I know posts have been taking a little longer than usual to resolve recently, due to the current complexity of the Saga, which is right now at a crucial stage. I want to thank everyone for their patience, as I'm having to read every post with the utmost care, in order to resolve it as fairly and constructively as possible, in a way that benefits the Storyline. Also, managing my schedule in the Real World has been a challenge, between work and real life gaming. Also I just got a new ping pong table. FWI I play table tennis competitively, so that's been taking up alot of my time as well lol
But rest assured that I am keeping an eye on Talaveroth at all times, and consorting with the Epic level Player Characters in real life, to involve them more and more. So, once again, bare with me here...
IN THE MEANTIME, SINCE EVERY PLAYER IS CURRENTLY NECK DEEP INTO SOME WORLD-SHATTERING PLOT, AND HAS BEEN WORKING EXTRA HARD FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS OF REAL TIME, THE DM IS PLEASED, AND HARD WORK DESERVES REWARDS:
EVERYONE LEVELS UP TO 6!
THAT'S RIGHT, SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BATTLE! SKYRIM STYLE...(cue in the level up drum Roll and choir)
ALL HPS/SPELLS/ABILITIES REPLENISH INSTANTLY, AS THE HIGHER POWERS OF TALAVEROTH CAST THEIR BLESSINGS UPON ITS HEROES!
YES, THAT ALSO INCLUDES TEAM EVIL! THE SKIES OF THE NAR BARAK MOUNTAINS SUDDENLY TURN DARK RED, AS THE SUN SETS AND A HUGE THUNDER STORM ERRUPTS OVER THE ENTIRE THREE PEAKS AND THEIR SURROUNDINGS, SPITTING LIGHTNING DOWN FROM ABOVE, LIKE COLOSSAL ELECTRIC TENTACLES ....
I don't think you all are going to die just yet - you're hanging in there, and you have some pretty serious reinforcements literally right on top of the fight by now. Way to go Sir Pebbles the brave...
As it turns out, Sir Pebbles the Brave has been a busy Dog since he witnessed his family get kidnapped and murdered, and his village get brutally raided and burnt to the ground by a band of Demon-worshipping Gnolls. As some Players have found out, he has been wandering around the City and Mountains, secretly recruiting his own rag tag army of vigilantes. And the old armored Dwarf at his side bares an uncanny resemblance to Gavin. Same hair, same beard, same scruffy appearance and demeanor....
Greetings Players, Good, Neutral and Evil, this is your friendly DM. First of all, yes I am still alive. Second of all, no I have not forsaken Talaveroth.
Most of you are probably wondering why I've dropped off for the past week. The truth is, between work, holidays, daily table top sessions (running and playing), ping pong tournaments, and generally speaking, getting my social life back since I moved back to Austin, it has become extremely hard for me to fully focus on this game, as I was able to when I lived in Dallas.
And Yes, I realize that some Teams are getting more attention than others. Issue is being addressed...
And YES, constantly adding new Players is starting to slow things down CONSIDERABLY.
For all of this, I apologize sincerely.
I very much intend to continue this epic Saga, but the complexity of it has truly reached some JRR Tolkien/Georges RR Martin levels 😂😂
And all of it thanks to YOU, the Players, working tirelessly to make sense of all this madness, day after day for the past 4 months now. So thank you for having made this possible so far. By the way, I brag about this Game alot to my Players in the flesh, so cuddos...it is causing ripples, and growing into a Being of its own. Running it will require a lot of work on my part, but once again, it is a challenge that I am willing to take, and it will require adaptation and input from everyone as it evolves. For one, I am currently looking into invest in :
1) Artists to provide more visuals (maps, grids, illustrations, music?)...again special Shoutout to Astalda for his "Fresco", it is amazing...
2) A Laptop so I can actually TYPE and upload awesome stuff. FWI I've been running this from my phone and paper the WHOLE TIME 😂😂😂 Still technologically handicapped here...
3) More DMs, and possibly admins to help run other Talaveroth games and expand the World, if people are still showing interest. Special Shoutout to Jabthar for his Vilainous scheming, and slowly "slithering" his way to the Vice-DM seat. Which reminds me:
NOW OFFICIALLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR "TALAVEROTH: SHADOWS UPON THE LOWLANDS"
Feel free to contact Jabthar or myself about it.
In the meantime, lets take a few moments here and have a quick Player/DM conference (#bangsgavel), so we can resolve a few issues, and brainstorm a bit to see how we can make this whole process smoother.
First topic: Keeping the Campaign open. Should we allow New Players?
As of now, there is no way in Avernus that I could POSSIBLY handle anymore Players. My brain is just not to that level (yet). So I myself will focus on Team1,2, and 3 (Team3 I gotcha, stay tuned...), as well as Team Evil. All of MY teams are officially full. But Jabthar's new game has spots open. We are still in a process of Creation, but it is in the works.
I myself believe we might be on to something, if we can pull off a Campaign of this scale. A new Player-created Homebrew World, possibly elegible for publications on the DMs Guild or other media. Normally, you would have to go to a Convention to do this, and even then, it would only be a One-Shot. I've tried to emulate that format of playing and apply it to this Campaign, and so far we've played a 4month long Convention-Style Epic...Bouyah! But it is taking a toll on my sanity 😂😂😂😂
Well as to whether or not to allow new players, you had said you're mentally full to the brim already, so I think you answered your own question. Just my opinion. But of course I am not opposed to getting as many people in a game as possible. The original campaign may be full, but jabthar's game is just starting, so there's a chance there. Not to mention any other DMs willing to utilize your world.
It sounds like you really have your hands full! And wow, all done on a phone? Amazing!
I kind of feel that maybe further expansion and ambitious projects should be put on hold until you have the time to handle the adventures that are already in play. I'm in three PBP campaigns and one live one, and DMing a live campaign, and of all of them, Talaveroth is the one I want to play most, with the character and companions I most want to play with, which is a huge testament to your excellent worldbuilding and storytelling. All the same, it is hard to stay really engaged at the current slow pace. It feels like you already have way more than you can handle going on.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
if we stay open, funneling new players into the Lowlands campaign makes the most sense
I do think closing recruitment would be best, for now
starting up other games (besides the lowlands) may need to wait a bit (opportunities will still be there later on)
it's really hard to stay engaged at this pace
you seem very stretched at the moment
Somebody get this man a laptop, I can't imagine doing it all on my phone
I really want to play in this world
I'm very invested and hope everything works out
However, if you need to take a step back, this is the time to say so. Please be honest with yourself and us on how much you can truly take on. No harm in saying you got in deeper than expected and then reorganizing. We will understand. We may grumble a bit, but that's because we think this world and your storytelling are great.
As a fellow phone user I must say wow.. that is incredible man!
I am with the others as well. I’m currently DMing 1 live game for 6 newbies and play 2 pbp and I think that is alot. I couldn't imagine what it is like for you!
I think focusing to give your current player a bit more focus would speed up the game and less focus on finding new players. When you find new people that can help you DM then you can bring in more people. Make sense?
anyway, im really invested in the story and I look for new updates a few times every hour! 🙈
Agree with others - at least before expanding the game even further, probably make sense to restructure it a bit. Once we beat down (or get killed by) BBE - there will be different stories again for different groups, right? Then it will be easier to see if you still want it to grow.
Actually, after the great battle I was thinking to retire Laievis. It was great - truly! - but that particular moment is a perfect opportunity to stop for him: if he is alive - he found his true calling as an Eagle Rider. If he is dead - he died as a Hero.
Obviously, should you need him as an NPC - no objections on my part, do what you want with the young cleric.
But this is in the future, for now - let's the BATTLE continue!
As for my part, I've had a blast so far, even if I haven't been able to be as active as I would have liked, for similar, though fewer, reasons. While this is currently my only campaign I play in, and I would thus like to see what happens to and with Ozymandias, I'm very happy to support your DMing as well. I'd like to think that I have some experience running PbP games, and am very excited to see what co-GMing could look like.
As per further character additions, I'm open to the idea, but only if you're happy not having a complete overview of your world and your players anymore, since you say yourself that you're running at capacity.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Anyway, yes! Consider Grotex's announcement a "soft recruitment" opening for Shadows on the Lowlands! A different chapter in Talaveroth's evolving, player-driven storyscape, but a crucial one nonetheless! Information will sadly be slowly forthcoming over the next two weeks as I work to finish out the semester, but once the holidays hit my schedule will be blissfully open, and I aim to launch the game around that time. Send on your PM's, your character concepts (Eberron and Homebrew accepted, pending review and "character therapy," meaning that we will discuss and co-build a strong backstory and base for your character's motivations, goals, regrets, and so on,) your questions, hopes, and concerns. I run a slightly darker-themed game than Grotex does (at least, at a surface level,) so be advised. I look forward to a flood of messages... hopefully.
AS THE WAR IS NOW FULLY RAGING BETWEEN THE THREE PEAKS AND PINEKEEP:
SAERRIRA VERTHISATURGIESH (TEAM1) HAS JUST STRUCK DOWN ARTARXES OF EMBERDARK!(TEAM EVIL). STATUS: UNKNOWN
SHORGREG "THE UGLY" MC CULLICK (NPC), AND SIR PEBBLES THE BRAVE (NPC) WERE BOTH INJURED, AND TAKEN HOSTAGE BY THE FORCES OF WRATHMAW KEEP! STATUS: UNKNOWN
ROSCOE UMBRIDGE (TEAM2) HAS JUST SLICED DOWN A MIND FLAYER AT THE SECRET HIDEOUT
TORMENT MALICHAR (TEAM3) HAS JUST TEAMED UP WITH GAVIN MC CULLICK (NPC) TO TAKE DOWN A MIND FLAYER AT THE HANGING CHICKEN TAVERN (She did most of the work, but was denied the final blow...)
(You almost got Saerirra's surname right, just missed the second H. You're getting there. :P But good to know on the rest of the goings-on around the campaign.)
Does this mean I get to post things in a public play thread, now?
Not quite yet...when you do, trust me, I will let you know...
Quick OOC:
I know posts have been taking a little longer than usual to resolve recently, due to the current complexity of the Saga, which is right now at a crucial stage. I want to thank everyone for their patience, as I'm having to read every post with the utmost care, in order to resolve it as fairly and constructively as possible, in a way that benefits the Storyline. Also, managing my schedule in the Real World has been a challenge, between work and real life gaming. Also I just got a new ping pong table. FWI I play table tennis competitively, so that's been taking up alot of my time as well lol
But rest assured that I am keeping an eye on Talaveroth at all times, and consorting with the Epic level Player Characters in real life, to involve them more and more. So, once again, bare with me here...
IN THE MEANTIME, SINCE EVERY PLAYER IS CURRENTLY NECK DEEP INTO SOME WORLD-SHATTERING PLOT, AND HAS BEEN WORKING EXTRA HARD FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS OF REAL TIME, THE DM IS PLEASED, AND HARD WORK DESERVES REWARDS:
EVERYONE LEVELS UP TO 6!
THAT'S RIGHT, SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BATTLE! SKYRIM STYLE...(cue in the level up drum Roll and choir)
ALL HPS/SPELLS/ABILITIES REPLENISH INSTANTLY, AS THE HIGHER POWERS OF TALAVEROTH CAST THEIR BLESSINGS UPON ITS HEROES!
YES, THAT ALSO INCLUDES TEAM EVIL! THE SKIES OF THE NAR BARAK MOUNTAINS SUDDENLY TURN DARK RED, AS THE SUN SETS AND A HUGE THUNDER STORM ERRUPTS OVER THE ENTIRE THREE PEAKS AND THEIR SURROUNDINGS, SPITTING LIGHTNING DOWN FROM ABOVE, LIKE COLOSSAL ELECTRIC TENTACLES ....
TAN TAN TAAAAAAN!
As if things needed to be spiced up :) Well, at least we will die higher levels!
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
I don't think you all are going to die just yet - you're hanging in there, and you have some pretty serious reinforcements literally right on top of the fight by now. Way to go Sir Pebbles the brave...
As it turns out, Sir Pebbles the Brave has been a busy Dog since he witnessed his family get kidnapped and murdered, and his village get brutally raided and burnt to the ground by a band of Demon-worshipping Gnolls. As some Players have found out, he has been wandering around the City and Mountains, secretly recruiting his own rag tag army of vigilantes. And the old armored Dwarf at his side bares an uncanny resemblance to Gavin. Same hair, same beard, same scruffy appearance and demeanor....
Albeit a bit more dented now than before...
DM UPDATE:
Greetings Players, Good, Neutral and Evil, this is your friendly DM. First of all, yes I am still alive. Second of all, no I have not forsaken Talaveroth.
Most of you are probably wondering why I've dropped off for the past week. The truth is, between work, holidays, daily table top sessions (running and playing), ping pong tournaments, and generally speaking, getting my social life back since I moved back to Austin, it has become extremely hard for me to fully focus on this game, as I was able to when I lived in Dallas.
And Yes, I realize that some Teams are getting more attention than others. Issue is being addressed...
And YES, constantly adding new Players is starting to slow things down CONSIDERABLY.
For all of this, I apologize sincerely.
I very much intend to continue this epic Saga, but the complexity of it has truly reached some JRR Tolkien/Georges RR Martin levels 😂😂
And all of it thanks to YOU, the Players, working tirelessly to make sense of all this madness, day after day for the past 4 months now. So thank you for having made this possible so far. By the way, I brag about this Game alot to my Players in the flesh, so cuddos...it is causing ripples, and growing into a Being of its own. Running it will require a lot of work on my part, but once again, it is a challenge that I am willing to take, and it will require adaptation and input from everyone as it evolves. For one, I am currently looking into invest in :
1) Artists to provide more visuals (maps, grids, illustrations, music?)...again special Shoutout to Astalda for his "Fresco", it is amazing...
2) A Laptop so I can actually TYPE and upload awesome stuff. FWI I've been running this from my phone and paper the WHOLE TIME 😂😂😂 Still technologically handicapped here...
3) More DMs, and possibly admins to help run other Talaveroth games and expand the World, if people are still showing interest. Special Shoutout to Jabthar for his Vilainous scheming, and slowly "slithering" his way to the Vice-DM seat. Which reminds me:
NOW OFFICIALLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR "TALAVEROTH: SHADOWS UPON THE LOWLANDS"
Feel free to contact Jabthar or myself about it.
In the meantime, lets take a few moments here and have a quick Player/DM conference (#bangsgavel), so we can resolve a few issues, and brainstorm a bit to see how we can make this whole process smoother.
First topic: Keeping the Campaign open. Should we allow New Players?
As of now, there is no way in Avernus that I could POSSIBLY handle anymore Players. My brain is just not to that level (yet). So I myself will focus on Team1,2, and 3 (Team3 I gotcha, stay tuned...), as well as Team Evil. All of MY teams are officially full. But Jabthar's new game has spots open. We are still in a process of Creation, but it is in the works.
I myself believe we might be on to something, if we can pull off a Campaign of this scale. A new Player-created Homebrew World, possibly elegible for publications on the DMs Guild or other media. Normally, you would have to go to a Convention to do this, and even then, it would only be a One-Shot. I've tried to emulate that format of playing and apply it to this Campaign, and so far we've played a 4month long Convention-Style Epic...Bouyah! But it is taking a toll on my sanity 😂😂😂😂
Anyways, I demand your Opinion and Feedback.
Well as to whether or not to allow new players, you had said you're mentally full to the brim already, so I think you answered your own question. Just my opinion. But of course I am not opposed to getting as many people in a game as possible. The original campaign may be full, but jabthar's game is just starting, so there's a chance there. Not to mention any other DMs willing to utilize your world.
It's good to see you back! :)
It sounds like you really have your hands full! And wow, all done on a phone? Amazing!
I kind of feel that maybe further expansion and ambitious projects should be put on hold until you have the time to handle the adventures that are already in play. I'm in three PBP campaigns and one live one, and DMing a live campaign, and of all of them, Talaveroth is the one I want to play most, with the character and companions I most want to play with, which is a huge testament to your excellent worldbuilding and storytelling. All the same, it is hard to stay really engaged at the current slow pace. It feels like you already have way more than you can handle going on.
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Thank you for posting the update!
I will echo others to say:
However, if you need to take a step back, this is the time to say so. Please be honest with yourself and us on how much you can truly take on. No harm in saying you got in deeper than expected and then reorganizing. We will understand. We may grumble a bit, but that's because we think this world and your storytelling are great.
All the appreciation in the world, Grotex. Truly!
Tamlynn [Pic] | Half-Elf | Ranger, Horizon Walker - Lvl 6 | Talaveroth (sub-campaign 3)
Hadar Ilkin [Pic] | Half-Orc | Ranger, Gloom Stalker - Lvl 4 | Bane of Kerakys
Mistress of Game | Death Inspectors
Mistress of Game | Into the Werewoods
As a fellow phone user I must say wow.. that is incredible man!
I am with the others as well. I’m currently DMing 1 live game for 6 newbies and play 2 pbp and I think that is alot. I couldn't imagine what it is like for you!
I think focusing to give your current player a bit more focus would speed up the game and less focus on finding new players. When you find new people that can help you DM then you can bring in more people. Make sense?
anyway, im really invested in the story and I look for new updates a few times every hour! 🙈
Agree with others - at least before expanding the game even further, probably make sense to restructure it a bit. Once we beat down (or get killed by) BBE - there will be different stories again for different groups, right? Then it will be easier to see if you still want it to grow.
Actually, after the great battle I was thinking to retire Laievis. It was great - truly! - but that particular moment is a perfect opportunity to stop for him: if he is alive - he found his true calling as an Eagle Rider. If he is dead - he died as a Hero.
Obviously, should you need him as an NPC - no objections on my part, do what you want with the young cleric.
But this is in the future, for now - let's the BATTLE continue!
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
As for my part, I've had a blast so far, even if I haven't been able to be as active as I would have liked, for similar, though fewer, reasons.
While this is currently my only campaign I play in, and I would thus like to see what happens to and with Ozymandias, I'm very happy to support your DMing as well. I'd like to think that I have some experience running PbP games, and am very excited to see what co-GMing could look like.
As per further character additions, I'm open to the idea, but only if you're happy not having a complete overview of your world and your players anymore, since you say yourself that you're running at capacity.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
(Always happy to slither)
Anyway, yes! Consider Grotex's announcement a "soft recruitment" opening for Shadows on the Lowlands! A different chapter in Talaveroth's evolving, player-driven storyscape, but a crucial one nonetheless! Information will sadly be slowly forthcoming over the next two weeks as I work to finish out the semester, but once the holidays hit my schedule will be blissfully open, and I aim to launch the game around that time. Send on your PM's, your character concepts (Eberron and Homebrew accepted, pending review and "character therapy," meaning that we will discuss and co-build a strong backstory and base for your character's motivations, goals, regrets, and so on,) your questions, hopes, and concerns. I run a slightly darker-themed game than Grotex does (at least, at a surface level,) so be advised. I look forward to a flood of messages... hopefully.
CAMPAIGN UPDATES/REPORTS FROM THE WAR
AS THE WAR IS NOW FULLY RAGING BETWEEN THE THREE PEAKS AND PINEKEEP:
SAERRIRA VERTHISATURGIESH (TEAM1) HAS JUST STRUCK DOWN ARTARXES OF EMBERDARK!(TEAM EVIL). STATUS: UNKNOWN
SHORGREG "THE UGLY" MC CULLICK (NPC), AND SIR PEBBLES THE BRAVE (NPC) WERE BOTH INJURED, AND TAKEN HOSTAGE BY THE FORCES OF WRATHMAW KEEP! STATUS: UNKNOWN
ROSCOE UMBRIDGE (TEAM2) HAS JUST SLICED DOWN A MIND FLAYER AT THE SECRET HIDEOUT
TORMENT MALICHAR (TEAM3) HAS JUST TEAMED UP WITH GAVIN MC CULLICK (NPC) TO TAKE DOWN A MIND FLAYER AT THE HANGING CHICKEN TAVERN (She did most of the work, but was denied the final blow...)
(You almost got Saerirra's surname right, just missed the second H. You're getting there. :P But good to know on the rest of the goings-on around the campaign.)
One day, I'll get it right....😂
mind flayers seem to be showing up a whole lot
hmmmmmmmm
Marvarax and Sora (Dragonborn) The retired fighter and WIP scholar - Glory
Brythel(Dwarf), The dwarf with a gun - survival at sea
Jaylin(Human), Paladin of Lathander's Ancient ways - The Seven Saints (Azura Claw)
Urselles(Goblin), Cleric of Eldath- The Wizard's challenge
Viclas Tyrin(Half Elf), Student of the Elven arts- Indrafatmoko's Defiance in Phlan
hmmmmmmmm - and we haven't even started the Lowlands game yet.