Out of Character

Thanks for the invite.

Thought I’d get things started.

Which of the three concepts do you think would work given your concept:

Idea 1: Social Media influencer who posts about supernatural and conspiracy things. Possibly gone silent recently or made some disturbing posts. Maybe he’s seen something real or got turned into a werewolf?

Idea 2: Bridge troll part of a criminal family of bridge trolls who uses supernatural means to prey on humans. Not evil per se. Maybe more of a gremlin/agent of chaos or someone living at the bottom of society. Alternatively, could be a gargoyle "watcher"

Idea 3: leprechaun who lost his treasure. Can’t seem to find it no matter how many rainbows he seeks out.

Thank you!

I wasn't sure how rules worked on Gamers Plane. It has been a while. I didn't know if you could post on here or not.

I was thinking the Social Media Influencer style one. Are you familiar with Dresden Files?

As you work on background and character info can we keep it on your first post. Just help keep things organized.
I just posted info about the campaign in another post. Still working on it.

I’m familiar with Dresden but not an expert by any means.

So with the social influencer, I was thinking he mostly did posts for attention/money. He figured the occult stuff was baloney but it got the hits. But then he saw something and it changed him. And he’s still recovering a bit from that experience.

What he saw or what happened is still up in the air. Maybe this is where he builds a hook to the other characters. But I feel like this is driving his new motivation - the obsessive need to find out.

Looking at your madness rules, I’m wondering if maybe whatever he experienced gave him an indefinite madness effect.

In Dresden there is something called the Paranet. It is pretty much a network of (sometimes magical) people who share info on supernatural happenings. If something bad is happening in Town A someone from Town B might come over to help. They share spell concepts, help protect each other, all sorts of things. I don't know if that is something you were thinking about but I was throwing the idea at you.

If you wish to do so go for it. Not going to stop your character from going crazy. If you don't know any of the indefinite madness listed there are some located here. https://www.dndspeak.com/2020/06/12/100-indefinite-madnesses/

I was thinking he’s brand new to the paranormal thing.

I’ll wait to fully formulate him until others chime in. Not sure who else is playing.

I thinking of having this take place in or around Boulder Colorado. (I am not from around there) It will give us a lot of Wilderness to play with and a major city near by.

I think we are getting a Werewolf kind of character and a PI detective sort of one.

I have an idea how to bring you all together.

Might do a warlock or bard then.

I updated the Buyable items there is a google sheet of items you guys can get. If you have questions on what stuff can do either look at the Ultramodern book (Also linked there) or ask and we will figure it out.

Everyone is also starting with $300 you can use to buy stuff from the Modern Items list.

Let’s see what I get on that madness table

Rolling two more for a few choices

I kind of like the first one. I could totally use that.

Yep, feel the same way.

Rough outline: rich kid grew up lazy and entitled. Flunked out of college and took up vlogging and social influencing. Started out doing travel influencer stuff, and that switched to adventure travel, which got more and more extreme as he got bored. He chased the social engagement - loving for likes, followers, and views. Eventually he stumbled onto the occult and conspiracy nuts, and figured out a strong hold on this niche. Combining this with his adventure travel turned him into a social media Indiana Jones of sorts, and he built up a persona, becoming internet famous.

Until he heard the stories about the cult of Tharizdun - the chained god. This entity was rumored to be a mad god, imprisoned by the others In his pantheon. He was fascinated, but more importantly his followers ate it up. Every time he did a story about Tharizdun - revealing some tidbit of research or another - his engagement numbers shot through the roof.

One research excursion, which had been a content heavy trek through a jungle and a dangerous dungeon crawl through an ancient temple, he found what he was looking for.

He was about to go live to broadcast the cult performing their ritual - practically seeing the follower count and likes roll in - when he was taken from behind by a group of green-robed individuals.

At least that’s the last the he remembered before the screaming. He didn’t know how long the assault on his mind lasted. Minutes? Hours? Days? Weeks? All he knew was that it invaded all of his senses. He could feel the screams on his skin. Taste them in his mouth. It flooded his vision. Filled his nostrils.

He woke up in a ditch outside of a rickety bar in Costa Rica. He was covered in his own piss and shit. And when he closed his eyes, he could still hear the screaming.

As far as he could tell, some kind of pact had been made. He felt that to his marrow. But those green-clad cultists were still following him, and he had no idea what they wanted.

Something like that.

@Smiley I would like to see some info on world order our PCs live in. Should we adjust our PCs to your world or the world will adjust to out PCs

i.e. if my PC has a 5e standard starting equipment walking around with a greataxe on his back and a bunch of javelins roped to the backpack And his backpack contains standard things for 5e, like:
• a Mess kit
• a Tinderbox
• 10 torches
• 10 days of Rations
• 50 feet of Hempen rope

In the world with TL2 this does seem strange, doesn't it? I mean I can't imagine all of that in "modernish times", but then again I may or may not understand what a "modernish times" mean.

Perhaps more specific questions would be:
1. Laws. Is it allowed by the law to carry firearms? Does it depend on weapon (like Rocket launcher wouldn't be allowed, while most of
One Handed Guns would be fine)
2. Law/peace is enforced? Police has strong position like in a typical European country nowadays and should we fire a bullet on a street SWAT will appear in a few minutes and get us all to the police station for questioning.
3. Do we each live in a house, have job relationship, relatives, etc., while only posses what's a 5e starting equipment assumes (weapons, crossbows, torches, etc.). Should I expect my PC to posses at least one pillow and soap I must spend my gold on that, right?

Some clarification and rulings on this stuff would be helpful, but I think the general concept is to be A) flexible - just kinda roll with it. And B) collaborative - offer up some suggestions on what would work.

Just my two cents.

I was going to play Fox Moulder from X-Files as a Warlock (Great Old One patron) but on second thought maybe an Inquisitive Rogue to really lean into the detective role. City Watch background (FBI, right?) or maybe Haunted One to give him a link to the occult.

Lol. I went warlock because I assumed you’d go inquisitive rogue.

If you’d prefer the warlocks, I can do the rogue version, though it changes my concept to pre-discovery version.

Nah I think I'll have more fun with the Inquisitive 🔍😉

Busy day today. Family Photos. Will answer questions better when home.

( @GreyWord This is one of the reason I wanted you in the campaign. To ask the important questions)

Build a PC that would live in a modern world. After that I will edit or change things to help your PC fit my world.

To explain the world a little. Think of Today. You get up, go to work, go home, go to bed. While you do these normal things stuff you don't know about happens in the background. Wars are raged, Money moves hands, items are sold, people are sold, accidents happen, people die, people are born. The same sort of stuff is happening in this world BUT also with supernatural beings. It will be your challenge (And Mine) to find or solve problems that happen in this Supernatural world...

People and Police in the normal world will react to your character the same they would in real life. If you were to walk pass a cop with a Great Axe they would either stop you and ask you a few questions or ignore you. Your appearance might effect how they ask also...
BUT
If you were to walk around with a Great Axe in the Supernatural World (Depending on the location) people might just ignore you or give you a watchful eye.

Backpack items can be used like that. A Mess kit can still be useful. Tinderbox is just a lighter, Torches can be a flashlight or chemical light sticks. Rations and rope are still useful. In the Modern book there is also a Standard Adventures Kit which includes the following: Two battery flares, five chemical light sticks, one compass, one sleeping bag, one lighter, one canteen (waterskin) and one week of survival rations. You can use either.

1) The game will take pass around Boulder, Colorado. You might have to explore the woods for trouble, might explore nearby cities or small towns. Walking around with a pistol in town might be ok in some towns. Walking around with a Hunting Rifle might be ok in some towns. Walking around with an AK-47 would not be ok in any town... We will just use our best judgement for everything.
2) Yes it is possible for you to be arrested, be possible to become wanted. (Having a formal FBI agent might help) Response times will very but I will always try to give you enough time to run. Actions will have Consequences.
3) This question is up to your character background story. If you live in the woods in the middle of nowhere you might not have a job or might do side jobs. Normal house stuff we will handwave and say you have it. I am more worried about items you will use when out in about. Some important tools you might now have at your house and would need to purchase.

I hope this answers all of your questions. Please hit me up if you have more.

@Spartachris, @GreyWord, @Jabes.plays.RPG

Can all 3 of you please start a new thread just for your character creation. I want the first post to be your background and character idea.
As we work on your background and build your character we will keep updating that first post.

How do you want to do languages?

Common is English.

Pick some other languages you might know like Spanish, French, ect.

I might have some creatures speak Elvish or Dwarven but they might have similarities to other languages.

Ok figured.

I'm thinking Fiendish for extra language (because occult, yeah?). And Latin (thanks for the idea, Spartachris!).

I'm not fluent in any real world languages besides English and Tagalog but for Felix I put in Dutch just because Van Kamp is a Dutch name (I believe).

Origin of the name: Felix is the name of Gillian Anderson's son (an anagram of X-file). Mulder & Scully's son, William, is eventually renamed Jackson Van Der Kamp.

Give me a little bit. I am throwing a family birthday party this weekend. My wife, both my boys, and I all have September birthdays. Hosting a party for about 30+ people. Cooking all the food and everything. I have done a lot of catering in my day but still worried about.

You don't have to worry about really being fluent in other languages. We can do it the easy way. like
(Spanish) "I am looking for a short dude." (French) "Wow I hope that doesn't leave a mark"

Even with know stuff about Occult Fiendish won't really be a language. Books you have found in the pass on Demon Summoning/worshiping (though sometimes fake) were mostly in Latin, Arabic, or Greek. It really depends on who or what the person was trying to summon.

We will most likely start Sunday or Monday.
Do you have any questions, problems, suggestions, before we start?
Everyone's sheets look good.
You will not know each other at start. But I have a plan for that.

Can I get each of your character's Ages?

Haha. I am 33 IRL.
Boomer age is like my parents 50+

I know. It was a joke. I’m 47 irl. I’m not even a boomer. But to a 23 year old, 33 is OLD.

LOL! 48 year old Gen-Xer here. iRL I hate that phrase "Ok, boomer." But Felix is more chill than me. At least I'll try.

This has made me realize Felix is a Millenial. But I will NOT be playing him like the stereotypical millenial. No offense, Smiley. ✌️😄

48 and 47... guess what - I'm 46.
Anyhow, Logan is 18, I hope I will manage to play that age properly. But then again - who knows how properly we elves, gnomes and dwarfs of any age.

Since you are all adults. I have a few questions.

1) What are you looking to get out of this game?
2)Any creatures, scenarios or tropes you are wanting or not wanting?

I foresee a problem getting the characters to work together because of the characters you each choose.
The FBI and werewolf I can throw together. I am just not sure how the Conspiracy Cultist will fit. I am perfectly fine with all thee characters. I am just asking for suggestions.

Well, this particular FBI agent is pretty tinfoil hat so I can see how he and Conspiracy Tik Toker might connect. He'd be pretty ambivalent about the cult as long as they weren't committing crimes.

I have no specific expectations of the game apart from a fun mystery and adventure. I'll do my best to contribute.

I expect unusual 5e game :). I expect to be surprised (if not confused) as player about the way it works out in ultramodern settings.
I am only uneasy with scenarios where as a player I understand that best course of action for our PCs is violence against other human beings. However I designed my PC a less humane in this game, so I could manage even my PC killing humans should he have no alternatives.

As for "getting the characters to work together". You know what I think, this is usually funny to see how players "role-play" their PCs not willing to trust each other on the first session, but totally forgot about that in a session or two - no matter if any events triggered the trust or not. We are simply bored to play mistrust for too long.

If everyone is ready to be surprised as players, just as I am - I have a suggestion: DM just tells us we made a team for whatever reason during events before the game begins. We start a game when all 3 of us are driving the same car, walking the same path or sitting at the campfire discussing our strategy to deal with the whatever problem we have just faced.

Can you guys help me.
I am trying to figure out how to add a DM character to this campaign.
I can't figure it out...

Where are you having issues?
As DM you should be able to submit as many characters as you want to the game.

Let me guess where is an issue:
Game page have defined
ALLOWED CHARACTER SHEETS Dungeons & Dragons 5th

Your character created currently is a custom

You should either edit game adding custom as allowed char sheets or create new char sheet using system 5e

That'd be my guess as well.

I'm glad to help you right here on this thread but it might be easier to if you join the GP Discord server.

I am typing up the first post (Give me a little bit). You will have to bear with me. I might take some liberties with your characters for this first bit

Hopefully that makes sense and works for everyone. If you have questions please ask either here or in game.
(I think we are going to use this channel as OoC. I will change the name for that...

It is impressive how Smiley managed to put our 3 characters together and have each their own clues. Anyhow just need to wait now for @Spartachris to come online and Max Danger to join the party I guess.

Now it is up to you guys on where you want to go with it. I have a few different ideas/Plans in place but will all depend on you guys.

I was also going to suggest (If you guys want) the house rule. Called "I know a Guy"
What it is

That's a great rule! I'm gonna steal it for my own games. 😄

That is a great rule indeed. Even though I normally don't enjoy DM inventing new rules past session 0, I treat this particular game as king of experiment and welcome rule altering.
Nevertheless my PC would only use that rule once - can't imagine anyone but Mara's father (shaman) whose clairvoyance/augury or other magical means may be played as joker in case we are at a dead end.
His age and discrete lifestyle... that is a part of character backstory.

Going to wait a bit to see what @Spartachris is up to.

Good morning guys, and thank you for the invite too. I'll now figure out what to play as. So far I'm told we have a werewolf, an fbi agent, and a media/online celebrity.

I'll go with an idea of a magic item collector. May change from there.

---

Question, can I say that bows and such can be flavoured as guns?

I might go with Arcane Archer Fighter.

---

I have submitted a sheet. Have a look.
Basically: German archaeologist found out that dad is an occult nazi scientist that experimented with german fairies. He freed an elf, and tried to marry her, but she was assassinated. Then the fellow went to America for revenge and changed his name.

So, I haven't thought of a name yet. But I'm thinking he may be taking a false identity since he is also on the run from the german government.

His age is now 50. Does that fit with the time period of his father being a nazi?

---

Can I take Acquisitions Inc as source?

And can I change the ruling for my Arcane Shot subclass feat to also affect crossbows/guns?

What type of magic items does he collect? Does he have any already?
There are a few different options for Guns in Buyable Items if you want to take a look.
I am vaguely familiar with AI. What are you trying to get from it?
I have no problem with Arcane Archer using Guns instead. Would be some nice flavoring. I thinking Arcane Archer was sort of underpowered. I will take a look at it. Would be interesting to flavor different bullets to do different things. Sort of like Hellboy...
We will chat about this more can you start a Thread for your character like the others did? Will discuss background in there more.

I want to have Distort Value for my Wizard Spell for Magic Initiate feat.
Neat. My character vibe is something like Indiana Jones, but edgier. He is True Neutral, someone who don't mind having to use violence on bustards, but the innocent he prefer not having to hurt too much, but swindling is fine as long as its for the greater good.

Here is my current plan. (Which I will type up when home)

Piper Adams no longer for the FBI. She quit and now works/ owns a book store. She still is fully capable of hacking and tech stuff and secretly does it on the side.

@RoAries Character will be at said Book Store and offer aid.

Sounds great!

Here is my current plan. (Which I will type up when home)

Piper Adams no longer for the FBI. She quit and now works/ owns a Pawn Shop. She still is fully capable of hacking and tech stuff and secretly does it on the side.

@RoAries Character will be at said Book Store and offer aid.

He is reflavoring spells into magic items.
Green Flame blade ans Booming Blade onto two different axes.

Oh very cool! 👍

@GreyWord what is David & Logan's family name?

Hmm, family name. Let's say Forester.

Yes. They are "magic items" that can only be used by me. If used by anyone else, or if I want to fight without spells, then they are just normal weapons.

Also, I'm wondering if I want to make it that both handaxes can do the same thing, but I suppose I could make it work to have each axe have their own specialty. Like a God of War (I think) kind of weapon. I could call mine The Blades of Fire and Thunder.

When I mention you guys in a post does it do anything?

Do you get a notification from it?

Yes, a notification appears on the GP homepage.

Ty. I am going to wait for @RoAries to respond before moving us forward.

Ty. I am going to wait for @RoAries to respond before moving us forward.

Oh, my bad. I'll post today.

@RoAries may I ask you to do in game posts with "Post As:" PC instead of player. And may I ask you to clarify following:
How should I understand your PC last statement, does he:
1) Know Logan is a lycanthrope (how?)
2) Know the lycanthropy in the video is Logan's father (how?)
3) Suspect/assume the lycanthropy in the video is Logan's father and is trying to force Logan to give out weather that is true or not.

In the story so far Logan has only shared his lycanthropy with Felix and he does believe only his father and mother knows about it. I'm afraid the young man Logan is would see the best explanation to your PC statement - he is the bad guy from Atlas.

P.S. I could assume either Felix or Logan had a very good reason to share that info through the phone with a person we have never met before, I just need to swallow it.

@GreyWord Do you have a discord handle?

I was thinking of having a group chat on discord for the 3 of us. Just to make chatting easier. We would keep playing on Gamerplane.

my discord id Ainars(Green)#3409

@GreyWord my sheet is not yet accepted.
I just assume that mostly all info is shared. But if not, we can retcon Walter's comment.

@Greyword let us know whether you decide Logan has shared his secret during the group phone conversation or if we are retconning. My next posts will change depending.
4 of us here I think. 😃

I can't find you at all.
Add me Smiley#3953.

I would feel better if we could agree Logan is not to share over insecure phone call the sensitive information with a colleague of acquaintance of a person who said he is a friend of his father.

Once we would have a face-to-face communication I could see Logan sharing that he recognised his father David as the creature form the video and is willing to rescue his father. I would prefer he does not share his own lycanthropy just as Walter is not sharing his acquaintance with real Elves. Can we keep this info know to players, but hidden from certain PCs?

@Smiley your post got cut off?

Sorry about my absence. I might be able to carve out some time later today. Will do my best.

All good. I try and check this a few times a day but can only post when home. Easier to format post on computer then Phone.

When I respond to your post should I quote it or just post normally? Which is better?

Should I @ you guys every time I post something specific to you?

Trying to make it look a little nicer in game. I think the quoting might be ruining it.

For me, I am used to the style of post normally and don't need to @. I may do so if I want to put emphasis on a post to quote it, and if I need the person to read my post I'll @.

But I'll let you do for your style, since you may be more used to having faster pace of posts.

If you're concerned about getting the forum cluttered then maybe you can @ us in the Discord chat rather than here.

Personally I have no real preference. It's all good. 👍

I believe quoting a part of player post is an easy way to point out a specific thing triggered reaction.
@ in ooc is useful though I like some DMs writing PC names is a different color to bring show the narrative address particular PC. Or that PC behaviour has triggered a need for player to roll d20

GP say Jabes.plays.RPG Last activity 5 days ago. It means we may need to either proceed without Felix for a while or wait for player to come back (he did previously explained his possible absence due to family situation, so I would like to believe he will be back eventually)
Since my PC is on lookout it appears we depend on you Walter. Good luck!
P.S. I would like to assume Felix saw and share with Walter the fact that computer most probably turns on when a person sits into the chair as Logan did

I see. I guess our pace can be a little slower.

And, oh, I guess Felix will let Walter know that.

Sitting in the chair is not what turns on the PC.
Yeah it will be slower for a bit. Holidays also coming up

I apologize for my latest unexpected and extended absence! We had a sudden death in the family. My cousin worked a farm way out in the countryside so we've been off-grid the past week or so to be with his wife and kids.

I'll do my best to get caught up with my games as soon as I can. Thanks!

Oh no! My condolences for your cousin's passing. It's ok to spend your time with your relatives, we are expecting slight slowness too.

You mean dial the numbers (rotating the wheel) don't you?

Yeah.
What was the correct term for that back when they were used? Just dial someone up?
Do you Dial the numbers on the phone?

Sorry this is going a little slow. Once you get into the next party it will pick up.

Haha yes. I', sorry, forgot that it was a rotary phone. And for the record, that's what I grew up with, so I remember those well. Phone numbers with lots of zeros were such a drag because it took longer to wait for the dial to rotate back each time hahaha!

A hint - whenever you see DM or player posting something nice and want to copy that tap Quote on his post - you will see how that player did it, i.e.:

I never did that before but I can now just to


C:\Users\GrayWord>echo %time%
10:49:01.06

C:\Users\GrayWord>

Huh, OK. Quoting can copy the format.

@Spartachris,@GreyWord,@Jabes.plays.RPG,@RoAries

Sorry Everyone. Lack of active players has put this to a stand still. Going to disband this game and start something different...

Sorry...

That's too bad. But anyways, hope your next game goes well!