@VashTheStampede thanks for moving it over here
VashTheStampede
Sorry Jawneh
Serious chat stuff
One thing I could use a little help with is something that can be kind of hard to get your head around at first in a game like this. It kind of goes against everything we've been taught in other media, specifically video games.
Just because you read that something is happening in the story, that doesn't mean that your character knows it is happening. I know most of the party is new to this and its not an intuitive thing, so please just try and keep it in the back of your mind if possible.
One of my goals as a DM is to try and give everyone a moment to be the main character, if only for a moment here or there. There might be situations where one character receives information and they can choose to share the info with the rest of the party, or they may not. Whether or not they do, your character likely does not know whether or not there is any internal struggle or if they're hiding something, even though we're all privy to the words on the screen.
Its a big change from other games, but when handled appropriately, it can add so much to the story if we can all just keep our personal character perspectives in mind.
~~~
A more minor thing is I'd like to keep the game thread clean from our usual shitposting, if only because it makes it easier for me to find and reference seeds and threads I've planted and keep the story consistent for you guys. (I'M LOOKING AT YOU, @Christina) I've been guilty of it in the past too and I've recently seen that I've made my life a little more difficult.
~~~
Sorry to be Debbie Downer for a second, but I just wanna head off some stuff while we're still early and learning, so I can make sure I'm having fun too.
One thing I could use a little help with is something that can be kind of hard to get your head around at first in a game like this. It kind of goes against everything we've been taught in other media, specifically video games.
Just because you read that something is happening in the story, that doesn't mean that your character knows it is happening. I know most of the party is new to this and its not an intuitive thing, so please just try and keep it in the back of your mind if possible.
One of my goals as a DM is to try and give everyone a moment to be the main character, if only for a moment here or there. There might be situations where one character receives information and they can choose to share the info with the rest of the party, or they may not. Whether or not they do, your character likely does not know whether or not there is any internal struggle or if they're hiding something, even though we're all privy to the words on the screen.
Its a big change from other games, but when handled appropriately, it can add so much to the story if we can all just keep our personal character perspectives in mind.
~~~
A more minor thing is I'd like to keep the game thread clean from our usual shitposting, if only because it makes it easier for me to find and reference seeds and threads I've planted and keep the story consistent for you guys. (I'M LOOKING AT YOU, @Christina) I've been guilty of it in the past too and I've recently seen that I've made my life a little more difficult.
~~~
Sorry to be Debbie Downer for a second, but I just wanna head off some stuff while we're still early and learning, so I can make sure I'm having fun too.
Serious chat stuff
One thing I could use a little help with is something that can be kind of hard to get your head around at first in a game like this. It kind of goes against everything we've been taught in other media, specifically video games.
Just because you read that something is happening in the story, that doesn't mean that your character knows it is happening. I know most of the party is new to this and its not an intuitive thing, so please just try and keep it in the back of your mind if possible.
One of my goals as a DM is to try and give everyone a moment to be the main character, if only for a moment here or there. There might be situations where one character receives information and they can choose to share the info with the rest of the party, or they may not. Whether or not they do, your character likely does not know whether or not there is any internal struggle or if they're hiding something, even though we're all privy to the words on the screen.
Its a big change from other games, but when handled appropriately, it can add so much to the story if we can all just keep our personal character perspectives in mind.
~~~
A more minor thing is I'd like to keep the game thread clean from our usual shitposting, if only because it makes it easier for me to find and reference seeds and threads I've planted and keep the story consistent for you guys. (I'M LOOKING AT YOU, @Christina) I've been guilty of it in the past too and I've recently seen that I've made my life a little more difficult.
~~~
Sorry to be Debbie Downer for a second, but I just wanna head off some stuff while we're still early and learning, so I can make sure I'm having fun too.
You’re not being a Debbie downer. If I make Kutshort do something he shouldn’t know or be able to do, just tell me to redo it. I don’t mind
You ain't downing nothing, Deborah.Serious chat stuff
One thing I could use a little help with is something that can be kind of hard to get your head around at first in a game like this. It kind of goes against everything we've been taught in other media, specifically video games.
Just because you read that something is happening in the story, that doesn't mean that your character knows it is happening. I know most of the party is new to this and its not an intuitive thing, so please just try and keep it in the back of your mind if possible.
One of my goals as a DM is to try and give everyone a moment to be the main character, if only for a moment here or there. There might be situations where one character receives information and they can choose to share the info with the rest of the party, or they may not. Whether or not they do, your character likely does not know whether or not there is any internal struggle or if they're hiding something, even though we're all privy to the words on the screen.
Its a big change from other games, but when handled appropriately, it can add so much to the story if we can all just keep our personal character perspectives in mind.
~~~
A more minor thing is I'd like to keep the game thread clean from our usual shitposting, if only because it makes it easier for me to find and reference seeds and threads I've planted and keep the story consistent for you guys. (I'M LOOKING AT YOU, @Christina) I've been guilty of it in the past too and I've recently seen that I've made my life a little more difficult.
~~~
Sorry to be Debbie Downer for a second, but I just wanna head off some stuff while we're still early and learning, so I can make sure I'm having fun too.
Word though. I've been struggling with this in my game, not having everyone know everything that's going on. Sometimes it's easier from a game-running perspective to have the information just be shared, but it's really more immersive if even the perception check results, etc. were private information players are choosing to share or not.
Aye, I second the "if T'anks ain't supposed to know something, slap me upside the head" train. There's a lot to keep track of! 
I am attempting to keep her "memories" and the flowery text I read separate, while also letting her spin wherever inertia takes her. While simultaneously not spelling it out or otherwise breaking the narrative. Like, in my mind, Klarg's some low-level grunt with a bit of power and she wound up shacking up with him; that doesn't mean she knows anything about Cragmaw Castle, the other Goblin bands, yadda yadda. Also doesn't necessarily mean Klarg's actually a low-level grunt, I suppose.
Shacking her up with Klarg in the first place just felt like destiny because all of the Goblin lore ended up being uncovered by her because I'm nosy lol
I am attempting to keep her "memories" and the flowery text I read separate, while also letting her spin wherever inertia takes her. While simultaneously not spelling it out or otherwise breaking the narrative. Like, in my mind, Klarg's some low-level grunt with a bit of power and she wound up shacking up with him; that doesn't mean she knows anything about Cragmaw Castle, the other Goblin bands, yadda yadda. Also doesn't necessarily mean Klarg's actually a low-level grunt, I suppose.
Shacking her up with Klarg in the first place just felt like destiny because all of the Goblin lore ended up being uncovered by her because I'm nosy lol
VashTheStampede
Sorry Jawneh
Aye, I second the "if T'anks ain't supposed to know something, slap me upside the head" train. There's a lot to keep track of!
I am attempting to keep her "memories" and the flowery text I read separate, while also letting her spin wherever inertia takes her. While simultaneously not spelling it out or otherwise breaking the narrative. Like, in my mind, Klarg's some low-level grunt with a bit of power and she wound up shacking up with him; that doesn't mean she knows anything about Cragmaw Castle, the other Goblin bands, yadda yadda. Also doesn't necessarily mean Klarg's actually a low-level grunt, I suppose.
Shacking her up with Klarg in the first place just felt like destiny because all of the Goblin lore ended up being uncovered by her because I'm nosy lol
I've really enjoyed this collaborative backstory bit we've stumbled into here. Its like jazz
I’m not sure if this entire serious part was spurred in part by my severing Klarg’s head, but I was planning on doing that once Dude threw the head at T’anks. I just created a plan on how to use it once Dude noticed the Goblins outside the caveI've really enjoyed this collaborative backstory bit we've stumbled into here. Its like jazz
TD
ES COO Shitposting Dept. of GWF
Something to consider for character perspective:
Why would Kutshort suddenly abandon the travois and loot he's been so focused on to come flying out of the cave with Klarg's head when there's no way to know the goblins are coming for Dude and T'anks?
Things like that are considering character perspective.
Anyhow, I'll be making my character post.
Soon.
So, I would assume you gentleman have/are hashing this out in private - and that's fine, of course.
But in the limited time I have available, I would toss out the idea of having a third "Mode" for our structure. I've kind of picked up on proper in-person D&D functioning entirely in turns (and maintaining several limitations/considerations from combat), and that doesn't necessarily translate well to the forum with our diverse table. Which... I think has largely been fine until recently? However, to facilitate proper stakes, having that sort of "Free Roam" form (a green mode?), a Narrative form (a yellow mode, wherein there are turns/action queues and the potential for combat) and the Combat form (a red mode) may work best.
Like, strictly speaking, Kutshort has been obsessed with loot since climbing the chimney into Klarg's chamber. This extends to the crates of supplies, and I would posit taking the head of Klarg as a trophy would fit into that. This is a good character flaw, even if our circumstances did then lead to TD not being able to participate on Saturday because Dude remained untended to.
So, insofar as consistency goes, I would posit: Without exterior motivation/interference, Kutshort would continue to loot and make his way to the cave entrance in what would amount to a couple of turns. This is the risk inherent to splitting the party up, and leads to a sort of dissonance when the character closest to the new interactable object (NPC, treasure chest, random narrative clue) is skipped over.
...Okay in traditional form that's longer than intended, TD has posted in the interim, I don't have time to further tease it out/proofread it, yadda yadda.
I'm personally okay rewinding a bit, tossing the last couple of posts into a Mulligan thread, and... yeah doing a mulligan.
But in the limited time I have available, I would toss out the idea of having a third "Mode" for our structure. I've kind of picked up on proper in-person D&D functioning entirely in turns (and maintaining several limitations/considerations from combat), and that doesn't necessarily translate well to the forum with our diverse table. Which... I think has largely been fine until recently? However, to facilitate proper stakes, having that sort of "Free Roam" form (a green mode?), a Narrative form (a yellow mode, wherein there are turns/action queues and the potential for combat) and the Combat form (a red mode) may work best.
Like, strictly speaking, Kutshort has been obsessed with loot since climbing the chimney into Klarg's chamber. This extends to the crates of supplies, and I would posit taking the head of Klarg as a trophy would fit into that. This is a good character flaw, even if our circumstances did then lead to TD not being able to participate on Saturday because Dude remained untended to.
So, insofar as consistency goes, I would posit: Without exterior motivation/interference, Kutshort would continue to loot and make his way to the cave entrance in what would amount to a couple of turns. This is the risk inherent to splitting the party up, and leads to a sort of dissonance when the character closest to the new interactable object (NPC, treasure chest, random narrative clue) is skipped over.
...Okay in traditional form that's longer than intended, TD has posted in the interim, I don't have time to further tease it out/proofread it, yadda yadda.
I'm personally okay rewinding a bit, tossing the last couple of posts into a Mulligan thread, and... yeah doing a mulligan.
TD
ES COO Shitposting Dept. of GWF
Oh love.I'm personally okay rewinding a bit, tossing the last couple of posts into a Mulligan thread, and... yeah doing a mulligan.
This shit is not being mulliganed.
There will be consequences.
VashTheStampede
Sorry Jawneh
Yeah, this was mainly prompted my post, but also it is an extremely common thing to happen, even at a table as opposed to on a board, and I should have done a better job anticipating it.
When I was first formulating this whole take on Forum Based D&D, I was planning on ending each of my posts with a prompt for a specific character to post next, but it seemed like everyone was enjoying the more chaotic "jump in wherever" style, which is a lot more like being at an actual table and playing.
I think I might institute that Call and Response style when the party is split, not just because of situations like this (which I don't anticipate being a concern) but also to just help keep myself organized. Because I'm looking into the near future when we hit town, and I'm thinking it could be a LOT of juggling for me.
I appreciate how patient you all have been with me and with each other. I'm serious when I say this has been a LOT of fun for me, and literally each of you have factored heavily in that.
He didn’t abandon it. Dragmire had his servant start bringing stuff to the front and I had Kutshort examine the travois and just happen to arrive at the mouth of the cave when the Yeemik started to talkSomething to consider for character perspective:
Why would Kutshort suddenly abandon the travois and loot he's been so focused on to come flying out of the cave with Klarg's head when there's no way to know the goblins are coming for Dude and T'anks?
Things like that are considering character perspective.
Anyhow, I'll be making my character post.
Soon.
Whatever you think will be easier. It seemed like we were just stuck in place. We made a lot of posts about loading the travois and stuff, but we were still in the cave. I was finalizing Kutshort’s time in the cave by giving it a once over and grabbing Klarg’s head as a souvenir for Dude. It seemed like we all needed to be blunt about being ready to leave, so I tried to make it clear.
If I make a post that you feel doesn’t make sense, for any reason, let me know and I’ll redo it or see if I can spin a convincing enough explanation to allow it. I honestly do not have a problem with it
TD
ES COO Shitposting Dept. of GWF
I like this idea a lot.
In this format we aren't all sitting around actively waiting and ready to respond immediately.
I would even extend it to not just when the party splits up but if an individual member is being addressed/targeted specifically (like when I tossed the goblin head at T'anks, I tagged Raine to basically be like, I want you to be the one to respond).
TD
ES COO Shitposting Dept. of GWF
You also don't have to come rushing in to try to take the lead on every single situation - it's nice for others to get an opportunity. You even suggested in here that you were comfortable with me taking the lead and you gave it a whopping ten minutes after Vash posted to yet again, take the lead.
I had to effectively sit out a whole day because your character was running around and looting, which I accepted.
A character does not have to be directly involved in everything.
That was Kutshort being in character. When I said I’d let you take the lead, the goblins were still in hiding. When they made themselves known, Kutshort isn’t going to ask them to wait so he can walk down to the stream and give Dude the severed head. Vash moved up the timeline from what I expected, so I tried to play in character. If you feel that was trying to take the lead, I’ll dial it back
The whole day with looting, was when we were waiting for Dragmire to make an initiative roll. I was looting while waiting for you and Raine to finish with your monologues. If you’re talking about the crates and klarg’s bed… I found a chest and boxes that vash strongly implied should be brought back to Phandalin, so that seems to be important and not a waste of time.
I’m confused, but I will try to keep Kutshort out of certain storylines
@VashTheStampede if you want to use your DM powers to rewind time, I’m okay with it
TD
ES COO Shitposting Dept. of GWF
TD
ES COO Shitposting Dept. of GWF
VashTheStampede
Sorry Jawneh
Yeah it's kinda fucked up how you guys aren't letting Dragmire lead the party as intended.
But seriously, everyone will get their time to shine, I promise.
Kutshort had a really cool arc with getting Hopper, which was completely off-book for the story.
T'anks had some really heavy shit with the Klarg situation, which was completely off book.
Dragmire eldritch blasted some shit. And some walls. Okay that part was pretty much on book.
Dude has laid a ton of groundwork on character stuff which can only pay off going forward. There's some seeds planted that I can already see sprouting soon. (lettuce seeds. Its lettuce.)
Yeemik is learning about the Peter Principle in real time.
It's all good and I think we're in a really solid spot going forward, even if some of it might feel a little iffy right at the moment.
But seriously, everyone will get their time to shine, I promise.
Kutshort had a really cool arc with getting Hopper, which was completely off-book for the story.
T'anks had some really heavy shit with the Klarg situation, which was completely off book.
Dragmire eldritch blasted some shit. And some walls. Okay that part was pretty much on book.
Dude has laid a ton of groundwork on character stuff which can only pay off going forward. There's some seeds planted that I can already see sprouting soon. (lettuce seeds. Its lettuce.)
Yeemik is learning about the Peter Principle in real time.
It's all good and I think we're in a really solid spot going forward, even if some of it might feel a little iffy right at the moment.
VashTheStampede
Sorry Jawneh
I think the confusion lies in the fact that Dude and T'anks had left the area Sildar/Kutshort/Dragmire were in. They were the only ones aware the goblins had made themselves known yet, so for Kutshort to come marching out, skull in tow, it feels a bit like Deus ex Machina.
I think its on me for not making it clear enough that it was taking place in a different location.
I might could use location notes like in a movie script to help sometimes?
It's all a work in progress.
eventually he had to leave the cave. I was under the impression that a lot of “timing” of events in DnD was “coincidental” which is why Sildar was alive waiting for us and why Gundren will be as well.
If you and Raine want to be the only ones to interact with the goblins, be clear about it here so I know not to auto on your toes. I can’t read your mind and if you have a plan or action you want to do, let me more, don’t keep it to yourself. Kutshort can’t read Dude’s mind either
VashTheStampede
Sorry Jawneh
Yeah, and that's literally 50% of what this thread is for. To communicate stuff like this. What we say here is not canon to the Campaign until it happens in there. This thread is for collaboration.
Figure it out here before you implement it there.
VashTheStampede
Sorry Jawneh
TD
ES COO Shitposting Dept. of GWF
The easiest way I can put it.
1) READ what just happened.
2) Think to yourself, who is involved?
3) Ask yourself, does it make the most sense for my character to be the one to respond?
If the answer to #3 is No, then wait.
Objecively this is what just happened:
Dude sensed goblins. He sent T'anks to the mouth of the cave. T'anks is watching from within the cave. The goblin hops out at Dude.
Next thing: Kutshort comes flying out of the cave past T'anks with Klarg's head in hand, completely disregards Dude and threatens the goblin.
It makes no sense objectively.
VashTheStampede
Sorry Jawneh
I will say, considering where we were with the travois situation, it also would make sense that it would be about the time the rest of the party would have been leaving the cave too.
So they could have coincidentally showed up.
In a situation like that, a best case scenario could have been:
- shortkut asks in this thread if he knows what's going on outside because they were about to leave too
- I tell him to make a perception check and based on that check he finds out what Kutshort thinks is happening
- he responds with that information in mind
We aren't incredibly far from being on the same page here
TD
ES COO Shitposting Dept. of GWF
VashTheStampede
Sorry Jawneh
VashTheStampede
Sorry Jawneh
That wasn't her. False alarm lol
These are thinks Kutshort and I are unaware of
That explains it better. Just like when I tried to share a square with Hopper, let me know if I can’t do something. If I’m too far away, say “nice post, but you’re too far away so find another action” and I will redo it. I not too clear on when we change locations. Sometimes we have to specifically state where we are and other times it seems like we just move. I thought this was the latter and I was on the way to the mouth of the cave
this is what I thought was going on
I think this is a great way to proceed when characters are in different locations. You can tell us who knows what
Good luck!
yay!
TD
ES COO Shitposting Dept. of GWF
VashTheStampede
Sorry Jawneh
TD
ES COO Shitposting Dept. of GWF
This is clearly not Dude's perspective.
TD
ES COO Shitposting Dept. of GWF
I don’t know what that means
Half joke...
In Magic, when a player plays a card, it goes on an invisible "stack." Essentially a place where the action is paused so everyone has a chance to respond to the card being played. Then "priority" passes to the next person at the table to give them a chance to respond. And once that player has responded, the next player does. And so on till it's back to the first person. Then the stack resolves in reverse order. It prevents one player from dominating the game by giving others a chance to respond.
I was making a somewhat tongue in cheek reference to say that perhaps the way forum format D&D is played, this may be a way to give everyone a chance to respond in their way without one person dominating the outcome or course of action in the game.
It may not even be an issue in full, and I won't speak about any of you for your campaign, but I do feel pacing is one of the largest issues in this format. And Vash and Ben are doing their best to alleviate that, but it's probably always going to be an issue.
Soo... there's a Goblin over yonder...
Is there any reason T'anks isn't about to just disappear for a spell?
Aside from the part where I don't have time to think up a post lol
Really up the production value on this bish! Next up, CG dragon dongs!
...Wait what.
Sorry, somebody changed the teleprompter there. Minor technical hiccup.
Is there any reason T'anks isn't about to just disappear for a spell?
Aside from the part where I don't have time to think up a post lol
Go full ham, like that interactive Game of Thrones map app they had showing where all of the parties of characters were in relation to one another.
Really up the production value on this bish! Next up, CG dragon dongs!
...Wait what.
Sorry, somebody changed the teleprompter there. Minor technical hiccup.
TD
ES COO Shitposting Dept. of GWF
You can likely just let Vash know your intentions if you don't have time.Soo... there's a Goblin over yonder...
Is there any reason T'anks isn't about to just disappear for a spell?
Aside from the part where I don't have time to think up a post lol
Stay with goblin.
Go with group.
Catch up to Dude.
Something else.
She did "wait to see for understanding", so there's wiggle room for you.
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VashTheStampede
Sorry Jawneh
I uh...Well, that was also a "did anyone have immediate plans for Yeemik or T'anks" kind of thing too.
But I have arrived home before the posting, so... onwards to chaos!
I just typed up a LOT of words.
Should I hold off?
TD
ES COO Shitposting Dept. of GWF
8
Well, that was also a "did anyone have immediate plans for Yeemik or T'anks" kind of thing too.
But I have arrived home before the posting, so... onwards to chaos!
YOU HAD ONE JOB CAPTAIN DERPAGUS
TO BE LAZY
FOR LIKE 45 MINUTES ON A WEDNESDAY AFTERNOOON
No it's fine go ahead and dump it on us.
TD
ES COO Shitposting Dept. of GWF