Hello All,

Since I have yet to find a reliable local group to play WFRP3 since the six months I have owned it (living in the country can be difficult for role playing), I have created a Google group WFRP3 Virtual RPG where I explain how to install FG2 and the amazing WFRP3 ruleset. I also hope this Google group can be used for players to look for virtual games of WFRP3, either through Maptool or FG2. Both software are amazing, and can hopefully help those of us having tough times to find WFRP3 groups to get together and to play!

I'd like to run the demo adventure "A Day Late, A Shilling Short" within FG2 to introduce players and future GMs. I am looking for 3 to 4 players, available Saturday April 28th, from 5 to 10 pm, GMT-4 (I do not know how long it will take to run the adventure, but since we will be learning together, the more time, the better). You do not need to own FG2 (I have an Ultimate license), but you need to own WFRP3 core set or Player's Guide. You also need to have Skype for in-game communication, as well as Hamachi for the server connection (I explain how to install all of that in the Google group, if you have questions, ask there).

If this works, I plan to run the demo adventure with other players every couple weeks or during a week evenings. This should make me a better GM, and hopefully get more people to play WFRP3 through FG2. I am flexible in term of schedule, so other games may be scheduled at a different time.

If you are interested, please go to the Google group WFRP3 Virtual, become a member, and register within the appropriate post. Read the other posts to install and set-up FG2 and the WFRP3 ruleset.

Cheers
Ceodryn

The Google group WFRP3 Virtual RPG

I forgot to mention, whether or not you know the adventure, have already played it even, it doesn't matter. I am assuming everyone knows the adventure by now... the goal is more to learn FG2 and the WFRP3 ruleset

Cheers
Ceodryn

Hi All,

We just finished running "A Day Late, A Shilling Short" within WFRP3 FG2 as a Demo Adventure.

I wanted to thank Adam (aka Alp), Daniel (aka Fenderstat), and Brent for their patience through the initial technical difficulties for this 1st demo. We were spread through Europe, Australia and the U.S. and had some initial major lag (as a storm was passing over where I live in Virginia). However, Sigmar smiled on us, and FG2 finally stabilized. Unfortunaly, Skype never worked properly for the GM (me), and I had to type everything while the three of them could thanksfully discuss together.

Below are links to the screenshot of the adventure. The adventure ended with the party successfully rescuing Rutgar and recuperating the package… however, Birgitta was captured (literally: Inescapable Power action card) by the Wargor at the very last second before her final escape… Her fate is unknown.

I hope to run another demo in two or three weeks, this time with an adapted adventure from the 2nd edition. Before then, I'll have to figure out what VOIP to use if Skype continues to give me problems. If anyone has any suggestion for a stable VOIP, not demanding connection wise (I am only on a 3G connection), let me know.

Cheers
Ceodryn

Screenshot 1: A Chance Meeting

Screenshot 2: A Missing Coach

Screenshot 3: Dirty Dealings

Screenshot 4: Time to Run

Screenshot 5: Where is Birgitta?

Had a really good night, and a bit of a late one at that, i think I got to bed at just after 3am.

I must say that I am impressed with FG2, but still need to learn more about it. I have played with maptools in the past, and both systems are good, with FG2 having a higher degree of polish / visual impact. Online gaming is good with either system, and it really comes down to what you require of your 'tabletop'. I am seriously considering getting FG2.

The main thing is that it enabled a worldwide community to come together and have a good, pleasant, and fun evening together from some of the furthest reaches of the internet - Morning for some (I think Fenderstadt and Brent were just heading out for lunch when we finished), the US (Ceodryn) bringing us all together and envoking the scenes (For a relaxing - in the loosest possible interpretation of relaxing) afternoon, and me in a windswept and cold European environment (Sneaking into the bedroom so as not to wake my long suffering wife up - she has hardly stopped laughing at me since "the Hammer Incident" in Eye for an Eye, but I have got her hooked on RPG console games when she is middle aged (48)).

I played Birgitta as an unruly and desperate junior roadwarden obsessed with saving her mentor, but pushing her to her most reckless and wild aspect of her character. I am sure that it would have run smoother if she had not been such a pain in the <select anatomy here>.

As with any online experience the first concerns are with the technical issues and I strongly suggest - No Matter What VT you use - that the first session is teething problems, ironing them out, character introductions / generation / etc. The next session you can really go wild.. urm I mean Reckless.

Having suffered lag and connection problems we found that it was more efficient if one player hosted the 'chat' session (Skype was being a real grumpy 'mare) and the GM hosted the VT session (Have had this problem in maptools so this is endemic rather that systematic), and would maybe look for a different chat system. I think that we all agree that it is vital for the GM to have the ability to use OOC chat to guide and explain - this would have eased a few tense moments I can assure you all. It is also really handy to use a VPN like Hamachi as this eases at least half of the problems.

Ceodryn did a great job bringing us together, and showcasing FG2, albight with a few technical issues. We all had a great time, and I for one would happily play again - I feel that this is a concensus opinion. Thanks again to all involved - some interesting ideas developed, but above all Thank you Ceodryn for making this happen - I take my hat off to you.

Again, thanks for all the work that has been put into last night, Ceodryn.

Alp

Hey Alp, thanks!

I definitely had a lot of fun! It enabled me to play WFRP3, 4 months in the waiting, I couldn't be happier despite not being able to chat over VOIP with the group.

I would definitely encourage anyone looking to play more WFRP3 to look into FG2 and Maptool. It works, and can be great fun!

Now, on to research other VOIP options, or why my Skype had so many problems.

Cheers
Ceodryn

Ceodryn said:

Hi Ceodryn,

Thought I would chip in here. I play in two warhammer games. In one, I use skype. In the other I use Teamspeak. I've found both to work well. Teamspeak does have the advantage of allowing me to quickly jump into another channel with a player(s) to do private dialog. Overall though, I don't have a particular preference for one over the other.

My favourite bit was when Birgitta died because I didn't have to pay her any money. Woo! Go Vaerun!

Hey Cd8, thanks for the tip on VOIP software. I spent the last 2 days testing Teamspeak 3, Mumble and GSC. I didn't test Ventrilo as I read it wasn't as good. It seems to me that both Teamspeak 3 and Mumble are working great, but Mumble is cheaper, simpler, and its overlay within FG2 is less intrusive. It doesn't offer the feature than Teamspeak 3 does though, the private chat for example.

I may test both in future demo and see which one performs better.

Cheers
Ceodryn

Sorry to butt in but I have played a lot of RPGs over VOIP and have used Skype almost exclusively, is there any reason you're not considering that program?

we also always used skype for our d&d sessions, worked perfectly fine i must say. and the big advantage is that it is free

Best of luck on this. I'm interested in your progress!

jh

Matchstickman said:

I have also always used Skype and never found it too much of a problem. In fact that was what we were using. I think our problems only arose due to the GM's connection speed. i.e. Ceodryn was unable to host both Skype and FG2 sessions at the same time. This was easily resolved when one of the players (me) took over hosting the Skype call. The connection with FG2 was still a little buggy, but again, I think, due to host connection speed. We were also only able to get Ceodryn back into our Skype call intermitently. This gave us a great player discussion forum, with the actual game played via chat. Not a great problem, but a bit of a pain in a demo of the FG2 ruleset where we were all bursting with questions.

Skype is a great program and I use it almost exclusively. I think the Chaos gods must have conspired with the speed demons on that particular occasion to throw a few spanners in the works.

On a few other occasions, in past online games, Skype has dropped a call connection but quickly recovered them. Again, I mainly suspect local connection speeds as the cause of these.

On a side note, I played in another online session last night and the GM used Teamspeak 3 with the players using a client connection. With only a brief glimpse at the program it seemed good but quite complicated, and we had few if any problems.

Alp

Hey Guys,

As I live in the country, my only available Internet is 3G with a Verizon Mifi. Skype is a great software, and I use it myself for one on one communication. I also use it as a player with my wfrp2 FG2 group, but I am not the GM hosting FG2 then.

Last weekend was my 1st time hosting FG2, and I wasn't able to join the Skype chat hosted by Alp. Since then I read that Skype use a lot of upload and download bandwidth as it was build with broadband in mind. That is why, for the games I plan to host, I am looking at an alternative built for dial-up gaming such as teamspeak 3 or mumble. I am going to try mumble next as it seems simpler than TS3, and each user can decide the quality of his voice and therefore upload bandwidth.

For most FG2 players or GM, who will be using broadband to connect, the issue is irrelevant.

Cheers

Ceodryn

Hey guys,

Last night, I ran another demo of WFRP3 through FG2. The group were fans and players of WFRP2, who had never picked up WFRP3 because of misconceptions and price. They were very impressed by Neil's WFRP3 FG2 ruleset, and were happily surprised by WFRP3 rules. They particularly like the fatigue, stress and dice system, and overall how dynamic is the game.

Here is a screenshot of last night, when the Grey Wizard cast Pool of Shadows on an engagement between Birgitta (frigthened by the Wargor), Kurgi the Slayer (Figthing unarmed, having forgot to pick up his axes during the rally step - double chaos star effect) and the beastmen.

WFRP3 FG2 Demo Screenshot

The PCs had a hard time against the Wargor and Ungors. Birgitta ended up passing out as she killed the Wargor (Undying Ferocity is so cool). The slayers lost a few fingers (Severed fingers injury) and the wizard gained an insanity. A normal day in Warhammer…

We had no technical difficulties at all, FG2 worked and Skype worked (hosted by one of the player). All players and GM were in North America. I have also tested Mumble successfully as a low bandwidth alternative, and would recommend it.

I am running another demo next Saturday morning, and hopefully another one two weeks after that. It may be another adventure though, "The Pig, The Witch and her Lover".

If you're interested in playing WFRP3 online, through FG2 or Maptool, head to the WFRP3 Virtual RPG group.

Cheers
Ceodryn / Philippe

All,

I am running yet another demo of WFRP3 through Fantasy Grounds II this coming Saturday, May 12th, 9 am GMT -4/EST (New York Time). Once again, you do not need to own FG2 to participate. The demo is still with the same scenario, "A Day Late", it's a great short scenario for demonstrating what FG2 can do.

We have 2 players, looking for 1 or 2 more. It will be the last demo I run for some time, so if you are interested in FG2, please join us.

To register, you need to join the WFRP3 Virtual RPG google group, and register within the following post.

Cheers
Ceodryn