Heroica RPG General Discussion

[UsernameMDM]

Was any objective other than 88 linked to the bridge?

[Zepher]

Trust me, I have some commentary too, but I likewise am saving it.

[Waterbrick Down]

I think it just doesn't make sense from an RP standpoint. Yes, according to the rules as written, we'll all win if we can wear both sides down, but then, the vast majority of us would also win if we just jumped off the side of the bridge after stalling only the kingdoms' forces for one turn so that the orcs can reach the tower first. Considering in-character motivations, fighting against the army you've chosen to side with makes about as much sense as jumping off the bridge does.

Unfortunately it's the limit of the system. In Heroica one can easily jump off the bridge and live to quest another day. In most other RPG systems, this alternative would more than likely end up getting your character killed and thus be an unlikely recourse. But again, more comments for when things are all finished.

[swils]

Unfortunately it's the limit of the system. In Heroica one can easily jump off the bridge and live to quest another day. In most other RPG systems, this alternative would more than likely end up getting your character killed and thus be an unlikely recourse.

Bah, nonsense! We have several mage-types in our combined party, I'm sure they could focus really really hard and put some wind beneath our wings to slow our fall, letting us float gently down to the water below where they could then channel ether through an aquamarine to calm the river and guide us safely to shore. The battle would rage on above us but we'd all get where we needed to go without a scratch. Down a few tonics, use some earth-magic to carve stairs into the cliff face, and boom, we get a nice hike up to see the aftermath!

[Waterbrick Down]

Bah, nonsense! We have several mage-types in our combined party, I'm sure they could focus really really hard and put some wind beneath our wings to slow our fall, letting us float gently down to the water below where they could then channel ether through an aquamarine to calm the river and guide us safely to shore. The battle would rage on above us but we'd all get where we needed to go without a scratch. Down a few tonics, use some earth-magic to carve stairs into the cliff face, and boom, we get a nice hike up to see the aftermath!

About time those Fire Nords started sailing up the river, no?

[swils]

Well now, that's just cheating

[joeshmoe554]

Bah, nonsense! We have several mage-types in our combined party, I'm sure they could focus really really hard and put some wind beneath our wings to slow our fall, letting us float gently down to the water below where they could then channel ether through an aquamarine to calm the river and guide us safely to shore. The battle would rage on above us but we'd all get where we needed to go without a scratch. Down a few tonics, use some earth-magic to carve stairs into the cliff face, and boom, we get a nice hike up to see the aftermath!

and after both sides watch the bridge and their armies fall in battle, not at the hand of their opponents, but as a direct result of their own lust for conflict and vengeance. The leaders meet to try and put an end to the fighting, deciding that enough people have already died as a result, finally achieving the peace that everyone has been working so hard for.

[JimBee]

Bah, nonsense! We have several mage-types in our combined party, I'm sure they could focus really really hard and put some wind beneath our wings to slow our fall, letting us float gently down to the water below where they could then channel ether through an aquamarine to calm the river and guide us safely to shore. The battle would rage on above us but we'd all get where we needed to go without a scratch. Down a few tonics, use some earth-magic to carve stairs into the cliff face, and boom, we get a nice hike up to see the aftermath!

Meh, that's what I mean about unrealistic use of the Spellcasting trait.

All of the heroes and various other characters caught in the middle attempt to outsmart the armies they are trapped between by jumping off the side of the bridge. The fall is greater that 100 feet, with raging rapids and sharp rocks below. The magically-inclined members of the party attempt to summon winds spells that slow the fall, but only manage to postpone their own dooms while the others fall to their deaths. As the mages land among the bodies in the water, they struggle to stay afloat as the treacherous currents try to pull them under. Cinna just manages to spot the bridge collapse. It would appear that the orc grunts, ignorant to the schematic faults of the bridge, took up defense in the tower where they were met by the Kingdoms forces. As predicted, the bridge collapsed under the combined weight of the armies. Cinna witnesses everything fall before drowning.

***

The party wakes up, miraculously, on some unknown beach. It would appear that they had failed their quests, and now they would need to find a way back to Eubric...

[swils]

Way to squelch the creativity, Jim, heh.

[Bricksandparts]

Just for reference, how high is this bridge?

[JimBee]

Way to squelch the creativity, Jim, heh.

I'm not saying your idea wasn't creative, in fact I think it would be a creative ending. The only "real" consequence to you failing the quest would be the loss of a reward. I mean, for story purposes, yeah there'd be a nasty war again, but you could even go the route of your character not really caring.

[Lego Spy]

A belated welcome to the game, Lego Spy. Please formally introduce your character at the Heroica Hall, so I can add him to the roster of player characters.

Okay, I've done that now.

What? What the hell is going on here?

Someone with the name of Lego Spy joined the game. Not sure why you're so suspcious.

Huh? I thought this was some new game for a moment, phew.

That would be me...

Edited April 16, 2014 by Lego Spy

[Chromeknight]

The thing to remember is. You'll likely never see the kingdoms again in game. But you have to quest with players whose characters you screwed over if you 'just let the orcs take the bridge'. And given some of those characters think that'd be a terrible idea (and I'm sure they'd be shown to be right)* they'd never let your character forget such a betrayal. (Constance the Dragoon anyone?).

*(the kingdoms under Raguel taking the bridge would be equally bad)

Short answer : loyalty to fellow heroicans (who are the only really real people! ) trumps loyalty to Orc or Kingdoms or even circus NPCs

[Zepher]

Our NPCs are played by real people!

I will save my response to all this until the end. I think all parties have valid arguments. It would be easier for me to present my case now if I was the sole QM, but with other QMs I also have to respect the time and effort they've put in, and to that end, I will not say anything until everything has been concluded!

[Vash the Stampede]

So why is everyone, even after chosing to side with the orcs, instead choosing to KILL the orcs. That doesn't make any sense, you won't win, you won't succeed your quest.

The thing to remember is. You'll likely never see the kingdoms again in game. But you have to quest with players whose characters you screwed over if you 'just let the orcs take the bridge'. And given some of those characters think that'd be a terrible idea (and I'm sure they'd be shown to be right)* they'd never let your character forget such a betrayal. (Constance the Dragoon anyone?).

*(the kingdoms under Raguel taking the bridge would be equally bad)

Short answer : loyalty to fellow heroicans (who are the only really real people! ) trumps loyalty to Orc or Kingdoms or even circus NPCs

Another thing I'd point out is that even if everyone has chosen to side with the Orcs many chose it only barely higher than siding with the kingdoms and had there been a neutral choice I'm sure many would have chosen that rather than siding with the Orcs (At least I would have and what I read from other characters leads me to believe that they would have as well).

So yeah taking out both the Orcs and the Kingdoms is the closest we get to a Neutral choice, add to a role playing perspective having one side dominate in a war is likely to spell bad news later and trying to end this in a draw would probably be the most peaceful solution. (See QM Quote below)

Actually, if both sides are worn down, then all parties win, because it provides a chance for the reasonable leaders to have a parley. Right now you're dealing with the brutes who's only mission is to destroy whatever is on the bridge.

[LordoftheNoobs]

So glad I'm not a part of this whole Baltarok thing - don't get me wrong, it's really cool, but the entire thing seems too confusing for me.

[JimBee]

The thing to remember is. You'll likely never see the kingdoms again in game. But you have to quest with players whose characters you screwed over if you 'just let the orcs take the bridge'. And given some of those characters think that'd be a terrible idea (and I'm sure they'd be shown to be right)* they'd never let your character forget such a betrayal. (Constance the Dragoon anyone?).

*(the kingdoms under Raguel taking the bridge would be equally bad)

Short answer : loyalty to fellow heroicans (who are the only really real people! ) trumps loyalty to Orc or Kingdoms or even circus NPCs

Our NPCs are played by real people!

I will save my response to all this until the end. I think all parties have valid arguments. It would be easier for me to present my case now if I was the sole QM, but with other QMs I also have to respect the time and effort they've put in, and to that end, I will not say anything until everything has been concluded!

Well duh it would be poor taste to just fail the quest(s) on purpose. I was just joking with a scenario that could happen if the heroes on the Baltarok trilogy jumped off the bridge.

[StickFig]

Well now, that's just cheating QMing

Fixed that for you

Short answer : loyalty to fellow heroicans (who are the only really real people! ) trumps loyalty to Orc or Kingdoms or even circus NPCs

Matthias is having trouble understanding why no one else seems to believe that.

So yeah taking out both the Orcs and the Kingdoms is the closest we get to a Neutral choice...

Exactly.

[Cutcobra]

Also, Quest#100 will be published this weekend as well. The title is To the Tower of Babel.

Just a suggestion, when you make the quest about Ulric becoming king (if that ever happens) the title could be "All Hail the King"

[Vash the Stampede]

Random question that may or may not be inspired by current events. In a game (not Heroica) with an alignment system do you go for the law, neutral or chaos path?

I myself generally end up going for the law path but depending on how extreme the representing paths are I may go for neutral and very rarely chaos.

[CMP]

I think it just doesn't make sense from an RP standpoint. Yes, according to the rules as written, we'll all win if we can wear both sides down, but then, the vast majority of us would also win if we just jumped off the side of the bridge after stalling only the kingdoms' forces for one turn so that the orcs can reach the tower first. Considering in-character motivations, fighting against the army you've chosen to side with makes about as much sense as jumping off the bridge does.

You gain experience from fighting against the armies.

There, it's validated now.

The thing to remember is. You'll likely never see the kingdoms again in game.

First time on a Zepher Quest, huh?

[Zepher]

I'm trying to drop some plots so that everyone doesn't have to keep track of everything in all my quests ever...

But it's so damn hard. I'd say at this point, if you want to hop into my upcoming quest and understand everything that's going on, you'd only need to read: #30, #53, #68, #72 and #84. So, I'm improving (maybe/hopefully)? And that may give you a hint as to some of the upcoming NPCs, too.

But yes, you'll see the Kingdoms again, depending (of course!) on the outcome of the quest. The only reason that ANY of those previous quests need to be read is because of characters that the heroes chose to leave alive, actually (excluding 68).

EDIT: And which heroes might be interested, if they're back a month from now!

Edited April 16, 2014 by Zepher

[Capt.JohnPaul]

I chose to defend against the orcs because most appeared to fight the Kingdoms. I wanted both sides to come through because I remembred in Dastan the amazing team work and how everyone made sure we all got experience before we ended the battle. I find it quite inspiring, and it would be nice to replicate the same thing here.

[CMP]

But it's so damn hard. I'd say at this point, if you want to hop into my upcoming quest and understand everything that's going on, you'd only need to read: #30, #53, #68, #72 and #84. So, I'm improving (maybe/hopefully)? And that may give you a hint as to some of the upcoming NPCs, too.

That's one of the things I'm starting to fear. I'm re-using a LOT of stuff, not out of laziness, but because I think it'd be cool to link all this stuff together. Luckily my Quests aren't just a single linked plot like the Wren Quests or the Progg Quests, but nevertheless I really hope I'm not alienating anyone by now knowing certain NPCs or locations.

[UsernameMDM]

Come on Spellspins! Big money, big money!