What GM doesn’t love a good curveball the day you start GMing? The email came out first thing the morning of the game – how about trying to use Google Hangouts because not everyone could physically be there. Not a problem (except for the large crockpot of chili cooking on my kitchen counter). Thinking about it a little more, the adventure might lend itself to more narrative. We start the adventure on a Flying Ice Castle and I would like them to get back to Waterdeep (I know, I know – herding cats).
We started out OK – technical difficulties to be expected – new thing for everyone.
OK, this is not exactly correct. We have one player that has moved to another city, and another that travels about 50% of the time for work so it is not uncommon for us to have one player dialing in. It presents its own difficulties, maybe another blog post.
With almost everyone online (we have one perennially late player – you’ve got one too – I know you do) the discussion started.
Spoilers
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These events are from the first part of Rise of Tiamat
The party discussed various options, including going directly to the Well of Dragons. Determining that they didn’t have enough information to make a good decision, they went searching for help. At this point I sounded the Draakhorn and let them see some dragons flying and devastated villages. The cleric decided to cast message and after getting a little more info they turned the flying castle towards Waterdeep. The party had already agreed to help the giants with their captured children, and making a spectacular entrance above Waterdeep pleased both the party and their allies on the ice castle. Now taking on the roll of minor celebrities, the PCs separated to converse with their different groups. The cleric off to talk with her high priest, only to find out she would be giving a guest homily to the masses. The monk and the paladin to the Harpers and the Order of the Gauntlet respectively. Our resident warlock loner followed the smell of brimstone to be confronted by representatives of his sponsor. And the barbarian wizard and thief headed to the nearest tavern to drink, fight, and lighten a few coin purses. Following their joy!
End Spoilers
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Like I said, not a lot of combat, just a lot of individual narratives.
GMing over Hangouts was OK. If I do it again and have more time to prepare I’ll use Roll20. It may be like pulling teeth to get folks to sign up, but if it is the only way to game – it’s the only way. Based on feedback from players, there were some times of breakup for voices, and I know that I saw folks drop off and rejoin at various times.
However, in general I felt that the focus was better and there was less table talk simply because it was impossible. Were players IMing each other? I don’t know – I hope so, that’s a great way to communicate without disturbing other players.
Next session is hopefully an in-person session. Based on how they interact with the other figures at the council determines what happens next.