Questions for your PC:
What was your life like before you were “recruited” into the Thralls of Thrune?
What did you do to piss off House Thrune?
What would you otherwise be doing if you were not adventuring for House Thrune?
Questions for you, the player:
Which sources did you use when creating your character?
How often can you post?
Finally, why do you want to play this game?
I made a "recruitment poster" for the campaign, just for fun.
Compelling yet ominous... it's a good thing Elion is tied to a chair or he'd be outa here :-)
So I haven't hashed out all the details for the character, but I'm thinking I might want to try to make a bit of an Aztec themed hexcrafter. One that is on some sort of vision quest that has led him to the city and sort of how he has had to learn to draw his culture into his interactions with a much more..."advanced" society? Could that be a good fit?
Hm. Running a little late at this point, but I'm totally interested, so here's a submission just in case I'm not too late. Drew him up originally as a 5th level character for a modified Kingmaker campaign, but that never panned out. He still lives in my brain, though, so here he is, reimagined slightly to fit the level and background here, trying to find another way out, 'cause the themes fit him rather well.
Presenting Teral Saevus, the Reluctant Dragon.
Don't have his traits just yet, although I'd be surprised if that state lasts more than a few more minutes. I also haven't figured out his starting equipment at the moment, although at level 1 with basic gear, the obvious answer is "not much".
What was life like before? "You can check the background in my profile for details, but mostly? Frustrating. Sure, I've got some powers most folks don't get, but it's not the easiest legacy to live up to."
What did you do to piss off House Thrune? "Pff. Some first year at the Academae thought he was high and mighty enough to shove a servant around. Proved him wrong. Guess he took it the wrong way."
What would you otherwise be doing if you were not adventuring for House Thrune? "Studying, I guess. Maybe adventuring on my own? Hard to say - I was just kind of dragging my heels back at the Academae. All in all, this is probably as good a gig as I'd have anywhere else."
Which sources did you use when creating your character? So far, entirely Core Rulebook. Nothing fancy here, although maybe a little unorthodox. Eventually, he hopes to grow up into a Dragon Disciple (Core book prestige class). His style, I admit, is a bit weird, in that he intends to be something resembling a frontline sorcerer as soon as he's got the magic to support that kind of foolishness.
How often can you post? Usually, once a day, maybe more if I'm free. Better, with some warning that things will be flying fast. Sometimes, my life has bursts of insane activity and I get lax with posting, but I'm pretty good about mentioning it beforehand.
Finally, why do you want to play this game? I'm always on the lookout for chances to play with the characters in my head, and your recruitment post had a flavor and humor to it that caught my eye. Also, the theme of forced adventuring seemed to fit the ongoing theme I have running for Teral, like I mentioned above. I rarely try to jump in a game without a character concept that I enjoy, but once I have one, I tend to keep finding the right place for them to go. Here seems good.
After reflection I'm backing out, much luck and fun to all.
Kimmel-
I'm currently pondering an Inquisitor with the Infiltrator archetype. How would you feel about a character who deliberately pissed off Thrune to infiltrate them on behalf of his cause/god? I find this concept quite fun I'll admit, I think I could play it well. Haven't decided on the cause or god.
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Character Questions:
What was your life like before you were “recruited” into the Thralls of Thrune?
Better explained under the background section in Akshara's profile.
What did you do to piss off House Thrune? (This can be as simple as being the wrong sort of cleric in the wrong place at the wrong time, or something more involved.)
Akshara pissed off Paracount Marcellus Thurvian of Belde simply by existing, and through the Paracount was sold to House Thrune as a pet.
What would you otherwise be doing if you were not adventuring for House Thrune?
Living in the woods of Belde, making sporadic visits to the one human who ever befriended her.
Player Questions
Which sources did you use when creating your character? (So I can check out the things I am less familiar with.)
Advanced Race Guide (for tiefling alternate racial traits, detailed in profile)
Advanced Player's Guide
Core Rulebook
Ultimate Combat
How often can you post?
Twice or more daily on weekdays (M-F), once per day on weekends
Finally, why do you want to play this game?
I've always wanted to play Sunless Citadel but never got the chance to. Furthermore, this is a great campaign for a character idea I've had, but could never find the right vector for. I'm honestly really excited for the prospect.
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Long-term plans, mechanically, for Akshara go as follows:
Barbarian 3, Oracle 3, and then into Rage Prophet. Probably going to go with the Nature mystery, but I'm not wholly sure yet. The concept is that Akshara was destined for better things before her life got kind of topsy turvy. Also will be taking the Eldritch Heritage feat chain (up to Improved) for the Abyssal bloodline to show the affect of her gradually coming to terms with her demonic heritage, but turning it to her advantage rather than being enslaved by it.
Hooks for the DM:
I left her parentage totally open, both mother and father are unknowns to her. This could be used for whatever the GM desires. I've also left Maela's fate (from her background) open in the event that the GM wanted to use her or her family for anything in the future.
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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ShadowyFox - The most important things to come up with for your background are how and why you ended up on House Thrune's bad side. Pretty much any character concept will theoretically work within that framework. We won't necessarily be in the city a lot - at least not at first.
GM Arkwright - Your inquisitor concept would work just fine! Good stuff.
Everyone - Thanks to all who have submitted so far. I see several characters I like. You still have a chance to get in if you submit today, but I wouldn't wait too long! Keep in mind that this thread is also the first place I will look for replacement characters later on.
Mike: I made a very minor change to Valeria's stat block-- I switched in Combat Casting for Magical Aptitude. I adjusted her skill bonuses accordingly.
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Submitted for your approval.
The cell door groaned as its rusted steel frame swung open to allow a man in red and black robes into its dank chamber. He was flanked by a pair of men in Hellknight armor, their posture an imposing sight made more frightening by the angular features and thick black steel they wore. The third bore a leather-bound tome, and he lowered his crimson hood to get a better view of the cell's singular occupant - a scruffy and dirty man with a month's growth in his blonde beard and hair, wearing little more than rags. His steel grey eyes regarded these intruders into his world with little more than curiosity.
"You are Bellicus Tonore," the robed man began. It was not a question, but a statement of fact. The prisoner simply nodded once, and the man continued, opening his book. "You have been found guilty of crimes against House Thrune in a court of law, chief amongst these being trespassing into a burial chamber, and aiding the allies of foreign nations with designs against the lawful government. Your sentence is torture, followed by execution. Do you understand the sentence handed down upon you?" Again, the unwavering gaze, but this time no answer from the man. The robed man repeated himself, but still gained no response. He sighed, and gestured to the Hellknight on his left. Almost without pause, a gauntleted fist cuffed the man, sending him to the ground.
"Answer the Signifer! Or you will...", the Hellknight began, but he stopped short from a chuckle coming from the man on the floor. He settled into a kneeling position, and spat out a mouthful of bloody spittle.
"Or what, exactly? I'm already to be tortured and killed. What else do you have? I think you've already exhausted your threats."
The Hellknight raised his hand again to strike Bellicus for his impudence, but the Signifer called out. The Hellknight gave pause, and the man in robes regarded the prisoner for a long moment in silence. Finally, it was broken. "Leave us," the Signifer said. "I will provide counsel for the condemned. In private." The Hellknight looked to the Signifer, but if there was a protest forming in the man's mind, he did not voice it. The two knights left the small chamber, and soon the prisoner and the Signifer were alone.
"You have a will of iron, Signore Tonore," the Signifer said at last. "Asmodeus could not wish for a more tempered resolve."
"I've no devotion to your church, Signifer," Bellicus said, the blood staining his blonde beard. "So if you are looking for a conversion before my imminent death, you are sadly mistaken."
"Oh, hardly," the Signifer replied, opening his tome. "I wouldn't expect that from you. You are, of course, free to worship whomever you choose, so long as it is not a seditious or subversive ideology."
"Judged by your standards of subversiveness, of course," Bellicus replied bitterly.
"Well, naturally," the Signifer replied matter-of-factly, still reading the book. "We know best, after all. We are bringing order to the chaos we find in the world, much as we did before Aroden's death. We lost countless colonies, our empire diminished by the demise of a god. The Chelish flame was nearly snuffed out, and only by the House of Thrune's intervention were we spared. We now rebuild in the image shown to us by our infernal patrons, and it is with their aid we will rise to our former glory again. But I need not tell you these tales, Signore. You know them well. You believed them once, did you not, Armiger Tonore?"
Bellicus shifted uneasily. "So you've read my file. My service with the Hellknights is a matter of public record."
"As is the nature of your departure before the end of your squireship. You were scrubbed out of the Order two years into your servitude for disobeying the orders of Maralictor Cesare Sippoline. The reason behind this, however, seems to be missing, however. I am curious to this reason. Why did you disobey orders?"
"Because they were unlawful orders, Signifer," the man replied, his voice finding its fervor. "Maralictor Sippoline sent us on training exercises into the slip villages nearby the barracks. We were to retrieve reports from informants on the movements of anti-slavery operatives within the villages. One day, he came to us, organizing a raid on a suspected stop on the underground. Around twenty suspected slips were supposed to be in a hidden room under a barn owned by a landowner named Vetruvian, if I recall. We surrounded the place under cover of night while the Maralictor entered the landowner's home. Screams issued - they always do. Vetruvian attempted to flee, but the Maralictor caught him, and put him to the sword. I alone was close enough to hear what he was saying though. I expected the farmer to be pleading for his life; instead, he was cursing the Maralictor's name. 'Kill me if you want, Sippoline, but the truth about you will come out. My death only rents silence about your treachery. It does not buy it.
Bellicus rubbed his aching jaw as he collected his thoughts. "Maralictor Sippoline gave the order to put the building to the torch. We paused - we had intended to search the building for the slips first, pacify any threats, and then put the place to the flame. He yelled at us again, and nineteen of us moved to light the building on fire. I alone refused. He got in my face, yelled about following his orders, and I refused again, vocally this time. 'This is not procedure,' I said, to which he replied 'Procedure is what I tell you, Armiger!' I refused a third time, and it was then he tore the Armiger patch off my arm, remanded me to his Hellknights, and threw my torch onto the farmhouse itself."
As he spoke, the Signifer was writing in the book. "Yes, this tracks with our internal investigation. It seems that your Maralictor Sippoline was a flawed man. He had been working with several members of organized crime in the area, of which Vetruvian was a member. There were no escaped slips at the farm, only evidence of his wrongdoing. You were right to question his orders." The Signifer closed the book, and looked at the fallen Hellknight aspirant.
"Now, tell me, why did you sign up as shieldman for the Pathfinders?"
"Well, Signifer, where else was I to go? There isn't much call for a disgraced Hellknight candidate, and I lacked the funds to travel. The Pathfinders were looking for someone to protect them against traps or guardians in a dig they were performing. I just wasn't aware that the dig they were working on wasn't exactly approved by the House of Thrune."
"They had broken into a mausoleum belonging to House Leroung, Signore. I'm not sure what for, but given their proclivities, I can surmise it was either for something that vault contained, or clarification on something they were looking for elsewhere. It matters not, only that they were trespassing on hallowed and private grounds. The Pathfinders, I am sure you will be pleased to hear, have denied that they had a team in Cheliax - about what I expect to hear from their leadership. They have left you high and dry, Signore Tonore."
"You are a willful and arrogant tool, my fallen Armiger. However, you can still be a useful tool. As you said, I am familiar with your file. You are studied, and have learned many of the particulars behind the cairns and secret places in Cheliax. If you were freed from this place, what would you do?"
"Adventuring, I suppose," Bellicus shrugged. "That beats working as dumb muscle for some alehouse somewhere. Perhaps militia or constabulary in some town somewhere. Those are, at least, honest professions. Of course, scrubbing out from the Hellknights are a black mark against my name, and prevent me from getting work like that."
"And what if that black mark could be erased, Signore?"
Quiet fell in the cell for the first time since the Hellknights left. "What do you mean, Signifer?"
"As I said, Maralictor Sippoline was found guilty of abusing his position and issuing unlawful orders to the men under his command. You have a strong sword arm, and a stronger will. And, possibly most importantly, you have nothing to lose. You are to be executed if you do not agree to work as House Thrune's hand on certain matters. In exchange for your freedom and dutiful service to the Empire, the matter of your dishonorable discharge will be reversed, and may include benefits up to and including the opportunity to swear fealty to one of the Orders. What do you say...Armiger Tonore?"
The former Hellknight looked at the Signifer for a time. Finally, he broke the silence.
"What is your bidding, my master?"
Which sources did you use when creating your character? (So I can check out the things I am less familiar with.)
Core Rulebook, mostly, though there are bits from the APG. I'd like to head towards the Hellknight prestige class, which is in the Inner World Sea Guide.
How often can you post?
Right around daily, sometimes a bit more often than that.
Finally, why do you want to play this game?
I'm a huge fan of Cheliax, and the closest I've been able to play was a few aborted attempts at the Council of Thieves AP. Both times I played someone against the diabolic order - this time, I'd like to play someone who believes that the world needs someone to impose law upon it. I played a bit of the 3.0 published adventures back in the day, but beyond the generalities, I don't remember a whole lot about those mods.
Submission made! Hopefully not too late. All PC questions should be answered in his sheet.
Questions for the player:
The Dirge archetype for the Bard is an Ultimate Magic archetype. I also took some alternate traits for Elves from the ARG. Those should be the only major differences between him and another Elf Bard. There are some things I'm planning on taking that are from UM (such as Eldritch Heritage: Undead), but I don't know if we'll get that far in this campaign.
How often can you post?
I can post daily. If something comes up and I can't, I'll be sure to message you.
Finally, why do you want to play this game?
I liked the concept. It seems fun and intriguing, and an interesting twist on the why of adventuring. The idea of an underground citadel is a particularly cool setting. I wanted a chance to play Leynus here, who I've had running around my head for a while. Other than that... well, I just wanted to play Pathfinder, really. I've got no other PbPs going on, and this one seemed quite fun, so here I am.
Name: Thak Val Zsing
Race: Male Human
Class: Inquisitor (Infiltrator)
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Party Role: Party face/Frontline fighter
What was your life like before you were “recruited” into the Thralls of Thrune? (This is where you can talk about your family, friends, origins, that sort of thing.)
Thak Val Zsing was born into a rich Varisian merchant family who traded out of the Realm of the Mammoth Lords. He was also born with a deep burning crippling hunger which did not abate regardless of how much he consumed. After a long and joyless childhood, he trained to guard his father's caravans. A blizzard set in and he and another scout got trapped and cut off. Consumed by his hunger, Thak killed and began eating the scout, and for the first time in his life found his hunger being sated. A voice out of the snow identified herself as Urgathoa and said she had 'blessed' him with hunger and invited him to server her at one of her temples. In her name, Thak went out and slaughtered the caravan, consuming most of them. He then made his way to Urgathoa's temple and became one of her most trusted inquisitors. Friends: Ekal the male high-ish priest of Urgathoa, Alla the disturbingly cheerful junior acolyte of Urgathoa. Enemies: Erl Val Zsing his father
What did you do to piss off House Thrune? (This can be as simple as being the wrong sort of cleric in the wrong place at the wrong time, or something more involved.)
Thak joined up as a mercenary for a low-ranking noble of House Thrune. He completed his first two missions showing his skills; on the third, he and another mercenary were sent to capture and kidnap a merchant. Thak accepted a bribe, killing the other mercenary and helping the merchant escape. Despite his efforts, house Thrune found out. Or so it would seem- in reality, he has joined up at the order of Urgathoa, seeking to find out more about the structure of House Thrune and Cheliax, and lay the seeds for his god's ascension in the empire. The merchant was a handy opportunity to work his way closer into the Thrune house, and he deliberately allowed word to get back.
What would you otherwise be doing if you were not adventuring for House Thrune?
If he had not been chosen for this mission, he would be performing assignments for Urgathoa, punishing her wayward cultists and hunting enemies.
Which sources did you use when creating your character? (So I can check out the things I am less familiar with.)
www.d20pfsrd.com? Only this, really.
How often can you post?
1/day minumum.
Finally, why do you want to play this game?
In another game I am playing a secret double agent and I am having mountains of fun, and I'd like to try that in a different setting.
I'm going to have to bow out unfortunately, my Mom has taken a downturn. She'll get better, but there may be a hospital stay for a week involved. Thank you for your consideration and good luck everyone.
Best wishes for your mom. Virtual flowers
14 months ago...
"...and the oslyth cried in victory
And trod the lillend's wings.
He smashed her golden lyre
And snapped its silver strings.
And yet, though broken on the field,
Her face still smiled, serene.
'Devil, you may have beaten me
But you'll never stop our dream.'"
The crowd at the Shield and Sheepdog erupted in applause while Val strummed the final, hopeful chords on her lute. "Dreams of the Lillend" was becomming rather popular-- she'd heard at least two other bards play it at other establishments in Kintargo. She rose, her Varisian silks flowing around her, and took a deep bow, her own face beaming at the crowd's reaction.
Thank you, Starsong, for gracing me with the ability to spread your message of hope to these devil-haunted souls, she prayed silently. She knew that the message of her song would reach at least a few here. While she mostly performed traditional Varisian folk songs, she always wove the teaching of Desna, the Starsong, into her music whenever she could.
She strummed one more series of chords and sang, May your dreams be blessed this lovely night in Varisian, hiding her blessings of the divine behind her music.
"That's it!" shouted a baritone voice at the back of the hall. "She's a heretic! Arrest her!" He wore the black-and-red robes of a priest of Asmodeus.
Oh, no. He was here again tonight! I should have realized he was onto me, thought Val. She quickly scanned the room, looking for a quick exit. Perhaps it was time to hit the road again...
But at the priest's shout, the two doors of the tavern burst open, and four Hellknights in full armor marched into the room. Panic gripped the crowd, but the men in the devil-adorned armor drew their swords, and the crowd fearfully took their seats. The Hellknights surrounded Val before she could make a run for it. The priest strode forward.
"Valeria Baladin, or 'Varisian Val' as you bill yourself... you are charged with sixteen counts of heresy against the Church of Asmodeus, Nine counts of subversion against the Empire, and one count of apostasy. You are not a bard-- you are a priestess of a god of chaos!" At that accusation, the crowd made an audible gasp.
Val stood in stony silence as two Hellknights gripped her arms. A third took her lute and smashed it on the stage. A fourth manicled her wrists behind her.
The priest continued, now addressing the crowd, "My friends, this... Varisian vagabond has tricked you. She is poisoning you against the order and justice that the Prince of Darkness has blessed our beloved homeland with. Just now, she tainted you all with the curse of chaos. Let me remedy that." He intoned an Asmodean malediction, which countered Val's blessing from Desna. "Go back to your homes. This show is over. Armigers, take her away!"
The guards shoved Val outside into a waiting prisoner transport wagon.
Val locked her gaze with the priest, curling her lip into a smile. "You may have beaten me, but you'll never stop our dream."
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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The Thrune Agent finished reading the scout's report and sighed heavily, then folded the note and held it over the candle's flame. This "Sunless Citadel" seems like a dangerous place, he thought to himself as the parchment blackened and curled. Best send seven instead of six...
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Many thanks to you all for your submissions. I always enjoy seeing the characters that everyone comes up with. Unfortunately I cannot accept all of the characters that you have proposed, but I have decided to take seven instead of six, recognizing that sometimes people drop out.
Welcome to Part I of the Thralls of Thrune campaign:
Akshara
Anton Moorson
Bellicus Tonore
Elion
Leynus Chet
Teral Saevus
Valeria Baladin
Please post a response here to confirm your commitment to the game. I will set up the gameplay and discussion threads shortly and link to them here so you can begin posting.
To everyone else - Thank you for your interest. It was a close call for some of you. I will refer to this thread for future recruitment needs.
Confirming as well.
Woohoo!
Still tied to a chair in the basement so consider me at your disposal :-)
Alright then, let's do this thing.
Seven characters, yeesh. Mike you have it in for yourself.
11 months ago...
"It is the opinion of this court that the defendant, Valeria Baladin of Kintargo, is guilty of all charges: heresy, apostasy, and sedition. Does the convicted have anything to say to the court before sentencing?" The Prelate-Judge peered into the prisoner's cage in which Val stood. She was filthy and disheveled, still wearing the torn and tattered remains of the Varisian stage clothing she'd been wearing on the night of her arrest, three months earlier. The metal collar welded around her neck was chained to the back wall of the cell. After the verdict was read, Val heard the sound of a woman sobbing in the courtroom-- while she couldn't see her, she recognized her mother's voice.
Yet Val's spirit was not yet broken. "No, your honor. To do so would imply that I recognize the validity of this court." There were audible gasps from the courtroom. I'm as good as dead by now, so I might as well speak the truth, she thought to herself.
The judge frowned even more deeply, if that could be believed. "Your sentence is enslavement. You are hereby immediately and irrevocably stripped of your status as a free Chelaxian citizen. You are now the chattel of the Imperial State, to be sold at acution at a time convenient to the Court. In addition," he leaned forward and smiled, "for that last outburst I also sentence you to 13 lashes at the public whipping-post, to be meted out tomorrow at noon. And I don't mind saying that I'll rather enjoy watching that!" He leaned back in his chair, still smiling. "A pity if that affects your price."
Trying her best not to let the unexpected verdict shake her, Val tried to swallow, but her mouth was dry. Blessed Desna, please give me the strength to endure this!
Three weeks ago...
Val woke from her half-slumber to hear the door to the slave's quarters open. She was surprised to see the Paracountess herself stride into the room, followed by two of her guards, each bearing torches.
The Paracountess looked at the four other female slaves sleeping in the chamber, who also stirred. "You four. Out! Now!" They scrambled to comply. The Paracountess strode to the straw pallet on which Val lay and kicked her in the ribs, hard. Val shouted in pain and doubled over, grasping her sides.
"You have been NOTHING but trouble to me!" shouted the noblewoman. "Not a week after I bought you, the other slaves of this household became distracted, disobedient, and insolent! It's as if they now all have hope that something is going to save them from their fate. I should have known better, buying a convited heretic-- even one as talented as you."
The look of fury left the Paracountess' face, replaced by a smug grin. She crouched at Val's bedside, and took Val's chin in her hand, pulling it upward to look into her eyes. The Paracountess smirked, "So I've decided that I'm done with you. But because I am a very patient and vey generous woman, I am going to tell you my two options and let you choose. If you stay silent, I will instead give my men over there an unsupervised hour with you, with an expectation that you will no longer be breathing when they're done. Understand?" Gritting her teeth, Val nodded. "I could sell you to Madame Declane, who owns several brothels by the docks. I understand that two of her Varisian girls recently died of the pox, and she's in need of more. Or, I could sell you to House Thrune. A little bird told me that they are looking to buy slaves with certain... skills that they could put to use on missions to further the glory of the Realm. Dangerous missions. The kind that few return from." The Paracountess released Val's chin and stood. "Your choice?"
Val sat up and regarded the Paracountess' face. What's her game? Do I tell her the one I really would choose? Desna, grant me the wisdom to make the right choice!
I hope she's playing this the way I think she's playing this... Val took a deep breath, and replied, "I'd rather be a literal whore than to sell myself to a regime that I hate!" Blessed Starsong, please let her be that transparent!
The Paracountess grinned haughtily. "I thought you'd choose a life on your back! Instead, to House Thrune you go! An agent will be by to collect you within the hour. I doubt you'll last a month. Good riddance!" she spat. A look of pained desperation crossed Val's face. Am I laying it on too thick? At that, the Paracountess collected the guards and strode out.
After the door slammed, Val exhaled slowly, and smiled. Dangerous missions? If I'm adventuring, even on a leash, maybe I'll find a chance to escape. Regardless, at least I'll be seeing something new!
Sounds like good news, then. I'm glad.
