Comments on: Tales of the City Within: Session 1, Part 1 http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/ The Journal of Gamer Culture Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:30:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dungeon Master Tools: Random Generators » Geekzorz http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55585 Dungeon Master Tools: Random Generators » Geekzorz Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:37:33 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55585 [...] somewhat in my game planning as I have loosely based my world setting on the Chatty DM’s Tales of the City Within campaign. The premise has some core parallels, but with my planning thus far, I’m not [...] [...] somewhat in my game planning as I have loosely based my world setting on the Chatty DM’s Tales of the City Within campaign. The premise has some core parallels, but with my planning thus far, I’m not [...]

]]> By: Hatching a plan for Chaos (not the International Organization of Evil) « Wrathofzombie’s Blog http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55584 Hatching a plan for Chaos (not the International Organization of Evil) « Wrathofzombie’s Blog Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:47:56 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55584 [...] use something that ChattyDM used with great success, the 5×5 adventure, you can read it here: Part 1 and Part 2. I think it would add a whole level of chaos if things kicked off that they were going [...] [...] use something that ChattyDM used with great success, the 5×5 adventure, you can read it here: Part 1 and Part 2. I think it would add a whole level of chaos if things kicked off that they were going [...]

]]> By: A Little Miss Sunshine Inspired Adventure « Wrathofzombie’s Blog http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55583 A Little Miss Sunshine Inspired Adventure « Wrathofzombie’s Blog Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:51:58 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55583 [...] Hits. ChattyDM also did his own adventure based on the 5×5 method. You can read those here: Part 1 and Part [...] [...] Hits. ChattyDM also did his own adventure based on the 5×5 method. You can read those here: Part 1 and Part [...]

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55582 ChattyDM Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:33:36 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55582 @CC2k: It gets a lot better in part 2, I plan to have it up tonight. @CC2k: It gets a lot better in part 2, I plan to have it up tonight.

]]> By: Coolcyclone2000 http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55581 Coolcyclone2000 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:31:06 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55581 Wow, even though I know you are going for 4 interwoven plots, I feel the overexposure to events that your players went through. Also, I lol'd very hard at Franky's: What the hell?!?! Looking forward to Part 2! Wow, even though I know you are going for 4 interwoven plots, I feel the overexposure to events that your players went through.

Also, I lol’d very hard at Franky’s: What the hell?!?!

Looking forward to Part 2!

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55580 ChattyDM Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:06:07 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55580 Gah! I leave for the day and miss all those cool comments? That's it I'm cloistering myself! :) @Ethalias: One of the lessons I've learned from last year's campaign is that I shouldn't be afraid to blow up my setting. Since we play in a fantasy game, there's always some way that it can be put back together. One of the things that was cool about the Avatar scene was when it said 'trouble is coming, and part of it will be because of a past mistake of mine'... :) @Eric: I was looking for monsters near level 10 that had a fire theme and I found the Eye of Flame Beholder... Couldn't resist. @Kimyou: Hey man, long time no see! The Volcano idea was suggested by one of my Twitter followers and it meshed perfectly with everything else! I remember your Michael Bay guest post and I applied many 'lessons' in that game. @Zzarchov: The beauty of the having 4 different plotlines overlapping will become evident in the next post. Players came up with some very original and effective strategies to deal with their troubles. @propagandroid: They are indeed used to linear games and there was one moment, shortly after where I stopped this post, where they didn't know what to do. However, things kept happening so fast and the pacing was good enough that they never stopped reacting and managed to handle things rather than let them wash over them. Can't wait to write part 2! Gah! I leave for the day and miss all those cool comments? That’s it I’m cloistering myself! :)

@Ethalias: One of the lessons I’ve learned from last year’s campaign is that I shouldn’t be afraid to blow up my setting. Since we play in a fantasy game, there’s always some way that it can be put back together.

One of the things that was cool about the Avatar scene was when it said ‘trouble is coming, and part of it will be because of a past mistake of mine’… :)

@Eric: I was looking for monsters near level 10 that had a fire theme and I found the Eye of Flame Beholder… Couldn’t resist.

@Kimyou: Hey man, long time no see! The Volcano idea was suggested by one of my Twitter followers and it meshed perfectly with everything else! I remember your Michael Bay guest post and I applied many ‘lessons’ in that game.

@Zzarchov: The beauty of the having 4 different plotlines overlapping will become evident in the next post. Players came up with some very original and effective strategies to deal with their troubles.

@propagandroid: They are indeed used to linear games and there was one moment, shortly after where I stopped this post, where they didn’t know what to do. However, things kept happening so fast and the pacing was good enough that they never stopped reacting and managed to handle things rather than let them wash over them.

Can’t wait to write part 2!

]]> By: Propagandroid http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55579 Propagandroid Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:46:15 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55579 I'm really looking forward to seeing how the players react to so many crises at one time. I'm not sure what they're used to, but if they're used to more linear plotlines they might feel overwhelmed and like whatever choice they make is the wrong one. .-= Propagandroid´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheGamerDome/~3/gI5Qjr3WBy0/" rel="nofollow">3.old: Getting rid of the unified mechanic</a> =-. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the players react to so many crises at one time. I’m not sure what they’re used to, but if they’re used to more linear plotlines they might feel overwhelmed and like whatever choice they make is the wrong one.
.-= Propagandroid´s last blog ..3.old: Getting rid of the unified mechanic =-.

]]> By: Zzarchov http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55578 Zzarchov Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:14:04 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55578 Are the PC's high enough to tunnel below the Drow Cave (or if not find a tunnel), maybe shunt the dragon and/or lava into the middle of the drow, two problems solved at once! .-= Zzarchov´s last blog ..<a href="http://zzarchov.blogspot.com/2009/06/there-is-candy-at-bottom-of-this-post.html" rel="nofollow">There is candy at the bottom of this post</a> =-. Are the PC’s high enough to tunnel below the Drow Cave (or if not find a tunnel), maybe shunt the dragon and/or lava into the middle of the drow, two problems solved at once!
.-= Zzarchov´s last blog ..There is candy at the bottom of this post =-.

]]> By: Kimyou http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55577 Kimyou Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:10:15 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55577 I've always been a fan of overwhelming players with too many different situations at the same time. A volcano in the middle of every-freaking-other thing out there is a great way to make it work, I have to say. Cleaverly put together, Chatty :p I’ve always been a fan of overwhelming players with too many different situations at the same time. A volcano in the middle of every-freaking-other thing out there is a great way to make it work, I have to say.

Cleaverly put together, Chatty :p

]]> By: Eric Maziade http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55576 Eric Maziade Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:48:29 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55576 @ChattyDM: Can't wait for next part :) You have a beholder fetish or a beholder mini? :) .-= Eric Maziade´s last blog ..<a href="http://eric.maziade.com/post/2009/06/27/Bad-metafluff" rel="nofollow">Jinx Shot : bad metafluff?</a> =-. @ChattyDM:

Can’t wait for next part :)

You have a beholder fetish or a beholder mini?
:)
.-= Eric Maziade´s last blog ..Jinx Shot : bad metafluff? =-.

]]> By: Ethalias http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55575 Ethalias Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:44 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55575 Man, that city is going to hell in a handbag! Awesome. I really like the way the impending chaos was foreshadowed by the avatar (I love the feel behind this, even if you feel you fluffed it, it sits very well with the "British Series" vibe you run with, which I like). And then, it seems, the players are left thinking "You weren't lying, huh?!" I always enjoy your play reports, and this one is shaping up to be a doozy! Man, that city is going to hell in a handbag! Awesome. I really like the way the impending chaos was foreshadowed by the avatar (I love the feel behind this, even if you feel you fluffed it, it sits very well with the “British Series” vibe you run with, which I like). And then, it seems, the players are left thinking “You weren’t lying, huh?!”

I always enjoy your play reports, and this one is shaping up to be a doozy!

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55574 ChattyDM Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:49:37 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55574 @Eric: I expected an information overload and I got it. As you'll find in the next part, they managed to take it all in and deal with everything quite well. @Storyteller: Hey man! Glad to see you back online! I agree about larger than life NPCs... I didn't want to overdo it (because usually PCs don't like to be outshone) but I managed to underdo it apparently. Oh yeah and that Beholder really was worth it. My players are now accusing me of having a beholder fetish! @Ron: It's not over yet, there's still one more plot to reveal. He he he! @Eric: I expected an information overload and I got it. As you’ll find in the next part, they managed to take it all in and deal with everything quite well.

@Storyteller: Hey man! Glad to see you back online! I agree about larger than life NPCs… I didn’t want to overdo it (because usually PCs don’t like to be outshone) but I managed to underdo it apparently. Oh yeah and that Beholder really was worth it. My players are now accusing me of having a beholder fetish!

@Ron: It’s not over yet, there’s still one more plot to reveal. He he he!

]]> By: Ron Bailey http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55573 Ron Bailey Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:06:06 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55573 Like they say, some days you just shoulda stood in bed. ^_^ .-= Ron Bailey´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RjBaileysRandomness/~3/dVQRU1ONvdE/tweets-for-today_29.html" rel="nofollow">Tweets for Today</a> =-. Like they say, some days you just shoulda stood in bed. ^_^
.-= Ron Bailey´s last blog ..Tweets for Today =-.

]]> By: Storyteller http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55572 Storyteller Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:54:24 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55572 Sounds like a blast! I've had the same issues with Avatars and other such larger-than-life NPC's. It's a fine line to present an NPC who should command a lot of respect instantly, yet at the same time should not be the focus of the entire session. Rough waters there. The session sounds fantastic though. A beholder tax collector - has a more sinister villain ever been conceived?! .-= Storyteller´s last blog ..<a href="http://beneaththescreen.blogspot.com/2009/06/gamebuilding-4-prologue.html" rel="nofollow">Gamebuilding #4: Prologue</a> =-. Sounds like a blast! I’ve had the same issues with Avatars and other such larger-than-life NPC’s. It’s a fine line to present an NPC who should command a lot of respect instantly, yet at the same time should not be the focus of the entire session. Rough waters there. The session sounds fantastic though. A beholder tax collector – has a more sinister villain ever been conceived?!
.-= Storyteller´s last blog ..Gamebuilding #4: Prologue =-.

]]> By: Eric Maziade http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55571 Eric Maziade Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:40:26 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55571 Woah! What an eventful recap! At this point I would have been worried about trampling my players with information. Can't wait to read about what they did with everything all happening at once! .-= Eric Maziade´s last blog ..<a href="http://eric.maziade.com/post/2009/06/27/Bad-metafluff" rel="nofollow">Jinx Shot : bad metafluff?</a> =-. Woah! What an eventful recap! At this point I would have been worried about trampling my players with information.

Can’t wait to read about what they did with everything all happening at once!
.-= Eric Maziade´s last blog ..Jinx Shot : bad metafluff? =-.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55570 ChattyDM Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:36:30 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55570 Thanks for the feedback Aaron. I do tend to be wordy in my post (hence my alias) but I do try to make the game reports as entertaining as possible. Thanks for the feedback Aaron. I do tend to be wordy in my post (hence my alias) but I do try to make the game reports as entertaining as possible.

]]> By: Aaron http://critical-hits.com/2009/06/29/tales-of-the-city-within-session-1-part-1/#comment-55569 Aaron Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:29:52 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=3383#comment-55569 I loved the line: "Let them invade the freaking city! It will soon be filled with lava anyway!" Also, there was something about the way you wrote about the dragon bursting into the city that made me chuckle. I feel like before now I've only been skimming your play reports. Now that I've read one in depth, I'm definitely going to be following these a lot closer. .-= Aaron´s last blog ..<a href="http://allgeektout.com/2009/06/29/monday-settings/" rel="nofollow">Monday Musings: What Do You Want in a Campaign Setting?</a> =-. I loved the line: “Let them invade the freaking city! It will soon be filled with lava anyway!”

Also, there was something about the way you wrote about the dragon bursting into the city that made me chuckle.

I feel like before now I’ve only been skimming your play reports. Now that I’ve read one in depth, I’m definitely going to be following these a lot closer.
.-= Aaron´s last blog ..Monday Musings: What Do You Want in a Campaign Setting? =-.

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