/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

>>188149
>is shot
Okay

I've been away for a week, and to be honest I don't really miss it and don't really want to come back. But this weekend is the last free weekend I will have until march, so I would like to attempt to advance the game if possible.

98% of all of my issues are with remarks and comments out of character. Almost nothing in character has bothered me at all. The only thing that comes to mind is that players consistently refuse to communicate to each other in character, and only ever want to talk out of character. So to that end, I am implementing a new rule: no out of character anything in the gaming thread, except for posts about availability, one sentence positive remarks, basic meta like modifiers or HP, and Sven. Everything else needs to stay in this thread where I can, at the very least, chose to not read it. I would say I would enforce it by deleting posts, but to be honest at this point I'm more likely to just start doing something else and never return.

I don't want your little adversarial or sarcastic remarks. I don't care. My patience wore out in early November. I've been driving on bare rims for a while now. Keep that shit to yourself. Honestly, if you were talking shit about me (and each other) behind my back, I would appreciate it more at this point, because every time I see those little shitty remarks whether they are to me or Posey or Brie or Silver or whomever, all I can think is "why did I chose to move from the chair in front of my desktop computer and to my bed to respond on my laptop, when I could have closed my laptop, gone to my desktop computer, and played Stellaris or Hearts of iron 4 instead?"

I don't care that you don't like any post that Posey makes. I don't care. I don't care. I don't care. I don't fucking care. For the love of God, shut the fuck up. I don't care. Mail him a letter for all I give a fuck, do not post shit towards Posey in my thread. I don't care. Shut up. Shut up. Shut the fuck up. I don't care. You are driving me insane, shut the fuck up, I don't care.

I get that sometimes, you have genuine concerns about things like scheduling, or maybe about what other players are doing. I don't want to minimize that, but honestly, now is not a good time. Please suffer it a little longer, because right now I can't really suffer much more bitching.

That's all I have to say at the moment. At the end of next week, I will be going out of the country. As I will be with a friend, I don't think it will be very easy for me to lead intense sessions until March.

https://suno.com/playlist/bb26db02-8d46-4147-8799-02cbfa3ca8cd
This is an Ai-generated Album composed by one of my guildmates for WoW raids, hope you like it! ^_^

>100% chance of thunder!
That's our battle cry btw ^_~

;_; Cowie the druid is about me

>>188151
I remember being somewhat excited over the future for my character back when I played her last so it's a shame. However, don't worry. GM, you're mental health has to come first, I really do get that. Just know, I thought it was fun while it lasted.

>>188154
I guess, the reason you're ignoring GM's post is because you think that it's an unfair assessment of the situation and you don't wanna delve deeper into it because you...Probably multiple reasons, like you feel that you have the other players stack up against you, that you it's a lot of work writing and going through post to make a good argument for your case, or you feel slighted by how unfair you feel the GM's post is. I'm guessing here.

But perhaps that's the wrong approach. Instead of trying to figure why you're aren't responding to these posts, I should focus solely one what is being discussed.

I feel like I'm a bit out of the loop. Why are we fighting? I'm not being sarcastic to make point either although I figure the point would be something like fighting instead of playing ruins the fun of the game. I understand that fighting happens but at this point I'm not sure.

Was the comment about scheduling not resolved? I guess, when it comes to bad blood things aren't that easy as resentment stews in people who feel like earlier misconducts haven't been air or resolved so any attempt to make up become token gestures rather than something real and lasting. My take is that both parties genuinely have to put in the effort to try to resolve their issues and this will probably be a painful (as the people involved need to be transparent about their feelings, especially fears) and long to truly resolve things but sharing insecurities with someone who is more akin to an enemy in one's mind is difficult for obvious reasons so I guess that's why it's hard to mend relationships that have taken too much damage. Sorry, if I come off as pretentious as I babble on. I just wanted to give my two cents.

Idk, what to say, though. I just felt like someone had to address the elephant in the room. I guess, while I'm at it, I'm pretty sure the involved parties are Lotus and Ninjas which add more history between them, whatever that may be. I don't believe that people can view things from a neutral and objective stand point. Like, when I hear my mom saying things, I try but it's impossible for me to take in her statements objectively about it due to who she is. It's like a dog that was electrically shocked by a fence as a pup. They are on edge near such fences. Though, maybe I shouldn't brought up this context since it lack relevancy and perhaps it really does. I'm sorry in that case.

If you want my point of view, then keep in mind that I'm coming from a place of ignorance but I guess my POV could be used as a jumping off point for other posters if nothing else.
I'd dismissively say something akin that Brie should agree to GM's terms to act in post above meanwhile GM should still try to remain open for constructive criticism.
I understand this statement is probably gonna feel incredibly incorrect but that's also what's good about it. Now others can come in and easily share their point of view by correcting me.

Welp, that was a lot of talking. ^^

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You were told, very clearly, not to shit up the threads with a bunch of consecutive short posts. You were clearly informed of the detrimental effect it has on the GM, the players, the general atmosphere, and the readability of the thread. And yet you are still doing it. Why are you doing this? Why can't you follow basic instructions? Why are you choosing to shut up the thread with your nonsense?
Most of these posts aren't even in-character. They're off topic spam. They don't say anything constructive: it's just annoying noise. Go shitpost in your own thread.
Fucking stop.
>>188152
>>188153
>>188154
And you're doing it here too. This thread is not a designated shitting street; it's for our of character discussion related to the game.
>>188163
This

>>188164
There (you) are!
>You were told
Are you presuming to speak for GM now? GM is entitled to get more cross with me than I will tolerate from just about anyone, thank you. I am quite confident at where I stand with him, thank you for your attempts to posture on his behalf.
>>188163
You probably don't wanna know, tbh

>>188165
GM told you, multiple times. He even told you in this very thread, and you're still doing it.

>>188166
I'm replying simply to indicated that I see the post, and disregard it's premise. I am confident in individual's ability to argue on their own behalf, and your attempts to do so are summarily rejected, with prejudice. I think you've said quite enough about what other people can say, and Gm is the only actual authority here.

>>188168
If it is desired for me to leave, HE has but to ask. I literally offered. Are YOU done?

Oh? Do (you) not have a song?

Yes, I'm a petty bastard.
Having said, I have a song. Something someone who really likes me made for me. So miss me with the "no one likes you" nonsense

Frenly reminder
IS the druid who braves the stormy air

Curious, why would that even be your argument, even if it were true? Kinda a malicious point, don't you think? I mean, if I were someone who was struggling with social acceptance, it would be an awfully dick move to shove it in my face, but you do you I guess. I just miss when we were frens.

Oh right, OOC, my bad
[YouTube] Gurren Lagann: With Your Drill, Pierce the Heavens Extended!! [Embed]
By now the cigarette is being discarded, and another is being lit

Yes, you can have whatever concessions you want

>>188180
Nono, its a fair argument. Posey should get a whole lot of things at this point, I agree

>>188169
>>188170
>>188172
>>188175
>>188176
>>188177
>>188179
>>188180
>>188181
>>188182
I'm not a player but I see the obvious obstruction tactic you are using.
Not nice.

>>188183
Obstruction is the opposite of the tactic I'm using

>>188183
Also
>I'm not a player, but I happened across and decided to opine
Fuckoff, its obvious

Oh, right, we're pretending to be civil. My bad
https://suno.com/song/e5b159c7-571e-4e10-a67e-806c10c1af4e
I'll fuckoff back to this sentiment, if anyone needs me

Oh, I'll be here,....

Also, can we dispense with the pearl-clutching?

<ye should prolly stfu at this point
I think we both know I don't listen to reason

>>188165
<You were told, very clearly, not to shit up the threads with a bunch of consecutive short posts.
>Are you presuming to speak for GM now?
Is that not what he said though? So did GM not already argue his own point? Regardless, most of these posts seem off-topic or tenuously connected at best but I could be wrong.
>I think you've said quite enough about what other people can say, and Gm is the only actual authority here.
I kinda disagree. In a DnD group everyone's opinion matters, the GM decides over the rulings of the game, however, imo my point of view matters if I'm to participate at all. It's a collaboration after all.

So on to that, since I want the game to continue, I'd ask if you could, write a reply to GM's post elaborating your point of view of the situation. I'm sure I'd think you're view has merit if I knew it. Regardless, since emotions are running so hot it would be better to focus on how to reach some form of understanding for the continuation of the game.

These posts where you subtly imply things are unjust, are kinda hard to follow for me and I feel, which I guess is a point of optics though, are the opposite of endearing. I mean it's true that if you're in the right, you don't need to endear yourself to anyone. However, I feel like you could just speak clearly without the, for a lack of a better word, sass. I don't see why you pour fuel on the fire, as if you seek to bring it all to a breaking point of some sort for what I guess is some form of vindication.

Look, I like you. I like the GM and Poesy too even though I have some reservations against his character. It's probably not hard for me to like everyone here. I'm not even sure if I agree with GM's post since I think taking criticism is an important part of improving one's work, however, there's obviously nuances to it that depend on context, which I lack compared to both of you since I have mostly followed the adventures of my own character so far in this campaign. I'm just giving you my off the top of my head POV. You're point matters. Please give it. If nothing else, at least you can say that you tried to reason with him.

>>188199
You of ALL people have had the arguable least largesse, please do opine!
<He stopped the song
The prevailing issue - since no one wants to call the elephant - is that we as players, gms, etc., have history that everyone SEEMS to want to ignore. While an appreciable position, I soundly disagree. Be that as it may, a player in particular feels entitled to opine on behalf of Gm, which seems a bit off.

>>188200
>please do opine!
Thank you. ^^
>The prevailing issue ... is that we as players, gms, etc., have history that everyone SEEMS to want to ignore.
Sounds probable to me(not meant as an ironic statement).
>Be that as it may, a player in particular feels entitled to opine on behalf of Gm, which seems a bit off.
That sounds fair.

>The drawing
I won't promise anything but if you like, I'd like to draw some of thee pcs. As you can tell; while I don't trace, I use references so it is what it is. But if you feel like it, you can describe your character and a moment you liked from their story and I will try to draw it (if I'm not too lazy).

>>188201
That question about drawings goes out to all in thread btw.

>>188201
Brie has a gunmetal grey pelt, with stripes of almost-white and almost-black mane/tail. His eyes are "virulently" yellow. He usually wears a fetching vest that has throwing knives in it

>stripes
Yes, it didn't occur to me at the time, but his mane and tail could be easily misconstrued with that of a zebra, shutup you

>>188151
I'm really sorry you feel that way, GM.
I did have fun this adventure, and I was really looking forward to the climatic battle in the conclusion, but you need to be having fun too for this to work out. I don't blame you for wanting to stop; it seems as though you've been forever-GMing for a long time, and everyone needs a break, especially when they have been thanklessly GMing for so long without even getting to play. Just the week I GM'd an in-person game for some people I knew who seemed less-than-appreciative of all of the work I was putting in to create content for them, to the extent that I questioned if I even wanted to do another session; and I can freshly relate to how demoralizing it is to hear players complain without adequately showing enough appreciation for the work you put in: it's incredibly draining.
Take some time to focus on yourself. I do like your game, and I will patiently wait until you decide if you want to continue in March.
>>188201
>>188202
>But if you feel like it, you can describe your character and a moment you liked from their story and I will try to draw it
I would be glad to see a pic of Posey, tbh.
Maybe a pic of her fighting the hydra in the swamp, flanked by her 'puppies'.
Or a pic of the end of her clash with Luminous, at 1 HP, snarling like a wolf with flesh melting off her bones, wearing her fake 'paladin' armor getup (chain shirt and helmet).
Or a pic of her negotiating with the Kaftar priest in their mosque at night, dresses a mysterious cloaked mage with a dark secret.
Or a pic of her adorably rubbing herself on leviathan bones like a cat.
Or a pic of her admiring her precious new tiara.
Or just a pic of her cuddling Gloomy beside a fireplace.
>Rosey Ring appears as a youthful mare with soft and elegant features. Her coat is a pristine snow white, and exceptionally fluffy. Her mane is a sanguine red-pink, and is soft, fine and silky, almost glowing with its vibrant color. Her mane is exceptionally long, and usually done up in a braid or a war bun. Her body is slender and dainty, with generous feminine endowments. She has a calm and professional demeanor, and she comes off as mature, despite her apparent youth. When she moves, she seems to glide over the ground, with grace that seems almost supernatural. The spring in her step betrays a deceptively strong body. She trots with a regal confidence, puffing her fluffy chest out and holding her head high, and making eye contact with anyone within eyesight. Her elegant and courtly demeanor betrays an aura of absolute menace, a predatory supernatural hunger conveyed in her hypnotic gaze. She always seems alert and engaged, her ears swiveling like tiny satellite dishes. Overall, she is strikingly beautiful. She seems to radiate youth and vitality, but something about her supernatural appearance is... Unsettling. She seems almost more like an exquisite painting of a mare than a living thing, uncanny in her supernatural beauty.
>Rosey Ring's eyes are like pools of gold, with hypnotic radial concentric rings. They glow with authority and give off a mesmerizing aura that demands submission. Staring into them too long gives feelings of unease and terror, but their commanding presence makes it difficult for any unfortunate souls who've caught her attention to look away.
>Posey's Cutie Mark is a dark sun surrounded by a red flare. It also resemble a buboe from the black plague. It fills out her soft and rotund flank very well. The Dark Sun above a white sky is Posey's mark of destiny.
>Posey's appearance is unnatural and supernatural, her vampiric heritage allowing her to appear closer to life despite being dead. Her appearance greatly depends on her mood: when cheery, her fur appears pristine and fluffy white; when less-cheery, her skin appears rotten and blotched, and her eyes glass over. When she's feeling especially nasty, she may briefly show bat-like or wolf-like traits as her monstrous nature makes itself known. Posey's appearance is a reflection of her own vanity and sense of of self (proportional to her charisma score): when she's confident, she's beautiful; when she's distressed, she appears more corpse-like. Her fangs are retractable.
>Like most katane, Posey craves blood, but is not dependent on it. Taking in blood helps her control her stress levels, and thus also control her appearance.
I based Posey's appearance in part off of Makima from Chainsawman.
Gloomy is an earth pony goal of a blotched pale blue-gray color, with cloudy sleepless eyes in sunken sockets. He's sickly, thin, anemic and diseased, and at a glance he looks closer to undeath than Posey does. His movements are uncanny and erratic, and he wanders to and fro as if sleepwalking through a perpetual nightmare. He's based off of the Pale Horse of Death, and his appearance is based off of a famous painting of the four horsemen. He's a descendant of an extinct tribe of cannibalistic snowponies who revered the windigos in the frozen north, and would be fluffy if his fur weren't so thin from chronic disease. His demeanor is generally somber, and he walks with a slouch, as if carrying the weight of Death itself on his back.
Gloomy is a Long Shadowed One, so his shadow always appears longer and larger than would be normal for the lighting. His shadow may sometimes flicker and distort, or swell to take the silhouette of a malevolent demon.
Occasionally, he may be seen with the sign of Naberious on his forehead due to practicing Pact Magic; the influence of Naberious's possession is partly the source of his somber demeanor. He's may also sometimes have a dull yellow glow to his eyes, reflective of Posey charming him to calm him down. In private, he might be seen with fang prints on his neck, but that's rarely the case because Posey always makes sure to heal him up.

>>188201
Now that the cup day is effectively over (who really cares who wins the last match, we get an /mlpol/ quarter-final, allow me to address you directly, and through you everyone else in/around the game.
I've spoken to GM directly about the game. I would have liked to have the opportunity to go into more detail, but circumstances were not permissive, and until next time. Having said, I am confident that he knows where my head is at, and I'm all up in his DMs if there's any miscommunication.

Yes, I'm troublesome, I can't emphasize that enough. My words are crass, irreverent, and generally on the border of acceptability. I will compose entire sentences or entire paragraphs, post them, and then decide I should have worded the last sentence differently, or I should have added "this" detail, or realize that while what I said makes perfect sense to me (you) still have no idea what I'm talking about.

But I'm not leaving the game unless GM asks me to, no matter how long I have to wait to play. And if/when GM decides he has has enough, I'm already planning on starting a game that he can play. And in the meantime, I will continue to check the board every 5-20 minutes, eagerly hoping to see signs of life.

>Oh look, ninjaz is doing it again
I hope this doesn't ruin the mystique, but this previous weekend I had the opportunity to meet GM in person. In fact, he kinda saved my bacon at one point. But in the process, I gave him my original hardcopy set of the 3.5e DnD books; the same set of books that led to Thez, Mixed Nuts, and if you'll forgive me for saying, RPGs in general for alot of you. I also gave him my $350 clay-tempered Ninja sword; yes, he literally has my sword.
So yes, I have a bit of confidence to my posture. He can tell me "Sit boy" and I will abide.

Let me be EVEN MORE specific.

I WENT to the con SOLELY to meet GM. I wasn't going to go to HarmonyCon at all until GM told me to meet him there. I immediately went to our financial officer and said "I NEED TO MAKE HARMONYCON HAPPEN, AND I ONLY HAVE A WEEK TO DO IT. And then when the con happened, I got niggered by some hustlers, and I spent almost the entire day AFRAID I WAS GOING TO MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET HIM, because of the shit I fell into. I have more respect for GM than I do myself, if that doesn't come across.

And when he finally DID appear (I was in fursuit, there was no mistaking me) and I realized who I was staring at, I was taken aback. He was covering his badge, so I couldn't tell it was him immediately, but my target recognition computers detected the extra-ordinary twinkle in his eyes.
For years I had pictured a harsher, more hawkish sort of person, but no. He has a very kind face, prone to smiling (unlike mine), and I felt a twinge of shame for many of the negative things I convinced myself of about him for so long. I don't want to fight with him anymore and he knows it, or anyone here for that matter and I hope to illustrate that with an verisimilarity.
And I know at least one of you would prefer I just fucked off, and if I really thought it would help matters I would do so.

<Are ye fookin done?
You should know by now that your discouraging comments do not waver my resolve.
>>188195
Fwiw, and I mean this, this song has had a transcendental effect on me. They don't know me like alot of people here "do", and for them to put me at the end of the album makes me want to be the person they see. I never expected it, I'm usually left out of group projects and compilations BECAUSE I'm so tiresome. This will probably be my last post for the night, but its me so who knows. I'll get back to posting horsepussy soon

No offense, but this is kinda the thread for it anymore
I won't repost the link, but
>still braves the stormy air, even if it isn't this context

*emphatically smokes a cigarette*

<While I'm here, lets unpack this so this faggot can quit going on about it
>Cowie the druid swims all night
<Alot of drops are based on water
>in the bay of storms
Thats as much a reference as a direct tie-in
>thorium veins
IYKYK

Ngl, the song is pretty circumspect after that point, you'll get it

>night is long but she's not weary
I made mention of insomnia....

*for the druid who braves the stormy air*
*even more emphatic smoking of a cigarette*

>>188237
Please be done with the salt-posting

>>188239
Please be done with the endless spam

>>188240
Oh, is that an invitation to hear more about the lore between Brie and Lacey? Cuz I have PAGES

Yes fine, I'll stfu. Are you happy now?

>>188241
>is that an invitation
It is not.
>lore
>PAGES
It's not necessary to lore dump. Do it in character.
And if you must lore dump, do it in one post, and not a dozen consecutive posts. People are more likely to actually read it that way.
>Yes fine, I'll stfu.
Good.
>Are you happy now?
Sure.

>>188242
>do it in game
That would require the game to proceed e_e

I think there is a miscommunication here. I post lore of my characters BECAUSE nothing fucking happens. I'm not begrudging GM or his time, nor (you)rs, I'm saying this is a world and I want to create in it.
It drives me NUTS that nothing is happening, and hasn't for basically months. Getting to the party split was agonizing, and nothing has fucking happened since. I would repost the Chuddha image if I thought it might make a difference, but I don't.

Do I have to call each pony by their 'name'?

>>188151
Very clearly understood. I hope we can get this underway because this game will always hold importance to me, even if I'm not available at various times. If not, then see you in March.

>>188163
tl;dr there was bad blood between two players that went years back and when they started making comments at each other's expense it spiraled out of control. You are right about the effort needed and it seems both sides have worked towards a better mutual understanding.

I think

>>188201
Cavaliere hasn't had a lot of cool scenes yet. Maybe you could draw him sitting at the hotel lobby, smoking a cigar? Or have him at the top of a cliff with his revolver drawn.
>Description
>Cavaliere is a male griffon of tall build but wiry stature. His feline half resembles almost a jaguar, with dense but short black fur and a tail that ends in a small tuft, as well as front jet black talons that end in well-groomed claws. His avian head is covered with dusty grey feathers and is topped with a black crest. The wings on his back are also black and blend in with his fur. He has a thin black feathered "mustache" over a weathered beak, and his seasoned appearance implies that he is roughly forty years old. Although his physical stature is not too imposing, and even by griffon standards he lacks grace and features most would consider to be attractive, his pale yellow eyes shine with a gleam that is both sharp and understanding. He is lightly equipped; the only "armor" he has on is a black bomber-style leather jacket with a fluffy grey sheepskin liner. Under that he wears a black button-up shirt and black trousers, and filling out his outfit are brown leather boots designed for griffon paws, well-made and embroidered but having seen heavy usage. He additionally wears a black wide-brimmed hat made of felt and upturned at the edges, with the crown rimmed by a leather band and a small silver medallion in the front. Around his waist is a heavy-duty black leather belt covered in cartridges loaded into loops, and on one side is an additional pouch that looks packed, while on the other side is a holster for a long-barreled revolver.

>>188209
You are a fun guy, Brie.

Okay, this couldn't be a better example of "Whoa, not what I meant" than I could have asked for. Heres what I said:
No, I'm a parasite that needs to be kept at heel. I await the chance to maybe blow up, but in the meantime PLEASE don't encourage me

What I MEANT was a bit of self-affing and discipline

I said self-affacing, you disingenuous nigger

>>188163
>GM should still try to remain open for constructive criticism.
This is not a good time. I would probably just not create at all.

>>188165
I did tell you to stop multiple small posts in sequence. Several times.

>>188167
I did tell you to stop making multiple one sentence posts in sequence, especially when they are out of character. I have told you that several times. You have thus far ignored me.

>>188169
I've asked you to not be hostile to everyone and to not make multiple one-sentence posts in sequence.

>>188243
The game would proceed if you stopped constantly trying to pick fights with Posey (and everyone else)

>>188244
More would happen if you stopped constantly trying to fight Posey

>>188199
>I think taking criticism is an important part of improving one's work
That work being worth putting the effort into making in the first place is even more important. Because it's a hell of a lot easier to not create at all

>>188200
>is that we as players, gms, etc., have history that everyone SEEMS to want to ignore
If all "history" means to you is that you are angry in the present, then leave your history on discord, matrix, twitter/x, blue sky, mastodon, 4channel, snail mail, telegram, or the fucking pony express for all I care, it has no business in the thread. I don't give a shit about history. Fuck history. I want a fun creative outlet for ideas I've had. I want a fun pony dating simulator, not a wellspring of infinite rage that is powered by ancient grievances. I don't want any of that here.

>>188208
>Makima
>chainsawman
>long shadowed one
>Naberious
>Pact Magic
I don't listen to hip hop
[YouTube] South park Operation human shield [Embed]

>>188237
All of my thises

>>188252
https://suno.com/song/9bfb4c0a-273e-4953-93b8-92bc66d01542
You did ask, yes. And I'm retarded. Are you going to say "no u" for that reason?
>I told you
>I told you
>I told you
yes,... I'm not ignoring
>fighting with Posey
Oh, you think I'm fighting with HIM? LOL

Preferring to not appear to be picking a fight, but also wanting things well aired so that we can pretend to not be picking a fight later, if your argument is that I'm either sausage or any degree of a bother, yes, but where do you draw distinction? I'm all those things, because I decided to wade into the waters you cultivated. You can't hide anymore, and by all rights, you needn't anymore. I have done my part, please, leave me alone and let the game go on. For fucks sake please.
*curls up in a fucking fetal position*

>>188247
>Cavaliere hasn't had a lot of cool scenes yet.
Hopefully, he can get a chance to look cool this adventure.
>>188252
Very much this ^
>Makima
>chainsawman
Anime reference. Point involves a calm, professional-looking woman with crimson hair and demonic yellow eyes.
>long shadowed one
Reference to a trait from the shackled city adventure path. The point is that Gloomy is tainted with negative energy.
>Naberious
>Pact Magic
Tome Of Magic. I want Gloomy to be my apprentice and his class to be Binder, which uses a system called Pact Magic to make deals with mysterious vestiges, one of which is Naberious.
I illustrated a scene where Gloomy showed Posey the sign of Amon, which he learned during one of his visions.
>That work being worth putting the effort into making in the first place is even more important.
Tbh, I feel like in some ways you're putting a bit more work into certain aspects of this game than is necessary. I do really enjoy your colorful and detailed descriptions of sites, but I can't help but wonder how much work it takes to write them.
I also think there's a lot of official resources in 3.5e/d20 systems that you could utilize to make running the game easier for you. Tables for urban explanation, monsters, warfare events, and adventure outlines are available in books like Cityscape and Heroes Of Battle. The DMG/DMGII has tables for treasure, pre-made NPCs, and similar things that could make things easier.
Then there's the d20 modern and/or d20 Arcana books, which include many pre-written modern adventures that you could adapt from your game. I think you could even check out call of Cthulhu d20 as well for adventures in this vein.
I could try to link you up with supplemental materials if you want.
When I'm DMing, I prefer to take a less labor-intensive approach and defer to tables for monsters/treasure/plotlines, and use pre-written materials when they are available. For me it's more that I'm not really confident in my writing, but also because referring to tables and pre-written content for certain decisions let's me save my effort and creativity for things that I actually want to write, and I personally like the sense of neutral arbitration that rolling a table gives me. It's worth considering it you're struggling to write content and/or find yourself putting in more effort than it is worth.
>>188253
>I'm retarded.
Being retarded is not an excuse for spam.
>yes,... I'm not ignoring
If you weren't ignoring him, why did you keep doing it? Are you just willfully trying to malign everyone? Because that's what it looks like.
>>188255
>where do you draw distinction?
The spam.
The spam and the ooc/off-topic posts. That is where the distinction was drawn.
Stop spamming.
>I'm all those things, because I decided to wade into the waters you cultivated.
Learn to control yourself instead of blaming others for your behavior.
>please, leave me alone and let the game go on.
I'll leave you alone; just stop spamming.

>>188260
Okay

>Spain this time
I'm increasingly unsurprised at this point

Don't be a dick.

Please keep out of character posts in the out of character thread.

Linking posts as a reply to a previous post aids in clarity, both to tell who you are talking to, and in what context.

>>188344
"Don't be a dick" was to be a universal standard. I have no objections if other players don't.

You know, if you interacted with the commies some more, maybe you'd discover something interesting and/or that you like?

>>188438
You may be right

>>188438
I've been pretty busy lately, and I thought GM wouldn't be available until March, but I could put some more effort in for dialogue.

>>188438
In fairness, who looks at a commie and thinks "There might be value in this individual"?

Are Cavalier and Brie present here? I thought they were at the airship.

Pardon my aloofness, I just need to visualize the scene so I can get back into proper roleplay.

>>188448
It's a fair question, my input has been based on how Blackheel (odd name for a pony) has been conversing with Garv alongside Silver, which suggests that no actual distance has been achieved. Brie just has really good hearing.

>>188448
>>188449
All of a sudden Blackheel responded to Cavaliere and I thought "Okay, they must have moved to the plane." It confused me too.

Alright, here's a plan.
I think we should stick with the pirate story. I know we're trying to earn Blackheel's trust, but imo admitting to being loot-hungry criminals is likely to be a better strategy than telling them that we work for fascists.
I intend to type out a speech explaining piracy to Blackheel in a way that appeals to the communists, in a way that makes it look like we tangentially align with his communist ideals concerning loyalty. I'll reference individual party members in a bluff describing each of us as people disadvantaged by capitalist society who turned to crime, talk about how we live communally, divide treasure by rule of hoof, etc, in a classic romanticization of piracy that emphasizes shared work ethic and disregard for imperialists' property. It will just a story, but it's a description of our group that will be detailed and humble enough to sound honest, while also distracting from any suspicions that we might be working for fascists.

Blackheel has every reason to be suspicious or even paranoid, but he is also in a desperate situation: he likely wants to believe that he has allies, or at least associates with intentions as simple as piracy. If I'm correct about this, he should take a -5 penalty to his Sense Motive check, so Posey should be able to get him to buy her story with a bluff check.

I'm asking ahead of time because I want to make sure that everyone is on the same page with this plan.
I haven't really been able to carry my role as the party face due to language barriers, but lying is Posey's specialty.

>>188451
We ARE loot-hungry criminals; some of us at least

>>188448
>>188449
>>188450
shurgs

If I'm being strict to realism, and I usually do, then the tasks Brie and Cavaliere are engaged in should take enough time such that it should last as long as the engagement with Blackheel and the other three ponies.

But...

The first combat encounter has already "equaled things out" to make up for Cavaliere and Brie having had a combat encounter the others haven't, and in any case, I like NPC interactions and the party thinking together.

I would say the most logical thing to do would be to just move Blackheel and the others to the plane, so everyone is at the same location anyways. But then it may be hard to persuade them to move, so....

>>188448
>visualize

The location is at the base of a hill, and right next to a cliff. Beyond the cliff is the ocean. A string of little rocky islands continue the chain of hills even past the edge of the island, and to the left of the field of view, the sea extends until it is swallowed by a grey horizon. The night is coming soon, and a constant, cool wind, is sure to bring in new, low clouds that cling to the sea and ground in a thick fog. A big, black stallion in full officer's uniform stands as the leader of the group of surviving sailors, along with an orange unicorn in a white, scientists' coat, a green stallion in light blue marine uniform, and a grey stallion in a blue sailor's uniform.

>>188451
We aren't really working with fascists, though. Clear Waters sought us out specifically because we're outside of the rest of New Mareland and he doesn't want to spark an international incident with Stalliongrad. I'm also not sure that Black Heel would view us being pirates positively.

>>188455
Thank you.

>>188457
Haven't looked, but am pretty sure it was "Shoal Waters"
>blackheel
We could always kill him,....

>>188461
Shoal Waters, right. Thanks for the correction! Also, we're not killing Black Heel.

>>188462
Awww

>>188451
Any objections to this plan of action before I type it out and roll a bluff check (tomorrow)?
Looking at the math, I have a probable chance at succeeding, but I want to make sure everyone is willing to corroborate the story.

>>188470
Brie will have the presence of mind to STFU

>>188451
I agree with this plan of action. We need to cover our tracks since our actions are meant to be discreet, and the fascists are their mortal enemies. The one downside is that if we bring him along to New Mareland, he will feel betrayed and might do something irrational. It would also be very hard to protect him from New Mareland since he is a political officer of Stalliongrad and he knows too much.

>>188470
I know I said I would type this check Friday, but I have been on some pretty strong muscle relaxants due to work-related injury, and I was so drowsy I forgot entirely. Sorry about that.
I'll get to it when I can, but please don't hold your breath waiting for.

>>188504
>muscle relaxers
Ugh, sounds like a back injury. Take care, that shit is usually permanent

>>188505
This was me by the way
The unfortunate part is that the torpedo plan hinges on having something that can readily carry almost a ton of explosives, so Posey's bluff check is kinda integral

>>188516 →
>gunshot
It seemed a good way to get ponies' attention, and it was declared,... did I hit something hidden?

>>188518
Think about the purpose of our mission on our island, our relative strength, and the other threats that are around. Do you really want to do that?

>>188523
Yes, and we're supposed to be pirates; a bit of recklessness is rather characteristic. Its still suppressed (until GM states otherwise), and unlikely to result in an ambush, and could be said to grant a circumstance bonus to the intimidation check (which was an 18) as far as loosening the tongues of Blackheel and this unicorn.

>>188525
You know intimidating a target makes them unfriendly or hostile after 1d6 x 10 minutes, right?

>>188526
He can be as hostile as he likes once he's answered all our questions. We should disarm him, come to think of it.

If we want him to join us, we should really avoid turning him hostile

>>188528
Whether we take him hostage or he joins us willingly, the outcome will be comparable

Also I'm not so sure how vulnerable he'd be to intimidation, anyways. He's already guarded, and he's proven to be fearless against far worse than us.

>>188531
Perhaps, but atm Brie is the only one holding a firearm

>>188504
Awww....

>>188533
The grey stallion is holding a rifle. The green stallion may be, if he isn't still fiddling with the radio. Though, since the earlier battle he's more likely to still have the rifle. Mala should always be holding his shotgun, if he's there and not in the back with the griffins or the other ponies.

>>188540
Well, hopefully it doesn't come to that, but that simply means the grey stallion gets shot first. I said Brie would have the presence of mind to shut the fuck up during Posey's bluff/diplomacy check, so technically it hasn't happened yet.

GM, is there any way for Posey to tell if her charm spells are successful?

>>188543
Not that I can think of. Can you?

>>188545
Well
>You can try to give the subject orders, but you must win an opposed Charisma check to convince it to do anything it wouldn’t ordinarily do. (Retries are not allowed.)
I think it's you who would call for the charisma check when it occurs, which would reveal that the target is charmed.

>>188504
>>188541 →
This was the best I could type while high and drowsy. I made my skill checks and gave some accompanying text. GM can interpret the results now.
My full participation is going to be limited for a while.

>>188549
Rest well, poner.

While tempted to seize the opportunity and do the gunfire intimidation now that Posey has said their spiel - decent overall though it did take Brie a modicum of restraint to not react to "my" crew - I will wait until other players have had the chance to comment

Rules on failed intimidation rolls impacting NPC disposition or not, let's not take that risk. I don't mind if Brie continues to be the "unhinged" one of the group–if anything that helps sell the pirate narrative–but let's not turn the little help we get against us.

>>188557
Let's not get it twisted. Brie doesn't want to HAVE to compel their actions, but he already knows how to do so.

>>188559
Fuck it, this is the OOC thread.
Nonlethal scenario:
1a. Smoke grenade
1b. Blinding egg
Objective: Disable ready gunstallion (hoof-cuffs) and then "discourage" other guard from getting touchy-feely (with hooves OR bullets).

Violent scenario: Lets not go there
2. Hope that the party realizes Brie isn't insane, that this is intended to be useful in the long term even if panties are bunched and jimmies are rusleled.

Regardless how it ACTUALLY plays out, Brie is ready to tell the Commissar AND his lackeys who is in control, and its (ahem) Captain Posey.

>>188560
Why would you attack them?
If they don't want to help us fight the Traveller, we could just walk away.

>>188563
Ideally one wouldn't, but if they're not willing to assist, they can join the chain gang

>>188564
And they will be told this, if push comes to shove

Does Posey still have that goat? Just curious

>all these posts
Its contextual, and relevant to Brie's body language and presentation. He's quite tired of the hamby pamby "Golly gee, i dunno if this is a major threat" nonsense, and is ready to start compelling ponies at gunpoint.

Hey Posey, do you have a picture of your character's cutie mark?

>>188599
Without intending to detract from this question, let it be observed that GM remains in a timezone approximately 6 hours in advance of CMT

>>188599
I do not have a picture, but I have a description:
>Posey's Cutie Mark is a dark sun surrounded by a red flare. It also resemble a buboe from the black plague. It fills out her soft and rotund flank very well. The Dark Sun above a white sky is Posey's mark of destiny.
A the concept of a dark Sun was originally meant to be a parody of Celestia's cutie mark, going with the antichrist theme I was going for, but also ropes in a couple d&d references such as the black sun of Cyric from forgotten realms or the Dark Sun of Athas. It's also meant to be simple enough to be open to interpretation as to whether it refers to a red giant (Dark Sun) or a ring of fire ("corona"; "crown") eclipse.
The concept of the Sun going dark is a classic trope vampire apocalypse stories, and it is also a biblical reference to the moment when Christ died (Posey is a Necropolitan, created through ritual crucifixion; she still has little heart shaped stigmata on the bottom of her forehooves).

Rosey Ring is a reference to the Ring Around The Rosey nursery rhyme, which is a reference to the bubonic plague: A plague buboe looks like a black dot with a red ring around it. "A pocket full of posies" refers to filling ones pockets with flowers to mask the stench of plague, which also refers to Posey's skill at hiding her undead nature. The white horseman of conquest is also associated with pestilence.

>>188601
Is impressed enough by the lore to simply nod in approval

>>188606 →
without having translated the commie-de-gook of either party:
If one HAS to lie, then it is best to keep the elements of deception as small as possible, that they can maximize the sincerity of their other words, such that only a skilled polygraph operator or a very skilled behavioral analyst can detect the deception.

So, without being able to retrieve the ko-fi account from which my commissions were to be delivered to, the artist in question DID post a bat mare that bears quite a resemblance to what instructions and 'source' material the artist was provided with. Well mostly, she's supposed to be fully dressed in a chinese-style dress. In any case, while not certain that this image is in any way related, it still serves as a decent example of Lacey Row

Let me test something…

That was not me,... I use a comma when I do that

>>188545
Is the torpedo based on the Mark 14?

Ooooh! Can the dialect of donkeys ('asinine') be brainrot?
Skibidy rizz, mewing sigma?
(It would be hilarious)

>>188656 →
>Why would he be disheartened? If anything, there's been a multifold interest in it, and thats just amongst the players. And reminder, he can shut me down with the quickness. IDK what you're on about. I think you as players need to trust more in GM, if I'm being honest
He already told you that he was, and he already told you why. Scroll up.
Just wait for him to reply. Additional posts are not necessary so long as he's not active.
>>188655 →
>I'm trying to assist your convoluted charisma check, in such as I can.
Also, this is not how skill assists work. You need to use the same skill to aid another, so intimidation is not helping my bluff, or my diplomacy. Wanderer's Diplomacy to improve the attitude of an NPC towards an ally. Based on the results of your check, you would only be undoing the results of mine, potentially even making the NPC hostile (or, only hostile towards you; charisma skills work with one-to-one attitudes).
I did not ask for an assist. The results of my check would not benefit from just a +2, because they already hit the DC.
It is possible to coerce a target to treat them as friendly before using Diplomacy to improve that to helpful, but that's risky, and order of operations matters. I know this because Intimidate is my single highest skill and it is my specialty, but I am not using it because we agreed on a plan for negotiation, and we should at least wait and see if the first one worked before we move to coercion.
>no one is fucking posting
We are not posting because GM is not responsive because he has a life and said he would be away for a while, and without GM there is no game.
Just wait for GM like everypony else.

>>188659
>he already told you that he was
Yes, weeks ago. And yes, I do trust that GM is pony enough to be able to process emotions over a several-week to month period, such that Brie could have such a potentially onerous discussion without things depreciating into outright conflict. If not, I trust GM to advise me in a similar capacity that he talked me 'down' from firing a potentially onerous "reckless" discharge of firearm.
Do you not trust GM to adjudicate when the time comes? I do, if that doesn't come across. My issue is playing a 'challenging' character who tests enough of "boundaries" to be consistent, but without pushing anyone too far.
I did mention I want to retire this characters, to make way for a much more reasonable bat, assuming we can survive this encounter.
So what if I'm the monster?

>that's not how skill assists work
We can debate about how "skill checks are intended to work" if we want, but we already fucked the pooch if we're intending an "uncomplicated" skill check. We fired off half-cocked before Brie even decided to interject. So if there's to be complaint about overlapped and/or inconsistent skill checks, check your boy who wants do do 4 different checks at the same time. Tell me about how that's supposed to work. In the meantime, I don't care whether the commies like us in the aftermath, I just wanna know if they're dying now or not.

And I want them to know that their choices will expedite how quickly they're somewhere between "unharmed" and "violently murdered"

Let's draw this out shall we?
If we're pirates, why are we "asking permission"? If we're pirates, why are we not making sure they're dead? Come on now, how committed to the 'role' do you want to be? I know, it's JUST a story, but stop with the clutching of pearls, please. If (you) have 'issues' getting your hooves dirty, please step aside and stfu for those who don't have such issues.

>>188632
No.

>>188669
Oh don't say that, it would be funny

>>188667 →
>Brie is given the Tucker Carlson squint
Better than nothing at all, at least they're paying attention enough to realize that they could die if they don't answer right

>Don't get shot
What I mean to say is, don't make the mistake of assuming that this is a time to get friendly and talk about our feelings. Lets stick to business and leave the personal aside.

>>188679
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, okay. Kira's a very friendly creature, though, it's in her nature.

>>188672
Pic

>>188679
Bro is literally saying "the fate of Equestria does not rest on us making friends

>>188695
Yes, but let's not pretend we're gonna be pen pals and shit

>>188695
To this end, the best we're likely to end up with is a triumphant "Group Photo" with the government-provided camera, that yes will be sent out if we exchange social medias.
It will be glorious. But lets not get hung up on details, let's get a move on. I know YOU know what the parameters of time are but WE don't, and I/Brie assume that we're wasting it with needless banter.

>>188697
Interacting with GM pone's interesting and rich NPCs is never needless. Anyways, as long as we're not being egregious with our time management, I'm sure we'll be fine. And I'm certain GM pone would alert us if we were in danger due to time.

>>188721
At least PRETEND to be pirates

Frenly reminder: My objective is to - as quickly as possible - get to where Stix and Scones can play too! ^_^

OMG THEY'RE FINISHED! I thought for sure I wouldn't be able to get them cuz my ko-fi got,... compromised. Presenting, Ms. Lacey Row

>>188772
Very nice rona-chan OC.
But seriously I'm glad you got it bro(s) and it looks great.

>>188773
>rona chan
REEEEEEEEE, you only say that cuz of the dress Xp

>>188772
Nice. Does the first scene involve her breaking out of a lab in Wuhan? Perhaps sneaking out of a cage in a wet market?

>>188773
cannot unsee

>>188778 →
>>188782 →
Before this devolves into another unintended argument, let me explain. Because this game has equal parts DnD modern and classic 3.5, I don't know how you intend technology to translate. The rogue skill "disable device" is SUPPOSED to pertain to swing traps, gear traps, and magical traps, where the only explosives are associated with bat guano.
Without prompting, I don't often know what appropriate skill checks I should be doing. And since generally rolling for unrequested skill checks is not what you're supposed to do - let alone spamming skill checks (which btw is a form of a demand) because you don't know what checks to roll - is not something I'm going to do. So, if you want to RETCON Brie making his skill checks, that's fine. But no, you're not 'finally' going to realize that this 'still needs doing'

>>188779
P.S. If keep it up. I don't HAVE to describe lewd scenes with her,...

Okay. I went ALL the way back and reread ALL the posts from the moment we got the initial description of the plane, which occurred on January 10th.
Without going back over all the exchanges, this is the point that occurred most recently after Brie initially disabled the trigger mechanism but before things went off the rails.
>>188124 →
>>188128 →
Yes, they were not directed, which as I have said means they were implicitly directed at GM.

All of Brie's dialogue from that point was to make small talk with Cavaliere, as he was supposed to be there with Brie working on things. But when Cavaliere was suddenly making dialogue with Black Heel, I assumed that the party had returned and were having a group discussion outside the airplane. Not sure how that's to be resolved, but it invalidates ALOT of what Brie knows about the situation, specifically Black Heel and his commies, as well as all of Cavaliere's dialogue with Black Heel.

Unless we want to play it that Brie and Cavaliere set the equipment to be easily removed and then tracked the party down (which is an easy thing to explain since they can fly)

The problem SPECIFICALLY occurs - not to point fingers - at >>188308 → when GM had Black Heel addressing Chevaliere,
and orange stallion responding to Brie's spiel about "untethering the traveler", which up until then had not involved the other group.

Does anybody oppose Posey going off to do the bone whale thing I described earlier? I think it is
I guess we could go together, idk.

I've mostly given up on sacrificing the prisoner, even though making an Icegaunt in this context was something I was excited for. Since we're going for the route of leaving the prisoners alive, the scary ice zombie ally isn't as necessary.

IDGAF what anyone does, just don't treat it as your own personal Odyssey

Let me rephrase:
Most of us have a victory condition of GETTING OUT ALIVE, cuz we're actually alive and not ironically. Yes, we can actually die. Oh yes, you can 'die', but it's complicated; it isn't complicated for us. So if you wanna fuck off on your power fantasy, sure.

I have no intention of dying, but risk is part of the thrill of adventure.
Besides, having a floating bone creature is useful in case extraction plans fail and I need a ride off the island.
Also I can't think of any other way to carry a bomb that weighs more than a ton.

Posey can take the Run action and hustle indefinitely, so she can cover ground faster than most creatures of her speed when travelling over land at full gallop.

>>188799
Arent you already dead?

>>188799
>>188800
For the record, this was purely a shitpost and in no way intended as a dig.

>deleted posts
Apologies, its set to not auto update, so Cavaliere's post didnt update before I posted

You know, if I had cast Disguise Undead, I might've been able to bring that aquatic ghast with me. An swimming minion could have been useful around now. Oh well, at least Gloomy is well-guarded.

>>188814 →
>It would take only a couple of sentences from the each of us to figure that part out. There is no need to be so reckless.
We've been talking about this for months now, tbh.
It's March. Let's get the show rolling.
>That might be something she decidedly does not want, depending on the magic she intends to use
Your character's actions are yours to decide. I will not opposed them so long as they are not acts if aggression towards my character (which includes theft).
I already described what magic Posey intends to use OOC. She's animating bones to create minions for the boarding of the Kostroma, particularly the advanced Bone Lurker out of the leviathan bones.
Posey would prefer not to have witnesses in the act, but the party will see the results of her work anyway.
Cavalier being there is useful since he is a Ranger and can therefore safely navigate to and from the whale bones. Since his cruising flight would be about as fast as Posey's undead hustle, he would be able to keep up with her without exhausting himself.
... It would also mean that he would be there to stop her from immediately flying to the top of mended horn to sacrifice the enthralled prisoner to create an Icegaunt though, which she might have been tempted to do in the absence of a flying witness...

>>188818
Again, apologies; as a player I thought you were trying to hijack the decision, and as a character Brie doesn't trust the idea of Rosie going solo while she has the 'keys'. No objections

>>188820
>while she has the 'keys'
What "keys"?
Silver has the feather token we need to escape.
I guess she has her tiara, but that's not a key to anything (...unless...?)
I guess the prisoner is still on her floating disk.

>>188823
I missed that, I have it in my notes that Rosie took the feather tokensince she asked for it

>>188823
Thanks for reminding me, we really should take the prisoner off your hooves. Less chance he gets sacrificed that way, and Black Heel would likely not appreciate it if Posey returns less one of his sailors.

>>188825
Pretty sure its too late for that

>>188833
Oh no, I'm SO scared.

>>188834
I do hope you're doing your pushups. Prolly not, cuz yer a bitch

>188835
Easy on the salt. It's not good for your blood pressure.

>>188836
Oh right, cuz my blood pressure is the concern. Not like you who needed everything paused for them how many times for whatever the fuck reason? Shutup you goddamn diva.

>188837
>Oh right, cuz my blood pressure is the concern.
Judging by how hard you are sneeding, yes.
>you who needed everything paused
I have never asked for the game to be paused.
On the handful of occasions where I was unable to play in the past two years, I almost always specifically said the party was free to proceed without me.
>Shutup you goddamn diva.
No u.
You are being massively gay for acting offended on someone else's behalf and shitting up the roleplay thread with ooc posts.
If Cavalier has a problem with me asking that he roll a survival check for me, he can tell me himself. He does not need you to speak for him. I will accept such a statement from him, not from you.

>>188838
Who's sneeding? Oh, you said that a half hour ago. Aren't you precious.
>I never asked for anything paused
"GM I demand answers to these 7 questions, and these 5 dice rolls"
"While you're doing that, I want to be doing this other thing, does that require a roll?"
"While it's that other player's general turn, attend to me, would you?"
I could go on.

You literally "Dread Pirate Roberts"ed over everyine, leaving no one any option but to start an ill advised argument OR pretend youre captain.

I never once used the word "captain" in that post.
And in that post, Posey explicitly described to Blackheel how the crew regard eachother as equals.

>>188859
With a display like that Rosie is either the captain or the jester. Which is to be assu.ed?

Apolologies:
>equals
Because they were! Historically, pirate crews were 100% democratic. Oh, the captain led how they did things, bit what they did next was put to a 1 to 1 vote. So yes, you didnt say captain, you just painted it on your chest

Whatever you say, m8.
It's not like the story actually matters. It only matters that Blackheel believed it.

>>188864
Well, anyone left alive should either believe/testify that we're pirates, or be sworn to some sort of secrecy, as a mission parameter.

Consider this a friendly notification
It was

>>188864
>its not like the story really matters
Thats the ARROGANCE I would address

Consider the idea that you're a part of a bunch of people who wanna get to the next thing.
Consider no one cares that you're a "extra special thing". Consider that you're verisimilitude accounts for playing along with the group. Consider that the group doesn't care/wont for leaving undead cuz "Its funny to me".

Focus

Please, everyone check in, decide on a not completely stupid course of action, and commit to it.

>>188873
My plan was to animate the whale bones, and then fly them towards the Kostroma.
I really want to do that, but I can be persuaded to do otherwise.

>>188875
>>188877 →
OMG, literal feels from that

>>188873
holds
It would be a lot easier for me if we scheduled the next game day, just so we can get started

>>188879
Agreed.
Until then, we're currently at "Meet back at the airplane"

>>188879
>>188880
Get started doing what? Agree on a plan and then we can go about executing it

>>188881
You are irritatingly easy to irritate. I assume what he means by 'get started' is "continuing onto the next leg", as we're branching off.
And yes, agreeing on the plan and executing it is the first step toward that. All we're lacking now is an agreement on where to meet back.

>>188881
>>188882
Easy to inadverdently irritate, that wasn't an aspersion. It's hard for me to not come across offensively. Someone once described me as "The most negative person they had ever met" and my response was "That' one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about me". When it comes to shitposting - irl or online - can't stop won't stop. But it's almost never persaonal (if it is, you'll know). And if I'm being honest, GM is only one of several facets to the scheduling equation

>>188881
I didn't mean to upset you, GM pone, I'm sorry. I'm just saying that it's hard to know when stuff's happening like this without any prior indication.

Anyways, something that would be useful for determining a course of action would be figuring out travel times and distances. Like, if two groups completing different sets of objectives would line up chronologically in parallel with each other. In that case figuring out a meet-up spot would be simple since there wouldn't be much if any waiting around for either group.

The objectives part of it is simple. We have four things we need to accomplish before going to the Kostroma: reanimate the leviathan skeleton, get the explosive and machine gun(s?) from the crashed plane, find the airponies and the airship, and find the last group of surviving commies. The explosive, machine gun, the airponies, and the airship should be self-explanatory: we need the first two for our fight against the Traveler, and the second two for our primary objective on the island. I know Posey keeps talking about the leviathan whale skeleton in terms of fighting the Traveler, and it would be useful for this aim, but there's two things that are far more important we need it for: first, for it to carry the heavy explosive to the Kostroma, and second, for it to disable the GRU ship so it can't follow us when we make our escape. Rescuing the commies makes Black Heel happy, and it means we have more numbers in our favor for the final fight. If we know how long travel times between the different objectives are, and add on however long we think it will take to complete them, then we can figure out who completes what and when, like if we should split up into different groups and meet back up elsewhere, or if we should stick together to keep things simple.

Also, I'm going to state this loud and clear to everyone so there's no confusion: I want the commies to join Silver as his followers. They're Silver's version of Posey's cursed crown or Brie's airship. That's another reason why I want the commies rescued, and why I will be genuinely furious if people start deliberately killing them or causing them to get killed. This includes the possessed commies, since killing or banishing the Traveler should cause them to be freed. So please, let's not sacrifice any of them to create undead horrors.

>>188885
>I/Silver want the commies
Noted, taking 'killing them' off the table. Brie doesn't know that yet, but he won't escalate anymore.As a player, I don't have a preference whether we go first to make the Commissar happy, or find/rescue the marines/airship; GM made the Tucker face at me earlier, so I'm suggesting we make the Commissar happy.
>the GRU have a ship
The GRU have a ship!
>greed intensifies

Anyway, I don't think we should worry about itineraries, I think we should make like Nike in the 90's

I was holding my breath all this time to avoid killing the millennial post...

>>188892
Magnanimous of you

Taking the last of the pre 900's digits, let's look at this honestly. While as a purist, I could criticize GM for availability issues, there are far more glaring availability issues.

It's funny to me how the MOST available and read-to-play player is the one who is begging for engagement. It's almost like in order to play this game with any reliability you have to be unavailable and unwilling for lengthy periods.

Wouldn't it be nice if the people 'committed' to playing this game actually showed up once in a while.

Okay, can we agree on this course of action?
>Go from airship (current location) to whale bones to do Posey's plan
>Fly whale bones back to airship (current location)
>Pick up bomb from airship with whale bones (huge creature with a Str score high enough to carry it as a light load)
>Carry bomb from airship to Kostroma
>Board Kostroma
>Defeat Traveller's minions in a way that minimizes casualties
>Destroy Traveller
>Continue on to locate missing airponies
Note that I stopped planning here, because we don't know what developments will occur during or after the fight with the Traveller. If the fight reveals to be unwinnable, we should retreat and abandon the siege of the Kostroma in order to prioritize the airponies.

Really, we don't have to split up to visit the whale bones. I just proposed that because it would take less time. If splitting the party complicates things, we can just stay together.
I would like to proceed to the whale bones now.

I'm going to need some information from GM pone. Namely, I'm going to need distances, travel times, dangers between the objectives, a full list of both the party members and the NPC followers we have, and locations near the Kostroma that could be used as rally locations.

>>188903
Travel time was the only reason I wanted to split the party, just to take advantage of better overland speed for not needing to rest.
But I don't care about the specifics. Just take me to the whale bones.

>>188903
>distances
>travel times
>dangers
The whaling station is down the hill hugging around the side of the cliff, maybe 10 minutes away going northwest. Maybe 8 minutes if that could be cut down. There are no known dangers between here and there, but monsters can appear out of thin air.

The exact location of the airponies is unknown, but a travel time of 40 minutes, or at least 30 minutes is likely given that the indicated location is on the opposite side of the island. The location is almost the same distance from the whaling station as it is from the cliff. The crashed airplane is maybe 5 minutes, perhaps less, from the current location on the cliff. The way to the airship requires going through the center of the island, either along the hill crest or along either side of the hill. On the north side of that hill is the bay where the GRU ponies are landing. On the south side is the bay where the Kostroma is located. The medieval village is maybe 20 minutes, perhaps less, from the current position and the whaling station alike. The modern village and the small pier are the closest obvious landmark to the Kostroma, being located at the base of the hill by the south bay. The Kostroma is hundreds of feet out into the water, evidently caught on a submerged sandbar. There is also what seems like a medieval keep on the east side of the bay.

The NPCs include the four griffins who are conscious, four mind-controlled ponies (including Sea Stone on the floating disk and three who are presumably tied up), two critically injured ponies (or was it three?), and the conscious ponies include the two who were rescued from the village, Pippette, the engineer who was with her, and then the four at the cliff, who are Blackheel, Starfire, Steppe Eagle and Rustiing Pine

>>188907
Thank you for clarifying.

>>188910 →
In case anyone cares, a Bone Lurker is neutral. Most mindless undead like skeletons and zombies are evil (despite lacking thoughts or personal agency).
This being said, skeletons and zombies were made Evil in 3.5e (probably because they decided that Paladins should be allowed to smite zombies), and the Bone Lurker is a monster printed before the update, so at DM's discretion he could make it Evil in line with other mindless undead in 3.5e. Or perhaps he may decide that the monster is unique because of the residual magic in the noble leviathans bones. Or perhaps GM just doesn't want me to reanimate the bones at all, in which case please just tell me clearly so I can give up on it and move on.

>>188913
Question: what's the carry limit for a Bone Lurker? Can it carry all of us, including the NPCs, as well as the explosive and machine gun(s) from the crashed plane?

>>188915
I have this statblock for a Huge sized advanced Bone Lurker, based on the one that the demon made for me from the hydra bones. It doesn't have as much HP as the demon's, but it's as good as Posey could possibly make with her scroll.

>Hone Kujira (advanced Bone Lurker)

>Huge Undead
>Alignment: Neutral Evil***
>Initiative: +3
>AC: 13 (-2 size, -1 Dex, +6 natural), touch 7, flat-footed 14
>Hit Dice: 9d12 (68 HP)
>Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6
>Speed: 20 ft., fly 30 ft. (poor)
>Space: 5 ft. by 15 ft./15 ft.
>Base Attack +4; Grapple +22
>Attack: slam +12 melee
>Damage: Slam 2d6+15
>Special Attacks/Actions: Constrict 2d6+15, improved grab, paralysis
>Abilities: Str 30, Dex 8, Con -, Int -, Wis 10, Cha 11
>Special Qualities: Immunities, undead traits
>Feats: Improved Initiative
>Skills: -

>Constrict (Ex): Hone Kujira deals 2d6+15 points of damage with a successful grapple check.
>Improved Grab (Ex): If Hone Kujira hits an opponent that is at least one size category smaller than itself with its slam attack, it deals normal damage and attempts to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity (grapple bonus +21). Hone Kujira has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use its body to hold the opponent. Either way, each successful grapple check it makes during successive rounds automatically deals slam damage and constrict damage.
>Paralysis (Ex): Any creature hit by Hone Kujira's slam attack must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC 14) or be paralyzed for 1d6+2 minutes.
>Immunities (Ex): Hone Kujira has cold immunity. Because it lacks flesh or internal organs, it takes only half damage from piercing or slashing weapons.***

>Hone Kujira attacks by dropping onto its prey and wrapping itself around its victim. Dropping down in this fashion is considered a charge attack from higher ground. If Hone Kujira misses its initial attack, it often flies up and tries to drop on the opponent again.

Based on these stats, a light load for it should be 1856 pounds (2784 pounds if it counts as a "quadrupedal" creature). It could carry more than that, but it would not be able to fly while doing so.

>>188916
Flying is pretty important to my plan. We'll see what GM pone thinks. Even if it isn't considered quadrupedal, maybe we can save enough weight through the flying members of the group.

>>188916
Also I just noticed this, how does it have more AC flat-footed than when not?

>>188918
Because I messed up. It's AC should always be the same.

>>188919
Oh, okay. While I wait on GM for an answer, I have another couple questions. Is there a limit to how far the Bone Lurker can go from you while still remaining under your control? Like, if you commanded it to do something on the other end of the island, would it still be controlled? A related question to that: do you have to give it commands directly face-to-face, or can you give it commands from a distance through a telepathic-like mind link?

>>188920
https://www.d20srd.org/srd/carryingCapacity.htm
For a 30 strength, it appears no less than 1600 for a maximum load, depending on how GM wanted to have encumbrance affect the creature's flying ability. So, while it will be unlikely to cary many/most while carrying the torpedo and the guns, after they've been expended we can probably carry most who can't already fly

>>188920
Animated Dead remain under their master's control indefinitely, until or unless they are replaced in the HD control limit. There is no limit in time or distance.
There is a near-identical bone lurker in the swamp, made of hydra bones, but the Artaaglith that animated them may have used its ability since then, so it may have become uncontrolled (the Dreads that Posey keeps with her may become uncontrolled at any moment).
>Like, if you commanded it to do something on the other end of the island, would it still be controlled?
Yes, but I would not be able to give it additional orders, or even make it do anything specific on the other side of the island due to lack of intelligence (unlike the ghoul, which is able to carry out precise instructions).
>A related question to that: do you have to give it commands directly face-to-face
Yes.
Commands for undead controlled through the Animate Dead spell are verbal (face-to-face), not telepathic (unlike rebuked undead), so there is a limit to what it can accomplish at a distance. Furthermore, the creature is mindless, and not even of humanoid nature, so only the most simple instructions can be given to it. It could function remotely if it were told to obey the orders or another intelligent creature though (such as how the demon ordered the Dreads to obey Posey, or how Posey ordered the zombie to obey Day Low Rain).
>or can you give it commands from a distance through a telepathic-like mind link?
No. Only rebuked undead are commanded mentally. Posey currently controls an aquatic ghast with her mind, and is using it as a contingent defense against anything that might harm Gloomy in the beach house.
>>188921
It can only fly while carrying a light load.
>A creature with a fly speed can move through the air at the indicated speed if carrying no more than a light load. (Note that medium armor does not necessarily constitute a medium load.)
It could still "run" overland while carrying more than that, but it would not be able to fly.

Worth noting that although I used the ghost whale yokai as a faceclaim, the bone lurker itself isn't necessary a creature of a shape that makes it suitable for multiple creatures to ride it.
>These undead creatures appear as portcullises or gridwork-curtains created from interlaced human and beast bones adorned with sharp bone spurs.
This isn't necessary mount-shaped, but at least a single medium creature should be able to ride it (same reason why goblins are able to use ogres as mounts, because they are two size categories smaller despite the ogre being an unsuitable bipedal shape).

>>188922
Well it's good that it's Huge then, cuz thats a x4 modifier to all carrying capacities. Assuming 30str to be 500lbs, that puts it right back at 1500lbs

>>188916
I should probably make this with only 8 HD (62 HP). That way I could afford to have a second smaller large-sized one without Day Low Rain being unexpectedly attacked by her sister (I know Posey wouldn't care about a zigger's safety, but I want to eventually reanimate her at her full power so I don't want her corpse to be destroyed). Having a second, non-advanced lurker would help defend Posey while the Huge one focuses on destroying the Traveller's summons.

It would burn up the last of my scroll though. No more necromancy for me until I get to that level... Oh well, any wise Necromancer knows that sacrifices must be made to reach one's true potential.

>>188924
Quit talking about it. Do it or stfu about it

>>188920
If it is flying it doesn’t have the carrying capacity of a quadruped. Anything that flies is limited in carrying capacity relative to the same thing in water or on land.

Also don’t forget that a head was not found for the Devil Whale

>>188929 →
>plan
Whatever do you mean? What "plan" is there to be derived?
In a logistical sense, it makes sense to split the party to try and maximize the available time. But that assumes you're dealing with a self-perpetuating reality as the interface; you aren't. Without assuming to speak for anyone, if I was GM I would not tolerate a splitting of the party. I would wait until the party figured out that this is a group effort.

>>188928
>Also don’t forget that a head was not found for the Devil Whale
Ah, whups. There goes my aesthetic faceclaim
No problem though. It doesn't need a head.

We're set on the plan to go to the whale bones, right? It's just ten minutes away. Let's just go together to avoid complicating things.
We can discuss the ethics of necromancy later. You guys all know ooc that a mindless bone lurker has no will of its own and has no chance of turning on its master (unless another necromancer casts Command Undead to steal it, or a Cleric twice their level rebukes and commands it). It's also immune to mind affecting attacks, so it cannot be enthralled by the Traveller, unless the Traveller is also proficient in necromancy (which I doubt, because it is apparently unfamiliar with the concept of death).

We've made every possible charisma check and dialogue negotiation with Blackheel. A lot of which is probably unnecessary. Blackheel has every reason to distrust us, but he's also in no situation to refuse. The GRU is not responding to him, so he has no real avenue to sabotage our raid of the Kostroma. As a commissar, he should have enough experience to make a logical decision that raiding alongside us would minimize casualties in his crew. If we leave and bring back the bone lurker, Blackheel will have already made his decision: either to join us in our raid, or to attempt to stop us (in which case, I think we could defeat him).

>>188947
In and out of character, I think going as a group is the best idea

I can't imagine that the Leviathan group will need either of the satchel charges, nor do I recall who physically has them, but they were expressly intended for the airship if we are unable to get it running.

>>188967 →
>Why is it that I ask this twice, it’s the only thing I ask, and I’m ignored twice?
I must have missed it, or was so preoccupied trying to convince Blackheel that I forgot to address it.

>>188975 →
>Now you're willing to discuss a plan?
That's what we've been doing for the past month.
>My priority has always been to find the "marines" (they're not marines, they're aviation sea-ponies)
Mine too, I want to get paid, but I was under the impression that we agreed to destroy the Traveller first.
>As for OOC hooks, I recall GM Pony explicitly saying that if we take on the objectives one at a time we will not be able to get all of them.
Yeah, this complicates things....
Maybe we should focus on the airponies first.

ISTF

>>188976
I might be wrong on this and end up getting fact checks, but I think there's some confusion on the matter. As I recall, GM pone never said anything about us running out of time if we take on the objectives one at a time. I think everyone is conflating that with the statement he did make that if we go after the Traveler before rescuing the airponies, it will result in anywhere from a partial to a total failure of the primary mission.

I just wanna ask, since Posey is talking about Dagon >>188878 , does that mean that Lovercraft mythos are canon in this campaign?
It's not a problem or anything, it just wasn't my impression that this was the lore GM had for his world but I don't know so I just want to have it clear up.

Also, I would like to know the extent of how much we're going Lovecraft in this world if that's the case. Is it just for flavor in regards to Posey's character or did Azathoth spawn this world?

It also struck me that I kinda like Azathoth. Every other higher being in that mythos are always such douches to humanity but Azathoth they fear. So you can't help but root for him. Kinda you're enemy's enemy is your friend and Samson, I take you with me before I die, kinda of thing also temple of Dagon. <-- I experience synchronicity like this, a lot.

This needs to be said. There's a big difference between what a player declares to have done and what GM accepts the player as having done. Ask me how I know.
So with respect, unless GM acknowledges or affirms what (you) have posted, unless ratified/accepted by GM, I have no way of knowing whether the action is even accepted.
So while Kira wants to get all angry-face at Brie, she should check with GM to see if it even happened.
And hey, if she was leading the fucking way, we wouldn't be at this impasse would we?

>>188987
It was so long ago that I forgot.

Why did we even bother looking for Blackheel and negotiating with him if we were just going to find the airponies first?

>>188988
>Posey is talking about Dagon >>188878 , does that mean that Lovercraft mythos are canon in this campaign?
Posey is talking about obscure occultism that she has personally studied, and it does not necessarily have any bearing on the setting, just Posey's beliefs.

For the record, I was referencing the D&D version of Dagon:
the Obyrith lord.

>>188980 →
Dude, you know as well as I do that called shots are not a thing in D&D: you cannot just say "I shoot him in the head".
Dusty has more hitpoints than you: you cannot kill him in one shot, even with your sneak attack, but the rest of us can kill you in one round (particularly Silver or I). The thing you are planning is foolish.
It's also homosexual to hold a PC hostage when their player is not present.

Pardon the consecutive posts

It appears that after all these weeks planning and discussing, we are still not sure what to do and what order to do it.

I believe that Dust could help us with this. If he's good aligned, which I think he is, he should be able to spontaneously cast sanctified spells, particularly Path Of The Exalted:
https://dnd.arkalseif.info/spells/book-of-exalted-deeds--52/path-of-the-exalted--40/
>Path of the exalted allows the caster to consult her deity (or an agent of her deity) to help make a difficult decision. This decision is usually more complex than a simple morality question. It may involve strategizing, choosing a particular lead to follow in an investigation, deciding who to help, or other difficult choices.
>The deity or agent simply helps the character examine a known situation from a number of different angles and makes a recommendation about the correct path to take. This spell does not reveal unknown factors, but merely helps the caster analyze known elements. The spell ends when the deity or agent has provided sufficient guidance for the caster to arrive at a decision.
Path Of The Exalted is basically a direct phone-line to Jesus that tells the caster the most favorable the most favorable course of action with the given information: by casting this spell, we would be able basically have the GM tell us exactly what to do in a way that would benefit us the most.
It has a 24 abstinence component vs divination, so it cannot be spammed, but in mult experience playing 3.5e it has been one of my favorite divination spells.

We cannot spend another month debating what direction to walk in, but Cavalier raised an important point about the airponies. Casting this spell can let the GM make the decision for us in a way that we can trust us the most favorable choice, so that we can keep adventuring.

I just assume the “Brie points a gun at someone” posts to be not-serious, but for the purpose of getting people’s attention.

>>188998
Oh wait, I was mistaken. You only need to be non-evil to spontaneously channel sanctified spells as a Cleric. So Dust should be able to do this, so long as he still has a lvl 3 slot.
Somebody get Dust and tell him to make our final decision for us.

>>188999
That's pretty much what I assumed.

>>188999
You assume that most of Bie's effort-posts are not serious One wonders what it will take for him to be takeb seriously when he posts. E_e

>>189003
Your posts go ignored because they're ridiculous and often don't make any sense; and they come in the context of all off the tangential ooc posts, posts you immediately delete, and fourth wall breaking you do in the roleplay thread: you are not taken serious because your posts aren't serious 4/5 times.

>>189008
They make sense if you're paying attention and aren't fixated on leaving autonomous corpses everywhere, or finding every which way to dive up another player's asshole.. It doesn't take much to follow what all I've posted that it does what you have. Oh, let me guess, you'tre gpmms "not kno what that means"
It means:|
You have done everything in your power to upset this game. First by being a liar and an 'innocuous new player uwu', then by deciding you were in a position to fuck whoever-whenever cuz its YOU, and finally by daring to take an "I'm a good boi" stance. What's next?

>>189012
I cannot speak on behalf of GM, but that was my say in the matter.

>>189013
You have had more than your say on the matter, but thank you for your input

>>189014
What do you even want, bro? What are you trying to accomplish?