Loving the RP posts. I may get in a good one or two but don't wait for me. Mostly, it's just a busy period right now (took on some new direct reports at work, plus trying to finish a book in time for a SF book group I'm in)...also...I think Nyugusk is interesting, but I don't enjoy RPing him in social interactions as much as I do some of my other characters. I think I just am not able to get quite into his skin as well as I'd like to (and as well as I can for some of my other characters)...which is all the more the shame because the consistent quality of the social RP in this game shines at such a high glow.
Maybe he'll have some chymistry-induced personality change of some sort at some point...not sure what it'd be. For now, let's say he's off in his lab most of the time, and when he's about he seems distracted by his research.
Nyug: What I have found helpful for the RP sessions is to find some other interests for the character, based in something that people seek to do in real life as well.
Namely, securing a way of life and looking for a wife. Granted, this may not fit in well with every character, but it works for him. True, he has much grander aspirations than that (namely ruling Absalom one day, which is well beyond the purview of this campaign), but he is smart enough to know that such goals are going to take time, money, and the love of the people. Time he has (he plans to become immortal one day...somehow...), money he is obtaining (adventuring is just laying the groundwork in this regard, his true income will be multiple businesses), and the people will have no choice but to at least respect him...once he is the employer of the bulk of the populace...
Thanks, Nyug -- I'm really enjoying this game. It's one of my favorites.
I agree with Argor -- out of character, at least! :) -- that pursuing some kind of outside interest could help. Something else that really brings out the roleplaying is conflict, both internal and external. Obviously, we've got a bit of inter-party tensions running, which is ripe for rp potential.
But internal conflict is a huge source as well. Obviously, it's what drives a lot of Cladissa's posts. She's still conflicted about the serum, which goes along with a whole bevy of neuroses and hang-ups. I'm not saying Nyugusk should suddenly get all angsty about the formula (that's my schtick, after all), but perhaps there's something else. Maybe he suddenly has doubts about the chymistry truly bringing him toward perfection. Maybe he's got a Jeckyl/Hyde or Hulk/Banner kind of thing developing. Maybe he secretly feels that he's betraying his orc heritage. Or, externally, maybe the Church of Irori won't accept his chymical path (earthly dogma often skews the true message).
Just some thoughts.
/me sighs
Those are great strategies/techniques...and is something I'd enjoy doing with many of my PbP characters (like Zoli and Mama Bess and Rahaal and Samir).
Honestly, Nyug is someone who was mechanically interesting to create (for a role I knew the party lacked). He's still mechanically interesting to play...and his mutations and odd take on Irori are fun to write...but he's always been something of a sketch or a caricature for me. I haven't been able to get excited about creating a well rounded life with real ambitions for him, because I don't really believe in him myself as more than a caricature.
I'm on the busy side right now. When I (hopefully) find myself with more slack in the future, I might take one of those routes...or just let him be what he's been so far...or who knows, maybe the answer is to have another alchemist melt to goo, and for me to bring in some other freak. ;0)
I guess time will tell. Whichever way, I appreciate the suggestions...though (due to busy-ness as much as anything else) I'm still not too likely to join in much with the RP this time around...except for Trassk's introduction, where he'll certainly stick his nose in.
...and today I've got new ideas bubbling that I'm excited to flesh out for Nyug, and thoughts for a way of making him more 3-D in a way that *does* interest me...partly inspired by some of yall's comments, so THANKS!
I'm still high on the busy-ness scale so it may or may not get realized for this downtime...but since Jelani is a bit slow in holiday mode maybe I will. We'll see!
BTW, anyone have a 2nd (or 1st) level formula they'd like me to craft potions of? I get to learn a new one now and am open to suggestions.
Lurking for a little while on Roll20.
And Nyug, I'm sure a selection of utility potions might be nice, but I don't have any special requests.
So how many limbs does Nyugusk have now, and in what formation? Is he like an ant-centaur? Thorax and abdomen with six legs, and then two pincered arms on a humanoid torso? Or is it like a humanoid torso with six legs coming out of his hips? Or is it like two humanoid sets of arms that end in pincers, and then four legs coming from humanoid hips?
Like a skitter?
Am I mistaken in my assumption the society wanted the serum kept secret?
No, they do. I'm just keeping the exact amount of serum available a secret, because it leaves open replacement PCs and new players. It also allows for me to throw in some potentially interesting plot elements down the line if I want.
Oooooh, skitters look cool.
So, he's got 4 legs, 2 arms. Pincers on the arms & forelegs. I picture him kind of like a crab/spider/halforc-centaur...but also a bit more fluid than that...like a crab that walks semi-erect on only 4 of its 6 legs.
EDIT
...with a big, broad, mouth overflowing with tusks, and with blue tattoos on his arms of lotus blossoms transforming into fantastic creatures.
...and with (under his mutagen) various other patchwork animal features, e.g. odd tufts of hair, the nose of a boar (with scent, which is his default), webbed feet and hands (when he goes iwth a swim speed instead), and other random out of place stuff.
And regarding serum, thanks for clarifying. I hadn't realized that part--probably since I missed the beginning of the campaign. Nyug will (mostly) respect that then, and certainly won't discuss it in his lecture (which I suspect will get cancelled before it can happen at any rate).
I'm hoping to get the Thrassk thing going tonight after we finish my Way of the Wicked game IRL.
I want to draw Nyugusk, that's why I'm asking about him. Does he wear clothes? If so...what kind? Like does he still have orc like digestive and sexual organs, or is he another cloaca havin' mofo?
Oh! I love that you're drawing Nyug! He wears mwk leather laminar when working, otherwise he used to dress pretty tidily but is probably letting that slide off now. Feel free to take liberties/make assumptions about his appearance.
I imagine he's still relatively orcish as far as his organs go...though Hoots has so much fun with his cloaca, maybe Nyug should take that as his next evolution! ;-)
Waiting until the Thrassk thing before I post any further RP down the line, as it may impact some things I do/say.
lurking for a while on Roll20 while I work on a post.
Lurking on Roll20 for a few, while I work on uploading the pic I drew of Nyugusk.
Excited to see the pic...but I don't see you.
Not much time then... I was still hoping to have the date and maybe even something with the Blakroses and Auronee.
How much time would you need for that?
Also, are the other PCs cool with waiting?
I can go either way. Whatever is best for you Jelani, as combat heavy scenes really rely on your availability.
Well, it depends on how much back-and-forth we have at the date. The party was discussed abit on Roll20 by mmyself and Argor. I wanted another social interaction with Auronee that gives the other players a chance to participate. That might slow it down more.
Unless the consensus is to get back to the adventure, in which case I'd probably knock something out this weekend.
I was hoping to RP up the date with Jannicke, but I've been swamped with work and company since the RP session started. I am fine with saving a proper date scene with her for the next downtime chunk if it frees up more time to either:
A) RP out the party scene Cladissa and I discussed.
or
B) The group is ready to just get on with the next mission.
Also, I have the floorplan ready for the business I intend to purchase. Given that things are 10% more expensive here, but I get a 10% discount on purchases once per session, I priced it at cost considering those two essentially cancel each other out. Let me know if you want me to put up a proper RP post related to that.
I'm ok whichever.
Cheers
flexible here too. not in a hurry, but also not sure if how quickly I'll be able to write the RP posts I'm thinking of so anything I don't get done in this downtime will fit fine in the next one.
Here are the stats of the business I am purchasing, "The Sanctum":
Cost: 5420 gp
GP Modifier: +98
1 Alchemy Lab
1 Artisan's Workshop (gemcutting)
1 Classroom
1 Common Room
1 Courtyard
1 Greenhouse
1 Habitat
1 Hatchery
1 Magical Repository
1 Scriptorium
1 Storage
1 Storefront
1 Vault, Secret Door (DC 30): Located in the floor of the Storage room, a subterranean chamber for the storage of high value items.
1 Furnishings (Storefront)
Teams (200) +4
Bureaucrats, 3rd Level Experts (handling the annoying business work/legal aspects of the enterprise)
1 Laywer
1 Diplomat
2 Scribes
1 Accountant
The store will be run by basic staff for now, in addition to myself, Jannicke, and William.
It will serve as a "one stop shop" essentially for Arcane endeavors, providing the sale of basic and exotic reagents, as well as an occasional magic item or two that might make their way through the store. It has services for alchemy and scribe work, so potions and scrolls are available for purchase/order. The Artisan's workshop cuts gems for use as focuses for enchantment, as well as various reagents. The classroom is used for providing advice and examples on arcane matters. The Greenhouse grows exotic plants on sight for use as reagents and alchemy supplies. The Habitat and Hatchery serve as an exotic animal menagerie of sorts, providing aspiring wizards a location to acquire hard to find familiars. The Magical Repository is available for rent to allow individuals a chance to research arcane matters in as much privacy as they desire.
I will continue to "Take 10" on the checks to generate income. So now, I generate the following amount of gold as profits:
Sanctum: 54 gold per week
Bureaucrats: 7 gold per week
Apprentice (William): 7 gold per week
Mage (Jannicke): 8.5 gold per week
Total: 76.5 gold per week
So as I typed up the date post (subtracting 30 gold from my sheet for the whole thing), I figured that Jannicke (given Jelani's earlier RP of her) has too much respect for herself and her reputation to risk besmirching it by dating an employer. Therefore, she has effectively quit as his Mage employee, but the two are now dating.
So...I am going to have my Mage Team be replaced by Arryn Giles, a Level 3 Transmuter.
This also frees Jannicke up to be my Cohort in a couple levels.
In other news, to everyone else:
Cladissa and I had discussed hosting a party of some sort and inviting the various nobles we have saved and other noteworthy NPC's to it. Would this be something that interested any of you, or do you just want to move on?
Keep in mind one of the upcoming scenarios (The Blakros Matrimony) is exactly that, and will feature almost all RP.
That ought to be fun. Would there be room in the scenario to add the custom NPCs such as Auronee and Roald? Should I work up a profile for her?
Haven’t read it yet, but I’ll try to work them in somehow if possible...
Going to try to lurk for a few hours on Roll20.
Well, if we are doing a "party" later on, we can skip one for now. Although, Argor would still like to "host" a banquet at some point, in an effort to rub elbows with the nobility and work his way into their number, perhaps pull some strings to earn himself a title.
Argor's RP is concluded, but that does not mean Cladissa has to rush. Whenever the game is ready to advance, I'm ready.
I'd like to finish this soon. Back and forth posting could go on forever.
Yeah, I'm getting the feeling everyone's tapping their feet. But I think we're getting close to being able to summarize the rest of the night.
Also, lurking on Roll20.
Bought
(50 gp) cold iron weapon blanche used on 10 arrows
(200 gp) ghost salt weapon blanche used on 10 arrows
(2,000 gp) Handy Haversack
cheers
We're heading for a mini ski vacation tomorrow to return Thursday night. Probably won't have internet. Might not post until Friday.
cheers
For the record: unless I specify otherwise, Argor remains at about 5-10' in elevation when traveling win the group.
I think all I would've bought was a couple more scrolls of mage armor from Argor, if our current estrangement is not a bar from him still providing them at cost. -25 gp.
OK, busy time but *basically* ready to dive in. One problem: I just saw that one gets a +4 racial bonus to acrobatics for every 10' of base speed over 30'. That makes "skilled: acrobatics" a LOT less interesting as an evolution.
Given that, I think I may actually just take extra legs again, losing skilled and pounce.
Might get to post tonight. If not, tomorrow.
I am on roll20 for a while if anyone wants to chat. I'll be reading a book until someone mercifully interrupts me.
Also, yes, Argor would craft some scrolls for you guys at cost. He feels no ill will to you guys, though it is clear there is ill will being displayed in his direction. Though, I'm sure there will be some degradation involved, along the lines of reminding you all of how you have been treating him like a leper yet still he provides you with his aid and generosity, yadda yadda yadda.
"Current estrangement" is, of course, totally in-game. I wouldn't have Argor any other way. :)
Truly, you are magnanimous, Cladissa says flatly as she accepts the scrolls and the lecture. She slinks away.
Lurking once again.
Apologies for being incommunicado this week. Performance review season + writing a ton of interview feedback reports for a role I'm trying to fill means just about every iota of writing energy/time has been going to work for a week...and I expect at least another week of the same (maybe a few more).
I'll be around a bit but please forgive if I'm slow and brief!
Lurking should anyone wish to join me.
Lurking (again) should anyone wish to join me. Got put on call tonight and so far haven't been called in.
I don't see you in R20.
I got called in shortly after that post...figures.
1) I'm lurking in all the roll20's.
2) I am moving the table talk here.
I think you guys should scatter, and if Cladissa's slumber fails to work, get out of Dodge.
No time to join roll20 now but Cladissa, yeah, Will save is a total gamble...but I'm not sure being 60' away is a big boon versus a flying foe who can move 80'/round (double moving) and still deal damage just by being in your square.
You might live by being further away than Thrassk (or Hrim, if the swarm can see him) but (unless this thing doesn't care to pursue, which is also a big IF) I think we lose one of our slower members to this thing if we can't slumber it (or otherwise slow it down/distract it/hide from it)
I can distract it...give it something it would rather try to kill than us...
Unless it cares not about it's targets alignments.
I dunno how well my roll got me on that kind of knowledge.
Hmmm....Jelani, would Argor have an idea as to what effect 1d3+1 Whirlwinding Air Elementals would do to this swarm?