@Elaessa: Meticulous and chaotic alignment could clash. Do you have a plan for making sense of those potentially conflicting parts of her personality?
It looks like you calculated encumbrance off Strength 9, not 8; and misplaced the decimal on the weight of your sling bullets.
Meticulous, for me, is a way of saying she is unsure of her abilities with skills she is not trained for. Unless she knows how to do something, she "fumbles" a lot and has a worst result than normally expected from an untrained person.
Does that sound good? If not, I can change her Drawback. I think she is very "punished" by it anyway.The Masterwork backpack (a necessity with her 8 Str) lets her have a carrying capacity as if she had 9 Str.
About the Sling Bullets... Damn! You are right. She will drop the sling and bullets and carry a couple of daggers then. I have to keep her equipment light!
About the drawback, and thinking in Elaessa as a character, I think Family Ties is a better one, but instead of only her family, for all the halfling community.
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About the drawback, and thinking in Elaessa as a character, I think Family Ties is a better one, but instead of only her family, for all the halfling community.
I love the idea!
I'll change it then.
I referred to Victor's Nemisis as Nemesis to make it easier for you to slot him into the story.
To Nemesis, social invisibility was an asset. He was not forgettable. For his part of the business being memorable was needed, someone had to keep the books, remember names, deliver messages, and collect on the accounts. Who better than this sack of flour with a name. Eager to please and loyal to a fault, Victor could be made to do anything and eventually take the fall for the less than upstanding parts of the business.
After three years working under Nemesis, a dozen new hires, and plenty of new work with nobles and senators, cracks began to appear in the foundation of the friendship that had grown between these two men. Nemesis realized that Victor was much smarter than he had initially estimated, which was helpful, but meant that Nemesis had to handle some of the day-to-day himself. This change did not go unnoticed by Victor. Some of the staff reported to Nemesis, and they made more money for the business than the other staff, and it came in wildly inconsistent amounts.
Victor started to notice inconsistencies in the books. He would acquire an artifact, and then it would vanish from the ledgers to be replaced with the precise market valued in gold. It did not take long for the totality of the organization to reveal itself to him. Aside from intelligence and keen observational skills, Nemesis had missed understood Victor's loyalty, which was to society and people not to the business or one particular friend, it was purely to push society forward, kicking and screaming if need be.
Victor had, like everyone, else seen Victor and almost forgot his existence. Victor knew he was not a king, but through skill, luck and faith could be a kingmaker. He helped build a small fiefdom without knowing he was doing it. What would happen if he had a purpose?
So, he walked into Nemesis's office, sat down across from a friend with which he had become close and said, "I know what you did, what you do. I have the contacts and the evidence. I'm going to put the skills you have taught me to better use. I will not tell anyone about your business, and I will avoid overlap with your work. I hope you will do the same for me. I have left your books mostly intact, save a few alterations. Three were because the people you were working over did not deserve what you were doing to them, and they would never be able to pay. Going after them was stupid and cruel. The next two changes are because your moves were too bold, and I suspect they have been noticed. I have replaced them with better, quieter moves that should payoff about the same without having the guard knocking on your door.
Victor shook Nemesis's hand before leaving. He would not allow himself to look back and see how his friend reacted. While walking out the door, he was thinking to himself, 'I'm going to need to learn to fight quickly, time to find a new mentor.'
Happy New Year, mates!
Happy New Year all!
Happy New Year, and I hope next year is filled with adventure!
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For those not checking the old thread if you pop over there you can find the start of my game, Giantslayer. You can feel free to start thinking about concepts you. You will be starting as an established group so feel free to build as if you had been playing together for a few levels you may have grown up in Trunau and known each other longer. When building pay attention to the item limits for a small town. You will be stating in a tavern celebrating after a recent victory. The initial part of the game will start with each PC telling a 'war' story that is emblematic of their character.
Victor is dotted in.
Allyo is dotted in :)
Okay, I have a profile for my familiar now. :) I'll dot in with both profiles.
I keep meaning to write a little piece of Leontius waking up in the inn with no memories. Maybe I'll get to that tomorrow.
I think I've got both of their profiles pretty much done now. One question for the future--given that I'm trying to put some emphasis on my familiar, I'm thinking of Improved Familiar in the future. However, I don't want to *switch* familiars, but rather have Ictil transform or perhaps gain the stats of an Improved Familiar while retaining his ferret appearance (and his personality). Is that something that we could work out when the time comes?
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One question for the future--given that I'm trying to put some emphasis on my familiar, I'm thinking of Improved Familiar in the future. However, I don't want to *switch* familiars, but rather have Ictil transform or perhaps gain the stats of an Improved Familiar while retaining his ferret appearance (and his personality). Is that something that we could work out when the time comes?
I am certainly willing to consider the idea. Are there any improved familiars that would fit smoothly? For example, if Ictil were a cat, it would be very easy to turn him into a cat sith. Is there a ferret-like improved familiar?
Not really, I don't think. I suppose you could make an argument that a Pipefox with legs would be rather ferret-like. :D I don't see any others right off that are that close in appearance to a ferret--hence why I was thinking of transformation or the like as a possibility. (This did lead to the rather amusing mental image of a ferret with the wings and stinger of a pseudodragon) We've got a while to think about it, though.
What about a Chuspiki familiar?
I think Victor is ready to go. Feel free to double check.
Allyo is good to go, Granta.
Still working on mine. Haven’t had much time. I’ll have it up tomorrow.
That would work fine for me. A few extra days would do me well.
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I was thinking about have detect evil up before going in (Level 2). Vision of Madness (Sp) as spell like ability, self only as a risky buff, as it has none of the components of a spell. Walking in with detect magic up. So I guess part of the question is ongoing spells.
Are we using the spell manifestation FAQ?
Study target, stern gaze etc. (EX) is the other ability I will be using but EX are non magical so I think they are good.
Mine are ready, it's just the future plans for Ictil that are up in the air. :D Though apparently I need to put some more thought into Ictil's alignment... I had always assumed that familiars matched the alignment of their masters, but looking at the rules today I can't find anything that says that (Maybe I'm thinking of how Improved Familiars are supposed to be within one alignment step of their masters?). Thinking on what I've been planning for Ictil's personality, I think he's somewhere on the fuzzy boundary between Chaotic Good and Chaotic Neutral. As an Egotist familiar he's naturally self-centered and kind of does whatever he wants, but he's also a fairly nice guy, er, ferret deep down. So I'll put Chaotic Good down, and we'll see if he feels more Chaotic Neutral in play or not.
Hmmm... so thinking on his personality I could see Faerie Dragon or Dweomercat Cub as possible matches.
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I was thinking about have detect evil up before going in (Level 2). Vision of Madness (Sp) as spell like ability, self only as a risky buff, as it has none of the components of a spell. Walking in with detect magic up. So I guess part of the question is ongoing spells.
Are we using the spell manifestation FAQ?
Study target, stern gaze etc. (EX) is the other ability I will be using but EX are non magical so I think they are good.
You will be out of the senate by level two, so that takes care of detect evil. Yes, you could cast vision of madness or detect magic before entering, but the latter would end after 1 minute anyhow. Also, concentrating on a spell would make it difficult to complete other tasks, and almost certainly draw unwanted attention.
The problem with vision of madness would be holding the charge for a prolonged period. The longer you go, the greater the risk of being noticed or accidentally discharging it. You are certainly free to try, but the rewards are small and there are some risks.
And I am unfamiliar with that FAQ.
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Hmmm... so thinking on his personality I could see Faerie Dragon or Dweomercat Cub as possible matches.
Faerie dragon would be fine, but I wouldn't allow the dweomercat cub.
Are you planning to polymorph him at all? Say if he was a dangerous magical beast at the time, an enemy caster might baleful polymorph Ictil into the new race.
Elaessa The Mouse is ready for inspection...
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All
Allyo
Elaessa
Leontius
Victor
Done, Granta. Should we start with the "social rounds"? I assume there's some sort of introduction before it?
The Mouse in on the grounds...
On the board.
Oh, whoops. I didn't notice that wasn't in there anywhere. Skilled, to make Ictil good at Perception.
For planning purposes, allow me to point out that Leontius has a great deal of Knowledge (Nobility), and so may be best in a support role, doing discovery checks to help other members of the party figure out approaches for the various nobles we want to influence.
Are you planning to polymorph him at all? Say if he was a dangerous magical beast at the time, an enemy caster might baleful polymorph Ictil into the new race.
Well, Leontius *is* a Transmuter by specialization... I was actually musing on the idea that, given that Ictil is an Egotist familiar, he might actually start pestering his master to do something to make him permanently more impressive, "So everyone can know how important he is!" Or something of that sort.
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Before the adventure begins, Martella Lotheed assigns each PC a mission according to what best suits the skills and interests of that player’s PC--i.e. you get to pick your own mission. This happens early enough that you may adjust your purchases if desired. Each mission mentions a suggested campaign trait in parentheses, which provides access to at least one of the skills required for the mission, but these traits are not required.
Most of the listed checks require a character’s full attention for 1 social round, preventing that PC from attempting checks to influence an area or individual during that time. A failed check represents poor timing, interruptions, or being similarly confounded, rather than being caught red-handed; PCs can usually attempt a failed skill check in later rounds.
Some of the associated skills are necessary, some are alternatives, but you don't know which yet. Pick what fits best, and if two characters want the same mission, we can decide with a trial by combat.
Aide (Athletic Champion)
Associated Skills--Escape Artist, CMB
Short Description--In addition to spies, Martella legitimately needs a senatorial aide. This is by far the easiest job available, but also the most time-consuming.
Discovery (Taldan Patriot)
Associated Skills--Sense Motive, Perception
Short Description--Martella tasks this agent with uncovering the true dedication of two senators: Duke Centimus and Countess Abrielle Pace. It is unknown if either supports Eutropia’s bid to end primogeniture, as well as the reasons each noble holds that position.
Fraud (Disgraced Noble):
Associated Skills--Bluff, Linguistics, Sense Motive
Short Description--Martella needs to discredit a few prominent senators backing primogeniture—not necessarily to sway their votes, but to undercut their influence after the vote. This agent must create a scandal surrounding one of the major opponents to the repeal of primogeniture.
Politicking (Senatorial Hopeful):
Associated Skills--Intimidate or Special
Short Description--Martella would like this agent to make a strong impression on Baron Nicolaus Okerra and remind him of certain debts he owes her.
Sabotage (Young Reformer):
Associated Skills--Appraise, Disable Device,Knowledge (nobility)
Short Description--Some senators are too powerful or stubborn for the PCs to influence their votes, but that doesn’t mean they’re beyond some petty revenge.
Spy (Rising Star):
Associated Skills--Disguise, Perception, Sense Motive, Stealth
Short Description--Martella needs someone to keep tabs on political rivals without being noticed, and update her if they change their tactics, most notably High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus.
Theft (none):
Associated Skills--Sleight of Hand
Short Description--To further undermine the influence of the recently disgraced Earl Calhadion Vernisant, Martella would like to see some of the historical artifacts that the earl donated to the senate vanish from the Arcade of Triumphs before it is unveiled prior to the evening’s vote.
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Well, Leontius *is* a Transmuter by specialization... I was actually musing on the idea that, given that Ictil is an Egotist familiar, he might actually start pestering his master to do something to make him permanently more impressive, "So everyone can know how important he is!" Or something of that sort.
Maybe you try to turn him into a drake or young dragon, and the spell backfires? The research cost for creating the spell could act as the replacement cost for the familiar.
Elaessa seem able to tackle both Sabotage and Theft missions...
* Sabotage
Appraise +6
Disable Device +12
Knowledge (nobility) - Not trained
* Theft
Sleight of Hand +8
Allyo is probably better at the "Politicking" mission. He has the "Rising Star" trait, however (which would suggest the "Spy" mission). He could probably do the "Sabotage" one as well but I believe we have it covered.
Well, Leontius *is* a Transmuter by specialization... I was actually musing on the idea that, given that Ictil is an Egotist familiar, he might actually start pestering his master to do something to make him permanently more impressive, "So everyone can know how important he is!" Or something of that sort.Maybe you try to turn him into a drake or young dragon, and the spell backfires? The research cost for creating the spell could act as the replacement cost for the familiar.
Sounds good! Let's plan on that.
Leontius's best skill is Knowledge(Nobility), which is on the Sabotage list, but he also has good Intimidate and Linguistics, so he could cover Fraud or Politicking, too.
Question, Victor is not a talk to people to thier faces type of person . Can he skulk around and roll discovery checks to help people or has been give a specific mission. I assume the latter.
Sense motive and perception are his two best. Local is pretty good. And intimidate is his only 'face skill.' It's bad now but will get better.
Theft
Politicking
Discovery is the first choice spy if someone else wants it. They seem to work best for Victor.
Young reformer can help me with checks I'm not good at once a day using a Knowledge (local) check in place of a single Bluff, Disable Device, Intimidate, or Sleight of Hand check.
I'm good to go.