General OOC

This is for general OOC about the game. Each GM's game will have it's own subthread.

Thanks for the kind invite.
Looking forward to playing with y’all. :)

Ah level 1, a good way to die quick :P Good thing we get to pack spares :)
1. Gnome Artificer
2. Yan-Ti Sorcerer
3. Human Fighter

Thanks for the invite. Hi everyone.

So, I have in mind all three of my starting characters, but I have a few questions first. One of my characters is an Artificer. Would an Artificer in the Kingdom of Calindor have access to early firearms? This is an existing character I will be reducing back down to 1st level and in her previous incarnation she was the daughter of a noble Artificer in charge of clockworks and other technological advances in the kingdom.

Human Artificer
Aasimar Rogue (will be switching out to Sorcerer at higher levels)
Half-Elven? Rogue (Entertainer)

An another character creation question: do we start with class standard gear? Can we choose to roll for starting gold instead and then spend that money to buy stuff per PHB prices?
Which thread are we rolling our 4d6 for stats (and gold if allowed)?

P.S. @DireHalfling thanks for setting this up. Please don't hesitate to ask for help with anything be it site features and in game cartography effort. I believe we have the right people here to help with anything.

I'll allow early firearm tech.
Good point. Standard class gear please. I wish I could edit the game post but they don't allow that for some reason.

Thanks for setting this up DireHalfling. I'll lurk and read along until its time to run an adventure. In my IRL gaming community, we're setting up a West Marches game as well, so I'm keen to see how this goes.

Oh that's awesome. I've never ran one but it sounded like it'd be fun.

What are you unable to edit? Most things can be edited, if you know how.

I am also willing to help set things up. May GM later. You can add some of those willing to help and GM as co-GM. The GM will need this those if of willing to help on the setup can help with other aspects. Not that co-GM have full access other than changing GM. It is up to you how to handle that

Never mind. I found the edit button. My eyes must have glazed over it.

Never mind. I found the edit button. My eyes must have glazed over it.

So, this is the first time that the Lilac Gate has opened in our shared world where Calindor exists? Trying to get an idea of the situation with the stronghold on the other side.

Yes that's correct. It was opened for a number of months. No one went through and nothing came out. However, The High King's guard kept a close watch on it.

In that case, it is possible some of this first batch of intrepid adventurers could know or be acquainted with each other.

I could see that. I'll say everyone coming through is atleast from the 2nd or 3rd batch. The original run is maintaining the Keep.

Should we roll stats in the Introductions thread as we intro our characters?

Let me get some more threads going.

A new thread has been made in the OOC subthread for rolling stats

I am guessing Variant Humans aren't allowed, as Feats are an optional reward at the discretion of the DMs?

Yes that's correct. Thank you for all the questions. You all are bringing up a lot of things I hadn't thought about.

@DireHalfling I was wondering about supplies and equipment availability. As we are cut off from the world at large the only way to get gear would be swapping with newcomers, finding it on adventures, or crafting.

@DireHalfling
I've felt that minor magic items and expendable magid are often overlooked, other than healing potions. Given this situation they might be very sought after. We could have some player run stores to pay test custom items. Items of value and power below uncommon magic more consumables, etc

Let me know if you are ok with this idea

@Psybermagi
I figured that would be the best way to go about it. As things go along, someone may start a store with all the leftover weapons, armor, and equipment.

I don't feel it should be long before someone starts a store. It could be a player or an NPC, but we'll get there.

@DireHalfling just double checking my assumptions - please let me know if I got it right:
- PCs come from Calindor (so their backstories supposed to be from the city or it's surroundings), but in no game thread we will meet neither High King Quartermaine, nor mage Eristor Elmar or see any of the places described in information thread. Or interact with any of the gangs.

- People as old as Hugo Dupree and Alice Dupree had their own reasons to step through the portal (other than going for expedition - obviously not a business for their age). And so could our PCs have reasons other than reward promised by the King's

P.S. I could imagine someone whispering 'Hugo and Alice' made the portal and the world behind (or at least knew all about it before stepping through) so they would have a pace to run a business.

- Backstories can be from Calindor or surrounding areas. Or maybe your from somewhere else. I'm willing to give leeway.

- Quartermaine and Elmar may show up in the far future. I'm not sure. This is a bit of a collaborative storytelling effort so as we go, perhaps they can become players. The locations and gangs mentioned were mostly just to give a little help with inspiration for backstory.

- Hugo and Alice were going to be more bookkeepers and cooks for the expedition but things changed.

Can we get clarification on allowed firearm characteristics and starting availability ?
A quick online search found the following.
Wokidot : basic / GM binder options : Rules & Variants

I'd say start with palm pistols and pistols for now. I think as Artificiers go on, they can start experimenting with crafting to create new weapons.

I’m sorry friends, but I must withdraw from our game. I feel like there’s sufficient interest for someone to replace me. Hope the game goes well for all. :)

Feel free to come back. There's room for everyone!

Thank you so much. :)

Just to clarify, backgrounds that have Feats as part of their build will not include that feat. Correct?

@DireHalfling Just a suggestion : Since there is already a component of "forgetting" things when passing through the portal how about it have an added affects that is strip's character levels, thus everyone is at 1st level. However as the PC adventure they gain double XP till 3rd level, their original level. The town NPC would be similar so though they started low when they first went through they built back up. This would do a couple things
1. advance past the squish levels 1 & 2 quicker. Seriously, who sets out to explore on their own as a novice? Always seemed silly IMO
2. Explains how NPC keep just above PC level and are not overwhelmingly powerful, even though the kingdom sent some of their stronger agents, kings knights, high wizard's apprentice, etc

Yes that's correct

Yeah that sounds like a good idea.

For the record, it's not because I don't like Feats. I love that Feats were such a big part of 3rd Edition because it really made your character feel interesting and incredible, but 5th edition doesn't work like that.

Any restrictions on multiclassing?

Nope. Though I prefer characters to multiclass based on their personal experiences, it's your guys' game and we're just running it. I wont knock you if you have a plan for your character already.

My Artificer will eventually be setting up a shop to create and sell firearms.

Awesome. That's a cool idea.

I see that @Psybermagi is also creating an Artificer. Nice!

I am thinking more along the lines of an alchemist, have not done that before. So I can sell the ammunition and bombs :)

---

On multiclassing : I was working up my Yanti, originally sorcerer, but got into a survival at any cost mode so though going rogue then have the background and race feed into the sorcerer

I was looking at the noble background and saw this

Variant Feature: Retainers
If your character has a noble background, you may select this background feature instead of Position of Privilege.

You have the service of three retainers loyal to your family. These retainers can be attendants or messengers, and one might be a majordomo. Your retainers are commoners who can perform mundane tasks for you, but they do not fight for you, will not follow you into obviously dangerous areas (such as dungeons), and will leave if they are frequently endangered or abused.

If this is acceptable the I would like to get the 3 sidekicks, one of each class. (Sidekicks) Use average HP for level 1 and 1/2 point buy or 3d6 stats. Never had followers before and it could be fun

I'm ok with that. Let's have them be player controlled. I was going to suggest they be treated like NPCs but I'm sure that'd complicate things.
They'll still be treated as retainers. They'll act in self-defense and may defend you if you were to be attacked directly, but won't be ordered to attack.

A QUICK NOTE: I access GP during the work week. I don't access it outside of work hours or on the weekends.

I m considering this as well. I think it works better in this campaign than the Privilege feature

Mostly to @Qralloq, but maybe we want to also take some into this game, I'd like to share my West Marches game experience plus extra opinion

I don't think we should be changing rules on how character stats are determined. Some of us have already rolled and finished building our characters using the 4d6 method.

@RageRed I agree totally. I like the rules we have. I advocate to never change rules after they have been applied in game. I just wanted to share a different experience since @Qralloq is looking to set up her own. Only item "3" in my list is relevant to this game considerations.

#1 I typically prefer standard array or point buy for balance but agree we don't want to change rules after starting.

#3, sounds like DMG Gritty Realism where 8 hours => short rest benefits and down time (week) => long reset benefits. I am fine with this as it will promote short excursions, out and back to recover, increasing the danger. IMO the standard 5e recovery is like a superhero version that is fun to play but the grittier version has a totally different flavor. I am fine with either

Concerning banning classes or archetypes, I have seen Moon Druid and bladesinger both defeated depending on the situation. Ex: blade singers are still wizards and have limits. So just mob them with 20 goblins with bows. Concentration gone and dead. The moon druid is similar to the barbarian in that it can up its effective HP but that can also be solved by intelligent NPC targeting the "obvious threat" of a shape shifter. I am less familiar with Twilight Cleric affect on combat. Besides starting at level 1 makes it all too easy to die, quick. And if certain builds become an issue then it would not be too hard to have local "hidden" forces that would react to to any PC or party overwhelming any of the locals. They could send out champions to put down the upstart. The tallest nail is the first to get hammered down. But that is just combat. In west marches half of the game is the exploration so in my mind it will have a heavy survival element. With no local infrastructure all the food is what you come with, hunt, or steal. I am sure the NPC of the castle have some resources but they will focus on those that help with their needs.

I don't think I'm running the first adventure, so I'll defer to @DireHalfling for those sorts of choices (who may not respond until next week). As to implementing a static array or any other restriction on rolling for stats, if we do that, I suggest that we grandfather in those characters who were generated under a prior method.

I like those rules actually.

1. Standard array does seem pretty fair, but as we have already started I won't be further changing the rules on character creation. I'll only be making clarifications.

2. That makes sense however for a game like this where a whole bunch of people are coming through this portal, I could see it being plausible that there are criminals who came through to fill out the criminal background feature, etc.

3. That sounds fair depending on the length of the adventure. I could see them being very short in the beginning. "Goblins stole my baby and took it to the cave on the edge of town" sort of quests. Then as the DM's begin collaborating more and the PC's get stronger, they could get more lengthy and that rule may not apply depending on the situation.

4. That's a good call. In my in-0person games, I ban flying races until the spell FLY is accessible because it just makes sense at that point.
- Perhaps Gloomstalker Ranger should be included. Had a bad situation where I learned how heavy those things work at jsut level 3.


Either way, this is my first West Marches game. I'll learn and adapt. Any lessons learned from this game will just help me become a better DM and create better and more manageable game for my players.

A suggestion for ongoing DMing

You may want to create a DM private collaboration form to track persistent or ongoing facts and events. The public forum is fine for general keep info but stuff out on the wild may impact other stories

A shared map of known or planned features might also be useful. Again keep it simple by each DM only claiming an area of the map and publish details as they become known. Ex noth is woods. West is mountain south is swamp, east is grass. This can be done with online using one of the many free map tools. Put in a baby hex or grid map and claim territory as needed. Once you campaign if done you relinquish control for any other DM to add to.

With over DM and one story this is really managed. But if this game grows it could get complicated

Understood. That's a good point. I was trying to figure out if I could make a GM only subforum for discussing things like that.

Yes. It can be done. You just need to know how to set them up and have the proper permissions in play

Yep, permissions are steadily set for each forum in the administrative page. I think group permissions are not working, other than the general one for all members of the game. However you can block that group then allow read, write, etc to individual dm

Are you guys able to see the GM's Only subforum?

Yes. I see it

Set read permissions from Yes or Inherited to No

Okay. Its now hidden from my view

Spoke too soon. Its back again

It may take a minute. I sat it when red did not then it just went away for me

and now?

gone again

Oh and @RageRed since I have the only active adventure at the moment, you can slide in if you want. Just head over to the "Timber!" thread in the Wanted: Helping Hands sub

@Direhalfling,

Okay. Thanks. BTW, I sent Loyal a message on Discord about posting. Don't know if he'll see it until later this evening though. Depends on his work load today.

Just want to clarify my above statement about background feature. I personally as a player don't mind that while my feature "free healing and care at a temple" will not work in the settings where no temple exist, while for example sit Ironheart will bring 3-4 characters to the job and it would only be fair that he is getting 3-4 times bigger cut of the rewards than any other PC does.

But I've seen players who do mind. We were banning feature to prevent such player complains

If the group wants to remove options, like retainers, then I am fine with it. I just wanted to try something new. To clarify what a retainer is here is the background feature that I used. I asked about using the sidekick option for my retainers went with that for creating them. However retainers are different from sidekicks. Do not use sidekick rules for retainers As I understand from what I have read the original intent of sidekicks is to allow the DM to give the party some extra kick and they can go into combat. As seen above a retainer it not to go into combat to fight, and thus would not be a part of the loot distribution in my mind. Thus a player with retainers might have 4 characters they do not have 4 characters combat effectiveness but still have 4 bodies to protect.

While retainers may have an impact on what a player can do other features have other affects The whole discussion about banning certain race/class for equity is something that is typically decided by the DM before gameplay any. As this game is a group thing with multiple players and DM, DireHalfling has been more open to suggestions, which is nice of him.

However, as I would like to still play this out there could be some rules put into place on retainers creation. The RAW is that retainers use the "Commoner" stat block. It has already been stated by DireHalfling that "They'll still be treated as retainers. They'll act in self-defense and may defend you if you were to be attacked directly, but won't be ordered to attack." Another rule/clarification is that retainers do not level . Thus after 1st level it becomes very risky to bring your retainers along on a full adventure but in the castle or at camp they may have other uses.

This is exactly why I also created my characters' retainers as Sidekicks. I think it adds a lot to fleshing out those entities, as opposed to coming up with it all on your own or putting it on the DM to do so.

As much as I'd like them to be NPC's, I think it'd be a little weird, in a multi-DM game, to show up and be like "here's my NPCs."

No worries. They are extra player controlled characters but not adventure PC. I might bring some along, depending on the quest. I figure having and extra ax, scout, and healer on hand for emergencies right outside the gate to establish a foothold in this place is an acceptable risk. Dungeon crawling . . . probably not.

We should establish if/how retainers level up before we get to that point though. I'm ok with static level 1 but think a reduced rate, a half level, shouldn't be too big a deal.

That sounds fair.

Question. Anyone see a problem if I make my second PC a noble warlock who will sacrifice immediately (before first quest) one of his retainers and take over his scalemail and longsword otherwise not available to warlock lvl 1. That will establish his lawful evil nature (sacrifice a soul to his patron in this new world to get access to patron's powers) and solve my hexblade starting equipment issue.

I will just say that if this happens, be careful where you do it because there will be consequences. A good way to start some drama, though.

Doing that might affect loyalty of the remaining retainers. But if they're in the cult it won't be a big hit, hopefully. 🤔. Still something for the DM to track. If too many retainers disappear the survivors might blab or try to replace you as the cult leader 😁

So do I need to strip my character of background skills and inventory?

I am up for consequences and like drama. Since it looks like I can also decide on retainers races, I'll make one of them Reborn (You have escaped death need no sleep/eat...). my Patron - goddess of death will demand that the delay must be ended. That will make his act of terminating life of already dead creature controversial rather than plain evil.
Besides there is no court, no King to judge out PCs, are there?

Since Gen has experience felling trees and moving them over distances with out the aid of horses let me know how in depth you want me to go in setting up the Spar * cable system between trees to move heavy logs * and what checks you would want her to make to rig up the system if you want to go that far in detail with the logging methods of that time period.

Not really. Theyve been pretty much governing themselves.
No you're fine. Just get inventory as usual through the class section and whatever is on the background.
The intention is for them to have one team fall a tree, have another use 2-man saws to trim them into manageable sizes, and a third team to load them into the empty carts.

Any chance there is a wizard in the keep with floating disk, levitate etc? That could speed things up

Entire logs can be dragged by a team of horses

Understood about the teams a Spar would allow the cut tree to be moved down the slope of a hill to the bottom to be loaded into a cart. Normally the upper branches and limbs would be cleared by a climber then a Team of fallers would move in and fell the tree and buckers would then work the tree into manageable sizes to me moved on the spar to be loaded by chasers and chokers and a whistle punk would be the signal man for the Spar operator to let them know it was safe to move the logs

Assuming standard historical construction the castle/keep is likely at the top of the hill we want to clear. So we likely want the logs to go uphill.
@DireHalfling is this correct? Or is the terrain basically flat?

How about setting a line high on a couple trees angled down towards the castle gate? Start near the gate and work our way down/around.

or maybe just keep the logs here...creating a logging camp/millwork of sorts to gather up the raw materials and process them into boards etc...finished product is moved up as needed?

Sounds like mechanical puzzle for the the Artificers to work out

Mechanically it is yours and pulleys. I think practical experience is as if not more critical than mechanical. But I am sure an artificer would be handy in keeping it running and I have one as a character. If needed she can help but was planning on keeping her in the keep this round.

So are we allowing multiple Characters? Either as PC or as resources like NPC or retainers. I am fine with DM controlling my noon active PC for things like this.

Just referencing historical material from old time log/timber gathering methods i have the fault of getting too indepth with things.

For simplicities sake, I'll retcon that there's a 4th cart and a 4th team. The first chops, the second removes limbs, the 3rd creates manageable logs, and the 4 loads it. I like detail but as I'm not too knowledgeable (and I'm not sure how else everyone else is) I think this will work. I'd like to think most of the people who are working have cut down trees for their own homes or farms but not necessarily for profit.

I would think anyone with survival skills would know a thing or two. Bookworms and nobles might not be so used to chopping wood.

They can still swing an ax and the armor helps when they do it wrong. It's nice when legs stay attached 😁. Then you can tell them how to do it currently and point out they (I) have the wing muscles and calluses💪.

Let's do 1 PC and you can bring your retainers.

I just wanted everyone to know I've come down with the flu. I'll be returning on Monday. I'm sorry, guys.

so, I see Greyword has been reading Six of Crows. Kaz Brekker is great in the Shadow and Bone TV series, btw.

Since you mentioned that. I have actually DMed a game based on a book from the trilogy (the prison break). Kaz were NPC hiring party and I played him a a rogue and it always felt like he was something more than just a rogue in the book. Giving a try to a warlock.
And yes only yesterday I discovered the series. Will be watching this weekend.

I think I'm done with this. Thank you guys.

"Grandpa...what's for supper?"
"Grandpa???..."

Annnnd I'm back. Turns out it wasnt the flu. Pretty sure just a sinus infection. Now that I'm feeling about 85% of my normal self and back at work, let's get the ball rolling. Sorry for the delay, everyone.

Hello

Howdy there

So what's next?

As DMs makes games available you can join.
Or
Start your own story, coordinate with DireHalfling

I have a few a few ideas how to further improve this very nice organized West Marches forum. There are few things I call a problem, but probably it is just me, so do ignore if you disagree these to be problems

1. Problem: We have 6 players and 2 DMs. Second game only have 2 PCs applied and waiting for more . We lack players, don't we?
Solutions:
- maybe some of the player who already created their second PCs could apply?
- maybe it is maybe worth renaming " [GM'S WANTED] " in recruitment thread

2. It bugs me that Timber quest actual events are under "Notice Board (A board where all jobs are posted.)" and that I need co click through number of links "Beyond the Lilac Veil [West Marches] > Notice Board > Wanted: Helping Hands > Timber!" to get to the game content

3. It is probably not clear to new players that "Wanted: Helping Hands" is no more wanted, while "Wanted: Brave Spelunkers" is still hiring actively. Maybe even existing players didn't realize that (see problem 1 above)?

Solution:
- I would prefer "Notice Board" sub-forum to be only dedicated to hiring PCs for the job and threads either removed or marked "closed" when hiring is done and quest begins.
- I would love to see a new sub-forum per each actual quest and see quests content there. i.e. "Beyond the Lilac Veil [West Marches] > Timber!" instead of "Beyond the Lilac Veil [West Marches] > Notice Board > Wanted: Helping Hands > Timber!"
- Nice to have: make the sub-forum "Timber!" only visible to players who has a PC applied to quest. This would make player communication in Quartercrest after quest completion more important/reasonable

Can't you subscribe to a thread and just hope to it?

Yes

I thought so. Maybe grey hadn't figured out the subscribe button yet.

I repeat - please ignore problems I've mentioned if you disagree these to be problems! And yes I wave my own workaround for problem 2 other that subscription which is the best way to miss a new thread popping up.

My idea behind The notice board is that the the GM's adventure and threads are all there. The GM has his ad, his adventure, can make a OCC thread, etc. It's a one stop shop for that particular adventure.

Marking the adventure as closed and locking the thread is a good idea.

We can work on permissions. I think setting permissions for each of the PC's participating in a adventure is a good idea and should be set by the DM.

@qralloq

I like that idea. It really fits into the West Marches style where other PCs don't know what happens until the group comes back, and only learns what they actually report.

Just a head's up. I likely will not be able to post tomorrow (friday) until very late and then again Monday late. I am taking my tablet with me, but my girl and I are headed to Carnivale in New Orleans tomorrow morning and returning Monday.

In this case, I will skip posting in our game for 2/28 - 3/2. Everyone can post if they haven't to prepare for what's coming up and then I'll see you all on Monday.

Should the tavern post but bumped anytime, or just before, a new game starts?

Good question. I've been thinking I should bump the tavern post and state we're looking for brave Spelunkers.

@Direhalfling,

Would you prefer we roll level hps in the rolling for stats thread or somewhere else? And..do we have the option to take the fixed hps for the level instead of rolling?

I think for simplicities sake, you guys take the average.

okay. thanks

Do we have an intro post for David Stone?

The Rules are constantly being updated due to unforeseen questions being asked by our players. Because of this, I'm going to create a Post detailing our rules. If any updates are required, I will update the post, tell you all here, and link the post so we are all on the same page.

Hello, everyone. I have the rules currently posted here.

If there's anything I've discussed with you rules-wise that I haven't put here, please let me know.

Also, I have rules for shopping here. For those involved in my last job, I will be contacting you soon.

Thank you.

Quick update about Castle Credits: It is not a physical currency. It's credit kept in a ledger at the Supply Room.

You still need to keep track of your money on your sheet though.

Roger that i will be keeping my ledger at the top of the notes section on all my characters sheets

ATTENTION: A NEW NOTICE HAS BEEN POSTED!

THIS ADVENTURE WILL HAVE SOLO JOB AND PARTY JOB ELEMENTS!

4 SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE!

GET 'EM WHILE THEY'RE HOT!

OK to use D&D Beyond for sheet? Or you want it made using Gamersplane's sheet?

Update: link to Beyond.

In the shop. Is there a trade in value for gear/weapons/armor?

For example: my newly created character gets leather armor, but I eant to up grade that to Studded leather.

Can I:

A) pay the difference in cost and upgrade it to Studded leather,

B) sell my leather for full or partial cost and then buy Studded Leather.

C) something else

D) must pay full price foe new item with no recourse foe the now obsolete item.

In my experience it has always been you get the trade in value of the gear your turning in and pay the difference. This said it's up to the DM's discretion. Great Question

I'd prefer to use the Gamer's plane sheet. But if you'd like to make a character using Beyond and transferring the information to Gamers Plane, by all means. I do something similar, myself.
If you'd like to buy or upgrade gear, you can join a job and then post about it in the job's OOC chat before the adventure begins.

What AI do you guys use for your images? I've been using copilot and it doesn't compare to anything you guys have been using. I've been very impressed by @Loyal_Death_Knight 's and @RageRed 's images since they have the exact same character doing different actions.

The more realistic images we have posted are using characters we've created on https://secretdesires.ai. Loyal and I are QA testers for the service.

Oh that's super cool. Well, I applaud the tech. Very minimal weird things like extra fingers and things.

I believe all current postings are full. Riven will await a new posting with some social/face aspect required. He isn't much of a combatant...yet.

I use Bing Image Creator and occasionally ChatGPT. Yes, extra fingers and other nonsense is standard. And for Bing, the prompt sometimes gets blocked for ridiculous things.

Secret Desires, huh? [goes to site] Oh wow...break my heart, Seraphina Vale!

I've used Mage, Nightcafe, and others too. ATM, SD is using two different image generators just upgraded. The devs are constantly working to dial in their quirks.

Mostly I draw my own

I know there are people who need my help or need answers from me, but today work has gotten so wild that my brain is melting out of my ears. I'll be back tomorrow. I promise. I'm sorry for the delay, everyone.

Ear plugs or sound cancelling headphones.
Brain status in, chaos stays out.

Oh no. It wasn't like that. Yesterday work = chaos. A bunch to do in little time.

Gang I wanna jump in but i dont know how or where

When a DM starts a new game they will post a help wanted forum. Just respond to one of those and you will be pulled into a game. I am not sure if we have any up and coming games at the moment so you may need to wait, unless one of the other DM have a vacancy in an ongoing game.

Or, offer to run a story yourself DM for others.

There's a gamewide event that I'm hosting as soon as my adventure ends. I'm testing the waters with how this will work.

Gamewide? As in all the players... or did you have something else in mind? Curious.

All players. Think of it like when an MMO has a holiday event or like when WOW has the Darkmoon Faire. I think it'd be interesting. I think it'd give people who haven't played yet since we have limited DM's a chance to participate and it allows our active players to use their inactive
characters.

As long as everyone posts consistently that should keep up momentum, especially at critical points... combats..decision crossroads, etc...

It's an experiment. We'll see how it goes.

We are currently working on how to handle the Noble background's Retainer feature.

In a short while, I shall be posting a poll regarding how to handle it. While we may have approved characters, just like any game, sometimes we need to adjust and update. My ultimate goal, in all honestly, is for fairness for you all: the players. I don't want people feeling like someone has an advantage because they chose a background because they chose a background that gave them some buddies. Perhaps I'm thinking too much OF the players as I have not yet had a complaint about it. Regardless, I just want everyone to understand the rules and be comfortable with any changes.

While I enjoy DMing, this game is for you. A game can't operate without players, which is why I value your opinons and input so much.

We appreciate all the help and attention with the WM game(s). It seems a real labor of love. Thanks for keeping it up and running for us.

I've never done one but I want to be able to do right by the players.

I think WM works only with either a very dedicated DM or a group of them, as in theory it could go on indefinitely which can wear on the DM. Thanks for setting it up 👍.

Retainers just make nice playtoys for the DM to break.

I apologize for yesterday, folks. I was feeling under the weather. Must be the allergies. Let's get gaming!

Tisd the season to be congested. I'm with you there. Seasonal allergies are annoying

Get well soon!

Good Morning.
A lot of information at once.
Give me a bit to read stuff over and familiarize myself.

Only question I have right now.
Do we have to make 3 characters?

That's the max.
It lets you have options when joining a campaign

I think my Character is done.
I made a Kenku Scholar. I might take some levels in Rogue down the line.

Few questions about the Lilac Veil.
How does it work?
Did the portal appear and scoop us up? Were we force into the Portal by Punishment? Were we recruited to travel through it and explore?
Are we all from the same Plane and portals appeared taking all of us to the same place?

the veil info is in the Information forum and the game intro page. The portal appeared in the kingdom and for a while there was incentive to enter and return. As far as everyone knows we all came through the same portal in the kingdom of Calindor

Gotcha.
Thank you!

Is there anything else I need to do to get started?

All you really need to do is amake a character by following the rules provided. You can make up to three to play in multiple adventures or one at a time in your own little "Choose Your Character" screen. After you submit it, the DM's will look over it for review. Post an intro about your character in the Character Introductions subthread here.

After that, you will be free to apply for any adventures with openings. You can find Adventures in the Notice Board section. If there aren't any open, please hang tight. We currently only have 3 DM's and something should up soon. We also have some RP areas you can go to to interact with other characters: The Slosh House and The Barracks.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to any of the GM's and we'll be more than happy to help you.

Happy gaming!

Gotcha.
I submitted a character but wasn't sure if a DM was going to chat with me about it or if there were private channels to talk about Character ideas or plans.

I will post in Character Introductions when I get home.

Games are ongoing with 3 DM. I do not know of any starting up soon.

Potential DM can contact @DireHalfling.

Upcoming games will be posted on the Notice Board

I'm sorry I've been pretty flakey lately. Work has been slammed. Looking forward to gaming with you guys.

Just a small suggestion based on my West March experience in other community. We used to have "standard quest reward" payment amount and players had changes co earn up to twice the amount for good performance. When it is not twice as much but 250 times as much it does feel ....awkward
i.e.
100 000
VS
400

In the shopping/equipment list
NCELRUP are translated to Normal Cheap Expensive Limited Rural Urban Premium but what does it mean? What is the difference between Cheap and Expensive, apart from cost?

Nothing. This is a price list used for multiple campaigns. The different column categories are used to show prices based on different situations.

Ex: current basic practice is all prices are normal for players to buy at, but all items are purchased by the keep at cheap

thank you

FYI - Ive pulled my character from his current adventure that has slowed and dropping him back into the sloshhouse for any open jobs. Ive let the DM know my intent so no hard feeling.

This game has been quiet for a week now - is it just me that can't see anything new, or has there just not been any activity at all?

I think DireHalfling may be busy? They have not responded to me in a while.
My story is active.

So I assume that its hidden for everyone else but those who are in that story?

Yeah, we dif that earlier so

The game is always in need of more DM to help keep it going. We had 3 but 1 moved on to other games. The idea is each DM commits to a single scenario.

Does anyone know anything about @DireHalfling being absent for the last 2 weeks?

sorry no

Just a head up. As Direhalfling has gone MIA I will be locking down this game after finishing the arc I am currently running. While I like the idea of a West Marches style game, without the game owner being active this become me running another game which is not what I signed up for.

Agreed

I understand completely. Slightly disappointed, but I understand.

I totally understand.
It would be fine for me, if you just narrated the rest of this story. In one post, and then end the game

My campaign is basically over and without any other DM in the game it will likely end at this point. I will stay on through the summer but will not be running any stories during that time.

If anyone want to help run the game as co DM we can likely get control of the game transferred to us as @DireHalfling has become inactive.

If there are any players interested in stepping up as DM I can help with getting control of this game or setting up another Westmarches style game. Just let me know. I'm not up for running over on my own but am willing to Co-DM or take point with support.

Wow that's sad. I was liking my various games. But looks like those are done. Down to 1 active game.