Heroica RPG - Quest Masters' Lounge

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Quest 55: I'll try and keep this short...

Thailon/-obelix- I knew I picked the right person for party leader. You were active, important, and caught my mistakes. I really hope to QM you again.

Alexander/Wedge09 Also another important player here! You did great, I just hope maybe I could see some more roleplaying. You don't have too, and were fine not RPing as much, but I would like to see it.

Nessa/herJJ You were also active, and I like how you were able to interact with Amma. Who knows how their relationship will turn out? Also, I loved how you were able to fit the battle results to what your "mother" told you.

Amma/Psykater You were very active and I really like your character, sorry she got Ko'd. The bit with Thailon at the end was awesome RP.

Dreyrugr/Vash the Stampede While I wish you were a bit more active, you participated enough. You were tough and needed in battle, and offered a nice support role.

Janek Where were you???!!? You made, like, 2 or 3 posts the entire quest, and never showed up. -obelix-, I'm sorry you had to deal with the responsibility of doing his actions and actually giving him loot! Bad performance, please next time MAKE SURE you can play before you sign up.

Self Critique.

Everyone. I'm soooo, so, soo sorry. I must thank -obelix- in some of the battles when I clearly wasn't up to snuff. I've never calculated battles so badly before. It seemed like mistake after mistake, and the editing problem didn't help. It must've been I was rusty for not QMing in a while, because this was a newbie quest. Again, sorry if it was annoying, and I hope you forgive me a bit. Also, Psykater, thanks for the editing solution in the PM.

[Chromeknight]

Thanks Rumble for having me again!

Once again nice pics, especially the micro-figs at the base of the tower! Simple, yet distinguishable.

And there were plenty of RP opportunities too.

As a player who likes that sort of thing, I felt rewarded for playing that way with things like the essence of sorrow. Thanks for that, it's a great encouragement.

I also enjoyed all the party interactions. Guts as always, Sorrow too. Nagure and Mizuki I'm looking forward to meeting more, perhaps I'll ask to run a live game for Sydney Brick Show, since they're local. Maurice I didn't get to know so well and it was a little odd having two clerics in such a small party, but it was useful during the Sorrow battle.

Thanks again Rumblestrike!

[-obelix-]

In regard to q. 55, big thanks to Capt.JohnPaul for a great little, action packed quest. I am glad I was a part of it, and I would be equally glad if you QM for me/Thalion again.

The party was great, especially Psy/Amma (thanks for a nice RP chance in the end), JJ - very good character development, I am interested in how it will turn out in the end, Vash and Wedge (this is our second time to quest together) standard good . Heinz didn't show up, I dont know why and it doesn't matter. As for the mistakes in calculations, don't worry about them, we all have a life outside EB so I, and I am sure others do too, truly appreciate your efforts in hosting a quest; and for that matter every QM's efforts!

Again, thanks for hosting this quest and when you have another one I will be very glad to join.

[Palathadric]

Well done to all the players on Quest #55! You all were fun to read. Apparently the Scroll of Inspiration did not work too exceptionally on keeping Amma inspired though.

Also, Vash, Monk Pretzel will look forward to meeting his vampire friend in the hall and possibly challenge him in the arena.

Don't worry, I'll be fighting with a WP: 1 weapon.

[Wedge09]

Thanks to you Capt.JohnPaul for hosting this quest (no problem with the calculations, as obelix said, all we have a life out of EB ), I'm very happy for the fellow heroes with I played: Thalion, Amma and Nessa :thumbup: . For the RP I make my best, but I prefer to remain silent rather than make one bad.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Thanks to you Capt.JohnPaul for hosting this quest (no problem with the calculations, as obelix said, all we have a life out of EB ), I'm very happy for the fellow heroes with I played: Thalion, Amma and Nessa :thumbup: . For the RP I make my best, but I prefer to remain silent rather than make one bad.

Good strategy, if you don't roleplay, no one can accuse you of messing up roleplaying. Also, I tried to give you treasure whenever you dug with your shovel, but I couldn't give you everything!

[Endgame]

Another good Croise quest, Capn. The only thing I'd reccomaned is some more pictures - it seemeed liket that, by the quest's climax, it was lacking pictures besides mugshots.

[Waterbrick Down]

Here we go, first off thanks to you all for participating, I actually had an enjoyable time QMing this quest and I hope you all had fun as well. This quest was actually put together on the fly, someone put out a quasi-request for a quest about 2 months back and after about a week of brainstorming and rushed building Quest 54 was born. It's funny looking back on how the quest changed over time, I had a structure with beginning (Spinnetus), middle (Grumpkins), end (Warehouse), and the rest of the details kind of filled themselves in as we went along more or less. It would have been nothing though without such great PC's however and you are the ones who really made the quest come alive, so thank you. Thank you as well to all the rest of the QM's for the loaning of your characters, settings, and items it really helped get this quest put together so quickly. This quest was supposed to be more of a nostalgic quest, giving nods and asides to some of the great characters and locations we have built up in this world we have created, I hope it succeeded.

Player Feedback:

Boomingham/Zepher:

As always, it was really great to have you along. I love how you role-play during the battles and your interactions with the NPC's and your fellow PC's were superb and it was always a treat responding to you through the lens of another character. Your battle orders and strategies were always thought out and it was fun trying to come up with good challenges for your party.

Ellaria/Sandy:

Thanks for coming along and being my spell-check as far as the battles go, it's always good to have a second pair of eyes reviewing all the calculations. Your role-playing as well was top notch and I loved how you developed the relationship that Ellaria has with Boomingham. She is really starting find her feet in the world of Herocia and it was really neat watching that happen in this quest.

William Harkenshire/Fred Daniel Yam:

You were sort of the Docken of this group say little and get the job done. I know people have different playing styles, so even though you didn't do a ton of role-playing, if you had an enjoyable time then I'm happy. That said, you did a good job helping with the puzzles and contributing towards making your Party as strong as it could be.

Self critique:

I wanted to look at how I critiqued myself after my last quest and see if I improved:

-I need to spend more time in bringing a satisfying ending, i.e. go back to the mystery style.

-Balance battles better, it was kind of difficult with two players who could stun enemies, two that could protect the entire party essentially with their defensive shield rolls, 1 player who could assassinate nearly any enemy, and a Warden who couldn't be attacked by an enemy 1/2 their level and couldn't be damaged by an enemy with a level under 30 unless they neglected armor, but I should have tweaked the enemies more appropriately.

-I planned for the quest to be much shorter (1/2 or so) but I guess that is still a hard thing to judge appropriately.

-Better pictures, I figured out a better method later on in the quest but I was too apethetic to redo all of the pictures I had already taken.

-I was more pleased with how this quest ended as it didn't feel as rushed and felt that the quest was a good mix between being plot-driven vs. a mystery. The quest was originally planned to be about a month long, but due to the fact that we were all in different time zones, it was somewhat challenging, but we still covered a lot of ground in that time if you look back in retrospect.

-I believe the battles were a little better this time round. The first one was meant to be challenging with just a little peril, the second a fairly easy battle with a twist, and the last one difficult. Looking back, I think I might have set the enemies' health a little too high, but the difficulty of the battle also stemmed from some pretty poor rounds for the party. This time round I aimed for designing enemies that tried to take advantages of the party's weaknesses and I think it was successful, however I might have gone a little overboard in the last battle.

-As I said, length was a little challenging due to time-zones but I felt pretty good about it overall.

-No complaints on photography this time, I did a little better in making sure I had models made for all the scenes ahead of time and I do have to give some of the other QM's credit for certain designs as well as previous scenery.

Memorable Moments:

-The argument with the Rocklings (Apparently some characters are still a fan of "big business" )

-Ellaria's guessing what Grumpkins are afraid of (by the way the word was "Birds", Grumpkins have a thing with chickens especially )

-William trying to rob the Harbor Master blind.

-The cadet fight (actions have consequences, remember that heroes )

-Boomingham's speech against J. Smith (who am I kidding, they're always epic )

-Boomingham working to get Plud a job.

[Zepher]

I would have posted here before the Hall, but I always like to let the QM have the first word when possible!

WBD, you know I always love your quests. The next time you host, I will almost certainly be there if its possible! I agree that this quest was a great mixture of your last few quests - it had mystery, some cool puzzles, some tough battles, and while we got to pick our actions pretty clearly, we still had a direction all the time. The plot was a really great plot and each event flowed into each other very well (my main complaint with 28 storywise was the one or two "twists" with little explanation. This had none of those).

The battles were fun and inventive. I enjoyed all of them, and I enjoyed strategizing. One of the main aspects of the game I feel Boomingham HAS to be good at is battle planning, considering his background. This is slightly difficult because its the only trait I can't just roleplay, I (Zepher) need to be good at it too. So, I'm glad you think I plan well, and I in return can say that it was fun to try to figure them out. The last fight was a little challenging, but I do honestly think it was the rolls that got us- and you're on 53 right now, so I have no right to complain. I also don't know if I've always shoved Boomingham in the front of BO's when I've PL'd in the past, but I shall from now on, it fits him, and it makes strategizing around it even more fun.

As a related side note - I LOVE when a player is QMing their QM. It's one of the best dynamics in the game, just for sheer digs at each other.

This quest was a little long for three fights (in my quests, I try to do a battle a week), but there were time zone issues. Even so, it felt like it dragged a little from time to time, but I think I've said that about every quest I've been on so far, so maybe it's just me and my excitement for the game...

As for personal roleplay: I really do enjoy playing Boomingham. His overall path is still a little slow, and he still hasn't had a "life changing" experience so far in the game (HE NEEDS TO GO TO OLD FASHION WAR, QMS, or the Paladin Order. Or something big. Someone indulge me- anyone want to think up a solo quest for the old bugger ) so I fear that he might be getting a little stale to other people, but I still have a lot of fun with him. He really does surprise me - I don't actually know how I (Zepher) feel about Big Business, and that being said Boomingham defending it surprised me, but also made perfect sense to me. I loved Harkenshire's robbery of the Harbor Master and how he tried to take everything in the room. I also love writing speeches to bosses, it turns out. I think I'll compile them all somewhere one day (The Boomingham WallOfText of snark). And I'm happy Boomingham got Plud a job too. I sort of like Boomingham's world view- it's evolved really nicely, and is a few simple concepts that I don't personally really believe in totally, but am starting to like more the more I write about them from Boomingham's point of view. I think he's secretly a kind of good guy.

As to my fellow players (this is getting long....):

Sandy - It is always a pleasure. Ellaria and Boomingham had a strange start, (as did Nyx and Boomingham) and I'm excited to see where it goes. Maybe we'll get to go save your baby some time. I think that the relationship they have can keep getting more interesting. I want to see some twists and turns in it! I don't know what they are, but I feel like if Ellaria comes out of her shell a little more, and starts to really talk up... Ellaria is a wonderful and lovely character, but she's so timid, it takes a long time to fully grasp her world view and beliefs. I'd love to have a few more of them come to the surface to argue against or agree with. It already happened a bit (Rocklings, fighting J. Smith, trying to chase J. Smith) but I'd love to see her get really angry with someone some day because of a belief she holds. But I guess little by little. I really love her and can't wait to see what else happens, and my one regret of (hopefully) going on your Bonaparte Quest is that I can't take her with me once more!

VP - Since I'm more of a RP player, and you're not so much one, this will be shorter than Sandy's (sorry). I always have a fun time with you, hosting or playing. I do wish you RP'd more (sometimes you do and you're always pretty decent at it) but of course to each their own. My one hope for future quests is that you PAY ATTENTION. We'd often ask you to take items before a battle, or to help us out with something, and you simply wouldn't respond. A no is fine, just let us know. It was a bit of an issue when QMing you too- if you're in it for the stats, you still have to plan with us and use items. But again, it was fun, except when you got auras and stole my counterstrikes .

FINALLY (my god): I loved the idea of an homage quest. There are so many great characters out there, and it was fun to meet some of them. It's strange that people have relationships with NPCs because we can only really meet them in quests and never in the hall, but Gurnam and Boomingham have a real rapport now, which I dig so much. My next Russel quest is in many ways meant to be an homage to some of the early quests/my favorite quests (in a different way than this). I think this was a great homage and people should do this more often. If I wasn't so protective of my NPCs (its a fault I don't see changing soon) I'd love to throw some of my names into the hat, but seriously, I'd love to see more of these, I think they're very cool and very well put together. WBD, you also breath such wonderful life into the characters, both your original/returning NPCs, and the ones you hijacked from others. You show real respect for the characters that have already been established, and you make them stick to that and grow.

Have I said "it's been a pleasure" enough? It's been a pleasure.

[Waterbrick Down]

I would have posted here before the Hall, but I always like to let the QM have the first word when possible!...

Thanks Zepher, I enjoyed the "QMing my QM" aspect as well. It never hurts to have a little leverage in your back pocket. I agree with you a little on timing, unfortunately it couldn't be helped. Perhaps some of the battles could have been sped up by auto-rolling but I generally dislike doing that, especially when there are so many various strategies that a party could use on any given round such as in the last battle. With 3 players it can also be challenging especially when you're trying to keep a conversation feeling like it is flowing naturally. If I'm in the mid-west this summer, I will be doing a live quest at Brickworld in Chicago, and I know that that will definitely provide the role-playing speed that some people enjoy.

Edited February 3, 2013 by Waterbrick Down

[Zepher]

Sandy, I'm rereading 40 right now, and I apologize in saying that Ellaria doesn't seem bold enough in the most recent quest. She was more than angry with Boomingham for a lot of that quest- I'd just love to see that come back in more dynamic ways.

Edited February 3, 2013 by Zepher

[Sandy]

Thank you for the quest, WBD! You always make yours vivid and flexible, which I greatly admire, and you fleshed out the city more, which is always a plus. It didn't feel like we were railroaded much at all, instead we were offered a sense of freedom to solve the case on our own. The plot was actually quite clever, with the resolution being "much ado about nothing". I hope you have more quests underway!

It's been a pleasure questing with you on these past months, Zepher. Boomingham has given Ellaria a stalwart wall to bounce off her frustration and anger for losing her baby. She hasn't recovered from it yet, but she's closer to her usual, calm and collected self now. With all these strong and brash female characters around, I like to keep Ellaria as vulnerable and soft as possible - although she has her moments of strength and mirth as well.

And Volcanicpanik Fred Daniel Yam (you seem to have changed your username at some point without me noticing), it was a pleasure going on an adventure with you! Your ranger has an oddly roguish side to him, it seems.

[Flipz]

In response to Harkenshire trying to take everything from the Harbormaster's Office that wasn't nailed down: Hmm, I wonder which character William might have picked up that tendency from.

...or maybe it was the other way around...

[CMP]

Quest 54 is about what I've come to expect from a WBD Quest. Freeformative, familiar faces, and friggin' awesome in general. There could've been one more fight (I'm still wondering where those Bloodpaws scampered off to) but you really nailed down the more investigative side of things you started using in Quest 28. On another note, thanks for using some of my NPCs. Really brings Eubric together as a whole.

[Fred Daniel Yam]

And Volcanicpanik Fred Daniel Yam (you seem to have changed your username at some point without me noticing), it was a pleasure going on an adventure with you! Your ranger has an oddly roguish side to him, it seems.

I can be a ninja when I need to be

Everyone on the Quest: Quest was a load of fun and had a blast playing with you guys. Still need to RP more than what I'm doing now but its all good. Loved seeing Gurnam again too

[Vash the Stampede]

Dreyrugr/Vash the Stampede While I wish you were a bit more active, you participated enough. You were tough and needed in battle, and offered a nice support role.

You made a great quest, and I'm also dissapointed I couldn't participate more. Stupid real life needing stable internet access to log on, AND I missed the ending. I wish I could've been able to log on for at least that. As luck would have it I expect that from NOW on internet connectivity is no problem, right when the quest ends. Back on topic I'd like to give obelix a big thumbs up. Some of the stuff going on behind the scenes to keep the player part of the quest and battles going deserves a mention.

Edited February 5, 2013 by Vash the Stampede

[Flipz]

Some of the stuff going on behind the scenes to keep the player part of the quest and battles going deserves a mention.

That's one of the things I really enjoyed about playing with Obelix on Quest 51, was his active participation in our group player PM. It really helped keep an interesting dynamic for our party, and it's something I hope he continues in the future. It clearly worked well in Quest 55, that's for sure!

[PsyKater]

It's just unfortunate that we are not allowed to create such group pms. That's why some information got lost behind the scene. It would be much more fun, if we could create bigger group pms.

Your pm, explaining why there is not much explanation about BO and stuff, really made me laugh, obelix! I don't like to write and read Wall of Texts as well.

[Flipz]

It's just unfortunate that we are not allowed to create such group pms. That's why some information got lost behind the scene. It would be much more fun, if we could create bigger group pms.

Your pm, explaining why there is not much explanation about BO and stuff, really made me laugh, obelix! I don't like to write and read Wall of Texts as well.

You're a Knight, PK, you should be able to send a PM to two recipients. Heck, in 100 posts, you'll be a Count and be able to send a PM to three at a time. Even if a user is at too low of a rank to CREATE group PMs, they can still participate in them.

Edited February 5, 2013 by Flipz

[PsyKater]

Eh. Yes. But having a party of six people, it would be great to have a group pm with... 6 people! That's what I meant. Something like a private thread for the players to discuss things.

On the other hand I love reading the discussions about strategies in thread, other players can learn from this a lot.

[Palathadric]

Never mind.

Edited February 5, 2013 by Palathadric

[Scubacarrot]

I would actually advise against such a PM, as it may hamper strategizing in thread, and it may also hamper character interaction in thread.

[CMP]

I would actually advise against such a PM, as it may hamper strategizing in thread, and it may also hamper character interaction in thread.

Kinda gotta agree here. Inexplicable strategic banter while being constantly and mercilessly assaulted by enemies is a traditional part of RPGs. And playing it out in-character is fun. But if it makes things easier for them, it's the player's choice, I suppose.

[Palathadric]

I agree as well. Why say something privately when you can say it where all can benefit?

[Brickdoctor]

I agree as well. Why say something privately when you can say it where all can benefit?

Because you don't want the evil QM to start preparing counters for your master plan before you can implement it?