The Campaign Builder's Guild

As has become my annual tradition, I shall be running an IRC game this Halloween for those who wish to drop in.  Last year I did a Sixguns, Spaceships, and Cyclopean Horrors one-shot, which was a blast, and while I plan to continue more Sixguns game I think I'll run something more newbie-friendly this Halloween given the crew's current predicament in that game...  The question is, what should I run?

I've been planning on running Tenebrous (http://www.thecbg.org/index.php/topic,209918.0.html), a Gothic comic-book style game, for quite some time.  I think this could be really fun; I have a scratch-built little system for it and some scenario ideas.

It's been too long since I've run anything in my post-apocalyptic/splatterpunk setting the Cadaverous Earth (http://www.thecbg.org/index.php/topic,56772.0.html), though, and I wouldn't mind returning to the Slaughterlands (or elsehwere in that gore-drenched hellscape) for a one-shot.  I might experiment with a house-ruled version of Pathfinder if we ran this.

Or I could do something totally new.  Since it's horror-related you can bet that it'll be creepy and grotesque.  Vote for this if you want to be surprised.

I'll leave the poll open, but I'll probably start work on the scenario soon, so vote sooner rather than later if you want your preferences considered :)

Thoughts and comments are welcome, and we can figure out times and such here.

Quote from: Steerpike
Or I could do something totally new.  Since it's horror-related you can bet that it'll be creepy and grotesque.  Vote for this if you want to be surprised.

Do you mean like a game where there will be no information whatsoever given on the setting, characters, etc. until it actually begins? Such a totally blind approach would be kind of extreme but also an interesting thing to try.

That's what I was imagining, yeah.

I'm not big on the "you don't know what you're getting" idea, but you come up with decent stuff, so I wouldn't complain too much, especially if it used some of the fun little rules-light systems that had gotten tossed around lately.

Cadaverous Earth!

Hallowe'en surprises from Steerpike, that sounds like phenomenal idea.

I would like to participate in this if it ends up working with my schedule. My gut reaction is to return to the beloved CE, but I'd honestly be okay with Tenebrous and I trust you enough to think you'd think up something equally great if we go with the mystery option. I'm casting my vote for CE, though.

To clarify a bit, I do have a plan (well, a firm idea at least) for what I'd be doing with the "surprise."  I just wouldn't be sharing it beforehand.  It would probably be rules-lite.

As for times, it would probably be in the early/middle parts of the day Pacific Time.  Drops-ins would be welcome in any of the three, however, as I will endeavor to have plenty of characters that can show up part-way through the various adventures.  This approach seems to have worked reasonably well in previous All-Hallows IRC ventures (for those who didn't participate, you can see examples of previous games in my Spaceships, Sixguns, and Cylcopean Horrors Log). (http://www.thecbg.org/index.php/topic,209404.msg210577.html#msg210577)

Quote from: Ghostman

Quote from: Steerpike
Or I could do something totally new.  Since it's horror-related you can bet that it'll be creepy and grotesque.  Vote for this if you want to be surprised.

Do you mean like a game where there will be no information whatsoever given on the setting, characters, etc. until it actually begins? Such a totally blind approach would be kind of extreme but also an interesting thing to try.

Does this include not knowing what system?

Also is this going to be run ON the 31st?  Because I would love to play, but I am unsure if I will be free on the actual day of.

It would be run on Halloween itself, yes.  I happen to have Thursdays free.  Drop-ins are welcome, so if you want to jump in (or have to leave early), that's cool.

I really think that out of all the settings, Tenebrous would be the best suited to that sort of casual, in-and-out style of game.

This is gonna be awesome.

CE seems to be the current favourite, though I'll hold off a little longer before calling it "officially"... still time for the others to shoot ahead.  Not sure what I'll do if there's a tie.

If I did do CE I think I'd run it using Pathfinder while using variant rules for Armour as Damage Reduction, Called Shots, and a lowered Massive Damage Threshhold.  And I'd make the characters myself, although I might allow people to make their own as well if they prefer.

Sounds fun... but, as for your proposed house rules, I'll let Sean K. Reynolds do my ranting for me. :grin:

http://www.seankreynolds.com/rpgfiles/rants/armorasdamagereduction.html
http://www.seankreynolds.com/rpgfiles/rants/calledshots.html

His armour-as-DR-one doesn't especially bother me; he basically claims it isn't "worth the work" because he's worried about balance, which frankly I'm not that concerned with in a one-shot.  I've played in a regular game with armour as DR and it's worked fairly well.  I also feel that adding in called shots and a lowered massive damage threshold (I was thinking a threshold lowered to Con) actually negate some of his criticisms of Armour as DR.  One of his chief criticisms is that:

Quote from: Sean K. ReynoldsIf you have a wide range of DR values for armor, it means that some weapons that don't normally do a lot of damage (such as the dagger) won't be able to hurt high-DR foes unless they crit. For example, if you give full plate DR 8, it means a person with a dagger can't ever hurt someone in full plate (barring Strength and other bonuses to damage), when historically that wasn't true at all ... it was hard, but a skilled person can find the gaps in the armor.

If we have called shots and a lowered damage threshold, the situation he describes becomes more viable.  Imagine a Rogue with a Sneak attack of +4d6 and a +1d4 dagger - exactly the kind of "skilled person" who the example imagines - who flanks a heavily armoured foe (let's say they have 8 DR).  With a modicum of good luck he can deal enough damage to provoke a Fortitude save for massive damage against someone with average-to-decent Constitution even after 8 damage gets absorbed, meaning that he has the potential to one-shot them.  Add in a called shot to the neck, on a critical he deals an additional 1d6 bleed damage and makes his opponent unable to breathe, not only increasing the liklihood of provoking a massive damage check but continuing to deal damage after the hit.  A called shot to the vitals that manages to crit reduces Con, thus hugely increasing the chance of massive damage.

Likewise, having Armour as DR negates his chief criticism of called shots:

Quote from: Sean K. ReynoldsLet the hit do more damage against the unarmored face than it would against the armored body (or armored face/head). One problem with that: if hitting an unarmored face does more damage than hitting a helmed face, then any hit against an unarmored character should do more damage than a hit against an armored character; suddenly you have to recalculate damage values against unarmored creatures, and armorless characters (such as mages and most monsters) suddenly are even more vulnerable. "More damage" also includes special effects that most people associate with critical hits: blindness, stunning, crippling, tripping, instant kills, etc.

Armour as DR provides an easy means of recalculating damage values.  Since most monsters with armour as DR have natural armour that converts to DR, the monster issue is negated.  I'll admit that mages remain vulnerable, but that's partly what mage armour, shield, blur, barkskin, blink, mirror image, and a host of similar spells are for.

By using called shots in conjunction with armour as DR, the liklihood of actually managing a called shot goes up considerably, because armour class is lowered and the penalty for called shots is more manageable.  Because called shots under the Pathfinder system often have other effects than simply adding on extra raw damage, a called shot that doesn't deal a ton of damage against a heavily armoured opponent can still have other useful effects like sickening, slowing, or stunning them.

But we're getting sidetracked here  :grin:

I'm definitely interested, though I'm so snowed under by essays the next few weeks I can't guarantee attendance. Personally my vote is for Tenebrous, followed by CE as a close second.

Quote from: SteerpikeBut we're getting sidetracked here  :grin:

Sort of. I mean, we're talking about planning for a game, and you were suggesting certain house rules, and I think those rules are bad ideas. Maybe it's a bit early to get into that, and if so, I'll hold onto my objections until then, but I feel like it's not a total sidetrack.

If it helps at all, the one I'm least sold on is Armour as Damage Reduction, which I could take or leave; part of why I like it is because it would increase the viability of called shots for low-level characters, and I kind of like the idea of called shots in CE (dismemberment and bodily mutilation sort of fit the setting!).  But there's nearly as much interest in Tenebrous, so it might all be academic (Tenebrous would be easier to prepare for in some ways).

Alright, with it actually being ON Halloween, I PROBABLY can't join in.  Definitely can't COMMIT to coming, but I might drop in if that changes.

Edited the poll to remove the "surprise" option.  I'll save that for another time.

CE is very slightly ahead than Tenebrous, but it seems like there's fairly decent support for both (it's not like 10/nothing CE).  While brainstorming I came up with a fairly excellent Tenebrous idea that would fit Halloween and a good CE idea that would actually fit the winter better, so here's what I'm going to do: run Tenebrous on Halloween and plan for a CE one-shot in December sometime.  This will also give me more time to prepare pregens for Pathfinder well and for those who want to make their own character for a CE one-shot to do so.

Does this sound good to everyone?

Sounds good to me!

I am satisfied with it :D

I might be working late on the 31st. I'll check it out tomorrow and let you know so if I do someone can take Spriggan for the Tenebrous game.

How late are you thinking the game will be? I really want to join in but my classes don't get out until 6pm (I get home about 6:30pm) PST.

Eek that might not work.  I'm also on PST and I have a party in the evening.

That said, if it turns out that not enough people are able to make it for Halloween, we'll delay/reschedule.  And there will be more of these for sure.

Quote from: Nomadic
How late are you thinking the game will be? I really want to join in but my classes don't get out until 6pm (I get home about 6:30pm) PST.

Get on IRC during the lecture. :P.

Quote from: Light Dragon

Quote from: Nomadic
How late are you thinking the game will be? I really want to join in but my classes don't get out until 6pm (I get home about 6:30pm) PST.

Get on IRC during the lecture. :P.

I don't own a laptop anymore unfortunately or I would. Don't think my teacher would approve of me setting up a dual screen desktop PC in his classroom haha.

Just checking in - who can actually play on the 31st, and at what times?

Drop-ins are welcome, of course, as well.

So far so good for me, something may come up but I'll let you know. I'm good anytime (I'm on Mountain time, so just an hour ahead of Pacific).

So Llum is definitely available.  Are other people?

So I got some news today, only count me like 50% in now. May not have internet on the 31st, we'll see.

I should be in, though obviously the time difference may be a problem.

Would there be any time that would work especially well for you?

I'll probably be conscious and able to play from about 3pm PDT onwards until as late as things run. But I could manage as early as 1pm if that's more convenient for everyone.

Cool, that's totally workable.  We can all touch base again to figure out the best time, just getting a ballpark.

Like I said, I can play but unfortunately it has to be after like 6:30pm PST.

I might be able to make it. I'll optimistically say I can, but I'm not 100% sure.

Awesome sparkletwist!  No worries if you can't make it.  It sounds like we should have at least a decent handful of people.  Sadly I don't think I can do 6:30 but there may be follow up sessions...

Barring any major catastrophe, I'm free from 1 PM Central Time till the early evening.

Sorry for the delay. So for the 31st I work until midnight, eastern timezone. I gotta get outta here at 5:30 to get there on time.

OK, everyone, so my plan is basically to log on around 12-1 PST and see who's around.  Once 3-4 players are ready we'll jump in.  There may be follow-up sessions, potentially, and if this is successul and fun there'll be more Tenebrae adventures eventually, so if anyone doesn't get to participate on Thursday there will likely be future opportunities to do so.  The roster of characters and the nature of the game (revolving around a single city) allows for people to quickly jump in (the rest of the party can call for backup, etc).  If, for whatever reason, the game doesn't get off the ground we can always reschedule!

For those of us who can't make it, will you allow us the opportunity to live vicariously through it via log posts once it's all done? I'd love to read about what horrors assail them and how you manifested them.

Quote from: Weave
For those of us who can't make it, will you allow us the opportunity to live vicariously through it via log posts once it's all done? I'd love to read about what horrors assail them and how you manifested them.

Second, I too would love to see the log :)

I'll make sure to get a log up at some point (it may take me a little while to edit it but it will be posted).

Just a head's up that I'll probably be around closer to 1 than noon.

I'm 100% out now.

Quote from: Steerpike
Just a head's up that I'll probably be around closer to 1 than noon.

I'll be showing up at 1 or just after.

I am here. :D

Many thanks for all who turned out for the Tenebrous game.  It was a slightly slower start than I'd hoped for, but we at least made it through some of the initial sections.  Much more weirdness, horror, and action remains - we kind of only scratched the surface.  If people had fun and would be up for more sessions I am certainly open to GMing them.  I will look into getting some logs up in case others want to join in!

First of all, I would like to make two disclaimers. First, I know that I can sometimes be a bit harsh, but it is not my intention to insult or offend anyone; I am simply trying to give you honest and constructive critique as to what I feel did not go well in the game. Second, connection issues are a problem, and they're generally nobody's fault. I'm not blaming you, Superbright or anyone else for the evil whims of Mibbit. These things happen and they certainly contributed greatly to the somewhat rocky start.

That said, I am a fan of the "cold open." While I understand that it's necessary to give some background information and get us into the plot, I also think much of what we were sitting there on IRC reading could have been posted as a forum post in advance. I think it can be enormously beneficial (and have enjoyed it, in other games I have played and GMed) to somewhat throw the group into the adventure, rather than let them slowly meander up to it. It's more engaging, and if the session slows down a little afterwards to get to more of the investigation and exposition, there is at least that original excitement to keep us going, rather than... well, waiting for something to happen. I felt like you were saying you had to go right about the time that session actually started going somewhere.

Secondly, I think there is a big problem with Mandrake-- I'm not taking issue with SA's portrayal of Mandrake, mind you-- but I was under the impression that its maiming voice did not hurt other Tenebrae. It apparently does, which I believe to be a poor design decision. Given that, in order to include Mandrake in the party, the assumption is made for each character that the character knows and can perceive its sign language, and the character is paying attention to Mandrake any time it wishes to communicate. The first assumption is not entirely unreasonable, although it does probably prevent someone like Daredevil from joining the team, and, quite honestly, from a player agency standpoint I bristle slightly that it's basically assumed my character knows this sign language even though I never specified that she does. The second problem, I think, gets more difficult. Will everyone always be looking at Mandrake whenever it has something worthwhile to communicate? What about if the team needs to split up? For that matter, what about in combat when everyone is going about their own business and there is a lot of chaos going on-- the power is useless unless it can somehow signal to its allies to cover their ears, after all. I think that any verisimilitude gained by affecting everyone is lost when trying to think of the convoluted or contrived ways that they'd have to attempt to communicate during typical adventuring situations.

So that's my two cents. Do with it what you will.

Quote from: sparkletwistWhile I understand that it's necessary to give some background information and get us into the plot, I also think much of what we were sitting there on IRC reading could have been posted as a forum post in advance. I think it can be enormously beneficial (and have enjoyed it, in other games I have played and GMed) to somewhat throw the group into the adventure, rather than let them slowly meander up to it. It's more engaging, and if the session slows down a little afterwards to get to more of the investigation and exposition, there is at least that original excitement to keep us going, rather than... well, waiting for something to happen. I felt like you were saying you had to go right about the time that session actually started going somewhere.

I completely agree here.  I regret not posting at least the first major chunk of the opening on the forum beforehand.  Should have done that, definitely.  The connection issues exacerbated the lengthy intro (not Superbright's fault, but it did happen).  We were forced to play for less time than I'd hoped, so this made things worse.  So I will basically plead mea culpa here.  The intention of the briefing was to contextualize the adventure, provide an opportunity for people to get into character, discuss tactics and approach, and get a sense of the Tenebrae organization and its operations, kind of like how in Sixguns I usually start on the ship with people discussing the current mission.  I think in future "episodes" I may begin more in media res, though.

Quote from: sparkletwistSecondly, I think there is a big problem with Mandrake-- I'm not taking issue with SA's portrayal of Mandrake, mind you-- but I was under the impression that its maiming voice did not hurt other Tenebrae. It apparently does, which I believe to be a poor design decision. Given that, in order to include Mandrake in the party, the assumption is made for each character that the character knows and can perceive its sign language, and the character is paying attention to Mandrake any time it wishes to communicate. The first assumption is not entirely unreasonable, although it does probably prevent someone like Daredevil from joining the team, and, quite honestly, from a player agency standpoint I bristle slightly that it's basically assumed my character knows this sign language even though I never specified that she does. The second problem, I think, gets more difficult. Will everyone always be looking at Mandrake whenever it has something worthwhile to communicate? What about if the team needs to split up? For that matter, what about in combat when everyone is going about their own business and there is a lot of chaos going on-- the power is useless unless it can somehow signal to its allies to cover their ears, after all. I think that any verisimilitude gained by affecting everyone is lost when trying to think of the convoluted or contrived ways that they'd have to attempt to communicate during typical adventuring situations.

The assumption is indeed that all Tenebrae know sign language in the same sense that they're assumed to have been trained in firearms, weapons use, at least basic occult knowledge, etc.  The assumption is that the organization provides this training and that when Mandrake needs to communicate, characters automatically look to it; for all intents and purposes Mandrake is as fully intelligible as other characters.  It would have a special sign known to the Tenebrae to indicate that it's about to use its voice.  In short, I am operating under the assumption that as far as intra-group communication goes Mandrake has no communication problems (it's only a big deal when it's interacting with NPCs).  Note also that creatures like Hel, Abyzou, and Endgame are immune to its voice because they're functionally immortals of one sort or another.

If the team needs to split up then it makes sense for Mandrake to be paired with someone who can then automatically relay/interpret its sign over a comm, although note that Mandrake can literally split itself into individual Mandrakes so Mandrake does have unique skills when it comes to splitting up.

Quote from: SteerpikeI think in future "episodes" I may begin more in media res, though.

I eagerly endorse this. :D

Quote from: SteerpikeIn short, I am operating under the assumption that as far as intra-group communication goes Mandrake has no communication problems

Exactly. You've created this whole contrived structure that still has verisimilitude problems (What if a team member is off around a corner and can't see the special sign? Do we have to RP out yelling to that person? Why are we bothering with this?) could have been easily replaced by just saying "No, Mandrake's voice won't hurt other PCs."

I don't like the idea that Mandrake's voice magically doesn't affect other PCs.  This seems too arbitrary to me.

Better idea: in future adventures, Mandrake can get a voice-modulator that negates its voice's maiming effect, allowing him to talk with computerized aid.  To use its maiming ability it just removes/deactivates the modulator.  Does that sound like a workable solution?

Quote from: SteerpikeI don't like the idea that Mandrake's voice magically doesn't affect other PCs.  This seems too arbitrary to me.

It does strain verisimilitude a little, but who knows what training/powers/whatever the team would have?

But yeah. It's ultimately up to you (or SA or whoever ends up playing Mandrake, I guess) but for what it's worth I think that computer-voice-modulator thingy is pretty slick.

There are (in the context of science fiction at least) gloves that translate sign language into mechanical speech, or it could maybe employ some sort of subvocal microphone to keep its hands free? In either case, the speech itself wouldn't fool anybody as natural. I thought the indiscriminately maiming voice was a nice mechanical balance for a preternaturally strong, durable construct who can flawlessly mimic anyone's appearance and turn its hands into knives, since it forces the players to think creatively if they're trying some covert infiltration.

Apologies about the connection problems. Cost of me trying to play in a tornado, I suppose. I have a ton of issues of my own with how I portrayed Mollusc (couldn't decide if I wanted it to be more Mordin Sollus or alien Steve Rogers) and not having any OOC idea of what Quadra was capable of until immediately before play started sort of threw me, but overall I thought everyone else did great.

Quote from: SuperbrightI thought the indiscriminately maiming voice was a nice mechanical balance for a preternaturally strong, durable construct who can flawlessly mimic anyone's appearance and turn its hands into knives, since it forces the players to think creatively if they're trying some covert infiltration.

Thanks!  This is exactly the tradeoff I was hoping to play on.  Mandrake is super powerful in a lot of ways, so the maiming voice is deliberately meant as a kind of handicap it has to work around - I just don't want that to mean it's less fun to play.

I'm really glad you persevered!  I thought you did a great job with Mollusc.

I wasn't the one playing Mandrake, so please take my objections with a grain of salt. I'll just point out (since I can't resist) that giving the PCs "magic immunity" but not extending it any further preserves the social handicap you were trying to create.

Also, sorry about not getting Quadra up in advance. That's partially my fault because I didn't even present Steerpike with the character concept until like 3 days before the game.

If I'd prepared in advance I'd probably have played Cruor or Abyzou. I picked Mandrake because I'm rarely a player rather than a GM and I've never played online, so Mandrake's communication problems were fine with me (I'd have had no issue with being unable to communicate when the shit hits). But the next person who plays It may disagree.

Quote from: sparkletwistI'll just point out (since I can't resist) that giving the PCs "magic immunity" but not extending it any further preserves the social handicap you were trying to create.

You're quite right.  I think the voice emulator thingy does both jobs: keeps the social handicap while also facilitating communication, in a way that preserves verisimilitude.  If there's some way of circumventing Mandrake's voice through training or something, it seems to me that well-prepared enemies would know about it, so the emulator helps to keep the voice's powers from being neutered.

Yes and no. People might react oddly to someone talking with a strange robot voice or whatever, but it's not the same as being in a situation where it can't communicate with NPCs at all, which is what would happen if all it could do was talk in its normal voice that the PC party was immune to. It depends on where you want the challenge to come from, I guess. You're correct that well-prepared enemies might develop some sort of technique that lets them circumvent it, but then again, enemies might use cold iron against Spriggan or throw holy water at Abyzou or whatever other special weakness someone has, too, so as long as this isn't abused (by the GM, I mean) I see it as a source of challenges and not a problem.

I also don't want to let this minor disagreement about my secondary point (since it has generated so many more posts) become too much of a tangled mess, to the point that it derails other more important discussion about the way the game went and how it could be improved. :)

My last word on Mandrake for now: the only other thought I have is that Tenebrae could wear some kind of noise-canceling/nullifying earpiece, but the problem with both that and the "Tenebrae aren't affected" thing is that in every combat Mandrake can just shriek its lungs out to take down enemies en masse, which would tend to make fights sort of boring.  The Maiming Voice is designed to be tricky to use because it's so powerful.  Either the ability would need to be neutered (which makes it less cool) or I'd have to add some sort of cooldown thingy, like the voice can only be used once every 3 rounds or something, which could be a pain to keep track of and doesn't (I think) feel as interesting and tragic for the character.

Other than the slow start and occasional technical difficulties, though, I thought the session went reasonably well...

That makes sense, although I can't resist throwing out there it would be both a meaningful mechanical limit and also a rather tragic story element if Mandrake itself was not completely immune to its own voice. This would also help to mitigate any cheese where it divides and then all of them make a full-Puissance voice attack, because they'd be harming themselves and each other as well. That is of course not directly compatible with "magical immunity," but you weren't really interested in that anyway, so it probably doesn't matter. (And I don't want to belabor the point, just throw out one more potentially interesting angle on it)

Thanks for the thoughts!

Would people be up for continuing this?  Especially since we got through that Council-of-Elrond of a briefing?

I'm game.

Absolutely! I still want to crack some hillbilly heads.

Awesome!

Hillbillies will be the least of your worries, I'm afraid.  Which is not to say that there won't be backwoods clansmen thirsting for your blood.

HippopotamusDundee, sparkletwist, would you also be up for continuing at some point?

I'm definitely in!

Yes, I'd like to try again.

Great!  I can promise the next session will be less of this:

(http://images.wikia.com/batman/images/9/93/Batmanarkhamasylum_batcave.jpg)

And more of this:

(http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/6/62058/1155054-bm697.04_05b_100.jpg)

Now that we don't have a fixed date, what days/times would work well for you guys?

You're in Canada, right? I'm at least half a day ahead of you, but if you have it on Friday or Saturday the time difference shouldn't matter.

Fridays aren't especially good for me (at least not for the next month or so) but some Saturdays do work - next Saturday, for example, I could probably play in the afternoon PST.

Could other people play on Saturdays or is that a no go?

Quote from: Steerpike
Could other people play on Saturdays or is that a no go?

Depending on which Saturdays and how late it would run (I have a CoC game every other weekend).

I am pretty sure I could do this coming Saturday.
I'm not so sure about others.

Great!  Hippo, Superbright, are you available this Saturday by any chance?

Unfortunately not. This is the one weekend where my dance card is completely full.

No worries.  What about Thursdays again?  Was last Thursday an exception for most people or are you guys free on Thrsudays usually?

I'm technically free all the time. But some times are freer than others. Whenever, man.

Nope, I'm pretty much always free on Thursdays.

I can try to make it!

Sounds like most people are available Thursdays - how about Thursday the 14th, next week?

Cool.

Quote from: Steerpike
Sounds like most people are available Thursdays - how about Thursday the 14th, next week?

Next week is exam week, unfortunately. And that is an exam day.

Drat.  Howe about the one after?

I'm open to other dates if Thursdays aren't ideal.

Thursday the week after (21st) works fine for me.

Aaaack I just realized that that Thursday actually wouldn't work for me as well - I'd have to leave early again.  Which sucked last time.  How about the 28th?  Alternatively, some other day in the middle?  How are people's Tuesdays?

28th is fine for me, as would be Wednesday.

This is getting a bit confusing. I'd suggest making a Doodle (http://www.doodle.com).
Anyway, I can probably be free on the 19th in the afternoon but I am not 100% sure. Pencil me in for now.

Good call sparkletwist.

Poll. (http://www.doodle.com/ygrp3kkp5hw64bxf)

Lots of possibilities so far. This is looking good!

Several days look good so far - we'll see which days Superbright is available and then we can schedule a session, hopefully.

Awesome, thanks for filling out the schedluer thing guys.  It looks like the 18th or 19th are the best days.  The 19th is probably better for me, time wise.  How does 12 pm PST work for everyone?  If not, what times are best for you that day?  If we have trouble figuring a precise time out I can make another Doodle...

I will be there!

Great!  Hopefully others are also available.  If anyone who didn't manage the first time round wants to drop by, I will try and get the log formatted beforehand (new characters can always show up as back-up...).  With luck punches will be thrown, blood spilled, quips quipped, and evil foiled!

I'm in as well.

Oh yeah; what was the consensus on Mandrake's communication?

For now I am treating it as per normal i.e. it communicates through sign language, since we started that way.  However, in any subsequent assignments it'll have a voice module thingy to translate itself.  There are 3 other PCs, so I think it's fair to assume that at least one of them can see Mandrake signing unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Quote from: SteerpikeFor now I am treating it as per normal i.e. it communicates through sign language, since we started that way.

You had a better solution before. Why not implement it as soon as possible? Simple inertia isn't really a very good reason, and it's not like they didn't grab enough random equipment... they certainly could've brought one of these voice thingies along.

More consistency than interia, but here's what I'll do: SA, you can decide, since you're playing the character.  If you want to have the modulator, go for it, I can easily retcon the logs.  Player empowerment!

Quote from: Steerpike
Player empowerment!

:heart:  :yumm:  :whoa:
:band:

Dang, maybe one of these days I can join in on the game (it just doesn't seem right without Abyzou tormenting everyone). They keep happening at times that I'm not available. I shall still be reading the logs with excitement though. :)

Quote from: HippopotamusDundee
I'm in as well.

I'm really sorry guys - stuff's come up at work and I'm no longer going to be able to make it. Many apologies :( - hope y'all have a great session!

Rats!  Well hopefully everyone else can make it.

If I'm not online at 12 on the dot, fear not, I'll be there soon.

So, sadly, that didn't work out; seems like the time didn't work for people after all.  But I won't be beaten so easily by the cruel vicissitudes of fate, time zones, and/or scheduling!  I shall make another, more specific Doodle with exact times.  The Tenebrae will fight another day!

I'm really sorry for missing the game. I got punched out by a fever last night and haven't been able to get out of bed all day.

No problem Superbright.  Feel better!

I will post up a new Doodle once I know what my schedule will be like (very soon I think).

Sorry everyone also. I forgot I'd taken my antipsychs and took them twice. They knocked me right the fuck out (still very groggy).

No worries SA.  It sounds like the forces of providence just didn't want us to game today.  They were probably telling me I really needed to work on my dissertation.

I didn't know Rhode Island had an army.

Quote from: SA
I didn't know Rhode Island had an army.

lol (http://instantrimshot.com/)

Alright guys!  Let's try this again.  Returning players and newcomers are welcome.  Anyone new who wants to participate should probably read the Case Files.

Schedule. (http://doodle.com/e842ib6n8na8dmb7)

I made the schedule a little more intricate; if none of the times listed work, please do say so and I can brainstorm some alternatives (for example, I could add some earlier or later times - I have a lot more time these days, now that classes have ended).  My schedule may have some fluctuations, but nothing too drastic.

All times listed are currently in PST (my time-zone).

Woo I think I can (probably) make this one. This next week is a no go because it's dead week and I'm going to be slamming the last few bits of my research papers/portfolio/other homework. Week after is a yes but it's finals week so the only times I'm sure of are the 7pm slots (once I figure out what day my math final is on I'll be able to fill in a ton of the other slots too). After that though I'm 100% available thanks to winter break.

Awesome!  I take it you'll be playing Abyzou - which would be especially cool since she's really easy to drop into things (summoning and all).

Quote from: Steerpike
Awesome!  I take it you'll be playing Abyzou - which would be especially cool since she's really easy to drop into things (summoning and all).

Yep, that's the plan! :)

I'm not 100% sure what my availability is going to be like getting closer to Christmas, but those are my best guesses, and I was able to check quite a few boxes regardless, so hopefully this will work out. :D

Edit: I just noticed some of the later boxes go 2/3/4/7 instead of 12/2/4/7. Even better for me.

I can't access the site for some reason, but my availability is continuous.

Strange - glad to hear you're open, but what kind of error does it give you?  Maybe I can find a way around it.

Looks like there are plenty of times available though.  Once Hippo and Superbright respond I'll schedule a time.

Just updated my time slots now that I know my final schedule.

Cool.  Looking at the schedule, two dates stand out as compatible: Tuesday the 10th and Wednesday the 11th, although for the latter we'd have to start quite late.  Any preferences?  I'd have a slight preference for the 11th, but either would work...

The 11th is fine with me!

Late on the 11th would be perfect.

11th works for me!

Alright, looks like the 11th will work.

By the way, I've been periodically adding villains to the Rogues Gallery (http://www.thecbg.org/index.php/topic,209918.msg225836.html#msg225836) if people are interested in reading.  Recent additions include the Chirurgeon (Mandrake's creator), the cyber-terrorist Troll, and the S.H.R.O.U.D. agent Susurrus.  I'm trying to give the setting the feel of a comic book mythology.  If there are any names/allusions people are curious about hearing more of, let me know...

I've been thinking of adding even more Tenebrae to the roster, too.  Suggestions are always welcome.

Also I've been thinking of maybe doing a proper write-up of St. Lazarus itself soon, along the lines of the gazetteers I did for the Twilight Cities of the Cadaverous Earth.

Hey guys, would it be possible to switch dates to the 10th at 7pm (or, if it works better, earlier)?  My schedule changed slightly, and I can still totally do stuff on the 11th if that works better for everyone, just checking.

I could manage that.

Works for me!
I'd just like to know a little in advance which it's going to be, of course.

Cool.  Everyone else is available on the 10th so let's change it to the 10th at 7.  Cheers!

Game on. [/seriousface]

I am so ready to punch the dicks off some Irish goblins. [/molluscface]

And about suggestions for potential new Tenebrae, I've actually been thinking about that. First, a former Marine exposed to weaponized ghul-spoor in Iraq who relies on a cocktail of immune-boosters and dead men's blood (obviously not covered by the VA) to stop from fully metamorphosing into a hyena-faced carrion-demon. Not sure what all her powers would be, but one of her weakness is definitely the urge to loot then consume any corpses she's in close proximity to. Second idea, an archaeology grad student channeling the vengeful spirit of a Hyperborean (or Atlantean, or Lemurian) warrior-princess, sorta like Shazam-meets-Wonder Woman, but they might honestly work even better as an NPC. Third, some sort of firestarter capable of actual pyromancy in addition to their pyrokinetic powers. Downsides would likely be a perpetually-high body temperature and occasionally igniting flammable materials.

The Rogue's Gallery is amazing. I've been on a vampire kick for a while now (blame NBA) and it just about killed me when I figured out where I knew the name Koroviev from. Seriously, it's like reading fucking Planetary how many subtle references and allusions you've managed to work into literally everything. And I totally support a St. Lazarus gazetteer.

Great character ideas!  I love the Ghul one particularly and the Wonder Woman character would definitely make a good Rogue.

Apart from Black Sun, I've got two major pyrokinetics/fire-starters in mind: Pyrexia, one of Sepsis' "Embraced" who relies on a preternaturally high fever to actually burst into flames (inspired a bit by the Marvel character Typhoid Mary), and Pentecost, a Catholic exorcist who's able to channel the powers of a Seraphim to create holy fire (he's got a whole "burn the witch" mentality and as a bonus can speak all languages).

I'm glad you're enjoying the Rogues' Gallery!

Superbright, is the second "you" on the bottom of the Doodle your new availability?

If so we could aim for a continuation sometime in the 16th-20th...

Quote from: SuperbrightSeriously, it's like reading fucking Planetary...

Now that's a compliment right there.

High praise indeed!   I adore Warren Ellis.

So would people be interested in continuing this shortly, or do you guys want to wait for the new year?

Continue shortly!

Shortly would be my vote, too.

I would love to pick it up again as soon as everyone is able. My winter break starts officially after tomorrow afternoon. So yea, I'm game!

Did someone else take over for Mollusc?

I NPCed Mollusc.  Evil Eye was doing a "perimeter sweep" of the town and then seemed to disappear.

Quote from: SteerpikeEvil Eye was doing a "perimeter sweep" of the town and then seemed to disappear.

Solitary black man traipsing around an inbred backwater all of his lonesome? Bound to happen sooner or later.

Heheheh.

How does Thursday the 19th sound?  Same bat time same bat channel?

Sounds great!

Oh no... my woman's coming over on the 19th. Well, the 20th, but you're all backwards, so it's still the ninetee- I can't do that day.

No worries.  How about the 17th instead?

I can do that. It's pretty much 18th/19th and then Christmas Eve and my birthday. Everything else foreseeable is available.

Quote from: SteerpikeHow about the 17th instead?

Works for me!

Tuesday the 17th at 7pm should work fine for me.

Unfortunately I have a shift at work that starts pretty much smack bang on then, so y'all may have to carry on without me.

Drat.  I think I may actually be busy on the 16th, otherwise I'd offer that date up.  We'll say the 17th for now but if things change I'll check in again.

I need to bust out the mini-Mannies. His powerscream I can take or leave, but you got to have mini-Mannies. Eight infant-sized wax-homunculi with knives for hands... that's what the game's been missing!

Rules note: while all Mandrake doubles can power-scream (potentially in different areas), screams do not "stack" - it's still just "Mandrake" as holistic entity screaming.  Otherwise it could do 8d8 damage which is insane in this system...

Sigh...

I suspected as much.

The joys of an evolving winter schedule...

Lots of friends coming in from out of town means a lot of frenzied seat-of-your-pants party planning.

I can still do the 17th but if we want to get a good game in we should probably start earlier (like 3 or 4 PST, 15:00/16:00 on the Doodle).

The 20th is also a possibility for me, in which case we could start later.  If the Doodle is accurate that time would work...

I'd personally lean towards the 20th.  Any strong feelings either way?  Hippo, could the 20th work for you??

Heh. He said pants party.

I can do either time Steerpike. Personally I'd love to do the afternoon of the 17th but that's because I'm impatient heh. If the 20th makes it easier for everyone to make it I would support that as our date.

Unless there are any other opinions, I think I'll make the official date the 20th.  But if that doesn't work for people as well as the 17th, do say so and we'll revert.

If it was 4pm I'd probably be able to make it, though I could be a tad late.

The 20th at 4 sounds good to me!

Works for me. I can (hopefully!) make that.