Corsario's Murder's Mark

Game Master Corsario

"Everyone in the fishing town of Ilsurian is excited when the legendary Umbra Carnival rolls into town - even if the show is run by members of the much-maligned Varisian ethnic group. With strange and exotic beasts, scandalous performances, games of chance, and all the other fun of a traveling fair, who could resist such an opportunity for entertainment?

Unfortunately for both the town and the circus, however, entertainment isn’t the only opportunity the carnival presents. A group of thieves and scoundrels has been waiting for just such an occasion to launch a campaign of theft and murder - leaving the strangers from the circus and the town to blame each other. With tensions mounting between locals and performers, Chelaxians and Varisians, Erastil's and Desna's followers and with the body count rising on both sides, it’s up to the PCs to uncover what’s really going on and find the culprits before the entire town erupts in a firestorm of ethnic and religious violence."

I will run 2 different groups on the Murder's Mark module. One of them will be for people gaming for the first time on Play-By-Post on the Paizo Messageboards, and the other for veteran players.

This is the recruitment thread for VETERAN PLAYERS.
If you are a first time player the correct recruitment thread is here.

I will recruit 6 players.
- The game will be played on the Paizo PbP Forums.
- You should be a veteran player on the Paizo PbP forums.
- You should be able to make at least one post a day, even on weekends. If you are unable to please leave the opportunity for someone who can.
- You should be able to play uninterruptedly at least for the next three months. If you can't handle it (vacations, work, school), please leave the opportunity for someone who can.
- You should want to play a good character willing to help the Umbra Carnival when they are accused of several crimes. If your character won't be interested to help, this is not the right adventure for him.
- Your character will be a level 1 Chelaxian human (with minimum exceptions). No strange races/classes here. MAYBE I will accept a Half Elf or other core race, but don't count on it.
- We will use a small set of rule books.
- No guns. No cavaliers, ninjas, samurais, summoners or witches.
- Rules lawyers and Min-Maxers will not enjoy the game. I tend to ignore Rules Lawyers, and exploit the "Min" of the Min-Maxers.
- I like roleplaying a lot (but not self-centered drama).
- Be nice and friendly. Willing to have fun.
- The use of non-lethal combat methods will be expected in several encounters.
- It will feature a theme of racial and religious tension.
- Your character will not die unless you are OK with it. But as Shepherd Book said about the bible and killing: "[is] somewhat fuzzier on the subject of kneecaps". Your character life is maybe protected, but his abilities, equipment and contacts are not.
- I don't assign experience, but let the characters go up a level when it serves the story, which it doesn't in this module.
- I don't really like alignment rules, specially lawful-chaotic, so I tend to ignore them.
- If the module ends, and the players want it, we can continue with the Crimson Throne and/or Rise of the Runelords Adventure Path.

Are you still reading? Excellent!
Normally you are asked to submit a character, and the DM chooses some of them for the game. So many good players get cut off because their submissions are bad, and some bad players get in because their submissions are good.
You spend a lot of time doing a character and then it turns out it is not selected.
Or you don't spend too much time on it and lose "by default".
Well, this is not the case. The first 6 people to sign up for the module are accepted. After you sign up, you can start creating your character, with the tranquility of knowing it is already selected.
So go on! Go grab your place and then return to read the Character creation details. Be sure to write "I sign up for the module" and not "dot", "interested" or something else that makes me thing you didn't read out "the first 6 are accepted" part.

I sign up for the module.

I will sign up for the module. Gee, I wonder what module trait I'm taking?

Count me in.

Will be going for Varisian Scion - like the Scarnazi connection :)

Crunch is pretty much done. Background coming up.

I would like to sign up for one of these two games, but do not fall neatly into either category. I have ~20 years RL experience with table top / face to face gaming mostly 2nd ed and 3.x on both sides of the screen, but minimal experience with the PbP format. I have joined several games here, and while a few are still ongoing, each has hit at least one major bump that could spell the end within a matter of weeks.

I have cross-posted this in both recruitments, and will check back periodically throughout the day for a suggestion of which side of the division I should fall on. I can check public posts while at work, but am unable to sign in and post or check messages. (For the record, I'm more interested in Crimson Throne for a post module game, as I'm a player in a RL RotRL game, at ~7th level now)

Hola! Sign me up!

What was everyone wanting to play? I usually character act and fill the gap.

@Black Dow - Markus here. If I go Constable trait, I'm arresting you for drug trafficking! Herbs, really?!

I like RP/action combined, so I tend to prefer high skill characters for versatility.

So... Were basically playing the prologue to one of those two APs. Should we think on which AP, build a party for that? Then work backwards?

Sorry, occupational hazard... IT guy, always worried about designing himself into a corner or dead end.

Crunch is pretty much done. Background coming up.

Looking good!

I would like to sign up for one of these two games, but do not fall neatly into either category. I have ~20 years RL experience with table top / face to face gaming mostly 2nd ed and 3.x on both sides of the screen, but minimal experience with the PbP format. I have joined several games here, and while a few are still ongoing, each has hit at least one major bump that could spell the end within a matter of weeks.

I think this one is the best match for you, but you can choose.

Hola! So... Were basically playing the prologue to one of those two APs. Should we think on which AP, build a party for that? Then work backwards?

Let's go one step at a time...

I would like to join, if I may.

Just out of curiosity, why do you say that base classes are allowed, and then go on to ban 6/7 base classes? Wouldn't it have been easier to just say Core + Oracle?

Edit: so my background is as a veteran gamer for face to face table top games, and moderate experience with PBP games. This will be my third application to PBP on the Paizo forums (only one has started, and the other has not completed the recruitment stage, so I don't know if I'm in). But my experience of PBP expands beyond Paizo; about a decade back I was in some PBP games on another website, and even GM'd one once - but those were all 2nd edition games.

Alexite Ilsurian wrote:

Crunch is pretty much done. Background coming up.

Looking good!

Excellent second trait choice!
I also thought Ilsur's blood would be the best module trait for a bard.

Thanks! I like the trait, but Versatile Performance for Perform (oratory) covers Diplomacy and Sense Motive, so the bonus to Diplomacy really doesn't help a bard as most would skip Diplomacy since they can substitute oratory from 2nd level. Would you consider Perform (sing) instead? It covers Bluff and Sense Motive, thus avoiding duplication.

Well, you can be Alchemist, magus or inquisitor too.
I was thinking in which classes would work well in the module, and those came to mind.
Welcome aboard!

Thanks! I like the trait, but Versatile Performance for Perform (oratory) covers Diplomacy and Sense Motive, so the bonus to Diplomacy really doesn't help a bard as most would skip Diplomacy since they can substitute oratory from 2nd level. Would you consider Perform (sing) instead? It covers Bluff and Sense Motive, thus avoiding duplication.

Remember, for now, we don't plan reaching second level.

I'm thinking of either a fighter or sorcerer. Not sure.

I have an idea of a character who served in the Chelaxian military as an officer - but was never promoted or actually did any work - perhaps he was just a manager for the port authority or a logistics group (never saw any combat, never did anything to increase his skill level in anything). After 15 years, he retired to try to do something meaningful in his life.

So either of those classes would work well; and his "experienced" background explains why he's still level 1.

Well, you can be Alchemist, magus or inquisitor too.

I was thinking in which classes would work well in the module, and those came to mind.
Welcome aboard!

*blink*

How did I miss those. Well, don't I feel sheepish.

I'm thinking of either a fighter or sorcerer. Not sure.

I have an idea of a character who served in the Chelaxian military as an officer - but was never promoted or actually did any work - perhaps he was just a manager for the port authority or a logistics group (never saw any combat, never did anything to increase his skill level in anything). After 15 years, he retired to try to do something meaningful in his life.

So you are thinking in an "older" fellow?

I'm thinking of either a fighter or sorcerer. Not sure.

Pick one and I'll do the other.

And I think we are done, 6 players signed up.

bookrat wrote:

I'm thinking of either a fighter or sorcerer. Not sure.

I have an idea of a character who served in the Chelaxian military as an officer - but was never promoted or actually did any work - perhaps he was just a manager for the port authority or a logistics group (never saw any combat, never did anything to increase his skill level in anything). After 15 years, he retired to try to do something meaningful in his life.

So you are thinking in an "older" fellow?

Could work...
But no Chelaxian military, in any case Ilsurian's one. That would work fine with the "didn't actually fight any wars" part.
In fact, most Ilsurians would say "do we have an army"?

Who's military it was doesn't really matter. I only picked Chelaxian because you said we had to be of Chelaxian heritage. I'm not sure on age yet; middle age at the highest, but someone could start military service at 15 and be "retired" by 30 or even 35. Depending on the age, he may even have grandkids. :)

Nick, I'll go sorc. I think it'll fit better for a "leader" type who did nothing his whole career; and his newish powers would also explain why he's out adventuring.

Who's military it was doesn't really matter. I only picked Chelaxian because you said we had to be of Chelaxian heritage. I'm not sure on age yet; middle age at the highest, but someone could start military service at 15 and be "retired" by 30 or even 35. Depending on the age, he may even have grandkids. :)

Nick, I'll go sorc. I think it'll fit better for a "leader" type who did nothing his whole career; and his newish powers would also explain why he's out adventuring.

Yes, you have Chelaxian blood, but in Ilsurian you are closer to fight against Cheliax or Korvosa than with them.

I'm definitely going to play up his personality as one who wants to help the downtrodden.

This is why I wouldn't have an issue with him working in the Chelaxian military - and it would explain why he was never promoted. Basically, he was never really for what the Chelaxian government did, and he left to help out those who the Chelaxian government oppressed.

I was hoping to have him more associated with a big city than a small town, and if Chelaxian military is out, then what about Magnimar?

I don't know anything about this module, so I don't know what to expect other than "murder mystery." So if possible, I'd rather have him new-ish to the town as a polite and kind man who's willing to help but jaded over the usefulness of any large military or government to protect the common man.

Looking at the traits, the Ilsurian Constable would fit rather well; can I change up the fluff a bit? Make it so he joined the sheriff's group a few years back because he thought he could better protect people when he's directly working with them, as opposed to what he used to do as just a logistics and port authority officer. He can look at his post as an opportunity to really do some good for the people. We can keep the "father was murdered and the case was never solved," but I don't think that's necessary for him to do the right thing and try to solve a murder or other crime with his upmost earnest and complete honesty.

Basically, for this character, I'm really not feeling the "small town guy his whole life" aspect.

Edit: as a bonus, being from a big city as opposed to a small town will make him more likely to not be prejudiced against other folk, so he would investigate a crime with more honesty than someone who grew up with a prejudice against carnies.

Oh, perfect, I'll join in here then. :) Hey y'all!

Presenting my (Nickadeamous) Fighter. Everything should be in the profile. Let me know if I missed anything or need to change something.

Black Dow and Aliana: You both have the Varisian Scion trait, that means you are (half?) bothers/sisters!
Bookrat: Couldn't have planned better myself. Sounds great! Your PC was in Magnimar's (or Cheliax, your call) army, got sick of them and moved here, away from their influence. What about family? Did he brought them with him? Abandon them there? is he dating someone in Ilsurian? You would be Marshall Feldane 2nd in command, a man of the world, and yes, not as prejudiced as this "small town" people. I have to say the unsolved murder has a plot connection, so I want it there. But it can be a best friend or family member, your call.
So the trait "Ilsurian Constable" for you would be:
"You are the second in command of the Ilsurian police force, under the command of Sheriff Feldane. You are unique in the force as you are the only non-Ilsurian Officer. Your family member/best friend (your choice) was killed some 12 years ago in a robbery in Magnimar, and you decided to join the police because of that crime. The responsible of his murder was never identified. You are well respected in town."
Drayen: I love the idea of Ilsur's family keeping the worship of Aroden alive, refusing to change, as the commoners have done, to a "living/miracle granting" Erastil worship. That would explain also why you are not as prejudiced against the Desna-worshiping Varisians as the commoners. But that also explains why your diplomacy bonus don't' work on the commoners, and only applies to the Aroden-worshiping Ilsurian elite.
Djack: I am afraid they took the Constable Trait from you. If you want to keep being a constable, we can work in a similar trait. Or you can get another trait. In fact you can be the "Half Varisian" constable.
Nickadeamous: I love characters with aliases. Sounds great, "Fish" is the best "fighter" in Ilsurian, and each year, when the Umbra Carnival arrives, you take great pleasure in participating in their fighting contest, with you have won 2 of the last 3 years (the Umbra's Carnival champion got lucky a couple years ago). What about your "crush"? Who is he/she? Almara Delisen, owner of the carnival? Madame Mask, the real beautiful mysterious woman that has a spectacle/contest in the carnival which you have never seen her real face? The Umbra's carnival fighter champion? Other?
Roonfizzle Garnackle: Don't worry about a future AP just yet. Let's finish this module first, and we can get to it later. I would also prefer Crimson Throne, but as I say, we can cross that bridge when we reach it.

Corsario: that's works perfectly for me. Let's say it was his wife who was murdered, and that's why he has no family still today. She died before they had kids. He still wears his wedding ring.

I have doctors appointments all day today, so hopefully I'll be able to work up a character here and there throughout the day between appointments. Otherwise it'll wait until tonight after i put the kids to bed.

Corsario: that's works perfectly for me. Let's say it was his wife who was murdered, and that's why he has no family still today. She died before they had kids. He still wears his wedding ring.

I have doctors appointments all day today, so hopefully I'll be able to work up a character here and there throughout the day between appointments. Otherwise it'll wait until tonight after i put the kids to bed.

Perfect!

Ooo... I like that. He has never dated anyone else. Not because he's opposed to it, he's just never really gotten over her and he has spent his time focused on his work rather than sparking up a new fire.

Basically, I'm not opposed to him gaining a love interest during the campaign, but I am not planning on having him start with one.

For the campaign trait, mine says that I get a bonus on two skills, but doesn't say what that bonus is. +1?

Its at the beginning of the Traits:

Each Trait grants a bonus to two skills:

If the Skill is not a class skill it grants a +1 trait bonus and makes it a Class Skill.
If the Skill is a class skill it grants a +2 trait bonus.
They also grant another bonus.
They include the reason the Player Character would want to aid the Umbra Carnival.

Ah! Thank you!

Placeholder for Black Dow's Rogue (Knife Master); I've went with being the younger (half?) brother to Aliana (* waves to his sister *)

His knife skills will be as much a product of a boyhood dream to take part in the carnival as much as assisting his mother treating wounds...

Will get in-filling the crunch and building on the fluff.

Good, that means Cultellis (Meaning "Knife", right?) was 3 years old when their mother took them to Ilsurian (so he is 18 years old), when Aliana was 7 years old.
As a Varisian in Ilsurian... does he embrace your Varisian blood, even if that creates a lot of conflict with the locals, or does he try to "blend in" with the Chelaxians (very possible, as he was very young when arriving to Ilsurian)?
About joining the Umbra Carnival... have him tell someone about his dream?
What about his family? Will he leave them back in Ilsurian?

Yeah "Little Knife" - his mother's pet name for him in her (and old varisian word). Indeed like being the wee brother.

Think he embraces his Varisian blood, perhaps constantly nagging his mother for tales of the gypsies and harrowers. While his sis went "off the rails" see Ciro as being increasingly proud of his "Varisian" bloodline as he gets older.

His pride is a motivating factor, that and sense of adventure... The Carnival encompass the freedom of the road, and Ciro is no merchant in waiting, nor healer-ilk like his sister (although he knows how to treat cuts - he's had plenty practicing tricks and feats with his blades)

Ciro would leave them as he's young, immature and full of wanderlust.

Will Alexite be trap finding?

BTW Corsario - can we take Additional Traits feat?

Place holder for my (bookrat) sorcerer.

Are disadvantages allowed for an additional trait?

I'm not sure if I even want one (rarely do), but if they are there may be one fitting for my character.

Will Alexite be trap finding?

Not that I am aware of

BTW Corsario - can we take Additional Traits feat?

You can if you want

Are disadvantages allowed for an additional trait?

Better not

Looks like a Cleric may be in order. No pun intended.

Besides Erastil, what patron might be available?

Desna if you are Varisian and willing to deal with all the racism in town, Aroden if you don't mind don't have spells, or Iomedae if you want to be the cleric of the towns "highborns"

Will Alexite be trap finding?

Alexite is a bard. Fortunately, there are two bard archetypes that grant trapfinding. Unfortunately, both of them grant the feature at 2nd level.

I do have cure light wounds. I took it to represent that Aroden's not really dead and is granting spells to the faithful. You know, taking a page from the church of Razmir.

Yeah, I didn't pay enough attention to the module trait. You're right, it's only conditional to Ilsurian officials, so it wouldn't matter if we went on to play an AP after the module.

By the way, one of the players for your novice game is a buddy of mine. Infmike is very new to gaming. I've run a couple of games for him and some other coworkers, but he is a brand new player to both table top and pbp. He's a great guy and should be fun for your game.

I typed this up at work over the last 8 hours... checking back in periodically. Of course, Djack is also looking at Divine now, but, I think there is enough room for overlap.

Like Djack, I'm comfortable building towards the end, and filling in a gap. As I see it we have a Fighter (Switchhitter, mainly Melee), a Bard (Whip/Finesse weapons), a Knife Master Rogue, a Sorcerer and maybe an Alchemist depending on which table Aliana goes to. Two PC's in contention, with largest gap into Divine, and some in Skilled (Magic Traps? Alexite does not appear to have trapfinding, or disable device, Knife Master loses Trapfinding for Magic Traps).

Note: I saw the request above for non Min Maxed or other shenanigans, and I'm asking about some items from non approved sources, more to get an understanding of your process, and how you react will give me the best understanding going forward. I will admit I have a strong preference for one item that is not on the approved list, but I'm more than willing to move on. I'm trying to determine likes/dislikes atm, after going “I could do! Nope, not on the approved list”.

My 3 top picks for classes would be Unchained Rogue, Oracle, and Inquisitor. As I don't see Unchained on the approved list, I moved on to Oracle. I have a number of ideas there too... and am confident that I can end up with something we can both be happy with, without any issues.

I've downed it to a couple options, but part of it comes down to sources again. I've got a strong idea for the following.

Wrecker Curse (NOT ON THE APPROVED LIST), potentially Dual Cursed with Lame (If not First choice of Mystery). Were that approved, I'd take Ashwood Lumberjack, and flavor it as using my curse to weaken the wood, and to create small handholds for climbing.

Opening it up to help blend party cohesion, and since I've never actually gotten a chance to play with or as an Oracle, my preferred Mysteries would be Heavens, Life, Lore, Waves, in order of preference. Lore/Waves would match better with River Merchant Translator, if Wrecker is off the table. Similarly, if Wrecker is off the table, I'd take Tongues, possible Dual Cursed with Lame.

I see this as a support role, and possibly healer, especially with Life.

Spells Known:
0 Det Magic
0 Purify Food and Drink
0 Create Water
0 Enhanced Diplomacy? Not Approved List, OR Light
1 CLW
1 Marid's Mastery (Undine only? On the Approved List) OR Murderous Command

As envisioned, I don't see much in the way of options for nonlethal combat, especially if it requires a melee hit... Though, ideally, I'll have enough CLW's to MAYBE save someone who's been hit with a lethal strike, or could push stats around to have a bit better dex and blunt xbow bolts.

I will continue to think on it, and would appreciate some feedback, especially on the curse/mystery front.

Alternatively, there's a lot of room in rogue to have two that are completely different...

bookrat wrote:

Are disadvantages allowed for an additional trait?

Better not

Eh. It matters not. None of them work with this character. I have another character who is focused on protecting the group, and I have him the overprotective drawback. It fit really well.

Oracle fits well with carnival, go for it!

Nickadeamous: I love characters with aliases. Sounds great, "Fish" is the best "fighter" in Ilsurian, and each year, when the Umbra Carnival arrives, you take great pleasure in participating in their fighting contest, with you have won 2 of the last 3 years (the Umbra's Carnival champion got lucky a couple years ago). What about your "crush"? Who is he/she? Almara Delisen, owner of the carnival? Madame Mask, the real beautiful mysterious woman that has a spectacle/contest in the carnival which you have never seen her real face? The Umbra's carnival fighter champion? Other?

It would probably have to be Lidia Chegarie, assuming she's a medium humanoid. I can't find much information about her other than "the popular swordmaster Lidia Chegarre;" an exert regarding Islur's Arena. If she turns out to be a gnome or something, I'll probably just settle on the next closest thing, a female warrior of some kind. Pretty is pretty and all, but he would want to be with someone who can hold her own, not someone he'll have to take care of. Someone he can trade battle stories with.

Wrecker Curse: The destructive power of the Abyss and its teeming hordes of demons seeps from your very pores and into your belongings and surroundings.

:S

It would probably have to be Lidia Chegarie, assuming she's a medium humanoid. I can't find much information about her other than "the popular swordmaster Lidia Chegarre;" an exert regarding Islur's Arena. If she turns out to be a gnome or something, I'll probably just settle on the next closest thing, a female warrior of some kind. Pretty is pretty and all, but he would want to be with someone who can hold her own, not someone he'll have to take care of. Someone he can trade battle stories with.

My issue with Lidia is that I want Fish to be interested in a Varisian from the Umbra Carnival, so when the time comes he will want to help the carnival.