General Discussion

Thread to discuss anything not directly related to the story.

Love the intros! I could hear the song turning echoey and ominous

Oh, a suggestion: I wrote this dice code for Tales from the Loop / Things from the Flood. It highlights successes and instead of adding up the total of the dice, it counts how many successes you rolled. You'll just have to copypaste this:

{"background": {"image": ""},
"diceRules": [
    {"rolled": "D6","countTotal":"6"},
    {"rolled": "D6","natural": "6","highlight": "info bold"}
  ],
"characterSheetIntegration": {"gmSheets": []},
"diceDefaults": {"rerollAces": false}
}

into the advanced game rules (Click Edit on the Game Details page for the game and then open up the dropdown at the bottom. A text field will appear there.)

I also wrote a TftL skin for GP that you could apply to the game, but it requires a script to be installed to use it, so it might be a bit too complicated for a pure cosmetic change.

That's amazing. Thanks! I've added the dice roll script to the advanced rules.

Is the script installed locally in the browser, or is it installed on the game at GamersPlane.com? I'm asking to see if everyone would see the skin or just individuals who installed it.

Test roll

It's a script you need to install in your browser and only those who have it see the change. To everyone else, the game looks just normal.
Here is the guide for how to install the script.

Quick clarification about the time of year:

Although the title of the adventure title contains 'Summer Break,' the story is actually set in late September, a few weeks into the new school year.

OK - got it, thanks

Thanks! I’ll get this added soon.

Hm, sneaky dealings going on here 🤔😄

Just parents' and anchor avatars! I didn't want to bother everyone with them

Right... I bet you're secretly behind the worm attack.

Hey @LightOfMidnight,

I saw your post in the Absences, and I'm really sorry to hear about the tough times you're going through. It's completely understandable that you've been feeling this way. Remember that your well-being comes first, and it's okay to take a break from the game if you need to. The last thing I think any of us would want is for this to become an obligation.

Cheers. This ones somewhat fast paced and smaller players so actually not struggling to much atm.. weirdly its the slower/larger games I struggle with when I;m having a bad time, especially if its been a while since I've posted I get a block on posting because I feel guilty for not posting..so then cause a never ending loop :P.

Pbp and writing does help me focus and help when I'm not doing great, so do want to try and keep up with it ratehr than a breka but if I need one I;ll let you know.

I'm actually not that small
You should tell tales from it 🤔

smaller amount* :P

I mean the year zero system being used to narrate my life/moods would explain some thing..like the bad luck :P

I am assuming Emilias 6's on her first roll is an attempt to lull me into a false sense of security.

I'm trying to update the code to work for Twilight 2000 which would need to count anything above a 6. I've figured out how to highlight the different numbers, but I can't seem to guess the logic to count the different numbers.

{
"background": {"image": ""},
"diceRules": [
{"rolled": "D8", "countTotal": "8"},
{"rolled": "D8","natural": "6","highlight": "info bold"},
{"rolled": "D8","natural": "7","highlight": "info bold"},
{"rolled": "D8","natural": "8","highlight": "info bold"}
],
"characterSheetIntegration": {"gmSheets": []},
"diceDefaults": {"rerollAces": false}
}

I've tried different variations of this, but still no luck.

{"rolled": "D8", "countTotal": ["6","7","8"]}

Do you have any thoughts on how to do this?

Just replace "6" with ">5". That should work

Is there a way to have add +1 to the number when the roll is 10+?

{
"background": {"image": ""},
"diceRules": [
{"rolled": "D12", "countTotal": ">5"},
{"rolled": "D12","natural": ">5","highlight": "info bold"},

{"rolled": "D10", "countTotal": ">5"},
{"rolled": "D10","natural": ">5","highlight": "info bold"},

{"rolled": "D8", "countTotal": ">5"},
{"rolled": "D8","natural": ">5","highlight": "info bold"},

{"rolled": "D6", "countTotal": ">5"},
{"rolled": "D6","natural": ">5","highlight": "info bold"}

],
"characterSheetIntegration": {"gmSheets": []},
"diceDefaults": {"rerollAces": false}
}

I'm not sure I understand what you mean.

In Twilight 2000, the dice pool counts any die roll above 10 as an additional success. For example, while driving one of the players in my game rolled the following:



In game terms, each roll should actually show 2. They asked if it could be updated, and I said I would look into it.

Ah. No, I don't think you can do that, unfortunately

You could highlight dice rolls above 10 extra much so people see it and remember to count one extra

That’s a great idea. What’s kind of syntax would I use? I don’t recognize the code other than it’s in JavaScript.

"info bold Red"?

info is blue. Red would be "fail". You could also add invert, which would surround the number with a colored box instead of coloring the number

🤣🤣🤣

Oh Freddie, you troublemaker. Now you show up 😄

We need to have words with a certain bird...

Heads up that I’ve asked to have my username updated because it was bothering me. I am indeed the person behind SpritualSock511. There is a typo in my new username, and I’m seeing if I can get it updated one more time.

Oh yea, that typo is unfortunate 😅 But I'm sure Keleth'll fix that.

Though I wonder how long it would have taken me to notice the name change if you hadn't said anything

I like how Tanya hears there's a scary dog and she just goes, "Yea, I can totally take a rottweiler."

She wouldn't normally, but she heard dachsund barks! Small, yappy dog sounds

Oh, she did? I missed that 😄 That makes sense then.

Unless this small dog has a huge voice, that is!

I've had that once! I found an ID, so I went to the address listed on it to give it back. When I rang the doorbell, there were these barks that made me think the guy had a giant dog, and then it was some tiny little dog that showed up at the door.

It looks like the current narrative scene is closing. I would like to adhere to the Tales from the Loop system, but incorporating those individual scenes from everyday life is challenging. If you have any thoughts or ideas, please feel free to share them.

I'm torn between playing them out and having each player concisely describing the entire scene. I'm leaning towards each player (or me if you prefer) give a short summary of what happens and how it was resolved. It feels like the game is more engaging for everyone when the group is together working on the mystery.

If we stick to the TFTL system the next scene or two should be everyday life scenes. Here are my suggestions:

Tanya has a condition and needs to have a scene with her anchor to remove it. I think she would start feeling a little better but then be approached by her parents about how silly writing is. This would cause her to seek out her anchor.

For Emilia, I envision a scenario where Izzy or one of her friends comes close to discovering that Emilia hasn't been entirely forthcoming about her wealth and family situation at home. This revelation leaves her feeling isolated, prompting her to seek comfort from either Robbie or Tanya.

I think Robbie would initiate a scene by conversing with her anchor, Emilia's mom. Emilia would unexpectedly arrive and discover Robbie speaking with her mom. Tanya might join the scene either independently or alongside Emilia.

I like those suggestions a lot and I think I'd prefer playing them out properly. I like those kinds of lower-stakes personal scenes.

But yes, I've definitely experienced as GM how difficult it can sometimes be to properly fit them into these adventures.

Also like them. Happy to spend a while or tw running through scenes. Sometimes can be nice to just let the RP flow.

Izzy and or friends getting suspicious of where Emilia is starting to disappear off to is also another suggestion.

Sounds good to me. I’m happy to RP the scenes.

@LightOfMidnight I know Emilia doesn’t talk with her mom often because her mom isn’t often home, but how is there relationship? Are they close and on good terms? Does her mom have a sense of the type of stuff Emilia is interested in and who she hangs out with?

It's probably a bit strainer. Tyra used to be at home all the time so they were likely closer then, but with Dad leaving and Tyra being forced to find work and being out all the time they've likely grown apart, and Emilia being a kid possibly blames her more than she should for the situation.

They probably don't argue etc, just more they rarely get time to speak much anymore as Tyra is likely exhausted when back, or Emilia is already in bed

To the group, if we want to schedule in breaks let me know. We’re typically posting 1+ times a day, and I know that can be a lot to keep up with.

Eh, you just pulled some real power users into this game 😄 I don't need breaks from GP. But of course, if someone else does, I'd be happy to accommodate

Had I only know what I was getting myself into. 😱🤣

Do you think it would be beneficial for me to set up a Discord server for this game? Or do you think it wouldn't add much value? I'm not sure either way, since I literally just downloaded Discord yesterday.

Sorry guys my brains been blanking on starting up the scene. Been a fun few days/week as we;ve had to trip out our house etc and I don;t have my computer set up atm.

With this channel being used for communicating, the discord seems unnecessary?

I am happy for discord as communication can go faster on it, but up to everyone else

I think we're okay with communicating in here, but if you do want to create a discord, I'd be alright joining it. Just not sure we need it for this.

No worries. When you’re able create your own scene or feel free to jump into Robbie’s where she is talking with Emilia’s mom. Choose whichever option sounds most fun to you.

If we're getting too stalled by the everyday life scene right now, maybe we should think about tjust wrapping that part up for the moment.

I’m fine either way. What’s everyone else’s thoughts? @LightOfMidnight I was going to ping you to see if you still wanted to do your scene. I know you mentioned that you just got your computer up and running.

If we move to the next scene, where does the group want it to be?

You’re keeping us all accountable. I like it!

Yeah sorry. Happy to move frward as if I do it now will delay everyone else by a bit :P

If you have something in mind now, feel free to go for it. I'm happy to wait. I just don't want the whole game to stall out for too long btu as long as someone's posting, I'm okay to sit back for a bit.

As for story scenes, I think the next step would be to find the birdman? Unless someone else has a different idea.

@Dr_B What are your thoughts on where to start the next group scene?

I went ahead and started the next scene. I’m still getting the hang of this pbp format, and I haven’t quite figured out when to nudge players to post vs stepping in and taking over.

That said you’re a fun a group!

That kind of thing, as in managing player activity, is the hardest part of pbp GMing, I would say

No sneaking out of this one, Emilia 😁

I don't know. Maybe if she stays really still... :p

😅

I was genuinely torn on if she side with easy, or had the grand stand up now.. Instead went for the meek 'Let's not bother please' :p

so sorry, I somehow missed this! My apologies

Did I mess with the timeline too much by including the bug display?

No, there was just some mild confusion, I think because of us posting at the same time. But with the redone post, it should all fit now.

My bad I didn't see bowl's post

You all are quick draw with the posts.

@bowlofspinach have you played/read through all of the Tales published adventurers? I’m looking at the books "Out of Time" and "They Grow up so Fast, and I’m wondering if you would recommend one book over the other?

I haven't actually read either of those. I've played through part of Out of Time and I own They Grow Up So Fast but haven't had a chance to read it yet, so I can't actually really make any recommendations there.

Bodega Bay, Sweden!

😂😂😱

Can we assume that we get protective gear or should we roll for it?

They can easily find some sport protective gear, and Robbie would easily find anything work or farm related at her farm.

I image the character would head back towards a house they saw on the way and get some help/advice, or even go so far as to head back to the ferry to see if there is a worker there who could help. If they had a boat you could use, it would require more rolls to convince them to give you the boat or you could try to steal it. It's not ideal because the character would leave the group for some time.

B, what did you do to make your dice roller hate you 😄

Must have offended some Scandinavian god...
I ask for forgiveness, Father Odin! 😅

Have.. Have I accidentally passed the curse onto Dr B?

... If so my greatest apologies.

The last 21 dice, over 5 rolls, misfired!
Maybe they don't work if wet...

I love fast-paced games, but the danger for crossposting is always present. I don't think Socket's post clashes with mine in any way though.

I’ll try to slow it down a bit and wait for people to respond. I just get so excited to post!

In my other games, I’m usually waiting a day or more, so crossposting never happens. I blame everyone in those games for my bad habits.

No, don't. Usually, I check before posting and am able to adjust. I love the fast pace! Don't slow down 😄

You should have seen the pace B and I got up to in our duet game

Five hours without a post and then B and I post at the same time 🤣

😅

They heard us all the way to Stockholm

Reiterating the stakes of the Extended Trouble.

Each Kid rolls once, pushing rolls if they want to. The total number of sixes is compared to the Threat level (9) of the Extended Trouble:

If the final number of sixes is less than half of the Threat Level, the Kids have failed completely.

If the number of successes reaches half or more of the Threat Level, the Kids can check additional Conditions to get more sixes, in order to reach a compromise. Each added Condition counts as an extra success. The Kids can make themselves Broken to succeed if they want to. If the Kids reach the Threat Level this way, they will achieve a part of their goal.

If the Kids reached the Threat level, without checking extra Conditions, the Kids achieve their goal, and overcome the Trouble.

The dice hate you so much, B! 😅
You should probably push as well. We need three successes per person to fully succeed and 1.5 to even partially succeed... It's going to be tough.

I am thinking... Is Pushing better than just taking 2 condition in exchange of automatic successes, at this point? At least we get 2 guaranteed...

On the other hand, 2 conditions will detract from the dice pool. So, first reroll would be 5d6, second reroll would be 4d6...

Well, we do need to hit the minimum threshold to even be able to spend conditions for successes. Also, a push might give you more than one success (though with the way you're currently rolling, that seems unlikely 😄)

Will try one push...

I'm not sure if this is sad or funny at this point 🤣

Tragi-comic...

In Vaesen the conditions are divided in Physical and Mental, offering a little flexibility (ie you can choose conditions that affect your weakest skills, leaving the strong ones without penalties).I guess they're all one group, here?

Okay all those 5's are just rude.

Also double checking, as I read it I reroll failed dice with luck/push so I can keep that 6?

Yes, with pushing or luck, you keep all sixes and only reroll the other dice

I tried! 😥

an optional rule for this game could be:
-in a roll, three 5s count like a 6

But it would probably break all the maths 😁

One thing that'll be relevant for my scene: Did anything change with Freddie after the machine was deactivated?

One thing that will be relevant for mine: is Tanya Broken, at 3 conditions? Or is condition no.4 that triggers the Broken status?

There should be four conditions that aren't Broken on your sheet. Broken is the fifth condition, so even if all four others are marked, she isn't Broken yet.

Freddie's fate is uncertain because of the partial success. I'm going to leave it to chance.

No Freddie!

While you're thinking up your final scene...

That's basically a wrap for the published adventure, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! I must say, you all are really talented at roleplaying, and it pushed me to up my game.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on what worked well, what didn't quite hit the mark, or any general feedback you might have. I hope I did TFTL justice. I’m going to keep GMing (It’s addictive), and I’ve implemented a lot of your suggestions already.

I will be taking a break from Tales from the Loop to focus on other games, but I would be happy to continue Robbie, Emilia's, and Tanya's story in another adventure at a later date if you are interested. Tales from the Loop is one of my favorite systems and settings, and I enjoy running games for you all. Please don't feel pressured to make a decision though. I’m an introvert, and I like to provide pressure free "off-ramps"out of social things.

I really enjoyed this game and I think you ran it really well! Also...
You're too late for that 🙃

---

For feedback, I don't really have much to say. I think giving us a bit of rp time after the extended trouble as we return home would have been nice, but other than that, Ihave no complaints.

I would love to revisit these characters at some point. I think we made a pretty nice trio 🙂 But of course no pressure. If anyone else feels like ending it here, I think it can be a nice wrap-up as is.
I also had the thought of offering to run a TftL (or maybe more likely TftF) game for this group if you wanted to get in on the player side as well, Socket.

So yea, I'd definitely be up to continue this at whatever point. I'm unlikely to suddenly leave GP and be unavailable.

Thanks for bringing that up! I didn't even think about it, and it's a good point. I'll make sure to give everyone some RP time next time.
Sounds fun to me!

Loved the game (despite my rolls), thanks for running it, and to the other players for being fun companions!

Constructive criticism: I felt rushed into concluding a scene at times - maybe it is a personal GM styling thing, but I felt the rulebook/written adventure intruding at some points, to force things to move on? But maybe I am used to more roleplaying when clues are discovered, or when making plans etc. It was like: you got the clue, now GET A MOVE ON!! 😁

I do agree with the rush but, especially as I think this group in particular is a very role playing one!

Happy to continue again at some time, I like this group and the girls.

I'd be up for some more TftL with these characters, sure.

BTW I am a firm believer in small groups, for PbF. Any more than 3, for me, and the chances of downtime/holdups/losing investment skyrocket, in my experience.
Of course we were also very lucky as we are all very responsive, here. But the max 3 is one of my rules, in PbP.

I think those are some really good habits to have with less reliable groups to keep them going. I didn't feel them intruding much here, though I know what you mean. But yes, I think some of those habits can be relaxed a bit with a group like this one.

Thanks for the feedback. Your points make a lot of sense, and I really appreciate you mentioning them. I would not have noticed them on my own. The rushing part is on me and my GM style, and I'll definitely work on it. It's great to hear that everyone enjoyed the adventure, but I'm sorry if there were times when I rushed through things.

No need to apologise! Just personal taste, is all. We all have our own style

I can see that. I keep telling myself I'll only take a small group, then I get guilty of turning interested people down and I end up with a big group. Both pbp and IRL

That's relatable 😅
It's just annoying if I make an interest check looking for four people and then five apply. It feels bad to reject one person. If I had ten applications, then I'd feel fine rejecting six, but only rejecting one (especially since I don't do first come first serve) feels mean.

Yeah I get you.

Also should say my post is coming. Just haven't actumy been at my computer since day before yesterday and like to be at PC for longer posts.

That was a great post, Light!

Cheers. I did wonder if I should, especially if we do ended up doing another adventure with these 3, but seemed like a good wrap up and Emilia may be getting a new problem if we do.

Agreed!

if we did another adventure, when would you all want to start? I’m up for it in a few weeks, or if bowlofspinach runs one, I could do sooner.

I'm happy with whenever!

I'm okay with either option. If you run it, I'm ready to start any time. If I run it, I'll need maybe a week or so to refamiliarize myself with the adventure I'd be running (though I guess that time could then also be used for character creation and all that.

I'm equally happy with either option, just whichever you prefer. (Though I do want to revisit these characters. But there's nothing saying that we can't play something with other characters inbetween)

Happy for either. Would love to revisit the characters definitely at some point, be a different adventures with different characters could also with fun, especially f socket wants a break.

(After all either way I get more TFtL and like this group)

I’m willing and would like to run one, but I don’t want to spread myself too thin. I'm waiting for my Coyote & Crow game to get rolling and the Lancer game I joined to start before I commit to anything else. Both are new systems and settings to me.

I currently have room for another game, so whenever!

Since Socket is currently starting off the C&C game and I'm finally done with the character creation for that, I would be up for running a Things from the Flood game for this group, since that's probably going to be easier on Socket than running something. Mechanically, Flood and Loop are almost identical, so that should be an easy switch.

Oh cool. Can we keep Tanya, Emilia etc, or do we create new characters?

I would go with new characters. I'd like to keep those three together for when I'm playing again (assuming Socket will be up for returning to this after).
And the timeline doesn't quite work out. Flood is set in 1995, so they would be a bit old at that point.

Ooh, sounds good

Thanks @bowlofspinach! That sounds like a lot of fun.
I am most certainly up for it, but I want to make sure I can give it the attention it deserves. There are so many cool games starting or games I want to run on this site that it's hard not to sign up for everything. I think I have a problem...

You are me!

I sent you all an invite to the game I set up for the Flood game. It will take me a couple of days to read my way back into the adventure, but I figure we can also already use that time for character creation. You can accept the invite here

@bowlofspinach I'm planning ahead in case we keep this chain of Loop games going. Have you played/read all of the adventures in the core rule book?

I've read them all, but a long time ago and I don't remember much of them except for bits and pieces. The only exception is Creatures from the Cretaceous, which I recently ran as a standalone. But I could still play through that one if you do intend to run the whole campaign. It's less mystery-focused and more adventure-y, so me knowing what's coming wouldn't be too much of a problem, and I could just hold back on making bigger decisions in it.

What is everyone's thoughts on potentially running the first adventure from Out of Time?

I know it's early since we just started Tales from the Flood, and you all might be tired of Loop games by then.

I have actually played through that one, though I haven't read it, but it has also been a while. I would be okay with that as well.

I remember the second adventure from Out Of Time better than the first. I have not played the third one, though

What about "They grow up so fast?" Although, I hear that one’s more predictable if you seen some popular 80a movies. There is also "Our friend the machines"

I have read Our Friends the Machines.
I have not read or played anything from They Grow Up So Fast (though I've read the general synopsis of it and I own the book).

I'm sorry, but I just really love these two games, so I've read and/or played a lot of content for them 😅

No worries I’m already drafting up a letter to Free League so they can send me a custom adventure. Im sure they’ll send me something right away.

That’s an impressive collection of RPG books!

I think I only played 'the ugliness' , this killer birds one, and the one bowl is running for Oskar, Felix and Mal.

Time for an Original SpiritualSocket story? 😎

I have more. This is just the Free League side of my shelf.
Hey, then you already know Mia from your opening scene in the Flood game! I snatched her from The Ugliness.

I’d certainly have fun writing it 🔎, but I tend incorporate too much humor in the things I create which makes them quirky. It probably wouldn’t have the same vibes as a Tales game, and you’ll all be like "what the heck is going on!" 😃

Yes, I recognised the character by the detail thta she is the school principal'S daughter. You ran that for us , bowl.

Oh, you were in that 😅 I completely forgot who was in those games. Just when I was checking up on my old run of Flesh & Steel, I realized KCC was in that one and I had forgotten.

I hope you weren't still playing for the Traveller adventure and the disastrous ending that that had...

No, not for Traveller. TPK?

No, but there is a bit of a problem with the ending for that one that blew up in a bit of an OOC disagreement

Things are happening here 👀

Just prepping stuff and cleaning up.
 
I had a burst of inspiration this weekend. I think I have a cool idea for an "Original SpiritualSocket story." If that's of interest to the group eventually. Otherwise, I'm more than happy to keep with the published adventures.

I would be along for the ride with either of them!

There's a TftL adventure idea I came up with some years ago that I would love to run but I just don't know how it would even be possible 😅 So I wrote it as a story instead, which worked decently well (though it's a few years old by now, so there's a lot of flaws in it).

I do still want to eventually run a homebrew mystery in one of these two, but I haven't really figured one out yet.

Absolutely interested in your story!

Original Socket sounds good!

I was very confused as I had been having net troubles the final git in and saw a post in a new game I wasn't aware of :p

I can start this game up soon if you all want. I’m also fine with waiting until our Flood game finishes.

For XP, does 5 seem fair? That’s enough for everyone to raise a skill by 1 level.

I'm okay to start now or after the Flood game, whichever suits you better.

As for XP, how about Robbie gets 15 and the others get 0 🤔 It averages out to the same, so it should be fine.

Happy with either !

And come on now bowl :p though Emilia could probably charm her fair share of points from Robbie :p

She probably could... Maybe we'll just go with the five for everyone spread

Yay, the SpiritualSocket original has begun! 🥳

Will come up with an everyday life scene.

the best kind!

Raising Tanya's Empathise by one die

Oh boy, I should have written down somewhere what Robbie's parents were called 😅

I've shared this update across my other games. While I intend to maintain my usual level of engagement in this particular game, I believe it's important for all you to be in the know, just in case I overlook something obvious or experience delays in my responses.

No worries. Thanks for letting us know :)

Thanks for the heads up Socket, hope things are OK

We all hope that...

I'm hoping to get a post in today or tomorrow.

I'd also like to blame the weather for my posting speed. We got 20 inches (50.8 cm) of snow in the past 4 days.

Lucky. I mean, probably not lucky. That sounds like a lot and is probably quite a problem. Not sure I've ever seen that much snow. Definitely not since I was a kid.

I just miss snow.

I should be back to my "normal" posting frequency for this game.

Yay

Robbie definitely has that terrorist look!

Emilia, is this your real dad?

(Ignore me. I'm just testing something)

Sounds like an AI image to me! 🤣

Hey everyone, I wanted to let you know that I won't be continuing with this game. I absolutely love being part of the GP community, and it's tough for me to be in a position where I have to suddenly leave a game. Some personal stuff has made it challenging for me to contribute regularly, if at all. I genuinely appreciate the friendliness of this community. You all have been so welcoming, and I'm grateful for that.

I can’t commit to any type of posting frequency and I don’t want to just stop posting without you all knowing why. I apologize for the abrupt stop to the game.

I'm really sorry to hear that. You've been a pretty amazing player and GM since you got here and I loved this game. But of course real life has to take priority. If you ever get the chance to return, I'd be happy to play with you again, but until then, I hope you're well and that things in your life will all turn out alright.

If you ever feel like chatting, feel free to hit me up on Discord as well :)

Sorry to hear that. I did love the game but get personal stuff comes first.

Seconding Bowl if you return hit me up again !

No worries, Socket - hope all is well, life takes priority.

The stars will align some other time!