Fighting Fantasy The Introductory Roleplaying Game

[daredevil123]

Jun 25, 2019 20:44:01 GMT johnbrawn1972 said:

Jun 25, 2019 16:15:26 GMT daredevil123 said:

"I, Redric of Blacksand, second that. Let the barbarian prove the truth of his claim!"

Also, I don't know if the item in the spoiler tag was meant to be part of the adventure or just an example of how it works, but if it's real, Redric does not yet trust this motley crew enough to reveal it.

In the spirt of Red Dwarf it was an example you daft twonk. The idea is in the real games if Civilservicus has a spoiler then I click on it to find I have been bitten by a black widow and toppled sideways or something like that. The point is Champskees is relying on our honesty/not saying anything if you click it by accident and that is the point. Nobody has been given a head start but we might have our first spoiler for someone very soon.

I acknowledged the possibility that it was just an example; no need for (admittedly cute) insults.

[a moderator]

"Whoever goes last will have to climb down, as there'll be nobody to lower them. Now, everyone be quiet a moment."
*Drops a stone into the well, listens to hear it hit bottom*
"Kadron doesn't look like he could climb a quarter of that distance. I suggest he goes fourth at the latest. That way we'll have at least two pairs up top, who can take it in turns to bear his weight, and a couple down below to try and catch him if anything goes wrong."
"Who's strong enough, and a good enough climber, to wait up here with me until we've got Kadron down?"

[vagsancho]

Kradon
"Yes. My strength no longer flows in my body as in youth ... But none of us are here by chance .. The strongers should go ahead .. I will go after"

[andrewwright]

"By the fangs of Gurrang, you lot don't half talk too much!"

I will climb down right now and the rest can sort out who is 2nd, 3rd, etc.

BTW, character notes - I've got a 1-handed axe not a sword as a weapon (but let's assume it does the same damage)

[gmchampskees]

It takes only a second or two before the pebble thrown by Throma hits the bottom of the well with a 'plop'.

I note that Murg intends to descend first, but how is he descending exactly? I also need the order of the other adventurers too, and how they are going to get down. The bucket is small but will hold the weight of an adventurer.

Note that this IS me, I work on different devices in different locations, so will use this handle occasionally.

[deadshadowrunner]

"I can climb down last. I...used to be proficient in climbing."

[andrewwright]

I'll get in the bucket. (that's got to look pretty funny!)

"Right! One of you lot! Lower me down!"

[thealmightymudworm]

"I too will wait until cauldron is down. I'm as strong as a kraken and climbed the rigging in many a storm. Arr."

(Happy to follow straight after him or whenever.)

[kieran]

"I am happy to go down in the bucket after Murg ."

(BTW, if it's ok I'd like Talbion to be equipped with a spear rather than a sword).

[vagsancho]

"I'll go down along with the last one."

(I am equipped with a walking stick)

[johnbrawn1972]

No offence intended as above more in the spirit of Red Dwarf.

Question: If you can sit in the bucket it will not require much strength?

To save time does someone want to post an order and should we lower our backpacks and swords in the bucket and then be lowered down next to retrieve them. The adventurers at the bottom can re-equip immediately and act as guards/assisters.

If there is going to be a skill roll we should be less encumbered for a possible bonus as we are lowered.

It sounds like it is 20 feet at most?

[daredevil123]

"If the old man requires assistance, I will be happy to provide it. I do not, however, wish to surrender my weapon to the bucket. One of us should stay armed, and I'd prefer it to be me."

[a moderator]

Jun 26, 2019 11:26:10 GMT johnbrawn1972 said:

It sounds like it is 20 feet at most?

30-40, I'd say.

"I'll go after the spear-carrier." (i.e. Talbion - he hasn't given his name to us yet.) "And I'm keeping my sword with me, too."

Whispered to Prex and Jack

SPOILER: Click to show

"Make sure Kadron goes before you. He might just be a stubborn old goat, but he could be up to no good."

[vagsancho]

I'm afraid this harmless wooden stick is also essential to me these days ...

[johnbrawn1972]

Jun 26, 2019 17:28:57 GMT a moderator said:

Jun 26, 2019 11:26:10 GMT johnbrawn1972 said:

It sounds like it is 20 feet at most?

30-40, I'd say.

"I'll go after the spear-carrier." (i.e. Talbion - he hasn't given his name to us yet.) "And I'm keeping my sword with me, too."

Whispered to Prex and Jack

SPOILER: Click to show

"Make sure Kadron goes before you. He might just be a stubborn old goat, but he could be up to no good."

I am not sure about this though I now remember 10per/s/s so 10 then 20=30ish so ok.

I did not think this was a conspiratorial enterprise. I thought Champskees could use the Spoiler as a direct communication to a specific adventurer. Is it in the rules for us to use the Spoiler function?

If things are this paranoid at basically the door to the dungeon is there going to be any co-operation?(or point for that matter?)

I will certainly not be handing my sword to anyone once we are loaded with booty and at the exit door at the other side of the dungeon but this seems ridiculous. I can certainly understand we will go our separate ways at the end but this feels like a bunch of 14 year olds doing Dungeon and Dragons who stab you in the back at the first corner rendering things a waste of time.

[johnbrawn1972]

Jun 26, 2019 17:38:36 GMT vagsancho said:

I'm afraid this harmless wooden stick is also essential to me these days ...

Trust me when you sitting in a bucket you will not have to walk anywhere and I think holding the rope with both hands to be a very good idea.

[daredevil123]

Jun 26, 2019 17:38:36 GMT vagsancho said:

I'm afraid this harmless wooden stick is also essential to me these days ...

You would not part an old man from his walking stick? 

[johnbrawn1972]

What am I doing with paranoid schizophrenics and geriatrics anonymous?

[kieran]

"I am Talbion by the way, a... veteran... of Vymorna."

[johnbrawn1972]

I do not know if Champskees wants to say anything. We need a clarification as to whether we should be using Spoilers. I think we should not and it should only be a games master privilege as they have the meta-knowledge.

Is this a case of there is no honour among thieves therefore what are we doing here in the first place or in other words we should all be off on our own nefarious projects as devious and conniving individuals.

If at the end people want to double up to carry off some large statuette I am not bothered but I would suggest it should be about co-operation as otherwise there will be endless posts with spoilers as some geriatric is pushed down the stairs. The group might be turned against one another but this should be games master spoiler lead.

[a moderator]

Fine. Read the Spoiler. It doesn't matter any more, because I quit.

[johnbrawn1972]

I was not being a spoilsport.

Is it about everyone for themselves or not?

Is it about co-operation and still at the end people can make radical decisions as suggested above.

If Champskees had said Spoilers for all is fine then alright. If the decision was only for the games master then fine again.

If we could lay a little groundwork then we could move on. I had not read the Spoiler because Champskees might have said this is the game and it is everyone for themselves then alright again.

[stevendoig]

methinks you were taking it a bit seriously! shame i was enjoying reading these posts ( i never took part coz i'm rubbish at roleplay!)

[johnbrawn1972]

Jun 27, 2019 18:41:49 GMT stevendoig said:

methinks you were taking it a bit seriously! shame i was enjoying reading these posts ( i never took part coz i'm rubbish at roleplay!)

A few more ground rules may have helped.

1 It is either co-operative or everyman for themselves?

2 Is it thrashed out unanimity or simple majority vote?

3 Is there a nominated leader who decides/has a casting vote?

and so on.

I am not sure I was taking it too seriously more how seriously is the game intended.

[daredevil123]

Jun 27, 2019 16:06:03 GMT a moderator said:

Fine. Read the Spoiler. It doesn't matter any more, because I quit.

Let's keep it together guys. Personally, I think that for the minute only the GM should use the spoiler tag so as to avoid mistrust between the players. I can't speak for anyone else, but Redric will always act in the interests of the party and will surrender his weapon if this will diffuse tensions.

[a moderator]

Jun 27, 2019 16:44:37 GMT johnbrawn1972 said:

I was not being a spoilsport.

If I'd used the term 'spoilsport' you might have a point.

If you're that quick to assume the worst about me, this isn't going to be an enjoyable game for either of us, so I'm walking away from it.

In case the distrust goes beyond the game, I'll state categorically that I am thoroughly opposed to abuse of moderatorial powers, so you needn't worry about your posts or account.

[daredevil123]

I don't want to get into the thankless role of peacekeeper here, but greenspine, I'd encourage you to keep playing. It's up to you of course, but remember that misinterpretations are easily made over the internet. That said, johnbrawn1972, you have been borderline insulting more than once. Please try to keep things civil.

I was really looking forward to having fun with this game - let's not mess it up just for the sake of the use of the spoiler tag.

[a moderator]

Apologies to Champskees, the players, and other readers for the unpleasantness.

I shan't post in this thread again unless required to by my moderatorial responsibilities.

[champskees]

Well, that escalated quickly! I just read the above posts, a couple of words from the GM before we move on, this is mostly in response to JB's questions but TLDR just enjoy the game for what it is...

Firstly thank you to everyone playing, getting a good role-playing vibe thus far from all players. Obviously it is very easy for miscommunication to occur via posts on a bulletin board/forum though, I probably should have briefly touched on the sort of game this will be. Yes, this is definitely a co-operative game. There will be many situations where it will be difficult to succeed all by yourself. Occasionally, sharing of items such as provisions etc might be a good idea, but generally when it comes to finding treasure etc, adventuring lore dictates it's 'finders keepers'. Ultimately whether you decide to keep everything you find for yourself or share with the party probably depends more on your characters personal goals, intelligence and ambitions. But it IS up to your character. If your character disagrees with another character, that's fine, but attacking another character or stealing their possessions is very much against the spirit of the game and unless it is for a very good reason, either of these actions will mean your character will not be around for the next adventure.

Spoiler function. Personally I think the spoiler function is really cool and I think there are times when it is good for both players and GM's to use it when playing on a forum like this as it prevents a sub-game of PM's from going on in the background. The intention of Greenspine's spoiler appears to be totally in the spirit of the game from my point of view, surely a couple of the characters would be questioning why a 94 year old man is willing to go down a well for treasure haha! But then again, perhaps whispering to only a couple of members of a group would draw suspicion from some of the other adventurers, especially when they have only just met? I'm ok with spoilers but i'll make a house rule that if someone is whispering/communicating something to another player, you can try to listen in by Testing your Skill with a +4 modifier to the dice roll (no need to publish/announce this roll). If you succeed, you can read the spoiler, as your character has managed to get the gist of what was said. Note that this house rule DOES NOT apply to GM spoilers from me unless explicitly stated otherwise. All this being said, please use spoilers (if at all) sparingly.

In terms of what happens throughout the adventure, well I am the GM, but your characters have some control over what occurs. You tell me what your character wants to do, i'll see if it conflicts with the rest of the group. Decisions like whether to go left or right will be largely democratic. But say you want to murderhobo an NPC, well I might let others interact first because it is very hard to unkill someone. Ultimately, i'll make the call if needed, but you would hope that the group can come up with some way of working together without too many issues. Also remember that we have at least one of us whose first language isn't English when communicating.

So I hope that clears some things up. Just one last thing, but probably the most important. And since I answered all of your questions JB, I will say this is also mostly directed towards you (not in an offensive way of course). STAY IN CHARACTER. I don't want to listen to johnbrawn, I want to listen to Civilservicus. I can guarantee that if you do, you will avoid making many of the social faux pas as above. If Civilservicus turned around, and with a raised eyebrow, made a quip about Throma's private conversations, it would have played out much more smoothly. The other major reason why you want to stay in character is because you break the immersion. Seriously, go back and read the adventure so far, tell me exactly who breaks the immersion and when. We can analyse things after the adventure, not during. LIVE IN THE MOMENT MY FRIEND! Let me handle the rules unless I've overlooked something really important. Even then, maybe just PM me with a suggestion/rules clarification so the story doesn't get bogged down like it is right now. Your job is to play the role of your character seriously, it makes sense that an old man has a walking stick, a barbarian has an axe etc. No one, nope not even an office worker (and yes I hate anachronisms) would be wielding an office chair. Be creative, perhaps you are wielding your trusty wooden chairleg (equivalent to a club)?

So, in line with my rant, I approve all weapon swaps with the exception of Civil's office chair. Oh, and Greenspine, I 100% respect your decision but the adventure hasn't even started yet! Give it one more chance? Otherwise your character will indeed live up to her name!

[champskees]

...meanwhile, back at the well, just as the last adventurer climbs off the rope...

You are at the bottom of a dried-up well. The walls are caked with dried mud and the ground underfoot is muddy. Leading off northwards from the well shaft is a narrow passageway.