Preserved Topic: RPG - Starting a new campaign III (Page 1 of 3)

COntinued from here: http://www.ozoneasylum.com/Forum1/HTML/005382.html

A short little tut to Tiki's sheet:

To use the sheet unzip it to somewhere. Then open openRPG and right click in the top-left area (where your game tree is) and click on the 'Insert File' option and browse to where you unzipped the file. You have now 'installed' the character sheet. Hurray

And now some info about the various parts of the sheet.

the Character tab:
Pretty straight forward. Just insert whatever info you have at the appropriate place and this one is finnished.

the Combat/Saves tab:
This one is a little bit more complicated. The "Current HP" field just holds your current hp, nice to have so you know how close you are to death in the heath of the battle. The next field is the Initiative field. Here you enter [1d20 + your initiative modifier]. When you press the Send button rigth of this field the sheet performs the roll and then sends the result to the chat with a little text in front, in this case Initiative::. After this comes the Attacks sections. Here you change the weapons and stats allready there for your own weapons. To change these options you have to open (click on the pluss sign) the character sheet and the Combat/Saves sheet in OpenRPG. You then have to right click on Attacks and chose 'design'. You are now presented with a new window where you can edit, add, remove things in the Attack options. The info for the attack rolls is written like they are for a speical reason. The only problem is that I can't figure out what it is. I think it was something like this: [1d20 + base attack bonus + strength bonus + other modifiers], but I'm not sure about that. For the Special Attacks section you do the same. After that follows 4 sections where you just enter your info with any special tricks. The 'Saving Throws' sections is edited in the same manner as you edited the Attacks and Special Attacks.

the Ammunition tracker tab:
Simply keeps track of what kinds of amunition you have and how much you have of it.

the Skill/Feats/Ablilities tab:
Change the stats allready there what your charater has. The sections with a send button has to be editted through the design menu. In the skills section is might not be a bad idea to also add skill rolls for those skills that you can use without ranks as well, for example spot.

the Spells/Spell-like Abilities tab:
The first section is what spells you have on the various levels. Here you might want do but at least the name of the spell pluss a dice roller calculating how much damage it does. It might also not be a bad idea to put some more info about the spell there like area of effect, duration etc depending on the spell. I have no idea what the next section is for, so we'll have to wait for Tiki to explain that one. The Spell-like ability section is pretty similair to the spell section. After that follows a couple of field where you just fill in whatever information is apropriate (sp?)

the Psionics tab:
I'll skip this one since no one is playing a psionic.

the Gold/Equip tab:
The top thingy is to hold info about how much money you have and the bottom part is a table to hold info about what you own except for the gold.


Hope that helps. The manual explains the dice rollers pretty good so I didn't metion anything about them here. But if something is unclear on the subject I'll gladly write another little tut as well.




_________________________
Anyone who has lost track of time when using a computer knows the propensity to dream, the urge to make dreams come true and the tendency to miss lunch.
- copied from the wall of cell 408 -

Cool. Thanks for the info. I'll probably get to that tomorrow night.

I've been thinking--as it gets closer to game time, it has occured to me that it might be a good idea for us to have a better way to communicate in order to set things up. The only instant messaging system I use is MSN... does anyone else use MSN? If not, and everyone uses ICQ, I might just install that, since everyone here (at the Asylum) seems to use ICQ...

I use MSN to...skaarjj@hotmail.com

what's yours suho?

Koan 63, written on the wall of cell number 250:
Those who Believe
Can
Those who Try
Do
Those who Love
Live

thta actually a real good idea suho. The last time we played we used ICQ and AOL alot.

My number is 146226665

I use ICQ(101893971), MSN(veneficu@online.no) and Yahoo(venefikuz).

_________________________
Anyone who has lost track of time when using a computer knows the propensity to dream, the urge to make dreams come true and the tendency to miss lunch.
- copied from the wall of cell 408 -

ICQ - 142103432.

So...0700 GMT...that's 0800 in Germany, right?

Well, I'm nasuho@hotmail.com, but I think I may try downloading Trillian or ICQ. I think it would be a good idea to get everyone on the same system. Since Skaarjj and I are the only ones who don't use ICQ, maybe we should switch over. Whaddya think, Skaarjj?

I'm going to be gone for most of the rest of the day (maybe nine hours?), but when I get back I think I'll try to set up ICQ....

[Edit: I just realized that it's possible that Skaarjj uses ICQ as well, since he didn't specifically say he didn't... so I think I'm going to go with ICQ. A lot of people here seem to use it anyway...]

[Edit2: OK, just checked your profile, Skaarjj... seems I'm the odd man out. ICQ it is.]

Cell 270

[This message has been edited by Suho1004 (edited 10-04-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Suho1004 (edited 10-04-2002).]

Yep...I use ICQ to, It's up there in my profile. ICQ number: 68471487

Koan 63, written on the wall of cell number 250:
Those who Believe
Can
Those who Try
Do
Those who Love
Live

OK, I just installed ICQ, and my number is 171380444. I've added everyone to my list, and I think only Skaarjj has to authorize me...

Anyway, I'll be online tomorrow a few hours before the start time (at least).

Cell 270

Hoo boy. Well, how should I begin...

I know you guys are probably going to be pretty pissed at me for this, and you'll have good reason. I especially feel bad for those of you who had to stay up most of the night waiting for this...

I will not be able to make it today, for reasons not directly connected to our gaming session itself, but reasons which deal with a much larger issue of which the gaming session is a small part. This may not make too much sense, but I don't really want to go into too much detail right now. I'm not sure if this means that I won't be able to participate at all--that's something I'm going to have to figure out. I will keep you guys updated. And I'm very, very sorry to have to do this to you at the last minute.

If you want to get together without me, please feel free. It would probably make me feel better if I knew I didn't ruin it for everybody.

I'll probably be speaking to each of you individually in the near future. Sorry.

Cell 270

Sorry to herar it Master Suho...but I'm sure you got your reasons. No hard feelings here. Take care of what's at hand.

Is anybody else online?

No hard feelings here either Suho. To bad you couldn't make it.

_________________________
Anyone who has lost track of time when using a computer knows the propensity to dream, the urge to make dreams come true and the tendency to miss lunch.
- copied from the wall of cell 408 -

Wohooo! The first official meeting took place...and was a glorifying success!

Where were you, Skaarrj? Hmmm?

same time, same place,, next weekend...loving it!

Shit...sorry. Got my dates mixed up and I was out at a friend's birthday dinner tonight (Luxo BTW, turning 19). OK then....ummm, can I get an exact count down to the next time. I don't want to miss this next one. Are we just meeting over OpenRPG and hammering out the deatails or are we actually playing?

Koan 63, written on the wall of cell number 250:
Those who Believe
Can
Those who Try
Do
Those who Love
Live

Ok...the lowdown - first official meeting...

WebShaman *sheepish grin...yep. me.* didn't have his *gasp* character sheet ready...erm...uhhh...but the others ...sort of helped...well, helped alot, actually...heh. Thanks, guys.

So we did a little *journey* into the openRPG system...quite interesting, actually.

As for actually playing...well, a bit of 'getting in character', but nothing serious...it was fun, and a success! It works, and was nice...

Oh, and as a 'side' note, we 'discussed' different ways to 'barbeque' Skaarrj...Ooops! That's you...hehe...

[This message has been edited by WebShaman (edited 10-05-2002).]

Well, WS summarized the first meeting up pretty nicely.

If it possible for the rest of you we'll try to get it started next week, same time.


_________________________
Anyone who has lost track of time when using a computer knows the propensity to dream, the urge to make dreams come true and the tendency to miss lunch.
- copied from the wall of cell 408 -

It was a good time, sorry you couldn't make it Skaarjj. I hope everything works out for you Suho. I look forward to hearing from later in the week.

Meanwhile...Don't we have a Mad Sci to cook?

bwaahahaha!

That'd be me!

OK, I'm back. Sorry I couldn't make it, but you know how things go sometimes. I don't think I'll be able to make it at the current time (which I believe was 0700 GMT). I'm not sure how this time works out for the rest of you, but I know tiki has to stay up quite late at night. Anyway, depending on how long our sessions are going to go, a few hours earlier would be much better for me.

Skaarjj: how come you haven't authorized me on ICQ yet?

I don't have anything else planed that early in the morning, but I doubt I'll be able to get up much earlier than GMT 0500...

_________________________
Anyone who has lost track of time when using a computer knows the propensity to dream, the urge to make dreams come true and the tendency to miss lunch.
- copied from the wall of cell 408 -

OK, I can understand that. What does everyone else think?

I could also play early in the morning on a weekday, but I'm not sure how that would work. It's kind of tough not knowing which time zones people are in. I know WS is in Germany, tiki is in Atlanta... Veneficuz, where are you? And what about you, Skaarjj?

I'm firmly ensconced over here in Aussie-land. Saturday and Sunday are basically the only two days that are good for me. Work is really hectic for me at the moment. I work (my time) from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM without a break, five days a week, so I get kind of exhausted come the weekend, and now my job is starting to extend into me weekends as well. I vow that I will find time for this, but I'm not sure. My only free time is on Saturdays and Sundays, and every second friday night (starting rom this friday night and incrementing a fortnight after that).

Silly me, I knew you were in Australia. I just wasn't thinking...

Would 05:00 GMT work for you? I know it would probably be better for tiki... what about the big ugly (oh, pardon me, pretty) paladin?

*dons Greater Cloak of Protection vs. Tomahawks*

Also, how long are we planning to go with our sessions? I would imagine two hours would be a minimum, but I probably wouldn't be able to go over three (even that might be stretching it). Gar, I really want this to work out.

[Edit: Oh, I almost forgot... Skaarjj, please authorize me!!!]

[This message has been edited by Suho1004 (edited 10-08-2002).]

Ok, Master Suho...you want me to get up before 06:00 in the morning? Would you also like me to fly over, and serve you tea in bed, as well? Personally, I like to RP with a fairly clear mind...and I don't think all that well at 06:00 in the morning...

However, I would do it...if you can then actually play (the sacrifices that I make for my Asylum chums...hehe).

I really hope both you and Skaarjj can play...would be nice.

*Kicks Master Suho in the shins...as he is dancing about, holding his shin (thus losing the cloak), I whack him with the tomahawk!* Dontcha just luuuvvv 18 Str?



[This message has been edited by WebShaman (edited 10-08-2002).]

I'm in the same timezone as WS.


_________________________
Anyone who has lost track of time when using a computer knows the propensity to dream, the urge to make dreams come true and the tendency to miss lunch.
- copied from the wall of cell 408 -

Where exactly are you, V? North from Germany? That would mean you are not all that far from me...I am on the German coast...west coast, actually.

Moving the time up doesn't bother me. I can go to bed earlier.

<edit-tikiTs>

[This message has been edited by tikigod (edited 10-08-2002).]

Hehe...TikiTs....Lol!

Hey, Tiki, help me with Master Suho, will ya? He's resisting the tomahawk...hold his legs fest!

[This message has been edited by WebShaman (edited 10-08-2002).]

He forgot about Power Wedgies!

***tiki runs in...grab Suho's drawers...PULLS HARD...***

Damn! I didnt think I could those all the way over his head. Nice pink elephents dude.

Now wheres my a spear...

***Poof! spear appears...Tiki wraps it around the boxer encumbered Suho***

I got him. But he's still kickin'. Hey V! a little help over here.




[This message has been edited by tikigod (edited 10-08-2002).]

ROTFLMAO!!!!!

C'mon V! Get in on the fun!!...quit struggling, Master Suho...it only makes it worse...man, that's got to hurt...poor pink elephants...



[This message has been edited by WebShaman (edited 10-08-2002).]

ROFLMAOSHIHLH! (="Rolling on the Floor Laughing My Ass Off So Hard It Hurts Like Hell")


Can't see what you need my help for here. But that kicking got to stop. - Can't you see Suho, you ain't got no choice but to play with us


Hmm... what to do with those legs.. *polymorphs Suhos kicing legs into tiny, well prepared frog legs*
Now if we get hungry we have something to eat as well

Just love this unlimited DM power

WS: I live near Oslo, Norway. Not that far from you then



_________________________
Anyone who has lost track of time when using a computer knows the propensity to dream, the urge to make dreams come true and the tendency to miss lunch.
- copied from the wall of cell 408 -

Yeeehaaaa! Doin' the do, internationhal style!

Mmmm...frog legs...*smacks lips*

Can I get them 'extra krispy?'

Those 'pink elephants' just have to go
*one 'swish' later from the tomahawk*
...yep, that'll do...hehehe...

Anyone want some pink elephant boxers, slightly used? Schitzo? How bought you? In need of some...clean boxers?

quote:

---

Ok, Master Suho...you want me to get up before 06:00 in the morning? Would you also like me to fly over, and serve you tea in bed, as well?

---

Well, yes, actually. I think that would be splendid!

And for your information, all my boxers are embroidered with little red hearts. I do not own any pink elephant boxers. You must be tormenting some other poor schmuck.

Seriously, though, considering the fact that most of you work during the week, I don't see how we have much of a choice. Believe it or not, but I have more time during the week--the weekends are actually the worst time for me.

[Edit: Hmm... yes, things I left out: Skaarjj has still not authorized me. I'm beginning to develop a complex about this. And, Veneficuz, you never made that move last night! I want blood. Hehe... ]

[This message has been edited by Suho1004 (edited 10-09-2002).]

OK, this is something that has been bugging me for a while, and I wanted to hear what you guys think. Most of the D&D attributes would be very hard to measure in real world terms (i.e., it would be very difficult to give a number to a person for most attributes). I suppose intelligence could somehow be tied to IQ, but that isn't mentioned in the PHB.

The one attribute that does come with solid figures attached is strength. The solid figures I refer to are the carrying capacity figures on p. 192 (in the .pdf file). It says that a character should be able to lift over their head the maximum load for their strength rating. What exactly does "lift overhead" mean, though? Are we talking a clean and jerk or snatch, as in weightlifting? Or is it a straight press? I'm kind of leaning more toward the straight press, since current records for the clean and jerk or snatch would put the guy's strength at around 21 or 22.

At any rate, Telana should be able to press (I'm assuming press, seated) 60 kilograms, which is a significant amount. It seems like quite a bit, actually--even a 10 strength (low-end average) should be able to press 45 kilograms, which isn't as easy as it sounds (I haven't actually tried it, but I think I could do it--I'll have to try it tomorrow at the club).

Yes, it is absurd to measure strength with a single figure that measures pressing ability. I guess I'm really trying to say that I think the carrying capacity figures are too high. A light load for Telana would be a 20k pack, and she's supposed to be able to run around with this all day without getting tired. Right.

So what's the point? No point, really. I'm actually feeling kind of sick today, and I just needed something to go off on. That's all.

As far as I know, it's based on straight press figures. I take it you've never wore heavy armor (i.e. chainmail), or done any fighting with actual weapons from the middle ages. Chainmail weighs alot (and that weight is mostly on the shoulders...). Also, the weapons weigh alot...

I also take it you were never in the military...well, as I was in the Army, we used to run long distances, and march even longer ones with 20+ kg on ones body...so, after 'getting used' to such a load, your body adapts...and one tends not to notice it much.

Actually, there are many 'problems' with the D&D system...that with the scores notwithstanding (how does one measure Dex, or Wis?), the thing the most bothers me is Armor. Armor does not make one harder to hit...it subtracts from damage. One realizes this, when one has actually wore armor and used it in fights. To the point (and they did do some 'corrections' in the 3rd edition rules...), wearing armor actually makes it easier to be hit...one can't easily dodge in armor...and it makes it harder to hit someone else...armor is somewhat cumbersome. Armor was developed to prevent (or lessen) damage. Therefore, weapons were developed to penetrate that armor...and so the cycle (until firearms where developed to the point that they were reliable). The cycle still continues...

Now, with the introduction of magic...we get some strangeness. Armor can be 'magically' handled...and so can weapons. So here, we have a different sort of cycle. However, it is rare to actually find armor that resists actual magic itself. That, in itself, is interesting...and another problem in the D&D world...this cycle is not very well represented, IMHO.

With the introduction of magic, range warefare is entirely changed. It must be said, that range warefare is the best form of attack (which the D&D system largely ignores...). This is because most opponents in the D&D world do not have long-range attack possibilities...and must close to close combat range to deal damage. A party that can take advantage of this, should win. But the rules for bows (and magic) mostly prohibit this...which is ridiculous. The rules allow opponents to close much to quickly in comparison to the ability to attack. Anyone who has played Balder's Gate, will know what I am talking about...Bows (and magic) rule!!!

However, the close combat (sometimes necessary, esp. when in dungeons) isn't that bad...but. I just don't like the combat system that much...there are better ones. *shrugs* But it is the role-play that I like most...so...one takes these things as they are.

WS: *Sigh* I was just whining, you didn't have to reply. But since you did...

quote:

---

I take it you've never wore heavy armor (i.e. chainmail), or done any fighting with actual weapons from the middle ages.

I also take it you were never in the military...well, as I was in the Army, we used to run long distances, and march even longer ones with 20+ kg on ones body...so, after 'getting used' to such a load, your body adapts...and one tends not to notice it much.

---

On the armor, etc.: I know how heavy chainmail and some of those weapons can be, but how does this relate to my gripe? Medieval soldiers did not walk around all day with their armor on, carrying every single weapon they owned.

On military training: Training is the key word here, and this points up even further the absurdity of trying to measure strength with a single number. Actually, running around with a 20 kg pack is not a test of strength so much as it is a test of endurance. I think it's safe to say that the D&D system is nowhere near realistic (it was never meant to be that realistic). The thing that got me thinking about it was how we used to sit around and try to judge what our attribute scores would be if we were D&D characters. Silly, yeah, but fun.

Good point about armor, of course--it really should take away from the damage done. As far as armor being cumbersome, D&D does reflect that to an extent, limiting your dexterity bonus (to dodge) depending on the type of armor. Magic also gets kind of wacky, primarily because magic (well, not that sort of magic) never existed, unlike most of the armor and weapons involved.

Yeah, the combat system has flaws, but it is the roleplaying we're here for. I just felt like complaining about some stuff that us gamers always complain about but don't really care about that much.

Er, at the risk of reverting to my old geekdom (hrm, perhaps it's a bit late for such concerns), if you did have to assign yourself attribute scores, what would you give yourself? Yes, it's silly, but I'm in a silly mood. Actually, I feel like I'm on the brink of death by sneezing, and I need something to distract myself from the torture. I'll have to think about my stats...

Hmmm...very interesting. Yes, the scores are not really...realistic. I agree. But for the sake of simplisity, that's what we have...I suppose one could make a bunch of 'composite' scores...(re - endurance, the comb. of Str and Con), for example.

But yeah, I see where you are coming from...

My scores? Hmmm...

Str - 14 (I think...)
Int - 15 (May be higher...hard to say...)
Wis - 16 (Well, who knows?)
Dex - 13 (Though I have dexterity...I'm definitly not that dextrous...)
Con - 14 (Con is always a tough one...it may be much higher...)
Chr - 15 (Yep. Here comes Ray...hehe...)

Not bad...*shrugs*

Hope you get well...

Thanks. I haven't "calculated" my scores yet, but it's a pretty safe bet that my Con ain't too great. At least it ain't feelin' too great right now.

[Edit: Well, here's a shot...

Note: These are based on 10-11 being average, not on any numbers that may be found in the PHB.

Str: 13 (stronger than average, but no He-man)
Dex: 15 (although at the moment it's probably about 3 due to disease )
Int: 16 (considering Einstein and Hawking to be 18s...)
Wis: 16 (eh, this is a tough one to measure, but I'll give myself the benefit of the doubt )
Con: 11 (this is being honest--any stamina I might have is offset by my apparent susceptibility to sickness)
Cha: 13 (I can be pretty persuasive when I want, but I'm definitely no Ray Liotta )

]

[This message has been edited by Suho1004 (edited 10-09-2002).]

I'm glad your character's no he man Suho, consider your a she in this game, if she was a he-man...*shudder* :P

anyway, indemar's stats:

15 +2 <--- Charisma
13 +1 <--- Strength
12 +1 <--- Dexterity
12 +1 <--- Contsitution
12 +1 <--- Intelligence
11 +0 <--- Wisdom

Somethings are around average, but I don't mind too much.