DM Skull's Kingmaker Campaign (Dead) (Inactive)

Game Master Shady_Motives

One of the most fun groups I've ever played was indeed one where I started out with a just a character sheet and nothing else. I do like writing stories, but I just had no good idea on that very day. A chaotic good human male cleric of Sûne.

It was actually pretty fun. The pieces just fell in place as way played and the character took shape over the session. It was also a fun group - we were all chaotic good, and all other than my character had a malus on wisdom and they did play that out. I still remember how I scored a -2 on a move silently because he was more concerned with looking good than his environment during the first session. hehehehe. Things like that create a story on their own, in a way.

...what is it with people that do not realize that if something isn't on it doesn't work? I've had two already today. TWO! For different things mind you, but really. If it doesn't have power, it won't exactly work.

I'll have a post up as soon as I can get a moment between phone calls. Mondays almost always have crazy levels of phone calls.

(I'm a Tech/Customer Support and a Programmer at a small company. And sorry for the rant. You would think I would learn not to overestimate people by now.)

Faith? In humanity? What is this s&#~?

But no really, never underestimate the power of people to be stupid.

Kana wrote:

...what is it with people that do not realize that if something isn't on it doesn't work? I've had two already today. TWO! For different things mind you, but really. If it doesn't have power, it won't exactly work.

I'll have a post up as soon as I can get a moment between phone calls. Mondays almost always have crazy levels of phone calls.

(I'm a Tech/Customer Support and a Programmer at a small company. And sorry for the rant. You would think I would learn not to overestimate people by now.)

Faith? In humanity? What is this s*!*?

But no really, never underestimate the power of people to be stupid.

I just wonder how some of them survive in this world.

Because we got rid of all the good predators that winnowed out the dumb. If we had more brutal man-eating beasts wandering the streets we'd have less dumb people! Sure, going outside would be difficult, and mauling hard to avoid, but it would be worth it...

Because we got rid of all the good predators that winnowed out the dumb. If we had more brutal man-eating beasts wandering the streets we'd have less dumb people! Sure, going outside would be difficult, and mauling hard to avoid, but it would be worth it...

Quality of life would certainly begin to improve

I guess so. I think i've had my fill of stupidity and it's only halfway through the day.

On the plus side, it's not raining. Suddenly in the high 40s to low 50s from a nice 70-something, but it is sunny with no rain! I can take cooler and sunny for no rain ^^ and i think it's not supposed to rain for several days, if at all this week.

I don't deal with customers directly, but it is an inevitable law that the user, as such, is stupid.

It's not so bad most days. I've learned to have low expectations. It's just they continue to surprise me with stupidity.

The theme of a character with a certain duality they are or were conflicted about seems to be a recurring one in our group. I am curious where that shall lead.

A bit simplified:
Aarya being both man and woman.
Aleidi a human with certain aspects of fey; particularly the two different eyes.
And of course Shalira both human and elf.

I don't really plan on building this into my characters, but half-elves are my favourite race to play (not counting aasimar, because it's non-core and they are more extreme than they were in 3.5) and it simply makes sense. The half-elf I created for Eberron has no such conflict, because half-elves are pretty much a race of there, maybe without own culture, but with an own society and own noble houses and in the vast majority of cases they are simply children of two half-elves.

In Meleanda Silverthorn - the oldest character I have, the concept goes back to Baldur's Gate even though she's not a child of Bhaal in her current incarnation - the conflict is much stronger since she grew up among elves. Consequently she matured too fast to fully learn the fineries of the culture with all its subtle differentieations, the language. She was still attractive in most elven eyes and her unusual feminity as well as her drive was often appreciated by young elven men, but ultimately she was pretty much considered a dumb blonde bombshell. (Even though her hair is black and she is outstandingly intelligent - originally Mage/Fighter by AD&D 2nd rules, currently Magus (Spell Dancer))

In Shalira it is there, but it's rarely a fundamental problem. The humans among which she grew up accepted her, even though she may have never been truly one of them and she always realized that human is not all that she is - and she has only recently come to embrace that fact, she had true friends and her exotic features usually inspired positive reactions at least among those who knew her since birth.

The theme of a character with a certain duality they are or were conflicted about seems to be a recurring one in our group. I am curious where that shall lead.

A bit simplified:
Aarya being both man and woman.
Aleidi a human with certain aspects of fey; particularly the two different eyes.
And of course Shalira both human and elf.

I don't really plan on building this into my characters, but half-elves are my favourite race to play (not counting aasimar, because it's non-core and they are more extreme than they were in 3.5) and it simply makes sense. The half-elf I created for Eberron has no such conflict, because half-elves are pretty much a race of there, maybe without own culture, but with an own society and own noble houses and in the vast majority of cases they are simply children of two half-elves.

In Meleanda Silverthorn - the oldest character I have, the concept goes back to Baldur's Gate even though she's not a child of Bhaal in her current incarnation - the conflict is much stronger since she grew up among elves. Consequently she matured too fast to fully learn the fineries of the culture with all its subtle differentieations, the language. She was still attractive in most elven eyes and her unusual feminity as well as her drive was often appreciated by young elven men, but ultimately she was pretty much considered a dumb blonde bombshell. (Even though her hair is black and she is outstandingly intelligent - originally Mage/Fighter by AD&D 2nd rules, currently Magus (Spell Dancer))

In Shalira it is there, but it's rarely a fundamental problem. The humans among which she grew up accepted her, even though she may have never been truly one of them and she always realized that human is not all that she is - and she has only recently come to embrace that fact, she had true friends and her exotic features usually inspired positive reactions at least among those who knew her since birth.

That kind of inner conflict can exist in all roles and all races and even all walks of life. As characters, creatures, what have you, you want to try and find you niche. Where do you feel that you belong to? Are you a half-elf, who grew up around elves and were called "half-human" because you were bigger and not as lithe and graceful? Did you grow up around humans where your elven nature really had shone through and were ostracized as a result. It's a big world, and many beings all live together and have their way of coping with challenges. Or you might be the kind of person that rises to the occasion. You delight in a challenge and the thought of meeting your problems head on each day brings you no small amount of joy.

TL:DR What I am really trying to say is that despite everything, go with that duality. I want to see the kind of spark that kind of inner turmoil might bring to the surface. Now I am not rooting for the group to tear itself apart, quite the contrary. I just want to see how your dualities will play against each other, since the only two with no such obvious confliction (yet to be seen, but they may have secrets) are of course Mikhail and Reknar. It is amusing that the duality is more exaggerated in the feminine party members but wonder if the guys will have a few surprises of their own...

And as always I do eagerly await for the journey to unfold one page at a time.

Random bit of knowledge:

As i was writing my last post, i started laughing as I realized that Aleidi liked tea, a lot, and happened to drink lots of different teas (I half wonder if she collects them or something.. might have to buy some to stick in her stuff...). Seems she likes to try all the different flavors and blends. The things you learn XD

EDIT: I think i should say loves. Aleidi LOVES tea, not just likes, loves.

That kind of inner conflict can exist in all roles and all races and even...

Yeah, but I think that's a simplification, because Aarya, Aleidi and Shalira had physical properties that clearly set them apart from the people they grew up with. Everyone must find out who they truly are when they grow up, but those three characters are very obviously outside a norm that most people simply take for granted and physically set apart.

In Meleanda's case I actually use the term half-human in her backstory when she refers to herself because she formulates her thoughts in elven. However in Pathfinder, as well as the Forgotten Realms, as opposed to the D&D 3 base campaign Greyhawk, Elves are slightly taller than humans (if the height was what you meant with "bigger" of course she's bigger when it comes to the meat to her bones, hips, breasts and so forth) and given that she's a Spell Dancer with a not outstanding, but solid Dex of 14, she is no less graceful than most elves.

The reason for the (at least partly) females having a stronger emphasize on that is probably the mind of the players. I just like something that sets my characters apart, makes them more graceful than humans but, as opposed to Aarya, avoid characters which are androgynous. I create what I find desirable, throw rocks at me if you like. ^^

Random bit of knowledge:

As i was writing my last post, i started laughing as I realized that Aleidi liked tea, a lot, and happened to drink lots of different teas (I half wonder if she collects them or something.. might have to buy some to stick in her stuff...). Seems she likes to try all the different flavors and blends. The things you learn XD

EDIT: I think i should say loves. Aleidi LOVES tea, not just likes, loves.

Hm. Depends on what you understand in tea... Many kinds of tea would simply not be available in this part of the Inner Sea region. But tea made of herbs or dried food, camomile, peppermint is there, of course. Just not black tea, green tea ... because those would come from Tian Xia. You might find some in Absalom, but unlikely that you get it in Restov.

You might elaborate - or discover - on particular blends she prefers. :) Just let the folks with Survival know what you're looking for.

Alrighty folks it's a new day! Yesterday was bad because of a horrible case of the mondays. Lack of sleep, useless brain storming, nothing to divert my mind for those moments of downtime...yesterday sucked. But no brainstorm today and I dosed myself and slept about 10 hours last night. AWESOME!! Also I have an answer from Zangriff about why we weren't seeing him. Go ahead and we will proceed with the adventure and his cleric will meet you later. His story had some extreme circumstances that I had to approve and it took a while for him to get everything to me. His entrance should be entertaining.

Why do I have to think of Liv Tyler saying: "What is this? A ranger, caught off his guard?" now? Maybe Aleidi and I should just call ourselves "Underhill".

Critical fails are awesome! They give me permission to do all sorts of stuff to you!

Critical fails are awesome! They give me permission to do all sorts of stuff to you!

And creative too, I have seen some truly terrible and hilarious things that have resulted from a critical failure before.

*bashes head against wall.* I forgot to mention Aarya in my last post!

Edit: She would have mentioned all three of the female/half female in the group as 'having potential'. Brain fart on my part.

Kana wrote:

Random bit of knowledge:

As i was writing my last post, i started laughing as I realized that Aleidi liked tea, a lot, and happened to drink lots of different teas (I half wonder if she collects them or something.. might have to buy some to stick in her stuff...). Seems she likes to try all the different flavors and blends. The things you learn XD

EDIT: I think i should say loves. Aleidi LOVES tea, not just likes, loves.

Hm. Depends on what you understand in tea... Many kinds of tea would simply not be available in this part of the Inner Sea region. But tea made of herbs or dried food, camomile, peppermint is there, of course. Just not black tea, green tea ... because those would come from Tian Xia. You might find some in Absalom, but unlikely that you get it in Restov.

You might elaborate - or discover - on particular blends she prefers. :) Just let the folks with Survival know what you're looking for.

It makes more sense with herbals. Though i can see her maybe later importing different kinds. I don't know all the different types there are off the top of my head but I'll spend some time. It was late for me when I was posting that and I think part of why I found it so funny was I was exhausted. I'll get back to you on it after I get some time to look at different types.

Regarding the bluff check, since Mikhail is co-DM if I understood that correctly:

Regarding the bluff check, since Mikhail is co-DM if I understood that correctly:

** spoiler omitted **

Well actually that would be me, but easy to misunderstand. I actually at the moment do not have a direct influence on the game other than basically double checking information and playing as proxy for Skull as far as details on this thread. Trying to keep my presences out of the main gameplay for the most part to help with the flow of the game.

Now as for your assessements...well I would say that either Skull or even Mikhail himself would probably be a better one to answer those particular observations. That is if they were inclined to do so at the present moment, or would rather let the pot stew for a bit longer...

Ah, well, from a player perspective I know that at least the first point is wrong - he "thought" his true motives after all. But I did score a 21 on the Sense Motive check... which is not bad. :)

Hah, no, no... not Co-GM at all! I put up a spoiler based on that (fabulous) Sense Motive check to give some more insights into Mikhail's squirrley demeanor. That may or may not feed her paranoia.

It likely wouldn't. If he had been on the edge before and wants to leave it likely has nothing to do with her. I didn't have the impression that he was particularly eager to leave before; when Shalira suggested to get going you were the one who asked to wait until you had your steak. Which was part of the reason for Shalira's suspicion. ;)

I'm about to head home from work. The art is down for cell service and may be down for internet as well. I will not know if I have internet till I get home. We have Comcast here at work, but my phone and my home internet are att. I will not be able to reply till they get back up or I am at work again. I have no clue when stuff will be back up, seeing as they have no clue what caused this. Wanted to give a heads up.

@Kana: Most definitely not a problem, respond whenever you can.

@Mikhail and Feuerrabe: Yeah I know a little of Mikhail's complete background so I really didn't want to step on toes as far as how much you could glean with your suspicions *Grin*

Hm. I just might write a few episodes to the background of Shalira then. In quantity it certainly is the shortest...

I always feel it's better to avoid coming up with too much, because the really import story is the story the group experiences together.

Hm. I just might write a few episodes to the background of Shalira then. In quantity it certainly is the shortest...

I always feel it's better to avoid coming up with too much, because the really import story is the story the group experiences together.

Well by all means brainstorm, just keep in mind that what you put in your backstory does matter on what comes to pass for your character. No one can escape their history, but they are more than free to try and rewrite it. Food for thought.

GOGO lazy kings in the making, I want to see one of my already favourite PbPs moving! ;)

Hm. I didn't really have much to say at this point, so I primarily posted Shalira's thoughts on the others at this point.

I hope you're ok with that. I've seen that 'thinking' your opinion on others too much can cause a lot of bad blood in PbP games, because there is no way anyone can defend themselves against thoughts.

I was wondering whether the image of "red tape" is actually appropriate in fantasy context. If it's a reference to police lines at crime scenes it probably is inappropriate, but I don't really know. The first time I consciously heard it being used was in the video game "Mass Effect" - "There was enough red tape to wrap a cruiser in."

I just know that things were mentioned about being left there. Aleidi doesn't see the point in taking everything with her (like bedrolls and things) when they will be coming back to a nice comfy bed later. She's all for taking a look around town. Who knows what fun is to be had there.

@Feuerrabe Red tape refers to all the bureaucratic paperwork and regulations one has to go through to do something.

Hm. I didn't really have much to say at this point, so I primarily posted Shalira's thoughts on the others at this point.

I hope you're ok with that. I've seen that 'thinking' your opinion on others too much can cause a lot of bad blood in PbP games, because there is no way anyone can defend themselves against thoughts.

I was wondering whether the image of "red tape" is actually appropriate in fantasy context. If it's a reference to police lines at crime scenes it probably is inappropriate, but I don't really know. The first time I consciously heard it being used was in the video game "Mass Effect" - "There was enough red tape to wrap a cruiser in."

I would disagree. It is human, er well nature, for some characters to have opinions right away. How you present yourself in the first six seconds of a meeting have a lasting impression on those around them. As I see it, and correct me if i am wrong, but I get the general gist of the group as follows:

Shalira is rather flirtatious to cover the fact she is extremely reserved and judgmental. She puts forth a facade to protect herself since she is a half-breed and feels that somehow others think less of her for that fact.

Aleidi is a capricious sorcerer that feels a tad whimsical due to the nature of her fey heritage. Now I don't know if she has a more serious side but for intensive purposes I read her as not really having one save for when her mentor comes to mind. She seems to reguard this individual with high esteem and utmost respect.

Mikhail seems to come off as a no-nonsense gruff veteran. He does seem to want to stay out of town when he can help it, and when he has to be in town he prefer his engagements to be brief and to the point as well.

Reknar seems to be a fairly easy going individual, well-versed from experience and a friend he had a long time back that may or may not still be alive. He tries to be peaceable but again like Mikhail he doesn't beat around the bush.

Aarya is probably the only one I haven't been able to determine too much about yet as far as personality-wise. He/She enjoys their comforts, their prayers, their sacred duties, but as opposed to most stereotypical paladins, this particular paladin doesn't seem to show that fanaticism or strict adherence to duty and faith. Now I haven't seen to many holy rituals and prayers performed so I could be wrong about that particular point, but as it seems fairly easygoing and relaxed as well.

The overall group dynamic isn't bad, so don't feel like anything negative you think about the others is to be frowned upon. Everyone has their opinions and as you adventure together you may change or create new ones as time continues to march on.

I just know that things were mentioned about being left there. Aleidi doesn't see the point in taking everything with her (like bedrolls and things) when they will be coming back to a nice comfy bed later. She's all for taking a look around town. Who knows what fun is to be had there.

@Feuerrabe Red tape refers to all the bureaucratic paperwork and regulations one has to go through to do something.

Seconded, crime tape tends to be yellow. Red tape is all the extra legality, theorhetical hoops one must jump through (extra actions one needs to perform that is), and paperwork when it comes to beaurocracy.

And did i miss that there is a pile being formed of our things or are we putting those in the rooms? Because it reads like Reknar was taking it with him, Aarya had sat his/her (if you a pronoun you'd like me to use for Aarya let me know, and I'll start using it) stuff down and Shalira had put it in the pile?

Hm. I didn't really have much to say at this point, so I primarily posted Shalira's thoughts on the others at this point.

I hope you're ok with that. I've seen that 'thinking' your opinion on others too much can cause a lot of bad blood in PbP games, because there is no way anyone can defend themselves against thoughts.

I was wondering whether the image of "red tape" is actually appropriate in fantasy context. If it's a reference to police lines at crime scenes it probably is inappropriate, but I don't really know. The first time I consciously heard it being used was in the video game "Mass Effect" - "There was enough red tape to wrap a cruiser in."

As far as I'm concerned, feel free to type down Shalira's thoughts.

Reknar is a mix of contradictory feelings, good and bad experiences, and all kind of messed up stuff in his life [aren't we all?], however he does tend to be direct and pragmatic as far as decisive action is concerned (he was trained to ACT and make decisions).

Not your average, run of the mill "point me there and I'll shoot while others do the talking" kind of fighter. He is fiercely independent above all, with some other defining personality traits - I won't talk much about how I envision him, as it is much more interesting going through all the process in character ;)

Hm. I wouldn't say that Shalira is judgemental, she hasn't made up her mind about anyone yet - what I posted where just her impressions so far. She's superficial, yes, especially regarding Aleidi, but not judgemental. That would be in contradiction to her faith - true beauty comes from the inside.

EDIT: What exactly do you mean I am wrong about...?

EDIT: Maybe I should mention why Shalira considers Reknar "self righteous". That was because he discarded her wish to go to get the charter, gave a long speach, including questions that were meant rethorical but she could have answered, and then left without giving her a chance to reply. The impression that she got was that he cares about her body, but not her opinion. She is indeed flirteous to hide her own insecurities, maybe even reversed, but her interest in Reknar is honest, which is why she felt hurt.

Sometimes I'm open with a character's internal monologue if I feel like it says something essential about them through conveying it. With Mikhail, only showing what is on the outside helps add to his projected demanor and the haze of uncertainty surrounding him, which I think works better at the moment.

That said, I do enjoy seeing other characters' perspectives on people :)

I might further add that picture this as if you all are co-writing a novel, if you don't throw in some internal monologue with what the characters say and just environmental, it feels kind of bland in my opinion. Your thoughts allow you to convey additional feelings that you may not want to share but further deepen your character.

I would agree to that. I am just careful about the opinion on other characters.

EDIT: Maybe I should mention why Shalira considers Reknar "self righteous". That was because he discarded her wish to go to get the charter, gave a long speach, including questions that were meant rethorical but she could have answered, and then left without giving her a chance to reply. The impression that she got was that he cares about her body, but not her opinion. She is indeed flirteous to hide her own insecurities, maybe even reversed, but her interest in Reknar is honest, which is why she felt hurt.

Don't feel obliged to explain Shalira's opinions - it is all part of the game :D

And I wasn't aware that Reknar had shown an interest on anyone's body ;) In any case, perspectives and opinions are just that, and it is natural to have both. So again, feel free to type them down. In my opinion, they add depth to the game, when pertinent.

I have no objections to the other characters having opinions. Who's to say those opinions won't change down the road? They are all still getting to know each other right now.

I have no objections to the other characters having opinions. Who's to say those opinions won't change down the road? They are all still getting to know each other right now.

Exactly my sentiments Kana.

Well, there is a little discrepancy. At first I didn't want to mention it, but I must admit, it kinda bugs me.

She checked whether everyone had a glass...
"So, you're all in this? Then I suggest we raise our glasses to it and then get to the town hall before someone else beats us to it."

She raised her glass in an elegant, almost ceremonial fashion and waited for the other's reaction.

Filling his own glass, the man stands up looking towards all others around the table, then resting his eyes on Shalira - "Girl..." - he starts with a smile - "I am in this since you first sat on my table" - he winks, and joins his glass to the others already raised.

"Let us get this charter, and then we'll see what we are all really made of" - he finishes in a loud tone.

(Here you overlook, as did Aarya, that you had a glass that was already filled with wine, if you look at Skulls previous post, but that's of course of no consequence)

"Why would we go ahead without him?" - Reknar pipes in - "He will meet us here first thing in the morning to take care of all the bureaucratic meanders we need to traverse, as was already agreed Shalira"

What we already agreed was to leave for the charter right away, with the sole exception of Mikhail, who wanted to eat his steak first. I am not quite sure whether this is an oversight or whether Reknar changes his mind about it... and Shalira never wanted anything else. He redefines what we agreed upon a few minutes earlier.

That bugs me a little, because on the second page it looks as though I was the one suddenly making trouble whereas it is Reknar who doesn't live up to his word in the first place, the way I see it.

From the character's perspective, if you consider that Shalira did like Reknar's attention a lot in the first place, I think it's understandable that she feels somewhat betrayed or at least cheated, especially considering that she cannot answer that because you Reknar leaves right away and combined with his didactic way of talking to her and referring to her as "girl".

So, I was wondering whether this was an oversight, or did he in fact deliberately act like this, say that it was revenge for the scene with Ervy?

Well that is the bit of an oversight...I would say it isn't so much that he isn't living up to his word, but his attitude does ring a bit split-minded, where one moment he's rearing to go, then the next he bids one to be patient?

Which, sorry if i caused an issue over the stuff (Edit: Our packs). I got turned around with were the packs just being left, were we putting them in the rooms or if they were to come with us. Seemed to be going a few different ways, and I tried to just make a best guess.

Well, the packs. We kinda didn't wait for Esmeralda's reaction to my asking whether we could store the packs. But since Reknar put his pack somewhere I just thought I might put it to the same place. ;)

Well I was thinking if we were going to store them, they would go in the rooms we were getting, but then people started just leaving them there... And at first i thought Reknar was taking his with him... so yeah, all turned around. Oh well.

Well that is the bit of an oversight...I would say it isn't so much that he isn't living up to his word, but his attitude does ring a bit split-minded, where one moment he's rearing to go, then the next he bids one to be patient?

What really troubled Shalira was less that he changed his mind, but made it sound as that was the agreement they had. Which it wasn't. But whatever, what happened happened. I just wanted to not stand there as the foolish one.

If you look at the events in order from Shalira's perspective:
a) We all agree to leave for the town hall, except Mikhail who wants to eat his steak.
b) We wait for the steak. Shalira discloses that she's a Lebeda.
c) A lot more food than was actually ordered, as far I can remember, is served.
d) Once Mikhail is done he immediately wants to leave the the group.
e) Shalira gets suspicious to his sudden change of heart. (Makes sense, doesn't it?)
f) However, she realizes that he's been on the edge ever since, so it has nothing to do with her. She asks whether he want the rest of the group to get to the city hall without them. (Makes sense, considering he might not want to avoid attention - maybe he doesn't want to go to the town hall at all.)
g) Suddenly no one remembers they were about to leave anymore.

@Feuerrabe I think that was monday? And i was doing good to think strait to post monday. Sorry, I was reacting based off what had recently been posted. And it's very reasonable that I misread something at some point. Or forgot something. I think i got interrupted mid-post typing several times. Guess I got ran over by the train of thought?

(I went and re-read though things just to look at what had happened with Aleidi's position in regards to this.)

I take Aleidi's comments and actions that she's more not in a rush to get there to get the charter. She could go right after they finish eating, later in the afternoon, the next day. She was heading south either way. Plus, she was eating strawberries that whole time waiting. That could have been part of her reluctance to leave in what she seemed to feel was a rushed manner, not that they had to take long. Then because things had been said about storing items there if we could (and we hadn't heard from Esmerelda nor Ervy about the rooms or if we could store things when people where moving out the door) she took a moment to speak up about it.

At one point I got to questioning the time of day and wondering if the town hall would even still be open or if it was too late, but I found that there was a few hours till dark. So that answered the question.

I wouldn't think that you would have to rush for a charter. I mean yes it's an important document you need to be able to stake claim in the south lands but unless you had to fight through a heavy throng of people both inside and outside of the inn shouldn't be an issue. Now if the town is small enough to have limited resources as far as allowing only a number of people to attain a charter, then your worries would be valid.