DM Alexander Kilcoyne's Sargavan Saga

Game Master Alexander Kilcoyne

Character profile updated, although I still need to insert some more specifics into her backstory.

I'm sure Shimye-Magalla would find that appropriately fortuitous?

Shimye-Magalla is momentarily amused when her tides toss together such occurences, then forgets about them entirely as the waves dash them apart once more.

But don't tell the colonials.

Qhude puffs out one last breath of heady fragrant smoke before he taps the remaining ash out of his pipe. Stowing the pipe in his bag he stands to stretch out his muscles. Joints pop as he moves fluidly from position to position. After a few minutes he moves to his backpack and retrieves his armor.

Following his ritual in silence he wraps his left leg with the rope, making sure it is tight, but still allows movement for his knee. The studded belt goes across his midriff, the side still stained with the blood that was spilled upon it last time it was worn. Slipping on his arm leather and pauldron he cinches the straps across his chest. He shadow boxes for a few moments to make sure he still retains free movement.

Finally he wraps his right fist. A thick layer of crusted cloth goes on first, gripped in his fist as he wraps it around partway up his forearm. Tucking in the loose end, he picks up the rope and starts repeating his movements. Momentarily his mind wanders... Tight son, tight and strong. Watch this tsotsi, he has a mean hook before snapping back into focus. Clenching his fist a few times he nods satisfaction with his work.

He stands, sets his jaw and strides forward - dead eyes afire with latent rage.

Almost showtime :)

Hunger

Hunger

"You 'n me both!"

Picklebeard concurs with his reptilian comrade and proceeds to break off a piece of his venision jerky and toss it to his shoulder where Verithrex is perched. The lizards dextrously snatches the nibblet out of the air when it is close by. He keeps the rest of the morsel for himself and takes a big chew.

The meat is salty and chewy. Perfect for a dwarf of his nature. To Picklebeard- the deer isn't even salty. In fact it could have probably used more salt and he still wouldn't really taste it.

He finishes the last few bites of his snack and proceeds down the busy streets of Eleder. When he passes by his clan's closed down tavern, he thinks to himself-

"Durn dirty no-good burracrats. I'll show'em a thing er two aboot how us dwarves nev'r go quietly inta the darkness. Injustice will be righted. Fer durned sure."

Jakob watches the moring mists clear as the city wakes. The birds sing of new life and their individual joy at survivinr the nioght.

Morning, a new day time for brginnings.

Working on it guys :). I will have something up in the next few hours, things have just been a little crazy last few days (stupid family).

Working on it guys :). I will have something up in the next few hours, things have just been a little crazy last few days (stupid family).

No worries.

IT LIVES...

^ Link to IC thread.

Having a busy day so far today. Will check in in the game thread in a few hours, hopefully.

Are those vuvuzelas that I hear? Definitely has that vibe. :p

No worries Joana :)

Quick question: Any particular format you would like us to adopt DM AK? You know, such as bold for when the character speaks, italics when it is something he is thinking about and so on?

You may use whatever format you are comfortable with, provided it is consistent and clear (especially in the first few posts while people adjust to your style).

Sometimes I will write as though addressing your character and sometimes i'll switch to third person narrative. I don't have a strong preference for either really.

DM AK and Fellow Trial's Entrants - just a warning that I'll be out of town on business starting tomorrow through the weekend. Down to Singapore for a rig visit.

Should still be able to get a daily post in during the evening, but please feel free to advance the plot whilst I'm out.

Thanks for the notice, will do.

You know, I do believe I am going to be enjoying the interactions between the characters immensely, if these first few posts are any indication. :-)

N'bellocq worked as a pilot scout. He calls out the dangers as he sees them. It up to the pilot to turn the boat. :-)

Instead of being scared of being drunk and sickened for the contest now I'm scared I won't make it to the tent in time!

Leurking in your game DM AK, you've got a great bunch in there...Picklebeard is making me smile...nice play everyone, I'm enjoying lurking .

Jumping over here to compare character builds to trials.

Tebati has +10 base speed, Endurance, and the ability to ignore difficult terrain 6 times per day (assuming supernatural abilities don't count as magic), so one or both of the races seem up her alley.

Magic is allowed in both the races so that shouldn't matter.

You do seem well suited for both races. :)

N'bellocq will obviously enter the marksmanship trial. And can fill in where needed. But the races would be best, particularly the Athleticism.

So we have

N'bellocq for Trial of Marksmanship

Tebati for Trial of Endurance

Qhude could probably make a good showing at Trial of Brawn

I have a chance not to humiliate myself at the trial of performance if I use my +10 to any skill check boon on an untrained performance check.

I can also take the fall in the trial of cavaliers. If we manage fifth place there I will be happy I am willing to trust to luck.

I could also be back up in trial of combat but that might use up magic that we will need in the final trial

In any case we need to decide on the Trial of Combat

I think Tebati is our best shot for endurance.

We could enter both Tebati and N'bellocq in the Trial of Athleticism but that fills both their dance cards.

Proposed lineup

Endurance, magic - Tebati
Combat, magic - ??? and ???

Cavaliers, no magic - Jakob
Performance, magic - Jakob

Athleticism no magic - Tebati and N'bellocq
Brawn no magic - Qhude???

Marksmanshipno magic - N'bellocq
Teamwork, unknown - all

No that can't work. That forces trial of combat to be Picklebeard and Ansha. A surprising combo granted.

So where to put our enchantress and the congenial dwarf?
Ideas?

Magic is allowed in both the races so that shouldn't matter.

Magic permitted in Endurance but prohibited in Athleticism.

I think (but could be wrong) that each team can enter only 1 person per trial.

Picklebeard could take the Combat trial and just try to stay out of the way and Evil Eye the other guys? I really don't know where else to put him.

I think (but could be wrong) that each team can enter only 1 person per trial.

Picklebeard could take the Combat trial and just try to stay out of the way and Evil Eye the other guys? I really don't know where else to put him.

I was leaning towards a Qhude/Picklebeard pair for combat, of course that means the enchantress takes the fall in cavalier.

Combat and athleticism allow two contestants.

Trial of Combat- A paired fight between teams where any fighting strategy may be employed. Magic is permitted. Two participants.

Trial of Athleticism- A chase through and over a crowded street to re-capture the Sargavan flag. Magic is prohibited. Two participants per team.

Combat and Athleticism are 2-player. Jakob has the chart right, we just have to fill the slots.

We have Kieran too. He can probably fit at Athleticism...what am I saying...apparently he can dance?

Combat and Athleticism are 2-player. Jakob has the chart right, we just have to fill the slots.

Sorry; I saw that Combat was paired but missed Athleticism. Do the racers compete individually (that is, we can take two places) or as a team?

Oops sorry Kierian.
Yes he can, but I think my boon will give me the best shot at performance
Unskilled with boon +14 unskilled performance.

I want to conserve as much magic and other resources as possible until the final trial. I think Picklebeard is a good fit for combat backing up either Qhude or Kerian. I want to try and conserve Qhude's the final though.

Ansha I can't see where you can fit other than as the cavalier sacrifice. We want to conserve your spells until the final as they will give us a real edge if we can unload more magic than the other teams.
I would take cavalier and let you have perform if there was any chance of me getting anything but 6th in that one. I could use the boon for ride skill if it were a riding contest only but the jousting part will flatten me. With the boon there is a chance for at least third in performance most likely second.

So line up two
Endurance, magic - Tebati
Combat, magic - Kerian??? and Picklebeard???

Cavaliers, no magic - Ansha???
Performance, magic - Jakob

Athleticism no magic - Kierian??? and N'bellocq
Brawn no magic - Qhude???

Marksmanshipno magic - N'bellocq
Teamwork, unknown - all

N'bellocq wrote:

Combat and Athleticism are 2-player. Jakob has the chart right, we just have to fill the slots.

Sorry; I saw that Combat was paired but missed Athleticism. Do the racers compete individually (that is, we can take two places) or as a team?

Probably as a team, but I have no solid info on this.

Looks like we have a full run down of teams
1. us
2. Mwangi
3. Elves
4. Adventurers
5. Smugglers
6. Pirates
7. Bounty hunters

hmmm I expect we are double counting a team. The sheet reads 6th place no points not 6th and 7th.

Smugglers might = pirates.

The idea of Ansha being stuck on a horse and given a lance is kind of hilarious. I definitely see your reasoning, though. We don't really have any mounted-combat types.

By the way I'm reading the Trial of Performance, it's not necessarily a Perform (fill-in-the-blank) check. She could try to put on a minor magic show using her Prestidigitation cantrip. It may not have the best results, but who knows?

Other than that, if we're not putting her in the Trial of Combat, then taking the fall in the Trial of Cavaliers would work. But there's the potential for her to get knocked off the horse and/or trampled there, too.

EDIT: She could also try either using Sleight of Hand, or try to wow the crowd with her fortune-telling abilities. (Doesn't sound very flashy, I know.)

Well, what is jousting, really? Ride check (or good Dex, if no one's trained), martial weapon proficiency for the lance, and pluses to hit with melee. No one's good at it, so who has the abilities to be least bad at it?

Well, what is jousting, really? Ride check (or good Dex, if no one's trained), martial weapon proficiency for the lance, and pluses to hit with melee. No one's good at it, so who has the abilities to be least bad at it?

Well, I don't think anyone has Ride as a trained skill. Kieran has the highest DEX, but no martial weapon proficiency. Qhude is the only one who would have the martial weapons proficiency, and he's at least got a +2 DEX (as opposed to Kieran's +3).

I'm thinking Qhude may be the best fit for the Trial of Cavaliers.

Well, what is jousting, really? Ride check (or good Dex, if no one's trained), martial weapon proficiency for the lance, and pluses to hit with melee. No one's good at it, so who has the abilities to be least bad at it?

Kerian or Qhude I think. Qhude is the only one with martial weapon prof in the group right?

The only reason I am trying for performance is I am a Cha based caster and I can fake a decent performance with the nature boon. The boon is large enough that I should beat anyone but a bard and have even have a good shot there. With the boon I am looking at a +14 performance check. We actually have a chance to earn decent points here. A second level bard would likely have 2 ranks and an 18 Cha that is a +9, +12 if the burn skill focus on it. This is burning a once per day ability, but it is an ability that is not that useful in combat. This is a test that with a bit of luck Jakob might win. But yes a magic show could work and if you want it I will take cavalier and try an unskilled ride check. It is just that everyone has to do something and there is no test really suited to wizards.

We could put you in combat but you would be forced to use spells. Spells that we will need in the teamwork test that is also a fight.

But I am not that invested in any one spot. Where do you want to be put in the lineup?

I am sorry if this is coming across as bossy. I had a rather lousy RL day today.

Joana wrote:

Well, what is jousting, really? Ride check (or good Dex, if no one's trained), martial weapon proficiency for the lance, and pluses to hit with melee. No one's good at it, so who has the abilities to be least bad at it?

Well, I don't think anyone has Ride as a trained skill. Kieran has the highest DEX, but no martial weapon proficiency. Qhude is the only one who would have the martial weapons proficiency, and he's at least got a +2 DEX (as opposed to Kieran's +3).

I'm thinking Qhude may be the best fit for the Trial of Cavaliers.

Thing is he can only be in 2 trials. We need him for combat as he is the only one who could stand toe to toe with two fighters, and he is also very well suited for brawn as he has the best strength of all of even without raging. We have to assume that the Trial of Combat will be against two fighters because that is the best folks for this trial. If it is anything else then it gets easier.

The combat trial is one of the more important ones as it is likely to lead to injury or death. We could put Kerian in but then we have a rogue vs two fighters. Picklebeard might swing the balance in our favor with evil eyes but it would be very close. Remember this is all in only one day and our healing ability is limited.

Thing is he can only be in 2 trials. We need him for combat as he is the only one who could stand toe to toe with two fighters, and he is also very well suited for brawn as he has the best strength of all of even without raging. We have to assume that the Trial of Combat will be against two fighters because that is the best folks for this trial. If it is anything else then it gets easier.

The combat trial is one of the more important ones as it is likely to lead to injury or death. We could put Kerian in but then we have a rogue vs two fighters. Picklebeard might swing the balance in our favor with evil eyes but it would be very close. Remember this is all in only one day and our healing ability is limited.

I am not entirely sure what the Trial of Brawn will consist of, considering that the goal is to "smash as many Chelaxian warships as possible." A full-sized warship isn't getting smashed by a single raging barbarian--so are they miniatures?

More relevant to the discussion--I'm fairly sure that Ansha would object IC to being used as a jouster. You may convince her to take the fall for the team (which is in essence what she would be doing), but she wouldn't be happy about it.

You have a point about not putting Ansha in the Trial of Combat, though if we end up fighting the elven dancers in the Trial of Teamwork, her primary offensive spell is useless (Sleep). (Same applies if elves were in the Trial of Combat against us.)

Your boon would definitely work best for the Trial of Performance, assuming that it's a single perform roll. It may not be--we don't know. You could possibly also use it to make a fair shot at the Trial of Cavaliers if we don't want Qhude in it. You'd be the best rider in that case (for a single pass), and with your Strength you'd be at a -2 on the lance attacks. Conversely Ansha would be at a +1 on the Ride and a -5 on the lance attacks.

So are we trying to do our best on each event, or are we throwing the Cavaliers event in the hopes that we do better on the other events?

So are we trying to do our best on each event, or are we throwing the Cavaliers event

Well seeing as we don't really have a ghosts of a chance at the cavalier event I was basically considering it a loss and just using it as a way for folks who are not suited for another event, basically the two of us to meet the 'must be in an event' requirement.

But hey if you think we have a better chance at getting points with Ansha in perform and Jakob in the cavalier then I'm good with that.

Line up three
So line up two
Endurance, magic - Tebati
Combat, magic - Qhude??? and Picklebeard???

Cavaliers, no magic - Jakob
Performance, magic - Ansha???

Athleticism no magic - Kierian??? and N'bellocq
Brawn no magic - Qhude???

Marksmanshipno magic - N'bellocq
Teamwork, unknown - all

Look good?

It's more that I think that Jakob will do better than Ansha at either event--and IC, Ansha is likely to object to being denied use of her magic in any event, let alone being stuck on a horse and given a lance. (Think prissy city-girl told to get her hands dirty.)

But the lineup looks good.

Wow, I sleep for eight hours and there are twenty new posts waiting for me in the OOC thread. You sneaky people, you! :-P

Speaking for Kieran only, though the lineup seems pretty good, you could probably consider him for Performance (Acrobatics, Perform (Dance) and Sleight of Hand), Combat (flanking, sneak attack, defensive fighting and keeping a combatant occupied at least), Cavaliers (decent Dexterity, -2 to attack with a lance, Acrobatics to avoid getting seriously injured when falling off of the horse) and Athleticism (not really sure but between Acrobatics and Climb, it might make it easier for him to overcome obstacles?).

Try 21 :P.

The only thing I will contribute is that being a non-lethal tournament the jousting will involve unseating the opponent. This will come down to a CMB check, although ride will also be very important.

Managed to catch a very short window of net and wanted to weigh in.

Brawn will be A good fit for me - 22 str raging power attack should make some kindling.

Combat I can do also, but will need to be careful to conserve my rage rounds in the day.

Cavalier would be fun, though fair warning that Qhude has an ... Unusual jousting style.... he does probably manage a decent CMB though...

I think combat works best for me as well. As long as we're not up against elves... lol!
Evil eye + sleep is the only thing I got going basically.

I could volunteer for the jousting as well. If all I have to do is stay on a horse... well do dwarves still get their cmb bonuses if riding? Lol.

Managed to catch a very short window of net and wanted to weigh in.

Brawn will be A good fit for me - 22 str raging power attack should make some kindling.

Combat I can do also, but will need to be careful to conserve my rage rounds in the day.

Cavalier would be fun, though fair warning that Qhude has an ... Unusual jousting style.... he does probably manage a decent CMB though...

Hmmm. Raging in either combat of brawn may be a bad idea.

Take a look at the time frame for the contests. They all happen over the course of a single day. So no re-memorizing spells no regaining rounds of rage. What we go in with is what we have.

Now look at trial eight. If Qhude burns all his rage in Combat or Brawn what can he being to Teamwork? The same goes for the spellcasters. Every bit of magic or other resource we use in contests one through seven is a resource we will not have in contest eight.

If I could I would simply have us take dives in contests 1-7 saving everything for the final. The problem with this is the trial of Combat. We have to stay alive without using resources here. I wish I knew the terms of the fight. It is to first blood? First hit? To surrender or to the death?

If I had to guess, I'd say it was til unconsciousness or surrender--though the possibility of death is present.

Just keep in mind that the Trial of Teamwork is not worth more points than the other eight trials. Performing well in just that one trial will not necessarily make up for finishing terribly in trials 1-7. Conversely, performing well in trials 1-7 and finishing terribly in the Trial of Teamwork won't mean we lose overall.

As for Qhude, even without rage he is still the best frontline fighter we have.

Take a look at the time frame for the contests. They all happen over the course of a single day. So no re-memorizing spells no regaining rounds of rage. What we go in with is what we have.

Now look at trial eight. If Qhude burns all his rage in Combat or Brawn what can he being to Teamwork? The same goes for the spellcasters. Every bit of magic or other resource we use in contests one through seven is a resource we will not have in contest eight.

If I could I would simply have us take dives in contests 1-7 saving everything for the final. The problem with this is the trial of Combat. We have to stay alive without using resources here. I wish I knew the terms of the fight. It is to first blood? First hit? To surrender or to the death?

Ansha is right: by the rules, all the trials seem to be worth the same amount of points.

I would argue that using individual abilities like Rage or spells would be more valuable in the individual tests. When all of us are in the ring working together, we'll be able to help each other; when one person is standing for the whole team, all the pressure is on that one character. For example, is it more important that Qhude hit on his attack in Brawn or in Teamwork? In Brawn, if he doesn't hit, no one on our team will; in Teamwork, if he misses, he can still be providing a flank for someone else. The margin of error is more generous in the last task.

I have CLW, a potion of CLW, Sleep, a scroll of Sleep, a walking stick, and a fiesty lizard. Let's do this thing!

If I had to guess, I'd say it was til unconsciousness or surrender--though the possibility of death is present.

Just keep in mind that the Trial of Teamwork is not worth more points than the other eight trials. Performing well in just that one trial will not necessarily make up for finishing terribly in trials 1-7. Conversely, performing well in trials 1-7 and finishing terribly in the Trial of Teamwork won't mean we lose overall.

As for Qhude, even without rage he is still the best front-line fighter we have.

I really doubt that a team that shines in the individual events and then gets destroyed in the teamwork event will be chosen for the task. They may well win the public prize and get a job but not the job that the job that the government really wants done. I strongly suspect there are effectively 2 contests happening today. Trial 8 to determine who is best for the secret task and Trials 1 to 7 to entertain the crowd. Also if one is of bloodthirsty turn of mind if only one team survives trial eight then the scores in earlier trials do not matter anymore. This is likely the attitude of at least the pirate group. I am loathe to mention it but doing badly in trial 2 or 8 can easily mean death.

Current line up

Endurance, magic - Tebati
Combat, magic - Qhude??? and Picklebeard

Cavaliers, no magic - Jakob
Performance, magic - Ansha

Athleticism no magic - Kierian??? and N'bellocq
Brawn no magic - Qhude???

Marksmanshipno magic - N'bellocq
Teamwork, unknown - all

anyone with a ??? after their name has not said they are happy with the assigned slot.