OOC

Some starting guidelines for posting.

Talking is in bold
Thinking is in italics

Initiative is a d20. It is rolled just once for all three of your characters. Take the highest agility score modifier and add (or subtract) it to the roll.

I have never run a funnel with 3 characters on PbP before. So let's see how it goes!

For those new to DCC please note that to hit you roll a d20 and add or subtract modifiers. 1 is an automatic miss plus fumble chart (bad things happen to characters so don't get too attached). 20 is an automatic hit and often results in a critical success of some kind.

Melee rolls add Str modifier. Ranged weapon rolls add Agility modifiers.

DCC has DC checks. There are no skills. But you can attempt anything by making an ability check. The Judge (DM) will determine the difficulty.

AC is 10 plus or minus the Agility modifier. Plus the armor rating. (Very 5E this way.)

I don't think I will post any of the alternative playable race classes until we reach the point of 1st level. If only humans, elves, halfings or dwarves make it then that is all standard stuff in the DCC core book. If a goblin, gnome or reptilian (lizardfolk) make it the I will post that stuff. I found some 3rd party stuff on each race but plan to change it to fit my setting.

But... to give a hint of what I am thinking for each race.

Goblins will be thief spell casters. Goblins will have an allergic reaction to iron like elves. The will speak Antha (common) and Gobbledygook (goblin) and the smarter ones speak Sylvan (Fey). They will be considered fey.
Gnomes will be wizards with infravision and some tinkering/alchemy abilities They will speak Antha and Dwarvish. They don't have their own language.
Reptilians will be clerics (but we will just call them Shamans) Reptilians will speak Antha (with a funny accent due to their forked tongues) and Reptilian

Any hints on how we will introduce our characters to one another? I'm really excited to play!

Chapter 1 has started. Post when you can :)

OKAY. So I know this is a crazy setup. And I know it is confusing. However, I hope you all are engaged enough to stick with it. My plan is to finish the funnel with this really strange introduction of a new deity to the world. Then I really want to open the campaign up for you all to choose the type of adventure you want. I will try to drop a few different plot lines along the funnel that you all can pick up. But also feel free to PM me or OOC me and suggest a direction you would like your characters to go.

Also I think ultimately it will be necessary for your characters to somehow become a party. So please look for ways to work together.

And... also if you are confused out of your mind and need help understanding where things are just ask in OOC. This is PbP and sometimes my writing isn't so clear. I am always super happy to help clarify anything.

It’s all good! I fully expect when the shit his the fan we’ll start banding together for survival and begin to form some semblance of an adventuring party. Also for me, I’m just starting to get a feel for these characters but I don’t want to get TOO invested until I know they aren’t going to be slaughtered! LOL!

I’m loving it so far by the way!

-Exactly how big is this snake woman? Can you describe her in a bit more detail?
-How far across the pond is Lavender? How far away from the temple is he?

-Can Mr. Pretzel discern anything about the situation from his hiding spot?
-These creatures obviously are not goblins correct?
-Can he tell if they are hissing out of anger? Do they mean to desecrate the shrine? Also how would Malotoch be perceived by a gypsy goblin like Mr. Pretzel?
-Does anything here look like it would be part of the smoke monkey's request to pay respects to Ro Ar?

On a side note, sorry to see Ol' Elderberry go, but sticking your head in a hole that asks for a sacrifice is a sure way to lose it :)

I'm totally good with how it's going so far! The funnel seems to be SUPER chaotic in PbP, so let's keep rolling with it :)

Lavendar is right at the end of the pond. The temple is about 20 feet away. The snake woman is about 12 feet in length.

The green creatures look like green demons. They are definitely NOT happy with the shrine. Malotoch accepts offerings from all. Goblins and crow gods could definitely get along.

The temple isn't just here, but up ahead and to the right you hear a commotion.

I think the answer to this is no, I didn't see anything in the rulebook, but there are no mechanics for nat 20's on skill rolls or saves correct? Only attack rolls? Just wondering about Stearvall's nat 20 fort save.

Aaron, is the Chapter 1 thread locked on purpose?

Also NOOOOOO Mr. Pretzel! You had so much promise! 😭

(Lilian Rosepepper is a dude)

1. Nat 20 fort save... get and extra 1d4 temporary hitpoints? Last for 3 rounds
2.Thread was NOT locked on purpose! Thanks for letting me know. Must of bumped the button on my phone.
3. Lilian is dead... Lilian is dead

was a dude

Fair enough

It would help me a LOT if we could list player characters at the location!

Like this:

In the Tower - Murt, Fingers, Some other guy, Dead Lilian, That one dude
In the tower, a bunch of stuff happens.

I get it. I am hoping to end the funnel soon. I keep making mistakes. Ha! PbP funnel!

I like your idea. Will implement.

Yea seems like we are close to the end. Does anyone have more than one character left?

I have Grog and Daniel left still :)

(Hoping Daniel lives)

well Grog better go save 'im!

He tried, but the rolls were AWFUL lol

Well this Mamma Pig is exceptionally deadly. Let's see who she kills next...

Aaron, is there a list of gods for this world? Just wondering if Ro Ar is going to continue to snub Lavender (due to his poor dice rolls, lol)) then maybe he will look elsewhere for divine guidance!

Nevermind, I found the list of gods in the CRB. Another question, I didn't see anything but just thought I would ask; there's no way to increase your ability scores through play or leveling up, correct?

I think Ro Ar is ignoring you. However, you haven't rolled a 1 so you haven't been eaten. So more offerings means more chances...

As far as I know there's no way to get ability scores up using rules in the core book. But on Spellburn (the podcast) I have heard of people going on quests to get special boons. I think that would be possible. Lavender's stats aren't actually that bad. Also as you level up your dice chain levels up. So you do improve. Let me find the rules for that.

Very true. All 0 modifiers and +2 to luck is a great ability set for this system, I'm not complaining! Just wondering what makes sense for him class-wise. Narratively he is feeling kinda shunned by Ro Ar right now and going Cleric is looking less-likely. He has already tried twice to gain her favor, not sure if it makes sense to keep beating a dead horse :) However, the fact that he now knows celestial is a strong indicator that he may try to gain favor with another god...

I can get MUCH more use out of his +2 luck score if he chooses Thief, or even Warrior. And his sign of the Bull would compound on his melee attack rolls. Even with +0 strength he would be a pretty devastating Warrior right out of the gate with +4 to hit with his chosen weapon before even applying his Deed Die!

Just thinking out loud :)

Wow! He would make an amazing warrior, I think. +4 to hit is incredible in this system.

If Daniel survives, he'll likely be going warrior as well.

The dice chain doesn't really get better until 6th level for clerics. So that isn't great. That said at level 1 you get an extra 1d8. I personally would rule you get max hit points at level 1. I know it goes against the nature of the game a bit but I also know that if you roll a 1 then basically you die from the most basic damage. Anybody think it is a bad idea to get maximum hit points on level 1 feel free to argue with me or just roll you HP if you want...

Another thing to bring up now is how we will move to level 1. I want to finish the funnel next week (so please post a lot now while you can). After that I am going to say a year passes by. On the anniversary of the rise of Ro Ar you all meet again. What I want you all to start thinking about now is:
1. What class your character will be? Of course it might depend on the character that survives. Class as race will be one thing. I don't want anyone to have more than 1 character at level 1 so I am going to expect you to choose a single character (the funnel was super tough to keep track of). What happened over the year that changed the character? Post your ideas.
2. What type of campaign do you want?
- I am happy to run something based in the city of Anthat. The city is big and a million things could happen. If you chose a city campaign I would play up political intrigue and gang intrigue. There could still be dungeon crawls here and there. And there are definitely monsters in Anthat and not just the human kind.
- Or do you want to explore the world? Dig up information of an adventure at a tavern from a dirty old man (that sounds bad)? Go through a rift and find yourself on another plane of existence?

oh. I see this is already happening :)

Also I want you all to think why would you join together? What is the glue that would join the party?

I'll wait and see how the rest of Chapter 1 plays out, but I might be leaning towards Thief. Lavender's 17 Luck means I have lots of Luck to burn and he can regenerate it every day so that's nice.

As for the campaign, I'd prefer exploration. Traveling on the road, living adventure to adventure, maybe even exploring the Sundering? Or we could stay in Anthat and investigate the source of the ruptures? That might be a good buy-in for us to group together. If we all meet up a year later and commiserate about how this rupture threw our lives into chaos that could bind us together maybe?

I think I'd prefer the adventuring lifestyle, personally. As for a reason to group up, I'll get back to you on that :)

Is anyone else considering the Cleric class? Is anyone getting a bonus to their Personality? Obviously we should try and have a Cleric and if no one else is thinking of going that route I still might but Lavender’s +0 Personality means he won’t be super effective...

Maybe if no one has a decent personality bonus then right off the bat we could quest for a holy relic to raise our cleric’s effective caster level, whomever that might be?

Murt is a thug with a magic sword and an intelligence of 4, so, this could really only one direction in my opinion - a dumb brute of a fighter.

Edit: Although, I’m not holding out hope or anything, if the wings and burning forehead eye remain, perhaps a wild zealot of a paladin could be some sort of possibility??

Okay MrStr4ng3, awesome! Then I won’t feel so bad if Lavender takes a different path. If Murt and Daniel are going to be Warriors (or one warrior and one crazy, illiterate paladin ;) ) then I think Thief seems pretty likely for me. Although I still would not be opposed to questing for a holy relic for Stearvall right away.

So Lavender will be a Thief, Stearval a cleric (of The Carrion Crow God?), Murt a Fighter and Daniel will prob be a fighter. spoiler: Murt loses the wings as soon as she leaves the tower.

If you all like the idea of questing for a holy relic for Stearval then I am super down for that. Let me know.

Also, I think Lavender will be of Neutral alignment.

Daniel is almost guaranteed to be on neutral alignment, as well. I made one of each: Joshua was lawful, Daniel neutral, Grog chaotic

And I'm totally fine with going for a holy relic as well

Alright, quest for the holy grail, I'm in to it.

Just a little insight on how I'm RPing Murt - she's a brute and a coward. She'll follow and believe just about anyone as long as they seem to know what's going on, or who can promise coin. She'll join a team because of safety in numbers, and promise for a better day tomorrow, but that really she craves to be the one who tells people what to do.

Murt's alignment is Chaos. As long as someone can hold sway over her, she's a steadfast ally.

Oooh this is nasty:

OK. I say you can all start the process of leveling up to 1. I am happy to give max HP for first level. But roll if you wish. It is easy to be deadly as it is...

Anyone have leveling up questions? I will do what I can. This is my first time playing beyond a funnel. Really looking forward to it.

Yes, are we starting out with just the gold we have on us right now? You mentioned our Level 1 adventure would take place one year later but it sounds like that may not be the case now?

Hmmmm... To be honest either works for me. Let's vote. Who wants a year from now? who wants to just keep moving from this point? If it is a year from now you all get 60 gold to buy stuff. If we just keep moving I will work with Stearval, Daniel and Lavender on weapons.

Well as long as Lavender is provided with the means to equip himself a little bit I'm fine with either option. I think even though we are all a little disjointed right now we have at least some momentum with the current situation, might be nice to just roll into the first adventure right from here?

I think I'm starting to get a good feel for Lavender; he's brash and uncouth, but still friendly to those he trusts in his own way. He's pretty much out for himself, trying to develop his skills as a thief to be the best he can while reaping whatever wealth he can accumulate. He's also developing a healthy distrust of the gods so far :)

Also I updated his character sheet to Level 1!

Here's a list of "essentials" that I would really like to provide with Lavender:
-A second dagger
-3 javelins
-Thieve's Tools
-Padded Armor
-Backpack
-Rope, 50'
-Grappling hook
-Flint & steel
-2 torches
-Chalk, 2 pieces
-Crowbar
-Oil, 1 flask
-Rations, 5 days
-Waterskin

All that totaled up comes to 42 gold, 3 silver, 9 copper. Lavender has 1 gold, 21 copper, a golden goblet, and a bottle of fine wine he is willing to trade. Let me know what I can work with and I'll sacrifice some items if needed :)

All that looks good MoldyNolds. How did Lavender get the stuff? Did he take out a loan from a loan shark? Did he ask his street gang to help out? Did his uncle give him the family adventuring gear?

As you update your sheet feel free to think of how each character procured their stuff. This will be total hand waving. Be as creative as you want. And if you add names and places maybe I can use them as NPCs in the future.

Hi hey hello I'm confused I never lived to level 1 before what do I do

I assume, based on the chapter two post, that Daniel survives whatever comes next?

@Naatkinson I can always just edit him out if he doesn't... ;)

@agenoforange you're going warrior (or paladin?) correct? So you get max hit points of 12! Plus your zero level hp of 3. That makes 15!

You also get a 1d3 to attack and damage. This is your deed die. With the magic sword that means you roll 1d20 +2d3 to hit and 1d6 +2d3 for damage!

Murt can also do Mighty Deeds. If she rolls a 3 on her deed die then she can perform a mighty deed like cut off a giant scorpian's tail or trip a foe.

(perhaps in gamers plane we can say in the dice roller the first d3 is the deed die?)

She crits on a 19 or 20 and rolls a d12 on the warrior crit table to see the result. I suggest finding a link to the crit table and keeping it with your character sheet.

She gets her level added to her initiative. So now it will be +1

A warrior gets their luck score added to attack. But Murt has +0 luck mod. So that stays the same.

Saves are as follows Fort is +1 Ref +1 Will +0

Personally I feel Murt should get too much more stuff. Lavender is well equipped. Murt seems like she wouldn't get all adventure equipmented up (at least as she is now) But it is your character.

I agree on equipment, but holy hell she needs armor!

Well she better go get some!

@m3strange what spells were you looking at? as a 1st level cleric you get 4.

What coin/gear was she able to get off her dead comrades of the tower? I was only able to account for my own dead.

Joshua had a club, a vial of holy water, and 32 copper pieces

They were 0 level so not much. Let's say 3 gold total? Thagr had a shield and a short sword. The shield would be useful.

Lavender Goombs is Neutral!

Daniel is Neutral

Snake Hurtin' Murt is Chaotic

"Malotoch’s clerics see death as a natural step in one’s path through existence. They are
reluctant to heal mortal wounds as those carrying them should be passing forward in their
perception. A cleric of Malotoch immediately increases their disapproval by +10 for 1d14
days if they heal someone from death’s door."

Ouch... that's a tough penalty, for Stearvall and for the party!

Oh yea, it makes total narrative sense! I’m looking forward to the challenge :)

Makes sense to me!

Murt cleaned up, magic sword, ready to fight and be the boss. Does she still have a burning third eye?

I don't have access to a book, can you help me out, what does a shield do for AC? How much for a suit of leather armor?
Trying my best to catch up.

I wrote in my "montage" a leather vest, but, having just discovered a .pdf of the beta version I see that leather armor is costly. If it is preferred I could make that edit and go with padded armor.
Padded Armor is +1
Shield is +1

Is that right?

Leather is +2 Padded is +3. Shield +1

The 3rd eye comes when she wields the sword. Hurts every time. It is a form of minor corruption.

I’m seeing Padded Armor is +1 to AC for 5 gold (this is what Lavender is wearing)
Leather Armor is +2 for 20 gold
Studded Leather is +3 for 45 gold

Also as a side note, I am loving Murt!! 😂

Oh yeah. I suck.

Murt is awesome!

I hope you all don't feel this is too railroady. I'll try not to overuse Molotoch.

No worries! I don't feel railroaded :)

Me neither! We chose this path. Lavender on the other hand... Well, he's got to make at least a *little* bit of a stink about wandering into the woods to kill undead goblins who hold no gold or treasures as far as he knows :)

I am a bit busy this weekend. Will post on Monday

So question about the Backstab ability:

"The most successful thieves kill without their victims ever being aware of the threat. When attacking a target from behind or when the target is otherwise unaware, the thief receives the indicated attack bonus to his attack roll. In addition, if he hits, the thief automatically achieves a critical hit, rolling on the crit table as per his level (see page 37). Typically, backstabs are combined with checks to sneak silently or hide in shadows, such that a thief attacks with surprise and is able to backstab. Certain weapons are particularly effective with backstab attempts and do additional damage, as noted in the equipment list. Backstab attempts can only be made against creatures with clear anatomical vulnerabilities."

Should I be making some kind of sneak or hide roll *every* time I want to backstab? Or as long as I'm attacking from the rear and the enemy is otherwise engaged I'm good (like D&D 5e)? Just wondering how this would play out in various scenarios. Like currently, if Lavender waits until Murt has an enemy engaged can he just walk up behind them and backstab them or should he Sneak Silenty as part of his movement? Also, would undead be subject to backstabs? They probably do have one or two anatomical vulnerabilities, but just checking :)

I think undead is too broad. But I would say that undead humanoids would surely have vulnerabilities. Particularly zombies, everyone would have heard stories of going for the head of the shambling men. If an undead doesn't have a vulnerability (like a lich with her brain in a phylactery) then I would rule that on a case by case basis.

My understanding about the backstab in DCC is not like 5e. So it would be situational. But let's see. Let's try rolling sneak, if it seems that the thief is never getting to use the ability then I could be persuaded to give some 5e auto sneaks/backstabs. But not yet. Let's see how the mechanic works out a bit more situational based.

Sounds good!

Makes sense to me!

I've been having a terrible time being able to access the site!
It seems to be working. I'll update over the weekend - sorry for such a gap in posts!

No worries, I was having the same issue!

yeah it was slow but now all is good

I'll try and get back in the swing of things, the site shut down threw me off my already failing momentum.

thanks :)

In reference to Aaron's interest check in the main story thread, I for one am still excited about this game. I'm on GP at least once a day watching for updates. I would be bummed if Stearvall is MIA, but RL happens. Lavender's motivation has evolved into a pretty basic Thief; he wants to make money. Also, Malotoch aside, He is developing a pretty sizable distaste for the gods and spitting in Ro Ar's eye in particular would be a big bonus for him :)

As for keeping excitement up, I like moving on with combat after some kind of time limit has passed. We could also open up the game for new players or maybe give each of us a second character to control?

Hey folks, sorry for my absence the past few days. I have some life changes going on. Nothing bad or serious, but it is severely limiting the attention I can devote to my PbP hobby. I'm afraid I'm going to have to go on hiatus indefinitely from most of my games, including this one. Many apologies for disrupting our great game, I was having lots of fun! I hope to be more active at some point in the future once again.

I am very sorry to have been absent, but things are normalizing a bit more for me.
I'll be more present in the coming days.

I am taking a holiday break. After new years we can get back into the game :)