Iren's Play-by-post fantasy games - General Discussion thread

[Irenaeus]

I alteady posted what he said. Now is the time for the party to decide the next action. You should discuss among yourselves If you are unsure. That's the fun of the game imo

What I meant to say (sorry, I was out on the phone all day in family events) was that interpreting the reactions of the NPCs is part of the games' difficulty. What is Altanis trying to say? What was the whole point of the interaction? Those were clues as to how you could act in your next post.
@DemoGraph I get that you like to act with a lot of information, maybe perfect information, but I'm designing the game to be mysterious and the accounts of the NPCs to be unreliable. Hope you're still having fun anyway. Good luck out there!

I think it's unclear for him if it was a mysterious phrase meant to be up to interpretation or if it's just a normal old-timey way of speaking that his character would have no problem understanding

@DemoGraph character (Felix) is a smart thief who knows diplomacy but has abysmal charisma (5), his character should understand the priest's words but not get the answers he wanted as he was playing detective. In fact, what he got was some pushback.

To solve the mystery (@DemoGraph read this), the priest has a only vague idea about what's going on in Vertidor (he fears what's under his own chapel), but much less on Quiet Hill. He's starting to panic about the cursed land in general, questioning his own faith and life choices, trying to cling to any local power and authority known to him (Bailiff/militia). He's at wits end. Still, he dislikes Felix (from bad reaction rolls) and doesn't really want to help this particular person whom he doesn't know well and mistrusts. He said the line about witnesses and authorization as a way of throwing extra hoops to complicate any task by Felix and try and constrain what he sees as his recklessness. He wanted reassurance from Kal (another cleric) and got some, since said Kal was preparing to descend, but the priest doesn't know the specifics of the attacks' causes and he fears what might happen next.

[DemoGraph]

@DemoGraph I get that you like to act with a lot of information, maybe perfect information, but I'm designing the game to be mysterious and the accounts of the NPCs to be unreliable. Hope you're still having fun anyway.

It's not about perfect information. I try to roleplay a fidgety young guy, who lost his previous life, got into an unexpected new crisis and tries to get as many bearings as possible. That's why he overprepares.
Personally, I'm quite ok with imperfect info.

In this case Oyster is correct. I thought that maybe there was some info discrepancy between me and my char.
I've asked questions about zombies and their potentially angry relatives in the same manner. Because IRL we can definitely sue for compensation if grandpa's corpse was pulled from the grave and broken into pieces (at least it's the case in Russia). Maybe Felix knows whether priests can freely bash zombie heads. I, Demograph, don't.

He's starting to panic about the cursed land in general, questioning his own faith and life choices

[Irenaeus]

@DemoGraph I get that you like to act with a lot of information, maybe perfect information, but I'm designing the game to be mysterious and the accounts of the NPCs to be unreliable. Hope you're still having fun anyway.

It's not about perfect information. I try to roleplay a fidgety young guy, who lost his previous life, got into an unexpected new crisis and tries to get as many bearings as possible. That's why he overprepares.
Personally, I'm quite ok with imperfect info.

Good to hear, then. So I can continue writing the way I do.

In this case Oyster is correct. I thought that maybe there was some info discrepancy between me and my char.
I've asked questions about zombies and their potentially angry relatives in the same manner. Because IRL we can definitely sue for compensation if grandpa's corpse was pulled from the grave and broken into pieces (at least it's the case in Russia). Maybe Felix knows whether priests can freely bash zombie heads. I, Demograph, don't.

My setting has civilized people being generally more high trust, cooperative and friendly with people and sometimes even strangers they know than cynical or suspicious. It all depends on context and reaction rolls but that's generally the baseline.

[Irenaeus]

I've written the next post and only need some editing, should come online tomorrow (save the date).

[DagothGeas5]

It lands… poorly. Kal merely looks confused. Milo clears his throat.

I love this XD Thank you for adding what players say in this way Irenaeus I love when details are accounted for and without derailing the story

I think we don't have healers.

I always assume logicrash and Kalarion are healers I have to say!
The character I made is a healer if it might be of use and, as I said, I can play as well if called upon, absolutely. I might have found a new job just today but I have yet to know the timings but, though still unknown, I should be able to make space, absolutely

[DemoGraph]

I always assume logicrash and Kalarion are healers I have to say!

I actually don't remember the rules, but I think that clerics in ACKS need to take a specific healing spell to be able to heal in the field. I think that neither of them took it.
I'm ready to be corrected, though.

I can play as well if called upon, absolutely.

I think, so far Iren was able to do 1 post per week tops. And some of those posts are basically "roll to hit".
You should be absolutely fine even if you read the forum at Sunday mass only.

[Irenaeus]

People playing and reading, the new post is up! I had to reconsider the option of the Church crew to go back to the Church because of the action of former PCs now NPCs so I rewrote the end there. If any of the two groups wants suggestions of what to do next, just ask here! Meanwhile, @DagothGeas5 and anyone else who wants to join the action, just let me know and we fit you in. Enjoy

[DagothGeas5]

As stated, my character is a healer and, though I am pretty rusty on playing something like D&D and never played a PbP, he, and I, are ready to be of use if need be @Irenaeus
If he needs some changes or if you might want him to be an encounter, or if you might want to fit him as an NPC, do let me know. Base idea is that he is an old grumpy Inquisitor, his background made him lose his former powers and he might now be snobbed as he doesn't much seem the part if not for moments of clarity that hint that he is not just some mad, rambling wanderer. My idea with the mule holding the lost part of his soul is one that I can change, I just thought that it might add more room for strangeness for you to write compared to a simple pendant or an item (leaving it unknown or a sort of eerie element if he is correct or otherwise about the animal etc), everything about him can be bent, so do let me know!
And if you indeed might want for him to join, I am quite amused that it could be out of the blue XD Right on point

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Will probably not be able to partecipate, but just for fun I wanted to create a character as illustrated in Irenaeus' PbP, will use this post to roll and similar for my own amusement. I will be using Method A (will pick a name after the rolling and picking of traits, background and all the rest is done though)

Strength = 10
Agility = 11
Constitution = 8
Intelligence = 9
Wisdom = 8
Charisma = 6
(Man these are some bad rolls XD )

Class: Cleric

Primary Skill: Divine Gift

Templates Background: Inquisitor (Lore, Intimidation)

Money rolling (5 sp 5 cp)
Bought Pitchfork (9 cp)
Begging Bowl (0 cp)
Sturdy Sack (12 cp)

Money left = (3 sp 4 cp)

Spells: Cure Light Wounds

Traits: Stingy (right row) Fiery, Foolhardy (left row)

Background rolls:
Family status, Upbringing & Relations = Raised by an Outlaw or Hermit (Description: you grew up outside of society, learning the ways of the wild - How it shaped you: You have little respect for social rules but you know how to survive)

Occupation Before Adventuring = Guard or Soldier (Description: you were payed to protect others, often seeing brutal conflict. - How it shaped you: Disciplined, skilled with arms, wary of ambushes)

Major (or Minor, if Lucky) Misfortune that Led to Adventuring = You killed someone important (Description: Wether on accident or purpose, the death cannot be undone. - How it shaped you: Their people wants revenge)

Motivations: Vile or Virtuous = (Forgot to separate the two d12s, will roll again) Power (you want to rule, command and bend others to your will. Strength is the only truth) Glory (Your name must be spoken for centuries. Through deeds of war, you will be remembered.)

More details on the background with everything brought together:

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My idea for him due to his rolls is that he was cursed. After growing up in the wilds, he managed to work his way up from bandit asking for protection money and tolls, to mercenary, and then finally to a guard position. Due to how ruthless Acre was, he was targeted by the local inquisition (ruthless witch and heretic hunters) and was soon indoctrinated into their credo, becoming an inquisitor. Acre is not a young man, and has a permanent scowl and a fould temperament. He loves making speeches and has a fiery fervor when he does so, but he underestimates his adversaries. This culminated in him getting cursed by something (witch or gipsy or ancient ground he desacrated by wrecking the ancient altar), which has made his fervor even more of a double edged sword as his intellect and wisdom were sapped. His behavior remained foul, but because he now lacks his wits and wisdom, he is just seen as a detestable old man that is permanently bitter and that now throws himself into fights he cannot win, his fiery behavior now his worst enemy whereas before it was his driving force.
Surprising for his behavior and sourness, aside rebuking things etc, his spells focus on healing and protection of his allies (especially civilians and children).
He was cast out because, while the curse was draining him, there was a period where he became blind and simply lashed at everything close, and thus accidentally killed one of the guys that went with him to where he was cursed before fleeing. The survivors reported him and, though he doesn't know, he is no longer welcome at the church and a wanted man (something many of his peers wanted for years due to his sketchy past, which made him a ticking bomb that will eventually relapse in violence in their eyes, and they feel proven correct by what happened).
If possible, I wanted him to have a mule that he brings around and that he insists now holds his soul trapped inside after the curse. Wether this is true or just some invention of his now paranoid mind, it is up to the story.

Name: Acre Foulmouth

[Irenaeus]

((We may also need to use the flint and steel to start a fire, maybe to cauterize Stein though I am not sure if we have the metal tools required and if that would fall under needing medical knowledge. It might be best to hunker down for the night, either here next to the road or further off. We might need a watch.))

Hrod can keep watch while the rest of you... Rest. As for Stein, best we can do is stop blood loss by applying pressure, if that.

@SpellSword
@Val the Moofia Boss
@ERYFKRAD

and the rest of the forest group... You can roleplay how you treat Stein, and then roll on the following table below from the ACKS book:



Having the Survival skill (which Gunthard and Tillomar have) will grant the +2 for healing specialization noted in the table. And if you treat him immediately in the next post, I'll consider it being the next round, giving an extra +2 to the roll. Stein has no Constitution bonus so the roll would be 1d20+4.

Stein is at exactly 0 hp instead of negative, which gives the roll another bonus of +5! That means the roll would be 1d20+9, even better.

Good luck!

[DagothGeas5]

@Irenaeus How would it work from there if someone has the spine broken at the neck or is missing the use of BOTH legs? Are there spells to restore from such wounds that are not from the Dungeon Master himself?

(Do not have best of luck reaction, so do pretend the Care is. I won't lie, when I saw Steiner being blasted and then the subsequent rolls, it made me very worried )

[Irenaeus]

@Irenaeus How would it work from there if someone has the spine broken at the neck?

The character's Dexterity (DEX) is reduced to 3, and he cannot move, fight, use items, or cast spells. The character must save versus Death each month or die from complications.

or is missing the use of BOTH legs?

The character's Dexterity (DEX) is reduced to 3 for Armor Class purposes. Two crutches are required to move, ,ovement is reduced by 60% and the character cannot force march.

Are there spells to restore from such wounds that are not from the Dungeon Master himself?

There are three divine spells that can cure that:
Restore Life and Limb (5th level)
Regeneration (6th level)
Resurrection (7th level)

There is also a Ring of Regeneration in the book.

(Do not have best of luck reaction, so do pretend the Care is. I won't lie, when I saw Steiner being blasted and then the subsequent rolls, it made me very worried )

Hah, I think if he is healed, he will be back adventuring in no time. That said, best luck in the roll for whoever does it.

[DemoGraph]

Hmmm.
Steiner suffers minor scarring.

At first glance, the scar resembles a typical water jet injury—jagged, raised edges and faint rippling patterns—evidence of the violent force that tore through the flesh. But upon closer inspection, the scar seems oddly mottled, with subtle amber hues woven into the pale scar tissue, as if stained from years of the victim’s lifelong beer drinking. The skin around the wound bears tiny, irregular speckles that hint at the persistent presence of alcohol’s effects on healing—slightly brittle, yet stubbornly resilient. This scar tells a story not just of the raw power of water but of a body shaped and weathered by a life steeped in beer, where toughness and fragility coexist in curious harmony.

eh

His scar is that he gets a severely croaking voice (conditional -1 CHA mod) for every scene in which he hadn't drunk beer.

Now that's better.

[SpellSword]

Are we going with that roll?

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[Irenaeus]

Are we going with that roll?

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haha I'm expecting someone to roleplay and roll on the game thread...

[SpellSword]

@Hrod Lastson (ERYFKRAD), @Tillomar (TKVNC), @Gunthard (Val the Moofia Boss), @Alfwine (Stack of Turtles), @Ostgar (Oyster Sauce).

This slug attack feels like an ambush someone setup that knew we were leaving the town, and we could get hit again pressing through the forest. Is it better to double back to the town of Vertidor or do we press on to Mossborrow?

I think the party lacks the rat bundle that Zollo ran off with and the exact location of Mossborrow hasn't been pinned down yet. It may be much more dangerous to continue. On the other hand, not all of the alchemy ingredients for aiding in vermin removal have been acquired yet either.

Now that it appears that the threat is not only rats but also a human enemy, perhaps the Bailiff can be persuaded to provide us with more resources if we show him the dead mage's body.

What should our next move be?

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@Irenaeus should I (Or someone else) roll for the Mortal Wounds now that Stein is being tended to?

[Val the Moofia Boss]

I thought we had left the town for the lodge in the morning and that it was now twilight and thus it would be impossible to get anywhere until tomorrow, and thus it'd be best to hunker down for the night. But upon rereading the earlier pages, it appears that it was already late afternoon when we left. So if we really wanted we could try throwing Stein on a stretcher and get back to Vertidor within the next few hours. We could get him better medical treatment and a warm room and a bowl of stew, so he'd have better chances and would recover faster. We could also scoop up some slug remains and bring it back for identification or use it in alchemy.

My biggest fear is that the enemy might be or have someone amongst Vertidor's leadership (ie the office of the bailiff or the militia) and might be able to spread some story to incite them against us, claiming we are robbers staging some sort of elaborate scheme or that we are responsible for the bad mischief or whatever. We are strangers from nowhere with no legal backing from the crown and little persuasive ability, so this makes Vertidor a little risky IMO.

[Irenaeus]

((We may also need to use the flint and steel to start a fire, maybe to cauterize Stein though I am not sure if we have the metal tools required and if that would fall under needing medical knowledge. It might be best to hunker down for the night, either here next to the road or further off. We might need a watch.))

Hrod can keep watch while the rest of you... Rest. As for Stein, best we can do is stop blood loss by applying pressure, if that.

@SpellSword
@Val the Moofia Boss
@ERYFKRAD

and the rest of the forest group... You can roleplay how you treat Stein, and then roll on the following table below from the ACKS book:



Having the Survival skill (which Gunthard and Tillomar have) will grant the +2 for healing specialization noted in the table. And if you treat him immediately in the next post, I'll consider it being the next round, giving an extra +2 to the roll. Stein has no Constitution bonus so the roll would be 1d20+4.

Stein is at exactly 0 hp instead of negative, which gives the roll another bonus of +5! That means the roll would be 1d20+9, even better.

Good luck!

@SpellSword
@Val the Moofia Boss
@ERYFKRAD

I'm still waiting to see if anyone will attempt to heal Stein before making the next post. Please read the instructions above, post the roleplayed part in the Chapter 2 thread, and make the roll. In case of any doubts, ask away. Good Luck!

Nevermind, please disregard and see the post below.

[Irenaeus]

@Irenaeus should I (Or someone else) roll for the Mortal Wounds now that Stein is being tended to?

I reread the book and it seems that you are the one who makes the Mortal Wounds roll indeed. You can make it here and I will use the results to write the next post!

[Val the Moofia Boss]

I have rolled in the chapter 2 game thread.

[SpellSword]

I have rolled in the chapter 2 game thread.

Sounds good to me.

@Irenaeus I'll roll the 1d6 for the Mortal Wounds column selection and write up the response using Val's 1d20 roll if you're fine with it.

Edit: (Here are the results)

22 = "You were knocked out. You recover with 1hp. You will need magical healing or 1 night's bed rest afterward."
6 = "Your wounds heal stiff and scarred (-1 to all initiative rolls)."

How limited in action is Stein by "You will need magical healing or 1 night's bed rest afterward." Can he walk?

[Irenaeus]

Fair enough, let's roll (no pun intended) with the results. I'll begin writing the next post shortly.

@SpellSword Yes, Stein can walk but he's critically wounded, don't push your luck or you could die

Edit: SpellSword, read the table again, the results are in inverted order. You rolled 6 meaning "A vision of afterlife haunts you, then fades away."

[Stack of Turtles]

@Alfwine (Stack of Turtles)

I'm not unwilling to keep playing, but to be completely honest, I don't remember what's going on or what I can functionally do. I may need to reread the thread first.

[DemoGraph]

@Alfwine (Stack of Turtles)

I'm not unwilling to keep playing, but to be completely honest, I don't remember what's going on or what I can functionally do. I may need to reread the thread first.

You can always attack.

[Irenaeus]

@Alfwine (Stack of Turtles)

I'm not unwilling to keep playing, but to be completely honest, I don't remember what's going on or what I can functionally do. I may need to reread the thread first.

I'm glad that you expressed interested in playing again. Reading my posts on the chapter 2 thread should situate you well enough in where you're at. I'll be posting a thread on current character sheets so people can easily check and edit their characters.

[Irenaeus]

@Oyster Sauce
@Stack of Turtles
@Val the Moofia Boss
@TKVNC
@SpellSword
@Kalarion
@DemoGraph
@ERYFKRAD
@swbgtoc

Greetings adventurers, just posted a new turn of events. A lot of lore but only a few simple options in the end. Please inform me of any errors found or any doubt about the content. Enjoy!!!

[DemoGraph]

Somewhere in the dead middle of the night, the inn creaks…
once…
twice…

Felix: What? Command, the wrong biome! Evac! Evaque!

Too late. The walls shudder as inn rises, and the sky is pierced by mighty WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH

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Felix takes as henchmen the twins for the shieldwall. Jarlo and Rikko are told to carry on their hijinks, Little Clem is told to scram

farken rules T_T

[DemoGraph]

Also, I've realized that I have no idea why exactly are we going to the Church.
I think Altanis didn't ask for help with his cellar, did he? Are Kalarion's premonitions our main source of intel?

The only real clues for underground entrances are these two:

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For example, there are ground holes behind the tanner’s yard that the boys swear someone or some creature… comes out from time to time. Another, there is a room in the abandoned house of the old cooper where the floor sunk, people have seen things moving inside from the windows.

Felix and Tillomar are near the Market Square. ... Just as they are about to leave, Tillomar's dog, Fergal, stops whining and barking sharply near the boarded-up basement door of a nearby derelict building. Tillomar pauses, "Something there, lad?" He briefly inspects the door – it's warped and the boards seem loose – but decides against breaking in immediately.

Also, long time ago there was this:

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Building 1: The Baker’s Basement
They find a bakery and greet the baker, asking to investigate the building. After explanations and a cautious acceptance by the owner, they go to a small, flour-dusted cellar beneath the bakery, where it smells of yeast and soot. Sections of floor have sagged inward, and the bricks are wet to the touch. Behind stacked barrels is a circular gnaw-hole, wide enough for a large rat… Other than that, nothing in it of note.
Building 2: An Abandoned Weaving House
The building is boarded up, but easy to pry open by the duo. In the interior, dust hangs in shafts of gray light from cracks in the walls and roof. Broken looms lie still, thread rotted. Under a broken floorboard they find a bone bead necklace, dripping wet, though no water is present. A dead rat, belly split, insides blackened. Normal-sized, they think.
3. The Alley Between
In a narrow passage between the two cellars, they find a scratched sigil in chalk on the back wall. Possibly drawn by children… or not. Even more strange: There is a rat skull nailed to the wood behind a pile of crates.

But our party shouldn't know about them, because everyone who saw them hied away.

[Irenaeus]

Also, I've realized that I have no idea why exactly are we going to the Church.
I think Altanis didn't ask for help with his cellar, did he? Are Kalarion's premonitions our main source of intel?

The only real clues for underground entrances are these two:

► Show Spoiler

For example, there are ground holes behind the tanner’s yard that the boys swear someone or some creature… comes out from time to time. Another, there is a room in the abandoned house of the old cooper where the floor sunk, people have seen things moving inside from the windows.

Felix and Tillomar are near the Market Square. ... Just as they are about to leave, Tillomar's dog, Fergal, stops whining and barking sharply near the boarded-up basement door of a nearby derelict building. Tillomar pauses, "Something there, lad?" He briefly inspects the door – it's warped and the boards seem loose – but decides against breaking in immediately.

Also, long time ago there was this:

► Show Spoiler

Building 1: The Baker’s Basement
They find a bakery and greet the baker, asking to investigate the building. After explanations and a cautious acceptance by the owner, they go to a small, flour-dusted cellar beneath the bakery, where it smells of yeast and soot. Sections of floor have sagged inward, and the bricks are wet to the touch. Behind stacked barrels is a circular gnaw-hole, wide enough for a large rat… Other than that, nothing in it of note.
Building 2: An Abandoned Weaving House
The building is boarded up, but easy to pry open by the duo. In the interior, dust hangs in shafts of gray light from cracks in the walls and roof. Broken looms lie still, thread rotted. Under a broken floorboard they find a bone bead necklace, dripping wet, though no water is present. A dead rat, belly split, insides blackened. Normal-sized, they think.
3. The Alley Between
In a narrow passage between the two cellars, they find a scratched sigil in chalk on the back wall. Possibly drawn by children… or not. Even more strange: There is a rat skull nailed to the wood behind a pile of crates.

But our party shouldn't know about them, because everyone who saw them hied away.

Basically a lot of clues pointing to the Church and its undercroft were gathered by the players in Chapter 1, including Kal Arion, you can go back and read it if you want. Here's the intro to Chapter 2 surmizing it:

Chapter 2

To the Church and Earth Below

Meanwhile, back within the dimming common room of The Mountain's Last Light, the remaining adventurers faced their own impending trial. The thoughtful cleric Norman and the calm, thrifty noble and magic-user Wolfgang assessed their newly acquired arsenal for their own their own grim and mysterious task. Supported by the ranger George and Linno Aldwick, town militia, they were now equipped with a dozen torches, flasks of oil, coils of ****, hammers, and spikes. Their inventory also included two hooded lanterns for stealth, a pulley for lifting gear, a sturdy crowbar, and four skins of holy water, personally filled and sealed by Father Altanis.

The immediate, gnawing threat of what festered beneath Vertidor pressed upon them, the whispers of a "King Rat" echoing the urgency of the fading light. With the Bailiff's sanction secured, the men wondered what the the Church and the secrets of its undercroft might hold, beckoning as a potential first step into the chilling unknown that awaited them _below. The air itself seemed colder, heavy with an unspoken dread that hinted at the unnatural evil that cleric Kal Arion had detected, an unknown feeling that might be connected to something powerful deep beneath the Chapel.

[LemonDemonGirl]

King Ratstakhan

[SpellSword]

@Irenaeus I'm working on my post, but I have two questions that I was hoping you could answer before I finish it.

The water from the blast that felled Stein is still lingering in the churned soil.

Is the water still pooling enough that Stein could fill one of the bottles he's carrying with it? This possibly magic water feels like it is worth inspecting later. I'm also planning to grab some of the dirt it soaked into as well for good measure...

And are the five bottle of booze that he is carrying of a high enough alcohol content that it would burn if poured into the campfire's flame? Although it would be funny if he went and accidentally put out the campfire @Hrod just got started, I think his skill sets would stop him from trying to add the liquid if that would be the result.