|
My group is just about to finish a History of Ashes (just about to return from Bolt Rock) and someone at our games club has asked if she can join the campaign.
Although I haven't said yes yet, I'm inclined to do so, as we recently lost a player. However, while it was easy to work a new PC in in Korvosa, the party are (or soon will be) in remote/human-unfriendly territory, so I'm a bit puzzled as to how to plausibly work a new PC in to the party.
Does anyone have any tips for the best way to bring in a new PC at the end of A History of Ashes or the opening stages of Skeletons of Scarwall?
See if he wants to play a Shoanti, or a half-orc. Or failing that, a ranger or other wilderness loner type. Finally, it's been a while since I read it, but I think the when Eando passed through this area in the PF journal, there was a number of non-orc races living in Urglin and Belkzen.
I had this exact same problem - the player didn't want to play a Shoanti though, so I went with the lame introduction. I said the new PC was a member of the Pathfinder Society and while out on a mission had been captured by orcs, and traded to the ones camping out near Scarwall. It was definitely one of those moments from The Gamers, but seemed like the only practical solution.
Magellan: "Hello, I am Magellan, a traveling mage. I notice your group has no wizard."
Rogar: "You seem trustworthy. Would you care to join us in our noble quest?"
Magellan: "Yes. Yes I would."
My group is just about to finish a History of Ashes (just about to return from Bolt Rock) and someone at our games club has asked if she can join the campaign.
Although I haven't said yes yet, I'm inclined to do so, as we recently lost a player. However, while it was easy to work a new PC in in Korvosa, the party are (or soon will be) in remote/human-unfriendly territory, so I'm a bit puzzled as to how to plausibly work a new PC in to the party.
Does anyone have any tips for the best way to bring in a new PC at the end of A History of Ashes or the opening stages of Skeletons of Scarwall?
You've got limited options. Shoanti or half-orc make the most sense, freaky wierdo loner who lives in the wild can also work. And nothing makes a nice introduction for a new person like a pitched battle against a common foe.
|
|
Possibly a descendant of a member of Mandraivus's party? They've never known the full story/ultimate fate of their ancestor but recently paid for a divination that pointed them towards the area 'just' when your party was passing through. Or their family/clan/organzation was charged with safeguarding one of the other relics but have failed somehow and the new pc was sent out to search out other descendants of Man's band for aid, which could lead into another campaign after CotCT :)
|
|
Thanks to everyone for the advice. At the moment, the potential player and I have only exchanged one e-mail each on the topic: her asking if I have space in my game, me asking what type of character she has in mind. I'll get the chance to quiz her when our club meets up on Monday night.
I could put the onus on her to come up with a good reason why her character is in the area; the main problem with this is that she has virtually no knowledge of the game world or upcoming events (naturally), hence me wanting to give her some advice.
Obviously if she wants to play a Shoanti or half-orc it makes things very easy, but I doubt that will happen. Also, I love Tessius's idea; linked to that, maybe a paladin of Iomedae could receive a vision telling them to seek out the holy sword at Scarwall to defeat a great evil in Korvosa?
Possibly the biggest help is the upcoming Harrow reading, where I can try to work in something about a 'helpful wanderer' in the near future.
I'll let you know what happens...
It was definitely one of those moments from "The Gamers", but seemed like the only practical solution.
Magellan: "Hello, I am Magellan, a traveling mage. I notice your group has no wizard."
Rogar: "You seem trustworthy. Would you care to join us in our noble quest?"
Magellan: "Yes. Yes I would."
Before they encounter Magellan the DM also describes the scenery, which I believe was something along the lines of dark and forboding. Then they invite a complete stranger into their group, lol. It makes me think of Sial.
---------------------
Also keep in mind that Shoanti do no have to be Human, other races have been known to adopt their culture as well according to the player's guide, it's just not as common.
There's about a bazillion reasons why a 10th level-ish character would be out roaming in the wilderness on their own. Maybe he's just grinding those 5 million boars for XP, LOL!
|
|
I'll let you know what happens...
This is how we worked out the introduction of our new character: Talas the paladin.
The premise was that Talas was a friend and long-time ally of Cressida Kroft who had been away from Korvosa from some time (well before the assassination of the king). She returned to Korvosa after the PCs had already escaped with Vencarlo & Neolandus and given the poor state of the city, made contact with Kroft. Kroft thought that given the dire situation of the city, this was just the kind of help the party could need.
Kroft had already been in communication with Neloandus (the details were left vague, but presumably via sending or suchlike) and so knew that the party were seeking out Thousand Bones at the Kallow Mounds. Talas made her way there and 'just happened' to arrive at the same time as Chief Ready-Klar and the Sun Shaman. With Thousand Bones' help, they were convinced to let Talas return with them as nalharest of the party. The party accepted her word that she had come to help them (funny that!) and she was even permitted to join the Blessing of the Ancestors ritual. The party (including Talas) are now en route to Scarwall.
So a bit of hand-waving and suspension of disbelief required, but a reasonably smooth introduction.