The Kings and Queens of Breland have long ruled under the shadow of the Curse of the Crimson Throne —an infamous superstition claiming that no monarch of the country of Breland shall ever die knowing peace, since Princess Wroann declared herself Queen of Breland in 984 YK, at the outset of the Last War.
Whether or not there is any truth to the legend of the curse, Breland's current king, Boranel ir'Wynarn, seems likely to be the latest victim to succumb to this foul legacy. The country teeters on the edge of anarchy, as nefarious forces threaten to tear the country apart from within, and re-ignite the Last War!
A character may:
1. Ask a question
2. Declare an action, by
- Stating the intention of the character, and
- Stating thew approach your character will try to accomplish their intention.
The DM will:
3. Adjudicate the action by describing the outcome (success or failure)
4. Describe the consequences.
- Provost Bonal Geldam was looking for an ancient Schema, or blueprint, for Lady Elaydren d'Vaux, before the warforged killed him. She has asked Esben to recover it for her. Perhaps you should check the address in his journal?
- A warforged attacked Professor Bonal Geldam, killing him, and then also attacked Esben. Why? Who was this warforged?
- Someone burned down the shop Esben works at, Little Zarash'ek. Was this because of the attack by the warforged?
NPCs:
- Lady Elaydren d'Vaux - A mysterious woman who appeared in your room at the Broken Anvil the evening after you found Provost Bonal Geldam's body, and fought the warforged.
- Professor Bonal Geldam, deceased. A Professor at Morgrave University studying the Five Nations - Cyre, Breland, Karrnath, Aundair and Thrane. He was killed by an unknown warforged, and found by Esben. He had been working with Lady Elaydren d'Vaux, looking for a schema.
Locations:
- The Broken Anvil, the Inn Esben is staying at, located in High Walls, Lower Tavic's Landing. Nestled between two towers, it is the remains of a large, armoured Sky-ship. Covered in heavy, thick, rusting iron, only half of the ship remains the rear of the ship having sheared off and disappeared into the depths. On the side of it can still be seen the name of the ship: Iron Anvil. Run by the inn-keep, Eranna, of House Ghallanda.
- Little Zarash'ek, the shop you were a baker at before it burned down. Located in Cassan Bridge on Middle Menthis Plateau.
Five things every Brelander knows:
1. The Galifar Code of Justice. Every citizen of
Breland learns at least the basics of the Code of Justice,
especially as it pertains to the rights afforded individuals
in any situation. This knowledge boils down to the right
to defend yourself, the right to confront your accuser,
and the right to open debate. Of course, the code contains many additional rights and laws, but these tend to
be the most important for the average Brelish citizen.
2. That different is just different. Tolerant and
accepting, the average Brelish believes that different
isn’t better or worse, good or bad; it’s just different.
Different races, different faiths, different cultures . . .
the Brelish, on the whole, are the most accepting and
unifying people in Khorvaire.
3. Something about the weather. Everyone in
Breland has an opinion about the weather, and they
love to discuss their views and share them with others.
This is especially true in the southern portions of the
country, where the weather seems to vary between two
states—hot and wet, and hotter and wetter.
4. The virtues of democracy. Unique among the
Five Nations, Breland has long been experimenting
with a new form of government. While the monarchy
remains in place, many other duties of government,
including legislation, falls to a partially elected
body—the Brelish Parliament. Thanks to town meetings where all citizens have a voice and the right to vote
for the elected members of the parliament, the Brelish
understand the rights, responsibilities of democracy,
as well as the great gift they have to live in such a progressive nation.
5. The wisdom of Beggar Dane. Out of the
pages of the Sharn Inquisitive, the simple lessons for
living popularized by this anonymous street bard
have become ingrained in the Brelish mindset.
These include: “A copper piece in the cup is a copper piece earned,”
“Never borrow, never lend,”
“The silent man has no one to blame but himself,”
and “A magewright in the town is worth an army in
the wilderness.”
Action types:
Free Action
Swift Action
Move Action
Standard Action
Full Round Action
House Rules:
Critical attacks and fumbles
* When you score a critical, you roll damage a number of times equal to the critical multiplier (roll twice for x2, etc.). Used feats or modifiers such as Power Attack apply and can adjust this value. If you critical and confirm with a natural twenty, you do max damage on the (multiplied) attack, and roll on the critical chart. Roll for a catastrophic critical. If you roll a third natural twenty, they take the previously stated damage and are knocked unconscious. (Treat as MD).
* When you roll a critical threat, you must roll again. If it hits, the attack is considered a critical.
* If you roll a Natural 20, you automatically hit, but you must still confirm the critical. Damage is max, even if unconfirmed.
* When you roll a natural 1, you provoke an AoO, and must roll again. If you miss, you roll on the fumble chart.
* If you fumble while casting a spell, you may also drop the spell component, and the spell may backfire, or be miscast.
Counters
* Actions you take when attacked. This replaces rolling your Defense (your AC).
* If you are FF, you do not get a reaction; roll vs FF Defense.
* When you get an AoO, you get to do a dirty trick, unless you have sneak attack damage...then you get sneak attacks. This should make the realm of AoO the Sneak attacker's domain, not everyone's. :)
(STILL WORKING ON THESE)
- Disarm
- Trip
- Drop prone, or dive behind cover (Reflex?)
- Shove/ re-position
- Shield bash (Stunned?)
- Bring shield to bear (Gain bonus ?)
- Drag (If they are Prone)
- Grapple
- Steal
- Jump off a height to avoid an AoO, but must succeed in a tumble check or be prone.
- Parry, +1d4/ tier + DexMod (again) to Defense score. Significantly raises Defense ability.
- Numb Strike* (*additional clarification),
- Hit ‘em with their own weapon. They attack, you defend CMD, minimum damage to them. Must beat their attack by at least 5.
- Stab their mates, same as above, to other threatened by both enemies.
- Block their attacks with their friend's weapon, or block their friends' attack with their weapon.
- Cast a cantrip
- Use someone else's body as a shield
- Grapple an enemy into his ally
* I am looking for things that spell-casters could do. The issue, of course, is that these Maneuvers don't do damage...they change the playing field. Trip makes you prone, disarm...well, it disarms you. Bullrush moves you, as does re-position. But spells can cause damage, which wasn't what I wanted Reactions to be about.
Segue's
In between scenes, the characters will have a discussion about subjects not automatically adventure related. Such as:
* Discussing any of your memories or other things from your background.
* Discussing cooking a favorite meal, and comparing notes.
* Discussing towns you both have visited.
* Discussing the Last War.
* Expounding about the Cauldron region, about Breland, Droamm or any other countries, about the Dragonmarked Houses, etc. (Lore).
* Discussing theories in the plot, or plans, etc. (I prefer this in character than ooc)
* Talking about anything else, really. These are great places to insert character interaction, personality, and character background, because the other characters don't know your background. The players do. :) Worth 50 XP, and 75 for the one who starts the conversation topic.
Destiny Points
You gain 1 per level.
Auto-succeed on almost anything, avoid death, etc. Subject to DM adjudication.
Hero Points
You gain 4+ your new character level at level-up.
*Can be used to re-roll any roll, or force the DM to re-roll any roll.
*You gain 1 per every three Natural 20's you roll.
*The DM gains one to use per every 5 Fumbles rolled by the party.
Defense and Armor
* Defense: 1d20+ CMD
* If you roll a natural 20 on your Defense roll, you gain a free retaliation attack, in addition to your manoeuvre, if you threaten the attacker. If you roll a Natural 1 on your Defense, they get a free Dirty Trick or Sneak Attack, if they have that ability.
* Armor as DR
* Attacks do a minimum of 1 point of damage, no matter the DR unless it is a minion that hits you.
* If a minion attacks you, it stacks with other minion damage in regards to DR.
* Shields provide Defense AND DR. Spiked shields do damage during a reaction.
* A Helpless Defender does not benefit from Armor DR nor Class Defense bonus, and a prone defender is reduced to 1/2 their normal values for Armor DR.
Party XP:
Esben 865/3,000 xp 17.5%
+300 xp for linking character sheet
+75 xp for linking pictures to character sheet
+75 xp for a memory of your childhood
+75 xp for a memory of training
+240 xp for first 50 posts
+100 xp for Inferno prediction
When you act on your motivations, goals, prejudices, traits, drawbacks, feats and some flaws, I'll give you a little extra XP for RP.
- For instance, if your character has a hatred of hobgoblins, and you fight one despite the fact the party needs you, this is a conflict; your hatred vs. your need to assist your friends. You could also let the hobgoblin go, and assist your friends. But RPing that conflict (not through internal dialogue and thought, but through words and actions) is good character development.
Journal entries gain XP, 5% of the level.
Posting gains 10 XP per post (I tally every 50), and 2 XP per discussion post.
Answering a question within four days of posting, and putting it on your character page gets you 75 XP, 25 XP within the two weeks, and 10 XP after that.
Creating something for the party to utilize gets you 100 XP. (maps, drawings, charts, whatever).
Segues are worth 50 XP, and 75 for the one who starts the topic of conversation.
Weekly questions:
(Earned 75 xp 10/4/19) - Link a picture of your character on your sheet.
(Earned 75 xp 10/15/19) - Write a memory of you and your sister together.
(Earned 75 xp 10/15/19) - Write a memory of you working out, or training, in your martial arts.
(Currently not available) - Write a memory (details in the post for individuals)
(Currently not available) - What are your characters personal plans for the next week?
(Currently not available) - What are your characters personal plans for the next month?
(Currently not available) - Tell me about the first time your character feels they fell in love.
(Currently not available) - Write a memory of something that made you feel disgusted.
(Currently not available) - Tell me a memory of an experience that caused you to feel fear.
(Currently not available) - Write a memory of the home you grew up in. For instance, I still remember the tree in my backyard where I found a bat one year.
(Currently not available) - Write a strong memory you have from the war. Your greatest impression of the war.
(Currently not available) - Write a memory of your family, who you grew up with.
(Currently not available) - Describe your characters most memorable birthday.
(Currently not available) - Write a memory about one of your NPC's.
(Currently not available) - Write a memory of, or with your mother.
(Currently not available) - Write your favourite legend or children's story you heard growing up.
(Currently not available) - Write a story of a scar you have, and how you got it.
Proper formatting:
Proper format includes always putting names in bold and bolding "dialogue" as well, which should always be in quotes. Linking any spell-use or feat-use to the SRD for easy access so anyone reading may look up the rules, a description of what you do (think the pages of a novel), and a
spoiler ooc section telling me the rules and you are using to accomplish what you described.
Please do not have gigantic soliloquies or monologues. Go listen to a conversation with your friends. You get perhaps two lines out before someone comments or interjects. This helps the conversation to flow more.
Also, please don't tell us what you are thinking. Show us. We can't read your thoughts in the real world, our characters shouldn't be able to read each others'.
If you have something that needs knowing, express it in another fashion, or ooc it to the DM.
Hiding the fact that you provided the poison to the little girl who killed her mom on accident from the rest of the party? Fine. Make an ooc Bluff check, and tell the DM what you are trying to hide. He'll call for a roll, and inform anyone of any information they discern. Don't say 'Jimmy looks around nervously, knowing that he poisoned the little scamp because she annoyed him, and screw everyone else, he made nine silver!' We now all know exactly what you did, and are actually likely to be annoyed with you for being a bit of a douche. But if the character hides the fact that he did it, when another character discovers that information, they will look at your character as the douche-rocket, not you. (And rightly so...she was seven! Don't give her poison!
Also, please don't posture. Example:
'Name changed for their protection finds the news not unexpected considering the information he was able to obtain from his sources. He nods his acknowledgment. He remains silent. He continues to clean his firearms in anticipation of early deployment. He points his hand cannon in the direction of the steward rather nonchalantly, not caring if it scares the bugger or not.'
This should read 'Bill S. nods. Cleaning his firearm, he points it nonchalantly at the steward. "Do you feel lucky? Punk?"'
All the other info...the information he received, having "sources". The anticipation of early deployment. Not "caring if he scares the bugger or not" are called posturing.
Please proof-read your posts.
Character creation:
1. Did you make me smile?
I love a truly visceral response. I wanted to see if reading your description made me respond.
2. Did you compel me?
At the end of the description, did I immediately want to know more?
3. Was I reading about Rey or was I reading about Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master in hiding?
Was I reading about someone who was a hero already, or a person ready to have their life interrupted, and caught up in extraordinary circumstances?
I want the characters in this story to feel like Peter Parker before the spider, like Frodo before Bilbo's birthday, like Tony Stark before captivity. They are high school students, and hobbits, and yes billionaires...but not heroes. Vulnerable. But once destiny grabs them by the scruffs of their necks and shakes them like a chew toy, they become something more.
4. The quality of the writing.
I want someone who can use their words in a compelling fashion, who knows how to use a comma and is not afraid of doing it. Someone who can craft a beautiful description, but can also allow brevity to carry a moment.
5. Did you give me a monster to slay?
This will take a little explaining. I was looking for stories that were compelling, but that also gave me...hints. Moments that I could play with, tug, and scratch at. Something that I could draw a vivid, colourful tattoo on their lives, and have it fit both their character concept and my story. Something I could use to push their character into places they fear, or scenarios they might be uncomfortable confronting. Driving emotions of guilt, greed, desire, anger. Secrets, misunderstandings and prejudices. I want the greatest monster that you fight in the game to be yourself and your past.
6. Was your character breathing?
Did the character feel alive? Real. Vulnerable? Could I sense memories hanging un-typed from your character, ready to fill out the corners of their life? This is a hard one to explain, but if you've ever read a story with a lead character you just can't identify with, who is forgettable, it's likely because they weren't breathing, living. They were archetypes, with names and looks and explosions...but not great characters.
7. Did I feel you would work well, and fight well, with others?
I looked at many combinations of characters (and can't tell you how many campaigns I want to run with just two of you, just to have your characters Foil each other, lol). I needed to see where they would work together with common goals, but different motivations, and see where they would conflict, but still cooperate.
"You mortals shall perish if you interfere with our plans."
- Celestial (Khmer) - អ្នកមនុស្សនឹងត្រូវវិនាសប្រសិនបើអ្នកជ្រៀតជ្រែកជាមួយនឹងផែនការរបស់យើង។.
- Abyssal (Telugu) - మీరు మా ప్రణాళికలు జోక్యం ఉంటే మీరు మానవులు నశింతురు.
- Infernal (Thai) - ปุถุชนคุณจะพินาศถ้าคุณยุ่งเกี่ยวกับแผนการของเรา.
"My people were the victims in the Great War. We did not want this fight; this fight sought us out, and murdered out children."
- Goblin (Icelandic) - Mitt fólk voru fórnarlömb í Great War. Við vildum ekki þessari baráttu; þessi bardagi leitað okkur út, og myrt sonu."
- Hobgoblin (Dutch) - "Mijn mensen waren het slachtoffer in de Grote Oorlog. We wilden niet deze strijd; deze strijd zocht ons uit, en vermoord uit kinderen."
- Valaes (Swahili) - "Watu wangu walikuwa waathirika katika Vita Kuu. Hatukutaka vita hii; vita hii walitaka sisi nje, na aliuawa nje watoto."
- Aereni (Zulu) - "Abantu bami babe izisulu eMpini Enkulu. We wayengafuni le mpi; Kule mpi wafuna us out, futhi wabulala abantwana."
- Zilargo (Malay) - "Rakyatku telah terlibat dalam mangsa dalam Perang Besar. Kami tidak mahu perjuangan ini; perjuangan ini dicari kami keluar, dan dibunuh daripada kanak-kanak."
- Aundair (French) - "Mes gens étaient les victimes de la Grande Guerre. Nous ne voulons pas que cette lutte; ce combat nous a cherché, et assassiné des enfants."
- Cyre (Spanish) - "Mi pueblo fueron las víctimas en la Gran Guerra. No queríamos que esta lucha; esta lucha nos buscó, y asesinó a cabo los niños."
- Breland (English) - That stuff we mutter.
- Dwarven (Basque) - "Nire pertsona Gerra Handiaren ere biktima izan ziren. Guk ez dugu borroka honetan nahi; Borroka honetan bilatzen gurekin, eta hil haur.."
- Q'barra - (Vietnamese) - "Dân ta là nạn nhân trong các cuộc chiến tranh lớn. Chúng tôi không muốn cuộc chiến này; cuộc chiến này đã tìm ra chúng, và giết hại trẻ em ra.."
- Kaarnath (Russian) - "Мои люди были жертвами в Великой войне. Мы не хотим, чтобы эта борьба; эта борьба стремились нас, и убил из детей."
- Thrane (Italian) - "La mia gente sono state le vittime nella Grande Guerra. Non abbiamo voluto questa lotta; questa lotta noi cercato, e ucciso fuori bambini."
- Lhaazar principalities (Traditional chinese) - "我人在第一次世界大戰的受害者。我們不希望這場戰鬥;這場鬥爭中尋求我們出去，並殺害了孩子."
- Shadow marches, humans (Irish) - "Bhí mo mhuintir na n-íospartach sa Chogadh Mór. Ní raibh muid ag iarraidh an troid; iarr an troid dúinn amach, agus dúnmharaíodh amach do leanaí
- Shadow marches, orc (Welsh) - "Fy mhobl oedd y dioddefwyr yn y Rhyfel Mawr. Doedden ni ddim am i frwydr hon; frwydr hon Ceisiodd ni allan, ac llofruddio allan plant."
- Eldeen Reaches (Gaelician) - "Meu pobo foron vítimas na Gran Guerra. Non queremos esta loita; esta loita nos buscou, e asasinado a nenos."
- Demon wastes (Sinhala) - "මාගේ සෙනඟ මහා යුද්ධයේ දී විපතට පත් වූහ. අපි මේ සටන අවශ්ය නැහැ; මෙම අරගලය අප පිටතට උත්සාහ, හා දරුවන් එළියට ඝාතනය."
- Xen'drik (Japanese) - "わたしの民は、第一次世界大戦での犠牲者でした。私たちは、この戦いを望んでいませんでした。この戦いは、私たちを求めて、子供を殺害しました。."
- Halfling (Yucatec Maya) - "In kaajal j-máaxo'ob le nuxi' k'atun. Ma' Táak k le ba'atelo'; le ba'ate'lo' k kaxantaj ka asesinó le paalalo'obo'."
Stats:
Natural 20's/ Fumbles -
Max magical damage dealt/ max damage taken
Max physical damage dealt/ max damage taken
Average rolls/ attacks Days campaign has been active 0
Posts (weeks run Monday to Sunday)
- Week 1: 0
10. Adjunct Instructor
9. Graduate Teaching Assistant
8. Visiting Professor
7. Assistant Professor
6. Associate Professor
5. Full Professor
4. Endowed Professor
3. Distinguished Professor
2. Administrator
1. Professor Emeritus
DM:
Professor Gydd Nephret
Dala was having an affair with Bonal Geldam, trying to find out what he was doing. She is being blackmailed by the Emerald Claw.
Dala INT 13, level 2 Expert. 2 SP in Bluff. Skill Focus (Bluff). Deceitful And a Ring of Elequence +11
TRINIA Trinia Sabor has always wanted to be a painter, never knowing how her choice of profession would land her in trouble. The younger daughter of a group of wandering Varisians, Trinia chose Korvosa as her home when, on coming of age, she refused her family’s carnival tradition and ventured into the world of artists.
She started on the streets, peddling her paintings and offering to paint portraits and caricatures of passersby for coin. She managed then to enter the Old Korvosa circle of artists, yet her time there was brief: the Old Korvosa artistry specializes mainly in gloomy landscapes, depressing still-life, and gruesome sights of carnage and debauchery, and this was not at all Trinia’s cup of tea. When it became obvious the circle was not interested in her colorful and lifelike work, and when she realized she was unable and unwilling to paint the kind of image they enjoyed, she left them in favor of Midland.
In Midland, Trinia rented a small loft in The Shingles and started anew on the kind of work that gave her pleasure. Portraits of minor nobility and wealthy merchants earned her most of her living, but she quickly realized she would need quite the breakthrough to be recognized. Then the chance came: a contest posted by Castle Korvosa, in which the winner would not only receive the honor of immortalizing King Eodred II, but also a very generous commission. Trinia knew she was unlikely to win, but showed up at Castle Korvosa to present her portfolio all the same.
Against all odds, she was chosen, and spent three weeks in Castle Korvosa to produce her magna opus: the image of King Eodred II, so lifelike he could have jumped from the canvas, not as a dreary and serious monarch, but as the bohemian, kindly King that he truly was.
Unfortunately, after the King’s passing shortly after, Trinia was named the prime suspect in a potential poisoning. When she learned of the fact, she managed to flee pursuit before the Guard reached her loft. Thanks to help from other Varisians – be them neighbors in the Shingles, or acquaintances throughout Midland – as well as Pathfinder Agent Deetz Softstep, Trinia evaded capture for a few days, until she could be convinced to flee the city. When she briefly returned to her apartment to fetch some of her belongings before leaving, she was caught by heroes and persuaded to turn herself in. After all, being innocent of the crimes she was accused of, she had nothing to fear from a trial.
For reasons none at the time could discern, Trinia was found guilty and scheduled to be executed along rioters and deserters in public plaza. She would have had her head cut if not for the timely intervention of the legendary Blackjack, who saved her from her fate at nearly the cost of his own life.
