I'll volunteer

Excellent. Can you hang around for 5 minutes? I just need your help finalizing something.

No problem. Finding another player for Baldurs Gate 1 isn't easy :-/

(Insert cheesy, stereotypical RPG storyline here).

The brave warrior, Exile, has just begun his career as an adventurer in these realms.

Recently, he has been intrigued by stories of a magnificent treasure in the cliffs of Northbrook. The rumor has it that hundreds of years ago, a wise alchemist named Meclides left behind a potion of great value in a crypt inside those cliffs, a potion so potent that it could restore a warrior from the brink of death to youthful vigor and power.

The cliffs, however, are wrought with danger. Surely other adventurers seek the same prize. That's not to mention the beasts that hide in the darkness, waiting to pounce upon their victims and claim some fresh meat.

Exile has decided that he will bring along others for support and split the prize. He has gone to the grimmest pub in town, where many adventurers wait, looking for work.

He only has enough to pay for the services of two allies, but there are at least 5 capable helpers available. Which shall he choose?

He eyes them from left to right, considering their potential.

In the darkest corner at a table all to himself sits a rogue, Sly Cooper, dressed up as a mime. Despite the appearances, Exile can tell this man has skills that can aid him. Perhaps he can retrieve the treasure with his stealth and quickness?

In the opposite corner stands a brute warrior, The Milkman, balancing an enormous crate of bottled milk atop his head, much to the delight of the crowd.

Then there is the mysterious Arc'nak'kar, an alchemist, it is believed. He is chatting over wine with another mage, White Elk, who seems more suited for rural life than pub hopping.

Finally, sitting at the pub is a warrior, Heroditus, arm wrestling those foolish enough to challenge him.

Having surveyed the crowd, Exile has chosen to bring along two adventurers. He has chosen....

(OOC: here's where you come in)

Beside Exile would be the Master of Magics White Elf, and the other warrior Heroditus. The three have long been companions and sought through this world for adventure and glory

Exile, White Elk and Heroditus have adventured in the past, but this could prove to be their most dangerous mission yet. Will they retrieve the invaluable potion or will others claim it first?

Little do they know, another party composed of a mage, Arc'nak'kar, a rogue art thief, Sly Cooper and a powerful warrior known as the Milkman are about to endeavor on the same quest. But who will lead their party? (OOC: one of you may volunteer to be captain of your team).

Will their paths cross? Indeed, they will.

(OOC: one of the other group volunteer to be a captain, I will PM the captains and post here when we're ready to go.

There are a few rules that I will cover very shortly before we start. So if you don't know how it works yet, don't worry, I'm going to set it up either tonight or tomorrow. Don't worry about missing anything because we're going to play at our convenience.

But, if there's anything that leaps out as you as a question, then feel free to ask.

OOC okay

Out of character (OOC): attached to this post is our game map.

You can see the grid and each of your character's positions on it. As you can see, there are two colors: red and blue. Your teammates are those that share a color with you. Remember, the game is all about team victory, not personal victory. Once all opponents have been defeated, your team wins, even if you only had 1 character left.

If party captains would like to "name" their party for easy reference, or pick a color identifier, please let me know. (Though one of you doesn't have a captain yet so I'm waiting for a volunteer there.)

Turns are team based. It works like this, in a step by step format:

1. Each player on the team decides what to do with their character's turn.

2. They PM each other and discuss strategy, if they want to.

3. When they are satisfied with their moves, the team captain (or one of the other players, if you like), will post the moves for each character on their team.

4. I will tally up the results. For example, I will "roll the dice" (using random.org), determine damage, and move the characters along the board. I will post the update HP of each character, inform you of any conditions your character might be under (for example, they might be stunned, or they might have gained a new item, etc.). Finally, I will post an updated map.

5. Then, the next team will take their turn and repeat exactly the same process.

6. When your character dies, you're out for the game. If there are no characters remaining on one side, the other side wins - they "level up" and they each get a GOG. If we enjoy the game then we may try it again, I will tinker with it a bit and you will be able to pick new spells/skills/specializations for your characters if you won. We'll see.

Now, that is the basic outline for the game process. But you will also need to know how to take a turn.

Each character's turn works like this:

1. First, they decide whether or not they would like to move. You can move one square per turn in any direction, including diagonal.

For example, the Milkman is currently located at square D4, as you see in the map. When it is his turn, the Milkman may decide to stay put. Or, he may decide to move one square. He can move northwest (C3), north (D3), northeast (E3), west (C4), east (E4), southwest (C5), south (D5) or southeast (E5).

More than one person can occupy a single square. This is considered "0" for the purposes of range.

2. Second and finally, the character may choose to do one of the following: 1) attack, 2) use a special ability, 3) drink a potion or use an item. You may only do one of these three things per turn.

So first you move, or not move, and then you pick one of those 3 options. Two choices basically per turn.

Note: some special abilities ARE attacks. If you are confused about an ability, let me know.

Note regarding range: mages and thieves have 1 range to their usual attack. That means that they can perform their usual attack against anyone either within their own square (range "0") or anyone in a square touching theirs. For example, White Elk is a mage who is currently located in square A1. Though he won't attack his teammates, he "could" attack anyone in his own box, or in B1 (east), B2 (southeast), or A2 (south). If he wasn't in the corner, there would be more boxes he could attack.

Regarding warrior range: given that they may be using longswords, two handed axes, etc. warriors have a range of 2. That means they can perform their usual attack against anyone within two squares of them. However, the squares must be in a straight line horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

For example, consider Heroditus' current position at B1 on the map. He could attack C1 or D1 (east), A1, (west), B2 or B3 (south), A2 (southwest) or C2 or C3 (southeast). He could NOT attack D2. Even though it is within 2 boxes of him, it is not in a straight line.

This may be confusing, so if you have any questions, please ask.

And I need a captain for the red team (again, you may choose a color and/or a party name if you prefer to.)

Back to the "story"
______________________________________________________________________

Six adventurers stand opposite each other, 3 on one side, 3 on another. Both groups are committed to obtaining the treasure for themselves, but only one shall have it. Both can tell the other will not leave without a fight.

Exile, White Elk and Heroditus' begin to plot their first moves.
______________________________________________________________________

Back to out of character: blue team has been selected to move first. They may now begin discussing their moves. When finished, have your captain (Exile), or one of the other party members post them all in one post. I will analyze them and update the map.

To compensate the party in red for getting the second move, they have been given a slightly stronger starting position, with their warrior out in front and the mage and the rogue set to either side.

Whether you are the captain or not, feel free to post here as your character for roleplaying purposes. (Or out of character for any other purpose).

Good luck!

ooc
I'm contacting other people in my party now and we'll get back as soon as we establish valid and reliable communication :)

OOC: Excellent. Let me know when you have chosen a captain!

Oh, and if anyone who isn't a part of the game wants to be added to the reserve list, just let me know. We haven't begun yet, so there's a possibility one player could drop out at the last minute.

OOC: Currently waiting on my other team mates.

OOC: Cool. Sounds good. Have fun everyone!!! and good luck getting that magical potion! (Oh, and a free GOG, too!)

Questions:

Can potions/items be given to a teammate? Is the giving of an item a fourth option in the Action Phase (attack, use ability, use item, gift item)? Is the recipient able to take their own action as normal, or does receiving an item also end their action phase? Or can a player receive an item, and us it on the same turn?

When defenders share the same tile, does the attacker choose the target?


EDIT: Is the Tank ability chosen in the players action phase, and then utilized during the opponents turn? If there are multiple potential recipients, does the Tanker choose which unit (s)he absorbs the blow for? Or must a specific target for the Tank ability be declared at time of initiating it? Once declared, can the Tank ability not be used if desired?

Can you tell us anything about the parameters of "stun"? Are the conditions that would create stun, nullified when the Tank ability has redirected the damage?

Great questions, some I hadn't thought of yet.


1. Yes, potions/items may be given to a teammate, provided they are in the SAME square. (It makes better sense that way)

2. Transfer can occur at any time during the turn.

3. Recipient may take their own action as normal.

4. A player can receive an item and use it on the same turn (but the same rule applies that you can only do 1 of the 3: attack, use an ability or use an item each turn). Yes. Yes. It is utilized as an "automatic response", provided that the situation occurs (an ally is damaged). He may provide a priority list, for example:
1) Character 2
2) Character 3 It is not necessary for a specific target to be declared. If no priority list is established, the ability will be used at narrator's (that's me) discretion. No, once declared, it will happen.

Hope this helps to clarify a few things. Any other questions, feel free! Apologies, there are no current abilities/spells that create a "stun" condition. That was planned, but not added.

If we play a 2nd time, that might be a new spell/ability that is introduced, for the characters that leveled up to select if they like. So basically, just ignore that part about stun. My bad.

Posting quick since your here....


Can you tell us anything about the parameters of "stun"?

Are the conditions that would create stun, nullified when the Tank ability has redirected the damage? (would a critically stunning blow on player A, still be a critically stunning blow when player B uses the Tank ability?)

EDIT: So receiving an item does not end a players Action Phase. What about giving an item? (is the gifters action phase ended, or can the gifter also take another action?)

EDIT 2: Does the use of the Tank ability require proximity? (can one unit take another units damage even if they are on opposite ends of the board)?