[MLP] Roleplaying is Magic: The Broken Road.

[TheAmishPirate]

Here's hoping one of the others has better luck lol.

Funny you should mention that...

But seriously, this is going to come back and bite me just as soon as we're out of the starting mission. That's just how the dice gods roll.

[TheAmishPirate]

I'm finding that, when you take away the sophistication from Rarity and add in the integrity of Applejack, you get a pony who is borderline nutso when the mood takes him. And I'm not sure if that's a bad thing.

[Balmas]

Then you have Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle's child as raised by Rainbow Dash. Many conflicted emotions.

[BlasTech]

I'm finding that, when you take away the sophistication from Rarity and add in the integrity of Applejack, you get a pony who is borderline nutso when the mood takes him. And I'm not sure if that's a bad thing.

No problems Amish, I've been waiting for so long for someone to notice that I've been having that clock chime in every other one of my posts :smalltongue:

[One Tin Soldier]

No problems Amish, I've been waiting for so long for someone to notice that I've been having that clock chime in every other one of my posts :smalltongue:

Yeah, I had a real "D'oh" moment when I saw that. It went completely over my head. (Granted, I've been posting between doing other things, so I wasn't reading them all that carefully, but still.)

[Balmas]

I caught the bells ringing, but I figured it was just to show the passing of time, kind of say, "Get a move on."

[One Tin Soldier]

Heh. I was thinking that Hoofball would be like Soccer, not American Football. Doesn't really matter, just amuses me.

[Balmas]

Heh. I should have said Hoofball Goalie, then. I just didn't know the translation for Baseball.


On a side note, there is no such thing as Soccer, no matter what some Americans may say. There is Football, and That Weird Game with Armor and Sometimes Kicking The Ball.

In other words, there is Football, and there is Denial.

[Balmas]

You know what this RP needs? Musical numbers. Lots of musical numbers.

[BlasTech]

You know what this RP needs? Musical numbers. Lots of musical numbers.

I'll leave that in your capable hooves :smalltongue:

Made an edit to my last post to reflect that Pumpkin had already been returned, my derp.

[Balmas]

I'm somewhat conflicted right now.

Those of us who love roleplay know that our characters tend to become like us; mine do, at least. Generally, I'm in the support role, quiet and kind. Dive Bomb is just like that, with the added twist that he had a sick brother with an unknown illness.

This is the first time that I've become more like a character that I roleplay.

See, I'm the second oldest in my family, and the oldest son. I just read an email telling me that Matthew, my youngest brother, has begun to have problems with feeling sad. He's even admitted to cutting himself on the hand to relieve the sadness, or at least distract himself. He's got a doctor's appointment soon to determine whether it's mental or physical, or whether he has depression at all.

I'm scared, to tell the truth. I've only known two people who've actually told me of their depression; one's my best friend and is bright and fun, but the other one was one of the weirdest roommates I've ever known. I know next to nothing about depression, and that frightens me.

Heh. It's somewhat ironic that both Dive Bomb's reaction and mine is to throw ourselves into our studies--he in medicine, mine in psychology.

I'm not one to ask for this normally, but I'd appreciate any prayers you can offer. Thanks.

(And thanks for letting me unload on you. Happy feelings gone.)

[BlasTech]

Not a worry, Balmas. Not normally one to say this sort of stuff, but have you both in my thoughts and prayers. ^^

Just don't make the same mistake DB did and study too hard :smalltongue:.

[BlasTech]

I've got no real plans for anything else to happen today, but am open to suggestions.

Do you guys want to RP some dinnertime shenanigans? Because you're pretty much the only passengers on the train at present, it could be a good excuse to have some conversation together, get to know each other. Otherwise, we can skip that and head straight for bedtime, at which point I'll end the day?

Happy to do either really.

[TheAmishPirate]

@Balmas: Yikes. No worries, you and your family will be in my prayers.

Have a ponyhug:

http://i.imgur.com/6VON6.gif

@BlasTech: Knowing Cork, he'd go and chat it up with the others instead of doing all that pondering he meant to do on the train. So dinnertime shenanigans are certainly possible, and it would be a good idea to get the party a little more solidified before stuff starts to happen. I'm for it.

[One Tin Soldier]

Best of luck for you and your brother, Balmas.

As for RP, I'd be happy with some more IC chatter, especially since Crown Cork hasn't had much conversation time with the rest of the party.

[Balmas]

Thanks for the well-wishes, everyone. Now that the initial panic reaction has passed, I feel we can get through this.


@Blastech: Yes, I'd enjoy a bit more roleplay, get to know each other a little bit more.


On a completely different note, I think I understand now how best to roleplay DB's shyness; it all comes down to how confident he is. When he's flying, he's on top of his game, he knows what he's doing, and it shows in his attitude; he smiles, laughs, and does the occasional stunt in his own company. In chemistry, he speaks quietly and authoritatively. However, put him in a room with other people and tell him to talk to people? He doesn't know what to do, and so becomes a wallflower.

[One Tin Soldier]

Looks like the IC chatter is slowing down. How much more do you guys want to do before timeskipping?

[BlasTech]

*looks up from his deckchair and pina colada*

Aww, holiday is ending already? :smalltongue: Anywhoo, feel free to timeskip to later in dinner, or after even. When you're all done, if you can RP heading for bed I'll end the day.

*returns to sipping drinks*

No rush on my account :smallbiggrin:

[Balmas]

I'm down to do a little timeskip.

[BlasTech]

And thus ends the first day.

Before we continue, I'd like to know if any of you guys have some early feedback on how things went? The purpose of the first day was to have the "training wheels" type of challenge in order for the PC's to get to know each other, and for you guys to get used to the mechanics and playstyle.

What worked for you, what didn't? Anything you want to see changed or improved?

[Ravian]

I like it. The system is easy to grasp and for the most part I didn't need to look back on the rules to figure anything out. The intro adventure was also very good, gave us lots of opportunities for each of us to do things while still tying it to the overall story (political envoys from the griffon kingdom and all that) I say keep up the good work.

And on to Soot's lesson learned
*Ahem*
Dear Princess Celestia,
Today I learned that you shouldn't take your anger out on your friends when things don't work out the way you planned, especially when it isn't even their fault. You shouldn't let your anger get the better of you or else it can drive away those you care about.
Your faithful subject, Soot.
P.S.- just a little note of appreciation for whoever reviews the applications for the royal guard. They are doing a great job and should not tighten their standards one bit. I hope that all of Equestria will one day see guards of the caliber I witnessed today.

[Balmas]

Woot! One day, complete!

Well, here are my impressions: It feels very character-based, much more free-form roleplay than D&D. This is a good thing; I feel freer with my actions, both in describing the environment and in what I do. It's more a collaborative fanfic than it is a game.

As we play, I think I'm coming to understand how DB reacts the more I play him. Fun fact for you: he dislikes small enclosed spaces. Not quite claustrophobic, but borderline; if you put him in a space where he can't move around as freely as he likes, he'll begin sweating, maybe a bit of hyperventilation.


Dear Princess Celestia Journal
Well, today I bid Canterlot farewell. It was an interesting city; I got to peruse the royal library, and made some interesting advances into the changeling invasion of three months ago. It was a bit difficult, but I even got to talk to the top medical pony of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. (A bit odd, that; you'd think a ruler that combines the best aspects of all races would have a school that's a bit more inclusive. Then again, we have the Commander Hurricane military academy, so...)

Ran into the three most interesting ponies today at the train station; some griffon ambassador was there, so the trains were all shut down. While I waited for the trainsponies to get things settled, I talked with these three other ponies: two earth and a unicorn.

Then, there was a bit of darkness that I haven't figured out yet. I want to say that it was magical, because a sparkler didn't do much to dispel the darkness. In the confusion, two baby foals disappeared: a pegasus colt and a unicorn filly.

Much as I'd like to take the credit for finding them, I'm afraid that would be lying. (And Dad always hated liars. Probably still does.) No, the credit goes to this obnoxious, bossy earth stallion named Crown Cork. Man, he curls my feathers.

But, at the same time, he helped to get the job done. We all worked together to get the job done. I couldn't have gotten into the ambassador's room to check for the foals if that unicorn foal, Soot, hadn't stolen my bits and distracted the guards. I wouldn't have known to look in the next room over if one of the ambassador's aides hadn't used magic (ugh) to show the pegasus' passage through the wall.

They needed me, too. If it hadn't been for me, they could never have caught the little guy; he evaded two of Equestria's finest, which makes a sad statement about the level of athleticism required to become a solar guard.

Only by working together could we do what needed to be done. Truth be told, I'm actually feeling somewhat connected to this odd group; maybe there's something to this whole friendship and teamwork business.

In any case, it bears investigation.

Signing off,
DB.

[One Tin Soldier]

I second what Balmas said. This feels much closer to collaborative storytelling than most RPGs I play in. I'm also liking the roleplaying parts, it's interesting to think about how Grease reacts differently or similarly to how I would, depending on the situation.

Now, I just have to figure out what Grease learned.
Dear Princess Celestia Brush Stroke
I'm sorry that I couldn't make it to Ponyville today. I tried as hard as I could to get there in time for dinner, but I hit delay after delay trying to get out of the house, and then once I finally did, it turned out that the train was delayed!

I hope the dinner went well for all of you, and you didn't worry about me too much. I had my own little dinner with a small group of younger ponies on the train. It sounds a bit odd, I'll grant you that, but I can explain. A pair of foals went missing at the train station, and we had to work together a bit to get them back. They really are an interesting bunch, and spending time with them reminded me of a few humbling lessons. Like, for instance, remembering that just because a plan is risky, doesn't necessarily mean that it won't work out alright in the end.

I'll see you soon,
Your loving sister,
Grease Spot

[SiuiS]

I second what Balmas said. This feels much closer to collaborative storytelling than most RPGs I play in. I'm also liking the roleplaying parts, it's interesting to think about how Grease reacts differently or similarly to how I would, depending on the situation.

Now, I just have to figure out what Grease learned.
Dear Princess Celestia Brush Stroke
I'm sorry that I couldn't make it to Ponyville today. I tried as hard as I could to get there in time for dinner, but I hit delay after delay trying to get out of the house, and then once I finally did, it turned out that the train was delayed!

I hope the dinner went well for all of you, and you didn't worry about me too much. I had my own little dinner with a small group of younger ponies on the train. It sounds a bit odd, I'll grant you that, but I can explain. A pair of foals went missing at the train station, and we had to work together a bit to get them back. They really are an interesting bunch, and spending time with them reminded me of a few humbling lessons. Like, for instance, remembering that just because a plan is risky, doesn't necessarily mean that it won't work out alright in the end.

I'll see you soon,
Your loving sister,
Grease Spot

That's as much the group of people and the play by post format as the game system. Although having a specific narrative function and mechanics that are doing things, not just combat, is pretty slick.

[BlasTech]

Woot, well we're off to an officially good start then! (See, see why I spent a whole month on character generation?!!? They said I was mad, MAD I TELL YOU!! MWAHAHAHAHAa --- *coughs*)

Oh yes ... all three of those lesson letters qualify for the extra XP and make pretty good reading to boot! :smalltongue:

[TheAmishPirate]

Woot, well we're off to an officially good start then! (See, see why I spent a whole month on character generation?!!? They said I was mad, MAD I TELL YOU!! MWAHAHAHAHAa --- *coughs*)

Oh yes ... all three of those lesson letters qualify for the extra XP and make pretty good reading to boot! :smalltongue:

Pretty much what's been said. This feels like one of my Free-Form games, only with a few added rules here and there. And I'm loving it so far. Crown Cork is certainly a hoot to play, though I vastly underestimated how stuck-up he is. Pride was certainly the right choice of word. But the fun part is that it's not the sort of upper-class snootiness that I'm used to. Unfortunately, it's super late, and I can't put it into words right now. >.<

Anyhow, I'll get a letter to Celestia up tomorrow. Too worn out now. Feel free to move on with the game proper, as I don't think that one point of XP is going to change much of anything relevant.

[Balmas]

Woot, well we're off to an officially good start then! (See, see why I spent a whole month on character generation?!!? They said I was mad, MAD I TELL YOU!! MWAHAHAHAHAa --- *coughs*)

Oh, you're still mad, but it's okay; you're a fun madman... changeling... thing.

[BlasTech]

Scene change incomming. Waiting for the others to get their last reactions in.

[BlasTech]

Sorry guys, TPK. If only you had spotted the secret key on the previous page.

Better luck next time? :smalltongue:

More seriously, a small interlude seems fitting ... So I decree that it is shared dream time for everyone.

Here's how it'll work (stolen shamelessly from Thanqol.):

I'll give you guys the key points of the dream, feel free to work them in as best you see fit. For this dream;


Everypony is simply doing something mundane with their family or some pony significant to them.
Somewhere a night sky is visible (be it a picture, a reflection or the actual sky)
At some point near the end of the dream, one star starts to grow, as if approaching that character.
Just at the point where the heat begins to hurt, they wake up.


Upon waking, they may notice.


They are back in their cabins
It is hot, hot enough for them to still think they are dreaming?
The train is not moving, and the carriage floor is not quite level.
It is also very bright outside. I'll handle any description when they actually look out a window.

[Balmas]

Writing third person for more than one person is surprisingly fun.

[TheAmishPirate]

I'll get up my dream post later tonight. Long day, moving back to college and all that.

I do hope our good friend the guard is okay. Cork would not be pleased if he got himself offed for their sakes. :smallfrown:

[Balmas]

Interesting. Each of our dreams shows more about our ponies values than they've actually said in game.

Also interesting is that our respective post length doubles or triples when given free reign to describe the environment and other ponies' reactions.

[One Tin Soldier]

Interesting. Each of our dreams shows more about our ponies values than they've actually said in game.

Also interesting is that our respective post length doubles or triples when given free reign to describe the environment and other ponies' reactions.

Makes sense, considering that when you're doing normal RP you can't do much until you know how your actions resolve.

Personally, I really enjoyed writing the dream scene, because I got to play with dream logic. Like how the machine Grease was working on was totally nondescript, and Berry Punch was in Canterlot for some reason, and Ponyville was way closer to Canterlot than it should have been. All those little things that don't quite make sense when you think about it later.

[BlasTech]

Glad you guys liked it, I'll be sure to abuse this mechanic make use of this regularly!

EDIT: Oh yes, before I forget. Thanks to an evening of carousing and chatting, everypony's Courage score is restored.

[BlasTech]

Near/Mid/Far distances in my last post will roughly equate with 1/2/3 days walk.

I haven't included directions, as someone will need either a compass or a navigation roll to take their bearing I think?

[BlasTech]

Minor clarification to DB's last post, Balmas. The mind check related to the triangular rock, not the second set of landmarks (the speckled potential rocks/buildings)

I'll be generous and give you a partial success on the roll, allowing DB to notice that the triangular rock is a building of some kind. :smalltongue:

For clarity, I'll lay it out -rotating clockwise.


Direction one: large triangular building (near distance), chasm (mid distance)
Direction two: speckled potential rocks or buildings (mid), blue shimmer (far)
Direction three: green shimmer and creature (mid)
Direction four: sand
.

[Balmas]

Good to know. Now, how to edit my post to make sense...

[TheAmishPirate]

Uh, isn't Dive Bomb supposed to wait until Crown is clear of the cloud? I was just having him move away, then see if the cloud would follow him that whole distance, and then start running.

[Balmas]

Oh. Well, better start running while the coupling's dropping...

Need a "whoops!" Reaction image...

[BlasTech]

There's no check involved in dropping a bit of metal on a cloud, at least while it's not really doing anything :smalltongue:

Ok, so the cloud has been disturbed with Cork still under it? Excellent :smallamused:

Hee, given Cork is his character, I'll let Amish have the opportunity to say he bolts out from under it, or if he's fine with the cloud popping a little early.

Let me know what you want Amish and I'll type up the next bit?

[Balmas]

Alternatively, just go ahead and run and I'll come in later.

Crap. Check to make sure that the DM hasn't edited his post before going to remove posts.

[BlasTech]

I should really get in the habit of typing up my posts in word first. I seem to always want to go back an tweak things after hitting submit. :smalltongue:

[Balmas]

So, do we want to play it as is, or act with the edited order of events?


Dive Bomb nodded, and flared his wings to jump up. Reveling in the freedom of the third dimension, he rapidly remembered his due attention and focused on the uniting (coupling?) of miasma and coupling. By the Princesses, is he... humming? This pony is... He resisted the urge to facehoof, painful as it would be with the coupling there.

Just in case you want to stick it in your post again.

[TheAmishPirate]

I'd say I'm alright with it, 'it' being that Dive Bomb goofs up and drops the coupling early. Our characters aren't half the powergamers we are, and under the circumstances, mistakes and confusion are likely to happen.

If Cork does hear magical disturbances, he may start bolting anyway, so he may not be completely doomed. :smalltongue:

[Balmas]

Heh. To quote Applejack: "If you're gonna take this bull by the horns, you best be ready for a ride!"

[BlasTech]

Aww, well a 20 is still good enough to get away before the heavy stuff landed on him.

I was going to have the cloud disgorge an anvil, but couldn't think of a good reason for it to contain one. :smalltongue:

[BlasTech]

Hmm, what size are gryphon heads in comparison to ponies? From gryphon the brush off they seem about the same size.

[Balmas]

I'd have thought they'd be larger, or at least a different shape.

[Ravian]

Probably pinch around the front since a beak would be at least somewhat more narrow than a muzzle.

[BlasTech]

Ok, we'll go with that then!

And yes, OOC at least, I can tell you that it does belong to a gryphon.(The guard you met earlier in fact)

[TheAmishPirate]

Sorry this next post is taking so long. I want to get Cork's reaction right and in-character.

In general, I feel like my posting will be slowed down a bit due to school starting up again. However, I still think I manage at least one post per day.

[Balmas]

Quality over quantity, I think. It's something I may need to work on myself.

[BlasTech]

That said, at least one short post a day is good dicipline, easy to do, and keeps the ball rolling here :smallsmile:

[BlasTech]

OTS, for Grease and anyone else who goes searching with her, I'll give you the scene information here so you guys can type up the search without me needing to break it up with my posts:


The train is easily searched and deserted except for the private caboose car.

That one is half buried in the sand, and the door is locked. It looks like it came down alot harder than the rest of the train.

Despite the rest of the train being empty, there are signs that some areas were previously inhabited - think 'abandoned ship' style, with some food scraps left uneaten, books left lying open and the like. Notable areas might include the crew cabins just behind the engine, and a bunk car near the caboose, where those pegasi guardponies were stationed.

If anyone was wondeirng, Iggy had his own bunk in the next car forward. Seems like those pegasi kicked him out :smalltongue:

[Balmas]

I'm trying to decide whether Dive Bomb is more artificer or bard. Have I really made an effective bard character? Is that possible?

Then again, I classify myself as a LG bard, so... (Screw the rules, I'm real.) This is why I know how to find north without a compass.

[One Tin Soldier]

I'm trying to decide whether Dive Bomb is more artificer or bard. Have I really made an effective bard character? Is that possible?

Then again, I classify myself as a LG bard, so... (Screw the rules, I'm real.) This is why I know how to find north without a compass.

Yeah, I know that trick, too, though Grease doesn't. Out of curiosity, are/were you a Boy Scout? Because that's how I learned it.

[Balmas]

Yeah, I know that trick, too, though Grease doesn't. Out of curiosity, are/were you a Boy Scout? Because that's how I learned it.

Bronze palm Eagle scout. I attribute this fact to be 65% my mother helping and pushing.

And yet, I still have problems starting a fire when I don't use accelerants of some sort. :smallamused:


Also, I find it amusing that I may have made a well-developed character that's accidentally min-maxed. Is it just me, or is Mind the dominant stat in this game? Searching a room, manipulating small items, spotting stuff...

[BlasTech]

It's partly like that because you guys adopt the "when all you have is a hammer" approach to solving tasks XD.

[Balmas]

Is it bad for me to resist looking at the campaign map because I know I'll try to figure out where we are? Kind of enforce separation of character and player knowledge by making it so that I don't know either?

[BlasTech]

Enforced PC/OOC knowledge is fine by me, in fact I fully support it as it gives more authentic roleplaying as well as a sign as to how much I keep you guessing ^^

[One Tin Soldier]

Bronze palm Eagle scout. I attribute this fact to be 65% my mother helping and pushing.

And yet, I still have problems starting a fire when I don't use accelerants of some sort. :smallamused:


Also, I find it amusing that I may have made a well-developed character that's accidentally min-maxed. Is it just me, or is Mind the dominant stat in this game? Searching a room, manipulating small items, spotting stuff...

*applauds*
I'm an Eagle Scout too, though I didn't get any palms. (Considering I got my paperwork in literally the last minute I could before my 18th birthday.) And yeah, most of mine was my mom's pushing, too.

On an unrelated note, what kind of rolls would I get to use Grease's Adaptable talent on? Because I really can't figure that out.

[Balmas]

"Unchanged, save for the time's all wrong now," Crown noted with a frown. All wrong, all wrong, this wouldn't do at all. Retreating back to the shade of the train's doorway, the earth pony sat on his haunches and began fiddling with the watch. "It was around this hour, I'm sure of it...but was it past the half? I'm almost certain it was...but then how long were we playing with it? Not long at all..." Back and forth, back and forth went the minute hand as he tried to pluck the correct time from his memory.

Making a Mind roll to remember what time it was before Dive Bomb started messing with the watch.

Mind 3: [roll0]


I just wanted to make it clear that Dive Bomb didn't mess with the time at all. He just spun the watch around so the hour hand faced the sun, and then check for north.

So, in effect Cork is kind of shooting himself in the foot. Er, Hoof. :smallsmile:

[TheAmishPirate]

I just wanted to make it clear that Dive Bomb didn't mess with the time at all. He just spun the watch around so the hour hand faced the sun, and then check for north.

So, in effect Cork is kind of shooting himself in the foot. Er, Hoof. :smallsmile:

Oh.

Um.

That's more a case of me misreading the post horribly. If I were Cork, I wouldn't have made the same mistake. Would you mind if I retcon my last post?

[Balmas]

Sure. My description was somewhat vague, so I understand the mistake. It wouldn't have happened in character, so the fault is mine.

[BlasTech]

Aww, Cork defused my door trap.

I was going to have her pounce Grease Spot again if anyone tried forcing or picking the door open. :smalltongue:

[BlasTech]

*applauds*
I'm an Eagle Scout too, though I didn't get any palms. (Considering I got my paperwork in literally the last minute I could before my 18th birthday.) And yeah, most of mine was my mom's pushing, too.

On an unrelated note, what kind of rolls would I get to use Grease's Adaptable talent on? Because I really can't figure that out.

It looks like it's more about improvising, so in Grease's case I'd say jerry-rigging contraptions, improvising tools and so forth.

[TheAmishPirate]

I'm so glad I have a single this year. Otherwise, my hypothetical roommate would be looking at me rather funny as I hold my nose and read Cork's lines. :smallbiggrin:

[BlasTech]

Right, I had to think about this one a bit.

My comments earlier on not being able to re-do rolls applies, there's no sense in lifting that because otherwise it enables you to "take 20" on any task, trivialising the risk.

This generally also applies to harmony bonuses, they can only take effect and influence the roll if you are all set up to work together prior to actually rolling. (This encourages teamwork in the posting format just as much as IC). You don't all have to pile into the carriage to help, you can, for example, simply be shouting directions or encouragement from the sidelines; the point is you are supporting one of the ponies who is actually doing the check.

In other words, it's just as much a mechanic to stop people hogging the dice roll posts themselves :smallbiggrin:

That said, this once, I will allow a harmony bonus to apply retroactively, just so you all can get a feel IC and OOC about how much working as a team can help.

DC was 15 if anyone was wondering, which means that while Dive Bomb's roll of 8 still holds, if enough of you lend a hoof, you can get yourself up to 14 if Soot helps (or 18 if both Soot and the Gryphon help, NPC's can count too under certain circumstances; namely if they also want a specific task to succeed or if you befriend them) which is enough for a partial success or an outright pass.

And yes, no check needed for Dive Bomb to assist Cork in getting inside; there would have been a check if you hadn't sent the pegasus in first.

[Balmas]

At the risk of sounding ungrateful, a part of me insists on doing some mental algebra. My 8 plus two PC assists equals 14, therefore a PC assist equals a +3 bonus. Now, my 8 plus three PC assists and one NPC assist equals 18. If a PC assist is equal to three, then an NPC assist equals a +1 bonus.

So, theoretically, if we have Grease Spot perform the examination, then her mind score (5) plus two PC assists (DB and Cork) equals a +11 bonus to the roll. So, if she gets anything greater than a miserable three, then we pass the check.

Far be it from me to mention such blatant metagaming, though. :smallbiggrin:


On a somewhat related note, to which situations does the talent Wary apply?
The Wary Talent indicates outstanding awareness, perception, and readiness. It would seem that it applies to situations where he's trying to notice stuff, getting ready, or examining something. I just feel kind of guilty because I must have used it a dozen times in the first day and the second.

[BlasTech]

I'm talking harmony bonuses here. It's a cumulative +1 for each character assisting.

So DB alone = nothing

DB + Cork = +1

DB + Cork + Grease = +3

DB + Cork + Grease + Soot = +6 (enough for 14 and a partial success)

DB + Cork + Grease + Soot + Gryphon = +10 (Enough for an outright pass)

Sorry if it wasn't clear, but the 14 is if you got Soot to help as well as the ones who are already helping (namely, Grease and Cork).

Re the Wary Talent;

Yeah that applys to perception checks, it could certainally apply here, meaning you could just cut it short and take a second roll. (Generally it means you are more perceptive at noticing things through observation, so yeah, physical exam would count)

[TheAmishPirate]

That makes sense, thanks for the explanation.

@OTS: Something I realized wasn't clear from my post: Cork is asking her to lend a hoof with examining the griffonness' body while he inspects the Ambassador's. So he could call up "Is there a bulge on the back of her hind legs?", and she could check and see. He can only examine one griffon closely at a time, after all.

[One Tin Soldier]

That makes sense, thanks for the explanation.

@OTS: Something I realized wasn't clear from my post: Cork is asking her to lend a hoof with examining the griffonness' body while he inspects the Ambassador's. So he could call up "Is there a bulge on the back of her hind legs?", and she could check and see. He can only examine one griffon closely at a time, after all.

Ah, I see. Yeah, that wasn't clear from the post. If you ask something like that IC, Grease will get it.

[SiuiS]

I'm trying to decide whether Dive Bomb is more artificer or bard. Have I really made an effective bard character? Is that possible?

Then again, I classify myself as a LG bard, so... (Screw the rules, I'm real.) This is why I know how to find north without a compass.

1- bard is the easiest way to get a party rolling an average of 25 damage each at level 3, no effort on their part. Which lends to social bonuses. Bards are awesome.

2- devoted performer allows not only gestating paladin and bard, but allows you to be L an remain a bard.

3- poorly grasped memetic mutation aside, Bard is a religious title belonging to historian journeymen driaocht - Druids - before they earn enough could to judge or become archmagi; hence, any journeying wizard out to learn the face I his art is a Bard. Including those whose mystic arts are the sciences.

Keep rockin' it yo.

[One Tin Soldier]

Earth ponies can bank crits for later, right? I'm having trouble opening the rulebook. In related news, I rolled a nat 20 on lifting the good sir Highwind out of the car. :smallbiggrin: I'm assuming the total of 28 is enough to get him out without the crit?

[TheAmishPirate]

Earth ponies can bank crits for later, right? I'm having trouble opening the rulebook. Also, I rolled a nat 20 on lifting the good sir Highwind out of the car. :smallbiggrin:

Yes, and there are three important things to note about doing so:

1) You have the ability to hear what your critical success would be if you don't bank it. After you know what the results would be, then you can decide whether or not to bank it.

2) When a critical failure comes along, you can then spend your banked crit to turn it into a normal failure. Again, you can hear what the crit failure is first before you decide to use your banked crit.

3) You can have one critical success banked at one time.

I don't think you can spend the crit success to make an ordinary success a critical success, just to offset a critical failure.

[BlasTech]

Earth ponies can bank crits for later, right? I'm having trouble opening the rulebook. In related news, I rolled a nat 20 on lifting the good sir Highwind out of the car. :smallbiggrin: I'm assuming the total of 28 is enough to get him out without the crit?

Yes you can, Amish got most of the mechanics right, except that I don't think I tell you what the crit success was before you decide to bank it. You do get to hear the results of the crit failure first.

I assume you're banking it? And yeah, 28 will get you all out of the car easily :smalltongue:

[One Tin Soldier]

Yes you can, Amish got most of the mechanics right, except that I don't think I tell you what the crit success was before you decide to bank it. You do get to hear the results of the crit failure first.

I assume you're banking it? And yeah, 28 will get you all out of the car easily :smalltongue:

Yes, I am indeed banking it. Getting out of a critfail scot-free is always a nice card to have.

[TheAmishPirate]

Yes you can, Amish got most of the mechanics right, except that I don't think I tell you what the crit success was before you decide to bank it. You do get to hear the results of the crit failure first.

Could you double-check that? I swear the online rules said something about hearing the critical success before banking.

[BlasTech]

Could you double-check that? I swear the online rules said something about hearing the critical success before banking.

*Facepalms* yes you're right. I was just reading the example, but the prior paragraph sets it out more clearly.

Here's the full extract:
Mechanically, Earth Ponies have the ability ‘bank’ a critical success, and use it to offset a critical failure later. When they would normally gain the effects of a critical success, an Earth Pony can choose to bank it instead of gaining its effects (it remains a success, but is not treated as a critical success). Earth Ponies can only have one critical success banked at a time. Any time they have a critical success banked, if they suffer a critical failure, they may choose to spend their banked critical success to avoid the effects of the critical failure (it remains a failure, but is not treated as a critical failure). This removes the banked critical success, and the Earth Pony must wait until they again gain a critical success to bank another.

While this ability in and of itself can be useful for immediately offsetting a critical failure when one pops up, it does not need to be declared that it is being used until after the GM has described the effects of a critical failure; however, it must be declared that it is being used before anything further occurs. Likewise, a character can bank a critical success after the GM has described what that critical success would have done, but nothing else may have happened. In either case, the player and the GM should work together to decide how the critical success, or critical failure, was avoided or negated. Typically, this takes the form of a ‘close call.’

For example, an Earth Pony character is painting a banner in preparation for a festival, when they roll a critical success. The player decides immediately that they don’t need the critical success, and declares that they are ‘banking’ it before the GM describes its effects. Later, when hanging the banner, they roll a critical failure. This time, they wait until the GM describes the effects the critical failure: the banner falls down, touches a torch, and is lit on fire. Before anything else happens, the player declares that they are spending their banked critical success in order to offset the critical failure. Together, the player and the GM decide that just before the banner would have touched the torch, a sudden wind extinguished the torch. Thus, while the character still failed to hang the banner, they had a ‘close call’ avoiding what might have been disastrous bad luck.

For this case, a critical success would have been finding the Gryphon Ambassador's journal on the way out. If you don't want to bank it now OTS, you can go back and retrieve it. It's a leather tome with a feather and lighting bolt on the cover.

If there's something more written somewhere else in the book let me know. I'm hoping the S3 edition of the rules are easier to browse XD

Incidentally, there's a talent that Earth Ponies can take that allow the banked critical successes to be used on a normal success, 15xp to buy.

[One Tin Soldier]

*Facepalms* yes you're right. I was just reading the example, but the prior paragraph sets it out more clearly.

Here's the full extract:
Mechanically, Earth Ponies have the ability ‘bank’ a critical success, and use it to offset a critical failure later. When they would normally gain the effects of a critical success, an Earth Pony can choose to bank it instead of gaining its effects (it remains a success, but is not treated as a critical success). Earth Ponies can only have one critical success banked at a time. Any time they have a critical success banked, if they suffer a critical failure, they may choose to spend their banked critical success to avoid the effects of the critical failure (it remains a failure, but is not treated as a critical failure). This removes the banked critical success, and the Earth Pony must wait until they again gain a critical success to bank another.

While this ability in and of itself can be useful for immediately offsetting a critical failure when one pops up, it does not need to be declared that it is being used until after the GM has described the effects of a critical failure; however, it must be declared that it is being used before anything further occurs. Likewise, a character can bank a critical success after the GM has described what that critical success would have done, but nothing else may have happened. In either case, the player and the GM should work together to decide how the critical success, or critical failure, was avoided or negated. Typically, this takes the form of a ‘close call.’

For example, an Earth Pony character is painting a banner in preparation for a festival, when they roll a critical success. The player decides immediately that they don’t need the critical success, and declares that they are ‘banking’ it before the GM describes its effects. Later, when hanging the banner, they roll a critical failure. This time, they wait until the GM describes the effects the critical failure: the banner falls down, touches a torch, and is lit on fire. Before anything else happens, the player declares that they are spending their banked critical success in order to offset the critical failure. Together, the player and the GM decide that just before the banner would have touched the torch, a sudden wind extinguished the torch. Thus, while the character still failed to hang the banner, they had a ‘close call’ avoiding what might have been disastrous bad luck.

For this case, a critical success would have been finding the Gryphon Ambassador's journal on the way out. If you don't want to bank it now OTS, you can go back and retrieve it. It's a leather tome with a feather and lighting bolt on the cover.

If there's something more written somewhere else in the book let me know. I'm hoping the S3 edition of the rules are easier to browse XD

Incidentally, there's a talent that Earth Ponies can take that allow the banked critical successes to be used on a normal success, 15xp to buy.

Ooh, a tough decision. Negate a future critfail, or learn something new (and probably interesting) from the journal. (Or give it back to him for goodwill, or something.) Hmm... what do you guys think?

[Ravian]

That is a tough one, if it were me I'd take the book, gameplay is most interesting when you get that extra bit the dice deals out even if you have to take a bite from it other times. Besides if you don't we'll all be wondering forever after what was in it. :smalltongue:

[One Tin Soldier]

That is a tough one, if it were me I'd take the book, gameplay is most interesting when you get that extra bit the dice deals out even if you have to take a bite from it other times. Besides if you don't we'll all be wondering forever after what was in it. :smalltongue:

Alright, sounds good to me. I'll adjust my post to reflect this. Later, when I'm not gaming IRL.

[BlasTech]

If you're going to take the book, probably best for me to keep him insensitate until you decide what you want to do with it :smalltongue:

[Balmas]

Would it be a Body check to wobble the bars of the ladder off the train, or do I just take them off, no problem?

[BlasTech]

Hmm, I'd say you can get those bars off with no check required. You could do an individual check, but I figured everyone was working together to assist in the ulitimate scavenging and construction check by whomever is going to be primary for building it.

Most logical way I think that would play out is individuals contributing parts to the primary for them to assess and assemble into a stretcher. Anyone assisting gives a harmony bonus, plus potental tools bonus for the materials. The final check would be to determine whether or not the stretcher is any good.

To be honest, I probably should insist on the individual check, but I'm being kinda lazy today, and don't want to clutter the flow of posting with too many incidental dice rolls :smallredface:

[BlasTech]

I'm going interstate for a few days, I should still have net access, but just in case I don't feel free to set up the roll for the stretcher without me.

Incidentally, which primary attribute would be most applicable? I'd think Mind, but part of me also says the dexterity of body might be applicable. Scavenging skills would apply to it, as would anything where you arguably have to improvise such crafting. (Both Thief and Repair could apply)

DC would be 15 if you want the stretcher to last.

[TheAmishPirate]

Okay, this one may be a bit of a stretch, but would it be possible to get Crown's Painter skill or Job bonus to picking out a material? I imagine that, over the years, he's had to paint on a variety of materials, not just paper. That may give him a better sense of the composition of said materials, especially for a pony as detail-oriented as he.

[BlasTech]

Hmm. Tough one. When it comes to painting, material selection is important, so he may have picked up something as part of that.

Ok I'll pay it. Skill and job apply.

Heck. You might even be able to mount an argument for special purpose too.

[One Tin Soldier]

I'm going interstate for a few days, I should still have net access, but just in case I don't feel free to set up the roll for the stretcher without me.

Incidentally, which primary attribute would be most applicable? I'd think Mind, but part of me also says the dexterity of body might be applicable. Scavenging skills would apply to it, as would anything where you arguably have to improvise such crafting. (Both Thief and Repair could apply)

DC would be 15 if you want the stretcher to last.

Personally, I'd say Mind is more important than Body. And if Grease is the one building it, then I'd say Mechanic would apply, but not Repair.

[TheAmishPirate]

Hmm. Tough one. When it comes to painting, material selection is important, so he may have picked up something as part of that.

Ok I'll pay it. Skill and job apply.

Heck. You might even be able to mount an argument for special purpose too.

Sweet. As for special purpose, I'd say it falls under "showing what makes things special" pretty easily. After all, in order to show what makes something special, he has to be able to discover what makes something special himself. For materials, what makes them special is their blend of properties; tensile strength, washability, how it handles the heat, density, etc. All of them blend together to create what really makes that material unique. Thus, as he walks through the train cabins, he's not really browsing materials, he's browsing unique mixes of physical properties to find just the right flavor to save their griffon ally.

I'm going to go ahead and roll, because I don't think he really needs more bonuses at this point, and I've held things up long enough. Just read this first and decide whether or not it'd apply, then go see if the check failed or not.

[Balmas]

The dice, they hate me. >.<

Looking at it objectively, there was a 20.25% chance that I'd get a nine or lower on both rolls and fail the check. The 6.25% chance that both results would be below five is harder to stomach.

[BlasTech]

Ouch, well at least the only consequence is making the craft roll slightly harder. ^^

[BlasTech]

Personally, I'd say Mind is more important than Body. And if Grease is the one building it, then I'd say Mechanic would apply, but not Repair.

Yeah, I guess Mind continues to be the dominant stat ... for now. :smallamused:

As for the skills/job, thoughts on my part were; mechanics are all about understanding mechanical principles, whereas repair ponies might need to have knowledge of how to fudge together parts that were not designed for their use so both might apply.

But hey, if you want to argue against it, more than happy XD.

Oh and Amish, I agree with the special purpose applying, but you rolled high enough that it's rather moot. :)

[One Tin Soldier]

Yeah, I guess Mind continues to be the dominant stat ... for now. :smallamused:

As for the skills/job, thoughts on my part were; mechanics are all about understanding mechanical principles, whereas repair ponies might need to have knowledge of how to fudge together parts that were not designed for their use so both might apply.

But hey, if you want to argue against it, more than happy XD.

Oh and Amish, I agree with the special purpose applying, but you rolled high enough that it's rather moot. :)

Well my thoughts were more that Mechanic is her Job, which represents a broader knowledge base than her Repair skill, which is more focused. They're both at 4, so which one applies only matters if they both do, which would mean getting +8 instead of +4.

But hey, if you think Repair would apply to building things, I'd be happy with that. :smalltongue:

[Balmas]

I'm considering buying a new skill to better allow Dive Bomb to care for injured ponies. Probably be something along the lines of Field Medicine, which would involve triage and immediate care of wounds like sprains or cuts. So while Pharmaceutical medicine would involve more diagnosing a disease and making a medicine to help fight it, Field medicine is more of a field hospital kind of thing.

[BlasTech]

Well my thoughts were more that Mechanic is her Job, which represents a broader knowledge base than her Repair skill, which is more focused. They're both at 4, so which one applies only matters if they both do, which would mean getting +8 instead of +4.

But hey, if you think Repair would apply to building things, I'd be happy with that. :smalltongue:

Heh, well it's a good point, and was one of the arguments I had with myself on Amish/Cork's question earlier was about the scope of Job vs Skill.

In the end I let both apply because it was hard to justify separating Painter from Painting. I think carrying repair forward to making entirely new things might be a bit too much of a stretch, but I do want to be consistent in the treatment between PC's

Ok, how about this. If you think you need to fudge/stretch a stat, then the general answer is yes for jobs and no for skills unless you can come up with a decent argument as to why both apply, bearing in mind that the skill narrowly focused?

This would make the answer earlier to Cork a Yes for Job and No for Skill on the grounds that the 'painting' skill simply refers to his ability with the brush. That sound fair?


I'm considering buying a new skill to better allow Dive Bomb to care for injured ponies. Probably be something along the lines of Field Medicine, which would involve triage and immediate care of wounds like sprains or cuts. So while Pharmaceutical medicine would involve more diagnosing a disease and making a medicine to help fight it, Field medicine is more of a field hospital kind of thing.

That's fine. If DB helps nurse the Ambassador a bit, that will be sufficient practice to justify the XP spend narratively.

[Balmas]

Excellent. I imagine the XP expenditure would take place at the end of the day?

[TheAmishPirate]

Ok, how about this. If you think you need to fudge/stretch a stat, then the general answer is yes for jobs and no for skills unless you can come up with a decent argument as to why both apply, bearing in mind that the skill narrowly focused?

This would make the answer earlier to Cork a Yes for Job and No for Skill on the grounds that the 'painting' skill simply refers to his ability with the brush. That sound fair?

I was genuinely surprised you let me use the Painting Skill earlier, but didn't say anything because I know when to keep my mouth shut. :smalltongue:

I agree entirely with this interpretation. Jobs are supposed to represent the broader set of skills and experience picked up doing them, while Skills are finely tailored to more individual tasks.

[BlasTech]

Excellent. I imagine the XP expenditure would take place at the end of the day?

Eeeeyup.


I was genuinely surprised you let me use the Painting Skill earlier, but didn't say anything because I know when to keep my mouth shut. :smalltongue:

I agree entirely with this interpretation. Jobs are supposed to represent the broader set of skills and experience picked up doing them, while Skills are finely tailored to more individual tasks.

I'm too nice. I resolve to be less nice :smalltongue:

[One Tin Soldier]

Heh, well it's a good point, and was one of the arguments I had with myself on Amish/Cork's question earlier was about the scope of Job vs Skill.

In the end I let both apply because it was hard to justify separating Painter from Painting. I think carrying repair forward to making entirely new things might be a bit too much of a stretch, but I do want to be consistent in the treatment between PC's

Ok, how about this. If you think you need to fudge/stretch a stat, then the general answer is yes for jobs and no for skills unless you can come up with a decent argument as to why both apply, bearing in mind that the skill narrowly focused?

This would make the answer earlier to Cork a Yes for Job and No for Skill on the grounds that the 'painting' skill simply refers to his ability with the brush. That sound fair?



That's fine. If DB helps nurse the Ambassador a bit, that will be sufficient practice to justify the XP spend narratively.

Sounds fair to me.

FYI Sandy is making a lovely little detour specifically to hit me, so my power will likely go out for a few hours at least. I'll get in my post now.

[BlasTech]

Sounds fair to me.

FYI Sandy is making a lovely little detour specifically to hit me, so my power will likely go out for a few hours at least. I'll get in my post now.

Yikes. :smalleek: Batten down the hatches and stay safe. Appreciate the effort to post in a hurricane, but safety first! :smallbiggrin:

[Balmas]

Agreed. Stay safe!

[Ravian]

The power just came on for me, though not from Sandy, there's a snowstorm coming in from the Tennessee border, and the winds blew out a transformer after I got home. But of course the hurricane took all our thunder. :smalltongue:

Still keep safe, it certainly looks nasty.

[TheAmishPirate]

Moved to OOC because the end note was getting longer than that post:

I'm okay with any level of injury, as well as a roll to try and diagnose/fix it. Crown did moan about how much pain he was in, and had a minute or so of shock after falling, but his mind has been focused on rescuing the ambassador in the meanwhile. So it's not too much of a stretch that the injury could be worse than a simple nosebleed, and he's just far tougher than anypony has given him credit for. And I do want to play Cork's melodramatic actions as if they actually have consequences beyond a slap on the wrist.

[Balmas]

Fair enough. So, how do we play this? Let Blastech decide? Figure it's just a broken nose, and let him take the rugged looks that come with it?

[BlasTech]

It's Amish's character, so he can make the final call. It's only one point of fort damage caused by a smack to the face, so I do think a simple nosebleed is enough for that.

Bear in mind, you will take more points of fort damage in the future I'm sure, I dont want the benchmark set too high with the first point taken XD

Also, I'm a bit techy about having a roll to remove that damage point or reduce its healing time. Maybe once someone invests in first aid skill that can be a perk, but it's too early to be having that discussion.

[Balmas]

Oh, I'm not trying to remove any damage; I'm just trying to act in character.

...

I'm a munchkin. When did this attitude become acceptable?


So, Amish, it's up to you.

[TheAmishPirate]

Hmm. How do we do anything when we can't decide?

We roll for it!

Okay, Nat 1 is obviously bad. Nat 20 is it's just an incredibly over-glorified nosebleed. 5 or less is broken nose. 6 or higher is just bruises and ouchies, no lasting damage.

[roll0]

There you have it; he's just banged up from the fall.

[Balmas]

You know, it is challenging, and very, very fun to write for Dive Bomb. What's best is when I can get that shy, asocial pegasus balanced just right with the smart snarker on the inside.

[One Tin Soldier]

Well, the hurricane turned out to be really lame. It was supposed to hit us in force today, but all we got was a bit of drizzle and somewhat uncomfortable cold. We didn't even get off class. :smalltongue:

[BlasTech]

Phew. Glad to hear that. The pictures on the news down here look ugly.

[Balmas]

Where are you relative to the hurricane?

Kind of like Hurricane Irene a couple years ago. We were sure it was going to come right over us, but it dodged at the last moment, and all we got was a ton of rain. Tell the truth, I was somewhat disappointed; my companions, Elder Bingham and Elder Smart stayed up late to watch. Did I see lightning? No. Did I see flooding? Honestly, I didn't expect to, since we lived near the top of one of the larger hills in Wilmington. Still, somewhat disappointing. Did I see flying satellite dishes, ripped loose by the sheer, unbridled fury of the storm? No.

Very disappointing. And, you know, a relief at the same time.


Also, dear Ms. Rinda:
Tremble before the +6 harmony bonus of our puppy-eye-beams.
Sincerely, Dive "Oh-luna-please-don't-jinx-us" Bomb.

[One Tin Soldier]

Literally smack-dab center of where the eye was supposed to go. I guess being in a valley protected us from the bad parts today, but it really should have been much worse than it was today. Though looking at the path again, it seems that it turned north earlier than expected.

(Yes, I know that giving you this information is the next best thing to telling you exactly where I live, but what the hay, I trust you guys.)

[BlasTech]

Poor poor Rinda. Never stood a chance.

Don't worry OTS, I have only a very passing knowledge of American Geography, so if anything, it only tells me you are somewhere in the USA ... or maybe Canada.

[BlasTech]

Hey guys.

Just a short heads up, but am heading away for a short trip this coming weekend. Should only be out of contact for 2 days at most.

[TheAmishPirate]

What else is there left to do before we pack up supplies, wash out some containers for water, and head out? I can have Crown make a mini-mobilizing speech, but then would folks be alright if we just moved to us leaving the train wreckage?

[BlasTech]

What else is left is completely up to you guys, don't want to prod you in any particular direction or even force you to leave if there are things you think you'll still need to do at the train. ^^

So far, the things you've done are;


Gathered food and limited water
Found some sun cloaks and potential saddle bags in the tablecloths etc
Rescued Iggy, Rinda and the Ambassador
Prepped the Ambassador for transport.


If/when you're ready to leave the train, saddle up and get ready to move out and I'll do a travelling post.

[Balmas]

Well, one thing that we still need to do is figure out which way we're going to go.

Dive Bomb's thoughts on the matter:

Due south is most exciting, as it has a recognizable building. It's also the closest thing.

West is the second most exciting, with its stone formations and possible oasis. He'd probably recommend heading this way, since it has the greatest mix of archaeology and possible supplies.

North is bad. North has a scary lizard, so let's go out of our way to avoid it. However, it's also the closest possible oasis.


I'm tempted to just have DB fly out there, using his superior flight speed to check each location out in detail, but I suspect that this would irritate Blastech.

[BlasTech]

It'd be hours of flight time I think, even with superior speed. Each location is a minimum of one day's walk, which is about 30 miles as ponies go.

I'd think his energy would stand a good chance of giving out before he could seach them all, not to mention if he actually found ... anything.

I mean, feel free to go fly out there to scout some, I think the biggest irritant would mostly be everyone else having to wait till you got back :smalltongue: (And don't be surprised when you're rolling energy saves :smallamused:)

I should impress on everyone that this is not a walk in the park you're facing, this is a long trek across a hot, dry, exhausting terrain. I will be factoring in environmental challenges, so the suncloak/tablecloth thing was a good idea. (You've bought yourself 2 points less of energy damage per half day walk)

[Balmas]

Does the Tireless talent do anything for rolls to resist energy damage?

[BlasTech]

Does the Tireless talent do anything for rolls to resist energy damage?

Yup, that it does. The usual roll twice ability for saves relating to being worn out.

It's not an invalid plan, but it is a risky one.

[TheAmishPirate]

I think Crown already spoke his mind on the matter here:


"Because the need is dire and we are able," the colt grunted out one of the Cork family maxims. His spirit renewed (for the time being), he joined the others around Dive Bomb's sketchbook. "Yes, it seems as though running for one's life just takes the proper motivation," he jested at the older mare. But soon the levity was gone from his face, and he was studying the "map" intently. "It would seem our obvious choice is the stone structure. It has shelter and guaranteed supplies, something the other two locales do not grant."

"Two of us should gather and prepare supplies, while two of us search for and aid survivors."

So yeah, he'll be pushing for West.

[BlasTech]

That confused me slightly Amish, there is one big stone structure to the south, or a series of smaller structures to the West with the oasis beyond.

Reposted with directions added:



South: large triangular building (near distance), chasm (mid distance)
West: speckled potential rocks or buildings (mid), blue shimmer (far)
North: green shimmer and creature (mid)
East: sand
.

[TheAmishPirate]

Whoops. He meant the smaller structures over to the West.

[Balmas]

I'm ready to leave when everyone else is.

[BlasTech]

If you're going to craft a sled out of spare parts, that's going to be another crafting check?

[Balmas]

DC 15, like before?

[BlasTech]

It would really depend on how big you're trying to make it, what it's going to carry?

If you're trying to build something to replace a backpack for instance, 15 is fine, if you're after something to carry supplies for the group, I'd be thinking 20.

[Balmas]

I was just thinking a toboggan-ish thing for the group to hold their supplies, an ugly contraption that gets the job done. Doesn't have to be pretty, just has to work. It will probably be taken apart and put back together for tent parts, anyway. I'll roll here, if that's alright.

+5 mind
[roll0]

[BlasTech]

Ouch, well It looks like DB has himself a toboggan that will break sometime in the next 24 hours.

[Balmas]

So, a slightly buggy sleigh. When it breaks down, how severe a breakdown are we talking? On a scale of one to ten where one is something comes loose and ten is disintegration.

[TheAmishPirate]

In case anypony is interested, Crown got the idea to move at night because:

1) "You don't seriously expect moi to go gallivanting off into that sort of heat, do you? Really, it would absolutely ruin my complexion."

2) He read it in one of the Daring Do books a thrilling novel about the desert. Lawrence of Mareabia, was it?

[One Tin Soldier]

Well short of total disintegration, I think Grease will be able to piece it back together once it breaks. I'm guessing that will only buy us more time until we can get non-broken materials, but it's something to keep in mind.

[BlasTech]

So, a slightly buggy sleigh. When it breaks down, how severe a breakdown are we talking? On a scale of one to ten where one is something comes loose and ten is disintegration.

It will explode in a firey conflagration of wood and colour that will connect with the resident ley-energy to generate a sonic rain-nuke so powerful, it will hurl the party into the stratosphere while simultaneously turning a good portion of the desert to glass. The resulting ground-mirror will be able to catch light from the moon, causing a massive pilgramage of folk to travel there each night to view the sight of Luna brushing her teeth in it from the extreme long distance of her moon palace.

(TL:DR Haven't decided yet :smalltongue:)

Anyway, timeshift post is up. If there are any last preparations anyone wishes to make, then you can do them past-tense way. Otherwise it's time to saddle up and get moving.

The last jobs to be allocated are:


Somepony needs to pull the sled, also you need to decide whether to overload it.
Somepony needs to hook into the stretcher with Rinda. It won't be as hard as pulling the sled, but you two will be stuck together for a bit.
Any other jobs I forgot?


From Balmas' last post, I'm assuming you're bringing some extra table cloths and posts in the sled to make a tent.

[Balmas]

It will explode in a firey conflagration of wood and colour that will connect with the resident ley-energy to generate a sonic rain-nuke so powerful, it will hurl the party into the stratosphere while simultaneously turning a good portion of the desert to glass. The resulting ground-mirror will be able to catch light from the moon, causing a massive pilgramage of folk to travel there each night to view the sight of Luna brushing her teeth in it from the extreme long distance of her moon palace.

Oh, good! That means that Dive Bomb will probably be able to glide home!

...

What's that?

Really?

Well, I'm sorry. They should have chosen third dimensional travel. Do I have to think of everything?



The last jobs to be allocated are:


Somepony needs to pull the sled, also you need to decide whether to overload it.
Somepony needs to hook into the stretcher with Rinda. It won't be as hard as pulling the sled, but you two will be stuck together for a bit.
Any other jobs I forgot?


From Balmas' last post, I'm assuming you're bringing some extra table cloths and posts in the sled to make a tent.

Well, my thought was that the sled's runners would be taken apart to form tent poles, but yeah; that will work too.

As for jobs, Dive Bomb would probably be either flying recon, or pulling the stretcher with Rinda.

[One Tin Soldier]

I'm thinking Grease will be pulling the sled. Strongest in the party, after all, possibly barring Igneous or Rinda.

Also, Grease will have spent her rest time after watch reading through Highwind's journal. Or at least, until she came across something particularly private, at which point she would stop.

[Ravian]

Hmm... Igneous seems the best bet to help Rinda with the stretcher, assuming she would let him. Otherwise Soot would most likely be stuck with the job.

If Iggy was with the stretcher, Soot would probably keep the group on track in the dark with her light spell, along with helping Dive Bomb scout while still keeping track of them.

[TheAmishPirate]

Crown would likely volunteer for the stretcher if it came down to Soot doing it, but then somepony would have to carry his suitcase. :smalltongue:

[TheAmishPirate]

Okay, rolling in here so as not to clutter up the IC thread with random rolls:

Mind 3 + Job Painter 2 + Skill Sketching 2 = +7 bonus

There might be a +1 bonus for having an actual sketching pencil and decent paper, but whatever, it's a random roll anyhow.

Roll: [roll0]

[BlasTech]

I'm thinking Grease will be pulling the sled. Strongest in the party, after all, possibly barring Igneous or Rinda.

Also, Grease will have spent her rest time after watch reading through Highwind's journal. Or at least, until she came across something particularly private, at which point she would stop.

Fair enough. Iggy won't be on the stretcher, he's too scared of Rinda right now.

As for Highwind's Journal, there's too much in there for me to sum it all up easily, let alone for Grease to finish reading it in an afternoon. Lets say she just finishes off that series of entries. Dot point of the highlights below:



The skyship ended up travelling along the entire southwestern borderlands, turning back after reaching the central ley line that runs down to the Archback Mountains.
There weren't any boars, they ended up fighting an inconclusive battle with the Dale Guard of Gildedale when they were confronted along the border. While the gryphon controlled the sky, the dale guard could Stand Firm on the ground, making them hard to dislodge.
They ended up returning to Gryphus, the capital, with the commander still upset from the 'retreat'.
Much to the Ambassador's dissapointment, the court martial of the scout went ahead. He recorded his thoughts on the matter; "You don't punish scouts for reporting more than they should". He states that politics might be involved.
His last entry in that series mentions a briefing to be held with the Jarl of Talos, concerning the actions of the upstart Jarl Guntram in the west.


Overall, Grease might get the feeling that this sort of thing is par for the course in the Gryphon Kingdoms; fighting, military service and politics.

[Balmas]

As a DM, you know that you're doing a good job when you can get both player and character interested in a rock. Congratulations.

[BlasTech]

Thank you. And may I say that Dive Bomb has all the self preservation instincts of a suicidally depressed lemming :smalltongue:

Cinematic/action mode is engaged, which means that a loose turn order is now in place.

GM has had first turn, players now have a collective "turn" to do a reactive check. It may involve rolling away, running, centering themselves, or anything else to resist the damage.

They can then do an "active" task, be it fighting back, preparing an escape plan or something else. Just remember that there is only time for a single action in this turn structure (like jumping up a carriage). Complicated tasks (like deploying a trap net) would not be possible in one turn, instead needing to be tackled in several turns (i.e. get the net, position the net, set the trigger etc)

When everyone has had their turn, I'll have my turn again, doing a post showing the effects and the next actions facing the party. (Ironically, for fast paced action, this probably means that the posting speed of the RP will be slowed as we need to wait for everyone to get their reactions in.)

[One Tin Soldier]

Understood. Let's get this action started!

Also, I have come to the conclusion that listening to the right music while posting my reaction to the rock monster was very helpful. Specifically, I listened to Vesuvius (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uznUeuhngkE) and some Legend of Zelda music. Awesome. I think I need to create a battle playlist now.

[BlasTech]

"Save limits to one" means that even if you pass the save, you still take a single point of courage damage. (It's nominal, to reflect the fact that you don't get through it completely unscathed).

Also, I should note that for things like fortitude damage in these kind of scenes, even if you fail the roll you aren't really "hit", it's more a close call or a bruising from a glancing blow.

You'd get hit and dazed if your fortitude got to zero, giving you or someone else the opportunity to "second wind/restore faith" revive you.

A pony at 0 courage is panicked and either hiding or fleeing. A pony at 0 energy is exhausted/down for the count. Any of these ponies can be brought back into the fight through the "second wind" or "resotring faith" mechanics listed in the OP.

[Balmas]

You, my good sir, are an evil genius. How to bait a scientist whose sworn purpose is to amass the world's knowledge? Set him a mystery! Of course he'll fall for it!

And, yessirree, we have two three instincts: poke at it, write down what happens, and run when it blows up. (For fireworks, you can skip the middle step.)

Hmmm... Battle Music. It requires something with a heavy bass, suitable electric lead, and latin chanting.

Okay, so it doesn't have latin chanting... Oh wait, it does later on! *squee!* (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjZACyYKGJ8&list=PL1D557557E71F9244&index=8&feature=plpp_video)

[BlasTech]

You, my good sir, are an evil genius. How to bait a scientist whose sworn purpose is to amass the world's knowledge? Set him a mystery! Of course he'll fall for it!
]

*bows*

Unfortunately, I'm heading off now. Hope to have internet connection where I'm going, but if not it means a maximum 48 hours from now till I can next post. Hopefully it won't disrupt the flow too much.

[BlasTech]

I'm back! Sorry to disrupt the flow. Next round of everyone's reactions and actions can start.

[Balmas]

Welp, low fortitude comes back to bite me. Dive Bomb's sidelined.

[TheAmishPirate]

Don't worry, Crown has a foolproof plan to save us all! :smallbiggrin:

[Balmas]

I'm now more worried than I was before.

[One Tin Soldier]

Well, now you're back to full, though Grease used up her Second Wind for the scene.

[BlasTech]

Well, now you're back to full, though Grease used up her Second Wind for the scene.

This is a "restore faith" rather than a "second wind" since Grease is doing it to help Dive Bomb.

Interestingly, I can't find anything to say whether or not restoring faith is limited to once per cinematic scene or whether it's only capped by the willpower you have to spend. :smallconfused:

Has anyone seen anything definitaive on the subject? Or shall I put a house rule in on the matter?

[Balmas]

After reading the section in "World of Equestria," I can find no indication either way. So, a house rule would probably be appropriate.

[TheAmishPirate]

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaitaminute!

Would I qualify for my Creative trait because I'm looking for a fancy rock to complete the rock monster's ensemble?

[BlasTech]

I think creative comes into play if you're actually trying to make something, not find something, so ... no?

14 is enough for a partial success though, so Cork finds a rock that's not the perfect specimen of geology he was looking for, but might be "good enough".

Perhaps he can paint it a bit? :smalltongue:

[TheAmishPirate]

I think creative comes into play if you're actually trying to make something, not find something, so ... no?

14 is enough for a partial success though, so Cork finds a rock that's not the perfect specimen of geology he was looking for, but might be "good enough".

Perhaps he can paint it a bit? :smalltongue:

...yesssssssss.

[Balmas]

Crackpot theory time!

Theory A) The rock monster is actually sentient, perhaps the spirit of the Desert. It speaks an ancient version of Equestrian.

Theory B) The rock monster speaks normal Equestrian, but has some problems, due to stones being missing. See: what Crown is doing.

Theory C) It is marginally intelligent, and we are, in fact, seriously screwed.

[Ravian]

Well from what Soot figured out
1: It's not guarding something.
2: It only seems interested in Dive Bomb and Grease Spot, presumably because they were closest when it activated, it has noticed Crown and Rinda but it doesn't seem to care.

I'm not sure where that leaves us, perhaps it's some sort of booby trap guardian? That's programed to kill whoever activated it (and is close to that person?)

The phrase definately seems important though and if one of us could figure out what it meant we'd probably be able to figure out what it wants.

[Balmas]

Well, we can't act until Soot takes her turn.


Hmmm. New information. Must. Resist. Metagaming! :smallfurious:

[TheAmishPirate]

Well from what Soot figured out
1: It's not guarding something.
2: It only seems interested in Dive Bomb and Grease Spot, presumably because they were closest when it activated, it has noticed Crown and Rinda but it doesn't seem to care.

I'm not sure where that leaves us, perhaps it's some sort of booby trap guardian? That's programed to kill whoever activated it (and is close to that person?)

The phrase definately seems important though and if one of us could figure out what it meant we'd probably be able to figure out what it wants.

Well, Cork certainly seems to have his own ideas on what the beastie wants. Beyond that, I'm not sure how much help he'll be here. The best I can think is that maybe he could try and see what this creature's purpose is, seeing how that might fall under his talent of "show what makes things special." If this thing was placed here for a special reason, then perhaps he could figure something out.

But first, rock painting.

EDIT: Agreed. Cork might think to do this should his brilliant rock scheme fail, but I'll try and let him speak for himself without metagaming muddling it.

[BlasTech]

Theory C) It is marginally intelligent, and we are, in fact, seriously screwed.

I like Theory C :smallbiggrin:

[Balmas]

I like Theory C :smallbiggrin:

Bad DM. *bops*

[One Tin Soldier]

Well whatever kind of creature it is, I really like its voice. Or rather, I really like speaking its lines in the rockiest voice I can manage.

Its odd, some of the words it uses sound an awful lot like English Equestrian, so maybe it is speaking some offshoot language? Idk, but its interesting.

At any rate, I think that it must have something to do with the train arriving in the desert, because in wide open, empty spaces like that you don't just happen to land right next to a big sentient rock monster. Either it was sent with us for whatever reason, it was created by the remnants of the teleport spell, or we were teleported to it specifically. (Maybe on purpose, or it draws magic to itself. I like the idea that it draws magic to itself, as that would explain the spell disappearing into the rocks.)

Or, ya know, our GM is a hack storyteller. :smallwink:

[BlasTech]

Or, ya know, our GM is a hack storyteller. :smallwink:

My secret is out! D=

*throws chair through window, flees*

[Balmas]

You know the problem with rolling dice online? It's the fact that due to their nature, your threat to feed them to the furnace if you don't get some twenties has a lot less weight.

[BlasTech]

You must earn the respect of your dice.

That or bribery/sacrifice to the luck gods ... that sometimes works. :smalltongue:


[Two things: One, your call if he needs a Fortitude save for kicking the rock. Two, he's going to be painting the rock. :smallbiggrin:

Mind 3 + Job Painter 2 + Skill Painting 4 + Potential special talent? His 'perfect rock' would be one that highlights and complement's this construct's unique shape, coloration, and maybe it's movement too, although that sounds more in line with Rarity's talent and bringing out beauty. Feels like it might be a stretch, but it's your call. Definitely getting Creative Trait on this.

Any other penalties?]

Arright, gonna answer this here because I don't want to clutter the IC thread with it.

Re: Fort save. No save required. If anything, it would just be one point of self-inflicted fortitude damage, but I simply can't bring myself to penalise you for hilarious roleplaying. Feel free to take the point of damage if you really want though XD

As for the roll, special talent applies on the basis that effectively decorating the rock involves picking up on its natural features and highlighting the good ones. More pragmatically, if you can't get your special purpose talent going when a painter like Cork is painting, then you'll never get it working XD.

-2 penalty for painting at night though. DC is 15 for a decently decorated rock, if you break 30 you'll have a masterpiece of geologic beauty.

[Balmas]

So, I don't expect my roll to succeed with a measly fifteen, max. But, for future reference, which of the benefits apply?

Mind: attempting perception, though heart possibly applies as well.
Wary: looking for all that he can understand of the creature's language.
Researcher: Might apply for his attempt to understand something new.
Special Purpose: Attempting contact with a big scary new species and trying to understand its language has to be somewhere in Discover, Recover, and record new knowledge.

[TheAmishPirate]

You must earn the respect of your dice.

That or bribery/sacrifice to the luck gods ... that sometimes works. :smalltongue:



Arright, gonna answer this here because I don't want to clutter the IC thread with it.

Re: Fort save. No save required. If anything, it would just be one point of self-inflicted fortitude damage, but I simply can't bring myself to penalise you for hilarious roleplaying. Feel free to take the point of damage if you really want though XD

As for the roll, special talent applies on the basis that effectively decorating the rock involves picking up on its natural features and highlighting the good ones. More pragmatically, if you can't get your special purpose talent going when a painter like Cork is painting, then you'll never get it working XD.

-2 penalty for painting at night though. DC is 15 for a decently decorated rock, if you break 30 you'll have a masterpiece of geologic beauty.

Sweet. I think I'll sleep on the point of Fort damage, maybe I'll take it, maybe it'll just make it easier to take one if I fail something later, maybe it's just fluff.

[Balmas]

[Rolling!]

Okay. Rolling Mind 3 + Job Painter 2 + Skill Painting 4 - 2 Penalty = +7 to the roll. Applying Special Purpose and Creative Trait to roll twice.

Roll 1: [roll0]
Roll 2: [roll1]

Translates to:

Roll 1: 10
Roll 2: 27!

Dang, if only I'd spent that point of Willpower on this frivolous roll. :smalltongue:

I'm just now realizing the potential Cork has. Under ideal situations, he could have as much as a +12 modifier to his roll. (Assumes superior tools.) Rolled twice. And given a special 1.5x bonus on the roll. So, you could theoretically max out at 42, which the GM's section informs me is something like the sonic rainboom of painting.

[BlasTech]

I'm just now realizing the potential Cork has. Under ideal situations, he could have as much as a +12 modifier to his roll. (Assumes superior tools.) Rolled twice. And given a special 1.5x bonus on the roll. So, you could theoretically max out at 42, which the GM's section informs me is something like the sonic rainboom of painting.

Yes, like Rarity when she's "In the zone" ... like with her fashion show for Hoity Toity. A veritable explosion of creativity and awesome.


So, I don't expect my roll to succeed with a measly fifteen, max. But, for future reference, which of the benefits apply?

Mind: attempting perception, though heart possibly applies as well.
Wary: looking for all that he can understand of the creature's language.
Researcher: Might apply for his attempt to understand something new.
Special Purpose: Attempting contact with a big scary new species and trying to understand its language has to be somewhere in Discover, Recover, and record new knowledge.

Okay, the task as I see it is attempting to listen closely to the monster and recall knowledge he might have read in the past. Technically this is two tasks, comprehension and recollection, but the comprehension is a no-brainer. DB can hear what the creature is saying just fine.

Recollection is thus the order of the day, so my opinions on the various bonuses are;


Mind applies, as this is a straight knowledge check.
Heart does not. It might for the comprehension side, but that's not challenge worthy.
Wary does not. This is recollection, not perception. Smart is the appropriate talent.
Researcher might apply, but my gut feel is no. I think it would be more applicable if DB had a copy of the speech and was trying to translate it using a book or a library, not so much for in the field recollection. Given our prior discussion on stretching skills, I'd have to say no on this.
Special purpose could apply but ... I'm not convinced it's applicable right now. While an argument could be made on the "Discover" aspect, with DB, I picture his sonic rainboom happening when he's in a lab, distilling some chemical samples or in a library trying to find that elusive scrap of information that the party needs. Not so much when it comes to talking to a new race of creatures.

I think it's because the lab and library would have aspects of all three of discover, recover and record going, not just one part of it. So maybe a good guide is when all three apply?

I'd feel more comfortable of the special purpose if DB was doing this over an extended period of time; sitting down, chatting, working on hoof gestures, recording it in his book and cross referencing things and the like. Not when it's an off the cuff memory check like this.

[Balmas]

Fair enough.

Also, if Soot's translation is correct, and stop ret nar dief translates to "Stop right now, thief," then what does Hou die, Dief translate to?

Hooboy.

[TheAmishPirate]

I'm just now realizing the potential Cork has. Under ideal situations, he could have as much as a +12 modifier to his roll. (Assumes superior tools.) Rolled twice. And given a special 1.5x bonus on the roll. So, you could theoretically max out at 42, which the GM's section informs me is something like the sonic rainboom of painting.

Did you remember to add the Harmony bonus to that? :smalltongue:

Actually, you brought up a good point. What sort of tool bonus would he have from his paints and brushes?

[BlasTech]

appropriate tools give a +2 bonus

[TheAmishPirate]

appropriate tools give a +2 bonus

Argh!

That takes it up to a 29. D:

Soooooooo cloooooooose.

[Balmas]

Argh!

That takes it up to a 29. D:

Soooooooo cloooooooose.

Shoulda spent willpower on the frivolous roll. :smallbiggrin:

I'm really hoping that Dive Bomb is doing something other than proving his lack of survival instincts by standing in front of a (maybe) guard with a loaded hand-cannon.

[Balmas]

Sooo, I know latin, or at least enough of it to embarrass myself in the attempt to speak it. Should I just go ahead and translate what the creature is saying?

[BlasTech]

Yeah feel free, I'm just using a lazy online translator because I can't be bothered finding my old latin textbooks.

What he was meant to say was:
"Communication failure, attempting alternate language. Is this your prisoner?"

So feel free to translate it straight yourself or by telling me what words I got wrong :smalltongue:

[Balmas]

Yeah feel free, I'm just using a lazy online translator because I can't be bothered finding my old latin textbooks.

What he was meant to say was:
"Communication failure, attempting alternate language. Is this your prisoner?"

So feel free to translate it straight yourself or by telling me what words I got wrong :smalltongue:

Oh good, I only got your prisoner. Middle school was a long time ago.

[BlasTech]

Oh good, I only got your prisoner. Middle school was a long time ago.

I think I might have borked it up, that may be actually all he said at the end, but as a question.

[Balmas]

So, the real question is, he's able to understand it now; is he able to speak it back, translator style?

[BlasTech]

Yeap, go ahead. He won't be fluent, but he can definitely try to convey some meaning to it.

[Balmas]

"My good rock-fellow, I am lord Picabomba, and these are my faithful followers. I apologize for my bodyguards' brusqueness; we were not certain whether we should find you hospitable or not. But now that I know we are both civilized, I'm certain that we shall both be great friends. Please, take me to your leader, that we may partake of food together."

:smallamused:

[BlasTech]

Yeaaaahhhh ... that'll probably just get you another rock to the head :smalltongue:

Speaking of your last post. I don't think Grease Spot is near DB and Rinda. Last post had her running up behind the monster somewhere I think.

[One Tin Soldier]

Yeah, something like that. She wasn't really sure what she was going to do, and neither am I. At this point, I doubt that she will be doing any thing besides listening to the exchange. Unless the exchange goes south, of course, in which case we go back to fleeing.

[BlasTech]

Jump on its back and wrassle it to the ground.

There is no flaw with this plan! :smallbiggrin:

[Balmas]

I am sure. Everyone, count of three, attack the giant rock creature! There can be nothing wrong with this plan!

...

Three!

*dead*

So, am I expected to respond to Rinda this turn or the next?

[BlasTech]

Yeah, you can respond this turn. She'll carry out whatever instruction you give her during my next GM turn. (Giving her the instruction counts as your active task, unless you plan to use your active task to do some rock-boxing)

[Balmas]

Hah! I can use Google-translate too!

[BlasTech]

I'm going to need a new trick for foreign languages now :smalltongue:

[Balmas]

Dictionary.com does a pretty good job, though it can't recognize the input language for you.

[BlasTech]

I'll just make up a language next time. You'll all be to blame when everyone is speaking BlasTechion :smalltongue:

Anyway, I know that google translate borked up part of the translation, so sorry to all you latin purists out there. In addition, I find it amusing how the latin word for "with" is considered profanity on the boards XD

[Balmas]

Indeed.

Now, the interesting decision: surrender, flee, fight, or debate?

[Balmas]

Brilliant idea: inquire as to the possibility of banishment as a punishment. All he has to do is point us in the direction of Equestria, and we'll be on our merry way, officer!

[One Tin Soldier]

Not gonna lie, I kinda want every sentient creature there to say "What" simultaneously.

[Balmas]

That would actually be pretty fun.

Now, the awkward begins: how do we give the guard a gift without it looking as if we're trying to bribe it?

[BlasTech]

Not gonna lie, I kinda want every sentient creature there to say "What" simultaneously.

You may assume Rinda is thinking it.

[TheAmishPirate]

Once again, Crown Cork, Gentlecolt Adventurer! arrives in the nick of time to save the day!

[Balmas]

Othoof called: he wants his goggles back.


Also, this is where you break out the evil DM laugh and proclaim that the penalty for interfering with a guard is death; roll initiative.

[Balmas]

Random question: In D&D, each round is about six seconds worth of time. Approximately how much time is each round of cinematic mode worth?

[BlasTech]

It's not set in stone beyond "several seconds"

[BlasTech]

La da de la da da.

(Slow day today?)

[TheAmishPirate]

La da de la da da.

(Slow day today?)

I was thinking we were waiting on you? I mean, folks reacted to Cork's appearance, the stone was offered, I wasn't expecting more than stunned silence from everypony else while the creature reacted.

Although, this being Cinematic Mode, I suppose this means they get a round regardless. So yeah, maybe it is just a slow day. :smalltongue:

[Balmas]

I've been waiting for Ravian and One Tin Soldier to post. Since it's cinematic mode, I thought they each got a turn before Blastech tells us what happens.

And this day has passed like melting molasses... I wanna know what happens to Dive Bomb, dangit!

Blastech, you didn't tell me when we got started that I'd be checking on the forum every twenty minutes to find out if someone posted. Gah.

[BlasTech]

I just hope everyone isn't all getting sick of Mr Rocky. :smalltongue:

[One Tin Soldier]

I really didn't have any reaction in mind for Grease aside from what had already been said, so any IC post would just be "Grease keeps doing what she's been doing."

Though I suppose she might have something to say.

[Balmas]

No, Mr. Rocky is okay.

Just out of curiosity: To what ethical system do your characters subscribe?


Hedonism: Happiness / Contentment is the only thing that matters. Pursue it at any cost.
Utilitarianism: Whichever act will create the best result is the right action.
Kantian: (Canterian, in Equestria?) What are you doing, and why? If everyone were to do that, could you still achieve your goal? If so, then that act is morally okay.
Egoism: It is our moral duty to choose whichever action is best for ourselves.
Social Contract theory: Each of us is self-interested, and if there were no government, we would descend into a state of anarchy. Ultimate freedom from laws ultimately means that our freedoms are curtailed as the strong take what they want from the weak. Therefore, in order to save our freedom, we mutually agree to limit it, giving the authority to enact and enforce laws to a strong central government. We act morally as we obey the laws that free, equal, and rational people would enact.
Other


Dive Bomb is strictly utilitarian. He tries to examine each scenario and pick the best result, which is why he hesitates when taking actions.

I'm also wondering how best to roleplay that hesitancy: maybe skip a turn every once in a while because he's thinking?

[Ravian]

I'm inclined to think that Soot is sort of Hedonist but towards making others happy and content, which in turn makes her happy. Sort of like Pinky Pie really.

[BlasTech]

I don't have one character in this, so can I just say all of them? :smalltongue:

Also, in light of the fact the new season has begun, pardon me while I have a minor geek out.

Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpgy21r_dRE)

[TheAmishPirate]

I don't have one character in this, so can I just say all of them? :smalltongue:

Also, in light of the fact the new season has begun, pardon me while I have a minor geek out.

Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpgy21r_dRE)

I concur.

In other news, I shall be smiling like a gigantic dork for days now. Ah, new pony. I missed you so~

[Balmas]

Slight geek-outs are very permissable. So long as you don't destroy anything, we should be good.

Reading back over my post, I've discovered that I have a very archaic style. I wrote "Cast his eyes round about" before looking back and saying, "That's straight out of Nephi," and changed it.

On a side note, I just discovered that the school term ends on my birthday, Pioneer day. Only problem is that I've already purchased a ticket to Everfree NW, which happens to be two weeks before that. Now I need to figure out whether it's possible to get a refund, or possibly a switch to be in my mother's name, since that way Matt and Chris can get in for free.

[BlasTech]

Being halfway across the world kind of makes attending these cons a wishful dream for me :smalltongue:

Re: Style. Yeah I noticed that a little, particularly when DB started talking to Rinda about her 'charge'.

Allrighty fillys and gentlecolts, grab your bags because we're about to get walking!! That is to say, scene transition incoming when everyone's ready, as well as a timeskip of several hours until early morning.

[TheAmishPirate]

Y'know, I just can't wait until the group has its collective break-down. It seems like everypony is putting on a brave face for the group for various reasons, but sooner or later, one of us has got to crack. Then it's a question of whether or not everybody else goes down with them, or if the others hold out for their individual breaking points. And if that happens, which pony will be left at the end, shouldering the emotional weight of the group as "the pony who's never faltered?"

I have way too much fun plotting the misery of my characters. :smallbiggrin:

[Balmas]

Perhaps a bit too much.

So, what all are we hiding? Lemme see if I understand it all:

Dive Bomb: feelings of shame and insecurity, paired with a desire to please his parents, warring against his feelings of intellectual superiority and pride, and desire to run his own life.

Crown Cork: Desire to please parent mixed with desire to lead a different way than his parent expects.

Soot: Past brushes with the law?

Grease Spot: I got nothing.

[One Tin Soldier]

All Grease is hiding is how much this is affecting her. Remember, just was missing her family when she just thought she missed Hearth's Warming dinner with them. And now she's Celestia-probably-doesn't-know how far away, with no idea of when she'll get back.

Her reason for putting on a brave face is a) so she can get things done and b) to maintain morale for the young ponies. And yeah, at some point she's going to lose it. Probably when she runs out of Courage, or maybe if she gets into an in-depth conversation about home.

[Ravian]

Pretty much the same for Soot. She's worried about her family, particularly because most of them are falls and while Drizzle is an effective second in command, he's not much of a bread winner. Plus her little family is only one well-meaning social worker away from being broken apart. So the fact that she's not there with them is weighing heavily on her mind.

The reason she hides it is because she hates showing weakness, it's dangerous to look vulnerable on the streets and she's had to keep up the brave face for her group to make sure they all don't fall apart.

[TheAmishPirate]

A true Cork does not show fear and grief in the presence of his subordinates. And the rightful heir certainly wouldn't want to disappoint the family name, now would he?

That's basically the gist of it; he feels tremendous pressure to live up to the family name, in part because he feels his desire to lead differently means that there is something wrong with him. That he isn't the Cork he's supposed to be, or less of Cork than his father was (who, in his eyes, is practically an idol). I expect him to butt heads with Grease Spot over leadership pretty soon.

On top of that, you've got the typical woes of missing home, missing his family, missing his dearly beloved (which I will continue to procrastinate on a name for :smalltongue:), and missing his old, semi-pampered lifestyle. That all adds up to a pony with a great deal of stress, both internal and external, and an obligation to let none of it show.

[One Tin Soldier]

Would the Strong talent apply to the Energy roll?

[BlasTech]

Fraid not, the appropriate talent is "Tireless" (which I think DB has)

EDIT: Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't cork fail that last energy check? (If so he's at 2 energy by my count)

[TheAmishPirate]

Fraid not, the appropriate talent is "Tireless" (which I think DB has)

EDIT: Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't cork fail that last energy check? (If so he's at 2 energy by my count)

...derp. That's me randomly thinking it was a DC 10 instead of DC 15. Quick edit is incoming.

[TheAmishPirate]

Poor, unathletic Cork. The dice gods have decreed that you shall be the weak link thus far. :smalltongue:

Just so I know for later, but what are the various states of sidelined? Right now, I'm picturing them as:

Energy: Passed out/Collapsed from exhaustion
Courage: Overcome by fear, cowering, etc.
Fortitude: Unconscious due to injury
Willpower: Conscious, but extremely apathetic to the situation at hoof.

[Balmas]

Poor, unathletic Cork. The dice gods have decreed that you shall be the weak link thus far. :smalltongue:

Just so I know for later, but what are the various states of sidelined? Right now, I'm picturing them as:

Energy: Passed out/Collapsed from exhaustion
Courage: Overcome by fear, cowering, etc.
Fortitude: Unconscious due to injury
Willpower: Conscious, but extremely apathetic to the situation at hoof.

At least you have abilities that can be used easily. :smalltongue:

I imagine that that those conditions are about right.

As for getting people down, let's pull some math. Dive Bomb can get down just fine, Soot just jumped down.

Flight creatures flying down w/ character: DC 15, +5 aerobatics +3 body: Necessary roll: 8

Walking down with assistance: DC10, +3 harmony bonus
Crown Cork: +2 body: necessary roll: 5.
Grease Spot: +4 body: Necessary roll: 3

[TheAmishPirate]

As for getting people down, let's pull some math. Dive Bomb can get down just fine, Soot just jumped down.

Flight creatures flying down w/ character: DC 15, +5 aerobatics +3 body: Necessary roll: 8

Walking down with assistance: DC10, +3 harmony bonus
Crown Cork: +2 body: necessary roll: 5.
Grease Spot: +4 body: Necessary roll: 3

Yeah, any way you slice it, better to do the assisted walk. In-character, it's fairly easy to hoof-wave with "It got windy, let's just do the walk."

As for the sled...maybe it'd be easier to offload the supplies onto the fliers, have them move it all down, and then have one of them guide the sled down a similar way? Fly in front so that it doesn't slide off, and then just ease it down to the others?

[Balmas]

Yeah, any way you slice it, better to do the assisted walk. In-character, it's fairly easy to hoof-wave with "It got windy, let's just do the walk."

As for the sled...maybe it'd be easier to offload the supplies onto the fliers, have them move it all down, and then have one of them guide the sled down a similar way? Fly in front so that it doesn't slide off, and then just ease it down to the others?

My thoughts exactly. Just for fun, maybe ride the sled down the giant hill?

[One Tin Soldier]

My thoughts exactly. Just for fun, maybe ride the sled down the giant hill?

The sled that we've been informed will break within the next 24 hours?* I think it's pretty clear how that would end.


*Or however many hours are left now.

[BlasTech]

*whistles nonchalantly*

[Balmas]

Heck, that's part of why I want to do it...

[TheAmishPirate]

Should I just go ahead and post with my Body check, or wait for the flyers to return?

[BlasTech]

You can assume Rinda flew back up at the end of her last post, I'm guessing DB too.


Just so I know for later, but what are the various states of sidelined? Right now, I'm picturing them as:

Energy: Passed out/Collapsed from exhaustion
Courage: Overcome by fear, cowering, etc.
Fortitude: Unconscious due to injury
Willpower: Conscious, but extremely apathetic to the situation at hoof.

Oh and before I forget, yeah those are all pretty much correct. The main thing about Willpower is that it isn't a stat that normally gets "damaged", but rather expended by pushing yourself too hard. When willpower is low it represents a combination of lack of determination and plain old mental fatigue.

It's basically when you've had about all you can take and are just plodding along ready to give up.

[SiuiS]

Man, I'm playing mass effect 3, and I am loading up a quarian infiltrator. I figure I'll give him a call sign after a painter, because he can "paint" targets to draw fire. Van Gogh. No! Crown Cork! Now what color is Crown?

Unfortunately, his is the only sheet not linked in the OP. Amish, you planned this!


Man, I wish I had gotten in on this when Havoc left XD

[BlasTech]

Unfortunately, his is the only sheet not linked in the OP. Amish, you planned this!


Awk, my bad. I think I forgot because I was still waiting for the unified Cork-post.

[TheAmishPirate]

Man, I'm playing mass effect 3, and I am loading up a quarian infiltrator. I figure I'll give him a call sign after a painter, because he can "paint" targets to draw fire. Van Gogh. No! Crown Cork! Now what color is Crown?

Unfortunately, his is the only sheet not linked in the OP. Amish, you planned this!


Man, I wish I had gotten in on this when Havoc left XD

Oops. That's a my bad. I keep meaning to get that all together, but...yeah.

Crown is a mocha brown with a golden yellow mane.

[Balmas]

So, kind of like a coffee-colored, Earth pony Blueblood?

[Balmas]

DC was 20. So only a partial success. Grease Spot is the target after a d6 roll to select a victim for Mr Sled. A few options may be available to her; The basic ones are a DC10 to jump out of the way (letting the sled barrel off to its imminent doom), DC 15 to jump on it and try to steer it to safety, or DC 20, at a -2 penalty due to sandy ground, to try to stop it. Feel free to suggest other courses if you want, either here or in the OOC thread.]

Would it be possible for Dive Bomb to give Grease Spot a harmony bonus by chasing after the escaping sled?

[BlasTech]

Not for the initial check, given he's still reeling from dropping it. He could certainly provide the harmony bonus afterwards with the steering if that's the option Grease takes.

The other two on the ground are probably better placed to provide harmony bonuses to the initial check (or even to push Grease out of the way if they want to usurp the check themselves :smalltongue:)

[Balmas]

He didn't drop it; it broke.
http://images.wikia.com/mlp/images/a/a4/FANMADE_PoutingRarity.gif

Also, I must note that your dice have good taste; they picked the pony most suited to take care of the runaway sled.

[BlasTech]

I guess that's true. I'm still thinking of the sled as "mostly intact" at this point except for that harness.

Its ultimate destruction and salvagability will depend on what happens next.

[TheAmishPirate]

Hmm. Cork would certainly try and aid Miss Spot if he sees her move to stop it. Heck, provided she doesn't move out of the way, he'll move to help stop it. In other words, his actions will depend on hers, so I'd wait to make the actual check until at least he's acted.

[BlasTech]

I think if anything, it's probably fine to have Cork set himself up to assist; say by "trying to go to her aid" or something similarly vague. That'd be enough for OTS to then improv what aid that actually represents, and to qualify for the harmony bonus on certain actions.

Soot could, for instance, reach out with her magic and attempt to help with telekenesis.

[TheAmishPirate]

Fair enough; I think I managed to get something workable.

[One Tin Soldier]

Of course, I don't check the RP until 5 hours after my character is put in imminent danger. :smalltongue: Well, the most obvious course of action for a split-second reaction is to jump out of the way. But then again, Grease would have probably noticed how delicate the sled was, and would want to keep an eye on it. She was the one who stressed the importance of all those supplies, after all.

Now, the question is whether to jump on it or try to stop it. Jumping on it has a better modifier (since I'm assuming Athletics would apply), but Strong would apply, meaning the opportunity to roll twice.

Let's do the math, then.

Jumping and steering: Body 4 + Athletics 3 = 7. I would need to roll a least an 8.

Stopping it by force: Body 4 + 1 from Extra Talent (Strong) - 2 from the sand = 3. I would need to roll a 17 on at least 1 of 2 dice.

Suitable help from Crown Cork would increase the modifiers by 1.

If I spend a Willpower, though, she gets a +12. Jumping and steering becomes trivial to accomplish, and stopping it directly requires a roll of at least 5, 4 if Cork can help. (Man, Willpower is crazy. So, crazy, in fact, that I'm going to go back and make sure I didn't misremember the rules for it.)

I'll mull it over and get back in a couple minutes.

[TheAmishPirate]

*snip about rolls and junk*

Don't discount Soot and the guard. That Harmony bonus could go up even higher.

[One Tin Soldier]

Don't discount Soot and the guard. That Harmony bonus could go up even higher.

Well, I think the guard is a fair distance away, and Ravian hasn't posted recently enough to count on assistance. (Not to blame him, my posts have been sparse recently too.)

Which is irrelevant anyway, since I've already decided to try stopping the sled directly, and I've already made the rolls for it. Just have to type up the aftermath. Is it safe to narrate a bit of Cork's help?

[TheAmishPirate]

Well, I think the guard is a fair distance away, and Ravian hasn't posted recently enough to count on assistance. (Not to blame him, my posts have been sparse recently too.)

Which is irrelevant anyway, since I've already decided to try stopping the sled directly, and I've already made the rolls for it. Just have to type up the aftermath. Is it safe to narrate a bit of Cork's help?

In the future, the answer is "yes" for basic actions like this. And longer ones too, if it's fitting/particularly amusing. :smallbiggrin:

[One Tin Soldier]

Derp, just realized that I already spent a point of Willpower earlier to restore Dive Bomb. I'll edit the post from earlier to reflect this.

[BlasTech]

Willpower is powerful, but hard to replenish. Especially with the house rule preventing restoration through xp or rest. Use it wisey.

Anyway, forgot to mention. No roll needed to repair the harness, too easty to just knot it up.

[BlasTech]

Point of note, those rocks are less boulders and more flagstones. Cork should be able to see the top of the one in question from where he's standing.

Nevermind, I'll just roll with it.

[Balmas]

So, two questions:

First, what would it be like to embody the element of magic? From what I gather from the RIM website, it would be something like trusting in your friends to help you.


Second question: Would the DC be the same to carry on a conversation with the rock-guard be the same as before, or slightly lower, representing his recent experience and memories?

[BlasTech]

Per the rulebook, Magic is about Faith and Wonder.

Wonder being the act of looking, identifying and cherishing the things in other ponies that make them special. Faith in friends is fairly self explanatory. Both need to be combined in a meaningful way to qualify.

An example. Through her Wonderous outlook, twilight identifies that Fluttershy has special skills with dealing with animals and recognises the value in that (Mare in the Moon pt2, check her expression right after FS tames the manticore). In Dragonshy, she spends the entire episode defending her choice to bring Fluttershy along because she knows that the pegasus is the best for the job. That would qualify for a significant willpower regain when the pegasus justfies her faith at the end.

An in-game example would have been if DB had chosen to let Grease build the sled, knowing that she's the handiest handypony around and defended this choice against the others' objections. He'd get a willpower regain commensurate to how long he had to justify his choice and how hard it got before payoff.

The regain is essentially when the character can think: "Yes! I went out on a limb here, I put my faith in X, and it paid off!"

For DB, I think he's still in the early stages of actually making friends. So potentially some willpower can be gained in that regard too should he decide to make the effort and find it receiprocated or if he has any major "friendship moments" that help change his asocial worldview.

For the second question; no need to do another check to talk to Rocky, it's pretty clear by now that DB is semi fluent in old equestrian. If you want a conversation, I'd be inclined to just use <"Text goes here"> style annotations to denote speaking in another language, rather than fiddling with google translate again. At least while it's just the two of them.

[Balmas]

Fair enough. It's somewhat ironic, I think, that the pony associated with magic is the most antisocial of them all.

[BlasTech]

Well, so was Twilight :smallwink:

Hoo boy, four ponies worth of reactions to handle in my next post. *cracks knuckles* I'd better get to it.