(play-by-post) Attack the darkness! A non serious BX ish game

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I'd like to see a game get going. I'm thinking of running a tongue in cheek game along the lines of Fellowship of the Bling for those familiar with that.
Rules would be BX and it's related cousins (Dark Dungeons, ACKS etc). I'm half tempted to let people come and go mid adventure sort of like the bard disappearing and reappearing in The Gamers movie.

Who'd find that enjoyable?
 
Would the characters do things like break the fourth wall?
 
I think something like that would be comical.
 
Another idea I had was the geriatric brigade!
You've been telling the kids for years stories about grumpkins trolls and treasures. Well now after three years of poor harvests someone has to go. Guess who got nominated?
Standard BX 3d6 in order with a daily power a la 4th edition appropriate for elderly stereotypes. Something like 'Two shots of whiskey and a cigar each day' for a person who somehow lives despite poor choices that should have killed them. Or 'old age and treachery beat youth and enthusiasm every time!' to defeat/escape a younger opponent
 
Like telling weather from my arthritis, or going into a frenzy if you step on my bunion? :grin:
 
I’d play that. I want to be the wizard who doesnt remember the right components to spells and just says the hell with it and see what happens when he puts what he has available at work. :hehe:
 
Alright let's do it. Roll up 3d6 in order. No stat alterations. That's going to include whatever stat effect for aging might have incurred. Set you age to elderly for whatever you pick as a race.

A couple suggested house rules.
Damage is by class not weapon type. I like my players to be able to use whatever they want but warriors are always better than a wizard with a weapon. Wiz d4 clerics d6 thieves d8 fighters d10
A daily like power mentioned above. Right now I'm leaning towards it being a non specific power but to use it you must come up with a cliche about aging/being older. Usable once per dungeon or day as it makes sense. Something that shouldn't overwhelm play but add some humor and survivability.

I like people having some ability to customize classes so if you want you can use the ACKs players companion to build a class.

I expect more house rules to come.
Endless Flight can you see if there is some sort of BXish wild mage class you can find that might be appropriate? Otherwise we'll have to come up with something
 
Oh one more rule.
The Nap.
The nap is a magical state players enter into when they take too long to respond. While in The Nap you will be ignored by opponents as just a sleepy untastey old person. The Nap can be followed by Dementia. While suffering from Dementia you continue to travel with the group and take Naps but otherwise gain no XP Loot etc. Don't bother reading everything that happened since you took a Nap since you can't remember anyways. Just pick back up playing.

Fuge - how new players suddenly show up in the game. Just join in and say something like 'last thing I recall I was baking/eating cookies.'
 
I rolled:

Dex 13, Str 8, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 9, Cha 8.
 
My favorite little character sheet. Fits in my wallet.
 

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BX but like I mentioned if you find the classes too confining I'm ok with ACKS player companion being used to build a class
 
Nyoooo! You can't set sail without me! :weep:

:dice: OK, just did 3d6 in order in the test chat room.

STR 12, DEX 11, CON 8, INT 11, WIS 16, CHA 7.

:shade: I'm a diplomat!

I select human, fighting man, superpower: un/timely flatulence. OK, since I don't have B/X books, go ahead and make the rest of my PC. :hehe: I'll roleplay whatever's left to the hilt.:music: I'll even chew your scenery!:eat:
 
Nyoooo! You can't set sail without me! :weep:

:dice: OK, just did 3d6 in order in the test chat room.

STR 12, DEX 11, CON 8, INT 11, WIS 16, CHA 7.

:shade: I'm a diplomat!

I select human, fighting man, superpower: un/timely flatulence. OK, since I don't have B/X books, go ahead and make the rest of my PC. :hehe: I'll roleplay whatever's left to the hilt.:music: I'll even chew your scenery!:eat:
This link will get you a free retroclone
I'll finish out the rest of your character if you'd like though.
I'm going to assume you will be an incredibly uncharismatic cleric.
 
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Are we first level or are we old beaten up adventurers that have a past?
 
A-ha! I already have Labyrinth Lord. :thumbsup:
Just rolled in Chat's Test Room, starting $ 3d8x10. 7,3,7 for 170 gold! :money:

Yeah... Cleric's +10% XP bonus is too good to pass up... :gunslinger:
Alright, this won't take long. :pizza: :hurry:
 
Kissinger, the Dyspeptic
Lv. 1 Cleric

STR 12, DEX 11, CON 8, INT 11, WIS 16, CHA 7

Splint Armor 75 g. AC 4
Shield 10 g. AC -1
Sling 2 g. 1d4 b dmg
Hammer lt. 1 g. 1d4 b dmg
Backpack 2 g.
Bedroll 0.1 g.
Blankey winter 0.5 g.
Candles (x10) 0.1 g.
Crowbar 2 g.
Flint n Steel 2 g.
Grappling Hook 1 g.
Hammer 0.5 g
Holy wooden Symbol 1 g
Ladder 10' 0.05 g (yeah, 5 copper. mind blown... :dead: bought it just to turn a quick profit, broken down as torches)
Pick miners 3 g.
Pole 10' 2 g.
3x Rations undry 0.2 g
2x Rope hemp 50' 1 g
Sack lg 0.2 g, 60 lbs
3x Sack sm 0.1, 20 lbs
Shovel 2g.
Spikes iron (x12) 1 g.
Torches (x8) 0.3 g.
2x Wineskin 1 g.
Donkey 8 g.
Saddle Bags 0.1 g.
Dog 0.3 g.
20x Feed (day) 0.05 g (for my dog & pony, er, donkey? :thumbsup:)

Total spent 120.05 g (... i love you, cheap ladder! :heart:)
170 - 120.05 = 49.95 gp. And since coinage is 1/10th to the pound I'd need that in 4 pp, 9 gp, 9 sp, and 5 cp. (a.k.a. 2.7 lbs.) :clown:
 
This link will get you a free retroclone
I'll finish out the rest of your character if you'd like though.
I'm going to assume you will be an incredibly uncharismatic cleric.

That old stereotype, the dull, aging parson.

Only, you know, with a mace. Because D&D. So maybe not quite as dull as your average vicar.

I won't be playing but I'll be lurking with interest. :smile:
 
That old stereotype, the dull, aging parson.

Only, you know, with a mace. Because D&D. So maybe not quite as dull as your average vicar.

I won't be playing but I'll be lurking with interest. :smile:
Playing is hopefully designed to be easy to jump in and out so why not try?
 
Are we first level or are we old beaten up adventurers that have a past?
1st level. Oh you've all probably talked a good game but real experienced folk wouldn't be sent off to die. No your the other ones. The folks people won't quite miss. Sure it's a bit sad grandpa is gone but he lived a good life..
 
Maybe check out the Black Pudding zine, West seems to take a lighter almost cartoony approach to B/X. The NPCs are particularly inspired.
 
So I was thinking my power might be like this (tell me if this isn’t doable in B/X): my geriatric adventurer can’t remember the proper components to a his spell sometimes and just takes what components he remembers that should be used. He ends up producing a random spell that he doesn’t actually have in his spell book (of a suitable level).
 
So I was thinking my power might be like this (tell me if this isn’t doable in B/X): my geriatric adventurer can’t remember the proper components to a his spell sometimes and just takes what components he remembers that should be used. He ends up producing a random spell that he doesn’t actually have in his spell book (of a suitable level).
Works for me. We'll just roll against the appropriate level spell list and call it good. To make it advantageous would you like to roll twice and keep the most fun spell?
 
I don’t really want to take advantage of the “power” too much but that would be cool.
 
I don’t really want to take advantage of the “power” too much but that would be cool.
I don't think it will be a problem. Only 30% of the first level spells are offensive so even with advantage your fairly likely to caste something useless on your opponent. Could be quite funny.

My basic policy is 'Yes let's try it and if there's an issue we'll adjust'
 
Starting the IC thread
Endless Flight just post your character in the OC thread when you get a chance.
Still recruiting for this if anyone is interested. IC and OOC threads have started to get an idea if this is your cup of tea.
 
Let's pretend my new years resolution is to be a much more active GM for this game. I know that's what I'm shooting for!

Anyone else interested in joining in feel free.
 
Let's pretend my new years resolution is to be a much more active GM for this game. I know that's what I'm shooting for!

Anyone else interested in joining in feel free.
Bueller? Bueller? Anyone? Bueller?

Is there just a low interest in PbP here or in this idea in particular because I can do something about the later but the former is hard to change.
 
Bueller? Bueller? Anyone? Bueller?

Is there just a low interest in PbP here or in this idea in particular because I can do something about the later but the former is hard to change.
I think I am the wrong target demographic. I’m not really a D&D guy and not too interested in PbP. I wish you luck though!
 
What kind of guy are you?
I played AD&D and 2nd Edition D&D for more than a decade and am a little burned out on that. I would try most simulationist games but prefer BRP, Stormbringer, Call of Cthulhu. I am hoping Noman runs a live Internet Part-Time Gods and invites me (hint, hint). If she doesn't I will likely GM a game here in Dallas / Plano.
 
Yeah sorry. I'll see what I can do tonight. I've accepted it's just you and me now. How would you like to handle NPCs? I can try to adjust so things are more appropriate for a single PC or create a stable of NPCs to help or we can get some henchmen that you control with input from me regarding how they act/react.

Preferences?
 
Honestly, I've been in this situation before as a GM, and in PbP. It is hard work, especially to coax players to keep momentum. Open channels is best practice, and thanks for doing so. I'll admit, I'm an easy player due to being eager. I will try to carry my side by keeping you informed.

I prefer NPCs under your control. BUT!, that is a lot of work, and can feel like multiple personalities, like you're talking to yourself. I am still fine with that! :smile: However, if you are getting "whelmed" let me know.

I also brought PETS!, (just to make things easier,). :devil: We are looking at a hierarchy of NPCs: pets, hirelings (cart guards and laborers NPCs,) and essentially henchmen (pseudo-PCs NPCs). My best advice is a hierarchy of "listening to the PC" through Learned Tricks and Morale. This way my PC does not have a gestalt; it has to negotiate NPC capability and trust. :angel:

Does any of that help?
 
Honestly, I've been in this situation before as a GM, and in PbP. It is hard work, especially to coax players to keep momentum. Open channels is best practice, and thanks for doing so. I'll admit, I'm an easy player due to being eager. I will try to carry my side by keeping you informed.

I prefer NPCs under your control. BUT!, that is a lot of work, and can feel like multiple personalities, like you're talking to yourself. I am still fine with that! :smile: However, if you are getting "whelmed" let me know.

I also brought PETS!, (just to make things easier,). :devil: We are looking at a hierarchy of NPCs: pets, hirelings (cart guards and laborers NPCs,) and essentially henchmen (pseudo-PCs NPCs). My best advice is a hierarchy of "listening to the PC" through Learned Tricks and Morale. This way my PC does not have a gestalt; it has to negotiate NPC capability and trust. :angel:

Does any of that help?
Yes. In a face-to-face game I'd run all the npcs. In pbp that's a little harder because it can slow an already slow train down.

To summarize assume pets will do as you plan. Assume hirelings will do their job as long as they are in no real danger or doing their job will increase their odds of getting out of danger. Henchmen will act their personalities but take major direction from the PCs.
In this case you have a fighter who's pretty brave and wants to die a warrior but isn't a complete fool. You have a thief whos selfish but sees no better opportunity currently than going with you guys.
How's that?
 
Sounds good! :thumbsup:

Are you sure you don't wanna "pre-program" Pet Tricks so as to account for their limited understanding of my communication? It helps complicate them. I'll still talk to them naturally most of the time, yet having a few Commands empowers-and-limits me as well as leaves room for your interpretation of my pets. :hehe::crap:
 
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