[Keiber Burning] Beginnings & OOC Thread

[MadJay]

From the Annals of Mariuk, The Chronicler of The Lost Key.

Late Autumn, Sun of the Monkey King.

The Council debates..and have for several days now.
The various Houses are warring; the Twice Graced City of Keiber is their battleground.
The rain storm has drown out most of the fighting, yet the Keepers report small skirmishes around the Old Merchants district.

Keiber, once Vale and Gurlan before that, was once named Quisa, The Grand City of the Vault; First City of the Men from the Garden.

Nesser has packed for a journey this night, the elf keeps to the old ways. Though the city crumbles, the Keepers numbers spent, the Ebon Witch lost, still, Nesser keeps the traditions as he prepares the Hall of Stars for the Key Ceremony.

"It is time." Nesser tells a Keeper.
"The council won't like it, they will forbid it!" the Keeper replies flatly.
“They will not risk you to the havoc outside the compound.”
Nesser is unmoved "The Keyling" he says "is manifest and must be sought out, protected and nurtured, this is my responsibility. At this very moment the keyling is in the city."

“It matters not” The Keeper says eyeing one of many servants about the hall, the servant nods, then quickly she leaves.
“You are the Reigning Key, have been for generations. This Keyling will too, be passed over. No different than before.”

The Elf takes up his things as two magistrates come, apparently to escort him. They embrace Nesser as old friends.
The Keeper appears surprised.
Nesser turns to the Keeper, "This is my duty, and my call as the reigning Key."
Nesser nods to me as he leaves.

"You both should come, it shall be quite a journey...and Keiber is no longer a haven for the Sons of the Mother, already a foul beast of the Father is in the city - Keiber is burning"

If Nesser is right, as oft he is - a beast of Father will bring the Exarch.
They are Mother's Cleansing Sword…The Warrior Elves of the Garden.
Keiber, will burn indeed.
- - - - - - -


I've nothing save what I've posted above, I'm new to BWR, but a GM Vet.
I've got Action/Adventure on the brain, and I wanna run this akin to a One-Shot and on 'Eleven' - with the idea of running additonal connected "One-Shots"...hmmm perhaps Anthology is a better concept...

Let's talk about Character concepts then BITs +R.
All the folks named or not above, are fair game.
I must contact Abzu still, I'll wait 'til I have 2-3 solid folks.

Let's talk about die rolling options, game options as well.

Check out Stealing The vault (http://www.burningwheel.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1446) to see where my head is..

[jmspencer]

I'd like to play. If that's OK, I'll post a few character concepts when I get home from work tonight.

[donbaloo]

Hexgunna, I've never played PbP before and haven't even read through much of the existing PbP threads. I'm familiar with BWr rules but haven't played yet. If you're okay with a complete newbie to PbP, then I'm probably up for gaming with you guys. Your prelim sounds good but I'm a little confused as to what characters your players will be playing. I should be able to post at least once daily, most days...is that enough?

[Kuato]

Count me in as well, if you don't mind yet another relatively new player. i've never played PbP before, so I may need some coaching as well. PM me if there is anything you'd like me to do or if you have more extensive campaign ideas to distribute. Thanks!

[Mickeroo]

I am a little confused as well, but I'm up for playing. I have a good deal of BW experience, although none with PBP. I can post almost everyday, with the exception of a vacation or (hopefully) 2 throughout the summer.

[donbaloo]

Well then, that puts us at hearty four players as long as Hexgunna can tolerate our lack of PbP experience. How hard can it be though, right? :D

[Kuato]

Do you guys want to go ahead and start with some concepts and get the direction of the game started? We can wait for more story if you want, but I think we should roll with the momentum we've got now.
The GM can always hop in later and guide us before the real burning begins.

[Kuato]

Do you guys want to go ahead and start with some concepts and get the direction of the game started? We can wait for more story if you want, but I think we should roll with the momentum we've got now.
The GM can always hop in later and guide us before the real burning begins.

[donbaloo]

I'm sort of inclined to hold off until Hexgunna gets back to us, just to make sure he's still interested. Plus, from the OP I kind of get the feel that he's guiding us towards playing the individuals that appear in the prologue. I'm good with moving on once we get the cleared up.

[MadJay]

No worries!
We'll start small and grow big!!! ;)

basically we've got a Very Large city at war with itself.
The various noble houses have been battling in the streets of Keiber.
Mercenary companies have been brought in to boost troop strengths.

There is talk of a fell beast that walks the streets of Keiber, eating all living beings regardless of faction.

Amidst this chaos...the Elven Key-Master has taken up a quest to find the next Key-Master...a Keyling that is currently in the city.

Character concept ideas...
-The Elf Keymaster - tasked to find the Keyling.
-The Old cranky, but Battle harden magistrate and old friend of the Key Master, joins the quest, along with his fleet-footed young scout.

-The narrow-minded Keeper who opposes The Key-Masters quest.
-The crafty Noble who aims to leverage the Keyling to win this fight amounst the Houses.
-The opportunistic mercenary captain who plays both sides of the conflict.
-Various Nobles with stakes in the outcome of this civil war.
-a broken unit of soldiers/mercenaries who have survived an encounter with the beast that eats the streets.

And the Keyling, out in the city - ignorant of his destiny...and danger

These are just off the top of my head...hopefully they'll get ya juiced!!
Ideas are welcomed!

[donbaloo]

So is it an elven city or just that the Keymaster is an elf?

[donbaloo]

Also, how many LPs are we aiming for?

[Kuato]

I'd like to play the bastard son of a prominent noble family involved in the conflict. He could still have ties to them through forgiving relatives, but no direct influence. I'm thinking his birth was widely publicized, but his exact identity remains secret.

Maybe he was sent in shame to a miltary order, or the priesthood? Or maybe a nasty old drunk of a sorceror even.

Thoughts? Opinions? Editorial?

[MadJay]

In general - 4LPs max. - but I wanna see the BITs up first.
especially Beliefs/Instincts.

I'm not forcing group integrity - but I am zoned in on the city of Keiber for now. I don't even know what the Houses are fighting over!!! :P

My Immediate goal is gaining a working feel for the game thru playing it.
What ever unfolds here will be the backstory for my live group when we start playing.

Kuato: - I especially like the nasty drunk of a sorcerer, sounds like a lotta fun there - though military service or clergy have definate potential too! I'll leave the details of family ties in your hands, several Noble houses involved in the battle for Keiber. What's the bastard son doing in Keiber now that the Nobles are at war? Has he chosen a side?

[MadJay]

Excerpt From the Annals of Mariuk, The Chronicler of The Lost Key.

The Grand city Keiber is built on top of the remains of the first city of men, Quisa.
Nestled in the Highguard mountain range - near the dwarf clans.
Keiber has always been ruled by men, with the exception of one generation when it was ruled by the Mad Dwarf Venko after the Dwarvish Curse Wars.

Keiber boasts ambassadors from the Elflands, the Dwarf mountain clans, all 5 tribes of Men, and visitors from the Garden.
Two Great Schools - The Ranger Academy and the School of Historians...the Chroniclers.

The gem of Keiber is the Garden Temple dedicated to the Mother.
The grounds are complete with waterfall, brillant flora and fauna all surrounding it's massive open air cathedral.

By far, Keiber's most magnificent treasure, is it's least known wonder.
The Vault.
Hidden under three ruins of previous cities is a massive vault door.
It is Made of a strange, dark metal and fixed into the mountain wall.
Stories about it's origin, it's purpose, are plentiful.

[donbaloo]

Well Hexgunna, since your itchin' for action adventure I think I'm gonna have to go with a character with at least some martial training. I've got this idea building up for a character with the Dreamer trait. Right now I'm thinking sort of along the lines of a mercenary soldier with the gift/curse of visions. This ability got him labeled as a bringer of ill fortune within his unit and so was dismissed. I think it would be neat if he was a member of one of the units in town and was only recently dismissed. He's carried on to Keiber due to his most recent vision (having to do with the vault, Keyling, or Keymaster in some cryptic way) that he has kept secret. If I could figure out a way for him to squeeze in some temple type experience in his 4 lifepaths that would be good too, because I'd have him removed from there because of his visions and the fact that they didn't fit typical prophecies from the Mother. So really, at this point in his life, he would much rather keep his talent a secret from folks since its been mostly frowned upon by those around him. I don't want it to be the main part of the story by any means, but just some interesting story material as we go. Does this sound interesting or at all workable for what you guys have in mind? I'm very, very flexible right now.

[donbaloo]

But then again, on my way to get something to eat I was thinking about my concept when it struck me...could possibly get any more Joan of Arc-ish? Hmmm...might need to reconsider this.

[MadJay]

You say that as if it were a Bad Thang!! :P
It could be that your visions carry some truth that's been missing...
maybe we pick up right when you begin work at the temple, play thru your "layoff" there...

[Kuato]

I'm diggin the sorcery too, but i think i want him to be new at it.

How about this for some preliminary Beliefs?

The line of Guelph is virtuos and true--they will never betray even one as lowly as me.

When in a crowd, remain Inconspicuous.

The Order is all that protects Keiber from true anarchy--it deserves respect.

I'm thinking born Noble->Bastard->Military Order->Neophyte Sorceror

[Mickeroo]

First off, it's obviously an elvish city, look at the name.

Secondly, in this city, can I be the fell beast, namely, the cookie monster?

All jokes aside, what are the restrictions for the keyling? I am thinking of being the in-the-dark character.

[jmspencer]

OK so... sorry I couldn't post the last couple days... unexpected computer blowout.

So... I have a couple concepts in mind, but with your description of the temple, I lean toward a priest character. However, not a Mother priest... how fleshed out do you have the pantheon here? Cause if not, since it sounds like an Archetypal (Mother, presumably Father, maybe others) I have some ideas for another that might be interesting. Otherwise, a priest of the Mother, ambitious and tired of being passed over for advancement within the priesthood, looking for a way to make himself stand out to his superiors within the order.

[donbaloo]

maybe we pick up right when you begin work at the temple, play thru your "layoff" there...

That's could be interesting but I'm actually having an easier go of it lifepath wise by going the church route first and leading into the mercenaries. Something like this...Born Peasant (Lead to Religious)-> Temple Acolyte-> Priest (Lead to Soldier)->Chaplain. That would give me ties to the church, ties to one of the mercenery units in town, but basically an outcast from both due to the visions. I see him as being dismissed from his unit prior to the units arrival within the city. Which gives him enough time to travel to Keiber due to his latest vision and shortly thereafter learn of his old units arrival within the city. This could also offer a relatively easy tie in to jmspencer's character and perhaps even the neophyte sorceror as it might seem likely that my character would visit a sorceror (his master I guess) to quietly inquire about some aspect of his vision. Well, not the vision itself so much but the contents of what he saw within it. He's not so keen on letting his "gift" out of the bag these days.

[donbaloo]

Actually, I could go Peasant Born, pick up a couple soldier lifepaths for the mercenary line then end up as an Acolyte in the Village setting. I'm not sure if that would fit him better to the story or not. I think I'm going to just move on to BITs and see if that clears things up any for me.

[Kuato]

Mickeroo-->Just a thought, but as a riff on your Keyling idea: What if the Keyling is the Beast? Maybe in a very actual way or just through use of the Possession Trait? Or maybe the Beast is the Keyling's protector, slaying those whom endanger the Keyling? Just a few thoughts before lunch.

On the topic of my guy, anyone have any major problems? I might do some prelim Traits and Relationships when i get home. I'm thinking maybe this guy has been getting a lot of use in the settling of riots--his role in the Order of Keiber (very literally their police force) as a peace maker.

[MadJay]

Kuato -> looks like you've got (in order) a Belief, an Instinct and a Belief. And They look fine to me. Anxious to see your draft of traits & Relations.

Donbaloo -> I think you've got a good, rough concept, and agree, drafting out your BITs may smooth out your concept.

Mickeroo -> Welcome!!! So you wanna be the Cookie Monster!! hadn't considered that, but not opposed, perhaps the beast IS the Keyling as Kuato suggests...or a previous, passed-over keyling... :twisted:
I'm on the fence right now, if you're serious... lets see some BITs, and let's flesh this beast out a bit... ;)
As for being the non-beast Keyling, proceed normally, I'm working out the mechanics of being the Keymaster/Keyling, ie; a trait or ability.

jmspencer -> The Pantheon is NOT set in stone, I'm most comfortable with "maybe others" - than a roll-call of Dieties running about. Let's see what ya got!! Thus far I have The Mother, and The Father, opposed forces. The elves are the direct Agents of the Mother, Straight from the garden. Elves have a duty to oppose the Father in all his incarnations in the world. They return to the garden when Grief overtakes them.

This week's goal - Character concept nailed. working thru drafts of BITs
Then onto LPs.

Thus far it looks like we've got a Neophyte Peacekeeper from the Order. (Kuato)
A vision-haunted chaplain? (Donbaloo)
An anxious Priest with Big Aspirations? (jmspencer)
and the CookieMonster!!/ or Keyling? (Mickeroo)

[donbaloo]

Just a thought, but as a riff on your Keyling idea: What if the Keyling is the Beast? Maybe in a very actual way or just through use of the Possession Trait? Or maybe the Beast is the Keyling's protector, slaying those whom endanger the Keyling? Just a few thoughts before lunch.
This is interesting. I kind of like the idea of the beast being the Keylings protector, without him realizing it of course. That would be a pretty sweet twist on the original setup that makes the beast sound like more of an evil entity. Especially, since the beast is from the Father, we would then have the Father trying to protect the Keyling as well. Why? I like that.

I also like all the concepts thus far and I think there are some interesting ways of weaving them together. Especially if the anxious priest really is a servitor of another, less known diety. My guy has obviously been ousted from the church proper due to his visions not being in the prophetic style of the Mother. Maybe they're coming from another diety...one that the anxious priest can help me get to know?

[Kuato]

Yeah, I just realized that I'd garbled my Beliefs and Instincts as I read through it again. Damn. Sorry about that.

So here's the Big Idea, round two:

The line of Guelph....
The Order....
and the new one
The Gift is easily misunderstood and frightening--do not reveal my Sorcery to just anyone.

for Instincts:
Always wear gloves
When in a crowd remain Inconspicuous, but when speaking, maintain Conspicuous
Ready Arcane Kindness before any Duel of Wits

[jmspencer]

OK. I'll send out a concept tonight when I get home from work/rehearsal. (Maybe sooner if one of the many gamers in my show happens to have the BW books on them...)

[donbaloo]

Okay, here’s what I’ve got so far for the character. I’ve got several alternative beliefs and instincts if you guys feel that these are gonna be counterproductive to the story or may jeopardize party (will we be a party?) cohesion.

Concept: An ex-military chaplain who has been haunted by visions throughout his life and suffered a great deal of exclusion because of it. He’s in Keiber because of his latest one (something to do with the Vault, Keyling, Beast, etc.) and though he has mixed feelings about his learned doctrine and the Mother, he still maintains a sense of loyalty to the religion. He’s confused and bit untrusting but knows he wants, and is suppose, to help with the situation that is evolving in Keiber.

Beliefs:
--Whether the Church of the Mother believes it or not, I am here to protect them from harm and prevent them from unwittingly bringing about the foreboding events to come.
--Everyone has within them a seed of difference or strangeness. I will strive to be understanding of any man's dilemma and always give them a second chance.
--Captain Eerdrov (Captain of the mercenary unit that I served with and from which I was dismissed) is a wise and decent man who to whom I am willing to lend my aid in any circumstance.

Instincts:
Always scribble a few notes upon awakening.
Never imbibe to the point of drunkenness.
Always assess for familiar faces or images within my surroundings.

He will have the Dreamer trait.

I like what I’ve got so far and its giving me a pretty good feel for him but I’m still really flexible too. I’m starting to get pretty juiced over this! :P

[Mickeroo]

I'm just worried that if I am the keyling, and if the goal of some is to be the keyling, then wouldn't me being in the group kind of have them achieve thier goals very quickly?

As a very rough sketch, I was thinking (because the keyling has to be an elf, right?) of a young elf who goes to the city to learn at the Ranger Academy that was mentioned. This would explain why he wasn't found earlier, although I'm not sure how they find him still?

I don't want to come up with BITs tough until I get a basic conceept approved, since I'm not even sure what my goals should be yet.

[jmspencer]

The Walking Man… The Final Guide… The Outsider…

The Stranger…

Standing apart (and passing through) the circle of deities that includes The Mother and The Father, The Stranger is a god of the road, a trickster god, a god of death. Not evil by any means, even occasionally working toward some concept of good, but far more frequently acting with the implacable and incomprehensible nature of death itself. Usually depicted as a traveler in a broadbrimmed hat and with a stout walking stick, The Stranger moves forever on the road, leading an endless l of the souls of the dead who have passed from life to endlessly walk with The Stranger. His priests exist on a neverending pilgrimage, walking his Road. A priest of the Stranger is one of the few people who may cross any border, sail from any port, seek hospitality at any hearth, backed up by tradition and the strength of superstition.

Character Concept: A priest of The Stranger who has been led to Keiber by a series of coincidences which he believes can only be the work of his god. Therefore, he walks the city in search of some clue as to what his task here is.

Beliefs:
- All power but my god’s is temporary, for in the end all things belong to The Stranger. Sometimes people need to be reminded of the humility which should come from this fact.
- People are at their best (and truest) when faced with the unexpected and the unknown.
- My path is not random, but is laid for me by the Walking Man. Therefore, I should always be watchful for a task he has led me to.

Instincts:
- Never own more than I can carry.
- Never be without my walking staff.
- Upon the death of sentient beings, always perform the Rites of the Last Journey before the following sunrise (unless another priest of the Stranger performs the duty.)

(Concept for this god comes from my college GM's pantheon, by the way... I don't want people to think I'm THAT creative. :-))

[donbaloo]

I'm just worried that if I am the keyling, and if the goal of some is to be the keyling, then wouldn't me being in the group kind of have them achieve thier goals very quickly?

That's true. But if the scenario ran more along the lines of keeping the keyling safe and helping him into his role rather than finding him, its just a different story to tell. So I think we could work around it so long as we weren't going into it with the idea of finding the keyling.

Or maybe its not even that easy for Nesser to specifically and immediately determine that you are the keyling, he just knows that you're here. Perhaps the story will present to us how he determines that you truly are the one he seeks.

And I think the Ranger Academy idea works okay. Maybe even training as some sort of specialized urban ranger, since we're city oriented. Don't know how that would work out but its an idea. And of course there's any number of other reason's you could have came to the city.

And just as another piece of thought salt, what if the keyling had some quality or demeanor about him that makes him less than a likable choice for the job. So that when Nesser discovers who he is, he don't really want to believe it himself anymore. Nothing overtly evil or anything like that, just something distasteful about him...thoughts?

[donbaloo]

jmspencer->I like the Stranger god concept, especially since it would so very easily fit into the story if we're basing our notion of the Vault off of the original idea as presented by Paka in hisVault thread (http://www.burningwheel.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=949). He could certainly fit even if our concept ends up not paralleling Paka's but I thought it was interesting. I like your beliefs you've drafted but I'd like the second one even more if it went as far as to say,"...so when testing the true character of a friend or foe, the more shocking I can be the better." :shock: Maybe? I figure we're all still just throwing ideas around to see what sticks right now.

[jmspencer]

[quote="donbaloo"]jmspencer->I'd like the second one even more if it went as far as to say,"...so when testing the true character of a friend or foe, the more shocking I can be the better."[quote]

That's part of how I intended to play it. It's not really SHOCKING, though, so much as keeping people off-balance. Sometimes shocking, sometimes creepy, sometimes giving the impression that there's more going on that is obvious and he knows it. Do you think it's better to focus in like that (which seems to almost make it an instinct in disguise) or to leave it vague and leave options on how to put it into play?

[donbaloo]

I don't really know. I know throughout all of my questions here since I joined and keeping an eye on what abzu and Thor have been telling other people, it seems that Beliefs that explain your role or actions within the Belief are the most prized. I could be off on that though because I've seen Beliefs posted that people really seem to like that aren't very specific in detailing the characters role within it. I think, from a GMs perspective though, a Belief tends to be more challengeable if your specific about how your character will be acting so as to bring that Belief to fruition.

[donbaloo]

Kublai had some good threads on Beliefs and Instincts too if I can find them...

[Thor Olavsrud]

Hey guys,

You're doing some cool stuff here, no doubt. But if you don't mind me interjecting, I think donbaloo raised an important point a little earlier, and you may be jumping the gun by not addressing it before you nail down your character concepts and BITs.

But if the scenario ran more along the lines of keeping the keyling safe and helping him into his role rather than finding him, its just a different story to tell. So I think we could work around it so long as we weren't going into it with the idea of finding the keyling.

What is this conflict about? Is it about keeping the keyling safe and helping him? Is it about finding him? Is it about the conflict between the noble houses? Is it about dealing with the Fell Beast?

Note: I'm not suggesting you decide how it's supposed to end or anything like that, but focusing in on exactly what the conflict is will help you a lot. Once you have that, I think it's important that each player take at least one Belief that directly addresses the conflict in some way (and not necessarily in the same way or from the same direction). You want your characters to burst in on the scene loaded for bear with stakes aimed at the heart of this conflict.

[MadJay]

Many Thanks Thor!!

1st - I'll be spotty with my presense online the next 3 days - I'm moving. I'll be around - just erratic.

Let's do discuss conflict - we've got several to choose from, and I'm partial to them all!! :twisted:
Intially I saw this being about finding and protecting the Keyling --it need not be, but let's get together on the main conflict.
Then let's take Thor's advice and make at least one belief address that conflict.

And The Keyling need not be an Elf... :twisted:

[donbaloo]

What is this conflict about? Is it about keeping the keyling safe and helping him? Is it about finding him? Is it about the conflict between the noble houses? Is it about dealing with the Fell Beast?
This is tough because I was sort of hoping it would all be a part of the story. Guess that would be a pretty busy story though and I see why a firm concept is integral to character burning now. Since we've been relatively quiet about it and not hashed on it very much we might all have different ideas of what the game is going to look like. I think in my mind I was imagining the overarching conflict having something to do with some entity having a desire to open the Vault. His/her/its plans involves secretly inciting the noble houses into civil war and somehow manipulating the Church of the Mother towards assisting. So I was seeing the overall conflict as one of deciding whether to help with opening the Vault or opposing its opening. Within this would be conflicts with the Church and the nobles, and a search for or protecting a new Keyling that would turn out to be the crucial variable on the scene. That's what I've been thinking and now I realize that you guys may have a completely different game concept in mind. Anyone want to take the first stab at paring this down?

[Thor Olavsrud]

This is tough because I was sort of hoping it would all be a part of the story. Guess that would be a pretty busy story though and I see why a firm concept is integral to character burning now.

It's fine to incorporate all of it, like you did in the rest of your post. That's rocking for a campaign concept. You just need to be on the same page on the core conflict and then everything else becomes a possible situation inside that conflict. The important thing is to make sure your character has a stake in the outcome of the core conflict.

However, it sounds like Hexagunna wants to do this more in the form of a series of one-shots that form an anthology, which is a cool way to handle it. It doesn't hurt to start with a very narrow focus and expand as necessary.

[Kuato]

I agree with donbaloo. Finding the Keyling is no longer the focus, but that doesnt mean that the entire story has fundamentally altered. I too have been seeing this story as containing influences from all the factors quoted by Thor, but just because it contains them all doesnt mean we have to address them all at once.

If we play this out long enough, I think all of the story elements will work themselves into play. Many a great tale have been ruined by the creator's rush to include all the awesome stuff they've thought up.

All that blather aside, I think we should just start easy and do the Action/Adventure part first to get us jazzed about the setting--let' protect the Keyling from the Father's Beast, kill it/control it/cage it/exorcise it, and then start worrying about what the Capitalized Name Power Groups (the Mother, the Father, the Stranger, the Order, the Noble Houses) will do to control or influence the Keyling's destiny.

As a gesture, I hereby add (with Hex's permission) an Oath to my Neophyte:
I swore to my Master that those responsible for these killings will be brought to justice

[donbaloo]

I'm all for protecting the keyling as well. We need to determine where the keyling is trying to get to and why he's in such danger though, so we'll know what the ultimate goal of the scenario will be. Also, if we're protecting him then that leads me to believe that we all know who he is and somehow we're all already tied in to him. How did this happen? What puts us all here together, protecting the keyling?

[jmspencer]

I think that protecting the Keyling will work wonderfully. Now I just have to come up with BITs to reflect that... Really, I have NO IDEA where to start with that... help? Anyone see any way to alter the ones I already did to make them playable and applicable?

[donbaloo]

"The Walking Man has led me to the Keyling and I must make every effort to ensure that he inherits the Key to the Vault."

Maybe? This leaves it pretty open as to why The Walking Man or you feel that he needs to inherit it but its pretty clear that you're going to be doing whatever you can to get the Keyling into the Temple (or whereever the Key Master stays) so that he can assume the position. :roll: No, not that position...geez, the Ganymede is in the other play by post game. :lol: I still think we need to figure out why we even know about the Vault or the Keyling because the initial writeup made it sound as if it was pretty much like ancient knowledge that few paid any attention to any more.

[jmspencer]

Hmm... I like that. And as to the why, that's not particularly difficult, at least I don't think so. That's actually what I had in mind with the first belief. In the end, all power belongs in the hands of the Stranger, because all things pass from the world. The Key represents a potential major shift in power into the hands of either the Mother or the Father which could seriously effect the balance. (This is me looking at the three of them as sort of a Creator/Shaper/Destroyer trinity of deities... or maybe more along the lines of one creates, another destroys, and the stranger balances the efforts of both.)

[Kuato]

The Keyling must be free of the Mother's influence so that he may Walk his own Path

or suchlike sounds like what the Stranger's Servant would believe, to me. Just an idea for your consideration.

As far as the exact circumstances which brought us together...eh. I think Hex will provide the appropriate lead in. Don't want to write him into a corner. As long as we have the goal set (Operation: Keyling Protection) we should be fine.

As far as my character is concerned, I have most of the rough draft complete, but I don't want to post anything remotely final until after we all agree to the goal.

[Kuato]

damn, you beat me to it. Yeah, the trinity sounds good to me too. I need to learn to type faster ;)

[jmspencer]

I also like that... I worry about intra-party conflict in that case, but I don't know how much of a bad thing that is.... anyone else have concerns about that?

(I also like that people seem to be digging the god concept. I was a little worried when I posted it that i'd get a "that's crap!" response. :-))

[Thor Olavsrud]

Seems to me that you can easily refine this:

"My path is not random, but is laid for me by the Walking Man. Therefore, I should always be watchful for a task he has led me to."

To do what you need it to. The only difference is, you need to specify that the path that has been laid for you is protecting the keyling, and you ain't going to let anything get in your way.

Anyway, I don't think you guys should worry about "writing" Hex into a corner. And you definitely shouldn't worry about whether your Beliefs cause intra-party conflict or not. These are not bad things!

Hex has been pretty clear (and the philosophy of Burning Wheel suits this perfectly) that he is going to shape this game to your interests as players (the most important thing) and your characters.

Burning Wheel players are "authors" as much as Burning Wheel GMs are. Dictating the circumstances of what brought you together does not create a problem for Hex as a GM, it's a gift.

As for intra-party conflict, BW has tools to make that interesting, exciting, and fun! If you guys have Beliefs that conflict and start having Duels of Wits and stuff to get things to go your way? You'll turn into Artha MACHINES.

Note: I'm not saying you should seek to bog the game down in intra-party conflict. Just saying that it has it's place and doesn't have to be a bug-a-boo.

[donbaloo]

Thanks for the input Thor.

I've been trying to dodge around intraparty conflict too, its an old D&D habit that is hard in breaking. Anyway, ironically Kuato I'm pretty fond of that Belief you posted for jmspencer...but for my character. I was thinking along those lines anyway with my first listed belief because I think it would be neat for my character who, though not an opponent of the Church in general, he is opposed to the Church of the Mother interfereing in any way with the Keyling. None the less, let me know what you're gonna do with that jmspencer.

I also thought about instead, taking a belief to the effect of...Though a minion of the Father, The Fell Beast is here for the good of the Keyling. I will defend the Fell Beast and his actions. Something thats a bit of a twist on what would be expected and that I can tie into my visions. Maybe that doesn't invest me enough in the Keyling himself though, which is the center of the scenario...thoughts?

Kuato-->Have you settled on the neophyte sorceror and if so, any thoughts on how you're going to tie him into the Keyling yet?

Mickeroo-->You still thinking of going the Keyling route?

I'm still brainstorming on why we're acquainted and already grouped with the Keyling.

[jmspencer]

I was actually thinking of using that belief that Kuato posted. Not that there's any reason why we can't BOTH use variants on it. It could be interesting seeing how the two characters clash in means to the same end.

[donbaloo]

I was actually thinking of using that belief that Kuato posted. Not that there's any reason why we can't BOTH use variants on it. It could be interesting seeing how the two characters clash in means to the same end.
True. Go ahead and roll with it though and I'll work on putting something else together to tie me in.

[jmspencer]

OK, so riffing on the Belief "The Keyling must be free of the Mother's influence so that he may Walk his own Path", I'm trying to come up with a WHY on that. Here's what I've come up with based on what I've read in the original Vault post...

Since the Father went, well, evil, the Stranger has had to balance both the Mother's creative aspect and the Father's destructive. I'm going to steal from Werewolf here and say that they were a Creative/Shaper/Destroyer trinity in which the Shaper went nuts. The Mother created the souls of Men, the Father shaped them through experiences he laid out for them, and the Stranger collected the souls and set them back into the Mother's loom.

...then the Father went completely batshit insane... he shaped Men into beings of such anger and hate that not even Hell would hold them. And so his legions grew as damned souls burst onto the Earth and continued rampaging.

... thus was born the Vault. Stranger dogma says that he had a great part in its building, but this is conjecture as the truth is lost to the past. It holds back a portion of the Father's power. Perhaps it keeps the souls of the damned in Hell once they have been sent there by the Stranger. Perhaps it contains the Mad God himself, bound so that his power cannot be passed on to his followers and creations in the quantities it once could. Perhaps it contains the fragile heart of the Garden of the Mother, keeping the corrupt world out and not actually keeping anything IN.

One way or another, no one knows. All that is known is that the Church of the Mother wants the Vault safe and sealed for all eternity. Followers of the Father (more a cult than a Church) will do anything to secure the Key to the Vault for themselves so as to unleash their Master upon the world.

The Stranger believes that the Keyling is part of a larger story than this skirmish. He must walk his own Path until it becomes clear that he will throw off the balance that has been carefully struck. The Mother could even stand to be weakened a touch in the process, her influence has so grown. The priests of the stranger have watched the Road of Life for centuries, and know that the Vault can only be opened safely when one of two things happens: the madness of the Father is cured, or a mortal takes on the Father's mantle. To do so when neither of these has happened will be disastrous. To not do so when they HAVE would be moreso. They believe that the Keyling's destiny, unmolested, will lead him to one of these. For now, the Stranger's priest waits, and watches, to see where the Keyling leads. If he leads to a return to the original way of the gods, so be it. If he leads to a path that will once more unleash the Father's insane ravaging upon the world... well... then it is best that a servant of the Balance of Death deal with the threat directly. For now, he waits... he watches...

[jmspencer]

I swear I had put this in the post I just put up but apparently not...

your thoughts? Any ways you can think to tweak and tighten the myth there? Any new roads this might lead us down that you're excited about ("Hey! Who wants to be a god? No? how bout curing one?")? Anyone think I should scrap the whole idea?

[MadJay]

Just checking in - as I'm still in the moving process...
All sorts of Wondeful goodies going on!! Thanks for the Input Thor!! and everyone else for 'talking it out'.

I would add...Play wants going to be fun for you, while addressing the core conflict -which looks like securing & protecting the the Keyling. Nesser, an agent of the Mother wants to safeguard and educate the keyling.
The fell beast of Father seeks out the Keyling. You can bet a House or two is aware of the Keyling and will make a play for him, not understanding whats at stake, other than power.

Do not worry for me, I'm Only new to the BWR mechanics, you're not gonna box me in!! This is Our game.

I like the Trinity aspect of the Mother/Father/Stranger along with the idea of the Keyling being a larger issue than the conflict between the Mother/Father.
It maybe the Keyling that unifies them - and Mother may not like That!

So, let's get a concenus on the core conflict.
Here's my rough - Find and secure the Keyling, help him/her fulfill his/her destiny.

let's refine it, then post up Character concepts & beliefs.
At least One tying you to the (refined)conflict.

[Kuato]

Just an idea for the Ranger/Keyling--maybe the Ranger has been sent here to help hunt the Father's Beast? This would divorce the Beast from the Keyling a little, but if it works it works, right?

How is my guy sounding to everybody? With some of the religious turns that this story has taken, I'm starting to worry I might be "out of idiom" a little. What do you guys think? Would you mind hanging out with a Sorcery-wielding cop? I don't want to delay play any more with a new character concept if you think this guy will work. Sorry for the indecision--I guess I've just had too long to think about it.

[donbaloo]

Sorry for my negligence over the past couple of days guys, work and a couple other obligatins had me stretched pretty thin. They've also provided me with a pretty deep sleep deficit. I'm gonna get some rest before I attempt any involved thoughts but just wanted to let you know that I've not dissappered. I will briefly say that I really like what you've put forth with the myth jmspencer, good stuff! And I definately still like your concept Kuato, so I'd like for us to work on getting him slotted into the conflict. My last point before signing off is back to the issue of finding and securing the keyling. As Mickeroo said earlier, if finding him is a part of the story and he starts out with the group its gonna make for a pretty easy egg hunt. Are we envisioning him being with the group at the outset or are we gonna have cutscenes? Catch you guys later.

[jmspencer]

As Mickeroo said earlier, if finding him is a part of the story and he starts out with the group its gonna make for a pretty easy egg hunt

Remember, just because Players!we know that the Keyling is one of us, I don't for a moment believe that Characters!we would start the game knowing that. At leats not all of us.

Glad you like the myth stuff!

Oh, and I really don't think that the sorcery-weilding cop among us would be a bad thing! It all depends on WHY he's there.[/quote]

[Kuato]

if finding him is a part of the story and he starts out with the group its gonna make for a pretty easy egg hunt.

All the more reason (completely IMHO) to begin the story with the Hunt for the Father's Beast. A hunter, a Peacekeeper, and priests from each of the Father's opposition sounds like the perfect combo to me. We may have to ditch the FB being the Keyling's protector...unless there is a larger threat afoot :twisted:

I like knowing as little as possible about the plot before we go in, but I can definitely stave off the meta-game Keyling knowledge for one chapter of our game, surely...

thanks for the positive input on my guy as well. tomorrow i may put a rough draft of him up in the CB boards for your viewing pleasure.

[Mickeroo]

Sorry I've been quiet for the past few days, but I lost internet access via silly construction workers at my house. Anyway, some of this might contradict what others have been saying, but I've been thinking a little in my days off...

What if the only way to know the keyling is by his actions, i.e. he should act a certain way and that is how he's known to be the keyling. However, this keyling is different and cannot be differentiated in this way. So there must be a different way (that the players must find?)

Also, I'm thinking of a character obsessed with 'the hunt.' He might come to train as a ranger to become a more experienced hunter when he hears of the beast and looks at it as a great challenge. But then, when he learns about what is really beneath the city, he can only dream of the possibilities of prey. This can be a sort of belief forshadowing the future: "The beast is a good challenge for now, but I'm looking for something more" He wants to be the greatest hunter that the world has ever seen, and perhaps his ambition will be his tragic flaw.

And perhaps I can be smart enough to know who's trying to contrrol me and instead, use them to my advantage. AFter all, noble hoses surely have a great deal of wealth that I could draw from if I played them right.

Just some thoughts, what do you all think?

[Kuato]

Perfect. I love it.

Just like Thor said, I think we're gonna be artha machines if we don't get bogged down in Duels of Wit too often.

[donbaloo]

I like it too Mickeroo. How about this for some tieing things together...

Nesser is in search of the keyling so as to bring him into his "inheritance". My character, through his visions, knows that he needs to find the Keyling as well because he's tied to the Vault in some way and he feels that his vision is calling him to be involved somehow. The Stranger's priest is interested in the keyling as well for reason's already discussed. Naturally, when we get to the city we're probably gonna seek out the current Key Master in order to learn more about the Keyling and the Vault history. That puts us with Nesser and on the hunt for the keyling. The Sorceror Peace Keeper, perhaps through some intra-city intelligence, has discovered that one of the noble houses wants to make a play for the keyling. So, he too seeks out the current KeyMaster to learn more about who the keyling may be in an effort to protect him and bring the civil wars down to a simmer. This forms the majority of the group together, with the exception of Mickeroo's Keyling/Hunter character.

At this point, perhaps Nesser knows he's unable to just pick the keyling out of a crowd and after considering the current situation within the city stumbles upon an idea...he can't point out the keyling but he thinks the Father's Beast can. So he wants us to find the Beast and try to determine who he's after, thus pointing us to the Keyling. We need a hunter for that...so we naturally go to the hunting and tracking experts in the city. That's where we enlist the aid of Mickeroo's character (and unwittingly, the Keyling).

So that involves us in a "hunt the hunter who's hunting us" sort of scenario. It could get us into just about anything and provides the opportunities for introducing any of the side information we've been considering...nobles, religion, mercenaries, etc. What do you guys think?

[Mickeroo]

I think that's a brilliant connection between everything. So I guess we would start out about to tackle the hunt for the beast? So now I have to work on beliefs and instincts for the character. I'll post those later, but for now, I have a general character concept: An elf aspiring to be the greatest hunter of all time (and of course, the unknown keyling) GM approval?

[donbaloo]

So I guess we would start out about to tackle the hunt for the beast?
As long as everyone is down with this idea then I think that's where we would be starting out. I still want to here from everyone on confirming/modifying this scenario concept before I dig into my character much more though.

How did the moving go Hexgunna? Man, I hate moving...

[MadJay]

WOW!!! A feller goes offline to move for a few days and comes back to something simply Amazing!!!

Mickeroo - The aspiring Elven Hunter (unknown Keyling) IS approved!
I'm still working out what it means to be a KeyMaster/Keyling and the mechanics to back it - so bear with me!

The specific location of the Keyling is not known to Nesser.
But He does know it's in the city, as the Fell beast.
Some houses are aware of myths of the Keymaster (in General).
But I am with the idea the Keyling must be found, that the characters do not start with knowledge of who the Keyling is.

I really dig Donbaloo's synopsis, very nice spots to pick up play from.

So we've got The Hunter (Keyling), The Stranger's Servant, The Dreamer, and The PeaceKeeper.

Let's see them thar BITs!!

[MadJay]

Hmmm...maybe I'm being silly!
I was gonna go post in The Clinic Forums for some insight...but, it's your game too!
So What I know....
The KeyMaster is the only one that can Open the Vault, at will.
The secrets and knowledge is passed from the KeyMaster to Keyling.
Keylings are "generated" on some cycle of time.
The chain has been Broken with Nesser since his reign 3 Keylings have been passed over by order of the Council. Nesser refuses to pass over a fourth.

SOooooo....The KeyMaster/Keyling Questions
What's it mean to be the Keymaster - is it soley the responsiblity of the vault?
What all is a Keyling/Keymaster capable of?

[donbaloo]

I think his responsibility is the Vault, or more appropriately the door to the vault. We've up till now pretty much focused in on it being a rather specialized position. I'm not opposed to this changing, but that's just how its felt thus far.

As far as powers, he can open the Vault at will and I'd say he has some innate perception of what, generally, is going on within the Vault itself. You know, an empathic sense that detects anger, fear, frustration, or activity within the Vault. The current status of the Vaults interior so to speak.

From the initial prologue it seems that he also has some specific awareness or augury type abilities since he knows that the Father's Beast is present in the city and that the city is going to burn. Or maybe he's extremely historically educated and the events at hand are pointing to things that have happened in the past, thus a multi-ruined city over several Ages.

[Mickeroo]

Before I make my BITs, I'm wondering how evil I can be. I mean, not that I woudl do evil things outright, but I am thinking of this as a history.

"Born in a small viliage outside of Keiber, Avan grew up in a semi-advanced hunter/gatherer society. The men prized the hunt above all else and the leader of thier clan was determined each year by the largest beast brought to the villiage before the autumn feast, after all, someone with that much meat right before the harsh winters would have sway in any place.

"Anyway, Avan was a lame hunter. In fact, he could go a whole season without catching anything. To disgrace him, the other men in the villiage forced him to gather food with the women, telling him that he could surely catch some berries, if they don't grow too quickly. After seasons of this humiliation, he finally left the village to join the Ranger academy in the city, where he would hone his bow and tracking skills and become the greatest hunter that ever lived."

Now, i was thinking of having one of my beliefs tied to my past, and be about revenge. Something like : "Those who have dishonered me shall be among the greatest I have hunted." But I don't know if wanting to hunt down your kinsman is too evil for this game.

Assumming I can do anything, by beliefs would be:

- "Being a ranger is simply a means to an end, a way o hone my skills. I have no loyalty to the academy.:
- "I will become the greatest hunter in the world, even if it means killing the others."
- "Those who have dishonered me will pay for thier offense."

And as for instincts:
- "Always take note of tracks in the area."
- "Always fight defensively."
- "Look for a good place to set a trap (Both for setting one myself, or a possible location for one already set against me.)"

And if we are doing for L.P.s, then
Born Wilder Elf -> Huntsman -> Gatherer -> Lead to protector -> Ranger

The only problem is, Ranger requires either forester, wanderer, bowyer, or second. I am pretty sure that if I have a good story to back up the change it's ok, but I'm not certain. I suppose that it's GMs discretion, so let me know if it's ok.

But what about my beleifs, insticts, and background? Sound good?

[donbaloo]

I think those are a good start on BITs Mickeroo, maybe even a good finished product. Although, I personally think he could use something that more directly ties him to the conflict at hand. Something in which he can immediately claim a stake. Maybe you've got something in mind behind one of those Beliefs but it doesn't just jump out at me. Or maybe having this isn't as important as I think it is. Interested to hear what other folks have to say about it. Otherwise, very cool!

[MadJay]

Intially, I'm with you Donbaloo - One of Mickeroo's beliefs should tie him to the conflict at hand...
however - He's not aware he's the Keyling when we start.
so I'm conflicted...
It could be in proving to be the Greatest Hunter, capturing the Fell Beast is a milestone on the path...

I'm still mulling this out...

[MadJay]

I think his responsibility is the Vault, or more appropriately the door to the vault.
I agree!

As far as powers, he can open the Vault at will and I'd say he has some innate perception of what, generally, is going on within the Vault itself...
I like this as well - especially being emphatically linked with the vault.

From the initial prologue it seems that he also has some specific awareness or augury type abilities...
Interesting...I like the augury type abilities possiblities...specifically tied to Key-related interests maybe??

An aside - Dice handling, should I roll for all things, or do we want to handle dice rolling another way?? maybe a email dice server, ala Irony.com??

[donbaloo]

...specifically tied to Key-related interests maybe??
Yeah, I think that fits. Could explain why he would be open to allowing the company of jmspencer, Kuato, and my own character along for the hunt. Perhaps he's had his own visions that have foretold our involvement.

As far as my beliefs and instincts I'm gonna go ahead and repost my earlier ones, replacing one, here for you guys to ponder.

Beliefs:
--The Keyling will be able to help me understand my Visions. I will assist in finding him and ensuring that he takes his place as KeyMaster at all costs.
--Everyone has within them a seed of difference or strangeness. I will strive to be understanding of any man's dilemma and always give them a second chance.
--Captain Eerdrov (Captain of the mercenary unit that I served with and from which I was dismissed) is a wise and decent man who to whom I am willing to lend my aid in any circumstance.

Instincts:
Always scribble a few notes upon awakening.
Never imbibe to the point of drunkenness.
Always assess for familiar faces or images within my surroundings.

Any suggestions for changes, ways to tweak these to make them more appropriate? Hexgunna, is there enough here in those for you to use or do I need to refine and streamline? I'm still pretty new to BITs myself.

An aside - Dice handling, should I roll for all things, or do we want to handle dice rolling another way?? maybe a email dice server, ala Irony.com??

I'm easy on this issue. You can roll them or we can use a program, doesn't matter to me. I'll leave the decision to those who are little more PbP saavy. Later guys...

[donbaloo]

Actually, I don't think my Instincts are very strong so I'm gonna give them some more thought and update them tomorrow.

[Mickeroo]

As for tying my beliefs into the situation at hand...yeah, I didn't know how to do that if I don't know I'm the keyling. Maybe if I knew that then things would be different. I might be excited at the prospects of hunts in the vault or seomthing along those lines and have a belief tieng the hunt to beccoming the keymaster or something.

Any ideas?

[donbaloo]

As for tying my beliefs into the situation at hand...yeah, I didn't know how to do that if I don't know I'm the keyling. Maybe if I knew that then things would be different. I might be excited at the prospects of hunts in the vault or seomthing along those lines and have a belief tieng the hunt to beccoming the keymaster or something.

Any ideas?

Well, we've pretty much determined that your character isn't going to be aware of his KeyMaster potential at the outset so its gonna have to be something that he's naturally gonna take to and I think that's obviously the Father's Beast. Maybe replace the first belief with,"Claiming the pelt of the Fell Beast will begin my string of hunting accomplishments. I must be the one to find him and bring him down without the aid of men or elves.

I don't know what Hexgunna has in mind for this thing so that could be a death wish, but it would seem to fit his motivations. I think it would look good to also clarify "Those who have dishonered me will pay for thier offense" with exactly how you are going to make them pay. That way, when it comes into play, we as players will be able to more effectively riff with you to bring about the goal your aiming for. But, maybe you like it more open ended so that any number of different ways of "paying" can be utilized. I like the character though.

[Kuato]

Eli, neophyte Peacemaker

Beliefs
The line of Guelph is virtuous and true--they will never betray even one as lowly as me.
The Order is all that protects Keiber from true anarchy--it deserves respect.
The Gift is easily misunderstood and frightening--do not reveal my Sorcery to just anyone.

Instincts
Always wear gloves
When in a crowd remain Inconspicuous, but when speaking, maintain Conspicuous
Ready Arcane Kindness before any Duel of Wits

Traits
Mark of Privilege
Bastard
Disciplined
Extremely Respectful of My Betters
Gifted
Tidy Aspect

Relationships:
Noble father, 1D (family, forbidden, minor)

Affiliations:
The Order, 1D

I'm thinking that most of his Sorcerous power would be focused on mind-altering magics (Arcane Kindness, Persuasion) that would help with his peace-making. What do you guys think?

On the dice note, I'd rather let Hex roll them all out of sheer laziness. It would also keep me from having to carry dice with me to the hospital :wink:

[Kuato]

Oh yeah, and my Oath, too

I swore to my Master that those responsible for these killings will be brought to justice

sorry about the double post

[MadJay]

Okay gents - BITs Round One!

Donbaloo - talk to me about your second belief. I don't get what your aiming for there. The other two do work for me.

Mickeroo - How about naming those who have dishonored you. I figure becoming the Greatest Hunter means tracking the Greatest Prey... :twisted: - That will get you into this party!!

Kuato - Belief #2 seems loose, let's talk it out to tighten it up. I don't see a belief that ties into the Keyling. perhaps we can steer #2 in that direction? Good Instincts.

Something Thor mentioned - in addtion to a Belief that ties you into the Keyling Conflict, you might use a Belief to cover your past and one for your future. Why are you in Keiber?
What's the Keyling/Keymaster to you?
Which side of the War are you on? Why?

Recall BITs generate Artha when Used in Play! Consider how your belief can be used in play. ;)

[donbaloo]

How about if I reword my second belief to:
--Knowing a man's motivations is better than offering quick accusations...everyone deserves a second chance.


And change all my instincts...

-If my group and I are getting ready to leave on horseback, then doublecheck all of our straps for security.
-Never leave a dead soldier without having recited the Mother's Beckoning over him.
-Always accept an invitation.

I don't know about the rest but I'm unsure as to which sides there are to the war or what the war is about so I don't really know which side I would fall on. I don't mind putting a belief into it but I'll need for us to talk about that aspect of the scenario a little more.

[Mickeroo]

Hmmm...does the greatest prey refer to man, or that which lurks in the Vault.
So I hear the 3 beleifs are for the now, the then, and the later, so...

The now - "Slaying the beast will start my path to greatness, as well as make me a hero.

The then - "The men of my village will pay dearly for thier actions against me."

The later - "I will be the greatest hunter in the world, even if it means beign the only hunter."

Those sound better? Also, are my LPs approved or no? If yes, shouold I burn the character? If yes again, should I post here or in the Wheel of Life?

[Kuato]

I meant for the Oath to be Beast-related; I guess I just assumed that the Beast being in the city meant that it was slaying citizens already, and fomenting civil unrest as the Houses blame each other for the attacks.

[MadJay]

Mickeroo/Donbaloo Nice re-works!
I was just throwing out questions as food for thought if anyone was stuck!

Mickeroo - I'm reluctant to alter the LPs/leads, mainly out of fear that being new to the mechanics I might Muck it up altering them.
I'd much rather play it all as written first. Hopefully this doesn't break your ranger and you'll burn yourself another path!

Kuato -Sounds like You're Sworn to Protect and Serve, and you've taken on the 'Beast in the streets' case...
how about something kinda like...
"The Order is all that Protects Keiber from Anarchy - I will Protect and Serve for the Order"
And an oath to "Ending the Terror of the Beast and bringing those responsible to justice"

Good Work guys!!
I AM AMPED!!!
:wink:

[MadJay]

If you wish to post your Character after burning in the wheel of life that's cool, the feedback will be good - just post up a FYI here so we'll know, and prolly mention us over there, so your character isn't in a "vaccum"

Kuato - the beast IS in the city and is an equal opportunity slayer and eater of folk. This does add to the already warring Houses frustrations.

[Mickeroo]

OK, so how about instead of being condemned to gatherer, he was exiled and LPs are : Born Wilder Elf -> Huntsman -> Wanderer -> Ranger

I don't have the books in front of me, but I'm pretty sure that's what they're called.

[MadJay]

OK, so how about instead of being condemned to gatherer, he was exiled and LPs are : Born Wilder Elf -> Huntsman -> Wanderer -> Ranger

Perfect!
Burn 'em up!!!

[MadJay]

We should be polishing up Beliefs & Instincts, let's nail down the BITs this week, and start laying out LPs if not already burning these folks up!
Gimme a Heads Up on your LPs - again you can post here or the Wheel of Life Thread..just let me know where!
;)

[Mickeroo]

http://burningwheel.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1620

My character has been posted there. If he breaks any restrictions there were, let me know. Also, if you notice, I have a relationship with the head of the academy, an affiliation with it, and a reputation wihtin it. Does that qualify me for a gang/crew?

[Kuato]

http://burningwheel.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14126#14126

Here's my copy of Eli for Peer review.

[jmspencer]

Wow... come back after a few days and find so much to catch up on!

Burned up a rough draft last night, will post this evening when I get home from work. Now, to catch up on reading the thread!

[MadJay]

Preludes
"Three hard days of rain and searching and nothing!" a soaked Barrid complains. He points out a cleared table in the tavern.
Nesser, with not a tear of rain upon him, sets his gear upon the wide wooden table. He looks about for tavern staff.
"You did not need to accompany me."

"Bah!! I'd be left with nothing to gripe upon - totally caught in the clutches of happiness!!" a deep laugh rumbles from the old mercenary. Clapping his hands he belts out "TWO Stouts!!"
Nesser's face frowns distastfully at the thought of having to drink a stout.
"These fellows you're meeting tomorrow - you sure they know where the Keyling is?"

"No, I said their fates are tied up with the Keyling, we should be able to find him quickly with their help." The elf eyes the mug dropped before him with contempt.

"hurrph!" Barrid gulps down half the mug. "Where...I'll scout it out."

"The old griffin cathedral." Nesser says, anticipating the response he waves off Barrid's expressions.
"It's auspicious" the elf grins
"We have The Priest, The Diviner and The Order gathered where the Sun is hitched. A good omen."

"Only a caged elf like you can find the ruins of a fire-bombed church - a Good Omen!" Barrid sounds off another clap of his hands.
"I'll look it over first light"

The two friends bang mugs and drink deep.
-----------------------------
and a special Treat!! (http://foolworks.com/home/images/BW_Vault/KeiberCity.JPG)

[donbaloo]

Nice prelude Hexgunna! My character has been posted on the Wheel, here (http://www.burningwheel.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1627).

[donbaloo]

Looks like we've all been sort of off and on here lately. So, where do we stand right now?

[Mickeroo]

My character is ready to go, and I am ready to play anytime. I suggest ssstarting a new thread for actual play though.

[jmspencer]

I'm in the middle of posting my character in the Wheel... then I'll be ready to go

[donbaloo]

Hey Hexgunna, I completely missed your link to the map in your prelude post! I can't believe I missed it. Anyway, looks good. Do you foresee the scenario stretching beyond the walls of Keiber right now or is that a map that is detailing the extent of the anthology of sessions you're looking to run?

[Kuato]

I'm ready to go as soon as you guys are. I can post pretty much every day at least once, I just haven't been posting recently as I waited for things to develop.

As soon as Hex tweaks my guy, I'll be ready whenever.

[Mickeroo]

Well, I looked at the Wheel of life and it seems like everyone has their character made. I think it's about time we start a new thread and begin play.

ANd just wondering Hex, how much Artha are we all starting with?

[donbaloo]

I guess I'm ready to roll as well. Anyone have any suggestions for places to go and read about PbP so I can get an idea how its usually ran. Or is it pretty much like sitting at the table, just slower and more narrative? What sort of ettiquette is involved?

[Mickeroo]

If you want to read a full example, there's always the Paradise lost threads in this forum. It was the PbP game before us. In my opinion, I would write your posts as if you were writing a book. Just type out what your character is doing, and put what he says in quotes. If you have a question, as reccommended in PL (Paradise lost) just use double parenthesis ((question)). We can cross the combat bridge when we come to it.

[MadJay]

COOL!
New thread coming up!
If there are no requests... I'll be starting with meeting Nesser at the old Griffin Cathedral (as hinted at in my Preludes post) .

Avan will start seperate - haven't solidified where yet, any preferences??

I'm stealing protocol from the Paradise Lost Threads...
..REALLY Stealing...

I will adjucate moves once per day, usually late at night. You are not required to post every day, but you should be watching in case something happens that you need to react to. Inter-character dialogue usually won't require me to make any rulings, so chat among yourselves as you wish. All rolls will be made by me, and I will keep track of tests for advancement, you should also.

As Luke said, making a move does not require you to write a novel. But nor should you make any one-word or one sentence moves. As long as it's to the point and accurately conveys what you wish to do, it should be fine.

When writing your post, please use quotation marks to indicate when your character is speaking, and write out what he is doing. OOC questions should be kept to a minimum, but if you must include such a question, please enclose it in (( double parentheses )) and put it at the end of your post. For purely OOC chat, I'll make a separate OOC topic for use.

When combat begins, I will send out a private message to remind everyone that they need to write their scripts. From the time I make this anouncement, you will have 48 hours to reply to me, in PM, what your script will be. Extensions will be granted only in the event of questions or severe problems with your script. Failure to submit a script will result in you doing nothing but Standing and Drooling.

Artha will be handed out on a rolling basis. When I see something that pleases me, I'll give out points of Artha.

As of right now, I am using the standard rules for Artha and wound penalties.

When I wish to draw someone's attention to something or tell them something only they know, I will indicate it in my posts like this:

[b]Luke>[b] Hey, there's a spider on your back!!
Such information is only for that character, unless they choose to share it.



I'll post starting Artha very soon. Need to confirm a thing first.

[donbaloo]

Awesome! I'm excited. Hey, thanks for rounding this up for us Hexgunna.

[Mickeroo]

I thank you as well and no, I have no preference as to how you work me in, just let me know what's going on. Also, I think that whenever we start a new thread, a post should be made to end the last one, that way, people who just check their email for notifications know to look at the forums.

[MadJay]

The New Thread is up [Keiber Burning] The Locust. (http://burningwheel.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14414#14414)
Starting Artha is 2 fate 2 Personal 1 Deed.

again I'm borrowing HEAVILY from Paradise Lost for protocol.
for the moment, I will roll all dice - until we decide different.

I remind you, I'm old GM hand, but new to the BWR, so a bit of tolerance, alotta communication - we'll work it out and find our Groove.

looking forward to some good stuff!!

*Also - I was thinking of letting this thread become the OOC Thread - any thoughts?

[donbaloo]

I think this is a fine place to start OOC talk. Should we recommend our tests and FoRKs here as well or should that be done in double parenthesis within the game? I'm voting for here.

[Mickeroo]

SUre, and to make this the official OOC thread, i will start with an OOC question.

Shoudl I be reading the posts related to the other players? I mean, I'm not there, so shoudl I stay in the dark?

[donbaloo]

I'd say read them. The more we as players know about the other scene the effectively we can help push the narrations together. Whaddya think Hex?

[MadJay]

I concur!
Mickeroo - thats Entirely up to you. Thats the whole Player vs Character knowledge and seperation debate. As long as your character actions are reasonable - I have no issues with it.

[Mickeroo]

Ok, I will read them. Perhaps they can also help me get a feel for how much I should be writing out and in what style. By the way, tell me if I should respond differently.

[donbaloo]

Yeah, being knew to PbP I'm not exactly sure how much to write or how pushy to be with the narration. Keep me in line! :D

[MadJay]

We're doing very nice with the first round of posts, No Worries!!

Now before we go forward- for Eli, Saron and Folchus, we're about to fall under Range & Cover rules. Do you wish to post your scripts in the open, or send them to me PM??
and if we're all new - perhaps we posts this first scene's scripts in the open for experience???

I'd still like to keep the OOC/Mechanics at the end of the post and behind double parens (( )). Keep your intentions clear.

[donbaloo]

I'm fine with posting in the open. I still want to clarify where you want us to post mechanics stuff. For example, if I want to call for a Circles test or Religious History test at some point, do I post that over here and you give me the result then I narrate my turn...or do I narrate first and at the end in (( )) I put what I'm trying to accomplish mechanically?

[MadJay]

Let's talk it out...
My first take is to keep narration & mechanics together in the same post, narration first, Mechanics following...
but it sounds like you're in favor of keeping the mechanics in this OOC thread, and the narration only in the 'The Locust' thread...which intrigues me now...

anyone else have a bias???

[jmspencer]

Hexgunna, I like your method... keep them together. Even include mechanics and intent in-line as an OOC notation if it doesn't break up the narrative too much.

[donbaloo]

Like I said, I'm just throwing ideas Hex...I really don't know what would be the best way to do it. I was just thinking that it may be difficult to make posts with mechanics imbedded since the narration of my post will perhaps depend on the success or failure on the test. Or maybe that's just my inexperience at PbP getting in the way. Maybe in those cases we are simply narrating up to the test, break for your results, then pick the narrative up once you give us the results. Or do you handle the narration of test results?

[Mickeroo]

I've been assuming that this is just like playing in person, except that you write out what you're saying over a long period of time. In that case, I think it's best if the GM narrates the result of tests, just to save time FOr example:

Player 1 - Narrative, narrative ((skill check))
Player 2 - Narrative, ((spell))
GM - Player 2 casts (insert spell here) ((with x successes over obstacle)) while player 1 easily performs (skill)
Player 1 - Response to GM narrative
Player 2 - Response to GM narrative

Maybe that's unclear...I don't know, maybe it's good either way. I suppose someone could just narrate their result and then response to their result.

[MadJay]

I believe I will be using a mix of both as the situation warrants.
Let's go with
Player
Narrative, Narrative
---------------
((Skill tests & Comments)) and/or
(( Volley1 : action, move speech))
(( Volley2 : action, move speech))...


Narrate up to the test.
Sometimes I'll report the results, sometimes you'll need to.
ie;
Verrick, desperate to reach his charge, slams up against the locked door, willing it open.
(( Physical Test to bust open door))

Here I'd most likely report the results for speed.

Concerned about the dealings of the Guelph House, Berren researches the blood line using his masters library.
Here I'd either PM the results of the research to the player, if not post them with the caveat Only that Player has that new knowledge.
Leaving the narrative to the player.

[donbaloo]

Okay, sounds good. We narrate up to tests and then at the end of the post we double parenthesis our intent and requested test. So, where do we stand right now Hex, in game? I'm assuming that we've all narrated our "round" and are preparing to react to what's about to happen?

[MadJay]

The delay is my fault - I had planned to post the next turn this morning - The Deamon of Work was waiting on me as I got in....

Save Avan, We are about to enter Range & Cover rules, starting with the Intial Positioning - I believe it'll be your Perceptions vs Stealth.
Followed by posting scripts for the 3 volleys of the Exchange.

Avan, maybe on the brink of a Duel of Wits, as he and his uncle have The First Sword's (and Academic Scribe) ear...

So, if you're new to the mechanics...review!! I'll be posting up this evening.
:twisted:

[Kuato]

Are we caught in the open or are we near some hard cover? Since I don't have any long range spell artillery I'm tempted to dive for cover (or try to close if they caught me in the clear).

[jmspencer]

How many volley's worth of withdraw to get to the far end where Nesser is and get cover from the pillars back there?

[donbaloo]

Do we even see the mercs yet or will we need to Assess to discover their positions? Man, I already see the benefits of good Instincts...such as, "If danger is imminent, don my helm." :cry:

Some points to keep in mind Hex for Folchus. Due to his plated leather leggings (which are only providing 3D protection vs. the 4 and 5D over the rest of his body) all of his Speed tests are at a +1Ob. Had he had his helm on his Perception test would have been at a +2 Ob. His shield provides an extra +1Ob against the crossbowmen as cover, unless their bolts are VA 3. Should I include this information in (( )) at the bottom of our narratives during combat situations?

Also, will you be notifying us after-the-fact of tests we received in secret? For example, I'm assuming we all just had a Perception test?

Nice visual aid of the church man! Good stuff....

[Mickeroo]

Hex, here's what you need to roll for me (if someone might spot me)

B5 against obstacle 3, these are open-ended from threne, successes here add to successes from a b4 stealthy, no base obstacle.

So if you get 4 successes on Threne, and 2 on Stealthy, the ob to see me is 3 with observation, or 6 with perception, but either way, someone has to say they're looking for me.

Also, I was wondering if it was too late to change traits. I think that headstrong definately fits more than unlucky, just by looking at beleifs.

[Mickeroo]

Actually, I think I misread it. I believe that all successes from Threne are added to my stealthy while successes over obstacle are added to the obstacle to shoot me.

So in my last example, 4 Threne successes, 2 stealthy, it wouold be ob 6 to see me with observation, ob 12 with perception. Also, someone has to say they're looking around to see me, and if they do see me, then they have +1 ob to hit me.

[donbaloo]

I've got a thread started that may become relevant for us, concerning Helping on Positioning (http://www.burningwheel.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1657). Just trying to get some things cleared up for myself...

[MadJay]

Excellent!!

I don't have my BWr Bibles with me..but, I believe the length of the church from the stairs (where you al are) to the door of the east tower is roughly 5o' - thats where Nesser is - perhaps someone can convert that to volleys of movement.
Verrick is at the lead at the top of the west landing, moving east. I'd expect the rest of you to be about the area of the west most set of pillars in the Griffen Church (http://foolworks.com/home/images/BW_Vault/GriffenCathedral.JPG).

Here's where I'm gonna get some learnin':shock:
I had some trouble understanding how to do the initial positioning group vs group, So after reading the threads here & re-reading DoW & R&C here's what I did... Each Player's Perception vs Merc(1) on point w/Helping dice from his friends (2).
I'm extremely open to talking about this.

No assess has been made for you.
The Mercs are hiding.
There are more wide open areas than not, areas close to the walls or corners have some overhead cover - but the church is mostly open to the elements....Would it be better for me to include 'tactical' data like this in a (( )) section when I post??

Include whatever stats/data you think relevant in (( )) - I would include gear in play as well. Early on I'll talk mechanics out here until we feel comfortable.

[donbaloo]

I guess we should submit our script to you Hex so that you can tell us whether we've succeeded in positioning. Whether we get to narrate at all I guess will depend on whether our positioning succeeds, otherwise you'll be telling us what happens, right?

[MadJay]

Yes.

You submit your actions for 3 volleys.
I report the results of the 1st volley.
Winners of positioning tests narrate. Success dice are spent. again results get narrated as makes sense.
repeat for 2nd & 3rd Volleys.

Edit: So you can post a narrative and scripts Or just PM your script to me.

ie;

Verrick Posts: I must get Nesser to safety before these bandits are upon us.
That horn was very close, they cannot be too far!!
(( Volley1 : manuver Yell
Volley2 : manuver
Volley3 : manuver
))

OR
Verrick can just PM me with :
I want to get over to Nesser to protect him.
Volley1 : manuver Yell
Volley2 : manuver
Volley3 : manuver
skipping the narrative for now.

[donbaloo]

That sort of style in my game post work for you Hex?

[donbaloo]

Also, if its important or relevant to anyone, a B4 speed could cover the length of the church in 4 seconds...certainly achievable in the timespan of one volley I think.

[MadJay]

That sort of style in my game post work for you Hex?

Right on the Money!! ;)

[donbaloo]

Now I'm wondering, should I have scripted a maneuver for my third volley and just used extra successes for Assessment? I'm thinking that's probably the way it works, but I'm not sure. If so Hex, you can edit my volley 3 to a Speed Close.

[jmspencer]

Now I'm wondering, should I have scripted a maneuver for my third volley and just used extra successes for Assessment? I'm thinking that's probably the way it works, but I'm not sure. If so Hex, you can edit my volley 3 to a Speed Close.

I'm wondering the same thing, so if that's the case, can you edit my volley 3 to a (perception?) maintain as I try the door?

[donbaloo]

Also jm, RaC doesn't define a Perception Withdraw or Close. Only Perception Maintain. The only reason I "remember" is because I did bring my books to work today. :wink:

[jmspencer]

Ahh. well then, make that a double Speed Withdraw

[MadJay]

Also, I was wondering if it was too late to change traits. I think that headstrong definately fits more than unlucky, just by looking at beleifs.
Change approved!!

[MadJay]

The Griffen Church Ambush
-Volley 1 Talking out-loud. There are 3 merc w/Xbows - they won the positioning tests ( Perception Maintain 4D + 2D(XBow) ), keeping you pinned, the extra successes bought two attacks at Optimal range w/Reasonable cover, these failed.

What I did was this - The mercs are postioned on the north & south ends of the church...a gauntlet. I used One merc with two helping dice, scripted Percept maintains for them all, "Shoot anyone crossing the church".
I Tested The Lead Mercs sucesses vs Eli, Verrick, and Saron - individually, since they all intended to cross the church.
I didn't bring the numbers with me - I'll post them up tonite - but The Merc had won all the tests, I figured extra sucesses based on the most success made (Saron) and allocated those for the mercs.

Folchus made a lateral move to the left tower - no opposition, so he got his intent.

I suppose I could have generated each mercs total and assigned them, does this mean theres at least two ways to do this??
Or did I Royally gummed this up??
:?

[donbaloo]

I think you hit it just right if I'm reading your summary correctly. Though, I didn't see where you added the Mercs Helping dice to their positioning test. Seems as if they're positioning should have been 4D for perception (minus any headgear restrictions), 2D for range, and 2D for Help. Then it costs 1 success each for getting a shots off.

Or alternately, you could have broken them all up individually and positioned them accordingly. So yeah, I think two different ways of doing it is available. That's what I was trying to clear up in my thread on Helping with positioning. Seems like it would be less of a hassle to do it like you did, by grouping them together.

This is exciting stuff for me, first real immersion into the system. Awesome! Anyway, I think I'm gonna want to use this next volley, since I've scripted speed withdraw, to make sure I'm under decent cover, see if I can see the mercs, and get my helm on. Not sure how much I can accomplish though in one volley. Also Hex, did you decide how we should utilize Assess? Should we script positioning and just use successes for assessment or should it be a script in and of itself? It'll mean the difference in me being able to assess in volley 2 or having to wait until volley 3 to do it.

Woo Hoo!! :D :? :oops:

[Mickeroo]

*Must be worked into main group quickly*

Not that I mind doing my own stuff, but I can imagine it being a lot easier if everyone was together.

[MadJay]

...Though, I didn't see where you added the Mercs Helping dice to their positioning test.
You're right - I just wasn't clear in my post, sorry!

Not sure how much I can accomplish though in one volley. Also Hex, did you decide how we should utilize Assess?...

Here's where I'm conflicted - Under RaC, you spend extra sucesses to do stuff, including assess, I believe. So you lose the positioning test, you "Pray and Hope" - this feels Like Tough Love!! I love how grim it is, but DAMN :!:
FYI, Volley two - all fired XBows will have to reload and cannot use their weapon dice for positioning. :wink:

My First immersion as well - and I'm really digging when it 'clicks' :idea: for me!
Thanks for the feedback!
:wink:

[Mickeroo]

So now I have a problem...most of my skills are songs, so I can't hunt and stay invisible at the same time. Wit that in mind, how many stealthy succeses do I have, not threne, so I can see if I can stay hidden and hunt at the same time. Also, what skill/obstacle would it be to find/kill the beast? Would I just use Call of the Wild/ob 7?

[donbaloo]

Here's where I'm conflicted - Under RaC, you spend extra sucesses to do stuff, including assess, I believe. So you lose the positioning test, you "Pray and Hope" - this feels Like Tough Love!! I love how grim it is, but DAMN

Yeah, this is the part that I was trying to come to grips with in my positioning intent post. Its completely feasible by the rules to be pinned down over an indefinate number of volleys (this could equate to many minutes even) and never get to accomplish a single action of any kind throughout the whole ordeal. That's tough!

[Kuato]

I don't suppose these guys are anywhere near close enough for me to hit them with The Fear, are they? It's range is Presence, I believe. As much as I'd like to interrogate one of these fuckers, I'd rather drive them off and be alive.

[donbaloo]

Hey Hex, I know you've got a lot to handle behind the scenes but I'm wondering if we should be keeping up with these stat tests (speed checks for positioning, etc.) for our tests. If you want us to we'll need to know what the obstacles were that we were facing so that we can determine whether they were routine, difficult, or challenging tests. If you want to keep it all and notify us afterwards I'm cool with that too. :lol:

[donbaloo]

:oops: Hey guys, sorry for the overlooked typos in my game post. Had guests over and was rushing to get somthing up so as to not hold things back and in my haste overlooked spellchecking it. Apologies to all.

[MadJay]

... but I'm wondering if we should be keeping up with these stat tests (speed checks for positioning, etc.) for our tests.

I do plan to post up the tests made for advancements - easier on me if you track them. I'll be catching them up very shortly!

Kuato - you are close enough to cast The Fear. You just gotta win positioning tests! ;)

[Mickeroo]

So Hex, what about my last question? It's the last post on page 14 (DOn't want to retype it.)

[MadJay]

So Hex, what about my last question? It's the last post on page 14 (DOn't want to retype it.)
Sorry about the delay! I TOTALLY missed that post!
You have Threne 4 successes/Stealthy 3.
And Consider the Beast as 'The Most Dangerous Game' for hunting purposes.

-------

Sorry about the July 4th break - family just Popped in! uninvited! :lol:
but we're back on track.
I'll have a list of tests thus far posted up soon, been working on a piece of programming to generate, resolve and report BWr tests for me.
Makes all the mechanical parts easier on me!

We've moved from RaC to the Bloody Vs test for the battle in the cathedral. *Edit: as opposed to Full On Fight!
the crossbowmen have been closed on.

Talking about intial impressions ;)
How's everyone feeling about the game thus far? about BWr if you're new to playing it (like me)?

I'm liking the scripting aspect of the "badguys" in RaC, looking forward to doing it in Fight!
I'm also like discovering how it all fits during the play process!
:D

[donbaloo]

Even though we've just gotten started I'm having a blast so far. On the surface I've thoroughly enjoyed everyone's posts, the way they've carefully crafted their prose to represent their mechanical actions. I had no idea really what to expect but I'm of the impression that we're putting out good posts that deliver the story well. I always anticipate reading all of your posts. :D

Subsurface, with the mechanics, I'm pleased as well. Its my first real foray into their usage and I'm like you Hex, I've been impressed with how well the mechanics so fluidly deliver the narrative. They feel abstracted enough to prevent handicapping of intent, painting the unfolding situation nicely, but crunchy enough for me to connect with and have reasonable expectations of what's possible. I like them. Interested in seeing how Fight! and Duel of Wits will look.

Keep it up!

[MadJay]

Amazing finish by Eli/Kuato's exploding 6s :!:
I'll leave setting up the clean-up/Epilogue in all your hands, once that plays out I'll post up the tests ran thus far then move on from there!

[donbaloo]

Damn! Posted my Table talk post into the game posts...can you clip that out Hex and move it over here? Or at least delete it. I'll repost it. Sorry guys.

[donbaloo]

Okay, help me get a better understanding of the mechanics we're using Hex. Bloody versus tests resolve the weapon strike and armor all in the initial offense/defense tests, right? So at this point, we've all made our strikes and its just a matter of figuring our damage. No armor checks or relocating strikes, since that's only a part of the Fight! mechanics? For example, I've hit with one extra success. Extra successes are only used for damage increases in bloody versus tests since the defender's armor coverage is abstracted into defensive dice, meaning relocating strikes is irrelevant. Is this the same understanding everyone else has? If so, I guess at these junctures we relay to Hex what damage our strike does (for me, I inflicted a B3 wound) and Hex responds with what level of wound that translates into for the opponent so we can properly narrate. Is this right Hex?

[jmspencer]

donbaloo, the way I read the rules, there IS no damage in Bloody Versus... it's a simple "Win/Lose" situation. It lets us get into fights with the occasional extra without risking death every time.

That being said, I'm gonna wait til those who actually SUCCEEDED post THEIR epilogues before I post mine. They got the successes so I assume one of THEM hit my merc to the ground while I was locked with him.

[donbaloo]

Aah, okay. As I read through that section a few times it seemed to me that combat could be approached in layers, like an onion for you Shrekies :D. Anyway, I didn't know if we were using the one roll resolution Bloody Versus Test or the slightly modified version of it with offense and defense pools. Then of course the most detailed layer of all, Fight!. So, is the physical conflict resolved at this point?

[MadJay]

Okay - we are using the Bloody Versus With the Off/Def pools And the Injuries attached. Sorry about not being clear earlier.
At this point we're assigning the extra sucessess (then armor checks)to determine injuries, and posting the supporting narratives - but You have won the combat. At least two of the three have yielded to force (and may be injured) forcing the last untouched one to give in. We'll play thru what you wish to do with them.

FYI - I've already posted what positions the the mercs offer for hits and their armorments.

[MadJay]

So at this point, we've all made our strikes and its just a matter of figuring our damage. No armor checks or relocating strikes, since that's only a part of the Fight! mechanics? For example, I've hit with one extra success. Extra successes are only used for damage increases in bloody versus tests since the defender's armor coverage is abstracted into defensive dice, meaning relocating strikes is irrelevant. Is this the same understanding everyone else has?

I see your point :idea: - My thoughts were relocating and armor checks were still valid...But you make more sense and solves my Other puzzlement.
One could lose a Bloody VS test, get hit, shake it off with an armor check.
but with straight damage allocation - the loser GETS WOUNDED.
Which feels better to me - I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!!

that said - I just need wound levels delivered and narratives...and I think then, Eli may have just Killed the Axe-Man :!:

[donbaloo]

Hey Hex, hate to sound like a broken record but could you delete my flubbed post (the duplicate of my questioning post here) over in the game thread...its killing me. :oops:

[Kuato]

Hey hex, I just realized that I hadn't answered the Health and Steel questions that are a part of Character Burning :oops:

If you don't mind the update, it makes my Steel B6 and my Health B5. Sorry about the dumbness. This is my first BW PC and I'm just now getting the hang of it after playing some!

ON TOPIC-->Are we just gonna bolt for cover or try to detain one of these motherf#$%^&s? I'd Like to use Eli's mental powers to find out what the hell is going on (after we save Nesser, of course).

[Mickeroo]

Ah...I've never used the RaC rules before, so bear with me. What I want to do is hold my ground in the room and while taking cover behind the wall, peer out every so often and shoot the beast until it falls. I don't want it to get closer to me though. I'm thinking this:

1-3: Perception Maintain and using successes to take a shot and, if I have enough, aim.

Do I have to spend a success or anything to take cover behind the wall? I wouldn't think so because I'm already there, but I'm not sure.

[donbaloo]

Hmmm...after a glance back over the posts I seem to have misunderstood part of the scene. I for some reason thought the bodies were dropped within the church, now I think they were dropped outside of it. My bad. You can edit those few sentences out if you'd like Hex, all my intents are unchanged, I'm headed for the tower. Everything else I was clear on, just misinterpretted that one aspect.

[MadJay]

Test for advancement!

Working from Present back here's the 1st batch of tests recorded.
Name/ Stat-SKill/ Shade&Dice used / Obstacle(0=none) / Successes / Notes
Saron Faith:B5 Ob:4 Suc:3 RaC
Saron Speed:B6 Ob:4 Suc:3 RaC

Eli Speed:B7 Ob:4 Suc:3 RaC
Folchus Steel:B7 Ob:5 Suc:6 Rac

Avan Hunting B4 Ob:3 Suc: 2 Hunting the Locust
Avan Pe B7 Ob:5 Suc: 3 Positioning RaC
Avan Steel B7 Suc:3 vs Locust Ambush

Folchus Suasion B2 ob:3 vs wounded merc.
Eli's Casting forth coming.

[donbaloo]

Cool. Should we get tests for our weapon skills as well Hex?

[MadJay]

Yes you will - I've got all the rolls/tests scattered between my office & home, plan to get them all together tonite.
going forward I've got a piece of software I've been working on that'll keep 'em better organized!

[Mickeroo]

So I am in fight! right now? If so, with my arrow nocked, I think it'll take 2 actions (maybe 3) to draw and fire my bow.

Positioning : Withdrawing each volley
Actions:
1a Draw Bow
1b Fire
2a Jump through an open window (I know I'm on the second story) When I land, I try to roll, protecting my bow and taking as little damage as possible.
2b Continue falling or get up
3 Get up or nock an arrow

I had a lot of 'or's in there because I'm not sure how many actions each of these would take. Let me know if this is good.

[MadJay]

((I'd love a Beginner's Luck Intimidation right about now... I'd rather not have to go into DoW to get it out of him if he has it...

also, would you say this qualifies for the belief about keeping people off balance? Smile)


:twisted: Commit to the intimidate, and it will qualify :!:

[donbaloo]

Yeah, jm, and make sure you back it with a good strong clear intent so that if you succeed, you get as much out of your success as possible. I'm gonna have to wait and post tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing where we decide to take ourselves from here...

[jmspencer]

OK, hopefully the new one is better.

Intent is to convince the mercenary that I KNOW he has antidote on him and will not take well him doing anything short of administering it himself.

[Mickeroo]

So Hex, how long will each of the actions I want to do take?

[MadJay]

jmspenser Nice - I like it! the results are on the way.

Mickeroo:I have avan at
Volley1: draw, Bow
Volley 2:Fire, Jump out window
Volley 3: Get up/Recover

Sorry about dragging out this Fight!
My Locust is in peer review, and I may have built him wrong - we're hashing it out now. I plan to get it moving tonite for you - I'm really sorry man!

[Mickeroo]

(([Avan Speed/Withdraw B7 Ob6] At optimal range, need your Defense Posture for a I:b5 hit - and if you're changing your actions in Volley2)) - Hex


A b5 is a light wound so i guess I'm making a steel test. I got 6 successes (thankfully it's an open ended test) which is one more that my hesitation of 5, so unless there's an additional obstacle of 2 or more, I don't hesitate.

Since I'm on my back, I don't think that there's much withdrawing I can do, but I can remain in defensive stance. I am guessing that since I was drawing my bow, I am primarily covering my chest, leaving the legs and head open.

Since I'm on my back and in defensive stance, I thinkn I get +6 ob to shoot the Locust....I'm going to call in a favor from the Gods and use Divine Inspiration with the possibility of Luck.

Hex, if this is all good, I'll post my actions in the other thread. I am changing my 2nd volley to :fire, start to get up (I just read it takes two actions, the first puts me in a crouch) and forfietingmy 3rd volley.

[Mickeroo]

I just reali