Chapter 1 of our Chronicle

[Tomcat]

has finished!

I would like to invite anyone that wishes to download the first Chapter of our current chronicle - and any input is welcome!

The file is in .PDF format and contains both the storyboards and the maps.

We are playing this chronicle by Post so I have made use of the mook rules in both combats. I like the system very much, but it has not posed a great challenge to the characters as of yet. Well, I should say, the warriors make quick work of the "mook" attackers while the non-warriors do not.

Again, this is as it should be but I do not think I challenged the characters with a great enough number of attackers. Anyway, we learn as we do and we have quite a few more Chapters left to finish.

Enjoy...

[Tomcat]

Here are the maps.

[Ineti]

Just downloaded this and flipped through it. I like the border you used.

I really like the tables you use to track the various test rolls and their possible effects. I don't usually plan episodes in that much detail, but I like the tables and may implement them in my session notes.

Where did you pull the maps from? At least one is from a Decipher product. It might not hurt to credit the companies that created them.

[Tomcat]

Hey Ineti,

Thanks for the input on our first Chapter's layout. I will be interested to get some of your input regarding the story once you have had a chance to read it.

To answer some of your questions:

The borders I created with a wonderful program called Painter Classic. I then saved them as a JPEG and then laid them into the header of a Word Doc, and then transfered that to PDF. If you are interested in a copy of my border JPEG's, give me a shout at uvonbek@yahoo.com.

The tables are obvioulsy nothing more than Word Doc Tables. Because this is a Play by Post, I do not use them for every action (especially in combat), but I do use them for actions that may cause impact with modifiers (i.e. the Stamina Tests) that will need to be remembered for the day. It also helps when I go back to award XP, I can count the successes and failures.

The maps are from a few places. The big Maps that are separate from the story are from MERP's Realm book - Arnor. The other maps are a hodge podge of different maps (all from MERP, but different books, except for Bree-Hill, which is courtesy of Deciphers fantastic work - from The FotR Sourcebook) that I liked and then would cut out, paste over, resize, etc. Then add my own little bits - maybe add a few more trees or houses, etc. and of course the designations for the party.

I never thought of it, but I guess it would be respectful to thank the sources. I can easily do this in our upcoming Chapter 2 PDF.

Thanks again for the input and again, I look forward to any more comments in the future.

Later...

[Ineti]

Originally posted by Tomcat
If you are interested in a copy of my border JPEG's, give me a shout at uvonbek@yahoo.com.

Not necessary, but thanks. I created my borders in Photoshop, and likewise turned them into jpegs. I use Microsoft Publisher for my layouts and PDFs (because I can't afford a better layout tool, I like Publisher, and it does what I need it to do--except for the crazy-huge file sizes, it's nice).

Originally posted by Tomcat
Because this is a Play by Post, I do not use them for every action (especially in combat), but I do use them for actions that may cause impact with modifiers (i.e. the Stamina Tests) that will need to be remembered for the day. It also helps when I go back to award XP, I can count the successes and failures.

That's why I'd like to use them--for XP purposes. A lot of my tests are off the cuff, and I'm terrible at recording those things. Then, at the end of the session, I'm left scratching my head as to how much XP to award a PC due to test results and the like. I need a better way to track them, and those tables look like they might help a lot.

[Lonoto]

I don't have the LoTR books, but I have been looking around the forum and it seems like a sweet game. One of my friends may be getting the books soon and start a campaign, so I decided to see what people thought.

Man, you are a great storyteller! I love this, can't wait for you guys to finish another chapter so I can read it. The tables are great and the combat scenes are excellent, as well as a nice writing style and nicely developping plot.

Thanks for posting this file!

[Tomcat]

Man, you are a great storyteller! I love this, can't wait for you guys to finish another chapter so I can read it. The tables are great and the combat scenes are excellent, as well as a nice writing style and nicely developping plot.

Thanks for the kind words Lonoto. We are right in the heart of Chapter 2 so it will be probably about another three weeks for it to be uploaded, but you are welcome to read the ongoing story - as it happens.

You just have to come to our web site and read the storyboards. Check the Message Boards as well to see if there are any new actions or dialogue being made by the players.

If you are interested, I am looking to recruit another player to take the role of Angbor. The guy that wrote him up has not been able to play, so he has been an NPC.

Anyway e-mail me and I can send you the Web site address if you'd like to visit or join. I would just post it here, but my page can only take 100 MB in hits a day and if I advertise it hear, it can bog down our game by heavy volume.

Thanks again...

[Lonoto]

Thanks for the invite! OK, Angbor is the Loremaster... hmm... well, I'll see if I can play him, but I don't have any of the books so it may be hard lol. Don't think you would really want me to play him since I don't have the books, but thanks none the less.

I've already sent the e-mail. This should be fun even if I only get to watch your epic quest

Also, do you have a hotmail for use of MSN?