I rushed on last post and added the Con to drain instead of damage. It is in fact -1 drain, -6 damage. So you remove 1 point of Con and temporarily recalculate accordingly, then apply the Con penalty for damage.
Zamanda is right, we are in the ground level, the previous map does not properly reflect it, better use this one for now.
We were in the other one because you descended from the battlements to the green area, then we followed inside and I did not take the time to move the guest wing to the ground map.
290 damage...man scythes are nasty in the hands of buffed power attacking martials. That's enough to one shot an adult dragon! I live in fear of the day that the GM throws a cursed mirror at us that makes Kalem fight himself.
Human Mesmerist 17 | HP 195/195 | AC 27; Tch 13; FF 24 | F +15; R +17; W +24 | CMB+17; CMD 30 | Speed 30 ft | Init +3 | +1 Sap: +18 (1d6+6) | Perc +26
Okay, so we're trying to get into the start tower, correct?
There doesn't seem to be an entrance on this level, unless we missed a secret one. (or if, for some reason, what looks to be a closet on the south side of the star tower is actually an entrance).
I guess we could go back and look for secret doors, and if not, it sounds like Zamanda is suggesting we go down a level more?
Maps Female CG Aasimar Arrowsong Minstrel Bard 8 / Arcane Archer 9 (CL 14) | HP 39/130 | AC 32 / T 25 / FF 28 | Fort +16 / Ref +21 / Will +21 | CMB 17 / CMD 32 | Initiative +4 (roll 2x, take highest) | Perception +32 / Disable Device +23 | Darkvision 60 feet | Bardic Performance 11/23 | Spells 1L 1/5 2L 5/5 3L 4/4 4L 4/4 5L 2/2 | Imbue Arrow 1/1 | Seeker Arrow 3/3 | Phase Arrow 2/2 | Hail of Arrows 1/1 | Acid, cold, and electricity resistance 5 / Immunity to fire, sonic / Vulnerable to cold, acid | SR 22
Sorry. Yesterday I spent a while on an attack post, involving a crit and so some extra time writing it I guess, since I was at work and already distracted a bit, and when I finally had it up you had already posted that the combat was over, so I just deleted it. I didn't have time to compose another.
I made a post just now, but I don't feel like it is up to me whether we dive in with negative levels... it is up to the people who are hurt as to whether we move forward now or sleep and battle some things over again tomorrow. I'm willing to do either.
Maps Female CG Aasimar Arrowsong Minstrel Bard 8 / Arcane Archer 9 (CL 14) | HP 39/130 | AC 32 / T 25 / FF 28 | Fort +16 / Ref +21 / Will +21 | CMB 17 / CMD 32 | Initiative +4 (roll 2x, take highest) | Perception +32 / Disable Device +23 | Darkvision 60 feet | Bardic Performance 11/23 | Spells 1L 1/5 2L 5/5 3L 4/4 4L 4/4 5L 2/2 | Imbue Arrow 1/1 | Seeker Arrow 3/3 | Phase Arrow 2/2 | Hail of Arrows 1/1 | Acid, cold, and electricity resistance 5 / Immunity to fire, sonic / Vulnerable to cold, acid | SR 22
Yes, the +3 is added with the oath part to bring it from +2 to +5. I just was saying it in case it needed to be extra magical to overcome DR in a way that a +5 can do.
It is handy occasionally, but unfortunately you have to be pretty selective about when you use it... can't do it too often, or with anything you can't follow through and kill or the bow is really bad for a week or something. We fought these stupid land sharks back when we did the shoanti test and since we didn't actually kill the one I swore to slay, my bow was reduced to masterwork level for a while, including a battle. We went back and killed it later, but it was rather annoying.
ASCENDED Male Human Paladin (Ghost Hunter) 16 |AC:41 T:16 FF:39 CMD:34 | HP: 141/156 | F+21 R+15 W+19 (evasion)| DR 5/evil | Init +2 | Perc +22 | GS:4/6 LoH:11/13 AB:3/4 HRW:3| Active Status:: (Aura, 10ft: +4 vs. fear, +4 vs. charm, +4 compulsion), <>
So, OOC thoughts:
We've beaten the four spirits mentioned in the poem, but we haven't come across Serithial anywhere. I wonder if we have to just keep looking around, or if there's some other hint in the poem I'm missing.
Human Mesmerist 17 | HP 195/195 | AC 27; Tch 13; FF 24 | F +15; R +17; W +24 | CMB+17; CMD 30 | Speed 30 ft | Init +3 | +1 Sap: +18 (1d6+6) | Perc +26
Sorry to do this after my recent absence, but I'm on a quick trip with family. I thought I'd be able to post, but it's looking pretty busy. I'll rejoin Monday.
She cast the one she had prepared on Kalem a while back. If you happen to have a pearl of power IV or higher, she can use it to cast it again today before resting.
As for the move forward, there is only a general indication that "most" of the undead are free after the curse lifts. So this is basically a decision of what you want forward. The most relevant enemies are already defeated, but there were still a few unique encounters you avoided by following the path you did.
We can do whatever you prefer, we can go through all the combats left around the main gate area and the NE octogonal tower, we can extend it to just the two or three more remarkable left, or we can just skip it altogether because really, at this point, they are not relevant to the plot neither the feeling the Fortress is an undead madness.
The single area that remains relevant right now is the Star Tower. You can try to figure out how to enter there, or we can just skip that part and dimension door through as suggested by Sial.
"She cast the one she had prepared on Kalem a while back. If you happen to have a pearl of power IV or higher, she can use it to cast it again today before resting."
I have on my tagline 4 negative levels. I think that this is correct, and that restoration only removes 1 negative level each week. Just checking in to make sure that I'm properly up to date.
ASCENDED Male Human Paladin (Ghost Hunter) 16 |AC:41 T:16 FF:39 CMD:34 | HP: 141/156 | F+21 R+15 W+19 (evasion)| DR 5/evil | Init +2 | Perc +22 | GS:4/6 LoH:11/13 AB:3/4 HRW:3| Active Status:: (Aura, 10ft: +4 vs. fear, +4 vs. charm, +4 compulsion), <>
Dang, I forgot about the 1/week limit on permanent negative levels. I think in that case we should liquidate some of our treasure at Kaer Maga and get an appropriately leveled NPC caster to hit us with greater restoration. That way we can wipe all the negative levels at once without waiting a week each time. Continuing with 4 negative levels could be pretty quick suicide.
Sound good to folks?
---
Also, as far as remaining above-ground foes are concerned: I think in character Bashiel would be in to clear them out and be thorough, but since this is PbP, OOC I'm happy to focus on the more significant stuff ahead of us.
So far you have not removed any permanent negative level, only some temporal ones after the specters fight, and some Con drain from Ilsa.
Hence, three castings of restoration could leave Kalem and Bashiel with just 1 permanent negative level each until a week has passed (likely during interlude between Book 5 and 6).
Thanks for clarifying the status. Restoration is 1 level per week, so I think Bashiel is right here that we need to teleport out to get greater restoration cast on us.
ASCENDED Male Human Paladin (Ghost Hunter) 16 |AC:41 T:16 FF:39 CMD:34 | HP: 141/156 | F+21 R+15 W+19 (evasion)| DR 5/evil | Init +2 | Perc +22 | GS:4/6 LoH:11/13 AB:3/4 HRW:3| Active Status:: (Aura, 10ft: +4 vs. fear, +4 vs. charm, +4 compulsion), <>
@GM: We already used that scroll post danse macabre. I've been tracking our healing resources on the loot log. As far as I understand, we have 4 permanent negative levels to clear on Kalem, so it'll take 4 weeks to get them all sorted if we don't rely on greater restoration. Please correct me if that's wrong.
Logistics:
We can't teleport the whole party to Kaer Maga because of how many we now have. I believe Zamanda can activate a teleport scroll, then send Kalem, Bashiel and one more along with her. We sell stuff, get our greater restorations, buy new gear for the party as desired, then teleport back here the following day after we're rested up.
I'll work on filling out prices on the loot log tomorrow.
The specters energy drain is only temporal negative levels until you rest. So if hit before that with simple restoration, they are removed. If not, Kalem needs to roll Fort DC 16 (easy for him) to avoid the levels becoming permanent.
Can Kalem roll for that in Gameplay?
That is why I said if you are hit by restoration you are only carrying 1 permanent level ;)
Ok, does everyone want to leave the Fortress or are there other thoughts besides Bashiel's?
ASCENDED Male Human Paladin (Ghost Hunter) 16 |AC:41 T:16 FF:39 CMD:34 | HP: 141/156 | F+21 R+15 W+19 (evasion)| DR 5/evil | Init +2 | Perc +22 | GS:4/6 LoH:11/13 AB:3/4 HRW:3| Active Status:: (Aura, 10ft: +4 vs. fear, +4 vs. charm, +4 compulsion), <>
Gotcha GM! In that case, we can rest somewhere safe in the fortress, get restorations tomorrow from everyone's favorite spiky lady, and roll with one permanent negative level each until the end of the book.
I'm OK with that if you are Kalem.
There's a non-zero chance that we get more neg levels in the star tower and will need to back out and get those greater restorations eventually. But that can happen when we need it.
I am ready to wrap up the sleep scene and move us forward. I basically need from you where are you going next. If you are going to the Star Tower I need to know how you plan to find a way in.
And once again "Not rolling Sense Motive because I have a +8 and he rolled higher than I could." I find it hilarious that both of our characters are so good at lying, but aren't nearly as good at telling when someone is lying. So we could both lie to each other, roll a 2, and the other person would have no way of figuring it out.
Human Mesmerist 17 | HP 195/195 | AC 27; Tch 13; FF 24 | F +15; R +17; W +24 | CMB+17; CMD 30 | Speed 30 ft | Init +3 | +1 Sap: +18 (1d6+6) | Perc +26
So the map is hard to follow as far as where we can go from here. Can we make it into G4 or G5 through these little points off the star? Or are those all closed and we're still looking for a secret door or something?
Kalem, did you reset your spells and rage rounds during the last rest? So far the group has only had the fight against the undead orc and the hell hounds today, and both were short lived ones.
I think that I probably missed the refresh...damn. Going to have to do some forum diving to fix this. Thanks for the catch. Until then mind if I throw heroism up?
I will be on trip for the next week with no access to the tools I usually use to GM here, to make it worse my touch screen stopped working just yesterday. Hence, do not expect much input from my side through all next week.
Luckily we just concluded Book 5! Which means you have a couple of tasks you can do without much interaction with me.
First, you need to level up your characters to 15th!
Then, feel free to RP your trip back to Korvosa. Feel free to have a peaceful trip back through some days, or shorter with magic, sort out equipment sells and go on a trip for buying. Your achievements in Book 4 have contained Ileosa's loyals mostly to the Palace, thus, you can assume to have a somehow normal access to the city resources.
Once I am back at 100% we can continue with the start of 6th book already at Korvosa.
Submissions due by Saturday, March 11 by 12n (East Coast/New York)
If you're interested in submitting a character for a new Curse of the Crimson Throne (CotCT) campaign, I am going to try to put all the relevant information in this post. Obviously, if you have any questions or something isn't clear, please ask and I'll answer as soon as I can.
I'll be running the hardcover re-release version of the AP. I may add in a module or two, depending on how things are going and if we need a break from the main plot, and I expect to make a few tweaks and adjustments based on the PCs' backgrounds.
CotCT has a few moments in the campaign that could be emotionally difficult for some people. If you would like specifics constituting potential spoilers, send me a PM. For this post, it should suffice to say there are some very evil antagonists in this AP.
The Character Builds:
- 20 point buy
- 2 traits, one of which must be a CotCT campaign trait (full list in the post immediately following this one)
- No 3PP material but anything from Paizo is fair game as long as you can link to it on www.d20pfsrd.com
- Evil alignments are prohibited (as is "neutral leaning evil")
- No Hero Points, but we will do Harrow Points
- No background skills
- If you want to play a summoner, it needs to be the Unchained version. Other classes may use original or Unchained, player's choice
Other Submission Requirements:
You may post your submission either with the actual alias you will be using or with the stat block pasted into a post with your primary profile.
With your submission, address the following questions in bullet point format:
1. What is your character's connection to Korvosa? Why is he here?
2. Who is one NPC your character thinks of as a friend or ally? (Can be made up and not from AP or official source material.)
3. What is one goal for your PC other than the one provided in your campaign trait?
4. If your character is anything other than human, explain how she fits in to Korvosa.
You can write a more complete background story if you like but it's not necessary. I will ask for more if your submission is accepted but the above bullet points are all that is required at this point.
House Rules:
- I have yet to find a rule or ability in Pathfinder I've felt a need to change or tweak, but I do still reserve that right. If I think there is an issue, I'll bring it up in the discussion thread and consider all views and input before making a decision.
- Monsters and foes may have their stats and abilities adjusted from the original source material in order to provide an appropriate level of challenge to the party, usually through application of a template or maxing of hit points.
- Similarly, I may tweak NPCs to better suit the campaign and the party, in terms of stats, personality, background and motivation.
- Level advancement will be based on milestones rather than awarding XP. In other words, I will let you know when it's time to level up and it will be at a time that is appropriate for how far you've advanced in the AP.
- No leadership feat.
Expectations:
- Players will be familiar with the information presented in the CotCT Players Guide. Although it was written with 3.5 in mind, the fluff is still highly relevant. Campaign traits have been adjusted slightly when the AP was updated to Pathfinder; the following post details them.
- Once we get going, I expect everyone to post at least once per day, preferably twice, especially if we are in combat. Posts don't have to be long but they need to help keep things moving.
- If you haven't already, please read DH's Guide to Play by Post Gaming.
- I will probably ask people to save their PCs stats in a particular format. I'll also ask for combat posts to follow a particular template. The goal is to present the information to me in a way I can quickly find what I need and post the results promptly to advance the combat.
- You can expect me to post at least twice a day, to respond to questions in a timely manner, and to let you know if I predict any problems on the horizon with my ability to post (e.g., vacation, work, family). Please do the same.
Final Notes
Based on the response to an "interest check" thread, I expect there will be a lot of applications, which means I almost certainly will have to turn away some great applications. In the end, what I'm looking for is 6 or 7 players whose characters will provide a good mix of abilities. I hope to be able to accept players with a range of experience with PbP, including people who have been unable to get into recent campaigns or who are new to PbP, as well as veterans.
As for me, I've been GMing face-to-face 3.5 and Pathfinder games for ten years, including a homebrew DragonLance campaign, the DL Age of Mortals campaign, Jade Regent, Way of the Wicked, and Skull & Shackles. This will be my first PbP GMing experience and I'm looking forward to collaboratively writing our own version of this story with you.
You were hardly a model citizen as a child or young adult. Your reasons for turning to a life of crime may be varied, but what matters is that you eventually fell in with a certain well-connected and notorious crime lord named Gaedren Lamm. His reputation as a snake and a treacherous scoundrel was known to you, but for reasons of your own, you chose not to turn him down when he offered you a chance to work for him. You may have assumed you were an exception, or that you’d be able to handle him, or perhaps even planned to betray him. As it worked out, though, Gaedren got the upper hand and took you down you first. You may have served time in jail, may have been beaten by his thugs and left for dead, or could simply have had your profits stolen out from under you. Whatever the cause, Gaedren wronged you, and you are eager for the chance to get revenge.
Choose one of the following benefits: Hungry for Revenge: You’ve never forgiven Gaedren for his betrayal, and have vowed to make him pay for what he did. Whether that’s seeing him rot in jail or a shallow grave, you hope to taste vengeance someday. Whenever you deal damage with a melee weapon on a creature that is flat-footed, you gain a +1 trait bonus on the damage roll.
Reformed Criminal: You’ve given up the life of crime, and managed to talk your way out of any repercussions such as jail time or fines. You’ve told yourself that you would rather leave your past behind, yet the concept of seeing Gaedren Lamm pay for his crimes still appeals to you. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Diplomacy checks, and Diplomacy is a class skill for you.
Drug Addict:
Someone you know has become addicted to shiver, a drug distilled from the venom of tropical arachnids known as dream spiders. The drug induces sleep filled with vivid dreams, during which the user’s body shakes and shivers, giving the substance its street name. You’ve always thought of shiver as a problem of the lower class, but then someone you know overdosed on the stuff. You’ve done a bit of investigating and have learned that the villain who got your friend addicted in the first place was a crime lord named Gaedren Lamm. Unfortunately, the guards seem to be focused on the bigger dealers. They don’t have time to devote many resources to what they’ve called “a bit player in a beggar’s problem.” It would seem that if Gaedren’s operation is to be stopped, it falls to you.
Choose one of the following benefits:
Addicted Friend: The addict is a friend or lover who might or might not have survived the overdose. Your research into the drug scene and local politics has given you a respectable education in street knowledge. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (local) checks, and Knowledge (local) is a class skill for you.
Personal Addiction: You were the addict. You blame Gaedren for your brush with death and hate how his drugs are causing similar problems among other youths. Fortunately, your body recovers quickly from toxins, and you gain a +1 trait bonus on Fortitude saving throws.
Framed:
Someone you know and love was accused of murder. A supposed eyewitness account from a local fisherman seemed to be enough to seal the case, but the accused had enough alibis that sentencing wasn’t immediate. Someone confronted the fisherman and discovered he was intimidated into providing false witness and forced into planting the murder weapon by the actual murderer—a local crime lord named Gaedren Lamm, whose thugs killed the fisherman before he could recant his testimony. Although this removed the key witness and resulted in the accused being set free, the stigma was enough to badly damage the accused’s reputation. If you can find Gaedren, you’re sure you can find evidence that ties him to the murder and can clear the accused’s name.
Choose one of the following benefits: Dropout: You were the one accused of the murder. Although you were eventually freed when a friend confronted the fisherman and got the truth, the damage had been done. You were forced to leave your school or church. As a result, you were forced to self-train and promised yourself you would become better at your chosen profession despite the spurning of your peers. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Spellcraft checks, and Spellcraft is a class skill for you.
Family Honor: The person who was framed was a family member, perhaps a father or sister. You managed to trick the fisherman into revealing the truth with your skilled tongue. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Bluff checks, and Bluff is a class skill for you.
Love Lost:
Someone you loved was knifed to death in a dark alley one night. You were called to the scene by the Korvosan Guard to identify the body, and as rough as that was for you, you also noticed a ring was missing from your loved one’s finger. Whoever murdered your loved one stole that ring— you’re convinced of it. You’ve done some investigation on your own and recently found the ring for sale at a local merchant’s shop. To your great frustration, you can’t yet afford the 500 gp to buy it back, but the merchant did tell you from whom he purchased the ring: a man named Gaedren Lamm. It seems likely this criminal killed your loved one, or at the very least, he knows who did. The only problem is finding him.
Choose one of the following benefits: All Alone: The murder victim was a lover. With your lover’s death, a part of you died as well, leaving you haunted, grim, and prone to dark musings. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Intimidate checks, and Intimidate is a class skill for you.
Orphaned: The murder victim was your only surviving parent. You had to work hard to make ends meet for yourself and any siblings, and often had to scavenge for food. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Survival checks, and Survival is a class skill for you.
Missing Child:
You suspect that a child you know has been abducted by Gaedren Lamm. Whatever the relationship, you’ve heard rumors about “Lamm’s Lambs,” and of how the old man uses children as pickpockets and agents for his crimes. You’ve even heard rumors that the child you’re looking for has been spotted in the marketplaces in the company of known cutpurses and pickpockets. Although the Korvosan Guard has been understanding of your plight, it has its hands full with “more important” matters these days, it seems, and has not yet been able to learn anything more about Gaedren. No one else is interested in bringing Gaedren down and rescuing his victims— that task falls to you. Yet where could the old scoundrel be hiding?
Choose one of the following benefits: Missing Sibling: The missing child is a brother or sister. Although everyone else has given up hope, you believe your sibling still lives. Your constant search for the missing sibling has developed into great skill at rumormongering and finding out information from others. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Sense Motive checks, and Sense Motive is a class skill for you.
Missing Son or Daughter: The missing child is your own son or daughter, a niece or nephew, or a child you were charged with protecting. The child was abducted during a trip to the market or other daily event. Your stubbornness and long hours spent searching for rumors grant you a +1 trait bonus on Will saves.
Unhappy Childhood:
You spent a period of time as one of Gaedren Lamm’s enslaved orphans, doing all manner of dirty work for him. Maybe you were abducted from your parent’s home or during a trip to the market. Perhaps the irresponsible matron who ruled your orphanage traded you to him in return for a desperately needed financial loan. Or perhaps you, like most of Gaedren’s slaves, were merely a child of the street who succumbed to his promise of regular meals and a roof in return for what he said would be “a little light work.” Whatever the case, you spent several years of your life as one of “Lamm’s Lambs” before escaping. You’ve nursed a grudge against the old man ever since.
Choose one of the following benefits: Religious: Today, while on a job for Gaedren, you found a holy symbol of the god you worship, and intrigued by it, you snuck off to attend services. When Gaedren found out, he beat you to within an inch of your life and broke your holy symbol. Your faith let you block out the pain, and you escaped his control and took shelter in the church, where you spent the rest of your youth. You gain a +2 trait bonus on concentration checks and Constitution checks to stabilize at negative hit points.
Tortured: After you made one too many errors, Gaedren tortured you and left you for dead in a garbage heap. Your scars and memories have motivated you to hone your reaction speed and make you rather jumpy. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Reflex saves.
Okay, I'll kick things off. Introducing Nicolai Fortescu, Human (Varisian) Wizard (Foresight sub-school). Nicolai will eventually be making his way to the Harrower PrC.
1. What is your character's connection to Korvosa? Why is he here? Nicolai was born and raised in Korvosa.
2. Who is one NPC your character thinks of as a friend or ally? (Can be made up and not from AP or official source material.) Grau Soldado. Grau was one of the guards who came to tell Nicolai of his wife's murder. He took pity on the grieving widower and the two became friends.
3. What is one goal for your PC other than the one provided in your campaign trait? To find his missing sister.
4. If your character is anything other than human, explain how she fits in to Korvosa. He's human.
I have the idea of an cleric of Abadar, looking for his daughter.
1. What is your character's connection to Korvosa? Why is he here?
Barnabas Starson´s Family has been living in Korvosa for generations.
He was born here and lived his whole live here.
2. Who is one NPC your character thinks of as a friend or ally?
Barnabas Godfather is Syl Gar. Sir Gar has taken care that Barnabas was taken into the faith of Abadar. Barnabas now works in the Magistrate
of Expenditures as a junior acolyte.
3. What is one goal for your PC other than the one provided in your campaign trait?
To raise in the Ministary and make his Godfather proud.
4. If your character is anything other than human, explain how she fits in to Korvosa.
Baranabas is human
Cam
Male Halfling; Small Humanoid ( Halfling )
Rogue1
Hit Dice: (1d8)+1
Hit Points: 9
Initiative: +5
Speed: Walk 20 ft.
AC: 16 (touch 16, flatfooted 11)
Face / Reach: 5 ft. / 5 ft.
Special Attacks: Sneak Attack
Special Qualities: Fearless, Halfling Luck, Keen Senses, Sure-Footed, Trapfinding, Weapon Familiarity
Saves: Fortitude: +2, Reflex: +8 (+9), Will: +1
Abilities:
STR 9 (-1), DEX 20 (+5), CON 12 (+1), INT 10 (+0), WIS 10 (+0), CHA 12 (+1)
Skills/Feats:
Acrobatics +11, Appraise +4, Bluff +5, Climb +5, Fly +7, Knowledge (Local) +4, Perception +6, Sense Motive +4, Stealth +13; Weapon Finesse
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Curse of the Crimson Throne - Revenge against Gaedren Lamm
Campaign Trait = Tortured and left for dead. (Reflex Save +1)
Chosen Trait: Slave Smuggler: When hiding a Medium or smaller creature from an opponent actively searching you or your cargo, both you and the creature to be smuggled can attempt Stealth checks and select the higher of the two results for your smuggled ally to use while hiding.(https://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/race-traits/slave-smuggler-halfling /)
1. What is your character's connection to Korvosa? Why is he here?
Child of Halfling refugees escaping Cheliax
2. Who is one NPC your character thinks of as a friend or ally?
Shalla, Priestess of Gyronna
3. What is one goal for your PC other than the one provided in your campaign trait?
Support those helping slaves escape their cruel masters
4. If your character is anything other than human, explain how she fits in to Korvosa.
Child of Halfling refugees escaping Cheliax
What Cam never knew about his parents: A large halfing family spent lots of coin to be smuggled into Korvosa along with many others fleeing Cheliax for various reasons. Cam was still quite young when his father, out of desperation to pay debts, sold the promising youngster to those who paid cash for such things and asked no questions. Cam was acquired by Gaedren Lamm and put to work using his natural talents for acquisition. Cam had a soft heart and a stubborn streak, taking after his mom, and was repeatedly beaten by the Old Man for not making profits and going easy on targets. Finally, one day, Cam was beaten to within an inch of his life and left in a refuse pit as an example to the others. Fortunately, Shalla, a Priestess of Gyronna came along and found the boy bleeding out. She took him back to the temple and ministered to his wounds as best she could. Her and the other sisters put him with some of the families of battered women until such a time as Cam could make it on his own.
Cam has found a new purpose and has joined a group (along with the Sisters of Gyronna) to help those abused escape and find freedom.
1. What is your character's connection to Korvosa? Why is he here? Kalem was born and raised in Korvosa.
2. Who is one NPC your character thinks of as a friend or ally? (Can be made up and not from AP or official source material.)
- Nicolas Krueger (A local fence and part time drug dealer. He has given Kalem and his brother work and a fair price on whatever needs to be sold or bought. He thinks of Nicolas as an uncle)
3. What is one goal for your PC other than the one provided in your campaign trait?
- To prove to himself that he is more than what he was born to be.
4. If your character is anything other than human, explain how she fits in to Korvosa.
- His parents were human.
----------------
What he brings to the party:
(1) Close Combat (bloodrager)
(2) Face Skills (Especially when it comes to bluffing)
Note: Still editing the crunch a bit. Might move around equipment before finalized
---------------
Background
Life is rarely easy for a tiefling. Life would already have been hard even without his cursed appearance. His family were as poor as one could be. His father was a strongman for Gaedren, who died before he was born after trying to shake down the wrong man. To get by, his older brother was soon enlisted into Gaedren's operation as a pickpocket, while his mother was given even more unsavory work.
Kalem never got to know his mother, as she died soon after giving birth to him due to complications in delivery and a lack of medical attention. Naturally, he never knew his father either. But what was clear from just looking at him was that he was a cursed child. A Tiefling. A creature with Infernal blood. For the rest of his life, Kaleb would secretly blame himself for her death.
He and his older brother, Marcus, were thrown in with the rest of the orphans 'taken in' by the crime lord. His older brother became a defacto father figure, protecting Kaleb against the worst prejudice that he faced. There was nobody that he looked up to more than Marcus. Given the color of his skin, he was often nicknamed 'Marcus' Shadow.'
For Kalem, his talent for lying soon became apparent, and he was sent off to the streets to fleece people out of their hard earned money on games of rigged chance. It was a task that he excelled in. And, as he was naturally both strong and fast, he quickly learned how to either fight or flee from situations involving angry 'customers' demanding their money back.
His life, such as it was, came to an end, with the death of his brother. Marcus had come of age and was 'moving up' in the family. He was given the task of delivering a package for Gaedren. Little did he know that he was being framed. The package had in it evidence making Marcus' into a murderer. He was picked up by the city watch after an anonymous tip led them to Marcus. As it turned out, Marcus had a striking resemblance to one of Gaedren's much more valuable hitmen. The hitman in question had been seen, and Gaedren decided that Marcus was expendable enough to be sacrificed in the hitman's place.
The next time that Kalem saw his brother again was during the public execution. The situation destroyed the young Tiefling, and lead to a spiraling depression, followed by obsession. Using every last bit of guile and coin that he had, Kalem uncovered the truth of what was in the package. Family Honor
Overwhelmed with feelings of anger and helplessness, Kalem fled from his life in the crime family. Left out on the streets by himself, he lived in terror of being discovered by one of Gaedren's men, for fleeing or 'operating' in their territory. Carefully Hidden He got by, more or less, because of Nicolas. A fence and small time drug pusher, he took pity on the young tiefling. Nicolas gave him enough work to earn his way. It started with small jobs, and eventually led to dealing with Nicolas' customers. This was in recognition both due to his silver tongue, but also due to his intimidating appearance.
Now, having come of age, Kalem is looking to find his way in the world. He has two goals in life. First, to get vengeance for the loss of his brother, and second to prove to himself that he was more than what he was born to be.
My submission is Gardol, an Archer (Fighter) whom I'd plan to multi-class as a Sniper (Rogue):
1. Born and raised in Korvosa
2. Blackjack: although not known personally, Gardol was once saved from a beating/mugging several years ago while fishing by a dark stranger in a cloak...he's always fancied it was the legendary Blackjack...
3. In addition to finding his niece, his main goal is to be able to make a go of it as an adventurer and some day join the Pathfinders...
4. Gardol is human.
Thanks for the interest, all. I don't see any questions yet, but if you asked one and I missed it, give me a holler.
Questions
@ Kalem: I may be blind, but what is Kalem's alignment?
@ Barnabus: I'm a little confused by the alias. Profile block is a Human Cleric of Abadar while text blocks are for a half-elf arcanist.
Just to help me keep track of where things are. Let me know if I've missed you.
Complete*
1. Nicolai Fortescu (CG Human Wizard)
2. Hyregoth/Cam (CG Halfling Rogue)
3. Tarondor/Arcadius Steel (CG Human Slayer)
4. Kalem Darkborn (Tiefling Bloodrager) (but may edit some crunch)
5. Gardol (CG Human Fighter/Archer)
Pending/WIP
1. Barnabus Starson (Human Cleric of Abadar) (see question above)
Interested
1. Jovich
2. Han Del
3. BoggBear
4. JAF0
5. Jack Daniels
* "Complete" does not necessarily mean I've had an opportunity to review the submission. I will follow-up if I have any questions.
Ah, my apologies. I usually leave that blank as a character's personality tends to come out after posting a few times. I'll make him Chaotic Good. In the sense that he does what he feels is right. But a hard life has still taught him to look after himself first.
@ Barnabus: I'm a little confused by the alias. Profile block is a Human Cleric of Abadar while text blocks are for a half-elf arcanist.
Pending/WIP
1. Barnabus Starson (Human Cleric of Abadar) (see question above)
* "Complete" does not necessarily mean I've had an opportunity to review the submission. I will follow-up if I have any questions.
Ah, my apologies. I usually leave that blank as a character's personality tends to come out after posting a few times. I'll make him Chaotic Good. In the sense that he does what he feels is right. But a hard life has still taught him to look after himself first.
No worries. I don't get hung up on alignment in game unless it's plainly just a string of actions that scream one end of a particular axis. Right now it's just to help me get a snapshot of where you generally see your character. Thanks.
dotting for Brin the baker. I have him as CG. because he will only "cook" evil people that he can prove evil.
(gingerbread witch)
Brin is more like a "Dexter" type character he believes in right but ever since his love has been lost he firmly believes that the law does not do engouh to portect those in jepoty. that it would be better off if they just disappeared. Brin does not look dangerous he is a wolf in sheep clothes. he prefers no threaning clothing colorful and casual. he even only carries a dagger. he keeps several breathmints in a pouch along with sugery sweets to offer to people he has a cheery deposition.
he isn't finished yet.
wow just noticed all the spelling errors. that's what I get for not checking please let me know if the alignment is a stretch. I originally had him as neutral. let me know your thoughts, I am open to suggestions.
This is my submission.
I hope all is ready, it was done quickly and I may have made some mistakes...I will adjust the background for this campaign.
Thank you
What is your character's connection to Korvosa? Why is she here?
&
If your character is anything other than human, explain how she fits in to Korvosa.
Many years ago, Tynal was sent to Korvosa and assigned to be the elven enclaves token representative in the Korvosan Guard. Over the 15 years she served there, she grew to become fascinated by the humans and their never ending inventiveness by both the powerful and meek.
And so it was, when her assigned rotation in the guard was done, rather then return home, she used what earnings she had saved to apply to The Acadamae as an excuse to stay longer among the humans.
When her savings ran out, before she had fully completed the course of study, Tynal was forced to leave the school and fall back on skills learned as a guardswoman to earn enough to finish her training.
She offered her services as an arcane detective for hire, helping any who could pay, or who's stories caught her fancy.
It might have worked, had she not been so soft-hearted, that she ended up working more for the weak and powerless, rather then the wealthy and powerful.
Then her younger half-human brother disappeared from the market. Now she once again is burning through her hard earned money trying to find what happened to the boy.
Who is one NPC your character thinks of as a friend or ally? (Can be made up and not from AP or official source material.)
Perishial Kalissreavil - He still respects her for the years she spent as the enclaves representative in the guard.
What is one goal for your PC other than the one provided in your campaign trait?
To open a formal detective agency that can help bring justice to those in need.
I have an idea for a human swordmaster I have been wanting to try that a built for a different game that didn't go anywhere, I will rework his story and get him posted here soon.
1. What is your character's connection to Korvosa? Why is he here?
Came into Korvosa from a traveling caravan of entertainers. The troupe had disbanded after an unfortunate incident in a nearby town.
2. Who is one NPC your character thinks of as a friend or ally? (Can be made up and not from AP or official source material.)
Terema, Goldy's sister, was accused of murder in another town. While Goldy tried to convince the sole eyewitness that he had misinterpreted what happened, Suileman, the "ringleader" of the entertainment troupe was helpful and supportive, even in the face of eyewitness testimony.
3. What is one goal for your PC other than the one provided in your campaign trait?
To acquire enough influence and gold to get the troupe back together.
4. If your character is anything other than human, explain how she fits in to Korvosa.
Goldy doesn't really fit in anywhere. He always manages to charm or bluff his way through life. He is in Korvosa to seek fortune and fame.
Just checking in. I'm getting some good questions unique to character concepts via PM but am continuing to check here for any questions.
One thing I forgot to mention is starting wealth; just go with average for your class.
Re: traits, yeah, the naming conventions can be confusing and on some sheets I've had to click through all the spoilered traits to confirm, but there are two options under each "trait".
I've decided to throw a concept I've been kicking around into the mix. Davn will be a Varisian urban ranger utilizing the thrown weapon style using starknives. Not exactly optimized, but I feel the idea has tons of potential for flavor. I'll be slow to build him, but I'll certainly try to have him up and completed by your deadline.
I've decided to throw a concept I've been kicking around into the mix. Davn will be a Varisian urban ranger utilizing the thrown weapon style using starknives. Not exactly optimized, but I feel the idea has tons of potential for flavor. I'll be slow to build him, but I'll certainly try to have him up and completed by your deadline.
Certainly like that Idea! The best I could come up for a throwing knife build was Vigilante 2 (so your throwing knives automatically get returning, and you get a nice +4 to one face skill), Warpriest of Pharasma 5 (pushes damage up to 1d8, gives you swift action divine favor, swift action +1 enchantment to your throwing dagger, free weapon focus and another combat feat), Slayer (studied target, ranger combat feats).
With fate's favored and magical knack (warpriest) you get +3 hit and +3 damage from divine favor, +1 hit and +1 damage from studied target. Buy a scabbard of Vigor (1800). Turn 1 use a move action to study your target and a second move action to get close, as well as a swift action to give yourself divine favor. Turn 2 move into range, use quickdraw to take your dagger out, giving it a +3 bonus for 3 rounds, and a swift action to give it another +1 enchantment bonus. Throw it for a standard action.
You now have a +4 returning throwing dagger, which with divine favor and studied target gives another +4 bonus. Point blank shot gives a further +1 to hit and damage. That's a 1d8 returning dagger doing +9 hit and +9 damage before calculating dex and strength. All for 2000ish gold in gear.
Grab a few more scabbards of Vigor so you can get through an adventuring day, and have different kinds of daggers. A cold iron dagger, a mithril dagger and an adamantium dagger. Each one gets enchanted cheaply by your class and scabbards.
Never tried this out as it takes too long to really get online. Really look forward to seeing what plan you come up with.
Well I certainly like where you're coming from. Deep down inside I am a numbers guy too. Heck, I even like the class combination in your build. But it also gives me some flashbacks of the convoluted builds of my 3.5 days. Now I'm not saying that playing that character wouldn't be fun - and I may just look into it myself if the ranger idea doesn't pan out - but I feel like when you begin mashing up classes just to make the mechanics work, you begin to lose some idea of who the character is.
Submitting Chapel. Unchained Knife Master/Scout with aspirations to take finish training himself on the job as a Lion Blade PrC (updated version).
1. What is your character's connection to Korvosa? Why is he here? Chapel came to Korvosa on a training mission and has returned to find Seyllana's murderer.
2. Who is one NPC your character thinks of as a friend or ally? (Can be made up and not from AP or official source material.) Mentor Gideon is the closest Chapel has to a father. Gideon has promised to help Chapel return to the fold if he should choose to do so.
3. What is one goal for your PC other than the one provided in your campaign trait? Bring the corrupt leaders of Korvosa to justice.
4. If your character is anything other than human, explain how she fits in to Korvosa. Chapel's grandmother on his father's side was an Elf and the elven blood has proven strong in him. He typically downplays his elven heritage as many of the upper class consider it a pitiable thing to be a Half-Elf.
Abilities:
STR 13 (+1), DEX 14 (+2), CON 13 (+1), INT 10 (+0), WIS 13 (+1), CHA 13 (+1)
Skills/Feats:
Acrobatics +2, Bluff +2, Climb +1,Diplomacy +6 (+7), Disable Device +2, Disguise +2, Escape Artist +2, Fly +2, Handle Animal +2, Heal +2, Intimidate +2, Ride +2, Perception +2, Sense Motive +6, Sleight of hand +2, Stealth +2, Survival +2, Swim +1, Use magic device +2; Improved Initiative.
Traits: Missing Son or Daughter, (Will Save +1.) Reformed Criminal, (+1 Diplomacy.)
1. What is your character's connection to Korvosa? Why is he here?
Orphan elf raised in the city
2. Who is one NPC your character thinks of as a friend or ally?
Zenobia Zenderholm, The Hanging Judge. A friend he made while doing volunteer work outside of his church duties, only recently learning that she is a judge.
3. What is one goal for your PC other than the one provided in your campaign trait?
He wants to increase the prominence of Sarenrae in Korvosa.
4. If your character is anything other than human, explain how she fits in to Korvosa.
Former thief turned cleric.
Taken in by an old retired Hellknight after being orphaned by his parents, Varor (pronounced v-air-or) lead a happy life for 20 years before Varor (the Hellknight) died. Varor would run the streets of Korvosa for several decades until he met a young Gaedren Lamm. They would spend years together working the streets as rising stars of the criminal element of the city until one day Gaedren made a very daring kill and left Varor holding the knife.
Through a careful mix of stern bravado and decades of favors owed by criminals he was able to get out of a permanent sentencing to prison -or execution- at the cost of having to work at the temple of the goddess Sarenrae. A tolerable punishment he would have to work carefully to get out of over the next several months, knowing full well that her teachings included the foolish notion of redeeming the redeemable, he would be easily able to track these good-hearted fools into believing that he was capable of a genuine change of heart.
30 years later Varor, cleric of the goddess Sarenrae, is haunted by thoughts of it his old friend and the worsening rumors of his misdeeds, drug trafficking, theft, kidnapping. As the rumors become worse and worse Varor is troubled, knowing that on some level he is responsible for what his old friend has become, and now the rumors are becoming fact. Children of the faithful of Sarenrae have been going missing lately and there have been reported sightings of them working as his old friends "little lambs."
With your submission, address the following questions in bullet point format:
1. What is your character's connection to Korvosa? Why is he here?
Alistair was born and raised in Korvosa, he has recently return from several months as a caravan guard.
2. Who is one NPC your character thinks of as a friend or ally? (Can be made up and not from AP or official source material.)
Vencarlo Orisini. This is his former Teacher in the art of sword fighting.
3. What is one goal for your PC other than the one provided in your campaign trait?
It will develop as game time goes by but he wishes to see the streets cleaned up and a better society.
4. If your character is anything other than human, explain how she fits in to Korvosa.
This is the character I PM'd you about, GM SnowHeart. She might be a bit too "neutral leaning evil", in which case I'd prefer some feedback on that before recruitment closes so I can make the necessary changes. She's a haunted spiritualist with a focus on out of combat skills, since her phantom is going to do most of the fighting while she struggles not to vomit. Here are the questions; there's a backstory in the alias as well.
What is Fiona’s connection to Korvosa? Why is she here?
Fiona was, presumably, born in Korvosa, and she was raised by a friend on the streets. She’s never been out of the city, and she’s not likely to leave it.
Who is one NPC Fiona thinks of as a friend or ally?
Father Talpheous. He’s a priest of Zyphus, leader of a cult, and the closest thing Fiona has to a father figure.
Boots. If he’s alive, her childhood friend would surely help her out. Right?
What is one goal Fiona has (other than the campaign trait)?
Fiona’s upbringing hasn’t left her all that sane, and her biggest goal after Lamm is dead is to get her mind more under her control.
1. What is your character's connection to Korvosa? Why is he here?
to avenge himself
2. Who is one NPC your character thinks of as a friend or ally? (Can be made up and not from AP or official source material.)
Will think of something. Nargun is well known in taverns, and anyone looking for some muscles to bust a few slavers skulls can call him friend. He could be a friend of any Caydenite in the group
3. What is one goal for your PC other than the one provided in your campaign trait?
So far, Nargun has short term goals. Maybe avenging his wife-to-be death will change things
4. If your character is anything other than human, explain how he fits in to Korvosa.
As a strange looking dwarf, Nargun doesn't care if he fits in Korvosa.
I would like to submit Andras Teoss, an NG Human Arcanist (Occultist).
GM answers are in the profile, reposting them here too for convenience:
1. What is your character's connection to Korvosa? Why is he here?:
Andras was born in Magnimar, but moved to Korvosa in order to enroll in Acadamae as he possessed a significant magical talent, especially in the field of conjuration, and the prospect of mastering the art of conjuring extraplanar beings, and through them, learning about life in the multiverse, exhilarated him. However, once his studies began in earnest, he became disillusioned with the way Acadamae focused on brutally pressing the summoned outsiders into service, treating them as expendable (if dangerous) tools. On his penultimate exam, he has succeeded in keeping a majestic celestial eagle bound to the material plane for much longer than was necessary, at which point he was ordered to kill the creature. Appalled, he refused to do so, and was suspended from studies.
As his case was being investigated by the school board, his roommate, with whom he had cold relations, was found murdered. A supposed eyewitness has framed Andras, and he was immediately expelled. Later, the charges were quietly dropped as the Guard has found evidence that the roommate was addicted to shiver supplied to him by a gang of one Gaedren Lamm, and was killed by the gang over the money he owed them for the drug. Andras just happened to be the most convenient scapegoat at that point. But Andras did not try to restore in the Acadamae, feeling that the relationship between him and the university has been mutually soured forever.
Still, he has come to love the vibrant city outside the forbidding Acadamae walls, and he still hopes to see justice done to Gaedren Lamm’s gangsters and the man himself. He finds Korvosa much livelier as opposed to Magnimar, which in his memories is dominated by lifeless golems and timeless monuments.
2. Who is one NPC your character thinks of as a friend or ally? (Can be made up and not from AP or official source material.):
Gregor Hugthorn, a recently retired Acadamae enchantments instructor. Giving a much kinder impression than most of the faculty, he always taught that arcane knowledge is best used as an academic research tool and not to be wantonly used on unwilling subjects. He was on the examining commission witnessing the summoning incident, and has taken a liking to Andras since then. Rumor has it that he was the one who extracted the truth from the eyewitness, while some add that after Gregor was done with him, the poor man went insane way before Lamm’s thugs got to him. Gregor himself maintains silence on the subject, denying any use of magic outside of the campus in relation to Andras’ case.
3. What is one goal for your PC other than the one provided in your campaign trait?:
Andras dreams of undermining Acadamae’s de-facto monopoly on the conjuration studies. He wants to raise awareness about the finer aspects of conjuration, be it getting celestial help to protect a community from a calamity, communing with other planes to get insight about the tide of events in the multiverse, or simply studying the endless forms of existence for the benefit of humanity. Sometimes he dreams of opening a sort of extraplanar menagerie, where all sorts of benign outsiders would be displayed for the fun of onlookers and available to perform a minor service in return for a charitable donation.
Here is Wrong John Silver's entry. Maynor Torque is a True Neutral Chelaxian Heretic Inquisitor of Abadar (Trade Subdomain), searching for his daughter. He is designed to be a party face with secondary tanking.
1. What is your character's connection to Korvosa? Why is he here?
Maynor is a native of Korvosa and has lived here all his life. In fact, he never expected to become an adventurer, but the toll of losing his daughter has set him on a new path, whether he wants it or not.
2. Who is one NPC your character thinks of as a friend or ally? (Can be made up and not from AP or official source material.)
Honorio Marquize is a friend and business contact in the East Shore docks. When Maynor was falling apart, Honorio stuck around to check up on him.
3. What is one goal for your PC other than the one provided in your campaign trait?
One thing Maynor has learned is that there are a lot of children that disappear in Korvosa. He feels great shame that this can continue to happen in the city, and he would much rather see Korvosa's children raised in safety.
4. If your character is anything other than human, explain how she fits in to Korvosa.
So here's the character I (GddsGrief) would like to submit, Kristryd Gamora Fang, a CG Half-Orc Sanctified Slayer Inquisitor of Milani with the Fervor Inquisition who will eventually take levels in the Rosewarden PrC. I'll post all the crunch and fluff for her on this alias's profile once I finish her build.
1. What is your character's connection to Korvosa? Why is she here? Kristryd has lived in Korvosa her entire life, working odd jobs for Various Merchants and the Cerulean Guild for most of it. She now works as an investigator and watchwoman for the Korvosan Guard, the first Half-Orc to do so
2. Who is one NPC your character thinks of as a friend or ally? (Can be made up and not from AP or official source material.)
She's good friends with a local Kitsune minstrel and courtesan from Kalsgard named Yukari Farlivere. She's also allied with Half-Elf Torrence Teal, a double agent for the guard and the Cerulean
3. What is one goal for your PC other than the one provided in your campaign trait?
To prevent the spread of Chelish influence in Korvosa, and beyond, and to travel the world as an adventurer, spearding freedom and liberty far and wide
4. If your character is anything other than human, explain how she fits in to Korvosa.
Kristryd is one of the few Half-Orcs living outside of the slums of Old Korvosa, and the only one working in the Korvosan Guard. She is respected cautiously by her fellow watchmen, but is honored by the small Half-Orc population due to her prominent status
Important announcement: If you've already expressed interest or "dotted" the thread, you still have time to submit an application. Cutoff remains Saturday at 12n (Eastern).
However, if you have not yet "dotted in", I'm going to close the proverbial door at this point. There are already a ton of great people submitting great applications and I'm going to have a terrible time deciding.
That said, here are where things currently stand:
Complete*
1. Nicolai Fortescu (CG Human Wizard)
2. Hyregoth/Cam (CG Halfling Rogue)
3. Tarondor/Arcadius Steel (CG Human Slayer)
4. Kalem Darkborn (CG Tiefling Bloodrager) (but may edit some crunch)
5. Gardol (CG Human Fighter/Archer)
6. Barnabus Starson (LG Human Cleric of Abadar)
7. Brin the Baker (CG human Witch (gingerbread))
8. Alistair Wellington (CN Human swashbuckler)
9. Quinlan (NG tiefling investgator)
10. Tynal Kerzara (N elf conjurer)
11. Ira/Goldy (CG gnome bard)
12. Chapel Ty'El (CN half-elf rogue)
13. Kobolum/Varor (NG elf cleric of Sarenrae)
14. Fiona Kesk (N human spiritualist (haunted))
15. Nargun Firehelm (CG dwarf barbarian)
16. Andras Teoss (NG Human Arcanist (Occultist)
17. Wrong John Silver/Maynor Torque (N Human Inquisitor of Abadar)
18. GodsGrief/Kristyrd Fang (CG Half-Orc Inquistior of Milani)
As requested in PM, here's my entry. Ilsa Dreambind, human mesmerist (dreamstalker) 1. I'll provide background and answers to the questions tomorrow. Thanks!
