Days have gone by looking for Tom. All without any more success than what Gregor had at the beginning. A hunch. Gaedren Lamm.
Inquiries have led to the same tentative conclusion. Rumors about children being abducted. Taken into service. If you'd crossed Gaedren, they said, he may very well have taken your child. And the only thing worse than being kidnapped was to be found useless. Oh yes, there were rumors of that, too.
Then, one afternoon, as you head down the street wondering how you're going to continue to pay for food while your pursue what has happened to your son, you shove your hands into your coin purse to count the few goins you have left... and discover something else entirely.
A harrow card. On one side, the Rabbit Price. On the other, a note.
"I know what Gaedren has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done."
Sunset. You have a few hours before then.
Quinlan:
The last few days have not been... easy. There's been the itch, scratching in the back of your brain, under your nails, twitching in your heart. How long has it been since you kicked the habit, and still the shiver pulls at you?
Just last night, one of your lovers tried to give you some. It was strange, not because you'd never done shiver with a lover before, but because this one had always been clean. And now that you looked, you could see the early signs of addiction. When you asked where he'd gotten it, he sniffed with indifference, "From an urchin, one of the Lambs. Who cares, come on!"
You know what the Lambs are, but they'd always been sneak thieves and pickpockets. That they were now being used as dealers?
As you gather your things to set out and try to track down some information about the Lambs and their master, something slips from one of your pouches. A harrow card!?
On one side is the Wanderer. On the other, a handwritten note:
"I know what Gaedren has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done."
Sunset. You have a few hours before then.
Brin:
It's happened again. The nightmare. Funny thing, they don't only come at night. It's night and you're walking down one of the streets in Old Korvosa. Or is it North Point. No, it's the docks. All of them? A laugh. Like bells in a spring wind. Cammeile. You smile and move faster, eager to see her. You've a surprise you want to share with her. She'll be so thrilled. What a great feeling to be in love.
You know what's coming. You try to tell yourself to not feel so happy. To wake up. Something. Anything. It doesn't help. It's like you're watching yourself from inside your own head, unable to control your own actions. Screaming but with no voice.
The laughter leads around a corner and into an alley. It becomes disembodied. Sinister. There, laying in the alley, dead... blood pooled and drying around her body. You collapse, sobbing, and the laughter shifts again. Coming from all around you. From the walls of the buildings. The bricks of the street. Crushing you.
Waking in a panic, you realize -- again -- it's in the past. But you now have a name to go with the laughter. Gaedren Lamm. But you've never been able to find a location or other lead.
As you get ready for the day, you lift your pocket scarf and notice something left underneath it. A harrow card. The Joke, and on the reverse side, a handwritten note:
"I know what Gaedren has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done."
Quinlan, known as simply Quinn to his closest friends, spent the day lounging in his cousin's Academy, half-watching with admiration while the students worked up a healthy sweat. The flashing blades and impeccable physiques, both male and female, were distracting to say the least. Still, Quinlan found time to gaze down at the book in his hands and read passages between his people-watching. He wasn't, perhaps, gleaning all he could from the book, but he did manage to retain most of it for later contemplation at least.
First and foremost among the bodies he was watching was that of his cousin, Vencarlo. The man was incredibly blessed with a perfect body and a sharp mind and wit to complement it. The swordmaster was entrancing.
Quinlan sighed and turned his attention back to the reading at hand. "Early History of Korvosa: Chelaxian Origins and the Growth of Independence", a dry and rather verbose volume that, while ultimately factual, failed to engage his interest fully.
Eventually he closed the book and his eyes. His thoughts meandered back to the previous night. A night tussling between the sheets was all well and good, and his partner last night, Rath, was quite adept and skilled. Quinn was still bothered by the fact that Rath, always so clean and clear-headed, had tried to get him to take Shiver with him. Distressed over Rath's new addiction and his revelation that one of Lamm's children was his dealer, Quinn had left early, both unsatisfied. He hoped that Rath wouldn't hold it against him and he'd walked the streets for a few hours last night, seeking leads into where he could find Lamm, make this madness stop.
He sighed and opened his eyes again. If only... he thought, then banished the desire to the back of his mind for now. Musn't really go there. Not now. Not unless... until... oh if only, perhaps someday. He pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind, realizing they only surfaced because he was tired and distracted.
He untangled himself from the pretzel he'd twisted into while reading and watching the sword practice and stood, closing his book after marking his place and leaving it untended on the table. He wasn't worried about any of the meathead swordsmen and women stealing it. He planned to walk outside, glad for the opportunity to stretch his legs and walk about a little, easing his muscles into renewed activity.
As he stood, he noticed the rectangular card slip out of his pouch. Curious, as he'd no such thing in his pouch that he knew of, he bent and picked it up, flipped it from one side to the other a few times. A Harrow card? I know no Harrowers, and Rath couldn't have placed it there... could he? would he?
He looked over at Vencarlo and pondered whether he should tell his cousin where he was going at sunset. It was just a few hours away. He stopped in Vencarlo's office and wrote him a short note.
"Going to have a Harrow reading at sunset... I'll probably see you tomorrow. - Q"
He went for his walk, bought something being hawked as roast squirrel on a stick, though he suspected it was rat. Still it was tasty, marinated well, and he picked up a glass of wine to drink with it as he wandered. He found a place to sit and watch the Harrower's place for the last hour til sunset... across Lancet street and down the road a short way. He finished his street meat dinner and wine, cleaned his hands carefully and pulled a book from his satchel, something far more interesting than the dry history tome he'd been reading, and alternated between watching the address and reading until sunset neared.
male Human 2nd lvl Witch (gingerbread) | hp 16 | F+3 R+1 W+4 | AC 11/11/10 | Init +1 | Perc +1
Brin held the Card in his hands for a few moments turning it in his hands pondering. Where did it come from, did anyone know his secret? .. Brin looked at monster.. "Did you see anything you Blob?" Cookie shook his head a chocolate chip falling down its face as if a tear. The blob of course never spoke, but he knew he watched. Brin smashed Cookie flat with his fist. shouting "DAMN YOU." leaving the mess behind. Cookie slowly started forming himself back up. "Stay Here, let no one see you." Brin said quietly.
So brin got ready for work, slowly putting on his baker hat. His mind numbed by tonight's events. Sure it was a little early to get started, but it would give him some time to get focused. Brin walked down the street to the shop glad that no one was about yet. His thoughts only on his love. He wasn't there for her. He never was there when she needed him. There was always his business to think about.
Brin then started going through his routine, cutting strips of meat to put into pies. knotting and kneading the dough to make bread. And slowly a smile started spreading on his face. Then a whistle, then a grin, by the time the doors opened.
"Good morning Bob, how are you this fine beautiful day?" "How's the wife, Bnifey" "What a lovely Dress your wearing today Mrs. Markov." " You want some of that goose meat pie? same as yesterday."
All the time thinking what this night might bring. Maybe a playmate for cookie?
The sun doesn't really shine through the windows...not this far down in the street, the old buildings crammed in on each other, the Shingles ascending even further above. But still, a trickle of light manages to filter through and play across your eyelids, pulling you back into consciousness.
Marcus.
Hmm. It's been at least a week since your first thought turned to your brother. A bitter memory, watching his body swinging at the end of a rope.
Gaedren.
Mm. The familiar rage that followed the feelings of loss. This path is so worn there may as well be ruts.
You begin to go about your morning ablutions when you look up into the polished metal that serves you as a mirror and wedged into the corner is...a Harrow card!? Where did that come from? It's a picture of the Big Sky and, on the reverse, a handwritten note:
"I know what Gaedren has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done."
Kalem lost track of time as he walked the familiar path. Roads that might as well have been made by his boots. Streets that he knew by heart. People and their misery which was so familiar that both had become invisible. He shouldered past a child, knocking the boy into a wall. The kid was going for the pockets of his cloak. He knew because he had failed to do the same many a time when he was the boy's age. He knew that he should have been working. That Nicolas had a shipment of the chew coming in and that it had to be sold. But his heart just wasn't in it. Instead he kept pulling the tarot card out. Was it a trap? Someone trying to lure him in? But if it was then why not just take him in his sleep? Was it real? And if so how did someone both know about him and get it without him knowing?
It all felt so wrong, but like a moth to a flame he couldn't resist. Eventually he returned home and rooted around in the crawl space within the small apartment that he called his home. He pulled out his lammelar leather armor and slipped it on. Small rectangular 'plates' of rawhide covered it. It was inconspicuous enough to wear outside, but tough enough to stop a knife. He also slipped on his cestus, a spiked leather glove good for bashing in teeth and tearing flesh, and picked up his hammer. It was originally made for knocking down walls, but he found that it was just as good when used on idiot thugs moving into his territory. And finally he pulled his robe and hood over the armor and his face.
He knew that he had to go, even if he suspected a trap. Because the alternative was a lifetime of wondering and regret. And he could bear death better than that.
Male Halfling HP 11/11 | F+3 R+7 W+4 | AC 19/15/15 | Init+6 | Perc+8 | DD+7 | CMB -1; CMD 13 | Halfling, Unchained Rogue 1
Gregor walks lost along the streets hes walked a thousand times. He knows every alleyway, every little hole to slip away from chasing guards, but now he walks with out purpose prowling the streets for his son for anyone that would listen.
He steps aside all the depthly as the long legs swept past him, reaching into his pocket to see how much he could eat tonight it would be another rough night on the streets but he needed the money to pay of guards and criminals for any information. Lamm. He had heard all the rumours of Lamm's little Lambs, it made him sick his little Tom being turned into something he never wanted for him.
Placing what little coin he had left in his pocket he felt it something that wasn't there before, instinctively he went for his nicked dagger turning to look behind him, scanning the street for anyone that could have sneaked up on him. Happy that no one was there, he skulk off to an alleyway to pull out the card.
A harrow card with a rabbit price? His stomach churned as he read it, a feeling of bliss maybe someone will help finally. But that was quickly replaced with miss trust, Could it be Lamm wanting to finally end him? He narrows his eyes turning the card around checking every inch of it and rereading it a dozen times. He knew the address, and no matter what it held in store it was a break it was something he could run towards some purpose. Now he wasnt lost now he knew where he had to go.
It was hard to drag yourself away from your mother this morning. The healers have indicated her legs may not set properly and the Bank of Abadar charges more coin than your family can afford. The watch has been sympathetic, but there have been stirrings of unrest lately. The king has been in ill health and people are anxious about his gold digging wife taking the crown. It's been impossible to give you more time off to care for your mom. But, you tell yourself, she has something for the pain.
As for Gaedren, even with the resources of the Korvosan Guard at your disposal, you've found no clue as to where he may be. You know he moves his hideouts periodically and any of the Lambs who've been caught are always too terrified to say anything. And they always go back to Lamb after being released, yet shake any tail placed on them. Finding Gaedren has been an impossible task, particularly when you still have your regular guard duties and now an infirm mother to care for.
As you make ready for the day, you pause briefly to consult your holy book, to find some words of comfort or reassurance in it. Odd. There's something in the book, making it predisposed to open to a certain page as you flip through. A Harrow card!?
It's the Paladin, and on the reverse side is a handwritten note:
"I know what Gaedren has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done."
Sunset. You've several hours until then, and your shift will be over.
The Shingles may not be the safest place in Korvosa, but it was one of the few you could feel the sunlight on your face. You just had to watch out for the imps and chokers. Still... it's worth it.
As the sun began its slow climb across the sky, Ilsa sighed, shaking off the last of her dreams, made her way down to the street and went to her shop. Back in the shadows and gloom, the old thoughts came back. Gaedren Lamm. He'd already taken Ilsa's sister and newphew. Now Briget, too? And who knows what was happening to her. The Guard was sympathetic but useless. They told you flat out they'd been looking for Lamm but only had so many resources and he was well hidden. They'd let you know when they found something.
Arriving at her shop, Briget makes ready to open for the day, retrieving the lockbox and unlocking it for the day's transactions. All is as it was the night before.
When the first customer arrives and pays, Ilsa opens the box a second time...and finds. Harrow card!?
It's the Unicorn. And on the reverse side, a handwritten note:
"I know what Gaedren has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done."
The Dawnflower and her faith have been good to you these last thirty years. It started as drudgery -- cleaning, laundry, attending to the priests and priestess -- frequently in forced silence (to give you time to contemplate your misdeeds). It started with you feeling a mix of relief at having avoided a noose around your neck, but gradually resentment built.
And then... it was washed away. You'd realized the tragedy of the life you'd lived, accepted the guilt of your deeds, and in Sarenrae you found forgiveness. One thing led to another and just recently you were fully accepted into the faith as a priest of the Everlight, redeemed and reborn both in mind and purpose.
Yet the last few months have been troubled. Certain dreams teasing at nightmares. Anxiety where there should be peace. Shadows that once held contemplative warmth now could be home to something cold and sinister.
And then, late in the morning, while tending to one of the many gardens in the temple, you found something. There had been no one else nearby. It was quiet and peaceful, a time of contemplation. Tend to the soil, turn, retrieve some flowers from a basket, plant them in the soil. Repeat.
But then, when you turned, atop the flowers was... a Harrow card!? You looked around but there was no one to be seen. How did it get there? The card was that of the Midwife, holding aloft a tiefling babe just born. On the reverse, a handwritten note:
"I know what Gaedren has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done."
Strike at him? Justice? These were concepts you were once quite comfortable with. But now?
At sunset, the card says. You've several hours until then.
He found a place to sit and watch the Harrower's place for the last hour til sunset... across Lancet street and down the road a short way. He finished his street meat dinner and wine, cleaned his hands carefully and pulled a book from his satchel, something far more interesting than the dry history tome he'd been reading, and alternated between watching the address and reading until sunset neared.
Give me a Perception check and, if you're trying to blend in a bluff or, if hiding, stealth.
Quinlan finds the appointed location to be a humble structure sandwiched into a neighborhood of warehouses, food processing facilities and other places of an industrial nature. This is West Dock, to call it a "neighborhood" of the Midland District would be generous. Quite frankly, it stinks. But, it's also the lifeblood of the city where men and women work every day, turning the gears of industry and helping the city prosper.
As for 3 Lancet Street, it appears as more of a residence than business, yet you do see a small wooden sign nailed to the side of the door, faded with age but with the unmistakable carving of a fortune teller's Harrow card. This is definitely the place.
As far as you can tell, though, 3 Lancet Street is the one location in West Dock that isn't doing much business at all. Nobody enters. Nobody leaves. Drapes are drawn shut over the only window.
As you sit there, reading your book, you catch several curious glances, but they seem to convey mostly expressions of befuddlement. A little before sunset, an old crone toddles up to you, a few hairs growing from a wart on the side of her face and a bad rash covering one of her hands. Her clothes are worn and tattered and there is an unwashed stench about her.
"Alms for an old war widow? Take pity on those less fortunate than you." She holds out a palsied hand expectantly.
Quinlan lofts a brow and looks her over, wondering if she is truly as old and infirm as she appears, or if it's all a scam,
perc:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 (unless that's what I already rolled for)
but he says nothing if he does notice anything amiss about her, and puts a few coins in her hand. Here you go, grandmother... take care and may you garner comfort from them...
Male Elf Cleric/7 7d8+(14 con)+(7 fc)=Hit Points 59/59. Initiative: +6. Perception +4 Speed: Walk 30 ft. AC: 19 (+2 vs. evil) (Touch 12, Flat-footed 17, CMD 18, FCMD 16). Saves: Fortitude: +7, Reflex: +4, Will: +7.
Varor takes the card and the note and show it to other priests and priestesses of the temple asking for their opinion on the matter and informing them of his desire to extend an offer forgiveness and help to his once friend.
As the time for the meeting draws near Varor understands that only he can make this decision. He gathers up his personal effects and heads off to meet with this mysterious person who wants to pay back Gaedren.
The woman eyes the coins, paws at them for a moment with her free hand, then pockets them. She starts to walk away with nary a word, then stops, looks at you out of the corner of her eye, and says, "You're lookin' at Zellara's place. What do you want with her? Not lookin' to make trouble, are ya?"
She appears truly old and the maladies afflicting her appear real enough. She smells of the processed fish and other waste that goes through, and the stains infect every part of her clothing, hair and nails. Judging at least by appearances, this is no scam.
"You're very astute, grandmother, and you have good eye, I was perhaps watching ... um Zellara's? ... place... you mean number three over there, right?" If she indicates yes with an answer or a nod, he goes on. "I was hoping to speak with her, though we don't know each other... yet. What can you tell me of her? Is she nice? Is she pretty? Is she young? Are her readings accurate?" He watches the old woman with a gentle smile.
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), <>
Bashiel pocketed the card with an intense frown. The search for Gaedren had been weighing heavily on him and he felt that he had been failing not only his parents but Gregor as well. All of Gaedren's old haunts had turned up empty, cleared out professionally, with no hint of where the criminal had gotten to. Every day since his agreement with the halfling, he had poked his nose about the streets and alleyways, asked questions around the Shingles, and kept current on information in the Guard.
Nothing. Not one inkling of where the man had gone.
~You still aren't thinking like a criminal, boy! The rotten fellow is covering himself. He's using what loyal underlings he has to brush away the dirt of his footsteps. Like a rat in his warren. You'll have to smoke him out!~
His Uncle Marosetkh was in his element, delivering a familiar speech that would likely end in advice to engage in some nefarious and dangerous scheme. Bashiel tuned him out.
The card is a lead, but not a pleasant one. Anyone who has legitimate cause to accuse Lamm would have come to the Guard, and the knowledge they claim would have helped us track him down. Instead, they leave cards and cryptic statements. A criminal then, motivated by revenge maybe. Gregor was a thief, but he was motivated by a noble cause. This one on the other hand...
His speculation was cut short by his arrival at the Guard offices. A long day's work awaited him. Before beginning, he borrowed some ink and parchment from the offices and jotted a short note for Gregor, informing him about the Harrow Card note and detailing the time and location of the meeting. Folding it up, he located one of the young messenger boys and passed him 2 silvers along with instructions to search the streets for a halfling matching Gregor's appearance. After an admonition to the boy to earn the value of those two silvers by dedicating his afternoon to the search, Bashiel donned his gear and began his shift.
--------
As the sun dips down to touch the horizon, Bashiel makes his way through the streets, still decked out in his Guard armor and with a weapon by his side. His stride is energetic, filled with renewed purpose after days of dead ends. His eyes dart towards the door of 3 Lancet street and then to search the street for his partner in this matter.
Down the street, Bashiel sees an old beggar woman panhandling a young man sitting on a weathered bench reading a book. A few rays of the sun continue to shine down, striking just the right angle to light up the street... it doesn't improve the view. Slop and what ought to be sewage slowly stream down the gutters towards the Jeggare, occasionally forming foul smelling puddles. A flock of imps suddenly take flight overhead, cackling madly as they twirl about before heading north towards Old Korvosa and Osiris only knows what else.
There is 3 Lancet Street. A humble abode in an environment of industry, as if the warehouses have grown up around it. The door is closed and the window dark, drapes pulled shut.
Feel free to give me rolls if there's anything specific you're trying to do.
For his part, Quinn has trouble deciphering the old crone's true motives though she doesn't seem to acting with deceitful intent. "Young? Heh heh." She coughs a bit, phlegm coming up to lips before she wipes it away. "Prettier than me, I s'pose. But she got nothing for you, boy. Lost 'er son a few years ago, murder they say. Tore her up inside. Ain't been right e'er since."
The crone kicks at something on the street only she can see. "Ha'n't seen her for days... but you be good to her." She gives a hard eye to Quinlan. "Ya might 'ave a bit o' the sun in ya, but the boys 'round here 'ill break e'ry bone in yer face if you do Zellara wrong. She's suffered enough." With that, she ambles off down the street, shuffling past the guardsman with a grunt and a grumble.
Quinn nods and swallows hard... then answers softly before she leaves. "I will treat her well when I see her, grandmother... thank you." He goes back to dividing his time between his book and watching the door of #3 until sunset or some other distraction.
male Human 2nd lvl Witch (gingerbread) | hp 16 | F+3 R+1 W+4 | AC 11/11/10 | Init +1 | Perc +1
As the sun sets Brin carefully closes shop and makes sure no one is around. He gathers some "special" candies poison on the Green candies gathers up his seldom used dagger and heads to the appointed place with a basket of treats. Only stopping by his house to get "Cookie". Looking both ways he will pass by the appointed place a couple of times. just to make sure there are no look outs, and then doubling back to make sure no one is following him. Getting ready one of his candies in his hand he heads to the place. With Cookie looking out of the basket also.
Quinn notices the baker cruising the street and casing #3 as he makes multiple passes by the address... he perks up and puts his book away. It's almost sunset anyway... might as well get closer.
He rises and approaches the address, checking up and down the street for anyone else watching the place besides Brin. Whether he spots someone or not, he heads to #3 and reaches for the doorknob, opening it as if he was just another customer, which in this case, in a sense, he is... having the mandate of the invitation in his pocket.
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), <>
Bashiel crosses his arms and leans up against a building to take some weight off his tired legs. The street looks like any other, maybe even better than some down in the poorer districts. No sign of the informant. A hoax? Once Gregor is here we'll find out.
He stretches to relieve the stress of the day's work and makes no effort to hide that he's keeping an eye on the house and surroundings.
Perception:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
When he sees Quinlan suddenly get up and move towards the house, he frowns, and then raises his voice. "Excuse me sir. Are you the owner of this house?"
"Owner? me? no." He looks at the fellow in the guard uniform and frowns slightly. Haven't done anything illegal... nothing to get nervous about."I have an appointment here..." He points to the signboard. "Harrow reading." He shrugs. "I'm a bit superstitious. It's not a crime these days, is it?" He pauses just outside the door.
"By the way, I'm Quinlan... who do I have the pleasure of addressing?"
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
DM:
Ilsa looks at the harrow card and note in stunned silence and can hardly get rid of the customer fast enough.
She looks at the note again and reads it four, five, six times.
Is this another dream? A nightmare?
She pinches herself--hard--and it seems she is awake.
Is this some kind of joke? What am I supposed to do? I'm a simple shop girl!
She sets the note aside and looks at the harrow card again. Unicorn? What does it mean? Generously offering up that which is sought? Is that right?
Not knowing what it could mean, she thinks about the possibilities.
What would I even do if I found this guy? Turn him over to the guard? They said they couldn't do anything. I'd get myself killed! I'm sure this Gaedren is surrounded by plenty of muscle. Would I make change for them? I don't have any skills--just my nightmares!
There had been that time a customer tried to cheat her out of a platinum and she had glared at him. She thought she saw an image of herself appear right behind him. Or the time at night when she was so scared and wanted light so badly, and the book at the side of the bed had begun to glow.
What have I to lose? I have nothing to live for! It said there would be others...
She looks around the simple consignment shop. It wasn't her store really--she ran it for an old miser. She would be fired if she left early, that was for sure. Running to the front door, she puts a 'CLOSED' sign on the window and looks around.
There was a suit of studded leather on consignment. It would fit, though be maybe a little more form-fitting than she was used to. There didn't seem to be any weapons, but for a sap and a dagger. Quickly undressing, she puts the old armor on, grabs the weapon, and starts stuffing items into a backpack. She runs to the counter and takes any money she can from the money bag, then leaves the store.
Sunset? she reads in the note again and swallows hard. Not if I can help it! I'll go early!
She runs a hand through her long dark hair. Her face looks exhausted but determined. Locking the door behind her, she rushes off toward 3 Lancet Street.
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), <>
"Bashiel Eland. And don't worry, I'm not on duty right now." Bashiel extends a hand. "If you don't mind, could you tell me who owns the place? I'd like to talk to them after you're done." Bashiel briefly pauses to think.
If it is sundown, the occupants are expecting me. In the rare chance that this is a trap set by Lamm... this poor fellow could be in danger.
"Actually, I should warn you. Whoever is inside this place right now is related to an ongoing investigation with two cases, an attempted murder and a kidnapping. While I'm not certain right now, they may turn out to be dangerous."
"So if you're here in uniform, talking about an investigation... but you're not on duty? Mind if I ask what brings you here this evening? I have an appointment, but I was told others would be here... "
He considers a moment, head tilted to one side as he thinks, not sure how much to reveal. "Are you here seeking justice? perhaps of a personal nature?" He purses his lips as he watches Eland carefully, observing every nuance he can of the fellow's expression and body language.
sense motive:1d20 ⇒ 1LMAO
... but the half-light of sunset bothers his vision.. not light enough OR dark enough to see by, and he misses any important clues Bashiel might reveal.
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), <>
Attempting to judge if Quinlan is as clueless about this situation as Bashiel himself, or if this response is an act.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Bashiel beckons Quinlan away from the door. "For myself and another. If you're also here to seek justice against Lamm, then we have that in common." Bashiel moves back to the other side of the street, his gaze moving between the house and Quinlan "In my line of work, you learn that mysterious invitations to dark alleys, or" Bashiel nods at the house "unusually well darkened houses, are rarely simply for a chat. Especially if there are bosses like Gaedren Lamm involved."
"The message I received did mention there would be others, so it bodes well for its honesty that you are also here. I'm inclined to enter right now and see the truth of it, but I'm waiting for a friend of mine that's also interested in what this house's occupant has to share."
"If you'd like to wait, there is safety in numbers... besides, if you're willing to share what brought you here, I'd like to hear it."
Male Halfling HP 11/11 | F+3 R+7 W+4 | AC 19/15/15 | Init+6 | Perc+8 | DD+7 | CMB -1; CMD 13 | Halfling, Unchained Rogue 1
Gregor rounds the corner to Lancet Street just as the sun is setting. He stayed away from the street before not wanting to tip anyone off and holding himself back so he didn't just run in there before the message told him too. Bashiel was the smarter one the one that would find his son.
Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
He glances down the street, spotting the house numbered 3 wincing as the spots two people outside stepping aside to get a better look he moves forward slowly. Letting out a deep sighs as he spots Bashiel at the door but is still unsure of the man he's speaking too.
He lowers his shoulders and moves forward to introduce himself. "Bashiel" He says moving forward with a hand held up to get the large man attention. He quickly eye's up the man standing next to him. Could he be the one who called us here?
"I'm glad you made it my friend, who would this be?" He nods to the other man, an untrusting edge to his question.
Ilsa, if you arrive early, I'll assume a lot of this is playing out in front of you. Offer a bluff or stealth check to see if you go unnoticed, or if the others see you as they assemble.
As Varor arrives in West Dock, the sun has just begun to set. Workers are leaving their warehouse jobs for a drink or to head home. The streets are busy, though not mobbed, with the thrum of the crowd washing over you. A fair lesser amount of traffic is on little Lancer Street, where you may notice three men (two humans and one halfling) exchanging pleasantries. One of the humans is in the uniform of a guard.
I think that means we're just waiting for Kalem to dot in to this thread, but everyone else should feel free to enter when the like, or continue to chat out here.
"Well, Bashiel, I was sent an invitation to be here... at sunset, and I was told there would be others here as well... So you received the same message, I presume?"
When the halfling walks up, he smiles and his fingers twitch as he stifles the impulse to ruffle his hair like a child's. Don't be silly, he thinks. this is no child, but a halfling, and probably a formidable one who is friends with at least one city guardsman.
"I would be Quinlan, Quinlan Orisini. A pleasure to meet you... both. It seems there are three of us. Shall we go in?" He reaches for the door.
pausing to give Ilsa, Varor and Kalem a chance to post some kind of intro/action before entering
Male Halfling HP 11/11 | F+3 R+7 W+4 | AC 19/15/15 | Init+6 | Perc+8 | DD+7 | CMB -1; CMD 13 | Halfling, Unchained Rogue 1
Gregor nods at the mans introduction and begins to warm to him looking him up and down once more before reaching into his pocket and producing the card, showing the message quick and then the picture. "It would seem we all have that in common. I'm Gregor Step, if you're here for same reason we are I can see us becoming quite friendly." He looks back behind him not wanting to be overheard. "Maybe we should take this talk off the street." He gently pockets the card again.
I agree with Quin on the little pause, I don't want to rush off and pressure the others.
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), <>
Bashiel gives a smile as Gregor approaches and introduces himself "Glad you're here Gregor. It looks like my letter wasn't needed, you received a card of your own. You didn't happen to see who passed it to you?"
"Quinlan, I received a similar card to what Gregor showed. Very unusual, even suspicious. But I'm loath to abandon a possible lead." Bashiel nods at Gregor and Quinlan's suggestions. "I suppose we should find out what merit there is to this invitation."
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
Ilsa arrives early and watches as the others congregate.
What are they doing? One of them appears to be a guard...maybe the guard found something. I guess it's safe...
The fact that the others kept looking in her direction means her hiding spot had not been very well-selected.
Here goes nothing...
The attractive, tired-looking young woman in used and slightly-too-tight leather armor approaches the assembled group. Her dark hair is worn loosely to her shoulders. She doesn't appear armed, except for a sap hanging from a belt. She carries a small backpack, as well.
"Umm...good day," she ventures. Her eyes look like she hasn't slept well.
"I'm wondering if you might help me. I received a note that said I should meet here. I'm sure it's some kind of joke--an unkind one at that--but I felt compelled to come. Are any of you here for the same thing? Did one of you send it?"
stealth:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
FYI, I haven't read anyone's previous posts to this point to stay in character, so I have no idea of anything that has happened to this point except DM posts.
With night falling Kalem made his way to the rendezvous point. When he sees Bashiel his guard instantly went up. The man was in uniform...was this a watch raid? But when he overheard Ilsa he steeled himself. If there was even a chance that this was legitimate, he had to take it. Approaching the group they could see that he was armed with his modified sledge hammer, and that he looked big enough to use it.
"Evenin'. If this is a joke it's a poor one. I take it you all received this as well?" With that he held up his tarot card.
Male Halfling HP 11/11 | F+3 R+7 W+4 | AC 19/15/15 | Init+6 | Perc+8 | DD+7 | CMB -1; CMD 13 | Halfling, Unchained Rogue 1
Gregor smiles at Baashiel. "No but it was appreciated my friend. I didnt see who could have passed it to me, they must be very good at moving around undetected maybe a magic user.."
Before the three of them can enter the house an attractive young woman and a tiefling approach the group. "More that have been summoned, we're getting a proper party together here." He takes out his card and shows the two others. "We all got them and I pray this isnt a job, it's my last hope." He stops himself again checking the street. [b]"We were just about to ender maybe we should all head in and we can talk a little more discreetly.
As he makes another pass, Brin sees the growing number of people but also notes... is that light behind the curtain?
Quinn:
Perhaps it's his perspective having reached for the door but, as Quinn turns back to talk with his new acquaintances, he realizes there is light inside 3 Lancet Street, shining underneath the folds of the drape covering the window.
Ilsa:
As she walks up, Ilsa notices there is a source of light inside 3 Lancet Street, showing from beneath the drape covering the window. Yet no one has entered or left. Perhaps the host is waiting?
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
Isla pulls her cloak tight around her as evening begins to fall.
"Look," she says, pointing at the house. "It's getting dark out, but there's a light on inside. Can we go try the door? I don't want to be out here after dark," she says apprehensively.
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), <>
Bashiel measures up each of the two newcomers. "If you're both here looking for information on Lamm, then we all share a similar goal. I would, however, like to know your names if we are all involved in this mess."
Bashiel's gaze lingers on Kalem as the man seems to immediately rush for the door and a frown crosses his face. "I am Bashiel, the two here are Gregor and Quinlan." He waves a hand at Gregor and Quinlan in turn, and then points at Kalem. "Since this fellow here seems so eager to enter, I suppose we might as well go in."
Judging the truthfulness of Ilsa's answer:Sense Motive:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Judging the truthfulness of Kalem's answer:Sense Motive:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
"Kalem. We've met before, watchman. Over a friendly game of cards. I doubt that you'd forget my face. Anyways, enough talk. Feel way too exposed out here."
Quinlan opens the door and steps into the room, whatever might be there... and peers around in the light, expecting to find someone, perhaps this Harrower, Zellara. "Hello? Zellara?" If nothing bad happens, he'll step further into the room, giving others space to enter as well.
"Grandmother in the street told me it belongs to Zellara, the Harrower, who I hope is the one who sent these cards we all seem to have... this is her place... not sure if it's her home too, but it's where she does .... whatever it is she does."
Quinn opens the door into 3 Lancet Street, followed by Ilsa, Gregor, Kalem and Bashiel. The interior of this small, humble home consists of a single cozy chamber filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice. The aroma comes from several sticks of incense smoldering in wall-mounted burners that look like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke gives the room a dreamy feel.
The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast juggling human hearts, and another showing a pair of angels dancing atop a snow-blasted mountain. A third tapestry on the far wall depicts a tall, hooded figure shrouded in mist, holding a flaming sword in a skeletal hand. A few wall mounted lanterns provide light, fueled by oil reservoirs large enough to burn through the night.
Several brightly colored rugs cover the floor, but the room’s only furnishings are a wooden table covered by a bright red throw cloth and several elegant, tall-backed chairs. A basket covered by blue cloth sits under the table.
Atop the table is a small, handwritten note.
The Note Reads...:
"Thank you for coming. I had to step out for a bit, but shall return shortly. Please, have a seat while you wait. The basket under the table contains bread and drink for you.
An image of the note has been placed on the Google drive.
If you open the basket...:
...you find bread and wine. Judging by the texture, the bread may be a little stale but still perfectly edible, and the wine is a common vintage. Nothing exceptional, but pleasant enough on the palette.
This is an opportunity for the assembled characters to sit and relax until we have everyone from the party present, at which point I'll begin the next part. I currently have Brin outside and Varor en route.
male Human 2nd lvl Witch (gingerbread) | hp 16 | F+3 R+1 W+4 | AC 11/11/10 | Init +1 | Perc +1
Brin looks around one last time to make sure no one is watching the place. You never can be to careful he thought "Good evening Maadam, would you like some food?" after giving her "safe" food brin takes his pointer finger and places it over his lips. He then walks up to the window looking in he tries to listen to any conversation. "what do you think cookie?, should we go in?"
if cookie sees anything he will throw a chip at Brin, Cookies cant talk FYI
If you were selected, please "dot in" here. We'll be using this thread for all substantive OOC discussions, letter others know about our availability, etc., so on, and so forth.
For now, feel free to introduce your characters, discuss your roles, abilities, and see if there are any opportunities for your characters to have pre-existing relationships. (Absolutely not required but sometimes fun.)
I'm aiming for us to start with in-character posting on Monday, but I'm going to want to write a proper introductory post for each of your characters and that may take me a little time.
In the meantime, here is the "something extra" I mentioned I would ask of folks if they were selected for the campaign.
Please provide the following and add them in a spoiler box on your alias's profile:
1. Five Background or Concept Elements for your character. This can include a physical description, an overview of the character's personality, significant background points, etc. Just a couple sentences on each is sufficient.
2. Two of Your Character's Goals. One is your campaign trait. The other is something you already picked in your submission. Please provide a couple sentences here. (Cut and paste is perfectly fine; this just helps me to have it all in an easy format.)
3. Two Secrets. One secret that only you know; another secret that you do not know but someone else does.
4. A Fear or Paranoia. Something that really gets to your character.
Male Halfling HP 11/11 | F+3 R+7 W+4 | AC 19/15/15 | Init+6 | Perc+8 | DD+7 | CMB -1; CMD 13 | Halfling, Unchained Rogue 1
Thanks for picking me Snow, appreciate the vote of confidence :)
I'm based in the U.K. And I'm about to sleep so I will go over those questions tomorrow and double check Gregor over.
I'm planning him as a classic rogue, stealth/trap finding with loads of skills. I really don't see him as the party face but who knows maybe he could pick up a little confidence along the way.
My backstory/link to the game is I've lost my son, if anyone else has taken that or the other side being one of lamms lambs I'd think we could really work something out as worried parents or I tracked you down and asked for your help. I did some work for Lamm not my best times but I did it for my son and it bit me on arse.
male Human 2nd lvl Witch (gingerbread) | hp 16 | F+3 R+1 W+4 | AC 11/11/10 | Init +1 | Perc +1
I am playing Brin the baker, he is a easy going carefree character, at least that is what he was and he still acts that way. Brin suffered when his Fiancé was murdered on the street and swore vengeance. He is a gingerbread witch that makes his potions into candy. And is happy to bake Pies. He can get along and empathize with anyone who has a loss like him. He is on a dark road that he doesn't know when it will end. He would prefer it if all the evil men in the world would all just disappear.
He is a mixture between "Dexter" and "the Operative" in Serenity where he knows there is evil men and is trying to get rid of them. but understands that after he is done the good world wont be for him. But he is willing to take on the Sin of the world to do it.
Hi all... thanks for the pick, Snowheart... I really am looking forward to this!
Snowheart - I put the requested information at the end of my profile... let me know if you want anything changed.
For the other players: Quinlan was born and raised in Korvosa, and could have ties to anyone from the city (see his profile re: GM Questions for CoCT). Would be happy to set up some relationships in advance of the game..
Quinlan is a relatively focused individual, very much into acquiring eclectic information and odd bits of knowledge just for the sheer fun of it. When he's not buried in a book, he loves to get out and meet people... While not the MOST charismatic fellow, he's good looking and generally likable, so he has lots of friends (and several lovers) in town.
Due to his troubled past involving drugs, from his parents' addictions and deaths due to drug use, and his own addiction at a young age, he's learned the dangers firsthand. He wants very much to keep other young folks from making the same mistakes, especially his sister, Erina. Currently, Erina is relatively safe from such a danger. She grew up in a church orphanage like Quinlan himself did, and when she 'aged out of the system', she got a job at their uncle's law office. She works there as a receptionist and studies the law at her uncle's side, as a sort of informal apprenticeship. She, like her brother has a sharp mind and is quick learner. But she feels the need to learn quickly as their uncle Gian is now quite elderly, and is considering closing his business and retiring. Erina has a young man who wants to marry her. She hasn't given him an answer yet.
Quinlan wants someday to open a school in Old Korvosa, to bring knowledge and education to the people of Korvosa who don't have ready access to such opportunities.
As for personal relationships, Quinlan doesn't have any strong ties to anyone really except his cousin Vencarlo, but even that connection is rather casual, both having many friends and lovers, and neither considers their relationship to be monogamous. They remain close friends.
To keep things somewhat streamlined but hopefully without stealing too much of your agency, there are a few things I'm going to do automatically in any given situation instead of taking a lot of unnecessary time of us waiting for one another to make a roll. TO WIT...
I'm going to roll initiatives and perception checks for everyone as needed as a macro for every character. Please make sure you keep the stat block that appears underneath your alias's name updated with any current modifiers, and I'll make any rolls based on those.
For the stat block that appears automatically beneath your name when you make a post, please include the following information:
Race, class and level; current and max hit points; Armor Class; Saving Throws; Initiative; Perception and a note as to any modifiers; anything else you think may be necessary for quick reference.
I'm going to trust you to understand your modifiers on attack rolls, saving throws, etc. But if you have questions, definitely ask. A number of you look to be very experienced while others may be new to PbP. There are no stupid questions.
For other rolls, feel free to offer them preemptively if you think I might want/need. If I don't need it, I'll just ignore it.
In terms of information put into a spoiler box, I don't care if you read it or not. If there's something I really want to keep private, I'll send it to the player(s) via PM and depending on the situation allow others to make a roll (or I'll make it secretly for them).
I've got a F2F game tomorrow afternoon (I'm on the U.S. east coast) but I'll try to have introductory posts on the gameplay thread for you tomorrow.
On a related note, while I'm experiencing at GMing F2F games, this is my first time GMing a PbP game. If you have any suggestions, give me a holler. Sometimes nuance, emotion and intent don't translate well via text. Further, I know sometimes I put a strong emphasis on moving things forward. So, if you feel I've done something that was unfair to you or your character, please let me know. And also let me know if you think there's room I can do a better job as your GM. I'm a firm believer that this "table" belongs to all of us.
sounds fine with me... you rolling inits and perceptions is cool, and tends to speed things up immensely. Appreciate it.
Don't suppose you could open up gameplay for dotting so I can close this tab and just watch my campaign listing for updates here? I will of course dot AND delete so as not to clutter the gameplay thread.
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), <>
Hi all! As I mentioned in Recruitment, I'm looking forward to playing with you all from now on!
This will be my second PbP game (the first being a PFS scenario that is still in progress) but I've been playing Pathfinder in earnest for the last 3.5 years (GM-ing weekly, less often a player) so I should be able to pull my weight regarding rules and gameplay. That said, its pretty likely that I'll mess up PbP conventions in one way or another. If you see something wonky, feel free to correct me. Thanks in advance!
As for Bashiel: He's a fairly straightforward Paladin, though his archetype selection makes him particularly effective vs. undead and incorporeals. No idea how many undead actually appear in this campaign so that might be a total dud! Expect to see him hold down the melee side of things. His other main gimmick at 1st level is that he can temporarily become skilled at any one skill 1/day by conducting an hour-long seance. I hope to use this to patch any holes in the party's capabilities (say Knowledges that we're missing) but its a bit clunky to use effectively.
Personality wise, I hope you'll all see that Bashiel is a very passionate and driven individual, sometimes too impulsive for his own good. He has a rock steady moral core with an emphasis on filial piety and personal responsibility. He believes that all evil creatures and people can achieve redemption but that sometimes this second chance comes through Osiris seizing their souls from Pharasma's masses and reincarnating them into a new form.
I'm a big fan of starting with pre-existing relationships between player characters. As Bashiel is part of the Korvosan Guard and has had multiple prior encounters with Lamm, there should be plenty of situations where he could have come across other people's PCs. Other possible points of intersection:
Involved with the churches of Sarenrae or Pharasma? Bashiel has a good relationship with the first, and a more contentious one with the second.
Spend significant time in Old Korvosa? Bashiel's family lives there and its his old stomping ground.
Had a family member framed by Lamm? Bashiel's father was framed for attempted murder.
I would like to aim for two preexisting bonds. I'll be brainstorming based on what I read from you guys, but if you'd like to suggest any, I'm all ears :>
I'll be adding the new spoiler box some time on Sunday and may do a few background tweaks at the same time.
Snow, for the two "secrets", is the intention for these to be relevant to the campaign? Or can they be something fun/silly?
As a meme we of the guard, feel free to have had Bashiel and Kalem having met before on the opposite ends of the law. Though note that with Bluff +11 vs Sense Motive +3, it is likely that the Tiefling was able to weasel out of making anything stick.
GM Question
We have 2 soul Seer tieflings, so I was looking into changing my spell like ability for added differentiation.
Fiendish Heritage: By raw if only applies to sorcerers. Will you allow it to apply to bloodragers as well?
Male Halfling HP 11/11 | F+3 R+7 W+4 | AC 19/15/15 | Init+6 | Perc+8 | DD+7 | CMB -1; CMD 13 | Halfling, Unchained Rogue 1
Hey Snow, not sure if you've posted about it but how do you plan on doing rounds will you be running it like table top?
http://paizo.com/campaigns/JZsCarrionCrownTrialOfTheBeast/recruiting&pa ge=1 (when I put this in a tag it doesnt work at all - It under the Running the Game heading) . If you want an idea how other Gm's have done it on the board, I've found this way to be the smoothest(That link is to a game my house mate runs). Where the game doesn't get too bogged down on one persons action.
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
Glad to be selected! Thanks so much! I had a busy day yesterday and am just getting to this. For now, I'll dot in, but will have time to finish the assignments soon. Looking forward to this!
Just reporting in. I was busy Friday and I had a game on Saturday so I wasn't able to get everything together, but I have all day today so I'm good there. Just wanted to let you know that I'm not flaking and am not being lazy I already know what I'm going to have written down so we should be good they're.
The only thing I needed to confirm is that if you are okay with me just posting the stats. I mean I can do that as well, I mean I can't, I don't know how, but I always just take all of the relevant stats and add them post by post. If that's okay with you, great, but if not someone's going to have to explain to me how to do the stats under the name thing alright?
put your important information on either the race, class/levels or gender lines of your profile (click 'create profile'), anything you put on those three lines will show up under your name. just format what you put there like the others have done... I put race class and level on the race line, skills (spoilered) on the class/levels line and all the rest - hp, ac, saves, cmb/cmd, etc - on the gender line... but you can format however you want.
Snowheart... I've been informed that to take an alternate tiefling heritage in pF, you no longer need to take the 'fiendish heritage' feat... if that's so, do you mind if i change my first level feat to something more appropriate for the character? thx in advance for the consideration.
Male Halfling HP 11/11 | F+3 R+7 W+4 | AC 19/15/15 | Init+6 | Perc+8 | DD+7 | CMB -1; CMD 13 | Halfling, Unchained Rogue 1
@Bashiel - If you don't mind we could have a glancing knowledge of each other. I would have pleaded with the Guard for help finding/Getting my son back. Maybe you listen and tried to help me since you had problems with Lamm?
@Quinlan That's true the Feat was only in because tiefling weren't PC race before. But when Asamar came in they were made proper PC race. (That's why you don't see a feat like that for asamar.)
The URL was strange I literally just copy and pasted it and it works..
Initiative From Link:
Initiative This is the biggest one. I roll all initiative and whichever group, heroes or enemies, has the highest (average), they act first and all members of that group act in whichever order they post. That order can change round by round for the heroes because they act when they post. This keeps combat moving very quickly and prevents a single combat taking a whole week to resolve but equally, it has other effects such as devaluing a high individual initiative, makes certain spells more powerful, others less so, risks an individual enemy getting mobbed by action economy and so on.
It is definitely not without it's drawbacks but the fact it keeps a potentially slow medium moving is fine by me. I make changes to feats such as Improved Initiative and Selective Spell to compensate for this difference but won't go into that here.
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
FYI, in addition to answering the questions, I am going to change the archetype I was planning to take.
It won't change my background or anything, but I think I was trading too much for too little. I'll either have no archetype or the Spirit Walker archetype.
So, I'm going to start posting in the Gameplay thread moments for each of you to start the adventure. I doubt I'll be able to get to them all tonight, but will try to have them all up by tomorrow evening.
Because I won't have all of you up at once, this will initially start as an opportunity for you to give us an in-character glimpse of your PCs' daily lives and any internal monologue or, if you prefer, just dot-in and indicate you're heading to the initial gathering spot.
Let me know here if you have any questions.
Also, you'll note at the top of the screen there is a link to a folder on my Google drive. I'll be putting copies of handouts and battle maps there.
male Human 2nd lvl Witch (gingerbread) | hp 16 | F+3 R+1 W+4 | AC 11/11/10 | Init +1 | Perc +1
I'm thinking about knowing most of yall but only for names. that way I can greet yall. If anyone wants me too just let me know. this is only as a superficial I know you type thing. not really knowing you like a friend.
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), <>
@Brin, a suggested character link if you choose to accept it:
You know of the Eland family as owners of a simple, down-to-earth bakery in Old Korvosa. Its possible that you've met the owners, Dannel and Sasha Eland, or have heard about their exceptionally loyal clientele. Either way, recently there has been nothing but silence from the Eland's bakery and rumors are going around that the wife was murdered by the husband.
@Kalem, a suggested character link if you choose to accept it:
A little over half a year ago, while Bashiel was still feeling out his role within the Korvosan Guard, he encountered Kalem is a tavern in Old Korvosa. Bashiel was off duty, and well enough known in the area to be comfortable in the place. What he didn't expect was a young tiefling to suddenly start winning far more than reasonable for fair dice.
After losing a full week's pay to the tiefling, he offered his conclusions while leveling a stare. "I'd say you're probably cheating me out of coin. But consider that you're also cheating both of us out of a fun game. I'm willing to continue playing if you're willing to let the dice fall as they will."
I'll leave how this scenario resolved up to you. But ultimately Bashiel chose not to pursue any further action against Kalem, either because he believed a lie that Kalem spun, or because he found some reason to empathize with the tiefling's situation.
@Gregor, a suggested character link if you choose to accept it:
This isn't the first time that Bashiel has had reason to pursue and investigate Lamm for some rumored misdeeds. His numerous run-ins and almost-arrests have led him to become one of the more knowledgeable guards regarding the man in his unit. When Gregor came to the Guard for help finding his son, they directed him to Bashiel.
When Bashiel heard the halfling's story (let me know exactly how much you chose to reveal) he shared his own reasons for pursuing Lamm. He told Gregor about the attempted murder on Bashiel's mother Sasha and the framing of Bashiel's father Dannel for the act. More importantly though, Bashiel shared what he knew of Lamm's businesses and associates, and where he might be found. He also mentioned that it was high time for the good Mr. Lamm to answer for the many accusations leveled at him in a court of law. Bashiel announced his intention to track the man down and bring him in, despite not having the authorization of his superiors to do so.
Moved by the halfling's plight, he also offered to do all he could to find and (if possible) rescue the young Tom from the clutches of Gaedren Lamm. With an earnest and energetic handshake, Bashiel pledged to work with Gregor as they investigated Lamm and his wrongdoings.
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
Brin the Baker wrote:
I was always a fan of Vox mesmerist. because it gives good damage spells that most mesmerists don't have.
I do like the Vox archetype, and it was one of my favorites, but the level 3 ability of the Spirit Walker seems like a total blast. So I'm thinking that route.
Also, I think Brin and Ilsa could be acquainted. I'm a shopkeeper and you're a baker...maybe we're on the same street or in the same neighborhood? Also, I think you are really going to like working with me, Brin. My debuffs are going to make your spells and hexes work very well. On another note, I am sort of a sleep/nightmare themed character and have sleep prepared. I think you do, too. Not sure if we want to double up or prep something else?
Also, sorry to be slow starting. Sunday is my worst day for posting time, but I'll be all in tomorrow.
Male Halfling HP 11/11 | F+3 R+7 W+4 | AC 19/15/15 | Init+6 | Perc+8 | DD+7 | CMB -1; CMD 13 | Halfling, Unchained Rogue 1
@Bashiel Happy for it.:
humbled by someone atleast in the guard taking his story to heart and hearing how Bashiel life was so affected but Lamm, Gregor hold back almost nothing on his story.
He tells him of his plight with slavery, he and his wifes journey to be free only for him to fall into bad habits and working with Lamm to make any time of money to feed his family. His wifes death and then the inevitable betrayal by Lamm that saw Gregor lose everything.
He would stress he only did the bad things to get his son Tom away from the life his father lead, he would do anything so his son never had to do such bad things.
He heartily thanks Bashiel, and is happy for the help.
@Brin/ All
I'm happy for you to all know me by atleast name(If you want me just let me know). I'm currently that crazy halfling, once happy to be overlooked by the taller races now speaking to everyone about his son walking the streets everyday looking for Lamm and anyone involved with him.
Ilsa, no worries. I've got a 15 month old kid who consumes all attention when he's awake. Makes finding "me time" on the weekend harder than when I'm at work...
So, I'm writing intro posts in order people have checked in here, so next will be Bashiel, then Ilsa, then Varor. Just need a proper alias setup for Varor.
One other thing while I'm thinking of it...during this first week, feel free to tweak and change your stats and so forth. I'd rather you not do a different class entirely, but we can look at that too if you want. Point is, feel free to tweak things this first week.
After the first week, we're going to "lock things down" but I will allow use of the retraining rules if there are other things you decide you want to tweak or no longer find useful. The one exception is you can only retrain hitpoints up to the average for someone with your HD, rounded up.
Male Halfling HP 11/11 | F+3 R+7 W+4 | AC 19/15/15 | Init+6 | Perc+8 | DD+7 | CMB -1; CMD 13 | Halfling, Unchained Rogue 1
@snow I will double check all charter stuff tonight, nothing big will change I just want to make sure my skills are ok as I took out background skills and some of my items.
@quin Good spot Quin, That's what I get for using my phone(lovely autocorrect) while being very tired, I'll make sure to triple check next time.
@Bashiel-- Just saw your question on the secrets. Sorry for the delay. It doesn't have to be relevant to the campaign but maybe not entirely silly either (e.g., he once stole a lollipop from a baby and it has shamed him ever since).
I have posted the answers to the 5 questions in my Background spoiler.
Did you want me to wait for an initial spoiler for me before dotting in?
Or should I go ahead an post?
You could do what Quinn suggested and dot in but then delete your post, just so it shows up in your campaigns tab. I should have a spoiler/intro post for you in the next hour or so.
@ Kobolum/Varor - I'll have an opening post up for you this afternoon, but on your stats, please do create a proper alias and edit the profile to include your stats.
To create an alias, go to My Account.
In the left hand colum in roughly the third box from the top should be a panel for managing your aliases. Create a new one with your PC's name, select an avatar, and save.
Now, go to that alias and Edit Profile.
In the main text box, copy and paste your stats and background information.
In the "Race" box, type out the info that the other players have for there PCs. (Even though it's called "Race", you an actually type a lot of info into a single box. Or break it up into different boxes as you like. You can play around with it until it shows in a format you like.
@Bashiel: Works for me. For that story though, will just add that Kalem will have had a friend with him that he would lose to, so that if someone like Bashiel calls him out he can have 'evidence' that he loses just like everyone else. This is to keep him from getting beaten by an angry crowd for cheating.
VAror - make a few changes and save, wash, rinse and repeat until done... you only have so long in edit mode before it won't save again... don't try to do too much at one time.
Yeah, that killed me once after I had done a ton of formatting. I had to walk away for hours I was so angry. Learned my lesson. Now I type long things in Notepad, copy and paste. Anyway...
All the introductory posts are up. This adventure is officially under way! Respond to them as you like. Then, when you feel the time is right, make your way to the rendezvous.
Very happy with what I'm seeing so far and I'm glad y'all are making use of the Discussion page to make connections and what not.
For what it's worth, Kalem will make his way to the spot once everyone's introductions are done. Having several different locations in one thread leads to pure confusion.
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), <>
@Kalem Sounds good, we'll assume Bashiel was fooled by the charade (believing that he successfully convinced the tiefling to play fair rather than cheat), but probably won't quickly forget his encounter with Kalem.
My initial gameplay post is out. I assumed that we will be picking up gameplay proper right outside the house at sundown.
Other important note: I'll be using ~This notation~ for Bashiel's ancestral spirits providing interjections that only he can hear. I've also prepared a separate alias in case they become capable of talking to any of the other PCs.
