Nyd is built a lot like this guy; without the spikes, weapon or shield.
He's dressed more like this guy, but in blue
Nice! I love images.
Have you guys seen this?
It's not in color unless you use some other software but the way you can personalize a character is outstanding.
Action 1:
Veratash was thirsty as well as tired. He was sure that he would be able to be a little faster if he just had a sip of water. He pulled out his waterskin and squeezed it hard without stopping. He thankfully took the two droplets that fell out.
How did it end up like this? he wondered. The young kalashtar could barely contain himself last week, nearly hopping around in excitement. The expedition leader Kosh had organized a very good group, but now Veratash didn't know what had happened to them. Or perhaps he knew, but didn't want to remember.
Right now he needed to focus on surviving the.... whoever it was that was following him. He wanted to look at himself and figure out how dirty he looked or how torn his clothes were. Father would kill me if he saw me right now, he thought almost laughing at the irony. But there was no time for laughing. Not that he could muster the energy for it either.
By chance, he remembered there were mountains to the northeast of the Shadow Marches. He didn't know much about tracking, but he did know that it is much easier to track someone in grasslands than rocky ground. So near the mountains his pursuers would have a harder time finding him, he hoped. I'll make it!, he thought remembering how his mother Cati said he was often too optimistic. When he reached the mountains, he could use some minor psychic abilities on which he could rely that made small amounts of earth harder or easier to walk, and also create obstacles.
He put his hand in his magical bag and pulled out his very useful Orb of Direction he had gotten from Kosh before setting out to enter the Shadow Marches. After a brief concentration, he knew which way was north again and set out to try to get out of the Shadow Marches by walking the rocky ground near the mountains.
Until now he had been afraid to use his not very reliable psychic powers. But the situation was dire, so he focused on creating a false projection of himself, as he had managed to do so before. He focused on creating a double of himself walking in another direction.
Without seeing the result, he made the Cloak of Many Fashions he had since he was young change color to match the environment, in an attempt to be harder to locate. After that, Veratash just looked forward to the path he chose and focused on the hardest activity he could remember: walking.
Here's how I see Artur in 5-10 years or so.
No, no, no. :)
Go ahead and read everything. On that vein, you weren't supposed to know about the 'prologue' but I hope you read that because it set the tone for your initial adversaries.
We're supposed to be enjoying the story as it develops.
What I will ask you (insist on) is that you separate player knowledge from character knowledge.
For example later on as the game develops you'll see things like this on the OOC part of the turn recap.
Knowledge arcana DC 13: you know fact A;
Knowledge arcana DC 16: you know facts A and B
I'll then expect you to roll your ability checks and incorporate your results (if any) into your post. If you didn't make those checks then RP your PC NOT knowing those facts.
We can't stop every time there is an ability check. PBPs are already slow enough. :)
DRAGONSHARD
I was nice enough to let you leave with your equipment so what's an Eberron dragonshard going to change. :)
Go ahead and say that you pilfered one of those on your way out.
Questions?
Game on!
Tharivol Galanodel d'Phiarlan looks elegant wherever he goes, well representing his Elven Dragonmarked House of Phiarlan, while even laying low with official identification and portrait as Gilavar Throndel. His traveling clothes are fashionable and magically clean and bright, despite the road dust. His dark hair is also magically clean and styled. His brilliant blue eyes and white-teeth of his easy smile always sparkle. Hygiene is almost an obsessive compulsion handled by Prestidigitation that he keeps active all of the time.
He wears a rapier and dagger on his belt. Over his shoulders, he carries a backpack, longbow, quiver, and a lute-shaped leather case. So, his professions as an archer and musician are obvious.
The timing of Artur was impeccable with an offer of a little job. He had three ladies who had recently and unfortunately discovered that they shared a common interest in him, and he needed to go on tour beyond Sharn quickly. Life was good. His music had made him a bit of celebrity in the Sharn tavern circuit, which earned him free luxuries, favors and information. And occasionally, it was time to go on the road, like now.
Artur and Nyd were easy company, like family. Well, not like HIS Dragonmarked family, which was not so easy. But, how he imagined a normal family would behave: good times, tense times, but always there when you needed them.
Swinging down from his horse, Gilavar (as he reminded his companions was his name today) flashes a genuine smile and says, "well hello there, pretty lady. We're here for some good food and drink, in exchange of a bit of coin and music. What can we expect to find here?"
Swinging down from his horse, Gilavar (as he reminded his companions was his name today) flashes a genuine smile and says, "well hello there, pretty lady. We're here for some good food and drink, in exchange of a bit of coin and music. What can we expect to find here?"
The stable girl gawked at the pretty elf, her mouth open. She soon came out of reverie when the elf addressed her. She couldn't believe he was talking to her, "Here? You mean you gonna play music for us?"
She cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled towards the tavern, "Pa! get your good ale from under the counter, we gotta us a singer here." She half-murmured to herself, "A real pretty one to boot."
The girl gave the reins of the horses to another boy and wrapped her arm around the pretty elf, "Well mister, let me show you inside. You know we don't get many musicians 'round here."
She tried to remember, "Those nasty Jarell boys with their fiddles come by every few weeks or so but we already all their songs."
She almost forgot her manners; she made a curtsy bow and said, "My name's Anna. My momma always tell me to remember to introduce myself to strangers." Then the questions started pouring out of her, " What's your name? You gonna be staying with us long? Do you need a room?"
I'll move this along later today.
Kela? Still with us I hope.
Questions?
Game on!
...She almost forgot her manners; she made a curtsy bow and said, "My name's Anna. My momma always tell me to remember to introduce myself to strangers." Then the questions started pouring out of her, " What's your name? You gonna be staying with us long? Do you need a room?"
OOC: One more thing about my games. I want to provide as many opportunities for PCs to act as possible so this last post was meant to get a direct response from Tharivol.
However, both Artur and Nyd were there (and maybe even Kela caught the last bit of conversation) so these PCs can also 'act' (talk, act, think, etc.) on that 'prompt'.
Questions?
Game on!
Action 3
News of Artur’s visit was unexpected, but Kela certainly looked forward to the distraction. Her hunting team had done good work here over the years, good enough that there was now far less to threaten the natural order of things than before. Boredom was setting in, and she suspected that if Artur had come in a year or more she would have been gone, seeking out new trouble to handle elsewhere.
The few days she spent waiting were peaceful enough, the weather was fine and she slept outdoors quite comfortably (it always took a few days to adjust to beds again, and usually wasn’t worth the effort). She alternated between fishing and training to occupy herself, and was able to trade her fresh caught fish for proper meals at the inn, and some drink (unlike beds, proper meals never took her anytime to adjust to).
Action 4
As the three travelers arrive at the inn the door is shoved and open and a half-orc woman strides heading straight for Artur. Tall and lean she wears loose fitting trousers, boots and a simple green shirt. Just under her sleeves is a glimpse of an iridescent purple dragon mark that sits across her shoulder and the edge of a black tattoo on the other.
As Artur manages to cut his own welcome short Kela thinks to herself with amusement, that some things didn’t change at all over the years. Grinning widely she claps her hand on Artur’s shoulder and begins steering him into the inn and the table she claimed cheerfully saying
“Artur, forget the books. Let’s get a drink and catch up first. And who are these folk riding with you?” She eyes his companions, neither of whom look like they’ve traveled far, or lived nearby.
Nyd places his left fist against his chest and half-bows, a combination of a couple of different military salutes.
To Anna specifically he says, "Greetings, Stablemaster Anna. I am called Nyd of Calling. I do not know our current plans, but holding a room is an excellent precaution. I also suspect my companions would like to avail themselves of some non-field rations."
To "Greetings Ally of Arthur, I am Nyd of Calling. I am an...adventuring scholar, I believe is the correct term. Arthur requested I join him in a combination escort/delivery mission, the later of which I believe he is about to complete."
Deciding this is an excellent opportunity for a gig, Tharivol decides to set aside his current disguise. ”Pretty lady, you have the honor to have Tharivol Galanodel d’Phiarlan performing tonight from Sharn. Yes, we’ll need rooming for at least tonight. “. He introduces himself with an flourishing bow.
So you are trying to make the Eberron Dragonshard your solution to the wild magic surge? That's fine; we can RP that out.
Also, for your abilities, you add 1 to WIS, 1 to CHA, AND 1 to another ability of your choice.
BTW, I'll be checking the remaining PC sheets later today.
Questions?
Game on!
Artur smirked as he watched the interaction between Tharivol and the young girl
Anna was her name?
before allowing himself to be led into the tavern by Kela.
Still strong as ever I see thought Artur to himself.
Some things never change.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Artur took in the room with a practiced sweep of his head, noting the exits and checking each of the locals for weapons.
As I figured, most of them are armed he thought as he noted the weapons each man or woman carried.
After surveying the scene, Artur answered Kela's question "These are both trustworthy people I know. Nyd is a...he's someone I've known for a while now, and he's a fairly powerful wizard. Tharivol is....well, you see." offered Artur with a nod to Tharivol, who was chatting up the young woman. "He was sick of Sharn and I offered to bring him along because he's useful for getting a room for the night, if nothing else" finished Artur with a smile.
"So tell me, how are things here? I've read your letters, but it sounded much more serious than it appears to be. This place seems pretty...sleepy, I guess you could call it."
Last PC Sheets checked...
Tharivol: looks good, no comment
Kela: looks good, minor comments:
- your spell DC is 13 (not 15);
- you have two favored enemies in your 'horizon walker' part only one in your 'statblock'; it should only be one (I'm sure the two favored enemies was a carryover from the alternative ranger).
Questions?
Game on!
So you are trying to make the Eberron Dragonshard your solution to the wild magic surge? That's fine; we can RP that out.
Not really, I'm suggesting a further problem to the wild magic sorcerer. With the Dragonshard, the wild magic surge happens as the subclass rule, that is, you can have me roll a d20 and we roll the effect from the table on a 1. But without the Dragonshard, then we treat every d20 as an automatic 1, that is, I never get the desired effect (unless the wild magic surge table so states).
Also, for your abilities, you add 1 to WIS, 1 to CHA, AND 1 to another ability of your choice.
So, I was missing the additional at my choice. Then I start with
8
10
14
10
14
15
Add 2 to Wisdom then 1 to Charisma. I understand now. Thank you for your patience (I was supposed to be good at math XD).
Action 1:
To Veratash the lowering sun meant stopping, which wasn't necessarily good. He had never been so afraid in his life. Looking into his magic bag, he observed the magical lantern in there, but he didn't have any oil. The light would reveal his position too.
Amazing!, he thought with a light chuckle. I can still think. The thought gave him the notion that he would need a plan more ambitious than simply running away. He would mull over this during the night. I hope I don't have nightmares again, he thought as a breeze made him shiver. Was he supposed to feel cold at this time of the year? Home was so far away, he didn't even know anymore.
Putting his strength together, he decided to try to find a safe place to spend the night, as well as something to eat and quench his thirst.
While he did find some berries, they were barely enough to fill his belly. Instead of continuing his search of food, he decided to settle under his cloak under the closest bush he could find. He tried to create some protection from the elements with some feeble psychic manipulation of the ground. Nevertheless, the night was cold and the bush had twigs that poked him overnight. Also, the nightmares returned.
Should the 'elegant elf' want to perform:
Performance check roll:
< 10 (meh..., the Jarell boys can do as much)
> 10 (it was alright, is this the best Sharn has?)
> 15 (well done, meals and lodging on the house!)
> 20 (tears, applause, never seen by anyone in these parts of the world)
Game on!
Nyd enters the tavern quietly, quickly taking note of the weapons that most of the people are carrying.
Unexpected number of weapons. Few wearing heavy armor. Due to the setting most are likely civilian-class, with a few adventure-class wildcards. Likest group combat tactic, swarm with numbers. Optimal counter, Stinking Cloud and evacuate allies under cover.
Nyd lets the tactical evaluation pass over him, a reflex as easy as walking. No, easier, considering that Nyd could still stumble in difficult terrain.
Noticing a quiet spot with enough room for his current squad, Nyd walked over, and after checking that the chair could suppport his weight, sat.
Between himself here, and likely Tarivol over there, Artur and...Kela would have chance to talk with minimal chances to be overheard.
Tharivol entered the inn like a rockstar, smiling and comfortable at the center of attention. He circuited the room to meet the owners who would feed and shelter him and his companions tonight and made them and their daughter feel important. The elegant elf bounced from person to table learning about his audience, sizing his competition and threats, and listening to gossip.
Finally, the elf found his way to the table of Artur and Nyd introducing himself to Kela and ensuring that they are included in his free food and beverages. He leaned his backpack, lute case, longbow and quiver against the wall next to the table.
Eventually, the inn began to chant Tharivol's name, probably started by the innkeeper's daughter. With feigned reluctance, the entertainer made a production of removing his lute from its case and sauntered to the best place to play. His performance incorporated small magical accompaniment from Prestidigitation and large magical effects with Minor Illusion.
Action 3
“Right, well I suppose if you trust them, you trust them.” Kela said blandly, lacking the tone of welcome with which she greeted Artur. She politely replied to Nyd ”Greetings Nyd. What is it that you intend to study all the way out here?” and then settled in at the tavern table to enjoy the evening of conversation.
Artur likely recalls the mistrust Kela had when they first met. She shares a widespread belief among the Gatekeepers that the damage of Last War was primarily due to excessive and unwise use of arcane magic and technology. While she came to trust in Artur’s common sense, it seems she is still hesitant to offer that trust to others.
”Well yes things are quiet here” Kela explains with an expansive gesture to indicate the village. ”But I work throughout the region, specifically seeking out trouble so my letters, apologies again for their irregular arrival, covered far more danger than Bull Hollow sees.” she shrugs and inquires about Artur’s life in turn ”It seems you’ve done well living in Sharn, picked up some more friends and work. Did the job that brought you out here go well?”
The two continue in conversation until silence falls as Tharivol plays. Kela certainly enjoys the music, foot tapping along and she joins in the cheers when he finishes his song. As he stops by their table to chat Kela congratulates him on his performance “That was an excellent performance. Almost more enjoyable than catching up with Artur.” she grins in good humor ”I don’t really know why you use so much arcane magic when your skill is more than enough to stand on its’ own.”
Kela will continue to sleep outdoors as long as the weather remains fine. She wakes with the dawn, but won’t disturb the traveller’s since she is sure they need time to recover from their long journey. Anyways dawn is a good time for fishing so she’ll see what she can catch and leave a message at the bar so the others can join her when ready.
1. Tharivol knows See Invisibility, so he can target a Faerie Fire, so you don't need to prepare it
2. Tharivol has a Helm of Comprehend Languages to couple with his one 3rd level spell Tongues, so he can charm anyone. Feel free to get another magic item, because we can share. It doesn't require attuning
3. How do you have Arcana +10? How do you get double your proficiency?
cheers
1. Can you make magic items? Like did you make their Mithral Breastplate and Collapsible Shields?
2. If Fabien plays with XGE, you should really reread the section on tools with all of yours. Lots of opportunities for advantages and new abilities.
3. I view Tharivol like a musical Face in the A-team. How close do you imagine is Artur to Hannibal, in planning and leading?
cheers
Tharivol flashes a genuine smile at Kela's left-handed compliment. "Thank you. It's all part of the show."
That would be great!
I usually ask for 'campfire stories' later as the game progresses. They are great because they: a) give us an insight into the PC, b) usually develops a place or an NPC ripe for an evil DM to abuse use, and c) are very entertaining. :)
Like I said, I usually ask for one person to do this but have had more than one person collaborate on one as well. Feel free to use the boards and post as the story is developed or some other medium and just post the story when it's done (or send to me and I'll add to a turn recap).
Working on the turn recap...
Game on!
So you are trying to make the Eberron Dragonshard your solution to the wild magic surge? That's fine; we can RP that out.Not really, I'm suggesting a further problem to the wild magic sorcerer. With the Dragonshard, the wild magic surge happens as the subclass rule, that is, you can have me roll a d20 and we roll the effect from the table on a 1. But without the Dragonshard, then we treat every d20 as an automatic 1, that is, I never get the desired effect (unless the wild magic surge table so states).
Sure, we can RP that and maybe later RP your PC getting more control over his abilities.
Game on!
"I'm doing alright for myself. There is alot of work for someone with my set of skills in Sharn, and it's not like I can exactly go home."
1. So, if our illustrious GM allows it, let's say Artur made Tharivol's breastplate and collapsible shield, too.
2. Donatello. Understood. I can imagine that.
OOC: I'm fine with Artur having made magic items for himself and Tharivol.
I'll look into the tool section in XGE to see what that's all about.
I know about the TMNT but not enough to get the Donatello gist. :(
Game on!
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Action 4 = Missed Tharivol's snappy reply
Tharivol has no interest in hunting outdoors, unless there's money in it. Don't want to split the party, but he'd prefer to stay in the inn. Artur would know this, in order to maneuver his friend.
cheers
Action 4 = Missed Tharivol's snappy reply
Oops, I did. :( I'll incorporate it in the next turn recap.
Nope. We are posting everything in the Discussion Tab. I reserve the Gameplay Tab for posting Turn recaps.
Tharivol has no interest in hunting outdoors, unless there's money in it. Don't want to split the party, but he'd prefer to stay in the inn. Artur would know this, in order to maneuver his friend.
cheers
I'm fine with splitting up the party if that's what you guys want. We'll find something for Tharivol to do while Kela (and her friends?) do her duty.
Questions?
Game on!
Tharivol has no interest in hunting outdoors, unless there's money in it. Don't want to split the party, but he'd prefer to stay in the inn. Artur would know this, in order to maneuver his friend.
Oh, you may want to post that IC so everyone (not Just Artur) pressent can react to your 'distaste' for hunting.
What would Anna think? :)
Game on!
Action 1:
Veratash looks at the beasts wondering whether this is about to be his final resting place. He notices his quarterstaff he had been using as a walking stick whenever he became too tired and swings it wildly at the creatures. Are they laughing?, he thought. It felt like the night had done nothing to help him rest, he felt as tired as before. And were those nightmares something that his quori spirit wanted him to see? Or were they random memories? Those were questions for another time.
How can I survive these creatures in this condition?, he asked himself. He was much better with people than beasts. I don't suppose you're transformed people I could talk to?, he asked at the trees, yet taking care not to be too loud.
He mustered everything he knew about these creatures and what could help him survive this.
I knew I should have researched more, he reprimanded himself. He knew enough to realize the creatures were keeping him stressed so that he would get tired and become easier prey. The young Veratash realized he would have to rely on his psychic abilities if he were to survive this. If only I knew what kind of creature would scare them, he thought. The young kalashtar held his acquired Dragonshard tight.
He planned to get into their minds and make time faster for them, if they get too close. That trick was a powerful one that made others act slower. He could also project his body a few feet away, which is always a nice trick to confuse the enemy.
Veratash started walking and realized they kept their distance. Well, if they want easy prey, I'll get them easy prey. He tried to find some game he could hunt so the beasts could be attracted to something else.
Somehow the nightmares helped him track down game that would appease the creatures. Veratash left it barely alive, so they would be more interested in it than him.
Tharivol enjoyed breakfast and complimented the cook and owner. He found appreciated patrons were much more generous.
His Elven need for only four hours of trance allowed him to be completely refreshed in the morning, despite his nocturnal activities. "Hunting? Artur, was that part of the retainer?" He took another sip of steeping sweetness.
OOC: thanks for letting me your plan. However, I will stop and get your input for every round during combat. Not yet but soon. :)
We'll do what's called block initiative which means that all the PCs act 'together' and then the enemies act all at the same time.
What I will need to know is what everyone's 'reaction' is so we don't have to stop combat and can go round by round. I'll ask for that later or people can start telling me now what their reactions (if any) and associated triggers are.
Questions?
Game on!
1. Thanks, I'll keep it in my spellbook, but I will prepare something else.
2. Thanks, I've run into way too many issues in other games where the lack of being able to read was an adventure breaker. If the DM is okay with it, I will change it to a Googles of the Night or a Wand of Magic Detection.
3. I'l double check my math, but I don't have immediate access to my software right now. I'll bump it down to 7 until I find out what happened.
@Kela
There is knowledge everywhere, but in this case I am here to gather resources for future research.
Artur perked up at Tharivol's Comment and says "No retainer, but I would remind you of the reason you chose to leave Sharn in the first place" he finished with a sidelong glance at Anna. "Perhaps getting out of your element might be a good change of pace?"
@Kela
There is knowledge everywhere, but in this case I am here to gather resources for future research.
Instead of '@Kela', you may want to incorporate this into a small narrative and take advantage to show us somehting else about Nyd.
For example:
Nyd considered Kela's question for a second before answering, What am I looking to study here anyways?
He then responded, "There is knowledge everywhere, but in this case I am here to gather resources for future research."
Like I told Tharivol, if you make that statement IC then others can react to it.
Not picking on anyone but just trying to provide tips that I have found in the past lead to more RPing.
Questions?
Game on!
I'm not sure I follow this. Are we saying Artur can't go home because Cyre is now the Mournland. If so, that's fine but not all d'Cannith lived in Cyre. While Dragonmarked Houses are associated to a certain area (like Cannith and Cyre before the 'event', Deneith to Karrnath, etc.), their members live throughout Khorvaire.
Still waiting on our resident hunter to hopefully do her duty and help out her community before moving this along. Or she could refuse (and give a good excuse for this).
Questions?
Game on!
"Perhaps one day you'll make a new home." Kela says, trying to offer some hope for the future.
"It dragged that sow off!" Kela exclaimed with surprise, familiar with both the size and contrary nature of the animal. "I'll head out, see what I can pick up." she looks down with slight disappointment at her fish "You want these Sandar? They're fresh caught."
Kela turns to Artur "Interested in coming along? Could be just like old times. Your friends can tag along as well. I'll just grab my supplies." She gives directions to Ellio Tuck's place and meets everyone there after she swings by her campsite to grab her gear.
Approaching the campsite Kela is now wearing a full set of leather of leather armor and carries a bow and two shortswords by her side and a pack on her back. She examines the scene carefully for signs of the stolen sow.
"If you don't mind Kela, I would like to accompany you as well. I have heard tales that a plant that grows in this region makes an excellent ink, and would be interested about seeing about acquiring some."
"Nothing better to do around here until tonight, right Sandar?" Tharivol is truly not enthusiastic about going hunting.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
BTW, let me know if I made any mistakes and we'll fix them