| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Harmose Nefer."
"I hear that you are assembling a party to explore and search for antiquities. I have some magical gifts, and would love to join you on this expedition. Nothing fascinates me more than ancient mysteries."
"As for danger, I'm not afraid of it. I died once and came back -- I think I'm destined to be able to go into strange lands and come back again."
"Hello stranger..."
Says a robust man covered with an old armor which looks like it has been trough a war or two."My name is Camus. I have led quite some people to the ruins, altought personally I dont see the point, the most interesting things they find are dead things and and if it wasnt by me they would have fallen on those bloody traps. Well everything is alright as long as they pay..."
The man hesitates for a second.
"You died, right...I hope your not a mummy... I hate those things"
Tuneya wanders in, smiling. "Hey, does someone need an archaeologist? One with experience in dealing with traps? I've just moved here..."
"Hello stranger..."
Says a robust man covered with an old armor which looks like it has been trough a war or two.
"My name is Camus. I have led quite some people to the ruins, altought personally I dont see the point, the most interesting things they find are dead things and and if it wasnt by me they would have fallen on those bloody traps. Well everything is alright as long as they pay..."
The man hesitates for a second.
"You died, right...I hope your not a mummy... I hate those things"
Harmose eyes Camus and smiles widely, holding out his hand for Camus to shake. "Hello, yourself." This mission is looking more promising already!
"No, I'm not a mummy," Harmose says, laughing. He pulls up the sleeves of his jacket, showing his bare arms. "Look, no bandages. You should be perfectly safe with me."
Camus looks at Tuyena with skepticism
"Woman, Im guessing that any expedition can use a an archeologist but there may be dangers, it aint no playground around there. On the other hand I like having someone deal with traps. I prefer wacking heads"
Camus shakes Harmose hand, its a firm and powerful shake, the one which could break old ladies hands.
"Thats a relief, reccently here in Osirion all kinds of weirdos have appeared, from catmen to tin men. Adventurers seeking to ransack the tombs as soon as possible I suppouse" Where the hell those people come from anyway?- Camus wondered.
Tuneya shakes her head. "There will be dangers. If I start throwing things, do NOT be where I am aiming. Don't be near it, either. That's where the dangers will be landing."
She then smiles ruefully before looking to Harmose.
"Do you think we'll see any mummies during this?"
|
Looks like apps are starting to come together. I'm gonna be closing applications Sunday evening EST. I expect to be make decisions on the players within a day or two of that, and spend the next several days hashing out sheet details, equipment, initial starting NPC relationships and other such stuff, before we get properly started.
RP within this thread is not only allowed but encouraged; it will help me get an idea of your styles. Feel free to act out (as you have already started) a meeting in a tavern.
Melee
Turel Garaldo, LN Male Human Terra-Cotta Monk (Eric Swanson) Devotee of the Old Gods
Camus de Sable, LN Male Human Lore Warden Fighter (ElementalXX) Trap Finder
Divine
Regina dei Dannati, LE Female Dhampir Cleric (Caro Cogitatus)
Aleris Somciel, NG Female Sylph Inquisitor (Lady Ladile) Sphinx Riddler
Cleric (Alginon)
Arcane
Angelkin Aasimar Arcane Duelist Bard (Orannis)
Ayaki Hu, CN Female Kitsune Bard (Hayato Ken)
Harmose Al-Nefer, CG Male Human Tattooed Sorcerer (Hmm) Resurrected
Other
Tuneya Fahardid, CG Female Human Alchemist (MagusJanus) Trap Finder
Cryptbreaker Alchemist (Nohwear)
Ratfolk Alchemist (subway rat)
Sekina Tiya, NE Female Tiefling Rogue (fnord72) Inquisitive Archaeologist
Please check the list, especially your own entry of course, and do let me know if I've missed anything!
Those who do not have a link in their name -- you still have work to do.
Incoming in next post, I'll be answering some questions and asking some of my own.
|
|
The most common issue I've run into while going through the applications is the number of traits, possibly due to alias recycling and old information with some people. Make sure you have two traits, PLUS one free campaign trait, PLUS (if your region is Osirion) one free regional trait. So 3 traits total for non-Osiriani and 4 traits total for Osiriani.
The existence of the campaign trait is something that I especially look at, so make sure you have one. Mummy's Mask Player's Guide is a free download, as with I think all adventure paths. Archives of Nethys should also have Mummy's Mask campaign traits. I will also allow tweaking the campaign trait afterwards if there's a lot of overlap in the selected party, so don't take it deathly serious, but *do* have *something*.
Ayaki Hu: Are you going for bard or arcanist?
Sekina: You asked about tweaking the tiefling racial modifiers. The daemon-spawn tiefling variant has the modifiers you want, but if you want to otherwise be the base tiefling, that's fine with me -- we can say that you have a bit of the daemon taint in you, enough to change the racial modifiers, but otherwise are the generic tiefling in regards to skill modifiers and spell-like ability. You can call it something like "half-daemon tiefling" for example.
The tavern door opens with a slam, and a tall, thin woman of alabaster skin glides in aristocratically.
Oh!, she exclaims in surprise, so many applicants for the lottery.
She purrs her words for emphasis in a slightly disturbing way.
Clapping her hands in mock appreciation, she continues. I wish you all luck.
You'll need it. It's a dangerous world out there, dearies. Very dangerous, indeed.
Harmose tries to continue smiling despite the bone crushing grip of Camus.
He smiles graciously, and gently extricates his hand, wiggling his fingers to regain feeling in them. "My, you are strong one. Were you a wrestler in your youth?"
Then he turns and bows to the ladies who have just entered the room. "Yes, I'm here for the lottery. And I also hope to not see a mummy on this trip. However... He pauses, and looks unhappy. "It is called the half-dead city, is it not?"
He nods at Regina. Drama queen, but what an entrance!
"I believe our newest acquaintance is right. It is a dangerous world."
Tuneya nods, seeing more people are slipping in. She looks at each one carefully, before smiling just a bit to herself.
"If we do find mummies, let us hope they are not the kind that move around you see so often in tales. The last thing I would want is to be in the middle of studying a corpse and have it suddenly grab my throat."
She tilts her head and grins as a thought occurs to her.
"But if they are moving around and can speak, think of what we could learn! All of the fascinating bits of Ancient Osiriani life. Who knows? Maybe what we think is a ceremonial tool was actually a soup spoon or we're mistaking a holy relic for a normal piece of pottery. Hopefully, if they're moving around, they'd rather talk than kill us."
She then sighs. "But, I'm not going to cry if we have to destroy one. We can't explore the tombs if we're dead. Just please leave it intact enough I can study the remains if I'm along? But if you can't, then oh well. Things happen."
She nods at Harmose and Regina. "And I believe at least some of us are dangerous people. I'm not concerned about my ability to survive."
"Dangerous?" Harmose's lips quirk upward at the description of himself as dangerous. "I think I like you already. I don't believe we've been formally introduced. I'm Harmose, and you are?"
He softly lets Harmose hand go and tells him "Im a bodyguard, I try to keep myself up to the task, altought im not really the "wrestling" type. I´m faster than most and thats enough, while I have my trusty rapier no one can beat me" He claims with quite confident voice.
Camus then eyes at Tuyena and her bombs, he chuckles. "Hehe yeah... There is nothing sexier than a woman armed with big pair of round dinamites. Im gonna look forward to see you work"
Then he looks at Aleris
"Snow White, actually Im here for the money, the lottery is just .. a neccesary evil, one may say" Camus looks at Regina a little bit puzzled "on the other hand Miss Flashy, you kind of give me the creeps... I feel the scent of death within you..."
Finally he addresses everyone on the table. "There is quite some people here, you may call me wathever you like, but my name is Camus . Im a bodyguard and I have let some people to the ruins and altought Im not an expert, they are indeed as dangerous as they say"
Tuneya extends her hand to Harmose.
"Tuneya Fahardid, professional archaeologist and alchemy hobbyist."
She decides not to mention that "alchemy hobbyist" really means "highly-trained alchemist."
She grins to Aleris and chuckles. "Yes, it would! And our poor colleagues, who missed the opportunity..."
"Having stories to tell is one small part of why I am here. Perhaps they will be stories of holy soup spoons!" He laughs. "Actually, speaking of soup... I've heard that the lemon lentil soup here is excellent, inexpensive, and fortifying. Should we order some bowls of it for the table?"
Harmose gestures at one of the servers. The old man nods to him from across the room, but it is clear that it will take some time for him to make it to the table. The tavern is packed with travelers there for the lottery.
Harmose shrugs and says, "Speaking of stories, they are a good way to pass the time until the lottery starts. Perhaps we can all share a little of what brings us here to the lottery. So tell me... Are you here for wealth? Secrets of the ancients? A good story and an adventure? Perhaps..." he pauses, eyeing Regina nervously, "there's something else drawing you to this place."
He pauses, taking a deep sip of the bitter Orsiriani coffee brew that he had been nursing the better part of the evening. "It is only fair, since I am asking you your stories, to tell you a bit of mine. Mine starts with a ghost, and that ghost... well, it was me."
His voice goes low, and he tells the group about dying as a young child. But not that I was murdered. They don't need to know that... yet. "My parents spent most of what they had to bring me back. When I came back, the way I viewed the world had entirely changed. Death doesn't frighten me, and the voices of the past... well, I have this deep feeling that they may hold answers for me."
Tuneya nodded at the mention of soup, and smiles as she sees a server approach. "I have heard that as well. It was the first recommendation I got upon arriving."
She listens to Harmose's story and lowers her head, considering what it must have been like to die as a child. "To not fear death... That is a special blessing indeed."
She chuckled to the mention of a far less interesting reason and nodded agreement. "My own reasoning is also far less interesting. I actually recently moved here from Sothis because of the tombs being opened up. I plan to use part of the money to make things easier for my wife to help settle in."
As she mentions a wife, she gives a pointed look to Camus for his earlier flirting, having ignored his comment about her big bombs.
"We both met while apprentices to an archaeologist, and married not long ago. My brother was upset at the marriage, as he wanted to marry her." She shrugs, choosing to leave out that she stole his bride at the altar. "Honestly, you would think he'd get over it. But, you know how some people are."
Reminds me... I need to send him an anniversary cake to celebrate his meeting Izora.
"So, what brings you?" she asks while looking at Camus, her tone friendly and expression lacking hostility; as far as she was concerned, their problem was addressed and over with as of the look earlier.
I believe the young man said he works as a bodyguard, my dear, purrs the strange tall woman, inserting herself into the discussion group.
And you, earning a stake for your family. And our Snow White, come to meet a sphinx. And our own resident ghost walking among the living.
So many lovely creatures. I am delighted to meet you all. Regina dei Dannati, at your service. Like our fair Mr. de Sable, I come to earn. Like our lovely Mrs. Fahardid, I come to learn. And unlike our dashing Sir Al-Nefer, I hope to not end up in a burial urn.
Regina's eyes linger approvingly on Aleris as she finishes speaking.
"Wife uh..? Hehe, niice" Camus smiles, his eyes sparkling.
Well about me lets see... I´m a very simple man I just wanna beat down the strongest m%@$+~*#+$+@ out there and make money while doing it. Hence I work as a bodyguard, altought I have done all kinds of jobs included, but not limited to, cleaning" Camus says the last in quite a grim way. "I used to on the army, but officers are just a bunch witless cowards more interested in politics and aristrocatic status.They got no class at all" Camus spits to the ground "There is one real power here, its money. Im down for it, even If I dont win the lottery Im pretty sure I will get work here. Thats me, I only make bets I can win and so far I havent lost"
Tuneya's handling of Camus makes Harmose nod. She's got a calm head and a tactful way about her. He looks back regretfully at Camus. I'm probably not his type, and even if I were... Would I want to be responsible for teaching him social graces? Then he looks at Camus again. Well, maybe. But I am still not likely his type.
Harmose raises an eyebrow at Regina's last statement. "I don't hope to end up in an urn. Believe, I very much enjoy the pleasures this world has to offer."
"Your real name suits you, and I don't think your reason for being her is silly at all." Harmose says quietly to Aleris, "The name I use now was not the one I was initially born with. I was originally named Karim. But when I came back, my parents renamed me, 'Harmose,' which means son of Horus." He turns back to the group as a whole. "Horus also returned from the dead."
He waves as the server comes by. "I would love some of your soup, and so would some of my friends." He waits so his new companions can give their orders.
|
The most common issue I've run into while going through the applications is the number of traits, possibly due to alias recycling and old information with some people. Make sure you have two traits, PLUS one free campaign trait, PLUS (if your region is Osirion) one free regional trait. So 3 traits total for non-Osiriani and 4 traits total for Osiriani.
The existence of the campaign trait is something that I especially look at, so make sure you have one. Mummy's Mask Player's Guide is a free download, as with I think all adventure paths. Archives of Nethys should also have Mummy's Mask campaign traits. I will also allow tweaking the campaign trait afterwards if there's a lot of overlap in the selected party, so don't take it deathly serious, but *do* have *something*.
Happy New Year! Our party guests have gone home, so I'm stepping out of Harmose's persona for the moment. I was going to ask about the imbalance in traits between Osiriani and non-Osiriani characters. I wrote up an Osiriani character, but didn't wind up taking that 4th regional trait because I felt unfair having that advantage. If all characters got 4 traits, I probably would have put the 4th trait on my character.
I do love the Mummy's Mask campaign traits! If I could have taken two of those, I would have taken Blood of the Pharoahs for Harmose. He's a noble scion, after all! Still, I've gotten way more story mileage out of "resurrected" so far than I expected, so I'm not complaining.
Ayaki Hu: Are you going for bard or arcanist?
Hayato would have to answer that one, but since ACG classes are banned, I think he was planning on going bard.
Hmm
PS Everybody, it has been fun seeing your characters in action. If Harmose doesn't get selected, he at least got to enjoy his roleplay with all of you in the past couple of days.
As for preferred posting rate, I can happily adjust down to a once a day posting rate to fit the rest of the group.
One advantage of the slower posting rate is that you can take time t really compose a good in character response. I rushed my last post to get it done before guests arrived to my party -- hence all the missing words and typos!
Happy 2015!
Tuneya frowned at how Regina spoke, shifting herself slightly away from the woman.
Okay, that's just creepy.
She nods to Camus and smiles. "Simple work, simple expectations, simple taste. I salute that. If all goes well, there may be more action in cleaning than there is in fighting; I know I will be busy examining and cleaning artifacts. But if things do get exciting, having someone who knows how to use their muscles is definitely appreciated!"
She nods to what Harmose says and looks to the server. "Soup for me as well."
A tall Garundi man approaches your table and inclines his head in greeting. You can see he is a young man yet carries the mark of long days in the desert upon his body. He carries no weapon but those who are skilled in armed warfare can see he carries himself ready to spring into violence at a moments notice.
His face is lean and rugged though not especially attractive. A scar is noticeable on the back of his skull, and it looks like he received it fairly recently. He returns your looks of interest with one of his own. His gaze travels over each of you yet lingers over the pale Osiriani woman Regina.
"I am called Turel of the Garaldo clan. Your talk of the lottery is intriguing to me. While I was not selected for the lottery previous to this one, I feel the gods have provided another chance for me. May I join you?"
Harmose listened to Tuneya's statement, amused and oddly cheered by her innocent conclusion that "cleaning" had to do with caring for artifacts. He suspected that the truth was grimmer in nature, and resolved to try to be more patient with Camus. No wonder he is a little rough around the edges, if that is his primary work.
Harmose looked at his own hands, largely uncallused. Who am I to judge him, anyway? I'm one of those soft aristocrats Camus complained of... Only without the money.
Turning to the newcomer, Harmose said, "Please join us. The more the merrier. " Harmose introduced his companions to Turel. It was getting tight around the tavern table. and a bit uncomfortably hot.
Harmose pulled off his coat. I never know how to dress for the desert -- so hot during the day, so frigid at night. Perhaps I should wear the flowing robes the tribesmen around here parade around in. How my mother would love that! All the refinements of our cosmopolitan life, abandoned. But it would be practical for this weather, surely.
Rolling his long sleeves out of the way, Harmose unconsciously revealed arms that were completely covered with tattoos of ancient Osirion pictographs.
"I have cousins in Sothis," he said brightly to Tuneya. "But I have not been to the capitol in such a long time. How does your wife feel about relocating to the ruins of Wati? It is a bit more primitive, but still a lively town -- especially with the lottery approaching."
|
|
I was going to ask about the imbalance in traits between Osiriani and non-Osiriani characters. I wrote up an Osiriani character, but didn't wind up taking that 4th regional trait because I felt unfair having that advantage.
You may forgo the free regional trait if you choose to, of course. In my opinion, the difference of one half-feat is not significant enough to have any meaningful effect. It's a reward for being local, but it's a small enough reward that, IMO, it's not a must-have. As you've proven by forgoing it. ;)
"Actually... We now know that Tuneya hails from Sothis, and I come from Ipeq, off the border from Katapesh." Harrmose pauses to fan himself. "Where do the rest of you hail from? It looks like some of you come from very far away indeed."
"Sup Baldy" Camus said while looking at Turel "Join our merry party, we got soup, altought I prefer this liquid"
Camus put on the table a bottle of Ale and gives himself a drink
"If gods had piss this probably would be it, anyway is as good as it gets"
Camus crosses his arms, closes his eyes and fronws while trying to remember
"Hrm...I come from a insignificant small town named "The oldest Ho´" near nearby hill, they basically do some agricultural s$+$ im not fond of. Its also known for its whores which may be older than any ruin I have seen, but hey.. who am I to judge? Some people do like that stuff and pay a lot for it." Camus opens his eyes disgusted "seriously people who go there is completely f+@%ed up, they specially like thoothless hos since they produce them the greatest pleasures. I suppouse there may be a pleasure in experience but good lord why.." Camus faces loks he is going to puke.
"Anyway I figured that place was too big for my expectations, my options were be a farmer or... be a farmer. To hell with that, had I stayed there I would be rottin like those damned hos"
|
|
Interrupting the RP briefly, I have been doing up a list on initial contacts that players can select. Each player may select one initial contact, with whom they will have a higher starting relationship. Selecting a contact before being chosen is not mandatory, but if you have any ideas, I would love to hear them.
Religious category
• Bal Themm (female), a low-ranking member of the clergy of Pharasma, the goddess of the dead. Pharasma is the most powerful faith in Wati.
• Djat Masakhet (male) or Intef Karam (female), a mid-ranking member of the clergy of Abadar, the god of cities, wealth and merchants. Abadar is the second most powerful faith in Wati.
• Neb-At (male), keeper of Pharasma's sacred white crocodiles with a slightly questionable reputation.
Law Enforcement category
• Kema (female), soldier of the militant wing of Pharasma's church. Religious police.
• Rekitre or Khipa Yannanza (both female), city marketplace security working for the church of Abadar. Religious police.
• Tarouk (male), city guard member. Secular police.
Political category
• Junior member of the conservative Mahfre noble family.
• Junior member of the liberal Okhenti noble family.
• Meehr Zet (female dwarf), high society debutante freely spending her industrialist father's money.
Underworld category
• Member of the Fading smuggler gang.
• Member of the Silver Chain slaver gang.
• Dredge (genderless halfling) or Eswab (female), a fixer/fence/trafficker unaffiliated with any specific gangs.
Commoner category
• Farhaan (male), owner of Tooth & Hookah inn best known for its crocodile mascot and popular with adventuring parties.
• Teht Blackblossom (female), owner of the Whispering Stone inn built around a massive statue's head and known for having lots of secrets and rumors floating around.
• Terhk Fourwinds (male half-orc), owner of Terhk's Fine Expeditions, a caravan company and desert travelers' lodge.
• Sehhosep Naahn (female), instructor at the Hall of Blessed Rebirth, the city's medical academy and embalmer's guild.
|
Relationship as in amical or personal?
or as in "helpful"?
Note: On last post I invented a town, and its name, I hope you dont mind, you can say its anywhere on hilly place Osirion
Another question, on the initial post, you said we may have a limit on score, that means we cant start with a 20 after racials?
Turel nods in reply and moves to sit down with the rest of the party, though he does pause for a second at the striking pale woman's words. He was not sure what to make of her as she was unlike any of the other women in his tribe. Still, his limited time in the city had taught him to keep an open mind about other cultures, or at least to keep his mouth shut.
"Thank you for the invitation Miss...Aleris. You are indeed a long way from your home. I know the difficulties of traveling far from one's homeland and realize it is a journey not undertaken lightly. Perhaps when you are ready you can share the tale." He accepts the offer of the soup but waves off the alcohol. "Not for me, thank you." He gazes at each one of you as he adds, "Perhaps, as one who came from the desert climes not far from Wati, I may be of help in adjusting to this climate."
Regina is not bothered by these actions, considering them equivalent to buying meat from the butcher.
Harmose raises an eyebrow at the distance Aleris has traveled. "What a catalogue of wonders you have traveled through,' he says wistfully. "Maybe someday I will visit all those places."
After Camus spoke about the piss of the gods, Harmose narrowly managed to avoid spitting out his coffee as he convulsed with laughter. I don't want to think about how he learned what god piss tastes like. There really is no filter between Camus's brain and his mouth, is there? Then Harmose grinned. "Someday, friend, after we've returned from triumph, we will have to purchase some of this fine beverage and visit with my family."
If only to see the shocked looks on their uptight aristocratic mouths. Truly, this man is priceless.
To Turel, he says, "Ipeq isn't desert, but grassy plain. I appreciate your tips on how to better handle the heat here in Wati."
And then, Harmose paused. Feeling daring, he pointed a finger to send a message spell to Camus, targeted to his ears alone. "It sounds like the only thing drier than Wati are the whores from your home town, Camus," Harmose mouthed.
There. Let him see that I am more than a prissy little aristocrat.
|
|
If anybody still wants to get an app in at the last minute, you have until Sunday 4 Jan 2015, 6pm EST. I've been going through apps the past couple of days, and unless there are any surprise new entries, I think I've pretty much settled on a list, so I expect to announce more or less right after closing apps.
Camus, what's your (the character's) region/nation of origin? "Camus de Sable" sounds European.
Tuneya smiles and nods hello to the newcomer, waving him to join them.
"Welcome! I wish you the best of luck. And I would appreciate the help if you are selected."
She grins to Harmose. "A chance to look at relics from tombs previously unopened? She's positively thrilled. She's just not as much for field work as I am." Tuneya reaches over to rub her burn scar self-consciously. "Says it's too dangerous."
She nods to Aleris and Harmose. "It sounds like both of you are very far from home. I hope this climate is treating you well. I don't want either of you passing out once we're in a tomb. Fires get started that way sometimes."
She rubs her scar again, then looks to Camus and grins wickedly at what he says. "Interesting drink comparison... That is why I do not drink. I got tired of speculating which deity produced which alcohol. And I do not blame you for not wanting a simple life of farming."
Harmose laughed. "Ipeq is not that far, Tuneya. It's in Osirion, though on the very border near the foothills they call the Bosom of Isis."
He looked at Camus, debating whether he should tell the crude soldier what the nearby valley was called. No, better not, Harmose thought. Some jokes are better told in private.
"Sometimes in the winter we would even see a little snow fall, though it would melt the moment it touched the ground. Ipeq's one claim to fame (other than having the largest garrison in Osirion due to our border status) is that its mountains are the chief source of ice -- for iced coffees, sherberts and the like -- for hundreds of miles around."
He grinned ruefully. "I'm as Osiriani as they come... but I positively wilt in the heat."