Zileska calls down a flame strike, burning both axiomites, one more so than the other. Thousand Names' spell resistance protects him from harm. While Zhi hastes the party and Maria drinks her extract, Sara moves in and temporarily blinds Thousand Names, though the other axiomite is unaffected by her trick.
Safina challenges the more wounded axiomite and scores several good hits with her crossbow, badly damaging it.
Thousand Names spends a few seconds wiping the smoke of out of his eyes to regain his sight. He holds out his hand, and the harpoon teleports into his grasp. He steps to flank Sara with one of the axiomites, and both attack the brawler, leaving her terribly injured!
From the wall beside Melodie, a lanky humanoid shadow emerges, twin pinpoints of blue light in its eyes the only features on the inky silhouette. It lunges at the changeling with a dagger of darkness, driving it into her heart and sapping her strength!
"In my experience," Zhi quips as she moves to keep Thousand Names between her and Maria. "A man with a big long weapon like that is compensating for something." Her blades flash and stab at him.
Badly injured, Sara spits in one of her assaulter's faces before turning around and kicking Thousand Names in the groin. With a quick spin, she kicks the blinded axiomite and pantses him, before turning on her remaining assailant.
Zhi stabs Thousand Names repeatedly, badly wounding him. Sara kicks the petitioner in the groin before blinding and pantsing the wounded axiomite and kicking the second one for good measure!
Maria's first attack takes down Thousand Names, then she steps to finish off the debilitated axiomite and further injure the last one!
Seeing that the shadowy figure is magically held, Zhi moves quickly to her wife's side. "Finish him off," she calls to Sara. Gently taking Melodie in her arms, she whispers, "You're ok. I've got you, Printesa Mea, and I'm not letting anything happen to you."
She carries her a few steps away and stands with her back to the wall, watching as Sara attempts to finish off the shade.
As Zhi stands there holding Melodie in her arms, she seems conflicted. One part wants to hold her even closer, while the other desires to put her down and drive as much adamantine as she can through the shades form.
Zhi's actually acted this round already - she played the valiant knight rescuing her princess. ;)
Female Rakshasa-spawn Tiefling Investigator 17 | HP 103/105 | AC 34 T 17 FF 29 | Fort +11 Ref +20 Will +16 | Initiative +9 | Perception +20 (free Insp) | Sense Motive +23 (free Insp)
With the greater threats dealt with, Maria focused on the last one.
Not sure if I need to use a move or can reach them with just a five foot step. Either way; swift action for Studied Combat then as many attacks as she can make.
Sara and Maria score some hits on the shadow, the brawler managing to temporarily blind it. It weathers their attacks, though, and quickly withdraws from combat, melding into the wall as it flees. After a few moments, it becomes apparent that it doesn't plan on coming back any time soon. You're safe from its wrath, for now.
When you get a chance to peer into the cells, you can see that three contain prisoners. One is a male petitioner. The second is a bizarre creature that has a conical body topped with four tentacles tipped with pincers, tubes, and a tentacled, spherical head. The third is a regal inevitable made of metal and wood that sits patiently in the center of its cell. You recognize him from your visions, and there can be no mistake as to his identity. This, at last, is the subject of your quest--the legendary First Emperor Taldaris himself!
"Are you, now?" Taldaris says in a strong but soft voice. "Why do you wish to rescue me? And who are you, exactly? I believe introductions are in order."
Zhi stands and blinks for a moment. She seriously, seriously, considers telling the erstwhile emperor to 'Get-F&%!ed', but knowing that would only satisfy in the short term, she bites her tongue.
"My name is d'Valois Mai Zhi. This is my wife, the Lady Melodie d'Valois," she says, indicating with a nod the woman in her arms. "That is Sara Burke, Zileska Vestalina, Maria Greyson and her friend Safina." She turns back to face Taldaris. "We're representatives of Princess Eutropia, the heir-apparent of Taldor."
"Our task was originally to utilize your mantle to demonstrate her fitness for the throne, but it brought us to your home in Sayashto. We've followed various clues to find and rescue you here. Now would you please come with us."
"A princess aspires to the throne of Taldor?" Taldaris says dumbfoundedly. "What transpires in my empire of old? What of the law of primogeniture? In all of history, there has never been a... woman emperor before."
Damn, its CMD was over 33 even with no DEX mod? Awful. Also I doubt it would affect things one way or the other but I realize now I forgot to roll damage on that first heel strike.
Sara, astounded by being in the presence of the First Emperor, quickly loses all interest as he reveals himself to be bothered by this concept.
"Yeah, well there's gonna be one, so get used to it," she says curtly, looking over the other prisoners. "The commoners are uprising too, but they just want fair representation. Lots changed buddy boy."
Taldaris stares at Sara for a few moments, and you can almost see the wheels in his head turning. As an inevitable, that expression might actually be literal. At length, he nods. "Very well. Since elevating myself to this new form, I have met many leaders of myriad genders. Aside from antiquated tradition, I suppose there is no reason that a woman cannot be emperor--apologies, empress."
The First Emperor looks at each of you in turn. "I shall accompany you out of this place, but only so long as you agree to bring those who captured and imprisoned me to justice. You have already defeated Thousand Names, but the Secret Shade has slipped your grasp. Beyond the shadow, there is a third being--Hamal Kai, a hyrakume whose many eyes make her an impeccable spymaster. You must also recover my halberd from wherever they have stashed it. The agents of Norgorber must be made to see the consequences for disrupting the order of Sayashto. Compromising now would only embolden our enemies."
Melodie follows the conversation, but only her eyes and her laboured breathing give any hint that she's actually alive. Fortunately she doesn't wear proper armor else she'd likely be suffocating under her own defenses right now.
Zhi:
{"Don't get cross with him sweetie. He's not mortal anymore - his perspective is different to ours."}
Sara nods at Taldaris' words, assenting, and turns to Phlagomi, Wyssilka and the other two prisoners. "Anyone here know how we can draw out this Secret Shade and kill it?"
"Yes, but we need to prepare. The more we know, the better we can defend ourselves, the better we can strike back. I think it's useless to concern ourselves with going back to the inn; let us make safe this room, it already has meager bedding. We can rest here, that's my vote."
Zhi takes a moment to put Mel down on one of the bunks in one of the open cells before continuing the conversation.
"This room isn't safe," Zhi says simply. "Without filling it with sunlight, we can't make it safe. The shade is moving through the shadows. If there's any shadow at all, then barring the doors is useless." She looks around apprehensively. "I know his magic. He can strike when and where he wants. And if he manages to hit her again ..." Her voice catches. "I'm not going to let that happen."
Taldaris shakes his head. "Not here. If you mean to rest, doing so in the heart of an enemy's stronghold is a terrible tactic. I will grant you leave to fall back to a safe place and recover before we launch another sortie against our foes. Just keep in mind that the longer we wait, the more time the Secret Shade has to bolster its defenses and summon reinforcements."
Zileska replies to Zhi with an unhappy expression, saying, "Nothing at the moment - I've exhausted much of the blessings available to me; I need a chance to rededicate my devotions and seek Calistria's power once more."
She curtsies to Taldaris and says, "The world has moved on since your time, and the Empire must advance. If it is to be a shining beacon to the world, it must also set an example in showing that the best leadership will look after the interests of the people. There is little value in tradition if it allows the Empire to succumb to corruption and civil war."
To Sara she says, "I rather agree with Zhi that this cell is probably not very safe, but I'm not sure where we can go that is safe here. These otherworldly agents have a great deal of mobility and hidden influence. The shade could arrive at any time to trouble us once more. I just don't know where we could go that would be out of reach."
{"If Zil can help I'm up and about with the rest of you!"} Melodie sends, her lips twitching as she attempts to smile. {"It's not as though I fight much..."}
Melodie agrees with Taldaris, not that she can make her opinion known.
Taldaris bows to Zileska. "Truly, you speak words of wisdom. I am impressed by your perspicacity and your respect. Please, accept my boon."
If Zileska consents, Taldaris touches her shoulder and imparts some of his power to her.
Zileska gains a +1 sacred bonus on Will saving throws; a +2 sacred bonus on saving throws against disease and poison; and a +2 sacred bonus on Knowledge (history), Knowledge (nobility), and Sense Motive checks for 1 year.
Sara gestures at the accompanying spirits, first to the two still in their cages. "What are your names and why are you in here?" And second, she turns to Phalagomi and Wyssilka, who seem more familiar with the lay of the land than she. "Where in this realm could we make a safe space?"
"I am Imaro," the petitioner says. "I made the mistake of delving too deeply into knowledge that was not meant to be known. They are trying to extract that knowledge from me now. I just want to get out of here."
The strange conical creature speaks in a buzzing voice. "My name is Alzem, and this is not my body! I'm really a tiefling, honest! I got too close to this thing's cell and somehow it swapped minds with me and fled with my body! I need to escape and get my body back!"
Wyssilka shakes her head at Sara's question, but Phlagomi grins. "I happen to know of a great location nearby where you can lay low, safe from prying eyes. Pay me 1,000 gp and the information is yours."
The contract devil's nostrils flare as she breathes in the heady perfume. Her smile widens. "Now, that sounds like an offer I can't refuse. Come closer and let us seal the compact." She crooks a finger at Sara and puckers her lips.
Phlagomi acquiesces to Zhi's request, kissing, groping, and embracing Sara. The devil's lips burn hot, though not quite enough to scald the brawler.
Eventually, she pulls away with a satisfied smile. "Taldaris, I've sent you some mental coordinates. If you'd be so kind as to take a few of our companions there via dimension door, I will do likewise, and we can depart this outpost without further complications."
Taldaris nods and follows Phlagomi's lead. In two groups, you teleport to a sewer tunnel outside of Lost Silhouette. The contract devil directs you via twisting passageways to a hidden bolthole about an hour away. The small hiding place has a suite of rooms that, while they lack in creature comfort, should be safe for you to rest in.
"Here you are, and here is where I take my leave," Phlagomi says with a grand curtsy. "It's been a lark. Sara, dear, if you ever find yourself in the Iron City of Dis, I would very much enjoy if you called upon me. Ta for now!"
There is a puff of brimstone and the devil vanishes.
Zhi makes sure that Melodie is as comfortable and warm as she can make her. When the curious and delicate presence makes itself known in her mind, she attempts to reassure it.
Mommy will be ok, Little One. She's just feeling very tired and needs to rest. You rest as well.
Melodie:
{"You had Harmony worried,"} she sends. {"She could tell that something was wrong. I told her that you just need to rest. So you'd better rest."}
She leans down and kisses the woman's temple and then takes a seat in a nearby chair, her hands on her weapons, and watches.
Before the devil leaves, Sara makes good on her word and hands Phlagomi what is admittedly quite a weighty bag of coinage and a bottle of fine Chelish wine dating quite a ways back.
"We made out quite nice on that deal," says Sara, wiping her mouth. "That was mostly coppers."
She sits with their three new tagalongs, trying to find out more about them.
Taldaris interests her most, of course, but in her nerves, she turns first to Imaro, the petitioner.
"You say you found forbidden knowledge. Did your torturers ever find that knowledge? And are you willing to share it here, with allies?"
"There is much I can share with you, though I fear it might make you a target as well."
The text doesn't provide any information on Imaro besides his name. Let's just say his secrets grant you a +2 circumstance bonus on all Knowledge checks related to occult secrets.
Zileska pauses for a moment as she absorbs the glory of Taldaris and it opens her awareness in new ways.
"Thank you, Grand Lord," she says, slightly gobsmacked.
~~~~~
"I'm a little leery of tentacle-cone there, but if it's telling the truth then I guess we should find the humanoid body before it runs off and hurts someone," says Zileska.
She rubs Sara's shoulder and whispers to her.
Sara:
"Super hot. We should have that flagrant assignation soon." The half-elf's hips sway slightly back and forth with obvious interest.
Melodie reaches out for Zhi, a very slow motion that takes nearly a minute for her hand to cross the small intervening space and make skin to skin contact.
Zhi:
{"Hello Angel."} Melodie's mental voice is soft, Zhi can tell it's aimed more at the baby than at her. {"I'm going to be well, once I've had a sleep."} She somehow accompanies the words with a flow of images and sensations and the bump in Zhi's stomach shifts gently before its fluttering thoughts fade away into a contented silence.
{"You have to rest too. Harmony needs you to be rested just as much as I do."} She responds, to Zhi this time. {"There's room for two on here and I won't be moving much..."}
Welcome to the game! I look forward to a fun campaign.
Some notes:
I will roll passive Perception checks for your characters when the situation calls for them. To speed things along in combat, I will roll initiative for everybody. Those whose initiative scores are higher than the enemies can post their actions, I'll summarize the results and the enemies' actions, then everybody can post for the following round's actions.
I am usually online weekdays between 4:00 AM and noon, and can check in sporadically the rest of the afternoon. I can usually post a few times each day during the week, but my access is limited on the weekends.
As a heads up, my wife and I are expecting the birth of our second child in July. When that happens, I'll likely not be able to post much for a month or so until I return to work, at which point I will be able to resume regular posting in the mornings, though my afternoon posts will likely drop off after that.
Always! Maria Grayson and I have a connection in that she interviewed me for a case about a year ago while studying with her father. Given your backstory it's entirely possible that Maria was tied in with the investigation that broke up Hare's organization and landed you in jail; conversely as a priestess it's possible that I was peripherally involved as someone Hare defrauded from laying the dead to rest.
Just having ran through everyone's backstories, other easy options are the bar I'm presently living in is the same one Maria mentions in her backstory (the empty one ran by a guy named Edmund); Zhi and Melodie, Sara likely met at parties, eager to gain the attention of a both noble and a princess.
Incidentally, @Sara, your stats in your Sheet spoiler (Str 16, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 7, Cha 16) don't match your stats in your main alias (Str 18, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 7, Cha 14).
It might be best if we don't all know each other already - that would be a very weird coincidence - but it's not a big deal.
I guess depending on preferences any PC might also be a former client of Zileska.
Incidentally, @Sara, your stats in your Sheet spoiler (Str 16, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 7, Cha 16) don't match your stats in your main alias (Str 18, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 7, Cha 14).
I'm happy to do background links with anyone who wants to, but loads of my background is still up in the air until I can pick a campaign trait and tie down exactly what has happened to Melodie - I think she's probably now (and only recently) aware that she is not human, which means meeting her mother but the circumstances... the circumstances!
We'll work it out eventually! :)
In fact, having read other peoples backgrounds - Sara, are you open to us knowing each other, at least by name? I'm thinking Melodie's mother and Hare might have been linked in some way...
@Brainiac: Thanks for the selection, always a pleasure to play in your games and congrats on the forthcoming little-one!
Female Rakshasa-spawn Tiefling Investigator 17 | HP 103/105 | AC 34 T 17 FF 29 | Fort +11 Ref +20 Will +16 | Initiative +9 | Perception +20 (free Insp) | Sense Motive +23 (free Insp)
I'm open to any other connections you might want but I'm kind of in the same boat as Melodie - no idea how Maria would've gotten involved or what re-writes the appropriate campaign trait might entail. At the moment, I feel like Taldan Patriot would work but I just don't know.
G%&$++n flu; why'd you have to hit Paizo so hard this time?
EDIT: And speaking of Traits, I only just realised I hadn't selected any traits for Maria. Just gave her Civilized (+1 on Know Local and Know Nobility, both are always class skills for her) so that's that fixed.
In fact, having read other peoples backgrounds - Sara, are you open to us knowing each other, at least by name? I'm thinking Melodie's mother and Hare might have been linked in some way...
Yes, I'm down. Burke and Hare, unlike their real life counterparts, were less of a team and more of an employer/employee sort of deal, but Sara was still his top man, more out of longevity than any real talent for the trade.
Sara was at this for six years or so, I like the idea of her recognizing her from when "Mel" was like 13 and being shocked at how she'd grown, etc.
In fact, having read other peoples backgrounds - Sara, are you open to us knowing each other, at least by name? I'm thinking Melodie's mother and Hare might have been linked in some way...
Sara was at this for six years or so, I like the idea of her recognizing her from when "Mel" was like 13 and being shocked at how she'd grown, etc.
This is going to be fun! :) Sara can protect Melodie right? Fragile might as well be her middle name...
In fact, having read other peoples backgrounds - Sara, are you open to us knowing each other, at least by name? I'm thinking Melodie's mother and Hare might have been linked in some way...
Sara was at this for six years or so, I like the idea of her recognizing her from when "Mel" was like 13 and being shocked at how she'd grown, etc.
This is going to be fun! :) Sara can protect Melodie right? Fragile might as well be her middle name...
Stop, you're playing at my heart strings, that's cute
Hey DM, before we get much further, do you have a ruling about retraining traits? My trait gives me an ability that you can also get from taking Greater Whip Mastery, which I plan to take, but that's many levels down the road. Ideally I'd like to retrain out of the trait at a future date. If that's not possible (there are technically no retraining rules for traits), then I'd prefer to just swap it now.
Dropping my math here for what Sara grabs. She grabs from the box, twice and at random, 1 getting her Liquid Blade, 2 3 4 a smoke pellet, 5 the soul stim, 6 the dust.
I'll post a link to this map in the campaign tab, along with a growing list of Dramatis Personae to help you keep track of the many NPCs you will meet.
"senatorial aide to provide a cover for the rest of you and to run communications between allied politicians"
Escape Artist or combat maneuver checks
"uncover the true dedication of ... Duke Centimus and Countess Abrielle Pace. Find out what stance ... and why each noble holds that position."
Perception or Sense Motive checks
"discredit a few prominent senators backing primogeniture ... to undercut their influence ... identify one of the major opponents ... spread rumors about or manufacturing damning evidence"
Sense Motive and either Bluff or Linguistics
"strong impression on Baron Nicolaus Okerra and remind him of certain debts he owes me"
socially influencing the baron or Intimidate checks.
"retribution against my more powerful half-brothers ... petty revenge ... render the wine embarrassingly undrinkable. Be careful not to steal the bottle and to conceal any signs of tampering; it must be drunk at dinner"
Appraise or Knowledge (nobility) and Disable Device checks.
"tabs on my political rivals ... most notably High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus. ... stay close ... watching for unusual behavior or listening"
Perception or Sense Motive checks, as well as either Disguise or Stealth checks.
Breastplates, ceremonial armor, and light armor may be worn inside the senate building, but no other armor is permitted for anyone except guards.
Potions, scrolls, spell component pouches, and wands are permitted inside the senate building, and in fact, many senators are themselves spellcasters. However, spellcasting is not permitted within the building without written approval (often issued to entertainers).
Only light and one-handed weapons are allowed inside the senate building; ranged weapons and two-handed weapons are not allowed inside the building. All weapons brought into the senate building must be peace-bound—secured in a sheath with a length of decorative cord. Drawing a peace-bound weapon requires a full-round action. Guards do not need to peace-bind their weapons.
Animals are generally not permitted inside the senate building, excepting familiars and service animals. Animals larger than an average member of the senate guard are not permitted within the building under any circumstances.
While guests are free to roam the senate building when invited, individual senators' offices are off-limits and locked. No one but the senators and a single aide for each is permitted on the senate floor during a vote.
I have a feeling that I'm trying to go at this a little too directly.
It looks like we have to 'soften up' each area to make it easier/possible to accomplish out tasks. It would probably be best to focus on the skills presented for the areas. In which case, Zhi would most definitely not be the best solution for the Servant Area.
Aaaannnnddd everyone else probably realized that already.
I've made the map of the senate editable in Google Slides so you can move your icons to the different parts of the building. The grassy area south of the building will stand in for the gallery since it doesn't appear on the map. I'll also put icons for each of the NPCs to show their locations. Have to find some good art for Pythareus and Okerra, since none is provided in the first adventure.
I'd suggest we team up and try to hit one or two areas hard, get ourselves up to the thresh-holds, and then we can move on to doing our specific tasks - no point in missing out the groundwork.
To that end I'll go with Zhi for now, try and help with the kitchen staff first.
Why do I feel like campaign traits would be good right about now?
I don't know what else I can do. DM, you said I could try alternative means of discovery, but I don't know any other skills that I can use, your big intro post to the scene says it's either Knowledge (nobility) or Sense Motive, both of which I have no ranks in; so as far as I can tell there is no way for me to participate in this scene.
You could try performing one of the other tasks, or work on influencing the different areas. Or just guess at a skill to try to influence an NPC--Diplomacy is a pretty common skill for most of them.
Oof, actually, I think I wanna handle this first one for Lotheed, but you can help with whatever else she needs. Like we could split the job in half. Also, just an aside, I was wrong in my recollection, you have a +6.
Very well. Forgive me if I'm not terribly invested at the moment. The incredible streak with the die roller basically has me feeling like I essentially don't get to do anything.
I know. I'm sorry that the dice roller has been hating on you lately. Hopefully your luck will turn around soon--it's still relatively early in the evening! :)
Female Rakshasa-spawn Tiefling Investigator 17 | HP 103/105 | AC 34 T 17 FF 29 | Fort +11 Ref +20 Will +16 | Initiative +9 | Perception +20 (free Insp) | Sense Motive +23 (free Insp)
Well, I'm an idiot - forgot all about this use of Inspiration: "The investigator can use inspiration on any Knowledge, Linguistics, or Spellcraft skill checks without expending a use of inspiration, provided he’s trained in the skill."
Granted, Maria doesn't have any ranks in Linguistics or Spellcraft and only one Knowledge skill, but I should really remember about that in the future.
Obviously I can "fade to black" certain kinds of content, but as a Calistrian temple prostitute there are some inherent elements baked into this character design.
Melodie is pretty sheltered - but she's also a changeling so some things are just going to 'come naturally' to her... As a player I'm not too fussed :)
10. Taldans Love Wordplay. As originators of the Taldane language, Taldans understand a considerable breadth and depth of the Common tongue that even their former colonies don’t share, and fast-paced banter and clever linguistic choices are proud parts of their heritage. Even the flintiest of farmers love insightful plays on words, and a cleverly timed, crass pun can delight even the stodgiest of nobles.
9. Taldans Love Board Games. Every Taldan fancies herself a general, and so board games, strategy games, and war games are popular pastimes for everyone from gong farmers to emperors. While gambling can be fun, it leaves victory in the hands of fate—something few Taldans can stomach—and they prefer diversions that offer at least the illusion of control. While many board games—the equivalents on Golarion of agon, backgammon, chess, Parcheesi, and rithmomachy—were either invented or adopted by Taldor, just as popular are war games played out with wooden miniatures using elaborate rules.
8. First Emperor Taldaris Is the Man. Taldans are a people suffused in patriotism and a love of history, but until we published Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, The First Empire, they lacked yhe sort of founding myth typical of large (and especially old) nations. When we updated their history, we fleshed out their origins as a series of city-states united by a great leader: First Emperor Taldaris, Taldor’s own Romulus or George Washington. Like similar figures, he’s often invoked and exploited by residents: politicians insist they know what his vision for Taldor really was; tutors place him in all sorts of parables for bravery, honesty, and other virtues; and inns and estates advertise that “Taldaris slept here” to impress travelers—even though few, if any, structures in modern Taldor have survived since the First Emperor’s day.
7. Taldan Hair Is a Big Deal. Even poor households invest in quality brushes, sheers, and oils from the tea tree and argan tree to keep themselves looking and smelling good, and every family has its own secret recipe for shiny, healthy hair. Many outsiders consider this yet another example of Taldan vanity, but the truth is more complex. Taldans’ world travels have brought a wide array of parasites home over the centuries; clean hair is a simple comfort that also promotes health.
6. Taldans Will Eat Anything. You can’t be a refugee or a soldier on the march and still be a picky eater. Since the founding of their nation, Taldans have embraced a philosophy of “whatever doesn’t kill me makes me stronger,” and that very much extends to their embracing of unusual and exotic foods. For nobles, this translates to eating almost anything that walks, crawls, flies, slithers, or swims, while for commoners it more often means making a meal out of whatever parts the rich won’t eat.
5. Taldans Are Creative. Shelyn began as a Taldan god, and Taldor still reveres the arts in every form. “Anything worth doing is worth doing with a flourish,” the Taldan saying goes, and almost every citizen of the empire pursues an art in her spare time, especially music and dance. Most families have a long tradition associated with a particular skill they may turn into a business—such as painting, weaving, or woodcarving—but just as many are farmers who pluck away at their lyres after work or sing reprises from their favorite operas to make the harvest pass more quickly. Illustrated or illuminated books are especially popular, and many families record their history in books passed down and doodled in over generations.
4. Taldans Love Dogs. Taldor claims it domesticated the first dog, but then again, Taldans claim to be the first to do a lot of things. Realistically, while dogs were rare in Azlanti society, they were common among the Kellid and Garundi societies that early Taldans filtered themselves through, and dogs became companions and workers in a culture hard up for extra hands. In those first unstable centuries, Taldor bred a hundred specialty dog breeds to assist with herding, pest control, physical labor, warfare, and even kitchen work, and as the Taldans’ fortunes rose, they also bred dogs to serve purely as companions.
3. Taldans Love Pie. Since before the first Army of Exploration, Taldans have been sealing their tastiest treasures—and especially leftovers—inside pie shells to help preserve them, and that trend continues to this day. Sweet pies are the traditional breakfast, while farmers and laborers carry a savory hand pie or two with them for a midday snack. Taldans particularly love blending the sweet and the savory into pies, creating treats such as jubilee pie, a rich mix of currants, cherries, and fowl served at almost every major event.
2. Taldans Are Very Polite—Until They’re Not. Taldans live by their politics and succeed through cooperation. Sometimes that means smiling politely and shaking the hand of the man who tried to kill you last week. Rudeness isn’t just unseemly... It’s un-Taldan! They instead couch insults in careful language, usually as unhelpful critiques and backhanded compliments, most notably the cold Taldan “Well, aren’t you a treasure.” Once Taldans decide to stop being polite, they take their outrage and insults up to 11, insulting, scolding, threatening, and yelling in tirades that usually end in duels.
1. Taldans Never Quit. While most of Azlant sank, the ancestors of modern Taldor dragged themselves onto a foreign shore and pulled their lives back together. Orcs attacked and they rebuilt. Kellids plundered them and they rebuilt. They founded a kingdom and ran into one natural barrier after another—from rivers to forests to deserts to more orcs—and every time they pushed forward again. Taldor’s glories stem from bravery and skill, to be sure, but more than anything they come from the fact that Taldans never look at a challenge and say “maybe not this time.”
