[OOC] Gametable chat

[Citrus]

This thread is going to be for out of character discussion. Feel free to use it to chat about any subject, or to discuss anything related to the game out of your character.

First off, let me welcome you to the game! A little about myself: I'm 30 years old, enjoy fiction writing (though I procrastinate so much that it's little more than a pipe dream at this point), and my favorite band is Nine Inch Nails. I'm a nerd at heart, though I do my best to hide it in social situations. I've got a tattoo of the symbol of torment from Planescape: Torment, and have played video games since I was a kid. That's probably why my play by post games end up being more like a video game / writing hybrid with lots of pictures and visuals.

I currently run two other play by post games on another forum that have been running for a good while now without stalling out.

If you're comfortable doing so, please introduce yourself by telling everyone a little bit about yourself (personal information is not necessary).

Anyway, once again, welcome to the game and I hope you'll enjoy it! It's the players that make a forum game successful and popular to read, not the DM!

[Celebithron]

First: The Character Builder indicates that the free version can only be used to make characters from levels 1-3. I predict that this will be a problem.

Second: Hey! I'm a 23 yr. old engineering graduate student. I'm a colossal nerd, also, and don't care who knows it. I play Belegarth, Dagorhir, Amtgard, and the SCA; video games; and D&D when I can get it. I'm in one other game right now, on this very site, a 3.5e campaign. I'm flying home to KY from CT for Christmas break right now, and I'm almost out of battery in the airport lounge, so, more to come later!

[Pawndream]

Hello folks!

I am 37 years old, married with two kids, and a weather forecaster in the U.S. Air Force. Life is too busy for me to play face-to-face right now, so PbP is the next best thing (better in some ways!).

I am a closet nerd. Most people that know me have no clue that I play RPG's. It's just not something I bring up in conversation. I am not ashamed of playing RPG's, it's just that I have found that people are either A) not that interested in hearing about it, or B) weirded out about it. So, it's easier to just talk about other things when in social situations.

My other great passions are mountain biking and goofing around on the acoustic guitar.

I also play in a Basic D&D PbP and am putting together a one-shot D&D 4e "pilot" adventure for 1st level characters.

I'm really looking forward to gaming with the rest of you and hope this game will go far!

[Citrus]

OK - I didn't realize that. I'll have to figure something else out I suppose. I wonder if you can read characters above level 3? Also, all that sheet is are some stats. If it was just written down in that format, I could just copy and paste it into my own creator.

I have to leave for work now but I'll figure something out.

There's also this web site but I haven't tried it yet:

http://iplay4e.appspot.com/

[Damaru]

Hey there, everyone! I’m a twenty-year-old undergraduate student, and among my interests are literature, writing, video games, etc. I only started playing D&D with the advent of 4E, but it’s been fun so far; I have one ongoing game as DM on the site. Looking forward to meeting the rest of the crew!

[LupusRegalis]

Heyo,

I'm an ex-Air Force Mechanic, nearing the 30 mark, and been around here for awhile. Havn't played tabletop Dnd in a few years, since it's hard to get a good group together and I moved. Played amtgard for awhile but got tired of how whiny the group was, and unfortunately there's no dagohir where I live. I'm doing security right now, tried going back to college (ugh), and am currently kicking around a project bike I'm working on (and I do mean kicking! LOL)

[Citrus]

So, as far as I know, all you need to do right now is make a level 1 character, which the free version of the DDI character builder allows you to do. The question is how far you can level up a character? Is it only up to level 3?

My point is, you might not be able to MAKE a level 5 guy, but maybe you can start at level 1 and level him up over time to 5 and BEYOND.

Anyway, all I need are versions of your sheet that I can put into MY DDI builder program, which DOES have a subscription. That way, I can use it to give you power cards and that stuff. So even if you don't have a subscription, it still serves the purpose to use the free version.

[heridfel]

I think it only goes to level 3, period. Even so, with the use of "View Illegal Elements", you should still be able to use it as a rules source for the powers which you would need. I'm not sure, since I haven't used the demo since the full version came out.

I think that I'll probably have the easiest time making a connection with Lala, since we're both arcane characters. On the flip side, the easiest conflicts would be with the two noblemen, Eradan and Cairn. He's shorter than both, and views both of them as privileged in ways that they don't realize. In particular, Cairn's dislike of nobility (especially the ones who achieve their station through their deeds) would be very much at odds with Percater's desire to become a noble through his deeds. They both dislike nobles, but for opposite reasons, driving a conflict that could be worked through over time.

[LupusRegalis]

You read that wrong there Heridfel, Cairn dislikes the disdain that the Nobility shows towards those who earn their place. As he too has to earn his place for his family, they would share that in common.

But i agree most likely Cairn and Percater would tend to come into conflict due to differing views. It's funny you mention him being privileged unawares, as he would see Percater's history as being privileged more than his own.

As far as having much in common, I agree Cairn would probably feel the most bond with Eradan.

[Citrus]

OK - anyone who has given me a DDI version of their character sheet should now have their power cards and portrait up in the Characters thread.

Scroll to the bottom of your character and click the Portrait & Cards button.

The easiest way to use them is if you're using Google Chrome, like I am. You can just right click an image and select "Copy Image URL"

The second way is to hit EDIT on the post and copy / paste the img code.

The third way is to save them on to your computer and upload to an image hosting site yourself.

We'll be using these to post with (it worked to GREAT success in the past). I know it may seem like a hassle, but I think in the end it actually saves time since you spend less time looking stuff up, and plus it's just colorful and more appealing.

In your post, first include your portrait. Second, your in character post. Third, a spoiler button with your out of character actions, your character summary card, a power card for any power you're using, and finally a few remaining details like how many hit points, surges, and encounter/daily powers you have left. Look at the Example post in the rules section to see for yourself what I am saying.

[Citrus]

I'll do everything in my power to make doing things this way as easy as possible for the players.

[Citrus]

Also, if you really just cannot use the free version of the character builder for some reason, the poor man's way of getting your sheet ready is to:

1) copy / paste someone else's

2) replace the details with your own

This can work for levelling up past level 3 with the free version. Just stick with that format and add or adjust things. It should still be possible for me to use it in my program.

[heridfel]

Originally Posted by Citrus

OK - anyone who has given me a DDI version of their character sheet should now have their power cards and portrait up in the Characters thread.

My power cards are missing my racial bonus to Intelligence, that I'm wielding my quarterstaff (for Staff of Defense) and that I'm wearing my leather armor. That 4 AC/+1 Reflex/+1 attack and damage might come in handy.

I think it may affect other sheets as well, at least with the equipping of items.

[LupusRegalis]

Same issues with Cairn:
Missing bonus to Strength, Armor not taken into account, and also I don't have Basic Melee or Ranged attack cards

[Citrus]

OK, I'll fix that now