D.T. Pints
Instigator
JACKERCON 2018: WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY June 22-July 1st
Posts: 2,857
Currently Playing: D&D 5e, Pathfinder, DUNGEONWORLD, Star Wars Edge of the Empire
Currently Running: DUNGEONWORLD, PATHFINDER
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Post by D.T. Pints on Apr 9, 2018 16:11:58 GMT -8
Do it. (Emperor Palpatine)
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Post by yojimbohawkins on Apr 9, 2018 16:37:32 GMT -8
Hmmm. So on the advice of D.T. Pints, I sucked it up and binged these five episodes. I’m pretty ambivalent about the new attempt at L5R by FFG, so I’ll leave that aside for now. So, I can see why Stork decided to have his character commit suicide, but I’m not convinced it was awesome. From what I could tell, his character has thrown his life away to destroy a weapon that could have just been put in the fire, so his sacrifice was, well, a bit selfish. Samurai in L5R don’t just throw their lives away for each other because it belongs to their daimyo. Of course, there’s also the possibility that the character has just made a blood sacrifice to a tainted weapon..... 😉😀. However, it’s happened, so the remaining characters have to deal with the fallout, so that should be interesting. The game desperately needs a courtier, but please not you, stork. A courtier player kind of needs to know the setting!😁 Personally I think a Suzume Bushi would be the best fit for someone so loquacious. And don’t take any disadvantage that prevents you from talking! Your RP style is too garrulous for that! 😊 My concern was if I didn't hold onto the blade in the fire the cursed weapon might call out or invade another weapon or person. By holding onto it I made sure it was destroyed, even if the demon inhabiting the blade affected me, the closest and weakest person near him. I was mentally exhausted after all. And as to setting. What setting are you speaking of? Feudal Japan? Because this isn't really Japan. The ones in the L5R books? The lore and maps classes clans and even abilities changed from edition to edition. If you are talking about the setting Stu, Kimi, Dave, and myself are creating together, than we will see what is happens because Stu is also taking liberties with "established" settings as well. Not that I want to play a courtier hunting demon weapons, spending my time in staterooms discussing politics while sizing up enemies and guessing motivations sounds tedious, but I may make something more cerebral. A scholar or monk perhaps. I understand what you were going for; it was very well-established your character was exhausted and you did make the point about being raised among shugenja several times over the course of the episodes, so I wasn’t confused. I just didn’t_feel_the end; it fell flat for me. Maybe I expected a duel with Kimi’s character? I should have managed my expectations, I suppose. But of course it’s your character and it’s done, so the rest have to deal with what happened. On setting: definitely not feudal Japan. Samurai were a lot more corrupt, historically. Rokugan is certainly not that, which I’m pretty sure everyone understands? I’m pretty sure I understand that anyway. I don’t think the game has actually changed that much between editions, but that’s personal opinion, I guess. I haven’t looked at my first edition books in quite a while. It’s true to say that every L5R game is set in its own iteration of Rokugan, and so each game is beholden only to its players and GM (although I will admit to having the Inukai and the House of White Ash and Stone in one of my current L5R games; it’s where the Mantis characters drink, and a ronin ‘information broker’ called Gudoi works out of there), but there are certain conventions and societal rules that are, or perhaps should be, in place because you’re playing L5R. The Clans are still the Clans, with their own agendas and viewpoints which is pretty universal. The feudal society of Rokugan is still a horrible system designed to keep the peasants down by making them lesser beings than the samurai caste. There’s still the threat from the Shadowlands, the Lying Darkness, and all the other mundane and supernatural dangers, the Celestial Wheel, the kami, the list goes on. To be fair, of all the game settings out there, Rokugan is probably the one that most effectively points out the difference between player knowledge and character knowledge. Samurai characters all know basic etiquette (having been raised in the setting), some Clans obviously put more stock in manners and comportment than others (like the Crane and the Phoenix) but it’s a bit unfair to expect a player to know the rules of a make-believe society loosely based on Eastern history and mythology, but that’s what research is for. You yourself have talked about the L5R wiki and how it’s like a black hole of knowledge, so I’m always a little surprised at some of your assertions or suggestions, because you always seem so into it. Although as I type, it occurs to me that’s also probably about managing my expectations. Courtiers are a lot more effective than you perhaps think, but the reason I suggested the Suzume family of the Sparrow Minor Clan is because they are storytellers. It’s what they’re famous for, and that always seems to be your focus in the games that I’ve heard you play in, but I’m happy to be corrected if that isn’t the case. There’s a line in the 4th edition core rule book that if you want your GM to hate you, play a Monk. Monks are officially outside of the caste system, even if they’re retired samurai, so that would certainly be an interesting choice. 😊
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Post by Fiona on Apr 11, 2018 9:39:48 GMT -8
I really enjoyed the game! Thank you Dave, Kimi, Stork and Stu for putting this together! I look forward to the next L5R game!
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Post by vyrrk on Apr 16, 2018 13:33:05 GMT -8
I enjoyed the heck out of this episode... stork You sir, the way you play RPGs would be very welcome at my table. You make choices that baffle me and anger me... but it honestly made for a great story! The final moments of you screaming in the fire, maybe mixed with the demon howl of the blade, will forever be a awesome moment in HJ APs for me! Kimi You were a great Crab! I loved you dealing with the dishonor of "not being trusted". It really felt like it hurt you. cadave Dude... I loved your choices. Ichiro felt real to me. I hope this game continues one day so we can see how you deal with the pain of the consequences. Also the "I told you so" from Kimi!
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2018 5:54:57 GMT -8
Finally caught up on this and despite some of my frustrations while listening really enjoyed it, could not have seen the final act coming just wish it the system had flowed as well as the story. While there were numerous points where I wished people had a deeper knowledge of the L5R setting I do appreciate that Stu is creating his own take on the setting. I'll be honest I'm surprised cadave didn't commit seppuku there and then, unless his plan is to return home and request permission from his lord to do so. He messed up big time and has been shown to have become tainted to the point of it visibly affecting him. Definitely time to seek an honourable death.
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