Saltmarsh OOC Chat

[Breila]

In fact, unless Breila attempts to seriously railroad us into taking Martin with us, I don't see how he's going to accompany them on their 'little adventure' or the next part of the module.

I am MOST CERTAINLY NOT going to do that!

What I like about our games is that they are, in some ways, social experiments. Fictional people interact and are given tasks and challenges. Misunderstandings happen, friendships and enmities form.

A queer bird has entered a small town just shaken by the discovery that there was something foul happening under their nose. As small towns are, it is quite conservative and would like to believe that what happened has nothing to do with them, really, that there were a few foreign thugs that took advantage of their snooziness. The queer bird tries to fast-talk everyone, assuming a number of identities, never showing his motives. That doesn't endear him to anyone, especially since he stubbornly points at weak spots...

I'm very interested to watch how this turns out, so I gave Stik the go-ahead when he told me about his plans by PM. What will come out of it depends on his and your roleplay. If he "plays himself out of the group" by antagonising them so much they will not take him along, then so be it.

[JadedDM]

I am MOST CERTAINLY NOT going to do that!

Well, that's good to know. If you guys have a plan, so be it. I was just making an observation. I once ran a game where a player rolled an incredibly obnoxious druid, introduced himself to the party by putting them down, and the party rejected him. The player was forced to reroll. (Well, actually he threw a tantrum and quit for awhile, but came back eventually. But then he did reroll.) D&D is a cooperative, team-based game, after all.

So I saw signs of something like that happening and was just pointing it out. But if that's part of Stik's and your plan, so be it. I'll take your word that you two are going somewhere with this.

[Breila]

To illustrate my point that our game is an example of social interactions, including what might go wrong (misunderstandings, over-interpretations and the like) and how people interpret what they see and hear through the filters of their own expectations and views, I have listed a few quotes and my commentary.

Who says we don't intend to invite the constables? Perhaps we are planning to surprise them??
In my book Geraldine was already invited, she was there and obviously is part of the group now.

In fact, nobody was ever invited, strictly speaking. Here are quotes of the arrangements done so far:

"How about a small and private soiree then?" suggests Amon. "We never really did celebrate our victory, after all. We can have a nice meal, Gunter's wine, perhaps some music. I have just the thing to wear, too."

Martin's immediate reaction is this:

At the mention of a "victory celebration" Martin drops the spoon he was balancing on a fork, sending it clattering noisily across the floor. He rises, bows to Echo in passing, smiles at Vee, and crosses the room in silence. At the door, he turns back and says: "I am available at reasonable rates, should your victory celebration need music, Lord Pyrrhus."

So, in fact, Martin runs away in high dudgeon before he knows any details...

In the next posts, people discuss where to hold the party and what to wear, but nobody mentions who will be part of the group, except Amon who makes it clear that Drake/Martin is not wanted:

"Preferably somewhere private," Amon says. "Where the rude and uncouth cannot pester us," he adds, casting a glance toward Drake. "Hmm, perhaps on one of father's boats? We need not even lift the anchor, just hold the soiree on the boat's deck while moored. It will give the others a chance to get used to boats for when we take the trip over to Dunreese."

So... what will come next? Like Kim, I'm leaning back and watching. I just hope you (the players) will not jump at each other's throats.

[Stik]

To the best of my knowledge, any animosity is purely in-character. I bear nobody here any ill-will, and hope that the feeling is mutual.

I see no problem in a party in which not all the PCs get along. I mean, we've all worked with someone we dislike, have we not? But that doesn't keep the job from getting done. Sometimes the best drama comes from people interacting who have contrary agendas and opinions, and have wildly disparate backgrounds and worldviews.

[Jenara]

There are some exceptions to that one! Dreg comes to mind Stik! Lol.

[Stik]

Dreg was fine, if you knew how to motivate him. I used the Superman lever.

[Jenara]

Brax isn't trying to confuse Amon! She just.... shes a unique soul, lol

[JadedDM]

Well, you have to look at it from Amon's perspective.

He has no idea what Martin is up to. He doesn't know he's putting on a show at the inn to celebrate the constables. So Brax's subtle references to it are lost on him.

Also, now that I reread their conversation, I think I (the player, not the character) misunderstood your use of the word 'invite.' I thought Brax was implying that Geraldine was going to bring another guest with her. I now realize you meant she had a separate engagement to attend. So that probably compounded the communication issue.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it. Amon is pretty easy to confuse, it seems. And I realize I tend to have him engage in a lot of inner-monologue, but sometimes it's hard for me to come up with a more substantial post than "Amon stands there, drinking his cider, looking confused." I think I'm just too accustomed to writing for NPCs, who are supposed to stay out of the spotlight most of the time.

[Jenara]

Brax is only guessing, she doesnt know either, but she guesses he is up to something, and well Brax did say she could bring someone, so Amon has it almost right!

[JadedDM]

Wait, I'm confused. Did Geraldine arrive twice? Or did she leave at some point and return?

After some time, enough for everyone to eat, three more figures approach the boarding planks. One of them is Geraldine, the other two are known only to Amon and Echo, because they are the local entertainers Evgeni and Ludmilla. Evgeni carries a stinged instrument that has a triangular body and a very long neck.

Geraldine greets everyone politely and accepts an offer of May wine, but "just a small glass, please".

And then...

A short while later, Geraldine arrives at the plank. "Hello, may I join you?" she asks, but doesn't wait for permission before entering. She accepts some of Gunter's May wine, talks to the group and watches Evgeni and Ludmilla.

Or do we have a doppleganger infiltrating the barracks?

[Breila]

OK guys, if you want to screw up this game, just let me know!!!!

I'm trying to save it, sort things out, but you'll have to wait for it tomorrow!!!!

I'm going to bed. It's not easy to piss me off, but you managed just fine.

[Jenara]

Honey, its REALLY late, go to bed and I am sure we will all play nicely.

Please?

[JadedDM]

Umm...what?

[Jenara]

Brelia has gone to bed, its really late there.

[JadedDM]

Yeah, I got that part, at least.

I have no idea what's going on, otherwise, though.

Apparently we're 'screwing up' the game somehow?