of you and get some feedback once I've written some drafts up.
I'll try to be in the chat by 3:00 EST. Our usual start time is 4:00 but if everyone can get their earlier, that would work great too. As long as we have at least 3 people we will play. See you guys then!
I need to remind myself, somehow. I hate missing or being late for sessions. Ah, well.
Will I create a character there or should I be preparing something now?
The manual on the first page details how to spend your Yum Yums (known as YYs) properly...
...not to mention what they are...
in a fairly amusing fashion.
Tips:
-Think of skills as Dwarf fort skills. However, you're not bound to them. (I.E. Vallam is a good climber)
-We're all a little nuts. It to fit in. Don't you want to be popular?
-The pointy end of your weapon goes into your enemy. Unless you have a hammer. Then the big end does.
-Save some YY for the game itself! It is useful in-game as well.
-Try to give yourself Gimmicks/Weaknesses that are not (specifically) violent/combat related.
-Don't forget to read the logs if you want to be in the loop! Being out of the loop will make you sad, and you being sad will make me sad. Then the fell moods start kicking in...
Today's session was fabulous, everyone did great, thanks for coming those of you who were able to make it. Dreamer, we were sorry to miss you, but you're still there following them around. We didn't really take you into account today, but you'll just be with the group next time, no problem. We have always been at war with Oceana.
For newcomers, I'd recommend creating your character beforehand. I can then look it over and suggest any changes before we get into the game, saving every possible second for warm, chewy game-time goodness.
Also, I've set up a summary page/log link page on the wiki (here). Nural Zas, what is your forum name? I couldn't remember. Also, I couldn't find an exact translation of Vallan's last name, it's Something Choke, so I just used the closest I could see. I find it's harder to cut down the summaries of more recent sessions. I suppose eventually I'll go back and make the session 4 summary shorter, but I just couldn't bear to skip any of it (no pun intended).
Excellent show everyone. Let's see if we can work out a better time, maybe?
I'm the best recruit the king's ever drafted, aren't I? :D
I think I'm going to read last session's game again, just because I found it so amusing...
Great session, by the way... Too bad I missed it. Next time, though!
We have to start fairly early GMT-5 to be have a reasonable time in GMT+1, i.e. 3PM is 9PM. But if we can play Friday or Saturday it's probably less of a problem to start later.
Alternatively we could just play shorter sessions, thus keeping people up less. But surely we can find a better solution than that? :D
Also, there were a few people during last week's session who offered to do some critique and editing on a document I'm working on. If you guys would be so kind as to send me your email addresses (in a PM or in this thread, whichever you are more comfortable with), I am nearly done with the initial version and would love to have you guys look it over. I'll send it out to as many people as I have addresses for as soon as it is done, which should be by the end of tonight.
Even if you have sent me your address before, please do so again because I am terrible at keeping track of these things.
If we have a shortage of regulars tomorrow, maybe we can take a break from our running plot to go over my new setting. I'll leave that up to you guys.
Expect a PM immediately with my address. *scratches this part out*
[ October 07, 2007: Message edited by: Anti-Paragon ]
EDIT: Well, F***. Apparently, chat programs are blocked by my mom's filter, and I don't know the password.
[ October 11, 2007: Message edited by: Xotes ]
also to sappho what time are we starting sunday tomorow?
I'd assume the time is 4pm EST like usual unless Sappho lets us know otherwise.
Dreamer, I'm worried about pushing the start time too late, since we have a couple of players who are five or six hours ahead of us. I'll figure on four for tomorrow, but maybe there is another day when everyone can be there a little earlier?
[ October 14, 2007: Message edited by: Xotes ]
[ October 14, 2007: Message edited by: Xotes ]
[ October 16, 2007: Message edited by: Xotes ]
But in any case, make yourself up a character. Be sure to read the documentation I link to on the first post to familiarize yourself, and download and run OpenRPG to update at least once before next Sunday.
Edit: Get him to decorate something though! Perhaps that dead bear... some willow branches...
!!!
*mumbles to self* Need the proper surface to work on.... *scurries away*
[ October 18, 2007: Message edited by: Anti-Paragon ]
This wiki page has the summary of the whole story, except I haven't yet summarized the 5th session.
Edit: Summary is up. It's the longest summary so far, despite being the shortest game session so far. Eeenteresting...
[ October 23, 2007: Message edited by: Turgid Bolk ]
Just set me to automation as well.
Sorry, guys! If I don't make it, I'll make a point of putting in some extra effort for next session so that it's particularly awesome.
quote:
Originally posted by Armok:
<STRONG>*panicking* Quick! Someone make some blocks for Anti-Paragon, or we will have an berserker on our throats!</STRONG>
*gathers all supplies*
*makes construction*
This is a stuffed black bear statue. It menaces with spikes of willow. The bear is striking a menacing pose.
AP has become a taxidermist.
I'm not at home. Still can't come today. Just thought I'd confirm it redundantly.
Still, the game's about to start, so where is everybody?
EDIT: So it's dead, then. I are sad.
[ October 28, 2007: Message edited by: Xotes ]
[ October 28, 2007: Message edited by: Xotes ]
Edit: Yep, the game's on today. Come on in! It's not dead!
[ October 28, 2007: Message edited by: Turgid Bolk ]
Have fun, though!
[ November 04, 2007: Message edited by: Xotes ]
Same after then ending I couldn't get a god like pet fox.
I hope I can make it, some time, once we start again. Great stuff!
So anyone who can make it, come join us! What with daylight savings, times are a little messed up depending on what region you're in, but if you get there and there's no one around, just come back in an hour. See you guys then!
Thing One: Will everyone who does not still have the link to the surprise I unveiled last Sunday please let me know, and PM me your email address? It should be done sometime over the next few days, and I'd like to have more feedback from you guys before I release it to the public.
Thing Two: You guys need to come up with a name for your group. Everyone come up with one, and post it here, and on Sunday we'll have a vote. Anyone who cannot be there on Sunday can still submit an idea, and can post or PM me an absentee vote, though please wait until at least Saturday to do so, so that you can see as many of the ideas as possible before voting.
Thing Three: I am planning on starting the next plot soon, and this time I am considering breaking it up into two sessions per week - one on Saturday night, one on Sunday. The group has gotten very large and somewhat difficult to keep track of everyone all at once. I know that some people prefer Saturday, but some can only play on Sunday. Everyone please post which day they prefer, and which times they can play. So long as I can get at least three people for each day, I will split it up.
That is all.
Anyways, Thursday 4-8 PM +2 GMT timezone is fine for me.
EDIT: I would prefer saturday from those two.
[ November 15, 2007: Message edited by: UltimaPhantom ]
[ November 16, 2007: Message edited by: Xotes ]
crushmangled?
headfallen?
elfstomp?
the grand impalors of doom
the creepy laughers?
the awe-inspiring pompous fats?
Unfortunately I didn't have as much spare time as I thought I would this week, so the "surprise" still will not be completed, though I have made progress and you will all get to read more tomorrow. I will also probably not have a complete plot ready, though if you guys are itching for some gameplay we can always do a quick game made up on the spot (like the panther battle from the second session), or test run the changes I made to my women-only module which is in the process of being officially written for publishing with Hex.
So it turns out that my youngest sister's sixteenth birthday is tomorrow, and I'm required to attend her party, which means I won't be around in the afternoon. Sincerest apologies - I knew her birthday was on the 18th but it didn't click in my head that this would be a Sunday. I will continue to work on the story, though, and post a link to whatever I have completed so far so you can enjoy it. If you all want to hang out at the usual time and perhaps run a short game of your own, feel free! Next week I'll be there.
Also, I think we're better off choosing the name in-game. It would feel more... 'offical'.
Plus it was amusing when we named that mangled rabbit.
I'd like to know who will be there tomorrow, as I do have the beginnings of a new plot started and we can finally get into the next game, but I'll want some time to prepare a few details. I am going to have you all make up new sheets for your characters, but you don't have to start from scratch. Anyone who took part in the last plot can use the same character, but re-make their sheet with 150 points rather than 100, to express your experience. You will also be permitted to choose military jobs this time, with the stipulation that you must all explain what you've been up to and how you gained your new skills.
The new plot will take place five years after the end of the first one. Start thinking about your characters and your stories. Remember, you guys are all famous now, and you'll have access to pretty much whatever you want.
Also, while I'm still not anywhere near done with the story, it's a great deal longer now. I didn't realize when I started writing it that it would be so long! It'll probably be a while until it's completed, but I'll keep working on it. You can read the update tomorrow; I'll post the link in the chat room as early as I can. Also, remember that you still need to choose a name, and we can vote on that tomorrow at the beginning as well.
I guess that's all for now. See you all then!
Someone should post the log, or provide it to me so I can put it up. Hope I didn't miss anything! I'll be there next time even if I have to skip my own mother's funeral to do it.