[Changeling] A Gathering of Mists (OOC)

[Thanqol]

Intelligence and debate is slowing us down. Naive idiocy gets RESULTS, damn it!

[Anarion]

Originally Posted by Thanqol

Intelligence and debate is slowing us down. Naive idiocy gets RESULTS, damn it!

I hate rewarding this statement, but gosh darn it he's right.

[SiuiS]

You both have functional server connections? Your computers need to die in a fire.

*has been trying to post for the last five hours*

-

I'll be honest, my posts have been geared towards getting either Kalina (or does she go by rose?) or Stephanie moving so u could follow them. So this is ace for me. Now if I could stop imagining Charlotte as the love child of Rarity and Fluttershy, we'd be perfectly copacetic.

[Raz_Fox]

Oh, hey, look, Marchande learned how to use Hearth contracts. Handy.

[Anarion]

Hopefully that wasn't too disruptive. It did seem much quicker to just answer Thanqol in the thread. I'll continue using spoilers for mechanics info though. And rolling here is still fine if you don't want to clog up the IC thread.

Originally Posted by SiuiS

You both have functional server connections? Your computers need to die in a fire.

*has been trying to post for the last five hours*

I find that if it dies at one time refreshing won't help it. I tend to go check my e-mail or watch a PMV or something and come back in 5-10 minutes, when it might work.

[Thanqol]

I am really quite happy with the entire sequence so far. I feel like it's touched on all the key points of Stephanie's character. Kinda dumb, completely fearless, and genuinely good hearted.

[SiuiS]

Originally Posted by Anarion

Hopefully that wasn't too disruptive. It did seem much quicker to just answer Thanqol in the thread. I'll continue using spoilers for mechanics info though. And rolling here is still fine if you don't want to clog up the IC thread.

It is somewhat discongruous, but it's understandable. I will continue doing stuff here if only to experiment with different styles of PbP.

I find that if it dies at one time refreshing won't help it. I tend to go check my e-mail or watch a PMV or something and come back in 5-10 minutes, when it might work.

Normally. I had confirmation that it was me, not the website though, and it's been getting worse over the last few days. Incidentally it went away when I removed a PDF viewer app that wasn't working anyway; I suspect the entire core book was a bit much for my poor gadget.

Originally Posted by Thanqol

I am really quite happy with the entire sequence so far. I feel like it's touched on all the key points of Stephanie's character. Kinda dumb, completely fearless, and genuinely good hearted.

it is neat. I considered trying the same, but it seems forced. That and Charlotte has already begun to surprise me
Hmm. Need to find that tablet. Home in ten...

[PhoeKun]

Did you ever have one of those moments where you looked at what you just posted and realized you were the most boring player in the game? Because, man, I feel so uninteresting.

[Thanqol]

Originally Posted by PhoeKun

Did you ever have one of those moments where you looked at what you just posted and realized you were the most boring player in the game? Because, man, I feel so uninteresting.

Enough with the insecurity, Phoe. You're not boring. Your writing has an ephemeral-sweet edge, like starlight dipped in chocolate.

This is not empty flattery. I would tell you straight if you were dragging the game down. I am telling you straight that you are not.

So relax! Game's to have fun with friends. It's not a performance

[SiuiS]

Originally Posted by Thanqol

Enough with the insecurity, Phoe. You're not boring. Your writing has an ephemeral-sweet edge, like starlight dipped in chocolate.

This is not empty flattery. I would tell you straight if you were dragging the game down. I am telling you straight that you are not.

So relax! Game's to have fun with friends. It's not a performance

Chocolate and starlight are you mad that's like sprite soda and ...and... Gah I can't think of anything that appropriately clashes with sprite!

He's right though! You are doing a really really good job. In fact, I'm telling you in person that I feel inadequate! That's got to count for something.

EDIT: oh okay they work in different proportions. Starlight-laced chocolate sounds heavenly.
... Why am I making a big deal out of this?

EDIT AGAIN: ah, my stride I have found you. Alas, I'm now self conscious that of them all, Charlotte is designed not to be a good person without motley assistance.

[Anarion]

@Phoe: The imagery in your post made me smile when I read it. I think it's quite a beautiful scene, as well as sad, given that it's full of people who have no idea how their compatriots feel.

@SiuiS, fortunately everyone is making an effort to keep the motley together. I might suggest that you all hash out the backstory of meeting in the hedge a bit more as well, or perhaps we can do a couple more scenes as the story progresses that give everyone a chance to show off their strengths. That way everyone in the motley will see the advantage of sticking together.

[Raz_Fox]

Originally Posted by PhoeKun

Did you ever have one of those moments where you looked at what you just posted and realized you were the most boring player in the game? Because, man, I feel so uninteresting.

By my count, this makes Anarion the only person in the room without self-esteem or insecurity problems. And possibly Thanqol, but all the spite he runs off of has to have a source, y'know.

[Thanqol]

Originally Posted by Raz_Fox

By my count, this makes Anarion the only person in the room without self-esteem or insecurity problems. And possibly Thanqol, but all the spite he runs off of has to have a source, y'know.

I could be lying about the spite you know.

I could actually be perfect and just lying to make other people feel better.

Who knows how deep this ride goes?

[Anarion]

Apparently I'm just doing a fine job at hiding my insecurity problems. Considering this is the first time I've ever run a game with the WoD system at all and had never read the Changeling book before, I'm quite worried that I'll do something terrible. Fortunately, you guys are doing all the storytelling and I just have to make up numbers every few days.

Edit: By the way, could at least one other person confirm IC that you're all walking together, or that Stephanie is simply striding off ahead of the party again if you're not walking together?

[Anarion]

Couple of questions, one gameplay, one story.

First, for gameplay, as you may notice based on the information in the most recent post, I went ahead and rolled everyone's wits+composure for the current happenings. However, I want to make sure that everyone is okay with me doing this in the future, or whether you'd prefer that I ask for it and give you a chance to respond and make the roll yourselves. I made the decision here because I felt that it would be a needless slowdown to wait for everyone to make the same roll, especially when it's a passive reflexive action like this one, rather than an active choice by the characters. However, I am aware that I'm sort of taking part of character control away from you, and if this were a live game I probably would let you make the rolls for yourselves in most cases.

Second, Thanqol, could you describe how you imagine Stephanie's house a bit more? I want to make sure we're on the same wavelength there. Would it be an actual free-standing home, albeit a small and relatively ill-kept one? Would it be an apartment or condo in a larger building? Would it be right near a main street, or a few blocks off to the side in a more quiet area?

[Thanqol]

Originally Posted by Anarion

Couple of questions, one gameplay, one story.

First, for gameplay, as you may notice based on the information in the most recent post, I went ahead and rolled everyone's wits+composure for the current happenings. However, I want to make sure that everyone is okay with me doing this in the future, or whether you'd prefer that I ask for it and give you a chance to respond and make the roll yourselves. I made the decision here because I felt that it would be a needless slowdown to wait for everyone to make the same roll, especially when it's a passive reflexive action like this one, rather than an active choice by the characters. However, I am aware that I'm sort of taking part of character control away from you, and if this were a live game I probably would let you make the rolls for yourselves in most cases.

I'm fine with you making these rolls on our behalf.

I do feel like I should mention that a conversation roll, like the earlier persuasion+manipulation roll, generally isn't contested. In general, the WoD works best with measure-twice roll once.

Apologies, checked and I was wrong, my mistake.

Second, Thanqol, could you describe how you imagine Stephanie's house a bit more? I want to make sure we're on the same wavelength there. Would it be an actual free-standing home, albeit a small and relatively ill-kept one? Would it be an apartment or condo in a larger building? Would it be right near a main street, or a few blocks off to the side in a more quiet area?

Two bedroom, third floor apartment above the bakery that used to belong to her parents. Secondary street in a bad neighbourhood. Relatively run down. A locked main door and a filthy staircase. Stephanie used to enter through the fire escape most of the time, climbing up and jumping in through the window into Helen's room. The Fetch would probably take the stairs consistently instead.

[Anarion]

Originally Posted by Thanqol

I'm fine with you making these rolls on our behalf.

I do feel like I should mention that a conversation roll, like the earlier persuasion+manipulation roll, generally isn't contested. In general, the WoD works best with measure-twice roll once.

All the examples for persuasion in the book are contested though, and it calls out resisted rolls with things like composure or resolve as being perfect for that sort of situation. If that roll wasn't contested, when would you have someone roll composure or resolve to contest a roll?

Two bedroom, third floor apartment above the bakery that used to belong to her parents. Secondary street in a bad neighbourhood. Relatively run down. A locked main door and a filthy staircase. Stephanie used to enter through the fire escape most of the time, climbing up and jumping in through the window into Helen's room. The Fetch would probably take the stairs consistently instead.

Cool.

[Thanqol]

Originally Posted by Anarion

All the examples for persuasion in the book are contested though, and it calls out resisted rolls with things like composure or resolve as being perfect for that sort of situation. If that roll wasn't contested, when would you have someone roll composure or resolve to contest a roll?

Apologies, I had a feeling I was saying the wrong thing just there and checked it, you were right.

EDIT: I'ma let someone else handle the talking on this one

[SiuiS]

Originally Posted by Anarion

Couple of questions, one gameplay, one story.

First, for gameplay, as you may notice based on the information in the most recent post, I went ahead and rolled everyone's wits+composure for the current happenings. However, I want to make sure that everyone is okay with me doing this in the future, or whether you'd prefer that I ask for it and give you a chance to respond and make the roll yourselves. I made the decision here because I felt that it would be a needless slowdown to wait for everyone to make the same roll, especially when it's a passive reflexive action like this one, rather than an active choice by the characters. However, I am aware that I'm sort of taking part of character control away from you, and if this were a live game I probably would let you make the rolls for yourselves in most cases.

Well, the only thing I could think of is that I assumed you gave us information based on our passive attributes, and would try to make a full on perception roll. Otherwise, go ahead

Originally Posted by Thanqol

EDIT: I'ma let someone else handle the talking on this one

Workin on it. Gotta separate my meta game thoughts from legit reactions first.

EDIT: technical DERPiculties leave me with an extra two posts, supposedly made hours ago. Kinda changes my response a little. I'll lead in; there could be a bunch of ways this goes down, and several involve me patting down Marchande (platonically, of course). Found a link that I think is interesting though.

From the relevant post, Discreet Conjuration uses that line to say that an object will last a scene, or concentration, whichever is less (as opposed to disappearing as soon as relinquished).

[Thanqol]

Originally Posted by SiuiS

Well, the only thing I could think of is that I assumed you gave us information based on our passive attributes, and would try to make a full on perception roll. Otherwise, go ahead



Workin on it. Gotta separate my meta game thoughts from legit reactions first.

EDIT: technical DERPiculties leave me with an extra two posts, supposedly made hours ago. Kinda changes my response a little. I'll lead in; there could be a bunch of ways this goes down, and several involve me patting down Marchande (platonically, of course). Found a link that I think is interesting though.

From the relevant post, Discreet Conjuration uses that line to say that an object will last a scene, or concentration, whichever is less (as opposed to disappearing as soon as relinquished).

I find the intention behind your latest post barely comprehensible. What's your plan, again? Use the contract to conjure some money, get him to agree to the pledge, and then, er, break the pledge by giving him fake money and thus curse yourself for no reason? I understand the give fake money part but not how or why you're making it into a pledge or phrasing the pledge in the way you are.

[SiuiS]

The phrasing is poor because I lost the original and spent 15 minutes getting it this "good" after.
It's a pledge because it feels like an opening and I thought I'd try.
It's shoehorned in somewhat as an editing artefact.
It's incomprehensible because it describes slanted perception.
That I may break the pledge is acknowledged to circumvent the expected "this may break your pledge. Do it anyway?", and shooting straight to "sure" or "no, you're dumb".

I'm fully willing to shift that around if I get a 'change it' from Anarion. Dropping the pledge and pulling a wallet out of someone's pocket works for me. I'd like not to be knifed afterwards though. I also didn't just do that because I'd like the ST to confirm that the wallet won't magically dissappear when I toss it over is all.

Disjointed; lot on my mind. Lot on my heart. I'll try to be clearer henceforth.

[Thanqol]

Originally Posted by SiuiS

The phrasing is poor because I lost the original and spent 15 minutes getting it this "good" after.
It's a pledge because it feels like an opening and I thought I'd try.
It's shoehorned in somewhat as an editing artefact.
It's incomprehensible because it describes slanted perception.
That I may break the pledge is acknowledged to circumvent the expected "this may break your pledge. Do it anyway?", and shooting straight to "sure" or "no, you're dumb".

I'm fully willing to shift that around if I get a 'change it' from Anarion. Dropping the pledge and pulling a wallet out of someone's pocket works for me. I'd like not to be knifed afterwards though. I also didn't just do that because I'd like the ST to confirm that the wallet won't magically dissappear when I toss it over is all.

If you're doing it that way, pull a fake wallet out of your pocket and say, "I'll give you this if you promise not to hurt us, and damn you if you're lying". There's no way that can rebound on you.

Or, just as valid, throw the fake wallet to the side of him and run. He can either grab it or chase us. This is a simple guy, don't make it too complicated.

[PhoeKun]

I am prepared to make him not a problem, if it comes to that. To be honest I am fighting the urge to remove the mugger from the equation right now, but I don't want to ruin SiuiS' attempt at resolution and discovery. =/

edit: I wonder if it would help or hurt if I threatened him...

[Thanqol]

Originally Posted by PhoeKun

I am prepared to make him not a problem, if it comes to that. To be honest I am fighting the urge to remove the mugger from the equation right now, but I don't want to ruin SiuiS' attempt at resolution and discovery. =/

I will confess a secret interest in seeing SiuiS fail his persuasion roll just to see this happen.

[SiuiS]

Originally Posted by Thanqol

I will confess a secret interest in seeing SiuiS fail his persuasion roll just to see this happen.

Me too. Having the Archangel end someone so fast seemed tacky though.




And I don't know what weapons she uses so I can't pull one out yet~

[Raz_Fox]

Originally Posted by Anarion

First, for gameplay, as you may notice based on the information in the most recent post, I went ahead and rolled everyone's wits+composure for the current happenings. However, I want to make sure that everyone is okay with me doing this in the future, or whether you'd prefer that I ask for it and give you a chance to respond and make the roll yourselves. I made the decision here because I felt that it would be a needless slowdown to wait for everyone to make the same roll, especially when it's a passive reflexive action like this one, rather than an active choice by the characters. However, I am aware that I'm sort of taking part of character control away from you, and if this were a live game I probably would let you make the rolls for yourselves in most cases.

I am perfectly fine with you making rolls for me. Knowing you rolled wits+composure for me doesn't make me blink an eye at all. Okay, now I'm blinking, but only because I thought about blinking and aaaargh make it stop

Originally Posted by Thanqol

I will confess a secret interest in seeing SiuiS fail his persuasion roll just to see this happen.

Originally Posted by SiuiS

Me too. Having the Archangel end someone so fast seemed tacky though.

This is a pretty Rose-tailored encounter here. Okay, there are multiple ways to have this go - including Charlotte trying to pay him off, Marchande smooth-talking him into putting the knife down, or Stephanie distracting him while we run - but I don't think they're as optimal as Rose showing off that she can beat up the mugger with ease. Much like Stephanie just got her chance to show off what she can do.

[PhoeKun]

Originally Posted by Anarion

Couple of questions, one gameplay, one story.

First, for gameplay, as you may notice based on the information in the most recent post, I went ahead and rolled everyone's wits+composure for the current happenings. However, I want to make sure that everyone is okay with me doing this in the future, or whether you'd prefer that I ask for it and give you a chance to respond and make the roll yourselves. I made the decision here because I felt that it would be a needless slowdown to wait for everyone to make the same roll, especially when it's a passive reflexive action like this one, rather than an active choice by the characters. However, I am aware that I'm sort of taking part of character control away from you, and if this were a live game I probably would let you make the rolls for yourselves in most cases.

Sorry, forgot to address this earlier.

Pbp is a really slow format. In a week we'll have made as much progress as the first 10 minutes of a live session, and that's if we're moving quickly. As a part of that, we don't really need to maintain control of passive rolls just to feel like we're "in command" of our characters or whatever the tagline would be, exactly. If you can do things like that to streamline the process, you have my blessing to do so.

[SiuiS]

Originally Posted by Raz_Fox

This is a pretty Rose-tailored encounter here. Okay, there are multiple ways to have this go - including Charlotte trying to pay him off, Marchande smooth-talking him into putting the knife down, or Stephanie distracting him while we run - but I don't think they're as optimal as Rose showing off that she can beat up the mugger with ease. Much like Stephanie just got her chance to show off what she can do.

this is true, but A) I called dibs albeit prematurely, and B) I am positive Phoe would rather we not sit passively and wait when I could instead exacerbate things.
... That made less sense than intended. Hm. Should probably work through that.

[PhoeKun]

Originally Posted by SiuiS

this is true, but A) I called dibs albeit prematurely, and B) I am positive Phoe would rather we not sit passively and wait when I could instead exacerbate things.
... That made less sense than intended. Hm. Should probably work through that.

I had work to do, and by the time I knew there was a situation to react to, you had called dibs. Such is the nature of the beast.

On average, though, I expect I will always be the one with the least amount of time to devote to the game. While I'm never going to ask you to sit around and wait for me (because that's dumb), I do hope that this attitude doesn't turn the game into three storytellers and one person reacting to those stories as they unfold.

I may not always be so deferential to your moves.

[Anarion]

I'm going to give fair warning that this is highly likely to blow up in Charlotte's face as phrased. My next IC post will be somewhat limited should anyone else want to act.

Edit: Also, it might not work at all upon reread. A prepaid card is not the resources boon. That boon would actually give him real resources through some stroke of luck, but you possess no proof that it would actually work. The card is something different, and is basically lying as you make the pledge. That might have bad consequences. Now, a card could be offered as a token of resources to come, if you phrased it properly.

2nd edit: Although I agree with the sentiment that Kalina could probably clean this up easily, I want to be clear that I don't really design stuff (except maybe fetches) to highlight any one character. I'm just making problems, you're all free to deal with them however you see fit.