[Game Thread] Act 1 - Snakes, snakes and more snakes

[Bizelplyx]

Place holder for beginning rules

Beg, borrow, or down right pilfer. A DM's right and passage. Idea's come from everywhere.

I stole this from another DM. Just a few things that I would be grateful for in the way you format your posts and deal with the game. It will help things run smoother if you could do them but the world won't explode if you don't 1. Post the important char stats in each post you make whilst in combat. I personally use the following template at the start my own posts in any games I play: <Character_Name_Here> Stats:HP ; AC ||STR ; CON ; DEX ; INT ; WIS ; CHA ||FORT ; REF ;WILL || Heal Surges Used: 0/0 I have attached the template as a txt file should you want to adopt it too 2. Don't worry about posting in initiative order. I will sort that out when I resolve the outcome of the combat round. 3. Please use the 'Snake Eyes' thread for the dice rolls and link to the roll in your game post. 4. On the subject of dice rolls please don't edit them else it will mean an instant failure for whatever you are trying to do. If there is a problem please use the fieldset tags to place an OOC message in the game post to make me aware of any problem and I will look into it. 5. Combat maps will be linked from photo bucket as I make them. All non changing maps and information will be in the maps thread. 6. Keeping things moving. This is important for everyone's enjoyment. I will be adopting an idea used by hvg3akaek in his 'Five Heroes' games. If a player hasn't posted within 48 hrs of my update then I will allow another player to 'buddy' that player's character and post on their behalf. If nothing is posted after 3 days I may NPC them or just simply ignore them in order to keep things moving. If anyone fails to post within 7 days and hasn't let me know beforehand (either by PM or OOC thread. ) I reserve the right to kick them and look for a replacement. If someone does buddy a character it is useful to post that you are going to do so in the OOC thread so that no-one else does it.

7. If I post on your post which as a DM I can. I will include what I call a "DM editorial note" giving the reason. Sighting a rule, fixing a problem with the structure ie making dialog bold.
More to follow

DM edit I realized I didn't make a wilderness thread. So i changed it to PM me or post in OOC Thread if you are going to miss a post. Like I said I am begging, borrowing and stealing stuff.

I took this from EVO's game. I like the way he is doing combat and will try to emulate him in this respect.

How I run combat:

Initiative will be the order in which you post during the combat. I will take into consideration
any Init bonuses you have and figure them into the descriptive order of the combat if I can. If you specifically do something based upon someone else post then it will happen that way.





This shows the current state of the initiative order. After players Jarad, Allanon, and Marya post their actions (order doesn't matter), I will post a combat summary describing the results of their actions, as well as the actions of the civilians, priest, and the enemy mage. At the end of the summary, I will list the updated status of the initiative order that will look something like this:


Actions:

Be prepared for some unorthodox combat. I absolutely love it when combat gets interesting. You don't have to do something amazing each round, but once or twice an encounter keeps things interesting. My NPCs and monsters will take full advantage of the environment. If you are not aware of your surroundings, encounters will become more difficult. My maps will out with this (see below). Take note of high grounds, doors, tables, low walls, or anything else that you can use. I have had NPCs slide tables around, pinning or tripping players. People have been thrown out of windows, or had chairs thrown at them. And remember, wood is flammable.

If you ever want to do an encounter that isn't "standard," let me know. I'll work with you to make sure you do the necessary rolls. Just send me a PM with what you want to do and what you hope to accomplish. I'm on here frequently and can usually respond in a few hours.

There may be times where actions seem out of turn during the summaries. Most of the time, I will blend in opportunity attacks with everything else. I may include flavor attacks in that mean pretty much nothing - they just provide reasoning as to why someone hit, missed, or whatever. In the change of a fumble, I usually have some fun with it, so expect some unorthodox events occurring when that happens.

My maps:

As you will see, all of my maps use a coordinate system to allow accurate descriptions of movement and spell targets. A grid overlay allows for easy measurement (these are always in 5 foot increments unless otherwise specified).

I have a set of tokens I use for both players, enemies, and other misc people. I usually make the player tokens based off the player's user name, but I have yet to determine the exact assignments. Enemies are generally represented by a combination of numbers and color. Colors will distinguish between enemy types, while numbers separate individuals in that group. Tokens are highlighted with orange if they are dieing, red if they are dead, and rotated 90 degrees if prone. Underglow shows if a token represents a hostile (red), friendly (blue), or neutral (green) party.

My maps tend to be incredibly detailed. Usually you can figure out what anything is just by looking at it, but if for any reason, you can't figure out what something is, just ask me. I will be more than happy to provide a description of everything.

Example

If you are interested in making maps like EVO, He made a tutorial on how to do so that is available here

[Bizelplyx]

Ah springtime, the smell of flowers, fresh rain from the mornings light shower. It is now midday.

For the reason specified in your backgrounds, to return to Fallcrest, seeking new knowledge of combat or the hope of monetary gain, you all find your selves at the Silver Unicorn, one of Fallcrest pricier establishments. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of patronage at this time. You see the barkeep tending the bar, making sure all the glasses are clean and properly lined. A waitress suddenly animated when you walk through the door. She had just been causally sitting at the bar caring on light conversation with the barkeep.

There are two or three parchments tacked upon a notice board, a large makeshift picture framed nailed to the wall. The only other person is sitting at a table in the darkest corner with a mug that still had a froth. Several booths lined the wall near the entrance to the kitchen.

"Gladys, your order is up", a voice from the kitchen yells.

The waitress scurries into the kitchen and returns with a tray in hand walking towards the only occupied table. Briefly glancing your parties direction. "I will be with you in a moment." she continues to the table setting the tray down.

Note You may begin

[Komu]

With posture fully erect S'ol approaches the notice board, peering around at the masses with his neck up like a crane. He slowly leans forward and peers at one of the three parchments, the left most to be exact.

[Bizelplyx]

This is what you see when you read the first notice.

[Tendolhorse]

Derran walks graciously walks into the tavern. He spends a quick second to observe each person that entered with him. "Two Dragonborn, two Eladrin, and a Halfling. May Pelor give me strength," he chuckles as he thinks to himself.
Derran graciously walks to the center of the room, cupping the pocket where his symbol is held. He stands there, looking around, clearly unsure of what to do. He notices the barkeep, smiles and sends him a respectful nod. As he did so, one of the dragonborn walks toward a notice board. Derran followed suit. He takes time to observe each parchment.

[Bizelplyx]

Second Notice

Third Notice

[Komu]

Heartened by the mother's blight, S'ol folds the paper and puts it away, deciding to retrieve this woman's lost child. After looking around for a bit he leaves the pub and begins to head for the outskirts.

[Olorian]

Semmi is sitting at the bar, enjoying a cool glass of beer. The freckled Halfling is a tiny fellow, who usually doesn't attract too much attention, until he opens his mouth...
First a Dragonborn and after that an Elf take a look at the notice board, which he had already read when he had entered the Unicorn. Seeing the Dragonborn fold the notice about the missing child, his squeaky voice is heard sneering: "Want to keep those 5 gp for yourself, mista? Think you're the only one who could do the job? Taking away that notice won't give anyone else a chance there, now would it? And imagine you got kil-l-l-led while doing so, then the child would be lost forever!"
Semmi is sure the comments reached the Dragonborn before he made a move towards the heavy tavern door.

[Jonofthefunk]

Suddenly, another Dragonborn fell threw the front door Semmi tried to go through. At first glance you wouldn't know he was a adventurer without his trident. He then looked up at the the Halfling and paled "Crap! Sorry about that." He got up and dusted himself off "I tripped that's all. Was in a hurry to sign up."

DM's editorial note I would like the dialog in bold print. still working on the formating or rather tying to find a another dm's way of formating I like and steal it. But for now make dialog bold print that way it is easy to distinguish what is being said.

[Evo]

Acanthas walks into the Silver Unicorn. He takes a look around, taking note of the features in the main room. Huh, not a bad place. I think I could get very comfortable in this town if every building was like this, he thinks to himself. His eyes follow the dragonborn as he walk out, careful not to get in his way. He looks up at the board at the two notices and the small, torn piece of parchment still tacked the board, indicating another notice had been there. Well, that explains why the halfling is getting upset. Probably nothing to worry about anyway. I wonder what the other two are for... he reads over the remaining two notices, Snakes, or stolen cargo...Snakes don't sound terribly exciting, but it would be beneficial to have the Lord Warden think well of me.

He takes another look at those who are also reading the posts and scratches his head. "Anyone interested in trying to get the stolen cargo? Only five crates are missing, so it was probably only a small group of bandits - maybe three, perhaps four. We could travel the road, figure out where they are centered, and retrieve the crates, probably all within two or three days."

[Jonofthefunk]

The Dragonborn looked over Acanthas right over his head. "I'd pick the child rescue but i think another Dragonborn went off to do that. A Paladin I think he was"

DM's editoral note Ok Jon I realize you are new to roleplaying and DnD. Let me explain the difference of Player Knowledge and Character Knowledge. First you as a player are going to have some insights as to what is going on in the game. Such as the notices I posted for all who would read. But the one you are referring to in this post was torn down and is in the other dragonborn's pocket. Your character would not have seen the notice. Therefore you would not use it in your roleplaying. Also when you go along and learn about the monsters in the Monster manual as a Player doesn't mean that every character you will roll up for this game knows what they are. Another example is you as a player know what computers are. But you character most likely won't unless he was transported to a highly technological planet. I hope this makes since if not. PM me and I will try to explain further.

[Komu]

S'ol looks back the Halfling, takes two steps back, and calmly states.
"I beg your pardon half-person, I only wished to assist the child as soon as possible. Personally I would think me the most appropriate person for such employment, being so as I am. If the gold pieces are of such a value to you then by all means you may have them, but I must see to this matter lest the poor child befall under some misfortune. Do you wish to accompany me?" He then brushes out the door slowly keeping half an eye out to see if the Halfling follows.

[Jonofthefunk]

Hikio slowly took notice of the of all 3 of the notices "Bandits, Snakes, and a Kid. He then sighed softly "So much for fun. Hmmmmm well I'd probably go for the kid" Eventually, he walked near the door noticing the other Dragonborn walking away "A Paladin huh?" He suddenly grinned insanely "This is gonna be fun"

[Bizelplyx]

Originally Posted by Komu

He then brushes out the door slowly keeping half an eye out to see if the Halfling follows.

As Sol starts to exits the Inn he runs directly into a uniformed man who seemed to be in a hurry to get to where the dragonborn had just been. Pausing for moment to collect himself from the near collision, and being startled by the dragonborn, for the fact they aren't seen in this area very often. He smiled, "Ah yes, it is good to see you. Please come back inside, let me buy you and the others a drink." He gestures towards the door. “We have much to discuss”

DM's editorial note The door is blocked by Sol and the uniformed man so no one can get out or in at the moment. You all hear what the man says to Sol. The notice board is near the entrance. I will try and get a map of the tavern together. Trying to use Evo's map making tutorial.

[Komu]

S'ol examines the man for a brief moment before he eventually replies.
"Very well, what would you have with me, but be brief for I am in a bit of a haste"
With that S'ol follows the man refusing to drink anything.