Corsario's Dark Champions of Korvosa

Game Master Corsario

Welcome to the Game!

Changed it to Babcock since it kept refusing to load with Badcock. Maybe it's a censoring thing? Anyway, I'm here. I have a separate alias for The Cobalt Sword.

and dot.

Got it.
Nice Icons.
So... what god does Robert follows?
As I see him, he is a Union organizer. He is fighting for social justice, and against government intervention on behalf of the rich against the poor. Is that correct?
Please put his "history" and appearance, etc in the aliases.

Robert probably follows Abadar the most in his day-to-day life, just because he's a lawyer. I'll get those edits in in a bit.

And yeah that's basically it. Korvosa is a very pro-business society which is good to some extent, but there's a big difference between the richest and poorest Korvosans.

Thanks for the selection! I'll get my alias updated tonight.

Dot. I'll also get my aliases set up soon, but for right now, work.

Hello, and thanks for having me! I'm very excited for this, it seems like it'll be a very fun game. I'm not sure if I'll do a separate alias for the vigilante identity, although it seems like several people are, so maybe I will as well. I'll also get flavor stuff in the alias ASAP--thanks for taking me on with what little I provided!

No problem. I hate when I put a lot of effort in a character, just to not getting selected. Better to do it knowing you are in.

Hey all! Dot. Will double check character, think I needed to buy mundane gear.

Kheldar would definitely be friendly with Robert to start with. He's a shrewd businessman and loves the game of negotiating, but he uses his influence to help fight injustice. And he has no love for the abusive rich except for their money, which he enjoys taking.

I'll try to look over the team, but if there are any suggestions for shifting around skills etc let me know. My business partner/cohort Yarblek is a very savvy guy and has high knowledge/gather information, Kheldar usually leans on him for leads.

I also learned a sign language, DM, let me know if that is ok. It's supposed to be a family heritage for generations, and he doesn't mind teaching it to his companions.

Yes, Sign language is ok.

Dotting avenger alias. Not sure if it's really needed for Kheldar, he's more of a spy/infiltrator type with many guises and quick change, so he's often changing into random people/businessmen/flunkies.

I meant vigilante alias... Not an avenger lol.

Checking in. Thanks for the pick.

It looks like I'm the only caster... I set aside 1200g for scrolls and whatnot, if anyone has any specific suggestions? Unfortunately I didn't take UMD, so that limits my options (or I could, maybe, switch out a skill for it if necessary)

I don't mind carrying around a CLW wand to use on the party but I'd rather not spend the bulk of my budget on it (if others want to pitch in)

UMD seems like a good idea, just in case.

I see that Rat, at least, has UMD... I thought I'd see who else had it before I moved my ranks around.

Don't forget that you only need to roll UMD if you don't have the spell in question on your spell list.

Also, I myself have UMD at +14, in addition to having the (admittedly somewhat limited) Paladin Spell List.

That should do it.

Yes I have UMD. Shouldn't be a problem in down time especially with two having it. My cohort is a wizard, so if we need noncombat scrolls cast he can assist (he doesn't adventure)

Busier than expected today but will finish everything up tonight or tomorrow morning. DM do you want me to make an alias for Yarblek or just put him in a spoiler on my sheet?

Vig dot. If you want a prior relationship with Shiriki it's honestly as simple as coming to his bar or being actively involved in the community of Old Korvosa.

Yarblek loves to drink so you'd probably have met him and Kheldar both. Bars are great places for shady business dealings.

Amusingly enough Robert might know everyone else. There are enough legal issues surrounding death and the disposal of the deceased for him to have potentially represented Juliet, Kheldar runs in similar circles as him, he has probably met and worked with Ulgar's younger brother and met Ulgar himself once or twice, Lysander is kind of the trickiest, but law and nobility deal with each other fairly regularly, and Shiriki's bar seems like the kind of place where a dissident like The Cobalt Sword would be distributing his fliers and seeking malcontented poor people.

Ulfgar*

So Robert's going to be our Claire? That reference may be too obscure... the Netflix/Marvel series (Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist) are united by a woman named Claire Temple who, presumably, is going to bring all the vigilante heroes together to form the Defenders. It definitely makes sense that he would know my brother, they could be friends or Robert could even be his mentor or boss; in any of those cases it would make sense that we've at least met, maybe even are somewhat acquainted if we've both been to several events of my brother's (that means you would also, very likely, be aware of our missing nephew).

@Lysander- we probably know each other too... I have the 'in vogue' talent for my work as a courtier so, at the very least, you would know me by reputation I think; more likely we've met a number of times. I'll leave it to you to decide how well you'd like to know each other. (My sense motive is pretty high, so if you want I could have even figured out what you were up to, and revealed my own secret identity to you?)

As for the Vigilante Alias, do it if you want to, but is not required. But I recommend it. It gives a distinct flavor to the campaign, and that is the idea.
Why to have a Vigilante identity if not to use it? :D

I agree that at least some of us knowing each other makes a lot of sense. Lysander probably would have worked with Robert at some point--he likely went to him for legal counsel when his friend died (the addict in his campaign trait, and the one who set him on the path to being a vigilante), wondering if the problems of Korvosa could be brought down through that channel. Obviously they could not, and so he's donned his cape and cowl... well, furs and cowl.

I'm perfectly fine with Lysander and Ulfgar knowing one another as well, probably more personally than just having heard of one another. Let's say they've had dealings together, whichever "side" in that particular noble argument Ulfgar was on, and Lysander likes and respects the Ulfen for his bearing and knowledge. I think the game will be more interesting if we go in not knowing each other's dual identities, though, at least to start. It'll make it all the more amusing when the reveal comes.

Lysander may know Kheldar as well--he might well have contacted him after the aforementioned death, during his transition to vigilantism. I'll try and get that backstory up soon so things make more sense and people can actually see what I've got planned out in my head...

General notes:
- Your characters know each other social identity, but are not "close". You know your names, the basic history, your business and general knowledge. They also know about the vigilante identity, but have not work together before, nor have ANY inkling about who the "real" person is.
- For each character I would like.
* Who the Vigilante allies are? Who defend them, who likes them?
* Who the vigilante enemies are? is the guard actively opposing them? Which kind of criminal despise you the most?
* One extra magic item. Something small and flavorful. Like a 0 level spell item, or 1 level with limit of uses.
* One secret. That sometimes come easy, and sometimes comes hard.
* One Business, organization, etc.
* District - Base of operations.

I will start posting my characters comments shortly.

I hope this won't bother anybody but I (Ulfgar) was just thinking about my sense motive... I can't fail the check to get a hunch about people/situations, so if we know each other at all (Robert and Lysander everyone) I'm going to have at least some vague sense that there's more to you than meets the eye. Also, when I take 10 on Sense Motive (which will be my default whenever I can) the best bluffer in the party (Kheldar/Rat) has to roll an 17 or better on the die to lie to me...

Ninja'd...
I don't have time to answer these questions right now but I'll get them done soon.

Juliet Morris: Fey Fundling? Wow! I can work with that.
Obscure: She is just another Pharasmite mortican. But... She is too beautiful to be "unknown". Almost inhumanly beautiful. Maybe she goes with a veil while in Social identity, to avoid all the grieving husbands to hit on her ;) A vigilante that wears the mask in social idenity, and not the other way around. Maybe there is a rumor she is deformed or something.
As for allies, I guess Pharamites. She is an Avatar of Pharasma, after all.
As for enemies, what about Varisian Szarni? They have a series of "clinics" where they perform abortions. Besides Gaedren Lamm, that's it.
For the Magic Item, guess? Her father's ring, of course. As for what it does, it is a mystery, so far.
Secret, her own identity. Her father found her, but not even her know about her real origin. Who she really is. And the ring, it was not her father's. He found it hanging from Juliet's neck, and never told her. He was to do it, when the time was right, but died before doing it.
Let me propose a change: She has not recovered her father ring. She has looked around, but nothing so far. But she knows the one that give the word for her father's murder was Lamm.
Also: Why abandon Pharasma? Why she lost her faith? I would prefer for her to keep it, or regain it at the start of the campaign (I will give her a reason to).
Another one... Old Korvosa is at the other side of Korvosa from the Grey fields. What about "working" closer to home, in the Midlands, when in Vigilante persona?

The boards were down in all my free time so will get the stuff you requested done tomorrow morning (or tonight if I can get free for a bit).

How IS your sense motive that high, Nate? That's crazy good.

Oh it's broken down. I'm just loony.

Coming in with the triple post, since my day has been crazy and I finally have time for longer posts.

Who the Vigilante allies are? Who defend them, who likes them?

The Cobalt Sword's allies are mostly among the few and relatively powerless reform-minded progressive politicians in Korvosa. We could make a specific contact if you want Corsario.

Who the vigilante enemies are? is the guard actively opposing them? Which kind of criminal despise you the most?

TCS' enemies are the political and mercantile elite. He hates any people who abuse their subordinates or inferiors.

One extra magic item. Something small and flavorful. Like a 0 level spell item, or 1 level with limit of uses.

A ring that glows like a candle, with the seal of the city of Korvosa on one side and the seal of the Korvosan Bar Association on the opposite side of the glowing cobalt - the symbol of barristers.

One secret. That sometimes come easy, and sometimes comes hard.

I'm thinking something related to an ex-wife. Maybe he became distant after his significantly younger brother and their relationship fractured. Divorce in Korvosa takes forever because of their love of law and property rights. She's been looking into his activities and is slowly closing in on figuring out who he is.

One Business, organization, etc.

He has a law firm.

District - Base of operations.

His home is over his firm in Pillar Hill, though he moves throughout the city on a fairly regular basis.

* Who the Vigilante allies are? Who defend them, who likes them?

Robert Dale and Valena Greenwill, his manager and bartender respectively. They don't know his secret identity, but he pays them the lion's share of the bar's profits and they run the place for him.

* Who the vigilante enemies are? is the guard actively opposing them? Which kind of criminal despise you the most?

He has no nemeses specifically, but he especially tends to go after hate crimes and people who target the very vulnerable (children, women, the elderly).

* One extra magic item. Something small and flavorful. Like a 0 level spell item, or 1 level with limit of uses.

The face paint he uses for his vigilante disguise is magical, coming from a supplier who doesn't ask questions, and can't be removed until the wearer actively chooses to.

* One secret. That sometimes come easy, and sometimes comes hard.

His earthbreaker, the plain one he uses as Shiriki (as opposed to the stylized one The Savage uses), was actually stolen from a member of the Shoanti delegation in Korvosa.

* One Business, organization, etc.

His bar.

* District - Base of operations.

He keeps to Old Korvosa.

Who the Vigilante allies are? Who defend them, who likes them?
- followers of Ragathiel (maybe including some chivalrous members of the watch); good nobles; I'd like to have a sympathetic priest at the temple of Sarenrae who's a committed ally.

Who the vigilante enemies are? is the guard actively opposing them? Which kind of criminal despise you the most?
- evil nobles; members of the guard that are in the pockets of corrupt nobles

One extra magic item. Something small and flavorful. Like a 0 level spell item, or 1 level with limit of uses.
- a holy symbol of Ragathiel that can cast challenge evil (1st level paladin spell) 1/day

One secret. That sometimes come easy, and sometimes comes hard.
- In love with the passionate and idealistic daughter of a sketchy nobleman; she's in love with Areniel (not Ulfgar) and they have been intimate a couple times

One Business, organization, etc.
- I'm a professional courtier... I don't think that really involves a business organization though... I could be part of some kind of unofficial courtiers 'guild' if you want? Or maybe a loose alliance of high-minded members of the aristocracy?

District - Base of operations.
- Ulfgar keeps a comfortable apartment on the edge of the heights; there's a secret room there for Areniel who mostly works in that district.

Finished mundane equipment plus a few minor tweaks, also quick question: Would you allow me to have a favored buckler as a Kote? I basically want it to be a buckler in function, but be a reinforced armband/bracer in appearance rather than a buckler.

I added these answers to my profile under 'Campaign Details' and I also added one of my own:

* Changing guises
Kheldar uses his sleeve of garments and disguise kit as needed to assume his mundane guises, which can totally alter his appearance. When assuming his vigilante identity, he pulls the soft leather mask shaped like a skull out of a pocket sewn into his cloak's interior, pulls up the hood, and his clothing appears in dull, dark colors worn and battered or damaged. His deft skills at sleight of hand allow him to conceal things from either identity on his person. His kote on the left arm is concealed under clothing at all times, and his kikko has been crafted with the plates of mithral concealed underneath cloth, which is worn under his normal vest. If additional gear is needed for a job, The Rat will notify Yarblek of what and where, and it will be couriered there by one of his henchmen as a care package, hidden and waiting for him.

* Who the Vigilante allies are? Who defend them, who likes them?
Kheldar has many allies, but also many enemies. Over time he has built up a trusted network of mostly loyal followers, in various places and various ways of life throughout Korvosa and the surrounding areas. His closest ally is, of course, Yarblek, the co-owner of his business enterprise. They began as enemies, one a Varisian and one a Chelaxian from opposing circles, but over time their respect for each other blossomed into a (lucrative) friendship. Kheldar has a big heart for the downtrodden, but he prefers to keep his charity to himself. He has often diverted profits into helping Korvosans during disasters, wars, and food shortages, and often pulled strings for a random act of goodness. To the world, though, he is a more distant and aloof businessman. There are few outside of his inner circle, or those who have seen or discovered his actions on behalf of the less fortunate, who know who he really is, or like him very much (aside from his normal charisma).

* Who the vigilante enemies are? is the guard actively opposing them? Which kind of criminal despise you the most?
Kheldar has a vested interest in Lamm, due to an old grudge, but the ones who despise him most are those who know of him most: competing merchants, nobles, and anyone with a vested interest in the arena of trade and money. He is a ruthless negotiator, sometimes swindler, and masterful businessman. He has put many out of business, ruined profit built on the backs of slaves or the poor, and in general been a thorn in their side. There are many noble families who have lost funding from their business associations because of Kheldar, and so there is a strong interest in snooping out any crimes, smuggling, or skullduggery that may land Kheldar in trouble, or on the wrong side of the court or law. Some will even stoop to paid assassins and thugs in an effort to eliminate him as a threat.

* One extra magic item. Something small and flavorful. Like a 0 level spell item, or 1 level with limit of uses.
"Dick Tracy's wristwatch" - Yarblek and Kheldar are able to communicate at long range via a pair of magical bracelets, which Yarblek casts Magic Aura on every few days to mask their true nature, appearing instead as merely part of their rather rich attire.

* One secret. That sometimes come easy, and sometimes comes hard.
Kheldar is deeply in love with the wife of his uncle, a noble man and liege of the Drasnian family. He hates himself for it, and has never acted upon it.

* One Business, organization, etc.
Drasnian Imports - named after the noble house of Drasnia which Kheldar belongs to. Yarblek and Kheldar, or Silk, as most of his employees refer to him, run a large enterprise that focuses on importing and exporting goods from different regions. While it may be the focus, Kheldar is no stranger to all manner of profiteering, and Drasnian Imports does not shy away from profit, in whatever form it may take.

* District - Base of operations.
Drasnian Imports has a large, multi-story building on the edge of the North Point district, near the borders of the Heights and Midland. Kheldar lives in an apartment within, as does Yarblek. He is usually up to no good in that district. Due to his business dealings, however, Kheldar and Yarblek can often be found in Old Korvosa and the East Shore as well. Especially in bars, since Yarblek is only inches away from alcoholism, could realistically be called a drunkard, and yet can eerily maintain his faculties even under the facade of drunkenness.

Also here is Yarblek alias for Kheldar's cohort. I linked him in Kheldar's profile.

I meant 'flavored buckler' not favored. Its functionally like a buckler but is more like a bracer (a kote specifically).

Me again. Ulfgar, I don't mind you having suspicions about Kheldar. However, he is smart enough not to bluff someone with high sense motive. He tends to verbally spar and feel out his discussions before piling on lies, and most of the time his lies are simple distortions of the truth and not very misleading otherwise (giving him at least +5-10 on checks to bluff). But it's very possible you know of his acts of kindness. Any questioning would probably be answered with just a thin smile.

Lysander, also OK with being acquainted with you in some way, just let me know when your backstory is set up for it so I know.

Sorry all, I had my backstory fairly typed and then my computer lost it. I'll be trying to work on it today to get it done, hopefully I'll have it up at some point tonight.

At the very least I'll answer the questions right now, since I have it in mind...

Everything still on track Corsario?

Sorry for the delay. Seems the site had some issues on Thursday, and I couldn't post I was not going to be available over the weekend. Back now.

NP!

Still checking characters, but I hope tomorrow we start.

Hopefully we ready soon?

Hurrying up...

You are beating me to this.
Please put all your relevant information in your alias, so it is easier for me to find.
I got the first Gameplay post up.
Game on!

Mine is in my sheet under campaign info. Excited to be starting!

Me too.
Yes, your info seems complete, thanks

Man Robert we are rocking these many guises. *Edit and Lysander too, lol.

It's a useful talent to have. You never know when you need to just straight disappear for a little while, and what better way to hide than in plain sight as a regular guy?