OCC: Out of Character Chat

[Edeldhur]

Gang, I hope it is ok to put some thoughts out there.
I am a bit concerned with the pace of the game...
I have this firm conviction no PbP can survive with such sparse posting (lets all consider the Barrowmaze game by Spearmint is something different But still) - the engagement via PbP is already harder than it is in face to face games, and when posting is so sparse, from my experience both players and DM get detached from the game. It eventually drags along for a while, and dies off somehow.
I am seeing this already happening in this game somehow.
Does anyone feel the same? Is there something we can do to improve this?

[Doctor Crunch]

I'd certainly welcome a faster pace, but am not having engagement issues yet.

[Rex]

I am not having any issues, but a faster pace doesn't bother me. Keeping in mind it is my busy season so I am not posting on the weekends/holidays/vacation right now.

[scottjen]

I agree Edulhur. I start to forget what is going on when the time stretches out between posts. Everyone is trying to be respectful and not commit the party based on their posts, but maybe is slowing things down waiting on people that may have already left the game? How about: The party leaders (Edulhur & Rex) decide on course of action after a set amount of time from the DMs last posting, using whatever party input there is at that point. We will also get a clear picture for who is still in the game.
Another thought: We could also put PC thoughts / plans in the OCC & have only the party leaders post on the main thread to keep it cleaner (the caller idea). Unless someone was on their own of course.

[BaltoBruiser]

I agree Edulhur. I start to forget what is going on when the time stretches out between posts. Everyone is trying to be respectful and not commit the party based on their posts, but maybe is slowing things down waiting on people that may have already left the game? How about: The party leaders (Edulhur & Rex) decide on course of action after a set amount of time from the DMs last posting, using whatever party input there is at that point. We will also get a clear picture for who is still in the game.
Another thought: We could also put PC thoughts / plans in the OCC & have only the party leaders post on the main thread to keep it cleaner (the caller idea). Unless someone was on their own of course.

Scott and everyone else,

I appreciate the input. This is my first time running a PbP so I have been worried about not "railroading" the party and leaving the action up to you guys. This hesitation has lead to some fits and starts in the action. And honestly, we have been playing for months and only gone 14 hours into our first adventuring day...I know the pace needs to pick up and I am looking into things I can do to make that happen.

I like the idea of you all working through what actions you want to take either in the OOC thread or I can set up a separate party discussion thread and then the "callers" posting actions to "adventure" thread. We can set a IRL time limit that seems reasonable and go from there.

Also, it appears that three of our initial party members Urson, Chilrona (the theives), and Bucephaulus have left the site (or have not logged on in a month or more). I am happy to run them as NPCs as the party might need their skills (thieving or martial); do any of you want to take them on as retainer/NPCs instead?

Bruiser

[Edeldhur]

I agree Edulhur. I start to forget what is going on when the time stretches out between posts. Everyone is trying to be respectful and not commit the party based on their posts, but maybe is slowing things down waiting on people that may have already left the game? How about: The party leaders (Edulhur & Rex) decide on course of action after a set amount of time from the DMs last posting, using whatever party input there is at that point. We will also get a clear picture for who is still in the game.
Another thought: We could also put PC thoughts / plans in the OCC & have only the party leaders post on the main thread to keep it cleaner (the caller idea). Unless someone was on their own of course.

Scott and everyone else,

I appreciate the input. This is my first time running a PbP so I have been worried about not "railroading" the party and leaving the action up to you guys. This hesitation has lead to some fits and starts in the action. And honestly, we have been playing for months and only gone 14 hours into our first adventuring day...I know the pace needs to pick up and I am looking into things I can do to make that happen.

I like the idea of you all working through what actions you want to take either in the OOC thread or I can set up a separate party discussion thread and then the "callers" posting actions to "adventure" thread. We can set a IRL time limit that seems reasonable and go from there.

Also, it appears that three of our initial party members Urson, Chilrona (the theives), and Bucephaulus have left the site (or have not logged on in a month or more). I am happy to run them as NPCs as the party might need their skills (thieving or martial); do any of you want to take them on as retainer/NPCs instead?

Bruiser

I would like to keep at least one thief.
And Thargus has also offered the goblins a chance to join, so we might get more 'hirelings'
Regarding the rest, I am ok with OOC or IC discussion.
IRL time limit can be a good idea to make sure we keep moving, even when not all are able to contribute (yep, RL is a thing).
PbP is a very particular monster, so it might take us some time to find the way that works best for us. Just need to stick with it.

[Doctor Crunch]

FWIW I think 14 hours is sort of underselling it. We've investigated three or four different situations and had a combat. That's a very dense action per hour layout.

[Rex]

By its nature play by post is pretty slow. I am fine with the ideas everyone have thrown out and I think a reasonable deadline between posts is a good idea. I tend to be the most frequent poster in many games so I try not to make the decisions all the time because I know I have annoyed some players doing that in the past. I can probably handle a NPC/Hireling if you need me to.

[scottjen]

I'm hoping the other players chime in with opinions here. As far as time between posts goes, I figure it is Bruiser's call as it is his game. I'd prefer 1-2 days, but if you guys want to do differently, or even variable, that's ok too.

[gurusql]

I am fine with putting a time limit on posting, but I know that at least for me 1 day is to fast, there will be some days that posting is not possible.

[Doctor Crunch]

Maybe a time limit between posts for the Callers?

[Rex]

I think a minimum would be 2 posts per week. 3 per week would be better but I know not everyone can keep that kind of rate up. I can go almost every day except on weekends/holidays/vacations.

[scottjen]

Here's an idea: Maybe at the next guard shift change, Alishar can make an illusion of the guards we killed approaching (while there is only 1 guard on one of the ends - basket side maybe?). Then someone else takes out that single guard from behind /surprise. I keep up with the illusions to distract the approaching shift change guard until he can be ambushed as well.

[Rex]

Worth a try.

[Edeldhur]

Sounds good to me - go for it!

[gurusql]

Sure

[Rex]

I am heading into the woods for the next week+, should be back posting regularly late December 8th or on the 9th. I might check in on a re-supply day but no guarantee. Please NPC my character(s) in the mean time.

Have a great week everyone!

[BaltoBruiser]

Hi all,

Sorry for the delay, had some unexpected family drama right before Thanksgiving and have been dealing with it through the holiday weekend. I am slammed with work this week and then have a family wedding on Saturday. I am hoping I can post an update on Wednesday before I travel. If not, I will be offline beginning Thursday 12/5 until Tuesday 12/10.

Looks like Alishar will cast Phantasmal Force to create an illusion of the guards and captives coming up to the caravan and then who is in position ambush the single guard near the elevator? What is the plan with the two guards who are crossing and the guard at the other end near the pack animals?

[BaltoBruiser]

Not sure how many of you follow the Necrotic Gnome but Carcass Crawler #4 was released last week and I just got my zine in the mail today. In it, are some new arcane spells for use with the OSE rules. I can make these available the next time characters need to add spells to their books.

[BaltoBruiser]

Happy Holidays to all the delvers of Arden Vul please record a Holiday bonus of 250 XP for all PCs.