The Crucible of Freya (Inactive)

Game Master Grimmy

Ok sure I'll roll the init. Good tip.

Okay, here is my gnome. Thanks DMG for the chance to play this, he looks like being alot of fun. The bonus for me is that this is the fourth incarnation of this alias and easily my favorite.

Could do with a way to link Jerrid to the others. Maybe we can work on that next. If anyone spends time in Bards Gate at the temple of Freya or with my NPC potion mage Sir Velenden then perhaps we could make a connection.

Lastly if anyone would care to review my crunch I'd appreciate that since I am very fallible.

Cheers

Grimmy,

I've indicated in my background that Kevezyat trained for 10 years to become the Paladin that she is. Would that have taken place in Bard's Gate or somewhere else.

Just wondering, in case there's an opportunity to link up with someone else's background.

@ Jerrid - I'd be willing to explore a connection. I like the temple of Freya for my guy, but where I took my back story there's only a small connection at the moment. Maybe we ran into each other when I was on the street? Check out my story and I'll check yours! It's in a spoiler on page 1 or under my alias.

Jerrid, you are playing a Deep Gnome. Did you run that by Grimmy? That was not one of the races he indicated as being allowed for play in the recruitment thread.

Samduc has made changes, including adding disable device and dropping sleight of hand for now.
Stealing is fun, but can wait for later.
Samduc will probably be garbed as an acolyte of Freya.
Also hoping our arcane casters can pop mage armor, as it will definitely help. Didn't go for the trite armor expert trait.

To help, Samduc will have loaded small light crossbow in danger zones. I have no problem having the bolt be fired and adjudicated by the DM in his initial post if his +10 init bonus puts him first. He will fire it on surprise round or first in initiative at the softest target in his opinion = lowest AC including cover. A wizard in back under cover will be higher on the list than a frontliner in plate and shield.

What arcane casters Samduc? The closest we come is me...and I'm no mage :P

No problem, masterwork chain shirt on my list of desired goodies after masterwork thieves tools.

Hope you don't mind me jumping in but this is the most exciting discussion thread I've ever seen. Really makes me excited to see how this campaign will go down.

hello I really wanted to post here and Grimmy said go ahead.

hope to meet some of you guys in a gameplay thread sometime soon.

Janna will most likely be in some group in this game somewhere just not sure when or in what capacity yet.

maybe when the next recuitment goes up.

Astor I'll compare backgrounds and get back to you later. As for playing a deep gnome, its something that DM Grimmy suggested and it fits rather well I thought.

So the party is a

Hobbit rogue
Deep Gnome rogue
Aasimar Cleric
Drow Paladin
Gnome Fighter (crossbowman)
Human Fighter
Half-Elf Bard

Maybe I would be better off making my guy a wizard? Whaddaya think? When I look at Chainmail's PC we both share alot of skills and common ground making us potentially treading on each others toes. Of course we could work as a dynamic duo instead...

DM Grimmy I signed on to a play a rogue but this might make better sense? All my other PCs on the forum are spellcasters so its no great stretch.

Cheers

Or this is another possibility.

Jerrid could be a wizard/rogue at first level. He wouldn't get first level spells until second though.

Cheers

I could switch to Firyin the Gray, drow sorcerer--I would love to couple his background with Jerrid AND be such a good arcanist he wouldn't have to multiclass.

Thanks Chainmail. I like the sounds of that drow already. Although I will probably still dip my toe in the wizard pool a little. Maybe a little less though.

DMG?

@ Jerrid - I'd be willing to explore a connection. I like the temple of Freya for my guy, but where I took my back story there's only a small connection at the moment. Maybe we ran into each other when I was on the street? Check out my story and I'll check yours! It's in a spoiler on page 1 or under my alias.

How about Jerrid is the one who supplies the scraps from the "soup kitchen" of Freya. Those female priests would definitely want him to do something like that. And Jerrid would be a soft touch for the down and outs. He could easily befriend a few of them, especially if they aren't all glib wise cracking fools. He could start to trust one or two as far as he can trust anyone. We may have hit upon Jerrid's ambition. To earn money for security and good gear is a short term aim but in the long run perhaps he wants to get people off the streets. To prove to everyone who has helped him that he was worth saving. He may come across as distant and unemotional but deep down he wants to be a hero.

How does that sound chaps?

Cheers

Jerrid, you are playing a Deep Gnome. Did you run that by Grimmy? That was not one of the races he indicated as being allowed for play in the recruitment thread.

Jerrid was asctually submitted originally to me as a normal gnome who had been re-skinned/re-fluffed a little to reflect his time in the underdark (in captivity I believe). I actually PM'd French Wolf about the possibility of using Sverfneblin stats from ARG instead as it would help me with a Macguffin idea I have. Also it might be cool for tie-ing him to him to Kevezyat Faen.

BTW, everyone, please don't be offended if Logan asks you anything like this about your character, I have asked him to help me audit for mistakes, he has proven to have a good eye in past games we played together. (Usually it is my character under scrutiny and I welcome it :)

hello I really wanted to post here and Grimmy said go ahead.

hope to meet some of you guys in a gameplay thread sometime soon.

Janna will most likely be in some group in this game somewhere just not sure when or in what capacity yet.

maybe when the next recuitment goes up.

Everyone, I am exploring the possibility of having Edward Nobel's character Janna replace the NPC Corian in this adventure so I don't have to run a GMPC.

The Rappan Athuk campaign I was in as a player has fizzled out, so I have started a seperate recruitment thread for a related adventure that will run in parallel to this one.

The other adventure is called "The Mouth of Doom". It is more of a straight up dungeon crawl, and very deadly.

One or two of you may switch to that game if it appeals more to you.

These two games will take place in parallel, on different areas of the world map. I will track the passage of game world time in each.

Think of these two games as two different entry points into the same campaign.

The two lead-in adventures, The Wizard's Amulet and The Mouth of Doom, shouid take participants rapidly from 1-3 level.

Then there will be a new recruitment thread, with opportunities for roster changes and exchanges, before both teams are set loose on the Stoneheart Valley.

Sorry guys slammed at work today and pretty bushed - will try and get something nailed down on Vhillish's background.

Crunch looking okay to all and sundry?

Hm, I kind of feel that The Mouth of Doom might be more up Damien and Vhillish's alley. Though of course I'd need some feedback from my Sergeant?
I think we could do well in either setting, just seems the bitter crawl might suit us better?

I saw the other thread but I am happy enough here. As for Logan running a second set of eyes over my PC. Why not? Played this game a while but I am still learning. The devil is in the detail.

What about our suggested change of class, DMG?

Cheers

Or this is another possibility.

Jerrid could be a wizard/rogue at first level. He wouldn't get first level spells until second though.

Cheers

Does this only effect you at first level? At level 2 you are a normal rogue 1/wizard 1, and everything is normal from there?

If that is how it works that would be perfect for what we have been talking about.

I could switch to Firyin the Gray, drow sorcerer--I would love to couple his background with Jerrid AND be such a good arcanist he wouldn't have to multiclass.

** spoiler omitted **...

Which character are you most excited about? I don't want to start changing everything around too much when we were so close to adventure time, but I am the one making some last minute changes too, so I understand :)

I like janna

Jerrid Kinslarn wrote:

Or this is another possibility.

Jerrid could be a wizard/rogue at first level. He wouldn't get first level spells until second though.

Cheers

Does this only effect you at first level? At level 2 you are a normal rogue 1/wizard 1, and everything is normal from there?

If that is how it works that would be perfect for what we have been talking about.

That's it. It's a way of multi-classing at level one.

Its hard to decide when we may be about to lose a couple of characters to the other game. As we stand Firyin seems a better option since we would both start with full abilities. I'll wait and see whether the others move over to Mouth of Doom and how Chainmail responds to your question.

Cheers

Well, at this point I feel compelled to leave the decision up to Vhillish. Mouth of Doom might be a better fit but I also rather like the people we have assembled here. I will be happy either way.

That and I'm about to head out to birthday supper right now so I might not be back until tomorrow.
Have a good night everyone!

Sorry for being unclear guys, I meant to ask Chainmail aka Tribute whether he was more excited about Samduc Dawnbreaker or the new Drow Sorceror he proposed.

I would just as soon see him keep Samduc just because I don't want to start this whole process over from scratch, but we do have a few things to sort out anyway, so if he has lost interest in Samduc there is still time to change :)

DM Grimmy wrote:

Jerrid Kinslarn wrote:

Or this is another possibility.

Jerrid could be a wizard/rogue at first level. He wouldn't get first level spells until second though.

Cheers

Does this only effect you at first level? At level 2 you are a normal rogue 1/wizard 1, and everything is normal from there?

If that is how it works that would be perfect for what we have been talking about.

That's it. It's a way of multi-classing at level one.

That sounds just fine.

I am happy with both.

Firyin was a better fit for the group, especially with the bard moving.

Happy Birthday Otm-Shank.

For me, its better not to rush this when the adventures aren't that easy. I don't pay attention to party balance usually but this might be an exception.

Chainmail is just getting his own game off the ground so I'll leave it tonight and catch up with you guys tomorrow.

Cheers

Mouth of Doom is harder then Wizard's Amulet.

My warnings about deadliness are for the long-term campaign, I don't think WA is too bad.

Will janna be needed now?

I thought i would fill the arcane caster roll

But its ok, ill wait.

@Logan/Valerius:
If that's how this plays out it will be fine, the only thing Wizard's Amulet absolutely needs is Corian or a Corian analogue ( a wizard's apprentice who tires of book-learning after manifesting latent sorcerous ability.) This will either be achieved by me running Corian as an NPC or Edward Sobel running his character Janna in Corian's place.

WA also recomends one stealthy character, one character with survival trained, and it mentions that one divine character is a good idea for success but not required.

WA is really very short. I know I mentioned it taking PC's as high as level 3 but that will only happen if I pile on some ad-hoc and extra encounters. It's really a tiny lead-in module, with some nice foreshadowing. Crucible of Freya is really where the campaign begins in earnest.

Whether it is Valerius Brightshield who goes to the Mouth of Doom, or Damien and Vhillish, the party will be ok composition-wise for WA.

After the lead-in adventures, Wizard's Amulet and the Mouth of Doom, there will be a new recruitment thread and further roster changes and exchanges will be possible between the two groups before we proceed with the main camapaign, so for those of you who are drawn to one lead-in adventure or the other but are factoring in friendships forming in and out of character, keep that in mind.

Sorry for shaking things up so much guys, I just didn't want Edward Sobel to feel excluded and when I saw the striking parallels between the character he submitted and the NPC Corian, I saw an opportunity to avoid running a GMPC which I typically am not fond of doing.

Thank you for understanding and let's get this figured out sooner then later so we can get on with the adventuring!

Thanks for all your help you guys are great!

Count me in where I best fit. I have no preference of one over the other. Straight hobbit rogue or straight drow sorcerer.

I like both characters and see that Janna can do arcane fine--I did not mean to cut her out. I would rather be the second arcanist than the second rogue in a party.

Another reason I like drow is the well flavored web bolt spell.

Web Bolt
School conjuration (creation); Level magus 1, sorcerer/wizard 1, witch 1

CASTING

Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S

EFFECT
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect fist-sized blob of webbing
Duration 1 min./level
Saving Throw Reflex negates; see text; Spell Resistance no

Racial Spell

This spell was originally created for Drow. Characters or creatures of other races can learn to cast it with GM permission.

DESCRIPTION

You launch a ball of webbing at a target, which must make a save or be affected as if by a web spell occupying only the creature's space. If the creature saves or breaks free of the webbing, the remaining webs dissolve and the square is not considered difficult terrain. The spell has no effect if the target is not on or adjacent to a solid surface that can support the webbing.

Grimmy you get my pm?

@Samduc: Thank you for understanding my effort to make room for everyone, I think it's important for the gaming community to have a sense of inclusivity.

I'm a little worried I have shaken things up too much now when we were on the verge of a great adventure. I don't want to send everyone running back to the drawing board.

Honestly, two drow is a slight concern for me, two rogues is not.

What do you say, can we just proceed as planned? From a newb PbP DM to a veteran, I would consider it a favor if you help me get this off the ground smothly.

Grimmy you get my pm?

Hey Edward! Give me a chance to get back to you on PM, I'm juggling a couple of threads and getting some maps ready.

Plan is still in the works as long as the group can adapt smoothly.

If not there is always the recruitment for Mouth of Doom, feel free to chime in there as well, your participation in that thread will not bar Janna from consideration for this one.

Yeah, rather not there, not with janna at least.

If not this game then maybe another one. Or when you recuit again later.

I really would not put janna in a dugeon crawl.

I pmed you my preference.

Hobbit rogue ready for duty!

Didn't want to be a George and play a druid that wouldn't leave the forest.

Whatever works best for you Grimmy. I'm all for making whatever compromises needed to let everyone who can, participate. I'm happy here, we have a good group. Looking forward to what we can accomplish :)

@ Jerrid - I like that idea! One of the few connections that Astor has been able to make of any depth could have been a quirky little gnome from the Temple of Freya. Because of that and the abundance of female acolytes he has spent more time there than anywhere else. For those reasons he is more drawn to Freya's teachings than any other, though he still doesn't consider himself religious.

Also, just to say it, I'm pretty much ready to go!

I'm just about ready too, Astor. Couple logistical things to work out. Gameplay thread will open Thursday morning I think, maybe sooner.

No worries, just throwing my comment in. I just haven't had a lot to say about what's going on right now. I still want to keep posting, however!

Sorry guys slammed at work today and pretty bushed - will try and get something nailed down on Vhillish's background.

Crunch looking okay to all and sundry?

There's no pressure to get any more backstory done then you already have, which is not to say you should feel discouraged from doing more either.

You already have a connection with another PC, which I think is one of the best thing about backstories.

Grimmy,

I've indicated in my background that Kevezyat trained for 10 years to become the Paladin that she is. Would that have taken place in Bard's Gate or somewhere else.

Just wondering, in case there's an opportunity to link up with someone else's background.

Sorry I missed this earlier. I know there is a Temple of Freya in Bard's Gate, the high-priestess is a halfling I think.

There is also one in a village called Fairhill, which is the first destination of the campaign. This would work very nicely except it might be better for that to be Kevezyat's motivation to come on the trek? She wished to visit this temple?

Maybe Kevezyat just trained in the wild under that first Freya paladin who blessed her?

Or at a small shrine in the Citadel of Griffins, after that paladin assured the nervous knights she was trustworthy?

It's up to you.

Well then here's a summary of Kevezyat's last 10 years.

10-8 years ago Travelling with mentor Paladin through wilderness, much meditation, discussion on the nature of good and evil and combat against evil nasties in the mountains.

7-3 years ago Traveled to Citadel of Griffins to continue transformation into Freya's Chosen

2-present Traveled to Bard's Gate to learn under halfling high-priestess, who finally conferred status of Paladin upon Kevezyat.

As for background links with others:

Will probably know Jerrid from the Temple of Freya in Bard's Gate, and any others who frequented the temple. Even if she didn't know them, I'm sure she'd stand out and they'd know of her.

I think I read a post that Vhillish hails from the Underdark, if so , based on Kevezyat's and his ages, it's possible that during a raid, she spared a number of his relatives ( as was her habit where possible), perhaps even one of his parents. Just a possibility.

I have decided to start the other group at level 2. Would you guys prefer to start as intended at 1st with a big XP story award to close the gap before Crucible of Freya, or would you prefer to start at 2nd as well?

In either case, I will be sure the Wizard's Amulet is scaled to be appropriate for whichever you choose. I already have notes ready for doing so.

Mouth of Doom could be a potentially better fit on the face of it, but like Otm-Shank (Happy belated birthday btw hombre) said - nice chemistry here and we'll provide a different dynamic to the other characters as ex-military. Other group look fine as is... so you lot are stuck with Magnum and Higgins lol

See the notion of Vhillish trying to instill this group with some discipline as akin to herding cats lol. Won't stop him trying though :)

@Kevezyat - Vhillish doesn't hail from the Underdark - he's a strictly topside type of chap...

DMG - Am good with either approach; 2nd would allow us more scope to provide characters with "previous life experience" and would fit well for many of the group... but the feeling of accomplishment at leveling up and tailoring advancements to the groups style of play/modus operandi is also a benefit...

Apologies if I just muddied the water rather than offered clarity lol.

Nope, that's ok, my thoughts exactly. The only character I see that really doesn't have his concept well represented until second is Jerrid Kinslarn (btw that may be the gnome from the underdark Kevezyat was thinking of), and he has already found a solution for that in the form of a third party rules. Unless anyone objects I think it's best to proceed from 1st. The first level up will be accelerated.

Glad to hear your staying Vhillish!

I prefer the first level start. I'll make the necessary changes to Jerrid today. Not a great deal to do in terms of crunch but Jerrid's background and gear will take time. Unfortunately my daughter is reacting a little to immunisation jabs she had yesterday so time maybe a luxury.

Kevezyat - you mentioned travelling to Bards Gate in the last two years to train under the halfling high priestess. Would you like to have met up with my mentor Olamin after he took me off the dwarves and brought me here? It would mean that at least one party member would be fully aware of Jerrid and his need for redemption or maybe just watching?

If you do then that gives Jerrid ties to Kevezyat and Astor.

Cheers

1st it will be, but 2nd will come quickly.