[dungeoncrawl] Re: Tuesday morning review
- From: Johnathan Detrick <jdetrick@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: dungeoncrawl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2002 13:35:17 -0400
I think the problem is that you don't want to "dump" old
characters. Damon and I are hoping for a chance to start anew. It's
kind of like last night when we were talking and someone had said about
playing the characters as deities. In my opinion, that is a huge
mistake! We need to break from the past, not continue to rehash it. Do
I enjoy playing these older characters? Of course I do. That's all the
more reason to put them somewhere we can't play them anymore.
Which pantheons do you refer to that don't have a lot of deities?
Look at Norse or Greek mythology. Good grief, they had tons of
deities! Granted, the Forgotten Realms has more than most. But I think
pantheistic deities systems normally have a lot of deities, as they have
to encompass so many different portfolios.
jimkaren@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> A word of caution - most pantheons
> don't have a "slew" of deities. My
> original vision was that characters
> involved in the quest for godhood in
> one way or another would be the only
> ones who became gods - their
> adventures, successes, and failures
> along the way would form the new
> world's mythology.
>
> I think we risk losing some
> distinctiveness and style points if we
> start to use this world as a retired
> character dumping ground.
>
> >
> > Yes, the Black Legion will be
> evil deities. However, the good
> deities still
> > outnumber the evil ones quite a bit,
> so I believe there might be some room
> for
> > the Elite.
> > I like your idea of going through
> your characters and deciding what to do
> > with them. I plan on doing the same
> thing eventually. Perhaps today,
> perhaps
> > later.
> > Don't forget though, that we want
> this to make sense. Why would certain
> > characters be chosen as deities?
> Some of it may come out of the
> discussion
> > amongst the characters we have now.
> I have already followed the train of
> > conversation that I can see happening
> between Magnus, Dennis, Karvas, Gadget,
> > Quasit and the rest as they set up
> this world, and that's what got me
> thinking
> > last night that they may need more
> deities then they currently have. Their
> > thoughts would naturally go to those
> people they know. And Ao may decree
> that
> > more evil is needed as a balance,
> which could lead to the Elite. We shall
> > see...
> >
> > Damon Kline wrote:
> >
> > > He might make a very cool power of
> deceipt and misdirection.
> > >
> > > As for me, I'm looking to retire as
> many characters as possible. Some make
> > > sense as powers and some don't.
> One thing to consider though, is that
> the
> > > Riders aren't going to be the only
> deities right? Will the Black Legion be
> > > taking any of the "evil" spots?
> > >
> > > Could we throw some of the Elite in
> there as possible evil powers? I
> > > wouldn't mind putting all of my
> characters on this new world and
> starting
> > > over with brand new characters.
> There are some that make sense as
> possible
> > > powers, but then there are some
> that just don't. I don't see Erebus
> leaving
> > > his position as Magister. Even
> though he could potentially be a deity,
> he
> > > doesn't want to be in the Riders
> pantheon. I don't see Krodo wanting to
> be
> > > a deity either, although he would
> have a hell of a lot of fun!! Then
> there
> > > are characters like Phelan who
> might make a cool deity, but then he is
> still
> > > a playable character and there is a
> lot I can do with him. That sort of
> > > thing. Maybe, if I have time, I'll
> take my list of characters that John has
> > > provided and do some short write
> ups on who would make a good deity, who
> > > wouldn't and what else I see them
> as possibly doing.
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: jimkaren@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:jimkaren@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
> > > Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002
> 7:52 AM
> > > To: dungeoncrawl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > Subject: [dungeoncrawl] Re: Tuesday
> morning review
> > >
> > > Hey guys, glad everyone had a good
> > > time! I'm looking forward to
> defining
> > > the campaign world as well. For the
> > > most part, I think I'm going to
> keep my
> > > lower level characters mortal and
> make
> > > the higher level ones into powers -
> the
> > > only exception might be Marnie.
> > >
> > > I think she and Dove have something
> in
> > > common with both of them spending so
> > > many years trying to atone for evil
> > > siblings - it could be neat to see
> what
> > > they end up doing without those
> burdens.
> > >
> > > The only other high level character
> > > that I still have is Betelguize -
> and I
> > > never really played him enough to
> say
> > > that he'd make a good god of this or
> > > that. Then again, I'd rather retire
> > > him than play him -
> > > opinions/suggestions?
> > >
> > > > Oh, well that sucks. I didn't
> > > realize that. Oh well.
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: Johnathan Detrick
> > > [mailto:jdetrick@xxxxxxxxxxx]
> > > > Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002
> 10:51
> > > AM
> > > > To: dungeoncrawl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > Subject: [dungeoncrawl] Re:
> Tuesday
> > > morning review
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > No, I attached it. My theory
> is
> > > that we can't send files over the
> > > > website.
> > > > I'll send it individually.
> > > >
> > > > Damon Kline wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > I think you forgot to attach the
> > > file... :)
> > > > >
> > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > From: Johnathan Detrick
> > > [mailto:jdetrick@xxxxxxxxxxx]
> > > > > Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002
> > > 10:42 AM
> > > > > To: dungeoncrawl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > Subject: [dungeoncrawl] Re:
> Tuesday
> > > morning review
> > > > >
> > > > > I was hoping that others
> might
> > > see the advantage in this.
> > > > > Basically, I believe we
> > > currently have about 15 deities. I
> > > believe
> > > > the
> > > > > Forgotten Realms has closer to
> 30.
> > > Obviously not every character is
> deity
> > > > > material, or interested in it,
> but
> > > it would be a way to slash the
> number
> > > > of
> > > > > playable characters we have,
> while
> > > giving our new world depth and
> > > > interest.
> > > > > Something to think on.
> > > > > I was driving home last
> night,
> > > and like Damon, I was surprised by
> the
> > > > > fact
> > > > > that I wanted to get rid of more
> > > characters. As much as I had a
> blast, I
> > > > > suddenly realized that massive
> > > retirement might be our best
> option. It
> > > > > keeps
> > > > > characters "in play", at least
> as
> > > NPCs, and clears our slate to do new
> > > > > things.
> > > > > It also should result in our
> having
> > > a kick-ass campaign world, one we
> are
> > > > > interested in developing, since
> we
> > > all have a stake in it. Just an
> > > > idea...
> > > > > I have tons of things in my
> > > head, and I will be sending out e-
> mails
> > > > > soon.
> > > > > In the meantime, I attached the
> > > current master list of characters.
> It's
> > > > one
> > > > > I
> > > > > had for the Tiamat War, but I
> have
> > > kept it as current as possible.
> Check
> > > > > your
> > > > > characters and see who you think
> > > might be good for our purposes.
> > > > >
> > > > > Damon Kline wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > I actually like that idea! I
> > > want a way to widdle down the
> number of
> > > > > > characters that I have out
> there
> > > on the planes and some of those
> > > > > characters
> > > > > > would make great deities. Off
> > > the top of my head, I could see
> Marcus
> > > > > taking
> > > > > > some sort of deity role under
> > > Faceous and it would be cool since
> this
> > > > was
> > > > > > originally the world he was
> from
> > > along with Sinjen, D'alleva,
> Valeria,
> > > > > Opal
> > > > > > and Nelik. On that note, I
> could
> > > see Sinjen taking some sort of role
> > > > > here.
> > > > > > Once he regains his honor.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Rikus would make a
> cool "Tempus-
> > > like" demi-power, even though he is
> only
> > > > > > like 3rd level. :)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Characters I don't see being
> > > deities would be possibly Krodo,
> Phelan,
> > > > > > Erebus, Medean might make a
> cool
> > > god of illusions, but he would have
> to
> > > > > > share it with Delusia.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Anyway, there is much to
> > > discuss...
> > > > > >
> > > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > > From: Johnathan Detrick
> > > [mailto:jdetrick@xxxxxxxxxxx]
> > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, October 15,
> 2002
> > > 10:11 AM
> > > > > > To: dungeoncrawl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > > Subject: [dungeoncrawl] Re:
> > > Tuesday morning review
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I've been thinking of
> what to
> > > do with those characters as well. I
> > > > > > hadn't
> > > > > > thought of what you
> suggested; it
> > > might be interesting. Perhaps we
> > > > could
> > > > > > make
> > > > > > some of them into important
> > > personages on that world; it would
> be a
> > > > quick
> > > > > > and
> > > > > > easy way to gain NPCs.
> > > > > > However, I was also
> thinking
> > > of making some extra people deities.
> > > > > > Basically, what I would like
> to
> > > do is figure out how many deities we
> > > > want
> > > > > in
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > pantheon. While I don't want
> to
> > > go crazy, I want to have enough so
> that
> > > > > the
> > > > > > normal schmoe living on Planet
> > > Magnus (what, I'm sorry, was that
> name
> > > > not
> > > > > > approved by everyone?) has
> > > someone that they can turn to. The
> more
> > > > > deities
> > > > > > we
> > > > > > have, the richer mythology we
> can
> > > create. I'm not talking about
> > > > everyone
> > > > > > (although Jim had said
> Hiernymous
> > > had an interest at one time), but
> > > > there
> > > > > > might
> > > > > > be some characters that they
> > > would "throw a bone" to, so to
> speak.
> > > > > > Something to
> > > > > > think about, and something we
> may
> > > want to consider as we talk this
> out.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Damon Kline wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > I wholeheartedly agree on
> all
> > > points!!!! You would think that
> after
> > > > > > having
> > > > > > > played these characters for
> so
> > > long of a time, that it would be
> sad to
> > > > > see
> > > > > > > them go. But I have to
> admit
> > > that I am very excited about where
> they
> > > > > are
> > > > > > > and how they ended. I am
> very
> > > much looking forward to "starting
> anew"
> > > > > > when
> > > > > > > we start another campaign.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I still have an interest in
> a
> > > few of my characters that are being
> held
> > > > > > > captive by the Gods, but for
> > > the most part, I am much more
> interested
> > > > in
> > > > > > > starting new characters. I
> > > have some thoughts on what to do
> with
> > > > those
> > > > > > > characters out in the
> planes,
> > > but I'll save those for when we
> start
> > > > > > talking
> > > > > > > about it. Well, maybe I'll
> > > just throw something out there now
> so
> > > that
> > > > I
> > > > > > > don't forget about it.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > No need to respond to this
> now,
> > > it can be covered later, I just
> wanted
> > > > > to
> > > > > > > say it before I forget it.
> Do
> > > you think that the Riders might
> invite
> > > > > > some,
> > > > > > > or all, of the people who
> > > participated in the Tiamat war to
> come
> > > and
> > > > > live
> > > > > > on
> > > > > > > their new world? I don't
> think
> > > they would offer them any type of
> > > > power
> > > > > or
> > > > > > > anything, but since they did
> > > help the Riders in fighting Tiamat,
> > > > perhaps
> > > > > > > they might offer to let them
> > > live a free life on the new world
> > > instead
> > > > > of
> > > > > > > being stuck in servitude on
> > > some plane somewhere. Just a
> thought.
> > > It
> > > > > > might
> > > > > > > help us to provide some
> already
> > > known people to populate the world
> > > > with.
> > > > > > > They wouldn't get anything,
> it
> > > would basically be a "Hey, Sorrell,
> > > > > instead
> > > > > > > of lounging around out
> there in
> > > that plane, why don't you come and
> > > > live
> > > > > on
> > > > > > > our new world?" She agrees
> and
> > > gets plane shifted to the new world
> > > > and
> > > > > > that
> > > > > > > is the end of the deal.
> She is
> > > on her own from there. Anyway,
> like I
> > > > > > said,
> > > > > > > we can pick it up later.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > As for last night...Jim,
> > > awesome, awesome job!! I echo
> John's
> > > > > sentiments.
> > > > > > > I had a blast. I felt
> > > challenged through the fight, but
> not
> > > > > overwhelmed.
> > > > > > > It was dangerous, but not
> > > overly one-sided. If I had to pick
> a
> > > way
> > > > for
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > Riders to "go out" that
> would
> > > be it. I enjoyed the story the
> whole
> > > > way
> > > > > > > through and while there were
> > > times when I was like "What the
> hell is
> > > > he
> > > > > > > doing to us?", it was never
> in
> > > a bad way, more of a "I didn't see
> THAT
> > > > > > > coming." kind of way.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > So anyway, it was a lot of
> fun
> > > and you ended it perfectly.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thanks for a wonderful
> time!!!
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > > > From: Johnathan Detrick
> > > [mailto:jdetrick@xxxxxxxxxxx]
> > > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, October 15,
> 2002
> > > 9:46 AM
> > > > > > > To: Riders II
> > > > > > > Subject: [dungeoncrawl]
> Tuesday
> > > morning review
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > As I mentioned before, I
> > > thought last night was awesome!
> Jim did
> > > > a
> > > > > > > great job, and the night
> was a
> > > blast. Let's recap.
> > > > > > > The adventure to rescue
> > > Karvas and Saurotte was nice and not
> > > > > > > contrived, yet it didn't
> take
> > > up too much of the night. I was a
> > > > little
> > > > > > > disappointed that we
> couldn't
> > > play that smaller group more
> because I
> > > > > > > enjoyed them, but it would
> have
> > > been sheer folly on Jim's part to
> drag
> > > > > > > that out. Instead he made
> it
> > > just the right length, and it was
> great.
> > > > > > > As he has throughout
> this
> > > adventure, Jim kept me guessing the
> > > > entire
> > > > > > > night. I was not aware that
> > > the battle with the Black Legion
> was the
> > > > > > > end of the adventure. I
> > > assumed there would be more beyond
> them.
> > > > > > > Personally, I'm thrilled
> that
> > > he made them the climax. If the
> Riders
> > > > > > > were going to end their
> careers
> > > as adventurers, what is more
> > > > appropriate
> > > > > > > than a final battle with
> their
> > > most hated foes? It was the perfect
> > > > > > > capper for them, and bravo
> to
> > > Jim for using it as the endpiece.
> > > > > > > I sensed that Jim felt
> he
> > > wasn't using the Black Legion to
> their
> > > > > > > full potential last night,
> or
> > > that they were too easy.
> Considering he
> > > > > > > killed five characters
> > > throughout the fight, I'm not sure
> why
> > > he felt
> > > > > > > that way. The Black Legion
> was
> > > doing incredibly well. Damon made
> the
> > > > > > > statement that they never
> > > attacked us en masse. Thank God!
> > > > Personally,
> > > > > > > I think Jim used them
> > > exceedingly well. By having them
> > > attack us in
> > > > > > > waves it kept the group off
> > > balance. It also should be noted
> that
> > > two
> > > > > > > or three of them at a time
> was
> > > more than sufficient to keep 11
> members
> > > > > > > of the Riders busy. It
> made it
> > > seem like Amrikol had a master plan,
> > > > and
> > > > > > > made him seem much more
> like a
> > > brilliant strategist than if he had
> > > > used
> > > > > > > his power and simply tried
> to
> > > pummel the Riders into paste.
> > > > > > > If Jim shot himself in
> the
> > > foot anywhere, it was in killing so
> > > > many
> > > > > > > people in the adventures of
> the
> > > past few weeks. Because an average
> of
> > > > > > > two characters per week were
> > > dying on adventures, Faceous had
> taken
> > > > all
> > > > > > > Resurrections at 7th level.
> > > This enabled him to continually
> > > replenish
> > > > > > > the ranks of the Riders from
> > > the dead characters. If he had not
> done
> > > > > > > that, the Riders would have
> > > been in a lot more trouble. They
> would
> > > > have
> > > > > > > survived, I think, but it
> would
> > > have been by the skin of their
> teeth.
> > > > > > > Anyway, the fight was
> > > great. It moved quite quickly; for
> > > someone
> > > > > > > that does not have as firm a
> > > grasp of the rules as he did in
> second
> > > > > > > edition, Jim kept things
> moving
> > > so smoothly. And considering that
> all
> > > > > > > of the players had more than
> > > one character, we moved quickly as
> well.
> > > > > > > There was a palpable sense
> of
> > > danger the entire time, and death
> was
> > > > > > > constantly present. I just
> > > can't say how much fun I thought it
> was.
> > > > > > > The was the perfect mix of
> > > danger and excitement. I didn't
> feel
> > > > > > > completely overwhelmed and I
> > > didn't feel like it was easy. It
> was
> > > > > > > great.
> > > > > > > One side note. Amrikol
> > > broke his Staff of Power in a
> > > retributive
> > > > > > > strike. I was surprised as
> > > hell, and said as much. I think Jim
> > > > thought
> > > > > > > I was fighting him on it. I
> > > was not. The villains are allowed
> to
> > > > > > > surprise me, and I am not
> privy
> > > to their thoughts. I was not trying
> > > > to
> > > > > > > challenge Jim's ruling; I
> was
> > > just surprised. No doubt that was
> > > > > > > Amrikol's plan, as he
> probably
> > > assumed the Riders wouldn't think
> him
> > > > > > > capable of doing that. In
> that
> > > respect, it worked brilliantly.
> But I
> > > > > > > just wanted to make it
> clear I
> > > was not disagreeing with what Jim
> was
> > > > > > > doing; I was just amazed he
> did
> > > it.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I'll start sending out
> e-
> > > mail on the new gods and their world
> > > > today
> > > > > > > and through the week (expect
> > > them to start this afternoon). Jim
> did
> > > a
> > > > > > > bang-up job, and here's a
> thank
> > > you from me!
> > > > >
> > > > > -- Binary/unsupported file
> stripped
> > > by Ecartis --
> > > > > -- Type: application/msword
> > > > > -- File: the list.doc
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
> >
Other related posts:
