So, when I posted about looking for players for my current 4e MapTools game, I got some response. This thread is basically to co-ordinate that recruiting effort.
For the basic info, we play 4e, with MapTools and Ventrilo for chatting/talking. I basically host both on my little laptop, generally on Sunday afternoons (though this is subject to change). We use a "no frills" MapTools (the "release" rather than the "dev") because some of the players have some weak-sauce computers.
It's been going on for a while, but I think it's about to re-boot, so this would be the perfect time to bring in some fresh blood.
It's a highly casual, highly narrative-style game. Nothing is taken too seriously, rules are subject to DM whims, and the focus is on taking a character and seeing that character grow and change over the course of 30 levels.
Theoretically, this campaign will run three days per month (generally once per week on a Sunday afternoon, but subject to change), for about two years. The character you make probably won't actually die, though they can certainly fail miserably, and you will get a chance to try out new and interesting things with "recruitable" NPC's (that you can turn into PC's) and a "mission" style system: you'll basically be choosing one character from a flexible cast each month to run through the adventure of the month.
Your first character, of course, will be on-board for the first adventure: the first three sessions.
The setting is "generic fantasy." It's not highly sub-typed, though I will confess my personal style tends to run toward the wahoo/magepunk/"if it's awesome, do it" style. I'm not one for strict adherence to the rules, but this is a 4e game, and you can assume the 4e baseline is securely in place (aside from the narrative convention of essentially immortal PC's).
I think that's most of the caveats needed. If you've got any questions, concerns, etc., go ahead and post them here. Chances are you'd be making a level 1 character, and the basic rule is "don't use anything from a book the DM doesn't have," but I use the DDI, if you make your dude with the Character Builder, that's probably good enough. Otherwise, I think just steer clear of the Eberron Player's Guide for now.
Of course, because this is a narrative-style game, I will be asking you for more in-character detail than the basic mechanics will give you, but that'll come later.
I'm looking for 2-3 players, hopefully who can reliably show up on the dates we choose for the game. Who wants to play some 4e through the internet?
Is Ventrilo Necessary?
Kind of. It takes me as the DM a lot less time to speak than it does to type, and helps me separate between what is "game stuff" and what is more casual conversation. That said, you don't have to speak on it. If I didn't use it, we'd make much worse use of our time at the table.
Ventrilo (like MapTool) is free, cross-platform, and, for our little group, I can be the host for it. It's such a time-saver, and we're on a pretty tight schedule, so unless someone has another free, cross-platform voice chat service in mind, it's Vent.
What Time/How Long?
This may change as the game goes on, but right now the schedule is 11 am to 3 pm Eastern time, on Sundays during July (the 11th, 18th, and 25th). In about mid-July, I'll start talking about when we can schedule August games.
The bottom line is basically three sessions per month. Each month, you guys should gain a level.
We're rebooting, so it'll be 1st level. We've got an eladrin trickster rogue, a revenant vestige-pact warlock, and a warforged paladin of bahamut so far.
I'll be collecting the characters this week, so if you'd like to play, whip up a level 1 character, and send me the info. (email is superfluousbubbles at yahoo dot com). Using the Char Builder is fine, just steer away from playtest stuff.
Also, you might want to check out the wiki for some mild fluff changes (drow as undead-worshipers rather than spider-worshipers, for instance):
Once it's out, the psion should be OK, but it's not out yet on the character builder.
Of course, once it's out, you should be fine. I plan on making it easy to mechanically overhaul your character or play another character, but still retain the narrative of the game.
Yeah, play a cleric! We actually need a leader, with two strikers and a defender right now.
If Darwin of Mind sends me a psion, then we'll be totally covered!
I've got no problem with background traits, but I'll probably re-fluff for the homebrew if the one you choose is campaign-specific. Go ahead and assume default PHB gods.
Are you using one of the 4e frameworks? And if so, which one?
I ask, because I am also planning a 4e MapTools game and it'll be my first. I am curious which you use and which you've tried and what works best for your style of game.
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Characters & Games
Books currently in play: Dungeon & Dragon Magazine (*Scales of War AP*), WOTC 4e Core and Supplemental books
Current Campaign: Scales of War - Lost Mines of Karak -- Kodirgo, Minotaur Barbarian 6; Vondal, Dwarf Cleric 6; Karithul, Gnome Bard 6; Marshaun, Elf Druid 6
While I'd love to -- and the MapTools community does amazing things with that program -- a few of my players are on very old, very slow computers (and, heck, mine ain't so fresh itself. ), and can be a little techno-newbie, so they have trouble handing the graphical, computer, and processing load that comes with the extra stuff.
I'm even using the basic "release" version of the software. The "dev" version has so many really awesome things I can do, but as of now, we're pretty basic.
Your game sounds pretty excellent, I'd love to join if you wouldn't mind another player. I'm familiar with 4e, Maptools and Vent, although I'll be without a mic for the time being. Also, I'm PST, but I can be available at the times you've specified. Drop me a line. :)
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