Alright, everyone please finish their final character sheet. Also tells us a little bit about your character so we can start filling out bonds.
Hey! Just a quick check-in for right now, I'll be back in a little while to give some info on the character and work on bonds and such.
Also did a dot and delete in Gameplay, so I'm tracking the game even though there isn't a visible post.
Dotted and deleted in gameplay.
Will be back with the info later today.
Thelian is a mercenary. He was a city guard, but that is not as profitable as being a sword for hire, unless you're willing to be drawn into some shady affairs. And it is boring. Traveling from town to town, on the other, provides various experiences unavailable if you spend your life in a single city.
Shrike is a ranger, through and through. He prefers living off the land and making his own way through life rather than staying in taverns and inns in the towns and cities. He spends most of his time int he wilderness, hunting and trapping and gathering and otherwise plying a living from the dangerous lands. He's accompanied by a wolf with light gray fur, which walks with a limp and bears an old scar on one leg. Shrike isn't the most personable individual, and tends to be a little blunt in his conversation, although often with a dry wit added in.
Thelian may be a mercenary adventurer now, but he used to be a city guard, and while the job entails some danger and intrigue, it's still too civilized for real living. He does not understand life in the wild, so Shrike will teach him. (I think.)
Alright, so far Shyff, Shrike and Thelian have reported in. Still waiting on the others.
And Shrike has a bond with Thelian.
Shyff was exiled from the High Choir for breaking his vow of silence. The choir uses the secrets of magic and music to bring glory to the Gods. Members are forbidden from even speaking a word outside of this duty, let alone the crime Shyff was exiled for. He used his arcane art to heal another.
Now he helps the people of Murk Water where he can, with song, and sometimes with sword. The common folk have no idea that a noble would pay a king's ransom to hear even a verse of the music that Shyff sings freely for them.
I might save bonds for the end, once we've heard a bit about everyone.
I'll wait for others too.
Anyone alive here? :)
Was just about to ask the same thing!...
Yeah, it looks like we only have 3 players right now. We could run it with 3, or we invite the two players who expressed an interest after the deadline. I'll leave it up to you guys.
I don't mind inviting them. 5 is better than 3. Probably.
I'm fine with inviting more. I was kind of waiting for people to finish posting in so we could figure out bonds and the like.
Agreed. 5 would be nice.
Hello, I guess I'll be number four. Kadasa the Monk, at your service. Rather martial focused, aren't we? :D
Hello, I guess I'll be number four. Kadasa the Monk, at your service. Rather martial focused, aren't we? :D
Should be fine. Worst case scenario, someone dies and a new character gets rolled up. Dungeon World is sort of meant to be pick up and go.
Our 5th said he just joined another game, and so therefore we will have 4:
• Kadasa the Initiate
• Shryke the Ranger
• Shyff the Bard
• Thelian the Fighter
Oh no, I don't think it'll be a problem either. Dungeon World doesn't require the same sort of party roles as Pathfinder. Should be fun. And bards can heal at least.
Kadasa is an initiate of the Way of the Heavens, taught to her by Master Gao. This art is rather rare and taught by a few reclusive practitioners. The Way of the Heavens has a well-deserved reputation for aloofness, and places an additional emphasis on meditation. It is known for its intricate system of pressure point attacks.
So, here's some bonds. They're up for change if you don't think it fits at all.
Thelian is from a rival school! I must surpass them.
My master warned me about Shyff.
Shrike fights with skill and grace, and I respect them.
I will study at Shyff's feet and learn their secrets.
Cool, so we have four, at least. I guess I'll do my bonds as well.
Thelian may be a mercenary adventurer now, but he used to be a city guard, and while the job entails some danger and intrigue, it's still too civilized for real living. He does not understand life in the wild, so Shrike will teach him.
Kadasa may be more meditative than truly inspired by the natural world, but still, she contemplates the mysteries of existence. That's good enough to get Shrike's attention. She is a friend of nature, so Shrike will be her friend as well.
Shyff was once a voice in the High Choir, and his song is worth a king's fortunes. Still, he's in Murk Water now, but he had to get there somehow. Shrike guided him there, and while he doesn't say it aloud, he feels Shyff owes him for it.
Seem good to folks? Like Kadasa, I'm fine with changing it.
Am I suppose to post here instead of recruitment? I've been waiting for a response there thinking that this was only for people with characters in the campaign...
I can't speak for wicked_raygun, but it did sound like he was cool with the doppelganger.
Indeed, I am, if you still want to play.
Interested to see how these bonds will resolve, especially the double bond with Kadasa!
I love the expanded format you're doing there Shrike, so I'm going to copy it.
Kadasa's martial skill is unlike anything Shyff has seen. While he's wary of her foreign teachings, her resistance towards Shyff coupled with the paradoxical desire to learn from him has captured his attention. A muse unlike any he's met.
* I am writing a ballad about the adventures of Kadasa.
* Kadasa trusted me with a secret.
Shrike and Shyff's journey to Murk Water was difficult to say the least. Especially for Shyff who had to suffer the stern and serious demeanour of Shrike the whole way. Before Shyff sought him out, he knew the songs of Shrike that told of his nobility and heroic deeds; a powerful ranger of the Old Blood. The reality was disappointing, and as such Shyff can’t help but make sport of it.
* I sang stories of Shrike long before I ever met them in person.
* Shrike is often the butt of my jokes.
Prior to Murk Water, Shyff went from town to town trying to find a place, often bumping into Thelian as they travelled the same routes.
* This is not my first adventure with Thelian
Wyla Darksun is a name that sends shivers down Shyff's spine. He's been observing this individual in Murk Water for some time, and is determined to uncover their secret.
* Mezirbrekan doesn't trust me, and for good reason.
Excellent. Sorry, just new to the campaign process here on the Paizo forums.
Mezirbrekan is hardly a name that is known, for her true identity is a closely guarded secret. She (Mezirbrekan's preferred gender) is more often known as Wyla Darksun, a middle aged human woman with smiling gray eyes and wavy, wheat-colored locks. She speaks with a mild yet unplaceable accent and can often be found discussing with someone how she can solve their most troubling problems, for the right price.
Potential bonds:
Shyff understands the need for change.
I have seen the power in Kadasa.
Thelian has helped me keep my cover numerous times.
Shrike is keeping a secret.
I generally shoot for two bonds with someone, gives a bit more interest than just giving one to everyone. And now I need to expand my bonds too.
Hmm. My last bond is quite judgmental on Shrike's part, at least, and at least seemingly puts a character trait on the other party. So Mezirbrekan/Wyla Darksun, how do you feel about not respecting nature, at least in Shrike's eyes?
At least it's not as bad as the Cleric's 'I will covert someone' bond. How's that for respecting player autonomy? I always ignore that one and rewrite it.
Ah, I actually love that bond for the cleric. It really forces a great interaction. You can always fail at achieving the bond, thereby resolving it, and write a new one like:
"X Has proven the truth of their ways, I am their disciple."
"X refuses to listen to the truth, they will find no friend in me."
I think Mezirbrekan would likely have very little reverence for nature, unless it was an act for her current form. Wyla is basically just hired help so I guess that works too. :)
Here's another:
Kadasa has seen me in my true form.
Mezirbrekan, I had a question about the Doppelganger. Is the Stretchy Hide move meant to stack with other armor sources, like moves or spells?
Shyff, Kadasa betrayed her brother Anadran to Valdoru, a warlord who invaded their home, out of jealousy and hatred. Then she met Master Gao and was shown how wrong she had been.
And some expanded bonds:
Master Gao advised caution when dealing with the Heavens or their agents. We are as playthings to many gods, and their intentions are never clear. However he also encouraged knowledge in all things, and learning the secrets of one who was sworn to silence would be worth the risks.
True archers demonstrate great focus and perceptiveness, and those who show the wisdom of nature are regarded as higher still.
Thelian, assuming you're fine with the bond I assigned you, what sort of swordsmanship school do you follow? Can't be rivals without knowing a bit about you ;)
Stretchy Hide was meant to reflect some kind of natural armor of the creature. However, I wanted lower the power level of it by making it not a flat bonus. One thematic idea I had for why this is is maybe somewhat weak but: the rigidity of armor doesn't allow the skin to flex around as much as it normally would. With that in mind, I'd imagine it would stack with other bonus armor effects that are not related to physically wearing armor.
Something that might help with that is changing it to 'Your skin is loose and pliable, you get 1 Armor.' Since x Armor things don't stack like +x Armor, it would reinforce that it doesn't work with manufactured armor. I believe most magical sources of armor bonuses say +x, so they would stack with the move.
...Thelian, assuming you're fine with the bond I assigned you, what sort of swordsmanship school do you follow? Can't be rivals without knowing a bit about you ;)
Sure. His master always told Thelian, that name doesn't matter, only the essence. Although the style is unnamed, it is practical. It lies in quick lunges and tripping an opponent with a hooked spear. Keep your opponent at a distance. Use every advantage. There is no "dirty" in fighting for your life. Leave ostentatious maneuvers for the tournaments. Although that last part Thelian sometimes ignores.
Thelian has helped me keep my cover numerous times.
Mezirbrekan, what cover? As in fake name?
Bonds:
Complex is not always better. Kadasa learned that in fight with some pitchfork and spear wielding thugs. Of what use are pressure points, if you can't get close enough to the enemy?
*Kadasa owes me her life, whether she admits it or not.
Thelian was lost in the woods, starving and not knowing any edible herbs and berries, when he saw a smoke and a small light struggling in the thicket. Shrike was making a camp before a hunt, and helped Thelian with food and water.
*I have sworn to protect Shrike.
Shyff hasn't seen as many combats as Thelian did.
*Shyff is soft, but I will make him hard like me.
He may be a great con, but that won't help to fight bandits or cave dwellers.
*I worry about the ability of Mezirbrekan to survive in the dungeon.
Thelian, your master have a name? ;)
The Initiate's Signature Style is basically the Fighter's Signature Weapon rethemed. The Way of the Heavens uses a combination of punches, open hand strikes, and finger jabs (hand, precise), focuses on offense over defense (+1 damage), and has a complex system of pressure points that cause trauma and death (2 piercing). None of the Advanced Moves are very similar, other than my version of Blacksmith to get magic properties added to the Signature Style.
I think there's some potential for awesomeness with Thelian and Kadasa.
Whoops, completely forgot. Of course he has a name. :) Aywinn.
LOL
"I am a follower of the Aywinn Style. No one can defeat me." ;-)
Oh, lol. I honestly haven't thought about that. Just took it from some name generator.
That's cool. Aywinn Style. I like it.
Alright, then my final bond is this:
Although Shrike doesn't know Wyla well on a personal level, his interactions with the woman have soured him. She seems uncaring for the finer points of the natural world, viewing it only as a source of material goods and sustenance. She has no respect for nature, so Shrike has no respect for her.
@Kadasa: Thanks, that change definitely simplifies the wording in that ability.
Here's my expanded bonds:
Shyff's broken vows were just the beginning. Mezirbrekan has seen how Shyff helps turn people's lives around in Murk Water, though she undoubtedly believes there's hidden motive. In any case, he's obviously not okay with the status quo.
* Shyff understands the need for change.
In their first passing encounter in Murk Water, Mezirbrekan knew something was different about Kadasa. Perhaps it was something in the way she moved or held herself, or perhaps just Mezirbrekan's uncanny intuition that picked up on it. It is something below the surface that perhaps Kadasa is not even aware of herself.
* I have seen the power in Kadasa.
Usually, Mezirbrekan is very careful about keeping her true identity a secret that only she knows about. Usually, people who discover this secret don't live to tell the tale. This time, Mezirbrekan had to change into her true form in a less than ideal location, though she felt confident no one would be around. Kadasa was around. Mezirbrekan didn't know.
* Kadasa has seen me in my true form.
Perhaps Mezirbrekan sees Thelian as a friend, perhaps she just sees him as a sharp blade between her and her enemies. Either way, Wyla has always been kind to Thelian. Thelian surely suspects that Wyla is up to no good, what with all the seemingly random people she sends his way fully willing to help in her schemes. She always seems to know where the pay is good though so Thelian has played along.
* Thelian has helped me keep my cover numerous times.
No one is ever so withdrawn as someone like Shrike without good reason. Likely he has demons in his past that still haunt him to this day.
* Shrike is keeping a secret.
It looks like everyone is done with bonds. I have a RL game tonight, so I won't be able to post. But I will have a post to get the game going tomorrow. Can't wait.
Sweet.
What time of day is it? Evening?
That's what I'm guessing
BTW Thelian, since you're new to Dungeon World, when you roll Discern Realities, on a 7-9 you get to ask one question on the list. Easiest to edit the question you want to ask right back into the post after you roll.
Pressing Preview after typing in the dice code will show the result too, and it doesn't change after actually submitting it either.
What time of day is it? Evening?
It's early evening.
Sorry, busy Friday.
Weekends suck for me. Going to update with some posts now.
I'm still here! Visting the in-laws, just got home.
Just doing a poke. I'll check, but I don't think I left anyone hanging.
I've been waiting on something more to happen in the tavern. Also Thelian asked his DR question.
Kind of waiting on kadasa to reply
I would be open to just skipping the round up and jumping straight in to the action.
That's actually what they say to do in the rules, ie.
Start the session with a group of player characters (maybe all of them) in a tense situation. Use anything that demands action: outside the entrance to a dungeon, ambushed in a fetid swamp, peeking through the crack in a door at the orc guards, or being sentenced before King Levus. Ask questions right away—“who is leading the ambush against you?” or “what did you do to make King Levus so mad?” If the situation stems directly from the characters and your questions, all the better.