Once Shane posts we should have X days to reply. If we haven't replied by the deadline, the character "blanks out" for that round. I think this is the best way to keep the game moving forward so we're not waiting on any one of us to reply.
In my experience with PBP, all it takes is one person not replying for the game to fall apart.
The time should be reasonable though, like maybe 3 days.
I think 3 days is good unless we know ahead. We just pretend they don't do much our in combat I'll make a basic move in their behalf even if it's just a defensive stance or assisting another to give advantage on an attack.
I would go a step further and say that if Shane is posting M-W-F... he should just post, unless something extraordinary happens and we all need to break for a few days. The consistent schedule will help people get into a flow, whereas a flexible waiting period could lead to 1 and 2 post weeks as they chain together.
It's much harder to maintain momentum as a group, then it is for one lagging person to pick back up.
Everyone meets the dwarf Gundren Rockseeker in a different way. Maybe he helped you out of a bad spot or gave you a paid job when you needed one. He never forgets a debt and never lets a friend down. When Gundren needs information or help moving something quietly he reaches out to those he has helped in the past - occasionally it is helping someone else out of a bind. He always pays well and the risk is minimal. Often it is a simple escort of supplies - trade goods - for Gundren or his brothers.
Recently he reached out and asked you to come to Neverwinter. He had a simple job: bring a wagon load of provisions to the rough-and-tumble settlement of Phandalin, a couple of days' travel southeast of the city. Gundren was clearly excited and more than a little secretive about his reasons for the trip, saying only that he and his brothers had found "something big," and that he'd pay you ten gold pieces each for escorting his supplies safely to Barthen's Provisions, a trading post in Phandalin. He then set out ahead of you on horse, along with a warrior escort named Sildar Haliwinter, claiming he needed to arrive early to "take care of business." You've spent the last few days following the High Road south from Neverwinter, and you've just recently veered east along the Triboar Trail. You've encountered no trouble so far, but this territory can be dangerous. Bandits and outlaws have been known to lurk along the trail.
You don't know the other escorts well, if at all, but you know that Gundren trusts them which means that they must be somewhat capable. During the trip down the High Road you settle naturally into roles without need for much conversation. As you turn onto the Triboar Trail everyone begins to take things a little more seriously.
What now?
1. We need to work out marching order, this can be done IC or OOC or a mix of both. We could use facebook chat for the OOC if you want?
One person needs to be driving the cart. It is heavily loaded and being pulled by two oxen. You do not need any special skills to do this. Aside from that you can be scouting, riding, walking beside or guarding the rear. For mechanics purposes. . which I care only a little about .. there is a front, middle and rear line. If there are only two lines the second line is considered the rear. . for. . . game purposes 'n stuff.
2. If you have not described your physical appearance please also do that.
3. Feel free to talk to yourself or describe actions, mannerisms or what your character is doing along the way that will help others get to know your character but don't feel you need to chat with anyone else . . there will be plenty of reason for that coming up reeeeaally soon.
I'll figure out what our half-elf sorcerer is going to do tonight.
Nelly is four feet, three inches of sass and fury. With flowing red hair, daring green eyes, and a smile that glints with mischief, Nelly tends to make rather striking first impressions - even when said first impression isn't being delivered by her axe. Her bronzed skin has a rough, sun-touched texture reminiscent of sandstone. The dwarven lass wears simple, sturdy clothes, and carries a heavy backpack laden with supplies. Aside from her bag and her axe, Nelly's most precious possession is her engraved silver tankard.
When the caravan set out, Nelly stood on top of the lead cart and thrust a thick thumb back into her chest. "Hey you, listen up! Stick with Nelly and you won't 'ave any trouble. Greenies? I chop 'em. Giants? Right for the knees." It was a proud boast, but not an arrogant one; Nelly just wanted to make sure everyone knew she would look out for them. 'Leave no dwarf behind', and all that. Of course, she followed up with "Thas' right, the Iron Sorceress Nelly 'as yer back!"
That same lead cart is where she perches now, standing with one foot on the back of the wagon-driver's bench, peering out through the trees. Nelly is in high spirits as the caravan enters the most dangerous part of the journey, primarily because... well, that. She grins as the wind ruffles her hair, eager for whatever comes next.
Chantrea sits in the wagon driver's seat, clutching the reins with white knuckles, her green eyes wide with concern. By the way she's watching the movements of the oxen, it's clear she's never driven before, and possibly never even been near such beasts. A breeze tosses her blonde hair about, sending strands across her face, but she's too focused to deal with it.
At her feet sits her traveling pack, light brown with dark green piping, just like her cloak. At her throat, hanging from a fine silver chain, sits a pendant, like a full moon with a grey crescent atop it. Occasionally, Chantrea touches the pendant, almost involuntarily, but then remembers herself and grasps the reins in both hands once again.
As she steers the lumbering animals onto the Triboar Trail, Chantrea sets her jaw. She glances up at Nelly just behind her, and gives the tiniest flash of a smile at the dwarf's brave countenance. She turns back to her task, eyes hard and grip firm.
If it wasn't for the fact that Lowblo was a goblin, he would be pretty unassuming. He tends to try to keep a low profile, he likes it better when people don't notice him but his eyes are constantly moving, seemingly taking everything in.
As far as goblins go, Lowblo is fairly average. He has black scraggly hair and beady black eyes, his skin is a sage green. For those familiar with goblins he appears to be a young adult and is of average height and weight.
He listens intently as stocky, miniature huumon speaks, his eyes narrowing as she mentions chopping greenies. The momentary murderous look behind them suggests that Lowblo is calculating the best place to stick a knife into her while she's sleeping, but that look quickly passes and is replaced by one of bored indifference. He has a job to do and the Dwarf has been good to him in the past, so he won't let this obnoxious blowhard ruin a good thing.
As the group begins to move, Lowblo frequently disappears to scout for any potential danger.
Daeris approaches the cart after most of the others have arrived. A crossbow hangs at the side of her dark to black mostly leather clothing. It is does not seem thick enough to offer much protection from blades but is sturdy material for adventuring. Her long white hair flows freely around a pale skinned face with ice blue eyes that carry the look of someone who has seen more than anyone should.
She observes everyone with discreet glances and the positions they have taken then climbs up onto the back of the cart with her pack, one hand securing a dagger hilt on her hip. Anyone watching will see that the back of her top has a cut out that give the appearance of wings. The skin beneath is covered by a thin sheen of scales. As the cart moves out she keeps a steady eye out the rear and as the trail turns onto the Triboar Trail, narrowing, she sits noticeably straighter and takes occasional note of the position of others.
I think I had said that i would post Monday, Wednesday, Friday or something similar. I will actually be posting the evening before so you can expect something on those days. . having said that there will be times that I might have to wait on a character response.. . . so. . coming soon! If everyone is subscribed to the thread you should get an email when there is a post. I think it might be once a day.
For the first few hours, Lowblo makes periodic appearances to check in with the wagon, but doesn't say much and quickly fades into the woods once more.
About half a day into the journey, the little goblin appears in the trail in front of the wagon, one hand raised in the universal "stop" signal and his pointer finger on the other hand pressed to his lips indicating quiet.
Once he is sure that the group has seen and understood his message he approaches and gestures to everyone to close in so they can hear him as he speaks quietly.
"Me thinks sneak attack ahead." [pointing down the trail from where he came from] "Two dead ridey beasts blocking trail, great arrows killed them. I sneak and find more. You hide wagon and shhhhhh."
Chantrea watches the small creature with pursed lips and slightly narrowed eyes. But when it finishes speaking, she nods solemnly and clucks her tongue to the oxen, maneuvering the wagon as smoothly as possible off the trail and behind whatever cover is nearby. [OOG - She'll try to find a decent amount of cover behind trees or brush, but not too far off the road.]
She then checks behind her to see how her companions feel about the situation. When she meets Nelly's eyes, she says, "Perhaps someone should check behind us, to make sure we're not going to be surrounded...?"
The area beside the trail is flat and open enough to pull the wagon off to the side. Hiding it completely would be almost impossible with the foliage available short of using magic. There is a large cluster of foliage that would hide it from sight from one direction (from behind you, the side or from someone coming from ahead). There trail is about 10 feet across with about 10 feet on either side of light shrubs etc before the forest thickens over the next 20 feet or so.
You have been heading South East. By the time Lowblow comes back and gets you stopped you can see the corner he came back from about 150 feet ahead as the trail turns to the East and the forest closes in to about 10 feet to either side of the trail.
Daeris listens to Lowblo and hops off of the wagon as Chantrea pulls it off of the road.
"I will keep an eye on the wagon and the road - I should be able to hide well enough", with that Daeris pulls pulls a small light cloak from her bag and heads off into the woods beside the cart, quickly out of sight. If Nelly stays behind she will head a bit in the direction Lowblo was headed. If not she will stay back in the woods a little in the direction they came from.
Nelly gives the little goblin a hearty thumbs up. "Now thas thinkin' like a sneak." She seems to mean that as a compliment, given the wide smile on her guileless face. The dwarven girl nods to Chantrea, agreeing with her suggestion. She then stands firmly on top of the wagon, gazing out into the treeline for several long breaths.
After a minute or two, her eyes narrow into serious slits. Glancing at Chantrea, she says "Looks clear."
Hey everyone, I have a posting suggestion.
Once Shane posts we should have X days to reply. If we haven't replied by the deadline, the character "blanks out" for that round. I think this is the best way to keep the game moving forward so we're not waiting on any one of us to reply.
In my experience with PBP, all it takes is one person not replying for the game to fall apart.
The time should be reasonable though, like maybe 3 days.
Thoughts?
I think 3 days is good unless we know ahead. We just pretend they don't do much our in combat I'll make a basic move in their behalf even if it's just a defensive stance or assisting another to give advantage on an attack.
I would go a step further and say that if Shane is posting M-W-F... he should just post, unless something extraordinary happens and we all need to break for a few days. The consistent schedule will help people get into a flow, whereas a flexible waiting period could lead to 1 and 2 post weeks as they chain together.
It's much harder to maintain momentum as a group, then it is for one lagging person to pick back up.
Great point.
Working on my backstory. I'll have it in to you tomorrow sometime, Shane.
I'm down with that. If the pace turns out to be too quick, we can always adjust later.
Part 1: Goblin Arrows
Gundren Rockseeker
Everyone meets the dwarf Gundren Rockseeker in a different way. Maybe he helped you out of a bad spot or gave you a paid job when you needed one. He never forgets a debt and never lets a friend down. When Gundren needs information or help moving something quietly he reaches out to those he has helped in the past - occasionally it is helping someone else out of a bind. He always pays well and the risk is minimal. Often it is a simple escort of supplies - trade goods - for Gundren or his brothers.
Recently he reached out and asked you to come to Neverwinter. He had a simple job: bring a wagon load of provisions to the rough-and-tumble settlement of Phandalin, a couple of days' travel southeast of the city. Gundren was clearly excited and more than a little secretive about his reasons for the trip, saying only that he and his brothers had found "something big," and that he'd pay you ten gold pieces each for escorting his supplies safely to Barthen's Provisions, a trading post in Phandalin. He then set out ahead of you on horse, along with
a warrior escort named Sildar Haliwinter, claiming he needed to arrive early to "take care of business." You've spent the last few days following the High Road south from Neverwinter, and you've just recently veered east along the Triboar Trail. You've encountered no trouble so far, but this territory can be dangerous. Bandits and outlaws have been known to lurk along the trail.
You don't know the other escorts well, if at all, but you know that Gundren trusts them which means that they must be somewhat capable. During the trip down the High Road you settle naturally into roles without need for much conversation. As you turn onto the Triboar Trail everyone begins to take things a little more seriously.
What now?
1. We need to work out marching order, this can be done IC or OOC or a mix of both. We could use facebook chat for the OOC if you want?
One person needs to be driving the cart. It is heavily loaded and being pulled by two oxen. You do not need any special skills to do this. Aside from that you can be scouting, riding, walking beside or guarding the rear. For mechanics purposes. . which I care only a little about .. there is a front, middle and rear line. If there are only two lines the second line is considered the rear. . for. . . game purposes 'n stuff.
2. If you have not described your physical appearance please also do that.
3. Feel free to talk to yourself or describe actions, mannerisms or what your character is doing along the way that will help others get to know your character but don't feel you need to chat with anyone else . . there will be plenty of reason for that coming up reeeeaally soon.
I'll figure out what our half-elf sorcerer is going to do tonight.
Nelly Stonebottom ~ AC 18 ~ HP 12
Nelly is four feet, three inches of sass and fury. With flowing red hair, daring green eyes, and a smile that glints with mischief, Nelly tends to make rather striking first impressions - even when said first impression isn't being delivered by her axe. Her bronzed skin has a rough, sun-touched texture reminiscent of sandstone. The dwarven lass wears simple, sturdy clothes, and carries a heavy backpack laden with supplies. Aside from her bag and her axe, Nelly's most precious possession is her engraved silver tankard.
When the caravan set out, Nelly stood on top of the lead cart and thrust a thick thumb back into her chest. "Hey you, listen up! Stick with Nelly and you won't 'ave any trouble. Greenies? I chop 'em. Giants? Right for the knees." It was a proud boast, but not an arrogant one; Nelly just wanted to make sure everyone knew she would look out for them. 'Leave no dwarf behind', and all that. Of course, she followed up with "Thas' right, the Iron Sorceress Nelly 'as yer back!"
That same lead cart is where she perches now, standing with one foot on the back of the wagon-driver's bench, peering out through the trees. Nelly is in high spirits as the caravan enters the most dangerous part of the journey, primarily because... well, that. She grins as the wind ruffles her hair, eager for whatever comes next.
Chantrea sits in the wagon driver's seat, clutching the reins with white knuckles, her green eyes wide with concern. By the way she's watching the movements of the oxen, it's clear she's never driven before, and possibly never even been near such beasts. A breeze tosses her blonde hair about, sending strands across her face, but she's too focused to deal with it.
At her feet sits her traveling pack, light brown with dark green piping, just like her cloak. At her throat, hanging from a fine silver chain, sits a pendant, like a full moon with a grey crescent atop it. Occasionally, Chantrea touches the pendant, almost involuntarily, but then remembers herself and grasps the reins in both hands once again.
As she steers the lumbering animals onto the Triboar Trail, Chantrea sets her jaw. She glances up at Nelly just behind her, and gives the tiniest flash of a smile at the dwarf's brave countenance. She turns back to her task, eyes hard and grip firm.
If it wasn't for the fact that Lowblo was a goblin, he would be pretty unassuming. He tends to try to keep a low profile, he likes it better when people don't notice him but his eyes are constantly moving, seemingly taking everything in.
As far as goblins go, Lowblo is fairly average. He has black scraggly hair and beady black eyes, his skin is a sage green. For those familiar with goblins he appears to be a young adult and is of average height and weight.
He listens intently as stocky, miniature huumon speaks, his eyes narrowing as she mentions chopping greenies. The momentary murderous look behind them suggests that Lowblo is calculating the best place to stick a knife into her while she's sleeping, but that look quickly passes and is replaced by one of bored indifference. He has a job to do and the Dwarf has been good to him in the past, so he won't let this obnoxious blowhard ruin a good thing.
As the group begins to move, Lowblo frequently disappears to scout for any potential danger.
Posting for Daeris:
Daeris approaches the cart after most of the others have arrived. A crossbow hangs at the side of her dark to black mostly leather clothing. It is does not seem thick enough to offer much protection from blades but is sturdy material for adventuring. Her long white hair flows freely around a pale skinned face with ice blue eyes that carry the look of someone who has seen more than anyone should.
She observes everyone with discreet glances and the positions they have taken then climbs up onto the back of the cart with her pack, one hand securing a dagger hilt on her hip. Anyone watching will see that the back of her top has a cut out that give the appearance of wings. The skin beneath is covered by a thin sheen of scales. As the cart moves out she keeps a steady eye out the rear and as the trail turns onto the Triboar Trail, narrowing, she sits noticeably straighter and takes occasional note of the position of others.
I think I had said that i would post Monday, Wednesday, Friday or something similar. I will actually be posting the evening before so you can expect something on those days. . having said that there will be times that I might have to wait on a character response.. . . so. . coming soon! If everyone is subscribed to the thread you should get an email when there is a post. I think it might be once a day.
For the first few hours, Lowblo makes periodic appearances to check in with the wagon, but doesn't say much and quickly fades into the woods once more.
About half a day into the journey, the little goblin appears in the trail in front of the wagon, one hand raised in the universal "stop" signal and his pointer finger on the other hand pressed to his lips indicating quiet.
Once he is sure that the group has seen and understood his message he approaches and gestures to everyone to close in so they can hear him as he speaks quietly.
"Me thinks sneak attack ahead." [pointing down the trail from where he came from] "Two dead ridey beasts blocking trail, great arrows killed them. I sneak and find more. You hide wagon and shhhhhh."
He waits for their acknowledgement.
Chantrea watches the small creature with pursed lips and slightly narrowed eyes. But when it finishes speaking, she nods solemnly and clucks her tongue to the oxen, maneuvering the wagon as smoothly as possible off the trail and behind whatever cover is nearby. [OOG - She'll try to find a decent amount of cover behind trees or brush, but not too far off the road.]
She then checks behind her to see how her companions feel about the situation. When she meets Nelly's eyes, she says, "Perhaps someone should check behind us, to make sure we're not going to be surrounded...?"
The area beside the trail is flat and open enough to pull the wagon off to the side. Hiding it completely would be almost impossible with the foliage available short of using magic. There is a large cluster of foliage that would hide it from sight from one direction (from behind you, the side or from someone coming from ahead). There trail is about 10 feet across with about 10 feet on either side of light shrubs etc before the forest thickens over the next 20 feet or so.
You have been heading South East. By the time Lowblow comes back and gets you stopped you can see the corner he came back from about 150 feet ahead as the trail turns to the East and the forest closes in to about 10 feet to either side of the trail.
Lowblo nods at Chantrea and then turns to walk up the trail a little before disappearing back into the woods.
Posting for Daeris:
Daeris listens to Lowblo and hops off of the wagon as Chantrea pulls it off of the road.
"I will keep an eye on the wagon and the road - I should be able to hide well enough", with that Daeris pulls pulls a small light cloak from her bag and heads off into the woods beside the cart, quickly out of sight. If Nelly stays behind she will head a bit in the direction Lowblo was headed. If not she will stay back in the woods a little in the direction they came from.
I am going to send a link to a map to Lowblo ASAP so he can decide where he is going exactly. Sent PM with area you scouted.
Nelly Stonebottom ~ AC 18 ~ HP 12
Nelly gives the little goblin a hearty thumbs up. "Now thas thinkin' like a sneak." She seems to mean that as a compliment, given the wide smile on her guileless face. The dwarven girl nods to Chantrea, agreeing with her suggestion. She then stands firmly on top of the wagon, gazing out into the treeline for several long breaths.
After a minute or two, her eyes narrow into serious slits. Glancing at Chantrea, she says "Looks clear."
To Nelly and Chantrea
Several minutes pass and you do not hear anything.