Went with Jotunn as the other language.
Muli - I've bought everything I need and have 100gp left over. Want a donation for the potion making fund?
Yeah, I can probably give a little there too, but I would like to do it in-game after we all meet. Just a dot for ya Muli!
Yeah the syphoning of party funds to Muli offshore "potion making" account would be better done in-game to be honest.
Besides how do you know there won't be plenty to spend your spare coin on in the barren tundra of Iobaria... ;0
I'm putting the finishing touches to some elements of the adventure's intro/build up with regards the party. Everyone has something, so I'll be posting them in spoilers later today. While they won't affect character "crunch" some may require some altering of your characters backgrounds here and there.
Bah - my ornery viking is hardly going to have good reason to share his cash with someone newly met at the start of the campaign... Looks like I'll just have to buy some more mundane stuff... gold plated drinking horn?
@ Ragnar: You will probably encounter at least one trader in-game... so could save yer coin for later?
Happy to have you convert it into gemstones or treasure items that Ragnar has looted... (ahem) acquired as he viking'd his way across Avistan.
Right... here's some of the fruits o' me labours...
Here's a couple of maps of the area: Iobaria Campaign Map and Region of Berghof
As promised some background/start point information for each character; Luke, Muli & Kevkul are first up:
The Púca (or woad goblins) plague the village of Hálbriden far more than your logging community of Ciselwella. This is long attributed to the woodsmen’s treaty with The fey of Storith Wood. While you have never personally fought the creatures, you are aware that the Púca’s fortified lair is located in a hillock due east of Hálbriden.
While the concerns of the Púca have grown, they pale compared to the rumoured goings on in the village of Kustnir. If indeed some evil is making murderous visitations upon the fisher folk, then they could probably use a skilled tracker and marksman like yourself.
Possible idea I’m mooting (dependent on what you and Randall think) is that you were picking up supplies at the trading post of Gánnáhwǽr, when Kevkul Steelhide, the dwarf priest arrived on a trade caravan. He hears of Kustnir’s plight and seeks to aid them, and you offer to guide him there?
The region’s hermit-sage Quern is well known to you and your deceased master. Quern was an occasional correspondent or host when you both travelled to the North-West of the land. You can recall that Quern had particular interest in ancient Iobarian history and may have some manuscripts on Cyclopean lore.
As you’ve travelled back to Iobaria you heard of Kustnir’s plight and knowing Quern lives in the foothills of Little Icerime to the west of the village, you saw the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Besides the niece of the village’s elder was a fellow herbalist and always had a smile for you.
Randall here’s a suggested reasoning for you coming to Kustnir’s aid. It does however involve changing your backstory a little, so by no means this is written in stone:
You accompanied the dwarven merchant and brewmeister Ǽdensor Highmettle into Iobaria. Both of you hail from the Brevoy village of Brunderton and are members of the Starstone Brewers organisation.
You parted with Ǽdensor at the trading post of Gánnáhwǽr, where his caravan stopped to trade and re-supply. It was in the ale-house that you heard of the plight of the fishing village of Kustnir and resolved to journey there at haste.
If you’re amenable then it’s possible that Luke Falgren was also in town and offers to guide you to Kustnir.
Spoilered feedback on my thoughts and flavour is most welcome guys. Each of the party will also know a regional rumour which I'll also post up pretty soon...
I'll keep my remaining wealth fungible at this point I think.
Black Dow:
Cool, we'll go with that if Randall's agreeable. BTW with that in mind... not sure CN is that reflective of Luke... seems he's more a possible outright N [believes in the balance of this - the land, nature and life] or possibly CG... he seems too principled and forthright for CN?
To be honest Mark you’re the most open ended of the group with regards arriving in Iobaria.
Two ideas spring to mind with regards travelling – the more traditional notion that you came through the Icerime’s trade pass from Brevoy and from the trading post of Gánnáhwǽr have heard of the fishing village of Kustnir’s plight...
Alternatively you could have travelled across the Lake of Mists & Veils enroute to the ancient Ulfen settlement of Okormirr but have made a stop in Kustnir (the boat put in there due to bad weather). While a backwater fishing village’s hospitality would be limited to a Northman of mighty appetites, they do have a small drinking lodge called the “Kelpie’s Net” where Ragnar can while away his time... ;)
Black Dow:
Going to make one change once I am back with my Hero Lab. I am going to drop Precise Bombs (even though I love it) and pick up Infusion. Allowing Muli to pass out a cure light wounds elixirs. It makes more sense RP-wise as a healer then making bombs that avoid friends when he never really had a group to worry about harming. He will pick up Precise Bombs with his next discovery.
Black Dow:
I'm happy to have him hearing about the plight and seeking to assist. Are we going to meet each other in Kustnir?
Gents - could I get some feedback on the maps? Did the links work lol!?
Once we've established how everyone gets to Kustnir I'll post up a small gazetteer of the region.
Composite Longbow makes sense right enough. The fey would probably trade with the loggers as part of the treaty. If you can afford it great, if not gives me some ideas for what to include as party treasure.
And here's me thinking Ragnar was a true vikingr... won't set foot in a boat! ;)
Overland is cool though, there's a possibility that Kevkul came through the trade pass accompanying a dwarven brewmeister's caravan. He then will (Randall allowing) hear of Kustnir's plight and take up Luke's offer as a guide... Ragnar could have accompanyied them or made it to trade post of Gánnáhwǽr himself [Kevkul was in the tap-house when he heard]
@Muli: Makes sense, the Precise Bombs would be a skill he develops out of necessity and experience - Infusion is a more flavoursome background ability [and helps the group]
Maps work for me Mr Sasquatch sir - looking pretty good too.
I'm happy any which way you want to throw the backstory. Though having me come in on my own would probably make the first few pages of RP a bit more interesting. Much "You ain't from around here are ya boy." would ensue.
Glad to hear the mappage works... jus don't zoom in too much as you'll expose my Paint ham-handedness ;)
BTW - In the Region of Berghof map the white dotted trail is the current trade route through the Icerime's, while the green dotted is the occasionally mentioned Auldweg or "Old Way" trade route, now forgotten and disused [will mention more of it in the mini-gazetteer]
You travelling there on your own sounds a plan. I do see Ragnar drnking the Kelpie's Net dry by the time the rest of them arrive! ;) We can keep it vague, I'll drop some hints that the bar in Gánnáhwǽr is being rebuilt after a big, crazy vikingr blew through town a few days back!
DM Black Dow:
I jest - he will engage in a bit of meading... probably not to Dibbets level of excess, but he won't be a cold fish at the party
@Luke: Perfect. Gazatteer will hopefully be up by week's end.
In my mind's eye we'll be looking at end of August as a starter, hopefully not too long a wait?
Wait... no boats and no drinking... No wonder your an exile! But then clearly your one o' them civilised-like Vikingr! However not having the appetites of Dibbets is welcome news lol
Somehow I missed the post with the maps ??
They work fine for me. Nice that you filled in a big blank spot on the map.
The background works, wasn't sure where the 'meetup' was happening, so that is fine.
Somehow I missed the post with the maps ??
They work fine for me. Nice that you filled in a big blank spot on the map.
The background works, wasn't sure where the 'meetup' was happening, so that is fine.
Apologies Muli, should probably post them in my profile to make it easier for all.
Meetup is happening at the village of Kustnir. Depending on the background routes, you'll all arrive independently within a day or so of each other...
Glad your good with the background, easiest route back to Iobaria from Brevoy would be across the Lake by boat, but Muli could also have come via the overland trade route? Your call...
As far as travel, Muli will likely go through the Maw of Karth in order to get back to Iobaria a directly as possible. And then head north, where he can receive word and move more directly for Kustnir.
Okay, here is drayen's character. Please take a look and give any suggestions, criticisms, etc.
Disa - very nice indeed. You probably won't find it too difficult to wrap Ragnar round your finger and lead him astray with that setup :)
Damn this party is looking tasty! [said the Is Trow to the Kuldakast Jotunn ;)heheheh]
Great job everyone - kudos to the creativity - you've raised the bar for me...
@ Drayen: Awesome job. Dísa looks great - will have a more in-depth look over her once I can shove Ragnar out of the way lol. Spell choice and flavour is particularly nice.
Perfect. Like the idea of Muli being independent and pretty fearless. The Maw of Kurth would give many pause, but Muli knows the land and the safest routes... He'll arrive independently of the others
Okay you've been in the trade-post of Gánnáhwǽr rather than Kustnir as it makes the story smoother if you all arrive in Kustnir roughly at the same time. You and Luke have met up and travel together. We'll ignore the Dwarven merchant linked backstory then?
At the tradepost of Gánnáhwǽr you meet and befriend Kevkul; dwarven priest looking to begin an independent life in Iobaria. There you'll both hear of Kustnir's plight and agree to travel there together.
@Drayen: Echo BD - nice job with the PC. A party "face" at last!
@Kevkul: Good to be traveling with a drinkin' buddy! ;-)
Damn head hurts. Remind me never to get involved in political debate on these boards!
Right on with the show - will get everyone's characters looked over good and proper by the end of the weekend.
Next week I'll fire up the mini-gazetteer and also kit each of you out with a regional rumour [or two] that you've garnered enroute to Kustnir.
All things being equal we'll hopefully start around two weeks time...
BTW out of curiosity has anyone played the original adventures [UK 2&3] - not that it matters as my Iobarian Saga sortof throws it all into the fire to be refashioned as something much more harder edged...
Heh - I have to keep reminding myself each time I open up a thread like that one. It's paying it a bit much credit to call it a 'debate' though...
I have not played the previous adventures, so all that comes shall be new and fresh to my eyes.
I haven't played these. The only UK module I played was Secret of Saltmarsh, or at least I think that was a UK module...good times with that one.
I have not played them either - all new!
@Black Dow: Remember that you should never engage in a battle of wits with opponents that are essentially unarmed but that still continue to try and prove to you that they possess a thoroughly dizzying intellect.
Cool - good to know its uncharted territory for all :)
Wise words gents - am not getting draw in any more... lol.
In the meantime anything else I can be giving out or providing by way of info/background/prep for the game?
Recap on the party:
Luke Falgren - Male Iobarian Ranger (Warden) 2
Muli Dyren - Male Iobarian Alchemist (Beastmorph) 2
Ragnar Sköld Född - Male Ulfen Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager) 2
Kevkul Steelhide - Male Dwarf Cleric of Cayden Cailean 2
Dísa Valbjörndóttir - Female Aasimar (Iobarian) Bard (Savage Skald) 2
All in all a pretty tasty group, think you'll be naaaasteee in combat...
I have never played these modules.
I was wondering if you would be open to changing the aasimar spell-like ability from daylight to divination? It's not a spell that bard's get and I thought it would be fitting for the character in her role as a volva.
** spoiler omitted **
Yeah looks a fair swap. My only concerns would be that you didn't overuse it... know it'll be useable 1/day but am happy enough to go with it as it does indeed make for better character flavour.
General note - busy beginning of the week at work guys - will post some flavour materials and character feedback towards the end of the week.
I would be fine with 1/week although in a PBP that could be years of real time.
Marcus how about this for a trade off: Augury 1/day & Divination 1/week?
Means she could cast the runes - get a jist for what forbodes the coming events [as augury is only 30mins in future], while divination would give Disa the opportunity to do a detailed reading 1/week...
How would you like to handle the divinations? I'll give you a spoilered jist and you put it into suitably cryptic Norn-speak?
Given the nature of the game this is gonna be a great mechanic and one that adds a TON of flavour to the pbp. The more I think about it the more stoked I get with potential readings etc...
Sounds fine to me. I look forward to it.
Okay all the characters are looking good gang - over the coming week can everyone just firm up backgrounds, appearance and kit they have.
Still open to any changes/suggestions and options too, so if you come across something or have a notion - sound me [or the group] out about it.
I'll give everyone their regional rumours that they've collected by the weekend [may want to incorporate them into backgrounds etc] and mini-Gazetteer by end of weekend... How's them apples?
Meow you list Iobarian Skald as a language - do you want this to be Skald [with an Iobarian dialect] and/or you've not got Auld Iobarian which would probably be a more likely language option?
Also could you fire up a wealth section on your character sheet [unless I'm missing it!] Cheers
Will get the money in there. That's my only major gripe with Hero Lab is that it does not export cash on hand as part of the normal export...doesn't make sense.
I had her coming from the east, deep inside Iobaria. She was heading west towards the Icerime Peaks and the Lake of Mist and Veils. That's pretty much as opposite from the rest of the party as it can be. Iobaria is located in Casmaron, spreading out west from the shores of the Castrovin Sea. The far western reaches of Iobaria are Issia (Northern Brevoy) and Mendev. The rest of the empire wasn't in Avistan. Are you going with canon for Iobaria or moving it?
Black Dlow:
Sheet updated
@Muli: Perfect - thanks.
Okay field a few questions here: The version of Iobaria is pretty much the Pathfinder canon [with some obvious tweaks] but the Berghof Region is indeed in "Issian" Iobaria, hence some of its links with Brevoy.
The Nirrus River can be forded at numerous points along each fork. The exceptions being at the river mouth where it meets the Lake and near Hálbriden. However there are three established bridges; two are immediately East and West of Hálbriden, the last is NE of Ciselwella.
And onto rumours... The native Iobarians start knowing 2 each and Kevkul and Ragnar 1 each. They may be true, partial truths or false... And of course some rumours might be shared ;)
Strangely discoloured corpses have been seen floating down-river past the bridge near Ciselwella. No one has dared touch them for fear of the plague.
Those who have fought the Púca claim that the chief of these woad goblins has three eyes. His extra eye was a gift from the Cyclops themselves.
Northeast of Hálbriden there is rumoured a nest of skolka; the gaunt creatures that were once the spies and assassins of the Cyclops. Nothing good comes of their presence in any land...
Hálbriden has been attacked by raiding parties of Púca or woad goblins, but the brave village militia has managed to drive them off.
Recently a merchant from Orlov and his alfur bodyguard left Kustnir for the trading post of Gánnáhwǽr. Their planned route was to skirt the coast of the Lake, and head south, but they never arrived.
Those who have fought the Púca claim that the chief of these woad goblins has three eyes. His extra eye was a gift from the Cyclops themselves.
An ancient fey spirit inhabits the Lake of Mist and Veils, and seeks to capture any traveller it encounters not protected by iron.
The very stones of the foothills of Little Icerime, north of Gánnáhwǽr, are accursed and have attacked travellers. Men and beasts have been found torn asunder, and folk whisper of rokk trow.
Black Dow and Kevkul
Luke - perfect. Background fits nicely - hopefully Kevkul will be agreeable :)
Not sure with regards the roleplaying the journey. Would give everyone a chance to get their "acting chops" with the characters, and a sedate pace over the week before our game thread kickoff in Kustnir next week... What's your preference gents?
@BD Me thinks that'll be a good idea.
Great! Want to lead us in Black Dow, sort of an intro to us leaving Gannahwaer? We can take it from there...
Will do - give me a day or two gents and I'll have something up.
"A ligean ar eagla dul ar stailc inár naimhde!"