What can you do with a problem like Kendra Lorrimor? [possible spoilers]

[Mahavira]

Given that HoH hypes making the PCs feel at least a little invested in her (so they don't just ditch town rather than deal with the prison)it seems like a waste to not have her involved at all in the rest of the campaign. The 'obvious' course would be for her to sell the house, and initially move to Liepstadt, perhaps intending to take a few courses. I wouldn't expect her to be hugely useful during the trial proper, except as a source of "well what about X?", or a source of 'gossip' if they are slow to investigate the break in at the college. The Lorrimor name could have the order of teh Palatine Eye taking an interest in her. Silent Moon and Wake of the Watcher don't look like appropriate venues, but getting her to Caliphas for Ashes at Dawn doesn't seem like a stretch (either pursuing studies there, visiting a family friend, on a mission for the order) and the Whispering Way could possibly kidnap her for use as a hostage in shadows of gallowspire. What have others done with her?

[Helaman]

Move her to Lep. Then have moved to caliphas . She can sit out BM and WotW

[Evil Paul]

Indeed. Then replace Count Galdana with her.

[Helaman]

Thats.... Evil, evil Paul.

Suggested before but I do so love it.

[MurphysParadox]

She's joined the party as a non-combatant crafting support character. She will tag along with the party and help the wizard with his crafting, though never make something on her own. I also reserve the right to kidnap, kill, control, or convert her at any time. The players know this. It makes for a certain delicious feeling of inevitability of a bad thing. Which means I probably won't do anything bad to her, just let my players think I might.

[DM Jeff]

In our game the PCs helped her turn her inherited house into a “Lorrimor Museum”. With all the interesting and unique items the Professor acquired over the years of adventure and exploration there’s a small but steady market they believe to help give her meaning.

[Doodlebug Anklebiter]

My players are just about to start The Trial of the Beast and, indeed, Kendra Lorrimor has preceeded them to Lepidstadt.

Funny thing, though, is that I moved her there not to keep her in the campaign, but to get her out of the way! None of the players were particularly interested in her, and they were starting to take advantage of her kindness, so after yet another undead calamity befell the town she said "that's it, I'm outta here!" and contracted the dudes down at The Silk Purse to sell her house.

[Brodyz]

I agree with Evil Paul. This was brought up in an earlier thread and it is a great idea.

My players saw an invitation on her table from the professor's old friend, one AA, to join him in Caliphas. He had arranged a post for her at the Quarerfaux Archives.

I had originally thought about turning her into a Vampire but I much prefer the idea of replacing Count Galdana with her.

I was fortunate in that one of my players developed a relationship with her during their time in Ravengro, so I am really looking forward to bringing her character back.

[Ezries]

Professor Lorrimor and his daughter were close friends with the extended family that includes my group of players. She spent all of her early childhood and some of her teenage years growing up with the group. I worked with one of my players and created a teenage puppy love story line with his character, Christian, who is the same age as her.

That got developed more in the first book, and she decided to travel with the group instead of moving to Caliphas at the urging of her father's colleague, AA. During their stay in Lepidstadt, she stayed mainly out of the way and did research type stuff for the guys. Now that Christian has reached level 7 and took leadership, she has officially become his cohort.

So in other words, she became an integral part of our game.

[Voomer]

As others have suggested, I'm planning on having her go to Caliphas at AA's urging; it is, among other things, a good way to introduce AA in the first module. I haven't yet read the module where Count Galdana comes into play, so I don't understand the suggestion of replacing Count Galdana with Kendra (or is it vice versa?). Can one of you explain that angle? Thanks!

[chavamana]

Count Galdana:

Count Galdana is the descendant of Tar-Baphon that AA intends to use as the vessel through which the Whispering Tyrant can be reborn.

I think...

[Windspirit]

@EvilPaul I SOOOO love the Idea. The Pally of my group actually has a think for her and spends quite a lot of GP on magical message transfers. I will have starting her send letters back to him. An then shortly after WotW he will get a latter saying that her Vaters old friend has invited her over....
I had a band of Assasin attack the group after they finised TotB and they found a letter on them saying to intercept the PC's and keeps A.V> back free signed AA.

[is there a smily for an EVIL grimm?]

QUESTION: Magical means for Kendra to comunicate with PC's. Post wont work.

[Mahavira]

Seems to me that the Count Galdana idea requires that either she is adopted

Spoiler:

Perhaps because the order of the Palatine Eye decided that the Whispering Tyrant's bloodline needed purging - the good Professor balked at killing a little girl, which is why he retired to a backwater. This would also allow AA to tell her the truth, and that the Order would try and kill her if they knew, thus driving her into the "protection" of the Whispering Way.

or Dr. L has a more interesting family tree than we are led to believe. The adoption angle might be good just because we know nothing about Mrs. L, if in fact there ever was one.

[Helaman]

Mahavira wrote:

Seems to me that the Count Galdana idea requires that either she is adopted ** spoiler omitted ** or Dr. L has a more interesting family tree than we are led to believe. The adoption angle might be good just because we know nothing about Mrs. L, if in fact there ever was one.

That could work, the spoiler, but surely with his death the Prof would have made other arrangements and if AA knew about the possibility, surely he'd have been more decisive sooner in getting her... that said this could be a dark dark twist.

[Gonturan]

I'm going with the general trend here, ie. replacing Galdana with Kendra. I also made her adopted, and replaced her class levels with Oracle, giving her the clouded vision affliction. My explanation for her semi-blindness:

Spoiler:

When Kendra was a girl, she snuck a glance at one of Lorrimor's evil tomes, and it instantly struck her blind. The Professor knew that this could only have happened to someone with Tar-Baphon's blood, so he retired and moved to Ravengro, to keep her out of the (whispering) way.

In my game, during Trial of the Beast, Kendra was in Lepidstadt, researching the runes the PCs found at Harrowstone, trying to find out who murdered her father. She became increasingly obsessed, trying to convince the PCs to help her perform incantations to question the spirit of her dead father. My long-term plan involves sending her to Caliphas and joining the Palatine Eye.

[Darkstrom]

In my game Kendra Lorrimor was convinced by Adivon Adrissant to come stay with him in Caliphas to get away from "all this messy business" and allow her to get back on her feet.

She has retained the only original character as a pen pal and I've got plans for her letters to become increasing concerned as she develops a curiousity for Adivon(And I realize it's Adivion - I just like Adivon better.) and begins to grow worried about the things he's gotten into.

I've taken the ideas of a few on the boards and written scripts involving the two (and scripts involving Judge Daramid who has played a much larger role in ToTB than as written.). I have yet to show the group the Kendra scripts. When I do (after things are revealed) I hope they'll showcase Kendra's growing realization and fear of the madman she's living with. He's charming and kind to her but over time (as the party continues foiling his plans) he begins to grow slightly unhinged becoming controlling and angry. But he's always had no patience for incompetence.

In my game Petros was Adivon's mentor as a youth.

[Voomer]

Maybe this is a silly question, but how do they exchange letters? How does Kendra know where to send the letters and how do they get there fast enough in light of the pace of the AP? I was thinking about having some communications by letter too, so I'm curious how you thought this through.

[Darkstrom]

Well currently through Judge Daramid. She knew the Judge and she knew that the PCs were going to Lepidstadt to see her. So her initial letter (and the only one sent so far)was actually sent to the Judge's address. The Judge had the letter forwarded to the inn the PCs are staying at: The Brazen Skull (Rule of Fear source book).

Like I said, the Judge has played a much larger patron role in my game than as originally written (partially because I ran Feast of Ravenmoor with her as the contact and the party also likes her no-nonsense, stern contenance and attitude).

They are in Schloss Caromarc right now and as of now the player has only responded to the letter (not gotten another reply - I will be keeping the letter writing as realistic as possible in time frame as possible).

One thing I am doing is slowing down the events in the path. It makes me a little insane to imagine players going from 1 to 16 in a handful of months so I've been adding downtime for crafting and other threads (Feast of Ravenmoor, probably Carrion Hill)

The player is invested in continuing his contacts with Kendra and so my hope is that with the extra downtime he will either write her when he gets a chance or establish a place she can contact him at.

Like I said, I'm still just starting this letter writing chain. I'm trying to make sure that characters met in various of the books don't stay one shots but continue to guide and influence the story and provide additional background.

Oh god. This became a giant post. I'm done now.

[Erik Freund]

Darkstrom wrote:

In my game Kendra Lorrimor was convinced by Adivon Adrissant to come stay with him in Caliphas to get away from "all this messy business" and allow her to get back on her feet.

She has retained the only original character as a pen pal and I've got plans for her letters to become increasing concerned as she develops a curiousity for Adivon(And I realize it's Adivion - I just like Adivon better.) and begins to grow worried about the things he's gotten into.

In my game Petros was Adivon's mentor as a youth.

I do all of these same things in my campaign too! (even the slight name-change!)

I fully and strongly advocate this route.

Oh, and in my campaign, they're getting married. 'cuz that's Gothic for you. Adivon's affection for his old mentor takes a creepy turn as he becomes devoted to "preserving his genius, and perfecting it by combining with my own."

[Helaman]

Erik Freund wrote:

Oh, and in my campaign, they're getting married. 'cuz that's Gothic for you. Adivon's affection for his old mentor takes a creepy turn as he becomes devoted to "preserving his genius, and perfecting it by combining with my own."

Very 'Sheldon' of him

[magnuskn]

Mahavira wrote:

Seems to me that the Count Galdana idea requires that either she is adopted ** spoiler omitted ** or Dr. L has a more interesting family tree than we are led to believe. The adoption angle might be good just because we know nothing about Mrs. L, if in fact there ever was one.

I love that idea and will use it in my campaign. Probably with a last message that the PC's will get from professor Lorrimor. I'll have to see how I tie that in.

[Doodlebug Anklebiter]

Wow. You guys are coming up with some sick shiznit. I really should read ahead to the end of the AP...

[Mahavira]

magnuskn wrote:

Mahavira wrote:

Seems to me that the Count Galdana idea requires that either she is adopted ** spoiler omitted ** or Dr. L has a more interesting family tree than we are led to believe. The adoption angle might be good just because we know nothing about Mrs. L, if in fact there ever was one.

I love that idea and will use it in my campaign. Probably with a last message that the PC's will get from professor Lorrimor. I'll have to see how I tie that in.

As an earlier clue, you might have Kendra tag along to see Justice Diarmid (wanting to meet one of her father's correspondents) briefly look stricken, shakily remark that she is a spitting image of her mother, before recovering and dealing with the PCs. In Ashes at Dawn, Kendra could complicate matters for the PCs by leading a squad of (whispering way) vampire hunters against the vamps the PCs are forced to collaborate with. Temporarily working with vampires to face a common threat is one thing, but will they fight an old friend for them?

[King of Vrock]

Don't send Kendra to Lepidstadt. You want her to be important but not so important that the PCs ignore each chapters adventures for her plot arc.

IMC I had a noble buy the house from her, then had that noble reappear in BM as a guest of the lodge. I used Esme (Currindon) Muralt from the NPC Guide and replaced the Marquessa at the lodge with her. When the noblewoman bought the house she invites the charming Kendra to Ardis to stay with her for a bit. There she can meet AA, a good noble friend who convinces Kendra to visit the new Capital in Caliphas. During the events of Broken Moon you can have the noble catch the PCs up on Kendra's trip with AA just before they find out AA gave Auren Vrood the invites to Ascanor. Then the PCs learn of both AA and it gives them a reason to find the connection between AA and the WW.

[Helaman]

Except that letting the players know she's in possible danger from The Way will make them by pass WotW because they'll assume the AP is to rescue Kendra

[Windspirit]

But thats why u dont spill the bean until wotw.

I ask again, as I think ppl missed it.

What magic allows Kendra to comunicate with the PC's or one PC?

[Josh Hodges]

Windspirit wrote:

What magic allows Kendra to communicate with the PC's or one PC?

Sending or Dream are what you're probably looking for if you have no idea of the destination, just the recipient. Animal Messenger or Whispering Wind are much lower level but they deliver to a specified location and have other inherent problems.

So it looks like any messages Kendra sends after the heroes leave Lepidstadt will be costing her 450 gold each and be in the form of dreams, since she can't cast 5th level magic herself, or 1125 gp for the use of a scroll of Sending. If Kendra can make someone else "familiar" with the PCs, or go through familiar third parties, that would simplify matters a great deal and allow for Sending without all the extra expenditure for a scroll.

[King of Vrock]

Helaman wrote:

Except that letting the players know she's in possible danger from The Way will make them by pass WotW because they'll assume the AP is to rescue Kendra

But at that point in the AP they don't KNOW that AA is part of the WW, only that he provided Auren Vrood with invitations to Ascanor. I mean Judge Daramid gave the PCs invitations to Ascanor, but they're not (as yet) affiliated with the Palatine Eye are they?

Having the Noble vouch for Adivion's character also doesn't hurt. The point is to introduce him a little more strongly to the PCs than a mere notation in Estovion's journals. If it comes from an NPC they've seen as friendly, or even as a Patron as Esme Currindon Muralt often employs adventurers which you can easily drop with a well timed Knowledge (nobility and royalty) check.

--Vrock'em Sock'em Robots

[Darkstrom]

Erik Freund wrote:

I do all of these same things in my campaign too! (even the slight name-change!)

I fully and strongly advocate this route.

Oh, and in my campaign, they're getting married. 'cuz that's Gothic for you. Adivon's affection for his old mentor takes a creepy turn as he becomes devoted to "preserving his genius, and perfecting it by combining with my own."

This is a perfectly twisted and delightful turn of events. I might steal this too! Thanks Erik.

[Juda de Kerioth]

i make kendra a member of the party and they use her knowledge. also, i mix her class with gunslinger, it was funny.

[Kerney]

Blind Oracle and Gunslinger?

More seriously, I used her as a PC when I joined late. She was a scholar Bard.

[Itchy]

Wow. Thread Necromancy. I pulled some ideas from the boards here for my game. AA and Professor Lorrimor were friendly rivals in their youth. Friendly enough that Kendra calls him "Uncle Advion." She and AA traveled with the party on the way to Lepidstadt and then went on to Caliphas.

My players were initially distrustful of AA, but Kendra swayed them. We'll see how it goes. She is going to be the one that AA tries to turn into the Whispering Tyrant at the end of the AP.

[Oliver Veyrac]

In our game, because she is a diviner, she aids the party with divination spells, and the like. Turned out rather well, especially since one of the characters had a thing for her.

[Rynjin]

I thought about doing something with Kendra, but by the time we got to the end of Trial of the Beast, exactly zero people in the party had even heard of "Ravengro" or "Petros Lorrimor", much less his daughter.

[Helaman]

Ahhh - the classic Call of Cthulhu conundrum. Party Mortality/Insanity - after a while the original motivation is lost and it has to continue under its own steam.

[Joël of the FoS]

In our game, they resumed adventuring against the WWay with Kendra following them for a month, as per Petros's will.

That was dangerous but she loved it. She was lower level than the PCs, but she was there to do her part, and from her study, she knew some things that the PCs didn't. She died once and the PCs paid to get her raised from the dead. The PCs liked her, like a little sister. That went rather well.

Joël

[wxcougar]

I too went with the Adivion and the Professor knowing each other. He even showed up at the funeral at the start as one of the attendees. After HoH, I had Kendra move to Caliphas with Adivion helping her get resettled (and even a romance develop between them). It helped that one of my players was moving after book 1 so I had her character go with Kendra to Caliphas. We role played that side of things so her character got to know Adivion's good side.

Spoiler...:

That character soon rejoined the party (as the player moved back in town) by the start of Book 5. It was quite amusing to see the reactions everyone had as the other 2 characters knew Adivion was behind things and all the 1 character knew was that Adivion was a great conversationalist and was going to marry Kendra.