Male Human (Varisian) Paladin of Shelyn (Warrior of the Holy Light) 3
Not intentionally, since I started talking to Sandru. I suppose if Sandru was right by the prisoner then yes though I assumed we were a little more spread out.
Sandru grimaces, looking at the nearby prisoner. The captive looks newly frightened, but says nothing. Sandru turns from him, as if to speak to you with hushed words, but he is not as quiet as he could. "Brinewall Castle is cursed. The elf wanted an escort, but she has since made her own way. There is nothing for us there. Better to submit ourselves to these mercenaries than venture near Brinewall. No, we make for northeast. There's a hidden route that the Sczarni use. That will be the best means to avoid our enemy."
Sandru's wink was meant to let you in on the Bluff, but I didn't specify that. Still, it's kind of awesome if Almar misunderstood, so I'm happy to go with that!
"Then on the morrow, we shall double our pace." Sandru looks warily at the prisoner once more. "Get some rest, my friends."
Anything else anybody would like to take care of before we move on?
Huh, no one wants to chastise Lisabett for using torture? Cool beans, I suppose. Lisabett will memorize her typical spells, Entangle, Feather Step and Speak with Animals
Oh, I have much to say to Lisabett, but I don't think she wants to listen to anything I say right now. In fact, Raziel will ask Koya to speak to Lisabett about her actions.
Male Human (Varisian) Paladin of Shelyn (Warrior of the Holy Light) 3
Since you weren't feeling well, it didn't seem right for Sorin to sputter righteous indignation in a post that you might not read for who knows how long.
In any case, there wasn't much for him to say. The situation was resolved without him and "Sorin talking to Lisabett" hasn't ended well for a long time; she even ignored his request to learn Spellcraft and help with Ulrick's burial. He's trying to find some other way to communicate with Lisabett that won't end up making things worse.
As for the spell, Sorin would hardly call using a non-damaging spell to get the truth torture (even if the method was crude by his standards); that would eliminate spells off the Paladin list (though he isn't going to get to learn those due to his archetype).
"Risky, but no moreso than anything else," Sorin says to Sandru.
I think the torture issue is more the pressing of the machete against the captive's stomach, and less the spell, though the latter proved more of a motivating factor for our magic-fearing friend. Raziel, let me know when you approach Koya. I'd like to roleplay that out.
Those on watch are on more on edge than usual, considering the two scouts that fled. The third, the one you captured, makes barely a sound throughout the night. Nothing else disturbs your rest.
Sandru awakes before the sun rises, not far into the third watch. He goes about his usual preparations, but makes a place for the prisoner beside him on the lead wagon.
Breakfast is a brief affair, due to Sandru's urgency, and before long, you are off on your journey once again. Sandru's cart pulls ahead at times, but the other drivers spurn their horses on and manage to keep pace. By the time you take a respite, around noon, the beasts are tired.
Sorin, DC 20 Perception:
As you rest, Sandru approaches you. "Do you have a moment? I have a favor to ask of you."
I'm good now. Go ahead and give 'er some righteous paladin fury! Every girl loves a paladin, except Lisabett, who loves barbarians. And yes, I do realize that if she had gone through with it, the machete thing would have been an evil act especially with her justification, but does entertaining evil thoughts make one evil?
Killing the prisoner would have been an evil act, but I do understand Lisabett getting upset, considering the context of the word "witch" in Ulfen culture. It's much more important that she held back, though it says a great deal about Raziel too that he intervened. In my opinion, it was a pretty CN moment. That doesn't mean it won't be the source of some party strife!
:)
I'm not going to immediately pounce on Sorin if Lisabett does something evil. I would expect him to address it, but if such a thing happens, you can expect me to address it as well, in my own, GMey way. Flirting with evil thoughts is one thing, but in my gaming years, I've seen that go too far many a time. So have fun, but please always keep group cohesion in mind.
The horses are definitely tired, but you guess that with a short rest, they will be all right. Whether or not they can manage this pace for days or weeks and not succumb to injury, you are less sure.
Observing that Sandru has placed the captive out of her reach, on break, Lisabett waters each of the horses and embraces her power to provide some cool to their joints as she works out their legs. She speaks to them gently in Skald, finding their company of late far more agreeable than her companions, though the fault is entirely her own.
Lisabett rises stiffly and sees that Sandru has pulled Sorin aside, but does not make out the content of their discussion. Sighing, she embraces her magics and casts Create Water over her head to cool herself down, then sprays water from her lips and shakes out her hair like an animal before slinking ahead of the caravan to scout. It is likely just her imagination that she had to tighten the stomach on her bodice this morning. She certainly had no cause to let it out any.
While the others are at rest, Lisabett hunts for live food. Ulrick should not remain above ground for much longer.
Male Human (Varisian) Paladin of Shelyn (Warrior of the Holy Light) 3
Sorry for the delay in posting. I've been getting ready for GenCon which this year, unfortunately, is falling on the weekend right before school starts which, for me, is an annoying time to have to take off from work. The good part is that with my iPhone I shouldn't have too much trouble posting from the con.
Regarding the prisoner, Sorin didn't intervene because Raziel posted first and took care of it. As for why he isn't shouting "fire & brimstone" at Lisabett, it ocurred to me that there's a very good reason for him to specifically not do that but I don't want to tip my hand regarding that yet.
Lisabett Erikkson wrote:
but does entertaining evil thoughts make one evil?
That's a good question. You could ask Sorin and see what he says :)
To Sandru:
Sorin lowers his voice, "Of course, Sandru. What is it?"
As the caravan stops for the noon break, Raziel walks over to where Koya rests.
"Excuse me, Koya, but may I speak with you?" he asks in a soft tone. "It concerns... well it concerns Lisabett and what has been happening. She seems to be losing her way, and I am not sure that she will listen to me if I speak to her."
I kind of want to spoiler these, but I've been thinking about that convention a good deal lately, and I've decided that while it is useful for surprises, as well for information I don't want players to know, it also frequently excludes the majority of the players in the game. I'll still use it for conversations I think should remain secret, and I encourage you to do the same, but on the whole, I'm going to scale back my use of spoilers.
I'll still make regular use of language and skill DC spoilers, as there is some reward in having/earning the right to click those.
Almar
"I be sharin' yer concern." Walthus Proudstump brushes a finger against the wet flank of a nearby horse. "May be that if we be tellin' the beasts that the Ulfen mercs are like to be turnin' them to their use after puttin' us to the sword, they'd be slowin' up a bit. Not so bad, bein' a horse in war times."
He gestures towards Lisabett as she walks away from another of the animals. "Hard she is toward the rest of us, but damned if the horses don't love her. Thinkin' of me snakes, lookin' at her way with the horses. Better company than man, dwarf, elf, of halfling, the beasts of the world..." As the halfling trails off, you perceives great sadness in his voice, and in his gaze.
Lisabett
The last horse you visit is especially pleased to see you. It nudges you with its snout as if to thank you for the cool water. You can tell that all of the horses are tired, but they nevertheless seem eager to continue. It seems as if they have found some purpose in the journey north.
You are not far from the caravan when you spot a wild pig. The creature looks sickly, and does not seem to notice you.
Raziel
Koya smiles a sad smile. "I have watched her much of late, and she has been in my prayers. Young she is, and great sorrow she has known. I will find her tonight, and if she will have it, will kneel with her before Desna's starry sphere. But Raziel, I tell you, I am growing ever older. My late dreams do not feature my own doings, but yours. There is some power within you that I have sought to understand, but have not yet been able." Her smile fades.
"In one of these dreams, there are two mists. A grey mist which coats all of the land, and one around you that is black as midnight. They do not mingle, and as you tread upon the ground, the grey mist continues to shrink from you." She looks directly into your eyes. "Then, as the dream ends, the sun, Sarenrae's holy orb, rises from the mists and dispels them. Alas, in the dream, I do not know what becomes of you, for the light blinds me, and I awake."
Setomi
Ameiko smiles at your proximity to her, but keeps her eyes on Lisabett as the young Ulfen woman wanders from the caravan. "I can sense that you are troubled, and more so than usual. Not the right way of things, if you ask me. I've been the mopey one." She slaps you upon the shoulder suddenly, and lets out a wild laugh. "Will you speak of your concern?"
Sorin
Sandru still speaks in a hushed tone, so the previous DC 20 to overhear still applies, in character.
"This is not the first time my caravan has taken an Ulfen mercenary captive. Surely you know of how Ulrick, Espen, Andres and Lisabett came to us?" Sandru's brow is furrowed with concern. "I do not regret how I handled this....but..." He pauses, trailing off.
"Lisabett it loyal, if cold and fierce." Sandru begins again. "Yet the others, I do not trust, and never have. I have not watched them closely enough, and they have not been as forthcoming in their feelings as some." He smiles, though sternly. "But this recent prisoner, I would put him under your care. In time, he may take to your ways. And even if not, you would see his. Will you take him, as a ward?"
Setomi looks upon her friend with sorrow. "I fear the darkness in her will split the party. I know I am a late comer to this group, and as such have never truly felt that I fit in. I am more of a servant in their eyes. And this is fine with me. It is how mother wanted it to be. A secret knife to protect you. But Lisabett, she hold anger, and anguish, and horror so close to her breast that I fear they will consume her...and our party with her. I am sworn to protect you Ameiko, and the greatest threat I perceive is not the northern reavers, but from Lisabett. I do not know what to do!!"
"I do not fear her, Setomi. You should not either, though I know that you will ever watch her carefully. It warms my heart that you worry so for me." Ameiko turns her attention to Sandru's conversation with Sorin. "Sandru trusts her. That is enough for me."
Lisabett initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Lisabett longspear attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 if she hits, she will deal 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 damage.
If needed, Lisabett tries to identify the pig, and sneak up to it. If it notices and combat is required, I have initiative, if not, I have at least hit it, I think. Depends on how you want this to play out.
Almar nods at Proudstump's words:"Well, Lisabett is a strange girl, indeed. She's a good hunter and a good scout. then she's not really good with other people but I think what she brings to the caravan offsets her shortcomings. It ain't easy to get along with her, though. I guess animals don't have the some problems with her, so they get along better with her"
"Koya, I have had such things foretold about me recently, and yet I am still here, walking the path I feel I should. As you dreamt, Sarenrae's light will shine, and dispell all mists and shadows, and that is what is important."
"But currently, I fear the shadows that wrap around Lisabett's heart which seem to be driving her away from us. I do not pretend to know the paths that Desna has laid out for us, only that butterflies may take several different paths to reach the same flower. But I do not think that Lisabett's path joined with ours, just to have her leave after a short time. I fear these shadows have closed Lisabett's heart to us, and she will choose to take a darker path."
The pig is either unaware of your approach, or it is indifferent to you. It seems strangely disconnected from the world around it. When you spear the beast, it squeals loudly, but does not fight to escape you. It lies down and begins to spasm.
Raziel
"You are brave, and your heart is good." Koya smiles. "I will indeed speak with Lisabett, this very night if she will have it. But do not forget your own part."
Tears spring to Lisabett's eyes as she watches the animal thrash in its death throes. Gripping the haft of her spear with one hand, she leans in and draws her machete across its throat to end its suffering.
Male Human (Varisian) Paladin of Shelyn (Warrior of the Holy Light) 3
"You don't trust them?" Sorin replies in a surprised tone. "If that is so, why allow them to journey with us?"
"I'll take the prisoner as a ward if you wish but are we to leave him tied up this entire time? While it would certainly give me opportunity to talk to him as we travelled a person cannot be bound for so long and be expected to converse honestly. Also, we are essentially on the run right now, even assuming everything goes our way perfectly, how long will it take us to reach our destination? We aren't well equipped for carrying a prisoner considering the circumstances."
The pig is still mere moments after your machete slides across the its throat. The animal seems to be malnourished, but by the look of the exposed meat, you do not think it is diseased. It should be safe to eat.
Sorin
"Mother Koya insisted upon the Ulfen men remaining in our company. Do not repeat this to anybody, please." Sorin frowns. "I am glad that you are willing to take the captive under your care. As for whether or not he will remain bound, that is your decision. I expect we will reach our destination within two weeks. At that time, I would offer the man the freedom to leave us. Is that acceptable?"
Even if it is, between Lisabett and Raziel, Purify Food and Water should take care of most anything. And FIRE!
Lisabett frowns as she wipes the pig's blood from her machete and spear on the grass, then grips it and carefully makes her way back to camp. With both hands occupied carrying the beast, she is exposed, and completely vulnerable, and now covered in a great deal of pigs blood. She nods to Warden Proudstump, Quoral and Setomi before dragging the pig to a clearing and begins butchering it quickly and efficiently.
Will take 10 on Survival to butcher the animal
When she has finished, Lisabett approaches Sandru and Sorin if he's still hanging around"Tonight we burn Ulrick," she tells him and begins removing the stays on her bodice with blood slick hands, then turns and addresses the remainder of the caravan. "Tonight we will eat our fill, and I will burn my friend!" she announces, expression hard, then moves to her typical wagon and removes her bodice and shirt to wash them and herself with several applications of Create Water.
Setomi takes over preparing the pig for the spit. She uses some of the remaining herbs and spices in their dwindling supply to add flavour to the meal. She keeps her eyes on the huntress, not at all sure what to do about her.
Lisabett looks to Sorin. "Do either of you say words to Gorum? Might you with your golden voice convince our Lord to take a man who was slaughtered like a pig to the fields of glory?"
At Andres's question Lisabett gives a sigh of desperation and pulls her wet shirt over her nudity. "Do you ALL believe that I am a tyrant?" she demands, and hops down from the wagon.
"I bring you meat when you are hungry, I sleep inside the walls you build to protect yourselves when I win my wager, I let that horsec*ck call me witch and he yet lives to smile at all of you," Lisabett's voice breaks as she points at the prisoner, and frost begins creeping up her arms and back.
Skald:
"Say your words, or do not."
Lisabett growls in Skald before picking up her spear and heading away from the caravan again.
Almar barely rises an eyebrow at Lisabett fit of anger, apparently accostumed to them by now, he shrugs and reassures the prisoner:"Don't worry. She would probably like to cook you, but she can't as long as we protect you... So... behave and all will be fine!"
Ameiko elbows Sorin in the side. "That's hardly the right thought to bring to a memorial." She turns to Lisabett. "I know something of Gorum's way. May I say something in Ulrick's honor? I did not know him well, but I would pay him respect."
Lisabett is right, actually. It is only a rest period. I don't think there is any reason to stall the ceremony, however, so we'll move forward to the evening. I figure most of the conversations about the ceremony can happen in the interim.
"Move out!" Sandru's call starts the caravan in motion again. You resume your grueling pace, and before the sun begins to set, you are sure that you have come far this day. The stars shine brightly before Sandru calls for a halt.
Your captain spends a few minutes lifting the horses' harnesses from their shoulders before he leaps atop a stationary wagon. "Let us celebrate Ulrick, however is deemed fit." He nods at Lisabett, and then takes a seat.
Lisabett returns to the camp after a time, bearing quite a bit of wood to build the pyre. She speaks quietly to Espen and Andres, if he will have her, about collecting more while she tends to the horses, will take 10 on HA to accomplish day/nightly tasks ensuring they have water and feed and are comfortable before building the pyre. Her eyes are covered in frost when she lifts Ulrick's head upon it, then sets it ablaze, and she sits down and allows the others to talk while she watches it burn.
When the ceremony is underway Almar mutters almost to himself:"He was a good devil, better for me not to choose him to come with us... by now he would be enjoying the women of Riddleport instead of waiting for a pyre in this cruel northern night"
Espen and Andres are both happy to talk to Lisabett. Is there anything in particular she intends to tell them?
Ameiko stands after Almar speaks, and sings a hymn of Gorum, Death, Dust, and Glory.
Perform (Sing) - 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Though her voice is at times low and soft, every note Ameiko sings seems to fill the night. The crackling of the pyre is lost in her song. It is clear to all that she is deeply moved; her words are strong and clear and trembling. When she is finished, she is silent for a moment, her gaze locked on the flames before her.
Suddenly, she speaks. "This menace, that Almar has stalked for long months, now stalks us. The creature, whatever he may be, is surely a murderer, but many would look upon his treachery and deceit and see no war being waged. Yet I so name it, for this one has drawn us into conflict, and claimed a life dear to us. Though Ulrick's death came some time ago, without our knowledge, I claim that he did indeed fall in battle, and is worthy of the honor of Gorum's bloody halls. Let him sup there forevermore."
I was waiting to see if anyone else would say anything before I posted, since I post when I get up, and most folk are free when I am going to bed. Also I was excited about seeing the Expendables 2, which was the greatest mindless violence action movie to date, so I couldn't be angry. It's good to see my former governor making movies to support his love child.
DM Hamied:
Nah, no real instructions for those two, just asking them to help. She's not much in a talkative mood.
The lady had asked to speak, not to keen. It was not enough that she had heard the screams while she built the pyre, and saw dozens of bodies laid out when she put Ulrick upon it, but she had to sing. And worse... worse! Lisabett begin trembling with a fine rage as frost began creeping over her back, up her neck and stiffening her hair. It cracked and fell from her, wafting into ether, then built itself up to a hard crust in seconds.
"You are no peacekeeper, no leader of men. With your smiles and your keening, you drive them insane. Yet they love you," Lisabett's voice breaks on the last, and she pulls her machete, then looks to Espen and speaks in Skald
Skald:
"If that is a woman, all the sooner I wake find a cock between my legs."
before raising the machete to hack at what remains of her platinum hair, and tosses it on the pyre.
"He was the only man who ever touched me," she says softly, then produces the vial of ink and pours it out near the flames. "The only one who knew the truth," she adds and crushes the vial in her fist.
Lisabett spares a frosty glance at the others, and lets the shards of glass remain in her hand as she walks away.
Raziel remains silent.
'I can not understand what Lisabett is is upset at,' he thinks. 'Her whole culture is so different, that I am afraid there is no point of connection to build upon. And when she arranges things like the funeral that should bring us together, she then takes offense and rushes off, making herself as alone as she ever was.'
He stirs a bit as Lisabett walks away, but finally remains in place.
'And I am truely worried that anything I say to her will drive her farther from the group.'
Almar notes Lisabett's outburst with an expressionless face:
"I lost a friend to that creature, and I know how hard that is. She may be mule-headed and intractable to the extreme, but just this time I don't feel like blaming her. Everyone copes with pain in a different way. Aimless rage it's hers"
Male Human (Varisian) Paladin of Shelyn (Warrior of the Holy Light) 3
I'm fine with moving on.
Sorin doesn't say a word once the ceremony for Ulrick begins; he simply stares into the pyre. He doesn't respond to Lisabett's words or outburst at all. He continues doing so long after most of the rest have left.
At first opportunity while travelling, Sorin will speak to the prisoner (he'll keep him lightly bound, enough to draw attention should he try and run even though he no longer has a horse).
"My name is Sorin Nicussor, servant of Shelyn. You said you and your brother were both scouts for your captain. How did the two of you come to be in his service? Did you grow up under him?"
DM, as I'm not sure how long this prisoner is going to be with us, do you want Diplomacy rolls every time I talk to him, once a day, none at all?
Lisabett picks shards of glass from her skin as she makes her round on patrol. It seems nothing she has ever done has been enough. She has spared the caravan from damage by a raging boar, hunted and brought back meat, and rose to meet every attack with a solid defense only to watch the others scatter.
How she wishes for that moment back, to send Ulrick to murder her captain. The peacekeeper would make of it what she would, and the priest would yet live, and the near two dozen that died on account of his loss, too. Come spring she would have been free, when the others went to raiding or other troupes, and she would still have a modicum of pride.
Lisabett rubs the scar beneath her left eye absently, more familiar with it than any other on her body. Any normal woman's vanity would have been crushed by such a blow, but Lisabett had always thought herself repulsive compared to village women, the breeding and housekeeping stock. Her skin is sun and weather beaten, scarred and tattooed beside, and no man worth having was like to touch her. And Sandru had admitted that the few smiles he had given her had been false.
Sighing, Lisabett lifts her eyes to the stars, then tromps back to camp and kicks out her bedroll. She briefly entertains a thought of taking Qoural just to have the thing done and not think on it again so long as she might live, but simply grumbles and rolls onto her side.
The day following the ceremony Almar keeps checking on the caravan's security, making sure it's in full shape and ready for possible attacks. he drills the men a couple of times, but his mind keeps wandering.
Ulrick's fate, the confrontation with the beast and his personal failure to bring their feud to an end weight heavily on his mind and soul.
Even so he tries to do his duty at his best.
Raziel is right on. I haven't gotten the chance to play Rise of the Runelords for more than a few sessions, but based on that time and some light research going in to this game, my own understanding of things is very close to what he outlines above.
I wanted to let you guys know, I will be traveling for the next few weeks. I should still have regular internet access and should be able to post every day, but my pace might slow a little. I'm aware that it already has, as I've just finished a term as a graduate student and things have a been rather nuts, but regardless of posting frequency, know that I'm committed as ever to this game. I really enjoy playing with you all.
Everybody have a safe and happy holiday, whatever it is you celebrate.
I think I finally pegged what Lisabett doesn't like about Almar. He's just as condescending as she is, but communicates it better. Or rather, he's more direct/blunt. They're a leadership match waiting to be bound by the prince of hell!
*laughs*
Safe traveling. Don't get caught in any airports or air traffic hubs because of crap weather. It sucks.
Well, He's a bit self righteous despite all of what he's been through deep inside he still has some of his arrogance left (but he thinks not, of course)
hey, i've a question for sorin - does someone who disembowels priestesses of desna and leaves their guts all over a cave count as evil enough to smite on sight, or can he be saved?
Might prove an interesting philosophical moment for all witnesses, young and (relatively) unseasoned paladins included. I have other thoughts, but as they pertain to story bits that may or may not have come up, I'll not launch into them.
Suffice it to say, I am very fond of Sir Jolt's paladin and the way he plays him. Lisabett's disagreements with him make total sense; those two just don't see the world in the same way.
You guys are awesome, and I very much enjoy you being a part of this game. Happy Holidays!
Yeah, I have faiths of purity so I've read his code, and according to my much more experienced husband, a paladin's code is his first, second and third priority, but... geez.
Heh, maybe Lisabett and Almar were sent by desna to toughen Sorin up to be a arse kicking champion of good. :P
But Sorin's paladin code feeds into my Sarenrae faith so well.
We too offer a chance at redemption.
Its just that if you refuse a chance at redemption, we have to take you down.
yeah yeah yeah, at the beginning of the fight, you say "surrender or die." If the freaking thing shows a propensity to oh, want to kill your goodly allies, it has shown that it is evil. As if attacking travelers wasn't enough.
aaah, aquavit. norsk jet fuel for digesting its fatty christmas foods.
Male Human (Varisian) Paladin of Shelyn (Warrior of the Holy Light) 3
From Sorin's point of view, anything capable of reasoned thought can be redeemed; no matter how far into evil they've sunk. Even Zon-Kuthon could be redeemed if he'd drop his false name and let go of the darkness he's embraced. So yes, this villain could be saved.
From an adventuring standpoint it isn't likely to happen though. Redemption generally doesn't happen on the spot and few adventures offer the time or opportunity to redeem somebody. No villain is going to be redeemed while in the act of committing atrocities; protecting the innocnet is part of the Code too.
In earlier editions, the real disadvantage of playing a Paladin came from having to tithe a percentage of your gold and heavy limits on what kind and how many magical items you could own. As time went on, the Paladin Code was mentioned more and more but never really detailed (other than: "Don't adventure with evil people."). I admit I picked Shelyn, in part, because I thought it would be a more challenging Code, for an adventurer, to adhere to and would force me to take different thing into considerarion than I normally might. I imagine that Iomedae's Code is closest to what most people would consider the "default" of paladin behavior.
I was disappointed that Faiths of Balance didn't contain codes for the two deities who could potentially call Paladins to their service: Abadar and Irori. Perhaps, in Golarion, LN deities don't take paladins though that isn't mentioned anywhere that I could find.
Well said, Sorin. I remember chatting with you a bit about this during recruitment and in early discussion. I'm glad you picked Shelyn. It is an interesting variation from the more common Iomedae style paladin.
Yes, opportunities for villain redemption are rare, and the need to defend allies and innocents often eclipses said opportunities.
Husband played a samurai flavored paladin of Irori once. He used the code of Bushido, and swore to protect all knowledge. Was a SS *cringes* campaign, so he was our LG smitey man who kept the party able to collect those little tidbits of crapolla we all came to hate in the third part of the book.
Didn't work out so well since our terribull GM would come up with stuff on the fly, like an apparently non-evil succubus until "oh my god she's evil!" halfway into the fight, after he could have been doing smite damage all the way through.
And don't get me started on the non-evil bard b*tches that charmed the stuffing out of my AT because she didn't want to go with them to their little hut after they showed their appreciation for being freed by immediately trying to seduce (lap-dance and make out with) her paladin boyfriend. And don't get him started on the non-evil assassins that killed our cleric for the second time in game without him being able to act even.
I have the distinct feeling though, that as Lisabett starts beginning to disregard Sorin's feelings and just kill things she perceives are threats that A. her alignment will not be affected, and B. there is likely going to be a throw down.
Because there is no reasoning with Zon Kuthon. You either worship him, or you don't. Lots of the gods don't even want to hang out with him. Just like there's no reasoning with an agent of Rovagug. Who the heck would even try? It's just going to get you killed. Because they enjoy doing evil things to each other and others just because they're evil. Until the GM plays something as surrendering because it's having some real issues with the evil that it's been doing up until now, like, a goblin that comes unarmed into Sandpoint and asks Belor to lock it up, I am going to assume that monsters that like to kill and tear things apart and are attacking innocent people or preying on our party members or people we care about are evil and end them. And I will go on the record right now and say that if someone tries to bring another one of these evil bastards back for "justice" without proper restraints (manacles, at the very least), Lisabett will kill them.
Edit
Okay, probably a bit mercenary there, but its true. We're adventurers. If you think about it for any reasonable amount of time, we really don't have it to spare to reform anything. Ultimately, that's up to the community of Sandpoint, and its priests.
Don't get me wrong, I played a pacifist cleric of Sarenrae in our TT Kingmaker who went out of her way in the groups downtime to reform former bandits and make sure that they fit into society. This was something that was supported by Jhod Kavaken and other NPCs. She ended up becoming the high priestess of the land, and the common people loved her. But, same vein, the people elevated to our nobility and most of the party couldn't stand her guts, and she weathered out a lot of assassination attempts because her hippy policies were messing with how business was done. I mean, who the heck treats bandits like human beings in the River Kingdoms? That's like giving Alex and his Droogs free reign in merry old Englandtown in A Clockwork Orange.
I know and appreciate that side of the coin, that things can be redeemed. My cleric redeemed Akiros Ismort, atoned him personally and brought him back to Paladin status, of Sarenrae no less. And he had no problem putting down the evil stuff with the party as her cohort and later husband. But he made the effort to be redeemed when he refused to attack our party. She had to fight to keep him alive since my group was nothing if not mercenary, which is the only reason he was willing to trust that her concern was genuine. Show me the goblin that stood in their compound and said "hey, these guys are crazy murderers, please help me!" There wasn't a one, just Gutwad who surrendered when he was backed into a corner, because he didn't want to die.
Hey, guys. Things are rather busy for New Years. I'll keep up with the thread for the next two days, but I probably won't be able to move the narrative to the following morning until the 2nd.
Hey guys, it's cool. I just started reading Slave Girl of Gor and if John Norman is to be believed (and as a professor of philosophy, why shouldn't he?) I and Lisabett will be worshiping the feet of men very, very soon.
Male Human (Varisian) Paladin of Shelyn (Warrior of the Holy Light) 3
Ugh. Back in my late twenties and early thirties I made a big effort to collect Fantasy and Science Fiction stories from earlier decades; especially the out of print stuff. This included some pulp stuff as well, like the original Tarzan novels.
I managed to get the first eighteen Gor novels all at one used book store. The first book wasn't too bad but after that...I slogged my way through the sixth book (Assassins of Gor I believe) before giving up. I read pieces of the other books to try and get a sense of where the story was going (which, as far as I could tell, was nowhere though I never saw the remaining books in the series).
The prose is so dense that it makes Joseph Conrad look like a light read and the entire premise of the books (outside the sexual content) is a blatant ripoff of ERB's John Carter of Mars series.
Slave Girl was a fairly longish book for the series if I remember rightly (I sold my copies at GenCon auction years ago) and it stands outside the main narrative of the series' plot; such as it is. I admire your tenacity if you manage to finish it.
So, now that you know that only utter subjugation to men, which must include sexual acts, can bring you happiness and the lack thereof is the cause of all misery in your life, are you feeling liberated yet?
Ha! I'm reading the greatest bits to my husband. So far he thinks its a rape fantasy by someone who is so disturbed that the Norwegian government would not allow them to function on their own. My husband is a children's services worker, so when I get silly he pretty much just takes it in stride.
I think I'll have to read a few more books before the Gorean philosophy sets.
I do not feel liberated. After 60 pages it ceased being entertaining, and became more like a study of a sociopath. But I did finish the book, which makes me wonder about a few things.
Male Human (Varisian) Paladin of Shelyn (Warrior of the Holy Light) 3
Even Michael Moorcock, a well known "write whatever you want and screw everybody else" advocate, derided the series.
I was curious about when the series ended and looked it up...and it hasn't ended. From 1966 to 1988 he published at least 1 book every year with the excpetion of 1973. DAW dropped him in 1988 citing poor sales; Norman blamed feminism. But in 2001, he convinced Del Rey to let him publish another book in the series (#26 if you care). In 2008 he signed on full-time with Del Rey and has again published a book a year since with book #31 due this year. So the series plods on.
My only curiosity about the series is how he's managed, for 35 years and 30+ books, to make rape, bondage and abuse seem normal (and apparently interesting). I mean, how do you go that long without repeating yourself; espeically with such banal themes?
Oops, figures the day I end up out of contact is the day I needed to post.
But I'll take what I've got.
As for Norman, I've read some of his earlier books.
Yes, his fixation on bondage and the rest does distract from the story (I did like the pulp style of his story though). But when it started to go from a bit here and there to most of the chapters, I gave up.
As for how he keeps publishing? I would guess that there is a small section of readers who like that aspect of his fantasy, and keep coming back.
1,500 posts in, we're setting up our caravan! We'll get into the mechanics of it in the next week, but for the time being, let's start thinking about what roles the PCs and various NPCs might fill. Below are the rules for Travelers, cut and paste from the Jade Regent Player's Guide.
Travelers:
Every person associated with a caravan who accompanies it on its journey is known as a traveler, and every traveler on a caravan fills a different job during the caravan’s journey—even if that job is simply being a passenger. Individual characters can only perform one job at a time. Characters who meet the prerequisites for more than one job must pick which job they’re performing at the start of a day—they can switch to a different job after 24 hours have passed.
Most jobs provide bonuses on a caravan’s Attack, Security, or Resolve checks. These bonuses are considered circumstance bonuses—they stack with each other, but never to a total value higher than +5 per statistic. Any circumstance bonuses provided by travelers in excess of +5 on a particular statistic’s checks are effectively wasted unless the caravan has the Expert Travelers feat.
Jobs can be performed by PCs, allied NPCs, or NPCs hired for the position. Note that not all job positions can be hired for—some, like fortune-teller or spellcaster, must be filled by PCs or allied NPCs they meet during the course of the campaign. All higher-level travelers must be allied with on a case-by-case basis as they are encountered during the course of play; allies need not be paid for their services.
A hired NPC is a 1st-level expert or a 1st-level warrior. All hired NPCs require a specific wage—this wage must be paid in full when the NPC is first hired, and then again on a monthly basis. A hired NPC who is not paid his wage leaves the caravan at the first opportunity, and until he leaves, he functions only as a passenger.
During the course of the Adventure Path you will have many opportunities to venture away from the caravan (such as in towns or when you want to go exploring), and you can choose to leave NPCs back at the caravan site to ensure that they don’t come to any harm.
Cook: As long as a caravan has at least 1 cargo unit of stores (10 units of provisions—see page 22) in storage in the caravan’s cargo, a cook reduces the caravan’s consumption score by 2 (to a minimum consumption equal to your total number of wagons). A single caravan can benefit in this manner up to five times—additional cooks beyond five provide no additional benefit. Each time you take the Expert Travelers feat for your caravan, increase the limit on the number of cooks by +1. Requirement: Any character with at least one rank in Profession (baker, brewer, cook, fisherman, gardener, innkeeper, or tavern keeper) can serve as a cook.
Driver: A driver is required for every wagon in the caravan—a wagon without a driver cannot move. Drivers provide no additional benefit to a caravan. Requirement: Any character with at least one rank in Handle Animal or Profession (driver) can serve as a driver.
Entertainer: An entertainer keeps the rest of the travelers distracted and amused during the journey, and grants a +1 circumstance bonus on the caravan’s Resolve checks. Requirement: Any character with at least one rank in Perform can serve as an entertainer.
Fortune-teller: Fortune-tellers play a unique role in a Varisian caravan like Sandru’s—they serve as advisors, inspirations, and proxy mothers to everyone in the caravan. Fortune-tellers are traditionally elderly women, although this isn’t always the case. A Varisian caravan without a fortune-teller takes a –2 penalty on all Attack, Security, and Resolve checks. Once per week, a fortune-teller can give advice on how best to handle the coming week’s perils. In addition, once per week after the fortune-teller has given this advice, when the caravan has to make an Attack, Security, or Resolve check, you may roll twice and take the better result. Requirement: Any PC or NPC capable of casting divination spells can serve as a fortune-teller.
Guard: A guard helps to defend a caravan against aggressors. Each guard in a caravan grants a +1 circumstance bonus to the caravan’s Offense score, and a +1 circumstance bonus on Security checks made to avoid being surprised (such as in an ambush or in an attack that takes place while the caravan is camped). Requirement: Any character with a base attack bonus of at least +1 can serve as a guard.
Guide: A guide keeps the caravan safe from regional dangers, and grants a +1 circumstance bonus on Security checks. Requirement: Any character with at least one rank in Knowledge (geography) can serve as a guide.
Healer: A healer helps the wounded and the sick to recover more quickly. Each healer in a caravan can provide long-term care (Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook 98) to up to six travelers—these travelers automatically gain the benefits of long-term care when they spend the night in a wagon. Requirement: Any character with at least one rank in Heal can serve as a healer.
Hero: A hero is a highly-trained character capable of performing a variety of roles, from offense to defense. Each hero grants a caravan a +1 morale bonus on Attack, Security, and Resolve checks, to a maximum of +4. The morale bonuses granted by heroes do not count toward the maximum +5 circumstance bonus on each derived statistic’s checks granted by other travelers performing jobs. Requirement: Only PCs can serve a caravan as a hero, but doing so does not count as a job role—a PC can effectively serve as a hero and any one other job.
Passenger: Passengers provide no benefit to the caravan’s statistics, although many passengers provide payments to the caravan upon being delivered safely to the caravan’s destination. You’ll have opportunities to take on passengers for payments several times during the Jade Regent Adventure Path—your GM will inform you when such opportunities arise. Requirement: Any character can serve as a passenger.
Scout: A scout spends her days traveling not with the caravan but in the surrounding wilderness, looking out for possible trouble on the route ahead and seeking out stores in the form of water and game. A scout can provide 2 units of provisions in a day’s work if she focuses on hunting for the day, or a +1 circumstance bonus on the caravan’s Security checks if she focuses on scouting for the day. Scouts provide their own food, and do not count against the caravan’s total consumption. A caravan can have up to three scouts working for it at any one time. Requirement: Any character with at least one rank in Survival can serve as a scout.
Spellcaster: Spellcasters are versatile characters who can fill one of several job roles in a caravan, choosing from entertainer, guard, guide, healer, or scout, regardless of whether they meet the job’s requirement. Bonuses granted by spellcasters stack with those granted by any other job, but as with all jobs, any spellcasters in excess of five do not provide additional bonuses. Requirement: Any PC or NPC capable of casting spells can serve as a spellcaster. Spellcasters must be recruited during the course of the adventure; they cannot simply be hired.
Trader: A trader enables a caravan to conduct business transactions whenever the caravan is stationed at asettlement. Upon arriving at a city, a trader allows a caravan to spend 1 cargo unit of trade goods (which must have been purchased in a different settlement than the current one) in order to make a special Resolve check. This Resolve check earns the caravan a number of gold pieces equal to the result of the check. Up to five traders may attempt these Resolve checks (spending 1 cargo unit of trade goods per check) each time a caravan visits a new settlement. Requirement: Any character with at least one rank in Bluff, Diplomacy, or Profession (merchant) can serve as a trader.
Wainwright: A wainwright is required for field repairs to a caravan. So long as the caravans spending the day without moving, a wainwright can make a special Security check by spending 1 cargo unit of repair materials. This check repairs an amount of hit points to the caravan equal to the result of the Security check. Up to five wainwrights may attempt these Security checks (spending 1 cargo unit per check) each time a caravan spends a day not moving. Requirement: Any character with at least one rank in Craft (carpentry) or Profession (engineer or wainwright) can serve as a wainwright.
If you're interested in checking out the full caravan rules (which will come into play more as we move forward), check out the Jade Regent Player's Guide. It is a free download.
Looking at the choices, I guess Hero and then either Spellcaster or Trader, depending on where we are (Trader whenever we are in a village or place to trade).
Since we can change from day to day what we are (and not get stuck in one profession), increasing skills would also increase jobs availible to us.
Lisabett:
You might also choose Spellcaster as your profession, since it actually maximizes your usefulness.
True. Was thinking in character that she needs to be away from the caravan as much as possible until it becomes clear that Ameiko can't really be taken back.
Lisabett is trained in diplomacy, too and can act as a trader where her experiences will bring more to the discussion, like the two books it is that we're supposed to be traveling in the Land of the Linnorm Kings. Getting drunk, starting fights and satisfying animal needs on the longtable is something she's accustomed to, whereas some other folk in the party might be put off.
Also CN and positive wisdom, she's not about to try to save the world, or Thralls for the trees knowing how little impact one person has on an established tradition.
I think Almar will go for hero and guard... it's the work he was ired for after all. Scout is an option too, as Almar would surely want to check for the man in black's trail.
Male Human (Varisian) Paladin of Shelyn (Warrior of the Holy Light) 3
Multiples Traders are useful since it says up to 5 can participate at once.
Sorin's best skills are Diplomacy and Perform. That sets up Trader and Entertainer.
Next best is Handle Animal though I wonder how often the need for a Driver will really come up.
I've had too few skill points to give all the skills I think Sorin should have (and develop) but at next increase he will take a rank in Heal so can fill the Healer role but will never be as good as Raz in that area but one Healer can only cover 6 people so it's still good to have as an option; how big is the caravan?
Guard is also possible.
With 5 of us, we should always be getting the max Hero bonus since that doesn't take up a job slot.
And just a reminder, Sorin will never be able to take Spellcaster or Fortune Teller as his archetype never grants spellcasting.
It doesn't seem likely to me that he'll take the skills necessary for any of the other jobs. Personally, I wish that 3.0 had never included the Profession skill at all...but they did.
Male Human (Varisian) Paladin of Shelyn (Warrior of the Holy Light) 3
DM Hamied:
Sorin will still want to seek a Harrowing before setting out, if at all possible. Given the time constraints, he'd probably do so alone right after leaving the Cathedral; though he'd tell Raziel what he was doing since he's with him.
Let me review the rules on Harrowing in the next day or two. We'll get it sorted.
Welcome to Level 3
Yes, we're advancing quickly, but part of this experience represents your coming trek. I thought it best to handle it now, and you were close anyway after that encounter. Dire boars are worth a hefty amount...
As before, roll your HD in this thread. Remember, you may reroll the dice if the result is under 1/2 (as many times as is needed...first result of 1/2 or larger is final).
Also, let us know what skills/feats you're picking up.
Letsee, Husband has some errands to complete today so I have a few hours of alone time to catch up with things before I am unavailable through most of the weekend.
Make level 3 Sorc 1/Druid 2 for 1d8 ⇒ 6 hp. Excellent!
Woodland Stride might be useful for scouting purposes.
Skills Added one rank to Diplomacy (3 ranks, +9), Sense Motive (3 ranks, +6), Perform-Wind (2 ranks, +9), Perform-*** (1 rank, +8), Heal (1 rank, +4)
Other Stuff
Mercy: Lay on Hands now removes the Shaken condition in additon to healing.
Feat: Weapon Focus-Glaive
Gear
No purchases. My next will be chainmail but that's 150 G and I only have 82 G and 9 C.
DM Hamied:
I was wondering if it would be okay to change the second Perform skill that I have available to me from Intense Artist. Originally, this was Sing (though I have no ranks in it till now) but I would like to change it to Woodcarving. I already have one "performance' Perform and would rather have one "artistic" Perform instead of a second "performance". This just wasn't something I thought about when first creating Sorin.
That would be fine with me, but I didn't realize a "crafty" thing like woodcarving could be a Perform skill. I'll read up on it, but I don't forsee any problem with that.
HP Roll: 1d8 ⇒ 3
HP Roll again:1d8 ⇒ 7 Much better this time!
With +2 from Con, that gives me 9, for 25 total.
I'l take the Extra Channel feat, for 7 channels a day.
For skills, I'll take Diplomacy +10,Linguistics (I'm going to pick up another language, more than likely Skald), Perception +9, Sense Motive +8, and Spellcraft +6.
I get 2nd level spells now, and my Channel goes to 2d6.
If I can keep the 10 from my first roll (in gameplay) Almar will be at 36 hp, he'll also get +1BAB, +1 to will saves, and the point blank shot feat. And new deeds, of course.
We'll arrange the derived statistics once we've settled which NPCs are filling the various roles. I will present a few options shortly, once the night has passed. I'll move things along soon. I'm conscious of getting the caravan going, I just don't want to eclipse roleplaying opportunities.
The caravan will start at level 3 (the PC level). I've selected the first feat, but the party will select the other two.
I would say Shalelu scout, and as Raziel noted, when Lisabett gets more homely town feeling with hanging out with everyone again she'll switch to full time spellcaster.
Koya Fortune Teller.
Ameiko... Entertainer?
Sandru driver.
Anyway, I am back, just need to think of what my Lady would have been up to and why she failed her perception check against ninja Minherzi! Ahhh! Don't you know rangers and rogues are Arcanist-killers?
question before I finalize my skill set for this level - are we going to be riding horses with the caravan, or on the wagons?
if we are riding horses, I'd invest a rank in it for the free dismount option should it be needed. but since I'm planning on going druid 4 to run around in beast shapes for night patrols eventually.
running a full druid elsewhere. beast shape is fun. :D
Yeah, I wondered about Minhzeri sneaking up on your guys with no Perception check allowed. You probably would have heard her, but I figured foregoing the cehck might move the scene forward more quickly since she provided no threat. Rest assured, if somebody with intent to spy on your or do you harm was sneaking up on you, you'd get the check.
Oh, and to answer the question about horses: there will be horses along on the trip, but you have the option of riding in the caravan, so its really up to you and how your character might prefer to travel. Horses give you greater range and flexibility, but it will bump up your consumption slightly.
