#online tabletop

[monnichi]

Just in time for summer! Four color alts + many variants for the NPC Noah on my Patreon! Need to fill a beach? A swimming competitor? An apathetic surfer bro? Noah is your guy!

MonnichiArt Patreon

[roll20]

The Orr Group Industry Report: Q3 2019 - Here Comes the Spooky Season!

Q3 at Roll20 runs from July to September, so it’s not the spooky season yet, but you wouldn’t know it from checking on the newest Orr Group Industry Report! Can you spot the horror games in our top 10?

Campaign Percentage: How many Roll20 campaigns use this game system.* 

Account Percentage: How many Roll20 users play this game system.*

*Only games with at least one hour of playtime are counted in these results.

Call of Cthulhu continues to grow by leaps and bounds, taking firm control of the second slot no matter how you calculate the numbers. Are you among the 13% of Roll20 users currently playing this system? If not, Roll20 recently added a free adventure and announced official system support coming in Q4, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on this system at the start of 2020 to see what effect that has on its growth. Not too close an eye, though: we’d like to keep our sanity in check.

We’re not sure we can, though, considering the arrival of a brand new contender: Japanese RPG inSANe has cracked the top 10 for the first time. It’s a multi-genre horror RPG that tears through characters like paper, making short sessions and rotating scenarios a must. We looked into this system’s upsurge on Roll20 and learned that it’s largely driven by Korean language players, for whom the inSANe system comes second in popularity only to Call of Cthulhu. This fits with a style of play that has begun to take off in Asian markets, where one shot games are more common than long campaigns and horror games are thriving.

We’re also keeping an eye on another new arrival, and we suspect many of you are also: Pathfinder Second Edition. Even with a launch halfway through the quarter, the new system debuted at 11. With the Pathfinder Bestiary and drag n’ drop now added to Roll20’s official support of the system, and a Charactermancer on the way, this is another one we expect to see growing over the next few reports.

Notice any interesting trends of your own? Let us know in the comments!

Compare with the previous report!

About The Orr Group Industry Report

The Orr Group Industry Report explores trends within the tabletop gaming industry with a focus on the online tabletop community. Created in 2014, the Orr Report has always aimed to go beyond the topic of “what games have sold recently” and really centralize the focus on what games people are continuing to play and enjoy on an ongoing basis. Everyone from players to publishers can get a bird’s eye view for the usage and popularity of different systems on Roll20 and identify trends for tabletop as a whole.

[dungeons-and-damnit]

Hello online TTRPG players! As someone who's only ever used Roll20 as my digital table top I'd love to hear some experiences with other alternatives like Foundry or One More Multiverse.

[thismami100-blog]

Session 6 Summary: “Where are the Bakenomo?”

Continuing from the ruins of Shiro Hiruma.  We begin the game with Suzume being the only person with a bakenomo to battle.  She quickly dispatched the creature and the party decided to carefully explore more of the ruins.  They began hearing horns not shortly after their Sparrow samuari-ko killed the last goblin.  No long afterwards the party could hear chanting going on as multiple creatures appeared to be singing or cheering.  The echoing of sound through the old castle made it difficult to pinpoint exactly where the sounds where originating from.  Some members at this time decided to take one of several lanterns that was scarred in the areas they were in. ​ ​Nearing half and hour past the last beasts death, the party discovered what appeared to be a couple dozen goblins.  They were in some sort of open chamber with plenty of lighting.  The creatures must have spotted our adventurers because they moved about as the party decided to search a few corridors to ensure no one else could sneak up on them.  When they decided to confront those in that let chamber. ​ ​The team did not find anyone one else in the corridors they explored thus far and turned their attention back to those goblin in the large room.  Some members kept there weapons drawn, others help aloft the lanterns they had acquired.  The party realized as they got closer to the bakenomo that their were males, females and smaller goblins within the chamber.  The could no longer see the large nest of Shadowlands creatures.  Some of the party put down or extinguished the light sources they had gather, a small few kept theirs and they continued getting closer to the enemy. ​ ​Another round of horns sound from within the chamber, some bushi of the party ran in to combat the force before them, while the others stayed back to guard the non-combatant members or to stay away from the fighting as the party has done so often thus far, as they have been together.   ​ ​Daidoji, Matsu, and Suzume all ran into the chamber, Kitsuki still holding a lantern,ran to protect Shiba once again.  Isawa held a somewhat rear guard with Shiba and Mesuno who had tried to stay out of the light found themselves in the light of Isawa's touch or Kitsuki's lantern.  And then the goblins came running from all over the chamber.  Some moved up to meet the advance party of our heroes the others ran beyond them in force!  Nearly everyone found themselves confronted by at least one enemy, most had at least two or more. ​ ​Where was Hiruma?  He was near the opening of the chamber, but it appeared the "scout" fell short of entering the room, thus he was not in the rear or the front, and still found himself nearly surrounded in seconds of his fellow members who passed him going in the room! ​ ​The party begin to fight in a fight that quickly has become a fight for their lives.  Inside the chamber Matsu confronted the bakenomo's war monger  a larger goblin who appears to be the about the size of the average man, and he is wearing armor that has been put to together by many sources, while it looked haphazard Matsu has discovered it works quite well, this was found out when Matsu inflicted a serious blow to the war monger, and the war monger easily took the blow! ​ ​The party have been killing quite a few goblins during this new melee, although they have been being hurt themselves, some members seriously.  Shiba killed a goblin, and even her servant has killed two goblins her self with her martial art bare handed.  Isawa tried to cast a spell, which failed to work.  He like the rest of his party ended up combating multiple goblins, he using his knife. ​ ​Everyone in the party is fighting their own battles within a larger battle that they seem to have been about to turn the tide.  We leave our party just after witnessing Matsu fall to the floor, is he dead or alive?  No one can tell, and frankly only Suzume and Daidoji have seen the bushi drop. ​In the hall way, Hiruma tried to maneuver closer to the non-combatants, only to be viciously attacked by the goblins he had retreated from that pursued!  Where once the party thought the goblins where just going to be a walk in the park, now they realize the dangers they present when in numbers. ​ ​Come back next session to see the conclusion of a battle where more goblin heads will roll, or maybe even the entire party will ad their skulls to the front gate!

[thismami100-blog]

The Lotus Session 5 Summary “A Lion in the Mist”

Today the party finally crosses the drawbridge and approach the entrance of the ruins of Shiro Hiruma (Hee-roo-mah).  When the finally got close to the front gate, they realized it was a huge gate that could not be opened by a man, it may need some sort of other manner to open.  On the gate was strapped two humanoid skulls.  Both had symbols painted on them, they actually looked kind of garish or mocking in nature.  The symbols that stood out the most was the one on the right most skull that had some sort of pincer drawn on the forehead, the left skull had some sort of paw print painted between the eyes. The party had no idea that another samurai had joined them using the cover of the night to hide their presence until danger reared it's ugly head with the goblins attacking.  When Daidoji walked within a side opening of the wall he made to effort to "sneak" in.  His movement was detected by bakenomo on guard.  They quickly rushed at the Crane, who backed back out of the corridor, telling his fellow members, that he thought he had been detected and that a falling back tactfully may well be the best way to deal with the situation.  Daidoji continued to back up, thinking that his fellow adventures would do the same thing. What ended up happening is Suzume, plungged forward meeting the bakenomo guards head on, while the other party members stood there ground.  Above them the goblins opened up trap floors so they could drop boulders on the intruders.  While none of the rocks landed on any party member, some dead manage to fall near Hiruma, who had moved into the cover of darkness standing against the wall.  Matsu the unknown samurai following the party moved in closer to the party when he heard Shadowland creatures yelling and laughing and attempting to engage with his fellow humans.  He ended up tripping into the shugenja Isawa who was near a tree, within complete darkness himself.  The both ended up falling as they got tangled with each other's limbs. Meanwhile Suzume, began systematically slicing through goblins, as she plugged up the corridor of the eastern hole within the outer walls of Shiro Hiruma.  Hiruma tried to run into the fight, but ended up getting into fights with non-sentient boulders he seemed to keep tripping over for a bit.  Daidoji, seeing no one else backing up, and none of the bakemono getting through the body of Suzume moved back forward, to help combat the goblins in the corridor. Shiba, kept trying to get a good vantage point to observe what was going on without getting in the way of the others, and also not drawing any attention to herself. Unfortunately for her, Kitsuki contined to try and protect Shiba, in case anyone tried to attack her.  He had taken over handling the groups only sourse of light from Hiruma, who wanted to get into the front and help combat the enemy.  Shiba, who realized that the light could possbily draw more attention to her, told Kitsuki to take the light away from her, she decided to back away from the light carrying investigator, who for a little while longer tried to maintain nearness to the Phoenix courtier for her on protection.  After moving closer to Shiba, and her continued negative reaction and words, Kitsuki eventually decided to protect another party member, who was less combat oriented than the bushi of the team, and not bothered by being near light.  The result being he protected the other Phoenix of the team, Isawa. Matsu, who had finally gotten back to his feet and away from Isawa, moved to the front of the battle to engage the bakenomo with the other warriors of the team.  He even took a little time to introduce himself.   Hiruma also eventually overcame his difficulties with the two bolders and made it to the front lines to help push back the goblins, that out numbered his fellow bushi.  In no time with the combined efforts of member from the Crane, Sparrow, Crab and Lion, the party pushed through killing any bakenomo who was foolish enough to  confront them. The goblins on the wall, stopped dropping bolders down the trap floors of the second level of the wall, suddenly.  A goblin from the wall as well as half or so of one of his compatriots wound up falling out from out of the 2nd floor trap doors, they were screaming before they fell, and no one is sure who or what may have been the cause of the wall guards deaths and resulting end to the dropping of boulders. A little while later Isawa and Shiba noticed something or someone leaping from one section of the wall to the other.  Is there another samurai who has also joined the team like the Lion bushi? We, left our adventures at the top of a new round, the bushi are chasing and killing goblins who have decided to run.  The non-combatants of the team are slowly bringing up the rear.  What will happen next week as the party continues to pursue these creatures of the Shadowlands who are now running deeper within the ruins? See you all next week!

[thismami100-blog]

The Lotus Session 4 Summary “Two Ogres are Better Than One; or Simply Death by Bolder!”

In today's session our team of hopeful magistrates continue through the Shadowlands.  We returned to the scene where the team had witness a goblin run from behind a tall patch of grass.  The party gave chase, but it appeared that no one was fast enough to catch the swift creature.  Kitsuki thought he might shot the critter down with his bow, but the lack of arrows made that an unfortunate impossibility.  Strangest thing, Hiruma who had appeared so swift when the party encountered the ogre attacking the Hare Clan heir, just didn't appear to be as fast this time.  Either way, the end result was a goblin who ran and leaped on to its pony like creature and ran off.  It disappeared as Suzume tried a last ditch effort to hit it with a sling stone.  It goblin ended up being well out of range. The party then continued to travel throughout the day.  As the sun was beginning to set the team decided to camp for the night.  They pitched up tents, at least the three that had them and created a camp fire.  After a group discussion the party came up with a guard shift order.  When night came, the land was so dark that one couldn't even see their hands before their faces.  The sky lacked any stars and the lord moon was no where present.  Just at the second shift changed with Suzume and Kitsuki on duty, the woke up the final shift guards Isawa and Daidoji.  Just as they waited for the newly awaken samurai to get out of bed to take their post, some heard what sounded like pebbles or rocks scrapping rapidly on the ground, and Kuro began to bark.  The four samurai who were now up prepared for battle,as some who were sleeping began to stir and wake up. Out of nowhere a large bolder came whistling out of the darkness and smashed into a yelping Kuro who was killed instantly!  Behind the bolder came an Ogre who attacked Isawa, knocking him through the air backwards landing on a portion of Hiruma's tent where Shiba lay sleeping.  Daidoji concentrated on his nearby opponent as another ogre came crashing through some bushes.  Suzume slashed with her katana wounding the newly arriving ogre so severely it dropped to its knees releasing the tree is wielded as a club!  Others, in the group began to get out of their tents as Daidoji struck the first ogre slicing diagonally through its upper torso separating the creature into two.  It died instantly! The kneeling ogre got up from its knees grabbing its weapon and slamming it into Suzume who turned her body with  the blow.  She then back swung her blade removing the last ogre's head from it's shoulders!  The fight was nearly over as fast as it had began.  Yet, the first ogre who entered the light of the campfire had smashed Daidoji's tent, while the dog of Kitsuki no longer lived.  The team decided to find another area to camp for the remainder of the night, to avoid any other enemies that might show up.  Shiba used her medical skills on the wounded members.  Isawa still needed to use his own medicine skill as Shiba was unable to tend his wounds as well as she would have liked. The next day (day three in the Shadowlands), the party ate and cleaned up their camp sight.  Daidodi wrote a warning at the spot of the combat they had fought earlier.  It seemed he deemed it appropriate to let all know, it has only began.  They then all moved out.  Just past 1pm they found the twin ruined moat towers of Shiro Hiruma!  They spent the remainder of the day, setting up a decoy, discussing some tactics as to how best to approach the ruins and did some last minute scouting.  Armed with the knoweldge that the moat was dry and the gate towers on both sides of the moat appeared empty the party headed out to Shiro Hiruma right around the time the sky became pitch black, as the sun once again departed from the sky. We leave out team standing in pitch black darkness, right before what they all believe to be near the beginning of the draw bridge.  At the moment who knows if the team will be walking or diving!  Tune in for next week.

[thismami100-blog]

The Lotus Session 3 Summary “The Courtier and Magistrate”

In prepartions of living for the Shadowlands the players finish purchasing needed items for the trip.  Kitsuki was able to get a bow (before leaving the lands of the Hare) although he has no arrows!  The bow was gifted to him by someone within the castle.  Kitsuki then requested for Hiruma who was still resting from his added injuries he recieved from the duel with Daidoji.  They met in the garden and discussed a few topics.  The next day the team waited to receive the bow and took off heading first to Kudo for a river boat to Yasuki Yasuki. They made it to Yasuki Yasuki with out any further incidents.  There some replenished the food they had ate since leaving Shiro Usagi. Some even purchased other items.  Kitsuki and Hiruma practiced a dishonered duel, where Kitsuki winded up besting Hiruma with a wakizashi (against Hiruma's Katana).  After the duel, Hiruma had to take a bath as well as get his kimono repaired.  The time had passed for them to make the last ship out to Kyuden Hida, so they had to stay at an inn over night. Early the next morning the crew caught the first ship to set sail and made it to the port of Kyuden  Hida.  After careful consideration they decided to talk to a Crab Clan Magistrate in regards to getting authorization to enter the Shadowlands.  Only Shiba was able to speak with the magistrate.  After about an hour she returned having succeeding in not only getting authorization for the party but also procuring three additional jade fingers.   The party continued there travels the next morning.  Four days later they were crossing through the gate at san higashi ge-to (3 east gate).  There Hiruma met up with an old comrade while waiting for their papers to be authinthacated.  After which the party walked through the gate into the Shadowlands.  While walking through the gate, a Crab clan samurai counted each character as one less member of the appropriate clan.  The large gate doors where closed and the team officially stood on Shadowlands ground. Hiruma used his survival skills to ensure that Shiba, Kitsuki and himself where packed right and they headed off crossing into the river.  They sleep on a small island within the river.  That night they all realized that they were not all prepared.  Even Hiruma had left a few important items on the other side of the wall (they just didn't think to purchase or get certain items).  The most shocking thing that first cold night, was witnessing the shallow illumination of their camp fire which was a florecient green. The second day since entering the Shadowlands the party continued moving towards the direction of Shiro Hiruma.  Just prior to known Kitsuki and Hiruma noticed bushes rustling south east of the party. They all began pulling out weapons.   Further south the party noticed what looked to be a four-legged animal grazing on the ground.  The hind quarters look to be that of either a horse or pony.  No one is sure at the moment.  A minute or two later they all witnessed a bakemono running out form a tall section of grass! And this is where we ended this games session.

[kittyridesforth]

Guess who dm'd for the first time today! And it didn't turn into a clusterfuck! And on roll20 as well (so having to deal with the tech on top of everything else). So happy! :)