Crimson Nib

Hello good people of the interwebs, This is our last episode for 2018, and let me say that it’s been a blast creating these podcasts! Sitting down with Mick each Saturday, for coffee and chatter about our campaign ... but damn I do enjoy these conversations and I really hope that you have as well! So join Mick and I as we wrap up our conversation from last week. The Grey Company part ways to explore; a little free time before needing to meet with the Pallid Court later that evening. What does a Paladin feel or sense when praying? When the party splits and you need time to plot and think ... scene cut! How crazy can you get with creative descriptions for really crappy skill check rolls? Where does Typhoid Mary and the Ebola come into Embers from a Chimney? Do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we chat about whether a GM should retcon a scene when they make a mistake? Will healing potions keep a person from getting drunk? If there are 5 players in a party, then doesn’t that mean there are 5 sets of eyes searching a room, and so nothing will remain hidden? Will the players realise that the most valuable loot in the hideout are the barrels of salt? How does one answer the question “How did they fit those barrels through the manholes”? Mick starts to see how the pieces of the puzzle assemble together and lead back to ... do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we continue our review of the overall narrative since we started the Embers from a Chimney campaign. We take a look at how the main plot has developed, as the individual characters flush out their own personal stories. What, how, why has SS entered Per-Bastet? How does a wizard convert a water breathing spell to sand breathing? When a new player joins the campaign, do you hand them 100 pages of player notes to get them up-to-speed? Should a campaign do periodic OOC player reviews, to foster more plot connections that might get lost due to IRL time. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we review the overall narrative since we started the Embers from a Chimney campaign. We take a look at how the main plot has developed, as the individual characters flush out their own personal stories. The one bit of non-story conversation is about how critically important it is to take notes, take notes, take notes; which is very evident while we do this review. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we chat about using a dagger to cut a bowstring. What happens when an invisible wizard gets smoked with an arrow, does the arrow disappear? Does the blood appear? Hey I’m invisible, they can’t hear me ... not! Should melee attacks with a swinging weapon be at disadvantage in a narrow passage? What is the wingspan of your tiefling? Should that span be on the character sheet, and if it's not, it defaults to wee tiny Puff the Magic Dragon size? A secret Dogs of Bastet sewer hideout must have treasure ... right? What will the Grey Company find? Do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we chat about lessons learned from swimming through sewage water, what checks should be done for sight, and to keep from vomiting. Can you have a sewer session without a giant crocodiles fight? Fantasy Grounds Unity release and its dynamic lighting can’t arrive soon enough so that this GM doesn’t have to remember rules around dim light, dark, darkvision, blindsight, etc. When you shoot an invisible wizard with an arrow, should the arrow turn invisible, or remain visible? The Grey Company enters the secret hideout and the alarms sound, should the NPCs have reactions? Do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we chat about accents, new players, first time at D&D, starting at level 1 to learn the Fantasy Grounds interface, stealing “good stuff” RP elements and making them your own, to better your own role play. How quickly, immersive role playing can make a three hour session fly by, and nothing is accomplished. “Fly-By” ... a Crimson Nib Flying Carpet is just what every would-be, serious, adventuring group needs! The Grey Company is seeking their missing benefactor, should they break and enter the home of a known criminal, that likes to murder and eat the ex-lovers of their benefactor? Do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we chat about an interesting role playing scenario when the Grey Company decides to make a quick stop at the house of Hakaan. Elbrim and Callidus are keen to B&E the house, and maybe find Daryl. Whereas the new party members have no idea what the older 2 members are about. Elbrim and Callidus’ uncomfort was palpable as they are barraged with questions. Cold-blooded murder and slavery! The GM loves every moment listening to such unexpected and delightful role playing gems! Mick spins many theories in this episode as he tries to connect the dots between a multitude of NPCs, while I listen closely and gather ammunition to alter the plot and make things more … convoluted! Do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we chat about the voyage back to the city of Per-Bastet with the evidence from the Pool of Blood, and visions that cause Elbrim’s heart to ache. Now that the party has reached level 5, how do they prioritise their next move? Notes, usually just from the last session, don’t often look at the big picture, so what’s a good decision? How can listening to CriticalRole provide insight on keeping track of the plot? How do NPC motivations guide their emotional reactions when player’s say “excuse me, we need to have a private conversation, go away!”? Do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we chat about GM’s using player theories to craft and mold the campaign ... wait ... is that legal, can you do that? How does one integrate a seamless skill challenge to replace travel, and not be deemed trivial? What should a GM do when the player’s wanna hire more players to do their dirty work? How can a famous show like Critical Role guide and help keep the group dynamic together when there is conflict and dice rolls against each other? And of course, whatever has the Grey Company decided to do with this Pool of Blood? Do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we chat about trapdoors; do you check for traps when there’s no rogue in the party? How old players take for granted that all backstory lore is known and the new players must act accordingly; whereas the new players are like WTF mate, why the hell are we gonna do that?! What IC secrets should you reveal, and how do you role play it, when the GM whispers information in your ear? Does IRL culture affect role playing, and should IC boundaries be softened when an obvious story element is introduced? These questions and more as the Grey Company decides whether or not to enter the trapdoor’s hole. Do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we conclude our Pool of Blood encounter chat with Mick’s concoctions of plot hypothesis’; that the flying Tosculi was actually the shepherd boy Cade, that the Nebr mayor killed Cade for learning about the secret pool of blood, or that Cade was actually 1 of “The 12” ... Killing Eve anyone? Perhaps everything is tied to an overthrow of the government and there’s a secret alliance with the Corporation of the Tosculi?! The GM takes notes madly and wonders how to implement such far-fetched ideas! The icing on the cake? Is when Mick tries to envision how Callidus can have a “happy slave” named Daryl! Do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we chat about blindsiding players to come up with meaningful tidbits for their character’s backstory. Is backstory important? What should an intelligent creature do when firing from a large distance? How bad tactics can easily turn the tide of a battle. Effective storytelling for travel in a campaign; West Marches style versus interactive narrative skill challenges (thanks for the advice Matt Colville!). What are good consequences if the party fails their travel skill challenge? Mick sneaks in a mention for the Royal Wedding! What should happen when a Paladin doesn’t follow their oaths? Do you wanna know more? https://www.facebook.com/crimsonnib/ VTT - Fantasy Grounds (http://www.fantasygrounds.com) Campaign Settings - Kobold Press (https://koboldpress.com/) This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we chat about entering a village for the first time and meeting the locals. What should a person say when the mayor ponders the banner of the sandship you arrived on? Is it wise to share a room in the local Inn, or get your own? What’s the right amount of Dwarven Stiffmace whiskey to drink? When your comrade asks a question about your history, should you tell them, or remain tight-lipped and hold those precious memories close? That first night out in the desert with just a backpack, the temperature drops to 0C, your freezing cold, what’s the correct course of action? Buckle down, continue on and complete the mission! Or call it and return to civilization to resupply? A strange buzzing noise on the other side of the ridge, your destination is so very close, but that sound, you know it. It has kept you awake for so many nights ... the Tosculi! Do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we chat about exploring from the deck of a sandship and experiencing the soaring and freezing temperatures of the Sarklan Desert! How the Grey Company convinces the captain, against her better judgement, to make haste and sail through the night; and how such persuasions can result in giant scorpions attacking the ship. What questions should you ask the strange Nkosi that just saved your bacon from a TPK? Should you believe gossip and rumours when your party is named? Do you start connecting the dots and map out a conservative governing regime that is on the verge of collapse as one of the governing members undermines the Council of Sands authority? Thank virtual tabletops, where players can’t see the GM’s facial expressions, as he falls off his chair in shock at such conclusions. Do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we chat about getting scolded in public by a daywalker for reneging on a promise. The Grey Company makes haste to get underway and begin their sandship voyage. They move quickly and are scolded once again by a harbour master that is shocked at adventurers without backpacks! Kalen’s hands are slapped for not having proper travel papers, nor Southlands Identification papers! In the moment between breaths, a dire sending stone call is received. The Princess Karima has not checked in. Enter the ethical quandry that is the Trolley Problem! What direction will the Grey Company take? Board the sandship and fulfill their promise to the Pallid Court, or renege once more and search for Elbrim’s, hoped for, sweety pie? Do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

The legal gymnastics finish as the mysterious vampire Ahit Nem-ur enters the conference room and scolds the participants. The Grey Company is reminded that they’ve promised to help the Pallid Court, and a sandship has been held at the ready for days. Kalen catches a strange sight as Ahit folds down into the earth and disappears, the others are oblivious as Cero discusses hiring their services to deal with the corrupt Hazi Sucineri. Back at their studio, they are mystified at how the owner had discovered that they had comprised the building; I mean who looks behind a hanging carpet to see if a hole has been put in the wall? But such quandaries must be tabled, now is the time for haste, time to return to the harbour and make their way to the Pool of Blood; suddenly a sending stone message from Lieutenant Mehmet arrives and ... do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

The GFA has met with Ranjeet of the Pallid Court, but the Grey Company is a no show to the meeting. Where did they go? A day later and after a strongly worded letter from Ranjeet, that threatens prosecution, the party arrives to the Pallid Court. Will they be forced to hand over Cobal’s Withered Hand artifact? A large contract is thrown on the conference table ... ack! Lawyer speak! Akmenos cracks his knuckles and steps forward, the growing renown of the Grey Company can not end moments after he’s finally met them! Kalen holds onto the withered hand tightly, distraught that he has no identification documents. Tensions are at an all-time high when the conference room door flies open, sunlight flares into the dark room, Ranjeet leaps for cover in the deep shadow; there silhouetted in the morning light stand ... do you wanna know more? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Mick and I as we chat about taking a moment to recover from a battle within the tomb’s inner chamber, only to discover that your new potential companion, has been cursed. Should the Grey Company abandon this fellow? I mean, they don’t really know him! What of Rakim and Nakwa? Will they finally put their clothes on? Outside the pyramid Lugo and Hazi are arguing, but they quickly shore up the conversation and the GFA greet the wayward ambassadors for the Pallid Court. How sharp are the Grey Company’s swords or words? What’s the correct response when a temple priestess starts carving runes into the chest of a direly wounded companion? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Jacob and I as we chat about what the hell is Elbrim looking for that he’d risk his companions lives? How much more mystery can Callidus deal with before he goes Vril Stone loco? Wander the ancient halls of a tomb, stare at hieroglyphs until your eyes bleed, and then discover that there can be power in strange symbols. Finally, solve the ancient riddles and gain access to the epicentre of the pyramid, only to discover that the nasty ancient mummy is nothing like what had been expected! What kind of conversation would you have with a creature trapped for eons? Or is it better to blast with firebolt, pull sword, yell “Kiyah!”, or let your pixie familiar take front and centre? This podcast is powered by Pinecast.