Heroic sounds great to me! Few things I like better than a swashbuckling half-pint in a tight spot. I'm playing Carrion Crown in my tabletop group, and it's plenty dark, so I don't feel the need for more of that. But I can handle dark and creepy if that's the group consensus.
Morin has been kicking around Magnimar for a few months now, doing odd jobs - helping around on the docks, connecting sailors with ships that need them, trying not to do too much work for local thieves who want someone small, stealthy and able to climb pretty much anything. He's beginning to feel that he should look for other employment, as his current situation could lead to trouble - ideally something that would get him out of Magnimar for a while.
Perhaps in scouring inns and taverns for an adventuring party to connect with, he's met Karozekas and they've discussed their wandering lives, wondered which of them has actually covered more leagues?
Morin might know Chloe through her healing - he was helping unload a cargo, and was riding on top of the load as it was winched out of the ship's hold, as he often does, to ensure it's placed where it's needed. A rope parted and the box he stood upon slipped off the load - his fall should have killed him, but he managed to roll on the landing and only break a few ribs. He had heard of Chloe as someone who would cast healing magic for a reasonable price, and went to her for aid. He has since gotten to know her a bit better, as they've talked a bit about their adventures, and maybe given each other a couple of hints about their sad histories in relation to their parents.
Welcome, Morin and Karozekas!
Sarusa does a lot of wandering amongst the monuments of Magnimar, and is bound to run into any number of adventurers in need of local guides--this would be a logical place for her and/or Tekkis to meet Karo.
As for Morin--perhaps she covered for him when he got in trouble at the Bazaar of Sails. You weren't trying to steal that Mwangi trinket, were you?
Oops! Posted under the wrong alias (Nicat) above. Still working out my PbP habits.
I'll have all my equipment and animal stats updated tonight.
Still thinking about how Tekk knows the other characters.
I'm going to do a quick synopsis of how your characters are connected based on your backstories and the posts in this thread and recruitment, hopefully by Friday. My plan is to have the game thread going by Monday the 26th, mostly due to the thanksgiving holiday. I'll get it up earlier if I can. Looking forward to it.
I really, really like that tie-in, Morin. :D
Chloe probably would have talked a little bit about their shared problems, as it were, true/ As coinage for her clinic started to run out, she would have also agreed to embark on any journey to keep her charitable business going and likely would have sought Morin out if she knew he was looking to lay low for a while.
I'm good with Sarusa's explanation of how Tekk knows Karozekas - thanks! Perhaps he even accompanied us to The Lady's Light - it seems like something he would be interested in examining.
Since Beacon's Point has a large number of warehouses, and quite a bit of cargo moves through the neighborhood, Tekk is familiar with the area, even if he lives in another part of the city. He actually encountered Morin while the halfling was assisting a mutual associate resolve some "difficulties" with a local port official. They were heading toward the official's office, and Tekk was given a few coins to come along and "look angry". Having nothing better to do, Tekk accepted. Along the way, Tekk and Morin surprisingly hit it off, the culmination of which resulted in a number of ribald jokes about captains, caravan drivers, various livestock, and several others who tend to act more important than they really are.
Would that work, Morin?
(Didn't get a chance to update stats, but will take care of gear right now)
Updated my gear in Hero Lab, but not profile. Will try, but will be out of town over the holiday. I forgot to mention my raven familiar Corvus Rey, he pretty awesome, even speaks Common.
Hello all. Cah feather preening
Reedeep.
"Neigh!"
I think I am play ready...
I don't even use maps. I'm terrible. To defend myself here, though, I'm only lurking now because I'm stranded a the library and have been doing homework all day, on and off.
@Sarusa - Morin tries to avoid straight-up thievery, and when he simply can't avoid it (you know how that is, right?), he's more of a second-story man. Though he's not above seeing what's in people's purses - perhaps the Mwangi trinket was found in his hand, and you suggested what a noble soul he was for picking it up after its owner dropped it, and being on the verge of calling it to their attention? How right you were, and your help was truly appreciated.
@Tekk - I like your story of how we met a lot. And it's very much in keeping with Morin's personality - a fairly charming fixer, a bit of an improviser, likes a good joke, and always interested in meeting interesting folk.
@Chloe - glad you like the tie-in story
@all - I was thinking of getting a riding dog to add to the menagerie.
I have not yet taken care of equipment - been Thanksgiving'ed by lots of visiting family.
Anyone who has actually visited Chloe in her own clinic knows that she has a seeming inability to differentiate between sugar and salt. She makes meals with love for frequent visitors... but they're rather hit or miss. Often more the latter than the former, to her frustration.
Just fluff.
@Sarusa - was thinking a bit more about our encounter at the Bazaar of Sails, and wondering something - why did you cover for Morin when you saw him with the trinket in hand?
I don't want to delete that bit of our backstory - just trying to understand Sarusa more. And wondering if you see us as having become friends since that encounter - perhaps I treated you to a glass of wine in thanks (though probably without explicitly saying what I was thanking you for), or perhaps I just nodded in acknowledgement of your help in sorting out a little misunderstanding and we'll be positively inclined towards each other when we meet in the course of our adventuring.
I think I'm now geared up, though I can't decide between a riding dog and a pony, or just riding along with somebody, since I'm a sailor and have no real business getting on an animal and trying to convince it what to do.
I vote dog.
Yeah, I was leaning toward dog too, but they're pretty spendy.
The other notion I had has to do with Chloe's Clouded Vision curse. We could share a horse, and I could be your eyes, and together we wouldn't weigh more than a human man. I'm not sure if your current plan is to ride in the wagon or walk when we travel, but the notion popped into my head and I thought I'd share it.
I find the notion endearing. I'd offer what's left of Chloe's coffers towards a horse for that purpose.
I'd just assumed we were all going to be walking, but if the ounts are going to be the same across the board, I'd be more than willing to share.
Not to mention Chloe has a killer handle animal check, so training it should be possible, if the GM allows. :)
@Syrusa-
I assume Chloe met you as a fellow adventurer? Or perhaps she got irrevocably lost after being separated in a chaotic battle with her companions and the druid got hired to track her visually-impaired self down before she wandered all the way to Kaer Maga?
Hey all, sorry I didn't get a post up yesterday. I got called into work unexpectedly. Anyway, I've hammered out to my liking your characters relationships with each other. If there is something you think should be different, please let me know. This is all based on the posts you have made.
I've also got a few spoilered notes for each of you, please take a look at those.
Please make a Knowledge(Religion) check
Having a clinic would require a significant outlay of coin and time. I was under the impression that Chloe was still hiding out somewhat and had not been in Magnimar for more than a few months. If you really want your character to have a clinic that's ok with me, but it will require game play to make it happen. Anyway, here is what I have for you.
- Chloe believes that her sister was killed by a Bullette, but it was actually an Ankheg. Because of her long confinement, she knows little about the dangers of the wild, hence her confusion.
- Chloe is laying somewhat low at the Three Tokens Inn in Beacon’s Point, a somewhat respectable establishment that brushes up against the northern edge of the hovels of Rag’s End. However, word of her extraordinary healing abilities is spreading, and more and more of the poor folk are seeking her out, but so are some less savory types.
Relationships:
Sarusa: No relationship
Tekk: Chloe and Tekk know of each other, but not with any great affinity. Tekk has been pointed out to Chloe as someone who could be a good friend to have if she finds herself in some trouble with the local gangs.
Corbyn: No relationship
Karo: No relationship
Morin: Chloe healed Morin after a long fall that should have killed him. The two bonded over the loss of their parents and are becoming friends.
Jeminda: Chloe delivered Jeminda’s niece, Allia Kyle (daughter or Elias and Fertha)
Please make a Knowledge(local) and Knowledge(Religion) check. You may make these checks untrained in this instance. You may add your wisdom modifier to these checks.
Sarusa still shares a good relationship with her parents and her mentors, although she has definitely established herself as her own, autonomous individual. Her study of the monuments of Magnimar has proven fruitful, but she longs for the wild energy outside the city.
Relationships:
Chloe: No relationship
Tekk: Sarusa and Tekkis journeyed together on an expedition to the Lady’s Light. Although the upjumped scholar who financed the trip was unable to gain access to its hidden depths, the two became friendly and still see each other occasionally
Corbyn: Sarusa has seen Corbyn in passing in Jeminda’s office, but does not know him personally, although she knows that the official has a small crush on the Korvosan ranger.
Karo: Sarusa and Karo have met each other in their studies of the Monuments of Magnimar.
Morin: Met in the Bazaar of Sails during a misunderstanding regarding a Shoanti trinket. No further interactions.
Jeminda: Jeminda has been a friend to Sarusa and her parents for the past ten years.
Please make a Knowledge(local) check. You may make this check untrained.
Tekkis has made something of a name for himself in Underbridge since arriving in Magnimar half a year ago. Although some still recoil from his half-orc features, he is known as a dangerous man, but a good friend to have. His refusal to take some jobs has not ingratiated him with notorious Rag’s End slumlord, Rassimeri Jaijarko and his Sczarni contacts.
Relationships:
Chloe: Tekkis has seen Chloe around a time or two, and knows that she is the best healer in Beacon’s Point. He knows almost nothing about her past.
Sarusa: Tekkis and Sarusa have journeyed to the Lady’s Light together. He knows that she is full of nature lore. The two are good friends.
Corbyn: No relationship
Karo: Tekkis and Karo have sparred a few times at Goldtooth’s, one of the local gymnasiums. The elf has made mention several times that he is looking to get back to adventuring, and based on his quickness, Tekkis thinks me might be good to have around, even if only as a distraction.
Morin: Tekkis and Morin have worked together. The two hit it off, much to the irritation of their employer. While Morin snuck in through the roof, Tekkis almost caused the official to soil himself.
Jeminda: Tekkis knows Jeminda through Sarusa, but the two are not close.
I'll post notes for Corbyn, Karozekas and Morin shortly.
Continued
After a brief stay in Ordellia, Corbyn has taken up residence at The Old Fang in the Dockway on Jeminda’s suggestion. Ol’ Mam Grottle, the inn’s proprietress has told him on several occasions that he reminds her of her dearly departed husband. He is unsure which worries him more, the above information, or the fact that local members of the Order of the Nail have been asking Jeminda who he is.
Relationships:
Chloe: No relationship
Tekk: No relationship
Sarusa: Corbyn has seen Sarusa in and around Jeminda’s office.
Karo: Corbyn and Karo have swapped tales over ale in bars all over the Shore district, and gotten into a few brawls as well, usually on the same side.
Morin: Corbyn once caught Morin “examining” his bow. Although the two did not meet on the best of terms, once Morin bought him a drink and clued him in on some of the local gossip, Corbyn found it hard to stay angry at the Halfling.
Jeminda: Corbyn met Jeminda by chance in the courtyard around the Cenotaph. In speaking with her, he realized that he could expect little in the way of official help from Charterhouse or Usher’s Hall in the Capital District, but that he could find useful employment through her. Corbyn senses that Jeminda may be somewhat attracted to him, but has not accepted or rejected her affections as of yet.
Please make a Knowledge(arcane) check
Also, I see a bow but no arrows on your character sheet, FYI.
Karo has done his best to find leads for new adventure, but he has yet to discover any concrete expeditions. He is ready to jump at any opportunity to take him out of the city.
Relationships:
Chloe: No relationship
Tekk: Karo has sparred with Tekkis a few times at Goldtooth’s, one of the local gymnasiums. The half-orc’s strength is prodigious, and Karo has been lucky to come away from their sessions without any broken bones. However, he believes that Tekkis is his best shot to get back into adventuring.
Corbyn: Corbyn and Karo have swapped tales over ale in bars all over the Shore district, and gotten into a few brawls as well, usually on the same side.
Sarusa: Sarusa and Karo have met several times in their individual studies of the Monuments. While Sarusa’s study is significantly more intuitive than Karo’s academic approach, he has found her to be a surprisingly ample source of local lore.
Morin: No relationship
Jeminda: No relationship
Please make a Knowledge(local) check
Morin’s talents have begun to attract the attention of many in Magnimar. Both the Night Scales and some of the local Sczarni gangs have made attempts to recruit him. He is unsure how much longer these people will be willing to take no for an answer.
Relationships:
Chloe: Chloe healed Morin after a long fall that should have killed him. The two bonded over the loss of their parents and are becoming friends.
Tekk: Tekkis and Morin have worked together. The two hit it off, much to the irritation of their employer. While Morin snuck in through the roof, Tekkis almost caused the official to soil himself.
Corbyn: Corbyn once caught Morin “examining” his bow. Although the two did not meet on the best of terms, once Morin bought him a drink and clued him in on some of the local gossip, Corbyn found it hard to stay angry at the Halfling.
Karo: No relationship
Sarusa: Met in the Bazaar of Sails during a misunderstanding regarding a Shoanti trinket. No further interactions.
Jeminda: No relationship
Game thread will be up at some point on Monday. Looking forward to it.
Continued
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **...
I had fine tuned equipment in HL but didn't have chance to update profile before going out of town. Will be back Sun night and update
Okay. Clinic is a long-term goal. Gotcha.
Knowledge Religion:
Thanks, GMPM. Great to see things starting to boil and bubble.
@Chloe - I didn't know about your handle animal skills - that makes it even better, especially since I have none. I can see and you can steer! I can afford a light horse no problem, so contribute whatever you deem appropriate. Some training of the horse would be good, if GM approves and there would have been time for you to do such a thing.
Thanks for the updates, Tekk is ready to go.
I can offer 2 gold off the top, but if I retroactively don't purchase a couple alchemical goods, I can offer more.
Don't worry about the gold - if the party decides we need transportation, Morin will buy a light horse.
In your studies in and around Magnimar, you have come to believe that 10 minutes of meditation by the ever changing light of the Founder's Flame in Naos, near the Twins' Gate, will make your flame spells more difficult to resist. You have yet to test this theory.
** spoiler omitted **
I've also updated my equipment, ect. Now truly penniless
Oh, but we're oh so very close to PLAYING. I'm excited.
You can try to make the check if the opportunity presents itself in game. This is just a bit of flavor knowledge for your character.
Chloe, yes we are. First post is coming.
Good morning everyone. The gameplay thread is now live.
Yay!
My bad, forgot where the relationships stood, in my excitement to post. Guess Karo just made an intuitive guess as to Jerminda.
Lowballin'.
I do not actually have 2000 GP to spare (Silly HeroLabs.) I'll recalculate tonight to see what I have left.
@Corbyn - I love the dialogue between you and Plod - very fun.
Okay, so as a map nut and someone who’s really enjoying this PbP so far, I geeked out a bit on calculating travel times to Ravenmoor.
If we travel overland, here’s the situation:
Magnimar to Sandpoint = 50 miles
24 miles/day if Tekkis rides in the cart (if that’s on option that his pride and Plod’s heart allow) = 2 days plus ~1 hr – call it 2 days
16 miles/day if Tekkis walks = 3 days
Sandpoint to Ember Lake = 70 miles
Trackless plains cut speed to ¾, so:
18 miles/day with Tekkis in cart = 4 days
12 miles/day with Tekkis walking = 6 days
So that’s either 6 or 9 days, depending on how Tekkis travels, and that gets us to the southern end of Ember Lake, about half-way to Ravenmoor. At that point, we can continue by land, for maybe 140 miles of trackless plains, which will be 8 or 12 days, for total land travel time of 14 or 21 days.
Going by boat (and not taking current or overnight travel into account), we do 10 miles/day (whatever our mighty half-orc chooses to do ; ).
Estimating from the map, it’s probably 250 miles by river and lake to Ravenmoor – so 25 days. So going by land is not only preferred by most of us, it’s faster.
If we really wanted to get there more quickly, we could buy some horses, which can do 28 miles/day, so we could do the whole thing in less than 10 days. But we didn’t decide to become adventurers in the pursuit of efficiency, did we? So I say we proceed with the plan. But for variety’s sake, perhaps we should hop on a boat at Wolf’s Ear?
Having wasted everyone’s time with these thoughts, I’ll turn to the real question I have, if you’ll forgive a moment of metagaming: this adventure is called The Feast of Ravenmoor. Does that worry the rest of you as much as it worries me? What are they feasting on?
p.s. - @Tekkis - forgive me using you as an example in my little word problem here - I didn't look to see if anyone else had a move of 20', and I'm one of those rare halflings with a move of 30'.
Don't worry guys, you'll have the opportunity to procure some horses in your travels. I'm not totally heartless.
I'm totally down for some river rafting, although I think we'll be paddling upstream. And the plains aren't trackless, Morin--lo, they are full of ley lines and sunken megaliths. Also, wandering monsters.
I believe the Feast is cake. At least, that's what GLaDOS told me.
I believe "trackless" is the term of art used to describe plains or other geographical features lacking in roads, or at least roads obvious to those of us who would wonder where on a ship you'd find a ley line.
But speaking of ships, Morin is quite used to roadless places, and wandering monsters = XP (and the occasional death), so I'm in.
On your last point - I understand there have been some assertions of mendacity in relation to the confection to which you allude. But I'd like to think the Feast is cake, too.
hee...by RAW, a menhir savant can find the darn lines anywhere.
Indeed, prevarication hath been propounded.
@Morin
I assume we're on the menu for the feast. That's often the way of it. Or... maybe it's a holiday? /cautious optimism
--
Chloe's constant ampersanding is supposed to be indicative of talking airily and pausing often. I've always wanted to try a character that talked like that as a general rule. The closest I ever got was a sorcerer I played a couple years back that stuttered everything.
It's an interesting affectation for a character with high Charisma. I like it though, people are drawn to her despite, and maybe even because of her airy demeanor.
@Sarusa - are you an Asterix fan at all? His buddy Obelix (who's a menhir delivery man, in case you don't know) could confuse you greatly, toting menhirs about the countryside when you're using them as navigational aids.
@Chloe - I agree with GMPM - the halting speech from a character who's clearly very kind and gentle is a cool way to play a charismatic character. And I'm hoping we'll arrive just in time for a holiday feast and there'll be cake.
I am aware of all Asterix traditions. ;) Ok, not all, and I can't read French. I imagine I'd just sense the ley line tugging and shifting this way and that. Actually...now I gotta go re-read Mythago Wood and then read the rest of Robert Holdstock's novels about the subject. Frickin' awesome books. He really took the idea of ley lines and ran with them, among other things.
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Okay, so as a map nut and someone who’s really enjoying this PbP so far, I geeked out a bit on calculating travel times to Ravenmoor.
If we travel overland, here’s the situation:
Magnimar to Sandpoint = 50 miles
24 miles/day if Tekkis rides in the cart (if that’s on option that his pride and Plod’s heart allow) = 2 days plus ~1 hr – call it 2 days
16 miles/day if Tekkis walks = 3 daysSandpoint to Ember Lake = 70 miles
Trackless plains cut speed to ¾, so:
18 miles/day with Tekkis in cart = 4 days
12 miles/day with Tekkis walking = 6 daysSo that’s either 6 or 9 days, depending on how Tekkis travels, and that gets us to the southern end of Ember Lake, about half-way to Ravenmoor. At that point, we can continue by land, for maybe 140 miles of trackless plains, which will be 8 or 12 days, for total land travel time of 14 or 21 days.
Going by boat (and not taking current or overnight travel into account), we do 10 miles/day (whatever our mighty half-orc chooses to do ; ).
Estimating from the map, it’s probably 250 miles by river and lake to Ravenmoor – so 25 days. So going by land is not only preferred by most of us, it’s faster.
If we really wanted to get there more quickly, we could buy some horses, which can do 28 miles/day, so we could do the whole thing in less than 10 days. But we didn’t decide to become adventurers in the pursuit of efficiency, did we? So I say we proceed with the plan. But for variety’s sake, perhaps we should hop on a boat at Wolf’s Ear?
Having wasted everyone’s time with these thoughts, I’ll turn to the real question I have, if you’ll forgive a moment of metagaming: this adventure is called The Feast of Ravenmoor. Does that worry the rest of you as much as it worries me? What are they feasting on?
p.s. - @Tekkis - forgive me using you as an example in my little word problem here - I didn't look to see if anyone else had a move of 20', and I'm one of those rare halflings with a move of 30'.
Impressive work Morin.
Were we given a time limit in which we were to arrive back at Magnimar?