Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11
Rest of 'em look in real bad shape. I think this is the only one that's stable enough to explore. Jenya says. Maybe we can just kill the thing from a distance.
"There is something sentient living here. If we start attacking its gardening projects or whatever, it will come after us." Vallen reasons, looking at the killer vines.
"Let's leave this alone for now and move to the center tower. It's not like a bunch of vines is going to sneak up on us." The dwarf says, leaning his head towards the center structure.
Although he is unable to determine if those vines covering the doorway was indeed sentient, Vladric will take his fellow Mivoni at her word that those same vines will prove to be dangerous.
"I do have a single flask of alchemist's fire upon my person if we would need to burn through those vines. We also have the option of returning to this place at a later time with some other means to bypass those obstacles. It's not likely for a place such as this to simply just disappear once we leave, now that we know where it is..."
Hopefully this place will not be like that legendary disappearing Feasting Hall back home in Mivon...
"What are you guys looking at?" Cassandra asks through slightly teary eyes. Whatever that smell was, she was having a bad reaction to it. She tries to sneeze quietly but only seems to make the tears worse.
Vallen starts to gesture towards the vines climbing up the tower walls, but then stops and shakes his head. "Ah, don't worry about it Cass. We'll come back to it later if we must."
Pistol at the ready, he and Jenya start to move to the central structure, wary of traps.
The keep’s central tower is an elegant spire of ivory colored stone, draped with a riot of vines and other plants. The most complete structure in the entire fortress, its 5-foot-thick walls climb 70 feet to a multipointed stone roof.
This wide chamber has an impressive vaulted ceiling. Though obscured in places by earth and undergrowth, the hall’s floor is crafted of smooth stone tiles in multicolored pastel hues. The walls of the chamber are decorated with faded frescoes of sylvan life, showing scenes of beautiful elves engaged in hunting, feasting, dancing, singing, and a bewildering variety of other idyllic pursuits. To the west, a graceful, filigreed stone staircase, garlanded with flowering vines, climbs to the level above.
Move yourself where you wanna go! The central chamber doesn't have doors any more, so you can just... walk right in.
[ooc[I can't access roll 20 on my phone unfortunately, but I will try to remember to move my token when I get home. [/ooc]
Vallen walks through the gap in the tower where the doors used to be, stopping on the threshold to peer inside. He forgets about the dangers of the keep for a moment, instead admiring the vaulted ceiling and frescos. Then he remembers it was all done by Elves and sighs with disgust.
"If they had put all this underground it wouldn't be falling in." The priest begrudgingly mumbles, turning to head towards the staircase to climb to the upper levels. By Torag, the railing looks so delicate! Yet it still stands!
Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11
Well this doesn't look much like Corflut's shop. So either he didn't know what he was talkin' about or this place is definitely not Elvish Jenya says. Looks like the only way is up?
Ranger 4/Stalker 1 | HP 23/38 | AC 17, Touch 13, FF 14 | CMB +6 | CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +5 | Init +3 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent | Perception +12 (+13 at night) | Ki Pool 2/2
Beast Form:
HP 24/24 | AC 19, Touch 14, FF 15 | CMB +5 | CMD 18 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +2 | Init +4 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, darkvision, Scent | Perception +10 (+11 at night)
Cassandra rolls her eyes at the grumpy dwarf. So elves made a castle? You'd think he'd be impressed? Instead he seemed insulted. "Other races can build nice things too Vallen." She then looks at the steps Jenya pointed out and halts her. "Hang on. If the last plant was dangerous, those might be too."
On Roll20, there doesn't seem to be anyway to move the tokens about. Apologies also for the extra blue boxes- not too sure how to get rid of them from the map.
Jenya P. wrote:
Well this doesn't look much like Corflut's shop. So either he didn't know what he was talkin' about or this place is definitely not Elvish Jenya says. Looks like the only way is up?
"Didn't Vallen mention something about this place predating the Starstone? It could be possible that the Elvish building styles were somewhat different way back then."
Vladric looks about the keep's interior while keeping an eye out for any trouble. Perception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12.
Cassie hangs back and sniffs at the air as Vladric moves closer so that he can scrutinize the area.
Cassie:
The plants and vines in the interior are mundane and non-ambulatory.
A short time after Vallen enters and starts looking at the staircase, a low violet mist rises from the ground inside the central tower.
Vallen: Fort save (poison):1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13 Wis damage:1d3 ⇒ 3
Vallen feels light-headed as the noxious fumes rise about him.
Vallen:
You feel strangely befuddled, like you're being pulled back in time... the vines seem to be growing larger and the walls start to shimmer with starlight trapped in the stone. (You are still able to react to your surroundings and may take an action.)
Nooo my Dwarven constitution has failed me! I needed that wisdom!
Vallen carefully approaches the staircase at the edge of the tower, intent on unraveling the secrets of its construction.
It wasn't careful enough though, and he starts as the purple is rises up around him. Coughing loudly, he looks around at the walls with wild eyes and runs back towards the group at the tower entrance, tools and armor jangling.
"The walls! The vines! Do you see them?! They're getting bigger, they're taking nourishment from the starlight trapped in the stone! The elves trapped starlight in the stone, that's how they made it stay together so well!" The priest rambles, cowering back from the walls and standing in the open space of the removed tower door.
He takes a few deep breaths of clean air and puts a hand on his sweaty forehead. "Ugh I... I feel like I'm being pulled back in time. I think it was some kind of magical poison. I don't... If I disappear from the present, please tell my Uncle that... That Riverrun castle's northeastern wall deviates from the foundation by zero point six seven degrees towards the east and may cause the wall to sag in a few decades."
Vallen shakes his head rapidly and smacks his face with a palm. "No! No what am I saying I've been trained for this, I'm a priest of Torag! A dwarf! I will not be bested by some elf-poison!" He pulls of one of the many bags and boxes attached to his belt, shuffling through the contents for various herbs and remedies.
Vallen will move out of the poison cloud, back towards the door frame, then attempt to teat his poison with his healers kit.
Heal to treat poison, healers kit:1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9 That's uh, not very good.
Vallen staggers out of the violet mist, babbling semi-coherently. Then he takes out his healer's kit, removes some kind of suctioning device, and places it on his forehead and starts squeezing the air bladder. This results in a large red spot as the pressure change pulls his forehead skin out in a red, protuberant circle.
While it sure looks like some kind of trap, Jenya has no idea how it was set off. Just standing there? Some kind of plant response to Vallen trampling over the vines and leaves? A buried tripwire or pressure plate? No immediately obvious signs.
Though he is no longer quite as incoherent, Vallen certainly does not seem himself. He also seems to insist on continuing to suction cup his forehead, which has left a massive and painful looking red welt.
After the mist dissipates, he cautiously toes forward again, rapidly suctioning in his forehead as if the preemptive action will prevent future poisoning.
"We should ascend the stairs slowly, inspecting every step for traps. At least one minute per step, no less!" The priest says, finally making it to the staircase after taking only one step every 10 seconds.
Female Gathlain Collegiate Initiate Arcanist 5 | HP 27/27 | AC 13 Touch 13 Flat-Footed 11 | CMB +1 CMD 13 | Saves: Fort +5 Ref +4 Will +4 | Perception: +3 | Init: +2 | Status:Normal | Spell Effects—
The seriousness of the situation lost on her, Ilystria covers her mouth and tries to stifle the tittering laughter the grumpy one's sudden, odd behavior elicits from the diminutive fey. It isn't the first time she's witnessed a mortal take leave of their senses, but—for her and most of her kind—it was a joke that never stopped being funny. Noticing that no one else seems to find the event amusing, the fey queen redoubles her efforts to make it seem like she's not laughing at Vallen by waving a hand in front of her face and trying to pass it off as a fit of coughing brought on by the mists. She gives a few weak coughs to sell it, then delicately clears her throat once she's finally regained her composure. Though it's hard to know for sure considering her eyes have no discernable pupils, one gets the impression that the faerie dignitary is sheepishly looking away after her apparently inappropriate outburst.
"Maybe the mist attacked because you insulted the ones who built this tower? You should try saying something nice about them this time," Ilystria suggests in all sincerity from her spot outside the tower.
Vallen stops inspecting the grain of the stone on the very first step of the staircase to look at Ilystria. "Perhaps you're right. But if you are, I have a different approach. I'll say nothing else about this tower, starting now. So I can avoid... The wrath of what I just mentioned."
"If I don't talk about.... There will be no noticing me. The rest of you feel free to draw... The attention of what I"m not mentioning." The forehead suctioning increases with the apparent stress of trying to avoid talking about... "it".
Ranger 4/Stalker 1 | HP 23/38 | AC 17, Touch 13, FF 14 | CMB +6 | CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +5 | Init +3 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent | Perception +12 (+13 at night) | Ki Pool 2/2
Beast Form:
HP 24/24 | AC 19, Touch 14, FF 15 | CMB +5 | CMD 18 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +2 | Init +4 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, darkvision, Scent | Perception +10 (+11 at night)
"I didn't see anything cause that," Cassandra says, waving away some of the residual mist. Reaching into her pack, she takes out a bandanna and ties it over her nose and mouth. If the mist was based on inhalation it should help. "Anyone else bring one?" she asks looking around at the others. If they do go with Vallen's cautious approach, she stands watch behind everyone bow and arrows at the ready.
Perception on the mist and the vines by the staircase:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24.
When the colorful mist first appeared by the staircase when it engulfed Vallen, Vladric moved closer to his present position on the map but wisely kept out of Vallen's way for the most part as the Dwarven Forgepriest busily healed himself up with the Heal-Kit.
Ilystria's initial open amusement at Vallen's predicament did draw an incredulous look from Vladric's face as he glanced over towards her direction but since the Fey Queen did seem to have enough presence of mind to cover up for her initial faux-pas, the Mivoni Nobleman decided not to press the issue.
As both Jenya and Vallen slowly make their way up the staircase again, Vladric replies to Cassandra's question with a shake of his head, "I'm afraid I left my handkerchief and cravat with the rest of my formal-wear back in town."
Know:Arcana:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5. To determine if magic was involved with the purple mist.
With Vallen's current addled state, the procession up the stairwell is slow going. The trap doesn't fire again. Vladric eventually discovers a disturbed tripwire that's actually made out of twisted vines, cunningly blended in with the forest litter, that released a reservoir of gas, but it looks like it can only be reset manually.
The stairs end in a circular room featuring wide windows draped with hanging vines that offer panoramic views of the keep’s overgrown courtyard and the forest beyond. An open circular skylight in the ceiling provides glimpses of the forest canopy overhead. The walls between the windows are carved with exquisite, delicate nature motifs highlighted in gold and silver leaf. A riot of flowers, plants, and bushes sprout from the thick loam that carpets the hall’s floor, as if one were walking in a fantastic glade elevated high above the forest floor.
The wooden interior walls have long since rotted to dust, turning this into a single wide chamber. The ceiling is 40 feet high.
Feel free to move your tokens toward the tower upper floor on the left side.
Seated on the edge of a delicate bedframe that has somehow survived the test of time, near a beautiful life-sized alabaster statue of a nude dancing elf woman and a wooden wardrobe with a water clock atop it and a chest next to it, is an alluring, graceful elven woman (the same one as the statue, apparently.) She has alabaster skin, golden hair, and emerald green eyes, and wears a flowing white gown of archaic elven style, tied at the waist with blood-red scarf. She stands gracefully as you arrive in the room.
The eleven woman certainly had plenty of time to prepare for their approach considering Vallen loudly complained any time someone started going up the stairs too fast.
He is able to see up into the circular room long before they arrive, begrudgingly admiring the carvings along the windows and the surprisingly still intact sunroof. The priest is more shocked by the loam covered floor than he is the presence of the elf. How did all this dirt get up here? To grow plants? Who builds a tower to grow plants? Elves, I suppose
Blue eyes settle on the statue first, and his professional curiosity would have warranted a good look if it's living likeness did not move to rise nearby. He flicks his vision back and forth between the statue and the elf, mystified as to who keeps a statue of their own self next to their bed.
Remembering he's supposed to be the Grand Diplomat of their kingdom, Vallen clears his throat and focuses on the elf. "Erm... Hello? We are dignitaries of the nearby Kingdom of Emeria, looking to establish beneficial and cooperative relations with the sentient creatures living in the Narlmarshes or the surrounding areas. I am Vallen Silverclasp, Priest of Torag, and uh..." Having calmed down a bit, Ilystria words echo in his mind. " This is a very nice keep you have here. It has weathered the centuries with incredible stability."
Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11
Huh Jenya blurts out, the young woman is already embarrassed by the nude statue but seeing the apparent model of the staute stand up to greet them causes her to blush beet red. It's uh. you?
Female Gathlain Collegiate Initiate Arcanist 5 | HP 27/27 | AC 13 Touch 13 Flat-Footed 11 | CMB +1 CMD 13 | Saves: Fort +5 Ref +4 Will +4 | Perception: +3 | Init: +2 | Status:Normal | Spell Effects—
Ilystria smiles to herself as the group makes it up the staircase without any more purple mist appearing, pleased to find that at least one rule she learned in the First World still held true in even in this strange Mortal Realm: It's important to mind your manners.
Once they reach the second floor landing, Ilystria doesn't immediately notice the elven woman, fascinated as she is by the marriage of stonework and greenery the room features. She runs a gentle hand over the hanging vines and the fragrant blooms and wonders if the same could be done to the castle back in River Run, or at least to the chambers she was given for her stay. Just as she's about to ask Vallen, who seems to be in charge of the architectural improvements of the fort, if such a thing is possible, she hears the dwarf introducing himself to someone.
Though surprised to find the beautiful elven woman alone in the supposedly abandoned tower, Ilystria recovers and gives the woman a bright smile. "Greetings! I am Ilystria Leafheart, Queen of the Narlmarches," she introduces herself as she steps forward, fluttering her wings and filling the space with the delicate perfume of hibiscuses. "My apologies for the intrusion. My friends here were also concerned that bandits might have made their home in your tower. Have you had any trouble with them in your territory? These mortals were kind enough to rid my demesne of their presence; maybe we could do the same for you."
Looking around at her companions for validation, Ilystria's smile falters as she looks to Jenya. "Are you feeling well? Your face is as red as a lillukka berry..."
The elven woman stands slowly, and though she is tall and slender, she has a way of... swaying... that is hypnotic. Her lips part slightly and she raises a hand in a languid motion, then takes a short chasse step to her left... then cants her hips and raises her hand above her head... and something seems not quite right.
Knowledge (nature) DC 16:
This is no living elf woman, but an evil fey - a baobhan sidhe, a monstrous blood-drinking faerie that enchants people with its seductive dance and then drains their vital essence like a vampire! (She is not undead, though.) As with all fey, she is resistant to weapons not made of cold iron, and she is a magical being who swims in the aether of glamour, so mortal spells tend to slide off of her.
Every person in the upper chamber must make a DC 19(!) Will save. If you fail, you become utterly enthralled as she begins her dance. If you are 'into the ladies,' so to speak, you take a -2 penalty on this saving throw.
Hmm, Vallen is only into Dwarf women, so this ladies' lack of a beard is a pretty huge turn off to be honest! But because I hate myself I'll take it on top of the already apparent wisdom damage..
Will saving throw:1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 - 2 = 12
Vallen falls silent, his jaw drooping slightly. He feels his mouth start to go dry, and all he can do is stare at the magnificent beauty of the dancing elf.
Ilystria's attention refocuses on the elven woman when it seems she's finally ready to speak. A slight chill runs down the gathlain's spine as the elf begins to dance instead and the typically oblivious fey starts getting suspicious as the woman's movements become more and more familiar. But the pieces fall into place too slowly, and before Ilystria knows it, she finds herself captivated by the bavanshee's graceful dance.
Is this a mind affecting effect? If so. Just made it thanks to Tough minded Trait! Let me know!
The writeup of the baobhan sith doesn't specify, but that seems like an oversight, as it's clearly a magical effect designed to influence your thoughts, so I'll say that counts.
Probably could use the discovery of that spent trap to explain why Vladric and Cassandra lingered behind the others while they spoke with the dancing elf?
Having discovered the remains of a gas trap with vine-like tripwires, Vladric will point it out to the nearest person at the time, in this case, Cassandra, while Vallen, Jenya, and Ilystria made their way up the staircase. "So it was some type of trap after all; given that these ruins were of elven-make, I had initially thought that magic might have been involved."
As Vallen, Jenya, and Ilystria introduce themselves to somebody up the staircase, Vladric will also head up after them just in time to see some fascinating dance moves from the sole inhabitant of this place....
Vladric will spend a use of Charmed Life to add plus three to his Will Save.
Will save:1d20 + 1 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 3 - 2 = 5. Forgot to add in the modifier...
Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11
Point Blank shot on Touch:1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 1 = 12 If that somehow hits Point Blank damage using one grit on Up close and deadly:1d8 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 1 + (5) = 14
Yeah, well I ain't really used to naked elves dancin' in ancient towers... Jenya falters when she notices she's the only one talking. The elf is weird enough but seeing Vladric, Illystria, and Vallen slack jawed and drooling is what really freaks the young human out. Something is VERY VERY WRONG.! she shouts and raises Misfire to deliver a hasty shot!
The crack of the firearm resounds around the small room and the smell of burnt gunpowder fills the air.
There's a loud BOOM and the stench of powder as Jenya's shot goes off, and her hand trembles slightly as she sees the effect that this creature has on her comrades. The bullet ricochets off a wall, and the creature ever so slowly turns to look at the divot in the wall as Jenya's smoking gun comes down, all the while shifting and twisting and continuing her dance.
The eerie woman looks to Vladric and says, "Come, let me... touch thee." Her accent is odd, some kind of old elvish.
Vladric needs to make a DC 17 Will save next, or this seems like a "totally reasonable suggestion."
Her captivating performance continues and is definitely magical!
Vallen continues to stare at the captivating elf, not even flinching from the gun going off right next to him. "Why not... me?" He mumbles with abject sadness.
Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11
Jenya is really panicking now as everyone around her just stares like drooling idiots at the thing that is rapidly looking like some sort of fairy tale monster rather than a beautiful elf. Especially since she just shrugged off Jenya's attack. It was a terrible shot though and so Jenya tires to calm her breathing and reloads again with powder and shot before firing a hopefully more accurate bullet at her.
Point Blank shot on Touch:1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 1 = 24
Point Blank damage using one grit on Up close and deadly:1d8 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 1 + (3) = 9
Jenya reloads as fast as she can and there's a belch of smoke and fire. Her bullet impacts the creature's flesh and a small droplet of red blood oozes out... but not the pumping, thick blood expected from shooting a person. This is more like... a tiny trail, a pinprick.
Hits, but she has a lot of hp!
The creature barely spares a sideways glance at Jenya before crooking her finger at Vladric.
Female Gathlain Collegiate Initiate Arcanist 5 | HP 27/27 | AC 13 Touch 13 Flat-Footed 11 | CMB +1 CMD 13 | Saves: Fort +5 Ref +4 Will +4 | Perception: +3 | Init: +2 | Status:Normal | Spell Effects—
With a beatific smile upon her face and eyes glazed over, Ilystria gently sways from side to side as if trying to (poorly) imitate the other fey's hypnotic dance.
The strange creature continues to pivot and shift enticingly as Vladric finds himself drawn to it. She reaches out to wrap her arms around him...
Here it comes:
Creature grapple:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
... but something in the back of Vlad's mind, screaming helplessly, resists and after she caresses his cheek once, he pushes her back when she attempts to draw him into an embrace. She pouts.
Jenya, if you have anything that helps you crit or cause continuing damage, may be worthwhile. :)
Jenya, if you can make a DC 10 Intelligence check:
Everyone is just staring at the creature... but maybe it can't entrance them if they can't see it.
Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11
1d20 ⇒ 16
Jenya realizes the problem and curses herself for not having a smoke stick or some flash powder, or anything to break line of sight. She looks around as he rapidly reloads with a paper cartridge and decides on... Vallen. She moves behind the dwarf priest.. who really should have been able to resist the evil elf monster ... and wraps one arm around to cover his eyes while she shoots the monster with the other. It probably looks like she's taking him hostage or something.
Vallen. Gods Damn it. That thing is dancing and it's got you droolin' like you've seen an adamantine forge or something. Get Torag to do something
Swift Action reload, Move action go behind Vallen and cover his eyes. Standard Action to shoot the elf from behind him
Misfire booms with a cracking sound right next to Vallen's ears.
Point Blank shot on Touch:1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 1 = 24
BOOM! Smoke and thunder erupt and the elf-like creature barely pauses in her swaying. Jenya wraps her hands around Vallen's eyes and the dwarf seems to start.
Vallen:
Her dancing and swaying is hypnotic, but it depends upon being able to see her. You know, you know, that if you can see her again you will be entranced once more. But as long as you can't see her you are free from her influence. The problem is figuring out what you can do when you can't see anything, especially since so many spells require targeting something that you see!
Vallen's mind snaps back like a broken bowstring when Jenya covers his eyes. The shooting next to his ear was overkill, however.
"AH!" He starts, mind quickly racing. "That thrice-damned elf put me under her spell! The others.. she got the others too?"
He licks his lips nervously, reaching up to grab his holy symbol. "Torag, hear the plea of your servant! Our minds are assaulted by a great evil, I beseech you for protection!"
The dwarf's fingers glow with a bright white light, and he quickly touches his chest with one hand while the other touches Jenya's arm covering his eyes. "I'll keep my eyes closed, guide me to Cass and Ilystria, I have to touch them to bestow Torag's protection!" The priest says quickly, arms desperately flailing for his companions.
Full-round Action: Cast Protection from Evil, communal, Touching himself and Jenya first. Then with Jenya's help, Cass and Ilystria. Split between the four of us the protection will last 10 rounds.
If this thing is Evil, IF... then we should get another will save to resist the effect.
How far away is Vladric? Probably too far away to touch before the spell discharges, even with a full-round action? Could Vallen continue to hold the spell after one round, then have Jenya guide Vallen to Vladric next round to bestow the spell's effect? I think it's discharged n the round after he starts putting it on people.
Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11
Jenya will use all of her next round to guide Vallen to whoever she can! If she can lead him in a circle to touch all three remaining enthralled people she will do that. I think the next save gets a +2 morale bonus too doesn't it?
The creature is evil, and you get a +2 morale bonus on reroll saves.
I moved Jenya next to Vallen on the map (since she must be adjacent to him to cover his eyes). Luckily, the whole party is in touch range for him!
Evil elf-like thing AoO:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
As Vallen starts chanting his spell, the monstrous thing whips her head around, her fine golden hair lashing like it's in a sudden storm, and swings at him with a clawed hand! But it deflects off his armor and his spell finishes.
Kingmaker is a deservedly popular AP, and I've decided to try my hand at giving it a turn.
This is recruitment for a completely new party, starting at the beginning.
Since character options are diverse in Pathfinder, I've created a document that explains what kinds of characters I like to see, and what I don't want to see for this adventure. Read the character creation document here!
Short version: 20 point buy, Pathfinder races and classes, oddball races will be much harder to convince (but there are some options that are possible there), and you can use gunslingers, Occult adventurers, etc. Yes you can take a drawback to get an extra trait, no you can't take a flaw for a bonus feat, and this campaign will use background skills. No gestalts or mythic adventures.
Planning on a 5-player group.
Pace: I would like to update this game every day. From time to time I wind up traveling or having various activities that impact my schedule and I might miss a day or two, but I always try to give advance notice. If players post frequently, I also tend to post frequently. I would like frequent posters for this adventure. :)
I am in US Pacific coast time.
Tools: This is a play-by-post forum game and I will host maps on Roll20. When I need to make important documents, like kingdom-management spreadsheets, I post them on Google docs with a viewable link for the players, like the document above about my character submission preferences. I generally post important links in the short desc of the campaign, so you can always just click on the links from the top of the campaign window.
A little about me: I'm currently running a Jade Regent group that is moving at a leisurely pace -- they've just left the start and gotten on the caravan trail at level 2 and are having their first encounter on the road. I have a long history in gaming. I play in four games on these boards.
Recruitment will run one week through Oct 28th. I reserve the right to adjust my schedule if something comes up, and I am planning to do some vacationing so something may very well do so. Please make sure your character is neat and complete.
This looks very interesting. I already am in a Kingmaker game, though I never got to be in one from the beginning.
I am wondering if you might allow a strix that is half strix in fluff by taking the Bastard trait?
And also, to prevent flight out the gate, I was thinking, from a story standpoint, that she could have been attacked before this adventure begins and her wing(s) mended incorrectly?
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
How many characters were you planning on running for? Note that KM is built around four 15-pt characters, although Alex Kilcoyne came up with an adjustment document for a party of six.
I plan on a halfling or a small aasimar cavalier with the strategist archetype mounted on a wolf. Plan on trying out teamwork feats to make the group excel tactically. Sort of a small tactical genius.
How many characters were you planning on running for? Note that KM is built around four 15-pt characters, although Alex Kilcoyne came up with an adjustment document for a party of six.
I'm planning to take a five-player group. I will consider the roles of each party member. While it's not impossible that you might get a group that has no trapfinding or no primary healer, I will tend to favor characters who can fill a particular role and help the party to succeed when working as a group. Since there are five PCs, though, you shouldn't shy away from playing hybrids like a magus or multiclass character.
Though I generally run modules close to the way they're printed -- less work for me -- I do tend to throw in the occasional character challenge that pits your character against moral dilemmas, or against something that is a specific problem for your character. So, I'm not super worried about the group being over the general power level. For some encounters that may just mean one or two more enemies. For others, it might mean political or ethical dilemmas that aren't solved more easily just because you have a larger, tougher party.
This looks very interesting. I already am in a Kingmaker game, though I never got to be in one from the beginning.
I am wondering if you might allow a strix that is half strix in fluff by taking the Bastard trait?
And also, to prevent flight out the gate, I was thinking, from a story standpoint, that she could have been attacked before this adventure begins and her wing(s) mended incorrectly?
I don't consider strix flight a problem; bandits have bows. The bigger problem is in fitting in with human society. Kingmaker is a very humanocentric game because you are working on behalf of a human nation to set up another human nation. The ancestral enmity of strix and humans is a tough hurdle to confront. This can, of course, be the source of some juicy conflict and great character dilemmas. It means, though, that the party needs to really be on board with your character and willing to support your path of character development into an appropriate role. Unless things go wildly strangely, for instance, a strix character would never be the actual ruler of the foundling kingdoms of the PCs -- the swordlords of Brevoy would never allow it. Similarly, if your character is mercurial, untrustworthy, low Charisma, or otherwise difficult to work with, it would be very hard to fit into the campaign, because your mere presence would make more enemies for the PCs instead of forging a new nation.
It's not an insurmountable hurdle, but a strix PC needs to have a strong, compelling reason not just to be in the group, but to explain how the strix's presence will eventually fit in the kingdom-building phase of the Adventure Path. Consider what kind of role you'd play in the kingdom, how you avoid superstitious peasant outrage, how you walk the line between loyalty to your people and soothing human concerns.
I don't know that strix are cross-compatible with humanity. In my mind's eye the strix are kinda like the bat-people from Beastmaster.(See here if you aren't a child of the '80s.) This is based on the description of the strix as being black-skinned, winged, devil-like creatures. Based on the Latin roots of the term they probably also have some owl-like features. (If they're bat-people, they're probably mammals and more likely to be compatible. Owl-people would be more avian and less likely. But, this is a fantasy game, so...)
If you want a strix character who has the Bastard trait AND a built-in hook for the campaign, play a character who was saved by a merciful human after a small strix community was destroyed. Adopted by this young scion, you were raised in a human community. You learned about your people and the superstitions that humans have of them through the human lens; what you choose to do with that knowledge is your choice -- whether you try to embrace your parents' culture, or adopt human mores. In such a case your adoptive human parents would be upstanding social movers and shakers in Brevoy, who helped you get a place in society and get the charter for exploration. Your family is not a "noble" family, though, which is where the Bastard trait comes in; your character might be accepted in Brevic society, but would never be considered a noble or a "true" member of human society (unless/until you get heavily involved in making a new kingdom, of course). You'll still have the problem that many humans will fear you on sight, but at least you have an "in" with the legitimate government. Basically, it's similar to having the Noble-Born trait, where you are an adoptive scion, but in this case you aren't actually from a noble lineage, or from a lineage that is not credited as nobility in Brevoy.
You could come up with other alternatives as well. That is just one suggestion off the top of my head.
Wow! Thank you for putting such thought into it. Well, I do intend to play a strix. Maybe a magus or something similar to the character stated already in the profile of this character.
Her old background is that she was a young slave, that escape and flew north. She attacked, and then was rescued, and as such was taken in and taught. And with the information you gave, she could have been adopted by a family like you said when she was rescued.
Another thing about the strix that kinda stuck in my mind, is that the early art of it had a tan human, with brown feathered wings. It was in a bestiary I believe. The other is in the Inner Sea Races are more Raven like. Which by artwork, look closer to bats with feathers, than to a humanoid.
Wow! Thank you for putting such thought into it. Well, I do intend to play a strix. Maybe a magus or something similar to the character stated already in the profile of this character.
Her old background is that she was a young slave, that escape and flew north. She attacked, and then was rescued, and as such was taken in and taught. And with the information you gave, she could have been adopted by a family like you said when she was rescued.
Another thing about the strix that kinda stuck in my mind, is that the early art of it had a tan human, with brown feathered wings. It was in a bestiary I believe. The other is in the Inner Sea Races are more Raven like. Which by artwork, look closer to bats with feathers, than to a humanoid.
Probably a change in design direction. Really there's no good reason that you couldn't have strix come in a variety of colors, in much the same fashion that birds, bats, or humans do. If strix are nocturnal predators it makes sense for them to be dark in color, but there are white owls, too.
As far as character background, a great hook would be if you are a rescue who is basically the adoptive sibling of another PC. That way you have a built-in connection to another member of the party who can speak up for you and you have a pal you can roleplay with!
That sounds great!... Are you an author or something? :P I can see this character being a lighter variety, escape slave, found and adopted, and taught. Oh! Thank you! So many good ideas.
That sounds great!... Are you an author or something? :P I can see this character being a lighter variety, escape slave, found and adopted, and taught. Oh! Thank you! So many good ideas.
I'm a professional game designer. Some of my better-known works include Fallout (the original), a stint on Mage (the White Wolf RPG), the Star Trek RPG (by Decipher), and the Star Trek Online MMO (from Cryptic Studios). Amusingly, I've only contributed to one Pathfinder book.
I'm definitely interested! I was looking into building a paladin/sentinel the other day, so I'll get working on it because this seems like a great environment for something like that!
Is there anyway I could talk you into a 3rd party class. I have a PC from a dead Kingmaker mash up that I'd love to play again. Also, the race is a third party one as well designed using the Race building rules.
I am very strongly considering a character who is lawful evil. The evil being there because he will do anything he deems necessary, even things normally considered evil to protect those he calls friends, companions, or those under his personal protection. He would be a genuinely honourable and gentle guy who believes in justice and peace and would prefer a world without strife or war, he is just pragmatic enough to know that bad things happen, and always will. Is that something you would allow?
I've always wanted to be a part of a KM game, so am interested. :)
I'm considering a Ranger (maybe with the Guide and Trapper archetypes) or a Hunter. Either of those might play pretty well into the sibling angle for Telmarni. :)
Is there anyway I could talk you into a 3rd party class. I have a PC from a dead Kingmaker mash up that I'd love to play again. Also, the race is a third party one as well designed using the Race building rules.
Well for starters I would have to know what it is. :)
I'm not wholly opposed to 3rd party material, but I gotta go and read it m'self. Notably, I am generally ok with psionic stuff (from Dreamscarred) and I would probably let the various "martial adept" classes play (also from Dreamscarred), though I reserve the right to make spot decisions about stuff that might wind up breaking like a brittle twig.
I am very strongly considering a character who is lawful evil. The evil being there because he will do anything he deems necessary, even things normally considered evil to protect those he calls friends, companions, or those under his personal protection. He would be a genuinely honourable and gentle guy who believes in justice and peace and would prefer a world without strife or war, he is just pragmatic enough to know that bad things happen, and always will. Is that something you would allow?
Yes. The other players would, of course, need to know in advance that this is how you are going to play. If I chose such a character for the group I certainly wouldn't pick a paladin for the campaign, so there's already some grid-blocking going on there. :)
I've always wanted to be a part of a KM game, so am interested. :)
I'm considering a Ranger (maybe with the Guide and Trapper archetypes) or a Hunter. Either of those might play pretty well into the sibling angle for Telmarni. :)
Both are excellent choices for Kingmaker, as you spend a lot of time in the wilderness, and when you transition to a more developed kingdom there's still need for a character who's a sort of protector of the land/gamekeepr figure.
I will be submitting this character, still working on her though so it's incomplete. Here is a short description, and she is a sorcerer who shoots lightning or ice, i haven't decided yet
Short description:
she is an artificially created Dhampir-elf thing. Her father was a mad mage who rules a small island nation. He sought to create the perfect life form and began combining the essences of other creature : vampire, dragon, his own magic are what makes up Illya. her body began breaking down, and he abandoned his daughter. instead of seeking revenge she now seeks ways to fix her dying body.
I will be submitting this character, still working on her though so it's incomplete. Here is a short description, and she is a sorcerer who shoots lightning or ice, i haven't decided yet
** spoiler omitted **
Comments for Ilya:
You'll need to figure out how your character wound up connected with the charter group for Kingmaker. If you're not familiar with the AP, the conceit is that you have an actual legal government charter from the swordlords of Brevoy to go recapture bandit-infested lands to the south. This means your character must've somehow gotten into a charter group, either by impressing someone, bribing someone, seducing someone, or otherwise landing the "official paperwork" for the gig.
I will be submitting this character, still working on her though so it's incomplete. Here is a short description, and she is a sorcerer who shoots lightning or ice, i haven't decided yet
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
KK i'll think on it and leave it in the profile when as under a separate spoiler, figure a reason for being in the campaign deserves it's own little thing. since it is level 1 i am assuming with this, it could end up being as simple as me going with she impressed people
with her magical talents, having the genetics for lack of more fitting term of three magical things.
either way i'll come up with something a little more in depth, ill let you know when it's all set brah.
I have heard it can be a really fun campaign if run correctly.
Well, here is Telmarni's stats. Haven't chosen the Noble Family yet, since I don't know who will play with what character. Still changing up her backstory to fit. But anyway, here is her stats.
Telmarni's Stats:
Telmarni
Female strix magus (bladebound) 1 (Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Inner Sea World Guide 313, Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Magic 9, 47)
CN Medium humanoid (strix)
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +6
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +3 Dex)
hp 8 (1d8)
Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +2; +2 bonus vs. illusion spells or effects
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor), fly 60 ft. (average)
Melee scimitar +2 (1d6+2/18-20) or
. . unarmed strike +3 (1d3+2 nonlethal)
Ranged shortbow +3 (1d6/×3)
Special Attacks arcane pool (+1, 4 points), hatred, spell combat
Magus (Bladebound) Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +4)
. . 1st—shield, shocking grasp
. . 0 (at will)—arcane mark, detect magic, read magic
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 14, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 8
Base Atk +0; CMB +2; CMD 15
Feats Weapon Finesse
Traits pragmatic activator, reactionary
Skills Acrobatics +0 (-4 to jump), Fly +4, Knowledge (arcana) +7, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +7, Linguistics +4, Perception +6, Perform (dance) +0, Spellcraft +7, Use Magic Device +7; Racial Modifiers +2 Perception
Languages Common, Draconic, Infernal, Strix, Sylvan
SQ mark of slavery, suspicious
Other Gear studded leather, arrows (20), scimitar, shortbow, backpack, bedroll, belt pouch, flint and steel, hemp rope (50 ft.), ink, black, inkpen, mess kit[UE], pot, soap, spell component pouch, torch (10), trail rations (5), waterskin, 32 gp
--------------------
Tracked Resources
--------------------
Arcane Pool +1 (4/day) (Su) - 0/4
Arrows - 0/20
Torch - 0/10
Trail rations - 0/5
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Arcane Pool +1 (4/day) (Su) Infuse own power into a held weapon, granting enhancement bonus or selected item powers.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Flight (60 feet, Average) You can fly!
Hatred +1 (Ex) Gain a bonus to attacks vs. humans.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Mark of Slavery -2 to skills and attacks after failing a skill check, unless you're retrying the skill check,
Spell Combat (Ex) Use a weapon with one hand at -2 and cast a spell with the other.
Suspicious +2 bonus to save vs. illusion.
--------------------
Start Gold 150
Bought
Magus's Kit 22 Gold
Studded Leather Armor 25 Gold
Scimitar 15 Gold
Shortbow 30 Gold
20 Arrows 1 Gold
And her backstory is somewhat the outline, but he is what follows.
Telmarni's Background.:
She was once a slave in Cheliax. From a young age, that is what she remembered. She wished to be free, and when a chance came, she took it. She fled North, Northeast Anywhere but where she was kept as a trophy.
She flew as far and as fast as she could, but collapsed after a while. But luck was with her. She was found unconcious by a family that lived farther north. She was brought there and awoke in their care. She was startled, but they assured her that she is safe, and no one would own her as an object again. She was soon after adopted by this family, and she learned that humans are not all the same.
While she grew, she was taught of many things. Her family found that she had a bit of understanding of magic, and an interest in their swordsmanship. She couldn't hold a proper dueling sword though, so they found a slightly shorter, more curved blade for her. And as such, her training as a magus began.
When her training was more or less complete, her family heard of the expedition to the stolen lands to take care of bandits and such, and thought that she could go with someone from the main household so she can be away from the politics of their family. They managed to get a hold of a charter and gave it to Telmarni along with a blade, similar to what she used, but was black as night. With her gifts and with her adopted parent's blessing, she was sent to meet with the group that has the main household's member with them.
Edit: Sorry, forgot to note that that stats shown is when she is carrying everything she has. If she can fight without her backpack, she is alot more mobile.
Kingmaker has always seemed like the perfect game for a necromancy-themed character, since there's no real existing authority or church out in the stolen lands to get cranky about it.
I have an idea for a Necromancer who would be very much a team player and very helpful to a party, so long as they weren't the sort to get upset about controlled undead.
Kingmaker has always seemed like the perfect game for a necromancy-themed character, since there's no real existing authority or church out in the stolen lands to get cranky about it.
I have an idea for a Necromancer who would be very much a team player and very helpful to a party, so long as they weren't the sort to get upset about controlled undead.
Thoughts?
I play necromancers from time to time.
That said, raising the dead is generally considered an "evil act" in the Pathfinder setting, as uncontrolled or intelligent undead tend to wander around murdering people. This is not a dealbreaker but it could certainly have repercussions down the line.
I have previously run a tabletop game with a PC necromancer who pulled out all the stops to hyper-optimize his ability to raise undead minions. It got a little ridiculous. So I'm more keen on the kind of necromancer who uses lots of necro-magic plus a few minions than the guy who has a shambling army of undead mind flayers, behirs, and krakens.
Thank you for your well-defined character creation document.
I was thinking of the following concept. Let me know what you think:
Idea:
Given the entropic nature of the River Kingdoms and surrounding regions, what is legal and not can be sketchy - especially when it comes to passage of power. In my prospective character's youth, his mother was of some influence in the region, but she became entangled with the wrong people and was killed for her power combined with her disposition. Witness to this, my character became enraged, seeking to enact revenge for her murder. To this end, he sought not the swift slaughter of those responsible, but rather the undoing of what they held dear, making them feel the same loss and despair he did.
Though his mother had power, due the lack of legitimacy in its transfer, the character received none directly, though she did have an insurance plan of sorts in mind for him; he was taken-care of long enough to get on his feet and have a level of independence. He views the charter as the best opportunity to grab a piece of the political pie and have actual substance behind whatever clout he can manage to fabricate in exacting his revenge.
If selected, I plan to flesh-out a rather elaborate familial line, acquaintances, and the like with potentials for plot twists.
Mechanically, I'm thinking negotiator bard. The character could serve as a party face.
Thank you for your well-defined character creation document.
I was thinking of the following concept. Let me know what you think:
** spoiler omitted **
Interesting. This is the kind of character that would be a "slow burn," starting out as a support role but moving into increasingly powerful gameplay as the kingdom-building rules come on line. Also has some built-in side story hooks. Additionally, I am fond of certain literary tropes.
There are some definite parallels. Innocent as he may begin, there will be a certain level a damnation thrust upon him in his activities, though an extended prison sentence is likely not in the works for his backstory.
once again only a short, but hows this work for ya? for being here and all.
short:
I awoke in the wilds with barely anything, why? He didn't just kill me... he kept me alive. Even leaving one of his journals...my "recipe" what went in me. I new of the big things: the dragon and vampire blood...he never told there was more, just everything else was for stability. Human....Would've never guessed...
Wandering i found i was in some place called Brevoy, the name sounded vaguely familiar. One of those places where Dad made himself big again? i wouldn't be surprised.
I did my research, had nothing better to do. No home, no friends, nothing left. The great Shadow mage Archae, apparently part of some great lost family line. Probably established himself, so he could have a place to work with the resources and connections to maintain it.
wondering how he did it, he was never a people person from what i new of him. Of course he never told me much of his past, only bits here and there when the madness broke. I need a home...i need people...something to call my own. Maybe i could prove i was his daughter, as much as i loathe to admit i am his legacy... all i have is his journal... nothing else from him, hell i don't even look him. except the hair and eye's: gray and violet, the family trait he would call it.
A few years back I was involved in a highly modified Kingmaker campaign that didn't get far. I made a healer-type half-elf witch for it. I'm interested, and I'd love to dust her off and use her again!
Hi! Here's that healer witch I was talking about earlier. I'd go through and review it and make it all appropriate for the campaign, but it'll give you the idea of what I have in mind.
I had a thought on how Telmarni might be able to blend in. Would a cloak of feathers help disguise her wings as part of cloak? This is basically just bouncing ideas out there.
I had a thought on how Telmarni might be able to blend in. Would a cloak of feathers help disguise her wings as part of cloak? This is basically just bouncing ideas out there.
Sure, that might help if visibility is poor, but remember that in PF the usual way to "pretend to be human" when you are not is to use Disguise. Yeah, it's kind of a pain in the ass but that's the way the system is built. Your bigger problem is (in my opinion) Telmarni's low charisma -- means that when you have to interact with people, they already start out not liking you, and it's harder to convince them that you are not an enemy! (You might be able to offset that by ranking Bluff or Diplomacy.)
If you go the Disguise route, a typical common human (no stat mods) has a passive Perception of 10, so if you can get a 13 by taking 10 on your skill check, your typical Disguise would fool the average person. (It's 13 because you must beat the Perception total, and you have a -2 for disguising as a different race.) Also if you use a Disguise and someone sees through it, they will tend to be hostile because, well, you are obviously trying to fool them. :)
If you go the social skill route, it's actually a little harder because you are looking at moving people from Unfriendly, which is like DC 20+!
So it's gonna be rough any way you cut it. Fortunately you will have allies (the party) to help keep things from getting out of hand -- but in Kingmaker, having a poor charisma and poor social skills is a liability when you get to kingdom building, even if you aren't the ruler. I recommend taking a gander at leadership roles for kingdoms to see where your character might be able to fit once the PCs start a nation.
DM, what are your thoughts on a divine hunter paladin of Erastil? And, in a more general sense, what do you think about paladins in this campaign? I had the chance to play KM in person last year (we only went through the first book, though), and I was playing a paladin. There were no problem at all with party members, since we felt like Erastil tenets were very easy to share in the Stolen Lands, but I'm asking your opinion nonetheless. I've got other ideas in case this wouldn't work or isn't reccomended.
Dotting for interest! I have a human arcanist (white mage archetype) that was in a Kingmaker game for awhile on the forums that didn't go very far. It'll probably be later tonight or tomorrow before I'll have a chance to review her sheet/backstory and see if adjustments need to be made, but I wanted to throw it out there.
Although I did dot for interest on the other ongoing Kingmaker recruitment some time ago, I ultimately couldn't come up with any adjustments to Korinne (my arcanist) that I liked or a brand new concept to fit the creation guidelines. I think your guidelines will suit what I have in mind a little better :)
*edit* I know you said you were interested in frequent posters, but how much so? I can definitely commit to at least 1/day, but with my work schedule it's sometimes difficult to do more than that on work days. My days off are usually more relaxed and I can generally post more as the game/story requires.
This is Raxus. He's been accepted into four Kingmaker games on these boards, all of which have died out before they got far. I've gotten into the habit of working the previous games into his backstory, using them as "failed attempts" at the taming of the stolen lands.
He now lives at Oleg's Trade Post full time, acting as a sort of local liaison and guide for new groups who show up to try to pick up where old groups failed. At this point he's rather disillusioned with the whole thing, and all his new friends keep dying, so he's a bit sad and standoffish.
He is a fantastic character with a rich history. I'd love to reprise him.
He's a Half-Ogre, using a 3rd party race from before Paizo had published their own version. I'd be happy to update him to Paizo's version, but it is a +1 CR template.
I have a couple proposals for how to make this work-
1) Rebuild Raxus with the Paizo template, and not give him a class level. He'd be a 1 Hit Dice humanoid with the Ogrekin template. His first class level would come when everyone else hit level 2 (he'd be a barbarian).
2) Keep him as the third-party race (which is actually quite weak according to the race building rules. roughly 6 race points).
3) Come up with a custom race with the race building rules that would be something of a middle ground between the two.
With your approval of one of these, I'll rework him at first level.
Okay, I know you said oddball races would need some good justification, but I think I've got a good one that would be amusingly fun to play.
A kobold swordlord. And I promise, he had a good story.
Basically, he was bought as an egg by an aging brevoy nobleman and Aldori swordlord as something of an oddity. When he hatched, the old noble planned to sell him, but on a whim, humored the kobold when he started playing with one of his practice swords. After a while, he grew attached to the little guy and started teaching him fencing and dueling, and after a few years, on his death bed, planned to leave a good portion of his estate to the little kobold as repayment for being such a good companion and student.
As you can imagine, his existing family was not happy about this and stole his inheritance from him and drove him off, escaping only with an old sword his mentor gifted him. After a couple years of wandering, studying, and practice, he's returning to help the new nation in hopes that once he has a position of power, he can come back, claim the old man's inheritance and take revenge on the family.
So, like a Count of Monte Cristo... but with a kobold.
I am definitely interesting in participating in this. Not certain what I will play, but I am thinking a Human Rogue or Investigator. He would possible be a member of House Lebeda, a merchant looking to use the charter as a way to lay the groundwork to expand his family's network.
