Aristocrat NPCs

[JohnB]

Shortly I am going to need a half a dozen L2 NPC aristocrats :) I have Tamary written up, but she has friends who share her predicament, and one of my PCs with a noble background has a couple of low level hangers on who are relatives.

So on the basis that my NPCs can be a bit "samey" if I knock a load out in quick succession - anyone got any ideas for NON-combatant L2 aristocrats?

A brief background and a basic skill set would be very helpful :)

My version of Tamary, is Char based with diplomacy, bluff and all sorts of girlish wiles. She has been courting my ruler (By messenger post) ever since she met him at a party in Restov some years ago. :)

[pennywit]

OK ...

Albert Mecklov. He's a the fourth son of a minor lord in Issia. His family had no real need of him, so he's been sent to the Stolen Lands. He is an assistant to the kingdom's counselor. Personality: An aristocrat should be proud, but Albert is anything but. He was used to his older siblings bullying him constantly, so he developed a deeply submissive personality. He is quite grateful to have a position, however, minor at the PCs' court. However, he secretly dislikes his position. He doesn't have the ambition (or the ability) to do anything really important, but he feels like handling commoners' problems is beneath him. Passively bullies commoners (typical obstructive bureaucrat) when he thinks he can get away with it, but he's easily intimidated.

Skills: Heavy on the Knowledge (nobility), Knowledge (really obscure regulations) and Sense Motive. Has skill in Intimidate and Bluff, but isn't very good at it.

Samuel Brayson. The half-elven bastard offspring of a cadet branch of House Lodovka. He works in your PCs kingdom as an open agent for Lodovka's business interests, but he really wants to strike out on his own. Loves the water, but doesn't have much talent as a seaman. That said, fisher-captains in your PCs' kingdom are beginning to respect him. As a buyer for House Lodovka and occasional arranger of contracts, he usually gets a fair price. At some point, he will stop working for House Lodovka and start working for himself after some dispute with his family. He's not going to do anything unethical, rather, he will become a broker of deals and owner of fishing vessels. Skills: Profession (merchant), Appraise, Knowledge (Nature), Knowledge (Nobility)

[JohnB]

Thank you :)

With a couple of very slight tweaks, Albert will fit perfectly as a hanger-on for one of my PCs. :P

Samuel is great - and I know exactly where he will fit in but he won't turn up for a while yet - not until after my PCs finish Blood for Blood.

[DBH]

Here's one I had running around my campaign.

Katarina Lebeda. Second daughter of a minor branch of the Lebedas, arranged to be sent to the Stolen lands when her parents started talking about her getting married.

Very much not interested in marriage, party girl, in that she's very good at arranging parties, balls and functions.

Good looking and very charming, friends with many Bards and other entertainers, smarter than she acts, good diplomacy, bluff & sense motive.

Good knowledge in History, Nobility and Religon, kind of a social Spy master for the kingdom, has friends everywhere, all of whom write to her constantly.

DBH

[pennywit]

Lady Donara Kerelov. A shy young half-elven woman who is the daughter of a minor knight, but one who is very pretty. She is smart and quick-witted once she gets to know you. She arrives in the PCs' kingdom with a letter of reference from a respected wizard in Port Ice and a request to become a guest of the PCs' court. But Lady Donara has a secret.

Until recently, Donara was a lady-in-waiting in service to Natala Surtova. Natala, if you will recall, is the sister of King Noleski Surtova, and something of an unofficial queen. Lady Donara is King Noleski's now-former lover.

Here's the backstory. Lady Donara entered into service with Lady Natala about two years ago. At some point, she caught the eye of King Noleski. They fell in love and began an affair, but they didn't marry. About two weeks ago, Lady Donara learned she was pregnant with the king's bastard.

Lady Donara feared how Lady Natala might react to this sudden competitor for position at court, so Lady Donara made an excuse, left Lady Natala's service, and paid a wizard (quite well) to teleport her to the PCs' kingdom. Lady Donara was worried she might have died in the inrigue.

Thing is, Lady Donara is frightened as all get out. She made an initial plan, but she didn't really think things through. Now King Noleski is looking for her, and Lady Natala (who knew of their affair) suspects something might be amiss.

There are a lot of ways things could shake out. Because Brevoy practices primogeniture, the bastard could not inherit the throne. But if King Noleski marries Lady Donara before the child's birth, then the child will be his true-born heir. Of course, if King Noleski marries Lady Donara, that means that Lady Natala is no longer the pseudo-queen ... and Lady Natala likes where she is right now.

Now, here's where things get fun. It's going to be difficult for the PCs to get the whole story on Lady Donara, given that Port Ice and the king's court are far away. If the PCs agree to give her sanctuary, then they are going to suddenly be involved in some very, very nasty politics emanating from Brevoy's capital. Also, if they give Donara sanctuary, they can't just give her up. Medieval societies take such things as guest rights very, very seriously. Betraying that custom is likely to cause kingdom unrest ... and sour relations with virtually every neighbor.

And if the PCs do get involved in this mess ... they could end up with some very powerful allies AND enemies in the Brevoy political scene. Not to mention that the PCs' own patrons, the Swordlords of Restov, are going to have some VERY definite opinions on how the PCs should handle this.

If the PCs don't give shelter to Lady Donara (who is not obviously pregnant when they first meet), she is likely to seek sanctuary at the nearest temple to Pharasma. If such a temple is within the PCs' kingdom, then at least two emissaries (one from King Noleski, one from Lady Natala) are likely to show up at the PCs' capital to demand that they turn over Lady Donara for marriage, turn her over to return to Lady Natala's service, or somesuch. And other factions within Brevoy may be interested in taking the Donara problem off of PCs' hands ... an offer that is precisely as trustworthy as one received from a used-car salesman.

This could be fun.

Lady Donara herself should have a moderately high charisma, decent intelligence (she's a good conversationalist), and low wisdom. Her skills are likely to include Bluff, Diplomacy, Knowledge (nobility), and Knowledge (local).

[pennywit]

Mishka Curlytoes, halfling aristocrat. While he isn't a nobleman himself, Mishka is part of a large halfling family (experts and aristocrats) that has buttled to lords and ladies of Brevoy for more than three centuries. Where other halflings are sometimes a bit flighty, the Curlytoes family has a reputation for profession and the utmost discretion. Mishka a young father himself, has brought his family to the PCs' kingdom, and he wishes to offer his services to the PC ruler.

If they hire him, the PCs will find that he lives up to the Curlytoes reputation for polite service, and he enforces a strict discipline among lower servants.

Mishka should have a decent Dexterity and Charisma, and a high Wisdom. His skills would include Stealth (people shouldn't even notice a good servant), Profession (cook), Profession (administrator) or Profession (steward), Knowledge (nobility), and Diplomacy. He is also utterly unflappable, and could potentially be a leader in his own right if he wanted it. On the downside, Mishka has deep, exquisite knowledge of royal protocol, and he will (privately, of course), advise PCs of such. If they don't follow protocol, Mishka will not voice disagreement ... but the a Sense Motive roll (DC 2) will reveal his deep disapproval.

(An aristocrat as a servant? Actually, it can work rather well. The Curlytoes family isn't smiths and craftsmen, or cooks and scullions. They're butlers and stewards -- virtual lords among servant folk, and somewhat influential in their own right)

[pennywit]

JohnB wrote:

Thank you :)

With a couple of very slight tweaks, Albert will fit perfectly as a hanger-on for one of my PCs. :P

Samuel is great - and I know exactly where he will fit in but he won't turn up for a while yet - not until after my PCs finish Blood for Blood.

I'm glad you like them. I modeled Albert on a DMV clerk I met once. Two more are above.

[JohnB]

Thanks again folks.

Katrina looks like fun, but Lily Teskertin (from Rivers Run Red) fills that role in my campaign. Our ruler now runs a mile when ever she walks into the room :P

Donara has a great background - but it just too heavy for my campaign - the last thing I need now is Brevoy taking more interest in the PCs and their world :) As it is the stand off is holding out nicely.

We also have a couple of 'servants' who have fired the players imaginations, or else Mishka would be straing in. Mrs Egwin is an ex-inkeeper who runs the Nobles House - half of the characters are scared of her, but they have great respect for her. And shortly she will be joined by Mr Butler, the Butler who will run the palace he is an Ex-barbarian converted to a worshipping Abadar) and really seems to have caught the players imaginations. Along with Peaches, the ruler's personal masseuse - who comes with really good references from a Massage Parlour in New Stetven and who asked if she could have a dancing pole fitted in the Massage room.

*Evil Grin* Every game should have PCs with retinues of servants - they are just so much fun for the GM :)

[pennywit]

OK, last one.

Miss Penya. A twelve-year-old tomboy from the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. She dreams of killing a great Linnorm herself someday and uniting that land. She arrives at the PCs' court along with an emissary. He bears two letters. One is from the girl's father, asking that they nurture her "adventurous spirit." One is from the girl's father, saying in no uncertain terms that Miss Penya must grow into a strong woman, but she must be a proper lady who will help bring civilization to the Linnorm savages.

Miss Penya herself is a tomboy and a terror. She desperately wants to be a warrior and carries a wooden sword. She mercilessly bullies other children who aren't as tough as she is. The PCs really have a chance to mentor her. Under their influence, she could grow up to be a brave adventurer, or an eternal spoiled brat. Won't it be fun?

[JohnB]

:) thanks

I think a tweaked version of Penya might well be making Tamary's .. errr .. discomfort - even less comfortable :)

[pennywit]

I'd love to know how these ideas turn out, esp. how your players react to some of the tweaked versions of these characters.

[JohnB]

I'll try and post back - but the introductions will be spread over a few weeks, and that won't start for a few weeks yet. I suspect it will be five or six weeks of playing time before they meet the character based on Penya - then the others will come later.

As you may have surmised - My Characters are in Rivers Run Red - we are currently dealing with issues surrounding Tamary's father (but I suspect that will take another two or three weeks) then they will be heading North to deal with Tamary's issues.

Says he trying not to add to many spoilers ....

However, if you are a DM, already played through that part, or not in a kingmaker game ATM - you can follow the game at http://new-haven.wikidot.com/

[JohnB]

Miss Penya has morphed into ...

Galine Khavortorov – 13 years old, tomboy, Aristocrat L1 – very simple clothes for an aristocratic female (she normally likes to wear boys gear) “Wait til my Mother gets here” type childish anger alternates with bouts of frustrated / angry tears, and long periods of quiet, sulky time. Once released, she is liable to run at one of her captors and beat him with her fists.

She is the daughter of Lady Parevain Khavortorov the Warden-Marshal of The Drelev Demesne, and a child of House Khavortorov the renown chivalric / Swordlord family. She expects to be a great warrior (just like her mother) and many others of her family before her.

[pennywit]

Not bad. Sounds like she's nicely tied into your ongoing storyline.

[JohnB]

Indeed :) I tend to have a lot of 'developed' NPCs - although some are little more than a name and a note or two. Then I dangle them in front of the players :) Every so often they ask after a character or the character starts recurring for some reason - and they get built up to a point where they really become a part of the story.

I think my favourite is Helga - a half-orc commoner - who finished up running the local ruler's body guard!

However, I get a number of very similar NPCs I tend to get a bit stuck in a rut as a I write them :) I would never have come up with a young tom boy (well not in the current circumstances) so thank you.

[Jeremias]

I took Miss Penya for myself... :) Anjeschka Penya, as a squire for my cavalier.

[pennywit]

Percy Tzalov, LN human aristocrat. Skills: Bluff, Sense Motive, Knowledge (nobility), Knowledge (history), Profession (barrister). Sir Percy Tzalov, about 23 years old, was until recently the associate of Djarik Pentevyev, a barrister of some repute in Port Ice. Percy recently completed his apprenticeship with Pentevyev, and has come to the PCs' kingdom because senses opportunity on the evolving frontier. He sets up offices in the PCs' capital city.

Percy is a somewhat officious young man, but is a competent, ambitious advocate on behalf of clients who run afoul of the kingdom's laws in some ways. For those who have a dispute that comes before a court, Percy typically charges fees that are affordable only by those in the upper middle class and higher.

That said, Percy, with a certain amount of noblesse oblige, acknowledges that members of his profession also owe a duty to the downtrodden. Occasionally, he can be found representing a common thief or other rabble.

Underneath his imperiousness, though, Percy is completely committed to the majesty of the law and to concepts of fairness and individual rights. PCs are likely to encounter him appearing as an advocate for those who bring petitions before their court, or offering expert opinions on the validity of business arrangements under the customs and traditions of Brevoy.

Despite being a member of the gentry (and one who worked his way up from a hardscrabble background), Percy will turn down any offers to be part of the PCs' government or council until he is at least 35 or 40 years old. As a young barrister, he does not see himself as part of the "system," as it were, but as an advocate for those who find themselves in opposition to it.

PCs may also find Percy to be something of a stumbling block. If they seek to dispense penalties without true justice, or (perhaps) if they attempt to imprison or execute a prominent citizen of their kingdom, the PCs might find Percy standing in their way, advocating on behalf of his client.

Over time, Percy could evolve two ways. If the PCs run a generally lawful kingdom, he may eventually gain enough esteem in the eyes of the populace that they may wish to appoint him a judge or even a minor baronet. If the PCs do not run their kingdom justly, Percy may still prosper ... but as one who becomes an advocate for those the PCs cheat or oppress. Percy will probably not overstep his bounds into outright rebellion, but he could still be an obstacle.

Percy also carries with him a secret shame. He is a zealous, passionate advocate, and a courageous young man -- in court, where he is familiar with the environment and the rules. While he has some romantic notions of "frontier law," he is somewhat afraid of the actual frontier. He is unlikely to leave the comforts of the upper-crust areas of the city he makes his home. Moreover, he doesn't know how he would react if faced with actual danger. Would he turn coward and run? Would he stand and fight? Would he do so for himself? For a client?

Percy came from a hardscrabble background, the son of peasant farmers. He gained his apprenticeship by virtue of intelligence, charisma and ambition. Despite this, he feels he hasn't truly faced adversity ... he has not been truly tested. And in the PCs kingdom, he seeks to face that test.

[Jabberwonky]

Loving Percy. Could be an interesting tool for Grigori to exploit.

[pennywit]

Jeremias wrote:

I took Miss Penya for myself... :) Anjeschka Penya, as a squire for my cavalier.

For this, the parent angle could be particularly entertaining. Anjeschka impresses a prince at a ball? A letter from her dad says he wants his daughter not to be "some lowlander princeling's arm-ornament." Letter from her mother praises the PC for teaching her social graces. Anjeschka does well in a joust. "Well done, daughter!!" from Dad, while Mom writes, "And why is a lady playing at soldier??"

[JohnB]

Ironically - one of my players asked after a couple of the NPCs on our game forum in the last couple of days :)

Some NPCs fade in and out - they are important for a bit, then go to the background for a while, before they pop up again. I could honestly say that two on the NPCs were on my desk for an 'upgrade' while I was thinking about what happens to another two.

One they asked about specifically, Lily Teskerten (from River Run Red) developed into a socialite Art Collector with an eye for young men. Her home has a 'special piece of art work' on display that was given to her (among other things) by our Ruler. Actually she paid over ALL of the rewards hinted at in the side quest (some of them on more than one occasion). She doesn't feel the need to mention the money, but there are rumours about what she did pay - and she just simpers prettily when they are mentioned. I know exactly what she is doing at the moment - although I am less sure of the young man's name and position (although that isn't really important until next time they bump into her at a social affair) It will be really difficult to 'Not Invite' her to the Rulers upcoming wedding.

The other three, who were asked after specifically, are technically still in their employment, although their role will disappear soon. Now the PCs are level 10 and have strongholds, homes, castles etc of their own - I gave them all a free leadership feat, to represent their retinue/entourage. They are only allowed to use NPC classes, and the NPCs they get from this feat stay at home and look after 'business' for them - they are not allowed to go adventuring.

[JohnB]

The group met Galine this evening.

How they met Galine:

She was one of the five girls held hostage by the barbarians in Blood for Blood. Our Bard (and ruler) attempting a daring solo rescue of Tamary (who is going to be his wife) by sneaking in, grabbing her through the bars and dimension dooring out. He missed the grab and got Galine instead.

She kicked, bit and hit out at Rudy (the bard) as he tried to carry her quietly and invisibly away from threat. Even when she was calmed down - she pointed out to Rudy that he was not as brave as tamary had said he was, and demanded they carry out a full frontal assault to complete the rescue.

Given a task to do, she instructed the soldiers who were there, Just as am Officer cadet would do. managed to talk Rudy into giving her some of his spare gear (+1 Studded Leather Armour and a MW Morning star) and was intent on joining any combat that took place.

how they calmed her down:

They completed the rescue with invisibility and dimension door spells, finally rescued all five hostages and took them back to The Drelev Demesne.

They were particularly happy to hand Galine back to her mother. She even managed to keep hold of the gear she had blagged out of Rudy.

Overall I was quite content with the outcome. :)

[pennywit]

Ha! Love it! Thanks for sharing. Wait until she decides one of the PCs is going to be her husband ...

[JohnB]

Samuel Brayson was introduced to the party this evening. He was representing his family at the wedding of our ruler to Lady Tamary Numesti.

Samuel made some interesting meetings with Jhofré Vascari (from Pitax) and another trading family from Mivon. He was even there when the evil Fey gifted the trapped Soul Gem to the Lady Tamary, although she had already been cut to ribbons by some of the more important guests before he could get close. Fortunately, The Ruler (and his colleagues) were able to find a way around the trap on the Soul Gem and return the spirit of Lady Tamary to her body - and all is now well in the land.

Well, for the time being anyway.

[pennywit]

Ah. This ought to be interesting ...

[JohnB]

Oh we will move on from that fairly swiftly. I just wanted to plant some ideas in their heads ... I wanted them thinking about trade, allegiances and Nasty Fey :)

So we had a session devoted to the wedding, the Fairy Tale "evil fairy" with a bad wish scenario, bonding with allies as the bad fairy was struck down and everyone pulled together to find a cure, then a search for the magical ingredient that would save the princess's life. It was fun :)

Next session we will be back to mundane adventuring and cleaning up the swampy area around the slough.

[pennywit]

I introduced this guy to my group recently.

Lord Craster Feksyev. The Swordlords sent this small, thin aristocrat to Oleg's Rest to represent their interests in the PCs' kingdom. He is an officious little twerp. He refuses to live in anything less than luxury, treats the party members worse than the scum on his fine velvet shoes, and constantly disapproves of EVERYTHING the players do.

(My players have already christened him "Lord Pompeypants" and they actively hate him. They also asked Kesten Garess to kill him, but Kesten pointed out the Swordlords would send another just like him.)

[JohnB]

Sounds like fun :)

[JohnB]

However, have you seen this thread?

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l9a9?Venture-Capital-aka-A-Deal-with-the-Devil

I really wish I had spotted it before we got into too much kingdom building. It is much to late for my game, but there are some brilliant ideas in there.

[pennywit]

I saw it previously, and there are some magnificent ideas in there. I decided not to use them (for now), though. My players are starting their kingdom next session. I'm already throwing three new sets of rules (kingdom-building, mythic rules, and the Complex Debate rules from Dynasties & Demagogues) at them, so I'd like them to catch their breath before we get into Brevic politics.

I did, however, run my group through this little scenario last month:

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2q567?Plot-idea-The-Siege-at-Olegs#8

That session was exhausting.

PS. How's Galine?

[JohnB]

Galine is serving in The Port Slough Watch as an officer cadet (under her mother's command).

Lord Numesti negotiated himself title to Port Slough (ex Fort Drelev) - and the politics of that was a title and holdings for Galine's Mother. She is Lord of the hex with the Cloud-berries in and leader of the Port Slough watch / militia / patrol. (Warden / Marshal).

One day Galine will be lady of all she sees - well at least on 12 mile hex :) the minute our ruler sees her, he starts handing his stuff to his retainers so he can't be talked into giving it to her (she talked him out of a masterwork weapon and +1 armour when they first met)

[pennywit]

Bwahaha!!

[pennywit]

Oh dear. At last session, my players speculated whether they should give Craster Feskyev to the Dancing Lady.

[fictionfan]

Carmella Lockbox a very attractive young lady of 23. Her family was until recently of very high status, but then her father was convicted of treason by the sword lords and the family position went to hell in a hand basket. Left with about nothing but her name Carmella is trying claw her way back up. She is likely to vamp and latch onto one of the PC's and try and use him as a stepping stone.

[Dave Rinehart]

dot

[Ramarren]

Sera Bondesborn
Sera was born as the result of an illicit liason between Lady Irina Bondesborn and a travelling Elven Bard by the name of Urmiel. Sera was small, and Lady Irina carried her well, so the elongated pregnancy passed without notice, and no one realized the child's origins until Sera was born. Her father, Lord Denrim, was devastated by his wife's infidelity, but still considered the child his own, morally and legally, and he decided to be a father to her in truth. The Bondesborns repaired their marriage for Sera's sake, and raised her as best they could.

Her true nature, however, had to be concealed to prevent the political destruction of the family. Fron an early age, Sera's parents taught her how to disguise her heritage. They paid the midwife to continue as her nanny, and kept her away from other children with thie explanation that she was sickly. Once Sera was old enough to maintain the disguise on her own, they pensioned her off a comfortable woman.

Sera now lives a careful life, hiding her true origins so as not to damage her family, but trying to find her own way in the world. She has been sent by her mother as a possible match <one of the kingdom rulers>, but Sera is uncomfortable with having to lie to the man her mother hopes her to marry.

Jenica Ionescu
Jenica has no lands, and while she has the right to the title 'Lady', she is essentially a courtier, generally representing someone else's interests at court. Currently at loose ends, she would be interested in attaching herself to a household whose star is rising.

[T.A.U.]

In mine campaign Anjeska Penya, currently 13 yrs, is being fostered by the Baroness who has decided to encourage her adventurous spirit but also educate her in the royal manners ed etiquette.
She participated at a grand ballet in the Restov's Embassy where she show a lot of interest for the Aldori sword of the Ambassador Pylyp Aldori, nearly causing a diplomatic accident...

Yesterday speaking with the Baroness'player he said "We should have a Spin-off party where Anjeska lead her friends to the Land of Linnorm Kings and reclaim the title of Queen of Linnorm for herself slaying a dragon"