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Post by xerxez on Jan 20, 2024 21:46:20 GMT -6
Not knowing anything of Karunaz, but being mindful that he is a companion of Amiyala, I will bow in a very respectful manner. "The honor is mine, Karunaz, companion of Amiyala. I am of service to this company as needed." During the voyage, I will watch to see if I can determine the relationship and power dynamic between F'Sal and Amiyala. I will, in private, perform my daily rituals and worship of MY LORD IN FLAMES so that HIS favor is upon me and that my prayers/miracles are within my grasp. I will publicly practice and drill with Amiyala and the company. F'sal seems a longtime friend of Amiyala but is mindful of her status, they trade in manners that reflect this but their long relationship, platonic, is evident. You find time and space in the bowels of the ship to perform discreet devotions. The company of F'sal is all too eager to use the days at sea to hone skills. You find Amiyala and Karunaz very able blade-wielders. Steel rings against steel in the sea spray under the wide open sky as the wind bears you along.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 20, 2024 21:39:28 GMT -6
Mohammad will get a chance to know the crew, the new player characters and keep the crew morale up. The crew are mostly humans, a mixture of Salarv'yani (F'sal's people), Tsol'yani and a few from outside the Five Empires. Gruff sailors but able hands all and armed to the teeth. There are two non-humans: S'ZYR THE H"LAKA: A three eyed monkney like creature with batlike wings and a stinger tail. He is ship's scout. His interactions with the crew are mostly monkey-like, he is a source of amusement and a bit of a prankster. He sometimes flies away to scour the seas as a sort of advance eyes for the N'yari. He wears a golden medallion on his neck of curious inscription. CHAAK THE PA'CHI L'EI: Picture a four legged, four armed walking upside down artichoke with it's head sprouting from the stem. Chaak is first mate to the captain.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 18, 2024 22:37:42 GMT -6
Karunaz returns the embrace firmly and also grips Balesh, Fi'ru and Mohammad upon their shoulders, a wide grin under his helm. Fi'ru smiles and picks up Mi'kimu's spear for him. "La, but it is good to see this company again! I am glad you decided to join F'sal upon this voyage! He looks at Mi'kimu and cocks an eyebrow. "I heard you and Bak Su'ul had a dance-- from what I heard you held your own!" The Shen nods. "He might be the first Nuroabite nakome' to have drawn Shen blood in Jakalla." Karunaz laughs. "Balesh," he says "Watch out for your brother at the cups! Mohammad, it is good to see you again as well. The tale of our adventure in the Tomb had an entire clanhouse enthralled over dinner." He regards Tek. "A Son of the Flame. I have heard of the exploits of your Legion, warrior, and your clan is, of coursed, famed. Our company is honored to have your blade and spirit among us." F'sal speaks. F'SAL: "And now the sailors untie our moorings. The Sea calls. Now that we set sail, a little more information. If conditions are optimum, our voyage will be 18 days. It could be twice that if weather and fate thwart us. We will sail around the isles that lie a few days beyond Ja'kalla, hugging the coast until open waters. Then on we skirt Point Hri'chaiku of my glorious nation and stop at the port of D'mo on Gunu'rum Isle for replenishment and a night of liberty...take care, there-- it's a wild place. I will not speak yet of where we sail from thence." As you all watch, the Nyrai slips the harbor and you feel the surge of the ocean bear you towards your adventure. GM Note" From here on out I will be using the encounter tables. Advise me of what you all do during the first few days of the voyage on board and below is a link to a mp to give you an idea of the lay of sea and land.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 17, 2024 20:46:56 GMT -6
Seeing the dwarf's quick action, Ker Tethwan will kneel at the bundle and investigate its nature, fearing what he may find....
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Post by xerxez on Jan 17, 2024 20:39:33 GMT -6
Sorry for not updating! I am off tomorrow (whew!) and will certainly be back at it.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 17, 2024 20:37:26 GMT -6
We recovered two daggers from the S'su, and Mi'kimu should like to have one. I thought I mentioned this somewhere but am unable to find it. Not a huge deal either way! I think that is in order! I did forget too but will search the posts.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 14, 2024 17:39:52 GMT -6
OOC: I am feeling a lot better. Still super busy, but I will be checking in regularly No hurry or worries, makofan. Very glad to hear you are feeling better.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 14, 2024 1:24:12 GMT -6
GM Note: I am excited to be able to chart our voyage and travels now with new hex maps I got from Drive-thru rpg-- the Tekumel Foundation has reproduced the maps from the original boxed set of EPT. I'm kind of stoked!
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Post by xerxez on Jan 14, 2024 1:18:55 GMT -6
As the party attains the upper deck they see a bundle of war-gear at the ren'yu's feet-- the armor and arms of the Aridani warrior maiden, Amiyala.
As the crew bustle about you all, the ship captain, a swarthy Salarv'yani man, greets F'sal and last minute plans are discussed.
F'sal leaves him and comes to the party.
"We set sail within the hour-- berthing spaces are prepared below for all of us...I am afraid, my good Shen, you will find it cramped.
It may interest you all to know that we shall sail directly past Ganga Isle and even over the submarine ruins of that ancient, doomed city, Engs'van Hla Ganga...it is a haunting sight to see the spires of the lost city below the waves when the light is just right.
Shirin'gayi! What riches lie there!"
Amiyala smiles at Balesh, Mi'kimu, Tek and Mohammad.
"And so it begins," she says. "La! I have hungered for real adventure for some time-- my capable sister will take over the Guest-home's business. If this venture pays off as F'sal promises, business should be quite good. But really, I was growing very bored. A secret mission is just what I've needed, I think."
The helmed warrior beside her nods.
"Indeed," he says in a familiar voice. "The sea foam bears us to a rich thread in our Skeins-- or not. The game of the gods is one best played with three eyes!"
The Nuroabites realize that Karunaz has returned from the Land of the Shadow Gods.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 14, 2024 0:59:17 GMT -6
Mohammad thanks the man and sees if he can talk to the elders about the ruined city to find its location. MOhammad then rejoins the others for the boat ride Mohammad knows the path well-- it was the hidden shrine within the mountain wherein lay the Tomb they plundered. It lies at the mouth of the underground river in the ruined city outside of Ja'kalla.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 14, 2024 0:55:33 GMT -6
[OOC: oh lord what is this.] Mi’kimu holds the curious gift to his nose and takes a whiff, expecting the worst. The odd clump has a pungent, paprika like odor-- not unpleasant but somewhat strong. Bak-Suul leans in for a whiff-- "Marsh-Tuber," the Shen says. "The A'hoggya look stupid, but plants they know. This, from unknown swamp plant roots turned to flour and mixed with seeds they hold secret. A curative for venom and poisons you might encounter in the marshes. Looks like several uses--a fine gift. Gas Belly is pleased with your display of ill manners. Ha ha ha ha ha!!" GM NOTE: 3 uses, if immeditaely consumed upon contact with poison or venom, +5 to any save vs. poisons!
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Post by xerxez on Jan 12, 2024 6:45:03 GMT -6
In olden days when I designed dungeons I took into consideration level of characters/party and desired level progression on a pace with the campaign story progression and how often we met up.
I would calculate a treasure hoard needed to achieve a g.p. value needed to come near this, taking into account monster XP that would be involved. I would basically ask "What do they need to get midway to next level?" and make sure that if every treasure in the dungeon was attained, they would get there. Give or take, depending, again, on pace of campaign.
Of course I would always already have a dungeon theme and plot of sorts in mind but leveling goals were instrumental in actual crafting of the dungeon (or other adventure) to keep our campaign moving on an upward arc and facilitate progression within reasonable perimeters.
Anyway, to topic at hand...if you took a dungeon's GP snd monster XP value as a measure, you could derive an XP percentage for each such puzzle/trap/riddle from it based on difficulty level of said trap.
Probably with an upper limit of 10% for extremely challenging traps and puzzles but probably usually in the 5% or lower range for the common ones.
I feel like knowing a dungeons G.P/X.P. value is really important.
I also made sure that some of that G.P. value was not in coinage but in items of value like tapestries, figurines, lavers, candlesticks, incense etc. Then players would have to sell said items and I had a bit of further control over XP and wealth based on exchange rates.
All with the players in mind, I add. And a basic philosophy on level progression of "Not too fast, not too slow."
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Post by xerxez on Jan 11, 2024 20:26:46 GMT -6
Belly Gas and company erupt into laughter at Mi'kimu's offering, their laughter a slow churning rumble in their guts.
The A'hoggya leader turns and lands a blow in the gut of the one standing next to him, probably enough to send a man tumbling a few feet-- the creature doubles over and gives a wheeze but continues laughing as it points at Mi'kimu.
It pushes Gas Belly forward as to force him towards the odious air.
Gas Belly speaks in a strange, rumbling voice- a barely recognizable "Good, good" in Tsol'yanu.
He reaches into his pouch and pulls forth a small object which he tosses towards Mi'kimu, who easily catches it.
It is a strange lump of some kind of dried paste rolled into a ball and wrapped in a leaf held on by sticky oil.
The strange creatures then ambulate up the gangplank one after the other.
I rolled reaction for Mi'kimu's cultural exchange with the A'hoggya, intending to ignore any bad results and granting a +20. I rolled a 67, which was great enthusiasm, hence the gift, which Mi'kimu recognizes not in the least!
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Post by xerxez on Jan 11, 2024 19:46:38 GMT -6
Mi'kimu regards the A’hoggya with a whimsical though respectful glance before striking the butt of his spear against the gang-plank, loudly, three times (as is tradition for Nuorab marines). Once he has the A’hoggya's attention, he lets out a great and sour fart for their amusement.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 9, 2024 9:24:49 GMT -6
I'll be taking a short absence. I am down for the count right now, hoping to feel better by the weekend. Balesh will stab whatever is needed to be stabbed at the appropriate time Be well.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 9, 2024 9:00:23 GMT -6
I'll be taking a short absence. I am down for the count right now, hoping to feel better by the weekend. Balesh will stab whatever is needed to be stabbed at the appropriate time Be well.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 7, 2024 16:10:55 GMT -6
It is the day of Turug’dashe , (2nd Day)in the month of Dren’gar (6th Month) in the Year of the Seal Emperor 2,357 of the Second Imperium. All of you arise early, having packed the night before, and have a brief meal of bread and spiced buttermilk (Chum’tel) before the Nuroabites say goodbye to their tribe brothers and sisters and Be’van. N’rasa says she must stay in Jakalla to better learn the ways of magic, that is her path for now. Strangely, Mistress Amiyala is nowhere to be found. Passing through the streets with men and women of her household as well as Tek for escort out of the Foreigner’s Quarters all of you make your way towards the harbor. It is the High Day of Hiri’hyal the Dancing Maiden, and the Street of the Temples is thronged with devotees as well as opportunistic merchants and the curious. A procession passes you, vast in number, crowding a cohort of slaves bearing a heavy stone idol of the Maiden as maidens and youth, some clad scantily, some less than so, dance alongside. Some of you remember the Tomb and the underground Temple in the jungle… Soon you are crowded around the gangplank of a sleek medium sized vessel of craftsmanship both recent and masterful. As its crew prepares it for your departure, F’sal brings you all before three A’hoggya on the docks. They all stand about 5’2. F’SAL: “My friends, may I introduce Belly Gas and his companions, our stalwart guides and sailing companions.” The one he nods to, Belly Gas answers with a grunt followed by a thunderous expulsion of flatulence and the rude scratching of an ill placed itch. Its companions regard you with snorts and grunts as they study you all with their beady crustacean like eyes. As you all take this in with some inner cringes, you hear Amiyala’s voice yell down at you over the din of the wharf and the sea. She is dressed in sea faring clothing, and a warm wind blows her hair wildly. Doshi the ren’yu stands beside her. You see a fighting axe strapped to his back. Another tall and imposing figure in heavy chainmail and a Chlen-hide lacquered helmet stands beside her…his helm prevents you from marking much about his nationality. AMIYALA: “Slow as Chlen beasts today! The sooner all are aboard, the sooner The N’yari can be underway!
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Post by xerxez on Jan 6, 2024 20:25:05 GMT -6
Life is pretty rough about now, but I love PbP games. I’m mainly a 1e player and it’s almost two different styles of playing for me, live vs. PbP. But I enjoy them both. This is an excellent game concept - you’ll find players for sure! Thanks! I feel like an episode of Tom Baker Dr. Who played a role in this idea but I can't immediately recall the name. Vampire Planet, one of my favorite older sci-fi films, was also an influence, as well as the usual vampire fare I take in. Big fan of vampire stories of any setting. Had a long, movie-like dream a few years ago that took place in such a world and a few elements of the planned campaign, particularly a few creatures, come from that weird dream!
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Post by xerxez on Jan 6, 2024 20:14:23 GMT -6
Thanks for everyone's patience. I will post tomorrow about sailing day! Hope everyone is having a good start to 2024.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 6, 2024 20:12:12 GMT -6
MOHAMMADOnly the day before you are to set sail, your spy returns one night with news about Dakota. GIGREK:"I was speaking to some other Temple workers and commented upon the beauty of the slaves that arrive so often at the Temple and pretended I had once seen one most remarkable in comeliness and described to them your lady. The mere description of her was enough to stir the memory of my master, who recalled a striking foreign woman with a fierce will and a form worthy of a Temple handmaiden. He once heard some guards talking a few weeks ago, laughing about her struggling and defiance ,and say that she had been sent out of the city to a ruined city once dedicated to Hiri'hyal, the Dancing Maiden. There her spirit is to be tamed until she can be returned here to Jakalla as a willing slave. He said there is a rumor of an active Temple there. I asked what sort of ordeals she might undergo and he said he doubted she would come to any physical harm that might mar her beauty and that it is said that spells and sometimes drugs are employed to bring forth desired results. No doubt she is to reside there as long as that takes and return here to Jakalla at some point."
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Post by xerxez on Jan 6, 2024 19:51:36 GMT -6
"Haha, Fi'ru, I envy the joy you have found here! But I must tell you — I depart on another mission with my clansmen, from which I may not return. Neither may you, should you join me. But we have been through too much together for me to leave you in the dark. We embark in a few days, you have some time to think it over. "If nothing else, I will teach you to use a shield before I go." Fi'ru's eyes become serious and he rises to a sitting position, elbows upon his crossed legs. "Into danger again...and a boat? I've never traveled the sea, Master. I don't need to think I would follow you into the den of a Z'rne beast. Besides..I hate to be parted from my love so soon but if I am ever to gain status it must be among these Tsolyani as I have no clan back in Salarv'ya. I am na'kome. And I wish to become an Imperial citizen so Ta'ana and I can live together openly. I don't even know if me becoming a citizen will make that happen but I must try. Her clan would chastise her greatly if they knew of our meetings. Very well then, teach me how to use a shield!" Since the shield is not a professional warrior skill it is not necessary for Fi'ru to gain a level to learn it and Mi'kimu can acquaint the lad with a rudimentary but productive introduction into use of shield in fighting in the days left at hand.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 6, 2024 19:37:15 GMT -6
Balesh will purchase whatever stock of provisions is suggested by their patron, and a spear F'sal says that the boat will be stocked for the party and new provisions will be procured when they make landfall. The spear is easily come by.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 5, 2024 19:11:56 GMT -6
I understand. Thanks Finarvyn. If no bites for PbP on it, I'm thinking of trying to do some zine work with the idea.
I never thought I would enjoy PbP but alot of the people in this forum make it really fun.
You get a little more time to think things out, and I look forward to reading the dialogue of the player characters.
I really don't have the time or a crew to do any table gaming right now so its been my gaming fix.
Appreciate the interest and comments.
Also this has been a fun forum to turn to for many years so let me say I appreciate Finarvyn and other admins and the really awesome discussions and content I find.
Mr. Otus, I wish to say I have always been a big fan of your artwork, sir!
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Post by xerxez on Jan 4, 2024 16:13:33 GMT -6
Mi'kimu wishes to speak to Fi'ru. As dangerous as our last mission was, this one might be worse. On the other hand, Mi'kimu would not deny the boy a chance at glory and service. So he would confer with him in private. Mi'kimu awakens next morning to find Fi'ru lying upon a rug on the floor with his hands behind his head, smiling as if in a pleasant dream, though wide awake, staring upwards. The Salarv'yani youth looks up at Mi'kimu as he rises and splashes water upon his face from the freshly poured laver... Fi'ru's face is one giant grin. "Good morning Master. I trust the feast last night was pleasant? Mine was! I was escorted by my Ta'ana out of the Foreigners Quarters last night. We had to meet in secret...though not of high clan, she is still Tsol'yani, so her clanhouse is off limits...but we shared a jug of wine and some cheese and bread in the Jakallan Gardens. La, why could I have not been born into a Jakallan clan? Ah well... her company is always sweet nonetheless."
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Post by xerxez on Jan 4, 2024 15:56:46 GMT -6
Mohammad pays the man the coinage (ooc not sure if we split money from the last adventure) Haven't looked it up but I know you have plenty! You will barely feel 12 Kaitair...He smiles at the glittering gold. "I will have something for you, mark me!"
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Post by xerxez on Jan 4, 2024 15:45:10 GMT -6
Hello. I'm already GMing a play by post game that I am enjoying... but I believe I could run one more concurrently...if that is accepted. This one would be from a setting of my own design inspired by science fiction and sword and planet pulp and films and maybe a nightmare. It's called Swords of the Vampire Planet. The beginning characters would all be spacemen/women/aliens who comprise a crew of a spacecraft pulled into the gravitation of a strange and remote planet by an electromagnetic energy field caused by meteoric debris which disables the instruments on their advanced ship and forces them to escape it's final descent by means of a survivor craft. Upon planet-fall, the castaways discover a world in ruins, once ruled by vampires in a feudal system of medieval nature, with the vampires now driven underground to live in caves beneath the crumbling cities wherein they once held court. An Iron Age culture of humans also exists, a people of wooden hill forts, warrior aristocracies and barrow mounds. Vampires are the devil in the mythology and lore of this Iron Age people, who recall all too well a time when they were the cattle of the blood suckers. Trapped upon the Vampire Planet and having limited energy to power their space age technology, and with the space disturbance also ruining much chance that they will contact or be found by the planet they have come from, the spacemen are forced to adapt to the horrifying conditions of a world in the grip of vampires who worship the Three Moons and consider the system's sun as a hostile god. If anyone is interested, I will decide on a rules system, something old school. What do you say?
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Post by xerxez on Jan 4, 2024 13:04:52 GMT -6
Mohammad will get supplies for the mission and will hire members to search for Dakota at either one of the brothels or the church of sin. What supplies?Mohammad: The day after the meal where the voyage of F'sal was discussed you are in the common room of the hostel of Amiyala. In conversing with other patrons (inconspicuously, of course) you meet a suitable type- a foreigner who works for a low clan in Jakalla making dyes and grinding pigments for several brothels and sometimes even the Temple of Dla'melish. The dyes and pigments are used in various ways, mainly in make-up for the brotel hosts and hostesses but also for paintings upon the walls. "It's dangerous for a foreigner to be too inquisitive in the Great City," he says. "But I do hear things from time to time. For twelve Kaitar, I will seek information about this Dakota for you." His name is Gigrek. Short, portly and hailing from the isles in Tsol'ei in the sea of Ash'ul.
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Post by xerxez on Jan 4, 2024 11:17:47 GMT -6
Ker nods and quietly rouses the party, taking time to watch the halls and balconies to see if should any manor dwellers see him at the different doors. To all who answer, he tells them "Strange things are afoot in the cemetery. Suit up and arm--Palandar has made a means of invisible exit to the lower grounds from the window in his room."
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Post by xerxez on Jan 4, 2024 11:07:44 GMT -6
Before we continue to the day of the voyage, is there anything anyone would like to do in Jakalla in the upcoming week?
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Post by xerxez on Jan 4, 2024 11:06:46 GMT -6
I will observe as much as I can of F'Sal and his discussion throughout dinner. Comment to be socially polite, but absorbing as much as I can of what to expect. Will F'Sal be providing provisions (food, water, basics such as torches, exploring equipment - ropes, spikes, ladders, poles)? Beyond that, I have no other needs. I've PM'd you a question. He is willing to provide all food and a good deal of equipment. You suspect he has received some advance payment...
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