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First, for RP posts it tends to be easy to follow certain standards. Descriptions and actions can be described through normal text. Dialogue should be bolded, thoughts italicized and any out of character commentary using the ooc tags. Information for just specifc people, or the results of skill checks will be hidden in spoilers. We operate on the honor system with those.
The vampire crept slowly into the room, considering his victim. Or more accurately his victim's throat. His mind seemed to echo every pulse within calling to his hunger. Finally my thirst will be slaked... Yes, you will do nicely. Leaning over the prone victim, his voice comes out in a low almost soothing whisper Sleep now, embrace being mine...
<spoiler>Perception DC 20 You wake feeling a presence looming over you.</spoiler>
<spoiler>Will Save DC 16 There is a sensation of control washing over you but you manage to shake it off.</spoiler>
Hopefully that gives a fair idea of how posting should be formatted so that everyone can communicate effectively.
I try and be a very responsive and flavorful DM for combat situations, taking your rolls and giving a little fluff to them to add to the dynamics of the situation. When we are on initiative count, I find it easiest to post in any order with any applicable rolls(attack and damage, even if you don't know if you hit for instance) as well as a backup plan if there is any chance of your main one getting disrupted. Ex: I strike the goblin next to me, if it is already dead then I charge the bugbear.
Once the next person in initiative has posted, I will create a combat post of fluff and results for him and anyone else who has already put up their actions who goes after him. Basically, combat in play by posts already take time, so I am looking to avoid any extra holdups because the person who goes second happened to be on an hour before the guy who goes first, and now we are waiting another full day for his post. Obviously when a surprise event happens in combat I will pause to let anyone who has already posted modify their actions, but it should make normal round by round combat go faster.
For the campaign itself, I feel there are two things that are important in advance. First, I wanted to make sure that everyone was able to access the google docs. I'll likely use a spreadsheet on there to act as a battlemat for us and will put up handouts and maps there for everyone, so if someone can't get to it let me know so I can come up with a better workaround. I use roll20 for other things and it could be interesting to try and make use of for a PbP since it would give me a lot more control over things and has some nifty features, but since it requires registering(though its free) I didn't want to assume that. Just a possibility.
Secondly, and more story-wise, there is a behind the scenes mechanic that will be taking place during this campaign and I wanted you to all be aware of it even if you never see the actual numbers. I will be keeping a running tally of things called 'victory points' that essentially are how well you are doing on your current large scale goals. Because this overall campaign is such a sandbox adventure, and it never really requires you to complete any specific tasks this gives me a method of keeping track of things you have accomplished and will let you feel some benefit come from tasks that in other stories might turn into questing for loot or experience.
As an example: Should your over arching current goal be to defend a village against a gnoll incursion, then you may gain 1 victory point for spending time training villagers, 1 victory point for somehow securing them better equipment, 2 victory points for bringing in military reinforcements, ect. When the time for the massive battle comes, the number of victory points the group has will play a role as modifiers or alter the landscape of the battle completely. Basically, anything you guys are doing can have an effect, positive or negative, on over arching events. There will be large scale battles and story changing events, not all of which may go your way, but win or lose the war continues.
At first, it feels as if you must be dreaming. The sense of dislocation, the giddiness, the feeling of flying rapidly through space, all add to the unreality. Where are you? What were you doing a moment ago? These thoughts arise in your mind, as if you were half-awake, on the borderlands of consciousness.
Perhaps you have been knocked senseless, or poisoned with some hallucinogenic drug. One thing is certain; you are in a strange place and you do not remember how you came here.
What you can see before you is as clouded and vague as the contents of your mind. There seems to be nothing but mist, swirling in eddies around you, with a suggestion of huge shapes briefly glimpsed through it. The mist is cold on your face and with a start you realise that this is no dream. You are here, physically here in your body, fully dressed and carrying your equipment. There is wet grass beneath your feet. You feel no pain, so it stands to reason that you were not knocked out and dragged here. How, then, did you come to be here?
Alone in the mist, you wonder why you do not feel more afraid. There is a presence here, something old and comforting, like a childhood memory. The mist begins to clear. In the faint light of a new day, you see the huge forms that you glimpsed before. They are megaliths – standing stones that tower over you, set into the form of a circle. This place is achingly familiar to you, yet you have never been here before.
Through the thinning mists, you see that you are not alone. There are others here, and by the look of them, they are as surprised to find themselves here as you are.
Mogwai looked down at the grass, and reached down to feel it, brushing his hands through the dew. It felt real. But, how could it be? How did he get here? The last thing he remembered he was - Mogwai let out a low growl and took a step backwards. 'Mogwai not can remember.'
Whirling around to see what's behind him doesn't to clue him in at all. It looks more of the same. Every direction. The sense of having been here before does little to calm Mogwai, since he can't remember if he actually was, or much of anything else.
He sees others as the mist begins to thin, and wonders if perhaps they know something he doesn't. He slowly moves through the grass, approaching them as he approaches most situations - with his arms outstretched, showing that while he may be a goblin, he carries no weapons, and he neither hides nor tricks.
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Colours Drombar thinks to himself So not the Shadow Plane. He looks around.
Water. I wonder if it's a lake or a sea. Maybe there is a boat. Megaliths with the constellations carved into them. Let's see their alignments are...Yes! The constellations would match on midsummers day. Clearly a place of ritual significance. People. I can see them emerging from the mist. A goblin. I wonder if he knows where we are? Why do I feel no threat from the Goblin? How did I get here? This place gets more interesting the more I see of it. Why do I have no memories? Did I just forget? No, I remember some things. I have knowledge. I have not forgotten that, only my past. So something or someone took my past from me. Who and why?
He speaks to the goblin, a rasping, whispery voice from the shadowy outline of a man.
"Do you speak Common? Do you know where we are or why we are here?"
I hope he doesn't know why we're here, He thinks, I Wouldn't want this to be too easy. That would spoil the fun.
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Weapon finesse doesn't just cover a single type of weapon or attack anymore, it covers all attacks that meet the prereqs of the feat. Natural attacks are in there, so your bite is finessable.
The dervish dance is made to be for a specific type of weapon, I have no problem changing it to claws instead of the scimitar, but it does mean it only works for that one type of attack.
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Aetherni slowly open his eyes. He know he's on the floor, but remain static. Mentally he feel his body and tries his fingers, finding them a little numb but working.
Unless i'm having a Ghost Member Syndrome.
Keeping his head down he tries to look around him, finding nothing but what seems to be the tips of huge rocks. The air is calm and silent, and he is sure there's no one close to him. The dwarf starts inclining his head to see the huge rock behind him, pausing for a second to identify some carvings at it. Even at this distance he is able to see it, and felt even more comfortable.
I'm here again. Wait, here where?
He realizes he's been here before, but have no idea of when or why. Thinking about it he tries to remember what he is, and doesn't know for sure. Slowly touching his armor he finds a Huge Axe, and his hand shows at once the grip he is so familiar with.
Hearing a raspery voice puts him in alert and makes him lift his torso. From the source of the sound he finds a dark humanoid creature, speaking in almost a whisper with... and that's a goblin? I'm certainly on a freak exhibition! He turns his head and see the others, but returns to focus the weird pair.
They seem as lost as I, and they will not fight, i'm sure about it. I'll watch this conversation before doing anything foolish
He then tries to do the Lotus Flower pose, sitting on the flor, only to his surprise as he realizes his crooked legs were giving him a hard time in that. The blonde-bearded dwarf sees someone smiling to him, probably just finding it to be very funny, but ignores it. He also starts to feel his heavy armor, what looks to be Half-plate mail, or maybe a banded mail?
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Let me see if everything is correct, before rechecking my character
- 25 points buy
- 1 free trait + Star benefit
- remember nothing before this awaking
- I'm not sure about we dying or not. Were we reincarnated, revived, no killed at all or we have no idea about it?
- Knowledge Skills may be applied ranks to;
- Starborn template will be applied to us later.
- Are races gonna be improved in anything?
Did i miss something important?
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The starborn template is already active on all of you, but aside from the starsign bonus its benefits aren't mechanical and will become evident as you explore what you are and the history of the starborn further.
Racial adjustments will be made in the interest in balancing the party, however I believe this whole group is pretty similar power level wise so any adjustments will likely be minimal.
For HP, take max at first. Let me rattle around in my head a bit what I want to do after that. I'm shooting for heroic for you guys, so it may be as simple as 'roll, reroll 1s' but I hadn't considered that yet.
Brutus Tarsi slowly opens his eyes. And he is surprised. He looks around and realizes that whatever happened, he was not hear a moment ago. He closes his eyes again, and tries to remember what he was doing just before the feeling of… heaviness? "I am not sure if that is the way to describe it, but how else can you describe the sensation of your body beginning to weigh again?" Shaking his head a bit, Brutus opens his eyes once more, but this time with the intent of understanding and comprehending where he was at. Before he got much of a look though, he realized, he was kneeling in the wet grass. His backpack was next to him, with his fully stocked quiver, and his longbow still strung resting on top of that. The pile was too neat, to odd, another part to this mystery.
He took a moment to gather his things, he slipped the quiver over his shoulder, put the back pack on and arranged things so it all hung comfortably, then picked up his bow and begin to look around once more.
Brutus sees the fog that had obscured his vision begin to fade, and he sees giant stones, that reach high into the sky, towering over him. He sees a number of them, set in a circle, for some purpose to be sure, but what, he knew not. As he looks at the megaliths, his is struck by the feeling that he has been here before, like this is a place he should recognize. But as with his memory, he can't seem to grasp it, can't quite seem to figure it out. As the fog continued to dissipate, he sees other forms. "Good to know I am not alone, wherever this may be..." He sees the forms begin to move towards the center of the circle, so he decides to join them too. As he gets closer, he sees what looks like a… "I think thats a goblin at least…" and someone who resembles a human of some kind. He shrugs and decides to greet the others, "Hello, my name is Brutus Tarsi, and it seems that you are as uncertain as I am as to why we are here." Looking around he jokes saying, "Until we figure out why we are here, we might as well make the best of things. Anyone have any cards, or dice, or dessert for that matter, I am famished."
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And a last Edit... I think Chaucer is done, barring any racial adjustments to balance things of course. Take a look at my numbers and hopefully I did it all right lol.
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Drombar looks up as the human steps into the centre and speaks.
No armour. Holds his bow with the confidence of long use. Lets see, yes - he looks like he does Katas. Some kind of Monk? with a bow? I have heard of such a thing, but I don't think I have met one. But then, I don't remember. Who knows, we may have been friends - or enemies. It seems he does not know why we are here either.
Drombar bows towards the human, his glowing yellow eyes flashing n the darkness of his silhouette.
"Well met, Brutus Tarsi. I am Drombar. I hope you find a partner for your games, but I am not content to just wait, there are too many wonders to be found. I intend to gather a party to explore, if it's all the same to you. We must discover how far the land extends, whether we are in a lake or a sea, if there is a boat, and what is the significance of our gathering? are we all without memory or only some of us? What about you, master goblin, you want to explore?"
Mogwai replies to Drombar. "Mogwai speak Common, Shadow-Man. Mogwai not know where we are."
As the other man walks towards the two, Mogwai turns to him. "Brew-tus." he says, slowly sounding it out. "Mogwai not have time for games." He continues, almost scolding the larger man.
Mogwai notes that both men are armed and look well-equipped. He has come to see this as the norm from his travels. "Drum-bar. Mogwai like explore. But... What is place? What are stones?" he gestures towards the obelisks.
Brutus can't help but smile as he thinks, "Well, I guess these guys don't have much of a sense of humor, I wonder if that can be remedied?" Laughing slightly, he turns his attention to the conversation and says, "Drombar, Mogwai, well met! And forgive me my joking, it helps me keep things in perspective. But of course, you are right, this is not the time for games. I will help however I can." Brutus offers as a way of reconciling.
"And as for these stones, I don't know their purpose, but they seemed to be marked with the constellations. I could venture a guess as to their purpose, but that is all it would be, a guess." Brutus speaks looking up and around the circle at the massive stones. "Drombar, do you have any better guess as to their purpose?"
Mogwai frowns and looks at the symbols for a few seconds, before breaking into a wide, toothy grin. "Oh! Cons'lations. <Insert the Goblin word here for Stars>." He looks up at Brutus, very pleased. "Brew-tus smart. Mogwai maybe have time later - play games?"
Brutus can't help but smile at the goblins grin. As he looks, he feels a tug in his mind, as if he should be suspicious of this Mogwai, but every bit of evidence he sees before him says this goblin is genuine. "Curious... but nevertheless, it would be wise to watch this one. Brutus thinks, knowing those intuitive moments have kept him alive more than once... or at least, he thinks they have. Speaking his thoughts out loud he says to himself, "This no memory thing is going to cause some confusion to say the least... ahh well.
Looking back to the goblin, he says, "Thank you Mogwai, and after we explore this place, we will most definitely enjoy our time together."
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Go here for Purty Picture
Spoiler:I should also say that I am only in two games, and I am online a lot. I work an office job that allows me to keep email, forums, etc. just up and open, so I will do my best not to dominate the conversation by sheer mass of posts. If I am getting there, just let me know and I will try and tone it down a bit. I am excited about this game and am looking forward to playing with you guys!
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Aetherni seems to have concluded his studying.
I must be still dizzy, I cannot feel them...
Well. It's good to meet you all. My name seems to be Aetherni, as it's written on my weapon and on my shield. I'm sure we were part of a ritual, but i don't know who nor why anyone did that. One of the possibilities is that we did something to ourselves. At least this place seems familiar. This megaliths seems to have a constellation carved in it, with a specially strong star in them. But it doesn't seem to be of much sense. There are 12 rocks, and only 5 beings. He looks at the silent one who haven't manifested yet. Maybe some others have left early? Anyway, my fingers do tell me that there is something itchy in my neck and back, but i can't turn my head to see it. Do you mind helping me to take a look mr. Brutus?
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"Well met, Master Aetherni" Drombar responds, bowing in his direction. "This mystery is interesting indeed, is it not! We appear to have no memory of our past lives, yet we remember our names and retain knowledge that we have studied. For example, I can look at these monoliths and indeed confirm that they are ritualistic in nature: you will observe that each monolith aligns with its heavenly constellation on midsummer's night. We recognise them as constellations, so we are all from the same world and retain our knowledge of that. They are clearly artificial, yet there appears to be no agents to enact the ritual; is it a place built by mortals or by gods? where is the agent or agentss of the ritual? What is the water we hear lapping around us? is it sea or lake? is there a boat? Without investigation, we will have no answers to these questions!"
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Is anyone here good at searching footprints? Before we start moving around it would be smart to search for previous footprints in this place. We may be able to find a piece of the answer we sought.
Aetherni looks around him, searching for possible footprints, even his own, possibly indicating that he came here walking.
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2 points over on attributes
Heal should be +9(Trait Caretaker adds 1)
Survival not a class skill so would be just a 5
Money is slightly off(you should have 108gp, 7sp, 9cp)
I'm not actually sure which trait you chose. From your skills it looks like you picked armor expert to lower the armor check penalty by 1(otherwise they should be -7, even so climb should be -2). But you also gave yourself a trait bonus to AC, so I'm not sure which one is correct.
Remaining money should actually be 4gp, 1sp, 9cp.
I think your gold is a little off, you should have 33gp, 6sp, 8cp. However, remember that comp shortbows cost 75gp extra for each strength bonus on the weapon, so right now its a +0 strength and just has the bonus to range.
As a goblin, you get goblin and common for free so you should have 1 additional language
Your stealth(ridiculously) should actually be +13. Goblins get a +4 on stealth in addition to the size mod but you haven't applied armor check penalties yet. They also get a +4 to ride.
Let me know when you are done with the rest of your gear. Otherwise it looks good.
I don't see your trait and starsign on the sheet
Looks like you have overspent a little on things. Without your comp shortbow you have 94gp left. Making a shortbow have a +1 strength pull brings it to 150gp
Your AC is showing a +2 shield bonus, but you don't have a shield since you are using a two handed weapon
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The dwarf doesn't seem to be the best tracker, and aside from the obvious tracks left behind from your recent movement, there don't appear to be any signs of travel. There is no clear method of your arrival, by foot or being dragged, nor does the grass appear worn down in any ways that would indicate regularly being trodden upon.
Mogwai:As a goblin, you get goblin and common for free so you should have 1 additional language Your stealth(ridiculously) should actually be +13. Goblins get a +4 on stealth in addition to the size mod but you haven't applied armor check penalties yet. They also get a +4 to ride.
Let me know when you are done with the rest of your gear. Otherwise it looks good.
Vorik wakes from a terrible dream. It was filled with unending torment, fires that burned hotter than any normal flame, and pain. Excruciating, horrific, soul wrenching pain. It had to have been a dream, for such agony could not be possible in the real world, yet it felt so real. Too real.
He stands, and looks around, seeing that he is not in any sort of bedroom, or even building. "Where in Nine Hells am I?" he thinks, then feels the weight of some sort of armor, and a massive sword strapped to this back. They felt wrong, he was sure he never owned such armaments. Yet somehow, they also strangely right, almost comforting. Like they belonged.
He then spots the megaliths, and others in this weird, mist shrouded land. He walks over to them, cautiously, unsure if they are friend or foe.
Vorik stands about five feet, eight inches tall, and there is definitely a powerful presence to him. He has dark, ebony skin that is quite muscular, yet also appears lithe. He is wearing a golden shirt of chainmail over his clothing, with his deity's holy symbol(Brith) painted on it.
He has short, spiky white hair, and bright silver eyes, that in contrast to his black skin seem to almost glow.
Yea, picking my traits now.
I had mistakenly thought the base Comp. bow added +1 automatically. I have no problem with it being a normal shortbow.
He only wears his shield on the rare occasions he wields his sickle, which is the favored weapon of his secondary deity, Lumiya.
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Ancient Enmity: Dwarves have long been in conflict with elves, especially the hated drow. Dwarves with this racial trait receive a +1 racial bonus on attack rolls against humanoid creatures of the elf subtype. This racial trait replaces hatred.
I'm finishing up everything.
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Aetherni identifies swiftly the silvery eyes, white hair, dark skin and pointy ears as being drow features. His hand drops his axe handle at once, but stop when he sees the Symbol of Brith painted on the golden-colored armor.
Is this some kind of joke? A drow worshipping the elven Sun God?!? Isn't the god supposed to weaken it? My knowledge seems blurred!
Looking at the ebony creature, he speaks:
Hey you! Don't get any closer! I'm not sure about who you are, but you do looks like a drow to me, and I must say that drows are not among my favorites. Did you set this up for us?
2 points over on attributes
Heal should be +9(Trait Caretaker adds 1)
Survival not a class skill so would be just a 5
Money is slightly off(you should have 108gp, 7sp, 9cp)
Brutus begins to laugh as the dwarf introduces himself and then asks for aid in ridding himself of an itch. "Well master dwarf, you sure do make fast friends, either that, or you ask odd things of strangers. But sure, I can't say I have ever peeked inside a dwarves armor before, though to be honest, I can't say I ever wanted to either." He moves to the dwarf, picks a twig that had gotten stuck under his armor, and sees one of the constellations from the stones on his back. "Why Aetherni, it looks as if the watchmen constellation has taken up residence on your back. Interestingly, I have something like it on my feet."
He smiles again as the dwarf begins to look around. He could probably help him, sure, but the sight of an armored dwarf squatting in the grass trying to find prints was a sight that Brutus enjoyed too much. But when the last of the forms entered the center of the stone circle, the humor drained from the situation as Brutus sees the dwarf's hand go to his axe. Putting a hand to his new friend's arm he says, "Easy now, I don't know what is going on, nor who caused it, but I am Brutus Tarsi, and it seems that you have found yourself in the same plight as all of us. Mind telling us your name?"
I think your gold is a little off, you should have 33gp, 6sp, 8cp. However, remember that comp shortbows cost 75gp extra for each strength bonus on the weapon, so right now its a +0 strength and just has the bonus to range.
The young man hand twitches slightly towards his belt, perhaps to a pouch there, yet none exist. The movement seems reflexive. He snorts derisively at the dwarf "Figures one who belongs to the most stubborn of races would be so close-minded. I am who I am, and that is a holy warrior in service to mighty Brith and to a lesser extent his sister, Lumiya."
He looks at bit confused as the human ask his name "Uh. I..I do not remember. I...uh. Think it was long, but I can't recall."
Mogwai frowns disapprovingly at Drombar and Aetherni. "Must all of race be same? Maybe Mogwai saw a Shadow-Man torture cat once. All Shadow-Mans torture cats?" He makes a tsk-tsk sound. "Much prejudice in world."
He approaches the paladin and bows deeply. "Mogwai apologise for others. Mogwai very pleased meet Sun-Worshipper."
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Old habits die hard. Specially upon the steady race. A cautious man dies of age. Anyway, you seems to be as lost as we, so I'll try to control myself a little better.
So, Brutus, you say i'm guided by the Watchman then? I can see that happening, but this mark itches a bit. In more than one meaning. Constellations carved on huge rocks and two of us bearing marks like them is too much of a coincidence. And what would your mark represent Brutus?
Brutus smiles once more at the goblin Mogwai, and points out aloud, "This goblin is wiser than most of the more enlightened races, or so it would seem. The actions of one individual do not dictate the actions of an entire race."
He turns then toward the newcomer, "Well if you do not remember your name, we have a slight problem." Brutus smiles as he grows quite verbose and over the top with his gestures, and continues, "Obviously we can't keep calling you, O Dark One, or Pasty Eyes." Brutus grows calm again, "In all seriousness, if you do not remember your name, then I suggest you name yourself. If I were you, I would pick King Richard XIV." Brutus says with another smile.
When Aetherni asks him what constellation he sports, he bends over and slips off one of his shoes, and reveals a birthmark that fits over the entire top of his foot, that was unmistakably the sign of the Satyr. "I bear its identical match on the other foot. I don't know why I was given such marks, but I have learned long ago, if nothing else, it reminds me that life is worth living, and wherever these feet take me, I shall go content and satisfied with my lot in life."
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- Dwarf Fighter/Cleric; Melee - tanker; High HP; High divine caster -1; Low skills;
- Goblin Inquisitor; Melee - damager; Medium HP; Medium divine caster; High skills;
- Human Monk; Ranged/Melee - damager; Medium HP; Medium skills;
- Fetchling Bard; Ranged/Melee - supporter; Low HP; Medium divine caster; High skills;
- Drow Paladin; Melee/Ranged - damager; Medium HP; Low divine caster; Low skills;
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"My apologies Mogwai, like I said I have no quarrel with Elves, whether they be drow or surface elves. I was merely curious about his story.
As to birthmarks, I too have a birthmark on my left shoulder. It is the mark of the Delver. I presume we all have birthmarks of the constellations upon us, one for each of the constellations. That would suggest we are each chosen in some way by the constellations, but what for? Do they have some task we are to accomplish together, or are we to fight to establish a champion? I do not think it is the latter since I would not be the first choice to establish a champion, though I am no slouch as an archer.
Brutus looks over Drombar as he mentions his proficiency with a bow, "I wonder if he has any training I could use…" At that, Brutus sets the end of his longbow on the ground and examines it closely for the first time. He recognized the bow, he knew the grain, he had an idea of where the wood was weak and how much pull it would take to snap it like a twig. But as he looked at it, he couldn't help but shake the feeling that this bow was not his bow. Almost like it had been his, but a long time ago. He felt like he outgrew this one..."An odd thought.. Brutus shakes his head and changes his focus.
Brutus looks around at the 5 gathered in the center of the stones, and asks "Well, it seems to me that while we wait for our warrior bright here to pick out a name, maybe we could take a look around this little island, and after that, anyone up for a swim?"
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Whichever one works
Question - I planned to play Brutus as a guy who jokes to keep his perspective, but I only have 11 cha. I don't want to be the face by any stretch, but I see him as a pretty outgoing and extroverted individual. Since 10 Cha is "average" he is a bit more charismatic than most with his 11. My question is, am I over doing it? Trying to find the right balance without over stepping my ability scores.
Hey dude you are gonna multiclass into what?
Mogwai pulls his armour to the side, displaying a small star sign on his chest His sign is the Reaper.
"Mogwai not good warrior, either." He again demonstrates that he isn't carrying weapons. "Mogwai diplomat for goblin-mans."
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"That's very interesting, Mogwai, since i am an emissary for Kayal. Why do I remember that and nothing else from my past? are we all diplomats for our respective races? Let's see, we have a human, a kayal, a dwarf, a goblin and a drow. Seems as though we have a good coverage of races here. Perhaps we are diplomats for our races. Anyone else remember being diplomats?"