Welcome to the OOC thread v 2.0!

First off, a few rules:

1. If you are a member of the game, please subscribe to this thread so you get updates from it.
2. This thread is for Out-of-Content (Out-of-Character) discussion only. That includes rules inquiry, idle chit-chat, availability updates (let us know here if you'll be going inactive for a while), discussions and votes about new house rules, pictures of your pets... anything that isn't done specifically in the game.
3. If you wish to post something in the game, please do so in our IC Thread.
4. Please reference this post for updates about active players and house rules that have been voted on by the players.

Next, a few house rules:

1. Play-by-Post happens on our time. So I don't expect constant updates. But try to check the game at least every other day (especially when in combat or when interacting directly with an NPC) to see if there's anything you need to add. 
2. If you need to go inactive (not posting for a week or longer) please let us know here in the OOC thread, so we can work around that. We understand that life takes priority, and you don't need a reason to go inactive. But if we know you won't be able to respond to an IC interaction, we won't attempt to, and therefore it won't be awkward. 😅 Players who are inactive for a week or longer and haven't notified me will be removed from the game.
3. If you wish to leave the game, please notify me privately. We can discuss whether you wish your character to be killed off (gone forever) or just leave the game for several months until you are ready to return. If you wish, I can even run a clone of your character in your absence. If you don't want to discuss it, you can also remove your character from the Campaign, and I'll take that as the hint as well. But please don't post that you're leaving in the OOC thread or the IC thread.
4. Check the campaign notes for updates on NPCs, daily logs, and game lore. If I'm missing an NPC or a daily log, or a detail on the daily log that you find important, please let me know.

Active Players (in Alphabetic Order):

Cheez_Weezle as Theron Shadewind (he/him) Human Barbarian! A fearsome warrior from the Hachakee Tribe plagued by the horrors of war which curses him with PTSD, a penchant for strong drink, and a truly sour disposition. When he's not passed out drunk, he's often in a fight, and has a tendency to fly into such violent rages during these tussels that he accidentally kills whomever he has a disagreement with.
Larskolstad as Sera Uth Darnon! (she/her) Human Cleric! Born to Letren and Innaia, Sera grew up on the hard soil of Solamnia’s countryside, a life marked by toil, love, and loss. Her father, Letren, was a retired Knight of Solamnia, a man of both valor and scars. He rarely spoke of the horrors he had faced in battle, but his restless nights—filled with nightmares and screams—hinted at memories too painful to share. Despite this, he poured his energy into training Sera with wooden swords and knightly drills. To her, he wasn’t just a father—he was her mentor, her protector, and her playmate, embodying the ideals of honor and strength. Yet Letren, ever practical, also feared the brutal life of a knight and taught Sera carpentry to give her a trade untouched by the sword. He worried aloud that she might one day have no choice but to take up arms. Meanwhile, her mother, Innaia, worshipped the old gods, particularly Paladine. She gave Sera an old silver triangle, a holy symbol she believed would protect her daughter from harm. Life on the farm was hard, but manageable—until it wasn’t. A sickness swept through the land, leaving death and ruin in its wake. When Sera’s parents fell ill, there were no resources to save them. On their deathbeds, her father warned her of enemies who might come for her, chief among them Hart Goldenspear, a vindictive noble who bore a grudge against Letren. Her mother, with her last breath, told Sera the gods had a purpose for her. With their passing, Sera lost not only her family but also her home, which was confiscated by corrupt nobles. Fleeing Solamnia, Sera made her way to the streets of Palanthas. There, she scraped by as a beggar and carpenter, barely surviving. Even amid the cruelty of street life, Sera couldn’t bear to turn away from others in need. Her father’s sword and shield, the only relics of her past, were a constant temptation to sell—but she refused, holding on to them as symbols of her family’s legacy. Her courage and selflessness didn’t go unnoticed. One day, while defending a group of beggars from violent thugs, she caught the attention of Gero uth Sedm, an aging cleric of Gilean. Gero claimed he could see the divine spark within her, an aura of Paladine’s favor. With his hill dwarf companion Handar Grimaxe, a retired adventurer, Gero took Sera under his wing, teaching her of the old gods and their resurgence as Takhisis’s dragonarmies rose to power. But Hart Goldenspear hadn’t forgotten her. He tracked her down, ambushing her one fateful evening. The attack was brutal—his men beat her, and Hart himself committed unspeakable violence against her before stabbing her with her father’s sword. They left her for dead in a dark alley. Lying there, broken and bleeding, Sera prayed to Paladine. She did not beg for life but for the chance to fight against the injustice she had suffered and to protect others from the same fate. As her consciousness faded, an old man with a staff appeared, his eyes filled with sorrow and power. He said nothing, simply nodding before she passed out. When Sera awoke, she was aboard a ship bound for Khur. Gero and Handar had found her, and though her recovery seemed miraculous, she was forever changed. Paladine had answered her prayers, granting her the power to heal and fight. She hid these newfound abilities, afraid of how others might react, pretending to be nothing more than a hired sword as she traveled with Handar to his sister’s remote outpost in Khur. Glynnis, the Brewer are Handars sister and Owner of The Laughing Dwarf Dance Hall The journey was eye-opening. Everywhere, the shadow of war loomed. Sera saw suffering on a scale she’d never imagined and realized the divine powers she carried were not merely a gift—they were a call to action. Though she doubted her worthiness, she trusted that fate had placed her on this path for a reason. Arriving in Khur, Sera began training in secret, her resolve hardening with each passing day. She knew Hart Goldenspear would come for her again, and when he did, she would be ready. But more than that, the green dragon army terrorizing the region stirred something deep within her—a sense that this battle would be her true test, one that Paladine had prepared her for all along.
_Miglasezis_ as Albert (he/him) Human Cleric! Albert was born and raised in Abanasinia region, Solace town. From early days he was a part of monastery and has served in a temple of Mishakal. As a devoted servant of the Light Bringer, he is very modest. During times of trouble he has always spearheaded any attempts to help the innocent. Treating wounds, providing humanitarian aid, cooking meals for the unfortunate. In recent years, the theocratic Seekers have oppressed servitude to other gods other than theirs. Therefore Albert ran from his home town to seek help in other places. Since then he's been wandering and trying to find someone that could help.
thomasgerardbradshaw as Ebrius (she/her) Tiefling Blood Hunter/Barbarian! I left the Green Dragon Army after they had forced me to kill my friend, and I have been haunted by my past for years now. Drinking to forget. One night, while stumbling back to my shack in Santekh, I witnessed the brutal murder of a highly respected resident of Santekh and member of the Golden Company. Filled with righteous indignation, I rushed to seek vengeance!
Weathervision as Arvos Quain (he/him) Half-Elf Druid! A quiet and practical member of the group, Arvos is always there when someone needs help. His kindness is well noted throughout Santekh, and he has earned a shining reputation amongst the people there.

Rules Specific to this Campaign:

1. Your party is a mercenary group called The Golden Company. Their current Renown is updated in the DM Public Notes in the Campaign. As your renown increases, you'll be able to recruit NPCs as low-ranking members who will complete lower-level quests that your patron gives them. In return for being able to piggy-back off your guilds reputation, they'll pay you guild dues: a small percentage of the quest rewards they earn while adventuring. Eventually, you could be granted land to build a home base, branches and satellite locations, and even titles as your guild's renown grows.
2. When it comes to exploring the world, feel free to roll for comprehension. Your character may know something that you don't. Examples include: how best to strategically defeat an enemy, whether or not a rock or herb has magical properties, local lore, whether or not going into that cave or dungeon is a good idea. You can even discern the stat block and alignment of NPCs and monsters with a good dice roll. When in doubt, roll some dice, and declare what you're trying to understand. I'll try to use your passive stats when possible, but your roll overrides your passive stats.
3. Battles are fought on grids, and I use modifiers like flanking, terrain advantages/disadvantages (like high ground), and called shots.
4. XP isn't divided in my PbP games. If a monster is worth 300 XP, everyone gets 300 XP. It helps you all to level up quicker and gives everyone a sense of progress.
5. Killing an enemy isn't the only way to defeat it.
6. In combat, I use the battle tactics inherent in the monster, not necessarily whatever tactics work best. So, monsters with a high survival instinct are more likely to flea if they discern that they are going to lose the battle. Up to you if you want to prevent that. But in many cases, their body parts can be harvested for food, hides, alchemical ingredients, and items that can be sold/bartered.
7. The game has a story, but I'm flexible. I have a "yes and" approach to DM'ing. If you manifest something as true in the campaign setting, I'll usually allow it. Unless you're like "I prayed to my deity that Santekh be blessed and now it's a verdant oasis ripe with figs and fresh water! The end!" 😅 If an idea adds to the game or at least doesn't ruin it for everyone else, I am probably ok with the change.
8. Remember to check alternate uses for skill checks that I have noted in a Google Sheets doc in the Campain DM Public Notes. You can also use feats by rolling skill checks. Ask me about it if you have a feat in mind you'd like to attempt.
9. If the game is lagging, or during combat, I will instigate a 24 Hour turnover rule. Which means, if a game has stalled for 24 hours, I will do cinematics to move the game forward and predict outcomes. Then I will message any players who are holding the game up to see if they are still playing and what I can do to help them along. I don't implement this rule often. Only if the game really seems to need a nudge.
10. Cursed Dice Rule: if you can't seem to catch a break with the dice (no result 10 or above for a while) I'll give you a chance on your next roll to roll your d20 5 times and take the best result.
11. PbP is about creative writing. Casters, remember your components (Vocal, Somatic, Material) and cast accordingly. Marital fighters, describe how you attack. Think about the setting, the vibe, the sights, the smells, the sounds. Help us see and feel what you see and feel.
12. Praying to gods, or doing great deeds may grant you inspiration. So will eating or cooking a really good meal.
13. To speed things along, I will sometimes roll for the player, but I really prefer not to do that. Please include all your necessary rolls with your post when you can. I'll roll if you forget.
14. I have special holiday rewards and games that I run in the OOC. These events can benefit your character if you choose to participate. For Halloween, we played a little Trick or Treat game. As Christmas (Hannukha, Yule, etc) rolls around, you may find something nice in your Oversize Sock of Mundane Holding. If there's a particular holiday you'd like your character to be able to observe, let me know about it. I'll research its traditions and see if I can implement some fun little mini game around it.
15. Your back stories are important. I build side-quests and plot hooks around them. Also, there's a chance that it will win you special allies, patrons, magic weapons, cultural favor in specific regions of the map, etc. No back story, means I have nothing to work with. Up to you, but that seems like you're leaving money on the table to me,
16. Alignment is about how you wish to be perceived by NPCs, not how you intend to RP your character. And alignment has nothing to do with morals. Let me explain:
    Law to Chaos has to do with regards to authority. If you prefer a structured system with a clearly defined hierarchy, Lawful. If you are ungovernable and hate being told what to do, Chaotic.
    Good to Evil has to do with your compunctions towards killing. If you resolve your conflicts non-lethally, Good. If you resolve you tend to kill 'em all and let the gods sort 'em out: Evil. You can be a good person and have an evil alignment, if you tend to kill tyrants, monsters, abusers, etc. And you can be an evil person and have a good alignment if you take pleasure in tormenting (torture) and subjugating (enslaving) your vanquished enemies... especially if you do this to kind people. This goes both ways. A monster can have an evil alignment, meaning they tend to kill invaders and unknown threats to their lair, but actually be kind and loving to those they know and trust. 

Ok everyone! That's all the major stuff from v1 that I noticed needed to be brought over. Please read it over and let me know if I forgot anything that needs to be added.

I took the liberty of posting the currency system. :)

I like point 9. And From resent edition of Vampire they have the "1-2-3 are we done? " rule. Often you can notice how a battle will go after 3 rounds and can just speed things up by declaring how the result will be. That could be implimented in a pbp DnD game too very well I belive. Especially a PbP game.  ( you finish of the Draconian patrol and you just take some minor bruises in finishing off the last ones. Everyone take 2 hitpoint damage and you have won )

No point in rolling to hit that last darn evading goblin. Or watch how the spellcasters only bother to use cantrips to finish off that mad elephant who can not reach you up in the tree anyway. Seldom exciting to watch.

Only if the battle outcome is unclear is it any point keep it going. Or you have to spend some valuable resources.

Quote from Larskolstad >>

I like point 9. And From resent edition of Vampire they have the "1-2-3 are we done? " rule. Often you can notice how a battle will go after 3 rounds and can just speed things up by declaring how the result will be. That could be implimented in a pbp DnD game too very well I belive. Especially a PbP game.  ( you finish of the Draconian patrol and you just take some minor bruises in finishing off the last ones. Everyone take 2 hitpoint damage and you have won )

No point in rolling to hit that last darn evading goblin. Or watch how the spellcasters only bother to use cantrips to finish off that mad elephant who can not reach you up in the tree anyway. Seldom exciting to watch.

Only if the battle outcome is unclear is it any point keep it going. Or you have to spend some valuable resources.

That's a neat idea. I really like it! And I can determine whether the enemies are slain or captured based on your alignment. And I think I'm going to use that in future campaigns.

However, and I can't explain why because it could ruin a part of the game, there is a reason why I have to let you play out combat to completion in this game, specifically. That said, enemies with a survival instinct will likely attempt to escape or surrender if they do not think they can win the battle. So, encounters rarely make it past 4 rounds anyway.

Poor Amelia npc try HARD to talk to us bringing us a adventure plot it seems while we ignore her...lol. we are such bad players ;)

I must admit I kinda lost track of her and what she had to say to us. 

I bring the unpolite farting barbarian back up! ( maybe he rush back in and drink again? )

That's about right for Amelista.

When she left her cushy Senate position to join the rebels at Santekh, she expected her wealth, influence, and leadership experience to fast-track her right into a council seat, and hopefully be running the show by the end of the year. 

But her quest for glory and power fell flat when she discovered that none of the rebels were interested in trusting a senator, due to the fact that many aristocrats, nobles, and politicians already betrayed the people by siding with (or at least agreeing to stay out of the way of) the Dragon Army conquest of Krynn.

Amelista has resorted to catastrophizing and dramatizing to inspire enough fear into the hearts of the settlers to oust the current lineup of council members. But the settlers (mostly starving refugees) aren't convinced. So she's kind of earned the reputation of a doomsday prophet. A boy who cried wolf, so to speak. The fact that her formerly glamorous attire is now stained and torn rags, and her tendency to blame the council on everything from the weather and the famine, to the kobold raid, adds to the growing public opinion that she's either lost her mind out here in the desert or she's completely full of sh*t.

Either way, the people don't trust her. They tolerate her, because she wouldn't be the first person in Santekh to have a nervous breakdown.

Ok got a hint the barbarian is not with us anymore...o well. I thought to bring him back in but no matter...how about we sneak in the night investigate this rumour Amelista talks about?

Or we have better things to do?

:)

Ok, so I have an important note on player agency:

I think it's important to respect the autonomy of other players in the game. Doing so means you can't actually describe how another player's character feels, what they say, or what choices they make, except under one of two conditions:

1. They are under the effects of a spell or curse you put on them that takes away their agency. (Be careful with this, as this can ruin the fun for some players, so I prefer this to be agreed upon by the player's involved in the OOC first).
2. The player has temporarily relinquished control of their character to another player. This can happen if a player is going on vacation for a while and won't be able to post, but doesn't want their inactivity to slow down the posting frequency of the game.

Sometimes, as the DM, I will have to tell a player what their character is feeling, but I try my best to keep it passive. "You feel a sense of dread creep up your spine." This is especially true if they are interacting with a creature that can empathically impose feelings, or telepathically communicate, or if the player is under the effect of a compulsion spell or condition. And, in some rare cases, I will have to run a cinematic to get the game going, where I take control of an inactive character in order to get the game moving again. But I always try to use a light hand with this, and attempt to communicate with the player when I do so, in case they want my interference retconned.

But even if it seems to make the game go faster, or in the direction you want it to go, please do not play someone's character for them without their permission. I'm less rigid about this with my NPCs. As long as you don't go way out of character with it, I allow my players to move my NPCs around sometimes, especially if it helps the story flow better. But that's NPCs. In order to make sure everyone in the game has fun and gets to guide the narrative of their own story arc, please don't take over PCs unless one of the two previously expressed exceptions apply.

I agree on that. I misunderstood your private message about not focus on the barbarian any more since the player quit. And get back in the story...

My bad. Sorry. 

Quote from Larskolstad >>

I agree on that. I misunderstood your private message about not focus on the barbarian any more since the player quit. And get back in the story...

My bad. Sorry. 

You're good. I've just seen this happen before in this campaign with a few different players, so I thought it was time to make a public statement.

I'm thinking about updating your character sheets with DM Notes about what specific perks you get from your back story so that neither of us forget. But I don't want to mess with your character sheets if you're uncomfortable with it.

I can also add specific allies to your character sheet, if your character has built rapport with an NPC that other players haven't. NPCs that view you as Friendly will be considered an Ally, and will do various low-risk favors for you for free if you call on them. If they discover that being your friend continues to be mutually beneficial, they will receive a loyalty score. Allies with a high loyalty score will even be willing to risk their lives for you, fall in love with you, financially back you, etc depending on how that loyalty plays out.

This sounds just fun to me. If you can mark your editing with a differnet font or something?

Our barbarian did peek in and posted!  :D

..and make incredible loud noises. I do not think stealth will be this partys best ability

But...is he back or not? We all wait for him to kick that door we wait a looooong time? 

Quote from Larskolstad >>

This sounds just fun to me. If you can mark your editing with a differnet font or something?

 I can't, but I can put it under the caption DM Notes.

The next two days are going to be super busy for me, so I won't be able to take care of it yet. But I'll start adding those notes this weekend.

Quote from Larskolstad >>

But...is he back or not? We all wait for him to kick that door we wait a looooong time? 

 Ther-bear is back in action. But his player is still quite busy. So I'll message him as a reminder.

If all else fails, we'll just say he uses the Help action. Consider Albert's Guidance spell to be applied to whomever actually does attempt to break down the door. If nothing happens by tomorrow, I'll just run a cinematic.

Also @Blunderdebust I'm going to need you to post something in content, please. Not to be too pushy, but you're last post IC was on the 26th of November, and we're at a point where the story is waiting on active members to make decisions with their characters. Next time I post IC (probably no earlier than tonight, like 10 hours from now, but more realistically tomorrow) if you haven't posed, I'm going to have to manage your character for you and change your active status.

Hey folks!

I’m the guy in the cage. -)

Looking forward to joining you in this adventure… for however long I can stay alive! :-)

Oh yeah... all the pieces are starting to come together.

Welcome to the party, MrUncleTio! I meant to give your intro post more graphics and stuff, but I ended up having to post from my phone, and it always refreshes my post when I try to add graphics and basic DTP to my posts when I post from my phone. I'll go back and edit the post a little.