So in situations like now where I haven't posted because Chromir is just there listening and choosing to not get involved, you would prefer that I write a post to state that Chromir is taking essentially no action?
EDIT — The DM's stance on posting frequency has been clarified in msg#456
A quick post in the OOC wouldn't hurt. Something like 'ready to move along' or something to that effect.
It's sort of tricky though ... because I don't want to incentivize 'not playing' as a legitimate response when confronted with a roleplaying situation.
Another way to do it, just as effectively, would be an IC post that showcased what was going on in our barbarian's big old pumpkin. What is he thinking? How is he feeling? Perhaps Chromir keeps his own counsel during a lengthy interaction with the baron and chooses not to contribute to the conversation — sure, I can buy that — but that doesn't necessarily mean that as a player, you have nothing to contribute to the tale.
EDIT — The DM's stance on posting frequency has been clarified in msg#456
Does the Baron give us a map like Doc asked? Kind of curious if anything else is near the saw mill. Darian said it's where they met but kind of wondering why she'd be over there.
"grandpa" Salkur, Gnome Arti/Sorc: Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Arti/Cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volc Genasi Arti: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war |Smithy, Human Arti: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): Adventure at Hope's End | Abathax, Tiefling Illriger: Hunt for the Balowang | Gorin Mestel, Human Arti: Descend into Avernus
A lot of back-and-forth in the OOC lately regarding when or even if posts should be made in the IC or OOC.
Here is my take on it.
As I'm sure you guys are all aware, tempo management is a tricksy thing here in PbP-land. Too slow and the game will stagnate and die. Too fast and players burn out, unable to keep up.
I am very comfortable with a pace of about 2-3 posts per week. Most times, I can do more than that if everyone has had a chance to chime in, but I won't ever be trying to leave folks in the dust, either.
Here is the old SvA formula for posting frequency:
Every story-post I make will have an unofficial 'two-day' clock. Meaning, If I post something that sets the scene or bumps the story ahead in some fashion ... everybody will have two solid days to craft a post.
Example: I post on Saturday evening. Well, then you guys will have all day Sunday and all day Monday in which to post. I won't bump the story along until all players have had a chance to respond. After the 'two-day' clock, however, I reserve the right to move it along in some fashion ... whether or not all of the players have chimed in.
[PbP games, not unlike sharks, require some forward momentum at all times or they die]
Sometimes, I will be able to post in the early AM. If that is the case ... I count that calendar day as one of the two days.
Example: I post early Monday morning (I am east coast US, EST time zone). Well, then you have all day Monday and all day Tuesday to make a response, and you can expect a story post from me on or after Wednesday of that week.
When I say 'story post' I mean something that substantially changes the scene (or sets a new one). Something that gives you guys something new to react to, interact with, etc.
Also, I might post more often than the 'two-day', but if it is just an NPC answering a question, or a quick one liner to let you know the results of a skill check or something ... those posts do not count against (or reset) the 'two-day' clock.
A little about me and my availability. I travel a lot for work and although 2-3 posts per week is normally the target, sometimes 1-2 posts per week is about all I can manage.
TL;DR — So, to sum up ... you guys can expect a post from me that will occur on or after either of the following things are true:
a) all players have responded in the IC, or
b) two days have passed.
[This is a slight change from an earlier post where I asked non-contributing players to let me know if they were ready to move on. Basically, from here on out, if a player does not want to post ... they do not have to ... and I won't require any sort of message to that effect.]
Additionally, after the others affirm we will help, and the meeting starts to come to a close, Chromir will speak up. "I don't suppose I could take a look around the greenhouse? Just for my own curiosity as I have spent a lot of time protecting druids and so I have a bit of a fascination for plants."
This is entirely truthful. Although me as a player thinks the greenhouse might have clues if the Baron is dodgy (especially if Luna was painting him while he was there), Chromir hasn't considered that, and genuinely wants to go look at the fancy plants a baron might have.
Does the Baron give us a map like Doc asked? Kind of curious if anything else is near the saw mill. Darian said it's where they met but kind of wondering why she'd be over there.
I don't have any maps prepared for the village of Hope's End. (so there won't really be any 'Aha!' moments regarding proximity of adjacent locales, etc.)
Some locales that are on the map the heroes now possess:
Things that are just outside of town, close the Forest of the Ancients:
Thorne Manor
The Sawmill
Things that are in town, more or less:
The Weeping Willow
The Market Square
The Chapel of the Morninglord
Things that are just outside of town, close to the Great Moor
The Old Cemetery
Malrik's Estate
The Old Watchtower
Things that are a fair bit of distance from town:
Glowkindle's Brewery (south, along the trade road that runs north-south)
The Great Moor (east)
The Forest of the Ancients (west)
The Blackspire Mountains (farther west, beyond the Forest)
Lets go to the Blackspire mountains. Not to look for Luna, just because they sound cool. Luna can save herself.... :p
Serious note. Those red eyes could be Luna's way of expressing how she felt (like being threatened/watched etc) however it could be genuine and some unnatural thing. In which case Malrik might have some info. Chromir would never come up with good suggestions so I am limited to tactical thinking in the OOC. But if anyone needs threatening to give information, Chromir has a big axe (and can use str for intimidation when he is raging)
Cass is wanting to talk to Cora more (after we check the Greenhouse). If she was having problems with anything supernatural or otherwise it makes sense to tell her friend, plus Cora would know her habits etc.
That is true. I was focusing more on int than wisdom for this seeing as investigation is an int skill and we are investigating. But insight is still wisdom
EDIT — The DM's stance on posting frequency has been clarified in msg#456
A quick post in the OOC wouldn't hurt. Something like 'ready to move along' or something to that effect.
It's sort of tricky though ... because I don't want to incentivize 'not playing' as a legitimate response when confronted with a roleplaying situation.
Another way to do it, just as effectively, would be an IC post that showcased what was going on in our barbarian's big old pumpkin. What is he thinking? How is he feeling? Perhaps Chromir keeps his own counsel during a lengthy interaction with the baron and chooses not to contribute to the conversation — sure, I can buy that — but that doesn't necessarily mean that as a player, you have nothing to contribute to the tale.
EDIT — The DM's stance on posting frequency has been clarified in msg#456
A sudden thought of what would go through Chromir's head. Did the guards leave us alone or are they here still?
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
They did not enter the manor.
Just the party, the baron and a manservant (the butler guy) are in the current scene.
With a passive 14 she rolls a 10 I can't get a break from the DnDBeyond Dice roller :(
敬意をこめて,
ジョニー.
Keii o komete,
Johnny.
No worries. The passive score is always true. When you roll, you essentially can’t get less than 14.
You guys being perceptive and smart is built into my posts. Like when the baron reacted to seeing the sketches.
Does the Baron give us a map like Doc asked? Kind of curious if anything else is near the saw mill. Darian said it's where they met but kind of wondering why she'd be over there.
Yeah. I’ll get that typed up in my next story post.
Its gonna be a few days.
Alright, Take your time :)
"grandpa" Salkur, Gnome Arti/Sorc: Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Arti/Cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volc Genasi Arti: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war | Smithy, Human Arti: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): Adventure at Hope's End | Abathax, Tiefling Illriger: Hunt for the Balowang | Gorin Mestel, Human Arti: Descend into Avernus
Smart, with Chromir's -1 int mod! Every party needs someone who isn't smart to make the others feel smarter though :p
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
On Posting Frequency
A lot of back-and-forth in the OOC lately regarding when or even if posts should be made in the IC or OOC.
Here is my take on it.
As I'm sure you guys are all aware, tempo management is a tricksy thing here in PbP-land. Too slow and the game will stagnate and die. Too fast and players burn out, unable to keep up.
I am very comfortable with a pace of about 2-3 posts per week. Most times, I can do more than that if everyone has had a chance to chime in, but I won't ever be trying to leave folks in the dust, either.
Here is the old SvA formula for posting frequency:
Every story-post I make will have an unofficial 'two-day' clock. Meaning, If I post something that sets the scene or bumps the story ahead in some fashion ... everybody will have two solid days to craft a post.
Example: I post on Saturday evening. Well, then you guys will have all day Sunday and all day Monday in which to post. I won't bump the story along until all players have had a chance to respond. After the 'two-day' clock, however, I reserve the right to move it along in some fashion ... whether or not all of the players have chimed in.
[PbP games, not unlike sharks, require some forward momentum at all times or they die]
Sometimes, I will be able to post in the early AM. If that is the case ... I count that calendar day as one of the two days.
Example: I post early Monday morning (I am east coast US, EST time zone). Well, then you have all day Monday and all day Tuesday to make a response, and you can expect a story post from me on or after Wednesday of that week.
When I say 'story post' I mean something that substantially changes the scene (or sets a new one). Something that gives you guys something new to react to, interact with, etc.
Also, I might post more often than the 'two-day', but if it is just an NPC answering a question, or a quick one liner to let you know the results of a skill check or something ... those posts do not count against (or reset) the 'two-day' clock.
A little about me and my availability. I travel a lot for work and although 2-3 posts per week is normally the target, sometimes 1-2 posts per week is about all I can manage.
TL;DR — So, to sum up ... you guys can expect a post from me that will occur on or after either of the following things are true:
[This is a slight change from an earlier post where I asked non-contributing players to let me know if they were ready to move on. Basically, from here on out, if a player does not want to post ... they do not have to ... and I won't require any sort of message to that effect.]
This is entirely truthful. Although me as a player thinks the greenhouse might have clues if the Baron is dodgy (especially if Luna was painting him while he was there), Chromir hasn't considered that, and genuinely wants to go look at the fancy plants a baron might have.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Ooc I feel like the Baron may want us to find her because she's hiding from him, but Cass is none the wiser.
I don't have any maps prepared for the village of Hope's End. (so there won't really be any 'Aha!' moments regarding proximity of adjacent locales, etc.)
Some locales that are on the map the heroes now possess:
Cool! So many locations.
Lets go to the Blackspire mountains. Not to look for Luna, just because they sound cool. Luna can save herself.... :p
Serious note. Those red eyes could be Luna's way of expressing how she felt (like being threatened/watched etc) however it could be genuine and some unnatural thing. In which case Malrik might have some info. Chromir would never come up with good suggestions so I am limited to tactical thinking in the OOC. But if anyone needs threatening to give information, Chromir has a big axe (and can use str for intimidation when he is raging)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
I think you are selling the character short.
Chromir's wisdom is among the highest in the group (except, of course, the party cleric ... since wisdom is pretty much their thing).
His insights may not be of the 'I learned this in a book' variety ... but it does not mean he has nothing to contribute IC.
Cass is wanting to talk to Cora more (after we check the Greenhouse). If she was having problems with anything supernatural or otherwise it makes sense to tell her friend, plus Cora would know her habits etc.
That is true. I was focusing more on int than wisdom for this seeing as investigation is an int skill and we are investigating. But insight is still wisdom
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Sweet. Greenhouse is next. Just got called into work, though.