Once Upon a Time in Golarion (Inactive)

Game Master vayelan

New Players: the dice roller isn't usually this kind, to me or anyone else. Don't be surprised to see a long string of single-digit rolls on the d20 at some inopportune moment in the near future. Dice Karma's a real...

…especially when Ahto makes a really awesome speech, then follows with
Intimidate: (1).

@DM Vayalan: Storm's token looks good! I honestly forgot all about that. And I didn't see the link for the map before I posted, heh.

Alas, I am far too familiar with the fickle ways of dice rollers! So glad I decided on Defend instead of Guard for Storm's list of tricks. It would have been embarrassing for Katrine if her dog just sat there when she told him to attack. Maybe I should have opted for another couple points in Cha instead of Con.

…especially when Ahto makes a really awesome speech, then follows with

Intimidate: (1).

Eyup. At least this time I get to make a good first impression, and save looking like an idiot for later.

I too have tasted the ravaging defeat of typing a 2000 word post of a speech to roll a 1. I was so frustrated. Fortunately, the Gm had the rule of cool.

I should *probably* wait for the formality of the GM resolving the battle. Yeah… I will.

I definitely like this as a way to meet the new PCs!

My apologies for not posting over the weekend - I'll be sure to carve out time next Saturday morning! I'm working on a post now, I should have it up within the hour.

No worries. Not everyone can post on a weekend.

(Hope I don’t come off as a jerk claiming this. I think the DM was trying to catch us up gear-wise with new players, seeing how the equipment is a sword and armor +1 better than what Ahto and VV have. And of course an INT item is meant for Wonky.)

You are correct. Whilst kingdom building offers a lot of rewards in terms of renown, allies, and goodwill, it does not necessarily provide a lot of magical swag. This ruined manor is an attempt to redress that whilst also weaving together new and old plot threads. You'll see what I mean when you open the hidden chest.

Okay, cool. The Vixen will definitely wash this thing before wearing it. It’s been on a dead guy for a very long time!

I almost forgot I used Shelyn for Addy’s bridal look. Anyway, Addison is not really a “secret” identity. I’m going with more of a multiple personality disorder.

Addy/VV is not the sad-clown wreck she was at game-start, so differences in the personas are minor. The biggest change you’ll see is an almost childlike innocence in the eyes. She normally wears a battle mask, so you might dismiss this difference as purely aesthetic. Other than that, her tone is gentler.

As far as names for the Royal Blade go, I'm more than open to suggestions.

I'm not sure which way to go with it, to be honest. I tried mish-mashing names that mean 'sword' and 'justice' from various languages and the only one that has come up that sounds pretty cool is Bredanadel, although it sounds a bit like 'Benadryl'. (It could be argued both go a long way to curing post-nasal drip.)

Another way is to go with a more literal name for a symbol of office like: 'Sovereign Sword', 'The Blade of Tamlyn' or 'Kingmaker'.

It could also get a name for its other purpose: "The Judge", "The Gallow Blade", "The Reaper's Razor", "The Convict Cutter", "The Lady of Cold Steel."

Thoughts?

Orlack's Folly, Orlack's Bane, Baron's Blade, The Impervious Blade of Baron Orlack, The Impervious Blade of Lord Ahto, Divinity (I was thinking this one because the name is not just about what it is, but what it could be. An impervious sword with a holy enchantment?)

'The Ever-Present Blade' has a nice ring as a moniker that should go along with a proper name, still To-Be-Determined. It provides a nice, multi-layered meaning. The bearer should always be mindful of the present moment, what is happening, and how it will impact future events. Also, the bearer of the blade carries it always as a symbol of office, and a tool for meting out justice.

Perhaps simply, Burden would be a good name?

Duty?

Wonky, not sure it came across well, but what Antonín was trying to say is that she'll have to be a keen student because he's an awful teacher not worth paying for lessons :)

"Judgment" might befit the blade of an inquisitor.

Duty?

My problem is "Duty", is absent any other contextual words or phrases, it sounds funny or silly.

My younger son had a kindergarten teacher whose last name was 'Duty.' You can imagine how a group of kindergarteners reacted when introduced to their teacher, whose name sounded to them like a euphemism.

"Judgment" might befit the blade of an inquisitor.

Ahto doesn't see the sword as his, but rather something belonging to the nation of Tamlyn. He is merely the swords custodian.

"Judgment" is a cool name, but I don't think Ahto anticipates every subsequent ruler being an Inquisitor (be it class or mindset).

I am trying to find a word that carries the weight of responsibility and obligation to the welfare of Tamlyn (i.e. Heavy is the head that wears the Crown, as the saying goes).

I think that is where I was going with Burden. Duty to country is a burden to be born. Judgement, either in the context of passing sentence in a legal trial or simply administrative day-to-day decision-making is a burden as well. Responsibility is a burden. The name Burden is an admonishment to future Heads-of-State not to take the position lightly.

Anyway, that's where I was going with my thought process...

Wonky Prong, Jr wrote:

Duty?

My problem is "Duty", is absent any other contextual words or phrases, it sounds funny or silly.

My younger son had a kindergarten teacher whose last name was 'Duty.' You can imagine how a group of kindergarteners reacted when introduced to their teacher, whose name sounded to them like a euphemism.

Hell, I’M guilty of that. The moment I read ‘Duty,’ my brain when directly to Vanellope von Schweetz joking about Hero’s Duty.

GM, what skill bonus does the headband of vast intelligence +2 provide?

(according to AoN, it is a random knowledge skill, unless otherwise noted)

This Headband provides ranks in Craft (Cloth).

Baron Orlack's journal mentions that his wife, Louhi, was a weaver before they settled in the Stolen Lands together. He wanted to further bless her "beautiful art," so he had the enchantment specially commissioned - the magical artisan he hired was surprised by the choice. Also according to the journal, some of the banners and tapestries in the manor are her work, even though they are now in tatters.

Though this may seem random, I actually have some plot connections in mind.

Pelipe, when telling the history of it after she did the sword, would have mentioned this to Wonky

I found by awful eulogy the Vixen gave a couple years back! (As VV, not Addy like my faulty memory thought.) So I linked it in VV’s post for the curious.

It was me rolling a nat.1 and just running with it.

Oh, this is so cool! The headband not only gives me a new, nifty craft, but it also gives me a new language....what would I select....hmmmm....if only there was a valid role-playing reason to select a new language....

Antonín, I think you might find Wonky an extremely precocious student.

Congrats on your shiny new loot, original players! It's always so exciting to find something you can really use.

DM Vayelan, are the drakes actually red, yellow, and orange? Or were they all green like Wonky said? Because Vixen would look sharp in red drake-hide boots and gloves.

DM Vayelan, are the drakes actually red, yellow, and orange? Or were they all green like Wonky said? Because Vixen would look sharp in red drake-hide boots and gloves.

I'm sorry to say that they were not actually red and orange. I simply color coded their tokens so it was easier to keep track of which one was attacking or being attacked at a given time.

These drakes' scales are a yellowish green color. Of course, I won't rule out the possibility of finding a method, perhaps alchemical, of altering the scales' color for cosmetic purposes.

An alchemical solution sounds good to me!

Also… green hide, Green Faith?

If there's any extra hide left over, I think I will have Ahto commission a scabbard for the new sword with the overall aesthetic being inspired by nature and the fey-folk. Ahto would see it as a symbol of the First Citizens being an integral part of Tamlyn.

The amount of usable material from each body will depend on the skill of the person doing the skinning and tanning. For instance, a skilled tanner could produce enough hide for a scabbard, pair of boots, and pair of gloves from one drake. Because drake hide is an unfamiliar material for most artisans, they may not be able to salvage as much hide as possible, though.

Fortunately we have Wonky and her alchemical genius! Katrine would like some green boots, that would go with her forest camo aesthetic.

An important update for all my games:

My apologies for putting off this announcement, but my wife and I will be welcoming our first child into the world next week.

This means that my ability to post next week will be very erratic starting on Monday. Once the three of us are home from the hospital, I will do my best to maintain regular posting. I will home for a few weeks on paternity leave, so that should hopefully give me opportunity to post.

Nice!! Congrats!

Mazel tov!!!

Congratulations on the arriving nibblet!

Oy! Now that's some good news :)

Congratulations, Vayelan! I hope all goes well for your wife and baby. :)

First off, thank you all for your positive thoughts.

Secondly, regarding information on Mivon via your knowledge checks, would you prefer I provide that via spoiler or private message so you can share the info in character, or should I just share it via narration in a normal post?

All good by me if you post it, GM.

Since we are sharing I have no problems posting it

Go ahead and post it, Katrine will share whatever she knows with the party.

Happy Mother’s Day!

I don’t know if we have any moms here, but with the DM’s wife being a first-time mom, I know there’s an extra-special Mother’s Day at his house!

The Vermilion Vixen wrote:

…especially when Ahto makes a really awesome speech, then follows with

Intimidate: (1).

Eyup. At least this time I get to make a good first impression, and save looking like an idiot for later.

There’s the Natural 1 CHA check, right on cue.

"Crack-jawed" Ahto Ulrych wrote:

The Vermilion Vixen wrote:

…especially when Ahto makes a really awesome speech, then follows with

Intimidate: (1).

Eyup. At least this time I get to make a good first impression, and save looking like an idiot for later.

There’s the Natural 1 CHA check, right on cue.

Eyup. Here's to hoping it wasn't low enough to piss her off.

I wonder if he is a compassionate man?"

I wonder how a debate on this question would play out amongst the characters if Ahto wasn't in the room, and they were relatively certain he would never know their opinions.

What would The Vixen and Wonky say to the newcomers?

The Vermilion Vixen wrote:

"Crack-jawed" Ahto Ulrych wrote:

The Vermilion Vixen wrote:

…especially when Ahto makes a really awesome speech, then follows with

Intimidate: (1).

Eyup. At least this time I get to make a good first impression, and save looking like an idiot for later.

There’s the Natural 1 CHA check, right on cue.

Eyup. Here's to hoping it wasn't low enough to piss her off.

She won’t murder us, I’m relatively sure. But she might secretly summon mosquitoes to annoy us.

I’m sorry, team. It had to be done.

It was perfect! This will definitely bring out the caregiver side of Pelipe.

I’m sorry, team. It had to be done.

It was totally in character. Don’t apologize!

I actually had more to my post, but felt a deadpan “Yes” to the question of normalcy was best left without elaboration or internal monologue.

I’m sorry, team. It had to be done.

Don't apologize, it's hilarious! This kind of stuff is why I love tabletop RPGs.

@Vixen: The flat "Yes" also made me laugh!