Comments on: Chatty's Ptolus 4e Demo: A Tail of Two Shities, Part 1 http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/07/chattys-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-1/ The Journal of Gamer Culture Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:53:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/07/chattys-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-1/#comment-57324 ChattyDM Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:55:47 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4351#comment-57324 It will become evident in the next post (that comes pout tomorrow). I've also pulled part 3 for Thursday... freeing the Friday slot for a bonus Gears of Ruin post. It will become evident in the next post (that comes pout tomorrow). I’ve also pulled part 3 for Thursday… freeing the Friday slot for a bonus Gears of Ruin post.

]]> By: Lanir http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/07/chattys-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-1/#comment-57323 Lanir Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:52:20 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4351#comment-57323 I have to admit the steam punk god makes the mental gears whirr a bit more than usual. And perhaps whistle and belch hazy clouds of vapor too. It sounded like everyone had a lot of fun with the game. Although the title threw me off. I was half expecting some looming disaster to pop up with a title like that! :) I have to admit the steam punk god makes the mental gears whirr a bit more than usual. And perhaps whistle and belch hazy clouds of vapor too. It sounded like everyone had a lot of fun with the game. Although the title threw me off. I was half expecting some looming disaster to pop up with a title like that! :)

]]> By: doomdreamer http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/07/chattys-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-1/#comment-57322 doomdreamer Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:41:20 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4351#comment-57322 I think the game may be Delta Green, but something called the Gumshoe System where you have the PCs examine a scene for clues/info/treasure and they make their rolls or ask questions, yada yada yada. Then as a Story Teller, you hold up a sign or make a gesture that means scene change where you quietly inform players that the place has been exhausted and its "safe" to move along. Won't work for ever scenario, but its a good mechanic to emulate as long as you can pull it off with finesse. .-= doomdreamer´s last blog ..<a href="http://paperlessrpg.blogspot.com/2009/12/quick-note-conundrum.html" rel="nofollow">Quick Note Conundrum</a> =-. I think the game may be Delta Green, but something called the Gumshoe System where you have the PCs examine a scene for clues/info/treasure and they make their rolls or ask questions, yada yada yada. Then as a Story Teller, you hold up a sign or make a gesture that means scene change where you quietly inform players that the place has been exhausted and its “safe” to move along. Won’t work for ever scenario, but its a good mechanic to emulate as long as you can pull it off with finesse.
.-= doomdreamer´s last blog ..Quick Note Conundrum =-.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/07/chattys-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-1/#comment-57321 ChattyDM Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:32:50 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4351#comment-57321 @Ryan: I plan to start a 4e Ptolus campaing some day. I love the setting too much to miss it. I'll give your campaign a look, as soon as I trace my login info. @Peter: I like to play openly like I do. It creates a sense of dread... a bit like when the viewer sees the hero approach a trap but the PC doesn't. And trust me, it was so worth it (altough you'll see it only in part 3 on Friday). Part 2 comes up tomorrow! @Ryan: I plan to start a 4e Ptolus campaing some day. I love the setting too much to miss it. I’ll give your campaign a look, as soon as I trace my login info.

@Peter: I like to play openly like I do. It creates a sense of dread… a bit like when the viewer sees the hero approach a trap but the PC doesn’t. And trust me, it was so worth it (altough you’ll see it only in part 3 on Friday).

Part 2 comes up tomorrow!

]]> By: Peter http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/07/chattys-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-1/#comment-57320 Peter Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:20:54 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4351#comment-57320 I liked the way you handled your skill challenge (they can be tough to improvise) but I would have handled a failed roll a little differently: (well essentially exactly the same, but I would not have let the PCs know about a future mishap). During an information gathering (or similar situation) you recognize that you DO need to move the players/game forward, so rather than have that failed roll represent finding the vital information, you could say the failed roll gets the PCs the correct information (they still find the tomb and everything) , but might leave out a crucial bit of information (a long forgotten trap or something). Well thats how I do it anyhow. This sounds great! I liked the way you handled your skill challenge (they can be tough to improvise) but I would have handled a failed roll a little differently: (well essentially exactly the same, but I would not have let the PCs know about a future mishap).

During an information gathering (or similar situation) you recognize that you DO need to move the players/game forward, so rather than have that failed roll represent finding the vital information, you could say the failed roll gets the PCs the correct information (they still find the tomb and everything) , but might leave out a crucial bit of information (a long forgotten trap or something).

Well thats how I do it anyhow. This sounds great!

]]> By: Ryan http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/07/chattys-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-1/#comment-57319 Ryan Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:46:30 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4351#comment-57319 Great stuff! I've been doing a 4E Ptolus game for about a year now. I started with the Rat Warrens as well. The group has nearly finished the Banewarrens. Check out my obsidian portal site it if you like. http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaign/ptolus-4e Great stuff! I’ve been doing a 4E Ptolus game for about a year now. I started with the Rat Warrens as well. The group has nearly finished the Banewarrens. Check out my obsidian portal site it if you like.
http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaign/ptolus-4e

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/07/chattys-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-1/#comment-57318 ChattyDM Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:35:03 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4351#comment-57318 I'm happily surprise to see so many people latch on the Steampunk god bit. I chose this hook at the last minute, wanting to tie the old Dwarf with the city... which serves to show making short high-flavour descriptions work! I’m happily surprise to see so many people latch on the Steampunk god bit. I chose this hook at the last minute, wanting to tie the old Dwarf with the city… which serves to show making short high-flavour descriptions work!

]]> By: doomdreamer http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/07/chattys-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-1/#comment-57317 doomdreamer Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:50:28 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4351#comment-57317 The Steampunk GOD reminds me of a sculpture we have where I live, CHAOS I http://www.kid-at-art.com/htdoc/chaos.html The neatest thing about it is that it is also a fully functional clock and one of the original workers who helped construct the monstrosity put his boot on one of the cogs saying "I put my sole into this." .-= doomdreamer´s last blog ..<a href="http://paperlessrpg.blogspot.com/2009/12/quick-note-conundrum.html" rel="nofollow">Quick Note Conundrum</a> =-. The Steampunk GOD reminds me of a sculpture we have where I live, CHAOS I http://www.kid-at-art.com/htdoc/chaos.html

The neatest thing about it is that it is also a fully functional clock and one of the original workers who helped construct the monstrosity put his boot on one of the cogs saying “I put my sole into this.”
.-= doomdreamer´s last blog ..Quick Note Conundrum =-.

]]> By: The Last Rogue http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/07/chattys-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-1/#comment-57316 The Last Rogue Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:15:27 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4351#comment-57316 My favorite part about this was you asking them how they responded to NPC dialogue. It is straightforward and eliminates some of the need for prolonged NPC talk, while still maintaining the 'roleplay' element. My favorite part about this was you asking them how they responded to NPC dialogue.

It is straightforward and eliminates some of the need for prolonged NPC talk, while still maintaining the ‘roleplay’ element.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/07/chattys-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-1/#comment-57315 ChattyDM Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:07:39 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4351#comment-57315 You nailed the feel of the Steampunk temple perfectly! Ptolus is made of awesome. While a generic setting on the surface, it is incredibly rich in the details. You nailed the feel of the Steampunk temple perfectly!

Ptolus is made of awesome. While a generic setting on the surface, it is incredibly rich in the details.

]]> By: Erik Waddell http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/07/chattys-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-1/#comment-57314 Erik Waddell Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:05:21 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4351#comment-57314 Ah dwarves... is there no limit to their comedy potential? :) Sounds like it's going to be a fun adventure. I can't wait to read the next installment! I'm not familiar with Ptolus at all, but I love the idea of a steam-punk god. I imagine a temple where the main room is filled with a gigantic, steaming and whirring clockwork steam-powered machine that looks like a chaotic mess to most people but the clerics use the movements of the machine as an augur for their god's will. Ah dwarves… is there no limit to their comedy potential? :)

Sounds like it’s going to be a fun adventure. I can’t wait to read the next installment!

I’m not familiar with Ptolus at all, but I love the idea of a steam-punk god. I imagine a temple where the main room is filled with a gigantic, steaming and whirring clockwork steam-powered machine that looks like a chaotic mess to most people but the clerics use the movements of the machine as an augur for their god’s will.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/07/chattys-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-1/#comment-57313 ChattyDM Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:56:10 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4351#comment-57313 @Colmarr: I think I would have a hard time GMing a gritty, dead serious game. Comedy is part of who I am and it transpires in the adventures I write and DM... (Well except the Goodman Games one that, hopefully, comes out after X-mas), that one is pretty grim... but there's an explanation for that given the state I was in when I wrote it). @Colmarr: I think I would have a hard time GMing a gritty, dead serious game. Comedy is part of who I am and it transpires in the adventures I write and DM…

(Well except the Goodman Games one that, hopefully, comes out after X-mas), that one is pretty grim… but there’s an explanation for that given the state I was in when I wrote it).

]]> By: Colmarr http://critical-hits.com/2009/12/07/chattys-ptolus-4e-demo-a-tail-of-two-shities-part-1/#comment-57312 Colmarr Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:53:59 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4351#comment-57312 "A tail* of two shities**"? * I see what you did there! ** I can't believe you went (or they made you go) there! :P Looks like things got off to a tongue-in-cheek start. Looking forward to the next instalment. .-= Colmarr´s last blog ..<a href="http://astralsea.blogspot.com/2009/12/sow-rivenroar-family-crypt.html" rel="nofollow">SoW: Rivenroar Family Crypt</a> =-. “A tail* of two shities**”?

* I see what you did there!

** I can’t believe you went (or they made you go) there! :P

Looks like things got off to a tongue-in-cheek start. Looking forward to the next instalment.
.-= Colmarr´s last blog ..SoW: Rivenroar Family Crypt =-.

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