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Opening up thread for character creation.
Definitely read the Player's Guide for this one. Its meaty and has a lot of great info about what will and won't work in this campaign. It also introduces some custom mechanics. One of the best ones that Paizo has produced.
15-point buy.
Average wealth for your class.
Two traits. One must be campaign. Also note that you should pick a Reason to Protest.
15? Aww comon! 20 points!
Still have my Chelish bard, BRIA..Beorn the Divine. Just need to add his reasons to get rowdy.
Do you allow a 3rd trait for a drawback?
...Miro is a bard, Tram is going arcane, Mini is going rogue...
I will read the players guide in full and make a choice... from my quick glance at the players guide there are a lot of great options!
You can check me out here. REALLY a skill monkey
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The last ten days have brought a whirlwind of events. Ten days ago, rumors swept Kintargo that far, far to the east a new group of eager and overzealous Iomedaean knights defeated the formidable Hellknight Order of the Godclaw in distant Isger. With the recovery of an Iomedaean artifact, these champions of the Glorious Reclamation set their sights on Cheliax itself and begin fostering uprisings and rebellions. The Chelish government’s response has been to crack down hard, putting its major cities under martial law and forcing the Glorious Reclamation into the hinterlands.
In Kintargo, local Iomedaeans simply shook their heads, sharing the bulk of that faith’s opinion that the knights of the Glorious Reclamation, while they might have their hearts in the right place, are moving too quickly and aggressively against House Thrune in an ill-advised and ill-timed revolt that will cause too much pain and anguish to be justified in the end.
Their fears were soon realized, when the Queen appointed her distant cousin, Barzillai Thrune to their title of Paracount and sent him to Kintargo, a remote city known for its rebellious attitude even before the rise of the Glorious Reclamation. Hearing of Thrune appointment, the city’s lord-mayor, Jilia Bainilus left on a ship for Arcadia
Barzillai has been swift in establishing his power over the city and all of the archduchy of Ravounel. Seven nights ago, Thrune and his agents struck locations across Kintargo, apparently driving off, capturing or killing many known or suspected dissidents—a night that has become known as the Night of Ashes. Beginning the next day, seven proclamations followed the Night of Ashes—posted in public places for all to see, and town criers were sent to march through the city streets announcing them.
Proclamation the First: All slayers of city pests (hereby defined as doves, mice, and ravens) who present said pests to the dottari shall be rewarded with a bounty of 1 copper piece.
Proclamation the Second: All places of public business must display in a position of prominence within the first room accessible from the building’s primary entrance a portrait of Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II. Said portrait must measure no less than 11 by 17 inches.
Proclamation the Third: Anyone who captures, alive and unharmed, a feral dog of a weight exceeding 50 pounds is to be rewarded with a payment of 2 silver pieces upon transfer of the dog to the dottari. Such noble guardian creatures should find homes worthy of their kind!
Proclamation the Fourth: The right to wear fine embroidered clothing in public is hereafter proscribed to anyone other than agents of House Thrune or the Holy Church of Asmodeus. Exceptions can be awarded or purchased at the city’s discretion.
Proclamation the Fifth: Grain is life! Should grain be spilled in public, it must be gathered, cleaned, and repackaged within the hour. Any person who allows grain to go ungathered after a spillage shall be fined 1 copper piece per grain.
Proclamation the Sixth: The imbibing of night tea brings a dangerous imbalance to the slumbering mind. Between the hours of sunset and sunrise, the taking of tea is proscribed.
Proclamation the Seventh: The odor and flavor of mint is an abomination to the refined palate. Be not the cretin! Mint use in candies, drinks, and all manner of confections is hereby proscribed.
For a city that prides itself on its diversity, creative spirit, and artistry, the yoke of martial law has been particularly onerous. An undercurrent of revolution is building in the city. The atmosphere in Kintargo is tense. Numerous minor protests against Thrune have popped up, only to be quickly dispersed by dottari, Hellknights of the Rack imported from the south to aid in crowd control, or the local militia known as the Chelish Citizens’ Group. It’s been a week since Thrune seized control of the city, and word on the street is that the largest protest yet will be gathering in Aria Park, just south of the Kintargo Opera House where Barzillai Thrune has made his new home.
Even with the cobblestones of Argent Avenue and the foliage of Aria Park still wet from the morning’s light rain, dozens of Kintargans have gathered along the facade of the opera house to protest the city’s new lord-mayor, Paracount Barzillai Thrune. The city’s new leader was appointed by Her Infernal Majestrix, Queen Abrogail II, in the wake of the previous lord-mayor’s sudden flight from the city—an event that still has local rumormongers whispering furiously. In a scant seven days, Paracount Thrune has instituted martial law, a curfew, and seven outlandish and polarizing proclamations. These actions and more have called many of Kintargo’s dissatisfied citizens here on this overcast morn. There’s been no sign yet of Barzillai Thrune himself, and the opera house’s doors remain tightly closed—as they have since the man chose the landmark as his new home—but judging by the growing sound of the protesters, he surely can’t ignore the scene on the streets below much longer.
Welcome! You find yourselves in the Park, surrounded by fellow Kintargans. The crowd gathering in the Park consists of Kintargo partisans (who despise Cheliax’s tightening grip on their city and demand local rule); economic conservatives (who feel the squeeze as Thrune enacts new taxes and business policies); advocates of democracy (whose bitterest complaint is Thrune’s appointment instead of legal election); anarchists (who hope the protest turns into a good riot); and Chelish loyalists (who support Thrune’s actions to curb the city’s dissentious streak).
Each of you is here for one of these or your own reasons, but the five of you find yourselves in close proximity. Some of you may know one another. Others may be strangers.
Each of you can each take a number of actions as the crowd moves into the Park. You can each select from the following options: Listen for Rumors, Pilfer, Rabble Rouse, Search for a Contact, Silence Undesirable Elements, or Watch the Crowd. From a mechanical standpoint, please assume that each action takes 1 hour of time to perform. Note that all of these are potentially modified by the Protest trait that you selected.
Listen for Rumors: Anyone wandering the crowd can listen for rumors and learn more about what’s going on in Kintargo’s new political landscape. Diplomacy or Perception.
Pilfer: Criminal-minded characters can use the large gathering to line their pockets, lifting purses or goods from the street vendors. Sleight of Hand.
Rabble Rouse: Persuasive characters may want to better organize the protest. Diplomacy or Perform.
Search for a Contact: Depending on the reason you selected for coming to the protest, you might have come in search of a mysterious contact said to be wearing a black leather glove on his right hand and no glove at all on the left. Perception.
Silence Undesirable Elements: With five distinct factions among the protesters, the message delivered is a jumbled mess. Characters can try to silence or outshout elements of the crowd they disagree with. Pick a group you wish to counter: Kintargo Partisans, Economic Conservatives, Advocates of Democracy, Anarchists, Chelish Loyalists. Bluff or Intimidate.
Watch the Crowd: The PCs can simply choose to watch the crowd for anything unusual. Perception or Sense Motive.
bluff to silence the chelish loyalists
Yorick listens to the loyalists and their bullcrap he moves about dropping the following idea
_______ is gathering everyone to coordinate our message so we can shut these other fools up. Meet at _______
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Yorrick works the crowd and finds several members of the Chelish loyalists, suggesting that they meet down by the river in Old Kintargo at the Friar's Flagonhaus to coordinate their plans against the other groups. His ruse seems to work as the number of loyalists declines over the course of the next hour and the other groups continue to grow with new supporters.
Alessia's attention is caught by a group of Chelish loyalists, boldly trying to shout down those around them. She elbows Aethn to get his attention, and will watch them for a moment (Studied Target; move action) before approaching.
You are not welcome here, move along and find a place where those who think like you belong. Try the Temple Hill Gardens.
Silence undesirable elements:
to rabble rouse.
Beorn stands upon a box and addresses the crowd with a passionate song about tea. He extolls the virtues of a strong cup of black tea in the mornings to invigorate the senses, the smooth taste of honey-lemon is accompanied by a strong chant, telling of the healing properties that actors and singers value after a recital and the calming green brews that people imbibe after a long day, soothing their nerves and preparing for sleep.
As Beorn sheds a tear, his song becomes somber about the new law that forbids people from enjoying a fine cuppa. Let the tea be free! His voice rises to inspiring heights as he waves a box of tea about, is it not a proper Chelish tradition? This wonderful tea! Let the tea be free!
Alessia scowls and will simply watch the crowd. Glad the fools supporting Thrune moved on, but irked as well.
This whole thing was absolutely ridiculous, some of the edicts were absolutely asinine. Mint was banned because the new 'mayor' wasnt a fan? what was next the use of napkins was banned because it was a waste of cloth? the man was clearly touched in the head. He itched at his shirt with frown as well. The edict against finery was also excessive. It seemed a fine way to punish good citizens like his family who didnt like the way the government was taking things. These blasted clothes itched fiercely it certainly had him wondering how much the fine for wearing real clothing was.
He had come here with his friend Yorrick, He hadnt pressed on what his bookish friend wanted to be here for, but he had heard several rumours that Shensen would be making an appearance to no doubt make her voice heard again about the wrongs done by the Thrunites here... and he couldnt miss that. One day he would have to work up the courage to speak to her, that was for sure. That Barzillai Thrune taking up residence in the Opera house... was also a travesty.
After seeing them all race off to the pub Yorrick spotted Ed
Oh I got those loyalists good! They all think they have an important meeting blocks away!. He slaps Ed on the shoulder laughing at his own genius
Beorn is delighted at the success of his song and shakes some hands. Already he is imagining secret routes of tea being brought to people by halflings who have thrown in their lot for the culinary freedom of Kintargo's people. Perhaps delivery pigs specially trained to deliver packages carried on their backs!
Well my friend I am sad that I missed it, this city... its getting crowded here... I dont suppose you have caught a glimpse of my lovely Shensen about have you. Demery Lancaster said he heard from that actress he has been seeing that she would be making an appearance here today.
He began scanning the crowd again as if she was going to magically appear surrounding in a halo of light.
I haven't. I'm surprised that we haven't seen Cort giving some pedantic lecture and starting trouble.
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Alessia scowls and will simply watch the crowd. Glad the fools supporting Thrune moved on, but irked as well.
Ok, give me a Perception or Sense Motive for Watching the Crowd.
When Eddlestan stops by Yorrick to itch and adjust his new clothing for the hundreth time, a cute brunette who looks like she might be a student at the Alabaster Academy laughes lightly "Still getting used to the new clothes sir? Between the proclamations and the Night of Ashes, things are really going to Hell. Seems like a lot of places are burning down lately too. The Silver Star, the Victocora estate. I even hear the Thrashing Badger burned down a few nights ago. They’re saying it was another bar fight gone too far, but they’re just a bunch of drunk old professors and barristers. Probably Thrune and his Chelish Citizen's Group.”
Born was concerned about the anarchists, he didn't want the hell knights coming down if someone started a fire.
Here now, stop talking about starting a fire and try working things off with that new dance where you smack your heads together. Head off to the dance halls.
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Instead interacting with the crowd, Alessia and Aethn decide to stay put, Alessia watching the protesters and Aethn listening for rumors or other news. Alessia can see that the crowd is beginning to become agitated and discontented, but fortunately with the exception of the anarchists, they don't seem to be inclined to violence. She does see a pickpocket taking advantage of the rapt attention generated by a man making an eloquent song about tea to attempt to cut someone's purse.
While Alessia is preoccupied with the tea speech and the pickpocket, Aethn overhears a nearby conversation about the Lord-Mayor. “Well, I heard Lord-Mayor Bainilus didn’t flee to Arcadia at all. Broke her neck falling down a flight of stairs. Praying a bit too hard to Cailean, if you understand my meaning.”
The Park continues to fill with protesters and Yorrick's success in distracting the Chelish Loyalists begins to shift the crowd's attitude distinctly in an anti-Thrune direction. Some additional dottari move through the protest, not interfering, but seemingly ready in case things grow more troublesome. A larger group of dottari, around a dozen in total, form up around the entrance of the Opera House. Among their number you see a dark-haired woman, armed with a glaive and at least four throwing axes.
Deciding to see if he can quiet the anarchists, Beorn picks a group of them that seems to include their leaders and approaches them, uttering a jovial, but thinly veiled threat. For a moment, the leader stiffens as if he might consider challenging the bard, but a half dozen of the more reasonable protesters who were moved by Beorn's tea song join in his stand against the anarchist's trouble and the voice for peaceful protest wins the day. The anarchists slink back into the streets.
Looking toward the Opera House, you catch a glimpse of movement from behind a mostly curtained window on the Opera House's third floor. It appears a figure may be watching the crowd.
Beorn is very pleased with driving off the anarchists and feels a thrill up his spine as the music begins to fill his heart, shall he sing again? Yes! Perhaps something about the loyal dogs and how they should be given new homes with Kintargo's children!
Beorn is a bit too wrapped up with his search for quill and paper so he can scratch a few lines for his song.
Hmm..Nothing but a hound dog? What line matches that?
York move around looking for the economic conservatives...blarg, after all, where would he be without a little economic risk, right.
percep
bluff
But before he realizes he has found them he finds himself speaking to one of them. Um...I heard that there is a guy over there giving away money...yea...totally
Then he runs away as fast as he can.
2nd Hour - Alessia will move through the crowd and listen for rumors, but is distracted trying to keep track of Aethn.
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Very pleased with his tea song and his success with the anarchists, Beorn ponders what he might do next. While an unprepared Yorrick practically stumbles into a crowd of the economic conservatives debating the consequences of the mint ban. He speaks with a wild-haired man with thick spectacles who seems to look at him cross-eyed as he mumbles something about someone giving away money. The man barely squeaks out, "But...the mint... before Yorrick rushes away. Alessia tries to keep up with Aethn who seems to have a troublesome ability to weave through the crowd in a way that nearly loses Alessia. Frustrated, she is unable to pick up any new tidbits.
Alessia will note the cutpurse identify for future reference, but the victim should have been more careful.... thieves and worse lurk in crowds.
This is quite amazing you know Yorrick, the way so many have gathered here to make their voice heard. It would make an interesting start to a book. The oppressed masses congregrated on the square their voices cried out in protest at the injustice faced.
He mused aloud with a smirk. There might be something there, perhaps a play? Maybe that would catch Shensen's eye...
As we wait for someone to let slip the dogs of war... Yorick replies to Ed as he returns from his foible
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The twins spend the hours mostly just trying to keep from getting separated in the crowd. Unfortunately, neither is able to pick up any new information and they make their way from clump to clump in the Park. Most protesters they stop near seem to be more preoccupied with the message than any new rumors of events in Kintargo. Ed is similarly frustrated in his attempt to 'read' the crowd, settling instead for a literary discussion with Yorrick once the latter has returned from his misadventure with the Economic Conservatives.
The crowds continue to grow. The elimination of the Chelish Loyalists and the Anarchists seems to leave things more focused on positive change. The dottari and black-haired woman don't move from the front of the opera house.
percep
OK Ed, Im gonna try again on those Economic nerds. Once more into the breach!
He dives back into the crowd.
bluff
Yorrick is sure that things will go better this time, so sure of himself that he has his lie worked out about the free money being given away by Thrune, when he walks right into the SAME MAN again.
Uh...you know. Thrune is just giving away money. Really. You should probably do something about that.
Then he slinks away again
Alessia will continue to follow Aethn through the crowd and listen for gossip.
Beorn sees the movement at the window and decides that it is time for his masterstroke! Gathering two members of the crowd who have a dog with them, he enacts his song!
The tale is of two parents who wish to get a dog for there child and inquire the owner of the shop about the price of the displayed canine. The dog is friendly with a wagging tail and they speak of the benefits of a child learning the responsibilities of caring for the dog. The owner is moved and gives a reasonable price and extols the virtues of findings hounds good homes and hopes that every stray dog will no longer shiver hungry in the rain. The tale ends with a plea to the ruling body to reconsider their stance and enact positive social programs.
Alas, Beorn's voice was strained from his persistant talking and the dog howls it's dismay at the offkey lyrics. Beorn ends up hurridly vanishing from the crate he had set up before he gets produce in the face.
His eyes constantly flitted to the dottari and that black haired woman at the front of the Opera house, so much so that his attempts to just take in the crowd was obviously a failure. He didnt even notice Yorrick slipping away to verbally spar with the economic conservatives.
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Yorrick's bad run of luck with the economic conservatives continues and embarrassed at actually trying the same ploy with the same crowd yet again he mercifully slips back through the crowd to find Ed who sadly hasn't uncovered anything himself, having spent most of the hour trying to figure out what the dottari and the woman by the Opera House might be up to.
Elsewhere in the crowd however, things go better for some of the others. Alessia runs into a group of dockworkers who are frustrated by the arrival of Thrune and long for a return to local rule. One of them expresses great frustration at the effect its having on their favorite tavern, “Clenchjaw’s tavern has gone bad. I used to love drinking there; it was always a nice place to relax. Since the Night of Ashes, though, the place is crowded and talk about politics has exploded—as has the number of brawls. We got enough fighting on the streets these days. Whatever’s causing these brawls at Clenchjaw’s has ruined one of the last places we have to escape the violence. Just a matter of time before the new government shuts the place down, I guess."
Yet the most surprising events of the 3rd hour belong to Beorn. After spending much of the 2nd and 3rd hour composing his song of dog and duty he thinks he has blown it when his weary voice cracks during the second verse. A despondent Beorn steps off his box, ready to regroup when a young family and a shopkeeper beg him to come back. "Good sir. Our son has been so eager for a dog of his own, but we haven't been able to afford it. And with Thrune's Third Proclamation causing all of the strays to be snatched up, we had almost given up hope. But your wonderful song caught our ear from across the park and seeing our tears at your second verse, this kind shopkeeper asked what was wrong and just took in a stray that he was going to transfer to the dottari, but now will give to us instead. You've changed our life!" The nearby crowd erupts in happiness and you hear snatches of "How much is that hound in the window" sung, hummed or whistled as you consider what to do next.
Beorn is overwhelmed! His heart had sunk after his voice faltered and he believed his message would not be heard. To learn that it was not only heard but stirred the hearts of the people was the ultimate goal of any performer!
Emotion bubbled up within Beorn's chest and his happiness might of been mistaken for sorrow but it was not, and Beorn let the feeling sweep over him.
His life was complete.
Sick of the rabble congregating everywhere, Aethn moves through the crowd, often with a kerchief to his nose. "There must be someone with a job to do. There's always a mess to be cleaned up... Oh my! What the devil is that man eating?" He was always amazed at what some people called food. While his culinary palette was more refined than most, certainly more than this rabble; he had tasted most foods eaten in the city. It was important to know the habits of clientele as well as the habits of dupes and scapegoats.
Swiping his silken handkerchief under his nose in a vain attempt to ward away the unpleasant odors of the unwashed masses, he began to reflect on the proclamations that were read to the crowd. Although these new rules were ridiculous, Aethn knew they would provide many opportunities for him and Alessia to ply their trades.
Realizing his distracted thoughts were diverting him from his task, Aethn continued to "monitor" the crowd, searching for the subtle gestures, looks, and signs of someone "advertising".
Yorrick returns to Ed after embarrassing himself yet again. o what a rogue and peasant slave am I.
percep
ok Ed. This time I am giving those nerds the boot!
bluff
Thorrpe takes a deep breath and this time seeks out the same man.
listen I don't think you have been listening. The lieutenant governor has opened up the vaults. House Thrune is planning on flooding the economy with coin, this is going to devalue our currency and lord knows what that will do to the economy. Get all your people and get to the central bank and stop a man name Fritz, before he ruins everything.
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As the protest’s third hour draws to a close, it is all too clear that the crowd’s tenor is increasingly hostile. At 3 minutes after the third hour, in their typical random fashion, the bells of the Cathedral of Asmodeus ring out three peals.
A moment later, Barzillai Thrune throws wide the windows and their curtains to address the crowd below. Thrune is an imposing man dressed in red, orange, and black clothing and an ornate breastplate, all emblazoned with the pentagram of Asmodeus and the cross of Cheliax. Middle-aged, with short, dark hair and a diabolical mace cradled in his hands, the lord-mayor of Kintargo addresses the crowd with a condescending sneer. The gathering swiftly grows quiet as he clears his throat and gives a short speech.
“Ah, my adoring little chickadees. I am sorry to say I have not yet adapted to your quaint, country ways, being accustomed as I am to the sophistication and learning of Egorian. Nonetheless, know I have heard your concerns, and that I appreciate your valued feedback, and I know we shall eventually find a mutual understanding in the fullness of time. I take pride in updating Kintargo’s quaint, outdated laws to the modern standards the city deserves, and strengthening its ties with the empire in these cruel times, but obviously I have approached my duties too aggressively."
“You say you chafe at the presence of non-natives in positions of power? That authorities not of this city have no place as its leaders? That you will not be yoked by intruders? Your lord-mayor hears you. And so it is with a heavy heart that I issue this proclamation, in response to your demands: all ships’ captains are hereafter barred from leaving their vessels and setting foot on Kintargo docks or streets, under pain of... let’s say... squassation!”
Beorn's brow furrowed at the apperance and words of the new 'lord' Squassation? What is that?
Alas, it seems Beorn has ignored critical areas in his schooling.
Are we still having the same options of stuff we can do?
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Are we still having the same options of stuff we can do?
Squassation is a form of torture in which the victim’s hands are tied together and raised above the head; the victim is then hung from the hands while a weight is suspended from the feet, causing intense pain to the arms and legs.
Aethn sighed heavily. Leaning over to Alessia he murmured,"I don't know how they keep placing idiots like this in power. I'm only glad they do. People like htis new mayor keep us gainfully employed."
Scanning the crowd, Aethn wondered what the reaction of the crowd would be to this new harsh rule.
local woohoo
What an a$@#+%%!
Yorrick watches the crowd looking for anyone that seems to be approving of what was just announced, particular any nobles
percep
nobility