Page 13 of 14

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2002 2:46 pm
by Craig
I have Aegis on MSN so I will talk to him, but I'm leaning to the continuation of the current story.

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2002 3:10 pm
by Rob-hin
I'd be interested, and prefer to, goiing on with the story too.
But I'd also keep at it if we start a new story.

The summer is behind us now, so I think the story would live up again. (it's cold outside, so I spend more time behind the pc. :D )

It's a good story, though I was a bit confused with the part in the dwarven fortress.
So, I'd suggest to move on out of there asap.

I don't know if everybody still is interessted in roleplaying, so we'll need to contact all of the players to see if anybody drops out.

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2002 3:35 pm
by Bad Karma
Originally posted by Magus
So, what do you guys say?


I'm not sure. It seems like no one ever posts in here, so the story would go by pretty slowly. Maybe if we could kinda get some more people interested in this, I'd stop by more often. I can't DM, I prefer playing.

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2002 9:48 pm
by Rail
Personally, I would lean towards starting a new story. Sedge has absolutely been one of my favorite characters I've played, but I just can't see continuing on with Aegis' story without him. I for one would love to get something similar to this up and running again. If Aegis is interested in moving onward with the story, I wouldn't mind staying with this one, but if he isn't then I think we should start another. Even is we use the same characters.

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2002 9:11 am
by Magus
Have you been able to get in contact with Aegis yet, Craig? I sent him a PM, but he hasn't responded yet.

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2002 9:17 am
by Craig
No, no contact as of yet, but he may be out of town/broken computer...

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2002 4:01 pm
by Aegis
Broken PC? Never! Actually, I just haven't had a lot of time lately. I've had a ton of responsibilties lately (School, football, skirt chasing) you know how it is. Anyway, I don't have time to DM a story, or continue DM'ing this one. If you want to start a new one, I can pop in from time to time, but won't be as constant as in previous stories.

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2002 4:54 pm
by Bad Karma
Originally posted by Aegis
Broken PC? Never! Actually, I just haven't had a lot of time lately. I've had a ton of responsibilties lately (School, football, skirt chasing) you know how it is. Anyway, I don't have time to DM a story, or continue DM'ing this one. If you want to start a new one, I can pop in from time to time, but won't be as constant as in previous stories.


That sucks (for us at least...you're out chasing skirts :D ) but it's understandable. Like I said before, it seems like there aren't that many people that are online with any great frequency (I myself won't be on till Sunday evening since I'll be out of town with no computer at hand) so having one of these with a good, flowing story would be difficult, though doable.

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2002 7:17 pm
by Magus
@Karma: Hey, hey, let's be a little more optimistic here. ;)

@Aegis: Understood. Thanks for telling us. And thanks for all your hard work to this point. :)

So we got our answer. Who still wants to continue Northern Shadows? Like Rail said, we could use the same characters in another roleplay if that's the general agreement, or even let it be decided on an individual basis. But if we continue Northern Shadows, someone's going to have to step up and volunteer to be the DM.

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2002 12:24 pm
by Rob-hin
I don't think we should continue NS without Aegis.

I'd go for a new story and if one would like, one could use the same character.
But it's not obligated.

Thats my POV.

BTW Aegis, the story was good. Too bad we didn't finish it. :)

Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2002 12:25 am
by Magus
I've PM'd everyone from Northern Shadows that hasn't replied to this thread in the last couple days. I figure we should give them a couple more days to show up before we decide what to do. But the prevalent opinion seems to be that we should start over, possibly with the same characters (it's up to the player). In that case, we'll need a DM. Like I said before, I'll volunteer if no one else cares to. But if one of you guys has the free time and the inclination, more power to you. The story would most likely go faster than it would under me.

Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2002 11:17 am
by Magus
Nippy said he'd prefer to just observe. Now only Arcane and Durwyn are unaccounted for.

Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2002 1:51 pm
by Craig
Durwyn and arcane were the only one who were on this constantly And I think they drifted off when the thread went down.

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 2:45 am
by Magus
Well, hopefully they'll see my PM. I could send them an e-mail, but that seems like it would be overdoing a bit. I don't want to pester anyone. But we'll have to move on if they don't show up soon.

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 9:05 am
by Arcane
yup im back (had a ton of algebra exams over the past two months)

personally, i wouldnt mind making a new forum rp....

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 4:53 pm
by Bad Karma
Okay, now that I think of it, things aren't quite as bleak as I thought. I have little to offer besides my role as a player, and if we can get a DM this thing could take off. Just a quick question. Is it pretty rules heavy over here or do you guys let some things slide?

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 8:29 pm
by Magus
Well, I suppose that depends on the DM. Each DM has their own style. In the other two roleplays I DM'd, I preferred to allow the players a decent amount of leeway to work with (with the notable exception being the last part of Athkatla II, which I now regret). As far as "real" D&D rules go though, we don't really adhere to any. After all, we can't roll dice for everything. It'd be impossible. Generally, the characters can do what they want, within reason of course. In encounters, which need a bit more structure, the players say what their characters do, and the DM responds with the results of the action (i.e character runs up and slashes a sorceror, DM says that the hit connects with an invisible shield and bounces off harmlessly). There's some leeway here too, which will grow as the players and the DM become more familar with each other.

Besides the lack of the rules, our forum roleplays also differ in one other important respect. In D&D, it's possible to get by with little or no character development. Even conversation is sometimes based more on what you roll for that bluff check than what you actually say. Our stories are different. They focus heavily not only on what each character says, but also on what they're thinking, and even what they're dreaming. It's so much more descriptive than P&P. And it's the responsibility of each player to give their character the needed depth and personality to breathe life into his character, so that he's more than some shapeless figure that's just there. This is important in more ways than one. Not only does it make the story more interesting; it gives the DM insight into the character's personality, so that he accurately roleplay the character when the need arises.

I think that about covers it. Anyone want to add anything else?

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 10:38 pm
by Aegis
Just to add to what Magus said.

Don't always try to be a hero. It is one of the most frustrating things to deal with being a DM. The only time it's really alright to be a hero in the story is if you make it beleivable. In other words, don't manage to kill a Balor demon on your own when you've been playing as a lowly theif. Even if you read back in the stories, I have been the prominant hero (as Magus so well knows :D ) but it usually has cost my character some damage (Athkatla I, Aegis, the Holy Cavalier, died as a result of his heroism. In Athkatla II, Virdel/Virrilis acted as a hero many times, namely during the confrontation in the government building, as when the mass of dead was grouping around MAgus' prone form, and again at the end when Sethin became involved)

Try and make your character and writing within reason. That way it remains interesting and fun for everyone. I know that as a new player you want to be as active and heroic as possible, but sometimes it's better to take a back row seat and enjoy the story. ;)

BTW, I will take part in this story, but as an independant. That way I don't have a large responsiblity to the story, and it let's me pop in and out from time to time and cause some trouble for the players. :D

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2002 5:06 am
by Magus
An independent, huh? I don't know whether to be pleased or just scared... :D :p

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2002 8:49 am
by Craig
Is that a keep the story, but be a player, or new story?

OT: I played my first real D&D today, it was really good.