Geesh, So sorry for not being so around so much. No excuses, I'm just bad!
Gunter does, indeed, open the doors for the others, pressing himself against the wall to allow the other's to push right past him. One day, he'll be a bit more useful, but for now, he'll leave the more... Hardcore stuff to the others.
Blargh messageboard eating my posts
As Darsis rushes into the room, he manages to brutally hack the singing woman open. She drops her bowl of radishes, which falls to the floor, quickly becoming covered in her blood. The other person in the room, a large man wearing a forest-green cloak, gapes in horror. "Irena! You-you killed Irena!"
This room is obviously a kitchen. Bread is baking, apples are being chopped, and some sort of stew is being assembled. In addition to the food currently cooking, there's much more food that's stored on the shelves here and there. Perhaps 40 days of perishable food and ten days worth of iron rations is available, as well as various knives and cleavers for usage. The man is pinned against the table he was working at, gripping it tightly with his hands. There's a large fireplace, that probably connects to the one from upstairs.
The man collapses to the ground, clearly dead.
Neither bodies have much on them, both have stored any valuables elsewhere. The only thing that could be worth anything is the man's beautiful cloak and matching hood.
This room has a door to the east.
HP 143/143 | AC 36 (T 26, FF 20) | CMD 36 | F +15 | R +26 | W + 13 | Init +14 | Per +21
"While this is a prison, and I'm sure the food is awful, was it really necessary to kill the cooks, Darsis? I for one wasn't even here long enough to have to suffer through a meal."
Male Human Urban Ranger 1 (HP 12/12; AC 17/11/16; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +0; Init +3; Perception +4)
Darsis nods,
"Yes. If we intend to kill all of the guards to buy ourselves time for flight, we would have to be addled fools to leave any alive who could take word of what happened here to the so called authorities. You do not leave witnesses behind when they can hurt your cause."
He snatches up the cloak and carefully ties it into a bundle stuffing in rations.
Honestly setting morality aside, because eeeeevil, I cannot see a reason we would have wanted to leave them alive. Surely they could only have potentially set off the alarm earlier, and I think hostages would have slowed us down and probably made us more vulnerable.
Lysander:
You cannot use stealth and talk there are set DC for speech, even had you said you were whispering. Hearing the details of a whispered conversation is DC 15, so actually hearing the conversation is probably only a DC 10. Generally speaking I don't think its safe to assume stealth without saying it a DM would be well within their rights to roll a perception check for a conversation - though admittedly it would be pretty harsh.
Male Human (Chelaxian) Vigilante (Stalker) 7 | HP 70/70 | AC 22, touch 17, FF 16 | Fort +4, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +5, Perception +10
In honesty, boy, the other is correct."It was still rash," Lysander mutters, drawing his mind blade into being once more so that he needn't hesitate at the next conflict. "That man spoke, and could easily have yelled."
With that, the soulknife carefully creeps forward to the next door, treading softly and placing his ear against the wood.
Point taken--I tend to forget about that DC, and assume that whispering is fine enough. However, between the door, distance, and the fact that the woman was singing and the man was working, I doubt they could have heard us even on a relatively good roll... Maybe we should all take a rank of Linguistics and learn actual sign language, heh.
Male Human Urban Ranger 1 (HP 12/12; AC 17/11/16; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +0; Init +3; Perception +4)
Darsis shrugs, taking a great bite of rations and gulping them down before wiping the crumbs from his face,
"Someone tell me this fancy cloak isn't magic, I doubt it, but then its hardly the kind of thing you expect a prison cook to wear. I'll keep it for disguise once we get out of here otherwise if nobody objects?"
If its magic obviously I'm not calling dibs, but if its a flavor item I'd like it since Darsis has a habit of sewing pieces of cloth soaked with his victims blood into the lining of his cloaks.
Lysander:
Lol, yeah. I probably tend to be on the paranoid side as a player having begun playing in a nest of "killer DMs", great fun, but nerve wracking!
HP 16 / AC 15, T 11, FF 14 / Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +0 / Perception +4 / Initiative +3
Status:
Rage 6/7
Katrin would have left the cooks alive, maybe tongueless, but alive. She says nothing though. Simply watching with cold eyes as the others chastise Darsis. She will go to the eastern door and put her ear to it listening.
HP 143/143 | AC 36 (T 26, FF 20) | CMD 36 | F +15 | R +26 | W + 13 | Init +14 | Per +21
"Well, what's done is done."
Taemon'dow moves in and scoops up a bowl of stew from the pot. He takes it down quickly with a hunk of bread while stuffing food into a potato sack with the other hand.
He takes two days worth of perishables, and another two days worth of the iron rations.
"Grab some supplies. Once we are out of this place it is a bit of a hike to meet up with our benefactor. And we have no idea how well supplied they'll be when we get there."
Male Human Urban Ranger 1 (HP 12/12; AC 17/11/16; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +0; Init +3; Perception +4)
"If we do that they will be on our trail in minutes. Were I this wizard I would come with full force save for one man sent to alert the authorities, that's if I did not have magic to do so... We would exchange a number of scattered surprised foes for an organized force that is aware of us, that is a very bad idea."
HP 143/143 | AC 36 (T 26, FF 20) | CMD 36 | F +15 | R +26 | W + 13 | Init +14 | Per +21
"Leaving does not have to mean a full scale assault. For instance, we have the Window on the veil. I am not certain exactly what it will do, but if it creates a portal through a wall... if we could get to the exterior wall of the prison, we could potentially use it to get outside, and bypass the guard station entirely. Leaving silently in such a manner, it might have taken till morning before they noticed we were missing. Of course, since someone killed the cooks, they'll notice this butchery as soon as this meal fails to get served, so our hand may now be forced in that respect."
Male Human (Chelaxian) Vigilante (Stalker) 7 | HP 70/70 | AC 22, touch 17, FF 16 | Fort +4, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +5, Perception +10
Lysander shakes his head. "The deaths of these two are unfortunate for our cause and escape, but they ruin nothing. We need to move quickly and quietly while we still may. If the alarm has been raised, so be it, but we must move now. I see only folly in attempting to kill a wizard in our current state."
Male Human Urban Ranger 1 (HP 12/12; AC 17/11/16; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +0; Init +3; Perception +4)
Darsis scoffs,
"Yes I'm sure the cooks wouldn't have noticed the guards were dead when they took them their meals, or the men failed to collect ours. We cannot afford to be soft these are our enemies the best course is to kill them all. That will almost certainly delay our pursuit, and will surely make this benefactor respect us more."
Male Human (Chelaxian) Vigilante (Stalker) 7 | HP 70/70 | AC 22, touch 17, FF 16 | Fort +4, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +5, Perception +10
"I do not disagree that these vermin should be put to the fire, or crushed beneath our heel, or suffer any hundred other terrible deaths, but we won't be able to meet our benefactor if we don't escape."
HP 16 / AC 15, T 11, FF 14 / Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +0 / Perception +4 / Initiative +3
Status:
Rage 6/7
Oooh. Fire! Lets light part of the prison on fire as a distraction and then kill them while they're running around like chickens with their heads cut off."
Male Human (Chelaxian) Vigilante (Stalker) 7 | HP 70/70 | AC 22, touch 17, FF 16 | Fort +4, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +5, Perception +10
These fools won't make it out of the prison alive at this rate, the voice hisses. I would advise cutting the ties here, but your chances of escaping alone are even slimmer.
"Are we so intent on drawing so much attention to ourselves? Are we so intent on slaying every man" the soulknife points to the corpse of the singer--"and woman in this prison? We've been lucky thus far; Asmodeus has watched over us. How far shall we push that guidance?"
HP 16 / AC 15, T 11, FF 14 / Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +0 / Perception +4 / Initiative +3
Status:
Rage 6/7
"I could care less if we kill everyone. However Taemon is the one with the contact. I'm sticking with him. I've got nothing else on the outside anymore. As I said, I'd prefer to leave now. But if we have to kill everyone, which would give us longer to run, we should create a distraction."
Male Human Urban Ranger 1 (HP 12/12; AC 17/11/16; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +0; Init +3; Perception +4)
Darsis shrugs,
"Asmodeus means little to me I just prefer my enemies dead. It is the middle of the night there is no better time to strike! If we can find the guards dorm the fat Sergeant mentioned we will find sleeping men without armor. It will be a slaughter, by the time theyknow what we are doing half will be dead! And as for the wizard he is likely to be the one directing the hunt for us, if we kill him we deny them leadership."
HP 16 / AC 15, T 11, FF 14 / Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +0 / Perception +4 / Initiative +3
Status:
Rage 6/7
"Do we even know how big this place is? Our mute here has already exhausted his supply of healing magics if I'm not mistaken. We are branded, everyone is our enemy, FOREVER. Best get used to it."
Gunter, frustrated with his companions everlasting concern with killing everyone, quickly scribbled on his board with neat, slightly slanted hand writing.
Can we just get out of here?! Seriously, we were so concerned about escaping, now you wish to kill everyone? Let's just leave this place! Certainly, you'll all have the chance to kill again once we are free! I'd rather have that happen when we are less likely to get ganged up on!
HP 143/143 | AC 36 (T 26, FF 20) | CMD 36 | F +15 | R +26 | W + 13 | Init +14 | Per +21
"I vote for an expedient departure. We can kill whomever we need on order to get out of here, but I agree that to go after more is to invite disaster."
Male Half-Orc Summoner (Blood God Disciple) 1 HP: 7/12
Mavro narrows his eyes at the woman. Speaking darkly and casting the apple core over his shoulder, he moves forward with intent.
"Well yes, if it does 'die' I can resummon it again... only after a day of recovering the necessary strength and performing a ritual again to summon up the snake made weaker from an unnecessary sacrifice, leaving me exposed and our party down a combatant. But I'm sure it was worth it to scout out a bloody doorway."
Pah, out of all the lowlife scum here I would have never figured you, woman, for a coward. And, yes, that is 'woman.' If you are going to refer to my blood god's aspect as 'the summoned snake,' then I suppose I shall have no patience for your name either. My snake's name is Aspros, and I assure you it is just as intelligent, perhaps more so, than you. Now, if are truly to escape, then I suggest we stop acting like a troupe of mummers and get on with being Talingarde's most dangerous criminals.
With that, Mavro opens the door to the outdoors, stepping aside, and motioning his arm in the same way a doorman might entreat upon nobility with a flourish of his arm and a bowing of his head.
HP 16 / AC 15, T 11, FF 14 / Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +0 / Perception +4 / Initiative +3
Status:
Rage 6/7
"If it's so intelligent, why do you speak for it? Why does it follow your orders? F*ck you, and your snake." Katrin says, before chopping Aspros's head off.
As the outsider disappears she looks right at Mavro. "Ooops!" She says with sickening mock sweetness. "Guess you'll have to summon him again anyway. Next time you insult me, it will be your neck." She shoves roughly past the orc and the others to go outside. Nobody calls me a coward!
______________________
Hehe, It's always amusing being an evil, but not angry at all kinda person. It's countless face-palms for my poor character!
Watching this whole thing play out, Gunter just stared in awe at the two and their little argument. Then poof, there goes the snakes head... How the hell was he going to get out of here alive with such angry people around!
Of course, if he let them lead on ahead, there would be a greater chance for him not to be used as cannon fodder. After all, how big of a threat would the little boy be compared to this crazy woman and the ogre, both of which seem to be having a contest on seeing who could cause the biggest ruckus.
HP 16 / AC 15, T 11, FF 14 / Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +0 / Perception +4 / Initiative +3
Status:
Rage 6/7
RETCON
Katrin turns to the eidolon, "If you're so smart why do you let that d*ckhead talk for you? He mistakes wanting to stay alive with cowardice. Would you not scout for us Aspros? To protect you master's sanctimonious green arse if nothing else?"
Outside, there is a small vegetable and herb garden growing, carefully organized and once tended by the servants the escapees just killed. Various plants that spiced up the variety of the prison's diet were there, though there is one plant, set off from the rest, that looks much more interesting- a shrub with dark purple-black berries and light purple flowers.
For the prison's defenses, there's a high wall that separates the main body of the prison from the island's shore- if the cliffs on the edge of the island can even be called that. The wall is quite thick, and from here you can see six smaller guard towers, the guardhouse, and one larger tower. The walls are around sixty feet tall, and the towers extend for another eighty feet.
Fixing the map right now, it should be done in a few minutes.
Male Human (Chelaxian) Vigilante (Stalker) 7 | HP 70/70 | AC 22, touch 17, FF 16 | Fort +4, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +5, Perception +10
"So," Lysander whispers, keeping his voice low enough that only those near him can hear it, "Now where to? The gate out, or do we find an alternate route? The cliffs around this place are steep."Though with Asmodeus' guidance--and your gifts--you may well be able to survive the drop.
HP 16 / AC 15, T 11, FF 14 / Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +0 / Perception +4 / Initiative +3
Status:
Rage 6/7
"We should have tortured one of those cooks to tell us the back way out. Where they bring food and supplies in. Or at least found out if there was one. No way we're making that climb without several ropes and some grappling hooks."
Male Half-Orc Summoner (Blood God Disciple) 1 HP: 7/12
The eidolon is about to speak when Mavro cuts it off. He is a summoned being of my design and of my make. He is mine and he listens to me. I will not allow myself to risk it. It is a part of me and without it I am defenseless.
"The climb is treacherous. Even if it were possible we could clamber down these rather intimidating crags, there's still the guard towers to contend with. I've scaled walls before, yes, but not while a fusillade of arrows are hurtling toward me. The Gate seems the only option.
Katrin's right though. There might have been a back way. We could look for one, but it'd be tricky moving out in the open with the towers looking towards us."
Mavro edges out of the door to take a quick peak around at the walls.
I don't see a staircase up onto the wall either from here.
Ignoring his master's whims however, Aspros slithers in between his legs and out of the door, keeping to the wall and peering around it with its sinuous form, returning back after it got a glimpse around the corner.
Stealth:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
The snake speaks to the group. There isssss a building around the corner. However, I can't see much passsst it.
Katrin walks into a room full of drowsy, awakening guardsmen. As they notice the woman entering the room, they reach for their swords.
I'll have the map up in a few hours, I'm currently at a computer where I don't have access to my files. But assume from the door, you can move and reach anyone in the room, due to the small size of it. Anyone who wants to have gone with Katrin can have. I'll roll everyone into initiative in case they would like to take place in the fight.
Gunter is so not going to go fight. He ops out in order to escape rather than to fight. If no one else stays, I suppose he'll wander off on his own. Also, if no one replies, I'll go ahead and change my post, if the DM allows it.
The oracle seems to recall retrieving a rather large amount of rope from their earlier escapades. Although Katrin runs off, he does not follow, instead, scribbling quickly onto his board.
We have rope, can someone create a grappling hook or something? I imagine it wouldn't be too hard to escape, and we can go on about our way, instead of going back and causing more of a ruckus.
Male Human (Chelaxian) Vigilante (Stalker) 7 | HP 70/70 | AC 22, touch 17, FF 16 | Fort +4, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +5, Perception +10
Lysander glances as the woman wanders off, but he is more concerned with the immediate issue of escape. He'll go once he hears fighting, perhaps.
"That may not be wise, Chosen," the soulknife replies to Gunter's writing. "There are steep cliffs all around, and guards besides. Our best chance would be to sneak out through an entrance--preferably a rear, less-used and less-guarded one. Although we still have that "window"..." Lysander turns to Taemon'dow. "You have no idea what it does?"
HP 16 / AC 15, T 11, FF 14 / Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +0 / Perception +4 / Initiative +3
Status:
Rage 6/7
Wasn't expecting that necessarily, but oh well. Just thought we should check all the rooms on the floor where we were before going anywhere else. Katrin will have had her glaive out.
Katrin raises her polearm in a defensive posture and waits for the guards to get close. "Found some more guards." Katrin says over her shoulder.
Fighting defensively so my AC is 17 for now Readied attack:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 AOO:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 Damage:1d10 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Male Human Urban Ranger 1 (HP 12/12; AC 17/11/16; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +0; Init +3; Perception +4)
Darsis hurls himself forward at the nearest guardsman buring the greatsword in the man's stomach and kicking him off the blood slicked blade to land on the floor in a swiftly expanding pool of his own gore!
If there is a guard within 5ft. of the door Darsis will step up to him and then use his move action to sling his shield - AC 17, if not then he does not have his shield out and his AC is 15.
Male Human Urban Ranger 1 (HP 12/12; AC 17/11/16; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +0; Init +3; Perception +4)
Thanks Katrn. Darsis will attack the guard in the top right moving to the far right so that the two guards on the left will need to provoke to get at him.
I'll apply with Darsis an Urban Ranger, created for a previous Way of the Wicked campaign and already adjusted to my rolled stats.
Is it possible to just take a reroll if we want one and have to take the 2nd result? I'm not overly unhappy with my stats, but I would probably take such an option if it was available.
"If you'd like to and you have three scores at eight or nine, you can roll again. But you have to take the second roll, even if it's worse." Gladly. Thank you very much.
And, of course, that gives me some nice new ridiculously high scores. Cosmiy, if you'd like, since you let me reroll, I'd take my previous scores for dexterity and constitution.
Okay, I'm working it out this way. First level I'd going Blood God disciple for some level, then one - six levels in Savage Skald, and the rest in Disciple. The two aren't exactly a perfect mesh like Skald and Barbarian or Disciple and Barbarian dips, but it works for what kind of character I have in mind. Everything else is now forthcoming.
Eagerly waiting to see what youre thinking about the character mix and who may make the cut. I can have Gregor finaished rather rapidly if it looks like Ill be in that group. ;)
Ah, I forgot to mention, Katrin will be leveling barbarian->fighter->rogue->barbarian, then probably mostly fighter. She's gonna fight with a reach weapon with punches and kicks for backup.
Loup, posting back in with my submission: Lysander Tremayne. I had fun with the allowance of Psionics stuff, although I don't think I went too far overboard.
Lysander is an interesting character, I think, and I certainly had fun building his backstory up. I did take a couple of liberties with creating the story, but nothing lasting--certainly nothing that should affect the story of WotW as far as I know.
My only previous experience with this game is the free preview I downloaded, one that I also used a bit for building this character. It includes a small portion on the very first section of the campaign, but I barely remember it and won't be looking at it, so I really don't have much knowledge of the campaign events.
Alright, critique time. Just going down the pages and doing critique of anyone who's asked before I look through everyone and compile a spreadsheet.
Lady Rose: Your character is certainly interwoven into the plot, and I can think of several ideas having to do with her. My main concern would be how much she already knows of things in the story, simply due to being raised in these things all her life.
Kyras Farson: From what I know of Golarion, it looks good. I can clearly feel your character's motivations, which is always a good thing, and his personality is interesting as well.
Seranov: I like the dwarf raised by orcs better than the orc to be quite honest, and being a barbarian/druidy guy would probably give you a better chance of getting in. The north of Talingarde is known for being sort of wild and barbaric- it's literally called "The Savage North"- so I think it would make sense for him to come from there?
Travis Brogan: Your backstory is very plain, and if you expanded on it a little I may be more likely to choose you. But the concept behind it is good. I use the variant tiefling abilities.
Taemon'dow: Ah, I should have linked the gazetteer a little sooner, before everyone started making characters. 120 years ago the throne was under the control of the House of Barca, who were overtaken 80 years ago. The High Cardinal of Mitra isn't actually a spellcaster so just replace it with some other priest. But uh, onto the actual meat of the backstory, I do like your character's motivation, their reasons for their alignment change and the like, and once you make those changes I'll look over it again.
Sholano Gale: Only thing I see that wasn't edited was female references to Mitra, who's male. Characterwise, Sholano is interesting, especially how his life took a change for the worse at such a young age.
Kyonko: I'll critique your profile if you write a little more on her.
Gilthanis: Heh, he seems like a guy that the group would really have to appreciate if he was in it. I'd like you to fill out a little more of his personality, and I'll look at it again then.
Dread: If you flesh out Gregor a little more I may be able to give you a better estimate. But I'm going to make the list of everyone after I finish this critique post (I've been working on it for a while now... I hope the boards don't log me out.)
Loup Blanc: I really like Lysander- His way of thinking with Karlyle is unique, and I admit to being quite fond of soulknives. I don't think any of the changes you've made are too radical, and would in fact help you better fit in within the plot.
Anyway, I don't think I critiqued anyone who didn't say they wanted critique, and if you do want critique and you said you didn't want any I'll fix it. If I mixed up anyone's names, I'm sorry and I'll fix it.
North of Talingarde you say? It can easily be done. I'm going to cobble together a grassroots revolutionary effort for him to be an enforcer/high-ranking member of, and he'll have gotten caught because in the end, the folks they gathered weren't nearly as zealous at the concept of overthrowing the government and aristocracy.
I should have Quomaugh's background done by tonight/early tomorrow morning. Look forward to it!
Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme some critique! J/k of course, but I would appreciate a constructive feedback from your part on Jericho. Thanks in advance, cheers
Quomaugh and Xoruk Ironmaw were both found in the wreckage of a Dwarven caravan by Orcish scavengers. The Ironmaw Clan, as they called themselves, were a particularly ruthless and bloodthirsty tribe of Orcs. What they were most well-known for, however, was the fact that not a single one of the clan had anything resembling intelligence. The lot of them were foolish and ignorant, and it was because of this that they took to slaughter and the sowing of chaos with such vigor.
However, despite their renowned idiocy, the witch doctor of the Ironmaws, Bazur the Scarred, a Half-orc man who had also led the tribe for many years, saw promise in the two infants. Unsure how they had survived the wreck of the caravan, but impressed they had managed to stay alive despite it, Bazur took both boys in as his own children. It was many years before he even began to guess what they were, but from the first moment, they were treated as Orcs. Short, stout, pale-skinned, red-headed Orcs.
Quomaugh was apprenticed under the tribe's resident shaman, an Orc by the name of Krugg. Xoruk became a disciple of Bazur, himself. As soon as Quomaugh was of-age (though they still believed both brothers to be runts) he began the training to become a shaman, just as Krugg was. The dwarven man took to the training with gusto, thoroughly intent on becoming just as mighty and wise as his mentor. Training with vigor and fury, Quomaugh found in him the ability to become a whirling dervish of destruction, gleefully smashing the knees and privates of any of the Orcs who still dared call him a runt. He almost reveled in the fact that, unlike his brother, the Orcs began to fear and respect him for his great prowess in battle. Unlike even the most wild Orcs, Quomaugh was capable of a cold fury that allowed him to be just as strong or tough as any of his adoptive brethren, a skill learned from Krugg, himself.
Soon enough, an upstart Orc from outside the tribe came and demanded to be made leader of the Ironmaws. This Orc, Kilg, was far smarter than any of the Ironmaws, and immediately pointed out the two brothers for what they were. Seeing as they had been raised as Orcs, told they were Orcs, and generally believed they were Orcs, this was a grave offense. Bazur and Krugg stepped forward to defend their tribe, and their apprentices... but Kilg proved to be a mighty warrior who channeled pure evil. Slaying the Ironmaw Clan's previous leaders, Kilg had their heads mounted on pikes next to the tent Bazur used to inhabit. This infuriated Quomaugh and Xoruk, but they knew they could not fight the newcomer.
The two brothers decided they no longer belonged among the Ironmaws, and set out on their own. Upon reaching the nearest town, the two went their own separate ways, as well. Quomaugh found his way to the country of Talingarde, where he began to subsist in the Savage North. This northernmost area of Talingarde is plagued with ice cold winters, almost no arable farmland, and patchwork communities of shantytowns, if not a few huts in terrible condition. Without any money, Quomaugh was forced to live among these conditions, and after living in the (comparative) lap of luxury as the adoptive son of the Ironmaw Chieftan, the squalid and practically inhumane conditions of the Savage North was simply not acceptable. With Krugg's teachings in his head, the Dwarf knew there was only one way to solve this horrible problem: to topple the kingdom of Talingarde and take their land, their homes and their food for himself.
It was not long before Quomaugh founds others who agreed, and he soon became an enforcer for the anti-Talingarde revolutionary group, the Dark Moons. With the highest ranking members of this group being disenfranchised Talingarde aristocrats and ex-soldiers, Quomaugh found himself surrounded by people with similar goals... but they tricked themselves into believing they worked for the greater good. That the evil Talingarde and its leader, King Markadian V, must fall so that the poor, suffering folk of the Savage North might have somewhere to go. The fools! The simple folk who made up much of the base of the Dark Moons are nothing but peasants and serfs! What do they know of revolution?
As the plan to overthrow Markadian V had progressed, Quomaugh ingratiated himself with the group's leaders. Though not truly interested in their goals, the Dwarf knew when to shut up and follow along. Working his way towards the top of the organization, he managed to get his hands into the planning and running of operations. Better pay, better accommodations, all because he knows when NOT to open his mouth. Eventually, however, the day of the invasion of Talingarde arrived.
What ever made them think that two thousand peasants armed with pitchforks, shovels and scythes could do anything against the trained armies of Talingarde? Fools and dreamers. Quomaugh and a few other of the well-trained, well-armed revolutionaries managed to sneak into the palace. If they could not destroy the royalty with brute force, then a more strategic plan was required. The five of them infiltrated the castle, finding themselves in the depths of the enemy's stronghold, ready to slay the King whose negligence killed many, his laughter reverberating in the great hall where he feasted without a care for the people of the Savage North. Kicking down the door, Quomaugh and crew did not see Markadian V in the middle of a meal. Instead, a full hundred soldiers and crossbowmen awaited them. They had stumbled into a trap!
"Your plans are for naught! Mitra has warned us of your treasonous ways!" the King had shouted at them. They must have been sold out by the foolish former aristocrats, who believed they would be returned to power if they warned the Talingarde government of the invasion, of the attempt on the King's life. They would die, by Quomaugh's hand if not by the government they hoped to be welcomed by, that was for sure. "Mitra will have no mercy on your souls! The lot of you are sentenced to death by drawing and quartering! Guards, seize them!" And so the Dwarf fought. A full half-dozen of the King's guards fell before he was subdued, pressed face-first into the hard stone floor. There was no escape for Quomaugh. He had indeed tried to slay the King of Talingarde, and death was all he could expect for it. It appeared that his chance to rejoin his brother and retake the Ironmaw Clan, to become Shaman of the Ironmaws, was never to be. A dead man, Orc or Dwarf, can rule nothing...
Physical Description:
Quomaugh is broad and stout, a veritable mountain of a man... a very short mountain, yes, but every bit as tough. His bright emerald eyes, wild, dark red hair and well-kept beard aren't the only things that set him apart from his Orcish brethren, but they are the parts that stick out to the dimwitted Ironmaw. Though the Dwarven man has a light tan, he is still rather pale, especially compared to the olive or brown complexion of those he grew up amongst.
He has Druidic tattoos on his arms and chest, and a tattoo of a fang on his forehead, markings given to him by Krugg, his former master.
Quomaugh is a loud, boisterous fellow with very sinister motives. Unlike his brother, he is entirely content with doing evil to better himself, and often enjoys causing trouble and picking fights for fun. He loves ale and women, and lives entirely for himself. However, in combat, his eyes fill with cold fury, and he is like a scythe through wheat. Woe to the ones who stands before him on the battlefield.
He is also a self-centered jerk. While he will give people the benefit of the doubt in regards to their usefulness to him, those found wanting may wake up to a dagger in the spine, if they wake again, at all.
As I mentioned above, she'll be dipping rogue at 3rd level to grab some more skills and learn how to deal with traps. Other than that a damage dealer/battlefield control through reach weapon+unarmed strike+combat reflexes.
Here's Lantzkev's guy. I've put the background in the profile, and spoilered the crunch. I went martial artist to reflect a more chaotic alignment and inability to reach the "higher" mysteries of the martial arts that caused his anger and dissatisfaction.
I need to read more about Asmodeus personally, but I think he's looking for power and authority, think one of the off characters or villians of fist of the north start heh.
Any changes that you'd like me to make, I'm sure I'd be fine with.
It's also worth noting that her father is quite a bastard and may have raised her in such a way that she simply wouldn't know certain things, or was deliberately misinformed about them.
Alright, I'm going to do the second wave of critique tomorrow (I like to do them all in bunches). But I will clarify what I meant by "Submissions are closed on Wednesday". By that I mean they need to be in by 12 Noon UTC-05:00. I'll probably have a decision very late Wednesday (midnight or so) or Thursday.
Hey, it's Zenergy from way back at the start of the forum!
My last submission wasn't giving me the inspiration I hoped for. So I went with something that would; I am using the dice numbers from my first post in the topic. Hope you like it!
Dr. Ulrich Drakas, LE Alchemist (Chirurgeon)
http://www.dndsheets.net/view.php?id=48492
Background:
The work of a genius is always messy.
Self proclaimed Dr. Ulrich Drakas was quite the sight among his peers. His fascination with immortality and physical perfection received several laughs and several more scoffs as his empirical mind came at odds with the Mitran faith. This wouldn't prove to be much of a problem until the town crackpot came across the idea of using corpses as his source of study. After all, he didn't have enough money for proper schooling, and books, tools, and ingredients did enough to swallow his budget.
The first time was easy; in times of peace, men became complacent. In fact, it had gotten so easy to steal a body here and there that Dr. Drakas began to believe he "deserved" the corpses, his intolerance of ignorance as bitter as the work he engaged in. His methods were graphic, cutting open bodies and poking at deceased organs and bones. It started with skeletons, then rotted bodies. It wasn't enough for him; if he wanted a good specimen, it would have to be one who had recently passed.
Overconfident and zealous in his thirst for knowledge, Dr. Drakas dared to plunder the grave of a recently deceased woman who had come from good stock and was well-preserved. Priests had even bestowed magical preservation to retain her youthful appearance. She was perfect; human, female, brown hair, brown eyes, average in physique, and most of all, everything she was born with remained nicely preserved. He'd have sooner put her in a museum for the world to see than to rot uselessly in the dirt.
Unfortunately, he was caught when the alarm spell attached to her corpse signaled. When accosted by the Mitran clergy, he proved a struggle to keep down, the self-proclaimed doctor screaming all this nonsense about "knowledge" and "the key to immortality." They would not hear blasphemy from a madman, and as quickly as he had been interrogated, he was thrown into Branderscar to await his execution. Full of spite and hatred towards a people who could not embrace revolutionary ideas and grand discoveries, he curses the world under his breath, his piercing gaze always in the direction of Talingarde as though he had hoped the intensity of his eyes could burn down buildings.
Guess who can be evil and imbibe reliable healing? This guy can!
Righto, Mitra = dude. I'm pretty sure I knew that, wonder why I wrote it up as a woman...? Welp, delete a couple letters and we're good. Easy enough. Oh, and I don't think I specifically mentioned wanting critique previously, but I would be glad for any extra ideas you have.
On a related note, I have a few thoughts on possible pre-game character interactions, although this might be better cleared up in discussion after choices are made. These are largely based on my ideas about Sholano wandering through all walks of life as much as he can get away with. Here we go!
Lady Rose: There's a good chance Sholano has run into Lady Rose (and her friend Tiadora) on a few of his attempts to hobnob these last few years, as she's making her debut into society. It's the next best thing to impossible that she saw through his facade (based on their relative Bluff/Sense Motive scores), so the question I have on how their interaction went down is whether he saw through her beauty to the terrifying girl underneath. If he didn't, he'd probably end up trying to woo her, staying just out of reach as long as possible, hoping to use her connections for a leg up. If he did, he wouldn't just stay out of reach, he'd stay as far away as f'ing possible.
Kyras Farson: Sounds like Kyras probably ended up back in town just a little bit after Sholano, maybe about the same time. Kyras, being a wealthy individual, is a rather likely target for one of Sholano's schemes, but I think he probably wouldn't have made the attempt, owing either to Kyras' half-elf nature, or if he caught on to Kyras' spellcasting ability. There are easier targets. They could easily have bumped elbows at some of the same events, though, as they both tried to move their personae up in society. I doubt that Sholano would care much for Kyras personally, but as per usual, he'd do his best to make nice, throwing out choice brainteasers he's heard if he figured out Kyras' penchant for them.
Dr. Ulrich Drakas: Sholano may have arranged one or two of the details for delivering a body to the good (*ahem*) doctor. He finds the whole business distasteful, though, so probably didn't get personally involved.
That's all I've got, for the moment, although I'm sure further refinement is possible.
I was wondering if I could switch my Wis 8 with my Str 11, not for mechanical reason but rather flavor and fluff. If not then that isokay as well just wanted to ask you before I did it :)
My updated back story is now listed on my profile. I had to make a few modifications to my timeline and relations due to the history of the kingdom, but all is in order now. The gazette also allowed me to include the names of pertinent organizations and such, which was handy.
Let me know if there is anything else with the pitch that requires change or fine-tuning.
Okay, basic thoughts first before I go into critique mode. This is not set in Golarion. References to it aren't going to make or break an application, just pointing that out. Also, sorry for the extreme lateness of this post, it's been quite a blizzardly and busy day where I am.
Lady Rose: Ah, I was thinking of that too. If I pick you, that'll probably be the angle I go from.
Taemon'dow: Everything looks fine now, yup.
And critiques/thoughts. If I've missed anyone, I'll be doing a final round tomorrow morning. Though submissions are due at my noon, if you edit things a little before then I'll probably look them over one last time while making the final decision.
Darsis Valdane: He's quite creepy, and I like that about him. Every evil party needs a psychopathic killer (well, perhaps more than one) Cut out any Golgarion references and you're good to go.
Lysander Tremayne: Pretty much the same comments I had in group one when I did him before- I like him.
Jericho: Constructive Feedback... I guess the most helpful thing I could say is that I can't really get a sense of his personality through the backstory. If you had a personality component in addition to the backstory it may help, but as it is I sort of get a sense of what this guy's been through, but not really who he is.
Travis: Expanding it does give a better sense of who he is and how he would fit into the group, and it gives me a better idea of things I could possibly do with him.
Solgrin: I don't really see the lawful side from Solgrin as much as the evil side, though I suppose it could develop with time.
Katrin: I definitely like her strong, brash personality and way of... well, solving problems, I would say. She's an interesting twist on the traditional tomboy noblegirl! (is noblegirl even a word?)
Anyway, current spreadsheet magic is making it really awkward to pick. There are so many interesting people, and I can't let them all in. It's seriously making me consider having two groups. Don't count on it. But it may happen.
Double-posting to post this important list! This list is the list of everyone whose name is on the spreadsheet. I may have missed someone, and if I have I am very sorry. Be sure to tell me right away so I can put your name on the spreadsheet.
Gilthanis Silverbrow
Dr. Ulrich Drakas
Taemon'dow
Lady Rose
Katrin Whitebranch
Quomaugh Ironmaw
Euchrid "Clay" Hruska
Solgrin
Jericho Fiendaxe
Melocracy's Character
Roberto Paulson
Tavis Brogan
Nigel Kringle
Janna Haven
Gregor Kardoff
Darsis Valdane
Sholano Gale
Ryuka Shivra
Ember Firesong
Lysander Tremayne
Urtar Wasaam
Kyras Farson
Some interesting things I've learned from looking at the spreadsheet: Most popular class is monk. There are no Bards, Clerics (???), Summoners or Cavaliers. 22 people have applied. Nobody is True Neutral.
Ahh, sorry to post this so late, even after you posted everyone else. Here's Mavro's finished character. I went a bit overboard (understatement) with his character background so I included an incredibly brief summary so you don't have to read to the full thing if you don't want to.
Why play LN or TN in a game where you can be LE or NE, especially with this kind of tone and general assumption of Evil characters. It's like a neat break from playing Good characters, or at least it is for me. :)
Besides, Evil will always win because Good is dumb.
Hrm... After seeing what you said, I might change my character to an Oracle. Especially if it helps balance out the party.
Focus: Cha 18
Foible: Con 8
STR: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
DEX: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
WIS: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
INT: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Golarion references removed, he now trained in Ghastenhall and moved to Matheryn when things got too hot, and was orignially taken by demon worshippers.
Well, I thought about doing something in the vein of a cleric, but I really like soulknives... And I actually am playing LN, Seranov. I think that a character totally devoted to law could fit in well with this campaign and give a nice difference to the party than all the "evil evil evil" guys, haha.
Solgrin: I don't really see the lawful side from Solgrin as much as the evil side, though I suppose it could develop with time.
Solgrin's lawful nature comes from his appreciation of the hierarchy of life, the natural order of things: Those with power over others must exercise it, to not do so would break the hierarchy. His part in that up to now has been to cull the insipid nobility of their oh so gullible sons. His personal pleasure in exercising his own skill in these actions is a reflection of the discipline needed to achieve mastery over an such a complex set of movements and actions.
Well, it's past noon in my time zone now, so submissions are CLOSED. I currently have a good idea of who I want in the parties, and will be posting in about six hours with these results, perhaps sooner.
Awesome, looking forward to your decisions, cosmiy. :)
Loup Blanc wrote:
Well, I thought about doing something in the vein of a cleric, but I really like soulknives... And I actually am playing LN, Seranov. I think that a character totally devoted to law could fit in well with this campaign and give a nice difference to the party than all the "evil evil evil" guys, haha.
And that's totally fine. I was joking around, mostly. :)
Awesome, looking forward to your decisions, cosmiy. :)
Loup Blanc wrote:
Well, I thought about doing something in the vein of a cleric, but I really like soulknives... And I actually am playing LN, Seranov. I think that a character totally devoted to law could fit in well with this campaign and give a nice difference to the party than all the "evil evil evil" guys, haha.
And that's totally fine. I was joking around, mostly. :)
I know, I just thought I'd let you know, in case you're planning for a 100% evil party and we both get picked. Wouldn't want to give you a nasty surprise!
...Although those are usually fitting in evil campaigns.
Jericho learned along time ago that life is a brutal endeavour. He never knew his real father, nor much of "parents love", and has never fully belonged anywhere he has ended up. That he ultimately decided to fend for himself in the docks and shady areas of his hometown is no surprise. He has always harboured a kind of a secret longing to belong, wherever, with whomever. Probably this is one of the reasons he took on faith in Asmodeus. They (other Asmodeus believers) accepted him for what he trully is, with not much judgement. Jericho loved that.
Though not entirely used to the ways of "normal" life (on land), he is far from timid in unknown areas. He does not wish to make himself an easy target, but he will be no one's lapdog or mascot either. He is surprisingly upright and forthcoming for one with such a harsh look to him, and he enjoys the companionship, fleeting though it might be, that comes along with a shared mug or meal in the local taverns. It is his hope that he might one day find his way among friends (OK, maybe not friends, but man of similar interests) some day, accepted for what he is rather than being cultivated into something else.
He loves alcohol, but rarely drinks when "working" and is used (in a way) to spend time with prostitutes. He never knew "true love" and he does not think much of it. He has a very direct "hit first and hit hard" attitude, with "ask questions later...if needed"
