TIME FOR INTERPARTY RELATIONSHIP ANALYSIS!
Korrith Embermaw: Best described as psychotically friendly. He doesn't have problems with anyone other than red kobolds, since that feeds into his backstory. He doesn't want the other Embermaws after him. So long as you aren't ALSO playing a red kobold, Korrith will gladly offer you a beer.
Victus Kalrox: Victus does not play nice. He's not overly hostile, but not exactly a friendly guy either. Yes, he's a dhampir. Yes, he feeds on blood. However, he will never drink the blood of humans, as a token of respect to his dear and departed mother. Just... for the love of Calistria, don't leave him alone with goblins. He hates goblinoids, since they burned his house down with his mother inside while he was out hunting. While most humanoids are off-limits to him for feeding, goblins are fair game.
How will your characters interact with other party members? Korrith and Victus have specific races that they watch out for, and so long as you aren't one of those, they'll be fine with you. Don't expect Victus to be too chatty, though.
GM, a few questions for you.
Will the speed/posting frequency of this group be dependent on the other groups in Loom of Fate?
Not directly. The system we have worked out has yet to see the fires of testing, but we are reasonably confident that we can maintain the timeline between threads.
Are you willing to move on without everyone being present and/or weighing in on a decision?
Yes. I generally give people a day, sometimes two, to weigh in. Otherwise you are assumed to have gone with the party. The 1 post/day pacing should reduce the need for overly long delays.
Have you ever abandoned a game, either as a player or a DM?
No, though I have had a couple die on me. Specifically, a PvP arena thing and a DM going on sabbatical from a RotRL game.
Edit: Any house rules?
None that am consciously aware of. If you catch me using a house rule, feel free to let me know and we can work out whether to play RAW or keep the alteration in-group.
I am assuming that there are still opening for this game? If so I will whip up a character for submission.
This campaign sounds intriguing!
Varisia is my favorite area in Golarion, Magnimar especially. I would like to submit my application to join the group: the human sorceress Lynnda Windstrike.
Except for traits, all of her stats and abilities are from the Core Rulebook. I haven't bought gear yet-- I will do so if my character is selected.
I have taken the liberty to include a few story elements from Rise of the Runelords in her background. Please let me know if those aren't appropriate.
As for me: I can usually post once a day on weekdays, although I might occasionally go dark for two or three days. (I sometimes have to travel for work on short notice, and my ability to connect to the Internet during such times is highly variable.)
Victus thinks of his nature as a dhampir as a mixed blessing. On the one hand, he has some powers that enable him to exact revenge against goblins(that's his primary motivation). On the other, he knows that normal folks see him as a monster (and he doesn't blame them), and he wants to see his nosferatu father's head mounted over a fireplace for siring a malformed horror.
As for Korrith... He doesn't burn up everything that moves. Rather, he burns approximately two-fifths of everything that doesn't move. And then he gets completely hammered, because screw sanity.
Pelgrev is a little bit bi-polar, he is prone to mood swings between depression and rage. Pretty understandable for a savage who's lost his place in society.
When feeling comfortable, he is a jovial sort and more than happy to share an ale.
He has no specific ethnic/racial hatreds. But he is wary of Chelaxians and nobles, and avoids Shoanti because they bring his shame to mind.
I dunno. Unless Choon sees fit to stat up Daddy and throw a nosferatu at our faces, I'm not sure what Victus would do roleplay-wise besides make goblins crap their pants.
And I haven't played in a story, so I don't know how PCs can get character development. I've only ever played Society.
Oladon - feel free to PM me.
For all: re-worked characters from previous, dead games are fine by me. I have no prejudice against pre-existing post counts.
I've never played PbP, so this is a new experience for me.
(of course, my Inability to Make Decisions™ means I can't decide between Korrith and Victus)
The ability to facilitate character development for one's players is the quality, in my mind, that separates decent GMs from great ones.
This is a skill I'm trying my best to learn and master. I wish there was a how-to, but it seems to be more Art than Science.
To that end, just know that those of you leaving juicy bits of lost relationships and unresolved conflicts in your backstories know, those bits may come back and haunt you. ;)
The ability to facilitate character development for one's players is the quality, in my mind, that separates decent GMs from great ones.
This is a skill I'm trying my best to learn and master. I wish there was a how-to, but it seems to be more Art than Science.
To that end, just know that those of you leaving juicy bits of lost relationships and unresolved conflicts in your backstories know, those bits may come back and haunt you. ;)
Isn't that why juicy bits are left in backstories? ;)
... you're totally going to send Korrith to the Embermaws or bring in Daddy Kalrox, aren't you?
... you're totally going to send Korrith to the Embermaws or bring in Daddy Kalrox, aren't you?
:X
Freia is normally quite reserved in public but will make an effort to communicate and bond with whatever group she ends up in (and if). She won't have any problem with anyone's race or ethnicity - she does however dislike narrow-minded people and have a bad history with fire so that may turn out interesting. As a follower of Pharasma so she feels that true undead are an abomination but unless she misunderstands something she won't have a problem with dhampirs since she is in a similar situation herself.
Both of my characters have valid reasons to be Tears.
-Korrith was hired by a cleric for demolition while completely plastered. You do the math.
-Victus found some goblins in Magnimar and started wrecking faces, but most people can't tell goblin blood from human blood on sight. He could easily be accused of murder, especially since he's a dhampir.
Not sure who I want to use... rrrgh!
Arthiien flava:
Generations upon generations ago, the elves made contact with the worlds outside Golarion, this much is known for fact. In fact, many traveled to another planet to escape the darkest times past. The elves are not ...unsecretive, especially when considering the relative stupidity of most other humanoids. Very little has been said of the continuing contact between the elves and outer space, but the following can be surmised by the very informed: the contact was at least at one time ongoing; both sides benefited from teachings of the other; and there was likely a group or groups of elves with particular roles in this endeavor.
It could very well be that generations upon generations of elves have taught their direct descendants some of these secret knowledges. It could very well be a unique mixing of dark trickery and magic from beyond has served to keep the elven-astro knowledges safe from outsiders.
Could be. Hard to tell. Arthiien didn't pay attention to his father's boring lecture. He didn't have any intention of devoting his life to some alien power in order to protect elven secrets. In fact, the xenophobia of his father rather disgusted him. It was his mother's lessons in acrobatics, stageplay, and archery he truly took to.
When an affair with a half-elven girl led to his expulsion from his father's household, Arthiien didn't even look back. He headed straight for the largest, most diverse city he could find: Magnimar. In Magnimar, he found his own escape: the pure bliss of the true debauch.
The next few, well, decades were a blur. Recently, he woke up in a jail cell with no memory of the crime he supposedly committed. This lack of memory wasn't all that unusual, though. Within just a week of captivity he had nearly lost his will to live. An offer came ...a chance to be a Tear. To do good work for this city he loved so much. To work with all manner of races and sorts. To really, really piss of his dad and use what he knew for someone other than elves. And, most of all, a chance to ...stretch his legs.
He'd drink with Korrith any time. Freia sounds like his type of humanoid, too. Off to stat him up!
Actually, you were not vague enough since Freia isn't even humanoid, but she could sure join in for a bear or two!
I think I'll go with Victus. I've created a ton of kobold characters that I haven't used, but I've never had cause to make a dhampir. So, for me anyway, this is ORIGINALITY!
So yeah. I'll get back to you on the whole "Why am I in Magnimar?" deal.
The week had started much like any other: With screaming goblins running around while on fire. One got away.
And so it was that Victus Kalrox, nosferatu-born goblin hunter, came to Magnimar.
He had trailed the little pest for five days, and his patience was wearing thin. Not only that, but the goblin's single-minded stupidity had led the dhampir someplace he had never dared to enter.
His mother had always told him to stay out of cities. They hated his father's kind, and thus his kind as well, and would find any reason to put him down. Places where many humanoids gathered are dangerous to those who are different.
And yet there lay his quarry, one of an entire race of reasons that Victus's mother was no more. He had to enter the city. Quietly.
Victus slipped into Magnimar as the sun set, tracking the goblin's random path through the streets, unknowingly growing closer to the heart of the city.
At last he found his prey in an alley, although the goblin was lying in wait for something. A young boy entered the hunter's view.
Three piercing sounds followed: A goblin's squeal, a child's scream, and a nosferatu's angry roar.
When curious pedestrians entered the alley, they saw only a masked man covered in blood; Victus Kalrox is very thorough. Without even giving the dhampir a chance to speak, the humans handed him to the authorities and threw him in jail for murder.
Two days later, a man came saying that he represented the Order of Tears, and that Victus could serve them to clear his name.
"I have nothing to lose or gain from accepting. Why should I help the people who imprisoned me for saving one of their own?"
The man explained.
The hunter accepted.
Enjoy my choppy storytelling and purple prose!
He'd drink with Korrith any time. Freia sounds like his type of humanoid, too. Off to stat him up!Actually, you were not vague enough since Freia isn't even humanoid, but she could sure join in for a bear or two!Well, it depends on what he meant by humanoid... ;)
True ! All the right bodyparts are present atleast ^^
Sorry - almost forgot and to late to edit previous post
@GM: is Freias backstory valid or do I need to add more crime at the end ?
It is valid. Unorthodox, but valid.
Expect a mess should we ever meet any goblinoids.
A mess that makes the characters scream "THESE LITTLE MONSTERS CAN'T POSSIBLY HAVE THAT MUCH BLOOD!"
My character submission is below, I hope I can make the cut as I would really love to play in this game. Cheers.
Eben Tarn
Male Human (Chelaxian) Fighter 1
CG Medium Humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +1
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Defense
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AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+4 armor, +2 shield, +2 Dex)
hp 12 (1d10+2)
Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +0; +2 trait bonus vs. fear
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee Heavy Shield Bash +4 (1d4+3/x2) and
Dagger +4 (1d4+3/19-20/x2) and
Longsword +5 (1d8+3/19-20/x2)
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Statistics
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Str 16, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 10, Cha 12
Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 16
Feats Combat Expertise +/-1, Power Attack -1/+2, Weapon Focus (Longsword)
Traits Courageous, Fast-Talker
Skills Acrobatics -2, Bluff +6, Climb -1, Escape Artist -2, Fly -2, Intimidate +5, Perception +1, Ride +2, Sense Motive +1, Stealth -2, Swim -1
Languages Common, Varisian
Other Gear Chain shirt, Heavy steel shield, Dagger, Longsword, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Belt pouch (empty), Flint and steel, Torch (3), Trail rations (3), Waterskin, 7 GP, 3 SP, 9 CP
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Special Abilities
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Combat Expertise +/-1 Bonus to AC in exchange for an equal penalty to attack.
Courageous +2 save vs. fear.
Power Attack -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
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Eben grew up in a small village, the son of a fisherman. His father died when he was young, leaving him and his mother to survive as best they could. Naturally strong and swift, Eben stood out from the other village boys and when a passing mercenary company stopped at his village the captain saw promise. The promise of adventure and glory was too much to resist so Eben left with the company to seek his fortune. He took to the life easily, becoming quite good with a sword and proved himself a loyal and steadfast member of the mercenary company. After several years campaigning, Eben found himself one night in a tavern with a few of his mates, drinking and unfortunately paying attention to the wrong girl. A fight ensued, and if it had just ended at that nothing further would have been made of another bar room brawl, however excess of drink, a hot temper and things going just too far led to a man dying at Eben's hands. While not the first time he had killed, it was a sensless act of violence and shook Eben deeply. Rather than bolting with his comrades, he waited for the city watch to face justice. While in prison Eben was approached by a representative of the Order of Tears who offered a chance of redemption which Eben was all too eager to take.
Hm... How would he interact with the rest of this ragtag band of misfits?
Victus wants to kill some goblins, find his father, sunburn his face in, and then kill some more goblins.
(pssst. Daddy Kalrox is a vampire. Burn baby burn)
ok going round and round in my head on this...
I have an unused alias for my second most favorite PbP personality.
Sorry Choon but it is looking like a certain pit fighter, ex-Sczarni turned pirate girl will be applying. I will be using her PFS alias though.
need to get the sheet made and adjust the back story. slightly (not much trouble doing that though.
Edward Sobel - apply away. :)
Note for all: today will be crazy busy for me. I'll try to post and answer questions/ be here as much as I can, but if you don't hear much from me, that's why.
Freia has her aim set at the Sorrows - but depending on how the adventures and work turns out she might re-prioritize.
Question for the GM: The intro said that the member of the ruling Order of Forgotten Sorrows wear identity-concealing robes and masks. Do rank-and-file members of the Order of Tears wear distinguishing attire?
Question for the GM: The intro said that the member of the ruling Order of Forgotten Sorrows wear identity-concealing robes and masks. Do rank-and-file members of the Order of Tears wear distinguishing attire?
I think all of the Sorrows wear the masks and robes - it comes with joining the order. From the first post:
Order of Forgotten Sorrows
Any member of the Order of Tears who finds his place among the Order of Tears and wishes not to leave, or any citizen who qualifies, may be inducted into the Order of Forgotten Sorrows as long as they pass extensive reviews. Upon induction, they are declared officially dead, with all that entails. They forgo everything, including their names, and become a "Sorrow", with a chosen name usually representing the life events that lead them to join. They wear nearly identical full-facial masks and full black robes when with anyone except other order members, and rarely speak. This makes gender and race nearly indistinguishable. The only noticeable differentiation is in body type, the style of the mask, (which denotes rank within the Order), and that Sorrow's chosen name which is embroidered along the collar and edges of their robes in silver thread.
Good question, indeed.
Yes, and no. Tears have been known to wear a wide variety of attire, but the attire worn at any one time seems to be dictated by their supervising Sorrow and dependent on the type of penance being administered. For instance, convicted vandalizers may wear next to nothing as they scour a temple clean, but just across the street a group of rapists in full, black robes serve at a local orphanage.
However, all Tears wear a black hood and silver mask in public to disguise their identity. In private, these masks are removed and tears may socialize among themselves during evening hours. These masks are handed out daily, and no effort to procure one has been successful so far. Wild and varied rumors abound as to why it has been so hard from illusion magic to divine intervention.
The Order's 'base' or facility or whatever is on the site of an old warehouse in Dockway between the Old Fang Tavern and the monument called the 'Eyes of the Hawk'. It is in the process of being renovated, and the Order of Forgotten Sorrows is hiring a lot of outside, local help for the project. It is also importing large quantities of stone from Devil's Perch, lumber from Korvosa, and magical talent from Cheliax proper.
Freia - That is true of Sorrows, but not Tears. Tears get the hood and a number in place of their name for the duration of their service. If they wish to become a Sorrow afterward, and pass the qualifying exams, they are given the whole getup.