Some may dream of riding the open plain or delving an abandoned dungeon, yet others may yearn for grand battles or conquering an undefeated foe, this is not their story. This is a tale of lies and betrayal, of the insidious and the plotting, of conquest by deception. This is a tale of dueling nobles and waring guilds, of crossed interests and double crossing débutantes. This is a Tale of Taldor, a story of mystery and intrigue.
Game Overview: This will be a role-play heavy game with lots of politics and character development. The setting is the political and social catacombs of Taldoran society. While there will be some combat, it may be few and far between. It's possible that the party could go an entire level without a fight. While the party may venture into an ancient forest or explore a dank catacomb, it will be for a political or social goal, not just to plunder. If you have ever wanted to engage in economic guild warfare, manipulate feuding noble families, or explore the mysteries of Taldor zoning permits, this is the game for you. I predict the ratio of political maneuvering to traditional adventuring will be 65/35. I want to make this clear up front in order to correctly set expectations.
Character Creation: The only 2 requirements are the characters must be of Good alignment and must not be from Taldor. Other than that it's a fairly standard 20 pt buy with 2 traits, standard starting gold, and any race, class, or archetype from Core and the APG allowed.
The Setup: Your character can start from anywhere you like outside of Taldor. Each character will have received a letter from a Taldan noble (posted below) who is an acquaintance of a parent or trusted mentor. It asks them to travel to Almas, in Andoran, where they will board a ship for Taldor to meet the noble and discuss a job offer.
When all the characters have been finalized I will open the Gameplay thread with everyone boarding the ship in Almas. After an amount of time for the characters to interact the ship will arrive in Taldor.
Please post your characters or any questions you may have.
Thank you and welcome to A Tale of Taldor.
You have each received, through a parent or trusted mentor, the following letter.
Greetings and Well Met,
I am Ronard of the house Rousseau, Magnate of Taldor.I find myself in need of assistance and understand that your particular talents may prove useful. I request that you meet with me so we may discuss the situation further.
I have charted passage for you on the ship Golmera's Wings, sailing from the City of Almas on the 27th of Pharast. When you arrive, identify yourself by presenting the enclosed token. The ship will bring you to Cassomir where we will meet.
You will find my residence three Blocks to the north and one block to the East of Pharasma's Pulpit in Old Cassomir. It is the second House on the North side of the street. You will know it by my crest above the door.
Please keep the nature of your journey discreet and may Desna see you safely on your way.
Ronard
Accompanying the letter was a wooden marker, about the size of a playing card, with a crest colorfully emblazoned on one side. The crest shows a Tiger, sitting on its haunches, holding a sword by the blade in its paws. This sits on a shield of purple and red. Atop the shield is a great helm with red and purple plumes.
This letter reaches you with just enough time to undertake the journey to Almas and meet the ship. The person whom the letter reached you through strongly encourages you to follow it’s instructions. You gather what belongings you have and any additional supplies you may need and begin your trip to Almas.
Tada!
Haven't formatted the crunch in the profile according to my usual style with the BBC coding yet, but I'll get around to it.
Working on fluff... sporadically. My KM and CC groups are pretty demanding right now.
I might try randomising my charcter slightly. It will be a mage, probably specialist, as I have only picked universalists. I have been alternating male/female PC's so I'll randomise that (although with my male PC's the threads die quickly). And i think heights and weights too. Race i usually pick humans, but...
Sex – Male=1-49; Female = 50-100
Race – Human= 1-70, Elf= 71-80, Half Elf= 81-85, Dwarf=86-90, Half-Orc=91-96, Gnome/Halfling=97-100
Alika: Welcome!
DSX: An Elven Mage would be perfect in this game. There is no requirement to be Human and the characters are specifically coming from outside of Taldor. BTW since you aren't as familiar with Golarion the Pathfinder Wiki is a great resource. You can figure out where you want to be from but any major population center has at least some Elves in it.
Tada and As requested my eagles stats are up he has flyby attack as his feat hehehe say hellp to the flanking eagle lol
Also I plan on using this distracting thing to maximum effectiviveness lol thus performing haha
Even considering later on taking rouge sniper levels what ya think?
Tristen: Greetings. Looks good. The bird will be interesting.
EDIT!!! I am so making the Eagle actually a..wait for it!
A Bearded Vulture!
What you think?
Gawain Macellan at your service, finally completed, except for my horse. Look over my profile for any concerns :) Looking forwards to the world of politcal intrigue and warring nobles.
I chose Order of the Lion, in the thought that while I do pledge myself to a lord, I either may not have found one to serve yet and am on a personal quest to discover my rightful liege lord, or that I can serve either a Linnorm noble or be sworn to one of the nobles here in Taldor :)
Alika is the daughter of a tribe from the deep deserts of Osiron. Her tribe was raided by another, and those that survived, including Alika, were sold at market in Katapesh. A large scale slaver recognized Alika's ability to observe and disseminate information, noting that Alika was more frightened of the men scribbling on tablets than she was of the enforcers that jabbed spears into the bars of their cage.
This slave master was a wizard who aspired to the lost culture of the Azlant, and recognized Alika's intelligence. He bought the lot of the survivors of her tribe, and seeking to isolate her and claim her as his apprentice, unleashed a plague upon the lot en route to Absalom. The master, Ureste took Alika for his own, instructing her in languages and the history of nobility. Alika listened and learned in silence, absorbing first Draconic, and soon enough Azlanti, which at first appeared to her a cypher to keep his notes. She understood his intent, and still kept her silence, having no desire to join her tribe in the Boneyard, but to survive to take revenge against the man.
A day's journey from Absalom, Ureste and the captain herded what remained of the crew onto an skiff and set the slave galley to flame. For several years, Alika remained at Ureste's mercy, learning his ways, but never once speaking. Ureste was no fool, he waited for her to respond to his efforts and accept him as her master. Alika's will, however, was too strong to accept his offer. His behavior became increasingly erratic, until one evening, their last together, he unveiled a brand of his own design, heated it with his magics, and pressed it to her breast. If she would not accept him as a magical superior, she would forever bear his mark as a slave.
Alika was sold at market, her beauty and training in languages alone fetched her an enormous price from a Galtian textile merchant. She was brought into his home, where her education was continued, although in a much different discipline. In particular, Alika's voice, which she never once employed in Ureste's presence, was trained to reach great heights. Alika was informed that she was to assume responsibility for the merchant's heir's share of his trade, as the son proved and quite publicly to have inherited any of his father's tact or business sense. Alika's purpose was simple, to captivate all she met with her guile, to distract from the unworthy heir, and rule in his name with smiles and whispers in the dark.
Alika's talents as such were well employed. She seduced as easily with her voice as any lesser woman might with her touch. It was not required that she lay with men, and all the better, as she recognized that none would respect her if she did. All the while, Alika gathered what she believed to be reliable contacts under her influence, steadily working towards achieving her goal of gaining support to strike at Ureste where it would hurt, his slaving operation. On the night she arranged to meet a powerful potential ally, Ureste intercepted Alika, easily binding her in a charm spell. Compelled, she dressed and dined with him. He complemented her progress, and the brand he had left upon her. Ureste leaned down and kissed her, and furnished her with the note.
"I know that you will continue to represent my interests," he purred, and left her.
Tristen: You can have what ever kind of bird you want. But keep in mind you have switched from a Hunting bird to a scavenging bird. What effect do you think that would have on it's stats?
Gawain: Looks good. I think order of the Lion would be fine, just be careful who you end up pledging you oath to.
The Galtian textile merchant (who needs a name) sounds much more likely to be who you got the letter from. He would present it as having come from a business associate to whom he owes a favor. He sees it as great opportunity for you to expand your experiences and eventually come back even more competent to run the 'family business'.
So if you want to have one last run in with Ureste, or if not then you may have heard that he has been trying to expand his interests in Taldor.
Let me know what you think.
Actually they are predators as well often they pick up goats and throw them off cliffs even though it does scavenge often it can and will go after live prey thats the cool thing bout these vultures. But I have no idea about the stats all the stats for falcons, owls, and eagles are the same s don't think anything will change for it
Tristen: That's fine, if it has the same stats it can be any kind of bird you want. Everything else looks good so far.
Ah, yeah, he would likely pop up to show her she was wrong and remind her who her master was, but easily the note could come the merchant.
I had a name for the dude at one point, and will later today. I gotta give the players of my games some love after breakfast.
Alika: sounds good.
Everyone: I will be giving each of you more details of how you got your letter as you get your backgrounds completed. I will also answer any RP questions you might have had before heading out for Almas.
Gawain Macellan is the son of the Ulfen Warlord Hrothgar Macellan, a distinguished and powerful warrior as well as an infamous horseman for the Ulfen lords. Gawain chose to leave his home when he reached manhood, taking with him only his armor, some basic traveling supplies and his sword, as well as his horse, the powerful and distinguished stallion Brecker.
Gawain took with him also his father's parting words, "Find ye a King boy, a man is nothing without a Lord to stand in the service of. Without them, we are as we Ulfens were thousands of years ago, lawless raiders of martial skill with no purpose but food, ale and whores! Find ye someone to pledge your blade to my Son, and make me proud!"
Ready to see the wide world beyond the frozen lands of Linnorm, Gawain took to his father's words and rode Brecker out across the plains and south, taking a ship that would take him and his steed to the warmer southlands of Andor, where he sought a worthy enough liege lord to pledge his blade to. Finding none, he recieved the letter and thought perhaps in Taldor he would find the purpose his father had bestowed unto him.
Those who cannot lead must follow, and while Gawain is proud, assertive and strong, he does not see himself as a ruler of any kind. Instead, he searches still for a lord to pledge his blade under. A man is nothing without something to fight for.
Mathrael, Matt, the third child of the House Cotteryll of Land *X*. Over the past few generations the family has fallen into decline, never an expansive family. Once they were an exuberant, outward thinking innovative house. But they have slowly become decadent and insular; wasting money, investing badly and all meeting untimely ends. The family name still holds some regard amongst some of the older councillors, but by most of the populace it is regarded as a joke and a folly.
It seems that the scions of the family all meet with bad ends further disgracing the family name, none even reaching old age. Matt as the third child of the Head of the House knew that he would not inherit, though this did not bother him his parents knew not what to do with him.
Seeking advantage in their child Matt’s parents sent him to a Seminary of *God*, the prestigious school was barely within their income. Thus they used one of their connections to place him as the ‘whipping boy’ of the scion of a powerful family. This connection not only established Matt’s place and tuition but also enabled them to retain the social import that the House Cotteryll deserved. The slightest in his class, he was shorter than but a few. His school days were hard and though he was devout; the calling of faith never really stuck. Others in his class had dreams of Knighthood or joining the Ecclesiastical Orders, Matt just dreamed of avoiding his destiny, through gaining power.
As Matt grew into adolescence; his older brother had already sired a bastard, by a human manipulative merchant’s daughter. Ensuring even if Matt was in a position to ascend the throne there would be a dynastic war. The other effect of this coupling was that she had put out word for assassins to ensure that her child would be the next Lord.
After third prayers, Matt was hurrying towards afternoon lessons across the courtyard. A dark figure struck, a thrown blade hitting the gangly youth in the chest. He goes down but reaching to his signet ring/holy symbol , a brilliant flash of light erupts; momentarily dazing the attacker. An old professor looks out the window to admonish the boy for his tardiness, seeing the assailant he starts to raise the alarm causing the assassin to flee. Matt learns of his powers, though at a cost. Forced further out of favour in the school, the priests believed this manifestation to be a sign of his fall from grace. Shunned by most at the monestary, only the ancient librarian gave him a second look. The old sage helped young Matt learn the complexities of wizardry, though in secret and at night.
Since then Matt used his wits to locate the assassins’ source. A cut-throat, he found it was his soon-to-be Sister-in-laws doing. Ever since then he has been wary of his family. His parents passed in a fire as they inspected a warehouse. Matt was forced to leave the seminary after another assassination attempt. He wandered the desert/ice plains, seeking knowledge, scrolls and mapping the area. Joining caravans where he could or living rough where he must. Constantly on the look-out for his 'sisters' thugs. His brothers both died within a short period of time; the elder poisoned. The younger of a pox from a doxy house. Thus Matts 'Sister' inherited the House acting as regent for her son until the time he would reach the age of maturity (past her natural life).
He wishes to not suffer as all the men in his family have. Or if possible create his own dynasty, return his familial name to good graces.
The Lands I am looking at are the Linnorm Kingdoms, Varasia, or one of the desert kingdoms.
Kay, updated Alika's history so that it's the merchant Vaylen that gave her the letter.
Question - do you allow taking 10 on perform checks? If so, then Alika would be fairly well known in at least Galt, and have turned down several offers to join established troupes. 25 is getting invited to sing for the nobility tier, and 30 is known all over Golarian tier.
Also will be looking for a better avatar. Essentially, she's going to be hyper paranoid, and wear wigs instead of her actual hair, that sort of stuff.
Height
Weight
Age
Wow, the age of Elves messed with my backstory, but hopefully it didn't go too strange. Looking at the crunch would it be alright if i used the alternative racial traits (primarily 'Dreamspeaker').
ok Tristen's rolls
Age:
Height: /12 = 6.3 yeesh he's tall
Weight:
Did I do that right?
Dreamspeaker is just fine.
Alika: You can take 10 on audiences that are already friendly to you. For example if you are unknown to the majority of the audience then they are Neutral at best and you have to roll to sway them. If they all already know you and have come specifically to listen to you then they would be friendly. In other words, you don't have to work as hard to impress your fans.
Tristen: i think that's right but 6'3" and 149 lbs is really skinny. Feel free to use that or modify it if you like, I don't require random rolls for those stats.
6'3" 149 lbs. Heeeeey, haven't ya ever heard of Harry Dresden? lolz ^^
Btw Tristen? You are one TALLLLLLLLLLL Roman! The normal Roman height, as I assume you are basing this guy a little off Legionairres, was 5'4" :P
Yeah ill just go with the roman height haha When in rome :) be as tall as romans hahaha
ok will take the 19 years of age 5'5" weight 130 lol but damn my bird never gets bigger there goes one plan lol was hoping to pull off an eagle rider like the druids can hahaha They can take Rocs as animal companions and they get bigger at lvl 7 and thus you hop on and have fastest travel ever lol rats anyway
Yeah, Tristen I was just rolling randomly because I have been making a few characters lately and I didn't want to get stuck in a rut (& it can be old-school).
Anyway Matt will be a Specialist Transmuter, with a bonded item.
Rolling Randoms for Alika's dimensions
Age
Height
Well then... 5'4", 140 pounds? Really, Paizo?
MANGUR HARMPREET CR 1/2
Male Human (Vudrani) Rogue 1
NN Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init +3; Senses Perception +6
--------------------
DEFENSE
--------------------
AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 10. . (+3 Dex)
hp 8 (1d8)
Fort +0, Ref +5, Will +2
--------------------
OFFENSE
--------------------
Spd 30 ft.
Melee Unarmed Strike +0 (1d3/20/x2)
Special Attacks Sneak Attack +1d6
--------------------
STATISTICS
--------------------
Str 10, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 14
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 13
Feats Persuasive, Point Blank Shot, Rogue Weapon Proficiencies
Traits Fast-Talker, World Traveler: Diplomacy
Skills Acrobatics +7, Bluff +7, Climb +4, Diplomacy +9, Disable Device +8, Disguise +6, Escape Artist +7, Intimidate +4, Perception +6, Sense Motive +6, Sleight of Hand +7, Stealth +7, Use Magic Device +6
Languages Common, Elven, Osiriani, Vudrani
SQ Trapfinding +1
--------------------
SPECIAL ABILITIES
--------------------
Point Blank Shot +1 to attack and damage rolls with ranged weapons at up to 30 feet.
Sneak Attack +1d6 +1d6 damage if you flank your target or your target is flat-footed.
Trapfinding +1 +1 to find or disable traps.
Hey this is for Kyn
OK everything is starting to come together nicely. I wanted to let you all know that I finally finished the Rousseau family crest and posted it last night. I also added it to the campaign notes. This is the image on the wooden tokens that each of you received with your letter.
As for characters Gawain looks done with crunch, Alika and Tristen just need Gear & Money to be all crunchy. Still waiting on characters profiles from Matt and Mangur but the initial crunch looks good. As to flavor I would like everyone to post a "backgrounds" section to your profile with your final version. Then please post that its up and I will review the profile and give it my stamp.
Backstory complete my lord DM.
I've put the bard's special abilities under a spoiler to not have a wall of text. I'll be doing the same for non combat related equipment.
My "shopping list" as it were.
Still need 1 more 1st level spell; a Feat probably metamagic & equipment.
In terms of background Matt has been running away from his family, he travelled South, taking ships and generally wandering. Taking jobs crafting and researching; exploring and mapping as he travels (mostly for a commission). Whilst wandering has charted the occassional ruin.
Ok..will post the crunch here....still working on the concept so any advise or suggestions are welcome.
MANGUR HARMPREET CR 1/2
Male Human (Vudrani) Rogue 1
NN Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init +3; Senses Perception +6
--------------------
DEFENSE
--------------------
AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 10. . (+3 Dex)
hp 8 (1d8)
Fort +0, Ref +5, Will +2
--------------------
OFFENSE
--------------------
Spd 30 ft.
Melee Unarmed Strike +0 (1d3/20/x2)
Special Attacks Sneak Attack +1d6
--------------------
STATISTICS
--------------------
Str 10, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 14
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 13
Feats Persuasive, Point Blank Shot, Rogue Weapon Proficiencies
Traits Fast-Talker, World Traveler: Diplomacy
Skills Acrobatics +7, Bluff +7, Climb +4, Diplomacy +9, Disable Device +8, Disguise +6, Escape Artist +7, Intimidate +4, Perception +6, Sense Motive +6, Sleight of Hand +7, Stealth +7, Use Magic Device +6
Languages Common, Elven, Osiriani, Vudrani
SQ Trapfinding +1
--------------------
SPECIAL ABILITIES
--------------------
Point Blank Shot +1 to attack and damage rolls with ranged weapons at up to 30 feet.
Sneak Attack +1d6 +1d6 damage if you flank your target or your target is flat-footed.
Trapfinding +1 +1 to find or disable traps.
Magnur, how do you have over 12 trained skills? 8 + INT = 10, + Human = 11, and if you take skill point for your favored = 12 max. You have 13 listed. I am rather confused.
He is so good of a rouge he stole...a skill point mwahaha
Done barring languages and Goddess. & a description.
Yeah...thats it...he stole it...hahah...seriously I will check it over...I use herolab to make the characters, so I will double check to make sure it is giving me the proper numbers....
OK, looking good everyone.
Gawain: Did you see my comments on your background? Let me know what you think?
Mangur: Not sure what direction you are wanting to go in your story. Being Vudrani I'm assuming you are from or at least coming through the Isle of Jalmeray. Since you took the "world traveler" trait I assume you have been living elsewhere also. I could see you coming from Abaslom or even Andoran fairly easily. You might be one of the 'atanapratta' caste out exploring or making contacts for a relative or friendly merchant back on Jalmeray. Just throwing out ideas, let me know what you want to do and I'll give you some details about how you got your letter.
Alika: Equipment looks good.
Everyone: Let me know if you have any 'in character' questions about your background or the letter. I'm assuming that most people wouldn't just get the letter and say 'oh, ok'. I'm betting that your characters would have asked some questions of whomever they received it from. Let me know.
OK, looking good everyone.
Gawain: Did you see my comments on your background? Let me know what you think?
:) Yeah I did and have updated my background to integrate Ottoman and Sons Trading CO. ^^ thanks for the advice GM :)
Other that that it looks great.
** spoiler omitted **
Yes, that's great. I was envisioning him as being Matts' initial tutor in the magical arts; however Matt will still make inquiries as to where the courier came from, the writings origin. Just to make sure it is genuine and not a trick by his sister or one of her assassins. Is the Cartography proficiency alright? I did have a crafting skill, but scrapped it for the more relevant Know(Nobility).
Matt will have been learning a bit extra magic since leaving the seminary and the lands.
Anyone want any connections before we meet aboard the ship. I am quite open.
I imagine Alika traveling a lot for work. Textile merchant from Galt and a Bard? Probably not going to be stationary.
If you want to, they could. It's not like they'd know each other, since she'd be wary of another spell caster (and the trappings of a wizard are particularly hard to mistake).
I'm still thinking on Alika's appearance. I think I will wait to reveal it on the first IC post, how the other characters will perceive her as opposed to what she "looks" like. She is a bard, misdirection is sort of their thing.
As for the letter question, I am thinking that Harlan exhausted his powers to give Alika an out rather than put her out to pasture like Ureste wished, but then, she is rather paranoid about Ureste's power, and with good reason. Wizards should be feared. But, it is not set in stone. If you wish me to adjust, I could.
Traveling to Almas will be an experience for a slave.
Gawain: Great, thanks. I dub thee "Complete"!
Please update you background to include receiving the letter.
Cartography is fine, make sure to update your equipment.
How ever you want to handle your description is fine.
Everyone: Sorry to step in but I'm going to state that you have never met each other before boarding the boat.
That's fine, regarding the not knowing each other. Though does this combined with the political nature of the campaign (& being from different countries) imply excess PC friction?
No problemo about not knowing each other.
Alika is free from the traditional form of slavery, yes, but she still bears the marks. And in Andoran, all are free. Is what I meant. As a former slave, it will be an interesting thing.
Speaking of, there are slaves in Taldor, aren't there?
ok..I think I figured out my skills...8(class)+1(Race)+2(Ability-Int)+1 (Favour class bonus)=+12 skills...because I have the feat Persuasive, I received a +2 to my intimidate as well
Double check, but I think that is right..
Matt: I dub thee "Complete"
Mangur: Yes, I think that adds up. Have you come up with anything for your background? Put together what you want and I'll pick someone out who gave you the letter.
Oh and on Matt's comment about PC friction. I am going to give you some time on the boat to interact and figure out how you relate to each other. But once we get to Taldor, I have plans for keeping the party going (insert evil laugh here).
Any other questions?
Alika: Unless you want to make any more changes, I dub thee "Complete"!