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| caelum |
 Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 10:05 pm Post subject: Margreve as a campaign |
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Joined: 31 May 2008
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So I have just begun GMing a play-by-forum Margreve campaign. Because of the format (in which things inevitably move very slow in real time), I'm planning to run the game as "one adventure, one level." In other words, they'll gain a level after completing each of the Tales of the Old Margreve adventures, even though that is very fast by normal standards. That way there's at least an outside shot we can get through the entire campaign!
What that means, though, is that the 8 adventures in this book, plus the Amber Heart adventure from KQ, and a couple of fill-in adventures that I'll toss in for the empty levels, is the entirety of the campaign. I'd like some sort of arc that connects everything together, at least loosely, but of course the anthology is very episodic.
I was wondering if anybody had tried something similar and had some ideas on connecting the adventures up? I've got my own (spider crones, cough, cough), but they're not perfect so I'd love to hear what others have done.
If anybody is curious and would like to see the prelude, it begins here.
Oh, and how did we not get an Ennie nomination on this one? The Connors deserve a platinum medal for putting this together! Gripe, gripe, gripe! |
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| Amy Carrier |
| Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Sorry, my idea well is dry tonight (and I suspect I'm a few months too late anyhow) but I am curious as to how this has turned out so far. |
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| Wolfgang |
| Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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Kobold Overlord
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Margreve was submitted to the ENnie judges. I have no idea why they didn't choose it, but the releases nominated for 2011 ENnies were all quite strong.
I'm disappointed because I think Tim Connors and crew deserved the nod, but I guess having lots of great releases is a good problem for the RPG field to have.
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Wolfgang Baur
Publisher, Kobold Press |
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| caelum |
| Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Wolfgang wrote: |
| I'm disappointed because I think Tim Connors and crew deserved the nod, but I guess having lots of great releases is a good problem for the RPG field to have. |
QFT!
On the main topic, this being a play-by-forum attempt we are actually still near the beginning of the first adventure, Hollow. Mostly that is because I introduced a prelude to set things up: an attack on the PCs at a feast dinner by some agents of one of the Spider Crones. They stole some valuable "items" from them - their blood, food, and voice - so the PCs went looking for her. I'm going to make them the primary theme of most, or perhaps all, of the adventures - not too hard, since they are already the primary drivers of three of them. The "point" of the campaign will be to see how the PCs react to their power - do they try to drive them out of the Margreve? Ally with one or more of them? Etc.
I used the second part of the prelude to introduce the Margreve itself and give the players a healthy dose of fear for it (or at least try to - they rolled rather well, so they probably aren't as afraid as they should be!). I ran the journey more or less as a 4E "skill challenge."
Now they find themselves in Levoca (near one of the Spider Crones) just as the Hollow Man is about to arrive. We'll see how eager they are to help the villagers out! |
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| James Thomas |
| Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 11:29 am Post subject: |
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| Wolfgang wrote: |
Margreve was submitted to the ENnie judges. I have no idea why they didn't choose it, but the releases nominated for 2011 ENnies were all quite strong.
I'm disappointed because I think Tim Connors and crew deserved the nod, but I guess having lots of great releases is a good problem for the RPG field to have. |
 The ENnies have been choosing the winners for over a decade now and I can't say I always agree with their picks. The gaming community needs another (new) award. A big name (individual or website) needs to grab the ball and run with it. If you are such a person/entity and have ever paused to consider it, please give it serious consideration now. The RPG and especially Pathfinder community has grown to critical mass in 2011. Now is the time!
I would even be willing to help you manage it. I'm very cheap (but not trashy).
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Kobold Minion #66
MightyMongo's Summoned Monster
Freelancer 2, Game Master 7, Historian 5 |
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| Wolfgang |
| Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 5:53 pm Post subject: |
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Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Posts: 4984
Location: The Mines
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The Kobold Awards? I am somehow amused by the very notion. Not sure that the RPG field needs another set of awards, though. We already have Origins and ENnies.
What new niche would this new set of awards fill? Tabletop fantasy RPGs only? The Small but Fierce award?
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Wolfgang Baur
Publisher, Kobold Press |
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| James Thomas |
| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 12:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Wolfgang wrote: |
The Kobold Awards? I am somehow amused by the very notion. Not sure that the RPG field needs another set of awards, though. We already have Origins and ENnies.
What new niche would this new set of awards fill? Tabletop fantasy RPGs only? The Small but Fierce award? |
Yeah! I like the Small But Fierce Award. Nice place to start. Why not? It could be given to the best first time published product of the year. Or perhaps the best newcomer publisher? I'd say keep the focus narrow like tabletop RPGs.  As well, Open Design could have awards just for its products. Everyone will dress in virtual dinner suits and cocktail dresses and have a night of it! There could be: Minion of the Year (best developer, AND you get a #). Underling of The Year (best designer). Scaly Overlord Award (Freelancer/Designer of The Year). Hatchling of The Year (best new freelancer/designer). Here There Be Kobolds Award (Best Cartographer). Cave Drawer of The Year (Best Artist). Etc., etc.  I can see it all now: a gala opening... bright lights... big names... a comedic master of ceremonies... drinks... entertainment... gnome toe hors d'oeuvres... a blooper slide-show of all the silly stuff that didn't make it past the editors... There could be fire pits... mineral baths... barbecues... free rats for the kids... a total Koboldopolusa!
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Kobold Minion #66
MightyMongo's Summoned Monster
Freelancer 2, Game Master 7, Historian 5 |
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| ChristinaStiles |
| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 1:21 pm Post subject: |
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I dunno, it could be fun, and it doesn't need to take itself seriously! I'd either say they go to KQ/OD contributors or 3PP tabletop games (since such companies get overlooked a great deal). The categories should be a little off-kilter. If possible, have tiny kobold trophies made up and present them over web cam at PaizoCon. It could be KQ-supported, with KQ picks similar to what Brian does in his picks in KODT issues.
Small But Fierce--patron-voted best 3PP Company
Kobold King of Kings--best creature of the year entry.
Kobold Skirmisher Award--Best use of kobold adversaries in an adventure.
And so on...
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Christina Stiles
Journeys to the West Lead, Midgard Tales Co-Lead, & Dark Deeds Lead Designer
Kobold Minion #7
Bite Me! The Gaming Guide to Lycanthropes |
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| Watcher |
| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 1:54 pm Post subject: |
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Internal only company awards for fun could be.. well.. fun
The Website generates a lot of material.
The magazine generates a lot of material.
The projects generate a lot of material.
If it was in the spirit of fun, it might make for a cool voting poll and an article on the web page and/or magazine.
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Jim Groves
Contributor, Author
OD's Resident and Original Loki |
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| Jack Mann |
| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Could be useful, too, as just a sort of review of, "This went well. Let's see how to use that for more successful projects." I'm sure you're already doing this, but it could be useful for everyone to look at what went well for suggestions of how to proceed in the future. |
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| terraleon |
| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:09 pm Post subject: |
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Penny Arcade does do a year end thing, but they review/play/mock everything, so they've got a position to do that. KQ is a producer and so I'd wonder about them setting it up.
Perhaps Gamerati, or RPGGeek. There is the Diana Jones award, but those are more for indy game designers than the full spectrum.
I don't know. I guess I wouldn't mind something larger in the "Adventure judging" category, because it is a bigger field that has a lot of diverse entry types-- anthologies, sci-fi, fantasy, post-apoc, horror, etc, but yeah, maybe it just needs to see an expansion within the scope of the Ennies.
I'm not sure. I'd have to think about it for a bit. The entertainment industry certainly has a pile of awards. :/ I'm not sure that's the path we want to follow.
-Ben.
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progressio sine timore aut praejudica - Spectemur agendo |
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| Watcher |
| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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I meant for fun, not to market stuff. Sheesh Ben, whaddya take us for?
"Hey we award ourselves with this award for our bestest product ever!"
I meant like:
"Fan Favorite Web Monster"
"Favorite New Class printed in KQ"
Or
"Most Condescending Jerky Patron"
....
Yeah, you're right, this is a terrible idea. Never mind.
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Jim Groves
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| James Thomas |
| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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 Ben, I think this could be a good thing. We never get together. Not even a pizza party after a project or anything. We're all over the continent and all over the world. We ought to meet at least once a year for something special. And we don't have to take it too seriously. This is me talking. Keep thinking about it Jim. And I like the new icon... it suits you.
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Kobold Minion #66
MightyMongo's Summoned Monster
Freelancer 2, Game Master 7, Historian 5 |
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| Amy Carrier |
| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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| caelum wrote: |
| ...On the main topic, this being a play-by-forum attempt we are actually still near the beginning of the first adventure, Hollow. Mostly that is because I introduced a prelude to set things up: an attack on the PCs at a feast dinner by some agents of one of the Spider Crones. They stole some valuable "items" from them - their blood, food, and voice - so the PCs went looking for her. ... |
Sounds like a great start! Please do post an occasional update.  |
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| Amy Carrier |
| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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| James Thomas wrote: |
| Ben, I think this could be a good thing. We never get together. Not even a pizza party after a project or anything. We're all over the continent and all over the world. We ought to meet at least once a year for something special. And we don't have to take it too seriously. This is me talking. Keep thinking about it Jim. And I like the new icon... it suits you. |
So... KQ-Con, or maybe OD-Con? Would this be "members only", or open to the public? |
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