Unnamed original D&D-style game (small group)!

Started by Alhanna, March 30, 2015, 12:55:41 AM

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Alhanna

"Welcome weary traveler... Take a seat and hear my tale as you rest your tired bones. I shall tell you a tale of a distant planet known as Raorae. There, the times were different. There were proud kingdoms, powerful city-states, and meritocracies. There, life was fought and won by the sword, the pen of diplomacy, or outright blood money. There are heroes and villains and the shades of gray in-between.....

"But this particular tale.... ahh.... It needs heroes. In the great trade city of Alden, slavers have paid off the law and turned many an eye to look away. Leave us be, they say, and we'll not steal you or your family to sell. And so it has gone for some time. However... some are not so willing to be paid or threatened away. I speak of one heroine, though she herself would not think so. In an attempt to do the right thing, she has been captured. Others have become unfortunate prisoners as well.

"In those attempts of freedom, knowledge has been gained. Knowledge of a great warlord quietly building his army, weakening his enemies through clever means. He intends to conquer, and not all conquerors are kind to the ones who lived before.

"Will you join the heroine? Will you fight against the wrong-doers? Or will you join the many who are simply relieved to be left alone?"





This is just as it is said. I'm going to try my hand at a small roleplaying group. I've never really done this, so I am asking all who look at this thread to take that into consideration. In fact, I encourage careful reading of everything before saying "yea" or "nay". Oh and a note: I will be accepting up to four people. MAYBE five, if I can be convinced. Thank you.

Section the Game will be placed in: I'm thinking Humans: Bondage, small groups. That's my max.

Setting: Completely original/freeform/sandbox. I have a general idea of what the world will be like, but we're focusing on, right now, a small section of a country/city-state. If you want your character to be from some exotic XYZ, please run it by me first. If I like the idea, we'll throw it in. Generally, it's a lot like generic Dungeons and Dragons, but on the low scale of fantasy. Think "Conan the Barbarian" but with just a touch more magic and the occasional exotic race (like elf, dwarf, whatever) thrown in. There's some super-expensive healing potions, maybe a magical artifact here or there, a person with some low-level healing ability... stuff like that. But it's more or less "swords and armor". (I think this makes it easier for me!)

Plot Outline. General idea is: Our four/five man group had, somehow, gotten captured by the slavers in the city-state trade city of Alden. Finding each other possessing skills and abilities that could help them escape, they work together (ideally) and end up escaping. During said escape, they learn chilling information that would encourage them to do more than just escape--it encourages them to fight back and stop a would-be conqueror from bringing war. Whatever motivates your character can change the direction of the story; so be creative and have fun!

Character Creation Guidelines: There will be a general form to follow if you want to join, but here are a few.... let's say, strong suggestions, just to make the game easier and enjoyable to all. I do recommend creating a character with some reason as to why they were found and caught by the slavers. It can be because of revenge, deciding you want in on the action but as the leader, doing the right thing, accidental-stumble-turn-captive.... I don't really care, but at least give me something to work with! I'd also like a character that will at least talk to others. I cannot tell you how many games I've joined only to find everyone wrote the "Loner" and it was hard to keep the story going when no one would talk to each other! That's really all I'm asking.

Game Pacing: I don't know about the rest of you, but I have a life. An exhausting one to be sure, but I do. So as long as you can maintain one post a week, we'll be fine. Will it always be one post a week? No. But that's the bare minimum.

How much sexual activity is likely to occur or expected, if any? This game is adventure, character-driven, story first. Sex, smut, whatever.... only if it feels like a natural occurrence. And I'd rather it not dominate the plot.

Additional Information: I've looked over the suggestion outline in the GM Corner. Admittedly some of it is just beyond me, because I've never actually had to do it. So I'm going to try and answer what I think can be clear.

The whole GM directing part? It'll be a mix. Some scenes I'll just say "Go ahead and decide how the outcome of said conflict will be on your own; it's not so important to do step by step". And some I'd rather go back and forth because some NPCs will be important enough to deserve the care of attention.

Writing Style: Definitely past tense, please, with as much third person and details as you can get without boring yourself. Preferably at least a couple of paragraphs, though if you can't time to time, that's fine. I love details. I like knowing what a character is thinking. This helps me tremendously. But here's an additional caveat: I've seen in other games where they use colored or bold text or whatever to indicate speaking. Please... don't do that. To me, it's disruptive as heck. I prefer to see bold only for additional emphasis. Italics for thoughts.

We will be using mini-avatars for images. Clothings. Whatever the situation calls for. I think we'll also tag, just to help others. I will be using a separate, personal avatar in post for the GM, and a separate one for the PC I will be playing.




If you have any questions, express of interest, whatever... please ask me here. If you're uncertain about asking, PM me. I do try to answer them daily. If you think I missed something or... whatever... also poke me.

Thank you.




Character Sheet
Use this template (optional but preferred, click on Quote to get the tags) :

Description

Writer Name:
Name:
Race:
Age:
Height:
Weight:
Eye Color:
Hair Color:
Skin Tone:
Distinguishing Marks: Scars, tattoos...?

Skills If you've ever played D&D.... this could mean many things. Generally I just want to know if your character has skills in, say, horse-back riding, archery, dual-wielding, rope-tying.... meaning, they're a level above the average person in these kinds of skills. They practiced, trained, etc, to achieve these skills.

Equipment If you've ever played D&D, you know this means: armor, weapon, what they were carrying before being rudely knocked out and captured by the slavers. You just may regain most of it back....

Background Information: It doesn't have to be grand or detailed, just an idea of what your character's past is like. Any families? Orphaned? A mercenary?

Picture
Please use the Elluiki. Prefer pictures of either celebrities, artwork.... The only type I'll refuse is anime/manga and that's just because of the sheer lack of details on most. Host it on Elluiki, no larger than 250x250, please. If you have multiple pictures, feel free. When we post, I ask you pick one.


The Oath of the Drake

She's real, she's deep, she's logical and mystical. She believes in kindness and oneness and romance. She's sensitive and distant, a warrior, a lover. She believes in road trips to the stars and dancing with the universe. She's fearless and gentle, wondrous and brave. She lives in waterfalls and forests and sunsets and galaxies. She's the artist, the thinker, the poem and the dream. - Creig Crippen

Batman4560

Status: Stepping away for a while.

DrippingWords4562

Showing interest. This has a lot of potential for great plot. Battles, alliances, betrayal, romance, deviance; it's all here. Wonderful idea and I would love to help see it through.

Alhanna

Whoo! Yay! Two! If we can get two more, that'd be awesome. You two have any questions? I'll get to work on the character creation form in a bit so you've an idea to get started, if you like.


The Oath of the Drake

She's real, she's deep, she's logical and mystical. She believes in kindness and oneness and romance. She's sensitive and distant, a warrior, a lover. She believes in road trips to the stars and dancing with the universe. She's fearless and gentle, wondrous and brave. She lives in waterfalls and forests and sunsets and galaxies. She's the artist, the thinker, the poem and the dream. - Creig Crippen

DrippingWords4562

No questions from me yet, just brainstorming character ideas whilst you work.  :-)

Do you have any direct questions for me/us?

RubySlippers

Funny or not overly funny say I wanted to play a character with a porn name, not uber bad think cheesy and have some fun so many games are oh so freaking serious. And magic can PC's use magic not talking BIG magic more subtle magic or low key?

VonDoom

I'm interested, but I'm involved in a couple of games right now and more are already in the works, so I'll have to reflect on whether I'll have the time to properly commit.
Now this is the Law of the Jungle-
as old and as true as the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may  prosper,
but the Wolf that shall break it must die.

-Rudyard Kipling, "The Law of the Jungle"
O&O

Alhanna

Quote from: RubySlippers on March 30, 2015, 03:40:14 PM
Funny or not overly funny say I wanted to play a character with a porn name, not uber bad think cheesy and have some fun so many games are oh so freaking serious. And magic can PC's use magic not talking BIG magic more subtle magic or low key?

Um... depends on the porn name. *chuckles*

As for magic, yes. Some. Once in a while, someone could be born with a minor talent, but it's pretty small. Thus why I say it's comparable to Conan the Barbarian. Some magic, but most depends on their ability to fight with weapons and such.

Quote from: VonDoom on March 30, 2015, 04:15:16 PM
I'm interested, but I'm involved in a couple of games right now and more are already in the works, so I'll have to reflect on whether I'll have the time to properly commit.

Does it help that I want the game to go slowly for now, as my own personal life would likely forbade me from allowing it to move fast?

Quote from: DrippingWords4562 on March 30, 2015, 03:21:44 PM
No questions from me yet, just brainstorming character ideas whilst you work.  :-)

Do you have any direct questions for me/us?

No, but I remembered something I wanted to make sure is clear. It's a low fantasy game... so many things that tend to appear in standard D&D games probably will not show up here. Like beholders and banshees or... whatever. But that does not mean all don't exist. However, to our characters, they're likely just urban myths and legends. I wanted to point that out.


The Oath of the Drake

She's real, she's deep, she's logical and mystical. She believes in kindness and oneness and romance. She's sensitive and distant, a warrior, a lover. She believes in road trips to the stars and dancing with the universe. She's fearless and gentle, wondrous and brave. She lives in waterfalls and forests and sunsets and galaxies. She's the artist, the thinker, the poem and the dream. - Creig Crippen

DrippingWords4562

That's clear and I'm grateful for that. This would be my first group roleplay here so it's ideal that you want to keep things simple for now. We can all travel along the learning curve together, so to speak.

Alhanna

Absolutely. Many games stumble when magic is involved and I didn't want that to be a huge issue.


The Oath of the Drake

She's real, she's deep, she's logical and mystical. She believes in kindness and oneness and romance. She's sensitive and distant, a warrior, a lover. She believes in road trips to the stars and dancing with the universe. She's fearless and gentle, wondrous and brave. She lives in waterfalls and forests and sunsets and galaxies. She's the artist, the thinker, the poem and the dream. - Creig Crippen

Batman4560

I have already decided that I will be playing a barbarian. :)
Status: Stepping away for a while.

RubySlippers

Velvetee Fagina, Witch of [tbd]



Powers would be modest based on her supernatural master or mistress but would not be a warrior favoring other "assets".

Alhanna

Quote from: Batman4560 on March 30, 2015, 06:41:57 PM
I have already decided that I will be playing a barbarian. :)

Can be done!

Quote from: RubySlippers on March 30, 2015, 09:53:01 PM
Velvetee Fagina, Witch of [tbd]



Powers would be modest based on her supernatural master or mistress but would not be a warrior favoring other "assets".

I just want to make sure you're aware.... This will not be a sex-heavy/smut story. And... I'd rather not have someone granted powers via a supernatural master/mistress because that'd be tipping too early that there just may be more out there than one knows.


The Oath of the Drake

She's real, she's deep, she's logical and mystical. She believes in kindness and oneness and romance. She's sensitive and distant, a warrior, a lover. She believes in road trips to the stars and dancing with the universe. She's fearless and gentle, wondrous and brave. She lives in waterfalls and forests and sunsets and galaxies. She's the artist, the thinker, the poem and the dream. - Creig Crippen

Ollumhammersong

#13
if there is room I may make a rogue type character. Though I would have a question about Character creation in the form of starting equipment? beggars rags because we are escaped slaves is my first guess? Or is the story starting after our escape and we stole a few goodies along our way to freedom? A sword or two, maybe a few copper coins, etc....
Hi i'm a polymorphic alien who has taken the form of this signiature to have sex with your pupils, and by the smile on your face I can tell your enjoying it.

Alhanna

Quote from: Ollumhammersong on March 31, 2015, 01:03:08 PM
if there is room I may make a rogue type character. Though I would have a question about Character creation in the form of starting equipment? beggars rags because we are escaped slaves is my first guess? Or is the story starting after our escape and we stole a few goodies along our way to freedom? A sword or two, maybe a few copper coins, etc....

The rogue character would be perfect! Would explain how the group got freed. But the opening scene.... They will be wearing the clothes they wore prior to being caught. Of course they would be searched, stripped of armor, weapons, money.... But a lot of it would be easily found because the slavers haven't sorted it yet. (No, I'm not spoiling anything!)

Ah. Just realized. No... The party isn't compiled of escaped slaves. They're adventures (or whatever) who were caught being somewhere they should not have been. My "heroine", for instance, was trying to spy on them. They saw her, overwhelmed her, and tied her up with the others (everyone else's characters). Thus the story begins.


The Oath of the Drake

She's real, she's deep, she's logical and mystical. She believes in kindness and oneness and romance. She's sensitive and distant, a warrior, a lover. She believes in road trips to the stars and dancing with the universe. She's fearless and gentle, wondrous and brave. She lives in waterfalls and forests and sunsets and galaxies. She's the artist, the thinker, the poem and the dream. - Creig Crippen

Ixy

I have been kicking around an idea of an anti-hero turned good (forgive the cliche)... a character trained to content in combat by a house obsessed with honor and dueling, but struggling with a sense of inadequacy due to some inherent flaw. 

Perhaps one who was unable to produce an heir, and therefore was relegated to the caste of the dead-- soldiers without names, only duty to salvage their family's honor.  The character showed weakness already by showing mercy, and in a failed attempt to reclaim some glory for their house, was utterly humiliated in a duel and denied the right to die in combat. 

Wounded and disgraced, this one would be cast out for the dogs to feed on before managing a narrow escape to wander the wastes.  Still wounded, unarmed, and sick with fever, he or she was easy picking for a slaver who hoped to trade up if their captive survived.  Finding resolve at the rock-bottom, this character is climbing now, struggling to find a purpose beyond what their family had instilled in them-- a finality found at one end of the blade, or the other.

I tend to play female characters all the time, as its what I enjoy, but I have no problem playing this concept as a man if it would fit the story better.  Any thoughts are appreciated.
______________________
The big print giveth, the small print taketh away.

Alhanna

I love the concept and it fits pretty well. I sort of see it as a male character, but it is your character--so either works. :)

To the rest: I'll try to get the character sheet guidelines up tonight, barring issues. (Currently wrestling, of all things, a mop away from my son.)


The Oath of the Drake

She's real, she's deep, she's logical and mystical. She believes in kindness and oneness and romance. She's sensitive and distant, a warrior, a lover. She believes in road trips to the stars and dancing with the universe. She's fearless and gentle, wondrous and brave. She lives in waterfalls and forests and sunsets and galaxies. She's the artist, the thinker, the poem and the dream. - Creig Crippen

Alhanna

Got the character sheet up. Please feel free to start working on them, and send them to me in a PM. Once I get more than half of you sending it to me, we'll go ahead and get started on a thread.

Thanks for your patience!


The Oath of the Drake

She's real, she's deep, she's logical and mystical. She believes in kindness and oneness and romance. She's sensitive and distant, a warrior, a lover. She believes in road trips to the stars and dancing with the universe. She's fearless and gentle, wondrous and brave. She lives in waterfalls and forests and sunsets and galaxies. She's the artist, the thinker, the poem and the dream. - Creig Crippen

AngelicBlade


Batman4560

I'll have my sheet up to you after I get off work tomorrow.
Status: Stepping away for a while.

Alhanna

Quote from: AngelicBlade on April 06, 2015, 09:30:34 PM
If there's any room left I'm interested


Currently full but I'll let you know I'd there's a change!

Quote from: Batman4560 on April 06, 2015, 11:34:17 PM
I'll have my sheet up to you after I get off work tomorrow.

Yay!


The Oath of the Drake

She's real, she's deep, she's logical and mystical. She believes in kindness and oneness and romance. She's sensitive and distant, a warrior, a lover. She believes in road trips to the stars and dancing with the universe. She's fearless and gentle, wondrous and brave. She lives in waterfalls and forests and sunsets and galaxies. She's the artist, the thinker, the poem and the dream. - Creig Crippen

Ixy

I apologize for the delayed response.  I have been out oif town but will do my best to respond asap.  Thanks--
______________________
The big print giveth, the small print taketh away.

Alhanna

No worries. Life happens. Once the game gets going, I would request OOC notification (or PM, either is fine) so we all know. I too have been unusually busy but playing catch-up tonight! :)


The Oath of the Drake

She's real, she's deep, she's logical and mystical. She believes in kindness and oneness and romance. She's sensitive and distant, a warrior, a lover. She believes in road trips to the stars and dancing with the universe. She's fearless and gentle, wondrous and brave. She lives in waterfalls and forests and sunsets and galaxies. She's the artist, the thinker, the poem and the dream. - Creig Crippen

Chreestafer

definitely sounds amazing!

if you get room id love to join, really liking the idea of a psionic style character
“The Doctor: This is bad, I don't like this. [kicks console and yells in pain] Never use force, you just embarrass yourself. Unless you're cross, in which case... always use force!
Amy: Shall I run and get the manual?
The Doctor: I threw it in a supernova.
Amy: You threw the manual in a supernova? Why?
The Doctor: Because I disagreed with it! Now stop talking to me when I'm cross!”
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Batman4560

#24
Writer Name: Batman4560
Name: Akilu
Race: Shifter
Age: 28
Height: 6' 7" but due to his hunch is 5' 9"
Weight: 210 lbs
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Brown/grey
Skin Tone: very light brown
Distinguishing Marks:

Skills- morning star and shield fighter, tracker, Barbarian Rage, Shifting, scouting, listen, spot, search, hide, move silently, jump, swim, climb.

Equipment light weight breastplate, heavy wooden shield, masterwork morning star, 50 ft. rope, rations, water skin, sleeping bag, grappling hook, marbles.

Background Information: Shifter's are naturally looked down upon for being part Werebeast, Akilu was no different. From birth he had a thick hide, protecting him from the world at large both as a metaphor and in a literal sense. In times of great stress or anger His skin would grow tough and protect him from harm, and heal itself naturally over shorter spans of time. But that was a gift from his mother who he never knew. His father was a Barbarian killed in battle shortly after Akilu was born. The young child roamed the wild for years, learning to track, hunt and survive in general. The first weapons he came across were a spear and morning star, left behind by a dead adventurer. Akilu took these weapons along with a heavy wooden shield and a dragon scale breastplate. He roamed the woods for years, defending it until the day he was captured by a large group of slavers...

Picture
Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide
Status: Stepping away for a while.