Heroes of Westcrown

Game Master Moondragon Starshadow

This is the discussion thread. If you were considering posting in the gameplay thread a comment that was entirely or mostly contained OOC text, this is the place for it. Keep the Gameplay thread for gameplay and limited OOC text.

This is also the thread to be used if you have character questions or whatever. Please do not post in the gameplay thread until we are closer to starting.

Wow!! Westcrown is huge!!!

Yah, that is a player made map as well that is much clearer than the paizo map.

Leaning toward a Sorcerer - False Priest Archtype

My #4 player has agreed to join, and he brings an impressive resume and I can attest that based upon posting frequency in another campaign that this should be a good group. Based upon feedback from other DMs of this campaign, 4 players with 20-point characters were able to deal with the encounters/challenges.

Some of you have told me you'll be posting later this week here and some are dealing with school exams this week. That's fine. When you have an idea of what you want to play, just post your idea here so the others can get a sense of what's being contemplated.

Leaning toward a Sorcerer - False Priest Archtype

Edit: With the Martyred Bloodline

My character will have had a close relative or friend die because of his/her beliefs and that event cause his/her magical power to come to life.

He/she uses the false priest archtype to hide in plain sight. Maybe within a high ranking house hold or within an evil church.

Barius Browntoes wrote:

Leaning toward a Sorcerer - False Priest Archtype

Edit: With the Martyred Bloodline

My character will have had a close relative or friend die because of his/her beliefs and that event cause his/her magical power to come to life.

He/she uses the false priest archtype to hide in plain sight. Maybe within a high ranking house hold or within an evil church.

See my PM for a way to link that background into the campaign.

I can not see the map of Westcrown anymore.

What do you guys think? Gnome or Human fit better for a False Priest?

My chalkwork does not sell. It rarely sells and too frequently I am forced to find other ways to eat.

Tristain sits at the corner of the merchant's market in Westcrown and watches man and woman alike ignore the beauty of his chalk-artistry. 9 scraps of be-chalked parchment lie before him, each a work of art, each showing another scene of city life. They are pictures of Westcrown in its former glory...not the ruin that it has become.

A halfling comes nearby and Tristain watches him carefully, especially the cup of coin that receives the rare tips he gets.

I've learned to sense those who would appreciate my art and those who come to pass the time. That one there cares little for my work.

As the halfling moves away, Tristain pulls his cup closer to him and closes his eyes, listening to the sounds of the marketplace.

So many voices, so many songs of sale. This city sings with a life of its own.

As poor as Tristain is, he likes the marketplace...he feels connected and safe here. People...people make Westcrown seem safe again. Tristain has been here most of his life, making his way in the city, practicing his chalkwork. He remembers a bit of when Westcrown was not as bad as it was. He's heard the stories of glory...that Westcrown was the jewel of the kingdom.

Tristain grates his teeth at what Westcrown has become. He turns to his artwork, reflections of what he hopes Westcrown would be. They bring him peace...and maybe they will inspire a few to hope for a better future.

Perhaps today I will try to earn some scraps sketching the rich as they walk to their parties. They sometimes offer good coin if the likeness is good enough, but even more coin if the likeness is further off, more grandiose as they wish to see themselves.

Tristain snarls at the idea of having to pervert his art in this way, but sometimes he must if he wishes to eat.

Though his life is hard, Tristain has not decided to leave Westcrown yet. He's waiting for something. A cauldron of trouble brews and people live in fear...at some point it will get out of balance. Eventually, a balance of merchant and servant, noble and knave, servant and scion, will force something to change this City and restore it to greatness.

But a few coins more and I shall have enough money to purchase the deluxe chalks. Mayhaps I will paint that grand mural...it will reflect the greatness of Westcrown for all to see. Maybe it will inspire...

Tristain smiles as he sits, dreaming,...maybe his next customer will be a wealthy patron of the arts...

* * *

Greetings Mortals!

I'm excited about this run of Council of Thieves. I'm deeply impressed with the amount of time and thought that the Council Chairman has put into things.

Above is my draft intro for Tristain. He's still a work in progress.

As far as build goes, I won't be sharing that until we get started (though will be happy to send it to the Council Chairman). I believe in character above build and that's what I will present.

I will say that Tristain will likely be a ranged attacker, and might be able to open doors. He will likely be taking the Westcrown Firebrand trait.

Let's rock this.

What do you guys think? Gnome or Human fit better for a False Priest?

For me, it's human for I love the extra skill points...hands down, that's the thing.

Ok guys got the numbers done just need to finish the story for Barius in my head.

Take a look at the profile and let me know what you think or if you see any errors.

I'm going to contact Steph and his friend to see what's up. Steph told me that he's busy this week with exams, so posting this week is unusually low for him.

If you're having problems with background or writer's block, please send me what you might want to do and I can give you a few pointers, as I have written extensive notes about the city of Westcrown and just how disturbing it is.

For example, if you're a false priest, the really big question to think about is what deity are you pretending to worship? Probably want to talk to me about that, since that's part of the craziness of this city. I want to be sure you're okay doing the things that need to be done to keep up that masquerade.

Steph's friend here ^^ Was busy last couple a days.
But I'm working on a support/trickster sorcerer with an Infernal bloodline, if that's still possible for the game.

I was going to make a sorcerer but my idea was not going to fit in with the campaign the way I liked. So I will think of a different class to build.

Now thinking Battle Cleric.

Dinuci - see my PM.

Ezren - sent you a PM as well. Sorry that didn't fit and I feel the same way. I was afraid of that, but there are alternatives that will work. If you chose battle cleric, my PM may still help. Please read about the Church of Asmodeus in the Campaign Info thread.

@ Everyone:
Devil worshiping is evil. In a society that openly worships the devil, you can expect vile things. I've taken the Council of Thieves books, included aspects of real devil worshiping, and then added heavy doses of Hollywood Satanic Horror. I find that my notes for this game are repulsive and disgusting. If you have any moral sense inside you, you will too.

I'll create a melee tank-ish character once this week's over. I have some ideas, but I'm not sure on them yet.

Currently, I'm thinking about creating an oracle. The Lore, Lunar and Nature mysteries will let me add my Charisma to AC. Lore will probably fit best within a city, Nature won't fit, and Lunar might (depending on things like background).

I think we need as a group discuss what kind of characters we want to play then decide on how each one can fill a role we need to succeed as a group.

Tristain, part 2 draft:

* * *

Tristain, a youngish human, has lived in Westcrown his entire life. His mother and father were once connected to one of the many noble houses that has since fallen to decay and disbanded over the last century...too long ago for Tristain to have any memory of it. Tristain considers himself lucky to have a short memory...he might remember the night that his father took his own life. Or the time when his mother took hers. Tristain believes that they waited until he was old enough to survive on his own before taking their lives, but sometimes realizes it might have been more merciful to have done it when he was too young to remember their faces.

Since growing up and leaving the orphanage, Tristain has made his living as a chalk artist, drawing upon parchment for sale and often seeking commissions from storekeeps to decorate the outsides of their shops.

Tristain is a self-taught artist, using ash and charred sticks for his early artworks and when they proved somewhat profitable, he was able to buy more elaborate colored chalks. Tristain knows the city well as he explores frequently for new vistas to sketch and new people to hawk to.

Despite his upbringing, Tristain is gregarious and friendly, more out of his good nature, but has learned that being friendly will more often lead to a sale of chalkwork than not. He will help newcomers to the city (and sometimes offers his services as a tour guide to new visitors to the city in exchange for tips). Tristain has no life aspirations yet, he is currently struggling to survive the City but hopes to find his path soon.

Tristain is a bit of a loner, saving money by sleeping out of doors (trusting in his survival instincts, unless it is winter and too cold) and keeping his meager possessions with him. After he left the orphanage, he has largely lost contact with his fellow orphans forgoing them to create a relationship with the city itself.

Tristain is of medium build, standing 5'10", with black hair and green eyes (a gift from his mother).

I didn't notice oracle wasn't on the list of classes we're allowed to choose. Not yet sure which class I'm going to choose, though I have some ideas.

I still plan to create a melee character that's able to take a hit.

Let's go....I know 2 of you are basically done with characters.

If you're stuck, contact me with what you have and what you're stuck on. If you're not stuck, send me your character w/ background. I'd like to get going early next week.

I use an automated character creation excel file, so if you have the basics I'm happy to fill out the character sheet for you so you can get working on other stuff. Whatever I can do to get you guys across the finish line, let me know.

Erzen is mostly done still have the finish the back story and his personality and appearance.

Tristain smiles as he looks around the discussion thread and sees his new companions getting ready. Shapes blur and change, form and reform answering commands from the aether...sent by entities beyond the aether.

"Companions, we shall meet again soon, but I will not recognize any of you...for we meet again for the first time. Know this now, that I will fight and strive for a free and safe Westcrown, this city deserves no less. I pledge my <insertweaponTBDhere> and all of my <insertskillTBDhere> to the cause!"

I should have build completed and sent to the Chairman tomorrow if not late tonight (depends how rainy it will be at the Giants-Indians game).

I find my lack of faith disturbing.

First I want to mention that I have made some updates throughout the week on the campaign info. The last thing I've updated is the loot section. I would advise everyone to take one last look at the campaign info page.

Anyways, we are about to begin gameplay preludes either tonight or tomorrow, which will be done with spoilers. In the preludes, I will not be rolling dice, as I have no wish to kill you in your own prelude. Furthermore, you cannot earn XP in your prelude. It's more of an introduction to the game, the setting, and to get you where I want you to go (Visio's Tavern, as indicated on the player's map).

As such, I will remind everyone not to read spoilers that are not directed to them because 1) I'm providing hints that will be useful later on in the campaign for each specific character and 2) there is no need for others to know your background unless you decide to combine them. This will probably result into a wall of spoiler posts initially (which I usually find rather annoying), but it will not last long as I hope we can finish preludes by Monday.

If some of you combine your backgrounds (ya, you know who you are), the spoilers might be directed at two players. I will not wait for both players to respond, so whomever responds first can assume some actions of the other player (something not permitted in regular gameplay), in order to speed things up because the Chairman's Asmodian priests are demanding him to speed things up as they are growing impatient.

Finally, I want to remind you that this is a horrific setting. And I should mention the old Chinese saying, "The nail that sticks out the most get's hit first." Please remember these two aspects when playing.

Let's begin and good luck to you all. I hope you survive (muhahaha) and enjoy Satanic Hollywood horror on steroids.

I've taken the Council of Thieves books, included aspects of real devil worshiping, and then added heavy doses of Hollywood Satanic Horror. I find that my notes for this game are repulsive and disgusting. If you have any moral sense inside you, you will too.

Yes, Jeannine is Honey Boo Boo. It seemed appropriate.

Geez, I know you warned us that this would be a twisted and dark campaign...but Honey BooBoo?!

You have already crossed the line. ;)

To quote the wisdom of South Park: That show was on the learning channel, so it makes it okay.

I'm headed out to the casino to watch the UFC fights. I'll be back later tonight if needed.

At this point, both Tristan and Ezren's preludes have intersected. When you post spoilers, you can direct them at me and the other PC please.

Thanks.

The NPCs tab has been updated with individual images as they come up. I may add additional text. Once we get to the maps, some of these images will be used there as well.

@ Jimmy & Moshly

Your combined prelude will be probably be 2-3 posts. I will go ahead and start it to set the scene. Remember, there is something in each prelude that will help the characters later on in the game.

@ Ezren & Tristain.

I felt dirty writing that prelude, but you guys did what I expected, and it played out just right. Nicely done. I hope you got a small appreciation for what lies ahead of you. I hope that chant doesn't haunt you. It's creepy to me.

You'll need revenge on Honey Boo Boo.

@DM CC - Great intro can't wait to get the real adventure going.

For those curious as to the preludes and the purpose other than just plopping you down in the tavern and starting.

First, everyone received or learned something that will be useful to them in the future.

Second, one prelude is based upon exploring the evil side of Westcrown. The other prelude is based upon exploring the decadence of Westcrown. This way, each of you get to experience the other half in the gameplay thread when they combine, and reactions of some party members can be clues for others in the party, based upon their experience.

When I conclude the prelude for Jimmy and Moshley, I'll make it rather clear and we can stop with the spoilers.

I want to emphasize this post is meant to educate everyone about the situation in Westcrown, not to point out something specific to Ezren.

Night time is no joke in Westcrown. Nobody, and I mean nobody, is dumb enough to do stuff around sunset. Everything in Westcrown happens well before sunset, as most things shut down an hour before sunset to provide people time to get home. It's just biologically programmed into your genetic thinking.

Because of this and the fact that it is a new campaign environment, I have decided to change your time of arrival. While Ezren is an experienced player, the campaign is new and thus it might be easy to forget the situation in Westcrown. So, let me explain why I did it:

If you were to suspect a trap, getting there at sunset is one way to be stuck at the spot where there is a trap. Hence, that would be the furthest thing you would want to do.

Therefore, just for now, I will assume you arrive at least two hours before sunset [I initially thought 1 hour, but that's when everyone would leave any establishment to go home, so if it's not a trap and you want to meet people, you have to arrive before even then, so I've decided on 2 hours for this particular scene], giving you time to determine if it is a trap and escape should you desire to do so. Furthermore, you would never suspect people to stick around at a location at sunset. Everyone would have run home by then, so if it wasn't a trap, nobody would be there at sunset anyway. This is just how Westcrown works.

In the future, please keep this in mind. In Westcrown, dark streets = death in just a matter of time. If in the future anyone wishes to cut it this close and move near sunset, I will allow it. However, you never know what might just happen that somehow slows you down to your destination, leaving you out in the street at night.

I will make periodic adjustments early in the campaign for people who are still getting accustomed to the strange land of Westcrown. But since most of you are experienced players, that will not persist and I will take you at your word in a gameplay post. Should you be unsure of something, please send me a PM or post here your question.

Ezren traveled near sunset to symbolize his hard decision and the fact that he no longer wanted to be afraid. It may not have been smart but he is not in his right mind right now. He has just recently had conflicts at work and with his faith.

So it was on purpose that he arrived so late.

Ezren traveled near sunset to symbolize his hard decision and the fact that he no longer wanted to be afraid. It may not have been smart but he is not in his right mind right now. He has just recently had conflicts at work and with his faith.

So it was on purpose that he arrived so late.

Please see my PM.

Oh my, it's going to be 100 degrees on Saturday (38 for you European folks). POOL DAY! Finally.

Oh my, it's going to be 100 degrees on Saturday (38 for you European folks). POOL DAY! Finally.

Already enjoying the benefits of Hell, are you? Must be nice to be management rather than a 'tourist'.

Well, Las Vegas is known as Sin City, after all.

See PM Tristain & Ezren.

Going to give everyone a chance to make a quick decision on what they want to do based upon your comments and some of the NPC comments/actions.

Given that this brief pause will only last about 15 seconds, you can only do so much in your post.

Sorry about some of my grammar and spelling. The posts during the day I'm at work and sometimes have to quickly make up a post and have no time to correct things. Also sometimes I will go back and change little things within the 1 hour edit window if I don't have time to post the entire post.

Heh, this game is full of evil devils and misdeeds, and you're worried about spelling/grammar.

You know, when I was working, we had to send our publications to english majors who worked for us and edited our documents. It was amazing, as I learned more about the rules for english (since you had to either accept or reject each edit) there than I ever did in all my years of going to school.

So, I see that 2 of you have decided to jump down into the black hole behind the bar. Okay, seeing two of you jump into the hole, Moshley and Jimmy with the benefit of smart juice will probably join you.

Because I don't want to waste their time with "we follow" posts, we'll just move along for a bit more interesting aspect.

Just as a side note, the module grants 1200xp for going through the hole instead of fighting the Hellknights. Weird, huh? Here's some XP for not being suicidal. Nice. I wonder if the prelude had anything to do with your predisposition to move along? Muhahaha.

Ayep. My decision to flee was pretty much made when Homey BooBoo showed up. Tristain doesn't need much encouragement.

SPECIAL RULE FOR SEWER ENCOUNTERS – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

The Council Chairman, in his infinite diabolical wisdom, has devised a way for you to feel the sense of urgency in avoiding the Hellknight recruits who are following you in a play-by-post setting, which might not be the best medium for creating that sensation. So, read along and experience the rush of avoiding Hellknight recruits.

As you reach each intersection, you will find a sword on the wall as described by Janiven. Unfortunately, the markings are not made well. Apparently, Janiven and Ariel (whoever that is) didn’t anticipate having to read these sword images in a hurry to avoid being captured. So, ONE of you can make a perception roll DC 15 to read it immediately (no round spent). You can take one round and make it a DC10. You can take two rounds and make it DC5. If you take three rounds, you get the right answer for sure. Since you guys can preview posts and see the results, go back and edit posts, etc. I’m hoping for honorable behavior here, which will make the game more enjoyable. I tried to think of something clever, but just be honest, makes it easier.

Furthermore, you cannot aid another in this situation, nor can you take 10. Whatever you total skill check, that’s what you report that you see. Since every single intersection has a marking, you can’t be permanently lost, but it can lead you into more encounters and you run the risk of sunset.

So, why not just take time to get it right? Well, the Council Chairman says you have 4 total combined rounds to spend in perception skill checks (specifically on getting the sword's direction) before the Hellknight recruits descend upon you. So, if you take one round at the first intersection, two rounds at the second intersection, an immediate reading (zero rounds) on the third and one round at the fourth intersection (making 1+2+0+1= 4 total rounds), the Hellknights will catch up to you at the fourth intersection, in addition to whatever else might be at the fourth intersection. If the gods are with you, Janiven’s plan to split them up will help you survive. Also, it is clear from the comments made by the Hellknight commander that he’s commanding recruits that forget battering rams, not veteran Hellknights.

Finally, the perception rounds to read the swords are independent upon any rounds spent dealing with other issues, and you should make a perception roll for just looking/listening at the intersection. It is assumed the Hellknight recruits also have to deal with other issues in the sewers as well, slowing them down. Thus, all you have is that 4 round head start on them.

You have reached the first intersection. ONE of you will have to roll. If for some reason two people make the perception roll, I will add +1 to the number of rounds you took because then you’ll both be required to make a diplomacy roll, and whomever wins that will have convinced the other that they are correct. You will also incur the wrath of the Council Chairman for inability to follow simple instructions. However, since I wrote this it naturally seems obvious to me. If it isn’t clear, you can send me a PM or post in the discussion thread.

EDIT: Your perception post should read something like this:
Perception using 1 round to check, DC10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Being a retired guard of the Dottari I have good senses. I could always lead.

Being a retired guard of the Dottari I have good senses. I could always lead.

I placed you guys in what I thought would be a decent order for the map initially, but I figure you'll move around and let me know the marching order going forward for the next sewer map.

Ayep. My decision to flee was pretty much made when Homey BooBoo showed up. Tristain doesn't need much encouragement.

I was going to have her be looking in the window and give you a chance to spot her, but I figured she would probably be looking at the chalk sketch across the street (messing it up probably). Ironically, she didn't have anything to do with the Hellknights, but it does prevent you from running out the front door (which would have gotten you shot in the back, so, probably a good thing).

I've got to find a way to get Honey Boo Boo (really, I should just change her name at this point) back into the game. Oh, let me count the places she could turn up.....

Oh, and if you think I'm making it too evil or diabolical, my goal is to push it to 11.

Being a retired guard of the Dottari I have good senses. I could always lead.

Go for it. You'll have to post such in character. You're the only one Tristain 'knows' so he'll follow, especially if you think you can find the way.

Ezren Geitus wrote:

Being a retired guard of the Dottari I have good senses. I could always lead.

Go for it. You'll have to post such in character. You're the only one Tristain 'knows' so he'll follow, especially if you think you can find the way.

Yes, that is correct. You guys can figure it out here, but once you figure out what you want to do say that in gameplay thread.

Another thing that I want to make abundantly clear: the perception roll to examine the sword image (and the # of rounds used) at the intersection and the time used to examine it to lower the DC is a very special activity. When you do it, you must specify you are doing this special activity and the # of rounds taken to adjust the DC. It's just a simple mechanic I created, and it happens independent of any other regular action you would do in the game. You can do this ONCE during any intersection.

You can make regular perception rolls, regular actions, etc. and take whatever time you want doing anything you normally would do. You guys don't have to stop and wait for someone to do this. It is just a game mechanic. Sorry if that wasn't abundantly clear. Play the game normally but just have someone make the roll.

Being a retired guard of the Dottari I have good senses. I could always lead.

Are you suggesting that you want to go first, or are you suggesting you want to be the person to read the sword image?

I will read the sword signs.