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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Jul 2006 : 18:32:34
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Okay, so as I mentioned in passing last night, I’ve decided I’m going to try running a play by email campaign. I’ve got plenty of spare time coming up and fancy some more gaming. If anyone is interested, please have a read through what I’ve got here and PM me here or email me at reefpants~googlemail.com, where ~ = @ , which will be the campaign email. Note that this is an account created specifically for the campaign, not my usual one. Lurkers are welcome, and don’t worry if you’ve not played by email before.
I have DMed before, though not via email, but I am playing in Kaladorm’s pbem campaign. I’ve been playing for several years now so am pretty familiar with both the rules and the Realms. I am, of course, always learning, and I know there are plenty of people here with a better knowledge than me, but I hope things will run smoothly enough.
Obviously people are used to playing with different house rules and ideas, and I’m always tweaking things as I see fit, but I’m open to suggestions on things. I have a fairly sizeable list of house rules that will be available here, though nothing particularly major.
1. Rules set. I’m going to play 3.5. I have mostly played 3E, but have read lots of 3.5 stuff, though this is my first exclusive play with 3.5. My thinking is that the one source everyone can get hold of is the SRD, so everyone has access to that at least.
2. Setting. I’ve wanted to play in Waterdeep for some time and not had the opportunity, so I’ve decided that’s where the campaign will be based. This means the campaign will have a different feel to one set in the Dales, for instance, given its urban nature, but it’s a big enough sandpit for everyone to play in. I have 3.5 Waterdeep: City of Splendors, the 2E box set City of Splendors, and I believe I have a copy of Waterdeep and the North somewhere too. It will begin in the month of Mirtul, in the Year of Lightning Storms (1374DR).
3. Resources. I have access to a lot of sources, but not everything. If you wish to use something not in one of the sources mentioned here, please explain it to me and I’ll let you know.
I have:
SRD
PHB
DMG
MM I, II, III
Fiend Folio
Book of Exalted Deeds
Book of Vile Darkness
Unearthed Arcana
The 3.5 ‘Complete’ series of books, and their 3E equivalents
All (I think) 3/3.5 FR material other than Mysteries of the Moonsea
A fair amount of 2E FR material
Lore and other material from Wizards, Candlekeep and elsewhere on the web.
4. Character creation. This could go on for a while, but here goes.
- Please run any concept you’re unsure about with regards to class, race etc. I’ll do my best to incorporate it as long as the character’s history and logic for being in Waterdeep is sound.
- The party will be a predominantly good (including neutral party). I don’t know if I’m up to running an evil party.
- Alignment tracking. I am using the system KnightErrantJR uses, as detailed in his house rules thread. See: http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6698
- Character level will be 10-12. Characters will be fairly powerful, and just about able to take prestige classes, should they so wish to. Something I tried in my most recent PNP campaign was to vary the party’s level slightly. For some reason it irritates me slightly that everyone in the party is miraculously of the same equivalent power. What I am thinking of doing is assigning everyone a level, based on 1d3+9. That way everybody is fairly powerful, but there is just a little variety, though not so much as to unbalance things. If people don’t like the idea, I’m happy to scrap it.
- I am not familiar with psionics rules, though they are in the SRD. If you desperately wish to play a psionic character, I’ll do my best to incorporate them, but psionics are not likely to feature strongly.
- Stats will be done using 32 point buy.
- Characters may receive one free regional feat that they are eligible for, chosen from the Player’s Guide to Faerûn.
- Starting gold will be the standard amount available to a character of that level.
- I expect a nice backstory/history of the character, please submit this to me. As a high level character, chances are you have plenty of contacts, allies, underlings and the like – feel free to create these or use existing characters from canon – I find it hard to believe a level 10+ character has existed in isolation for their entire life… The more you give me, the more I have to work with.
That’s the basics, now for the specifics.
- Half-orcs have no Charisma penalty, but have instead have a –1 penalty to Diplomacy, Gather Information and Handle Animal checks.
- Clerics do not start with heavy armour proficiency.
- Druids are proficient with the shortbow.
- Monks have no multiclassing restrictions.
- Paladins have no multiclassing restrictions.
- Sorcerers get 4 + Int modifier skill points per level. Diplomacy and Intimidate are class skills. They gain a bonus feat at level 5, 11 and 17.
- Specialist wizards may use the Initiate of (school) feats devised by Kaladorm. If you are interested, please ask.
- All characters have Knowledge (local) as a class skill.
- A variant way of working out diplomacy checks will be used. This should not matter as it takes place behind the scenes, but I’m informing you so you know.
- Weapon Finesse also applies to scimitars.
- Cosmopolitan is the FRCS version, not the one in the Player’s Guide.
- Spellcasting Prodigy is the FRCS version, not the one in the Player’s Guide.
- Smooth Talk grants +2 on Diplomacy, Gather Information and Sense Motive checks.
- Daylight Adaptation may be chosen at any level after 1st and does not therefore count as a regional feat.
- Bonus 0 level spells are granted as per 1st level spells for high ability scores.
- Spells can only be chosen from the PHB and Magic of Faerûn. Spells from other sources, or with the name of someone famous in them, e.g. Elminster’s Evasion, can only be learnt from other sources, such as appropriate regional spellbooks or tutors in that area. If you want to learn a spell from Unapproachable East, you need to find a spellbook from that region, or a tutor from that region. Similarly, if you want to learn one of Elminster’s spells, you need to learn it from the Old Mage, someone he has taught, or a spellbook with it recorded in. This applies to arcane and divine magic. A character can choose spells from their home region on top of any others.
- Alignment and divine casters in Faerûn. I am using the system KnightErrantJR uses, as detailed here: http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6698
- Although I have not developed an alternative system yet, I am not happy with the rules for turning undead or polymorphing. Both of those are potentially going to be changed, as and when I find or come up with a set of rules I think works better.
Bear in mind that Waterdeep is a diverse, cosmopolitan metropolis, tolerant to most races, and its citizens often have a ‘seen it all before attitude’ towards even very unusual creatures. That said, as an urban environment, druids, rangers and barbarians are likely to be rare, and will possibly not function to their maximum potential. Like most places, fighter and rogues are the most common classes. Due to the cosmopolitan nature, worshippers of pretty much any deity can be found in Waterdeep, but major religious presences are held by Gond, Lathander, Mystra, Oghma, Selûne, Sune, Tempus, Tymora and Tyr. You can play a noble, but in doing so you must take at least one level in the Aristocrat class. The bonuses (and penalties) associated with being a noble will obviously apply, but will probably come in the form of different rewards, such as the way your character is treated by others, availability of resources etc. Alternatively, if someone wishes to play a noble, I’m thinking of creating a Noble base class, based on the Aristocrat, but with a few additional abilities.
For prestige classes, CoS:W lists common ones and has some in it that obviously are relevant. The Merchant Prince and Court Herald classes in Power of Faerûn also seem to fit in nicely.
Waterdeep is a lawful city, but full of intrigue, so the campaign is likely to have plenty of roleplaying and non-combat encounters, though only a fool travels without at least a dagger..
5. Other rules. A few other things worth noting are mentioned here.
- An attack roll of 1 always results in a critical miss (fumble), meaning that that player cannot act during their next action or make attacks of opportunity until after their next action.
- Fighting with a single weapon and nothing in the other hand gives you a +1 dodge bonus. This stacks with Dodge and other similar bonuses.
- Instead of dying at –10 hit points, a character instead dies at a negative score equal to their Con score, e.g. a character with 18 Con would die on –18.
- Variant massive damage rules are used. A small character dies if it takes 40 points from one attack, a medium one 50, a large one 60, and so on.
- You do not need to worry about eating, drinking etc. It is assumed these things will be done behind the scenes. However, please do roleplay any of these things if they add to the situation, they are just irrelevant in terms of mechanics because a character of this level should be quite capable of sustenance without problems.
- Dice rolling. You tell me your actions, and I’ll roll the dice.
6. Emails. I check my email regularly, so staying on top of things hopefully shouldn’t be a problem. Ideally I’d like the game to progress smoothly, with people being responsive, but I’m all too aware that real life can get in the way at times. If people want to contact each other via an instant messenger, by all means do so.
Finally, I’m open to any suggestions on rules or anything else. Rules are obviously subject to change later should an improvement I like occur, though these things are unlikely to be major and I will consult before introducing them. If you want an explanation of why I rule things the way I do, I’m happy to provide one. I want people to enjoy themselves, so let me know if you want to discuss an aspect I’ve mentioned.
Thanks for reading, apologies for length. I hope someone out there is interested. If you are, please get in touch.
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Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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Chosen of Moradin
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1120 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2006 : 18:46:27
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I´m interested - and with an elf in mind, only to see the world with another perspective.  |
Dwarf, DM, husband, and proud of this! :P
twitter: @yuripeixoto
Facebook: yuri.peixoto |
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Archwizard
Learned Scribe
USA
266 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2006 : 20:29:57
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| I am interested as well, about time I get to make use of CoS:W. I think I will try for a warrior or mage concept. The guidelines and houserules all seem sensible and generous even. |
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Kaladorm
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1176 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2006 : 18:11:36
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As you already know, I'm in :)
Concept is almost done. I might modify the old character sheet I did for the lvl 7 character, but if it's too much work I'll just start over :)
I'm sure you can remember what things were like with Darkblade. Picture that but with probably twice as much information for you to have
*giggles with excitement*
Have to say after reading City of Splendors I'm very very excited. |
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Archwizard
Learned Scribe
USA
266 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2006 : 19:50:57
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Just curious, what is everyone's concept (race, gender, and class)? Although a party doesn't always need the basic Warrior, Rogue, Priest, and Mage classes, if it is convenient I can help cover what is not already present.
More importantly, do the characters know each other previously? We are mid-level characters, who could have been adventuring together for quite some time. |
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Sian
Senior Scribe
Denmark
596 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2006 : 13:34:52
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i'm all for joining :)
... offhand i'm thinking of a illusionist or Diviner (only if i can get you into using 3.0 school spec rules which i think is better)
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what happened to the queen? she's much more hysterical than usual
She's a women, it happens once a month |
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Kaladorm
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1176 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2006 : 14:00:15
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I can't speak for Reefy here, but if you wish to get together with another player and decide that you share a history, then I imagine that would be fine. I expect we will all be brought together in some way or another depending on the history we submit, rather than a statement 'you must all start in this tavern' 
Sian, Reefy and I agreed a while ago that specialist wizards needed a little love, and I designed (with some of Reefy's suggestions) some Initiate feats. PM me or Reefy and we can send them on for you to browse. The 3.5 changes to specialist schools were peculiar, and Reefy and I also worked on 'fixing' the transmutation and enchantment schools, but I couldn't say whether we actually finished them or whether he's including the changes.
With regards to discussing character concepts, in my experience even if the DM doesn't want you to, people will anyway . I won't be sharing mine, in the interest of surprises 
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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2006 : 00:02:43
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Okay, thanks for the responses people - I have six probable players now, which seems like a good number to me. If anyone else wants to play, I'll probably put you on a reserve list, but you're very welcome to lurk and I'll think about possibly adding more players later.
Archwizard - it's up to individual players whether they share their characters or not. My advice is to pick a character you want to play, things usually balance out anyway. And if they don't? A party of six gnome barbarians is bound to be fun to play with... Or you could just wait and see if people are forthcoming with characters and sort out something to balance the party. It's your call.
Sian - see your PM, but I agree that the 3E specialist rules seem better and am happy to use them. As Kaladorm said, the Initiate of [school] feats he devised are available should you wish to use them. I think they add a little more flavour to specialists. If you're interested one of us will be able to dig them out for you.
Kaladorm - looking forward to it. And it could have been worse, you could have said 'remember what things were like with Tosscobble...' 
As for backgrounds, like Kaladorm said, individual players can get together and work out a shared background or not, but I will be attempting to work everybody together from the information everyone gives me. I have an idea already forming now from what little I've been given.
I'd like everyone's character sheets to be done using the PC Profiler programme, which you may or may not have seen before. Either Kaladorm or myself can provide you with a copy, should you not have one.
Think that covers everything for now, any more questions don't hesitate to ask. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
Edited by - Reefy on 31 Jul 2006 00:05:03 |
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Kaladorm
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1176 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2006 : 10:28:51
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Send me a PM and I'll send you a link for the PC profiler. I can't seem to find it online anymore, but I can send you the link which will let you download it direct from my computer (and an alternate link for if you happen to get it on one of the thousand times my broadband connection dies lol).
The file (zipped up) also contains additional templates. The one to use is the 35E General (not 3E extended). |
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Kaladorm
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1176 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2006 : 11:04:07
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Whilst I remember, if anyone would like a gmail invite too send me a PM.
I can strongly recommend
a) creating a brand new account solely for campaign use. It's much easier to organise everything and keep track
b) make it a Gmail account, preferably with your character name , the way it tracks conversations is a little confusing at first but doesn't take long to get to grips with and is great for campaign emails |
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Aes Tryl
Learned Scribe
181 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2006 : 14:45:07
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| umm I'm kinda new to this thing but i'm wondering if i could join in as an Elven rogue, wizard or ranger. Is it ok if i join because my timing is seriously kinda off to those peeps living in the West. . .cos its really quite interesting and i guess this kinda thing just doesn't take off in S'pore as much as it does in Europe/America/Canada. My current group wont be getting back together anytime soon and i stumbled onto this thread. i'm kinda new to the D&D as a pen-paper game so i hope u people dont mind too much |
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Aes Tryl
Learned Scribe
181 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2006 : 14:46:48
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| hmm ok i'm just posting cos i think my previous message didnt get through properly. . . |
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Aes Tryl
Learned Scribe
181 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2006 : 14:47:50
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| hmm why cant my two replies be seen, is this a closed forum? |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2006 : 17:30:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Aes Tryl
hmm why cant my two replies be seen, is this a closed forum?
Was the page refreshing? I see three comments from you... And nope, this isn't a closed forum. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Kaladorm
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1176 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2006 : 20:35:22
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1016 words so far according to word.
I'm about halfway through fleshing out the character :)
Hope you enjoy reading ;) |
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Archwizard
Learned Scribe
USA
266 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2006 : 22:29:43
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I haven't gotten a reply from Reefy in a few days.  I'm at that critical stage of basic concept finalization. I hope to get the chance to flesh out the character soon, a background full of adventure and people. |
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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2006 : 01:19:37
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| Sorry, I was away in London over the weekend without access to any materials. I'll sort out some replies tomorrow when I'll hopefully be slightly more awake. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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Archwizard
Learned Scribe
USA
266 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2006 : 02:13:25
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| No worries, was just looking for a sign. |
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Aes Tryl
Learned Scribe
181 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2006 : 10:25:56
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| Hmm seems that my com was kinda buggy, ahh i can see my posts now. . . oops lol |
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Sian
Senior Scribe
Denmark
596 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2006 : 17:54:35
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just for knowing ... what are people's characters?
Sun Elven Diviner/Paragon/Loremaster here :) |
what happened to the queen? she's much more hysterical than usual
She's a women, it happens once a month |
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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2006 : 01:12:50
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| I'll leave it to others to post what they're playing. I'm doing my best to deal with everyone's queries currently, so hopefully you should have replies to the latest batch of questions soon. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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Aes Tryl
Learned Scribe
181 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2006 : 04:38:48
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| Sorry can someone explain what exactly the point buy system is i've managed to nail down character development pretty easily, cos i have a writing background. but I'm totally confused by the point buy, can anyone give me any reliable references. . . cos the players guide 3.5 says almost nothing about the point buy unless i didnt read it properly. . |
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Aes Tryl
Learned Scribe
181 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2006 : 15:34:08
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Hmm i've decided to become either a crazy CG moon elf rogue/fighter/wizard or fighter/wizard from Silverymoon
but unfortunately, i still have no idea how the point buy works
HeLP!! |
Edited by - Aes Tryl on 10 Aug 2006 15:39:16 |
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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2006 : 20:16:54
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You have 32 points to use. Each stat starts at 8. You use points at a 1 for 1 basis until a stat is 14. To increase to 15 or 16 will cost you 2 points. To increase to 17 or 18 will cost you 3 points. Hopefully this makes sense.
And I'm sure people would be willing to help you with your build as well. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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Alexis Merlin
Learned Scribe
USA
115 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2006 : 22:05:51
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| I'd be interested in joining the reserve list or suchlike, if you aren't taking on anymore players. If you do have an open slot, I'll have enough time to create a character etc a coupla weeks or so from now, once I'm through my impending nuptials! |
It is knowledge that influences and equalizes the social condition of man; that gives to all, however different their political position, passions which are in common, and enjoyments which are universal.
(Benjamin Disraeli)
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 08:28:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Alexis Merlin
I'd be interested in joining the reserve list or suchlike, if you aren't taking on anymore players. If you do have an open slot, I'll have enough time to create a character etc a coupla weeks or so from now, once I'm through my impending nuptials!
 Now there's a scribe I haven't seen for a long time. Welcome back, Alexis Merlin  |
Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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Kaladorm
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1176 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2006 : 17:21:55
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| My contact for this campaign is Syrokilis~gmail.com (replacing ~ for @) |
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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2006 : 02:20:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Alexis Merlin
I'd be interested in joining the reserve list or suchlike, if you aren't taking on anymore players. If you do have an open slot, I'll have enough time to create a character etc a coupla weeks or so from now, once I'm through my impending nuptials!
Given I already have six PCs, I'm hesitant to have any more for the time being, I'm afraid. I'll gladly put you on the reserve list though, thanks for showing an interest. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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Sian
Senior Scribe
Denmark
596 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2006 : 05:13:19
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| sianist~gmail.com |
what happened to the queen? she's much more hysterical than usual
She's a women, it happens once a month |
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Archwizard
Learned Scribe
USA
266 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2006 : 06:22:30
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| My address for this game will be ithren ~ gmail.com. |
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Aes Tryl
Learned Scribe
181 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2006 : 10:05:55
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| my address for this campaign is aestryl~gmail.com |
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PBEM with Reefy
