-
PBeM
Rules of Engagement
For example, Dirk Dumbass will tell Evil Edwardo, the mage, that he smells like wilted farts and sassafrass, then charge at him with his broadsword overhead.
If Evil Edwardo tries to fire a spell off at me, then I will attempt to duck and roll off to one side.
If Evil Edwardo attempts to run, then I will chase him.
If Evil Edwardo instructs his flesh golem to attack me, then I will run away.
Dirk Dumbass will order a drink from the bartender inside the Titty Twister Inn and drink heartily. He will then ask about the famed mage, Evil Edwardo.
If the bartender doesn't know anything, he will attempt to bribe him with a gold coin.
If the bartender still doesn't know anything, he will turn to another patron and inquire again.
If the bartender seems afraid to talk, Dirk will say, "Speak, lowly barkeep! There is nothing to fear... for I am Dirk Dumbass...and I will protect you!"
Typical Turn
A typical turn may look like this:
You all wander about the cavern, looking for signs that the orcs brought the peasant woman this way. The chamber is huge. The lighting you have brought in the form of torches makes the walls dance about, but the ceiling remains cloaked in darkness. Eric and Danielle have the orc guard bound hand and foot. Eric props him up against the cavern wall and Danielle begins to interrogate him. They speak in the grunts of the orcish language.
John walks up to the pillar at the center of the cave where he begins shuffling through some garbage at its base.
Kevin is still fidgeting with the lock on the wooden chest John found in the previous chamber.
Brian stands guard at the cavern's entrance, casting glances over his shoulder from time to time to be sure his allies are alright.
You recognize the orc's grunts as his native tongue. Although you do not understand his precise words, you understand enough to recognize that he is afraid, but his upward glances tell you his fear does not stem from your interrogation.
"What have you done with her, pig-vomit?!" you scream at the vile beast's face.
"Please!" he cries out. "We are in danger here! We must leave! For the sake of all our lives, we must leave!"
The pile of garbage at your feet is dusty and moldy in spots, but consists mostly of dried leaves and twigs. Although there are a few curious small mammalian bones lying about… You can hear the interrogation going on behind you. Picking up the orc's dialect isn't very difficult and you can easily hear Danielle's own tauntings.
"What have you done with her, pig-vomit?!" she screams at the vile beast's face.
"Please!" he cries out. "We are in danger here! We must leave! For the sake of all our lives, we must leave!"
You can hear the interrogation going on behind you. Picking up the orc's dialect isn't very difficult and you can easily hear Danielle's own tauntings.
"What have you done with her, pig-vomit?!" she screams at the vile beast's face.
"Please!" he cries out. "We are in danger here! We must leave! For the sake of all our lives, we must leave!"
The chest at your feet is simple, although you feign its difficulty until the others aren't looking. With an easy twist of the right pick, an almost inaudible click informs you that the contents will soon be yours for first pickings.
Inside you find one golden ring topped with a diamond and a scrap of paper that looks like some kind of map.
You can hear the interrogation going on behind you. Picking up the orc's dialect isn't very difficult and you can easily hear Danielle's own tauntings.
"What have you done with her, pig-vomit?!" she screams at the vile beast's face.
"Please!" he cries out. "We are in danger here! We must leave! For the sake of all our lives, we must leave!"
The humanoid's fear steals your own attention away from your post and draws it toward the ceiling where the orc's own attention seems frightfully focused.
What was that? You ask yourself. Did you just see movement up there, or was it the torches?
While Danielle's interrogation seems to be getting nowhere, your own self-interrogation suddenly and horribly gets substantiated when you see the dark, hairy creature lowering itself just above Kevin's head on a single silken strand of webbing.
I'll be waiting for your responses...