General OOC Chatter

Out of character discussion thread.

Hello all! I am new to Gamers Plane, but looking forward to learning how things work here. While I've played a fair number of OSR-styled games, this will be my first adventure in Knave.

Hello!

I read many RPGs but almost never played any of them.

I'm quite new to Gamers Plane and the whole world of PbF, but I deeply enjoy playing asynchronously on Board Game Arena. Lately, I've been reading these posts on PbP, and they are interesting.

I never played OSR games but I love roguelikes and the philosophy of a reactive world with emergent gameplay seems quite similar to me.
I read several OSR-games and I think I prefer the new wave like Knave, Mausritter, Mörk Borg or the Black & White hacks rather than the truly old schools ones. Other than that, I love reading Forged in the Dark and Pbta systems but my favorite recently was Spire (and also Heart), which seems so full of potential.

It'll be a pleasure to die at your sides.

Oh, and I want to point out that 'deets' is not actually a word.

Harrigan.

Hey everyone! Long time vet, used to play by post all the time but haven’t for a couple years. Have been heavily involved with the OSR but haven’t played Knave since it first came out. Looking forward to it!

Welcome all, and nezzeraj as well if they take the bait accept the invite.

I've played quite a few PbP games with Ciriaco -- we are very much on the same page when it comes to OSR. And I know 'Deets' isn't a word man, but come on! It's 2021! =]

Loddfafnir -- for not having much experience playing RPGs, you've got great taste in games! Looking forward to playing with you.

bdssp, good to see you again as well, and thanks again for helping to inspire me to get back into live play all those many moons ago now. Super looking forward to playing Knave with you.

RPG experience-wise, I'm an old fart who's been playing and mostly running RPGs forever. In the mid-90s I lost my regular group after grad school, and that's when I stuck my toe in what were the MUD and PBeM waters back then. I switched to PbP/PbF play in the 2000s and have never looked back: I adore this way of playing RPGs.

On the OSR, a dirty secret: most of the new stuff is way cooler and better than the crap we were running back in the old days. Just don't tell the grognards that!

Right. Looking forward to seeing these first PCs. Hit me with any questions.

Hey all. Been gaming since Pathfinder and D&D 4e. Moved away from crunch heavy games in the last few years, and just started doing PbP when the pandemic hit and I had a lot more free time and couldn't game in person. I am pretty sure I've run into Harrigan on Tavern-Keeper awhile ago when I played on there lol.

No doubt, nezzeraj, I still play tons of games over there! Welcome to the game.

And we're off! Let me know if there are questions.

I have one. Knaves appear to start with zero copper coins. Does it look that way to the rest of you?

I haven't seen anything about it. I would say it should be one of your first rulings.
Which may depend on the type(s) of advancement you want to use in the game (accomplishment, milestone, XP-coin).

Yeah u think you usually are assumed to be literally broke and can barter or sell some of your starting gear.

I might end up giving you each a coin or three. Or not. We'll see how this unfolds. Bartering is definitely a thing!

Alright. Copper coins! You might have a few buried deep in your pocketseses. Here in the OOC, or in your next post, please make a 1d6-2 roll, resulting in 0-4 coins. So generous!

Am I feeling lucky?

Edit: Yes. Yes I am lol.

Moneybags!

Coins roll for Endrei...

Moneybags -1!

Also, meant to mention before, but please keep your character sheets up to date with things you find, etc., but I'll also be tracking the basics here: https://gamersplane.com/forums/thread/20587/?p=938481

Hit points, statuses, coins for the most part. Over the years in PbP, I've found it easier to centralize tracking that often-changing stuff.

Hope you're all enjoying the game so far -- I am!

Thank you for reminding us to edit the sheet, I had forgotten.

And thank you for running the game, I enjoy it too!

Money

Right, I think that's everyone's moola. Thanks for that -- update coming.

Also, quick question : I'm finding hard to portray a character that is both honest AND deceitful, and favors chaos.
I'm open to any ideas or prompt, be it now or later during play. Don't hesitate to assume something in play that you think would be interesting, and I'll try to "yes and..." on it.

In a the RP thread, Ciriaco said:
More than happy to have concurrent discussions here, by all means! In-line OOC comments are great for those 'in the moment' things that are going on, but I prefer a looser and easier to follow means for general discussion. Cool?

That's cool. It may not always be clear what we're responding to, since that'll be over in the other thread, but I'm happy to comment here.

First, if you think it'll be more fun to just change one of those contradictory traits, feel free to do it. If you want to lean into it, he might be that type of person who isn't honest with *themselves*. Somehow kind of believing the half-truths they tell, like a big time exaggerator or one-upper. Or perhaps they *seem* very honest and earnest to everyone, but behind the scenes they are most certainly *not*...

Alright, thanks. I had thought of the second possibility but the first one is also quite interesting.

A thread to be aware of: https://gamersplane.com/forums/thread/20669/?p=942878 -- helping track a few of the fiddly bits.

Forgive me here, testing the roller a little.

For the record, I can see the text 'Secret Roll.'

Yeah that's as intended, it just hides the skill being rolled.

Ah, okay. I thought there might be some difference between 'Hide Dice & Roll' and 'Secret Roll.'

I actually wouldn't mind seeing a screen grab of what you can see if it's not too much trouble, on that set of rolls...

Thanks. And hrm, don't see much practical difference between those last two.

Have you tried to add a reason ? I guess the last one hides even the reason ?

I've added two rolls, both titled This is a reason.

Updated -- moved us along, hopefully not too far. If there is more folks wanted to accomplish in the inn, just say the word or simply incorporate it into your next post.

And Elius -- you actually got to keep your coin, for the record. Tracking that in that tracker post I linked previousy.

This rythm suits me perfectly.

About the coins, I understood that Elius had his 2 starting coins + 1 from Theo, while Audree had 4 coin but should have 5 as Theo pocketed a coin without giving her any information. Was I wrong ?

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I believe Audree started with 4 coins, and Elius 2. Both beat Theo's roll at the dice game, so he slid one coin towards each of them. Before the girl busted in, Audree said Theo could keep his coin if he offered up info... and during the ensuing conversation, he took that coin back -- but left the one Elius had won. So now he has 3, Audree still has 4. Make sense? (In the end if she wants to press the point, Theo owes her -- information or a copper.)

It's like you said, and Elius is not happy that Theo kept Audree's coin without offering information.

You're free to talk to him about it when you see him again. =]

Ahah yes I know. That is an ominous when by the way. But it didn't seem like an excellent idea and I didn't want to lower the momentum of the game.

I do like to push the pace when I can. Appreciate your (all) playing along.

Question about the etiquette : For instance right now, I don't feel like I have anything interesting to add to the conversation / the game. Seeing as there wasn't any activity since Harrigan last post, should I try to do something to keep the game moving anyway or should I wait for the GM's next post ?

Maybe we're supposed to greet the family?

If you don't have anything of note to add, feel free to chime in with a one-liner so I know you're with us, or an ooc comment stating you have nothing to add. If you're just silent, I won't wait too long in moving things along a little unless I feel like I need your input -- in combat and such, in which case I'll ping you directly.

In this case, yes, transparently, I've presented you with a number of things to interact with or examine. No need to do any of those things, and always fee free to ask for further details -- what people look like, what the farm looks like, etc. Make sense?

Totally, thanks for the answer.

Pulse check. How's everyone doing? Okay with the pace, the content, the tone and such of the game so far?

For me, everything's great.

Yep I'm enjoying it.

The soup is a little cold, but otherwise, all's well. Carry on, garcon.

Will sack the chef!

Down to business. A dungeon!

Pausing a moment to see if others are going to join Audree in her rush forward, try and prevent her from surging ahead, etc...

No rush, but just so that we're not waiting on one another, I think only Clomm has posted IC. What are the rest of you doing?

Mr. Wax, any specific actions from you?

Apologies, time flew fast this week.

All good!

I'm swamped both at work and out of work. If everyone else has participated, don't particularly wait for me. I'll chime in every time I can.
I really enjoy where the game is going.

Got it, will press ahead. Glad you're still enjoying it! I appreciate little notes like this -- I don't like leaving people behind, so it's helpful to know you're reading along.

So is someone intending to use a torch / fire to try and keep the insects at bay? If so, who?

I'm not holding a torch but I'm definitely trying to talk whoever's holding it into doing that lol.

Alright. I'll wait to post to see if someone responds, then.

I thought Audree was the only one who did have a torch?

While the others inspect the painting, Audree uses her torch to light the candles to give the place more illumination. - April 11, 2021 12:55 am

Did she put that down at some point? Clomm has a candle, and Elius and Endrei have nothing.

I think that's right, and there was discussion over maybe bringing, but not lighting the ceramic oil lamp.

So with this clarifying info, Clomm and Audree -- please me know know what the approaches for your actions are going to be, ideally in the IC thread. If you want someone to grab the torch, for example, ask 'em.

Oh you're completely correct haha. This is one of the downsides of PbP is its hard to remember what I did a week ago lol. I'll edit my post.

Cool. I also just added a ‘light source’ to the character status thread, since it’s important in this scenario...

I had specified that I follow the others, so whoever acts first toward the statue then Clomm will follow precisely where they walked.

No one has made for the statue just yet. Endrei went one way (south side), Wax the other (towards the door), and now Audree is lighting the rug on fire. That would take a moment... is Clomm waiting, or following one of the others before it’s alight? If the latter, make a Agility-based save, please.

(Edit: and looking at the room, it looks to me like following Endrei would more directly take you to the statue.)

Sorry, hectic day yesterday. Yes I would probably be following Endrei, but note I’m still carrying a candle. Does that do anything?

Got it, and zero worries. And sure your candle does something -- it throws a little light. :)

Nice save though!

Alrighty, moving again. Let me know if there are questions. Basically, the room is now filling with smoke and you have two actions each before it really becomes a problem.

What's the plan?

Damn physics! I didn't think that far ahead lol.

8]

Just waiting on Endrei and Wax before I move us along. No hurry, Ciri. Wax / Loddfafnir I worry a little about, hasn't checked in for a bit...

I've posted. I had an unusually busy week at work and haven't been able to check my PbP games.

Zero worries, man. I've been ducking steamrollers myself...

Also, with Wax AWOL at the moment, everyone okay with proceeding carefully through that northern door, or do you intend to backtrack and go the other way?

I think we're heading through the door.

Through the door sounds good.

Right then. Off you go!

@clomm, @wax -- anything to add?

Hi there. Sorry for dropping out like this without any notice.

I had severe health issues during the last weeks. I'm regaining a little bit of energy, but not much. I currently can't stay committed to anything, and I am forced to abandon everything I was involved in.

Take care of yourselves.

That sucks. Hope you get better.

Sorry to hear that! I hope your situation improves soon.

Zero worries, and get better soon! Look us up if you're eventually feeling better and we're still going.

Sheesh, nice roll Audree!

Haha boy am I glad to roll well when my character does something reckless!

Sorry for the delay here, posting soon.

Ignore the roll here, testing something.

Sorry for the delay there. Let's push on to the end here -- we're not to far away!

Waiting on your moves, Clomm and Endrei...

Both the other players have been gone so long they have the Zzzs next to their names now. I'm really enjoying the game but it feels a little dead with just two people. Any chance we could try to recruit some replacements?

I would agree if we weren't almost to the end of things. I also know that Ciriaco getting bombed flat at work is supposed to relent this month, so there's that.

Okay if we just press ahead to the finish? We're close. =]

Sure, no problem.

I'm sorry for disappearing, everyone. As Harrigan said, I basically lost June to work. I'm getting caught up now and will post today.

Sweet! Looking forward to it, Ciri.

Just watching from the sidelines while this plays out...

(Getting Popcorn!)

Want to make sure you're not waiting on me. Does someone take said stone and do something with it?

Posting tomorrow, assuming that Audree goes first.

Alright, it's taken far longer than expected to finish this one page dungeon (sorry for that!), but we've made it. Feel free to keep on RPing for a bit but I think we're nearly ready to wrap, yeah?

Impressions? Of the system, the adventure, my GMing? I'm always up for improving, so let me have those roses and thorns.

Yay we survived! I think the system is fine, barebones but simple so it was very easy to grasp. The adventure was also simple but fun. The ghost dog and crying baby staff were cool and unique. GMing was great, had a fun time playing!

Glad to hear it, and thanks for playing! It's a real favorite of mine, that one page dungeon. It's dedicated to Doris, the author's mastiff. ❤

Aw, that's really touching!

I had a good time! Your GMing was great, as always; in fact, I think you gave us more than we deserved. ;)

I thought the system was solid. I particularly like the character generation tables; they got me quickly to a workable concept for Endrei. I still think that roll-under mechanics are simpler for these minimalist OSR systems based on character attribute scores, but I understand the desire to make higher d20 rolls better. Rolling d20 plus my 'Armor Bonus' to beat the 'attack power' of an enemy's attack was kind of wonky for me, but it makes sufficient sense if you think about it.

Yeah thanks Harrigan! Was a fun little adventure and some great role playing all around. Have a great new year!

Thanks, everyone, again -- I knew we were slow at times, but we persevered and I think ended up in a good place. It feels good to actually finish a game!

My thoughts on Knave as a system:

✅ Character generation -- indeed, great tables.
✅ Classes -- very much dig that everyone is just a Knave.
✅ Level-less magic.
❌ My decision to use the player-facing rolls variant, which I agree was a little wonky. And In general, I'm with Ciriaco -- roll under is better with these light OSR games. I like every save at 15, though, and just adding level bonuses and such.
❌ Strangely, I don't like the +1 to +6 stats... which in my brain kind of means you're pretty good at absolutely everything.
❌ Nothing really offered up for the GM in Knave in terms of mechanics. I'm comfortable coming up with stuff on the fly, but it definitely wouldn't be for everyone.

In the end, this is all I need from Knave -- but I will run variants, like Glaive and Cairn. Especially Cairn, since it mixes in Into the Odd.

Happy New Year everyone, and thanks for playing!

Amen to this lol. And thanks for running it! Happy New Year.

I would be entirely down for a quick-ish Cairn game. Happy New Year to all!

I'll let you know, Ciri. I saw you say elsewhere you wanted to dive back harder into PbP play in 2022. Anything specific in mind?

I'd like to do more with Gamers Plane. This was my only game over here, so it'd be great if I could get into a couple of games as a player. If you have any recommendations, feel free to pass those along; I'll keep my eyes open as well.

I haven't had a lot of success as a PbP GM, but I've also had some bad luck on the player activity front, so I may try again. I'm thinking about pitching a game of Mutant City Blues inspired by The Boys and Powers. I'd like to try the GUMSHOE system; it seems like procedural / mystery stories may work well in giving PbP RP some direction and boundaries. I thought your FATE of Cthulhu adventure on Tavern Keeper went well, despite our characters' ineptitude as investigators, and we reached a satisfying conclusion.