It is a cool, bright evening in late spring. A light breeze takes the edge off the coming summer heat and the sky is high and clear.
It is a typical starday which is about to be... interrupted:
Pontia
Spoiler:
You awoke early this morning and set to preparing the equipment for the day: stretching parchment, cleaning pens, stirring ink, dissecting frogs... as you began you noticed a small envelope tucked under the door.
In a flowing script, the envelope was marked: "Pontia Canario"
Inside you found a note:
"Pontia,
You have suffered much and know all too well the dark heart of Westcrown's days. If you would play you part in making a better future for us all, join me this evening for light supper at Vizio's Tavern.
J."
light supper is served at roughly 4pm: some Wiscrani divide their days by meals, even though they might only have two or three themselves.
Hyngrot
Spoiler:
As you begin your daily preparations, you find a small note tucked under your wayfinder: you recognise Ailyn's hand immediately. It states simply:
“I am heading North. Back soon. Dine with J. at Vizio's Tavern this evening. 4pm.”
Daxius
Spoiler:
After you have completed your morning prayers you hear movement in the Inn downstairs.
Nicolai
Spoiler:
One of your tutors has mentioned a book on rare local plants which might interest you. As you are searching through the poorly archived 'flora & fauna' section of the library at your school a runner brings you a note.
He stands obediently, awaiting his copper, as he hands you the note. It reads:
“Nicolai Beauturne,
It is with some trepidation that I send you this message. I have been informed by a keen observer that you share my dissatisfaction with the injustices of Wiscrani life.
If this is so, please join me for light supper at Vizio's Tavern this evening. If not, I plead that you destroy this note and forget you ever read its contents.
Yours, in trust,
J.”
Astra
Spoiler:
You awake with a jolt, followed by the deep nagging pain of a hangover.
Even this, however, cannot distract you from the memory of last night: You were supposed to be having a quiet drink with friends and things had got a bit more excited and drunken. You stepped outside to take in some clear, fresh air and bathe in the cool light of the stars.
After a few moments you noticed a woman standing next to you: she stood confidently but relaxed, gave you a glance and then joined you in admiring the stars.
She spoke to you briefly before stepping into the bar, when you pursued she seemed to have disappeared into the Wiscrani night, like smoke or a dream. However, her words stayed with you:
“Hello, Astra Vesper.”
You didn't move your head but could sense her light, slightly teasing grin:
“We have a mutual friend, Samuel; he suggested that you should join me for a light supper with friends some time. Tomorrow, perhaps, at Vizio's Tavern.”
In Westcrown, 'light supper' is a meal served at roughly 4pm.
Nicolai looked over the note, twice, before looking up. Tossing the messenger the earned copper, he carefully tucked the note in his pocket. "Thank you, that will be all." As he went back to the bookcase, he began wondering just what this meeting was all about. After he would find the book and get back, he could mull it over.
DM:
Removed a copper from funds, updating gold total.
Would Nicolai be familiar with Vizio's Tavern? He would want to know if it's a less reputable dive, so that he could produce a mutagen in case of trouble (he has none prepared right now, and would need an hour's time).
Nicolai looked over the note, twice, before looking up. Tossing the messenger the earned copper, he carefully tucked the note in his pocket. "Thank you, that will be all." As he went back to the bookcase, he began wondering just what this meeting was all about. After he would find the book and get back, he could mull it over.
** spoiler omitted **
Nicolai
Spoiler:
You don't know the place. You can find the tavern quite easily by asking around but it will require a skill check to find out more: knowledge (local) or diplomacy.
Male Human Inquisitor of Iomedae 3 [HP 27/27, AC 19/12/17, F +4 R +3 W +5]
GM:
"It's probably just some unfortunate looking for shelter." Daxius muses as he rises from his kneeling position. Wearing only his nightshirt, he pads across the room to the chair upon which he'd hung his sword belt and draws his longsword. "Of course, you can never be too careful."
His weapon at half-guard, he walks briskly down the stairs. If he sees anyone he doesn't recognize, he calls out, "Identify yourself!"
Coming down the stairs you see an attractive woman in her early thirties opening two sacks on the large central table.
She is dressed for action (a longsword hangs at her side, a chain shirt over her torso and a bow is slung across the far end of the table) but her stance is rather different: she has taken down two of the large, dusty cook-pots from the kitchen cabinet and smiles when she sees you coming, although one hand strays toward her sword when she sees yours:
Is that Darius? Arael said I might find you here.
Female Human Wiz/9 | AC 18* T 17* FF 17* | HP 46/46 | F +5 R +5 W +8 | Init +7| Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
GM Elberion:
Her first thought was a flash of paranoia: I didn't think I was that obvious yet...but I always knew I was going to need to find others, and maybe they've found me first. With that, she'll return to her work. I'm not sure what Master Canario wants with ten scruples of frog liver, but the ague in his hands was particularly bad yesterday. It's no trouble to prepare it for him. She'll make sure the water clock is full so she isn't late, as without it she would almost certainly get lost in her work and miss the appointment.
At the proper time she'll take a moment to wash her hands and cast a quick prestidigitation spell to clean her clothing before leaving (fortunately, as she otherwise would have missed a few splashes of frog's blood on her sleeves). She'll leave a note for Titus and go.
Your chores done, you head out of the door, intending to reach Vizio's Tavern.
Make a Knowledge (local) check to know where it is.
Otherwise you can ask around with a diplomacy check.
Vizio's Tavern: Knowledge Local or Diplomacy DC 10:
You know where the tavern is: just off the docks in Rego Scripa. It used to be a hangout for merchant guards but, when Msr. Vizio died, the family abandoned the business a few months ago and went to live with kin in Corentyn. The tavern has stood empty since.
Vizio's Tavern: Knowledge Local or Diplomacy DC 15:
The tavern was bought recently by a half-elf man and a female human, they've been doing the place up very slowly though.
Vizio's Tavern: Knowledge Local or Diplomacy DC 20:
You've heard some people suggest that squatters have recently taken over the place.
{Hunter} Male Half-Orc Urban Ranger 3 {HP15/28 | AC 17 T12 FF14 CMD 18 | F/R/W 5/5/2}
GM Elberion:
Hyngrot examines the note, searching for any hidden meanings, before setting it aflame, ensuring it's message has been consumed by fire before proceeding. With no work at present, he'll go by his normal day before proceeding to the tavern.
Two questions. 1) Do I know this J? 2) What do I know about Vizios? (or should I also make the check)
"Odd, why would we be meeting in an abandoned inn? Nicolai mused. Getting back to his student quarters, he prepared a few extracts and created a mutagen, just to be careful.
Nicolai prepares 2 extracts; shield and cure light wounds. The mutagen he would make increases his Dex by +4, reduces his Wis by -2, and adds a +2 bonus to natural armor.
When rolling for something like that, and you have the DC result listed; after I roll, can I edit the post I made or does it reroll the dice result? Or should I make a double post for my actions after knowing the result?
You've got good enough scores for some synthesis here.
J might well be Janiven, as she is the co-owner of Vizio's tavern.
Janiven is a local merchant guard and tracker. You may even have shared some clients.
She has a reputation for being a bit rash (she recently dragged a client out of a cathouse in his underwear after he refused to leave while the curfew approached) but trustworthy and broadly well-liked.
HP: 12/12 AC 18/14/14: F-4, R +6, W+2, Per:+6, Init: +5 Arrows: 40
GM:
Astra rubs her eyes to get the sleep out of them and tries to ignore the pounding in her head. She walks over to the basin, one of the few items in the room, and scrubs her face. She looks at her tired face reflecting in the water.
"I've got to stop drinking like I'm a Dwarf." She mumbles to herself, like she has one many such mornings.
She puts on some fresh clothes and fixes her hair to hide her ears.
Disguise:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
After a her ears poke out of her hair, she gives up and grabs her punching dagger and slips it into the waist of her pants and pulls her shirt over the handle to hide it.
Sleight of Hand:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Confident that she'll pass for an ordinary peasant she heads out to make sure she knows where the Vizio's tavern is.
Diplomacy (to gather information):1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
She heads to the tavern when the time approaches for the meeting.
Just need to wait for a post or two from Daxius and then you can meet. Huzzar!
Daxius:
I think you probably get the idea: the woman is Janiven and she co-owns the tavern with Arael, she is eager for you to meet a group of fellow Wiscrani who are coming this evening.
She will turn aside any questions with comments about 'Iomedan patience' and asking you to help with more chores. She gets you to draw water from the well and draws victals from her two sacks.
She is making a root vegetable and mutton stew, with fresh bread, local cheese and some small (thin) beer.
As the time nears 4pm she suggests you tidy up and prepare to meet some new friends.
You are a fine lad, thankyou. I'll finish off the stew.
Male Human Inquisitor of Iomedae 3 [HP 27/27, AC 19/12/17, F +4 R +3 W +5]
I don't know what's going on in the other threads, as I haven't been reading the spoilers. Should I be?
GM:
Brow furrowed in suspicion, he corrects, "It's Daxius, ma'am, not Darius."He walks down the last few steps, and adds, "I'm afraid you've caught me at a disadvantage, ma'am; I'm in an inexcusable state of undress, and I don't know your name."
Once he's informed of the situation, Daxius lightens up just the slightest bit, and assists with the cooking, then heads back upstairs to suit up at the apppointed time.
Since Janiven feels it's appropriate to be armed and armored for the meeting, Daxius suits up, doning his scale mail and belting on his weapons before heading back down the stairs.
Diplomacy for the Vizio's Tavern spoilers:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
I don't know what's going on in the other threads, as I haven't been reading the spoilers. Should I be?
** spoiler omitted **
Diplomacy for the Vizio's Tavern spoilers:1d20+4
Edit: No Go.
No, you're right: I guess once I've written that many spoiler posts in one go I forget that they're all exclusive.
Daxius:
Janiven apologises for her mistake and smiles mock-coyly at your state of undress when you mention it: It'll take more than that to offend me, but I appreciate your manners.
You are walking down the street to the tavern from the central town and find yourself keeping uneasy company with three other Wiscrani.
You really wanted to keep a low profile but decide to brazen it out and head straight for the tavern, only to find everyone else heading there instead.
The door swings open before you and an attractive, armed woman in her mid-30s beckons you in. The inn smells of fresh food and warm bread.
Welcome, I am Janiven. We're all friends here. Thankyou for coming, don't hover in the doorway on my account.
Daxius too...
Looking around, you see another stranger and have a moment to look at your fellows properly.
Would everyone describe what they look like and what they first say when put on the spot.
{Hunter} Male Half-Orc Urban Ranger 3 {HP15/28 | AC 17 T12 FF14 CMD 18 | F/R/W 5/5/2}
Hyngrot stands 6'4", his skin a light green bordering on gray in color. As he removes his brimmed hat, his head can be seen shaven clean. In dress he wears a heavy long coat down to his ankles, underneath which can be seen metal link of his armor. At one side under the coat he keeps a mean looking blade, the other a heavy hammer used for beating in skulls. On his back is a quiver holding a handful of javelins, and slung over that at the moment is a shield, spikes lining one edge. A satchel is draped across his body.
As Hyngrot removes his hat, he gives a nod to Janiven. "Evening ma'am. Looks like I came for the dinner party." As he says it, he eyes the group of individuals he had entered with.
Nicolai is roughly 5'8", with a slight, spry body. He is wearing fairly nice clothes, like that of a scholar - a light grey coat covers his frame, though underneath it can be seen that he is also wearing newly polished studded leather armor; a blue scarf around his neck, and fine boots. His skin is lightly bronzed, like most Varisians, and his wavy brown hair is combed forward.
His slate grey eyes darting to and fro, looking at the others assembled with him, he then looked toward the woman who called herself Janiven. He gave a slight bow, arms at his sides; a slight jingling sound occurs at this gesture. "Greetings, madame," his thick northern accent showing, "though it seems you're more aquainted with me than I you."
HP: 12/12 AC 18/14/14: F-4, R +6, W+2, Per:+6, Init: +5 Arrows: 40
Astra, feeling rather short next to the mountainous Half-Orc, stands at 5' 6", he clothes hang loosely on her skinny frame. A white shirt falls just past her hips and her obviously too long pants fall over her worn leather boots. Her right ear is notched about halfway up and a fading bruise discolors her left cheek. Other than that she appears to be a rather beautiful, raven-haired Half-Elf.
She looks around at the others, dark purple eyes going wide at the sight of two heavily armed and armed people already in the inn. She pauses and glares at Niolai (I'm assuming that he looks like he's a noble here). She comes to Hyngrot last, craning her neck to look at him.
"Well, I think it's safe to say I've never meet you handsome."
She then looks down at her unarmored body with a wry smile.
"Probably safe to say that I came a bit underdressed, too."
She finally looks at Janiven, looking a little abashed.
"And you know me, but looks like I haven't a clue who you are ma'am."
Perception DC 26:
You notice that the shirt appears to be pulled by something tucked in the waistband on Astra's right.
Female Human Wiz/9 | AC 18* T 17* FF 17* | HP 46/46 | F +5 R +5 W +8 | Init +7| Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
Sorry for not posting sooner; yesterday was kind of frantic. I left work early and my wife and I went to see an interesting cross-cultural interpretation of "A Christmas Carol," performed entirely in tlhIngan Hol (with translations projected above the stage, and a Vulcan narrator). The theater company that did it is going to be doing a couple of other odd interpretations next year--"Bard Fiction" ("Pulp Fiction," as if it were written by Shakespeare), and "Corleone" {"The Godfather," ditto).
Portia enters the tavern, tucks her staff into the crook of one arm, then pulls back the hood of her cloak and looks around, blinking absent-mindedly. "I'm sorry, I had just remembered why Master Canario wanted the frog liver, and I didn't want to forget again." She has mostly Chelaxian features--pale skin, dark eyes, and dark hair, the latter cut short. She's slightly taller than Nicolai, but like the rest of the group is dwarfed by the half-orc. Under her cloak she wears robes, her only visible armament her staff and a poniard at her belt. She continues in a more formal tone, bowing slightly to the woman who let the party in.
"Mistress Janiven, a pleasure to meet you." She looks around at the other three and nods to each in turn. "I am Pontia Canario, scholar."
Male Human Inquisitor of Iomedae 3 [HP 27/27, AC 19/12/17, F +4 R +3 W +5]
At a full six feet tall and over two hundred pounds, Daxius cuts an imposing figure. His long brown hair is swept straight back, and he is cleanly shaven. He's wearing a plain tunic over bulky scale-mail and a longsword at his belt.
Daxius stares with his gold-flecked hazel eyes, brow furrowed, as people continue to filter into his home. He seems increasingly uncomfortable at the intrusion, but manages a polite "Welcome."
He keeps glancing at the half-orc then looking away, as if expecting trouble.
I completely appreciate how sketchy things can get over Christmas, I am posting from my parents' ancient computer now that I am visiting them.
Incidentally, I am amused that John has chosen a picture of Iomedae to illustrate his character. Hopefully Daxius won't be too shocked by her appearance. :D
Female Human Wiz/9 | AC 18* T 17* FF 17* | HP 46/46 | F +5 R +5 W +8 | Init +7| Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
There aren't a lot of female human icons with short dark hair, unfortunately. But now I'm imagining the exchange--"Aren't you...?" "No. I get that a lot, for some reason."
{Hunter} Male Half-Orc Urban Ranger 3 {HP15/28 | AC 17 T12 FF14 CMD 18 | F/R/W 5/5/2}
Taking a seat, Hyngrot takes a whiff of the stew before taking a couple bites. "Well, if it's poison, at least we're gettin' a good meal 'fore going out. Name's Hyngrot. And who do be the rest of my dining campanions, aside from Pontia there, the only one of us with enough manners to introduce themselves, myself included. Oh and our hostess Janniven there."
Male Human Inquisitor of Iomedae 3 [HP 27/27, AC 19/12/17, F +4 R +3 W +5]
Daxius stares at Hyngrot for a hard moment, then says "I was wondering why you people were invited here. Apparently so that you could eat the food that I helped to prepare, and then insult my manners." He sits stiffly and takes a sip from a glass of water. "I am Daxius Veronius."
HP: 12/12 AC 18/14/14: F-4, R +6, W+2, Per:+6, Init: +5 Arrows: 40
Astra eye's the stew her stomach pointedly reminding her she probably hasn't had anything since last night.
"My apologies, I must have forgotten my manners when I smelled the wonderful food here. I'm Astra Vesper. It seems that Janiven and I have a mutual acquaintance."
She sits down and savors the first bite before hungrily proceeding to down the rest.
Please forgive my rudeness as well; I must say, I'm not used to being invited to feasts by mystery hosts." He takes another spoonful of the soup, I'm Nicolai Beauturne, here from Ustlav. Nice to meet you all.
Nicolai would look over at Hyngrot - while the half-orc looks tame enough, he's heard plenty of tales of orcs looting the western parts of Ustlav.
{Hunter} Male Half-Orc Urban Ranger 3 {HP15/28 | AC 17 T12 FF14 CMD 18 | F/R/W 5/5/2}
Hyngrot returns Daxius's stare. "If it's a fight your wantin', I'd be more than happy to oblige. Though I just came to eat your delicious stew with the lady there," nods to Janniven, "and I'm pretty sure she doesn't want us breaking the place up."
Male Human Inquisitor of Iomedae 3 [HP 27/27, AC 19/12/17, F +4 R +3 W +5]
Daxius seems slightly saddened to have his suspicions confirmed by Hyngrot's casual offer of violence. His only comment is, "I am not privy to Ms. Janiven's wants. She has not deigned to inform me of them."
Janniven makes a comic sigh: Come now, gentlemen, Wiscrani are you both and in these days Wiscrani must work together.
I should apologise, I have flung you all together with little warning and this is bound to put people on edge.
She leans over and touches Daxius on the arm I have a find friend who vouches for you and She nods toward Hyngrot, further down the table another fine friend who vouches for you.
She takes in the whole table with her gaze.
Every person here, gathered around this table, has a good heart. I would swear to it. So we'll have no squabbles about manners and instead trust that each of us means well.
First, I should explain who I am: I'm a Wiscrani, through and through, a sellsword is what I appear to most but I have a passion which fires me more than the next fight and the next ale. I care about this city and its people and I intend to do something to help them.
After we've dined I will tell you all why I have called you here, rest-assured I have not made any invitations lightly. Now that's a long speech for me, so I'll hold off for a while.
{Hunter} Male Half-Orc Urban Ranger 3 {HP15/28 | AC 17 T12 FF14 CMD 18 | F/R/W 5/5/2}
Sense Motive1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Hyngrot gives a snort and mumbles "Sorry" in Daxius's direction.
GM Elberion:
Hyngrot is going to take a look around the room while eating. His focus will be on possible ways of egress if necessary. He'll try to conceal his actions as well from his fellows, particularly Janniven.
Male Human Inquisitor of Iomedae 3 [HP 27/27, AC 19/12/17, F +4 R +3 W +5]
"There is no need to apologize; I have not been the most gracious of hosts." Daxius keeps his eyes trained on Janniven as he speaks to Hyngrot, and he grows clearly more agitated by the second. He stands abruptly with such violence that his chair falls over backward.
"Enough of this charade!The inquisitor's face is red, and he looks both angered and fearful. "You will inform us as to whom you expect, Janniven, and why their arrival worries you so. This gathering has all the earmarks of a trap - to what purpose I cannot determine - but a trap nonetheless. Explain yourself, or I will leave forthwith!"
Pontia paused for a moment to jot down a note to herself before looking up again to hear what Janniven had to say. "Thank you for the unexpected invitation, and thank you for the meal. Hyngrot, I'm pleased to meet you. Don't hold your reticence against yourself; I might have been better off being less ready to announce my name in front of strangers--though clearly Mistress Janniven knew it already." She'll sit down and eat, focusing on her food to the exclusion of much else.
After Daxius' outburst, she'll look quizzically at him. "I'm sorry; I've missed something here. Trap?"Let's see...the exit is behind me and there's a table in the way...have to remember that if I have to run.
I'm going to post some background information in this thread, after that we can use it to organise the group and communicate out-of-character.
The most important things to understand about the AP are these:
- 100 years ago, Westcrown was a glorious version of Venice in its heyday, with extra power, wealth and magic!
- The city now has a much smaller population, with lots of abandoned buildings and areas. It is also much fallen in prestige and wealth, however it is still grand and thrilling in a way that most great cities may never be,
- At night, the city is under curfew except for a few lit thoroughfares. This is a consequence of the shadow beasts who stalk the night.
- The people suffer under the yoke of cruel laws, brutal hellknights and selfish nobility, yet they love Westcrown for its rich history, sophisticated culture (opera, fine art, sculpture and poetry are all popular amongst all classes) and beauty. The Wiscrani (people of Westcrown) are proud of their city, and most wish this pride had more solid substance.
In 4606 ar, Aroden, god of humanity, innovation, and history, died. No city in all of Golarion was wracked more fundamentally by this catastrophic event than Westcrown. The capital of Cheliax—an entire country sworn to the god of humanity’s worship at the time—Westcrown was the expected site of Aroden’s return and had spent decades preparing for the event. A massive plaza known as the Arodennama, complete with a towering statue of the god, stood ready to receive the deity, yet after his death, it took only a few short years for the church of Aroden to fall. The Arodennama was abandoned, and the entire country found itself in the grips of a civil war with fierce diabolists.
The rise of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune saw Westcrown’s further descent. After a brutal 30-year civil war, the diabolical House of Thrune seized control of Cheliax. One of their first acts as the nation’s new government was to move the capital and royal court north to the city of Egorian, emptying Westcrown of much of its affluence and prestige. Those nobles who remained behind were largely old families rooted in their traditions and their pride, content to rot in their declining home. While still a vibrant and important port, the splendor that had typified Westcrown for centuries swiftly waned, and without the noble court many commoners and merchants who had previously made a living pandering to the country’s elite were forced to move on, leaving whole blocks abandoned. Westcrown faded to a pale shadow of its former glory and became a playground for vultures eager to pick the royal carcass.
The Dottari
The first forces of law and order encountered in Westcrown are often the dottari, the city’s guards or wardens.
Regardless of where their posts lie, dottari all wear the city’s mark—Aroden’s Eye—stenciled in black over a red field on a shield or tabard. Dottari officers wear a reversed mark (red on black field) on their left arms.
On paper, the dottari are one singular order under the control of the mayor’s appointed “high warden”— his young, oft-drunken nephew, Duxotar Iltus Mhartis. As Iltus “prefers to apportion his command to focus on the broader defenses of the city,” his subordinates more often handle his abandoned responsibilities. Thus, personal vendettas and politics divide the dottari into four nearly
independent forces.
Dottari: Durotas Saria Roccin controls the common dottari who man the gates and patrol the streets of the Spera, and she commands the most troops of any civic leader in the city.
Condottari: With at least two adels and a sail barge at official docks on each floating marina, Durotas Scasi Bolvona commands the condottari, or “canal wardens,” who patrol the Westchannel, the Dhaenflow, and the canals of the Regicona.
Knowledge (Local) CR 20
Spoiler:
Scasi has a half-elf love child who he endeavours to keep secret.
Rundottari: Based out of Keep Dotar in the northeastern Rego Cader, the rundottari, or “ruin wardens,” operate under the authority of Durotas Arik Tuornos.
Knowledge (local) CR 20
Spoiler:
Arik is a cynical but fair man who assumed this rank only to prevent Eccobar Drumanis, a long-time family enemy, from assuming command and wasting the lives of friends or good soldiers.
Arik knows his command is a posting of low prestige and social punishment, but he and his men take pride in their responsibility to man the walls of Rego Cader and keep the threats and dangers of the ruins contained and out of the city.
Regidottari: The regidottari (“palace wardens”) operate under the authority of Durotas Lhiana Strikis (CE human female fighter 3/wizard 2). Lhiana treats her troops like her personal slaves, often berating them publicly for minor offenses.
Knowledge (local) CR 15
Spoiler:
She maintains control of her forces only by offering higher pay than other dottari and the prestige they gain both in working on the Regicondan Walls and in their potential ability to craft alliances with the city’s rich and powerful.
Knowledge (local or Nobility) CR 25
Spoiler:
Lhiana herself has been a pawn and lover to at least three members of the city’s nobility since her arrival in Westcrown more than 7 years ago.
The Mayor
Under Chelish law and tradition, the Mayor of Westcrown (or lord mayor, as its current officeholder insists upon) controls the Dottari and the tax coffers that maintain city stability.
In 4689 ar, Aberian Arvanxi was made lord mayor of Westcrown by Her Infernal Magestrix, Queen Abrogail II.
Knowledge (local) CR15
Spoiler:
Rumours suggest that he finagled political support for himself while slandering and undermining the allies of the former administration, and many suggested he had a hand in the sudden death of his deposed predecessor Mayor Arthan Challas.
In the years since, Lord Mayor Arvanxi’s affectations for Chelish opera have seen him pump a large
amount of public money into maintaining and rebuilding various opera houses and entertainment halls. He sees this as “the betterment of public diversions to raise the hearts and minds of all Wiscrani”; most citizens (especially those who lack the money to travel to the island opera houses
or enter the few in the Spera) see this as the mayor using public funds for his own enjoyment rather than the improvement of Westcrown. Such likely proves the case, but as these pastimes keep the spiteful and largely incompetent mayor from meddling in the affairs of most common Wiscrani,
the public quietly puts up with such decadences.
The Nobility
Westcrown was shorn of many of its noble families when the capital was moved to Egorian by House Thrune. Now, only small offshoots and determined traditionalists remain. However, the nobility still dominate Westcrown and are vital to its governance and wealth.
The underworld
Westcrown has its share of organised crime, just like any major city, but at one time it was dominated by the ruthless Council of Thieves: a guild of criminals said to have links with many of the great noble houses.
Officially the Council of Thieves has been destroyed and to many it is simply a source of fireside stories, however rumours persist that the organisation lingers on, it's influence pervading every backroom deal and back-alley drubbing.
Hellknights
The Hellknights are a semi-official, largely autonomous set of orders dedicated to the principle that the orderly law of hell is the best example of governance anyone could have. Hellknights seek to dominate devils and learn from them how best to run a nation, a region or a city.
In Westcrown two hellknight orders are most common: The Order of the Rack and The Order of the Scourge.
The Order of the Rack are one of the oldest and largest Hellknight orders, they often 'assist' in maintaining law and order in the city and have a long-standing, though sometimes fractious, relationship with the Dottari and the Lord Mayor.
One’s location in Westcrown determines the size, height, and opulence of the surrounding buildings. Every building, however, begins with a stone foundation, most often the light stone quarried from the surrounding hills or along the Adivian River. The richer areas of town contain all-stone construction, if not rarer or more specialized materials. Most places add three or more levels made from wood, either light varieties of local trees or the dark barroak felled in the Barrowood and brought downriver. Buildings lean upon each other at the higher levels where necessary, with the sight of free-standing buildings usually denoting the money and influence of nobility.
Streets and walkways in Westcrown almost undulate in places, evidence of the random nature of the building spaces. Stone paves every surface within the city walls, and while main avenues in richer areas have stone slabs, mirror-slick in the rain, cobblestones fill other areas. All runoff gets channelled to sewer grates or back toward the river, and keeping grates clear of blockages becomes an informal task for dottari during the rainy seasons. While there are hire-sweeps to tend to the streets and keep them clear of offal, few folks beyond the rich can afford them, and garbage piles up in the alleys of poorer sections of town until cleared by locals or benevolent priests. The city’s pride and arrogance has dimmed over the decades along with its lost influence as the failed “Home of Aroden.” As a result, many Wiscrani no longer take as much pride in keeping their neighbourhoods clean or in the best repair. Structures exposed to the elements remain unmended, garbage chokes some alleys, and things change only by the influence of dottari spears or coins. While the faith of many people crumbled with Aroden, his priests and worshippers of his founders continue to watch out for Westcrown and its people, shoring up and repairing temples and common buildings alike.
Much more detail below:
Spoiler:
Beyond the City The Upper Adivian/The Dhaenflow: Less than a mile north of Westcrown’s northernmost wall, the Upper Adivian branches off the main flow and wends its way west among the hills. This waterway remains a strong, defensible river beneath the Adivian Bridge but slowly shrinks and splinters among the shallow creeks, pools, and marshes of the Dhaenfens. The Dhaenflow is the waterway’s local name, dubbed for a noble who deprived his enemies of their spoils by fleeing into the swamps with the last treasures of his failing house.
The Westchannel: Within 200 yards of where the Dhaenflow branches off the main course, the river splits sharply again into the Westchannel. This is the main waterway of Westcrown, where the current slows by the natural shelter of the island and coastlands. Many once believed Aroden blessed Westcrown, as garbage only rarely flowed into the Westchannel or the island’s canals. The dumps littering the eastern shores often formed naturally with each spring flood, and Wiscrani used those lands for the same purpose. Now, a century after Aroden’s passing, more and more wood, ship wrack, and other flotsam drifts into the Westchannel or the canals, sometimes enough to damage or deter trade traffic until it can be cleared by the harbormaster’s crews.
The Southrun: The Southrun is the name for the South Adivian as it continues past Westcrown, often depositing flotsam and other waste against the eastern shores. Unlike the placid currents of the Westchannel, the South Adivian alongside Westcrown Island bears a stronger current that drags any unmoored or uncontrolled boats against the eastern shores or south to the bay.
The City's Districts Parego Regicona
Wiscrani call Westcrown Island Regicona. Encircling the 8 canal-riddled islands are the Regiconan Walls, the Chained Arches spanning each of the canals piercing them. Most of the city’s population never sees inside the walls built by their efforts and coins, so rumours run rampant of what happens within the Regicona. All they and most city visitors see are the grandeur of the tallest buildings rising above the walls, like the former royal palaces and a grand opera house.
Rego Corna
“Crown Sector” encompasses the former stronghold of power in Cheliax—the Imperial Court of Cheliax and its attendant holdings and homes. Once the most desired land in the country, the islands of Impriax, Dlaratha, and Siraon recovered only some prestige in the past three decades.
Rego Laina
Triam and Islatra comprise the large central pair of islands in “Blade Sector.” These are the last of the original islands, and none today remember the origins of their names. The name of the sector stems from the many famous battles, smithies, and armouries situated therein.
Rego Aerum
“Treasure Sector” is the home of true rarities for sale in Westcrown. The youngest territory in the city, the southern half of Westcrown Island only grew beyond mud flats in the past millennium. The three islands of Rego Aerum include Siar, Ghiam, and Karhal. The park at the south end of Karhal formed due to the mysterious inability of any building built there to be completed, due to a long history of strange accidents. The lands became a city park for the rich and idle in 4040 ar.
Parego Dospera
The Parego Dospera (“Despair’s Altar”) refers to the abandoned ruins and downtrodden slums of the northern shores of Westcrown. The roads are often in disrepair, and running in the Dospera invites a twisted ankle or a broken leg, leaving one fair game to the many threats in its shadows. While the northern sector is entirely a ruin, only kept in vague control by the sureshots of the rundottari on the walls around it, the southern rego acts as the buffer zone between it and “civilized” Westcrown.
Rego Cader
“Dead Sector” refers to the northern ruins, though older Wiscrani can tell you this used to be Rego Plea (formerly home to house slaves, servants, and lesser trades) before Aroden’s Fall. Inside this sector are the “low trades” the nobles wished not to see, including many forges or smithies still useful, if not in good repair. The bulk of the abandoned or ruined buildings were once taverns, inns, rooming houses, and stables. Now, most are either squats and partial homes for barbaric humans, dens of thieves, or even the lairs of monsters from leucrotta to goblins and tieflings strong enough to survive. There may even be gargoyles still bound to guard areas that have long since fallen to ruin around their perches.
Rego Crua
“Blood Sector” once held all slave trade and a wide array of low-end or less-desirable businesses, from tanneries to slaughterhouses. As a result of the stench and filth, this sector also contained the northern slums of Westcrown, nestled up against the walls of Rego Cader (which sometimes makes them safer due to the near-constant presence of rundottari above them). The farther south one travels, the more buildings rise in height and cleanliness until you cross the eastern Pegasi Bridge into Parego Spera.
Parego Spera
The Spera (“Hope’s Altar”) contains the still-thriving sections of the city, once looked down upon by the city’s elite and now recognized as its money-making lifeblood. The western city still holds many nobles, but unlike the Regicona, trade and coin rule here more than politics. The three sectors of the Spera are Rego Scripa (“Scribe Sector”), the commercial hub and mercantile class sector that was the site of the empire’s scribes and printers; Rego Pena (“Coin Sector”), the fine trades, high-quality goods, and “new money” class sector; and Rego Sacero (“Priest Sector”), the temple and “old money” sector.
Rego Scripa
“Scribe Sector” was once the center for the bureaucratic work of the Chelish empire, the area dominated by ink- and paper-makers, printers, binders, scribes, and messengers. Now, precious few such businesses remain beyond cartographers; trade warehouses and ship-related businesses (rope- and sail-makers, navigators, and shipwrights) now populate this sector.
Rego Pena
“Coin Sector” houses the more lucrative trades and many houses of dubious standing, politically or monetarily. This also acts as home to a rising class of rich merchants who, by choice or fate, lack the political clout or connections to gain noble status or the notice of the Imperial Court.
Rego Sacero
“Priest Sector” contains more shrines and ecclesiastical real estate (extant or ruined) than five other Chelish cities combined. For centuries, priests and nobles alike kept all land east of the Arodennama (on and beneath the Rise) vacant for Aroden’s personal gardens. That land became a flashpoint of land grabs and assassination among many nobles, officials, and priesthoods after the Last Azlanti’s death. By 4614, various faiths and houses had bought up much of the land.
Female Human Wiz/9 | AC 18* T 17* FF 17* | HP 46/46 | F +5 R +5 W +8 | Init +7| Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
Pontia checking in. Profile to come; I'm at GMT -6 or so, and it's time for me to go to work. Thanks for choosing me, and I'm looking forward to this!
One other thing:
Tentative Master Canario (subject to change if necessary or appropriate): Titus Canario is an old man, in his late 70s. He's not noble himself, but he's spent most of his life as his teacher (and his teacher's teacher, etc.) did: tutoring nobles in wizardry and other useful knowledge. The tradition set forth by his first predecessor was that the master/mistress would tutor nobility, but would also teach talented commoners and choose one to be his/her replacement as a teacher of nobility. Since he's not a diabolist, though, he's only been able to teach the lesser nobles who remained in Westcrown. He has no surviving immediate family; all but one of his siblings died when House Thrune came to power, and his wife and children are long dead. None of his commoner students have stayed with him, either--the more ruthless and ambitious ones went on to bigger and better things in Egorian, and the more benevolent ones left Cheliax. He chose Anca/Pontia almost in desperation, so he'd have an heir even if there was no more call for a tutor to nobles.
And I have a few other ideas, but now I really need to get to work. Let me know if you have any comments so far.
HP: 12/12 AC 18/14/14: F-4, R +6, W+2, Per:+6, Init: +5 Arrows: 40
I've got to work until 5:30 CST, so I'll have to wait until tonight to get anything up. I'll have the names for the Priest and the agent up as well. Do you have any suggestions for equipment?
{Hunter} Male Half-Orc Urban Ranger 3 {HP15/28 | AC 17 T12 FF14 CMD 18 | F/R/W 5/5/2}
Here's the alias, going to fine tune the description, but the important aspect are already there.
GM Elberion:
It's fine to change the contact, I used the dwarf mainly as I wasn't sure when Delvehaven closed and was wanting someone who had contact with my father/grandfather.
Incident:
Several years past Hyngrot was doing what he always did. Watch the people go about their business. Watching people learned you many things. And it was during this watching that he spotted a couple of Dottari apparently searching for someone. Listening in, Hyngrot figured out who it was, a local silversmith who had just recently moved to another part of Westcrown. A part Hyngrot knew because he had helped him move.
Hyngrot went up to the Dottari when he was sure no one was watching. He told them he knew where he was, but instead of saying where, held out his hand. The Dottari told him not until they found the silversmith.
Hyngrot, knowing he was in a bind now, led them to where the silversmith moved. They told Hyngrot to wait nearby while they handled this, and if his information proved to be true, he would be rewarded.
The men went inside the building, and while Hyngrot knew he should wait, he head to find out why. He snuck into the building behind the Dottari. He approached the room, and heard sounds of what he thought was a scuffle. But it didn't sound right. Peering in, he saw one of the Dottari holding the silversmith, while the other beat him mercilessly.
During this beating, they spoke to him. It took Hyngrot a moment to understand the meaning of their words, then realization dawned on him. The silversmith's crime had been some beautfil silverwork that outshown another's. The noble who employed this man's competitor was upset and attempted to recruit this man into his employee, but he had refused. And now these men came to deal with the issue.
The beating done, the man barely able to move,one of the Dottari held his arm down while the other pulled out his sword. This was too much for Hyngrot, who began to head back down. The thunk of the sword was still loud enough for him to hear.
The men came back down, Hyngrot standing back where he was told. The Dottari thanked him for locating this criminal, and he was pased a few coins, enough to feed him for a month.
The Dottari gone, Hyngrot knew what he would find upstairs. The man was a silversmith no more, not without the precious tools he would need. And it was Hyngrot's fault, at least in part, for showing them where he was.
Hyngrot took the money and gave half of it away to those he knew would help some of the downtrodden in the city. He felt he should have given it all away, but Hyngrot still needed to survive himself. He just hoped next time he would have better judgement.
Wasn't sure if it was what you were wanting, but I thought it fit from your description.
I've got to work until 5:30 CST, so I'll have to wait until tonight to get anything up. Do you have any suggestions for equipment?
Thieves tools to avoid the -2, proably a torch or some other light source in case you get caught out in the dark (beware the shadow beasts, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!)
rapiers suit a dashing individual in a venice+magic milieu.
FOR EVERYONE:
When everyone has noticed that they're in and given a basic workout of character I will post some questions. I've already put what I can through herolab and got questions for everyone (quick note: have you chosen all of your languages? Do you know what your deity is?)
Thanks for choosing me; I'll try to keep to par with what I've done so far.
GM Elberion:
Nicolai, like most of Ustlav, reveres Pharasma. Language-wise, he knows Common (Taldane) and Varisia (as he's Varisian); Bonus languages are Elvish, Sylvan, and Vudrani.
I'll work up an injustice, hopefully by 11:30 EST.
HP: 12/12 AC 18/14/14: F-4, R +6, W+2, Per:+6, Init: +5 Arrows: 40
Backstory and appearance added to the character profile so I don't lose it. I also gave the mentor and the agent names. The Priest of Desna is named Calius Vesper, and the Andoran agent is named Samuel Talus. I'll be getting equipment and stuff ready. should have it later tonight.
Male Human Inquisitor of Iomedae 3 [HP 27/27, AC 19/12/17, F +4 R +3 W +5]
Wow - that is a lot of information to take in. Westcrown seems like an excellent city to explore - lots of flavor.
I'm just about to update the profile for Daxius, and I wanted to post his "incident". He's ready to go. I gave him max HP for first level and average starting gold. Was this correct?
The ArchFiend's Kiss:
Just two weeks ago, a young serving girl at the Asmodean Temple named Andia told her friend that she didn't like serving one particular minor noble because he often touched her inappropriately. Andia's friend immediately told the clerics, who of course felt it neccessary to make an example out of her to show what happens when a servant speaks ill of upstanding worshippers. The clerics then cut out Andia's tongue and cauterized it with a hot poker. They call this punishment "The Archfiend's Kiss". Daxius was called in to clean up the blood. When he saw the weeping, mutilated woman and the smug, satisfied nobleman, Daxius was actually glad that he wasn't present to see the punishment. He knew he wouldn't have been able to stop himself from intervening, and he surely would have been killed (or worse) for insubordination. Daxius quit his job at the temple and has taken up residence in the abandoned inn that he is assisting Arael in renovating. He is currently squatting in one of the upstairs guest rooms, wondering what to do for employment.
Female Human Wiz/9 | AC 18* T 17* FF 17* | HP 46/46 | F +5 R +5 W +8 | Init +7| Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
I have Pontia's profile largely done. I went with Scholar for her bonus feat; there are probably more useful things to take, but I was trying to think in terms of a character who doesn't really think of herself as an adventurer. Yet. Deity choice is also on the profile.
On one bright and early morning, on the 20th of Rova, Nicolai was walking from his residence to his apprenticeship. Along the way, he was accosted by a vagrant, looking for some handouts. His upbringing coming to the forefront, he waved the man off and continued on his way. But still the man persisted, and after pleading how he lost his job and needed to provide for his family, Nicolai's reserve was weakened.
Handing the man two silver coins, Nicolai walked away. A sudden sound made him stop, again, and he turned to see a member of the Dottari kicking the man, who was on the ground, for "disturbing the peace". Nico, who heard his uncle talk about how he would subdue the rabble of his county, was stunned - it was one thing to hear someone go on about a beating, but another entirely to witness it.
The guard noticed Nico, and told him to "get lost." As Nicolai turned to leave, he could have sworn he saw the dottari scoop up the silver for himself.
Kind of simple, somewhat inspired by 'Ghost of Tom Joad' :P
Wow - that is a lot of information to take in. Westcrown seems like an excellent city to explore - lots of flavor.
I'm just about to update the profile for Daxius, and I wanted to post his "incident". He's ready to go. I gave him max HP for first level and average starting gold. Was this correct?
** spoiler omitted **
Daxius, great stuff.
I think you have another feat to spend. Inquisitors gets proficiency with all shields except tower shields, so either you're asking for tower shield proficiency or you can have something else.
I have Pontia's profile largely done. I went with Scholar for her bonus feat; there are probably more useful things to take, but I was trying to think in terms of a character who doesn't really think of herself as an adventurer. Yet. Deity choice is also on the profile.
Good stuff.
The Chelaxian tongue is just a Taldane dialect so you don't need that, and the Varisian part of your heritage gets you Varisian for free: so you still have one language to choose.
I don't really understand where you're going with this...
Spoiler:
You don't have the dex for TWF, as far as I know only rangers get to ignore the skill requirements for any combat feats.
So, are you intending to use the shield as your main weapon?
Is this a fix for if you get disarmed or are attacked while casting? If so I am not sure it works because you are still attacking with a weak weapon in your off-hand.
Wouldn't quick draw and a back-up weapon be better? Or just punching with your gaunleted hand for +2/1d3+2 instead of +2/1d4+1?
That's higher average damage, higher minimum damage, same top damage and you don't lose your AC bonus from the shield. If you take quick draw then you can pull up a morningstar instead (+2/2d8+2).
Perhaps I am missing something? That happens to me a lot :D
Female Human Wiz/9 | AC 18* T 17* FF 17* | HP 46/46 | F +5 R +5 W +8 | Init +7| Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
First, a bunch of Knowledge (local) checks:
Condottari DC 20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Rundottari DC 20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Pasted for reference:
Arik is a cynical but fair man who assumed this rank only to prevent Eccobar Drumanis, a long-time family enemy, from assuming command and wasting the lives of friends or good soldiers.
Arik knows his command is a posting of low prestige and social punishment, but he and his men take pride in their responsibility to man the walls of Rego Cader and keep the threats and dangers of the ruins contained and out of the city.
Regidottari DC 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Interstitial DC 25: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Pasted for reference:
Lhiana herself has been a pawn and lover to at least three members of the city’s nobility since her arrival in Westcrown more than 7 years ago.
Mayor DC 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Pasted for reference:
Rumours suggest that he finagled political support for himself while slandering and undermining the allies of the former administration, and many suggested he had a hand in the sudden death of his deposed predecessor Mayor Arthan Challas.
Injustice:
When the young Anca first found herself on the streets of Westcrown after her mother died, she would quickly have been killed herself but for a chance meeting with Calathes, a half-elf seemingly only slightly older than she was. Calathes led a gang of petty thieves, beggars, and scavengers, mostly children. Though he was a capable enough leader, his ambition was to amass enough wealth to escape the Parego Dospera, and that ambition was contagious--even the thieves in the gang dreamt of getting out and plying their trade in the more lucrative Rego Pena, or even leaving the city entirely for the wealth of Egorian. Because of his success in getting people out of poverty, the rundottari turned a blind eye to Calathes' activities, and some members even gave him a little tacit support. While she was a prostitute Anca/Pontia likewise would take time to teach any of the gang members who wanted to learn, and tried to get some of the older ones jobs. She didn't tell Calathes of her apprenticeship with Titus Canario, though--she wanted to surprise him with that when it was complete.
As fate would have it, he never had the chance to find out. The day that Master Canario formally declared her apprenticeship ended, Anca/Pontia had arranged to meet Calathes. He wasn't there. Fearing the worst, she made her way to the Parego Dospera only to find the rundottari out in force, covering a paralictor of the Order of the Scourge and his Hellknights as they finished flaying Calathes alive before spiking him to the walls of the Parego along with all of his gang members they'd been able to catch. Perhaps it was Eccobar Drumanis who brought in the Hellknights, to embarrass Arik Tuornos; perhaps they came on their own and decided that Calathes' gang constituted a criminal organization. Whatever the reason, Calathes and many of her friends and pupils were dead, along with the hopes and ambitions of all the rest.
In that moment, Anca/Pontia swore to herself that she would see a change. She wanted...not revenge, for there was little of malice in the Hellknights' actions, but justice. In a just world, a petty feud between the Drumanis and the Tuornos would not cost the lives of others who weren't involved. In a just world, the Hellknights would not execute for petty offenses. In a just world, all would rise or fall on their talent and ambition, unconfined by the walls of the Parego Dospera or any other slum. Killing Eccobar Drumanis and all the Hellknights involved would not bring about that just world...it would take a far more complex and difficult change, but that was what the newly fledged wizard swore to attempt. (She still marked the paralictor, though, in case the struggle ever brought her against him....)
HP: 12/12 AC 18/14/14: F-4, R +6, W+2, Per:+6, Init: +5 Arrows: 40
GM Elberion wrote:
Astra Vesper wrote:
Ready to go whenever you guys are.
Thanks, I'm just wondering how Astra came to know Infernal?
And could we have your striking example of injustice?
To be honest I picked it because it seemed the most useful, I can pick something else, any suggestions?
The Beating:
Slavery naturally runs against Astra's beliefs. Those beliefs are why she continued to at least try to ease their suffering and pain. This often lead to her getting beat and having to run away into the night, but even then she did a little good. The day before her latest attempt, she had seen a slaver beating one of his "goods" for not bowing fast enough. She wanted to step in right then, but was stopped by the Dottari watching the spectacle barred her way, laughing as they told her that she couldn't help the man correct his discipline problem. This is what lead her to visit the slave pen of that particular slaver that night.
Thanks, I'm just wondering how Astra came to know Infernal?
And could we have your striking example of injustice?
To be honest I picked it because it seemed the most useful, I can pick something else, any suggestions?
It suits Cheliax, if you had some formal schooling or somesuch. Otherwise it seems likely you might have got it from mixing with tieflings in the poor neighbourhoods?
If you can't see how it fits then maybe another language from your peers might suit (dwarven, elven, gnome, orc, etc.)?
HP: 12/12 AC 18/14/14: F-4, R +6, W+2, Per:+6, Init: +5 Arrows: 40
GM Elberion wrote:
It suits Cheliax, if you had some formal schooling or somesuch. Otherwise it seems likely you might have got it from mixing with tieflings in the poor neighbourhoods?
If you can't see how it fits then maybe another language from your peers might suit (dwarven, elven, gnome, orc, etc.)?
Actually, picking it from Teiflings would probably be where she got it from. Also, I've got my example of injustice up, check my post before this one (the one right above yours.)
Male Human Inquisitor of Iomedae 3 [HP 27/27, AC 19/12/17, F +4 R +3 W +5]
DM:
I was thinking that I could use shield bash if I needed to bludgeon something with DR, but once you laid out the mechanics, I realized that it didn't make sense. I'll take Weapon Focus instead, and get a club. I'll update my profile.
It's from the GMG: Pathfinder actually uses the wording 'Hero Points', that was my mistake.
Hero Points can be spent at any time and do not require an action to use (although the actions they modify consume part of your character’s turn as normal). You cannot spend more than 1 hero point during a single round of combat. Whenever a hero point is spent, it can have any one of the following effects.
Act Out of Turn: You can spend a hero point to take your turn immediately. Treat this as a readied action, moving your initiative to just before the currently acting creature. You may only take a move or a standard action on this turn.
Bonus: If used before a roll is made, a hero point grants you a +8 luck bonus to any one d20 roll. If used after a roll is made, this bonus is reduced to +4. You can use a hero point to grant this bonus to another character, as long as you are in the same location and your character can reasonably affect the outcome of the roll (such as distracting a monster, shouting words of encouragement, or otherwise aiding another with the check). Hero Points spent to aid another character grant only half the listed bonus (+4 before the roll, +2 after the roll).
Extra Action: You can spend a hero point on your turn to gain an additional standard or move action this turn.
Inspiration: If you feel stuck at one point in the adventure, you can spend a hero point and petition the GM for a hint about what to do next. If the GM feels that there is no information to be gained, the hero point is not spent.
Recall: You can spend a hero point to recall a spell you have already cast or to gain another use of a special ability that is otherwise limited. This should only be used on spells and abilities possessed by your character that recharge on a daily basis.
Reroll: You may spend a hero point to reroll any one d20 roll you just made. You must take the results of the second roll, even if it is worse.
Special: You can petition the GM to allow a hero point to be used to attempt nearly anything that would normally be almost impossible. Such uses are not guaranteed and should be considered carefully by the GM. Possibilities include casting a single spell that is one level higher than you could normally cast (or a 1st-level spell if you are not a spellcaster), making an attack that blinds a foe or bypasses its damage reduction entirely, or attempting to use Diplomacy to convince a raging dragon to give up its attack. Regardless of the desired action, the attempt should be accompanied by a difficult check or penalty on the attack roll. No additional hero points may be spent on such an attempt, either by the character or her allies.
Cheat Death: A character can spend 2 hero points to cheat death. How this plays out is up to the GM, but generally the character is left alive, with negative hit points but stable. For example, a character is about to be slain by a critical hit from an arrow. If the character spends 2 hero points, the GM decides that the arrow pierced the character’s holy symbol, reducing the damage enough to prevent him from being killed, and that he made his stabilization roll at the end of his turn. Cheating death is the only way for a character to spend more than 1 hero point in a turn. The character can spend hero points in this way to prevent the death of a familiar, animal companion, eidolon, or special mount, but not another character or NPC.
Female Human Wiz/9 | AC 18* T 17* FF 17* | HP 46/46 | F +5 R +5 W +8 | Init +7| Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
I kind of expect that from at least the beginnings of APs--even in Kingmaker, there has to be a reason the group is a group in the first place--and try to roll with it as best I can.
