Well, Zandru is not the type of person you would normally see at a ball but I'll give a rational explanation a try.
First: He comes as a temp servant for the ball, groom for the horses, wait staff, fortune teller (his skills are not yet complete for that), servant for a sponsor.
Motivation - He has heard rumors about the locals wanting to do something about the bandits and wants in by either learning what they are doing or joining (pushing himself) in. A sponsor would have there own motives for having a expendable, err, less valuable agent in on things.
Second: Invited to the ball, reasons could include, exotic pet of a date to show off but doesn't care about him, Religious groups support for their purposes (Calistria -Vengeance is good!, Abadar - Justice is better but we have GOT to stop the bandits and he has a contract with Calistria, Gorum - You have good reasons to battle! Pity you don't wear iron but OK battle on!, Pharasma - The balance between life and death is wrong in the Stolen Lands, kill the bandits and any other problem, restore the balance.), knows a friendly, well-connected merchant that gets him in.
Motivation - The finds out from who invites him that the Swordlords are taking action and he wants in. Much the same as above just more formal. Note: He's a nobody, but he's a very persuasive nobody.
I'm not certain, but I do recall that the deadline was expanded as DM_Keddah wanted more time to work on the concept, and possibly allow those who didn't get into the KM game to edit if they wished to submit them here.
Seems like there's not many takers on this one, though. Which is a shame. Or isn't it? :P *laughs*
It most likely because it is not going to be the classic good guys build a kingdom and save it. Seems like most of the party would be neutral at best. Which leaves me to trying to figure out which order to go with my cavalier.
I was hoping to wait to get some feedback from DM Kaddeh before submitting my backstory. Are we still be recruited by the Council and the Swordlords? Is our mission the same? And for the same reason? Are we still meeting at the ball?
I kind of liked the idea that we were recruited by someone else but that kind of changes things storywise.
First, let me apologize once more for being almost absent these last two days.
Second, I'm going to delay the deadline 48 hours so you have time to adapt to a different storyline.
Third, the chosen storyline will be:
*drums*
Pitax supported party!
King Irovetti wants to expand his glorious rule and after learning of Restov's efforts decides to do the same... but beware! This party is also financed by a mysterious power who helped some of the chosen "heros" get in it. The rumours say it's Cheliax, or was it Taldor? What did you say? That Brevoy is using this party as an insurance if the others fail? Well, I'll be damned! It could be anyone, I just can't tell by the people chosen.
I'm eager to see how you decide to use this! Thanks for your patience.
Does my concept still work? I'm not sure if anything needs to be changed (assuming you like the character at all). When you have a chance tell me what you think.
Are we going to be starting at the ball in Restov, then, or in Pitax?
I don't think I have to change my concept that much, but I'll have another looksee just to make sure.
Is the plan evil or neutral? Self-serving, morally ambiguous, or senselessly violent? Are the chosen "heroes" going to make the bandits look like girl scouts?
Regardless, I need to finish that drat oracle!
Well most of my back story is staying the same just the reasons for going and why he is going is going to be a bit different.
Theodric came to Cyean one day telling him that he had heard that King Irovetti of the River Kingdoms was planning on trying to reclaim the Stolen Lands from Brevoy as the lords of Brevoy were trying to claim it themselves. Knowing that allowing King Irovetti to get a kingdom allied with him could cause trouble Theodric asked Cyean if he could try to join the other group to make sure they would not ally with King Irovetti and at least try to be neutral. Confused Cyean asked Theodric why ask him to do this. Thedoric said I trust no one else with this and not many know who you are so it would be easy to trick them and say you were an ex-Taldan solider who went mercenary for the better pay. Cyean agree to the plan and swore to do as Theodric asked.
I changed the last paragraph so now Theodric asked him to try to make sure King Irovetti does not get an ally. If you do not like that I could change the back story from scratch.
We'll start in a much smaller ceremony in Pitax. The area you'll be assigned is east of Pitax, it's a fringe of land between several "states" including Daggermark, Pitax, Touvette and several others.
I don't think it would work as an EVIL campaign, Irovetti isn't evil and it would hardly be an attractive kingdom if you were known as cruel evil-doers, that said, I think a more... free-thinking character will fit here. More about getting advantages AND looking nice than being true "heroes" I don't mind evil characters as long as they have true motivations beyond "DO ALL THE EVIL THINGS"
*rubs hands together and giggles gleefully*
Oh, I'll be thinking on my patrons. But... to do so, I would like to make a diplomacy check. Don't worry about getting back to me right away, I just don't want to meta. I find the practice most foul. She either knows, or is misinformed and thinks she knows, or she doesn't know squat. That's the beauty of Pitax, in my opinion.
Oooh... nice.
As a player, I abhor using Neutral alignments to justify Evil acts. I won't mind it if people are evil in party, but if you start crushing baby's skulls and bathing in their blood, and I find out about it, you can expect that I'll likely, probably try to kill you for being obscene. No one wants to sit next to the creepy kid in high school who kills cats because it makes him feel better about himself, I don't see why anyone would want to travel with that type of character, much less found a country with them.
As a player, I abhor using Neutral alignments to justify Evil acts. I won't mind it if people are evil in party, but if you start crushing baby's skulls and bathing in their blood, and I find out about it, you can expect that I'll likely, probably try to kill you for being obscene. No one wants to sit next to the creepy kid in high school who kills cats because it makes him feel better about himself, I don't see why anyone would want to travel with that type of character, much less found a country with them.
I'm in agreement. The character I've pitched was raised by very savage, abusive people. He's not a great guy, but he absolutely will not tolerate people who prey on the weak. Party members who are prone to such behavior will likely be on the receiving end of of a raging barbarian.
Thanks for the info! Others have already asked the other questions I was going to bring up. Nothing in my character sheet needs to change except for adding basic equipment (unless you see something wrong). I'll get my backstory finished and posted as soon as possible.
It's up to you, of course, but I don't see much similarity between an eastern slashing polearm and a hunting spear.
Chee "Sneak"
Male Goblin Rogue 1
Init + 5; Senses(Darkvision) Perception +4
DEFENSE
AC 19 (+5 Dex, +3 AC, +1 size), touch 16, flatfooted 14
HP 10
Fort +2, Ref +7, Will +0
OFFENSE
Melee dagger +6 (1d6-1)
Ranged sling +6 (1d4-1)
STATISTICS
Str 8, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 8
BAB +0 CMB -2 CMD 13
Traits: Color Thief, Ugly Swine, Brigand
Feats: Weapon Finesse
Skills: Stealth +19 (It's legitimate, promise), Disguise +5, Perception +4, Disable Device +9, Escape Artist +9, Sleight of Hand +9, Acrobatics +9, Climb +3, Perform (sing) +3 Craft (Trap) +6,
Languages Known: Common, Goblin, Hallit
Chee has lived in the slums of Pitax ever since he was born, which wasn't very long ago. There aren't very many goblins in Pitsx, or River Kingdoms as a whole when compared to Varisia, but wherever there is decay, wherever the flotsam of civilization butts up against the shores of wilderness, goblins find a home. Chee's family, it's a bit to small to deserve the name tribe, originally came from Outsea, which from a goblin's perspective is just about paradise. Unfortunately, paradise views goblins as dangerous pests. Thus, during one of the annual goblin hunts, a group of daring goblins decided to run east, they're not quite sure why. Following the whims of Hanspur, who they feel is almost as important as Zogmugot, but maybe even better because he isn't as forgetful, they came up the Sellen river to Pitax.
Chee is at the ceremony because he likes shiny things, and gatherings of influential people are good places to see them. Also good places to steal them when people sneak, very badly, off to darkened hallways and closed rooms and start taking off the shinies! (I was thinking Chee would be a stowaway after hearing people talk about going to the Stolen Lands, which he mistakes for Outsea. Or perhaps a tag along/friend/servent of another character who would have need of a expendable spy/knife in the dark. Pitax, or at least Irovetti, seem more monster friendly than most. As long as the monsters stay out of the way, don't cause embarrassment, and are useful. Chee isn't raving psychotic evil, or chaotic stupid always stealing from the party, just chaotic like Hanspur. Motivations for going would be the chances for new shiny, new edibles, and new burnables)
Keddah, if I got get some feedback on my previous concepts, that would be awesome. It won't take me long to build them fully, but I would like to hold off.
Grayson would definitely fit right in with a group like that. Also, setting up in Pitax would be another way for him to snub one of his parents, his mother this time.
Grayson is kind of pathetic in that he is so determined that his parents won't affect his identity, he does nothing but allow them to do just that, even though they've never actually tried anything of the sort!
Hallo, Gentlemen...
speaking of, I've yet to see another lady character apply to this thread... maybe they got scared off by the neutral?
Anyway, DM_Keddah, this is obviously Hu5tru and her Winterflower. I didn't find an icon I liked so I'm going to leave it blank and find a picture I like better, and will likely post a permanent link to it in my profile -
Which I'll likely be updating. I really don't like cramming too much stuff in the history as I tend to come up with more scenarios as I play (unless you come up with a 400 page history to cover every little incident you imagine your character might have been involved in over her life, you're never going to be "finished" creating a character, you simply run them). Thinking I might add some flavor text like how she initially responded to Irovetti's ascension, and how she came to feel the way about it she does now.
Also, I'll probably provide a little bit of prep work providing insight into Thalia's motivations in real time as she prepares for this little soiree you have planned for us. If it is not too presumptuous.
I really don't like cramming too much stuff in the history as I tend to come up with more scenarios as I play (unless you come up with a 400 page history to cover every little incident you imagine your character might have been involved in over her life, you're never going to be "finished" creating a character, you simply run them).
I think this is an excellent point. Gameplay trumps background story, IMO, and some backgrounds are so elaborate that they leave no room for roleplaying improvisation. Sometimes it's better to reveal what your character did in the past through gameplay rather than try to cram everything into a backstory that most players will only read once anyways.
Every time I remember poor Hannis Drelev in that fortress on the Hooktongue, I think of this clip. Just a little something to lighten your mood.
I really don't like cramming too much stuff in the history as I tend to come up with more scenarios as I play (unless you come up with a 400 page history to cover every little incident you imagine your character might have been involved in over her life, you're never going to be "finished" creating a character, you simply run them).
Unlurking here just to point out that the second and third sentences of that history are confusing to me, due to "her" having vague antecedents (insert joke about how she had imprecise ancestors). Only saying because I like your writing otherwise.
Ah, likely because I wrote it with 3 or 4 hours of sleep and haven't really looked at it critically. Haha. Thank you for pointing it out.
Has been almost 2 years since I've had to write something I'd submit elsewhere.
You had 3-4 hours of sleep Hu5tru... how do I envy you... thanks everybody for your patience, seems that today I'll have a bit more of time so will be getting back on everbody backgrounds in short time.
By the way I didn't say it in the op but I'm looking to get a 6 character party here too. Oh and I've been thinking about the traits and I'm thinking of maybe creating a couple of Campaign Specific traits for this one. Any suggestions?
Third time's the charm!
Zandru Alternate bio for Pitax.
Eyes open blearily, seeing the horse that licks his face. Pain lances through his body as he moves. "What happened, Happy?" The nickering does sound like human laughter but provides no answers.He turns and sees the burning caravan that was the only home he ever knew. A cry of anguish wrenches free from his throat as he remembers the bandits, taking the caravan, and torturing his family to death. The early attack had left him for dead and in every way but merciful he was dead, unable to help, or flee, or even cover his ears. He steels himself and stumblingly checks the camp for survivors. The mangled bodies of friends, parents, sisters, brothers, and cousins that died slowly, horribly is his only reward. One of the raiders boasts to another, "This is the easiest payoff yet, that guy in Restov said this will give grief to that King, and we get the loot." Forcing the memories away, he struggles to mount Happy, and rides away, never looking back.
A city far away, failing of strength, Zandru heads toward it. A priestess, scant of clothing, sees him on the road. He wakes in a bed, water is offered. The priestess listens to his tale. "This is a temple of Calistria , Goddess of Vengeance, pray to her for what you seek, it is no accident that you are here." While Zandru recovers, a man with a simple cloak but rich clothes underneath arrives a the temple. The priestess defers to the man while attending to him and tells him of many things. The rich man summons Zandru and learns what he knows of the attack. "Take this invitation to the palace at the time listed, I know we can be of use to each other." The man is very persuasive. Zandru agrees to see him there. Before Zandru leaves the temple he vows, "Calistria, Goddess of Vengeance, hear my plea, and vow. All bandits must pay for the evils they do, while bandits roam free in the lands called Stolen by some, the River Kingdoms by others, I devote my life to pain and destruction of those who take and those who use the takers for power, give me vengeance, I give you my life." Zandru has little use for the plots of kings but with this opportunity open to him; now it's the bandits that should be afraid.
Zandru was a happy boy, the son of a harrower of a Varisian caravan that frequented The River Kingdoms. He was born with his mother's powers, learning to master them as she taught. That ended one terrible day near Pitax. Zandru, now the Unborn, is on a personal mission of vengeance. This is not a tale of redemption * but of mayhem to come.
* yep that's still a cheesy steal :)
Thanks for the kind words DM_Keddah. The bloodline is listed under special abilities. I will reproduce it here so you don't need to go chasing.
--------------------- Special Abilities --------------------
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you target a single creature with a spell, you gain an insight bonus equal to half the spell's level (minimum +1) for 1 round to your AC and saving throws against any spell or attack made by that creature.
Cantrips: You learn a number of cantrips, or 0-level spells. These spells are cast like any other spells, but they do not consume any slots and may be used again.
Bloodline Powers: You reach out into and through the world of dreams to touch the minds and destinies of those around you.
Dreamspun Bloodline: Your family is a long line of dreamers, who dream not as ordinary mortals do but rather as those who reach through and touch the supernal realm of dreams and the farthest shores of night. Whether it is a gift or curse is not always clear, but your visions of the past and future call you ineluctably to a life of adventure.
Lullaby: (Sp) At 1st level, you can use lullaby as a spelllike ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier. This effect lasts for 1 minute and does not require concentration. The penalty on saves versus sleep effects increases to -4.
Forth section down, perhaps I should reorder it?
DM Keddah for traits since Pitax is funding the show maybe do some River Kingdom themed traits? And did you want me to re-post full back story? I just put the part I changed.
I will think on some traits soonish. Just woke up, and there's a few hours where my brain has deadtime, sometimes.
Failed Warden
At one time the Wardens of Pitax were revered as its most ardent police force. You grew up with stories about their apparent heroism, tracking down the thieves, rapists and killers in the town. Your training went no further than physical exertion. Gain a +1 bonus to Fortitude saving throws.
Patron of the Arts
Irovetti's program to promote local performers, artists and craftsman has led to a prevalence of them in the city, and it is very difficult to remain completely alone. You have casual acquaintances across the city, and from without, and each can be relied upon to spin a web in their idleness. You gain a +1 bonus to Diplomacy checks to Gather Information and this is always a class skill for you.
Trade House Initiate
House Vescari: +1 bonus to Swim skill checks, and gain as a class skill.
House Cattenai: +1 to Perform skill check, and gain as a class skill.
House Strocalle: +1 bonus to Appraise skill check, and gain as a class skill.
House Liacenza: +1 bonus to Bluff skill check, and gain as a class skill.
Sellen Smuggler
You and your handlers have been smuggling and maybe even pirating on the Sellen River for years. You have grown quite adept at identifying its authorities, and skirting around the laws. +1 trait bonus to Knowledge (Local) and it is always a class skill for you.
Once bitten, twice shy.
The allure of the underworld of Pitax was once overwhelming to you. Whether it was the drugs peddled in the streets, or the soft charms of the prostitutes at the Cathedral of Calistria, you fell in deep. It was a struggle for you to pull yourself right again, but here you are. Gain a +1 bonus to Will Saving Throws.
Some traits that reflect outsiders would be nice too. One problem with the Kingmaker traits is that all of them assume the PC is a native Brevoyan.
However, I'm currently drawing a blank. I'll give it some thought. Perhaps some traits based aroundbeing a foil to one ormore of the Brevoyan factions?
Well, the APs and player's guides assume that you have a reason for being in the city, which I for one do not think is a very bad thing. It certainly makes things easier for the GM.
In the CC game I'm running, I have people who have ported characters in from a Council of Thieves game from Westcrown all the way in Ustalav. I'm just ignoring that it'd probably take you know... weeks to get from Cheliax in the south to Ustalav in the north via overland travel and fiating that they somehow managed to get there in time for the funeral.
Toanga's Story
Toanga was born in a settlement slightly to the north of Kibwe in the Mwangi Exapnse. His father, Nahoto, worked in the Bekyar block of the city helping expedite the process of moving the slave caravans through the city (slave-taking itself being forbidden within the city). The few times he was allowed to help his father in the city he enjoyed himself. Not the work, which he found unbearably dull, but the life of the city itself that was fascinating. He enjoyed, and was highly amused by, seeing the dichotomy of what people said and how they actually acted. People who claimed to be of high scruples quickly abandoned them in the face of temptation while swaggering bullies would cower when confronted. Unfortunately, these visits were not as frequent as he would have liked.
As a child, it was determined that Toanga would marry one of the village chief’s daughters. As the chief had fourteen daughters from five wives (no sons) and he was to marry the eleventh, this seemed to Toanga to be more of a shackle than an honor (though he father viewed it as just the opposite). His interests were inclined to the spiritual and he loved to learn of Gozreh, Shimye-Magalla and Juju Totenism. As a Bekyar, he also learned of the darker forces of Lamashtu, Angazhan, Dagon and Zura. These studies, however, did not sit well with those who had decided his marital future. They believed his should be strengthening his body so that he could protect his future wife Babushik…Babshak… whatever the hell her name was. Over the years, they put him through many grueling tests which he grew to resent. It didn’t help that these “teachers” kept mispronouncing his name as Tonga instead of Toanag, a name that he didn’t think was particularly hard to remember.
Years later, on a rare visit to his father, he chanced upon a small group of gnomes in the city. Having never had the chance to converse with these small folk, he availed himself of the opportunity. He was fascinated by their talk of the First World. The gnomes were gregarious and they talked for many hours. It was then that Toanga dedicated himself to (The Green Mother/Ng the Hooded). Afterwards, without really even thinking about it, Toanga took some of his father’s money and fled north. He knew that there were no major cities to the north and hoped to leave the Mwangi Expanse entirely.
Although there were no large cities, there were many tribal settlements. His 7’0” frame clearly marked him as a Bekyar and was met with varying degrees of hostility wherever he went. One settlement attacked him on sight and he barely escaped with his life; now bearing a jagged scar on his back going from his right shoulder all the way down to his left thigh.
He passed into Osirion through the Kho-Rarne pass (though he completely missed the ruins of Kho). He quickly realized that his height made him stand out even more here than it did in the Expanse. He soon hit upon the Crook River and traveled it until it became the River Sphinx all the way to Sophis. From there, he booked passage across the Inner Sea and forever left his old life behind.
In the years that followed, he has travelled slowly northward though none of the cities he has visited has entranced him the way that Kibwe did; that is, until he arrived in Pitax where he has resided the last three years.
Thank you once more Hu5tru, you're really helpful.
About the foreigner characters, one of the reasons I had when deciding to let the rumour of a secret patron reach the characters is that it gives a plausible reason for a character from a different land to have a place in the party. Maybe the secret patron put them there without them knowing, or maybe they're there just to divert attention from the adventurer the patron really placed there.
Heh. As a fellow newbie GM also new to PbP, I help where I can. I've had big interest in getting into a good KM group for a while now. And if I were a feminine hygiene product I would not have dropped Tityanna from the goodly campaign at all. But I thought that might cause some animosity if I somehow happened to get into both games.
Watch out for Azure Zero. "he" throws hissy fits when he doesn't get into games. It's really disturbing.
To be clear, I'm only posting as the peanut gallery here, not actually submitting a character. Although it's not really to my taste as a player right now, it's still shaping up to be an interesting game to watch.
Well, the other party is closed, this one will be in less than 24 hours. Thalia and Raxus half-blood are in for good. I've yet to decide the other four.
*resists urge to meta and engage in conversation with tall dark and violent :P*
I have updated Grayson's history to reflect his bid to enter this game. The dark stranger with sudden news may also be a cliche, but hey, once you've embraced one once, once more isn't going to hurt, is it?
I've changed Toanga's character sheet to reflect the change to Ng the Hooded. Mostly, this just changed the domains and his ability to now channel positive energy (though I also swapped a few attribute points around).
If we're using Hu5tru's traits then I'll take Once bitten, Twice Shy though that isn't currently worked into his story. I'm trying to decide what vice he would have fallen prey to.
Let me know if you have any questions.
I left Grayson's trait as Noble Born for House Lebeda, as it fits nicely with both his backstory and reason for joining the renegade colonial team.
Oh yeah. totally overlooked I should probably choose a new trait as well, and I'm the one who suggested them. HA!
Thanks for the endorsement Sir Jolt. I am really glad that I did not allow my first and extremely negative experience with roleplaying on these boards affect my willingness to try for other games. Although I did get the vibe that I was the unreasonable monster in that situation from all the other players.
I thought Lisabett's use of javelin to communicate was quite clever, myself. Although I suppose she will probably take "message" as one of her cantrips soon. *laughs*
Took "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" to reflect the heavy amount of time she spent among her drug addicted peers without once touching the stuff herself. Also, being a prostitute of Calistria would probably afford her a bit more of a force of personality over the typical person as well.
Also recognized that I had thought "sing" instead of "strings" in my backstory and corrected that mistake. I am not certain just yet what stringed instrument she will favor, but I should soon.
Having no friends and being routinely scorned since leaving the Expanse, Toanga became addicted to the soft touch of the courtesans of Pitax; whoever he could afford; ladies who didn't care about his height or his ramblings. He sank so deep that, at times, he could barely remember his own name.
He would have stayed in this state too if not for the intervention of certain people who dragged him back to sanity. Who these people were is something of a mystery as it was someone different everytime Toanga met with one of them. Once he was fully restored to his senses, he never saw any of them again.