That's all I have time for this evening. I'll pick up with Rodrigo tomorrow.
Trosker ep Styrk!
At last--she's finally done.
Dragoncat checking in with Tassira Vantyev--once a promising star pupil of Theumanexus College, now a young woman framed for murder and out for answers.
Just keep walking. Just keep walking. Did that guy just glare at me? Maybe—don’t dwell on it. Don’t keep Master Leroung waiting. Oh gods, what does he want with me? Did I do something wrong? He’s never called me to his office before. What’s it like in there? Probably impeccably organized, maybe with a pseudodragon or two stacking papers or even…
A small *meow* causes her to look down at the calico tabby trotting by her side. The little cat looks back at her with soft green eyes, and her whiskers twitch. ”Yes, Ravnos, I know… I’ll get you something to eat when we’re done with Master Leroung, okay?”
Soon, she reaches an ornately-carved mahogany door with Room 117 carved into it. She raises a hand and tentatively knocks on the door.
Okay, act calm. Act calm. If you don’t act calm, everything will just get awkward. Look straight ahead. Chin up.
The door opens by itself and she steps inside, her legs starting to shake with palpable anxiety. She takes a sharp breath as she walks inside…
”Master Leroung? You summoned me?” She asks, her already shaky voice becoming even more so when she sees who else is in the room with her.
”Tassira Vantyev. Please, have a seat.”
The office before her is… to put it simply, a mess. The bookshelves in the room are almost spilling over with a myriad of tomes on magical theory, treatises on magical history, bestiaries detailing some of the most populous and powerful monsters to ever roam Varisia, and many more. The sole window in the room provides a clear view of the street outside—the wind and rain appear to have picked up since she stepped into the room.
Master Leroung is seated behind his desk, his dark red robes kept as spotless as ever. One of his weathered hands rests upon his chin, idly playing with strands of his long, brown beard. Flanking him are two men dressed in chainmail and grey tabards with swords at their sides.
The young mage warily shuffles into the room and sits in the chair before her mentor’s desk. She feels a sudden pressure on her lap as her cat leaps into it and settles in.
”Miss Vantyev, I’m glad you were able to find your way here. There is a gravely important matter that we must discuss.” Master Leroung leans forward in his chair, clasping his hands on his desk. ”Tell me, what were you doing the night of the 22nd of Pharast?”
Tassira swallows a lump in her throat and runs a shaking hand along her cat’s back. ”Um… I was studying, sir. You gave me an assigned reading on the biology of imps.” She sighs, her stomach beginning to twist into knots. ”And asked me to provide a ten-page essay on how to properly slay them.”
The elder mage nods and looks to the men at his side. One of them looks her squarely in the eyes and glares. ”Tassira Vantyev, you have been summoned here because you have been accused of a most grievous crime against the city and her citizens.”
Her eyes widen and she recoils in her chair. ”W-what?”
The other guardsman sighs and glances at his colleague before continuing. ”The crime you have been accused of is the murder of one Felsin Reynes, a local fisherman, committed on the night of the 22nd of Pharast, at twenty-two-hundred hours. The witness, one Torvin Kline, claims he saw you stab Felsin at least ten times with a knife before fleeing the scene of the crime.”
A sharp *HISS* comes from Tassira’s cat as it suddenly stands up in her lap, her back arched and her ears folded back. Tassira herself frantically shakes her head. ”N-no! No, that-that can’t be possible—I was doing homework the whole time, I swear! Ask Master Leroung! He gave me the assignment!”
The older mage holds up a hand, and Tassira becomes quiet. ”I’m well aware of that, young lady. Unfortunately, I still must comply with the demands of the law.” His tone turns grave and he sighs in resignation. ”As of today, I’m afraid I cannot continue to teach you as my student while such an accusation has been levelled against you. Even if it is patently false.” He shoots a glare at the two guardsmen next to him. ”I’ve convinced them to place you under house arrest for the duration of the investigation. I’d advise you to go with them peacefully.”
The men’s words go almost unheard by Tassira as she somehow forces herself to her feet. She stows her spellbook in her backpack and turns to leave, following the guardsmen outside.
”Tassira… one last word, if you will.”
She turns and pauses as she hears Master Leroung’s request. ”…y-yes?”
Her former teacher comes around from his desk and puts a hand on her shoulder. ”You and I both know you would never do something so barbaric. There must be a reason that you were accused of such a thing. Find whoever did it, and get the truth from them.”
Tassira says nothing, instead just nodding and bending over to pick up her cat. As she walks out of the room flanked by two guardsmen, it’s clear that her cat is the only thing holding back her tears.
Here is my submission for Searok Ironbeard. Please let me know if there are questions or provide feedback.
Yet another long day for me. I'll check in tonight, but may not have much time to read profiles. Starting tomorrow I'll have some free time and really get a look at the newer submissions. I'll also create an applicant list. Really exciting submissions so far!
Snuck in some time...
This is Emileva's application.
I still have to add some things: personality, gear, and sample post. The other parts will need a look through and polish but she's ready for viewing.
Fixed up the background a smidge.
All right, submitting Karsis. I probably should have gone with another character class due to all the arcane caster submissions, but oh well :P
Let me know if I'm missing anything, or if you have any questions.
Sweat pours down the mage's face, half from the heat, half from fear. Cedric was long gone, having flown away at the first sign of trouble. Typical, really, but what use would the raven even be in this situation?
"Focus, Karsis. Remember the spell." he stammers, thinking to the elemental protection spell he scribed a mere five days ago. The words of power come to mind, and he quickly yells the incantation, while tracing a sigil in the air.
Suddenly an ephemeral barrier manifests in front of the wizard, diverting the path of the elemental's fiery slam. Licks of flame spatter harmlessly around Karsis, preventing an untimely disaster.
That should buy me enough time for now. Hopefully the others will get here soon.
RP sample added. Emileva's a nicer person than it might seem. Shiver withdrawal and extreme circumstances you see... :p
People on the street who saw her coming were quick to step out of her way. Emileva’s expression was both angry and determined. Her walking pace was rapid, and she looked like nobody should dare to get in her way or slow her down.
She knew exactly where she would find Ansel. There were three or four street corners he preferred for shows, and she had already checked the others. Sure enough, as she got closer Emileva saw a small knot of people gathered. Ansel would be on the other side of them, probably running one of his card guessing games to swindle people out of their change.
She didn’t make a sound when she reached the gathered people. She wanted to surprise him, scare him. Supposedly he thought she was dead. She didn’t slow down at all, pushing two onlookers aside like she was parting a set of curtains. Emileva didn’t say a word as she flipped the little table in front of Ansel away, then she shout-screamed “You pathetic limp worm! You left me for dead!”
Ansel’s eyes bugged and he looked like he might scream. He started to stand up from his stool, but Emileva snatched him by the front of his shirt and yanked him up before he could finish. She still didn’t slow down, walking him backward and pinning him roughly against the building wall behind him.
She slid her left forearm up against his throat to hold Ansel on the wall, and reached back with her right hand to draw the dagger she wore sideways on the back of her belt. Emileva brought the dagger up and placed the point against his skin directly under his left eye. “You ran off and left me for dead!”
Ansel didn’t struggle much. He was taller than Emileva, but gangly. She was decidedly stronger than him so he wasn’t going to break free. Besides the dagger sitting a fraction of an inch away from his eye discouraged him from doing anything that might cause it to slip. Ansel answered back, “Em, you’re okay! Thank all the gods!” He tried to smile, but Emileva pushed harder against his throat and made him cough.
“No, you have it wrong! I went to find some help but ran into some trouble on the street. I had to make myself scarce and wait to come back.”
Emieva narrowed her eyes and brought her face in closer to his. “You’ve been gone for six bloody days. So you were hurrying back just fast as you could today? But just had to stop and screw some people out of a few pinch first. Liar. You’re not a good one either. It’s going to get you killed. You forgot that you were in such a hurry to get me some help that you gathered up everything you had in my room and took it with you.”
Ansel slumped slightly, he wasn’t squirming at all anymore. “Em, what was I supposed to do? Huh? Call the guard? You know I can’t do that. I thought you were dead” Ansel says pleading.
“What could you do? Not leave me for the rats!” Emileva’s voice was cold and furious. “I’m warning you now. If I ever so much as catch a glimpse of you out of the corner of my eye again, I will take your eye, and then I will take your tongue. I swear it. You’ll never sweet talk or lie your way out of anything ever again.”
Ansel just nodded his understanding.
“One last thing. I know that you sell shiver for someone else. Who gives it to you?”
Ansel let out a small gasp. “I can’t tell you that Em. I’d be killed for it!”
Emileva added just a tiny bit of pressure to the dagger. “Unless you want to wear an eye patch when you go tell your boss what a good, loyal boy you’ve been, you’ll give me the name.”
Ansel lowered his voice. “Alright. It’s Gaedren Lamm. But he’s very dangerous. You should just drop this. Please.”
Emileva lowered the dagger and sheathed it at the small of her back. Then she pulled Ansel away from the wall. Still holding him by his shirt, she gave him two hard punches to the kidney with her free hand and let him go. Ansel fell to the ground and curled into a ball, groaning.
The little crowd who had been watching parted to let Emileva through as she walked away. She had broken out into a cold sweat and her head was swimming.
Six days without shiver isn’t enough. I’m going to need more time. I could barely hold myself together for that, and Ansel isn’t remotely dangerous.
Thinking about Ansel again might have made tears come, but she had used all those up in the last few days.
|
@wicked, how do you feel about a CN gnome inquisitor from cheliax? Officially he's an "ambassador" come to korvosa to look over certain holdings, when in reality he's there to see if the Arkonas might be an ally in fully reclaiming the city. Jamros however is far more interested in claiming revenge for the kidnapping and murder of his son.
I added a bit to the background. But the real question is not is he 2 dimensional, but what will he do once he gets his revenge? Will he become shiftless man without purpose. Will he pursue his heart's obsession? Will he find a new crusade? A new purpose in life? He has spent every moment of his life focused on a single goal. Once it is achieved, he will have nothing. Be nothing. He will have to find a new identity.
The son of a disgraced Taldan noble (minor) and widower. Who fled to Korvosa to raise his son in peace. Far from the memories of his disgrace and his beloved wife. He was able to get a job with a minor merchant consortium as a guard captain. He was an honest man and well respected by his coworkers and neighbors. He would often stand up to local bullies and thugs. One night the house was barricaded and set a fire. As a lesson to anyone else who tried to stand up to the local crime boss. I was able to escape through a small hole in the roof. My father died in the street cut down by Lamm's thugs. As he tried to recover from smoke inhalation
The next night i snuck back into the wreckage of the house. Looking for my father or his body, I found only his sword which was badly warped by the fire. My father's body still propped up on display with a warning sign to any other vigilantes. A kindly neighbor found me and took me in. Giving me a home. They didn't have much but they shared it with me as one of there own.
After several weeks I noticed my father's sword had returned to normal. Taking this as a sign that I should pick up where my father left off. I soon took a job at the Orisini school cleaning and repairing equipment. Eventually moving into the servants quarters. I still go back to visit my adopted family once a month on my days off. I spend my free time watching Orisini teach his students. Practicing in secret every chance I get. Using what my father taught me and combining it with what I see at the school. Hoping one day to avenge my father.
At the Orisini School I became acquainted with the students. One in particular has captured my heart. The daughter of Commandant Endrine, Allera. Her every movement Is an enchantment upon my heart. If only I could approach her. Alas it will never be, although I am noble born. I no longer hold such distinction and can not court her. I can only watch from the stands as she dances with her opponents on the floor. So I do what I can for her making sure her equipment is in the best condition I can manage.
I try to keep up appearances as a peasant laborer.
I keep my dual cloak, and mask, hidden when going about my normal day. My sword armor and buckler I keep in my water proof sack and/or backpack. but easily assessable. Unless expecting trouble. Hanging my father signet ring on a sturdy chain about my neck and under my clothing.
GM
Again fair warning it's something of a long read.
Two of the Korvosafn guards were occupied with looking at another kind of portrait. But unlike the calming solemnity that sunset brought, this sight made them swallow bitter morbidity and wipe sweat drawn from the oppressive grimness of the sight. A small streak of red was along the alley they were in, and under it was the body of a street tough, the pool of blood around his neck and head began spreading across every crack in the street that it could reach, seeking to spread before it was swallowed by the stone underneath or dried by the upcoming night air.
"Rusty Shank member" Said the elder of the two guardsman as he held up the left arm of the corpse and lifted up its sleeve. On his bicep was a poorly drawn tattoo of a knife with no hilt "Couldn't have happened to anyone more deserving if you ask me"
"Sir, didn't we find another of them two weeks ago?" Asked his newly recruited companion, his hand nervously rubbing at his almost hairless jawline. Which only helped to further draw attention to the salt and pepper stubble of the older guard.
"Aye we did, and didn't I say the same before?"
"But who do you--"
"Listen lad, I do not give two damns who decided to decorate a few alleys with the blood of a bunch of gangers. The scum are probably fighting among themselves. I'll be damned if I extend my shift over worthless, never do wells who finally got what they deserved. Let the next shift handle it!" He shouted his subordinate down, then turned on his heel and exited the alley, glad to be moving away from the metallic scent that possessed every breath he took.
A nearby tavern's door opened slowly and a brown haired cloaked man entered, his steps were measured and light. What eyes turned his direction caught the sight of a weapon's hilt poking out of the grey cloak. The man's stoic stares were only directed to the bartender, who sighed in frustration the minute she caught sight of him.
"Lazlo" She said under her breath as she brushed her black locks back, preparing for herself for whatever inquiries he might have tonight.
"I am done with the fisherman" His tone was formal, cold and dead serious "He was not as useful as before"
"Oh so you didn't get him to talk like last time?"
"Not unless you know how to make the dead speak again" He placed a few coppers on the bar tab.
The raven haired woman gave a judgmental stare, but his face showed no sign of reacting to her accusing eyes "You killed him?!" She said in a barely hushed tone "I told you I don't want the damn guards knocking on my door!"
"He was a corpse before I arrived" It was eerie to her how he spoke of a dead man in a manner so calm and composed that it wouldn't feel misplaced if he was talking about the weather instead.
"This Lamm covers his steps, I'm impressed" She handed him a mug of water.
"You know more"
"Look even if I did and I am not saying that I do--"
"More money?" He placed small satchel of on the barter it jingled with what she could only guessed to be several silver pieces.
"It isn't about the money, damn it!" Once more she adopted the hushed tone and glared at the few patrons that were looking there way, wordlessly warning them to mind their own business "You think i don't know? About the corpses you've been leaving here and there? I don't want the damn guard to coming knocking on my door if you ever get captured...you don't look like a rat, but I am not willing to bet on looks alone! That's how I got married!"
After her rant Lazlo remained silent. Minutes seemed like hours as he kept his green eyes on her and occasionally drank from the mug that she handed him. Customers left and came. Maids cleared the tables and more orders were delivered to fresh ones, and the former still kept his silence...until he placed the mug down one last time. The soft sound was enough to make the woman refocus on her annoying customer.
"Lamm has caused harm to someone very dear to me, she's safe at the moment but what has been done will still cause her suffering for days ahead. I cannot stand by as you cannot if it was someone dear to you" He said in his usual formal tone, that had been become easier to swallow because of the hint of something new...sincerity and maybe even some warmth hidden behind that expressionless line he calls his mouth.
"Children..."
Lalzo's right eyebrow raised and he looked at the tavern owner with utter shock gleaming in his green eyes. If they had been discussing anything else she would have been glad to finally crack that stoic mask of his, but talking of this matter brought her no joy and made her dread what may become of her should Lazlo be captured and bring unwanted attention her way.
"I've heard he uses children for various tasks, that's all" She took the small satchel filled with silver and weighed it in her hand, she'd been happy to receive such a payment if she wasn't looking at a very familiar sight.
Lazlo's eyes communicated all she needed to know, he was livid, as she knew he would be; every time she had told him of a heinous criminal or a pimp, that murderous glare would immediately possess his otherwise emotionless countenance.
"I need something more specific there are many orphans and urchins on the streets"
"Probably as many gangers but you're working on that aren't you? We'll probably have more urchins after a year or two" She quipped before pouring herself a mug of ale and downing half of it in one swig "That's all I have and even if you pull out three other bags of silver that won't change. So will you put him in the ground too? Lamm I mean"
"After I get what I want from him...yes, I will" Lazlo turned on his heel and began walking towards the exit, there was more haste to his step than before. He couldn't possibly follow any child at random but it was still a clue, and the more of those he collected the closer he'd be to drawing a map that would lead to the crime
lord's demise.
"Oh and if you ever get to speak to the dead, talk to my bastard of a husband. I am sure the son of a whore was cheating on me before he died!" She called out after him before taking another swig and emptying her mug.
Okay, I'm in. I adjusted the character stats to fit your requirements and instead of doing a new RP sample, I picked one of Cal's 300+ posts. I picked one without any spoilers to the story. Feel free to look at any of his other posts if you like, if you have time. I do tend to look up violin music and post it like you posted mood music for this recruitment, so that was a nice touch that probably pushed me to post as well. Good luck choosing, there are some nice entries here.
@Zousha - Yes, of course. Recruitment has over a week remaining.
@sentaiexpress - Sounds intriguing! Looking forward to reading about him.
@Calcedon - *cackles gleefully while rubbing palms*.
I'm heading out the door, but wanted to post an applicant list before I go. If I've missed you or made an error please let me know. I'll provide some feedback later this afternoon.
_______________
Full BAB
Emileva Mavrakis - Slayer (Vanguard)
Lanliss Perlerivimen - Slayer (Vanguard)
Lazlo Varrgaio - Swashbuckler (Inspired Blade)
Marial “Mouse” Redfist - Brawler
Rodrigo De Montego y Ortiz - Swashbuckler (Rondelero)
Searok Ironbeard - Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager)
Three Quarters BAB
Aada Bladotter - Cleric of Calistria
Ameriel Amproude - Alchemist (Eldritch Poisoner)
Calcedon Andoricus Macarte Fordyce - Bard (Diva)
Norelia “Li” - Unchained Rogue
Yaziyah Tanja, Speaks For The Dead - Shaman (Lore)
Half BAB
Emilio - Wizard? (Arcane Trickster)
Karsis Alevonde - Wizard (Abjuration)
Nicolai Fortescu - Wizard (Foresight)
Tassira Vantyev - Arcanist
I added the Sample Post for your reading enjoyment. Let me know what you think or if there is anything I am missing.
Hello, GM! Hello, familiar faces!
I'm coming from the same game as Mouse and Calcedon, and I'm applying with Garvid here. I'll post a sample RP when I arrive home, but I'd like to say a couple of things about Garvid.
Crunch-wise, he is an invulnerable rager/urban barbarian (I sincerely apologize to the other submission of Searok).
The concept of Garvid is the somewhat clichéd 'cop with anger issues' archetype, where he believes in the spirit, rather than the word of the law.
Position in the party would mainly be as an incredibly durable frontliner, with capabilities to act as a secondary face and reasonable skill in rogue-ish skills.
Seeing your confusion here is some crunchiness. I think I have finally settled on rogue/wizard/arcane trickster. Rogue first. And unfortunately, it will be closer to half BAB. I thought about magus but I want to have higher spell levels and get Arcane Trickster earlier. Very sad but I am going to roll with it. More of a rogue-y wizard than a wizard-y rogue.
More to come later.
Might as well be like the cool kids and make my own example of RP skillz
How long are the RP posts supposed to be? Some of them on here are incredibly long and are more like backstory than RP.
@Zayne - However long you feel is reasonable for the scene. I didn't give any criteria for length. But have mercy on me. I have a lot of applications to read :).
I have never done one, so it'll be a first. Once, we did a sort of tavern RP for one or two recruitments.
Mine was a "cut and paste" blurb from an earlier CotCT game I was in. It seemed to give a good look at his personality as someone who uses his talents to make a living (that's why he took Profession: Fortune-teller).
Blarg. I hate getting the story but not finding the right class to fit. I am going to rebuild as Bard (archaeologist). May I use Heirloom weapon to get proficiency in bladed scarf? I'd rather not use a feat.
@Zayne - Sure, Heirloom weapon is fine.
@ Wicked- Ah yeah, my original plan had been to have the uncle be a murdered relative, but there were quite a few of those already so I decided to switch to an unused campaign trait instead. I kept the military school portion because it explains why she has such a wide skill set for a commoner martial character. The change in direction did lead to a rather long backstory I guess. :-/
I'll add a character progression section to the application, but the gist is that Emileva will switch to Lore Warden/Martial Master Fighter at level 2.
A quick word on character progression: don't feel the need to plan your character very far. Even with daily posting PBPs move slow so you'll have plenty of time for that later. Unless you're like Emilio and already plan a prestige class, then it's at least worth mentioning :). Feedback tonight!
A quick word on character progression: don't feel the need to plan your character very far. Even with daily posting PBPs move slow so you'll have plenty of time for that later. Unless you're like Emilio and already plan a prestige class, then it's at least worth mentioning :). Feedback tonight!
I'm just planning to have Tassira be a straight-up arcanist--no dips, no frills.
Archpaladin Zousha here. I have the majority of my character's work done on his profile. I'm just making some minor adjustments (initially the character was an oracle, since I was planning on an Oradin build, which I'm still going for).
His skills need tweaking and I'm revising his background and personality a bit to reflect a paladin more than an oracle, at least initially before he starts taking oracle levels.
Yeah, I know it won't exactly come to fruition in the first book alone, but I think it's a fun build I've always wanted to try, take my two favorite classes and mash 'em together!
Blarg. I hate getting the story but not finding the right class to fit. I am going to rebuild as Bard (archaeologist). May I use Heirloom weapon to get proficiency in bladed scarf? I'd rather not use a feat.
Would Varisian Tattoo work for you? It'd be better than Heirloom Weapon if it does - you don't have to worry about keeping a specific scarf, and you get +1 to saves v. charm/compulsion and proficiency with starknives on top of it.
Still working on a submission, sorry for not saying much. Probably going to be a little lamb that finally managed to get free through a literal pact with a devil. Now she'll have to bear the consequences.
@oyzar - No worries, recruitment still has a ways to go.
I'll update the applicant list later today.
Hey Wicked - I'm brewing things too :)
Moved a bit from previous idea, you'll see it soonish!
My submission: Kayleigh Fairwind.
Kayleigh Fairwind
_____________________________________________
Race Human
Gender Female
Age 19
Cleric (Merciful Healer) Level 1
Init +4 (+2 Dex, +2 trait); Senses Perception +3
AL NG
________________________________
DEFENSE
_____________________________________________
AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15
(+4 armor, +2 Dex, +1 shield)
hp 11
Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5
____________________________________________
OFFENSE
_____________________________________________
Speed 30 ft.
Melee Morningstar +1 (1d8+1 bludgeoning, piercing) or dagger +1 (1d4+1 piercing, slashing/19-20)
Ranged light crossbow +2 (1d8 piercing)
Special Attacks channel positive energy 7/day (1d6)
Cleric Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +4):
1st—
0—
_____________________________________________
STATISTICS
_____________________________________________
Str 12, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 16, Cha 14
Base Atk +0; CMB +1; CMD 13
Feats Extra Channel, Selective Channeling
Traits Reactionary (combat), Truth’s Agent (social)
Campaign Trait: Unhappy Childhood (Religious)
____________________________________________
SKILLS (Class Skills In Bold)
____________________________________________
Acrobatics -1 (+2 Dex, -3 ACP)
*Appraise +5 (+1 rank, +3 skill, +1 Int)
Bluff +2
Climb -2 (+1 Str, -3 ACP)
*Craft +1
Diplomacy +6/+7 (+1 rank, +3 class, +1 trait (gather information), +2 Cha)
Disable Device +
Disguise +2
Escape Artist -1 (+2 Dex, -3 ACP)
Fly +
*Handle Animal +
Heal + (+1 rank, +3 class, +3 Wis)
Intimidate +2
Knowledge (arcana) +
Knowledge (dungeoneering) +
*Knowledge (engineering) +
*Knowledge (geography) +
*Knowledge (history) +
Knowledge (local) +6 (+1 rank, +3 class, +1 trait, +1 Int)
Knowledge (nature) +
*Knowledge (nobility) +5 (+1 rank, +3 class, +1 Int)
Knowledge (planes) +
Knowledge (religion) +5 (+1 rank, +3 class, +1 Int)
*Linguistics +
Perception +3
*Perform +2
*Profession +3
Ride +
Sense Motive +3
*Sleight of Hand +
Spellcraft +
Stealth -1 (+2 Dex, -3 ACP)
Survival +3
Swim -2 (+1 Str, -3 ACP)
Use Magic Device +
* Background Skill
Languages Common, Varisian
____________________________________________
SPECIAL QUALITIES
____________________________________________
SQ Domain: Healing (Restoration); restorative touch 6/day
____________________________________________
EQUIPMENT AND GOLD
____________________________________________
Gear Morningstar (8/6), dagger (2/1), light crossbow (35/4), 20 bolts (2/2), chain shirt (100/25), buckler (15/5), silver holy symbol (25/1), spell component pouch (5/2), belt pouch (1/.5), waterskin (1/4), explorer’s outfit (free/8), cleric’s vestments (5/6), tabard (5/1)
Gold 36 (of 240)
____________________________________________
APPEARANCE
____________________________________________
Height 5’6”
Weight 133 lbs.
Eye Color Hazel
Hair Color Blonde
Region of Origin Korvosa
Parents Regions of Origin
Deity Milani
Appearance
Kayleigh is a pretty if not striking young woman with pale skin and short blonde hair. She has a kindness that is reflected in her eyes and her face projects an element of naivety.
Personality
Kayleigh’s a friendly person, if not particularly outgoing with strangers. Once someone’s earned her loyalty, however, she’s a friend for life. Kayleigh’s something of a bleeding heart, often caring more for the poor and downtrodden than she does for herself.
Kayleigh Fairwind rose with the sun, as was her custom. She made the bed in her run-down Bridgefront apartment suite, pulled on her mud-stained white leather breeches, and threw her trusty chain shirt and slightly less filthy white tabard over her head. Wistfully, the young lady wished she knew the useful prestidigitation spell so many bards had in their repertoires; perhaps she could seek one out and exchange some healing or magically create water for a much-needed cleaning spell. Then again, the last bard who’d performed the service for her—a cad from Exemplary Execrables theater—had insisted that the spell wouldn’t clean her clothing unless he ran his hands over every inch of it; call her cynical, but Kayleigh was pretty sure the spell had no such touch requirement.
You’ll be cleaner than almost all the poor people you’ll meet today, the girl reminded herself as she grabbed the last of her gear—an empty waterskin, a fearsome morningstar, an as-yet unnotched buckler, and a leather belt purse with a few silver and copper coins in it. Turning a key in the average-quality lock of her sparsely-furnished apartment, Kayleigh wished she could afford better protection…but then again, there wasn’t much inside worth stealing. She padded down a flight of stairs (as quietly as possible so as to not awaken anyone sleeping in) and stepped out into the streets of Old Korvosa.
Kayleigh had a daily routine, and she did not stray from it this morning. She hopped onto Wave Street and followed it all the way east to the small marketplace at its intersection with Fort Korvosa Boulevard, just north of the great bridge. There she bought a dozen fresh eggs and a small sack of past-prime fruit. Then she entered the crumbling remnants of a small but once-proud stone building that now served as the Temple of Aroden.
The three priests who tended the building were about what you’d expect to see in servants of a dead god: each was creeping up on the far end of middle-age, had little vim or vigor in their daily lives or in their religious zeal, and had a bleak, sometimes cynical view of the future of their faith and the city. Still, they were nice enough gentlemen and tenacious when their backs were put against a wall: Several times the city had tried to shut down the temple but each time the priests had rallied their meager flock and gathered enough gold to ward off an ignominious end.
The priests of Aroden also tried to care for the poor of Old Korvosa, and that made them special in Kayleigh’s eyes. Each morning she stopped by the temple to make eggs to go with whatever leftovers the priests had from the previous night’s supper. As a rule, she took only a few forkfuls of egg herself for the protein, content to break her fast with a piece or two of fruit to tide her over.
This morning, however, she feared she’d go without: The three priests had a guest with them as they awaited Kayleigh’s arrival. The most outgoing of the clerics—bald-headed Garlan—introduced the young priestess of Milani to Anadrea Hillbrake, a nervous-looking, puffy-eyed lady of perhaps 35 summers. Garlan explained that the woman’s 12-year-old son, Kevlin, had gone missing four days ago while accompanying his mother on a shopping trip in Midland.
“The lad vanished when Anadrea stopped at a candle shop on Harborview Boulevard,” Garlan explained. “Didn’t your family once live in that part of the city, Kayleigh?”
The cleric’s face went even paler than normal and she didn’t reply at first to Garlan’s question. A memory that used to haunt the young woman as a daily nightmare once again reared its ugly head, leaving Kayleigh—at least momentarily—just a scared little girl.
It was two years after Kayleigh’s parents had perished in a fire. She’d been taken in by a friend and neighbor of her mother’s, an unmarried woman poor in looks but rich in kindness. One day that winter, her new guardian didn’t wake up one cold morning, and Kayleigh was alone in the world. She was taken in by a man named Ghaedren Lamm. This mean tyrant had a pack of kidnapped and ‘rescued’ orphans who worked for him in exchange for meager food rations and a roof over their heads at night. Ghaedren was a lowly crime lord, the children his pickpockets and thieves.
Well, Kayleigh’d been an awkward, somewhat uncoordinated child at the time. She was a terrible pickpocket, a hopeless thief or lookout, and an even worse liar. She was destined for a short-lived apprenticeship under the merciless Lamm, but things escalated when the girl found a wondrous silver amulet attached to a fine silver chain wedged in a crack between the street and a damaged curbstone. She recognized the piece of jewelry to be a holy symbol of some kind: The pendant featured a delicate rose growing out of a crack in a cobblestoned street. Kayleigh traveled all the way to the Pantheon of Many in South Shore to learn more about the holy symbol and the faith it represented, and to return it to the priest or priestess who’d lost it, if she must.
Her inquiries were met with blank stares from many priests at the multidenominational shrine, but when she showed the silver rose to the priest of the god Iomedae, he recognized it as the holy symbol of the goddess Milani. He told the waif what he knew of Milani’s faith before asking where her parents were. Kayleigh stammered something unintelligible and was preparing to flee when the priest smiled and said, “You keep that necklace, little girl. May it protect you and give you courage….”
…and that was all the priest managed to say before Kayleigh fled, running most of the way back to Midland and Lamm’s headquarters. Certain the cruel man would steal her treasure if she brought it into his hideout, Kayleigh held the holy symbol in her hand, thinking hard of a safe place where she could stash it. That’s when Ghaedren Lamm’s bony fingers closed hard on her shoulder.
The crime lord broke the holy symbol before the girl’s eyes before beating her to within an inch of her life and tossing her body in an alley just off Harborview Boulevard. Kayleigh would have died if the Iomedaean priest she’d met hadn’t decided to follow the obvious orphan street urchin when she fled north. The girl had lost him shortly after entering Midland, but luckily he'd found her again before she’d breathed her last. The cleric took the child back to the Pantheon of Many, healed her wounds, and offered her a job cleaning the temple and helping out with other odd jobs and errands. Kayleigh remained in South Shore at the temple for roughly a third of her life, until Milani heard her fervent prayers and granted her the powers of a Merciful Healer. Kayleigh then moved to Bridgefront in Old Korvosa—one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods—to better care for Korvosa’s most needy: the sick, poor, and underprivileged.
Her thoughts returning to the present, Kayleigh was fairly certain she’d managed to mutter an affirmative to Garlan’s question, but now the old man was asking another. “Can you help Mrs. Hillbrake find her lost boy? Kayleigh?”
“I-I…. Yes. Yes—I’ll do my best,” Kayleigh heard herself saying. Now, seven years after nearly dying at the hands of that miserable bastard Ghaedren Lamm, she’d be going back into the crime lord’s territory, to his seat of power. Was the old goat even still drawing breath? Did he still have a roster of mindless underlings ready and willing to do his sinister bidding? Was the missing child even under Lamm’s iron fist or had he met with some other awful fate? Was she strong enough to face Ghaedren and his thugs alone and live to tell the tale?
Kayleigh didn’t have answers to all these questions, but she now had enough self-confidence and faith in Milani’s guidance and protection to know this was a challenge she couldn’t back down from. She’d search every filthy inch of Midland for Kevlin Hillbrake, and if she found him in Ghaedren Lamm’s clutches…well, she’d cross that bridge when she came to it.
Hey Wicked - I'm brewing things too :)
Moved a bit from previous idea, you'll see it soonish!
We are working together on something. I think it'll be good and hope you'll like it.
I see that there are very few characters capable of much healing submitted. Normal summoners get infernal healing, but unchained does not. I'm actually thinking of bonding with a devil, using evil to fight evil (though thankfully no penalty for fighting other devils for an unchained summoner and the character will be LN). Would you allow me to pick infernal healing as one my spells known?
I see that there are very few characters capable of much healing submitted. Normal summoners get infernal healing, but unchained does not. I'm actually thinking of bonding with a devil, using evil to fight evil (though thankfully no penalty for fighting other devils for an unchained summoner and the character will be LN). Would you allow me to pick infernal healing as one my spells known?
Off the top of my head, there's a shaman, a cleric of calistria, an oradin, and a merciful healing cleric in the running right now.
But yes, you could add infernal healing to your spells known if it were important for balance. A final answer to that Q depends on the selected party composition, though.
Below is the updated applicant list. Please alert me to any errors.
_____________________
Full BAB
Emileva Mavrakis - Slayer (Vanguard)
Garvid Krein - Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager) (Urban Barbarian)
Lanliss Perlerivimen - Slayer (Vanguard)
Lazlo Varrgaio - Swashbuckler (Inspired Blade)
Marial “Mouse” Redfist - Brawler
Pellius Zenderholm - Paladin of Sarenrae (Hospitaler) (Oradin)
Rodrigo De Montego y Ortiz - Swashbuckler (Rondelero)
Searok Ironbeard - Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager)
Three Quarters BAB
Aada Bladotter - Cleric of Calistria
Ameriel Amproude - Alchemist (Eldritch Poisoner)
Calcedon Andoricus Macarte Fordyce - Bard (Diva)
Emilio Deivon - Unchained Rogue (Arcane Trickster PrC)
Kayleigh Fairwind - Cleric of Milani (Merciful Healer)
Norelia “Li” - Unchained Rogue
Yaziyah Tanja, Speaks For The Dead - Shaman (Lore)
Half BAB
Karsis Alevonde - Wizard (Abjuration)
Nicolai Fortescu - Wizard (Foresight) (Harrower PrC)
Tassira Vantyev - Arcanist
I am looking over the applicants thus far, and I am already struggling to make selections out of the exceptional pool of characters you all have created.
Would there be objection to my cutting off new applications on Sunday Feb. 28th? If you've already dotted in or expressed interest you would be free to submit a character after that time but, barring objection, I would not accept any new applicants past this weekend. Thoughts?
That's fine with me.
I'm good with that. March 5th seemed like a long ways away.
♪♫ Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin' me late
Is keepin' me waitin'♫♪
A quick word on character progression: don't feel the need to plan your character very far. Even with daily posting PBPs move slow so you'll have plenty of time for that later. Unless you're like Emilio and already plan a prestige class, then it's at least worth mentioning :). Feedback tonight!
Oh, I didn't mean anything remotely that detailed. More like vague thoughts on character development arc and party fit is what I had in mind.
This is my first fighter so I figure that feat selection will be slow and painstaking :)
Feb. 28th is fine with me!
No objection to moving the cutoff date here. :)