OOC: Not to sound arrogant, but I'd say if you're evacuating refugees you DEFINITELY need a cleric, both for roleplaying purposes (they're going to need some spiritual guidance) and for healing (can't be an easy trip). If the newbies that want to go are all going to get a shot anyway, I'd like to come along.

Sure! But OOC you have to sign up on the thread itself, not here. :)

Absolutely. Where do I post about getting my pack cleaned out? I'd like to lose the bow and the club and just take my cane and my new ring along. And if I have any skill points, I assume I need to spend those?

Upon entering the Guild Hall, Phil took in the interior with a sweeping glance, stopping ever so shortly on each person present. With long, silent strides he moved toward the person he assumed was the Guild Master.

"Well met, sir" he said with a slight hesitation, trying to get the others attention.
"I have come to ask if you may have need of my services. Spending most of my life in the forest I don't have much experience with adventures and such, but I have a strong back and a sure foot - mayhap I could assist you in escorting the townsfolk to a safer place?"
"I've never swung a sword in my life but I can wield a knife and kill a deer a hundred yards away with my bow" he continued.
After half a heart beat he added, somewhat flustered, "And, um, I am Phil Harper, by the way."

OOC: I haven't played a pen&paper RPG in about two decades so I'm not sure I'm for this, but it's been fun following your previous quest, so I thought I'd give it a try myself.

1. Name: Phil Harper
2. Class: Ranger
3. Race: Human
4. Gender: Male
5. Personality and distinguishing physical characteristics: An average looking man in his late twenties, with clear, blue/green eyes and dark blond hair. Slightly taller than average, hundreds of miles of hiking through the woods have made his body lean and limber. His demeanor is non-threatening and relaxed.

Years of surviving in the wilderness has made him confident of his abilities and this is reflected in the way he holds his head and his direct stare. Not one for books and theoretical knowledge - some would even say a bit slow of thought - he's still something of a philosopher in his own way. Slow to anger, yet even slower to forgive, he's known to hold a grudge against those who slight him.

We'll decide the intended destination for the guild first, then you'll have the opportunity to do both of those things. You have 1 point right now. Also note since some skills require more than 1 "point," you can always hang on to your current point to "save up" for higher priced skills.
Hello, we are in dire need of a Ranger! Welcome! I have to go OOC but will reply to your post in full later today.

OOC: Thank you - I hope I won't mess it up too much =P

OOC No problem, glad to have you! I had a few extra minutes, so you're good to go now. You can find your character sheet HERE. You have also been added to the roster (front page).

You have been assigned a Longbow as your starting weapon. Welcome to the guild.

Now that the quest has started, we can begin voting on the next one. Every member of the guild, old and new, has a vote.

So let me know which quest you would like to put next in the queue. (The options are listed on post 3 on page 1.)

OOC: It's a healthy blend of freeform RP and rule-based RP. Unless you disappear for days on end (::cough:: not something I would EVER do ::cough::) or suddenly decide your character is the avatar of a hitherto unknown god that can smite people dead by sneezing, you can't mess up. Oh, and if you need a backup melee weapon, I know gold's tight for a starting character and Arkades has a mace/club/wotsit (some sort of knobbly stick, I know that) that he's not using, since he has special dispensation for his walking cane to count as a weapon. You're welcome to that - I know it's not much, but it'd do in a pinch.

OOC: Attendance could be a problem if the proverbial hits the fan at work or home, but I'll try my best =)
I'm a little unclear on the second weapon part, though. If I understand it correctly, I won't be able to switch between weapons during combat? As a ranger that means I'll have to use my bow as a club if someone gets too close.. =/
I've already set my eyes on the Well-Armed I skill, so that I may carry a (hunting) knife in my belt - I'd think most rangers would have one - but as I understand it, not even two carried weapons will allow you to switch during combat? I think it'd make sense if you spent one round switching if you were carrying both (you'd probably not find the time in the middle of a fight to rummage through your backpack for that other dagger you put there some time last week, though).

You can, actually. If you are carrying two weapons, you can swap them out as a partial action. It's right here in rule number 4. I do think you need to be able to carry two first, though, like you said.

No problem. I take your turn when you have been absent for 24 hours. Then, you can jump back in any time you're ready. Thanks for the question.

A weapon can either be "equipped" or in your inventory. If it is "equipped" you can switch to it at any time. This doesn't take a turn.

You can also switch to a weapon that is in your inventory. This *does* take a turn. I'll add that to the weapons rules so it's more clear. You can switch from one equipped weapon to another easily. It doesn't take a turn.

It *does* take a turn if the weapon isn't "equipped." You do, except if it's equipped. So for example, if you had a bow and a hunting knife equipped, it means both are easily available to you. So you can easily place your bow upon your back and draw the knife from your belt.

The "skill" involved includes speed at switching weapons. So if you pick "Well Equipped" it means that not only do you keep two weapons readily available, but you are also skilled in switching them quickly.

Did that answer your question? If not, let me know.

OOC: Feel free to take my turn if the others are done and it's been 12 hours.

It was rule #1 that confused me - "Excess weapons are carried as items, and you cannot switch to one of those weapons while inside combat" - your explanation makes sense, though.

So, if Arkades would like to free up some inventory space, I'm more than happy to look after his mace/club/wotsit for a while =)

...darnit. I just sold it. Stoic, can I reverse that trade? He needs a weapon more than I need that ring right now.