Flipz

Hey, guys. First off, I want to say I understand I won't be able to QM a Quest until I play through a couple, which works out for me because a.) I want to develop Arthur for a bit before I start writing whole campaigns, b.) most of my LEGO is currently in storage and is waiting to be unpacked, and c.) I'm already running another RPG across two other sites (and considering opening up a "branch" here), and with my current schedule, I'd have to temporarily give up playing Arthur to QM both the RPG and the Quest (and as I just said, I really do want to develop Arthur). HOWEVER... Since you all have actually COMPLETED QM'ing games (as opposed to me just starting them and then players (or me) moving away due to unforseen circumstances), I'd like to ask your advice on a few QM'ing things that would improve not only the current RPG I run, but also any Heroica Quests I end up running in the future. First, I'm kind of a hands-off GM. I'm not afraid to have an NPC come up and give the heroes a shove if they're not advancing the storyline, but at the same time I'm a firm believer that interaction between PCs should be a driving element in any good RP. Thus, my first question: how can I encourage my players to interact more with each other, instead of only interacting with my NPCs? Second, my RPG isn't really a stat-based game at all. Now, for PC vs NPC battles, I can handle them just fine; however, since it's looking like a few of my players will be on opposite sides of a "prison break" style scenario, I need advice on how to handle PvP fairly in such a situation. Finally, how should I, as GM, deal with a missing player when upcoming story scenes involve things that were set up with said player's character? Should I go ahead and control that character as needed for the scene, or should I find a way to direct the players around that particular encounter so it doesn't happen at all (perhaps introducing another, less "significant" reason the players need to go to Location A, and "coincidentally" that's where the players need to be)? Your feedback would be much appreciated. --Flipz

Is she undead, then? Thanks. Good to keep all these different story lines straight.

-==IC:Arthur==- "I acquired it on my travels here," Arthur replied. "I traded in my Diamond Sword from home for it in the Kalma Marshlands, when I made a stop there on my journey to Heroica. They don't normally come equipped with the gemstones, but the store's owner pursued me for nearly a mile and insisted that I take the opal as well. I can't understand why, his son, from whom I purchased the staff, didn't seem that shifty, I m sure he gave me a good deal. Anyway, this staff can actually store different gems and rotate through them when I twist this knob here," he said, demonstrating. The opal retracted into the top chamber of the staff and was replaced by a blank spot, obviously intended to fit an additional gemstone. Arthur switches the staff back to normal. "It even has an indicator in the handle that tells me what kind of gem, if any, is equipped. No fumbling around in my pack looking for gemstones for me, no sir!" He paused for a moment. "The young man in the store told me legends of staves like this one that could poison from a distance, or put folks in a trance, or bind them with invisible magic ropes, or even transform them into snakes. However, I don't know if he was honestly telling the truth, or if he was trying to make this staff seem better than it was by associating it with local myths. Since I don't know their myths anyway, it had no effect on me, heh heh!"

Of course, they're the official records. What I'm getting at is more along the lines of, are there any included illustrations, such as a rendering of the symbol of the Lion Knights on the dagger in Quest 4, or other such details noticed by the heroes. Would the map of Bric'Lin, Brobric, Eubric, R'Kliff, and Mopag be included in the official record for later use? And, on the subject of public vs. private information, would the Zigfreid crest on the boxes in Quest 2 be recorded in the Quest Log, or would that remain hidden to the general public? And while we're on the subject of Quest 2, did the heroes actually kill Umbra Shadeaux or just incapacitate her? I know the heroes kept saying "knocked out", but I'd like to hear Sandy's word on the subject.

Can anyone tell me if my character's idea in the Library would be allowed? My thinking is that, if some bit of info from a previous quest comes up, Arthur could use the book to look it up, so the heroes on the present adventure have context for their decision, and that context wouldn't be metagaming. (Does that make sense?)

-==IC: Arthur==- Arthur returns to the Library.

-==IC: Arthur==- Arthur finishes reading the book on Quest 4, reassured that signing up for Quest 17 is a good idea. "And to think," he said, "when I arrived that guy in the cloak told me the Shadeaux would be valuable allies!" He paused for a moment to consider the semantics. "Well, he did say 'valuable,' not 'worthy.' Still, if that's the way the Shadeaux play, count me out!" He starts for the library, then asks the nearby heroes, "So, which Quest should I read about next? I've already studied Quest 1 and Quest 4."

That was my intention.

"'Tis a shame. I much desire to venture with fellow Mages, that I may learn the ways of this land from them. You see, it is only recently that I discovered my powers. Previously, I thought the magic came simply from the enchanted equipment of my homeland. That is why I came here, to learn of this world, for my people judged me the most worthy to venture forth to these lands. I must say, I am not certain of the truth of their judgement, but I shall endeavor to perform as best I can. Perhaps soon I shall be on a Quest, and there shall truly learn." Arthur pauses for a moment. "What Quest do you seek to join? I have signed up for both Quest 17 and Quest 18, though I am uncertain of my chances of being selected for either one."

-==IC: Arthur==- Arthur looks up from a particularly interesting passage. "Hmm...this De'kra the shade...could he be the Shade I saw here earlier? I would very much like to get to know him. And Cinna the Dark...does anyone know if she still roams these parts, and on which quest(s) she intends to embark? Tell me, where is Cinna? For I much desire to speak with her."

-==IC: Arthur==- Arthur takes the bread from Alf. "Thank you, my good sir. I haven't eaten all day, and the only thing anyone's offered me to eat is chicken...which is something I can't stand to eat. No, sir!" Just then, Arasmyth yells at Arthur. He jolts to attention at the sight of a higher-ranked Mage. "Yes, sir! Sorry, sir!" "Man, things are so complicated here!" he mutters to the bartender, noticing several pairs of heroes flirting with each other. "Where I come from...well, where I come from, there's not a whole lot of social interaction period. Not since the uprising of the undead that happened since someone opened the Portal...I had to learn the social customs of this area from this book I found on the road!" Arthur holds up a tattered, clearly-outdated book of etiquette for the upper classes of a race no longer found in the region. "It's been...less than helpful." Realizing that people are staring at him, he quickly retreats behind the book of the exploits of Quest 4 he borrowed from the library.

Scroll? *drools* *wishes I had more gold* :P

No, I don't mind. Extra parts for custom characters! (Also bear in mind that I already have the Venomari Shrine, in case it affects your calculations.)

-==IC: Arthur==- Arthur quietly enters the library. He holds his staff carefully, so as not to send the massive bookshelves crashing into each other like giant dominoes. When he reaches the section containing the chronicles of previous quests, he gingerly sets his staff on the floor, picks up the book on Quest 1, and reads through it. Replacing the book on the shelf, he begins to read the exploits of the Heroes of Quest 4. As this is a much longer tale, he sits next to his, crossing his legs, his back to Byblos at the desk. EDIT: OOC: Apparently, at some point, Arthur left and returned to the hall. IC: Arthur returns and borrows the books for Quests 2 and 3. He approaches Byblos. "Good sir, I see that there are several copies of each Quest Book. Would it be possible for me to borrow a few of them for an extended period of time--say, perhaps, taking them on a Quest of my own? Specifically, I am attempting to divine the true motivations of the Shadeaux, so I would like to borrow the books for Quests 2 and 4, as well as any others involving them. I would also like to borrow the book for Quest 3, as it is a good study guide for a Mage such as myself. , and Quest 14 as well as it deals with the same scenario...and Cinna the Dark. Finally, I would like to borrow the book for Quest 15, as I am hoping to be selected for a mission with the Bonapartes, and would like to have all relevant information on that group available to me should I be selected." EDIT 2: OOC: Just realized those ones are still in progress, ergo the books wouldn't be written yet. EDIT 3: OOC: Man, this topic is practically dead! IC: "Well...hmm, that is an odd question," Byblos replies. "Well, I don't see why not...still, I'd prefer if you only take a few, and that you be exremely careful with them!" Arthur nods and thanks Byblos. "I will treat them with the utmost care. If I can find the time, perhaps when I return, I can tell you of my own land, a land so far to the south and east that most mapmakers don't even know we exist." With that, Arthur heads back to Heroica Hall.

-==IC: Arthur==- Arthur raises his eyebrows in surprise. He had not heard of this news. Suddenly the Hinckwells appear to be a much better ally than the Shadeaux. He signs up for Quest 17, as his chances of being selected appear to be better. Arthur then heads to the library.

-==IC: Arthur==- Arthur returns to the Hall, and decided to see if anyone around here was allied with the Shadeaux, and if they knew of any recent news of their exploits.

-==IC: Arthur==- Arthur enters the marketplace, and promptly trips over someone's outstretched foot--from the brife glance he got, it belonged to one of the women he had accidentally tripped earlier. He bounced and rolled through the marketplace, finally sliding to a halt at Gnomeo's toolshed. The gnome is too busy laughing at Arthur to speak coherently, so Arthur just hands over 5 gold, takes his new bedroll, and leaves back to Heroica Hall.

-==IC: A.J.R.7==- "Good to know. Uh...which way to the store?"

Ding ding ding! That face is exclusive to me, it's the face of the pilot from Pod 7...whose name is AJR7. Arthur Justus Regulus VII (7). Even though technically I said you had to guess before I posted the pic, if I manage to get any good loot on my next Quest, expect a small token of reward. EDIT: Also, how does Brickdoctor and several others do that nifty tooltip thing in their signatures? I'd really like to try it for mine, mke it less cluttered.

-==AJR7==- Arthur sat down by Atramor and William. "Hehe...the feathers...I can explain--" Just then, the end of his staff tripped a woman behind him. Arthur decided that was explanation enough. "So...what do you recommend a rookie like me should do to start off in Heroica?"

Well, Arthur is probably safe, considering that the real person who plays him (me) has absolutely zero skill in this area. Whatsoever. Seriously, it's actually kinda depressing. *Pulls out notebook and starts taking notes for personal use.* No, Wren discovered the art of planewalking, jumped into the real world, and used a meta strategy: she released the love plague on EB members, causing the associated heroes to become lovestruck and lovesick.

So, I'll have to spend $50 come January...hmm...looks like I'd better triple-check my list of Ninjago wants, then. Let's see, I'll have to get the Rattlecopter, but then I'll need to pick up spinners for all the ZX ninja because the sets generally fail to have the shoulderpads...hmm... What's the cheapest way to get all 4 Snake Staffs as well as all 4 ZX ninja WITH the shoulderpads? (I don't really care about the Kendo figs, though I'll gladly take that booster pack for Jay. My motto: never turn down "free" LEGO. )

OOC: I don't have a lot of medieval sets, but if someone gives me an idea for something simple I could build I'll edit pictures in here later. -==IC: Arthur Justus Regulus VII==- A man wearing a white tunic, blue pants, a rediculous-looking blue wizard's hat, and carrying a giant, serpentine staff enters the hall. He strides in confidently, looking cool and suave--until he accidentally smacks some poor guy in the face with his rediculously large staff. As he turns around to help him up, the other end of the staff trips another man carrying a basket full of apples. As he bends over to pick up the apples before they roll away, a woman with a clay jar full of water trips over him. By the time Arthur Justus Regulus VII sits down at the bar, he is bruised, sodden, and covered in feathers (don't ask). "Bartender...I need a drink." Arthur magically produces a goblet of pure sapphire and sets it on the bar in anticipation. Then he notices the Quest Board. He secrets the goblet up his sleeve. "Hmm...the Lion's Share...it looks like I'd be ellegible, but then again...the Hinkwells...hmm..." He turns his attention to the other listed quest. "The Bonapartes would be a valuable ally...but would they make an exception to there rule for one as inexperienced as I?" Arthur turns to those nearby him. "What do you all think? Are any of you applying for these quests?" EDIT: Getting nothing but odd looks, Arthur just decides to put his name down on QUEST #18, hoping he could tag along and maybe learn something.

I now have a picture! Full-size (ish) version:

OK, Pic is coming as soon as the camera finishes downloading to the computer. Last chance to guess! I'll give one last hint: I have made a post on this forum that mentions the qualities of myself that I feel make me unique. The character Arthur Justus Regulus 7 references is related to that in a way. Also, "Per Aspera Ad Astra" is involved, somehow. :P BTW, someone really needs to run another campaign with the Bat Lords, I want to get a set of Bat Lord Armor. [/spillover from LU] Can anyone recommend a good quest for a newbie like me?