10-01-2018, 10:00 PM
I think this was probably my favourite event of the season so far (though that probably won't surprise anyone), which was a pleasant surprise since I went to game barely in the mood for it (been having a meh time of things lately and it tends to turn even fun hobbies into a chore).
The Good
- I was honestly starting to get a little worried about this season's plot, because it felt like a whole lot of build up and we are getting reeeaaally late in the season. I was one of the players who had a little forewarning that the various parties (who I will from now on refer to as the Superfriends) were working together, but I wasn't sure how much time we'd have to explore that. But then everything came together/hit the fan at once and set up what I assume will be the big Hallows conflict really really well. The plot/shaper team really did a great job.
- The Superfriends are just really compelling NPCs. I like that they were sprinkled in as merchant or story NPCs from the start, and that only Janos was very sketchy in the beginning. I absolutely love that I and others got to glimpse plot both from town's side and from that of the antagonists over the weekend.
- Dan really outdid himself with Victor? For some reason I get to interact with Dan's NPC's reeaaaally rarely, and his PCs even less, so having a chance to chat with his Death Rogue was a nice treat.
- Molly and Mr G were perfect and I love them and I'm so glad that he showed up with an actual army of undead to get her back after half of town had become convinced he was willing to abandon her when the going got tough. Death Mage or no I nearly shit myself when I saw him charging out of the woods with that many NPCs.
- I love that they used Death Classes! It's a part of the game I've often been curious about but doubted I'd ever get a chance to experience before the changes. I love that they weren't afraid to stat us accurately to the rule set they had, that mods were quickly able to compensate with magic damage given how limited our healing was (especially during the day), and that they grabbed both older established characters they knew would sympathize and a new player that one might assume would be overlooked for such a sudden mechanics and power level change. The use of the augment on our ritual circle was also such a clever and kind way of using the fun plot point without punishing the players for going along with it.
- My personal-plot-turned-trial was amazing. Earlier in the season I was sort of worried that they might be connected, but I dismissed this as paranoia on my part after bringing up the idea with friends. Cat and the NPCs that were in the know played it so convincingly that my last thoughts before the reveal (and after I led a bunch of people to a full party wipe) were “this feels a bit harsh for personal plot” and “this is going to be a really awkward res circle”. Cat as “Heather” was also perfect and I love her. They also had to quickly correct for a detail the shapers hadn't been informed of, and they did it so well I honestly can't imagine how the original set up was intended to play out.
The Less Good
- The last mod seemed kinda hectic and confusing, though I suspect that was at least partially because I arrived a little late to it. Using the indoor spaces also got a wee bit cramped, though that point has been made already.
Personal Highlights
- The disgruntled cursing of my name while I was bleeding to death during my trial as everyone I'd brought were beaten to death, though only after the fact. Pretty sure someone yelled “thanks a lot, Carrion” as they were downed.
- My sister as a sassy balrog.
- Rio as Felicien, forever and always, particularly the hand holding as he leaned on me to walk.
- Late night cabin dinners and all Carrion's campmates yelling at him for having two kinds of salt, as if they should have expected any less of him by this point.
- “DO WE NEED THIS BABY? NO? OKAY I'LL PUT IT BACK.”
- The mixed reactions of the Einher when I came to warn them about Mr G and his army of undead and encourage them to hand over Molly. Half were appropriately suspicious and angry that I'd been let into the cabin, the others were basically like “I mean he knocked so we let him in”.
- To be honest, all the reactions to Carrion being a Death Mage. Some people were suspicious (especially considering the puppet effect Janos had on us) while others were just amused I was somehow undead again.
Leon's insistence that I came back bald and eyebrow-less when returned to life.
- Wigzoz (sp?) had a really good moment as the new Warboss when game was called and we were in soft RP mode. Honoured I got to be a part of it. Dark Father is my new favourite title someone has given me. Congrats on the promotion!
- Dr Moran repeatedly insisted I was “off in the woods doing creepy Dietremen shit” when people came looking for me while she was keeping me hidden about 10 feet away, and the fact that none of them questioned it.
- Everything Dante does always.
- Anything Will A does always.
- Tobias's face when he Necro Arts'd me.
- I know that there were many other good moments I'm probably forgetting because I'm tired as heck so if we interacted be aware I probably loved it.
The Good
- I was honestly starting to get a little worried about this season's plot, because it felt like a whole lot of build up and we are getting reeeaaally late in the season. I was one of the players who had a little forewarning that the various parties (who I will from now on refer to as the Superfriends) were working together, but I wasn't sure how much time we'd have to explore that. But then everything came together/hit the fan at once and set up what I assume will be the big Hallows conflict really really well. The plot/shaper team really did a great job.
- The Superfriends are just really compelling NPCs. I like that they were sprinkled in as merchant or story NPCs from the start, and that only Janos was very sketchy in the beginning. I absolutely love that I and others got to glimpse plot both from town's side and from that of the antagonists over the weekend.
- Dan really outdid himself with Victor? For some reason I get to interact with Dan's NPC's reeaaaally rarely, and his PCs even less, so having a chance to chat with his Death Rogue was a nice treat.
- Molly and Mr G were perfect and I love them and I'm so glad that he showed up with an actual army of undead to get her back after half of town had become convinced he was willing to abandon her when the going got tough. Death Mage or no I nearly shit myself when I saw him charging out of the woods with that many NPCs.
- I love that they used Death Classes! It's a part of the game I've often been curious about but doubted I'd ever get a chance to experience before the changes. I love that they weren't afraid to stat us accurately to the rule set they had, that mods were quickly able to compensate with magic damage given how limited our healing was (especially during the day), and that they grabbed both older established characters they knew would sympathize and a new player that one might assume would be overlooked for such a sudden mechanics and power level change. The use of the augment on our ritual circle was also such a clever and kind way of using the fun plot point without punishing the players for going along with it.
- My personal-plot-turned-trial was amazing. Earlier in the season I was sort of worried that they might be connected, but I dismissed this as paranoia on my part after bringing up the idea with friends. Cat and the NPCs that were in the know played it so convincingly that my last thoughts before the reveal (and after I led a bunch of people to a full party wipe) were “this feels a bit harsh for personal plot” and “this is going to be a really awkward res circle”. Cat as “Heather” was also perfect and I love her. They also had to quickly correct for a detail the shapers hadn't been informed of, and they did it so well I honestly can't imagine how the original set up was intended to play out.
The Less Good
- The last mod seemed kinda hectic and confusing, though I suspect that was at least partially because I arrived a little late to it. Using the indoor spaces also got a wee bit cramped, though that point has been made already.
Personal Highlights
- The disgruntled cursing of my name while I was bleeding to death during my trial as everyone I'd brought were beaten to death, though only after the fact. Pretty sure someone yelled “thanks a lot, Carrion” as they were downed.
- My sister as a sassy balrog.
- Rio as Felicien, forever and always, particularly the hand holding as he leaned on me to walk.
- Late night cabin dinners and all Carrion's campmates yelling at him for having two kinds of salt, as if they should have expected any less of him by this point.
- “DO WE NEED THIS BABY? NO? OKAY I'LL PUT IT BACK.”
- The mixed reactions of the Einher when I came to warn them about Mr G and his army of undead and encourage them to hand over Molly. Half were appropriately suspicious and angry that I'd been let into the cabin, the others were basically like “I mean he knocked so we let him in”.
- To be honest, all the reactions to Carrion being a Death Mage. Some people were suspicious (especially considering the puppet effect Janos had on us) while others were just amused I was somehow undead again.
Leon's insistence that I came back bald and eyebrow-less when returned to life.
- Wigzoz (sp?) had a really good moment as the new Warboss when game was called and we were in soft RP mode. Honoured I got to be a part of it. Dark Father is my new favourite title someone has given me. Congrats on the promotion!
- Dr Moran repeatedly insisted I was “off in the woods doing creepy Dietremen shit” when people came looking for me while she was keeping me hidden about 10 feet away, and the fact that none of them questioned it.
- Everything Dante does always.
- Anything Will A does always.
- Tobias's face when he Necro Arts'd me.
- I know that there were many other good moments I'm probably forgetting because I'm tired as heck so if we interacted be aware I probably loved it.
IG: A human man in a crow skull mask, grey stole, and black clerical vestments. Occasionally carries an iron or silver dagger, but more often seen without any visible weapons or amour to speak of.
OOG: Danny Heintz, he/him. Transmasc in progress, please disregard mine bræsts.
OOG: Danny Heintz, he/him. Transmasc in progress, please disregard mine bræsts.