First draft of a background story for Vris is up on her profile page and in the spoiler here:
Vris' mother was the daughter of a wealthy Magnimaran merchant named Serjan Fontessa. She had become pregnant as the result of a dalliance with an elven noble, one whom had abandoned his human lover once he became bored with her, leaving Vris' mother to confess her indiscretion to her outraged father. Packing the expectant mother off to one of his country estates to give birth away from the prying eyes of gossiping socialites and rivals, Serjan intended for the baby to be fostered out and never acknowledged by the family.
However when the time came the merchant received word that his daughter was having a difficult labor, and that she may not survive to see morning without divine intervention. Despite her disgrace Serjan loved his daughter, and desperately sought a healer from the village temple near the estate, but none could be found in time. However a Varisian traveler showed up at the gates, calling herself Zumani, and offered to do what she could to save mother and child in return for a boon to be named at a later date.
Serjan accepted the mystic's offer, after which the Varisian ejected the midwife and everyone else from the room, not emerging until near dawn with the sad news that she had been unable to save the mother. However Zumani bore in her arms a violet-eyed baby girl with the pointed ears of her elven father, and told Serjan that her price was that the child be raised by her in service to the goddess Shelyn, but that he was to acknowledge the baby, named Vris by her mother's last breath, as his own blood in memory of his daughter. Bereaved by his daughter's death, and uninterested in the fate of his unwanted granddaughter, Serjan acquiesced to the Varisian's demand.
Consequently Vris was raised as a Varisian and an acolyte of Shelyn, and did not even learn of her family name until she came of age, at which time the now elderly Zumani gave her the signed declaration which she had demanded from Serjan as proof of Vris' right to the family name. A little bewildered by the revelation, the young priestess made her way to Magnimar to present herself to the family, only to discover that Serjan had long since passed on, and despite his promise to the Varisian had never acknowledged Vris' existence to his other heirs - Vris' cousins.
In fact her arrival and presentation of Serjan's signed declaration caused considerable dismay to her wealthy human cousins, none of whom wished to accept her right to the family name, or any share of Serjan's considerable fortune. Vris was met with outright hostility and denunciation of her evidence as a clever forgery, even being beset by thugs sent by the family to rid themselves of this new heir. Fortunately the men were besotted by Vris' beauty instead, finding themselves unable to harm the girl, but she decided to seek sanctuary and escape from Magnimar by the first available means of transport.
Boarding the first ship she could find leaving Magnimar, Vris found herself instead bound for Riddleport, the notorious pirate port and Varisia's most infamous city. Once there she made a beeline for the House of the Silken Veils, requesting sanctuary with the priestesses of the Savored Sting, at least until such time as Vris could gather her wits about her, and decide on what to do about her own family's attempts to dispose of her. Upon hearing her tale, the Calistrian clergy granted the young half-elf their protection, extending their welcome to her as a priestess of Shelyn in need of Calistria's aid.
Vris is now at loose ends in Riddleport, without obvious means of support and reliant on the charity of another faith for protection. It is a situation which cannot be sustained for very long, especially once her cousins discover where she fled to and send another bunch of thugs after her. Given the abilities granted to her by Shelyn, especially Vris' power to influence chance and luck, she was tempted to enter the gambling tournament at The Golden Goblin herself in order to secure funds. However she feels this would be an abuse of the goddesses' favor, and instead Vris intends to see if the proprietor would like to hire her in some other capacity, at least temporarily.
If she's chosen to join the party, I'll need to adapt the background to provide a link with at least one other character, or change her campaign trait from Friends for Fools to another one.
New Statblock for Trig Glittergold, includes background:
Female Gnome Sorcerer 1
LN Small Humanoid (gnome)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60ft; Perception +5
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Defense
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AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +1 size)
hp 7 (1d6+1)
Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +2; +2 vs. illusions
Defensive Abilities Warden of Nature
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Offense
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Speed 20 ft.
Melee Club +0 (1d4-1/x2) and
. . Dagger +0 (1d3-1/19-20/x2)
Ranged Light crossbow +3 (1d6/19-20/x2)
Special Attacks Warden of Nature
Spell-Like Abilities Dancing Lights (1/day), Ghost Sound (1/day), Prestidigitation (1/day), Speak with Animals (1/day), Tremor (8/day)
Sorcerer Spells Known (CL 1):
1 (4/day) Color Spray (DC 16), Summon Monster I (CL 2)
0 (at will) Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Message, Read Magic
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Statistics
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Str 8, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 19
Base Atk +0; CMB -2; CMD 10
Feats Eschew Materials, Spell Focus (Conjuration)
Traits Gifted Adept (Summon Monster I), Looking for Work (Perception), Resilient
Skills Acrobatics +2 (-2 jump), Fly +4, Knowledge (arcana) +5, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +7, Perception +5, Spellcraft +5, Stealth +6; Racial Modifiers +2 Knowledge (Dungeoneering)
Languages Common, Elven, Gnome, Sylvan
SQ bloodlines (abyssal), illusion resistance
Combat Gear Potion of cure light wounds, Scroll of Grease; Other Gear Club, Cold Iron Crossbow bolts (30), Dagger, Light crossbow, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Belt pouch (empty), Blanket, winter, Chalk, Flint and steel, Black Ink, Inkpen, Parchment (5), Scroll case (empty), Spell component pouch, Trail rations (7), Whetstone, 9 GP, 5 SP, 7 CP
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Special Abilities
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Bedrock Summoned creatures gain DR 1/Adamantine.
Tremor (7/day) (Su)You can as a standard action cause the ground to shake beneath a single creature within 30 feet, functioning as a trip maneuver with CMB of +6.
Warden of Nature gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC against aberrations, oozes, and vermin, and a +1 bonus on attack rolls against them
Eschew Materials Cast spells without materials, if component cost is 1 gp or less.
Gifted Adept (Summon Monster I) A chosen spell gets +1 CL.
Illusion Resistance +2 racial bonus to saves against illusions.
Darkvision See in the dark up to 60 ft.
Spell Focus (Conjuration) Spells from one school of magic have +1 to their save DC.
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Trig was the daughter of a family of wealthy gnomish merchants in Korvosa, but they left during the trouble that recently plagued that city after the death of the king. As she had recently reached the traditional age of Gnomish adulthood, her parents refused to allow her to live with them in the city of Magnimar where they settled, but sent her off to find her fortune. During the years since then, she has had to endure hardships she had never felt during her childhood and adolescence, but she found reserves of inner fortitude and continued on. She has recently come to Riddleport looking for employment.
She enjoys telling the tales of her grandfather, who was a deep gnome or svirfneblin, who told her fanciful stories of life deep underground, most of which she only barely remembers, since he died when she was young. Some details of his stories may come bubbling up from her memory at opportune times, however, should she ever find herself in such an environment.
Hello again all.
Been looking over all the apps and making a list and checking it twice. I'd like to close up recruitment on Friday (around 10 PM Central US time) and make selections after that, perhaps ready to kick off on Sunday/Monday.
Deth and Aziza - Hero Lab output is pretty easy. Go to the File menu, pick Output Hero Statblock (about halfway down). In the new window pick Plain Text tab at top, then big blue Copy button at bottom. Now it's ready to paste to your Paizo Alias Profile and should be already formatted. LMK if that doesn't work for you.
Twigs - Iscarel is 2nd level, are you lowering him for submission? Also, Magnus Ironfoot has no background etc. He's the only dwarf so has a fighting chance (no pun intended) but only if I see a good story...I know you can!
Whitethorne(Dax) - Don't see any story on him either at this point.
The AP is built for 4 but I usually take 5 to account for inevitable drop outs. My friend Bloodwolven has graciously decided to take a back-up character position also.
I expect to take one from the 4 major groups: Skill, Arcane, Divine, and Melee, and then the next best character. (I've even let the first four vote on the fifth).
So far, all the submissions and stories are good. I just hope you enjoy the game as much as I've enjoyed reading the stories so far.
While we wait, tell me your favorite fictional/fantasy/comic/movie character and why. If you tell it IC, it's worth additional bonus points! Have fun, there's no wrong answer. (just less right one's...)
Divine
Deth Tobrin, Human Urban Druid
Vris Fontessa, Half-Elven Cleric of Shelyn
Hybrid Divine
Reva Meirandi, Inquisitor of Iomedae
Whitethorne, Inquisitor of Desna (incomplete)
Martial, Melee
Draven, Human Fighter
Zack, Human Monk
Aervin Cadash, Human Fighter
Magnus Ironfoot, Dwarven Fighter (incomplete)
Martial, Ranged
Zilenna Iorana, Human Ranger (Skirmisher)
Skilled
Teliel, Elven Rogue
Iscarel, elf bard (needs downgraded)
Arcane
Bú nìng yīng huā jié, Elven Witch
Trig Glittergold, Gnome Sorceror
Turkinovk - Shoanti Wizard
Hybrid Arcane
@Vris: Considering there are at least two elven, Calistrian PC's in the Que, you could easily have gotten in with either of them, assuming they/you make the cut of course. It's interesting none of the Calistrian's she took sanctuary from suggested avenging herself on her father's family, or maybe she just doesn't want to think about that yet...
bi0philia here, my WIP for falling into that skilled role.
If chosen, he'll probably multiclass into either fighter or rouge in later levels, depending on what the group needs.
@Vris: Considering there are at least two elven, Calistrian PC's in the Que, you could easily have gotten in with either of them, assuming they/you make the cut of course. It's interesting none of the Calistrian's she took sanctuary from suggested avenging herself on her father's family, or maybe she just doesn't want to think about that yet...
The latter reaction is how I'm planning on playing Vris - she's still in shock from the reception she received from her 'family' in Magnimar. No doubt any Calistrians will be encouraging her to seek revenge, but her inherent goodness will make her reluctant, at least until her cousins make further attempts to dispose of her.
As for why Calistrians would grant sanctuary to a priestess of Shelyn... almost all of the gods except for Zon-Kuthon (her half-brother) get along with Shelyn, and to quote the wiki; "All other good and neutral deities (and creatures) like or love her - it’s pretty much that simple." Since Calistria and Cayden Cailean are the two friendly gods with the biggest congregations in Riddleport - from what I can gather via the wikis - it made sense to me for her to seek assistance from one of them, and considering her situation, the Savored Sting seemed the better fit, although Cayden apparently frequently falls over himself trying (and failing) to seduce Shelyn herself. I just extrapolated all that to the relations between the clerics of those gods.
As for Vris' favorite movie characters; "It simply has to be Wesley and Buttercup from The Princess Bride because, well... you know? It was 'Wuv, twue wuv...' Or maybe Jake and Elwood in The Blues Brothers, because they too were 'On a mission from god', and they were fabulous musicians."
How did I not notice this thread?! I follow your Rise of the Runelords campaigns, Doc. I would very much love to join one of your games.
I know you prefer the core classes the most, but I have an alchemist idea that I have been kicking around for a while. Let's see what I can do with it.
If Trig had the opportunity to watch our movies, she'd definitely pick Thorin Oakenshield. She has a thing for dwarves; the beards, the gold, the height*, and the axes, and Thorin does all of that, while having eyes like piercing jewels. (I don't know if we end up having any dwarf PCs but if so, expect at least a little flirting from Trig.)
* Dwarves are sufficiently taller than gnomes to be sexy-tall without being scary-tall like most humans and elves. It's like if a human is 6'4", he's more attractive, if you like them tall, whereas if he's 7'1" you feel a little freaked out.
Deth trudged towards town. Why did he own so much stuff! Mission be damned, first thing he was going to do was find an inn, get a room, drop all this junk and soak his feet. He knew a man from town called Rooster, supplied Milton with hard to get herbs and black market items. Always claimed to stay at a place called the Golden Goblin and spoke highly of it. Finding Rooster was probably a good start to investigating this Blot and he could rest his weary feet at the Goblin. While waiting he'd read these two books mom had stuck into his backpack as he left. It was one of his favorite bedtime stories as he was growing up, written by a bard named Stephen Donaldson. The books were Mirror of Her Dreams and A Man Rides Through. The hero Geraden was everything he wished to be, he defeated great odds without losing his honor, saved the kingdom and rescued the damsel and married her. Great Books, just thinking about reading them made his legs a little less tired. 'Geraden wouldn't falter and neither will I.' resolved Deth.
Doctor Evil, just tried your suggestion for Hero Lab and it worked wonderfully. Thanks!
Draven came home after finishing up a protection contract for Stephen and the Crimson Brotherhood. All in all, it was an easy day and thankfully there was no bloodshed. He took off his armor and put away his gear in a chest in the small 2 roomed home. Amelia sat at the table smirking.
"What are you grinning about, sis?"
She didn't say anything, all she did was point to a book on the table. Draven walked over to pick it up. He knew this book.
Draven looked at his sister, "How did you get this?"
"Well i've been trying to save some money to get it for your birthday. I know its a little late..." she explained.
His mother use to read this story to him. The Hero of Kvatch, they called the legendary warrior. The story followed the hero through a crisis that saw him close the gates of Oblivion. He remembered his mother telling him this story as he lay sick with fever. Her reading this book was his last memory of his mother, before she died of the very fever she helped cure her son of.
"I love it" He said as he tried to hide the one tear that went down his face.
He sat with his cherished sister and read the fabled story, never for a second forgetting his mother.
Aside from gear (and maybe his Fighter feat) I'm pretty happy with where Magnus stands right now. How do you feel about the Foehammer archetype from the ARG?
Iscarel is a little close to Seldon (if not personality, then backstory-wise, and Aziza's already submitted a Calistrian), so as much as I'd like to see him to the end of the path I'll just leave him be unless you really like what you see or want a more-skilled character. Magnus HAD a background written, but I wiped it overnight to make it more Second Darkness appropriate, but I hadn't finished before I nipped off to bed.
The dwarf, or at least, what could be a dwarf under a thick layer of grime and sweat, sings. His voice is nearly drowned out by a chorus of straining valves, blasts of steam, coughing and dwarvish curses. As he sings, he palms an oversized coin with a Gold Goblin on it, dreaming of the day when he can leave this wretched city.
"If I were a rich-man... Yubby-dibby-dibby-dibby-dibby-dibby-dibby-dum~! All day long I'd biddy-biddy-bum, if I were a wealthy man."
Also Trig's fascination with Dwarves will be fantastic. Magnus is gruff, prudish and introverted, and also far from the well groomed, jewel encrusted Dwarven Prince she probably has in mind. I wonder if the dirty factory worker can shatter her illusions? :P
Perhaps the two can have some history. Perhaps Trig likes to haunt about the Dwarf bars in town and make a menace of herself. Also if you can think of a way, I'd be happy to be Vris' acquaintance somehow too. Perhaps she's made a game of trying to coax a smile out of the grumpy dwarf.
Also if you can think of a way, I'd be happy to be Vris' acquaintance somehow too. Perhaps she's made a game of trying to coax a smile out of the grumpy dwarf.
If Vris has made Magnus' acquaintance, then he likely knows that one of her divine domains is luck, so he may be thinking of trying to convince her to use her powers to help him recoup his losses by fixing the tournament at the Golden Goblin.
That would fit in with Vris' 'Fools for Friends' campaign trait. She won't use her luck powers to cheat, of course, since Shelyn probably wouldn't like such an abuse - unless there was a very good reason - but she might at least offer to watch him compete and try to ensure that no-one else does either.
Depends on whether or not a lawful good dwarf such as Magnus would consider being able to roll 2d20s and choose the higher of the two during a gambling game as cheating. I think most people would.
So where could the two have met each other in Riddleport? Perhaps the tavern where the 'faithful' of Cayden Cailean gather to drink, or the House of Silken Veils, if Magnus spent his last coin on a 'communion' with a Calistrian priestess and mistaken Vris for such (which she would find amusing, not offensive)?
...and Aziza's already submitted a Calistrian.
Vris follows Shelyn, not Calistria - although it was my initial idea to go with a follower of Calistria. Once I was throwing around numbers in Hero Lab, I just decided I liked the feel of Shelyn better (no innuendo intended). Besides there are plenty of Calistrian characters around, but you don't see too many worshippers of Shelyn.
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I like it! I've switched out Elven for Dwarven in Trig's languages, and I'll add the interest in dwarves into her background. She spends a lot of time in the dwarven taverns, listening to the stories of underground kingdoms and fantastic treasures. She'll accept a tankard of dwarven fire ale from anyone, but she especially likes the gruff, fully-bearded ones with a bit of the smell of the forge about them. Her few dalliances with the dwarven men haven't led to anything long-term, however, and though a couple of dwarven women have hit on her, it went completely over her head. (She's completely straight, which is actually a bit of a departure for my characters.) The prudish ones tend to tickle her funny bone and she teases them extra hard.
With Magnus, she likes to make jokes about how you need an Iron tool to pound Gold properly, making a double entendre out of their surnames.
Hehehehe I'm liking this already. No reason a lawful neutral character needs to be a stuffy fuddy-duddy.
Oh dear... dwarf on gnome dalliances. That's a mental image I really didn't want. :)
Too few gnomes have beards. What's a girl with pogonophilia to do?
Alright dotting for interest. I have a few ideas rolling around.
CDL here. Henry should be complete. I am currently looking him over for errors.
I have to say that I like how this Joker turned out. Depending on how things end up (if magical traps sudden start popping up right and left), I might have him multiclass into Rogue. I intend for him to be a Dex-based fighter with some modest healing abilities on the side. I currently have him as a semi-grumpy resident of Riddleport who is looking to stop a friend from blowing their money on gambling, which he sees as a pointless vice. Too much is out of the gambler's control. Working hard (but intelligently) frequently yields much better results in his mind.
Anyway, I have no experience with Second Darkness as a player. I know it involves some Drow based on all the profile icons, but that is about it. Meanwhile, I played a lot 3.5 PbP back on the Wizard's Community forums for three years before the shutting down of the PbP forum and switching to private groups essentially killed the ability to play in a timely manner. I recently picked up PbP here back in June. I am now in four games, ranging from level 1 to the epic levels. I can easily post at least once per day so long as the group is active.
I'm a total disappointment. I haven't had time to work out a backstory. Therefore I feel it is only right and proper for me to withdraw my submission. Please, no tears. I am sure all will be well in time.
Okay Doctor Evil, as I mentioned in the discussion panel of you RotRL game, I couldn't pass a chance to be in your Second Darkness Game. So here is my submission, a human Paladin Divine Defender who is in Riddleport to investigate whether there are any devilish connections to the Gambling Tournament.
Incidentally, I'll be out of town this until Sunday... so hopefully I've got everything you need.
Oh yeah, and here is a quote from my favorite movie which I'm guessing will give it away to all but the most sheltered individuals:
Ray, when someone asks you if you're a god, you say "YES"!
And seeing how Gozer was an evil Outsider in New York City, I'm guessing Lucius would be more than comfortable saying the next line from same film:
"All right! This chick is TOAST!"
Yeah, that'll do.
@Doc Evil - changes to traits and equipment as discussed via private message have been implemented. :)
My quick answer would be batman, but I can't see a way that Averin could tell a story of how he looks up to someone who masquerades as a rich fop, so I'll go with someone that would be Averin's favorite.[/ooc]
"My mother once told me a story of two halflings that threw a magic ring into a volcano. It was a fine tale, but the hero was not the main character. The hero was the man who led the group, until the halflings went their own way. When two of their number were captured, he tracked them by little more than scent and sound. When he found nations besieged by darkness, he convinced them to stand and fight, and even led their armies to victory. He convinced armies to march in support of long neglected alliances and led the charge against the world's end on two separate occasions. Beyond that, there wasn't a single thing that he fought that survived the encounter. To top all of that off, he was an uncrowned king, and wound up with the most beautiful elf around. I would call that a life well lived."
@Averin(aka Wolfman1911) - another refugee from the aborted Jade Regent campaign - hello again! I was playing Cally, the foul-tempered halfling bard.
With Magnus, she likes to make jokes about how you need an Iron tool to pound Gold properly, making a double entendre out of their surnames.
BAHAHA, I love it!
With Magnus, she likes to make jokes about how you need an Iron tool to pound Gold properly, making a double entendre out of their surnames.BAHAHA, I love it!
"Mommy! Make the bad men stop..." :P
He is, of course, talking about Aragorn from Lord of the Rings, though the part about marrying the most beautiful elf around doesn't account for Evangeline Lilly's presence in the prequals.
Did we see Evangeline Lilly in the first Hobbit movie? I only saw it once, and don't remember, and it seems like a would, since she is a favorite of mine...
HustonJ, is that the same as teh Mel Gibson movie? It has been too long since I saw that, and I guess I need to check out the book as well...
Was your Jade Regent campaign a DM CEllo production? He bailed on my CotCT game which I have graciously volunteered to rescue. As such we are short one rogue type (replacing my guy) and would welcome applicants here where we are still on the second page of game posts and haven't had a fight yet.
With Magnus, she likes to make jokes about how you need an Iron tool to pound Gold properly, making a double entendre out of their surnames.
And this is wrong on SO many levels! Nice. Too bad you are DQ'ed for double entendres that make the GM spit out his soft drink all over the monitor.
Here is the rundown again for those scoring at home (or even if you're by yourself...)
Divine
Deth Tobrin, Human Urban Druid
Vris Fontessa, Half-Elven Cleric of Shelyn
Hybrid Divine
Reva Meirandi, Inquisitor of Iomedae
Lucius Baradrain, paladin Divine Defender
Martial, Melee
Draven, Human Fighter
Zack, Human Monk
Aervin Cadash, Human Fighter
Magnus Ironfoot, Dwarven Fighter (incomplete)
Martial, Ranged
Zilenna Iorana, Human Ranger (Skirmisher)
Skilled
Teliel, Elven Rogue
Zalathes Luvhiski - Elf Bard Archeologist
Arcane
Bú nìng yīng huā jié, Elven Witch
Trig Glittergold, Gnome Sorceror
Turkinovk - Shoanti Wizard
Hybrid Arcane
Dr Flamel - alchemist
That's only 15 applicants for 4-5 spots, not bad odds...Like I said, we'll cut off Friday night 10PM central, and choices will come out soon thereafter. I think my decisions are harder and not easier...
Was your Jade Regent campaign a DM CEllo production? He bailed on my CotCT game which I have graciously volunteered to rescue. As such we are short one rogue type (replacing my guy) and would welcome applicants here where we are still on the second page of game posts and haven't had a fight yet.
Yes, that's the guy - we got to the first encounter and didn't even finish that before he went AWOL. He did the same in a Skull & Shackles AP too. Either something heinous happened to him IRL and he can't even log on to the internet, or he's the biggest time-waster ever. Jury is still out on that, but either way he's left three parties of characters in limbo.
Since I'm already playing a rogue in your other CotCT game, I'll decline on applying for the vacant spot in the one you're adopting from Cello. To anyone else who may be tempted to apply - go for it, the Doc's a very good DM.
You're right, she's not in the first movie. Her character is a Mirkwood elf, so she comes into play during the second and third ones. They also stuck an orangish wig on her, disproving my long standing belief that red hair makes any girl prettier. Now, if only she'd dye her hair blonde and keep the dark eyebrows, so she could test my more recently acquired theory.
The Jade Regent thing makes me sad. Aldel is probably the best character I've come up with, and from what I've seen and know of it, Jade Regent sounds like one of the most interesting APs.
By the way, Dr. Flamel? Would that be a reference to Nicholas Flamel and the Philosopher's Stone? (Ha! I called it by the right name so you can't accuse me of learning about it from Harry Potter! I learned about it from Johnny Quest)
Magnus Ironfoot, Dwarven Fighter (incomplete)
Pretty sure this was just a relic from the old list, but if there is any questions/comments/things I've missed I'm eager to hear them.
I'm looking forward to playing something a little more lighthearted than Seldon. Being wise and graceful and soft-spoken (at least, I hope so) is bloody hard work.
Submitting my druid for consideration.
Live in Calgary, Alberta. Had a bit of trouble with the floods this year. So the age of worms campaign that I had started kind of fell threw because I had a lot less time on my hands. Now I have a bit more and decided that I may have time to play in a pBp game as opposed to running one. Since I can do that from my laptop on my break or what have you.
Will be my first foray into playing a post by post for pathfinder. I used to play on a private forum a few years back with some friends of mine for DnD 3.5.
As far as the adventure path goes, what ever the players guide has told me is what I know. Should be fun.
Alright, I've settled on a character. She's an Arcane Duelist Bard. Crunch to come.
Portia was born in Magnimar, the youngest child of a Varisian family closely tied to the Church of Sarenrae. At an early age, her father taught her how to handle the goddess’ sacred weapon, the scimitar. It was her mother, Alexandra, however, who taught her the passion of dance. Passed down from her mother and grandmother before her, Alexandra taught Portia and her older sister, Sarai, the intricate and alluring movements that were told to be able to bring fire to men’s blood. A shake of the hips, swaying arms, colorful veils, jingling coins - Portia loved it all. Sarai blended dance and swordplay to become a Dawnflower Dervish, and Portia was intent on following her sister into Sarenrae’s service too.
When Portia began her training at the temple, however, her life quickly took a turn. Like her sister, Portia showed a talent for arcane magic. She learned to blend magic and swordplay in her first year of training. Things were going so well for Portia. Towards the end of that year, she was even asked to showcase her dancing at a temple festival. As she danced, she saw a very handsome young man who was watching every spin, shake, twirl, and flip she did. During the rest of the festival she and Tiran danced several times, each one closer and closer until they were in each other arms, kissing. It was the best day of her life.
The next day was the worst day of her life. Tiran, she learned, was all but betrothed to Ismarelda, a older acolyte in the Church and a jealous, vindictive one at that. From then on Ismarelda made it her personal goal to see Portia humiliated and humbled at every turn. Tiran was no help himself as he quickly shunned Portia to keep on Ismarelda’s good side. She made Portia’s studies, practice, and even simple living a battle at every step. For the next year, Portia counted the days in evenings she did not cry herself to sleep rather than those she did. Finally, she decided she had enough of Ismarelda’s bullying. She confronted the girl, angrily boasting that she had continued to see Tirian behind Ismarelda’s back, even bedding him. She shouted that Ismarelda was no match for her charms and her dancing. It was a lie, but the look on the girl’s face was worth it. What she didn’t count on was Ismarelda pulling a dagger on her. Portia dodged and spun away from the attacks, thankful her dancing provided her an edge. She managed to reach one of the many scimitars in the temple and now the advantage was hers. Fueled by the anger and humiliation she has suffered, Portia drove at Ismarelda, whirling around for quick strikes. She even poured her magic into the strikes, cutting deep into her opponent’s skin. When it was over, the priests found Portia standing over Ismarelda’s bloody body. The girl was dead.
Things moved quickly after that. While everyone knew the grief Portia has endured, there was no way Ismarelda’s death could be condoned. She was removed from the temple and given a black mark in the church records. Crestfallen, angry, and only a little apologetic as to what had happened, Portia hitched a ride with the next merchant train out of the city. She left her home and family behind, trying to make her living dancing in inns up the coast. Recently, she’s heard of money to be made in Riddleport, and seems a good next stop away from Magnimar.
@Averin: It is indeed referencing that tale. I thought it would be fitting, especially since Golarion already has quite a few parallels and nods to our world. In a universe where Henry gets to Level 20, I can certainly see him leaning toward taking the Philosopher's Stone as his Grand Discovery. It suits his motivations.
Ok, Portia's basic crunch is done. While Opportunistic Gambler trait sounds awesome for a Bard, her background fits more with Looking for Work. I can get a profile up for her if chosen.
Portia Zayed
Female Half-Elf Bard (Arcane Duelist) 1
CG Medium Humanoid (elf, human)
Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +6
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Defense
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AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 10 (+3 Dex)
hp 10 (1d8+2)
Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +2; +2 vs. enchantments
Immune magic sleep; Resist elven immunities
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Special Attacks bardic performance (standard action) (6 rounds/day, bardic performance: distraction, bardic performance: fascinate (1 targets) (dc 12), bardic performance: inspire courage +1
Bard (Arcane Duelist) Spells Known (CL 1):
1 (2/day) Cure Light Wounds, Saving Finale (DC 13)
0 (at will) Read Magic, Detect Magic, Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation (DC 12)
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Statistics
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Str 13, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Base Atk +0; CMB +1; CMD 14
Feats Arcane Strike, Weapon Finesse
Traits Fencer, Flame of the Dawnflower
Skills Acrobatics +7, Knowledge (arcana) +4, Knowledge (local) +4, Knowledge (religion) +4, Perception +6, Perform (dance) +6, Spellcraft +4; Racial Modifiers +2 Perception
Languages Common, Elven
SQ arcane training, bardic performance: rallying cry, elf blood
Other Gear 150 GP
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Special Abilities
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Arcane Strike As a swift action, add +1 damage, +1 per 5 caster levels and your weapons are treated as magic for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Arcane Training +1 CL for spell trigger/completion items for favored class, or use them as if 1st level.
Bardic Performance (standard action) (6 rounds/day) Your performances can create magical effects.
Bardic Performance: Distraction (Su) Counter magical effects that depend on sight.
Bardic Performance: Fascinate (1 targets) (DC 12) (Su) One or more creatures becomes fascinated with you.
Bardic Performance: Inspire Courage +1 (Su) Morale bonus on some saving throws, attack and damage rolls.
Bardic Performance: Rallying Cry (Su) Replace your allies' saves vs. fear with your Intimidate check result.
Elf Blood You are counted as both elven and human for any effect relating to race.
Elven Immunities +2 save bonus vs Enchantments.
Elven Immunities - Sleep You are immune to magic sleep effects.
Fencer +1 to hit with dagger or sword AoOs.
Flame of the Dawnflower +2 damage with a scimitar on a critical hit.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
GM knows a bit about me already as I am in his ROTRL game. I have never played or GMed Second Darkness and really don't know much about the AP. I'm a player in several games and I enjoy both the tactical side of playing as well as the role-play. PbP offers me a chance to exercise my creative writing talents rather than the quick thinking of face-to-face role play. It also keeps me gaming as I am far away from RL friends.
Are you sure you want flame of the dawnflower if you're not a dervish dancer bard?
Recruitment is now officially closed on this thread
Sorry all, I meant to get selections finshed tonight, but RL got in the way. I will get the field whittled down some and have final's tomorrow, ok? Sorry to not take all of you, but that'd be quite cumbersome. I plan on starting one more game sometime soon, so I'll look forward to seeing you all again over there.
Here is the list:
Divine
Deth Tobrin, Human Urban Druid
Vris Fontessa, Half-Elven Cleric of Shelyn
Jenai Herop, Dwarf earth druid
Hybrid Divine
Reva Meirandi, Inquisitor of Iomedae
Lucius Baradrain, paladin Divine Defender
Martial, Melee
Draven, Human Fighter
Zack, Human Monk
Aervin Cadash, Human Fighter
Magnus Ironfoot, Dwarven Fighter
Martial, Ranged
Zilenna Iorana, Human Ranger (Skirmisher)
Skilled
Teliel, Elven Rogue
Zalathes Luvhiski - Elf Bard Archeologist
Portia Zayed - half elf bard (arcane duelist)
Arcane
Bú nìng yīng huā jié, Elven Witch
Trig Glittergold, Gnome Sorceror
Turkinovk - Shoanti Wizard
Hybrid Arcane
Dr Flamel - alchemist
Here are the one's I'd like to stay in by major category. Everyone else, thanks for applying, these choices are the hardest part about running a game...If you're in one of my games already, no offense, I'm trying to be impartial here. If not, better luck next time. All the apps were really good...
Here is who is left in. Will be culling down tomorrow.
Divine
Vris Fontessa, half-elf cleric of Shelyn
Reva Meirandi, half-elf inquisitor of Iomedae
Melee
Magnus Ironfoot, dwarf fighter
Zilena Iorana, human ranger (skirmisher)
Averin Cadash, human fighter
Skilled
Teliel, elven rogue
Portia Zayed, half-elf bard
Arcane
Bu' (et al) - Elven Witch
Trig - gnome sorceror
Ok, you guys who are left, I'd like to hear a little about planned character progression, feats, multi-classes, focus etc. It's a lot of elven and half-elven characters, and a lot of females, hmmm...maybe it was the talk about Evangaline Lilly?
I've only really thought about character progression for Vris up to fourth level:
None of that is set in stone as it depends what happens in the game. Taking a few levels of bard seems natural for a priestess of Shelyn, but her progression at higher levels will be weighted more heavily towards cleric than bard. Spell choice is heavily influenced for both classes by her chosen domains as a cleric (Love and Luck). That's a theme I would be following through with for later levels.
I've posted a hypothetical stat-block for Vris as a second level bard and second level cleric on her profile page.
As for the preponderance of elvish and female characters; for some reason I rarely get accepted for APs when I submit a male character, and I confess to having a fondness for half-elves, half-orcs and gnomes.
Commiserations to those who didn't make the first round of cuts - now the rest of us have to survive the second round...
Darn it! Thanks for the consideration. This looks like it is going to be alot of fun so you have my envy. Good Luck!
In the interest of full disclosure, I changed Averin's skills. Namely, I traded climb for knowledge (local), since I figured that a lifelong resident would know a little something about his hometown, even if not a lot.
As for character progression, I have his feats planned out up to level seven. I don't know how effective it will be, but this is the most planning I've done for a character, so there it is:
3 Step Up
4 Weapon Focus: Halberd
5 Improved Disarm
7 Cornugon Smash
I intend for Averin to be a little more complex than just 'I swing my sword again!', rinse, repeat. Also, at level six, he will become a Hellknight of the Nail, but that's as far as I've gotten.
Yay! First cut. Hah, and I of course rarely play half-elves or female characters. Reva would work fine as a male character but I wanted to stretch my RP muscles a bit.
Reva's build is -highly- dependant on what the rest of the group looks like. She embraces the hybrid-ishness of the Inquisitor and so can go a few ways. By default I'd probably build her for combat. I'm out today but will have some potential progressions lined up for this evening.
Woohoo! Alright. I'm not multiclassing this one, unless I see a real compelling reason to, but straight sorceror offers the best progression of power for this kind of character, I think. The Bedrock bloodline is pretty powerful. I'll be focusing on summoning and illusions and maybe some necromancy.
L3 feat: Augment Summoning or maybe Varisian tattoo (conjuration)
L5 feat: Superior Summoning
L7 bonus: Nimble moves, L7 feat: Not sure, possibly Effortless trickery, spell focus(illusion) or spell focus(necromancy)
I'd probably stick with single-classing Zilena as a ranger. Pick up as many archery feats as possible and build her for ranged attack power. I'll post in more detail tomorrow night; posting from an iPad is a pain in the rear.
Well, thanks for considering me. Your games always draw a lot of good characters, Doc, so I expected the competition to be stiff, especially with me playing a non-core class. I hope the game goes well for everyone.
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Teliel's build is pretty simple. It's centered around Master Spy, and so he will be taking Deceitful and Iron Will as pre-reqs to that, along with a few Rogue Talents to maximize his potential, like Quick Disguise, Deft Palm, Honeyed Words. He may take Extra Rogue Talent as a feat to get a few more talents.
Progression will look something like:
Focus will be on infiltration abilities, disguise abilities, and acquisition of information potential. Combat will be a secondary concern, but sneak attacks by using hidden weapons and guile will be something he's building for as well.
Re: being an Elf. It seemed like the best race for the build I've been wanting to try, which was a Master Spy build.
Huh, I didn't even see the Dervish Dancer Bard archetype. I just assumed it was Dawnflower Dervish.
So now I have to consider what I want. Dervish Dancer archetype really fits the character, though it gives up the Inspire Courage for everyone. Arcane Duelist makes her more of a badass melee character.
Regardless of the choice, Portia will be getting the feat Dervish Dance feat at 3rd level. That will really complete her basic build and from there it's open. I would say Lingering Performance or Extra Performance at 5th is a strong candidate. Power Attack is probably in line somewhere too.
I will say that either choice gives up Versatile Performance and Bardic Knowledge, which means Portia will never be a strong skill monkey. Honestly, she wasn't meant to be. She was meant to be an Arcane Melee skirmisher. I even tried to build her as a Magus, but it was awkward. So she'll still have the Bard skill points, but not the big enhancers.
To make up for my indecision right now, I give you a picture of Portia.