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Once more, I've created a thread for us to post general thoughts, questions and comments related to our most recent adventure. Feel free to discuss anything related to Saturday's session here: of course, if you have questions or comments that merit an in-depth discussion, you're welcome to start up a thread about that.
My thoughts:
Participation was wonderful, and the group was fairly attentive. Things didn't work out with Kat's character (Demeter) quite as well as I had hoped, so she remained at least partially estranged from the action for more of the game than I would have liked. Nonetheless, that issue seems to have been solved at least temporarily, which is nice.
On a related note, I saw the beginnings of a small bit of factionalization due to overlapping backstory and some less than satisfactory motivations (my fault, I think). Nonetheless, it seemed to have been handled before we parted ways for the evening - and that's good enough for me.
Nico was a fantastic addition to the game, and she took to it like the proverbial fish to water. Her character has proven an entertaining and worthwhile addition, and her actions provided much of the impetus for later events. I couldn't have asked for better if I had scripted the whole thing.
The action went fairly well, and I thought it was fairly representative of the kind of TV/Movie action that most of us associate with the genre we're currently emulating. I'm really curious to find out what the rest of you thought.
From a mechanical standpoint, things worked fairly well, and we got some interesting maneuvers out of several members of the group - good stuff all around. The action (once it properly started) never really flagged, though we're still a little slow on establishing our initiative order(s). Regardless, the pace was about what I like, and well within my expectations. How did it meet with yours?
That's really all I have to say at the moment. I think it's going fairly well, the initial mysteries are unfolding, and I'd guess that this "adventure" has at least one, but no more than three sessions left in its "story arc." I'm looking forward to beginning the next session, where at least some time should probably be devoted to speculating on what (exactly) is going on around here?
Strange things. Strange things.
__________________ National Capital Area Gameday, 18 October 2008 www.dcgameday.com My Story Hour: A Kingdom of Ashes. Updated 07/01/05! Zombies! Pirates! Giant Lizards! Intrigue! The Universe commands you to check it out!
Wii #0817 9834 1380 0807
I feel like things went really well this weekend. It was fun and entertaining. I really enjoy all of the characters (though I'm having some trouble feeling like I "fit in" with Wu, but that's neither here nor there... she just seems too different...).
I'm definately going to make a copy of the Ride skill to put in my binder so that I'm not scrambling for the book/trying to find it every time I need to figure out what the DC for (insert action here) is. Felt like I was doing that a lot for some reason...
Overall I think it went well. I, for one, like the way the fight inside of town turned out...makes a good movie in my head. My character is nervous about some of the choices she has made, but OOC I think they'll be more useful to the "story."
The nature of the backstories seem to make some characters nec. a little wary of each other, but I think we've come to a solution (albeit perhaps temporarily). OOC- I think it may be even more "concrete" that we are a "party" if/when Chris comes to play (hopefully next weekend). I'm hoping that we can get some of the party secrets out into the open at this time since at this point we have groups of people who have demonstrated reasons to be together, but all-together we're kind of a "loose collective." But, since this is only the 2nd session and there is no "official" party, I suppose this is to be expected.
The thing with Kat's character is unfortunate, but I hope (Kat will have to confirm) that we've been able to make a good enough case for at least temporary group-ness.
You mentioned "less than satisfactory motivations (my fault, I think)" and I'm not sure I know to whom or which you refer...could you elaborate?
Yeah, I know what you mean about Wu. We have two characters trying to protect her (though it doesn't seem she needs it ) and the rest are relatively apathetic (though in-character it makes sense). Like I mentioned earlier, I think the party will "solidify" as characters' motives come out into the open. She is "different" but she is quite entertaining with the sparkles and the ribbons...
(In case you're wondering why I keep posting...I'm at work- started today- but most ppl are in a meeting for the next two days which means I have nothing to do but read articles...)
You mentioned "less than satisfactory motivations (my fault, I think)" and I'm not sure I know to whom or which you refer...could you elaborate?
Sure - I don't think I got Kat's character as tied to you with the way the action worked out as I would have hoped. I've worked with her with her backstory a little bit, and we just didn't get it quite fine tuned enough to do anything other than make sure she was at the right place to meet the rest of you. It's sort of the same problem (as we encountered) that we had with Fred (problem is probably an overstatement) - at the moment, she's more tied to "Them" than she is to "Us."
Of course, if the dice had fallen in your favor a few more times (there were a lot of failed Spot and Sense Motive Checks) the group might be a little less divided.
But, overall, I agree totally with your assessment. The only way to have a group *more* connected than you currently are by the second adventure would be to have everyone start as part of a pre-existing organization and team.
__________________ National Capital Area Gameday, 18 October 2008 www.dcgameday.com My Story Hour: A Kingdom of Ashes. Updated 07/01/05! Zombies! Pirates! Giant Lizards! Intrigue! The Universe commands you to check it out!
Wii #0817 9834 1380 0807
It's just hard b/c Wu doesn't really have any real connection to the US. Nor does she have any un-shared motives. She's just running. She'd run back to her parents, but she doesn't want to let them know that she has dishonored their family by running from her debt. She'd go back to the circus, but her sense of honor says that - despite the debt - it's not *right*.
So... for the moment... there's power (and safety) in numbers... and maybe she can wash off a bit of the stink of dishonor by getting Slava to forgive her for what her troupe did to his father.
It'll be easier once we figure out how (if?) the Fortune Teller is tied into all of this.
I'm definately going to make a copy of the Ride skill to put in my binder so that I'm not scrambling for the book/trying to find it every time I need to figure out what the DC for (insert action here) is. Felt like I was doing that a lot for some reason...
Pull a copy off of the Modern SRD. In fact...
Ride (Dex)
Animals ill suited as mounts provide a –2 penalty on their rider’s Ride check.
Check: Typical riding actions don’t require checks. A character can saddle, mount, ride, and dismount without a problem. Mounting or dismounting an animal is a move action. Some tasks, such as those undertaken in combat or other extreme circumstances, require checks. In addition, attempting trick riding or asking the animal to perform an unusual technique also requires a check.
Guide with Knees (DC 5): The character can react instantly to guide his or her mount with his or her knees so that the character can use both hands in combat or to perform some other action. Make the check at the start of the character’s round. If the character fails, he or she can only use one hand this round because the character needs to use the other to control his or her mount.
Stay in Saddle (DC 5): The character can react instantly to try to avoid falling when his or her mount rears or bolts unexpectedly or when the character takes damage.
Fight while Mounted (DC 20): While in combat, the character can attempt to control a mount that is not trained in combat riding (see the Handle Animal skill). If the character succeeds, he or she uses only a move action, and the character can use his or her attack action to do something else. If the character fails, he or she can do nothing else that round. If the character fails by more than 5, he or she loses control of the animal.
For animals trained in combat riding, the character does not need to make this check. Instead, the character can use his or her move action to have the animal perform a trick (commonly, to attack). The character can use his or her attack action normally.
Cover (DC 15): The character can react instantly to drop down and hang alongside his or her mount, using it as one-half cover. The character can’t attack while using his or her mount as cover. If the character fails, he or she doesn’t get the cover benefit.
Soft Fall (DC 15): The character reacts instantly when he or she falls off a mount, such as when it is killed or when it falls, to try to avoid taking damage. If the character fails, he or she takes 1d6 points of falling damage.
Leap (DC 15): The character can get his or her mount to leap obstacles as part of its movement. Use the character’s Ride modifier or the mount’s Jump modifier (whichever is lower) when the mount makes its Jump check (see the Jump skill). The character makes a Ride check (DC 15) to stay on the mount when it leaps.
Fast Mount or Dismount (DC 20; armor penalty applies): The character can mount or dismount as a free action. If the character fails the check, mounting or dismounting is a move action. (A character can’t attempt a fast mount or dismount unless he or she can perform the mount or dismount as a move action this round, should the check fail.)
Special: If the character is riding bareback, he or she takes a –5 penalty on Ride checks.
A character can take 10 when making a Ride check, but can’t take 20.
A character with the Animal Affinity feat gets a +2 bonus on all Ride checks.
Time: Ride is a move action, except when otherwise noted for the special tasks listed above.
__________________ National Capital Area Gameday, 18 October 2008 www.dcgameday.com My Story Hour: A Kingdom of Ashes. Updated 07/01/05! Zombies! Pirates! Giant Lizards! Intrigue! The Universe commands you to check it out!
Wii #0817 9834 1380 0807
Nor does she have any un-shared motives. She's just running.
It seems obvious to me (my character that is) that she's "running" and that she's scared of being caught, but I'm not sure I know from whom she's running (except that it involves the men we killed). Perhaps I missed some things since I left early that 1st session, but has it been made clear that she's running from a circus? Do we even know that she was part of it and then ran away (vs. just being wanted by them for something else)?
It seems obvious to me (my character that is) that she's "running" and that she's scared of being caught, but I'm not sure I know from whom she's running (except that it involves the men we killed). Perhaps I missed some things since I left early that 1st session, but has it been made clear that she's running from a circus? Do we even know that she was part of it and then ran away (vs. just being wanted by them for something else)?
Yep - it was established (or, I thought it was) on Saturday.
She fessed up to working for the Triad, told everyone the role the Fortune Teller played, and dodged around having to talk about what *made* her run.
It seems obvious to me (my character that is) that she's "running" and that she's scared of being caught, but I'm not sure I know from whom she's running (except that it involves the men we killed). Perhaps I missed some things since I left early that 1st session, but has it been made clear that she's running from a circus? Do we even know that she was part of it and then ran away (vs. just being wanted by them for something else)?
Her mode of dress would tend to imply that she was associated with the circus in some official capacity - she's definitely got the crazy circus costume. The implication would be that's she's running away from the circus.
The only clarifying implication (from saturday's session) is that she's actually running away from the Fortune Teller (who is associated with the circus) rather than the circus itself. So far. But, as has been noted, it's just the second session.
__________________ National Capital Area Gameday, 18 October 2008 www.dcgameday.com My Story Hour: A Kingdom of Ashes. Updated 07/01/05! Zombies! Pirates! Giant Lizards! Intrigue! The Universe commands you to check it out!
Wii #0817 9834 1380 0807
If Wu didn't make it clear that she was traveling with the circus, it was not intentional. She would have told everyone that she was working with the circus (The Amazing Wu!!!), but that was just her cover.
She is an Open Book. She really sucks at lying, so she just doesn't.
Right. Yeah, I figured it was me the person and not the character who was confused.
Her martial arts would indicate that she's more than just a tumbler...but do we know she's actually killed people? Or do we just know the troupe did?
You know that she worked/works as an assassin for the Chinese Triad (whether or not individual characters know what that is, I don't know...).
She described herself as an assassin. She didn't volunteer any numbers or specifics, but you can guess that she has. She is not proud of her actions and will answer questions if asked (it's only right, you are all older than her). But, it would be/would have been very, very clear that she is ashamed of her "occupation."
Saturday's game was fun, and though D doesn't have the most solid of cases as to why she is staying with the group what got worked out for end of satuday's game works:
-Men didn't look right (dirty, scruffy) and they were going after a girl, bad thoughts of brother and cousin incident.
-lots of pretty females in group, and D likes fellow gals around.
-Searching for Uncle, but mostly just as something to do since it's not like she knows him. And she wants the money, or just to figure that mystery out.
-Clarissa's character (Jane?) has given her a good reason to figure one thing out with this group, and then find her uncle and figure that out. Knowing lots can happen between now and then.
-She didn't see the group do anything unlawful- except to her an unwillingness to chat and just explain the situation to the nice calvery men. But she's not going to stop and try to explain it alone
-Slava's current orders are going to be fullfilled as in getting the papers. The captain knew Slava, seemed good friends, etc.
Also, at only game two it's not a totally cohesive group, anyways. So for now group looks good, and works for further friendship/group growing, plots and fun. But definitely more reasons after the fireside chat to follow and team up with group then simply "oh, a horse ride!"
As only game one for D and me I can't say too much, but I look forward to more!
I think it will all work out all right. Though I'm still having trouble reconciling the events of Saturday to a non-meta induced conclusion. Here's the beef:
Fred Thompson
Alliegences:
1) Commitment: If she promises to do something, she will see it through or die trying.
2) Jonas Thompson
The problem with this is that she (as of yet) has no concrete ties to any of the party, save Demeter and John. So when Wu and Jaine kill two of her father's employees, it becomes a conflict. Why help people who are seemingly against her?
Fred's alliegance to her father wouldn't keep her in New Mexico. She has the freedom to move around. And she has been in conflict with him in the past. But they made up several years ago. And as far as Fred is concerned, her father is a good person. So why should she travel with these strangers?
The problem with this is that she (as of yet) has no concrete ties to any of the party, save Demeter and John. So when Wu and Jaine kill two of her father's employees, it becomes a conflict. Why help people who are seemingly against her?
For the sake of the game and forming a solid group, I am significantly altering Wu's allegiances. Maybe you need to do some altering of your own?
Maybe Fred recently witnessed her father do something bad that has pushed her to question her father and this has finally tipped her off? Maybe she's finally realized that her father isn't a legit business man and farmer (what with his ranch hands doing so little ranching...). Maybe she's realized that the Lazy Diamond is tied somehow to the Masons (which, I think it is) and she's got something against Masons (not a stretch, as there's a whole party of 'em out there)?
Or maybe you just want to drop the allegiance to your Pa for the sake of ease of play? That's essentially what Wu is doing with her Confucian allegiance... it is going to play a role, but is going to have to take the back-burner so that she can become a real "team player" instead of a mindless drone.
She doesn't need to give up that allegiance, just find a way to make it less binding. She can be dedicated to her father without creating a rift in the potential team. We're only two adventures it, it's totally possible to alter your backstory and it won't really impact anything except your play-ability.
Don't know... just rambling/spouting off ideas... Spent the afternoon talking to Kennon about similar issues... so - yeah...
She's smart enough to have figured out quite a few of her father's true nature, and maybe quite a few of his illicit activities. But she "hasn't" storywise, so I guess she's in denial. Willing to ignore the bad until something gives it concrete proof.
A good reason for her to follow the party. Though she's outwardly conflicted about the morality of helping Wu, she feels that this may give her the proof she's been needing. Internally, she's pretty sure her father is up to no good.
She still loves him though... It's going to be one heck of a conflict.
Good thing Fred doesn't brood. If she's conflicted, she just likes to hit things until the conflicts work out.
A good reason for her to follow the party. Though she's outwardly conflicted about the morality of helping Wu, she feels that this may give her the proof she's been needing. Internally, she's pretty sure her father is up to no good.
Wu did try to make it clear that the men were going to kill her - or at least harm her in a way much more drastic than taking her captive... she's got Ms. Christie (spelling?) to back that up... and for running away from something incredibly, terribly, awfully horrible.
So - feel free to sense her motive. (She's telling the truth, she always is )... might definately give her reason to question her father.
) and the rest are relatively apathetic (though in-character it makes sense). Like I mentioned earlier, I think the party will "solidify" as characters' motives come out into the open. She is "different" but she is quite entertaining with the sparkles and the ribbons...
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