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Fellowship of the Witching Hour - Part I
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<blockquote data-quote="Dlsharrock" data-source="post: 4253312" data-attributes="member: 55833"><p>[SBLOCK=OOC]Thanks for the great intros everyone. I've not heard back from Majic since his post yesterday, so to keep the game flowing we'll assume his character hasn't yet arrived. Majic- when you want to insert your character into the game, please do so. If you haven't shown up by the time the group have moved on from the bar setting we'll have to think of a different way to introduce Patty. The two day posting rule applies however (see the Witching Hour Guidelines text posted in the recruitment thread), and if you can't make that please let me know.</p><p></p><p>A word on 'finagling' <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /></p><p>I'm more than happy for players to finagle a little in these opening scenes. The mutual storytelling style is new to me, I admit, but I like it and it keeps things rolling along at a brisk pace while keeping things interesting. It also shows off the rich array of writing skills we have gathered here. I take my hat off and doff it accordingly (I'm not wearing one, you'll have to use your imaginations!).</p><p></p><p>A few caveats. Where there's a mentioned character in any given scene established by the Keeper, assume it's an NPC and in my domain as much as your PC is in yours. The barmaid is a good example. I'll pick up from your lead, Dire Lemming, but just for future reference, noted NPCs (those introduced when I set the scene) are mine to roleplay. They shouldn't be moved around, nor should players put words into their mouths (no matter how trivial). I can understand why you thought she was fair game though. She does have the feel of an 'extra'. In fact she's one of my established NPCs from a past game and may or may not play a role at some future point. </p><p></p><p>Adding incidental characters to aid your own post, such as the couple in Kook's opening scene, are ok so long as this only happens in 'trivial' moments and ideally I'd prefer it only happens in the Witching Hour or in places where there are large, ambiguous crowds and therefore plenty of scope for random strangers to be inserted into play. Their insertion should have a neutral purpose and make logical sense. Players shouldn't try to introduce actual NPCs, only incidental 'passers-by'. Strangers suddenly appearing as deux ex machina to help PCs out of a sticky spot, or as plot hooks for setting up a player established scenario will likely be edited out, which is always slightly insulting to the player and I don't like to do it. Common sense should apply, is really what I'm trying to say <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>(btw: The main reason I'm protective of my NPCs is that most of them are repeat performers and have established characters worked on in previous games. Some may even be characters I've played in tabletop games and such.)</p><p></p><p>Where players would like to control more than one PC (as in the case of Doctor LeGraid's wife, or maybe Adam would like to have a side-bar in that lady of the night he often contacts) I'd quite like to set up an extra character sheet so they have stats on tap should stats be needed. I'm happy for players to control more than one PC (up to three or four is fine) but the majority should be incidental, only popping into the game from time to time, or where the adventure dictates, while the prominent PC should be the main character you started out with in the recruitment thread. This will allow players to bring added elements to conversations etc. if they like. Sam's aunt would be fair game for this treatment.</p><p></p><p>I'd say that if you're uncomfortable roleplaying more than one character at a time, however, that you stick with one for now and if you like add another later. In the past I've moderated games where players switched from one protagonist to another, playing a different character for different adventures but in the same campaign setting. This is also doable, should you feel you'd like a change from the character you started out with. Again, stay with your comfort zone or experiment, so long as it doesn't spoil your enjoyment of the game.</p><p></p><p>Kook (and all players) - feel free to make the Witching Hour bar your own. Outside the Witching Hour, 'assume nothing' should be the rule of play. My descriptives in CoC are always very detailed, and the juice is in the detail. Then again, the detail may just be detail. Either way, players should remain explorers within the setting as established and described by the Keeper rather than inventors of their own surroundings. </p><p></p><p>The same thing applies to events. If players would like to embellish rumours with some rumour mongering of their own that's ok (kinda deviant, but ok <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />). Boldly spoken facts, on the other hand, should be backed up with knowledge gleaned from investigation or OOC consultation with the Keeper. As an example, Dr LeGraid's announcement that the autopsy has revealed the body may be the result of an explosion is inaccurate and should really be forgotten as an in-character comment, unless Lucean intended it as rumour-mongering. At this point the body hasn't been given a proper autopsy and the cause of death is unknown. There have been no speculations, and no mention of explosions have been made. But if the Doctor wishes to inspect the body and make surmations based on (possibly) rolls or roleplay, that's ok (an Idea roll, for example, to see if he can make an informed guess about the supposed putrefied and burned flesh). His jurisdiction doesn't extend to Arkham morgue (marked on the map, which I've posted below), but his credentials and some bargaining (Bargain skill/Fast Talk) with the person in charge there might get him access to perform a surreptitious autopsy of his own <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /> If you're unsure how to go about doing things like that, feel free to ask.</p><p></p><p>I hope that all makes sense and doesn't impose restrictions players haven't been used to in the past. IMO, it's better to establish this kind of thing from the outset so we're all playing from the same page from post 1. </p><p></p><p>If you have questions about how to go about doing something, or any queries about game dynamics and so on feel free to stick it in an OOC SBLOCK here (instructions how to do so in the recruitment/OOC thread) and I'll help you out. If you're feeling brave and want to try out some of the game mechanic elements explained in the CoC in a Nutshell text, even better. </p><p></p><p>So as a rule of thumb: if you want to do something and don't know how to do it or how to go about setting it up in-character, just ask me. One of my roles as Keeper in this game is to help everyone get along with the rules of play and I'm more than happy to do so <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>Also to note, the established play order is as follows (with Majic to be inserted at some point in the near future hopefully):</p><p></p><p>Kookalouris - Sam</p><p>Greenstar - Arabella</p><p>Dire Lemming - Adam</p><p>Lucean - Philip</p><p>Dlsharrock - Keeper</p><p></p><p></p><p>This sounds great to me. I wasn't entirely sure on the details of the wireless set up and fully expected you to embellish. The nickname's great <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p></p><p>It's a nice play on words, but the main frequency picks up plain old Radio Arkham, also the BBC World Service, Boston Bruins Radio Network (BBRN), Chicopee Christian Radio, MUAM Sports (the University station) and stations operating out of Innsmouth, Kingsport and Dunwich (all of which are abbreviated to their respective call signs).</p><p></p><p></p><p>Department stores are within walking distance, so feel free to arrange for her to head out and pick one up at some point <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> I expect she does jot things down at present, keeping a notepad of scrawl which makes sense only to her, and probably doesn't make sense when she reads it back. Acquiring a dictaphone would be useful, then.</p><p>[/SBLOCK]</p><p>[SBLOCK=OOC Arkham Map]<img src="http://www.farcountryweb.co.uk/images/arkham.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/SBLOCK]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Dlsharrock, post: 4253312, member: 55833"] [SBLOCK=OOC]Thanks for the great intros everyone. I've not heard back from Majic since his post yesterday, so to keep the game flowing we'll assume his character hasn't yet arrived. Majic- when you want to insert your character into the game, please do so. If you haven't shown up by the time the group have moved on from the bar setting we'll have to think of a different way to introduce Patty. The two day posting rule applies however (see the Witching Hour Guidelines text posted in the recruitment thread), and if you can't make that please let me know. A word on 'finagling' :) I'm more than happy for players to finagle a little in these opening scenes. The mutual storytelling style is new to me, I admit, but I like it and it keeps things rolling along at a brisk pace while keeping things interesting. It also shows off the rich array of writing skills we have gathered here. I take my hat off and doff it accordingly (I'm not wearing one, you'll have to use your imaginations!). A few caveats. Where there's a mentioned character in any given scene established by the Keeper, assume it's an NPC and in my domain as much as your PC is in yours. The barmaid is a good example. I'll pick up from your lead, Dire Lemming, but just for future reference, noted NPCs (those introduced when I set the scene) are mine to roleplay. They shouldn't be moved around, nor should players put words into their mouths (no matter how trivial). I can understand why you thought she was fair game though. She does have the feel of an 'extra'. In fact she's one of my established NPCs from a past game and may or may not play a role at some future point. Adding incidental characters to aid your own post, such as the couple in Kook's opening scene, are ok so long as this only happens in 'trivial' moments and ideally I'd prefer it only happens in the Witching Hour or in places where there are large, ambiguous crowds and therefore plenty of scope for random strangers to be inserted into play. Their insertion should have a neutral purpose and make logical sense. Players shouldn't try to introduce actual NPCs, only incidental 'passers-by'. Strangers suddenly appearing as deux ex machina to help PCs out of a sticky spot, or as plot hooks for setting up a player established scenario will likely be edited out, which is always slightly insulting to the player and I don't like to do it. Common sense should apply, is really what I'm trying to say :) (btw: The main reason I'm protective of my NPCs is that most of them are repeat performers and have established characters worked on in previous games. Some may even be characters I've played in tabletop games and such.) Where players would like to control more than one PC (as in the case of Doctor LeGraid's wife, or maybe Adam would like to have a side-bar in that lady of the night he often contacts) I'd quite like to set up an extra character sheet so they have stats on tap should stats be needed. I'm happy for players to control more than one PC (up to three or four is fine) but the majority should be incidental, only popping into the game from time to time, or where the adventure dictates, while the prominent PC should be the main character you started out with in the recruitment thread. This will allow players to bring added elements to conversations etc. if they like. Sam's aunt would be fair game for this treatment. I'd say that if you're uncomfortable roleplaying more than one character at a time, however, that you stick with one for now and if you like add another later. In the past I've moderated games where players switched from one protagonist to another, playing a different character for different adventures but in the same campaign setting. This is also doable, should you feel you'd like a change from the character you started out with. Again, stay with your comfort zone or experiment, so long as it doesn't spoil your enjoyment of the game. Kook (and all players) - feel free to make the Witching Hour bar your own. Outside the Witching Hour, 'assume nothing' should be the rule of play. My descriptives in CoC are always very detailed, and the juice is in the detail. Then again, the detail may just be detail. Either way, players should remain explorers within the setting as established and described by the Keeper rather than inventors of their own surroundings. The same thing applies to events. If players would like to embellish rumours with some rumour mongering of their own that's ok (kinda deviant, but ok :)). Boldly spoken facts, on the other hand, should be backed up with knowledge gleaned from investigation or OOC consultation with the Keeper. As an example, Dr LeGraid's announcement that the autopsy has revealed the body may be the result of an explosion is inaccurate and should really be forgotten as an in-character comment, unless Lucean intended it as rumour-mongering. At this point the body hasn't been given a proper autopsy and the cause of death is unknown. There have been no speculations, and no mention of explosions have been made. But if the Doctor wishes to inspect the body and make surmations based on (possibly) rolls or roleplay, that's ok (an Idea roll, for example, to see if he can make an informed guess about the supposed putrefied and burned flesh). His jurisdiction doesn't extend to Arkham morgue (marked on the map, which I've posted below), but his credentials and some bargaining (Bargain skill/Fast Talk) with the person in charge there might get him access to perform a surreptitious autopsy of his own ;) If you're unsure how to go about doing things like that, feel free to ask. I hope that all makes sense and doesn't impose restrictions players haven't been used to in the past. IMO, it's better to establish this kind of thing from the outset so we're all playing from the same page from post 1. If you have questions about how to go about doing something, or any queries about game dynamics and so on feel free to stick it in an OOC SBLOCK here (instructions how to do so in the recruitment/OOC thread) and I'll help you out. If you're feeling brave and want to try out some of the game mechanic elements explained in the CoC in a Nutshell text, even better. So as a rule of thumb: if you want to do something and don't know how to do it or how to go about setting it up in-character, just ask me. One of my roles as Keeper in this game is to help everyone get along with the rules of play and I'm more than happy to do so :) Also to note, the established play order is as follows (with Majic to be inserted at some point in the near future hopefully): Kookalouris - Sam Greenstar - Arabella Dire Lemming - Adam Lucean - Philip Dlsharrock - Keeper This sounds great to me. I wasn't entirely sure on the details of the wireless set up and fully expected you to embellish. The nickname's great :) It's a nice play on words, but the main frequency picks up plain old Radio Arkham, also the BBC World Service, Boston Bruins Radio Network (BBRN), Chicopee Christian Radio, MUAM Sports (the University station) and stations operating out of Innsmouth, Kingsport and Dunwich (all of which are abbreviated to their respective call signs). Department stores are within walking distance, so feel free to arrange for her to head out and pick one up at some point :) I expect she does jot things down at present, keeping a notepad of scrawl which makes sense only to her, and probably doesn't make sense when she reads it back. Acquiring a dictaphone would be useful, then. [/SBLOCK] [SBLOCK=OOC Arkham Map][IMG]http://www.farcountryweb.co.uk/images/arkham.gif[/IMG][/SBLOCK] [/QUOTE]
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