This is for any out of character questions or discussion for the current Realms of Twilight game.

Ok, folks, I for one am glad to see that things are beginning. But I do have a few questions/comments to begin with.

First, I think a website was put on the recruitment thread earlier with info on the world, could we put that here again so I can find it? This seems like an interesting world and I might want to read a bit. For example, were-creatures are revered?! Does that mean they are good, or that people revere an evil creature, mistakenly or otherwise? With no sunlight except that reflected from the moons, how do plants grow? Just curiosity questions for now.

Second, I think it might help to get a list of
player - charceter name - character class

I know we don't know each other yet, but I'm not sure who to address my questions to since we should be starting with a "meet and greet" amongst the wagons.

Also, just how many guards are there, not counting ourselves?

To introduce my character:
Heironymus Nattvakt - cleric.
He will appear quiet and thoughtful, but well armored. While he isn't overly chatty (as in small talk to fill the time or gossip), he is very friendly and enjoys talking with friendly people.

I will probably wait to post my first entry until I have a little better idea who else is around. Then Hieronymus will begin to ponder the universe.

1) The website is www.realmsoftwilight.net (There is a legend, a forum and a blog associated with my website, all of which have some information available. And, of course, feel free to post on my forum any questions as well.

2) In the nation of Valin (and only this nation), werecreatures are all seen as blessed by Elvaril, and the embodiments of her will. The people, however, are not naive about the danger they pose and when one is discovered they are sent out to the druids until they learn some measure of control (among other things). Only then will they rejoin society. Also, lycanthropes answer to the laws of men just as others do (though many in the church of Elvaril argue against this). Some judgements do tend to go easier for their kind however. And as far as alignments, they are like anyone else. Some are good, some are evil... yet they are all shown respect/awe regardless until they prove otherwise.

3) Plants draw energy froom the sun on earth as they need such energy to survive. However, the sun is not the only source of such energy now is it? Some trees appear basically as upsidedown pine trees, gathering all of the moonlight they can. Others draw energy from thermal currents, elemental energies, lingering magic or any other number of sources, depending on where in the world you happen to be. In the case of the Wild Wood in Valin, the trees and undergrowth (though there are many areas completely devoid of undergrowth) tend to draw their energy from the thermal currents deep in the ground. after all, the Demonspine Mountains are nearby and they have always been explosively volcanic.

4) Character Roster
I'm not sure about this since some of the players may want to hide their abilities, but since I already mentioned the classes in the recruiting post... here they are:
Briana - Kyara'vallyn - Elven Ranger/Scout
Nomad D2 - Heironymus Nattvakt - cleric
Ion Kired - Virif Flametouch - Dwarven Warmage
rpayne - Raif Trilorn - Human Druid

5) There are 4 PCs hired as guards, and 3 other hired men-at-arms. The 3 NPCs are currently working on unloading the wagon wheel for the repair and working on the wagon.

Thanks for the list, it helps me keep the various games straight.

This is only the second game I have played with this system, so I am a bit raw at it. But happy to learn. Speaking of learning, just what in some gem-studded-dwarf-mine is a Dwarven War-mage? Sounds cool . . .

Nice to see severalposts up - the game has begun!

A quick question for the DM - Considering the circumstances of Heironymus' arrival near the city, he would almost certainly have sought out map stores to try and find any maps he could lay his hands on. Some he would simply study. But he would also have purchased a map/maps of the local area - and potentially as wide a view of the world as possible. Did he find any such maps in Maruk? For example, does he have (or at least have seen) a map of the route they are travelling? Does he have any indication of the wilds around him? It is very much in character that he would have sought out such information.

It would have been possible to find a map of Valin, but nothing beyond its borders. At least nothing that is verifiable as quality and reliable.

Such a map would reveal the eastern reaches of the Demonspine Mountains bordering the northwest, the Illurian Empire to the west and the sea coast bordering the rest. The only other metropolis in Valin is a port city called Rivlin, though the map would indicate several smaller towns throughout the land.

The Wild Wood covers a full 1/3 of the country, primarily to the west and north, and must be passed through in order to reach Illuria.

As far as other information about your destination, very little is available. Only merchants and their guards (and a few diplomats and representative of the Court) make the trip. The city you are heading for is called Bevaris according to the map.

Well, at least two of us predicted the attack, so surprise shouldn't be a big problem. Heironymus was watching the woods as he talked briefly with Raif.

His crossbow was up and loaded. He will target one of the attackers on the side opposite of the tangle spell. After that he will drop his crossbow and pull his mace and have at it.

How do you want to handle these things? Are you doing the rolling? Do we post general actions here or on the game thread?

I will do all of the rolling. Post general actions in the game thread with any game mechanics (attack bonus, skill check bonus, etc) in parenthesis. Description is always good. In your case, does your character say anything before pointing the crossbow at the nearest charging bandit, and which one is he shooting at? Something like "He raises his crossbow and looses a bolt at the nearest bandit" works fine, but any additional actions or such should be described.

I'm also working on putting together maps for future encounters that should help clarify the layout of where people are and such. Which, by the way, the attacking brigands are 15' from the caravan (on either side) when they clear the cover of the trees.

Next update will be Tuesday sometime, unless everyone posts what they want before then.

AWESOME. Yeah all the letters needed to be capitalized in order to express the pureness of the AWESOMENESS that is a Dwarven Warmage.

As before, the next update will be Saturday, followed by another one Tuesday. I've been trying to post as late in the day as possible to give people as much time as possible to post. If you have other preferences let me know and they will be considered.

So, I know I am not playing the game, and probably shouldn't post here, but I felt like doing it anyway. Steelight can tell me to stop if he wants. I have the great privelage of observing this game and seeing Realms of Twilight progress before my eyes. I am impressed. I like the characters each of you have and eagerly await each of their actions. I anxiously await each new post to find out where the story is going. Well, I suppose that is all for now. Good luck everyone!

Hmmm . . . I know I didn't post on the other thread, but since I had posted clear actions on this thread before I knew where to post, I didn't think it would lead to inaction. Live and learn, I guess.

I have done little with 3.5. So I have to admit my bonuses are a bit of a guess.

Mace: +2 for 3rd level. +1 for mace weapon focus. = +3
Crossbow: +2 for level.

Anything else I should be looking for?

When I went to do the update I forgot that you had posted here instead of on the main forum. I do apologize for that. But like you said, live and learn.

The only spell I could find that seemed to be what you were looking for was Sound Burst (2nd level cleric spell in the PHB). That affects everyone in a 10 foot radius so I assumed you wouldn't want to do that and moved on to your second option. I hope that is sufficient.