I like Spikeskull.
Radomir would want to train the kobolds as frog cavalry.
And, he would like to recruit some taller/buffer people to form a knighthood/guardsmen order of blackguards.
Hopefully, we can do something with the mites. (heeh, mite assassins/spies?)
Mites are for garbage cleanup. ;)
I think Spikeskull might be a little too...on the nose? :P
I think the name of the kingdom should be a little bit more subtle. :)
Nation of Grimdark
I went in and claimed the bracers of armor and the suggested one potion. I don't really need a CL 1 Magic Missile wand, so I'm not taking that.
Okay, so perhaps add that to the sell pile, unless we want to gift it to someone.
Yeah, I'm down with selling it. Or just giving it back to Tartuk if someone wants him to like us better. Did Eduard want to grab the scroll of Fly as well?
Alexander will grab the other potion for now. Though we'll need to restock on magic healing "stuff" before our next adventure anyway.
So, do people have opinions on the submissions? It appears we got a bunch that can fill the "woodsy" role rather well. Nothing crazy and outside the box, but that's not necessarily bad. For the second slot, I'm not sure what we should do. We really could take just about anything there. We don't *need* anything to fill out the group but we could use pretty much anything. We don't have a summoner or pet class, so we're really not even overburdened by bodies.
As for which woodsy character we should take, I've PM'd our GM my opinions on that. But I think they're all interesting in their own ways.
Alright, selling everything that we're planning on selling for now, everyone gets 2000gp exactly. (Except Alexander who gets 1997, but I got a bunch more other stuff, so I don't mind at all.) Make sure that gets you in the vicinity of 6k. If not, we can move some money around. I've got around 6.5-7k-ish, so if someone is low Alexander can take less and we can pass it around to even people out. He's evil, but treasure is treasure. :P
Speaking of, Radomir, don't you have an Amulet of Natural Armor? You really need to update your character sheet. The studded leather armor is supposed to be masterwork. Also, You have a masterwork composite longbow (STR+2). Oh, and you should check your hp again. :)
If we wanted to keep it at 5 I'm good. But, a pet class for the extra flanks, could be nice. Or, someone who can specialize in battlefield control or buff/debuff could take some of the burden off of our primary casters. R
I think the name of the kingdom should be a little bit more subtle. :)
Stradaniye? It means suffering in Russian, according to google translate.
The County of Dunlikus?
The kobold would have strong ties to the area.
Looks like we have a few submissions for the non-woodsy slot. Again, nothing outside of the box, but strong submissions. I like that some of them make the group a little less respectable looking. (I mean, Alexander won't like that, but I think it'll be fun.)
Sadly, I think our biggest "holes", as far as leadership positions go, are Treasurer and Grand Diplomat.
As far as I can tell our setup looks something like this for NPCs at the moment:
Kavken - High Priest
Kesten - General
Tartuk - Magister
Oleg - Treasurer
Svetlana - Grand Diplomat
And maybe Auchs as Royal Enforcer if we don't fill this with a PC. If we had an alternate High Priest, we could move Kavken to Grand Diplomat (which I think would be interesting.) A Magister would just mean Tartuk wouldn't have a leadership position, but that isn't actually the end of the world. (It may even be preferable.)
But, with the submissions we have we can make it all work either way. If we find a better Treasurer/Diplomat later on we can let Oleg or Svetlana retire (with a good retirement bonus, of course!)
Oh ya, forgot about Auchs.
Replacements have been chosen and asked to join this thread.
First thing will be to finalize all roles within the kingdom, name the kingdom and conduct our first build phase.
For our new players, kingdom building rules can be found here.
Welcome!
Oh, in response to whether Darkness will be useful: We're low on Darkvision in this group, but Darkness is always a good spell. I think you can't go wrong with keeping it, but some things on that variant list are really cool. Then again, some are really awful. ;)
We've just finished the first book and are in sort of the cleanup phase. We'll have to come up with some way for you guys to hook up with us. If you've got preferences or ideas, let us know. I think we're all pretty flexible.
welcome meatshields!
Howdy, y'all.
Greetings!!!
Greetings! Thanks for the warm welcome.
Finnegan could probably be met on the road while traveling, or perhaps he will openly approach you and offer his services. He initially came looking to serve the Stag Lord, but seeing as he's dead, he'll be perfectly happy to serve the ones who killed him instead. Plus he might find the non-bandit life enjoyable.
I think I'll keep Darkness. It's fun to use.
What does the full Kingdom Role list look like. Finnegan can fill several different ones - including Treasurer, although whether you want to trust the devilish-looking fellow you just met with the kingdom's finances should be a lively debate.
(And no, he wouldn't skim off the top. But I'd have a hard time trusting a stranger I just met with my kingdom's bank account).
We fully trust you. That is why the antitode is just a formality. ;)
Just an update to the loot list, one of the longswords in it should be listed as a MW cold iron longsword.
we should keep that for any fey
Like I said, you can't go wrong with Darkness!
I'm pretty confident that no one would be okay with Finnegan in charge of finances right off the bat. *But* he'd make a fine Marshal for now, and then work his way into Treasurer as the game moves on. Maybe as part of his "settling down", or settling "in" for that matter.
Currently, I think the set roles are:
Ruler [Cha]: Alexander Orlovsky
Councilor [Cha/Wis]: Andrea
Grand Diplomat [Cha/Int]: Svetlana - Oleg's wife.
High Priest [Wis/Cha]: Father Jhod Kavken: A priest of Erastil. He asked the PCs to find a temple in the forest.
Treasurer [Int/Wis]: Oleg - The owner of Oleg's Trading Post
Eduard would prefer the Spymaster role, which I think we can do if we put Tartuk in the Magister role. I think that's not the best plan in the long run, but it could work for now. So:
Magister [Int/Cha]: Tartuk - A kobold that used to be a gnome. He despises kobolds and is desperately wants to be turned back into a gnome.
Spymaster [Dex/Int]: Eduard Petrov
Which leaves the more martial roles to be filled:
General [Str/Cha]
Marshal [Dex/Wis]
Royal Enforcer [Str/Dex]
Warden [Con/Str]
I think that Finnegan fits best as a Marshal. With Kesten and Radomir splitting the General/Warden position. Depending on which one Radomir would prefer the most. I think Othniel works as a Royal Enforcer.
NPCs that we can use:
Kesten Garess - A "noble" who had an affair with a lowborn weaver's daughter. Disowned, he fled Restov and served the group as a mercenary, leading several groups of soldiers to protect places that the PCs have already cleared out.
Auchs - A large, simple man that formerly served the Stag Lord.
Happs - A former bandit that attacked Oleg's Fort. He's been maimed slightly as punishment, but he'd be serviceable if we ever needed to fill a spot with someone. He seems grateful to be alive at this point.
Some options to move things around:
If Eduard would be okay with being Magister, then we could move Othniel to Spymaster. Tartuk would be out of a job, but that's actually okay since he's a bit...unstable. We could either leave the Royal Enforcer position empty, or put in Auchs or Happs into that spot. It's not a vital role and we have no penalty for leaving it empty for now.
As for how Finnegan got involved with the group:
I'm perfectly fine with him coming to look for work from the Stag Lord and instead deciding to throw in with the people that killed him. I think, with Soren skipping town, we'd welcome someone that came in with wilderness skills. He could have run into Kesten and his men at the Stag Lord's fort while they were protecting people trying to fix for our future use and been directed towards the rest of us. And a tracker with no previous attachment to the local bandits would be seen as a huge plus.
Maybe he tracked down Soren for us who decided to leave because his past had caught up to him? And, (*hint*, *hint* GM, pretty please!) recovered the Stag Lord's Helm in return for letting Soren leave and escape in peace? (Which would be a preferable story to having hunted down and killing him, if only out of respect for the former player.) ;)
Speaking of magic items:
I've updated the loot list. Radomir, Eduard, Andrea should all increase their gold amount by 2000gp. And come up with what they're buying. This *should* get us all into the 6000gp area. (I'll make a separate post about Alexander's requests for Eduard to craft.) :P
With that said, here's the loot list:
Loot!
If either Othniel or Finnegan want the Ring of Swimming or the Boots of Elvenkind you're welcome to split them between you. The Dust of Illusion is also up for grabs.
Just an update to the loot list, one of the longswords in it should be listed as a MW cold iron longsword.
Oh...heck yeah. I'll switch out my longsword for that one right away.
On that note, Alexander is also taking the worn old iron ring that we found in the Stag Lord's chest as a trophy. It's non-magical and not worth anything so I didn't bother selling it with the rest of the stuff.
I'd say Marshal fits Finnegan's preferences to a T. And that sounds like a good introduction to me.
We'll see what the GM says about me finding the helmet for you.
Here's a worksheet for when we start working on the Kingdom. First step, figure out the roles. Then we can work on what we'll build and how we'll expand.
Oh, we also still have to pick a name for the Kingdom as well as the first settlement. And we need to know what the main stat is for each of the NPCs that we have in their respective roles. (As well as if they're okay with taking on those roles.)
As for the helmet, that thing is all yours. It was tailor made for ranged combat characters. :)
Don't ignore Radomir!
Othniel would be happy to have the Boots of Elvenkind, Acrobatics is one of his specialties. But if someone who isn't already skilled there has a greater need, I understand.
Fluff wise, Othniel would probably most want to be Magister. The peasant youth need a proper indoctrination education on why only noble's can properly rule a nation, and how the Gray Gardeners are actually in league with the demons of the Worldwound and want to eat your children and rape your cattle. Descended from deposed Galtan nobility, he is of course a totally unbiased source.
Mechanically, he'll be best at something Dex dependent, so Spymaster, Enforcer, or Marshal. Spymaster would be my first choice there, but I could see doing any of the three.
Radomir isn't too bright. He's better when he's hitting things. So, either Enforcer, general, or General would be best. He'd be good at developing a set of guards to live and die for the King, cavalry, that sort of thing.
Auchs might be a good second
I think that's all up to you. Radomir is the only character with any appreciable Strength. So if you'd like him to be General, he's the General. The description of both Warden and General fit him well, and either could be in charge of putting together an elite group of knights.
General: The General is the highest-ranking member of the kingdom's military. If the kingdom has an army and a navy, the heads of those organizations report to the kingdom's General. The General is responsible for looking after the needs of the military and directing the kingdom's armies in times of war. Most citizens see the General as a protector and patriot.
Warden: The Warden is responsible for enforcing laws in larger settlements, as well as ensuring the safety of the kingdom leaders. The Warden also works with the General to deploy forces to protect settlements and react to internal threats.
I think if he were Warden, the unit of knights that he created would be only military in name. They'd answer directly to him and be "above the law" in all other ways. Sort of a combination of secret police and public executioners. As a General, he'd be the role model for patriotism. :)
I have a mild preference for Stanimir as a kingdom name.
As for crafting - if it is something I can craft, just pay the crafted price if I can cast the spell. If not, and if the GM is okay with it, you'll need to buy me the ability to cast the spell (preferably in scroll form so I can just scribe it) and then pay the crafting cost.
Edit: On the note of crafting, I'd like to buy a scroll of Fox's Cunning and make a Headband of Vast Intellect (+2) for myself. That's 2,150gp
Dragonsofashandflame is in this? Fantastic! I like playing with him.
Othniel can have the boots. I have a feeling he'll be in melee a bit more often than I will, and might need the ability. I can take the ring of swimming if no one else wants it.
Eduard - Headband is ok'd. Also ok with people buying scrolls for you.
Rook - Fine with you finding the helmet. I like the intro.
Alexander wishlist for crafting:
Amulet of Natural Armor: 1060gp (1000 for the materials, 60gp to hire someone to cast barkskin.)
Cloak of Resistance +1: 500gp (Eduard already has resistance.)
Andrea gets a +1 Shortspear (2001) and a +1 Mail shirt (1100 gp)
Dragonsofashandflame is in this? Fantastic! I like playing with him.
Othniel can have the boots. I have a feeling he'll be in melee a bit more often than I will, and might need the ability. I can take the ring of swimming if no one else wants it.
Dude! You're in this! Awesome!
Hmm.. for the moment, i think he's better at Warden. ALthough, this might change.
Since the GM said it was okay, I will take the helmet.
I searched this stat block in the Gameplay thread. Is this the correct helmet?
Stag’s Helm
Aura faint divination; CL 5th
Slot head; Price 3,500 gp; Weight 3 lbs.
Descriptio n
This striking helmet is crafted to resemble the skull of a
mighty stag. Although made from bone, the antlers and
helm are as strong as metal. When worn, the helm greatly
enhances eyesight and hearing, granting a +2 competence
bonus on Perception checks. In addition, once per day the
helm may be called upon to enhance any ranged attack
made by the wearer to make an insightful shot. Activating
this ability is a free action, and once activated, your next
ranged attack against a target within 30 feet is made as if
that target were flat-footed against you—this allows a rogue
to gain the benefit of sneak attack with this shot. If you don’t
make a ranged attack within 1 round of activating this power,
the insight fades and is wasted for that day.
A worshiper of Erastil who wears this helm may utilize the
insightful shot ability up to 3 times per day.
Radomir has some gear wishes... But I'm working on my phone at work. I'll come up with some things tonight.
For Othniel: Is there any particular way you want to come into the group? I think, at the moment, that Royal Enforcer (aka Assassin) might be the best bet for a fit with Eduard in as Spymaster. I like the *idea* of Othniel as a Magister, but that's a big kick to our kingdom.
Fluff-wise I think I'd prefer Eduard over Tartuk as the Magister, if only because leaving such things in the hands of a psychotic kobold-gnome is going to be problematic. Also, kicking him out later if we find someone better will also be rough. We'd probably just have to kill him.
Actually, a possible solution occurs to me: Perhaps we could have Eduard start as the Magister and eventually move over to the role of Spymaster and have Othniel start as Spymaster and eventually move over to Royal Assassin? The story side of it being that Eduard will start out in charge of magic things and learning, but eventually establish a full on spy-ring and secret society. Whereas Othniel could start out as a spy himself, with a small crew, but eventually form an assassin's guild and sort of "secret police" sort of thing.
Also, for options to bring Othniel in, it's possible he was already familiar with someone in the group? I know Alexander, for one, is a former soldier/mercenary. It's possible they've done some work together. Or maybe he worked with Radomir?
Yes Rook, that is the correct helmet.
He couldn't totally be connected Radomir. Maybe they knew each other while he wa swirling for his poor dead bandit lord.
Alexander and Andrea, both your expenditures are approved.
Yay! Now I want a major land war in Tian Xa!
Though I just realized that you still need to pay 150 gp and 300 gp for the masterwork of the weapon and armor before they become +1.
Oh! And if you wanted a magic chain shirt, we should have kept that masterwork chain shirt! :P
No matter, we can have kept it. I'll take the 125gp out of Alexander's share and you'll just have to pay the straight 1000gp to enchant it. I can't help with the spear though, that'll still cost another 300gp.
Edit: Alexander's equipment is updated. Paid for the Amulet, Cloak, and to keep the mw chain shirt for Andrea.
Monies changed
Othniel has been living in the area for some time, but probably would've just tried to stay beneath the Stag Lord's notice. He could've worked with someone in the past, but I was thinking maybe he could ambush the party, or some member thereof, only to stop and offer his service when he realizes that these are the (more or less) "Rightful" rulers of the area. No reason it couldn't be both I guess; plan an ambush, but then stop when he recognizes someone.
I like it, though if we gocthat route he should definitely know someone. This group is more lawful than evil sometimes (lawful *and* evil especially) and tend to respond to bandits very negatively. And, attacks even more so. But if we work in a prior relationship I think that would work. Some of the characters might have a poor first impression of him, but that can be worked on (both ways) in time.
Othniel, I'm fine with that idea. Any volunteers or suggestions on who would be the best past contact to recognize you now?