hp 61/61 | AC 21, T 11, FF 19 | Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +2 | Acrobatics +11, Perception +5, Stealth +9 | Current animal focus: None
Razorbeak:
hp 31/31 | AC 16, FF 13, T 13
Male half-orc Hunter (Packmaster) 7 | hp 70/70 | AC 2226, T 12, FF 21 | Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +6 | Animal focus 7/7 min | Perception +17, Survival +13
Kern turns from all the gruesome displays and checks Grell for wounds. She fortunately carries none, as she was quick enough to kill her prey before they could damage her. He Pats her on the armored head, and allows her to take a few bites of one of the fallen enemies as a prize.
The wyrdcaster hunches down next to the prisoner, and runs a sharp talon shaped gauntleted fingernail down the hulk's skull, tracing the passage of melted bronze. There is a pleasing squeal of metal screeching against metal. The orc moans again, especially when Shakraal taps the bronze lump that fills his eye socket. The dreadmasque lifts, and the horrid wilting eye of potent doom slips open, blinking twice oozily before settling its baleful gaze on the unfortunate with a deep stare. Shakraal closes her two eyes as she whispers into the mewling and whining cannibal's lone ear.
"Tell us that which we wish to know. And perhaps you will live." Shakraal grabs the prisoner's head to force its eyes to watch Hakak's handiwork, while her other hand clutches the victim's own manhood for effect. "With your manhood." Shakrall graces the cannibal with a grisly smile.
Does he know fear?:
[dice=Intimidate Check DC 11]1d20-1/dice] nope
It's a magnificent display. Shakraal has learned well the craft of Lanishra. And, they almost work. The orc's eyes bulge in horror as Hakak feeds his tribesmen's tenders to Fleshripper. But, he jerks as Shakraal's hand cups his manhood her other hand slips down into the ruined side of his skull, hooking into the pinched gash that was his ear. The pain nearly overwhelms him, but the orc channels the agony to fuel his fury. His eyes burn with fierce hatred and he spits in the hexcrafter's third eye. "Take my manhood! A gelded Twisted Nail is still more man than the followers of a broodmare!"
Thoku follow Shakraal, dragging two have of an orc behind him. He lifts the lower half up by the the exposed spine, shoving the gaping wound that was the orc's loins into the orcs face. He pulls back and holds up the other half by the head. The mouth hangs open and its entrails drag across the ground.
"You see this, and know it is an orc. Even in death, without his stone and rod, he is an orc and can be seen by the Chiefs in Fire and Blood...but once I do this.." Thoku takes his hand and breaks off one of the tusks from the orcs mouth . "Now, this is no longer an orc but a fangless...a worthless piece of filth that is not even worthy of burning. Better left for the bugs than the fire. Even the soul is no longer an orc and will never be seen by our gods again"
Thoku stares deep into the orc's eyes, and the cannibal quails under the gaze of the Blood God. [b]"I don't know you but I know you will tell me what I want to know" He leans in deep, and his grin widens as he breathes deep. The orc still smells of charred meat and sweat, and Thokus's mouth waters.
"Now tell me was this just a formality or will more be coming to die...tell me quick and die an orc...or live as fangless forever" Faced with the choice of death or being abandoned by his tribe to wander the wastes alone, unable to even feed himself, the orc succumbs to fear. The tuskless are slaves, and he would be abused worse than even the softskins as an example to the rest of the tribe.
"I am Drazgur, son of Lugburz. The Twisted Nail were dishonored at the Flood Truce. Slugok, he gestures towards one of the corpses, "had much blood grog and said we should slay those who shamed us."
He spits at Slugok's corpse . "We should not have come. The Twisted Nail do not honor the Flood Truce. The shamans say Zagresh is not pleased when we make peace with our prey. We honor the Destroyer most when we slay and kill our own. we become strong when the weak are fed to the Destroyer's hoard. Shrogkar commanded us to come. He said there was a place near here that was full of Selzarian's smoke. He said the tribe could use it to make slaves of our prey"
Male Shadow's Status | Orc Cleric 3 (Undead Lord) /Sorcerer 4 (Ghoul Touched Bloodline) | HP=72/72 | 7/7 Channels | AC=20 | Init. +2 | F +7 | R +3 | W +12 | Per +6 | Cold Resistance 5
"There is wisdom in what your shamans of Zagresh say. I would agree with such an interpretation but your shaman was incorrect in believing us to be prey. Crawl back to Shrogkar. Tell him that Zagresh has spoken, we are the predator and it is you who are prey. Lay your spears at out feet at the Trial of Whispers and we shall forgive this transgression. Fail in this and the loins of all who follow him will be fed to the dire wolves and their fangs plucked to make necklaces for children who may one day be worthy".
Thoku looks deep onto the eye of the broken orc as he stands
"well, in honor of the truce you will live and stay an orc..."
Thoku takes one of the javelins moving to each of the dead and tares off their heads impaling them on the javelin and sticks it in to the ground turning back to the orc Thoku releases him
"here take the four other orcs with you but this Tuskless one will be left to the bugs, go quick be for the blood calls for you death"
and to make his point Thoku grinds the two tusk in his powerful hand, then lets the dust fall to the floor and be taken by the wind
"It is good that you know your place," Hakak said. He walked over with the last orc harvest in hand. "Take this also," Hakak proffered the item, then reconsidered and drew it back. He took a large bite and chewed with visible pleasure before handing over the remainder with a friendly smile.
"Thank your tribe for this gift. It fills our bellies. As we are greater, we share it with you. If they hunger still, we know where to find more."
hp 61/61 | AC 21, T 11, FF 19 | Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +2 | Acrobatics +11, Perception +5, Stealth +9 | Current animal focus: None
Razorbeak:
hp 31/31 | AC 16, FF 13, T 13
Male half-orc Hunter (Packmaster) 7 | hp 70/70 | AC 2226, T 12, FF 21 | Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +6 | Animal focus 7/7 min | Perception +17, Survival +13
"Now, if you're all finished scaring the whelp, let him run. He is not deserving of the scars we have given him, but there is little for it... there must be one to let his tribe know how much they've been bested."
hp 18/18 | AC 12, T 12, FF 10 | CMB: -1, CMD: 11 | Fort +4, Ref +4, Wis +6 | Init +4 | Perc +4, Darkvision 60 ft
"Indeed that was good intimidation once again, as far as returning goes your clan had better beg forgiveness. If anyone is able I believe my leg needs tending to, I am not skilled in such things."
Angered by her failure to sway the cannibal, Shakraal considers a stoic silence, but the piercing in her leg weeps blood yet. She smears a little on Thoku.
"By this I honor thee Thoku. [here turns to the necrorcmancer] Choot. I am…also…injured."
Shakraal cradles her mask, and uses her falchion to ease herself to a kneeling position. Shakraal eyes the small tidbits of the grisly remains of their attackers.
"We can also bring dishonor to the Twisted Nail by proving they broke the Flood Truce. If we initiate a true tribe, we may gain adherents from them, as well as others who wish to band with us."
"Yes, a true tribe. Thoku had said something about that today. Yes, a good idea. Let us begin something new, from this place let blood flow and with it a rising tide which lifts our people to greatness!"
" yes a new tribe one formed from the blood of combat and a like mind.. I was blessed by the blood on the start of this day, we were blessed by the trials as the Gods chose us to win. join together with me and we will take the orc horde to a new place of power ruling over all the lesser races"
Drazgur grabs the four trophies and uses them for support as he limps off into the night. Choot does not tend the comrades until the Twisted Nail whelp is out of sight. Zagresh punishes those who show weakness to a foe.
Once he is sure they are alone, he thrusts blades into the fire and presses the red hot metal to his cousins' wounds. Sweat and flesh sizzle, filling the air with cooked meat. But, his skill with Dretha's craft is up to the task, and his warband will live.
Shakraal knows there are a few ways to forge a new tribe.
The traditional way is to assemble a band of warriors under an orc who would be chief in the presence of a shaman of the Chiefs of Fire and Blood. Any of the gods will do, although Dretha is preferred. Then, those who wish to be bound in blood as one tribe perform a ritual and become Blood of Their Blood. They offer sacrifice to the Chiefs in Fire and Blood and sacrifice to each other as well.
Another way is to fight each other to submission. After each battle, the loser bears their neck to the champion, showing their submission and acceptance of the other's dominance. This goes until there are no challengers left. The final champion is the Chief and a pecking order is established through who defeated whom. Tribes established this way tend to not last very long.
A third way is to just declare yourself a tribe with a chief. Then, the tribe proves their right to be a tribe through strength of deeds and in battle with other tribes. This is the most dangerous option because they have to constantly battle other tribes to prove their strength. This lasts until they're strong enough and other tribes acknowledge their might. They will be tribeless until they are not.
No matter how a tribe forms, the tribe will not survive unless they claim territory of their own.
hp 61/61 | AC 21, T 11, FF 19 | Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +2 | Acrobatics +11, Perception +5, Stealth +9 | Current animal focus: None
Razorbeak:
hp 31/31 | AC 16, FF 13, T 13
Male half-orc Hunter (Packmaster) 7 | hp 70/70 | AC 2226, T 12, FF 21 | Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +6 | Animal focus 7/7 min | Perception +17, Survival +13
Even though it says tribes established by infighting don't last very long, I kinda wanna test myself against the rest of you... :-D
"Agreed, let us create a tribe in the traditional way. We can find a shaman of Dretha and offer our sacrifices. We will need to claim territory, but that can wait until after this convocation."
Seeing a job well done, she thanks Choot brusquely in the orc fashion - a curt nod after examining his craft. Then she removes her mask again.
The warwitch listens to Kern, and nods slowly.
"As we are the newest tribe among orcs this eve, I would say we take a new path and claim oursleves a tribe without need of priests or gods... But if we are to claim legitimacy before the other tribes, and avoid their constant attention we needs must make a show of following the old ways, as Kern says. f we had a band of a thousand warriors, and a hold to call our own - then perhaps we could dispense with hidebound ways. So - yes, I agree, we find Dretha's blessing on the morrow."
With that Shakraal stares into the fire.
"What Kring will make of her errant daughter is another matter entirely..."
While still cleaning the spines "Yes, Kern and Shakaarl i do agree that we should follow the old ways to form our tribe but i must say i am hapy and surprised to hear your willing to join us Choot and i talked and we are of like mind Kern is happy to join and one more was tribeless. Thow you have a good place in your tribe next to rule it from what you say...is it just the blessings that have fallen on us that call you or is it something else"
to be clear i want us all in the same new tribe but i feel that my character would ask this hope i did not anger you ^_^
as Thoku talks he deftly removes the spine from one of the orcs and sets it by the fire so the fat will heat and melt off
Shakraal's head angles ever so slightly as Thoku speaks. Her eyes narrow as if she has encountered something...wrong.
"Brave Thoku. You speak of Kern and I joining you. Is this to be your tribe? Why should it not be couched as you joining mine? Or Kern's, or Hakak's, or Kraq's? Are you to be chief? By what right? Might? Blood?"
Shakraal looks to each in turn.
"We are a good unit, a squad perhaps, but a true tribe respects more than just physical primacy or the dark arts. Do not mistake my desire to form a new tribe as a desire to replace one serfdom with another. And before you ask, no, I do not seek to be the chief. But if I am to be then so be it."
Shakraal knows she is preching revolutionary concepts, but her mind is bent toward a new age, where orcs leave behind the vestiges of their primitive ways.
No problems Thoku. And don't doubt that if it coms to it, Shakraal will support you as the chief - you are easily the biggest, meanest and maddest of our bunch. All the better to take the heat of leadership, and be a magnet for warriors to flock to. After all, behind every great man is a better woman. RIght up until she removes your head and plants it on a stake. ;)
"Shakraal, true i have grate power but the blood also blessed me with a strong mind for one can't take the hoard to a new frontier with out the knowledge and foresight to see it through. Even if i have the power of an army in me not every orc i would lead would carry the same power, so i and any who lead with me would have to know the beast way to use the power of even the weaker orcs" Thoku cleans another spine
"look at the four i have here they were weak but if they had been lead by the right leader together...then they could be strong. Thats what i want for one day when all orcs stand together we could rule the realm...and never lose one to the giants or knife ears anyone...unless they were foolish and came for my head, ahahaha or i would guess yours eh?"
ok cool sometimes i get really into my characters and say thins as i feel they would even if it would cause a argument thats why i had to place that and this disclaimer lol
hp 18/18 | AC 12, T 12, FF 10 | CMB: -1, CMD: 11 | Fort +4, Ref +4, Wis +6 | Init +4 | Perc +4, Darkvision 60 ft
"I have no desire to lead a clan what so ever, I do however have plans to start training battle casters, assault the other tribes with fire and lighting and rule them all, I suppose that means I would rather be a supreme 'shaman' then a war leader is what I am saying."
I try not to talk Orc like cause he is intelligent, I sort of find it akin to Idiocracy if anyone is familiar.
Male Shadow's Status | Orc Cleric 3 (Undead Lord) /Sorcerer 4 (Ghoul Touched Bloodline) | HP=72/72 | 7/7 Channels | AC=20 | Init. +2 | F +7 | R +3 | W +12 | Per +6 | Cold Resistance 5
"Zagresh bids me to advise the Orc Warlord who would rule the tribes. Look at my skinny arms. My skinny legs. I am not fit to be Warmaster. My skills are as advisor. I will assist in determining which of you should lead us. Too long have the will of the Gods been ignored! Allow me to petition Zagresh to answer that question, after all, it is he who knows how all things will end..."
Agreed Kraq! We don't have time for a hand job, we need to find seven billion dollars to ride the time masheen...
I think right now we are just a war band, since we have not been recognized by the other tribes as one. So in order to be a tribe we will have to to the ceremony
So, let me make sure i have this right. You guys want to:
1) finish the trials.
2) declare yourself a tribe
3) that's it.
am I missing anything?
I'll try to get a post up... soon. I contracted some bizarre form of plague in San Diego, and it's knocking me for a loop, so a post will be coming later than I hoped, but it will be coming tonight. (promise!)
Dawn comes, and once more the Burning Angel spills her red water across the sky. The new comrades rise from their bedrolls amid a feasting of vultures tearing strips of fresh from the slain orcs. The corpse-tearers squawk and flap oily wings as the warriors awake, but they stay at the ground, burying beaks and talons into the flesh of the fallen. Such is the way of life: The strong prey upon the weak and grow stronger.
Soon, the cookfires flare to life, and the air is filled with the scent of roasting meat. Slaves moan and howl beneath the whips and strength of their orc masters and the second day of the Flood Truce stirs to life. Horns blare and drums boom as fierce orcs in metal masks and scarred armor ride through the campgrounds astride a fierce gorthek. Their masks bear sharp tusks and horns, snarling maws and sharp metallic teeth, and cruel spikes. Their leader has a mask that is hinged and cups his lower jaw as well as his upper face. On their shoulders are cloaks and decorations made from the manes and leathered hides of culled gortheks. The skulls of their mounts are also bound in metal, and the beasts bristle with heavy spiked armor, their claws are shod in razor-sharp iron blades. Each gorthek roars in challenge, and their riders respond in kind. Behind these mounted beast riders, stomp twenty leather-clad warriors, their bodies scarred with the marks of their strength and bravery. Their battle prowess is proven with their life. In the hand of each warrior is a stout chain leading to a muzzled and hobbled gorthek. These beasts are wild, still. Each attempts to charge or bite a the orc in front of them or at those nearby. Only their chains and muzzles prevent them from doing any real harm.
This second day is dedicated to Lanistra, the Lord of Chains. It is the day when the gorthek riders prove their might by bonding themselves to a single beast, breaking them to their will and binding them in iron.
Soon, the small parade stomps its way to the stage. The wild gortheks are bound first, locked in yokes and chains, unable to move even their heads. Then, the muzzles are removed. Next, the unmasked orcs are brought forward, and bound to stout poles thrust into the stage. Those who have hair are quickly shorn so their skulls and faces are smooth as a newly-spawned whelp. Behind each bound orc stands a gorthek rider, proud in their metal masks and battle-scarred armor.
Then, a priest of Lanistra steps onto the stage. A thick collar of iron encloses his neck the roaring tiger of the Slavelord has been peeled from the skin of his chest. Chains encircle his arms and legs, winding up and down the limbs, and attached to thick rings embedded into the flesh at shoulders and hips and about cuffs around wrist and ankles. His loins are covered by a kilt of thick spiked chains which dangle from a belt of iron about his waist. From this belt, he unhooks a flail and points to the center of the stage. Two human slaves drag a burning brazier onto the stage, and cower beside it. Following them, are two more slaves each holding a tray of iron masks. The slave-speaker steps to the front of the stage and holds his flail aloft.
Tribes of Belkzen! These warriors are claimed by the tribes! Each bears the mark of their people, each has sworn to serve their chieftain! Each of these warriors have hunted into the mountains, and claimed a gorthek cub as its own! There flesh tells the tale of their prowess! They have served Lanistra well, breaking their cubs to their will. Now, they shall be bound in iron by Fire and Blood to the soul of their fierce warbeast! Two mighty warriors becoming one!
He grabs one of the cowering human slaves and thrusts him bodily into the fire. The man shrieks in agony as the flames of the brazier devour him, filling the air with the delicious scent of burnt manflesh. The other human tries to run, but his chains hobble his movements and the Tyrantmouth grabs him easily. The shaman holds the mewling human above the metal masks and cuts his neck so that the masks are bathed in the slave's blood.
Let our sacrifice be made of Flesh and of Blood! The two warriors become one! One spirit! One mind! One body! He throws the corpse into the fire as well, then carefully places each mask (twenty orc-sized, and twenty larger ones, fit for a gorthek) in a circle about the perimeter of the brazier. When the orc-sized masks are white hot he thrusts his hand into the coals and retrieves one. He stomps to the first bound warrior, who snarls a challenge but holds himself still, and places the mask on the warrior's skull.
To his credit, the warrior turns his cry of agony into a mighty battle-roar, as the metal burns binds to his flesh. Next, the shaman of the Slavelord takes hammer and nail and drives them mask into the warrior's skull. Blood rains free from the wounds, but burns quickly into mist from the searing heat of the mask.
He repeats this each time with the remaining warriors. The beast riders remove the warriors' bindings and pour a bucket of blood over the newly-masked heads. Then, each warrior, his face still smoking from the masks' heat, stalks to the brazier and retrieves a mask. They repeat the ritual performed on them with the gortheks. The beast snarl and snap at the orcs, who seem immune to the smoke rising from their hands. But, their snarls and roars turn screams of pain as the hot metal is placed on their skulls and then nailed into place. Blood is thrown on their masks as well and their bindings are unleashed. The gortheks stumble forward and each beast places its head at the feet of the orc standing before it. These beast riders are triumphant! It is a good sign that the Chiefs in Fire and Blood are pleased, no gorthek rejected their master this day. Beast rider and mount alike roar in triumph and then leap from the stage as one, to ride into the wilds and hunt, completing the secret rituals of the gorthek riders.
The stage quickly clears after and the comrades are left alone. Near the stage, someone has built a fighting pit for the Trial of Fangs, to honor Lanistra by compelling creatures to obey and fight for survival. To the east, someone has created a maze for the Trial of Whispers. Beyond that, the warriors can hear roars of excitement from the spectators of a Trial of the Pit. And, on a hill, two tribes pull mightily on a chain in the Trial of the Tribe.
Lots of things you can do today. 1) more trials (which you said you wanted to do), 2) find a shaman to help you make your own tribe... 3) um.. something else you want to do?
as all orcs in the Hold of Belkzen know, a gorthek looks like a rhinoceros, head and claws of a lion, and the temperament and horns of a giant bull. They're deadly predators and much prized warbeasts by orcs.
So a scaly rhino-sized lion with bull's horns? Freakin' me out.
Awesome post Dragon!.
I'm fine to Trial of Whispers as a group or help companion'd party members win the Trial of Fangs. If we want to do the Trial of the Tribe, let's become one first. My preference is to become a Tribe as quick as possible, but not miss out on any Trials.
awesome visuals dragon*_*
If we can help kern in this trial of companion then OK if not I'll try my hand at the trial of wishers and the if everyone is up to it we could combine our trial bonuses together and dominate the tug of war. After that do the tribe ceremony what do you all think?
Thoku places his hand on Choot's shoulder "ah, am well hidden when I chose the shadows cling to me if I wish it let's try the wipers then wise Choot"
hp 61/61 | AC 21, T 11, FF 19 | Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +2 | Acrobatics +11, Perception +5, Stealth +9 | Current animal focus: None
Razorbeak:
hp 31/31 | AC 16, FF 13, T 13
Male half-orc Hunter (Packmaster) 7 | hp 70/70 | AC 2226, T 12, FF 21 | Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +6 | Animal focus 7/7 min | Perception +17, Survival +13
Kern found himself turning his eyes from the spectacle several times, especially when the poor beasts were masked and burned. He patted Grell's head. "I have no need to do something so horrible to you, my friend. You and I are one, and need no ceremonies to prove it," he whispered to her.
"I would like to participate in the Trial of Fangs, my friend, though I do not mind aiding you in your trial first."
Kern is eager to show that his companion is every bit as deadly as those who have been cowed into submission by force.
Yeah, we are here now. Let's do "Grell is awesome!!!". What about "Thrall doesn't lose any more bits?" - are undead/slaves allowed in the Trial of Fangs?
Grell, Fleshripper, and Thrull are all allowed to compete in the Trial of Fangs. So can summoned creatures. Technically, even slaves can fight. It's basically showing your ability to make another (un)living thing fight and die for you, thus proving your strength of will and dominance over that living (or unliving) thing. You can use aid another or buffs to support your pets, or u can try to distract (but not harm) the opponent thru spells and thrown items. An Orc hurting the opponent is not "fair" since nanorc is expected to be able to kill anything. Magic should be hidden becomes dominance thru strength and force is more pleasing to Lanishra than dominance thru Selzarian's tongue (magic).
Male Shadow's Status | Orc Cleric 3 (Undead Lord) /Sorcerer 4 (Ghoul Touched Bloodline) | HP=72/72 | 7/7 Channels | AC=20 | Init. +2 | F +7 | R +3 | W +12 | Per +6 | Cold Resistance 5
Choot has no interest in the Trial of the Fang and says nothing about entering Thrull in it though buffing him on a round by round basis would make him a difficult opponent to face...
hp 61/61 | AC 21, T 11, FF 19 | Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +2 | Acrobatics +11, Perception +5, Stealth +9 | Current animal focus: None
Razorbeak:
hp 31/31 | AC 16, FF 13, T 13
Male half-orc Hunter (Packmaster) 7 | hp 70/70 | AC 2226, T 12, FF 21 | Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +6 | Animal focus 7/7 min | Perception +17, Survival +13
I have a pretty good idea of what I'll do as far as buffing Grell. Just before the combat, I'll cast bristle on her, giving her +1 damage on all natural attacks for a -1 AC tradeoff. Then during the battle, I'll use my animal call kit to try to distract the opponent.
The Trial of Fangs is a small pit carved from the loose earth of the Flood Plain and supported with rubble and cut timbers. Unlike the other trials, there are no spikes or flames, no razors, and no weapons. The fierce slaves of the orc beast-trainers are the weapons.
As the comrades approach the fighting pit, they see a combat is already underway. An armored lizard rips and tears at the belly and sides of a massive boar. The bear flexes and the dinosaur falls onto its back, kicking and scrabbling in the air. The boar lowers its head at a command from its master and charges, running its tusks deep into the lizard's gut. The beast roars in pain, but turns on its side and rakes all four limbs along the boar's side. Blood oozes from the wounds as great rents appear in the beast's armor and hide. Then, the dinosaur rears on its hind legs and clamps its teeth down on the boar. Its savages the thing's until there's a mighty crack and a final squeal of anguish from the boar. The dinosaur roars in victory and begins eating at the corpse.
Two orcs approach a shaman of Lanistra who is dressed similarly to the one who opened the day's ceremony. The voice of the Slavelord sits in a simple chair formed by four terrified kneeling humans. Such is his mastery and power that the brave warriors who approach him kneel in supplication at his feet. The shaman takes up his flail and beats the boar's owner mercilessly with his weapon, and then the traditional exchange of blood-wealth occurs. Each warrior makes the sign of Lanistra and then leave.
A female steps forward, wearing the hides of the Ice Tooth."I am Voothra! I have wandered the dry plains of the soft lands south of the wastes I call home. I have found no beast worth besting, no warbeast worthy of breaking to my will! I prove this by bringing you this!" She whistles and a giant two-legged bird leaps into the pit. Its beak is razor sharp, its talons are swords rending the ground. Bones and spines protrude between its feathers. The axebeak lifts its head into the air and squawks a fierce challenge.I, Voothra offer this beast to you, Slavelord! May its service to me honor you! Who will honor Lanistra! Who will honor the Chief of Chains! Who will please the Shackles and Collar of the World?
Basically, this is a Pokemon-style battle. You order your pets to fight something, and they do, or die. You can assist through aid another, skill checks, or surreptitiously sling spells. Anything that happens before the animals enter the arena is fair game. Anything that happens inside the arena is expected to be without magic (you can cheat, though, you just gotta hide it). The Initiative is up only for when Grell and Fleshripper enter the arena
Male Shadow's Status | Orc Cleric 3 (Undead Lord) /Sorcerer 4 (Ghoul Touched Bloodline) | HP=72/72 | 7/7 Channels | AC=20 | Init. +2 | F +7 | R +3 | W +12 | Per +6 | Cold Resistance 5
Memorial Day Weekend, every game is pretty dead right now except for one that just started this morning. Plus Choot is here more for moral support, he does not have really any spells or skills that will assist in this particular trial.
. Ahh I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I took a quick skip to the big island to see friends and family for the weekend. Didn't tell anyone on the boards because I knew I could keep updating.
Enjoy mass quantities of charred flesh and fermented wheat-based products and wheat-based byproducts!
ya i have not said anything since this is not one trial that i am in...so and good on you fir dong that Coneheads reference , consume mass quantities ^_^ nad i know that Kern is at paizo con right now
Hooray! You’re reading this! That means you’re at least partially interested in playing this game. Kudos. Below, you’ll find all the guidelines and house rules you’ll need to make a character to run in Blood Rage of the Wastes, the Giantslayer Adventure Path set in Belkzen. One spot is spoken for, and I’m looking for 4-5 more players.
First, a bit about me::
I’m new to PbP on the Paizo boards. I’ve played for for over 20 years ( DnD and then Pathfinder mostly, with occasional forays into Rifts, World of Darkness, and Mutants and Masterminds). I prefer Pathfinder and MM to all of the others. I’ve GM’d for many of those years. I have 3 successful PbeMs going (Council of Thieves, Skull and Shackles, and Jade Regent), and I have just started a PbP Kingmaker game set in Tian Xia. Because it’s been such a positive experience, I figured I’d start another PbP, because… why not? For those of you worrying about time crunch and competing with other games, I live in Hawaii and I’m a teacher. I live for paperwork and I’m 6 hours behind Eastern Standard Time, so I know I can manage flow.
Now, about the game!
Setting:
It’s set in Belkzen, and you’re expected to be natives. I would like to do this as a sort of reverse-AP. The party will be composed entirely of orcs and half-orcs. The party will be recruited by a nascent warlord with aspirations of challenging Grask Uldreth himself. You can belong to any tribe (although it may help for you to belong to the same tribe).
Character Background::
When you submit your characters, I would like a paragraph detailing at least one big character goal you have for the PC. If nothing else happens the entire game, what is the one thing you want your PC to accomplish? You can have more than one goal. In fact, I encourage it, since it gives me more levers to pull and helps invest your character in the events of the game. You don’t have to be married to the idea, after all, plans can change. But, it should be there to start with. Feel free to think as big or small as you want, after all, you’re getting a kingdom out of this, so the sky’s the limit.
The game will open with a brief introduction during the annual festival known as the Flood Truce. Put as much detail into your tribe as you want. If you want to be part of an established tribe, I’ve put very brief descriptions of each tribe in a doc at the top. If you want to make your own tribe, go for it. If you’re interested, Belkzen: Hold of the Orc Hordes; Orcs of Golarion; and the Giantslayer Player’s Guide have a host of information about bout the Hold of Belkzen as well as key locations in this AP. I don’t expect you to have those, however. I’ll provide any supplemental info you might want.
Slots::
Five to Six total. One is already spoken for. That leaves 4-5 spots up for grabs.
I don’t care about ‘balanced’ parties. I’m more interested in what the PCs backgrounds bring to the table. You’re all orcs; what sets your orc apart from other orcs? That’s what matters. I want you to send in characters that you feel passionate about and that you want to play. I’ve seen all-witch parties decimate encounters, and I’ve seen perfectly balanced parties tank. I can always give you guys items and gear that will accommodate an unfilled role if it becomes an issue.
Crunch::
No 3rd party content.
25 point buy. You can drop scores to 7 (lower with racial modifiers, of course).
You have max gp for your class to buy your gear. You can use skills like craft to reduce the cost of this gear as per the rules in the PFSRD. All rolls (pre-game) are assumed to be successes. Have fun.
Start at 1st level.
Any alignment is allowed (even chaotic evil). You can be evil. Don’t be a jerk, though. Remember, you have to be able to work together with your comrades in arms to survive. Even chaotic evil characters can get behind that philosophy.
Orc is the main language of Belkzen. So, everyone is expected to know it.
You can be the following races: orc, half-orc.
All official paizo classes, archetypes, and prestige classes are allowed.
A character starts with 4 traits. One trait must be a campaign trait selected from the traits listed in the Player’s Guide. The remaining traits (such as those given by feats or drawbacks) may be selected from any combination of other traits.
Hit points: max hd + constitution modifier at each level .
Crafting is allowed.
Leadership feats are allowed.
Throughout this AP, you’ll be fighting some dragons, a lot of giants and a bunch of other humanoids. I don’t know much of what happens in later books, save those very broad strokes, so keep that in mind when you’re looking at builds.
Norms::
I’ll roll initiative, perception checks, and anything that needs to be resolved immediately, you can handle everything else.
If you want an immediate action to go off, you need to tell me when you want that to occur, either during your turn as a condition that I’ll look for the subsequent round (yes you will need to keep stating the condition for the immediate action each turn). I will not, slog through 3 actions to get the immediate action in play. So, if you don’t immediately tell me when you want your immediate action to occur (or the condition that triggers it), it’s not gonna happen.
I’m expecting a post schedule of 1 per 48 hours to allow for time differences.
Please keep track of your own statuses and what not. List essential stats (race, class level, alignment, hp, initiative, and perception) in the alias bar, spoiler everything else.
Please, be civil and polite to each other in these threads. I don’t approve of name calling or anything like that. If you disagree with someone’s opinions, discuss it respectfully in a level tone.
I’m new to PbP. I’m going to make mistakes. Please be gentle when I do :) I’ll try to fix what i borked.
Recruitment will end on April 17 at midnight Hawaiian Time (that’s 6am April 18 for those of you on the East Coast).
Definitely interested in this. Considering perhaps a former member of the Defiled Corpse tribe who was sickened by the creation of the Carcass Man of Belkzen and fled to join another tribe. Still has some canniballistic tendencies.
I'll come up with a more concrete idea, but I'm definitely in if you'll have me. :)
Currently pondering, all melee-oriented:
1) A druid, either saurian shaman because dinosaurs are cool or goliath because bigger is better.
2) A oracle of battle, the dark tapestry, or battle.
3) A swashbuckler. Because there's something wonderful about playing a member of the raaaaaaaaaaaar race who does flips and pirouettes around the battlefield with a slender blade.
And, while i'm at it, I'll have a doc for common Orc gods. I'll include the racial pantheon and the Golarion-wide deities. You don't have to worship them, but it'll be there for an FYI.
Hmmm... An orc kineticist sounds like an interesting option. A small guy, runt of the litter but tough. Nobody thought he'd make it. Until one day when he started hurling thunderbolts around. Nobody was going to push him around any longer.
Will you accept playtest material? Under the usual assumption that I have to live with the changes when the final version comes out, good or bad.
Hmmm... An orc kineticist sounds like an interesting option. A small guy, runt of the litter but tough. Nobody thought he'd make it. Until one day when he started hurling thunderbolts around. Nobody was going to push him around any longer.
Will you accept playtest material? Under the usual assumption that I have to live with the changes when the final version comes out, good or bad.
Eh... Gonna say no to play test at the moment, sorry.
A note on blending archetypes: as long as they're legal combos, I'll probably say OK. But, remember, if 2 archetypes touch the same ability, they're invalid as a combo
This is Gorr Bardagi, a Half-Orc Ranger who ended up being raised by Elves.
GM Dragonofashandflame I gave him the Giant Slayer from Rise of the Runelords, because it is recommend in the players guide for this AP. If you don't want to allow it let me know, and I will swap it out for slayer instead.
character sheet:
Gorr Bardagi
Male half-orc ranger 1
NG Medium humanoid (human, orc)
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +6
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Defense
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AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14 (+3 armor, +3 Dex, +1 shield)
hp 13 (1d10+3)
Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +3
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee bardiche +4 (1d10+4/19-20) or
. . kukri +4 (1d4+3/18-20)
Ranged composite longbow +4 (1d8+3/×3) or
. . longbow +4 (1d8/×3)
Special Attacks favored enemy (giants +2)
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Statistics
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Str 16, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 17
Feats Point-blank Shot
Traits adopted, giant slayer, sacred touch, vexing defender, Civilized
Skills Acrobatics +2 (-2 to jump, +6 to move through enemy's space without provoking an attack of opportunity if the enemy is larger than you), Climb +5, Craft (bows) +2, Knowledge (local) +7, Knowledge (nature) +4, Perception +6, Survival +6; Racial Modifiers +1 Acrobatics, +1 Climb, +2 Knowledge (local)
Languages Common, Orc
SQ orc blood, track +1, wild empathy +0
Combat Gear caltrops (2); Other Gear studded leather, buckler, arrows (40), bardiche, composite longbow (+3 Str), kukri, longbow, bandolier, bedroll, canteen, canteen, flint and steel, grappling arrow, hammock, masterwork backpack, mess kit, powder (2), silk rope (50 ft.), trail rations (5), whetstone, wrist sheath, 16 gp, 9 sp, 3 cp
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Special Abilities
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Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Favored Enemy (Giants +2) (Ex) +2 to rolls vs. Favored Enemy (Giants) foes.
Giant Slayer +1 Bluff, Perception, Sense Motive, attack and damage against giants.
Orc Blood Half-orcs count as both humans and orcs for any effect related to race.
Point-Blank Shot +1 to attack and damage rolls with ranged weapons at up to 30 feet.
Sacred Touch You were exposed to a potent source of positive energy as a child, perhaps by being born under the right cosmic sign, or maybe because one of your parents was a gifted healer. As a standard action, you may automatically stabilize a dying creature mer
Track +1 Add the listed bonus to survival checks made to track.
Vexing Defender +4 trait bonus to Acrobatics to move through larger creatures space without provoking AoO.
Wild Empathy +0 (Ex) Improve the attitude of an animal, as if using Diplomacy.
backstory:
Many half-orcs are born of violence. An Orc takes a slave, or defeated foe, or a prize from a raid, has his way with them, and it is done. In the Hold of Belkzen, it goes from most, to almost all being conceived this way. Somewhere in Belkzen however one Half-orc was not.
Gudrik Bardagi, also known as Gudrik the Skull Taker, always took the head from his foes, and his domicile was full of them. Skulls of bested foes from many ages and places, ancient ruins, and high peaks. His collection gained him some notoriety, enough to peak the interest of a human anthropologist name Megan. She asked his permission to view his collection, to study the skulls of human skeletons and mummies he had collected from tombs, to so if there were changes over the ages.
She went to his holding at her own risk, for while guests of other races are permitted in Urgir, their safety is not guaranteed. After examining the skulls, and hearing his stories of collecting them over very strong wine, they lay together that night, and soon after a son was born.
Soon after however, Megan was forced to flee with her child during a raid by another orc tribe. As she ran she was struck down, and long after the battle was over young Gorr was found by two traveling elves, who took pity on the child and took him with him to their elven home.
Gorr was raised in the temple of Ketephys, god of the hunt and taught the ways of the hunt, and elvish traditions. He grew into a powerful and skilled hunter, rivaling any of his elf boon brethren.
This life was not always easy. He was taunted for being different by many of the elves, and many even saw him as a bad omen, or even some sort of spy. Gorr found comfort only in the hunt, and moved from hunting game for food, to hunting enemies of the elves to protect them.
This proved to the elves that he belonged, and they all fully welcomed him with open arms. Gorr still found something missing however. He had been told of how he came here, but he never knew his fathers name, or his mothers, or where in the Hold they were from.
The temple elders told him to travel to the Hold, and hunt his answers down. They told hi to experience the land of his birth, and decide if his home was with the people who shared his blood, or the people that raised him.
goals/reasons:
So Gorr's goals are to find his father, find where his mother died, maybe track down who or what did it and kill them/it, and decide if he wants to live as an Orc or an elf. Obviously he is just visiting this area right now, and has no idea what is going on, what all of the tribes are, what customs are ect. He is a tourist in his own nation. Also if you wanted to change the name of who his father is, that is fine, I pull that from another character backstory.
A lot of his character come from being an orc raised be elves. He believes in Elven traditions, and does things in the elven way.
things crafted:
I crafted both bows, I can just barely make the DC for the compound bow.
Okay I'm working on a half-orc Feral Hunter with a Warcat of Rull (from Belkzen, Hold of the Orc Hordes) companion.
He'll later take several levels of Fighter (Drill Sergeant) I think as well. He's been trained as a war leader, and eventually hopes to train his warcat as a mount. He's a follower of Rull the Tunderer, and hails from the Storm-Screamers tribe, though he's found Regnat the Green's methods a bit boring, and is looking to join a more bloodthirsty group.
Since I WROTE the Warcat of Rull I'm super excited to try one out!
Okay I'm working on a half-orc Feral Hunter with a Warcat of Rull (from Belkzen, Hold of the Orc Hordes) companion.
He'll later take several levels of Fighter (Drill Sergeant) I think as well. He's been trained as a war leader, and eventually hopes to train his warcat as a mount. He's a follower of Rull the Tunderer, and hails from the Storm-Screamers tribe, though he's found Regnat the Green's methods a bit boring, and is looking to join a more bloodthirsty group.
Since I WROTE the Warcat of Rull I'm super excited to try one out!
having a hard time deciding... so I'll ask DM an others
is this a "serious" game, or is it more open to "funny characters" if so I may go half-orc Tetori who is always oiled up...
otherwise, Ideas are-
MOMS 2/brawler X
Martial artist X
Judo Master (maneuver master monk, focused on tripping...hehehe, I could throw giants..)
and one a bit different, the far strike monk (thrown weapons)
While most of the above (save tetori) would hold the same personality, (think, half-orc trying to prove himself, serious, mean, rough..)
the far strike would be more.. fluid, and chatty.
Hmm.. good question on tone. I plan on this game being very grim and gritty. It's Belkzen, after all. There will be blood-sacrifices of not-nearly-dead sentient creatures, probable cannibalism, and wanton blood lust and mass slaughter.
But, even without me orc-ing the game up, it's still a pretty dark campaign. The first book, as written, is fairly dark i.e. the hopeknife ceremony in which adults teach children as young as 11 the precise arteries to cut so that they don't end up alive in orc cookpots (among other things). This is their rite of passage into adulthood. That implies a level of grim that isn't necessarily present in, say, the Jade Regent adventure path, which is a fairly happy romp along the not!Silk Road.
That said, an oiled-up orc brawler is kind of a cool sight (oil could be any fluid, really: brain matter, fat, blood of the enemies, mud), and kind of appropriate to the setting, regardless of shtick.
However, I will take cues from the PCs on tone. So, go with your gut on what to submit.
M'Gora Tarkkan, Half-Orc white haired witch/hexcrafter staff magus. Hails from a tribe of Orc/half-Orc witches, mostly male-haters who steal away male humans solely for procreation. She has been prophecied to be the future leader of her tribe and is seen as a symbol of fear amongst her tribe and those surrounding. She is still relatively young and has a lot to prove. She is heavily concerned that she won't ever fully come into terms with her role and that Orc society won't ever accept her as one of their own due to her strong human appearance.
I would (hopefully) play her as meek and nervous at first, not quite experienced with the world just yet until she comes into her own light and becomes a ruthless leader in her own right.
M'Gora Tarkkan, Half-Orc white haired witch/hexcrafter staff magus. Hails from a tribe of Orc/half-Orc witches, mostly male-haters who steal away male humans solely for procreation. She has been prophecied to be the future leader of her tribe and is seen as a symbol of fear amongst her tribe and those surrounding. She is still relatively young and has a lot to prove. She is heavily concerned that she won't ever fully come into terms with her role and that Orc society won't ever accept her as one of their own due to her strong human appearance.
I would (hopefully) play her as meek and nervous at first, not quite experienced with the world just yet until she comes into her own light and becomes a ruthless leader in her own right.
Would taking the Feral alternate racial trait, which removes the starting languages, and not having high Int or Linguistics bonus languages be allowed? Basically a grunting orc.
Would taking the Feral alternate racial trait, which removes the starting languages, and not having high Int or Linguistics bonus languages be allowed? Basically a grunting orc.
hmmm... Yes. There are a lot of orc tribes that are described as fairly primitive, and Zagresh is pretty much the deific archetype of what you described.
I'm looking at a Forgepriest Warpriest of Varg/Gorum. Basically he is convinced that Varg is simply the Orcish persona of Gorum with more Orcish values projected on an otherwise human god.
I'm looking at a Warpriest of Varg/Gorum. Basically he is convinced that Varg is simply the Orcish persona of Gorum with more Orcish values projected on an otherwise human god.
Mauhur of the Defiled Corpse, ready to grunt, gesture, and hit things with a big club. True Primitive Barbarian with the Feral orc trait and the Orphaned by Giants campaign trait. He has a giant's femur that he has fashioned into a club, and some crudely stitched hides. A long-term goal I'd have for Mauhur would be to try to integrate into greater orc society in Belkzen without discarding his beliefs, maybe settle down and complete the Feral Heart story feat. The major problem with that plan is that as a Defiled Corpse, Mauhur has eaten a couple of the other tribes' minor leaders, and has quite a ways to go before the others forget about it.
True Primitives also get Favored Terrain for their homeland, what's the dominant terrain in the Defiled Corpse's territory?
I have a question how are you running this game I've seen some people say they're going to play one class / another is that just multiclassing or are you allowing gestalt rules?
I know some people don't like gestalt but I have a lot of fun with gestalt customization you can do. being able to mix two classes together at the same time if no its cool I just have a question. I had an idea in my head for the Summoner / blood. Disciple, and then I was going to be taking levels in monk possibly concentrating on using a staff as a weapon
