[OOC] The Manacles of Destruction - Loosely Based Dungeons and Dragons 3.5

[A Man Is No One]

@The Harbinger of Ferocity Excellent. Thank you be much for that.

[Yamazaki]

@ELGainsborough my bad. Spellthief is from Complete Adventurer, meanwhile the other class I'll be using is Dusk Blade, from PHB2.

While I'm at it, I'm considering either going into either Jade Phoenix Mage (Book of Nine Swords), Spell Sword (Complete Warrior), or Abjurant Champion (Complete Mage). While Jade Phoenix is pretty strong, I'd have to multi into Warblade or something to qualify. Meanwhile the other two, possibly combined, are decent options... haven't pinned it down, but I've got time lol.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

You are most welcome, @ELGainsborough. The search function upon that site, when it does work, for the most part has every major supplement viewable.

[A Man Is No One]

@EnterTheHero @The Harbinger of Ferocity @Yamazaki @Carrot

Listen up folks,

While I am still looking for at least one more player character to fill out the party, and any number of charaters to fill the reserve list, I am not waiting anymore before starting this role play adventure. I have added the example character as my DM played character to aid the party in their adventure at this early stage. It is my intention to get the first post up by either tonight or tomorrow and I will try to keep up appropriately by giving everyone an opportunity to post before moving forward this way everyone has the option of doing what they would like to do. Now, I'm not quite sure how the role playing aspect will necessarily mesh into the table top aspect but we'll give it a shot. I don't expect much one or two paragraphs of written work - both of you guys seem rather seasoned. Hopefully, you folks haven't lost interest. On a final note, I would love for you guys to pick a color, any color and if you could put your posts together highlighted with that color. It is nothing terribly important but it is pretty simple and it will help keep track of which character is doing what. I will provide the example in my initial post and you guys can follow suit.

Looking forward to playing with you guys.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

One aspect of success I have noted with doing these play-by-post games is to put any mechanic into a hider, writing the rest of the material outside of it. It appears more elegant for one, but also allows one to quickly determine just what exactly they meant.

Harun grits his jaw, grasping his axe and skilfully adjusts the placement of his feet, knowing that battle is momentarily upon them. Eyeing carefully for the first opening, he prepares the traditional orc tactic of old; rush the nearest for and carve them in two with all the rage he can muster. Yet, before he can so much as act, it seems the foes before him were already anticipating the charge, sending their most armored man to the front...

Hider

Harun rolled a 13 for initiative.
Harun will charge the nearest enemy on his turn, gaining a +2 to his attack but lowering his Armor Class by -2.
Harun attacks for 16 versus Armor Class. If he hits he deals 9 points of slashing damage with his +1 keen greataxe.

Obviously this will mostly only change when certain conditions force them to, but given that initiative determines that, interruptions should be fairly rare. There will only be a few immediate actions I can think of anyone using and they can just simply state them - or attacks of opportunity - here in the Out-of-Character.

As for text colors, I would prefer to use white for myself; default. For a few reasons personally, but if someone would rather, then I would like to use pale gold.

[A Man Is No One]

@The Harbinger of Ferocity

You are more than welcome to use white. I will alter my colors appropriately, and hopefully the others will follow suit. If it does grow to be too much of a hastle I am sure we can write that particular guideline out. However, it is something I would like to give a try just to allow spectators, players included an easier time at keeping up with what is going - especially if they jump in during the middle.

I agree that throwing the game mechanics into a hider would be a great idea. Of course, I still believe we should be using the dice roller for typical rolls such as hide, search, attack rolls et cetera. Once again, I want to reiterate that I'm not calling out anyone as a potential cheater but it believe it to be fair, even for myself as a DM to be open and roll with candor. Which I think is why our kind enjoy table top games - creativity with rules to prevent people from acting in a manner that is realistically beyond their means.

[A Man Is No One]

@EnterTheHero @The Harbinger of Ferocity @Yamazaki @Carrot

Alright,

So I have made the first in character post. It is rather short and the setting introductory is a little liberal with what exactly is going on. I've only included things which I would not require a check for, things that even taking a five would be discoverable. You will see that I made two rolls for my own character, hopefully the implications are easily understandable. I will carry out things in such a manner unless for some reason it becomes insufficient as a means to do business. The battles will be the same. For example, if you approach an area with poor move silently checks or poor spot checks, upon your entrance I will roll initiative and perform my attacks. You posts would allow you to roll initiative and should you be lesser, while failing to sustain the enemy attack rolls you can write your character's appropriately. Quite frankly, I just hope this information adds clarity and not confusion.

I was also a bit perturbed with the dice roller on this website. Let's be honest, with +8 modifiers I believe the results were extremely low. In fact, I conducted the same roll using the dice roller on The Red Dragon Inn coming up with a favorable result (as measured in rolls above 15 including modifier) 15 out of 20 times. After conducting the experiment four more favorable results were produced 16, 13, 13, and 13 out of 20. Now, perhaps two rolls is not particular enough to place weight upon mathematically. However, I do hope they improve otherwise this particular experience might be rather taxing to say the list.

On another note - what I previously mentioned about coloring one's posts. Forget about it. I had just made an attempt to color my own and found it extremely tedious, unnecessarily so for assumed benefits. People will just have to pay closer attention when they ready.

I look forward to see your folks participation, and your posts.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

Wonderful to see this all, @ELGainsborough. You can expect to see a post from me in the coming morning.

[A Man Is No One]

@EnterTheHero @The Harbinger of Ferocity @Yamazaki @Carrot

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

And I look forward to seeing what you have to offer. More importantly, I really hope that the others take a good example from what you have posted and gain the enthusiasm to participate as well. I've put quite a bit of work into this already and while I could still use it for a table top game at home - I would hate to think that I've wasted all the time on here doing this as well. More importantly, I really don't want to have to play the other character as well because I cannot guarentee that two player characters could survive.

I'm sure you know how 1st level 3.5 typically works out.

But I'll wait and see. If no one else is participating by Wednesday morning I may very well just go ahead and create another character, before stealing the already posted one to play as well so that we have a full party of four or even give you the opportunity to make another character if you'd like. We'll just have to wait and see.

I look forward to reading your post.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

I hope that was satisfactory for an introduction, @ELGainsborough. Not all of my posts will quite as long, but I took some liberties in it as it was - so do forgive me and inform me from here on out if I caused issue. I provided a bit of background insight and, because we are as of now an unofficial party, assumed that the encounter with @Yamazaki's character resulted in her joining. I do not mind a bit of split timelines briefly so that interaction turns favorable; I do not foresee us being that sort of party which turns on one another at whim.

I will personally do my best to ensure all of these characters survive long enough that their existence is just not immediately discarded. 1st level is quite lethal, but that's what our feline friend is for; he makes an excellent and striking stand-in for a fighter or barbarian. You have my word I will avoid being abusive with that power among others. I am here to tell a story personally - I'd rather it not end so soon, if you know what it is I mean.

And I should note, even if we only have a few characters portrayed by players, I am more than willing to continue participating.

[EnterTheHero]

@ELGainsborough I'm still working on my post, but it's slow-going. Curse my being a college student, sometimes.

[Yamazaki]

Sorry for my lack of presence the last few days. Been busy with work and real life. I'll try to get a post up tomorrow morning.

[A Man Is No One]

@The Harbinger of Ferocity

Your post seems quite impressive. Well written, easily read, and compelling all the same. While I don't expect it even at length the post was good. I tried to keep mine as short and concise as possible so that I didn't give too much away. I feel the more we write the easier it is to let things slip. On any accord good job and keep it up.

@EnterTheHero

That is fine. I understand. I was in college once too. For many long grueling years. On any accord, you first need to compose an acceptable character before moving on to your post. An trivial technicality but I'm sure you are aware of the reasonable implications that follow. I will definitely be looking forward to reading both your character and your post. I'm sure you will handle both exquisitely well.

@Yamazaki

I can relate kind sure. I've got a family and work 12 hour nights too. Plus, I'm studying for the Bar Exam until February. So you are not alone. I'll be looking to post again tomorrow evening or Thursday morning at the latest so if you could just try and get involved at that point.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

You have my thanks for the assessment and kind review, @ELGainsborough. Since we are discussing posting, I will share that my schedule is nocturnal by choice and by circumstance, as well as part of a rotation. That accounted for, some weeks will get more responses from me than others.

[A Man Is No One]

@EnterTheHero @The Harbinger of Ferocity @Yamazaki @Carrot

So far I am appeased with the IC posts. Especially since I am new to using D&D mechanics through an internet medium like this. On any accord, I'm trying to make it work. One big question I have is how do we handle progression? The way I've typically done it (without D&D involvement) is using NPCs or my own PCs to try and edge players in an appropriate direction. I don't want to rush anyone or try to exclude anyone from being creative. However, if anyone has any insight on how exactly to progress I'm all ears.

[EnterTheHero]

@ELGainsborough I'm currently finishing up my character sheet for this RP, I'll try and offer insight once I'm done.

Quick question before I go, though- is it acceptable for me to make an Aasimar character?

[A Man Is No One]

@EnterTheHero

Well get me the inforation as to where I can find the in game stats, but it sounds fine. From what I've looked up it is essentially just a human with angel/celestial DNA in their heritage. I dont want to see wings or a halo but others sure

[EnterTheHero]

@ELGainsborough The worst I'll go is gold or silver eyes, and maybe some paler skin to go with it. He's not a half-angel, so the heritage is a bit diluted by this point.

[A Man Is No One]

@EnterTheHero

Yeah, I don't see a problem with that. Are there any stat increases for the Aasimar or will you essentially be playing human otherwise?

[EnterTheHero]

@ELGainsborough There are some stat increases, I'm looking those up now. If it's not to your tastes, then I can deal with just being a human.