D&D 5E [5e] QL's Al-Qadim Game

[tglassy]

I don't know if more action is needed, as much as action period. Because I haven't done anything since starting. There's been nothing to do. It's pretty much "Let's wait until something happens." The Sultan calls every one together, they all head out. That's all that's happened so far. A few NPC's joined them. Other than that, there's been a bunch of talk, all of which Harun knows nothing about, because he came in late. He knows they're trying to go figure out who's doing the raids, but that's about it.

There is a lot of potential here for intrigue, stories, character development...but currently Harun feels like a just side character in someone else's story. And I don't even know enough about the setting to have Harun run off to do his own thing. It's why I suggested him trying to steal the merchant's magic waterskin. Cause at least it's something to do. He's bored. He doesn't know anyone, he doesn't have any stake in what's going on.

So, a rework of the characters might help. Or something. I don't know. A reason to interact. A reason for Harun to stay. Cause right now, he's about one more day of treking away from riding off with his horse and finding something more interesting to do.

 

[Shayuri]

So it's tricky. The original cast that was in the game to begin with is nearly gone.

The new characters aren't really 'connected' to the original plotline. We're following more or less because we have orders to. That may be part of it. We each have individual goals, but none of them really plug into the single overarching party goal...if there is any such thing in truth.

Now I'm happy with Ankabut. I'm even content with being in the background a lot, because that was something I anticipated going into this. She will have moments where her personal agenda pops up, and her life becomes more complicated, and knowing that makes the quiet moments worth it.

Your question about the style of game is valid, but I find myself at a bit of a loss to answer. I'm not sure what the style of the game is supposed to be, exactly? Like, it's not a negative for me, since I'm into my character...but when I read your question and mulled it over, I realized I was unsure. Most of the game seems to have focused on social intrigue and diplomacy and dialogue with NPCs. In fact, since I joined...pretty much all of it, except my little solo excursion to catch the spy. And even that was all of one round of 'combat.'

I enjoy games that have that kind of activity, but perhaps something to mix it up a bit would help?

Not sure!

 

[Quickleaf]

Thanks for sounding off, guys and gals. Appreciate your flexibility [MENTION=6814006]Thateous[/MENTION].

So [MENTION=6855204]tglassy[/MENTION], you're welcome to leave the game at any time you like. No hard feelings. The style we originally started with was quite collaborative, weaving in the motives, bonds, backgrounds of the PCs. When the party changed... when you and [MENTION=20005]Matthan[/MENTION] and [MENTION=23]Ancalagon[/MENTION] joined... I kind of assumed you'd read some of the play thread, gotten a feel for what we were doing created, and thought "yeah, that looks like my kind of fun!" I assumed you'd created those connections to the storyline which you all were happy with.

I'm very open to changing things up.

Maybe the intrigue/diplomacy worked really well for the previous group dynamic, but with you guys, you'd like something different. The whole Lawrence of Arabia trekking into the desert vibe, encountering colorful characters, making alliances...maybe that's not your jam. Or it can be something you enjoy, but in a much more balanced sense.

So...

Here's what I propose we do immediately (and please sound off if this sounds right to you)...

We fast forward to your arrival at Hakim Oasis. A conflict waits there. And a more traditional D&D style.

Sound good?

------------------

For players who do intend to stay with the game, but feel a bit lost or lacking in motivation, we'll also want to address a longer term question of "what is my PC's motivation?" That's not job as DM. But my job *is* to help you guys understand the game & setting enough so you can come up with those answers that feel right to your character.

So let's answer that first question, if my immediate proposal sounds good? And then later we can break it down and get into the more detailed character building stuff.

EDIT: And it occurs to me, maybe when you respond, you could include a one-liner about you as a player. You could "type" yourself (e.g. actor, explorer, instigator, slayer, power gamer, thinker, storyteller), describe some key aspects you like, however you want to. Just something to give me a picture of you as a gamer so there's less chance of a mis-match of expectation.

 

[Shayuri]

Maybe the intrigue/diplomacy worked really well for the previous group dynamic, but with you guys, you'd like something different. The whole Lawrence of Arabia trekking into the desert vibe, encountering colorful characters, making alliances...maybe that's not your jam. Or it can be something you enjoy, but in a much more balanced sense.

I think the bold phrase is the operative one, at least in my reading of people's posts. I really like the idea of a journey through a mystical desert, but even Lawrence of Arabia moved from scene to scene, location to location. Like, I really liked your description of the valley we encountered the merchants in...all your descriptions, really...but I feel like there was a perception on the part of the players that the encounter didn't 'mean' anything, maybe? It was a random roll and was just sort of there/wasn't 'important?'

I'm guessing. I can't pretend to speak for anyone, but I kind of had that feeling myself. It was a routine meeting, devoid of any hint of unusualness, and I didn't feel like Ankabut would really do anything other than hover near Akilah and stay alert.

It's tricky to talk about, because instantly I hear my inner critic start up and say, 'But you could have done stuff! you could have talked and interacted, and used this as a springboard for roleplaying and character exposition!' And then I feel like I failed some kind of gamer test, because I didn't do that. It's just...Ankabut is playing Amina, and Amina doesn't have any reason to be engaging with random merchants who's paths we cross. Neither, for that matter, does Ankabut. So...

What I don't want your takeaway to be, however, is "Welp, guess roleplaying and intrigue are wasted on these guys, lets just rolls some dice and start counting initiative rounds."I really ENJOYED the scene in the auction hall and in the city, and the tense negotiations with Derafsh and all that. It was cool! And the kind of things few games have!

On the other hand, that's the sort of scene that we don't have a lot of characters who can really take part in anymore. Most of them new. Focusing on that kind of thing immediately puts them at a disadvantage.

I think the takeaway is to try to rebuild that party cohesion and sense of purpose that's been...lets admit it...pretty much broken right now, just by player attrition. Don't lose sight of the Lawrence of Arabia and intrigue and heavy RP, but keep things moving a bit and work with players to find their hooks and work them in and get them involved.

It won't happen overnight, but I think they're ready to work with you.

 

[Matthan]

Well, let me tell you where I'm at. I'm excited about the game and haven't had much issue yet. It's been slow but that's where the plot is at. Quickleaf doesn't hide his rolls. We're traveling and he rolls for random encounters. That's D&D, man! Just luck of the dice for what we've gotten so far.

When I talked about being lost before it's because the events that have happened have all been linked to prior events. That's not a deal breaker for me. Husam wasn't around for the negotiations with the two groups we're traveling with so he's taking a back seat to it. He spoke up a bit and Akilah made her wishes known so that settled it for Husam. That's why Husam motioned for Harun to take the lead with the merchants. I wanted to give him a chance for a scene when he was feeling disconnected.

I have realized that Husam is stuck in passive mode because of the social structure that he finds himself in. There is a clear chain of command on the expedition for Husam and he wouldn't rock that. He's not the rogue cop who plays by his own rules, sticks it to the man, but still gets the job done. He's the by the book, believe the best in people, destroy them when they disappoint you, and get the job done cop. I am looking for opportunities to create scenes and moments, but Husam wants to believe the best in people (after all, his hero is his father who went from serving the evil sultan to serving the prior Sheikh) so he's taking the merchant at his word and not prying. It's the same reason he went to chat with the rogues and tried to understand them better. But, he was ordered to serve and protect the vizier on this mission. The only way that he will overstep her is if he feels it's necessary to protect her (and trust me, I'm looking for that moment). Similar idea as to why Husam wouldn't presume upon the party funds. He's a servant. It's not his place.

I think we have two or three characters that feel that social structure. Ankabut protects Akilah. Husam serves the Sheikh by serving her. Salahuddin seems to respect it as well. As an outlander, Lal has been blissfully moving around the social expectations (which is great). If I might offer a suggestion, [MENTION=6855204]tglassy[/MENTION], if I were your character, I would rabble rouse a bit with Akilah. Harun is a troublemaker. It makes sense for him to back talk or heckle her ideas/orders. On a social scale, Harun is either her equal or slightly higher, right? Have Harun play that up. Akilah seems tolerantly hostile to the rogues. Maybe Harun picks up on that and starts making friends with them just to stir up things? When she gives orders, roll your eyes and say that you would do something different. Then, when things go pear shaped (this is D&D-things will go pear-shaped) take the moment and rub it in. It'll be a laugh for Harun and it'll be interesting to see how everyone else reacts. Just don't go full antagonist. We don't want PvP. Just drama. Also, go steal that waterskin, man.

And, [MENTION=20323]Quickleaf[/MENTION], I'm enjoying the game. I love both of your games that I'm in. Anytime my email chirps with an update, I'm getting on as fast as I can to read what's going on. Everything right now is just the slight bumps as we transition into new group dynamics and plot developments. I wouldn't upturn the game. I actually think the merchant is a fine random encounter. It's going to get even better after Harun walks back to his camel drinking from an enchanted waterskin.

 

[Matthan]

I read Shayuri's post above mine and wanted to add another note. Husam has never traveled outside of Tajar in any serious way (I'm sure he did some patrols around the city) and has never had his worldview shaken. He believes in the Sheikh and his justice. He believes the best in people and that people can change, but he's also very rigid in his view of right and wrong. When someone steps over that line, he has no hesitation or belief in a grey area. I'm looking for that to develop and for Husam to have to learn nuance (I'm hopeful that the rogues may play a part in that). I'm also interested to see if Husam will start to push against the social structure as he observes Akilah. He has always served the Sheikh and trusted him fully, but he has never really traveled with or seen the results of decisions. I'm not rooting for Akilah to fail, but everyone makes mistakes. I'm excited to see what happens if/when Husam loses faith in the perfection of the person he's been ordered to follow.

All that is to say that I'm invested in the roleplaying side as well. I'm happy to smash stuff too, but I'm enjoying the game. I'm just taking it a scene at a time.

 

[Shayuri]

I'm really enjoying it too, for the record.

And Ankabut has her own future issues with the party hierarchy brewing of course...sooner or later she will feel obliged to pursue her own goals over Akilah's orders. She can't hide who she is forever.

 

[Thateous]

Ha, loving it. Love you all. I'm propped up by a crumbling pedestal. Let's see if I will be heavy in character when the fall happens. Since she thinks everyone is beneath her anyways, it should be glorious to behold.

Sent from my SM-G955U using EN World mobile app

 

[Quickleaf]

What I don't want your takeaway to be, however, is "Welp, guess roleplaying and intrigue are wasted on these guys, lets just rolls some dice and start counting initiative rounds."I really ENJOYED the scene in the auction hall and in the city, and the tense negotiations with Derafsh and all that. It was cool! And the kind of things few games have!

To be honest, I don't think I could do that even if I tried Maybe if you got some whiskey in me and it was just a casual game night. Maybe.

 

[Ancalagon]

As an outlander, Lal has been blissfully moving around the social expectations (which is great)

I've been struggling on how to insert myself into the party and that has "mystic's privilege" has been my tool into doing so (and even then it feels a bit limited). The formality of the social structures are, as [MENTION=20005]Matthan[/MENTION] said, a bit constraining, as is the "weight of the plot" - the previous cast members "know more" and both the character and myself feel it. I've actually avoided reading the entire thread because it felt that this could have lead to potential metagaming issues. So I feel we've been in a bit of a stand-by mode, waiting for the plot to fully reveal itself to us.

There is a lot of potential here, and a lot of effort and creativity has gone into this game already. Let us press forward and fully reap the fruits of these labors.