OOC chat thread (Participants only pls)

[Shutter]

Ooh, internet Logrus. Scary. Nicely done LynMars...looking over the whole gallery I'm inclined to say "Damn....That's impressive."

:)

[Tamarind]

As Shutter says, very impressive. Especially like Suhuy of the latest few :evolved:

[LynMars]

Suhuy's a flip and recolor of Nicotine from "Ninja Scroll". Crazy old man with a cool hat...Just seemed right. ;)

[lotus]

great work Lyn, you're almost out of characters...Rinaldo, Jurt, Julia, Nadya, Despil, Mirell, Delwin, Sand, Gilva, maybe one of Borel. Okay, maybe not... ;)

[LynMars]

Gotta get Oberon in there, too. And don't forget Eric, Caine, Finndo, Osric...I got a ways to go yet. ;)

[Thanos]

Ah AH!.......Dara looks damn good!

[Wired*Nun]

Yes, well done as always. Sometimes it's hard to equate the annoying mommie dearest of the Merlin chronicles with the slim insouciant girl Corwin met, or the monster on the Pattern...that's the magic of shapeshifting...

[Icebird]

Well, I'll deffinatly be gone for the next two days, without chance of contact, so there are lots of things in the last post for Arrotel to do. Feel free to puppet him if it goes that fast.

[LynMars]

The one I used for Coral was almost Dara, but I'm glad I went with the ones I did. Merlin still describes Dara's Human form as brown haired and freckle-faced, and if she's half as vain as she seems to be, she'll try to maintain some of that girlishness, I'd think...but that forceful expression works really well, too. Now *knuckles crack* onto the next batch!

[lotus]

Yes, well done as always. Sometimes it's hard to equate the annoying mommie dearest of the Merlin chronicles with the slim insouciant girl Corwin met, or the monster on the Pattern...that's the magic of shapeshifting...

oooh insouciant...someone's been playing Scrabble© ;)

Seriously I never thought of the Dara in the Corwin books as being care free, high maintenance and power hungry, maybe, willful and petty, definitely, insouciant not really. However, we all get different things from the books.

[Wired*Nun]

Hey, lotus, I've been trying to work up the motivation to go forward with your character, and I can't do it. I'm going to take that as a sign that my brain is full - and I haven't even gone back to work yet. So, you are going to have to remain #1 on the waiting list, until something changes. Hope that doesn't disappoint you too much. I don't want to dilute the game, nor start feeling overwhelmed any more than I already am. And, there's the fact that I keep meaning to start writing and posting seems much more fun, so I don't write...ick. In any case, it's just a case of too much right now, nothing personal. Sorry.

[lotus]

I shall remain as usual a bridesmaid, I would still like to hang around if that's okay with everyone if not feel free to say "get lost you tosser!" yeah cause that works too...um yeah so I'll just be over there...

[Wired*Nun]

Feel free to lurk. Maybe I should go back to Iraq, hey?

Actually here's what I want:

I want to go to a tax-free combat zone where there's no combat, I can draw combat pay, come home for a week off out of every three, and not have to wear my body armor when I'm there. That way I'll have plenty of time for Amber...yeah, I hope my wife doesn't read this, riiiiighht.....

[lotus]

yeah cause combat zones often have plenty of time to have economies stable enough to manage to be tax free....Ah well everyone needs a dream.

Let's see have GM be safe and with his family and not play in his game or have GM be in danger away from his family and get to play...I think I'll take what's behind door #1.

Maybe after I figure out how to finish this freaking background story it'll give you a metaphoric jumpstart, or not. Frankly you didn't have much to work with with what I sent you in the first place. Anyway I'm honored just to be #1 on the list even if it's only a list of one ;)

[lotus]

just got done reading the latest Eric post....Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww....To reiterate....Ewwwwwwwww now I have to go find something to scrub my brain with...

[LynMars]

*Shudders* BAD NAUGHTY DIRTY Eric! And I was about to work on his card, too....EWWWWW....

Good thing I wasn't eating or drinking anything at the time; I'd have choked and/or spat it out all over my monitor, I laughed...

[lotus]

*Shudders* BAD NAUGHTY DIRTY Eric!
Ah see I was coming at it from the other angle I could see it from Eric I just thought She would have better taste...

[LynMars]

Hey, Eric wasn't one of the worse ones...She could have done worse...Like...Dalt or something...I dunno....

[lotus]

ewwwww I hope she would have become a switch hitter before moving over to Dalt ugh...I don't know it all depends on what the tone of the game is...without getting too NC-17 I could have seen Flora & Brand. Though I wonder who the dominant one would have been 'cause that wouldn't have been a healthy relationship (not that any relationship where you're sleeping with your half sister is) ...

[lotus]

What you think nobody out there has any pervy Dalt fixations? somebody must...somewhere...

[Wired*Nun]

Well we have a long history actually...Corwin and Dierdre, even if never consummated, though that is not for sure...it's common for cousins at least in the Courts...hell, Heldrik and Gray are already heading down that road...hmmm, let's think of who else, Julian confessed desire for Fiona...Landon lusted after Flora...who knows what other secrets lie in the deep dark recesses.

[lotus]

Dara & Corwin Uncle/Neice (with some grand's tossed in there)
Merlin & Coral Aunt/Nephew
Delwin and Sand may have been directly incestuous. (which might have been what got them tossed out of the palace in the first place)
Rinaldo & Coral Aunt/Nephew Though not consummated, maybe(Again! Hey she's a busy girl)
and for that matter who really knows anything about Cymnea and Clarissa (those just being the most popular ones to expand upon.) Where did they come from?
and those are just the heterosexual ones, who knows what else is going on behind the scenes...

I always thought the Corwin & Deidre thing was more Tristan-Isolde or Lancelot-Guinevere very Arthurian, very doomed, or maybe even a bit of Narcissism on Corwin's part, Nobody asked Dee what she thought of him. Same with Julian.
I'm not saying there isn't a history of it in the canon...or even that everyone isn't adult enough to deal with it...just that Flora could do better; even if she did think he was going to be king...

[LynMars]

From what I recall, Delwin and Sand left after the tiff with their mother; the stories conflict there between chronicles. Merle had a thing for Coral (and she for him, maybe) but the Pattern was really behind that one. And dara kinda pulled one over on Corwin. I maintain pheromones were involved in their somewhere...

The cousins thing isn't much of a problem (Europeans have been doing it for years in recent history, and Amberites/Chaosites don't really need to worry about genetic problems, I'd think). The siblings thing...Egyptians did sibling weddings often amongst the royalty, but...well, look where that got them...And Oberon said "No" anyway. So there. I guess. Or something. Are we still talking about this?

[lotus]

Yeah because you often build a shrine to someone, kidnap them, stick them in a very concealed way inside said altar room, and hold them prisoner for decades. All because of pheromones..happens every day;)

Not saying it's love...It certainly isn't. I don't know what it is, but it's prolly a lot darker than pheromones...

[Shutter]

I think we're about ready to move on now...

[Wired*Nun]

A lot of Z's stories have overtones of incest in them - not the ugly, child-molestation type, but the close-relative type. Of course, most if not all of his characters are superhuman, and don't seem to believe themselves bound by ordinary rules. Makes one wonder what his relationship with his siblings, if any, was like? Or was he fascinated with it in a purely speculative way, the way people like Steven King can somehow portray pure evil while being quite nice people themselves. Personally, I can conceive all sorts of things I would never do, and can understand, if not condone, why people do them - e.g., having children so that you can have trustworthy sucessors or confidantes, or marrying for money or power, or murdering someone who is bothersome enough...perhaps Z thought that it would be a natural result of the inbred, pardon the pun, society of Amber, which was kind of like one House of the Courts being isolated from its fellows. Shadows are all well and good but it's still kind of slumming for these arrogant Amberites, right? Denied the Courts, who else is there?

[Wired*Nun]

I think we're about ready to move on now...
I wasn't! See above! Getting too muddy in here? In for a penny...

[Shutter]

Well, see, there's this not so fine line between mature discussion/speculation, and juvenille leering. Former is good, the latter...not so good.

[lotus]

Who's leering? I thought I already expressed the idea was distasteful personally. Of course I'm not coming from the same socio-economic or cultural background of most Amberites. I mean there's a thing inside of us (I hope) as humans that looks at it and goes EWWWWWW automatically, mostly because it leads to all sorts of nasty genetic mishaps. Amberites, however aren't human, which is prolly what Dave is trying to show here.

[Wired*Nun]

I agree. Let's all leer in a very mature manner...kidding! *ducks*

[lotus]

I agree. Let's all leer in a very mature manner...kidding! *ducks*Dirty old man

[lotus]

Oh and lets not even go into the fact that the whole bloody Royal Family came about because Dworkin had carnal relations with an animal...

[LynMars]

He's a shapeshifter, he can do that. She can probably be anything she wants, too, really. But I think that's about enough now. Really.

[Shutter]

Who's leering?
Oh and lets not even go into the fact that the whole bloody Royal Family came about because Dworkin had carnal relations with an animal...
Dara & Corwin Uncle/Neice (with some grand's tossed in there)
Merlin & Coral Aunt/Nephew
Delwin and Sand may have been directly incestuous. (which might have been what got them tossed out of the palace in the first place)
Rinaldo & Coral Aunt/Nephew Though not consummated, maybe(Again! Hey she's a busy girl)
and for that matter who really knows anything about Cymnea and Clarissa (those just being the most popular ones to expand upon.) Where did they come from?
and those are just the heterosexual ones, who knows what else is going on behind the scenes...

[lotus]

hmmm, let's think of who elseyeah I can take things out of context too...sheesh if you're gonna go to the trouble of pulling quotes, at least put them in the right order.


As for that I still don't see how it's leering n. A desirous, sly, or knowing look.

I was just stating that those are canon examples (okay the sand-delwin thing no) as opposed to the unicorn shapeshifting (of which there's absolutely no evidence whatsovever.)

[Icebird]

<Restrains from comment, waits for storm cloud to pass over>

[LynMars]

Gallery overhaul; got them in more-or-less birth order (from memory, so may not be entirely right; I generally go off Corwin's listing when he's talking to Ganelon); PCs got switched around to alphabetical...some NPC arranging...It all makes sense in my brain, though it's 2am here now...Also; Oberon, Eric, and Caine have been done. Not sure I'm happy with the latter two, but they're there. Getting harder to find the "right" cards...Anyway, I really like the Oberon avatar; he's spiffy! I think I've rambled enough now, though...

[Thanos]

Nice pics. While the art is very anima, who cares, its GOOD! ;-)

[Pygysys]

Happy New Year from Oz! :)

P.S. Quick glimpse into 2005: The weather is cool, the traffic is non-existant and the pizza is cold.

[lotus]

Hey gang, I just wanted to say about yesterday that I apologize for taking a point too far in an effort to win an argument that I don’t even believe in. I don’t know why or what it is about me that caused me to do that, but I sincerely apologize to both Shutter and Lyn (and anybody else) if they were offended or hurt in any way. That was never really at all my intention, at a certain point the discussion no longer came to be about discussing and came to be about “winning the argument” which is puerile and silly. So uh yeah, I’m sorry guys, I was wrong. Everyone have a happy and safe New Year wherever you may be.

[Wired*Nun]

Happy Aussie New Year!

[Thanos]

HAPPY LIGHT FILLED NEW YEAR.....!

(*That means 2 things. I live in Vegas and I am filled with light*)

[Shutter]

Happy New Year from Oz! :)

P.S. Quick glimpse into 2005: The weather is cool, the traffic is non-existant and the pizza is cold.
Sweet! I love cool weather and cold pizza!

Happy new year everyone!

[Shutter]

lotus: Thank you for the apology. Peace.

[Wired*Nun]

Happy new year!!! from Belgium. Now I am going to go snuggle with my wife. :roll:

[Wired*Nun]

Tactical note: you guys don't use your Pattern powers enough...

[Shutter]

I for one am not really clear on what my pattern powers entail.
Can I use pattern to bring up some wind and knock those damn arrows aside? I was thinking that since we're in a fairly powerful, fairly real (if not real then at least hefty), quite enclosed space...I don't know nearly as much as Roland does about what he can and cannot do. Should we follow Aarotel's example and just try things?

[Shutter]

Also, in ooc-space Roland and I would like to apologize for not putting a dagger to the big man's throat...I tried to convince him, but he's just no into hostage taking.

[LynMars]

I'd suggest taking the time and looking over what Powers/Abilities you all have, then going back and re-reading the houserules concerning them, then thinking of the subtle, creative applications of those. In every RPG, there's leeway with what the written-down rules say; often leaving quite a bit of room. I'd also think back to the stories Dave himself has written, and how Powers were applied in those; give an idea of what he thinks a Power can do, and what he may allow. And RZ's own stories, too. I tried to do that myself, thinking there had to be something Raevyn could do to help, then Jasra decided to call Dalt. Plus there were distractions here...And I've never been the best at quickly coming up with odd, creative new ways to use spells/powers/abilities myself, anyway...So just try stuff!

[Wired*Nun]

I for one am not really clear on what my pattern powers entail.
Can I use pattern to bring up some wind and knock those damn arrows aside? I was thinking that since we're in a fairly powerful, fairly real (if not real then at least hefty), quite enclosed space...I don't know nearly as much as Roland does about what he can and cannot do. Should we follow Aarotel's example and just try things?
No, mainly because wind is not probable in an enclosed space. I would try things, yes: for example, him using the Pattern to defend against questing Logrus tendrils is a great idea. It is established that the Pattern is stronger especially on defense.

[Wired*Nun]

Also, in ooc-space Roland and I would like to apologize for not putting a dagger to the big man's throat...I tried to convince him, but he's just no into hostage taking.
Well, depends on what that means, I mean, there's good hostage-taking, and bad hostage-taking e.g., of combatants, it's more acceptable than of innocents.

[Wired*Nun]

I'd suggest taking the time and looking over what Powers/Abilities you all have, then going back and re-reading the houserules concerning them, then thinking of the subtle, creative applications of those. In every RPG, there's leeway with what the written-down rules say; often leaving quite a bit of room. I'd also think back to the stories Dave himself has written, and how Powers were applied in those; give an idea of what he thinks a Power can do, and what he may allow. And RZ's own stories, too. I tried to do that myself, thinking there had to be something Raevyn could do to help, then Jasra decided to call Dalt. Plus there were distractions here...And I've never been the best at quickly coming up with odd, creative new ways to use spells/powers/abilities myself, anyway...So just try stuff!Well said. In previous FTF games, each player developed their own style based on their own application of the same powers - and because they were more secretive than you guys, and there was less known about each character among the others, they were always wondering about (and overestimating) each other's powers...

[Shutter]

Well, depends on what that means, I mean, there's good hostage-taking, and bad hostage-taking e.g., of combatants, it's more acceptable than of innocents.
Well, I tried to get him to simply put his blade against the throat of the armoured man, but he thought it was a bit cowardly. 'Course, witnessing the consquences of such hesitation may be a good experience for him. ....We shall see...

[Pygysys]

I know Kat's going to truly use this encounter to branch out and actually develop, so to speak. Up until now I've been trying to figure out where she's actually going to go and now she has incentive! Well she's got some goals. First one: To be taken alive and conscious! :P

[chalice]

Hi gang! Sorry we didn´t find online time here in Iceland - we´re at the airport now waiting for return flight. We had a wonderful time, snow safari-ing, thermal lake bathing, getting engaged...

[Wired*Nun]

Well, I tried to get him to simply put his blade against the throat of the armoured man, but he thought it was a bit cowardly. 'Course, witnessing the consquences of such hesitation may be a good experience for him. ....We shall see...
I was thinking more along the lines of dragging him into the corridor - implicit rather than explicit threat.

[Wired*Nun]

getting engaged...
Wellll!!!!!! Congratulations, and calloo callay! Now I see why you went there...you sneaky Amberite devils you...

[Wired*Nun]

I'm going to wait for Thanos to respond before moving forward with the inside action.

[LynMars]

We had a wonderful time, snow safari-ing, thermal lake bathing, getting engaged...
:smiling: Whoo-hoo! Go chalice and Tam! Congrats you guys; have "fun" planning all that out; having recently been around my sister during the latter stages of her wedding planning and the event itself...hehehehe...

[Wired*Nun]

My advice is keep it simple. That's what we did, and we do not regret it. It's just one day, after all. Better to spend money on honeymoon anyway than a big production...unless someone else pays, that might be different...

[LynMars]

We know a guy who's girlfriend won one of those all-expenses paid weddings...Lucky...

[Icebird]

Shutter- clear up some space so I can PM you.

Arrotel has no offensive capability, and he's starting to get annyoned by having to rely on others for that- if there's one thing he can't stand, it's not being able to do something for himself.

Yay for Chalice and Tamarind!

[LynMars]

Know how Arrotel feels; that's why Raevyn was asking Kat for help in the martial area. Still, as Amberites, it's not like they're completely helpless...

At the same time, relying on parents to come running to bail us out every time is a bad thing. Raevyn considered it, but as a player, I really didn't want to go there; The Elders may try to assume command of the Keep "for it's own protection", giving Amber--and the Primal Pattern--charge over the Fount and the Primal Maze...and that just seems like a bad idea to me...

Also, this game is about our younger characters doing all the fun stuff; not the Elders--they had their story. Occasionally using them for escape, as Merle did with Flora at one point, is fine, but they can't fight our battles for us. It's something I've seen a lot in Amber games, both as GM and player; "This is big and kinda rough, let's call $ElderAmberite in to deal with it..." That reliance can be dangerous, and it's best to break the habit early.

Amberites and Chaosites both are by nature fairly proud beings; with that kind of strength and power, why wouldn't they be? Calling others for help is not something to be considered lightly. If anything, it makes one look weak and incapable, and a character will have a hard time finding respect or being taken seriously. Eventually, they'll start telling you "Well, deal with it yourself, you're a big kid" anyway.

And now that I've lectured for the day....Off to do laundry!

[Pygysys]

Congratulations Chalice and Tam!

Re The Fount: There's also the point of view that if Hendrake take the Fount from Jasra then good on them.

I don't know about the other PC's but Kat certainly doesn't know about any treaty/truce that involves either Amber or Chaos preventing the other side from taking the Fount from Jasra and Co.

She's more concerned about getting herself and her cousins out of the middle of this situation, lest it does strain relations between Amber and Chaos. She also doesn't remember Random saying: Take control of the Keep if anyone elses tries to take it, we want it for ourselves.

It's possible Amber does want it, but then it's up to others to assemble a strike team and attempt to wrest control.

We were sent there to investigate Dunstan's possible role in Joss' death and to learn anything else of interest, not to claim the Keep, repell others or get ourselves killed.

[Shutter]

Icebird(I always think of you as Aarotel...only player I do that with..):Space cleared.

Chalice and Tam: Congratulations! As someone currently dodging the wedding planning proccess I second Dave's advice, simple is your friend. Enjoy:)

Fount: Roland isn't keen to see it fall into the hands of either Chaos or Amber. He trusts some of his family, but not all. Something as powerful as the Fount seems like it would be well suited for neutral territory. Also, they responded to a request for parlay with violence, in general that puts them in the badguy column for Roland.

[chalice]

Aaargh!! Just got throgh catching up. Do you guys have any idea how frustrating it is to be playing a shapeshifter who specialises in healing and not be in the thread where her friends are getting cut up?????

[Wired*Nun]

Shutter- clear up some space so I can PM you.

Arrotel has no offensive capability, and he's starting to get annyoned by having to rely on others for that- if there's one thing he can't stand, it's not being able to do something for himself.

Yay for Chalice and Tamarind!
1. He can engage in melee, if he doesn't take on someone too tough.

2. He could use Pattern powers. You figure out how.

3. He could attack someone through a Trump if he could get ahold of one...

4. He could call for backup if he thinks that is the right move.

[Wired*Nun]

Amberites and Chaosites both are by nature fairly proud beings; with that kind of strength and power, why wouldn't they be? Calling others for help is not something to be considered lightly. If anything, it makes one look weak and incapable, and a character will have a hard time finding respect or being taken seriously. Eventually, they'll start telling you "Well, deal with it yourself, you're a big kid" anyway.

!
There are other allies besides Elders...

[Shutter]

Aaargh!! Just got throgh catching up. Do you guys have any idea how frustrating it is to be playing a shapeshifter who specialises in healing and not be in the thread where her friends are getting cut up?????
Probably about as frustrating as not having you there to help us:)

[chalice]

Probably about as frustrating as not having you there to help us:)
Kick Arrotel, then ;) He's carrying Gray's trump...though given where she is, no telling if she'd get the call.

[Shutter]

Well, I'd love to. But Roland has no notion that shapeshifters can heal people...Or at least, I don't think he knows that?...

[Wired*Nun]

Only certain ones can...

[chalice]

Well, I'd love to. But Roland has no notion that shapeshifters can heal people...Or at least, I don't think he knows that?...
Apart from Heldrik saying Gray had healed him when we first came through to you guys in Josh's Shadow, you mean?

[Thanos]

Sorry for the delay, been partying in to many places here in Vegas, none on the strip mind you ;-).

I posted, but the options are not exactly as large as I would like at the moment. Although Heldrik has been having some ideas now that he has seen a lot more of the shadows people have fiddled with. Dave can expect some hefty conversations along those lines in the GM Comms now that he is back and out of danger. ;-)

[Wired*Nun]

As stated in the thread, Telloth and Drax are perched in the rafters.

[Tamarind]

Indeed, the crime fighting duo perch poised and ready...:evolved:

[Thanos]

yes, I slightly edited the post after rereading to say the Heldrik would attempt to pull up the pattern either way ;-)

I thought at first that Arrotel had called him back to him..... :-l

[Wired*Nun]

Sorry to desert you all, I have been summoned to the chamber of sleeping. Nite.

[Shutter]

Apart from Heldrik saying Gray had healed him when we first came through to you guys in Josh's Shadow, you mean?
Right, 'cause I was under the impression that he didn't get details on how and why that happened. Also, he would dearly rather not have Gray (a crazy person of dubious loyalty in his book) in a situation such like this. He could really use some quality time getting better acquanited with her.

[Thanos]

We could all use some 'quality time' getting to know each other one on one. Perhaps Heldrik will arrange that if Josh is not around. ;-)

[chalice]

Right, 'cause I was under the impression that he didn't get details on how and why that happened.
This is still quite a fuzzy area for me. We went for the 'let's assume we've all told one another everything' option, but I'm never entirely clear what was and wasn't included about the characters themselves. There was certainly a lot of info for all the PCs to take on board, so it's not surprising if some things got overlooked, misunderstood or forgotten.

[Thanos]

This is still quite a fuzzy area for me. We went for the 'let's assume we've all told one another everything' option, but I'm never entirely clear what was and wasn't included about the characters themselves. There was certainly a lot of info for all the PCs to take on board, so it's not surprising if some things got overlooked, misunderstood or forgotten.

I agree, hehehe, but Heldrik hasn't exactly told everybody everything, just enough to let them know he is on the up and up. Gray knows Heldrik a lot better than say Kat does.....

[LynMars]

Yes, there are other allies besides Elders, we just haven't seemed to have made too many yet, or they're already at the Fount (like Alamor)...I just have too many bad memories of players getting reliant on Elders to solve every little thing for them. In one case, though, had an inexperienced GM who didn't know what to do with the Elders and so wanted the PCs to do stuff that she overcorrected; the Elders literally did nothing as Reality broke apart around them. We'd go to them with info or for something they knew/had or to try and rally them once we had figured out what was going on and needed to be done--and they didn't do anything or were helpful at all, no matter what we said or did, just sat there like bumps on a log. In another game, the players called the Elders for help so often, they eventually got the "Take care of your own mess" message during a terrible life-or-death situation.

Who controls the Fount, or who wants to wrest control of it, isn't important, no; anyway this one battle resolves, it will lead to future plot, and that's always good. The point is, examine all your options and take consequences into account if you have even a little time to do so, before calling in the big guns and leading to even more complications.

[Thanos]

The bigger they are, the higher the pricetag, whether you see it now or not.

For example: If somebody called in Benedict, he would come.....and depending on the personality for Benedict that I had decided on for 'father' something like the following would happen:
1) Benedict handles the situation completely, telling everybody involved exactly what to do, so perfectly and simply that everybody is ashamed that they just couldn't do it. Everybody would be shuffled back to Amber and to get a brow beating by their parents...and the King and then Flora!
2) Benedict comes in kills the badguys without saying a word and drags whomever called him (and others perhaps) off by the ear. They then spends the next 100 days in harsh training to the point of almost committing suicide under Benedicts direct supervision before he lets them go back out into the 'real world'.
3) Benedict comes in kills all the minions, slaps around the big name NPC's till he finds out who is directing it all. Then makes the character that called him decide if they need to die or be let free to do it again. Oh, and the 'Blood Curse' will end up on the character. This one is the harshest I think.

LOL

[LynMars]

Hehehe...See, in mine, Benedict--heck, most of them--expects their kids to be able to deal with things themselves--especially if the Elder in question happens to be busy. :)

[Pygysys]

Well given the 'numbers' that we currently have involved with the situation, I imagine the Elders would expect us to be able to figure out some way to fend for ourselves. Can you see any of them letting us off our leashes in future if we can't? :P

[Thanos]

Nope.....but considering we have an entire House from Chaos coming down about our heads, they might give us a bone, you know one hand grenade.

btw, who has that other Pattern Flair ring, other than Landon? ;-)

[Pygysys]

Actually I don't believe it's an entire House, so to speak, definitely members of a particular House but not the entire House. Also, Dara's a Sawall, isn't she? So doesn't that make it two Houses, or at least members from two Houses?

Maybe we could get Rebis to contact other Houses to distract/interfere with the Hendrake's attempt on the Keep? It would be to their advantage not to let the Hendrake's gain such an advantage in owning the Keep... but then they'd probably try to take it for themselves. Still, that makes it Jasra and Dalt's problem, not ours. ;)

Roland's outside the room, so I can't picture him setting off that ring in this instance.

[LynMars]

Dara's married to Sawall, but is a born Hendrake. And note how old Gramble is refered to in the stories, but never actually seen (that I recall; I may be wrong there...Need to get my book back...)? But not mentioned as dead, either? Dara's using her birth house for this one. And most of the numbers were wiped out anyway, remember...as well as their supply lines...so they've got what they got...

[Pygysys]

Yeah but given that Merlin is King, time has passed since Chaos lost to Amber. Given how time tends to flow more quickly out that way, you'd assume that they've risen in numbers a bit more since the War... well that's the general assumption I always tend to make. Or are you referring to Landon's part in the thread with the explosion? I thought those troops were shock troops and wouldn't be major players of the House.

I know Dara's a Sawall through marriage but that's also rather convenient, to be able to change your House affiliation depending on the circumstance. If I was a Sawall, I'd be downright offended, especially if they fail in the attempt to take the Keep and she came back to the safety of Sawall to lick her wounds but that's just me.

[chalice]

What's interesting is why the attack happened now and not at any point in the years the Fount's existence has been common knowledge. Something's changed - I rather assume that their interest lies not with controlling the Fount but the Primal Maze.

[Pygysys]

A very good point. Makes me wonder how much they know about it and its avatar.

[Wired*Nun]

We could all use some 'quality time' getting to know each other one on one. Perhaps Heldrik will arrange that if Josh is not around. ;-)
Anyone else kind of creeped out by this statement? Heldrik the Amberite pimp?

[Wired*Nun]

Actually I don't believe it's an entire House, so to speak, definitely members of a particular House but not the entire House. Also, Dara's a Sawall, isn't she? So doesn't that make it two Houses, or at least members from two Houses?
.
Dara was born a Hendrake, married the new Duke Sawall after the old King died. Beyond that, you will have to deduce or divine her precise position...

[Pygysys]

Her precise position is currently holding Heldrik and myself at bay... ;)

[Wired*Nun]

What's interesting is why the attack happened now and not at any point in the years the Fount's existence has been common knowledge. Something's changed - I rather assume that their interest lies not with controlling the Fount but the Primal Maze.
Actually, it should be blindingly obvious why the attack happened at that moment...

[Shutter]

Plot device?


Edit:Just checked the main thread, I think Roland is waiting on details from Aarotel, who's player is gone for a bit if I recall correctly. I had hoped Roland had a Trump of Dara, but no luck.

[Icebird]

Actually, Arrotel was going to ask Benedict if he had any sorcerers who could possibly opperate in this shadow, or perhaps just any explosives, not ask for Benedict himself to come through. Of course, he never said that aloud, so I guess he gets what he deserves.

[LynMars]

hrm, not so much avatar inspiration lately....but everyone's favorite salesman has been added to the Gallery. :)

[chalice]

But I'm using this one again for a little while! I missed it;) - and it was too good to only use the once!

[chalice]

Dave, when you used the words 'tart personality' for Gray's last aspect, was that 'tart' in the sense of 'sharp, sexy and sophisticated'...or as in 'hussy'...?;)

[Thanos]

The charge of the Light Brigade doesn't sound to bad....

2 pattern Users pull up pattern sign and face them down at the floor. Rebis can pop the doors, drop the storm, and then the 2 pattern users can pull up the signs in front of them and charge in blocking out Sorcery and such. Roland can handle the big guy or physical threats and be the trump call out person, or well something like that.

Just posting an idea for those in the Hall. Heldrik might have something up his sleave.....that Dara and the others might not figure a youngling could do....

[Tamarind]

Exactly! After all we've just demonstrated that Pattern doens't do wonders for Logrus sorcerors - just ask Rebis :hurt:

With Pattern to ward off their sorceries and a surprise attack from 2 fronts we could do well :evolved:

[chalice]

With the Dynamic Winged Duo waiting in the - uh - wings, too...

[LynMars]

Raevyn? Charge? Ummm...okay...:nervous:

[chalice]

Having someone outside the room to pass wounded people or hostages through a Trump link to seemed to have merit - could be Raevyn's type of thing? Or she could throw rocks...

(You can tell Aspect Three is no longer in control - or this message would have been 'Du vrai? and what does Raevyn charge...?;) )

[Wired*Nun]

Dave, when you used the words 'tart personality' for Gray's last aspect, was that 'tart' in the sense of 'sharp, sexy and sophisticated'...or as in 'hussy'...?;)
Need I say, double-entendre? Uh oh, that's French, isn't it...

[chalice]

Bad Dave! Evil French!!!

Lyn, can we have an avatar for 'tart Agraynel' please...?

[Wired*Nun]

OK, 10 cool points to the first person that can figure out why the Hendrakes attacked just then - and it wasn't merely plot device. The answer relates to why they havn't easily succeeded too.

[Shutter]

Merlin is stirring up trouble for them back in Chaos land. Perhaps they are in revolt and need a new base o' operations.

?

[Wired*Nun]

Nope. Nice try. Remember, they attacked before Merlin was called back from Aurora...

[Shutter]

Bah! Right, this is the trouble Merlin is settling down. So they attacked while Merlin was away. Tricksy. Very tricksy.

Dara imprisoned Jasra and thus knew what was up once Raevyn began to do her thing, had the time to gather troops, and off they went.

?

[chalice]

Urrrm...they had someone impersonating Rimaldo, and that's gone wrong...?

Benedict attacked the Maze directly?

They were somehow using Unconscious Jasra to control the Maze and now she's woken up and they can't?

I give up.

My brain is melted after a real strange afternoon. First I had to go up a hastily-disconnected loft-ladder to rescue our littlest kitty from a huge tree. Then I spent all afternoon trying to buy a car. That's right - trying. The entire computer network supporting my bank went down for the entire afternoon. Not a single customer could move a penny. For three hours we sat at the car dealership (where my lovely, shiny new toy was waiting for me to drive it away), trying my debit card every 15 minutes. At four o'clock they closed, and I still had no car. Literally, because I'm part-exchanging my old one, and so its insurance runs out tonight and I had to leave it there. I've now been consoled by half the bottle of bubbles we'd planned to celebrate new car's arrival with...so deduction not a strong point...

[Wired*Nun]

Bah! Right, this is the trouble Merlin is settling down. So they attacked while Merlin was away. Tricksy. Very tricksy.

Dara imprisoned Jasra and thus knew what was up once Raevyn began to do her thing, had the time to gather troops, and off they went.

?
Pretty close, cool points to Roland. Trying to rescue Jasra was obviously the trigger...

[Shutter]

Heh. Simul-posted with you there Dave, but I deleted it.

Edit: Weehee! I got cool points!

[Wired*Nun]

I really meant, please don't respond to that one...unrelated posts don't matter...

[Icebird]

Rea saved Jasra, and she could have told that someone was impersonating Rinaldo. So suddenly, the keep is a threat again as is its controller, so they come storming in to remove both of these obsticals.

[Icebird]

Arg... I posted a the same time too.

[Shutter]

Roland's notion that they'll be able to take Dara, even combined, just makes me want to slap the poor fool.

[chalice]

Aw, c'mon, Roland - she's just a girl...:evil:

[Wired*Nun]

Drive out, maybe. "Take" as in capture, not likely.

[Wired*Nun]

Gray's nonmovement was only during the psychic struggle...sorry I didn't make that clear.

[chalice]

Keep Guys, Tam will be back real soon - he heroically went to fetch food!

[Shutter]

Very appropriate then that you just got ranked Devourer.

[chalice]

Gray's nonmovement was only during the psychic struggle...sorry I didn't make that clear.
oops - have edited:)

[Tamarind]

Keep Guys, Tam will be back real soon - he heroically went to fetch food!
Back now! Here we go...

[Icebird]

Hehe... Let's have fun learning how to loose in a psychic battle! Hope Arrotel's brain isn't squashed...

[Shutter]

Hmm...we still don't have Dara's Trump do we? Ah well...

[Tamarind]

Alas no - but hopefully soon...

[Icebird]

I was waiting for a response about Almor from Dave, but let's go now. We don't need no stinking information.

[Shutter]

Heh, yeah if that's not Alamor we're going to have some rewriting to do.

[Tamarind]

On the plus side sounds as if we might be getting some timely assistance too...

[Tamarind]

Turns out Drax is famous! Chalice just came across a link on the BBC news site

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/4136993.stm

and also...

www.draxpower.com (http://www.draxpower.com)

:)

[Wired*Nun]

I decided to let you guys decide whether to step through or not, and in what order to do what, rather than just assume you do, and let anyone else take actions.

[chalice]

Oooh, I finally have my new car! It's shiiiiiny:smiling:

[Wired*Nun]

What is it?

[chalice]

I've stayed faithful to the Ford Fiesta ( small, safe beast that it is), turbo diesel with slightly more kick than the last and (most important) five doors rather than three, so my parents can more easily get into the back seat. Also, silver and very cute:smiling:

[Wired*Nun]

FORD - For Our Rubbish Dump. Fix Or Repair Daily. Well, it's not so bad, really, just kidding. My car snobbery is just coming out. Of course, our family car is an Opel (read: Vauxhall in the UK) so that's not much better. But my baby is a beemer...

[Shutter]

I have a bus pass. It rocks!

[Thanos]

Toyota!

BMW - Breaks Many Wallets - BMtroubleU
The mechanic shop I worked at had 3 mechanics and 1 greese monkey (me). All three mechanics said they loved BMW....because the cars broke down or needed to be fixed often and they could charge high prices. They all hated Toyota's because the parts were harder to get ahold of IF they came in to get repaired in the first place.

[chalice]

My last little Ford never let me down once.

My favourite sarcastic car comment is an armorial one about Volvos - the left-hand slash down a shield on a coat-of-arms indicates bastardy...and guess which way the slash on the Volvo shield runs...

Though I always liked driving the big Volvo. Something about a very small woman driving a very big car just makes some other road users sooooo nervous:evil:

[LynMars]

I have a Dodge Neon. I like Neons. They're friendly. They Smile! :D

[Thanos]

The new Bugs look cool......but....eh... I am not much of a car guy. If it gets me from A to B in one piece for not much, then I am all good.



Hope you guys lay some serious smack down on these guys....don't think Kat and Heldrik would like being stuck in some private hell that Dara has waiting for us.

[Pygysys]

Hell no! No private hells if you please. Kat is quite happy with her current level of emotional turmoil as it stands.

If anyone was considering Trumping Kat out of there, I think that chance is gone as I don't think consciousness is going to be valid once those blue pebbled guys finish laying their smack down.

[Shutter]

Funny thing about rescues is that sometimes you don't really know they're needed until they're damned hard to effect.

We'll see what we can do. Hey, it's just Dara right? Everyone brought their spikard I assume?

[chalice]

Tam has been sent to Leeds all day:\ , so won't be able to get online until tonight.

[Wired*Nun]

One thing, I need those summoning Pattern or Logrus to make sure they make clear whther they are summoning it as a Defense (internally, filling themselves with Pattern energy) or externally (hovering before them, which wouldn't protect from something from a different direction. There are advantages to each, of course.

[chalice]

Yay! for mobile phines. Have asked Tam which Rebis is doing, and he's going to call back soon:)

[Wired*Nun]

Yeah, love those phines.

[chalice]

:∙

Anyway, he says: external shield, try to keep it between him and the enemy, with his back against a wall or something. And to remind you he wants logrus available for physical use as per some message yesterday? Hope that makes sense!

[LynMars]

Think Rae's mostly going for internal defense at the this point. Having never seen, let alone been in, real combat before, she's a little out of sorts, but will probably be okay in just a bit.

[chalice]

Suuuure is quiet in here today!

[Pygysys]

Be vewwy vewwy qwiet, we're hunting wabbits...

... and going to sleep so as to be awake in 6 hours for swimming and a gym session. G'night all.

[lotus]

It'd be a shame if y'all got yourselves killed, or captured (or worse) before (or if) I get to come in.

[Icebird]

Hehe... throwing playing cards at an Archer. Yes, Arrotel finds that as ridiculus as we do.

Sorry me spelling has gone down the drain recently.

[Shutter]

From 40 yards away?....If we survive this Roland and Aarotel need to have a little chat about "living up to your potential."

On the other hand, the imagery is damned funny.

[Icebird]

Potential? Now where did that trump of Dara get off to? He'll probably fetch that in a moment here, if/when the snowstorm hits. As Roland thought, that archer will be having a field day if noone does anything about it.

As for 40 yards, he is an Amberite with lots of practice at this sort of thing.

[Shutter]

If he sends playing cards 40 yards, Roland will buy him a drink...again, if they live. Any distraction is a good distraction I guess:)

[Wired*Nun]

I'm hoping for a post from Arrotel soon. Since he's online, I might get my wish!

Some comments on (your characters in) conflict situations as I see them - granted, I have the "God's-eye view" - and these are meant to be construictive comments, sorry if I hurt feeling, I don't mean to -

Arrotel - don't underestimate yourself, and focus on what you can do rather than what you can't do. If all you can do is keep the enemy orcs tied up, or provide defense for others, or one more thing for the enemy to worry about (after all, they don't know how deadly you are or not) then go ahead and do it. Things like this are team efforts. Also, some shuriken might be useful things to keep handy, if he likes flipping small objects at enemies. Or at least, razor-edged metallic playing cards.

Roland - May or may not be playing in character - competing priorities include, trying to win, trying not to lose, trying not to lose people/rescuing those in trouble - in my mind, as soon as the door got shut, should have coordinated efforts to get the two Amberites that are inside, out, rather than focusing on increasingly risky, D&D-esque tactics to win the overall fight - depends on where he feels his loyalties lie. That is, I envision him as being most concerned about Kat's welfare, and Arrotels, but he seems to be most concerned about the mission of defending the Fount. Maybe he is just taking the big view, being willing to sacrifice pawns to get a rook...

Heldrik - playing the hero to the T, except, again, getting Kat and himself out would have been first priority, for all the above reasons. Helping Kat stall, promising them anything, sheathing his sword, buying himself enough time to mindwalk the Pattern - anything not to lose his concentration on his one way out.

Rebis - kind of the same thing - where are his loyalties, if any? Who might he call on to help? Is he aware that these Hendrakes are doing something that would be opposed by both ends of the Multiverse? (GM really can't remember at this point).

Raevyn - ditto to the above - calling elders to save your bacon is not exactly the same as reporting something pretty important to Amber or Chaos. E.g., she could call someone in that arena who could get word to them...which would not be whining for aid per se, but might bring in much-needed intervention. It's not merely a struggle for a strategic location, but something affecting the balance of multiversal power.

Kat - really can't fault her, except for I think she missed an opportunity to get Piet to bring Lions directly to the Inner Keep much sooner, as well as parts of the above.

General: Allies' allies are another option - did anyone ask Alamor whether he could scare someone up? Being young and impulsive, he didn't think of this on his own...How about Asmundson and Co.? Or if not elders, then how about other youngers or associates? Dunstan would be an enormous asset if he was rescued and made functional, since he can control the Fount.

Time was something you all could have used more effectively - lots of time lost in discussion of various sorts.

For those of you who like to give me lots of lists of "if-thens," this tends to paralyze me, especially with six PC and several NPCs to deal with. I would sooner just wait for everyone to post, and for you to give me one course of action based on the questions and answers you ask me in GM comms and the information you have.

I hope this helps everyone now and in the future. Again, I'm not upset, just trying to tighten things up a bit. I'll post the action soon.

[Wired*Nun]

From 40 yards away?....If we survive this Roland and Aarotel need to have a little chat about "living up to your potential."

On the other hand, the imagery is damned funny.
Actually as you guys are trumping in between Dara and the archer, it's only about 10 yards...

[Icebird]

He's too young to drink, remember? Not that that applies to Amberites, but he'll decline if Roland offers anyways. Just like paper shirukens, right?

[Shutter]

Actually as you guys are trumping in between Dara and the archer, it's only about 10 yards...
And once again I demonstrate my terrible abilities with narrative geometry.

Just to check my metaphysics Dave, there's no way to Trump someone out when they're unconscious is there?

[Icebird]

Metal playing cards- I was thinking of that just a second ago, acually. It is very much his style. Perhaps glass ones that shatter, with a little bit of something that burns sealed up inside...

[lotus]

10 yards is still a good distance to be throwing anything...especially somthing as light as pasteboard...I suggest daggers, dirks, shuriken, stilettos, axes and coins. Time for a visit to the armory :)

[Shutter]

Dave:Roland - May or may not be playing in character - competing priorities include, trying to win, trying not to lose, trying not to lose people/rescuing those in trouble - in my mind, as soon as the door got shut, should have coordinated efforts to get the two Amberites that are inside, out, rather than focusing on increasingly risky, D&D-esque tactics to win the overall fight - depends on where he feels his loyalties lie. That is, I envision him as being most concerned about Kat's welfare, and Arrotels, but he seems to be most concerned about the mission of defending the Fount. Maybe he is just taking the big view, being willing to sacrifice pawns to get a rook...
The main problem I kept coming accross was that getting Heldrik and Kat out meant leaving Dunstan behind. Roland doesn't have a lot of faith in deus ex machina coming to Dunstan's rescue, and he's not about to just leave the kid to die without giving a better effort.

The Fount is filed away with Roland as "bad news" and he'd much prefer it remain in the hands of someone like Dunstan, rather than any of the poles of existance getting control over it.

And thanks for the note about the if-thens. Some folks like them, some folks don't. Good to know.

[Wired*Nun]

And once again I demonstrate my terrible abilities with narrative geometry.

Just to check my metaphysics Dave, there's no way to Trump someone out when they're unconscious is there?
Almost always true. There has to be mental link. There have been cases where Trumping contacted someone in an altered state of consciousness e.g., stoned or in REM sleep. I'm not sure there is a canonical example of trying to bring someone through a Trump link that way. It might depend on whether the mind was willing, and/or whether one could physically pull them through. Generally, the caller and/or the one with higher Psyche and Trump abilities would prevail, perhaps even working subconsciously to preserve and protect the person.

[Wired*Nun]

Also, I need an answer from Rebis to a question in his private forum before I go too much farther forward...if anyone can get him here...I will be going to a movie soon, so I will post, then be back in two hours or so. If I can get the answer before then, would be good.

[Wired*Nun]

One more thing, Arrotel should remember 1) the principle that engaging an archer in melee or strength combat is a great way to stop him shooting at things and 2) he has a sectional baton he can pull out to whack people with and 3) people don't die fast in Strength combat unless one is absolutely horrible in the Strength category.

[lotus]

Almost always true. There has to be mental link. There have been cases where Trumping contacted someone in an altered state of consciousness e.g., stoned or in REM sleep. I'm not sure there is a canonical example of trying to bring someone through a Trump link that way.The only Canon example I can think of is Luke pulling Merlin through to the Alice in Wonderland shadow, wasn't Luke high on LSD or something? Still conscious though...if you could create a trump gate or if you were a living trump you could prolly do something with unconcious people (did Jurt do anything like this with Julia or himself?) just trump out the whole area; people, dirt, and all...or maybe not.

[Icebird]

Right now, he's really only trying to stall until Rebis hits the room with the storm. If it doesn't happen before he runs out of cards, then he'll decide on something else to do. Also, his avoidance of melee combat isn't just me- it has a great deal to do with Arrotel's perceptions of himself.

[Shutter]

Roland would now like very much to hang out with Aarotel and learn a few things. :)

[Icebird]

Two Rs, one A. Like Arrow, except without the w a with a tel.

[Shutter]

So I've been very carefully getting it wrong every time I've typed it for the past...long time? Oops:∙ Sorry, hopefully I'll remember it correctly now...

Arrotel.
See? That wasn't so hard...

[LynMars]

Raevyn - ditto to the above - calling elders to save your bacon is not exactly the same as reporting something pretty important to Amber or Chaos. E.g., she could call someone in that arena who could get word to them...which would not be whining for aid per se, but might bring in much-needed intervention. It's not merely a struggle for a strategic location, but something affecting the balance of multiversal power.

General: Allies' allies are another option - did anyone ask Alamor whether he could scare someone up? Being young and impulsive, he didn't think of this on his own...How about Asmundson and Co.? Or if not elders, then how about other youngers or associates? Dunstan would be an enormous asset if he was rescued and made functional, since he can control the Fount.

Time was something you all could have used more effectively - lots of time lost in discussion of various sorts.
OOC, I think maybe I did come across a bit strong on that point, but as I said, it's something I've seen too often and it had come up here now, as it's not the first time I've seen someone go for an Elder's Trump for something. I'm also of the opinion that if we could get coordinated and use what time we had effectively, we could deal with it pretty well with what resources we have available.

It's also the first time we've had this large of a combat in the game; Heldrik's group had some spats before now, but nothing really big--they got the drop completely on Siodmak, and that wasn't well-coordinated ICly, as everyone decided to do it, then gave their actions privately to the GM. Could have had both Elress and Siodmak if it had been, but by then, it was too late anyway, as the Trump connection had been made. As for Roland's group, this is the first combat we've experienced, really.

As players, we don't know each others' styles for combat play yet. As characters, we don't know how the others react in those situations. If this had happened with one of my two usual tabletop RP groups...It would be much different.

As it is, I'm now going to feel cheesy, as Rae was probably going to do what Dave suggested there; get Dunstan, as he can use the Fount. Have to look over his situation again, though, before she attempts something or tries to get someone else to.

[Icebird]

Bumps and scrapes, sure, but Arrotel's never been shot before. Now we see what happens when he looses his temper. Didn't know he had Viking blood in him, did you? Not that he's ever met a Viking, of course.

[Shutter]

Dave: During this fight, has Alamor displayed any regenerative properties that Roland could have noticed?

[Icebird]

He was nailed to the floor with several arrows when we entered the first time, and now he's not dead and doesn't have holes since he took the bat form and back.

[Shutter]

He was nailed to the floor with several arrows when we entered the first time, and now he's not dead and doesn't have holes since he took the bat form and back.Right, but I'm not entirely clear that Roland is certain on the Alamor=bat=>shapeshifting regenerator thing. I should reread carefull to see if he's in wolf or bat form right now....

Edit: Ah...ok, he's looking like Alamor now...I think Roland can put two and two together on that one then. Thanks Ice.

[chalice]

Sigh. My 'other' PBEM Amber game, silent since around October, is officially no more and abandoned. Now little Challis will never find out why people kept calling her an Abhomimation:cry:

[Shutter]

That's so sad! Why'd the game die?

[Wired*Nun]

Dave: During this fight, has Alamor displayed any regenerative properties that Roland could have noticed?Well, he got stuck full of arrows, got away somehow, and seemed to end up back whole again as a large bat...right now, it's kind of hard to tell as Dara and he are inflicting lots of contusions and abrasions on each other...

Edit: LOL, then I read Ice's almost identical post...

[Wired*Nun]

That's so sad! Why'd the game die?
Yes and why did they call her an (sic) abhomination?

[Wired*Nun]

And I see that Gray in her thread is asking what we call in the biz, "REALLY FRICKING LOADED" questions...

[Shutter]

Just tell little Challis that they were jealous...or they secretly had a crush on her.

Isn't this what we tell kids when other kids are mean? I can't recall if I ever bought it when I was an uber-youngster...

[Wired*Nun]

If everyone can stand by, I'll make another map to post, to help visualize.

[chalice]

Yes and why did they call her an (sic) abhomination?
She had no idea. Might have been something to do with her carrying the bloodlines of Chaos, Amber, Unseelie and Seelie all at once though (hence the name)...she couldn't ask them, 'cos they were dead. Serves them right for trying to kill her when all she was trying to do was have a nice picnic with her two new friends. Her very last spoken line in the game was "What's an Abhomination, anyway?"

Game died due to mysterious disappearnce of GM without a word a few months ago - really hope he's OK. He's done this in previous games, so not as worried as I usually would be, though:\

[chalice]

Just tell little Challis that they were jealous...or they secretly had a crush on her.

Isn't this what we tell kids when other kids are mean? I can't recall if I ever bought it when I was an uber-youngster...
My mother used to tell me "Don't worry - they may be pretty, but you're clever". Sometimes I wonder whose side she was on :P

[chalice]

And I see that Gray in her thread is asking what we call in the biz, "REALLY FRICKING LOADED" questions...
But in All Innocence :evil:

[Shutter]

Hmm...hate it when GMs do that. Happens all the time over at the boards where LynMars and I met. They award medals over there if an RP gets finished.

Seriously, medals. I have two of them:)

[Wired*Nun]

I am going to attach the map in my last post by editing - so anyone can edit their posts to fix any misconceptions. Stand by.

[Wired*Nun]

Yay, worked. I'm always amazed when I can do something cool like that.

[Wired*Nun]

And let me know when everyone goes final on their posts please, I'll hold off on posting until I get all (or most) responses.

[Shutter]

Ooh, nice:) Thanks Dave. That helped a lot. So, both sorceresses are on the upper walkway?

[Thanos]

Heldrik lays there and bleeds, just to let you know, in case that wasn't clear.


Hehehehe. No worries, though, Heldrik took down 2 badguys. If time was not of the essence there would have been some Adv Pat coolness going on and Dara or the Sorceress would be a dead NPC....it just sucks taking minutes to pull things up ;-) when you don't have minutes to do anything.

[Shutter]

I'll call mine final as far as actions are concerned. I'm just going to go back and edit it to include Roland seeing Kat and Heldrik.

[Wired*Nun]

Ooh, nice:) Thanks Dave. That helped a lot. So, both sorceresses are on the upper walkway?
Yes, that's true.

[Shutter]

Check. Ok, call my post final.

[Icebird]

Yes, that's about what I imagined, although in that case, which blue guys got hit with the storm? My post's final too, regardless.

[Tamarind]

Thanks for the excellent map Dave - really helps:)

[Tamarind]

Oh, my post is final too ;)

[Icebird]

Oh, those six blue men. I had misinterpited that they were completly frozen and thus no longer a factor, but rereading has clarified.

[chalice]

Anyone else have The Final Countdown playing in their head? No? Ah, that would be just me in the sad aging hippy corner then:smiling:

[Icebird]

Acually, I was running through Another One Bites the Dust. :evil: I haven't heard the song you mentioned.

[chalice]

'Cos you're too youngLOL Or maybe it's a Brit thing. Anyhow, it's a track by 'Europe'.

[Wired*Nun]

Yes, that's about what I imagined, although in that case, which blue guys got hit with the storm? My post's final too, regardless.
The blue guys on the walkway got hit. The ones on the dogpile below on the floor did not, as with a spherical ice storm, extending it to them would have made it hit everyone else too.

Now if Rebis really wanted to be clever he could make a lynchpin for other 3-dimensional shapes...

[Tamarind]

Indeed! Spookily just such a thought had occurred to him - in the classroom it seemed very straightforward, a sphere is the most efficient volume to describe (only 2 parameters - centre and radius) so it must be best...just goes to show how a bit of practical experience can go a long way :worry:

[LynMars]

my post is final. Sorry if I'm distracted; long-running IRC plot going down this afternoon...

[Wired*Nun]

It's getting late here, I'm getting tired so I'm going to hold off on posting more until tomorrow. We had a busy day today. Later all!

Also...when's the big date?

[Wired*Nun]

PS Trey check your private comms...

[Icebird]

Night Dave. It's getting on 3 PM here, so I'll stay up a few more hours. :)

[chalice]

Time I turned into a pumpkin. 'Night all!

[Pygysys]

Ow! This means Heldrik and Kat are still getting kicked whilst their down. Endurance - Must buy up endurance!

And I know the Final Countdown - Very catchy - I always sing along. :)

[lotus]

gee P didn't anyone teel you that Endurance is THE most important attribute...;)

[Thanos]

LOL!

My character was pretty well balanced considering I wanted 1 big thing in specific..... ;-) well after Dave and I straightened out a little clerical error that is....hehehehe

[Pygysys]

Oh wait, Endurance is THE most important attribute? I thought it was Strength, no wait, wasn't it Psyche... oh gosh darnit. ;)

[Tamarind]

Ow! This means Heldrik and Kat are still getting kicked whilst their down.
Hopefully we'll have you out of there real soon now...:evolved:

[chalice]

And now I have another track running through my head...TMBG 'Whistling In the Dark...'

[Pygysys]

I don't think I know that one. Who's TMBG?

[lotus]

They Might Be Giants...other great songs include
Particle man
Birdhouse in Your Soul
Instanbul (not Constantinople)
and others too numerous to name.

Whistling in the Dark is off, IMHO their best album, Flood.

[Pygysys]

Ah... I know the band. Just didn't recognise the acronym. Anyway y'all, have a good day/night... I'm off to a Western How to Host a Murder party. Got my six shooter (okay it's really an 8 shooter), my cowboy hat (okay it's an Aussie Akubra) and I've got my cowboy shirt and pants. Wish me luck, I don't want to be the murderer but I'm the Legendary Butch Chastity.

Butch Chastity is the first lady of outlaws. Her all-woman gang are the Amazons of the American West. There's nothing coy or dainty about Butch. She can drink her fellow outlaws under the table; she can hold her own in a game of poker; she can rob a stagecoach in record time; and she can kill a man just as soon as look at him-and often does. In her secret hide-out, a place called the Hole in the Mud, Butch plans the most daring of heists, including her many famed train robberies. It has been rumored that Butch has gotten away with more gold than any outlaw alive.

Given we're drinking margaritas tonight, I think I can drink all but one under the table, so I've got that part covered at least. G'night y'all! ;)

[Wired*Nun]

Tam check your comms pls

[Tamarind]

Tam check your comms plsDone :)

[Wired*Nun]

Guess most of the combat-thread folks are out tonight...

[chalice]

Oof! - an awful lot of badly-timed posts by me in that chat with Landon and Dworkin. Dave, please do edit at will to make things a better fit:nod:

[TreyKincaide]

Thanks Dave and chalice for an awesome exchange. It was a fun time puzzling things out! :cool:

[chalice]

Thanks to you two guys too! I did enjoy myself, and a whole bunch of provoked thoughts are still swirling round my brain - and it sure was nice not to be 'basket-case Gray' for a brief interlude;)

[Thanos]

I be about this day, but find that my character is unconcious . Nay, fear not, there is action afoot none the less.

[LynMars]

*Ponders and thinks and plans Rae's likely move.* Get Dunstan out to where he can be helped and get back? Or be silly and emotional and try to save Kat...somehow? Decisions decisions...I'll try not to take too long, though. :)

[Pygysys]

I am no martyr, but given Dunstan's circumstances and Kat's current ones, I'd go with what you can achieve as opposed to what you can't. Dunstan's not surrounded by creatures who'll happily beat you into our current stage of unconsciousness or worse. He's also rather unprotected, so should any other spells or attacks go off that could cause him harm in his current state, he's no protection against them.

I think it's Dalt bashing through the door but that also makes me think attacks could be directed his way. Maybe it's best to sneak out of there with Dunstan now, whilst you can and see him to safety and then return, as opposed to getting yourself captured as well. Though it could be fun having a co-prisoner if Rebis' attempt to rescue Heldrik succeeds. :)

We never know, they might just drop me like a spare piece of unwanted baggage or a hot potato.

[chalice]

*Ponders and thinks and plans Rae's likely move.* Get Dunstan out to where he can be helped and get back? Or be silly and emotional and try to save Kat...somehow? Decisions decisions...I'll try not to take too long, though. :)
It isn't necessarily silly and emotional to deprive the enemy of a potential hostage. What are you guys going to do if the enemy's next move is 'Back off or we kill Kat!" ?

As Pygysys says, it's more a question of whether there is anything to be done in practical terms now Kat is out cold. Just my passing thoughts, though. Easy to comment from outside the situation, yes it is;)

[TreyKincaide]

Well, I'm off. Good night all. It was fun.

[chalice]

'Night Trey. Thanks for a most cool family reunion!

[Pygysys]

It isn't necessarily silly and emotional to deprive the enemy of a potential hostage. What are you guys going to do if the enemy's next move is 'Back off or we kill Kat!" ?
They back off! Repeat: They back off! :dead:

[LynMars]

Added quite a few tonight! For Finndo and Osric, I went with what the rulebook gave as possibilities, as they're never described in the novels themselves. I found cards that seemed to work somewhat (Trey doesn't like Osric though) and went from there. Mirrelle I went with a card I've always liked and wanted to use for something; she's supposed to be Random's twin ot something, so she's blonde. The rest is just...what looked good at the time. Martin and Delwin were pretty simple, too. Not sure what Marty's up to in that pose, but hey, he can do what he likes.

More forthcoming. :)

[Thanos]

Rae could certainly take the trump of Jasra and return her kid to her?

If Rebis is successful, Allimar and Telloth might be able to get Kat free if they work together like they have been. Dalt will certainly get the attention of the Bluestone skinned guys.

[chalice]

Mirrelle I went with a card I've always liked and wanted to use for something; she's supposed to be Random's twin ot something, so she's blonde.

Ooh, the Mirelle one is gorgeous!

[Wired*Nun]

Thanos is obviously an auditory learner...

[LynMars]

I was thinking of grabbing out Jasra's Trump--Rae still has the old one she was given for reference, I think, or her new one, either way I'm too tired at the moment to look back to where she and Rae last talked, I'll do that later--and doing that, at least getting him out. Not sure where to go from there, though. Roland did give her a nice bow, though, but shooting at people? eep...

And thanks, chalice. Like I said, I've always really liked that card and have wanted to use her for something; Mirelle, the lady no one knows, made a good opportunity. :)

[chalice]

Certainly has the look of a Mystery Lady :)

[chalice]

And merci bien for the latest addition to the Gray wing of the avatar gallery;)

[LynMars]

yeah, like I said, the original card had way too much armor and other stuff. So I used the card (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/LynMars/Karina%20Gift%20Art/karina3.gif) done for me by a friend over on Gaming Guardians and used that. Also the same character, different style, used for the Vialle card. Which is how I knew I didn't want to mess with the armor. :)

[Wired*Nun]

Another slow day at the keep, I see. Just waiting on Arrotel and Raevyn, whenever they are ready.

[chalice]

<puts interfering face on; also stresses that the following is suggestion not criticism of anyone in particular>

Have the Keep group considered fixing a time during the day to all be online at once (if at all possible) - for a particular hour, or something - to try and speed things up a little - or at least keep (ooh - not meant to be a pun) things flowing?

If I were Thanos or Pgysys, I'd be grinding my teeth a bit by now (though that might just be my natural grumpiness shining through:| ) as here are two of our players who cannot have a game at all until this scenario gets resolved.

So I'm going to be sanctimonious, presumptious, or whatever, and suggest it behooves their fellow players to get a move on, post at least once a day (or leave puppet instructions if that is impossible) and give them a chance at getting back in the game. I know I shouldn't like to roleplay 'beaten unconscious' for over a week realtime.

Ok, you can all throw things at me now...;)

[Tamarind]

Have the Keep group considered fixing a time during the day to all be online at once (if at all possible) - for a particular hour, or something - to try and speed things up a little - or at least keep (ooh - not meant to be a pun) things flowing?
Hmm, good idea! I'd certainly be up for something like this - or if matching the (4?) timezones is too tricky then maybe we could agree an "all post next action by x o'clock" rule instead?


If I were Thanos or Pgysys, I'd be grinding my teeth a bit by now (though that might just be my natural grumpiness shuning through:| ) as here are two of our players who cannot have a game at all until this scenario gets resolved.
Indeed, this kind of "character out of action" thing is bound to happen to one or more of us at some stage (goes with the territory) but it can't be much fun when it does - after all with due respect to Thanos and Pygysys' writing skills there's only so much RP you can put into a "lies there and bleeds" post ;) - so if we as fellow players can help minimise the time spent on the sidelines then we definitely should.

[LynMars]

A lot of it is the varied timezones; also this happened right around holidays, so people's schedules are weird, and with school starting again, going to probably get worse.

I took time with my post, because I had to consider combat action. I know being unconscious sucks; in the Punishment thread on Guardians, Shutter's been unconscious for like 4 months now (in game time? A few hours since the start of that combat). He's finally on his way to consciousness again. Of course, that RP's a stand-alone adventure with over 30 players and has been running for a year and a half...

It seems slow, and it sucks, but with lives and schedules (for those that have them anyway; I just get bouts of uncreativity and non-thinking) it's going to happen. It's still moving faster than most RPs, around here and on other boards, too.

...Speaking of which, I need to go make a GM post...

[chalice]

Yeah - I wasn't throwing stones at anyone's actions thus far, I was suggesting a...possible...way to improve the situation with only a little player commitment each day, or agreement that if one is prevented from posting, too busy 'having a life' or dried up of inspiration, everyone else is not asked to wait...we all signed up to the Game Philosophy of 'post at least once a day', after all.

Group combat situations are unique IMHO and place special demands on players to post promptly and regularly. In other situations, one can usually work around player absence and not make anyone else wait around; in combat, not so much. So maybe a more structured approach is needed in a combat situation?

This is why I think a once-a-day 'deadline' for posting would work - if a player knows when the deadline is and chooses to miss it - or even misses it through no fault of their own - the GM can fill in (even if with 'stands there pondering'). The game as a whole does not halt.

My basic point is: in any situation involving a majority of players, the game should not move at the rate of the slowest. It does not do so in non-combat situations, so why should it when combat happens?

(I'm completely ignoring the entire question of whether high Warfare characters should get more actions than their less martial comrades.)

[Tamarind]

after all with due respect to Thanos and Pygysys' writing skills there's only so much RP you can put into a "lies there and bleeds" post ;) Though come to think of it I recall a very interesting sequence where a character in our face-to-face game wrote up the dreams his character had had whilst they were recovering from surgery...

http://www.wolfram.demon.co.uk/dam_ch05.htm (it's near the bottom of the page but the rest is good too)

...maybe we could have some Heldrik or Kat dream posts? :roll:

[chalice]

Ah yes - the Damien diaries. Now Iain's writing - that will give one an inferiority complex about one's own efforts to portray the same events...:P

[Thanos]

I was thinking of that as well Tam, but I have not felt inspired as of yet.
To be honost, as long as the game is moving (people are posting, even if its not me) then I am pretty happy. This game, unlike the other game I got involved with, at least has players who post and a GM that gets on at least once a day (if not 10 times a day like I have seen Dave do on occation). As long as there is some story for me to read on a regular basis then I am happy to be participating, even as a PC who is dripping precious body fluids ;-).

I do not always agree with what happens during combat, but its not exactly like I know everything in the situation either ;-)

[Wired*Nun]

< I know I shouldn't like to roleplay 'beaten unconscious' for over a week realtime.

This is your incentive not to have that happen too often...art reflects life...