Once Upon a Time in Golarion

Game Master vayelan

Welcome everyone, thank you very much for joining in this adventure.

First I'd like everyone to tell me what they expect from the game (either thorugh here or a private message) so I can try to meet your hopes.

And now, to the meat:

If you don't mind I'd like your posts both on the OOC thread and the IC thread to be made with your Alias to avoid making things confusing.

On the IC thread sometimes I'll post things like :

I do this to speed things up, so you don't have to wait for me to answer after your rolls, I trust you won't have a look if you didn't pass the check, and if you do yo will be able to keep Player Knowledge and Character Knowledge separate.

Now, if you could make a brief introduction of your characters (both stat-wise and history-wise) that would be great :)

Damn, I just finished this before I jumped over here. Is your profile a must have? This took me awhile to put together but if you like I can change it.

So as for Aurelius, he is a fighter who focuses on the use of the Aldori Dueling sword. He is a Swordlord Archetype, working towards the Swordlord Prestige class. His main stat focus is Dex and I am playing that up, light armor and speed focused, but at the same time, heavy hitting and good damage output from Power Attack.

As for history wise, Aurelius was a criminal as a young man, running with a gang in Restov. He fled Restov when he was 15 and became a mercenary, where he learned to be a soldier and where he spent the next 10 years. He returned back to Restov at the age of 25 after things went sour with his unit. He has spent the last 4 years of his life working in the Orphanage he grew up in in the city.

"Hello, all! I'm Wonky Prong! I mean, um Wonky Prong, Jr. Not that any of you know my Dad - he's Wonky Prong - but I mean...hey! You look awfully familiar....is it 'Aris'? Didn't we have a few laboratory sessions together at Uni? Lepidstadt, right? Yeah! Wow! Small plane of existence! What are you doing in Restov?

Um, so I'm looking for some work, if you know anyone who's hiring...I'm running REALLY low on funds for my research right now. I don't eat much - that's a gnome joke. I have better ones! You'll see!

More in a few hours when I can write more! So super stoked to be part of this crew!

Damn, I just finished this before I jumped over here. Is your profile a must have? This took me awhile to put together but if you like I can change it

Not obligatory. As long as everything is there it's okay for me.

It is all there, I assure you. And most of the important details are on the line under the name on the alias.

Oh, did you get my PM earlier Keddah?

It is all there, I assure you. And most of the important details are on the line under the name on the alias.

Oh, did you get my PM earlier Keddah?

Yes I did. It was one of the reasons I chose Aurelius.

Ooh Wonky, is that bulldog a Taldan(French) or Chelish(English) bulldog? Or perhaps an Andoran(American) bulldog? For some reason I always categorize those breeds like that

Paval is built as a skillmonkey with a focus on scouting, infiltration and more mundane knowledge. He uses the Phantom Thief archetype meaning that he'll also get access to tons of skill unlocks and a broad selection of rogue talents, combat feats and even some vigilante social talents.
Combat wise he fights with an Aldori duelling sword, like Aurelius. Due to the lack of Sneak Attack his damage won't be fantastic but he's still a great flanker and will improve quite a bit over time.

When it comes to his past Paval is a complicated sort as most information about him is on a need to know basis. To those that don't know him he looks like some minor noble or the son of a rich merchant or the such and he does nothing to change people's minds.

In fact he is the bastard child of Domani Surtova, lord of Port Ice and as such the illegitimate cousin of Brevoy's king. That doesn't give him any power though as his mother is being paid to stay silent Paval is mostly ignored. The only family on that side he has contact with is his half sister who he grew up with as mom used to be her nanny. So far the only people who know outside his family are some of the staff at the Port Ice home of the Surtovas.

From his mother's side he actually is a descendant of the Aldori swordlords (the weapon he wields is his grandfather's). He discovered that fairly recently and now his swordhand is possessed by the spirit of his dead grandfather, an accomplished swordsman. Nobody knows that yet, other than Paval himself (he made a deal with the ghost).

GM, you also mentioned the possibility of background skills, if an overwhelming amount of players wanted them. I must say I wouldn't object. Paval is a skill based character and several would-be background skills are part of his toolkit already. Using those rules would allow him to branch out into some other (social) skills.

Well I am glad you approve. And you see, that is the thing, at that point I think it is taken out of my hands and you can just use it as you wish.

I have to do a read through of all of the other characters now to see how I fit in. Glad to be here.

GM, you also mentioned the possibility of background skills, if an overwhelming amount of players wanted them. I must say I wouldn't object. Paval is a skill based character and several would-be background skills are part of his toolkit already. Using those rules would allow him to branch out into some other (social) skills

Once everyone is here we can make that decision. I must say after looking a bit more at those rules I'm not opposed to using them. So if at least 3 of you agree we'll implement them.

I will second Background Skills. I think it is a very good system, and it really helps skill light characters. Like me.

I do like me some background skills.

Aris has a couple of builds, and with the GM's permission I'd like to flip over to Brown Fur Transmuter. I think it fits in with the party's needs better. In-game, she's a knowledge monkey, and will also be able to take other skills as the build and party need. Hopefully, she'll be more of a buffer and support caster, rather than the star of the show.

In terms of gameplay, she's played out as a bookish, nerdy sort of character. She views the party's mission as a strictly professional endeavor, and she's less interested in everyone getting along and more interested in the mission succeeding. She doesn't want to take the lead by any means, but she's more than happy to offer plenty of advice, whether it's needed or not. I sort of modeled her off Hermione from Harry Potter, in terms of her personality.

Aris is already built with Background Skills, since in a previous recruitment they were allowed and I didn't realize they were there in this build. I can get rid of them if we decide not to have them, but would prefer them.

Finally, I've done quite a write-up of her background, appearance, friends, goals, personality, etc in her alias. Please feel free to peruse it.

Ahto is an Inquisitor of Abadar with the Sin Eater archetype. He is somewhat atypical in that he took the martial weapon proficiency feat so that he can wield a great sword. His stats are fairly balanced, though his strength score is higher than one might typically find in an inquisitor build. His second feat is Toughness, which gives him fairly high hit points compared to the average inquisitor, also. His spell selection is mostly geared toward control and buffing. He is not built as a healer, though he can keep people from dying in a pinch.

Backstory:

Ahto grew up in a typical lower middle class merchant family. His father ran a small general store that catered to travelers and townsfolk alike. Business was good, and the family would have been more prosperous but for the group of local toughs who stopped by regularly to extort them for "protection from robbers and burglary." Ahto watched with cold fury as, week after week, the ruffians came into their store and took what they liked in addition to the coins his parents were forced to hand over. He had always been told that laws existed for the good of all, and that lawlessness was the great sickness that left unchecked would kill a peaceful society, and Ahto could not help but see these men as a plague upon his house.

On one such visit, the thugs decided they wanted double payment. Ahto's father begged for their mercy, as he did not have the money to pay them. The brigands laughed, and dragged Ahto and his parents out into the street. They set upon Ahto and his father with clubs, beating them mercilessly. Through the haze of pain and blood, Ahto could just make out his mother's screams, and the smell of smoke as their little shop went up in flames.

Ahto awoke in the bed of a local healer, a bandage holding his broken jaw tightly in place. It was several days later when he was finally told of his parents' deaths. His father beaten so badly that he was unrecognizable, save for his clothes. His mother fared much worse, and died more slowly.

The murder of his parents set Ahto on his life's path. His family revered Desna as the goddess of good fortune, but it seemed clear to Ahto that Lady Luck did not smile on them, for all their prayers. Once he recovered, he began attending services at the Temple of Abadar, the god of law, and found solace in the sermons. When he finally came of age, he submitted himself to the temple as an aspirant.

Ahto learned the tenets of the faith well, but found sermonizing and prosthelytizing tedious, and to his mind, ineffective. Laws must be enforced, and Justice meted out, or they were nothing but hollow words. He asked his mentors again and again about how the the Church of Abadar enforced the law, as he had no interest in waxing philosphically about interpretations of law or nuances of justice. The law is the law, he felt, and those who break it should face the consequences.

Ahto's zeal singled him out among his fellow novices for special training. Heinous crimes required equally heinous punishment. Such punishments would serve as a warning to any who would consider breaking the law. Only someone with the utmost respect for the law could be counted on to carry out these sentences, and the priests agreed, Ahto had the right mindset and temperment for the responsibility.

Constables arrested criminals, magistrates tried and convicted them, gaolers imprisoned them, but only one person had the job of making certain justice was done: the executioner. Ahto saw this as the ultimate good he could do for the world. For a murderer, rapist, or brigand deprived of his head was no longer a menace to anyone.

Upon his formal installment, Ahto took to his new role with quiet enthusiasm. He found that he felt no compassion for criminals. The memory of his parents' brutal deaths, as well as the reminder etched forever on his face, made certain that no convict's tears would move him to stay his hand.

Possible interaction issues:

Ahto doesn't like criminals of any sort, but his unwavering hatred is reserved for violent criminals (murderers, rapists, brigands/robbers). Petty thieves and pickpockets will earn strongly worded rebukes and a stern warning that petty crimes eventually lead to unforgivable transgressions. The aforementioned violent perpetrators are afforded no such mercy. Ahto will gladly use noose, blade or even flame to ensure that they never threaten the lives of the innocent again.

Ahto tends to be dour, and is generally considered humorless by those who know him only as an acquaintance. Ahto is not prone to letting people get too close to him, as far as friendships go; however, those who consistently prove themselves honorable and trustworthy will discover that he does have an approachable, human side.

********

I am also in favor of using Background Skills. They add a lot to the flavor of a character without punishing skill-poor character classes.

I wonder how Ahto will react to Paval's track record for breaking and entering. He never stole anything, mind you, but he did go places where he wasn't allowed.

As for your role as an executioner, have you seen the Empyreal lord Damerrich? He's a lawful good demigod of executioners and judges. His executioners take upon themselves the task of killing the guilty to rid society of them and so that others do not have to carry the burden of someone's death. I think Ahto would appreciate him, perhaps as a patron saint more than a god.
Just an idea though.

Hello, all!

Wonky is a skill monkey with a naturalist side - a devotee of the Green Faith and an animal companion-type person. She will need to rely upon Sprocket (her dog) for melee and perception, both of which she's fantastically lacking.

What she lacks in that, she more than makes up for in Knowledge, Profession, and Craft abilities. Wonky's feat is the 'Breadth of Experience' trait, which allows her to make all Knowledge and Profession checks untrained, so she's got a bit to say about all Knowledge and Profession checks, regardless of her ranks in them. Add that into her Craft abilities with weapons and alchemy, and you've got a one-gnome wandering ballistics lab with a canine back-up. That's Wonky.

She's erudite and pedantic at times, but open-hearted and very happy to discuss her passions which include 1)Sprocket, 2)Sprocket, 3)Canines in general, 4)Nature, 5)Alchemy, 6)Mechanics......and 300)The Bleaching. She tends to cinch up in response to the last topic, despite her distinct level of expertise in that field - probably because her Dad is currently undergoing the late stages of that illness. Most importantly and acutely, she is FLAT BROKE, and quite open to being employed for anything that's not astoundingly criminal.

I love the Background Skills system idea, but have never put it into practice. I would vote 'Yea' to that.

GM, I'm interested in Wonky creating a catalogue of 'Magical Beasts and Where to Find Them'. That's a good title. Perhaps I'll see it put to good use.

FYI - I'm in New Zealand. My timeline is distinct wonky (pun intended) to all of y'all's, likely. Bear with me if I don't post hot-and-heavy during your prime time - I'm probably at work.

Cheers y'all!

I wonder how Ahto will react to Paval's track record for breaking and entering. He never stole anything, mind you, but he did go places where he wasn't allowed.

As for your role as an executioner, have you seen the Empyreal lord Damerrich? He's a lawful good demigod of executioners and judges. His executioners take upon themselves the task of killing the guilty to rid society of them and so that others do not have to carry the burden of someone's death. I think Ahto would appreciate him, perhaps as a patron saint more than a god.
Just an idea though.

It probably will make Ahto standoffish towards Paval, at least on first hearing of it. As long as Paval doesn't have a history of violence, it probably won't be a dealbreaker (although Paval may get lectured whenever he brings up his past with any degree of nostalgia).

Damerrich is an interesting deity, but he doesn't quite fit Ahto's current mindset (this might change as he learns/grows/experiences other perspectives or comes to peace with his childhood trauma). He doesn't work as an executioner to spare others the guilt of killing criminals. He works as an executioner because he fervently believes those criminals deserve to die, and that too many people lack the will/guts/resolve to carry out the necessary sentence. He has sworn not to let the vilest elements of society escape justice because of misplaced compassion/sympathy.

Aurelius has a history of violence. As a criminal at first then as a mercenary who was never too picky selling his sword.

Aurelius has a history of violence. As a criminal at first then as a mercenary who was never too picky selling his sword.

Were his acts of violence against innocents or did he indiscriminately harm innocent bystanders? If so, things could get very heated - especially if Aurelius seems to have no remorse for his actions. (*I don't mean PvP combat, but Ahto might try to arrest him and bring him before a magistrate, if he's bragging about such exploits*)

If his violent history was primarily in the context of fighting in war, Ahto probably would have no issue - provided that his mercenary work didn't involve beating, robbing, raping or murdering unarmed civilians.

If a legitimate authority: magistrate, monarch, lord mayor, etc. has granted Aurelius (or anyone else for that matter) clemency or a pardon, Ahto will not act against that edict - regardless of how he feels about it. If someone has granted the power to pass judgment, then it is the burden of that person to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused.

Ahto's job is to carry out the sentence.

Although Ahto isn't much of a pulpit preacher, he will speak on the value of law and order in the establishment and maintenance of a safe, stable and just society (if the opportunity arises).

Wonky, is that bulldog a Taldan(French) or Chelish(English) bulldog? Or perhaps an Andoran(American) bulldog?

"Well, he's Ustalavic, actually! But now that you mention it, he does have the hindlegs more commonly seen in the Chelish stock. I never really would consider the Taldan bulldogs - too much inbreeding has left their lineage riddled with otolaryngological illness. Oh yeah! I think his breeders were Wiscrani originally! That answers your question, surely. I've never seen an Andoran bulldog before, though! Have you?"

The beautiful sorceress Kalima Raustald traveled a long way from her homeland of Taldor to reach the wilderness region known as the Greenbelt. In her search fr employment she had come across this job offer. Before her depature She had made sure to get the proper paperwork in order from the Office of the Regent of the Dragonscale Throne. Bureaucracy was such a bore but it was a good idea in her mind to make sure she would not get into any altercations with the local authorities.

The life of an adventurer had been hard on Kalima, having been fed a silver spoon throughout much of her life. But a far better profession than dragging one's heels in the mud with peasant work, earning nought but coppers a day and a meal on the table for one's troubles. Indeed, if there was a way to make a living outside the establishment, adventuring is the way to go. And this would be her first great adventure in the wide world.

The call out for aid against the banditry in the region seemed like a worthy enough cause. Such crimes affected the well-being of the people in the area and if those responsible could be brought to justice, the region would become safer for the citizens there. Of course her aid would not come without payment from those with the coin to hire her for the job.

The travel to Oleg's Trading Post, was fairly uneventful but exhausting nonetheless. Miles of travel by boat, cart and footwork took its toll on Kalima but she perservered long enough to eventually reach the trading post. Before entering the grouds, she made sure to duck behind some cropings and change her clothing into more courtier attire. After all first impressions were important.

She enters the outpost after greeting those who tended to the place cordally.

As for Kalima Raustald's appearance, she has brown well kept hair, a slightly tanned skin tone and chocolate brown eyes and stands at 5"8. She has a slender but attractive figure to her and definitely does not have the look of someone whose worked hard in their life. Currently she's dressed in a courtier's outfit, a beautiful red and white dress of the more noble-style fashion, although as its been stuffed in her backpack for a while, it does have a few creases here and there. After putting down her backpack and taking a moment to catch her breath, she addresses those who are in the immediate vicinity.

"Oh hello there fellow travelers. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Kalima Raustald of the kingdom of Taldor. I have traveled far to be in this outpost and I am hoping someone here will be able to tell me more about these lands and the events that are occurring. I had heard that bandits were running rapid across this region of late. Brutish individuals that they are, I have high hopes that something can be done to quell their tide and bring peace to this region."

As for Background Skills, I definitely am not opposed. I could use a few more skills on my sheet to cover my diverse noble training :-). Sorry for the slow response, didn't know you changed threads and were starting so quick.

About the Ahto-Aurelius conflict I think we could make it an interesting Roleplaying opportunity.

This is how I see it. Aurelius won't be so straightforward about his past IC (I ecpect) and so when it comes to Ahto's knowledge there will already be some respect or even friendship there. Here is this man, a good man now, but is that enough to atone for his sins?

There will be conflict but maybe it won't escalate to full violence.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. How about yours?

All in agreement. Background skills are on.

FYI - I'm in New Zealand. My timeline is distinct wonky (pun intended) to all of y'all's, likely. Bear with me if I don't post hot-and-heavy during your prime time - I'm probably at work.

Cheers y'all!

I'm in Spain so we couldn't be further away as long as we are on the same planet. We'll try to adapt and make it work.

"My mother has one, as well as two Taldan bulldogs. The latter are two very healthy specimens though, the inbreeding seems to have little effect on them. Then again, I think they come from a local so perhaps they mixed something else in there."

As far as religion is concerned, Paval doesn't follow a single god. He pays lip service to several depending on what he wants the blessing for, this includes several Empyreal lords. He'll even occasionally offer a short prayer to Norgorber's Grey Master or Reaper of Reputations aspects if he's on a mission that requires stealth and subterfuge.
That is the only evil god on his list though, most are good or neutral.

"How fascinating! I'd love to meet your mother's pack! It would seem that you have a way with bulldogs, too, given how vigorously Sprocket is humping your leg right now...Sprocket! Down!...*heh*...sorry about that..."

I thought we were starting in Restov...and if that's the case, perhaps Paval and I have bonded over my Sprocket! Or not...

Other things about rules.

For the Kingdom building part we'll use the Ultimate Campaign rules supplemented with the Ultimate Rulership ones.

Seeing that we have a potential Aldori Swordlord I'll allow the user of the duel rules too.

I have intention of using the chase rules here here if you all agree.

They might have. Paval likes dogs. Sprocket would probably have been suspicious of Paval right hand, which is the one that houses the ghost. It's also the hand that would scratch him behind the ears and rub his belly though and far longer than most people would so I suspect he'll end up liking the spirit.
As for his mother's pack, Paval will try his very best to get his mother to move to their new settlement once it gets started. So you'll probably get the chance to meet them.

I notice we're severely lacking in the healing department. Besides the occasional spell from Ahto we don't really have anything so far. Just means I might invest in the Heal skill as that one can actually provide some decent healing when combined with skill unlocks.
Of course we'll always have wands and several people capable of using them.

I realise the magical healing is lacking but wasn't convinced by the characters that could have solved it as much as the ones I chose. So I'll try to adapt the treasure you find to help the group cope with it

Wonky can do some of that healing juice with her alchemical powers - you just have to down the potion quickly! (CLW is one of her formulae - she'll be able to use a wand of CLW with skill). And yes, infusion is on the short list of next feats.

I don't really think it will be an issue in the long run, just makes the start a bit trickier. Perhaps Wonky will take the Infusion discovery which would also help and is generally great anyway.

I used one of the freed up skill ranks from the background skills to get training in Heal for which I'll get the skill unlock at level 4 so that I can do some healing. I guess watching his mother work as a midwife after they moved to New Stetven paid of after all.

The other skill I added was Bluff, mostly because of eventual combat applications. Basically I shifted the points from two of my background knowledge skills to Bluff and Heal.
Man I love having every single skill (except Fly) as a class skill.

EDIT: For the chase rules, do you intend to use them for all movement (except long distance) or just for chases?

For chases only. I think standard movement rules work well and are easier to use in combat

I changed one of Ahto's spells from shield of faith to cure light wounds. He already knows stabilize and has a rank in the healing skill. That should take some pressure off the healer needs of the group.

My plan is to have the game begin a few days before the Reclamation is officially declared. I have some ideas for the characters to have met at least one other character before we begin playing, I'll put them through you for approval.

Paval and Wonky may have met in a canine exhibition the first time and then again at different libraries or archives. Maybe Wonky asked Paval for his help to access some information in a private archive.

Aris and Wonky were classmates in Lepidstad maybe not friends but seeing a friendly face in Restov and meeting each other during the course of their investigations maybe turned them friendlier to each other.

Paval may have met Aris through Wonky while having some ale in a tavern and their shared hometown helped them strike a friendship, they also came across Aurelius in a tavern .

Aurelius and Paval having met before while observing the true masters of Aldori Swordplay have a (friendly?) rivalry.

Kalima met Ahto while traveling to Restov. She had hired Aurelius as a guard but the Inquisitor saw them as an easy target for bandits and joined them so he could get the chance to get rid of some evil-doers.

Aurelius put Kalima in contact with Paval when she showed an interest on investigating her ancestry. They share their riches-to-dregs story and feel some kinship as a consequence.

Ahto met Aris while investigating a group of smugglers who brought weapons from the Stolen Lands to supply the gangs in Restov.

I could easily see Paval just meeting Wonky on the streets when she's walking her dog. He likes dogs, particularly bulldogs and their ilk, so it would only take Sprocket sniffing his leg or some such for Paval to start talking.
The exhibition would also work out fine but somehow I just don't picture Sprocket as a show dog, based on the information so far.

The link with Aris looks good and Paval would likely ask her quite a bit about what Port Ice was like when she lived there, which when his paternal grandfather or maybe even great grandfather ruled the city.

I'm not quite sure about the possible rivalry with Aurelius. Paval prefers not to display his skill with an Aldori blade when he doesn't have to. He is afraid somebody will notice his fighting is off, as if his body tries to follow his hand instead of motions being a full body thing. The, most likely friendly, rivalry is something that could develop later though, once Paval trusts himself a bit more when it comes to not giving away his secret.

As for the thing with Kalima, that fully depends on whether or not she looks down on him for being the illegitimate child of a noble and not a real noble.

The connections sound fine by me, honestly. Could you do me a favor, though? Could you open the Gameplay thread? If we post and then immediately delete our posts, it'll show this game as one we're in and we can see when it updates.

EDIT:
@ Pavel: Aris wouldn't remember her earliest childhood all that well, but she'd be willing to talk about what she did.

The one involving Kalima, Ahto, and Aurelius sounds like a good idea. The only thing I would tweak is why Ahto joined them.

Ahto would more likely have traveled with Kalima's group since he was also going to Restov to perform an execution (even Ahto knows it's safer to travel in a large group - one man is no match for an entire gang of brigands). Since he was not in her employ, she had no obligation to allow him to accompany her group. He agreed to act as part of the guard while traveling in exchange for food, shelter, and company.

This would also set the stage for future relations in the group. Ahto would not shy away from his profession, if asked. Also, once they arrived in Restov, the beheading in the middle of the Square would be very public. Everyone in the group would see it (most likely). Helluva introduction to your traveling companion.

Ahto would join the expedition for obvious reasons: bringing law to lawless lands and justice upon murderous brigands.

Could you do me a favor, though? Could you open the Gameplay thread?

Done

For Background Skills, I was thinking Ahto would have Craft (carpentry), as he has found it necessary to build a proper gallows from time to time, and Lore (law), as Ahto has versed himself on the local laws of most of the surrounding kingdoms and provinces.

Connections sounds good to me. So all we are missing then are the individual Campaign Traits. Any ideas for them GM?

I also approve of some connections before the game begins. As for my background skills, I took two skills appropriate to my noble background. This would be Appraise (As she knows the value of things) and Knowledge (Nobility) for obvious reasons.

So all we are missing then are the individual Campaign Traits. Any ideas for them GM?

I've sent each of you a private message with a proposal, if you like it, want to change it or hate it please tell me.

I'd also like to ask if there's something you don't want to see in the game EVER.

My npcs sometimes swear and I've found players IRL that were offended by it, for example.

I don't play sex scenes but I know some people can be offended even by a fade to black...

And sometimes my bad guys are EVIL, I may get a bit graphic when describing their behaviour (no r*** or anything like that) and if that's not to your liking I will avoid it.

I have no problem with swearing (the forum filter changes most words anyway), and saying something like, "By Old Dead-eye's short-hairs!" is fun and immersive, in my opinion.

Sex scenes should only be played if there is a legitimate, specific plot point involved that is occurring during the act itself (otherwise it seems gratuitous). Fade to black is fine with me (if it occurs).

Graphic descriptions of evil people being evil gives the heroes reason to hate them. I have no problem with this. I agree that describing a sexual assault in detail is too far, but implying that one occurred is not, and again gives the heroes reason to hate the villain(s).

I agree with Ahto's well-worded thoughts on "gritty" role-playing. And yes, the f&+~ing filter will change your swear words for you.

The background traits that I selected were Craft Weapons (tinker background) and Spellcraft...or rather, I traded an Adventuring Skill Point in Handle Animal (already had it) to a Background Skill point in Handle Animal in order to select Spellcraft.

I'd agree with Paval that I might just have been walking my dog down the street and encountered him, having possibly seen him before at the dog exhibition. I likely wouldn't have been exhibiting Sprocket - but I was definitely there, checking out the other dogs.

Aris and I rotated in different circles at Uni, but I love that connection - loads of Ustalavic and training academy-based fun (I like to think of Lepidstadt U as Hogwarts) to draw upon there. We are going to have to decide which Houses we belonged to at Lepidstadt U, Aris.

I could also see me trying to hire myself out to Kalima as a useful expert to have on retainer for her work. I investigate! Maybe I've heard of her from Paval, and though I'm eager to meet her, I haven't done so yet.

To be honest, I think pretty much 100% of sex scenes should be faded to black. Other than that, I'm fine with whatever's needed.

Swearing is fine, immersive in-setting curses are actually nice. Might just be me, but I like tiny things like going bloody Hells instead of just bloody hell, for instance.

As for sex, fade to black is the way to go. Innuendo and describing past events in (cringy) metaphors can also work.

When it comes to evil being Evil I'm generally fine with that. There are things though, including sexual assault, that are better off by simply saying they happened than by describing them in detail. Let's just say I'm not interested in a text based version of some gory slasher film.

Well. I see Ahto and Kalima are eager to begin so I'll try to set the starting situation.

Ahto, Aurelius and Kalima have just arrived at Restov. Aurelius has lived here the last four years taking guard jobs with caravans to help fund the orphanage. If asked about lodging you usually recommend the Lord's Scabbard a fine inn that donates their leftovers to the orphanage.

Paval and Aris are there having a drink out of the cold and keeping company to Wonky who is working as a waitress there tonight.

Working on a proper intro post. It won't be up until after work though. Sorry.

For me, intro posts always take the longest.

It seems you missed the part where Paval was standing in the door to the kitchen, hoping to diffuse the staring contest.

It seems you missed the part where Paval was standing in the door to the kitchen, hoping to diffuse the staring contest.

Sorry seems you posted that while I was writing my previous post. Retcon time