Here is Roldy Heson, a Tiefling Trap Breaker.
I had to adjust his character sheet since he was higher level. I think I got everything right, let me know if you find some mistake. I will have the background up shortly.
Your stats look good. Just need your campaign trait and your reason for being at the protest. Look forward to the backstory.
Sen Crinton, at your service. Let me know if you have any questions.
Sen Crinton, at your service. Let me know if you have any questions.
Hey Sen, I like your background and your stats look good. Looks like your stats are just missing your alignment and reason for being at the protest. As for your backstory, you mentioned that Sen thinks the government in Kintargo was responsible for his parents' deaths. Keep in mind that Barzillai has been in power in Kintargo for less than a month at the start of the adventure. That being said, if he still thinks the former government leaders are involved, that's fine. Just wanted to be sure you were aware of the timeline.
Hey Sen, I like your background and your stats look good. Looks like your stats are just missing your alignment and reason for being at the protest. As for your backstory, you mentioned that Sen thinks the government in Kintargo was responsible for his parents' deaths. Keep in mind that Barzillai has been in power in Kintargo for less than a month at the start of the adventure. That being said, if he still thinks the former government leaders are involved, that's fine. Just wanted to be sure you were aware of the timeline.
-Alignment is chaotic neutral - Missed pasting that one, sorry.
-Protest stuff - Sorry, forgot that part in my background. Added it now.--------------------
Reason for protesting
--------------------
Recently having returned from Egorian and having reunited with his sister, Sen has started actively looking for a local resistance movement to join. At the protest, he is in the shadows observing the situation - not actually protesting - when the chaos begins.
-Timeline - Yep, that was a conscious decision in the backstory.
Alright, then. So would you say your reason for being at the protest is to keep up on current events or perhaps looking for trouble?
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I'd like to do a little RP vignette for Lia here...
...well, it kinda turned into a wall of text. Enjoy!
It seemed that way for Lorne. His career in the city's dottari was decidedly unremarkable--day in, day out, he'd take patrols out to round up thieves and crooks, and bring the boys home in time for a wonderfully filling dinner. Part of him wished (against his better judgment, in hindsight) for something new to happen to him. His patrols were becoming routine, and at the same time were gradually beginning to make him decidedly uncomfortable.
Nowadays, thanks to Lord-Mayor Thrune's newest proclamations, Lorne found himself arresting more and more people for frankly petty infractions and misdemeanours. He was learning to hate his job--or, at least, his new boss. The stress of having to deal with indignant suspects and ranting citizens was turning streaks of his once neatly-combed brown hair prematurely grey, and thanks to his new schedule, he could rarely find the time to shave the stubble from his face. But in the end, it was a job he needed. He had a family to provide for.
So when he received a complaint from a representative of House Tanessen that one of House Aulamaxa's scions was flagrantly breaking a proclamation of Barzillai Thrune's, he simply gritted his teeth and led his patrol to the manor's doors.
——————
What he saw from the front doorstep was... surprising, to say the least. After he knocked on the aged oaken door to the home, he was greeted by an all-too cheerful half-elven woman dressed in red and gold. The hallway beyond her had a portrait of Queen Abrogail Thrune, Second of her Glorious Name, sitting at the end, in plain view of the door. It was typical in the line of Lord-Mayor Thrune's proclamation, but the portrait itself was... garish. The queen's dress was painted in eye-searing pastel pinks and greens, and a black moustache was scrawled on her face with all the subtlety of an arrow to the chest. Lorne sighed inwardly, and braced himself for the inevitable.
"Morning, officer! How's your day going?" The young woman asked him, her voice in an inappropriately chipper tone. Lorne’s brow furrowed, and he sighed in response.
”Miss… Aulamaxa, is it?” He looked over her shoulder at the (defaced?) portrait. ”I’ve received a complaint from House Tanessen about that—“ He pointed over her shoulder. ”—portrait of Her Majesty.”
The lady looked over her shoulder at it, a look of curiosity on her face. ”Why, whatever is wrong with it? It’s the proper size for a portrait. And it’s in a place of prominence—“
”Yes, yes, yes.” Lorne sighed. These were the worst sorts, he felt—at least with pickpockets and muggers, they never made any pretence of being anything other than lawbreakers. These sorts of people, on the other hand, took a perverse pleasure in finding any loopholes they could in the law and milking them for all their worth. ”Count Tanessen’s son has claimed that it is indecent and a blatant violation of Lord-Mayor Thrune’s proclamation—“
In hindsight, Lorne would remember that moment as the one where he lost control of the conversation. The half-elven lady’s blue eyes flashed back to him and narrowed. ”Excuse me?”
”That portrait of Her Majesty Queen Abrogail Thrune II is in violation of the Second Proclamation of Lord-Mayor Thrune.”
”By what criteria? It’s size? Or of not being of the queen?”
”Of its subject matter.”
”Ohhhh.” She rolled her eyes in contempt. ”Officer, where does it say, in that proclamation, that I, as an honest citizen of Kintargo, can and cannot do with my own portrait of the Queen?”
”Er—“
”No, no no. Get out your law book. I’ve got time. I’ll wait. Get it out and show me the page where it says I’m not allowed to touch up my portrait with new colours and additions.”
”That won’t be necessary—“
”Finally. Something sensible coming out of your mouth. Don’t you have muggers to catch, instead of getting all huffy with ME over my own piece of private property?”
Lorne had had enough at that point. ”Listen, missy, I’m not the man who writes the damn laws. I just enforce them, and I’ve had to deal with too many idiots breaking proclamations lately. So, pretty please, with sugar on top, take that g$$*$*n portrait down before this gets ugly.”
That seemed to do it. The half-elf sighed and walked away to take the portrait down. ”Happy now?”
”Quite. Good day.” With that, Lorne yanked the door shut and went back on his rounds.
——————
…alas, it wasn’t to last. The very next week, the same son of Count Tanessen lodged another proclamation violation complaint—against the same Aulamaxa girl, no less. Lorne groaned on the inside, but suited up and led his patrol back to the Aulamaxa half-elf’s door.
This time, the half-elf took her sweet time answering the door. She greeted him with her usual sweet-and-at-the-same-time-annoying smile.
”Back again, officer?”
Lorne snorted. ”Yes. Another complaint about you violating the Second Proclamation again. What’d you do this time?”
The young woman hopped aside and proudly showed him the portrait at the end of the hall again. This time, the portrait had no clashing, all-too-bright colours marring it, nor an out-of-place moustache. This time, it was merely festooned with dozens of knives—two through the queen’s eyes, one in the throat, and several more around the queen’s head. And if that wasn’t enough, parts of the portrait were slashed and gouged so deeply one could see the wood backing of the frame beneath it.
”As you can see, not a single offensive colour to be found.”
”Of course. You just decided to vandalize it instead.”
”Sir—“ The half-elf put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot indignantly. ”—vandalism, as defined by the laws of Kintargo, is ‘willful defacement or destruction of public property or private property of others’. That portrait is still mine.”
”Do you work here, ma’am?”
”Of course. It’s my home.”
Lorne blinked in a brief moment of confusion. ”What do you do for a living?”
”I create satirical political sketches and artworks, sir. None of which are illegal in any way.” Her face lit up at that. The dottari suppressed a wince. Of COURSE she was one of those.
”Well, the Second Proclamation states clearly—“
”Yes, sir. I know.” The half-elf nods. ”However, I work from home. It’s still my private property.”
Lorne took a breath, held it for a moment, then let it go in a resigned sigh. He was about to say something else, but a sharp scream of terror followed by a cry for guards caught his attention. Oh, praise the gods. An excuse to leave.
”Ma’am, I don’t want to come back here again, so would you kindly do me a favour and take that down?” He pointed at the portrait/impromptu knife rack. ”And put a more tasteful one in its place.”
He didn’t catch her reply as he took his patrol and raced off to investigate the cry for help.
——————
Next week, it happened again. The same Tanessen boy, the same Aulamaxa girl. Lorne paused in his walk to silently question whether Asmodeus was deliberately tormenting him or if some other uncaring and humorous god was behind it all.
It was bad enough that Lord-Mayor Thrune’s iron fist was tightening around the people. It was bad enough that he was being run ragged into the dirt by the constant arrests and patrols. It was bad enough that whatever semblance of a good night’s sleep he could have had seemed to be utterly denied to him. But this… if this complaint turned out to be as petty and time-consuming as the last two the Tanessens lodged, this would be the last straw. The next chance he got, he was going to find another job. Preferably one that didn’t involve working for such a controlling man.
He felt a sense of sheer dread as he walked up the steps to the Aulamaxa girl’s home, his patrol still at his back. He reached his hand out and tentatively knocked on the door. Who knows… perhaps the girl wouldn’t be home. Perhaps she’d be asleep, or in the bathroom, and he wouldn’t need to investigate any further—
—and those hopes were dashed into nothingness when the door opened only a few seconds later. The girl greeted him again, her smile this time tempered with a look of mild concern. ”Is everything alright, officer?”
Lorne wearily waved her aside and looked at the portrait in the front hall. What he saw caused his eyes to widen to the size of dinner plates.
…Asmodeus’ blood, what were those imps doing to Her Majesty?! And why all the candle wax and barbed wire?
The girl looked between the portrait and the beleaguered dottari. ”Oh, my newest portrait? Do you like it?”
Lorne responded by grabbing the doorknob and yanking the door shut without another word.
Definitely looking for trouble
I'd like to do a little RP vignette for Lia here...
...well, it kinda turned into a wall of text. Enjoy!
** spoiler omitted **...
Well, then. That was quite something. Hopefully without undercutting your vignette too much, I do need to remind everyone that Barzillai Thrune has only been in power for about a week and a half when the adventure begins. Just substitute "next week" with "next day" and it's still just as good.
Definitely looking for trouble
Good to know.
Oh. I was under the impression that Thrune was in power for longer than that. Alrighty then.
Yeah, I sometimes forget how much the players would know versus what I as the GM know. I'll have to review the player guide to see if it gives a time frame for his arrival. There actually isn't a specific time listed for the publication of the proclamations, but I'm assuming it's after the last lord-mayor Bainilus disappeared, which would put it at about 10 days ago (from the start of the adventure). Like I said, though, I don't want to take away from the substance of what you wrote as it was quite engaging.
I just looked and it doesn't appear they give a specific time frame in the Player's guide, unfortunately. Don't think about the time frame as a big spoiler, though, as that's something your character would have known anyway. It's also something that'll be mentioned in my first gameplay post.
Current Applicants (v. 3.0):
Full BAB
Matiscio Tartaluna – Human Brawler
Rutilus Rathgan – Half-elf Slayer
Osveta Daud – Human Vigilante
Gregor Ward – Human Ranger
Orson Cromwell – Human Fighter
Canacha Bais – Dhampir Gunslinger
Lia Aulamaxa – Half-elf Swashbuckler
Arani Thorindal – Human Ranger
Narl LongTooth – Half-orc Slayer
Sen Crinton – Human Slayer
¾ BAB
Leza the Little – Halfling Unchained Rogue
Doreen Makgree – Human Vigilante
Evander Forrell – Tiefling Investigator
Moondark – Human Unchained Rogue
Shala – Catfolk Investigator
Roldy Heson – Tiefling Alchemist
6th Level Divine Casters
Malavik Forzeyr – Human Warpriest
Hryvnas Raszamy – Aasimar Warpriest
9th Level Divine Casters
Sebastian Sarini – Human Oracle
6th Level Arcane Casters
Beorn the Divine – Half-Orc Bard
Dono Songwapper – Halfling Bard
Rick “The Dragon” – Human Magus
9th Level Arcane Casters
Meliora Castafiore – Human Wizard
Anya Hoffryn – Aasimar Sorcerer
Didiana Drost – Human Sorcerer
9th Level Psychic Casters
Velia Sarnstar – Half-elf Psychic
As a heads up, there’s about a week left to submit and/or update a character. The official deadline is 6/22/17 at 1 pm eastern. I’ll make an official “recruitment closed” post once the deadline passes, but you'll want to have your submissions and/or updates in before 1 pm eastern that day for me to consider your character. The time you all have put into your characters really gets me excited for the campaign. There have been a lot of great submissions so far. As always, feel free to ask if you have questions. If you're not sure if your character "will fly," it's always better to ask rather than just assume one way or the other.
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Well, Paizo being down lately has meant that I couldn't run my own games and therefore had time to pore over the Player's Guide some more and write a bit of a prologue.
Ariena rubbed some oily clumps into her rough shorn hair and hid her daggers, darts, and pouch of tools close to the leather jerkin under the stained, baggy robe she wore. “Moondark”, the beggar boy, looked back at her from the mirror. Just another Old Town wretch, she smiled faintly while stowing the mirror and grabbing her begging bowl. Move along. Nothing to see here, folks.
She had found that in this guise, most people would work assiduously to avoid eye contact and those that didn’t, quickly turned their attention elsewhere when she boldly presented her bowl asking for a copper or two for bread. Occasionally, she’d get a couple coins, but then there were others looking to take instead of give which is why she carried the daggers. It rarely took more than an unexpected flash of sharp-edged metal to change their mind. She also had a silver dagger just in case some imp had been dispatched to drag her off in fulfillment of her parents’ treacherous promise…
She had more to fear than the unlikely appearance of some servitor fiend though. After she ran away, it had been a lot of work to keep an eye out for some family acquaintance from the Greens that might have business in the harbor or a former schoolmate from Lady Docur’s acting most unlady-like by slumming it with some sailors. She quickly fell in with a small gang of wharf thieves that helped keep a lookout for trouble with their mate, Ari. Ari was the first alias she took. Not a particularly good one, she grimaced. Then the dottari nabbed Selkie Jim. She suspected her old boss managed to get a quick release with a promise that likely involved selling out his old gang. As soon as Three-Fingers Vik disappeared, Ari was south across the Bleakbridge and hadn’t been north side since.
She had had a rough time of it at first, friendless and forlorn in the unfamiliar south side of the city. She stayed well clear of the devil-born in the Redroof and ended up trying to scavenge in the Old Harbor. The beggar outfit wasn’t actually a disguise originally. Her attempts to find employment with the alchemists and masons there were rebuffed and she resorted to snatching apples off carts at the Farmer’s Market. Fortunately, the matronly halfling that caught her stealing hadn’t reported the hungry girl, but offered her a job instead. Now Moondark ran errands for Mother Muddlum for the odd coin and some of the vegetables that the halflings carted in through the Rust Gate to sell at the Veritas Market. Ariena couldn’t understand how they made any money after the new two shield Gate Tax, but she suspected smuggling halflings out in the cart helped make up for the loss somehow. She’d have to tell Mother not to bring any mint to sell at the market.
The new lord-mayor is definitely insane. Just look at those Proclamations. Not that they affect me: I won’t be offering the dottari a couple of dead doves for a pat on the head and a handful of copper pinches; won’t be wearing my ball gown or adopting some mutt either. Barking mad. She snorted and then realized that she was already at Aria Park. Her eyes worriedly scanned the crowd for a dangerous face from the past as she dug her fingernails into the base of her thumb mentally berating herself for walking too fast and not paying attention to her surroundings. Moondark slowed her gait to an aimless shuffle.
She didn’t expect anyone her parents knew would cross the Yolubilis to join a commoner mob, but then she had heard that the new management didn’t really give two pinches for the Court of Coin. That was sure to rile up the noble families. Likewise, Selkie Jim wasn’t political, but who knew how chummy he’d become with the dottari lately and there were plenty of dottari around today. She pressed a little deeper into the gathering crowd and wondered if this was such a great idea.
Well, she thought, if things do get ugly at least I can probably cut loose a purse and hamstring a dottari before I slip away in the confusion. She crouched down with her back to a tree so that her eyes were at purse level to look for a mark and anxiously wait to see what would happen.
I just found the trait shield-trained. However it is a religious trait and as stated before, I feel Rultilus doesn't believe in the gods. Can I take this trait as a combat trait? The description and title both seem to have to do with martial training and not religious.
It is intended for followers of Gorum. Archives of Nethys has a helpful entry here. Having said that, though, I'm willing to let you take it, since I let someone else forgo a campaign trait already. The deity restriction seems to be mainly for flavor anyway.
Well, Paizo being down lately has meant that I couldn't run my own games and therefore had time to pore over the Player's Guide some more and write a bit of a prologue.
** spoiler omitted **...
I like the prologue. It gives more insight into your character's mindset. Thank you.
Still working on fixing the character, but updated my Hell's Rebels game a little bit ago and was doing the rebellion action portion. I realized that it might help to ask if you've seen this thread? The sheet is pretty useful and I have mine attached to the same google file that have my map and loot lists for the campaign (since you said you will be using google slides for mapping).
Unrelated question (maybe), but I use google drawings for my maps, over slides. I don't remember why I preferred it initially, but am just curious of your reasons for going the other way (if any).
I hadn't seen that thread, but that is very helpful. I typed up the rebellion sheet in a form that would work for google slides, but I might have to consider using that one considering how nice it is. Thank you for the link.
As for google drawings vs. google slides, I think their map editing capabilities are identical, so the reason I prefer google slides is because of its ease of use. You can store multiple maps in a single "document," so everything isn't scattered about. You can also create a separate slideshow for general campaign info that you can update as you go along without having to make a brand new document. I also think google slides is more friendly for people that primarily use their phones since there's a google slides app, but not a google drawings app.
Okay, the phone access one might just be worth switching all mine over. I think I wasn't able to hide the left pane with the other slides without being in slideshow (or just couldn't figure it out, lol). Looking at it, it would be a lot easier for me to load multiple maps on different slides. My tabletop WotR game has a lot of layers, that would probably benefit from different slides. Thanks for that input, and I apologize for the slight derail.
No worries, and I'm not sure there is a way to cover the side panel. I just use the editing features to cover the maps with black boxes till it comes time to use them. You can also do that for individual rooms or areas on maps, which is kind of cool, since players probably shouldn't know what's in certain areas initially anyway. I can't take credit for the individual rooms idea, though. GM Nayr and GM R0B0GEISHA are the two I've seen use the technique before. But yeah, we can always PM each other if you wanted to discuss that further.
On topic, I look forward to seeing the changes you make to your character. But you've still got some time, so don't stress over it.
Rehashing an old profile has allowed me to find new things that match better with my premise. The Xenophobic drawback and Masterful Demeanor trait specifically. I find it funny that I was able to get that trait, because I took that drawback.
Okay, mechanically, my profile is updated. I still need to add the backstory (far beyond the short blurb leftover from before).
His reason for protest is 'Tagging Along' and hopefully, if picked, I can coordinate with one of the others for being the one to drag him reluctantly along.
And now that the site is working again... let's flesh out a point I touched on in backstory. Mueheheh.
"So then, after that, I was supposed to go out in the field to collect some bat guano, right? Like I'm going to be casting fireballs same as any common sorcerer! It's so dumb, right?" It was the latest thought in what had been, to that point, a solid fifteen minutes of Meliora's favorite thing in the universe: complaining. She was laying on one of the balconies of the House of Satin Veils, staring up at the sky with her head in the lap of a woman in a simple yet well-tailored yellow silk robe. The woman, one Eliza Carmine, was busying herself brushing out the tangles in one of Meliora's ponytails a little bit at a time. There weren't any knots to be found, but Meliora'd found the feeling theraputic, almost as much as complaining. The woman gave a small 'mmm' of affirmation, nodding down at her as she busied herself with her work. Taking the noise to mean that Eliza agreed, Meliora continued.
"I mean... seriously... wizardry is about shaping and sculpting and reading reality. Only a dullard would focus on something so crass as a fireball, right?"
"Oh, I don't know about that. I've always been devoted to serving the Unquenchable Fire..." It was a diplomatic answer, and one that made Meliora laugh.
"That's different! But you get me, right? Not everyone's got the head for wizardry, and even fewer have my sheer level of genius. You're basically the perfect cleric, though."
"Oh? How you figure?" The brushing had paused, and Eliza's sudden grin coupled with her vibrant red hair and her slightly pointed half-elven ears to make her seem like a lion looking at a mouse. If Meliora knew anything about patterns (and she did), she needed to tread carefully.
Luckily, Meliora aspired to be a particularly clever mouse.
"You wash away all my stress without a single spell~"
The room fell silent, as Meliora beamed at Eliza from her place in her lap. The silence lasted for a few seconds, and ended when the cleric grabbed Meliora by both ponytails, yanking them hard.
"Ow ow ow ow hey, this isn't what I'm paying you for!" She winced, hand shooting to her head to try and pull back.
"Revenge is always free in the House of Satin Veils, dear customer~♥" Eliza's voice was saccharine, though she did let go of the hair she'd been pulling on--after about a minute or so, of course.
"That didn't need revenging at all!"
"Oh, didn't it? You just read that line in some book somewhere, admit it."
Meliora looked away, mumbling something under her breath.
"I'm guessing that wasn't a 'no.'" Eliza said, pulling at her hair just far enough to feel it without causing pain.
"I-I-" Nothing for it, it was time for Meliora to admit her defeat. "The--the stars are really pretty tonight! You can see the daughter, and the rose! Right there!"
She wasn't very good at admitting defeat. Eliza stared at her, quirked an eyebrow, and laughed. Letting go of her hair, she picked up the brush she'd dropped and returned to her work.
"So... you were talking about some bat guano?"
"Oh, right!" Thankful for the mercy, Meliora returned to her story with a smile on her face. "So I decided to buy some, but the professor knew every supplier in town so I had to get really godsdamn creative. That's when I see this teddy bear, must've been some kind of golem 'cause it was moving, but it gestured to follow it and I..."
The story continued on and on until the sunrise, like it did on every night that Meliora had saved the spare gold. Sometimes Eliza followed along like she was barely listening. Others, she interjected with the same sort of teasing affection that Meliora had been so taken in by in the first place. Regardless of the specifics of what was said, by the end of the night she didn't feel alone anymore. That was all that mattered.
Okay, mechanically, my profile is updated. I still need to add the backstory (far beyond the short blurb leftover from before).
His reason for protest is 'Tagging Along' and hopefully, if picked, I can coordinate with one of the others for being the one to drag him reluctantly along.
Stats look good, though I'm curious as to why you went with such a low dexterity score.
And now that the site is working again... let's flesh out a point I touched on in backstory. Mueheheh.
** spoiler omitted **...
You all really don't want to make the selection process easy for me, huh? Oh well. That was a very good dialogue sample. Thank you.
I've picked the campaign trait and the reason for protest. I also read a bit about the town from the player's guide.
For residence, I'm thinking he could live either at The Cloven Hoof Society or the Devil’s Nursery. Not sure which, I'm open to suggestions.
For work, I'm thinking the could be at the Vespam Artisans as an apprentice there. There is also the Salt Market where he could try to sell some ware.
-------------------------------------
On the topic of gooogle slide. I use it alot with my games. I find it just perfect for how I use them and it doesn't require people to make an account. Here's some exemple of maps.
If you need any help, I'd be willing even if I'm not picked as a player.
Well, I updated things a bit and added a dialogue sample (cliché as it may be). I know there are many good submissions and so if I don't get accepted, I will understand and I wish everyone good luck! =)
I've picked the campaign trait and the reason for protest. I also read a bit about the town from the player's guide.
For residence, I'm thinking he could live either at The Cloven Hoof Society or the Devil’s Nursery. Not sure which, I'm open to suggestions.
For work, I'm thinking the could be at the Vespam Artisans as an apprentice there. There is also the Salt Market where he could try to sell some ware.
-------------------------------------
On the topic of gooogle slide. I use it alot with my games. I find it just perfect for how I use them and it doesn't require people to make an account. Here's some exemple of maps.
If you need any help, I'd be willing even if I'm not picked as a player.
Trait and reason to protest look good. The Cloven Hoof Society and the Devil's Nursery both make sense as a place to live as a Tiefling. Which one you actually reside in might depend on whether you see yourself as an advocate for your fellow Tieflings or as more of a commoner among Tieflings.
Thank you for the map links. Definitely been taking inspiration from other GMs when working on gameplay approach and how I want to format my posts. Thank you for the offer and I'll definitely keep that in mind.
Well, I updated things a bit and added a dialogue sample (cliché as it may be). I know there are many good submissions and so if I don't get accepted, I will understand and I wish everyone good luck! =)
Thank you for the updates and the dialogue sample. More narrative and/or dialogue will only help everyone's chances. I appreciate your good-naturedness. And you're right, there are a lot of good submissions.
It is indeed my intention to make life as difficult as possible for you. :P
Dialogue heavy stuff involving just letting the characters be themselves is what I'm best at writing anyways, narrative-style backstories have always been the weak point of my character proposals.
Aaaaaand, couldn't resist. Add another submission to the pile! Details/narrative are in the profile (for easy updating).
Yes, Gilda is angry. Lord Barzillai's mastiffs ate her dog. :)
LORD BARZILLAI MUST HANG!
Stats look good, though I'm curious as to why you went with such a low dexterity score.Okay, mechanically, my profile is updated. I still need to add the backstory (far beyond the short blurb leftover from before).
His reason for protest is 'Tagging Along' and hopefully, if picked, I can coordinate with one of the others for being the one to drag him reluctantly along.
He is going to be a Ranger/Bard, and had a lot of stats that I was trying to keep at least decent. I'm not sure how I'm going to be bouncing between the classes, as a lot of that will be based on how it plays out in the story (whether he needs more combat effectiveness or support options). Looking at it, I can see where he could be better served by having 16 in his Dex over his Chr, but I think it will come down to how I feel about the personality when I finish his vignette/backstory.
It is indeed my intention to make life as difficult as possible for you. :P
Dialogue heavy stuff involving just letting the characters be themselves is what I'm best at writing anyways, narrative-style backstories have always been the weak point of my character proposals.
Ah well, thank you for honesty, on both counts (I think).
Aaaaaand, couldn't resist. Add another submission to the pile! Details/narrative are in the profile (for easy updating).
Yes, Gilda is angry. Lord Barzillai's mastiffs ate her dog. :)
LORD BARZILLAI MUST HANG!
You definitely accomplished your goal of "not a mainstream submission." I do have a few questions for you. How old is Gilda at the start of the adventure? Would you say Gilda still secretly worships Calistria? How did her husband die? Lastly, I'm assuming your reason for being at the protest is to protest the government, but I didn't see it specifically listed, so I wanted to be sure.
He is going to be a Ranger/Bard, and had a lot of stats that I was trying to keep at least decent. I'm not sure how I'm going to be bouncing between the classes, as a lot of that will be based on how it plays out in the story (whether he needs more combat effectiveness or support options). Looking at it, I can see where he could be better served by having 16 in his Dex over his Chr, but I think it will come down to how I feel about the personality when I finish his vignette/backstory.
Alright, good to know. Now that you've explained it, it makes more sense.
@Gilda Grabapple, I'm not seeing how you're getting +8 to perception. Am I missing something that's making it a class skill for you?
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<- Gilda's player. Great questions, answers below.
I haven't decided on an exact age. When I went searching for profile images, all that existed with grey hair were mostly crones from Irrisen, so I settled on the picture of the furrowed brow you see. I also could see how a hard life could make her look ten years older than she really is. As I'm working to balance the profile portrait which is youthful with the intent to be older (and somewhat "witch"-like) I'd say somewhere in the 45-55 range. Perhaps she's not even exactly sure as she tried to purge her exact age from her brain and simply try to "live young".
If anything, I think Gilda may take to Milani as she embraces her latest cause. She's not really religious from a true believer perspective, but she'll say the words when she's around others, so in her "Calistrian days" she likely talked the talk but that's just because it was expected of her by her peers more than she found solace in prayer/obedience. That said, I could see from time to time her unwittingly doing something Calistrian. If anything, as the AP progresses it's about her connection to "Old Kintargo" (old being Kintargo from a few weeks ago to a decade ago?) through her spirit animal.
How did Lenny die? I haven't decided yet. Might be death of old age. Your lungs don't do so well as a chimney sweep. Might be Lenny decided to "do a job" past his prime on a Sunday without telling Gilda (that's a cursed day for pulling a job). These are some of the kinds of things that I kind of enjoy "coming out" as the PC is played.
Oh, as she heads to the protest, her plan is to pull in all the folks of Old Kintargo to tag along. The drug-addled, down-trodden, the women of the oldest profession, the menial labor, etc. Then she plans to stir them up into a frenzy. She's not above getting herself thrown into stirring up a frenzy and getting herself thrown into jail or hung. She has nothing to lose at this point in her life so for her its mostly going out with a bang.
She took the Cosmopolitan feat at first level, which allows her to select two Int/Wis/Cha skills as class skills. For this she selected two Wisdom-based skills - Perception & Sense Motive. HeroLab's apparently not great at showing this, though.
<- Gilda's player. Great questions, answers below.
** spoiler omitted **...
Thank you for the thorough answers. If selected, it would be perfectly fine to slowly draw out some things about her past and Lenny's death as the story progresses. Not to beat a dead horse, but for the protest it sounds like your specific reason for being there (among the options listed in the Player's Guide) is "looking for trouble." Is that correct?
Good to know about perception and sense motive. I can't deny that perception (of course) and sense motive will be useful for this campaign.
Ah, in terms of the page 9 "reasons for being there", either "looking for trouble" or "to protect the government" were considerations. We can go with "looking for trouble" as the single mechanical selection while the fluff does seem to straddle both reasons.
No worries. I'm okay with you having your own hybrid reason for attending, there just does have to be, as you said, a mechanical reason for being there since it impacts what bonuses you would have during the protest.
Of course. When you're playing a Wizard you basically have to accept that at some point you're going to do something that makes the GM's life hard, even if that something is just Color Spraying a group of baddies and KOing the lot of them en masse. It's better to just own up to it now and use the power to make your life difficult for good instead of evil.
Of course. When you're playing a Wizard you basically have to accept that at some point you're going to do something that makes the GM's life hard, even if that something is just Color Spraying a group of baddies and KOing the lot of them en masse. It's better to just own up to it now and use the power to make your life difficult for good instead of evil.
Color spray is pretty great. But part of the fun of Pathfinder is the mutual challenge that should exist between the players and the GM.
3 days left...
3 days left...
Haha, you read my mind.
Alright folks, we’re entering the homestretch of recruitment. Everyone has three days left. If you haven't already, start finalizing your backstories and any other changes you want to make to your characters. You will need some sort of backstory for me to be able to consider your character.
As has been mentioned before, the deadline for submissions and changes is 6/22/17 at 1 pm eastern. Except in the event of a life threatening personal crisis, I don't plan to alter that deadline, so please plan accordingly. Thank you all for your submissions. I’ll have a lot to consider when it comes time for selections.
Color spray is pretty great. But part of the fun of Pathfinder is the mutual challenge that should exist between the players and the GM.
#truth. My players in Iron Gods give me fits, and I likewise enjoy giving them fits.
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3 days left...
Made a quick update to the background to give a little information on how Sen's parents died and why he blames the local government.
It mostly comes down to hearsay so the truth of the matter can be up to you.
3 days left...Related, and definitely 100% important.
Except this time, the clock doesn't reset.
Made a quick update to the background to give a little information on how Sen's parents died and why he blames the local government.
It mostly comes down to hearsay so the truth of the matter can be up to you.
I like the update. It definitely gives Sen a valid reason for disliking the local government.
Except this time, the clock doesn't reset.
I decided to pull (Velia Sarnstar – Half-elf Psychic) because where I believe she was a solid character; after thinking about it I felt she didn't fit into the campaign as easily as some of the other submissions. with that in mind I will be substituting Count Castus Vascor. (Cardinal Cleric.) where is not complete as of yet I didn't like that with all your submissions into this path there wasn't a cleric choice.
Yep! Which is why I prepared this as well.
I think you're now out of memes for the day. You might have to rest before you can use more. Or did you take the Extra Meme feat?
I decided to pull (Velia Sarnstar – Half-elf Psychic) because where I believe she was a solid character; after thinking about it I felt she didn't fit into the campaign as easily as some of the other submissions. with that in mind I will be substituting Count Castus Vascor. (Cardinal Cleric.) where is not complete as of yet I didn't like that with all your submissions into this path there wasn't a cleric choice.
Your new submission looks good. What is Count Vascor's position on the Glorious Reclamation? Also, in light of the recent change of leadership in Kintargo, is Count Vescor hiding out anywhere in particular? Look forward to your full backstory.
I updated a few things.
First, in the profile I updated the following two aspects of the character:
Gregor is a serious man, of that there is no question, and his fellows have joked that he is immune to humor in all its forms. To this he would nod and accept the good-natured ribbing with a minor upturn to the left corner of his mouth. Despite his consideration that this shows that he gets the joke and is playing along, it does nothing more than affirm what the other young Dottari are saying. This in no way affects the degree of seriousness that he applies to his duties. He would possibly be considered by some to be an Abadarian in the way he feels about the usefulness of law, community, and commerce in the success and growth of well-governed society, were it not for the fact that he wastes little time and effort with the gods. Lately, however, he has noticed that a degree of internal conflict has arisen in regards to the laws of his fair city. Although Lord-Mayor Bainilus was by no means perfect in her management of the city, it is quickly apparent that Lord-Mayor Thrune's control has only begun to hurt the city in all its former splendor. Gregor is not a cruel man, nor does he wish any particular ill will towards anyone, except in the case of criminals from the lowest urchin to the corrupt politician of the highest echelon. Toward these, that would see the glory of this great city laid-low for their own greed, he bears neither patience nor mercy. In speaking with him, it doesn't take long to realize that he is curt, direct, and exacting in his speech. Some would say he even comes across as emotionless, unless they hear him speak of non-humans. It is obvious that he does not respect anyone that isn't human, considering them to fill all manner of their racial stereotypes, but he especially dislikes half-breeds. It is unclear whether it is due to their corruption of the human half, or just the notion that they originate from the mixing of the races, but to him they are all untrustworthy and unreliable.
Over the next two years, pockets of crime and other illegal activity were growing, and he was more than happy to work the extra hours to support his growing family, and his newborn child. However, the days grew long and weary, as it seemed there was a spate of rebellious upheaval somewhat common to the Chelish-controlled city. Not only did he spend his days fighting back against small impromptu protests and quelling any instances of civil unrest, but he would return home to arguments with Leili about where she thought those speaking up were in the right. His staunch adherence to the orders of his superiors quickly became a wedge between the couple, considering her disposition towards a more free-willed society. The two of them grew distant, but that alone wasn't enough to drive them apart.
It was during one particularly violent riot in Redroof that he was called in during his off hours to aid in controlling the event. Leaving a still swaddled Gregor with his neighbor, while Leili was away at the market, Ivan geared up and went to stand beside his fellow Dottari. The tumult was a rather violent one, and the call came down to take more aggressive action toward the rioters. As he pushed, fought, and at times bared steel against the citizens he saw a most disturbing sight. There among the protestors, lashing out at his fellow guardsmen, was his own wife. She, in turn, caught sight of him as well. Her face went pale and eyes wide in surprise, before she turned and darted off into the crowds. Ivan wanted to chase her down, but he would never step off the line or disobey an order, so he couldn't leave. For what seemed to be the longest hour of his life, he helped fight back against the rioters and headed straight for home. He was certain that she would be there, and he had to confront her, maybe even turn her in if he had to. As he arrived, he saw the door to their house was open, and he heard loud rustling going on inside. Leili was gathering her things, while Gregor was already bundled for travel, his few things gathered beside him. Ivan rushed in and grabbed the child, before drawing his sword on his wife. He argued with her to turn herself in to the authorities, even threatened her at sword-point, before she was able to finally break away from him with whatever few belongings she had. She wasn't able to wrest Gregor away from him though, and as she darted off, swore that she would be back for him. That was the last time either of the men had seen her.
Ivan was obviously embittered toward his wife, and although he loved his son, Gregor was a constant reminder of her. Ivan grew to distrust elves, and the more he stewed in his disdain, the more it expanded to anyone that wasn't of pure human lineage. Unable to see it every day in his own child, he began wrapping Gregor's features. As a toddler, Gregor's head was wrapped in linens to pull at the edges of his eyes while simultaneously binding the pointed ends of his ears. Ivan never let the child play with the other children, and raised him in a strict household. There were severe punishments for disobeying, and without the nurturing of a mother, Gregor quickly grew out of the frivolity of his childhood. He soon learned by example that only humans can be trusted, and readily adopted his father's prejudices. Talk of his mother was not allowed in the house, and he stopped asking after a certain age, as the only response was that his father was duped by a lawless whore of a woman lacking loyalty.
Before long, all Gregor knew were the ideals of the city guard, and was both eager and proud to don the title of Dottari. It was easy, as the city didn't know much in the way of unrest. He learned the ways of its citizens, the ins and out of the city itself, and took a shine to the weapons of the warrior. He even had a particular knack for the bow, which seemed to upset his father, but why he had no idea. He could never get behind the strong adherence by the Asmodeans among the leaders or citizens, as it seemed a fine line to skirting the law due to devilish corruption. Since his father wasn't a religious man, Gregor came into his beliefs mostly on his own, finding them to be more in line with the preaching of the Abadarians.
He hasn't officially been indoctrinated into the Dottari, and it's probably for the best. With the inclusion of Barzillai Thrune into the position of Lord-Mayor, Gregor has noticed that there has become an increased cruelty among some of his fellows, and the Lord-Mayor's proclamations seem to not all have worked in the city's best interests. For the first time in his life Gregor has found himself questioning the orders of some of his superiors, and is trying to figure out what his best course of action moving forward would be. As such, one of the locals in his neighborhood has invited him to join them at the protest in Aria Park, to at least listen to what the opposition has to say. Gregor wasn't eager to go, but he is curious, and decided that he would at least keep an eye out for his neighbor in case anything goes wrong. All he has left to do is tell his father that he's going.
The backstory will lead into his vignette in telling his father about going to the Aria Park protest (which I still need to write).
Secondly, I decided to go ahead and switch the Chr and Dex. Given his soldierly ways, his skill with his weapon of choice would be more refined than his social skills.
Lastly, I went ahead and added the city modifiers to his skills as side notes.
I think you're now out of memes for the day. You might have to rest before you can use more. Or did you take the Extra Meme feat?
I rolled a half-elf bard so I could use my favored class bonus on extra rounds of memetic performance.
I'm still not sure what it inspires, but goldurn it I'm going to inspire the heck out of it!
Good luck deciding, Zek ;)