<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=188886.msg9129107#msg9129107">Quote from: Blinkin on 31-10-2013, 22:08:59</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">I'm trying to look ahead just a little at animal companions and I noticed a difference between the "Cat, Small (including Leopards, Jaguars, Cheetas and etc) and their regular animal counterparts listed under "Cats, Great. These are the same animals, but already given the level 4 improvements that animal companions get later.<br/><br/>In particular, the animal companion version of the leopard, after level 4 improvement gets a rake attack, but the regular animal, at CR 2, also has pounce and grab as well... <br/><br/>So, what I'm asking is if I can use the leopard's special attacks from the Cats, Great (after reaching level 4) instead of the weaker animal companion's? It doesn't make a lot of sense to me that an animal companion, who is suppose to be a superior example of it's species, is actually weaker than a normal example of it's species...<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>I've never seen the animal companions be referred to as a superior specimen as far as I can remember. I actually thought that animal companions are younger versions of the animals, particularly larger ones like elephants and T-rex, that have bonded with a mortal companion, which I thought was an ingenious way of solving the balanced issues that advanced animal companions could cause.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=188886.msg9130198#msg9130198">Quote from: Erich Norden on 01-11-2013, 03:07:57</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">There is something I'd like to bring up here.  Out of about half a dozen play-by-post campaigns I've been in, and ten or so more by chat, very few have lasted more than a month and none have been seen to conclusion.  Reasons vary, but mostly it's just a result of players (or, just as often, the GM) losing interest and not bothering to post or show up.  In that light, I want to propose two things:<br/><br/>First, that some sort of posting time-table is enforced.  Give everyone two to four days to respond -- GM, add a deadline to each IC post if you think it will help.  In the event a player doesn't post a reply in a timely fashion, their character is omitted or temporarily played by the GM until they return.  If a player goes on an unannounced absence for a week or more, re-open the recruitment thread and start looking for replacements.<br/><br/>Second, keep communication lines open.  If anyone foresees an absence lasting longer than a few days, or needing to withdraw from the game altogether, let the rest of us know in the OOC thread.  Even if you're active and have nothing to say or do in-character, some friendly banter in the OOC thread will let us know you're still checking in.  FallenDabus, if the time should ever come that you find yourself losing interest and quitting, tell the rest of us so we have the option of finding someone else to take over.<br/><br/>I don't mean to sound overly cynical here, and I'm definitely not calling anyone's commitment into question.  It's just that life happens, and I've seen too many promising stories die in the cradle due to poor communication and neglect.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=188886.msg9130485#msg9130485">Quote from: Ebb on 01-11-2013, 04:17:54</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Some sort of policy as Erich is suggesting sounds wise. For my own part, I'll certainly hold no grudge if the GM wishes to post for my character in order to keep things moving. Unless the actions taken are truly grossly out of character I'd rather the momentum were maintained in the event that I'm unexpectedly unable to write.<br/><br/>Keeping communication lines open is also crucial. I find that some degree of socializing and kibitzing in the OOC thread tends to help keep people involved.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=188886.msg9131451#msg9131451">Quote from: Blinkin on 01-11-2013, 10:14:40</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">One of the problems with all forum based games with systems (And without) is also a GM who doesn't want to loose a particular person or another and will wait... and wait... and wait for a post until the game is beyond recovery. I agree with the time frame idea and I've suggested a 72 hour time limit between a GM's post and the players. This at least keeps the pace moving somewhat but gives the player enough time to produce a post if something goes wrong IRL. Most games fall apart because one character, and who varies from game to game, either looses interest or is confused about "when" to post. An active and proactive GM is essencial to the game and if someone is getting close to the 72 hour mark on a regular basis, contacting the player via PM and asking what's up.<br/><br/>I am a player who tends to post more often than I should, usually and that may also be a problem as it may confuse or intimidate other players. But, I would agree that if a player is getting tired of a game, or the muse just isn't working, let the others know. There's no shame in dropping out of game if you let someone know!<br/><br/>As for reopening recruitment, there is usually more than enough back-up's from the original recruitment thread and those should be given first refusal. If a particular slot didn't fill the empty slot, an option to create a character to fill it given. Pathfinder (And D&amp;D games are always in demand, even by those of us (I'm not among this group) who seem to gt into every game almost by default. My solution is to keep a range of 1st level characters ready to customize and slip into a potential game with short notice... Lydia has been offered in half a dozen games that never got out of the first week, so she was never actually played... now, I need to create a new 1st level ranger. ;)<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>I'm definitely on board with your guys on all of those points. My bottom line is that PbP games take forever to play, so I want to make sure that this one lasts. If everyone is okay with a 72 hour timeline, that makes sense to me. Trust me, I do get busy, just like everyone else does, but I'm not going to lose interest in this one. The storyline and roleplaying of Wrath of the Righteous is fantastic, although there is no way for any of you to know that yet. I'm not going anywhere, as long as you don't either. Like you said, if the lines of communication stay open, we'll be able to keep going on and one.<br/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_u">Edit:</span></strong>[/u]Haha, and I just figured out another way of saving boatloads of time! All aces today. Let's rock and roll!