Reflections in the Eyes of the Beholders (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

@caquix: I'm fine either way. either character whose background I posted earlier would work, and I know that having a non-cha character will help us balance things, and thus make us more likely to survive.

Ravenica has the "non charisma, negative comeliness " in the bank! A Bard build could be helpful

21 Cha (23 If you count amulet) +4(racial) +2(str) +2(con) -2(wis) +8(player mod) = 35(37) +1 when my familiar is displayed.

Ill have to dismiss it possibly due to class selection. For now I keep it.

okay, I'll stick with Kaldane then.

I will have my character post for you tonight. I unfortunately didn't make it home until pretty late last night since I was out with my brother celebrating his birthday.

However I am trying to get caught up on the posts and it brings to me to the following question so far:

• What type of Racial bonus to Comeliness would a Dhampir get?

A Dhampir, in this setting, could probably swing both ways, much like a Tiefling, and a gnome, lets go -2 or +2 depending on the direction you want to go with the build.

Still waiting on a response for my Dragonkith.

I may be a bit late to the party, but I find unorthodox settings and thought-out homebrew rules fairly irresistible, and would be interested to try my hand here if you're up for it, GM.

However, I do have class within the hour, so I may have to save any serious focus for the next 3-4 hours. Are you ok with letting another -potential- submission in, or do you think your current roster will leave your hands full?

I think we can entertain more ideas, and possibly another Player, I was sidelined today, so I have been away, and I do want to remind everyone that I am not in a rush to get this started. I want to present some background material, and an idea about how I will use Comeliness in encounters, and see if I can get some constructive criticism and build the idea into something workable.

Thanks for stopping by.

Good to hear. I've fallen into the habit of applying for every recruitment that catches my interest, even though I'm in several active campaigns and in college. I think I just habitually rise to the challenge of creating characters within different rulesets and scenarios, regardless of acceptance, just because I can.

Either way, I'll digest the material so far and see if inspiration strikes!

A question just occurred to me: of the classes we would graduate into, I see no summoner. Is that a purposeful decision? Did you just not feel like you had suitable ways to include them?

No, the exclusion of Summoner is deliberate. Very experienced people of the city would know why, your character’s would not, but they will learn why early in the game.

As normally happens to me in these situations, each of you has brought something to the table that is sparking my imagination and calling out to me to make minor changes in the setting, thank you, all of you!

Monkey god –

As I toss around ideas, I find myself gravtiating towards a half-elf, probably a witch, unless you're leaving the 1st level class open until we reach the 400 point goal. What would you say the racial COM bonus is for a half-elf? +2? +4? Going for a fairly high comeliness with my concept.

Yes, your decision on what "class" to follow when you reach Level 1, will be yours, and must be selected from the restricted list in the first post.

You know, we've had some short discussions about this setting (as the players come to understand it better, they are also helping to shape it), and how many individuals rebel against the City’s “accepted” standards for Beauty, but I see Half-Elves as being in a tough boat where, due to their mixed parentage, the harder they try to look “unattractive” the more appealing they are to most people. Let’s give them a fixed +4 to comeliness.

ya, with kaldane, I specifically see him having the court bard archetype. Initially, I thought about taking the celebrity archetype, but the benefits are far outweighed by the drawbacks unfortunately. I also briefly considered a reskinned geisha, with "buy a pitcher" instead of tea ceremony, but I'm not sure that I wanna play a character who has no armor or shield proficiencies and no quick way to increase his defense like mage armor or shield.

How else can we help shape the world/setting?

Well I can't, right now, think of anything specific. Just participating in the discussion is helping, a lot.

Now, I have another question.

Would the interested players please tell me (here, or in a private message) if there are any sensitive topics they would prefer not to see in this game, with the understanding that

A massive invasion involving two forces (Goblins of the worst kind imaginable, capable of every kind of atrocity) and some strange kind of Undead (less depraved, but just as vile)is underway

I'm fine with anything, but you should probably make sure that anything you post wouldn't violate the forum rules for that sort of thing.

I would have to agree with Vrog. If something does come up and bothers me then I will just message you and we can go from there.

I'll handle any topic presented with the same level of immaturity ;)

@ravenica: lol.

From everything you've said so far, I'm not too worried about the topics you choose to present. As long as you're never showing anything messed up for pure shock value, we should be fine. You seem like you would only do it for the purposes of storytelling and only when really necessary.

I'm fine with everything you've suggested as well, especially since I believe you said no children will really have anything bad depicted

Okay, I'll do my best with that, thanks everyone

Now another question

In Character (if you don't mind) could you tell me, if I were the Principle of the Academy for Young Wizards, how you feel about the way you think you come across to people?

let’s assume, for the moment, that prior to the invasion each of you had some kind of “dust up” with either another student or authority figure in the school and were sent to see the principle in his office, he is not upset with you, and takes a few moments to get to the bottom of the situation, makes some notes, and then before sending you back to whatever it was you were doing, he ask a few personal questions

Are you happy here?
Do you feel as if you fit in?
Are you making friends?
Are you comfortable with the way you look?
How do you think people react to you, when they first meet you?

"Well, to answer your question, I'm not unhappy here. I mean, my parents are paying enough for my education, although I don't know if I fit in or not: most of the people here are...unconcerned about appearance. Kinda makes it hard to make friends with people who can't accessorize, you know? Of course I'm not okay with how I look. do you see this?" Kaldane points to an incredibly minor pimple, so small in fact that had he not pointed it out, it wouldn't have been seen, and then continues "I'm a hideous, puss faced freak!"

Her dust up would likely have been with another student who had been bullying her, Her sister is likely in the room too considering she would likely have involved herself.
Asbques glares at the authority figure with sullen defiance, "Oh overjoyed Mr Principle Sir." she states sweetly with a subtle hint of venomous sarcasm. Dismissively she waves her hands, "The course load is fine, and I've had no complaints from my teachers." Choosing to believe he was asking about the workload rather than her relationship with other students. Her eyes narrow slightly when questioned about friends and she chooses to prevaricate, "My sister and me always have plenty of admirers around us, what more could we ask for?" She neglects to mention that they are her sister's admirers... "Whats wrong with the way I look!? I'm not some stupid statue that sits around looking good." She snaps waspishly, "If people are going to treat me like an outcast just because of the way I dress and their assumptions on a first impression then they are clearly not people worth knowing, and I'll make good and sure to give them exactly what they expect!"

As her beloved sister spoke Stella noticed blood on her knuckles, the words of her mother ringing in her ears. ‘Never be un-presentable. Always be clean and tidy not a hair out of place.’ She quietly took a handkerchief out of her pocket and would gently clean her knuckles off. It was clear by the bruising on them, and on her face that she had gotten in a fight with those bullying her sister. Though oddly enough her clothes did not look out of place and the gentle smile on her face was serene as if the growing bruise was nothing to be concerned about. Her and her sister both knew that the poor soul that had struck her would suffer a fate none would ever wish for. 'Calm down, he does not mean insult.' Reaching out she touched her sister's hand to calm the venom and outrage in her voice. She was always so animate about such things and she could not blame her. Many never got to know her and Stella felt bad for their loss.

“Sir, before I begin answering questions, I do ask some leniency on the ones that were picking on my sister. Though completely out of line, and uncivilized they are still young and have yet to grow and appreciate true beauty in all its forms. I used a method most unbecoming of a Lady to prove that I would not tolerate such behavior and am prepared to accept punishment for doing so. The blame for this particular fight lies solely on myself.” Her halo’s gentle glow illuminating her humble face and the sincere ring in her voice, saying her words were true.

“I am indeed happy here. The libraries here are magnificent and hold a wealth of storytellers that can take me away for hours at a time. I must admit sometimes my studies have lacked due to catching a local bard weaving a tale of exploits of adventurer’s across the land.” She looks sheepish at saying this a faint blush to her pale cheeks.

“I cannot say either way about fitting in. While at times it seems I fit in there are also times I believe that people hold me to a higher standard. As if I should do better than everyone else and should always be on top and the best at anything I try. As my sisters says there are many admirer’s that follow us, each for different reasons. Some to see how and when I succeed, others to see if I fail, or to even catch a glimpse of by wonderful sister. Even more than my sister will admit are those that admire her absolutely pulchiritudinous taste in clothing.” She smiled brightly managing to find a use for the word that truly encapsulated its meaning and emphasized her point. Having just recently learned the word she had been aching to use it to describe her sister. After all, she believed her sister to be truly beautiful.

“I am sorry to say we haven’t made many friends as of yet. People seem afraid to get to know me or my sister that well. I do mean true friends, the kind where you would do anything for. I often find people trying to abuse my good nature.” She muses slightly over the next question.

“Since the way I look is just like my sister yes, I am extremely happy.” It was hard to say she didn’t look like her since they were identical twins, but since they looked the complete opposite of each other made one pause. “I am comfortable with the way I look as is my sister. It makes us unique, we are not trying to be like anyone else, just ourselves.” Her smile brightens as does her halo.

“I believe there are many varied reactions. Awe, fear, anger,… it all depends on the individual’s self-image. I have tried to work with many to help bolster their self-image in a way that is most comfortable for them.”

Those are excellent responses, and excellently imagined characters! I hope we see the others post soon

I'm not sure if I mentioned this here yet, but on the 10th, I suffered a really bad accident at work, whereupon a large metal shelf fell onto my left foot, badly crushing my big toe, and damaging the one next to it. I ended up needing surgery that night.

All is mostly well, but the meds I'm on have really messed up my sleep schedule and now I'm doing this Hyberbaric Oxygen therapy, which further messes with my free time. Especially since its every week day, for two hours a pop.

I am still very interested in this game, but it might take me some time to formulate proper in character answers.

no worries, I'm still building maps, encounters, and stuff, take your time, and be well.

Rovosi comes into the room with a spring in his step and hops on to the chair in front of the desk. He greets jovially and it is clear that it is not his first time in the office, though it does seem Rovosi might not understand he is not supposed to want to be sent here.

"You know that teacher sent me off so quick, I didn't get a chance to apologize. That was meant to be illusory fire, I'm not sure how it turned into real fire. I think short hair will be a good look for her though, so I don't think she should be too upset. I could be a barber who cut hair only with fire spells, I could swim in all the gold I would make." It seems like Rovosi is joking, but a person who was familiar with him would know he was at least partly serious about it.

"Oh yes, I'm quite happy here. You do mean the school and not this room, right? Not to say I'm not happy in this room, I quite enjoy our talks actually but I'm not always sure what people mean when they say 'here'. It seems like such a specific term but it can be so vague."A look of realization comes across his face."I have noticed many here who seem unhappy, are we not meant to be happy here?" he says and his voice goes a bit lower and drawn out at the end.

"Why, of course I fit in, Sir, I am a gnome, we are so small we can fit almost anywhere." Rovosi manages to keep a straight-face for a few moments before his bottom lip quivers and he begins to giggle. When he has calmed down, he says, "Sorry, I know what you mean, Sir, but fitting in something I don't think about very much. Certainly, I am far less serious than most of the students but some seem to appreciate my views on things and the others, well, I think they've forgotten what fun, amazingly interesting things they are learning here."

"Friends? Hmm, that is not something I have concerned myself with much. There are some here who I thought friends but they usually stop speaking to me after I attempt to help them relax. It's not my fault they are so good at being stressed that I have to resort to such drastic methods of relaxation. There are two who have kept talking to me after my first pranks... I mean relaxation methods. The head professor of illusion magic seems to be fond of me, as well. I guess I have made some friends."

Oh, yes I am very happy with my appearance and if I wasn't I would change it," he says in a very matter fact tone.

How do people react to me? I suppose it depends on what I was doing before they realized I was there. If I was trying to pr... relax them, they seem to react with anger. I hope when people first see, they think, 'Hey, he looks funs, let's go do fun things with him and maybe let him ride on our shoulders.'"

Hello, how is everyone doing?

So, initially we had these players express interest in the game
Player – Character Name (Race)

Jazzai Moonbreaker - Stella Lucem Caelum (Aasimar)
Ravenica - Asbques Umbra Caelum (Tiefling)
nightdeath
Monkeygod – ? (custom race?)
Captain Fremont (Dhampir?)
Vrog Skyreaver – Kaldane (Human)
Vucub (Caquix) – Rovosi (Gnome)
Javell DeLeon
Daynen –

And so far I am ready to accept, absolutely, Stella, Asbques, Kaldane, and Rovosi

But that is only 4. We can do it with 4, but five would be nice.

I am nearly done with a map that I can use to track the character’s movement in the beginning, and I will try to get up a pencil drawing of a “Character’s Map” soon. I also will be opening up the game soon, populating the game information and possibly opening the discussion thread.

The game will launch, when all is ready, with the characters being sent to a filthy and disorganized storage room below a school dormitory. This is sort of like a “detention” but also an opportunity to make connections with some people beyond the school, at least that is what was hoped. You showed up, on a Saturday morning ready to do some cleaning and organizing. You worked for a few hours, learning a few things (finding a few things) and then the Shroud fell. You sit, quietly, getting to know one another for a while, waiting for the person who was in charge to return and tell you what happened, when she doesn’t return, after a good long wait, you venture out into the city and discover it is in chaos.

OK that sounds like the fantasy equivalent of "breakfast club" and I love it.

Recently watched that too! Hehe, it does and I can't wait. Ready to cause all kinds of ...... lady like behavior.

Just saw this thread. Are you still accepting applications?

I want to say, Yes! I would like to have 5 players, I don't know why exactly, but five feels right. I would like to see some of the great ideas that were put forth developed, and I'd like to give those people who expressed an interest a little more time to realize I am still waiting for them to answer my questions.

You know, I am patient to a fault, I'm old, and perhaps I don't "get" this internet thing, but I'm not in a hurry to get this started, I'm not going anywhere, and I want it to be a good (evocative) gaming experience, a real story building experience.

If you are interested have a look at what we've been talking about, and see if it fits your ideas for a good game, and take a shot at filling in some of the blanks.

I have an idea for an Elf that I think would be fun. Took a 19 in Wis and I'm figuring how to do all the dice roll in post stuff.

GDM, what would you say would be the comeliness modifier for an Elf?

In this setting, a +2, with no option for going negative. I see Elves, in this setting, as an exploited people, attractive, though often aloof, they get used by people and often end up working in the lowest places where they "pretend" to be destitute or disadvantaged, but appeal to a particular kind of "customer" who wants to imagine the diamond in the ruff fantasy.

We could even imagine an Elven “Counter-Culture” of very attractive types trying desperately to play down their good looks, and campaigning for “fair” treatment and consideration for Elven Culture that looks beyond a pretty face and sees the artists inside, or something like that.

(I stole this format from the twin characters, so thank you for this format)

Character Name: Anion Ordiir
Character Race: Elf

Character Age: 21

Ability Score Array Str 10 ; Dex 16 ; Con 13 ; Int 18 ; Wis 19 ; Cha 12 ; Com: 22 before player/amulet mods

Description: Anion is of average height for an elf. His long brown hair is woven back into a series of warrior braids and knotted at the back of his head. His skin is fair, though not as pale as many other elves in the city as he enjoys his time out in the sun, and his eyes are a brilliant blue. He prefers light wools and cottons during his free time away from his duties but during the more formal times in study he wears velvets and suede.

Items:
Dagger
Masterwork Silver Mirror
Pocket Watch
Flint
Masterwork Thieves' Tools
Four Candles
Fresh Bread
Torch
Masterwork Flask

Class
-400 XP Student Wizard
Cantrips:
Presdigitation, Light, Detect Magic, Read Magic
Student Spellbook
Familiar: Fox named Lyro
Amulet: A blue starstone cased in horn and fastened by a leather strap.

(Again, it's been a long time since I did any forum play so I don't remember how to roll the dice on here. Other than that, if there's anything else about Anion that you'd need just let me know. And I hope he's interesting enough.)

If you click the "show" button below the box you put your text in, it'll show you how to format text correctly. It took me a bit to figure it out as well =)

Well, it looks like these players have decided not to come back and follow up on their ideas

nightdeath
Monkeygod – ? (custom race?)
Captain Fremont (Dhampir?)
Javell DeLeon
Daynen –

(I'll be open to hearing from them if they change their minds, but let's press on, shall we?)

Timfrie, there were a couple of questions posted above that I asked for replys (in character) to, could you take a look at those and see if you can answer them?

I'm hoping to have some major down time this weekend, and things will start hapening here soon.

Thanks for being patient!

"I cannot wait. This school year will be the most exciting yet!"

I got inspired by your talk of the 'elven counter-culture'. Not about him trying to hide his appearance (only because he's not an exceptionally attractive looking elf) but about the artist inside bit. So I've decided in addition to his normal studies, he's become quite the fledgling artist. Was wondering if I could change that Masterwork flask I listed into a Masterwork Brush.
Also, I think that he would have been sent to the Headmaster because of 'breaking into' the arts and/or practicum labs for additional applied study time.

"Are you happy here?"

"Absolutely, sir. This is the best school in all of Rhandilinskenburg. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else at all. I'm learning so much every day."

"Do you feel as if you fit in?"

"I would say that I feel that I fit in. I suppose that the fact that I haven't been bothered by anyone or specifically targeted by bullying would imply that I am fitting in."

"Are you making friends?"

"I have study partners, if that's what you mean. We talk about theory and mechanum. Sometimes we take meals together."

"Are you comfortable with the way you look?"

"I suppose that I am. I know that I'm not ugly. That's something to be thankful for. If pressed, I'd say that I'm slightly above agerage in physical appearance. At least I'm not rotund! Is there anything worse than a fat elf?"

"How do you think people react to you, when they first meet you?"

"I don't think they put too much thought into it. I don't meet too many people. I spend a good amount of time in the gallery or library. Or the labs. But I have been asked by a number of people to help them with thier studies. I think they just think I'm just a big walking brain."

TimFrie, that's great.

Well I think we have a full party now.

But, I have a very sick wife on my hands, be back in a couple of days. Sorry.

no worries. I hope she gets better soon.

Give her our best Wishes!

Thanks, she didn't do well on the prednisone, a mild allergy, rash all over her chest, but the antibiotics seem to be working. I'll get back on this in a day or two, I'm really sorry

Okay, the party is:

Keldane (player Vrog Skyreaver)
Asbques Umbra Caelum (player Ravenica)
Stella Lucem Caelum (player Jazzai Moonbreaker)
Rovasi (Player Caquix)
Anion (player Tange Free)

The last thing I want to get clarified is Skills.

Let’s give each character a number of Skill Ranks equal to your Intelligence Modifier.(When you reach Level 1, you will add Skill Ranks equal to 1 x Int Modifier less than you would normally select at level 1)

Your Class Skills (right now) are:
Knowledge (All)
Linguistics
Spellcraft
Perception*
And
Use Magic Device

(you will always retain these as Class Skills, even if you take a Class at Level 1, that does not include these skills on the Class Skill list )

The Game will be titled

Reflections in the Eye of the Beholders

I am opening the Discussion Thread, creating the game, and I would like to see each player create (if you haven’t already done so) an Alias. There is a line in the alias formatting that appears under the character name when you post (I think it is Class/Level field) and I would like to see it filled in like this:

(Class)|(level)|hp (Hit points)| AC (x), T (x), FF (x)|Fort (x), Ref (x), Wil (x)| CMD (x)|Com (x)

The things in the parenthesis are the things you will fill in, you don’t need to use parenthesis.

I’d appreciate it if you could put as many details about your character as you can in the alias (I look at those things all the time).

The Discussion thread will be where we all talk about the game, ask each other questions, discuss rules and strategies (you do not have to post in character in the discussion thread, but there is no harm in doing that). Talking to each other, getting to know each other’s characters will probably take up the first few dozen posts in the game thread when it is opened, so don’t be too concerned that your character hasn’t been introduced to the other characters yet, and use the Discussion thread to become acquainted as Players, okay.

I’ll be launching the game itself, soon (if everyone is ready).

One last question: The Game thread will have a tab, called “Campaign Info”, I can populate this tab with whatever information, you as the players, feel you would need to have at your fingertips, so please let me know what things about this game you would like to see placed in the Campaign Info tab

*The first thing that will go into the Campaign Info thread is the house rule on Perception and Intuition

GDM, working on the alias now. Just wondering, would you mind terribly if I expressed a desire to change two of my ability scores. I was thinking of changing my array scores of 14 and 19 which are set to Dex and Wis respectively. If not, no worries. Other than that I'll be ready soon.

I'll work on an alias when I get home!