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Oops! Sorry!

I don't even know how I did it! I don't think I could report one if I tried!
Stoopid technamological rubbishy trash!

Hi All

Just read back through the posts and I obviously missed last week so may be missing out on some of the interaction at the table.

Unused as I am to using the discussion board I thought I would add my point of view.

Firstly let me say how lucky I feel to have stumbled upon this group and how much I enjoy Thursday nights. So what I am about to say is in no way a criticism of our style of play, just some observations that may help with tonight’s discussion.

I enjoy D&D because it lets me play with friends round a table and friends in character. That is not to say I do not have the utmost respect for the role-playing of a character that obviously has significant issues with other characters. However in the context of narrative story telling this can have problems. Especially when the characters need to cooperate towards a goal.

In the past (distant past) campaigns I have been involved in have had a narrative arc; Beginning middle and end. Bandaluthia, with its 60+ episodes has gone way beyond that to the extent that it is essentially constant 'middle' and hence a level playing field in which our characters interact. As such the only narrative arcs left for us to anchor our characters to are their own individual personal journeys. It is unreasonable to expect that with 18 characters, in this gaming context, that each journey will run in parallel with the rest for the entire game. And as death is unlikely given the style of gaming we have adopted, I don't think it is unreasonable, should a player feel it appropriate, for a character to 'retire' from active play. Rather that persevere with in game relationships that run contrary to the individual role players instincts regarding that character.

Just my thoughts at the moment and I look forward talking through this tonight and discussing Bruce’s 'rules'.

See you all then

Richard

Ratsel's rules, not Bruce's ... The distinction's important.

Anyway, I think the Animals are about back on the straight-and-narrow. The reasons for Tyler's anger are (largely) understood. And, there's nothing like an external threat to add cohesion to the group.

The rules Ratsel is proposing have little to do with the fight a couple of weeks ago. It's more to sort stuff out: the leadership structure; a code of conduct; expectations (distribution of treasure, rescue when incarerated, raise dead etc.); membership issues (Gannon is not yet a member, and maybe Thelonius would like to join) and the like.

Now, don't be pre-empting what Ratsel is likely to say. Only the DM has seen what he's written down on the scroll so far. And, all he's doing is offering a proposal. It can be rejected outright, amended or accepted.

BTW, the write-up from the fight is up. Anyone can edit it as they see fit.

Bruce

Fellow Animals,

Having slept on the matter it seems that there may be cause to revise one of the clauses in the Consitution. Lupa - in between picking fleas off Canvel's back and eating them - felt unclear about the relationship between the rest of her pack and us. Likewise, others may have associations which they feel have no conflict with our group. It may be better not to pre-empt conflict, and to leave decisions to individual Animals' consciences, should the need ever arise. Pre-empting such conflicts may actually open up divisions.

My own feeling is perhaps driven by the fact I would like Thelonius to be included. He has been loyal, and a good friend. However he is - first and foremost - Guild. Aside from being a friend he is also incredibly well-connected, and I think it may be a poor strategy to leave him outside.

On another matter, whether we should have fought or not, Negri's sorcery was magnificent at the docks.

Ratsel

Excellent write ups Bruce.

Thanks.

Agreed Ratsel.

Ti Ying has a loyalty to his Sensei (Brother Vincenza ~shudder~) and I have learned that his loyalty there is well placed even though I have my own reasons for fearing the man. I on the other hand have a loyalty to Father Irmão, and Ti Ying has no loyalty to that great teacher, yet we both belong to the same temple of Yondalla. I am a cleric of the providor, but also have a strong loyalty to the aspect of Dallah Thaun. As a Halfling, Ti Ying is aware of Dallah Thaun, and appreciates her nature. I understand not all of you may fully appreciate her role in my life, because she is seldom mentioned within the Halfling community, let alone outside it.

The Gods were excluded from the constitution, yet for some of us they are a great portion of our lives both within and without the Animals. We must respect that others may feel their loyalty focused elsewhere as strongly as those of us devoted to a deity feel their own.

We are all Animals. In that matter we are all wholey united, no matter what other affiliations and loyalties we may also hold. We must trust that if ever an Animal's external loyalties cause them conflict with their loyalty to the Animals, the Animals will not be allowed to suffer in any negative manner. But this should not be cause to doubt their loyalty to the Animals.

If any of us ever feel we can not reconsile a course of action with our external loyalties, we must be free to decline that course of action in order to prevent inner conflict. This might be called Taking Conscience Leave. Taking this break should not be done lightly, especially while away from the Animal's home base, but is suggested as an acceptable means of deciding not to take part in a course of action that the rest of the Animals decide to take for whatever reason.

During such leave, the Animal in question might remain at the Rising Sun, and continue business there such as does not conflict with their conscience.

As a monk, Ti Ying has little need for, or indeed any real understanding of the worth of gold. He has exhibited a tendencey to give away any gold he possesses, sometimes unwisely in the opinions of others. I suggest that when it comes to distributing the funds, we give him some 10% of his share, to do with as he sees fit. (If giving away his money makes him happy, why should we prevent his happiness.) The rest should be held in trust and used to benefit him in whatever manner the Animals decide is best.

Coolio

As a monk, Ti Ying has little need for, or indeed any real understanding of the worth of gold. He has exhibited a tendencey to give away any gold he possesses, sometimes unwisely in the opinions of others. I suggest that when it comes to distributing the funds, we give him some 10% of his share, to do with as he sees fit. (If giving away his money makes him happy, why should we prevent his happiness.) The rest should be held in trust and used to benefit him in whatever manner the Animals decide is best.

OK, we'll buy drugs with it.

Ratsel

If that is to the benefit of my friends, then so be it. However, none of those drugs added to wisdom or dexterity.
None of those things will find its way up Ti Ying's nose, nor will they enter his body via any other orifice. Temple Ti Ying will remain inviolate.

Pure Cold Water is the most refreshing way of stimulating Ti Ying's mind. Anything which causes non-existant visions to cloud the mind can only decrease awareness of all that surrounds us. Your ruby gives you additional mental capacity, but perhaps you lack also the spiritual capacity to understand what you know.

Ti Ying

What a truly funny game Thursday... I think we cant get any more random but yup we do... An entire session of a drugs run, fighting when we didnt need to fight and then trying drugs out...

lol cheers guys!

‘Captain, we have a stowaway’.

Ellodee, and the rest of the Animals, turned to look at the woman. She had a crazed look about her, as if she had not slept for a month, and never would again. ‘Celia, isn’t it?’ asked the Shapechanger, ‘What are you doing here?’

Words began to tumble out: here was someone on the verge of insanity. Her eyes darted back-and-forth.

‘Elle, I have been cast from my order. I am hunted by my former comrades. I am left with nothing save the desire to avenge my brother, alone if needs-be. I am, now, as a copper dragon: chaotic and free, ready to fight evil. However, while this is acceptable to Bahamut, it is not acceptable to his Paladins. I didn’t know where else to go.’

==

‘What are you doing?’ asked Rätsel, faintly disturbed as he interrupted the Fallen Paladin studying his spellbook.

‘Looking at this book … I don’t understand it’ replied Celia.

‘You wouldn’t. It’s written in Draconic and the writing is magical’, replied the Tiefling in a bored tone.

‘No, this bit here. I can see that the description is for a spell that causes a flare to flash in the eyes of an enemy; you need to utter these words, here, which translate from Draconic as sunlight blind you. But, on these previous pages, about reading magic, it says that spells have somatic and material components. The latter are missing from the description.’ Celia looked puzzled by the seeming incongruity.

‘Celia, from where did you receive your magical training? I thought you are, or were … just a Paladin of Bahamut’.

‘The only magic I’ve ever studied is divine, and those powers are lost to me now. But this, this is interesting. If I could cast this flare in the eyes of an evil enemy I could smite them more easily, and in turn reduce their chance of hitting me. It would make me stronger. Can you teach me how to cast this flare?

Where have you been hiding till now, and what have you been surviving on? You look like a rabbit that has been running from the fox all night and all day.

Why did you choose this craft to hide away on? Why should we not simply throw you overboard or cast you off alone on some deserted island?

Coolio.

"I'm here because Bruce chose the Leadership Feat for Ratsel. If you throw me overboard he'll choose someone even more bizare for his cohort than a fallen paladin that wants to train as a wizard. Oh, and I've got Charisma 18 and I'm bisexual. No kinky stuff though halfling." Celia

ROFL Ellodee needs to go change her underwear!!

OK Celia, so you ran away to join Ratsel's circus.
Lets hope running away is not your greatest skill.

Coolio

Am I just needed for the venue?

Are we playing the Animals or the wee ones this Thursday?

Yes please.
Pandora could do with an airing. It gets kinda brimstoney cooped up as she has been while the rest are enjoying their world cruise.

Did the DM have a good time in the South West, while some of us went through the trauma of Cosmos-Birth and assention to Godhood in Wales?

Len

Another weird and freaky person to follow us around?! Do we just attract them or something? Well I suppose if there's no stabbage - of my back - they'll be no problem. You look after her, Ratsel.

Shaniqua

The Cornish pasties are still very good!

So whilst the Animals search for the Admiral shall we find out the fate of the Monument destroyers? They have put Kalasandran in jeopardy, and now they must face the music!

Or a majority rule will see the Animals sail the Orient to profit from drugs and go off to search of the dread pirate Admiral Teron.

Votes are 1 for the Wee Ones. 0 for the Animals so far!

Hi Michael,

My phone is dead right now. Home number working. Have you got it?

Bruce

I vote 1 for wee ones