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Topic: Age of Worms Main thread
Subject: sits
As he was settling into his chair, another patron was leaving the Feral Dog. (I like that name!) He smiles, then notices a slight freshwater-damp-air-and-tar smell as the man passes him on his way out. (Hmmm ...dock worker?) Docks are full of infomation. And he needs information, now that he's started this -- whatever it's gonna be. If he's gonna delay his mission, it had better be worth the trouble of facing the Head of the Dragon... He sighs and turns his attention back to the gathering at the table.
When the Dark Man threw back his hood, Grakk was only a little surprised. But he could feel his eyebrows raise on their own, giving away, to some extent, the degree of surprise. This seemed to be his night for meeting not only strangers, but strange ones. When the now-light-man, Aldaris, he said was his name, mentioned the "side-by-side-ness" of knowledge and power, it was followed by the words "simple courtesy". This made Grakk raise his chin slightly. He also noticed that although speaking, apparently, to the dwarf, the words could just as well apply to Grakk himself. And, also, the man -- er -- elf was shifting his gaze 'tween him and the dwarf. Grakk raised his hand to his shoulder, leaving his elbow on the table:
(Okay. let's see if I can un-divide his attention ...) "Grakk." Drops his hand to point it at the dwarf, palm-up. "But he was here first. I'll wait."
He then drops his hand back to the table, palm-down and fingers curled to put his finger-ends on the table. When Aldaris-elf mentioned his companion and "excused" him, then placed a friendly hand on that shoulder, Jeeves became one to pay attention to only if he spoke. So Grakk watched the elf and dwarf.
Posted on 2008-01-21 at 05:11:29.
Edited on 2008-01-21 at 05:13:50 by Utan the Orange
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Topic: The One Word Game
Subject: how 'bout
Home (, home on the ...)
Posted on 2008-01-21 at 03:25:53.
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Topic: D&D Annoyances
Subject: Also a pet peeve
for me are the masterwork items. But I use a point method to control when (or if) the inherent bonus becomes useable.
1. Total the character's bounuses for STR, DEX, INT, and WIS (round down)
2. Halve the total and add that to a base DC of 20.
3. Have the character roll a d20 and add his total bonuses to determine success and the ability to use the Masterwork Item's bonus.
4. Use this DC roll once per level or after every week of continual use of (or training with) the masterwork item. So if the character wants to check more than once per level, he or she must work with (or train with) the item -- to the exclusion of all else -- for at least a week.
i.e.: Tongsala's bonuses add up to 7
The DC becomes 23 (base 20+half the bonuses, round down)
Tongsala rolls a d20 and gets 12+7 (total bonuses) for 19/23 and fails.
It should be noted that Tongsala has an opportunity to get a total of 27 to succeed, but most don't make it first time out ...
Posted on 2008-01-21 at 03:11:32.
Edited on 2008-01-21 at 03:17:19 by Utan the Orange
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Topic: Rayeskell Gaming thread
Subject: Dog to the rescue ...
"... he's choking!..."
Okayyyy. She is good! He had watched the wound close and nodded approvingly. Then Dogfish hesitated only a second more, trying to decide whether or not to give the man one of his precious anti-poison potions he had bought. Only a second. Then he reached into his beltpouch and felt for the square bottle ... the square bottle ... the square bottle ... ah! found it. He held out his other -- empty -- hand to stop the bartender for a moment.
"Waitaminnit! I got somethin' ta help -- I think."
To no one in particular, he raises his voice to almost a shout, "Hold his hands away from his throat!"
Rushing to the side of the revived man himself, he quickly un-stoppers the bottle and grabs the back of the choking man's neck to tilt his upper body so he can pour it's contents down the man's throat, holding most of the bottle's neck inside the man's mouth and cupping his other hand around it to keep him from spitting out the foul-tasting stuff. Even then, he got a lot of it sprayed back into his hand. All he could hope is that enough got down to help him. Then the man would owe him. And Grakk intended to collect -- either money or information ...
[[ Sorry. I'm new to this. I guess I should have posted this: bottle is anti-toxin]]
Posted on 2008-01-21 at 02:38:08.
Edited on 2008-01-21 at 20:01:52 by Utan the Orange
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Topic: Age of Worms Main thread
Subject: Oops!
As Grakk saw the darkly-cloaked figure raise is head to look in their direction, he winced inwardly. It had just dawned on him, seconds earlier that, if detected, the dwarf might think he was sneaking up on him for nef --, nefari--, other than good intentions. He spoke in a language unfamiliar to Grakk, then raised his eyes to Himself and spoke in Orc. Okay, he was obviously unconcerned about, or oblvious to, Grakk's intent, but then he couldn't have know, now, could he? Then Dark Man invited them both to have a seat at his table. Okay, mark one up for the guy. He didn't just assume there was "somethin' a-foot" just because strangers approached him in a tavern. But maybe he was used to that ...
But whatever he first said made the dwarf pause and turn to look at his "stalker". Grakk stepped back, put his ankles together and dropped both hands to his sides, as a Listening Tree, and said nothing. Other than the step back, he reacted not at all to what the dwarf said, including the mention of his "stealth". Grakk half-smiled, but quietly accepted the words without apologizing. He did not intend disrespect, and had broke no law (that he knew of). The dwarf had told him that he didn't like it. Fair enough, now Grakk knew not to "sneak" behind the dwarf. As the dwarf turned to continue his journey to the table, Grakk paused only briefly, then follwed suit, but moved slightly to one side of being directly behind the dwarf.
When he sat at the table, turning his chair so that he did not have his back to the room, he listened to the dwarf's words and was a little surprised. Ostr--, ostras--, ostersi--, kicked out for how he looked? Too similar to Grakk's own experience. He could like the dwarf for this alone -- the understanding of being different. But the dwarf continued with a request for information. Grakk grunted assent, grinned slightly and barely nodded. Good. Him, too. Grakk would wait until the information ran out before he asked his own questions. Meanwhile, he glanced at the Dark Folk, squinting in an attempt to discern some facial detail under the hoods, because his darkvision would not work well in the light of the tavern.
Posted on 2008-01-21 at 00:22:29.
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Topic: GMs - Most Memorable *Player* Characters?
Subject: Over the years
I've had a few memorable players -- and characters. But on that really stands out was played by my nephew. The game I was running at the time was from the boxed set (fewer and simpler rules for youngsters, more time to explain for me). He wanted to get into the game with his brother and sister, but was not old enough (I showed him on the book -- "for ages 10 and up..."). SO for his tenth birthday we rolled up a character, a fighter named Thongor (his idea).
Thongor proceeded to meet the party while they were camped outside a dungeon entrance preparing for another assault. He went in with them and eventually, by accident, found a secret door that opened into a small room with a pedestal in the center. On the pedestal was something shining in the torchlight. Thongor just went over and picked it up to bring it out and show the rest.
I paused the game there and took my new-player-nephew outside to explain to him what was going to happen. You see, the necklace that he had grabbed was cursed and he had become suicidally insane. I explained, in a nutshell, that he would run to the front of the party to begin any battle and would climb over anyone between him and a fight. When I asked if he understood, he nodded and quietly said "yes".
He played that insanity to the hilt! I was so proud of him to have gotten it so well, so quickly. His brother and sister, of course, immediately noticed the change and asked him if he was insane after discussing it with their characters. I waited to see how he handled it. His character simply said "No." and went about his business.
Flash forward: The party tried to sever association with the "crazy man", but they were his method of finding fights, so his brother, frustated after Thongor had run forward into a group of kobolds and wiped out the majority of them (including the leader, whom the party wanted to question), dragged him across the table for a knockdown-drag-out. Game stops for admonishments and explanations, and continued only when the elder brother promised to remember it was a game...
But I was so proud of the younger nephew's quick pick-up of the spirit and method of the game and his attention to detail, once learned. He is 30+ now and still plays, but not in my games (lately).
I still have that character's sheet.
Posted on 2008-01-20 at 16:30:20.
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Topic: Worst Gaming Clichés
Subject: I must be a tough DM
What about the guy who comes in with (metal) Armor of Protection from Metal Weapons and a Spear of God-Given Lightning +7? Then the guy quits because he ends up facing a Storm Giant with a (wooden) Maul of the Titans and takes all but 5 of his hit points in the first blow ...
I guess a rock would have been just as effective ...
Posted on 2008-01-20 at 15:46:48.
Edited on 2008-01-20 at 15:49:27 by Utan the Orange
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Topic: Worst Gaming Clichés
Subject: a cliche-conversation
a friend, whom I knew role-played, but I had never had in one of my games, approached me one day. His DM only lived, like, two blocks away from me ..
"Okay, so you want to bring a character into my game, right?"
"Yeah."
"So describe the character to me, briefly."
"Well, he's six-six, two hundred fifty pounds, wears full mithral-plate armor, is ambidextrous and has two-weapon fighting ..."
"what weapon or weapons does he use?"
"Oh ... just two plus-five vorpal swords of demon-slaying his father gave to him."
"Can you describe how his last battle went?"
"It didn't last long enough. I was fighting Thor, and ..."
"Thor? The Norse god Thor?"
"Yeah, and, well, I killed him. It only took me 5 rounds."
"Okayyyy. I'm sorry, but I don't think your character would fit very well in any of my games."
"But [my buddy-DM] has no problem with the character! In fact, he has the character in a game now."
"So tell me why you want the character in one of my games if someone is letting you play him in one already."
He didn't come back. And neither one of us has seen him since. But his memory is still a source of amusement ...
Posted on 2008-01-20 at 05:54:51.
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Topic: Whom Gods Annoy - Q/A
Subject: Unless I missed one ...
I only see three responses, and my own character has been sent, but hasn't been approved yet.
Posted on 2008-01-20 at 03:35:54.
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Topic: Rayeskell Gaming thread
Subject: She could be useful ...
Dog looked across the room at the woman who had entered just before the stabbing. She had quickly shut out the refreshing cold air as she came in. She seemed to be uncomfortably cold. In Dog's experience, it was typical of most humans, with their thin skin, no hair 'cept on their heads. The woman seemed to be in a rush to get a table, sit, and holler out an order. Then she got interru--, intrerrep--, integrate--, she didn't get to finish, either. But while he was running toward the door, she musta been running toward the one who fell, 'cause when he turned back and stopped to ask the barkeep a question, she was bending over him prayin' for some kinda help. Yeah, right! Barkeep said he was dead, so ... so what? If she can bring him back, then Grakk wanted to be knowin' her, fer shure! He turned to look back at the door, twisting his body without moving his feet, then turned back to glance at the woman who was still prayin', then glanced up at the silent girl that was standing earlier. The only noise was the shuffling of feet, the woman's chanting, and his stomach growling.
If the barkeep says he knows the dead man here, then Grakk has a coupla questions to ask. Could be a bounty in it, if he can get help. But not too much help. Grakk needs some quick cash ...
Posted on 2008-01-20 at 02:53:21.
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Topic: Age of Worms Main thread
Subject: curiosity ...
Grakk sat up straight again, just as he was settling back to watch a good argument. The big man with the mouth swung at the elf for something the elf said -- maybe. Clocked the elf good, he did. But the interesting part was that, during a lull in the noise, Grakk heard the elf say something about being a member of the (a?) guard. The city guard? Now, he might be one to have information worthwhile asking for. Then things got really interesting. One of the big man's buddies started waving his hands and mumbling, someone else whistled, a woman was trying to talk to the big-mouth-man, then a lit-up place appeared and the three stepped througn it and disappeared.
Grakk had already decided to delay any further travel to check out this rumor, or tale, or story, or history, or whatever ... He only hoped he could justify it good enough for the masters. He hated trying to talk his way out of trouble. He just plain wasn't good at it. What he was good at was watching, seeing things that some people missed. Even he couldn't miss the obvious entry of one ugly dwarf. To Grakk, no dwarf was pretty, but this one was uglier than most. And he had no hair! Even Grakk knew that hair wouldn't grow on scars. He knew that pthers of his kind used them as decoration, so they can be seen through their own coarse body hair. But a dwarf without a beard? Wierd!
He watched the dwarf pause and take in the disappearance of the three that weren't there anymore, after which he began to cross the room, moving directly toward some folks in dark cloaks on the other side. Wait. It's not likely that he knows them A little while ago he came in, then went back out after the big man finished his story. Grakk got up and quietly strode like a Stalking Cat, falling in behind the dwarf, following him ... No sense trying to be invisible. With his looks it was impossible. Just settle for being quiet.
(Move Silently +7, roll: 7+7=14)
Posted on 2008-01-20 at 00:04:18.
Edited on 2008-01-20 at 00:21:21 by Utan the Orange
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Topic: So who was your first?
Subject: ooooold!
I remember it vividly ...
The year is 1971. I go to a local rec center and see a bunch of people sitting at a table yelling at each other, although they're also laughing. It sounds like they are joking at the same time. I hear dice rolling constantly ...
So I go over to watch. I get interested (a sci-fi/fantasy fan for a long time). I get invited to join. I roll up a character with the co-DM (who is a player at the time).
Enter the dwarf, named Gorrtt. He is lost in their dungeon, separated from his party. He joins their group and they eventually find a small chapel in the cavern. Someone gets greedy and grabs a chalice from the alter, and we are all transported to another place -- minus any metal at all. No metal weapons, coins, buckles, armor, helmets, nothing metal. And who interrupts us while we're trying to figure it all out? A cave troll.
Now our party numbers 9 players and 12 characters -- well eleven and a stupid dolt: Gorrtt. Not having a clue, he attacks the troll using the haft of his now-headless morning star (club), bent on saving the party all by himself. He rolls a natural 1. The troll rolls a natural 20 and kills Gorrtt on the spot. Only 20 minutes have elapsed, but I am hooked. I cajole the co-DM into helping me create another character then and there (another story).
And role-played ever since. All 7 boxed sets, AD&D, 2e, 3e, 3.5e, Traveller (me, too! Mega- and -2000), and scads of others from Boot hill to GammaWorld, GURPS and MERPS to BattleTech, Champions to Marvel Superheroes, MTG, Yu-Gi-Oh, and more ...
Loved 'em all, but have never abandoned D&D. Only one I play now, although I could probably fill a amall library with boxed books, accessories, and modules I kept from the different games I have played.
Posted on 2008-01-19 at 21:20:49.
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Topic: Whom Gods Annoy - Q/A
Subject: I is ...
PM'd character to ya ...
(edit 1)
Oops! Using the available pantheon, the Rugan's diety and altered spells prepared have also been PM'd to you]
(edit 2)
And his Voucher is from the Temple of the Benevolent Healer (Carselt)
Posted on 2008-01-19 at 18:55:02.
Edited on 2008-01-19 at 20:02:54 by Utan the Orange
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Topic: Getting to know you
Subject: Music?
"Call me Al" by Paul Simon
Movie most watched?
"The Quiet Man" with Johnny-boy Wayne and Maureen O'Hara
Posted on 2008-01-19 at 18:50:05.
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Topic: Add On Story. Fill in 3 words!
Subject: jkellem
and became, like
Posted on 2008-01-18 at 18:01:32.
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Topic: The One Word Game
Subject: Curious
I didn't understand bass to clown.
I don't understand lodge to soda.
but soda it is, so:
jerk
(what they used to call the kid behind the counter who made the sodas in a soda shop -- a soda jerk. I told you I was old ...)
Posted on 2008-01-18 at 17:58:40.
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Topic: The One Word Game
Subject: wow!
(hodgepodge)Lodge
Title of a children's story I know from childhood. Talk about memories! Thanx, philo.
Posted on 2008-01-18 at 17:47:08.
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Topic: Rayeskell Gaming thread
Subject: Well, it was relaxing for a while anyway ...
Typical. Dogfish is just tipping up the glass to finish his drink and order another to begin a long string of 'em, and what happens? A guy gets stabbed while he is (not quite) watching, that's what. The stabbee gets his quickly, and the stabber gets gone almost as quickly.
Slamming the glass down, Dogfish jumps to his feet and starts to rush after the stabber-jerk, but he is out and the door is closed before Dogfish can get halfway across the small room. Damn tables in the way! And the fact that he doesn't have the donkets to pay damages at this time is the only thing that kept him from using the tables as stepping stones for a more direct route to catch the raggedy-lookin'dufus! Then he hears a table hit the floor -- hard. When Dog turns 'round he sees the bartender bending over the stabbee and claiming he was dead. heck, he didn't care about his own tables getting knocked over, and Dogfish was worried about it? Crap!
Then he glanced around the room in the sudden silence to see if anyone was lookin' at him like he was the one what killed the man in black. A few pairs of eyes may have been on him, but none seemed to have any fight-fire in them. Then Dogfish had a sudden flash of inspiration: it might be better if he just stayed where he was for a bit to see if anyone else bolted for the door. He could interc-- intrasek-- instagret-- get in front of 'em and stop 'em.
From where he was he asked the barkeep, "You know this guy here what got jabbed?"
Posted on 2008-01-18 at 03:36:22.
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Topic: The One Word Game
Subject: My happy
bass
Posted on 2008-01-17 at 21:40:46.
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Topic: Add On Story. Fill in 3 words!
Subject: -:-
so he crashed
Posted on 2008-01-17 at 21:38:54.
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Topic: Getting to know you
Subject: In my house right now?
"Sounds of Silence" by Nature
No radio, tv, cd player, tape, nada -- zilch. Even the sound on my computer is muted...
Posted on 2008-01-17 at 19:13:19.
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Topic: Age of Worms Main thread
Subject: And watching from near the door ...
Grakk was already sitting at a table next to the door, always the wisest place for the likes of him. When he first entered and sat down, there was one other at the table, but Grakk knew he would leave quickly if he growled just the right way. So when he sat, he bent over, looked at the other closely, and squinted, pushing his bottom lip up to his nose and growling menacingly. The guy didn't leave, didn't even seem to react at all. Shrugging, Grakk sat down and ignored him.
After a short time, someone stood on a table and began to shout to get as many people to pay attention to him as possible. Grakk smiled at the display the man ut on. Somewhat like Grakk himself used to be, this guy. Not being the center of attention rankled, so he inflates his importance by making himself the center of attention. While the man was speaking, Grakk noticed that the guy next to him was snoring, but with his eyes open. He blinked and shook his head, mildly amused, then continued to ignore his erstwhile companion.
The big man's tale took on fantastic proportions as he told of Demons, Queens, Princes, Wind Dukes ...
(what the heck are Wind-Dukes? Ah, well. Just listen....)
His "companion" started awake when the big man finished and the singing began. One glance at Grakk and he didn't stay long. Just as well. He was used to it, and took no offense.
... and a battle of the eons. Planar rifts? He mentioned a rod. Rod of Law? Seven pieces? Grakk sat up and listened more carefully. He knew that he would not remember all of this, but he wanted to remember all he could. He was not interested in the story for the story's sake. He wanted information about this search the big man and his group appeared to be involved in. He also wondered if any others had similar plans. Now that would be a test of his skills! It might indeed. Possibly a most worthy test.
There seemed to be an altercation twixt the big man and an elf after the tale was told, but the words were too low to be heard over the noise of the singing, and Grakk saw no reason to eavesdrop. The big man raised his voice once and banged his flagon on the table as if to make a point, but again the words were indistiguishable, just a bit louder.
(I wonder ... the masters did not indicate a time frame or deadline for delivering my messages. Just that it needed to be done.)
Grakk knew naught of the stories or legends in or around this place, but he knew that the temple of Heironeous might know something, and he was to go there tomorrow. Meanwhile, sitting in this place and focusing his attention from place to place within his hearing range, he would be able to watch things unfold while looking and listening for anything -- anything at all -- as interesting as the information gleaned from the big man's story. And soon he did notice something. An elven female stood up. By standards other than Grakk's own, she might be considered attractive, but ... anyway, she stood and then glanced to a corner, looking at or for something. she whispered something to her companion, a dark-haired human in a red cape. then they both began to gather their things quickly. Grakk watched the pair carefully to see if they contacted or associated with anyone else in here ...
Posted on 2008-01-17 at 16:14:48.
Edited on 2008-01-17 at 16:16:01 by Utan the Orange
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Topic: Getting to know you
Subject: **chuckles**
Nah! Just wanted fishy-wish for breakfast to go with my eggy-weggs ...
Posted on 2008-01-17 at 06:40:48.
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Topic: Getting to know you
Subject: Ohhhh, sorry that happened ...
1. Didja bury him?
2. If not, will you mail him to me?
Posted on 2008-01-14 at 04:24:30.
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Topic: DND Trivia Game
Subject: Ummm...
SpellJammer? Fought many Illithids in that milieu ...
**takes off his D&D 4e t-shirt and stuffs it in his pocket**
Posted on 2008-01-13 at 04:07:31.
Edited on 2008-01-13 at 04:09:57 by Utan the Orange
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