PotM November

[Admin Choc]

Fall has arrived, and we Dutch people even welcomed Winter-time by changing our clock time one hour back to get more daylight during the day (we changed the clock from 3.00 --> 2.00, and in Summer we put the time back from 2.00 --> 3.00 again). Ofcourse it's the time to cuddle up, near the fire time (that we do not have, hehe) and read books POSTS!!!!

Yes, you know why you came here! You must have spotted a very good post, and you were thinking: how to let more RPG players know that this post is awesome?. And this is the way to create a stage for that post, let us know:

• Create a post in this thread and provide a link of the post, if the game forum is secret, please copy and paste the post in a spoiler tag)
• Please only link to ONE post, we do not need multiple posts to show your enthusiasm
• Share your thoughts and motivation 'why' you thought this post was awesome, what was standing out for you, why did you love this particular post?
• Follow these guidelines even if you are nominating your own post, we love to see why you are proud and want to share your own post

So please nominate, we love to read

[Strangemund]

Nomination Player: Kaigen Game: Die Fabulous System: Thirsty Sword Lesbian DM: Strangemund (me!) Post Link: here Context: We're in the after-math of a showdown that happened between the PCs and loan shark antagonist, Sally Slither, who attempted to burn down their friend Harleen's bar. They saved the day but not without a few cuts and bruises, and emotional scars. Anais, the ever upbeat country gal, takes time to tend to each of her friends, both PC and NPC alike, and then gives herself a quiet moment to process the revelation that the mysterious woman she came to the city to find-- perhaps even court-- is not only here, but she's sad. Seen in a photograph that was kept on Sally Slither's person. And that thought alone leads Anais to make a prayer in the rain. The Reasoning: It is beautiful, ya'll. Kaigen (known stealth PotM nominator) really hit all the buttons for me in terms of a fantastic post. It is heartfelt. It connects with the other PCs and NPCs. And it circles back to just a gorgeous scene of her reconnecting with a story reveal I gave Kaigen several posts ago-- it is, without a doubt, magical. Honestly, that image of her standing in the rain, wishing comfort for someone else is just-- it is exactly what I wanted to experience in a Thirsty Sword Lesbian game. Bonus: I also still cannot get over Kaigen's choice of pic for Anais. I really just want more people to see their genius. The Post:   Anais the Nature Witch Anais had been thinking that after everything that had just happened—the close calls, the injuries, the emotional wringer folks had been put through—that a rain check on Darla and Aurellia's contest might be called for. Maybe they could just cuddle up a bit tonight and see where the morning took them. But the way Darla looked at her after that kiss. Mercy me. It sent heat pooling at the bottom of her gut. If Darla had shoved her down right there, Anais would have enthusiastically welcomed it. They did have a bit of an audience, though, and while Bee and Chip didn't seem to mind, let alone Harleen, that would not necessarily hold true for any random passersby. So Anais reluctantly disentangled herself from the halfling, leaving the warm print of her hand against her back and a dark-eyed look in the eyes as a deposit for later. Then she met Harleen's impish grin with one of her own and a waggle of the eyebrows. "There's a lotta that goin' around, hey? And Honeysuckle, if you do a burlesque night, you'd best sign me up." Her smile softened. "Some mint, a bit of sage to clear out the Sally Smoke, and you'll be back in business." Anais used Shi's hand to steady her as she stood up, her legs a little weak from supporting Darla and also from Darla in general. She then used the grip to pull Shi into a tight hug. "You're my hero, you know that?" she murmured in Shi's ear. "Could'na done this without you most of all." Releasing the hug, she rested her hands on each of Shi's shoulders and looked her in the eyes. Robin took advantage of the opening to twine himself around Shi's ankles and let his fluffy tail brush against her. "I know that, even if no one else does, an' I hope you know it, too." Then, knowing that Shi could only swallow so much love and support in one gulp, she cracked a smile and let her hands drop. "Now you gwon in and leave this fool here in the rain. I gotta thank them what's let me help Darla." Stepping out into the rain, Anais turned her face up and closed her eyes, letting it kiss her face all over. She heard Aurellia hesitate on the threshold and said, "Don' you worry about me, Aurey Apricot. I'll jus' be a minute, and then you can help me warm back up." She turned her head towards her and winked. "Dealer's choice." When she was definitely alone, save for Robin, Anais let her shawl drop to the ground and spread her arms to welcome the rain into her embrace. It lavished her with attention, plastering her clothes to her body. "This is my thanks for healin' Darla. Have what you'd like." Rivulets of water caressed her body, tracing her curves on their way to the ground. Anais chuckled in the back of her throat. "Thanks, yer sweet." Anais reached down the front of her top and pulled out the photo she'd liberated from Sally, a fleeting smile crossing her face as her fingers brushed over Darla's key. Wiping the moisture from the photo, Anais studied it again in the neon glow. There she was, standing on a prismatic balcony, tears on her face. "If I c'n ask another favor," she said to the rain. "Take some comfort to her, wherever she is. Somebody out there is thinkin' on her." She hummed a little song in the back of her throat before picking her shawl back up and tucking the photo into one of its pockets. "...like I could've walked on the sea, if you'd just noticed me, waiting in the rain..." Anais walked back into Harleen's, soaking wet and dripping, a broad smile on her face. Normally she'd feel a little bit bad about tracking in so much water, but they had to clean up anyway, so really it was like she was already helping. Seeing that Aurellia was having a little talk with Shi, Anais sauntered over to the bar, hips swaying, and perched herself on a bar stool near Harleen. "Now then, Honeysuckle, we've both gotten some sweetness tonight—I won' deny it and you shouldn' try—so pour me somethin' to loosen the lips and let's gossip like we don' have better things to be doin'."

[Alemar]

Nomination Nominee: Alemar Game: Otherworlders: The Terrans Link: https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...99#post9788599 DM: Rylus Context: Trevor was picked up from the real world, and tossed head over heels into the magical realm of Chroma. Chroma is similar to a MMORPG, where life seems to follow a completely different set of rules than what the Player's are used to. Trevor has travelled with a few other newcomers to the Adventurer's Guild, and through his various actions during the previous day has caught the attention of a powerful being named Hulm. Tumbling through an everchanging mindscape, Trevor come face to face with a life he could very well have, provided he signs the Warlock's End User Licensing Agreement (It's an MMO game after all) Reason: I found it quite fun to write, and feel the imagery is both clever, fun, and powerful for other readers to enjoy.

[Dworin]

Nomination Nominee: Squirmonkey Game: Eagle Eyes Link: here GM: Dworin Context: Levian (PC) is a spy master with many street contacts. Squirmonkey had introduced Ignaea (NPC), a street musician, in an earlier post and she was revisited in this scene. She seemed impatient with Levian for promising to connect her to a teacher but never delivering. Reason: In this short post, Squirmonkey masterfully shows how to manipulate a person into submission by first breaking her down and then giving a (cheap) promise. This transformed a plain 'the spy didn't see anything' scene into an impressive reveal of character, bringing Levian's character aspect (cold-hearted bastard) into focus.

[bananabadger]

Nominee: Elder Oblex
Game: ARGH, Lost my Mine in Phandelver
System: 5e
GM: Choc/BananaBadger
Link: Not All Wounds Heal

Background: ElderOblex's character, the dwarf-druid Nuala, has just helped win a close battle against an army of goblins, hobgoblins and a two-headed owlbear. As messy as things were during the battle, they might be messier now. Nuala has to deal with ...

• A group of her former allies, who have lit a green fire to summon their dragon lord, demanding that Nuala join them.
• A mysterious magical item won in battle that calls into her mind, addressing Nuala by her secret, true name
• An old, once-kind guardian, Gundren, whose former captivity by goblins has made him cruel and mad

Why the nomination? With this post, ElderOblex deepens our understanding of their character, showing us who Nuala is through her response to NPCs, through simple declarations of actions (she's a druid who often takes the shape of a bear, so of course she'll scratch at a door rather than knock--even when in dwarven form), and through her final act of kindness that ends the post. Mechanically, ElderOblex addresses and advances at least three separate plot points, and ends the post with a nice, clean volley for others to pick up on and move the story forward.

 

Nuala The violence should have given her some sort of high; a feeling of elation, exultation, or relief, at least. It did not. The whole aftermath of this Incident In The Kitchen Involving A Bear Rug, Her Pack, Her New Friends, and The Goblinoids just left a bitter taste in the dwarf’s - and she was, by way of cracking and twisting bone and sinew, pain and screams and Thard Harr’s wild touch, back as a dwarf - sharp-toothed mouth. She wanted to know who those hobgoblins worked for, and why they went on raids. Was it simply to line their pockets with the spoils of others? Or for another, darker purpose? And those former captives… those bedraggled, emaciated humans she had thought were thoroughly done with the Dragon of the Green, the violator of their village. Yet here they were again, right back to where they started. Did they forget so quickly how their livelihoods were burned dry by that flying lizard? Again her hands twitched and shook, aching to use her claws so soon after they had come from battle. She wanted to rend the dragon’s neck, even if it cost her life… But she had to protect her pack. The Pack always came first. "The green fire is lit! Will you join us?" So all Nuala gave to the stupid old woman and her ilk were her words of wisdom. "Your lord not your lord. This den not your den. This den ours. We fight for it." Nuala paused. They fought too, after all. Big Ben, Marg Thundertree, the boy… She didn’t realize she was grinding her teeth. "We fight. To be free. Now… You…" She looked up at them, those sad, desperate, foolish town folk grasping at straws for the smallest sliver of hope; any hope. Was it better to leave them with a false hope, one that would lead to their deaths? "Not too late," she said, less hotly now. "Fire out. Leave place. Start new." Nuala looked up at the villagers again, with genuine concern, and sadness. "...No. Not join you." She did not see the shadow in the sky. Nuala kept silent when the dwarf spoke of something about a Forge. It tickled her memory, but she didn’t let that bother her. Memories were the last things she wanted inside her head right now. She was glad that he was safe now, at least, and none too worse for wear. Nuala hated goblins too, but she also hated Gundren’s joke. Was there something wrong with him, or with her? Perhaps that was why she couldn’t really sleep that night. Nuala tried walking outdoors, but the noise of the city bustling at all hours didn’t help her nerves. Phandalin used to smell of charcoal, and sweat, and fear. Not there was an added mix of anticipation at the absence of the Redbrands, but there was also… unease. Was it because of the mad dwarf? Nuala was grinding her teeth again. Was she on edge because of her old friend, who had now returned to them… damaged… by abuse? She could relate to that. Maybe it was that persistent, irritating feeling that someone kept calling her name. It seemed to be coming from… wasn’t that Fiadh’s room at the Inn? Was there an actual voice? Or just a feeling? Nuala couldn’t tell. It wasn’t even ‘Nuala’ that she was “hearing,” beckoning her to come. It wasn’t using that new name. It was calling… her forgotten name; her old name. Her dwarven name. Nuala jumped a bit when she realized she was right outside her friend’s door. Wasn’t she walking outside just a moment ago? How did she get here? How long was she standing there? Well, if she were here already, there was nothing left for it… She scratched at the door. —- Nuala stretched like a dog as she joined the others back in the common chamber. She had trouble resting, but any rest was better than nothing. Gundren’s new pieces of parchment didn’t help, though. Nuala couldn’t understand them. She stared at Sildar as he said something about a hike. "Not all wounds heal", she almost spat at him. She had so many questions, though. Why was he imprisoned? Was it for this forge? Who was behind his captivity? But really the most important one to her was the one she asked her old friend. "Gundren." She held his beard with both hands, forcing his head, if not his eyes, to face her. "Who hurt you? Why?"

Mechanics   Move: Action: Perception: Dice * Roll: 1d20+6 (4)+6 Total = 10 (10) Persuasion: Dice * Roll: 1d20-1 (20)-1 Total = 19 (19) Bonus: Free Action: Reaction: Current Effect: Conditions: should be eaten within 12 hoursGoodberries available: 10/10 Stat Block   Nuala, Level 5 Hill Dwarf Druid/Barbearian (Outlander) HP: 57/57 | AC: 16 w/ shield14 Initiative: +1 | Speed: 25' | Senses: Darkvision 60', Passive Perception 15 Saving Throws Str +1 | Dex +1 Con +3 | Int +2 | Wis +5 | Cha -1 Abilities: Str 13 | Dex 12 | Con 16 | Int 10 | Wis 16 | Cha 8 Class Features: BA to Wild ShapeCombat Wild Shape | BA to enter | +2 dmg | adv to Str | resist all types but psychicRage, Bear Totem | Unarmored Def | advantage on Dexterity saving throws against effects that you can see, such as traps and spells. To gain this benefit, you can't be blinded, deafened, or incapacitated.Danger Sense | When you make your first attack on your turn, you can decide to attack recklessly. Doing so gives you advantage on melee weapon attack rolls using Strength during this turn, but attack rolls against you have advantage until your next turn.Reckless Attack Spellcasting: Save DC: 13 | Attack Bonus +5 | Slots: 3/3| | Guidance, Produce FlameCantrips | Goodberry, Healing Word, Entangle, Speak w/ Animals (R)Level 1 | Beast Sense (R)Level 2   Recharge on a Short RestRemaining: 2/2 Str: 19(+4), Dex: 10(+0), Con: 16(+3), Int: 2(-4), Wis: 13(+1), Cha: 7(-2) | HP: 34 | AC: 11 | Spd: 40', climb 30' Multiattack. The bear makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. | Hit: (1d8 + 4) piercing damage. Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. | Hit: (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.Brown Bear | Str: 17(+3), Dex: 15(+2), Con: 15(+2), Int: 3(-4), Wis: 12(+1), Cha: 7(-2) | HP: 37 | AC: 14 | Spd: 50' Keen Smell & Hearing. Adv to Perception checks using hearing/smell Pack Tactics. The wolf has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the wolf's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. | Hit: (2d6 + 3) piercing damage. If target is creature, DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.Dire Wolf

[Kaigen]

Player: QueenQatherine
Game: Die Fabulous
System: Thisty Sword Lesbians
GM: Strangemund
Post: Link

Context: In the aftermath of the crew's showdown and the subsequent fallout, Naga-Shi deals with some decidedly mixed feelings about how things played out and her place in the group while resisting a preternatural urge to lash out.

Reason: Qat works in some excellent non-verbal cues in this post to convey the storm her character is holding in under the calm facade. At the same time, she works in her background connections to the other characters in a way that underscores the tension in the post. All while incorporating the mechanical results of Touketsu's roll in a way that flows from her character.

 

Naga-Shi Naga-Shi was content to let the others do all the talking. It would have been easy enough to simply glide into the background while everyone else celebrated this fortunate reunion. Harleen and Anais were safe, Darla was already showing signs of recovering under Anais’s care, and even Aurelia emerged from the smoldering tavern hardly any worse for wear. Things could have gone better, things could have more closely followed her plan, but such rumination would do no good now. The die had been cast and every good gambler knew that the outcome was immutable. Shi couldn’t change it, Shi could only play the hand that was dealt. Anais mentioned Bea and that the woman gave chase to Sally. The brief and seemingly innocuous comment would not go unnoticed by Naga-Shi. It was something small and subtle, but it would do much to deflect suspicion further down the line. Even distracted as she was, the nature witch loyally guarded the naga’s terrible secrets. The subtle and unseen act of kindness was an ointment on the sting of betrayal in the shapeshifter’s unknowable heart. In stark contrast, Aurelia emerged from the bar with a bottle in hand, already drinking. Her drinking had been a primary contributor to the plan’s failure, yet now she spoke with a bottle still drawn to her lips, seemingly ignorant to irony of a confession that betrayed the fact she’d no intention of learning from her mistakes. Then again, if Aurelia chose her words as carefully as Naga-Shi did, then perhaps it was intentional that she offered a compliment rather than an apology. It ultimately didn’t matter if Aurelia couldn’t or wouldn’t change, it was on Naga-Shi to take her, or leave her. Both of them had experienced enough of being left behind in their lives. Naga-Shi was slow to stand, her serpent eyes finding Aurelia as she finished with, “I see you. Okay?” The naga reached out and took the bottle from her with a knowing smile, as if she knew everything would be okay from the beginning, as if everything had gone perfectly to plan, even when all signs of the contrary still weighed heavily on her and all those around her. Shi brought the bottle to her perfectly painted lips and took a long, slow swig, letting it burn all the way down her throat and settle into her empty stomach before rocking the neck of the bottle between two fingers, letting the liquid slosh around inside, studying it as Shi mused, “Everyone has their own ghosts Aurelia. It’s not everyday we must face that which haunts us. Today you came eye to eye with one of those ghosts.” Shi stepped in closer, placing the bottle back into Aurelia’s palm with one hand, while her other took clasped her forearm, giving it a subtle, but comforting squeeze, “And you didn’t let it claim you. That’s all a reasonable person could ever ask.” Naga-Shi had always been a tough nut to crack. The mask Shi wore was near perfect, but not without flaw. Aurelia had seen it crack before, worse, she’d seen it break. Something powerful and sinister hid underneath the veneer of a clever con-artist and while Aurelia didn’t know from where this terrible might came from, whether it was a blessing or curse, whatever Shi was, Shi could unleash a storm that few ships could weather. Aurelia had seen the storm before, she knew the warning signs, and looking at her long time friend now, she saw those signs. The tightness of her stance, the stiffness of her supple joints, the twinkle in her eye, Shi was in pain, Shi was fighting back the mounting pressure of the terrible venom within. If left unchecked it would explode into a vindictive fury the con-artist would no longer be able to control, only direct. If Naga-Shi still struggled so, that meant the source of the affliction had not been dealt with. Since Sally Slither was gone and the danger had passed, it could only mean that the people around her were at least partially responsible for perpetuating her suffering. Naga-Shi was intentionally distant, Shi kept herself at arms length with everyone, played the role of someone none of the others would even desire getting too close to, but in this moment, Shi found herself a victim of her own success. Anais and Darla were preoccupied with each other, Aurelia was busy drinking, and even Harleen left the naga’s side for Aurelia. Aurelia understood how the con-artist felt in the brief moment they shared. Naga-Shi cared for the group, wished to protect and nurture them, but knew Shi could never really, truly be one of them. The answer to the second question came as the moment passed. It was a small thing that only the scoundrel appreciated. As Naga-Shi released her, having given her words of encouragement, Shi took two steps back, even as Shi turned to look at Anais, Shi kept her flank to the scoundrel, kept her in the corner of her eye. Shi refused to turn her back to Aurelia, refused to let her out of sight for too long. Shi anticipated Aurelia’s inevitable betrayal and Shi would only open up when Shi either felt that such a betrayal was avoidable, or was worth the risk. “Now,” clapping her gloved hands together with a show meant to bring attention back to her before offering one to Darla and the other to Anais, as if Shi was in any position to lift both to their feet, all the while looking through the duo, “As the wise oft say, even a fool has enough sense to get out of the rain.”