"What we were doing in Endurant, Lord Mayor, was arriving too late. We are a band of, among other things, traveling healers, but when we reached the town of Endurant there was nobody alive to heal, save one small girl. The fiends we killed set upon us on the road, but the town itself was a smouldering ruin—and we chose to return here, in order to warn the nearest city."
It's obvious that recent events are not spoiling Shyness' appetite. She digs in to the food with obvious gusto.
She nods along as Arabeth speaks. When Arabeth says, "There will be rumor flying soon enough," Shyness gives a quick glance at the precautions being taken against the imps and then bursts out in loud guffaws. She slaps the table several times. "A fine joke, Sister!... rumor flying...," she manages to get out.
Arabeth does smile at Shyness burst of humor, though it is tinged with slight sadness that her speaking seems to have been misheard. She glances towards Alice.
"Well... yes, possibly somethings might, indeed, be flying around..." And previous encounters and thoughts dim her smile and good cheer...
"I am a healer, willing to help. My cousins, as Cernan tells you, have a very useful range of abilities. But more importantly, a genuine desire to help."
Finishes her late breakfast with her companions. Gives pleasant thanks to their hostess for their time, effort and the meal provided, before rising, settling her cloak about her shoulders and heading off to re-join the rest of the company.
Natanja considers The Lord Mayor's question, and finds herself the third to respond.
"I walk with the Spirits and am a fair healer. I managed to find the surviving girl in the rubble and aid her.
Others of our group are strong defenders, and thus we were able to defeat the small fiends whose corpses you see before you."
She nods at the guard holding the imp corpse and bag.
"Fascinating.
Well, you're certainly welcome to help defend the city against threats, just so long as you're not causing chaos, and this isn't some grand scheme to get paid an exorbitant sum.
We want to keep the peace here."
"Sir, they've not asked for payment, and have even filed a proper report on their findings."
As Captain Ronald reaches into his own bag to produce Cernan's report, he also notices something else, and extracts a certain distinctive ring and dagger.
"Also, Sir, you may be interested to see these items they recovered from the rubble. It seems there was a nobleman visiting Endurant who died in the blaze."
Mayor Vertin's eyes grow suddenly wide, and they flit from one of you to another, then back to the ring. He leans forward with utter fascination, reaching for it...
"You say the owner of this ring is now dead? Are you quite certain?"
"From the state of the bodies we weren't able to identify any of them. But from the state of the town I would say it would be very hard for anyone, except the little girl we found, to have survived. Also, if anyone would have escaped, we would have found them, or they would have reached here already."
The Lord Mayor examines the ring and responds softly, almost to himself.
"Yes, of course. It's a great tragedy. But none of those non-noblemen or children could potentially have become the next King of Theramark. This definitely changes things!"
After assurances that he will devote resources to Vigilant's defense and send word of this tragedy to appropriate persons in the Capital, The Lord Mayor dismisses the lot of you.
Captain Ronald thanks you again for your information and assistance and asks that you report to him with any new information.
Cernan, Lesith, and Natanja head back toward the Green Tree Inn to find their companions.
Meanwhile, Arabeth, Chap, Marius, Poterol, and Shyness step out of the Green Tree Inn to see about finding the rest of you.
Also, Eli, Aeryth, and Sister Azmaria stop by a local blacksmith's shop after returning Gina to Uncle Max. At the sight of Capt. Ronald's note, the blacksmith willingly allows you use of his forge in the coming days, but suggests that you wait until morning to begin, since the forge has already been heavily used today.
As the sun sets, all eleven of you find each other once again outside the Green Tree Inn.
Now's the time to update each other on what you've learned and decide what you're doing next... Game on!
Eli heads up to his companions. There is a conspicuous lack of a young girl, and his sacks seem somewhat lighter. Nodding briefly at those who've come from the Inn, he turns to Cernan, Lesith, and Natanja.
His impassive masked face appraises them. "Greetings, cousins. How goes it. What happened with the mayor. Did he take the threat seriously. Was any more information gathered." he... asks... yes, asks, that's it... his fellows.
Arabeth curtsies politely in greetings towards her traveling/adventuring friends. She listens intently to learn all that she can about the meeting with the Mayor.
"I hope we were taken seriously. And we learn that Sir Hawkthorne could potentially have become the next King of Theramark."
She looks down.
"And I am afraid the Mayor consider that life much more important than all the others lost at Vigilant."
"The Mayor has gone so far as to strongly suggest that the whole attack was just an assassination—or at least, that he believes such an explanation more likely than random fiendish attacks."
M Aasimar Hunter (Divine Hunter) 2 | HP 22/22 | AC 17 (14FF/13T) | F+5, R+6, W+3 | CMD 16 | Init +3 | Perc +7
"Sounds as good an explanation as any," Marius grumbles. He didn't pretend to understand the machinations of devils and their kin, but knew they always had some kind of agenda behind their actions. Destruction for destruction's sake was one thing - but that would make them no better than a common vandal. No, devilkin were always up to something more. "It's not like we found any indication otherwise. But why?"
"Without evidence of any kind, it is speculation to guess, and mentally draining to conjure up and consider all of the possibilities with the little information we have."
"We need to take consideration as to our next plan of action. What are we to do next?"
Nodding at Lesith behind his mask, Eli finally adds "This is awful. The next high-chief of Theramark was killed along with an entire village." he states in his usual emotionless way.
"Though very rare among my people, in more recent years, there are those who are so confused as to believe that they can become a chief by killing the current one. It was a sin unheard of before the advent of 'politics' from civilization. There was murder and cruelty yes but it was always for slights or wrongs or honor or fear instead of seeking to take another's burden in this way. It is only within my lifetime that-" his seemingly-emotionless ramble cuts off.
"Apologies." he says with no hint of anything, much less regret, "I ramble. My point was that this does bear the hallmarks of that insanity. This seems to be what Shyness was thinking as well." he nods at his cousin, and continues impassively, "So it may be that Vigilant is entirely in the clear. However, we know that whoever started this did not want it discovered, yet. That means that if it is related, there is still a method by which the wicked akuo~orokku. Oh my apologies," he states flatly, "I think it is like an onimajo or perhaps an wizard in your tongue, yes." he says emotionlessly, while snapping his fingers rapidly, as if to recall something. It takes a few moments before you realize he just asked a question.
"Regardless of what it is called, it is evil." he states flatly. "And it must be stopped. And if the news was not to get out yet, than there is still time to stop his ultimate scheme. Still time to expose him. Thus, in addition to protecting Vigilant, we must seek out this man. Prevent him from taking burden upon himself."
The words seem like they would be better suited to someone speaking them passionately and emphatically. Instead, Eli merely gestures like he's being passionate while a flat, calm, almost disinterested voice issues from behind the unreadable mask.
"In the insanity of politics there is usually multiple ones ready to take the burdens. Do we know who else is would take the burden instead of Hawk-thorn." Okay, this time it was definitely a question.
"Slow down a moment Eli. Who was the next chief of Theramark, and where is Theramark? Do we know if this person is indeed deceased? Who is going to become chief of this Theramark now? How do we know a singular wizard is responsible for the travesty at Endurant? What burdens are you talking about?" Chap rapid fires questions while counting them on her fingers as if to keep track of them.
Natanja smiles slightly at the tough but confused woman beside her.
"I know you have traveled far, Chap, but I would have thought you'd remember that Theramark is the name of the Kingdom in which we now sojourn."
"Vigilant's Lord Mayor seemed to have some reason to believe that Sir Hawkthorne --the man whose hawk-crested ring and dagger we found in the wreckage of Endurant-- might have become the next King of this Country if he had not met with such an untimely demise."
"Eli, given his tribal heritage, seems to be using the phrase high-chief to mean King. Shyness is using the term warlord. Either way, it is a position of leadership and great responsibility, and I believe it is this burden of responsibility to which Eli refers."
"Shyness and Eli are suggesting that someone else hoping to become ruler of Theramark may have been behind Endurant's destruction. The question is, who else stands to gain from Sir Hawkthorne's death?"
"Why did the Lord Mayor think Sir Hawkthorne might become King? Last I heard, the Queen was alive and well ... although I may have very old information."
"But, if Sir Hawkthorne was indeed to become King, who will rule Theramark now that he certainly seems to be dead? I don't think we have any specific way of knowing whether one person is behind this or many, or whether or not that person is a wizard, but he or she or they do seem to be able to summon or call fiends."
"I suggest that tonight some of us guard Vigilant and some of us rest in hopes of further enlightening dreams. Perhaps Angelina will be able to shed some light on the matter. And perhaps we should examine more closely this 'insanity of politics' in order to bring Endurant's mass murderer to justice."
Oko, perched on her shoulder as usual, caws a note of assent to Natanja's monologue.
So, can we get five in-character volunteers to stand guard first tonight and five in-character volunteers to sleep first in hopes of receiving enlightening dreams and, if possible, asking Angelina questions?
Five people to sleep first: ...?
Five people to guard first:...?
Eli nods, his face covered by an impassive mask, "I volunteer for sleep first. Hopefully rest will assist in continuing to restore my flesh to its strength, and hopefully Angelina can commune with a few of us as we rest."
"Even evil have purpose. There is reason behind attack whether we know it or not. We hunt reason, must pursue to catch prey. Seeking power not only possibility, but strong one. Shyness guard dreamers who hunt."
Azmaria was busy cleaning her weapon as the others talked, she was listening, but she has always been told to just shut-up and listen by mother superior in the past. It was a habit that she found difficult to break.
hehe, Habit...Sister...hehe... nevermind
I am curious, She eventually asks, Are we positive that this Sir Hawkthorne is actually dead, I mean absolutely positive?
Azmaria probably knows the answer, but it didn't hurt to ask, there could be another possibility as to what is going on.
In any event, My order is not in the Habit of getting involved in political squabbles, we are to eliminate the threat of demons and devils into our world.
"While I'm curious as to what new information our patron will bestow, I believe I can stand guard again without trouble." Poterol is all ready setting out a small ink kit and what looks like a journal.
So we have Eli and Cernan planning to sleep. Who else?
Also, I assume you'll sleep in your own rooms upstairs at the Inn, with their closed, latched, and newly-belled windows, yes?
So far we have Shyness, Poterol, and Lesith staying awake to guard. Who else?
Also, will your guardian group be staying downstairs in the common area of the Inn? Patrolling outside around town? Or what?
Sister Azmaria, from your post, I wasn't sure which group your character is choosing to join... dreamers or guardians?
Arabeth will seek a 'normal' night's sleep. So as to be useful on the coming morrow....
For the DM:
She will also try and both sneak out some time during the early hours of the morning so as to 'stretch her wings some' and maybe garner a view of the town from the air? While keeping a look out for anything unto-wards happening.
M Aasimar Hunter (Divine Hunter) 2 | HP 22/22 | AC 17 (14FF/13T) | F+5, R+6, W+3 | CMD 16 | Init +3 | Perc +7
Marius will offer his and Rex's services as the nightly guard dogs. He's tired of feeling useless with all this talk... He's nothing if not a man of action.
This thread exists primarily so that those who are playing the CELESTIAL SUMMONS game can chat (about the game and related topics) out-of-character.
If you are playing a character in the game, please only post here using your game alias, so that we all get to know each other based on who is playing which game character. With such a large game, it would be too hard to learn everyone's game alias and other alias.
It is assumed that posts in this thread are made out-of-character, so no [ ooc ] coding is required in this discussion thread.
If you are a non-player who is following the game story for fun, feel free to add comments about the game here in discussion using whatever alias that you would like.
Only chosen game-players should post over in the Gameplay thread when it opens, and definitely only using game aliases.
As usual for the Paizo boards, let's keep it clean and friendly. :)
So, Cernan gets a total of 11 languages, and there aren't that many racial languages he'd have a reason to start off knowing. It makes sense for him to be a bit well-read, so if anyone has a regional language they're adding in their backstory, I'd be happy to pick it up (and maybe use it as a secret code).
You may well have picked up Embishiu (Eli's tribal language) as a point of curiosity. Two generations back, the Allied Kingdoms were going through an expansionist phase, but were ground to a haunt by the "barbarian" guerrilla tactics of strike and fade, and we're frustrated by their ability to seemingly leave nothing behind of their apparently-advanced crops and animal husbandry skills. They're a curious combination of low-tech items with advanced agriculture and animal husbandry techniques, biodegradable (a word they have no concept for; it's simply "naturally harmonious) materials, and a reverence for cleanliness and nature spirits. The war went no where, and by now trade happens between the two "enemies" all the time. No violence remains these days, only lazy half-curiosity at the exotic ness of the "other", and the drive of unrelenting power of trade to break down cultural barriers. :)
If the Embishiu have literature, he might have read some of it, but it sounds like they're the kind of fellows a city Aasimar wouldn't know too much about.
Also, Perform (Oratory) and Perform (Acting) are two of my favorite skills across every d20 game. Need to lure some monsters out of a forest ambush? Stand on top of the barbarian, and use your masterwork megaphone for a +2 to your oratory check to shout insults at them so inspired that they break their ambush just to prove you wrong with their swords and spears. Want to drop from a roof top onto an ogre? Use acting to imitate the diving form and shrieking cry of a hawk, and maybe you can convince the local bards that you're a mighty druid to boot.
Plus, oratory covers bragging about your own exploits (if it's not too embellished) to a whole town at once, while acting covers miming—and, if you've got a silent metamagic rod, MAGIC MIMING.
If the Embishiu have literature, he might have read some of it, but it sounds like they're the kind of fellows a city Aasimar wouldn't know too much about.
They have little literature, though they are literate. Most of their writing is done on stuff, more than paper or books, but the Allued Kingdoms certainly have some samples they've acquired within the last century of contact.
EDIT: none of this is to say you should take the language. Only that a scholarly elder may well do so and have valid reasons for it. :)
Aeryth, you could definitely be from a mega-city to the South-East of here called Sharn or Absalom. It would not be the exact same city as the ones called by those names in other settings, (for example, Sharn might not have the same kind of Planar Ties or quite as advanced magi-tech), but either would work to convey a huge cosmopolitan city of origin. :)
Also, no pressure, anyone! No rush! No apologies necessary. This game isn't meant to be high stress.
You have a week (until next Friday) to respond to the first post and get to know each other, as well as tweak any Background/Homeland/Saint information.
Get to know each other? Ok, let me describe Lesith for you.
6'2" 160 lbs, Brown eyes, short brown hair. Very beautiful, with angelic marks on all of her face and body, looking young even at her 88 years old, with a halo over her head, obviously an Aasimar. I think the Alias picture gives a great image of her.
"I have lived my life righteously, I have discovered that truth is the greatest virtue, so I have never lied. I have forsaken violence, so I have refrained myself from hurting others. I have embraced my inner self, so I manifest the powers on my Angelic Inheritance, and I believe that with understanding and love any test can be completed, any achievement met, any challenge defeated. You can trust me because I know who I am, and I won't falter in the face of evil. I might die, but I won't surrender."
She is a sorcerer with Celestial Bloodline.
Lesith won't lie, ever, believing that truth is the source of all virtues, and lie the start of all evils. Also she won't harm, willingly, another living being...
So in combat she will only go for healing friends and incapacitate enemies.
And about healing:
Heavenly Healing Fire (Sp): Starting at 1st level, you can unleash a ray of heavenly fire as a standard action, targeting any creature within 30 feet. This ray heals good creatures of 1d6 points of damage + 1 for every two sorcerer levels you possess. Neutral and evil creatures are neither harmed nor healed by this effect. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier (that's 7).
wanted to say thanks for the choosing. as we have a week, I am including much of how Azmaria got the calling and what lead up to her arriving before actually arriving. this way her actions are better understood and gives a frame of reference in case anyone wants to know of her order and the church she is from.
being a paladin, she also has some healing.
also be aware I do make liberal use of descriptive fluff making may things and actions seem way more powerful than they really are. but the game mechanics will be exactly the same as normal. (including spell casting, channeling, Paladin abilities etc.)
makes things sound cool instead of "I lay on hands for x healing" or "I cast cure light wounds on so-n-so" adds a little to the story and character.
(I think Tac and lady dove have seen me do that on occasion in other games)
Natanja, sounds good. We can say it's some ways South of here.
Sister Azmaria, sounds good. Loving the backstory. Putting it in spoiler tags like that so people can read it or not depending on how busy they are is perfect.
In fact, in general, if anyone wants to post more about answering the call or their journey to Theramark, or anything that happened before this moment of meeting at the Green Tree Inn, feel free to do so, but definitely put it in Spoiler Tags called something like How Jane Came to Theramark so that others who are busy and just want to read about what's happening in game right now can easily skip it, while others who are more curious and/or have more time on their hands can read it.
May I list the regional language of Natanja's homeland as 'Nirisian'? That the people of the White Sands of Niris speak Common and Nirisian? Or is that too much flavour? Thanks.
Lesith, I'm afraid Eli is right. For story purposes, I'd rather you not be from the Kingdom of Theramark. I already have names/personalities/backstory etc. for the inkeepers here in Vigilant, and the same will apply to various other characters and circumstances you will encounter here and elsewhere in this Kingdom and nearby. You can, however, be from a different small town in one of the other neighboring Allied Kingdoms, if you would like. In general, the farther away from the actual campaign action the place/people you're describing/inventing are, the more poetic license you can take. :)
Natanja, that would be perfectly fine. Sounds good to me! ... Cernan might also be interested in learning your desert people's language.
Also... you can never have too many options for getting healed when you're on death's door and the fiends are swarming. Or when Andrei takes Cernan's interpretation of his title literally. Just sayin'. ;)
We'll have to make sure to set up any battlefields we come across, though I be that won't be a problem with all of us. (Or some of us if we break into traveling groups.)
@Cernan: Natanja has a regional language of Nirisian, if you would be interested in adding it to your list of many languages? I created the homeland The White Sands of Niris for Natanja. It's a desert nation some distance to the south of Theramark. (I'm putting some info together soon on the nation ... If you're interested, it'll be on my profile shortly.)
Just to make things clear, Eli hasn't been talking on purpose. He is, at present, simply listening to things, now that he's said his piece, and waiting for the others to finish.
Got it. I'll be picking up a few of your regional languages (Tien, Nirisian, + 3 more undetermined), and since I get two per point of linguistics (and have a reason to put points into it, thanks to my racial bonus), I can learn any others, as well as any secret or constructed languages the group came up with at level-ups.
I lost count of that applicants, and I don't think that all the Called have posted in the gameplay thread. RP-wise its going to be cluttered remembering who all is talking. I'm making notes now.
When(if) it comes to combat? I'm thinking breaking up into smaller groups might be better.
M Aasimar Hunter (Divine Hunter) 2 | HP 22/22 | AC 17 (14FF/13T) | F+5, R+6, W+3 | CMD 16 | Init +3 | Perc +7
Marius is anything but a magical scholar :)
@GM A: I was thinking about making Marius's homeland an analogue to Golarion's Taldor. A wide empire in decline, full of people who are more interested in their own power and prestige than anything else. A warmongering government that wants to revive the nation's glory days through less reputable means, corruption and a love of excess, the whole deal. Putting it on the other end of the world would also be perfectly okay with me, since I wanted him to take a long journey to Vigilant anyway.
Sister Azmaria, if you as a player want to go to the very beginning of the gameplay thread, you'll see my post first, which your character should be aware of, and you'll see Eli's post second, which your character would have missed, but which you might want to know as a player.
Then, since your character just came in late, assume she bursts into the inn/tavern to find random townspeople finishing up lunch. Some of them give you funny looks. Others ignore you. If you ask the middle-aged woman at the counter/bar or the teenage boy cleaning tables about meeting Eli, they will point you to a thick curtain across a doorway over to the side.
When you pass through the curtain to the side room, you find a room with a single very large oval table covered with food and drinks, and about a dozen people sitting around it munching and chatting. A tall man in a stone mask sits silently at the far head of the table. Women, men, a teenage boy, an elven man, a Catfolk woman... all surround the table. A hawk perches on one woman's shoulder and a wolf gnaws on a hunk of meat at another man's feet.
Now, Sister Azmaria, go back to the gameplay thread and have your character either introduce herself or ask where Eli is or something. :)
Cernan, I think Kiwyn will be surprise at someone else knowing her native language. If you read enough from her lands you may even have the best chance of know what she is once it is revealed. Tho she isn't about to just drop her disguise for no reason. She was raised being told to keep herself hidden from the normal population, and only reveal herself around her own kind and other 'spirits of the lands'.
I've been a player in two PbP games with more than ten PCs, and I've seen things that have worked well and things that haven't, so I have some pretty clear ideas for this game that I think will make both RP and combat manageable and enjoyable, without dragging. At least, that is my hope. If you have other ideas you'd like to propose, please feel free to PM me about them. I'm always open to suggestions.
ALL:
Also, if anyone ever wants to get a feel for what it's like looking around the table at all these people, click on the Characters tab for this campaign, and you'll see everyone's face, name, and brief description. :)
And, Cernan, considering your character is a learned magical scholar, he might very well have an idea that this mysterious Angelina is likely using a stronger variation of that spell. :)
@GM A: I was thinking about making Marius's homeland an analogue to Golarion's Taldor. A wide empire in decline, full of people who are more interested in their own power and prestige than anything else. A warmongering government that wants to revive the nation's glory days through less reputable means, corruption and a love of excess, the whole deal. Putting it on the other end of the world would also be perfectly okay with me, since I wanted him to take a long journey to Vigilant anyway.
Marius, I have a suggestion for you:
Taldor could be the name of the largest of these Allied Kingdoms, the one furthest to the East. It once expanded greatly in the past, but grew bloated and corrupt, and other kingdoms/nations broke off from it. Wars happened and ended, peace accords were signed, and alliances formed. Now Taldor is a large kingdom (but no longer an Empire), that is not actively engaged in expansion, but that has certain key members of the government scheming to expand the nation's power once again. Most of the nobility is extravagant and arrogant, the oldest generation reminiscing about the glory days of their youth. Taldor would not be on the other side of the world from Theramark (the Westernmost Allied Kingdom), but would be quite a ways across the continent. Would that work for you?
GM: I plan to but been away from the thread for a bit. deciding what the approach will be. also if the pace is slower like you intend then I just figured I have plenty of time...right?
@GM A: I was thinking about making Marius's homeland an analogue to Golarion's Taldor. A wide empire in decline, full of people who are more interested in their own power and prestige than anything else. A warmongering government that wants to revive the nation's glory days through less reputable means, corruption and a love of excess, the whole deal. Putting it on the other end of the world would also be perfectly okay with me, since I wanted him to take a long journey to Vigilant anyway.
If it's alright with you, could Sharn be part of that empire?
forgot to ask...GM: is Azmaria's little prelude story ok? I made her from a major city a long way off (needed to get here by ship) I picture the city of York a little steampunk-ish (just slightly). hence the guns. and far enough removed to have little influence over the rest of the kingdoms.
As for the pace of this game, you are correct. There is no rush. As long as you introduce yourself in-character in the gameplay thread by Friday, you will be considered active in the game, and will be ready to move on from there.
I am still planning to make one big game story update post each Saturday, and as long as everyone responds to that sometime during the following week, they will be fine.
With a controlled pace like this, those who have really crazy busy work weeks can count on the fact that they won't miss anything essential if they can only check in and post on their day off, whichever day that may be. (And they don't absolutely have to read everyone else's posts either. For the most part, as long as someone reads my posts, they should have a decent idea of whatever's going on.)
Meanwhile, those who have the time and desire to do so can read everything everyone says and really get into a lot of fun character roleplaying during the week. :)
