GM Wolfe's Fall of Plaguestone

Game Master Jude the Wolf

This is a new format for me, and a new system for most/all of us. Be patient with yourself, your fellow players, and me.

Be ready to post every 24 hours. In order to keep things moving, your PC will be controlled by me if you do not reply within 24 hours. If you do not reply within 5 days without letting me know ahead of time, you will be let go from the game. Life disturbances aside, I will be ready to post at least twice a day. If you cannot post within 24 hours, please let me know. I will keep your PC moving in the story as long as you need.

I'm a barista living in a small mountain city. I live a pretty simple, happy life here. I spend my free time looking for swimming holes, gathering wild foods, and creating native wildlife habitats in forgotten spaces.

The mother was not alone though, for she was the companion of a member of the Wildwood Council of Druids and before the mother could take her anger out on Almosa, a voice called out. “Rivirure!” the voice shouted. “This little one is not food, nor do I think she is a danger to your young one. Leave her to me and tend to your son.” The bear, Rivirure, shook her large head as she stared at Almosa and then bowed slightly as if she understood the man who spoke before returning to the nearby cub.

An older human approached Almosa, leaning upon a staff but with a bearing of strength and power. His mostly white hair showed a hint of the dark brown it used to be, but his blue eyes sparkled with his smile. He reached down and helped Almosa up then motioned for her to sit with him on a nearby log. “Hello young one,” he said. “I am Waltar Kirkich, druid of the Wildwood Council. You seem to have wandered far off the trails of your people, and to do so while following such a powerful creature as a bear shows great confidence.” Waltar smiled again as he continued. “Or great stupidity. Now, what is your names little one?”

This meeting set forth the events that led Almosa down the path she now walks. Waltar returned with Almosa to her farm, and then with her family’s blessing he took her as his charge. She immediately began training with the Wildwood Council, training to care for nature, for the animals, and for her fellow men. She took her knowledge of the farm and expanded it to learn to grow other herbs for medicine. Then she began to learn of the traditions of the council.

At first Waltar assumed that Almosa following the cub was an indication that the two were destined to imprint on each other as Rivirure and he had, but it soon became clear that it was her natural halfling curiosity that led her on. The cub and Almosa remained close, but never shared the connection of true companions. She never seemed to share that deep a connection to any of the animals she came into contact with, but she remained fascinated by their many forms and this turned out to be her strength. As soon as one of the council members began her training in shifting her form, she took on a light even greater than she showed before.

Over the years Waltar, remained close even as he took on more responsibility within the council. He kept tabs on her, made sure she was trained as a proper druid. As she grew into a young adult, the council called upon her for an errand. Waltar was being sent to nearby Chitterwood in Isger, and he had asked for Almosa to serve as an escort for him. She gladly accepted the chance and she relished the opportunity to travel a bit. Her people were not known for the traditional wanderlust that affected most halflings, but her time away from the farm seems to have awakened something else in her. They soon set out for the Chitterwood.

Now, after ten years with Waltar and the council, Almosa finds herself farther away she imagined as a child. Waltar is to remain in the Chitterwood for some time it turns out, and he suggests that she take the chance to see the world for herself. “You are ready.” He says. “Follow the trails of this new land.” And again, he smiles before continuing. “Or simply follow another cub into the wild until some old fool finds you again.”

My wife and I are also HUGE board game fans, which is what I tend to spend the rest of my free time doing. It's bordering on a problem, really. We may need to choose between more games or a new home at some point, and the new home would mainly be necessary to hold all our current games.

I am a logistics specialist, spending most of my work day on a computer and online as well. I usually post at least once a day, sometimes more. I usually am able to let people know if I will be out of touch, though occasionally emergencies come up.

"Also war on each other. Some other tribes jerks, and hobbs is bossy britches tightpants if you ask Faziz. Which you did, or this story would not be going. Many Crookedtoe die! So much blood like great red river sweeping over land of Isger. Fun? SURE, but dead peoplez no can get better! And Crookedtoes like "Not sure want do this" but meaner bigger eviler crooked toes stab US if complain. But then, during fight, Big MEAN EVIL members of tribe.. died. Sad. They never learn now."

"So all that left is nicer ones, and younger ones, and Velkik, she chief! She have vision of the SEARING Ray, to lead what left of tribe out of war! Searing ray say should not raid and kill,and many us think 'good point, kill all, can't raid again' so tribe leave Isger and go to Lastwall, and Fangwood and we hunt instead of raid. Faziz was a hunter! Ah, not GOOD hunter, but hunter. You heard bout last wall? YEAH Boom... boneys everywhere. Can't eat undeadmeat, nasty. Got so bad we end up doing right thing to help Longshanks escape, and we escape too. Faziz not a hero then, that other Gobs- but Faziz learn on travels that Searing Ray have plans for us!"

"Longshanks on great city thank us! They say we done good thing! They trade with us even, we don't gotta take! And , Faziz is to the thinking, how Faziz do not like hunting much, and Searing Ray wants Champions! So... Faziz decide become Champion of Searing Ray! Seen Longshank Champions, some of them not even as STRONG as Faziz! Faziz now back in Isger, to meet other Goblins maybe! Teach them that Searing Ray say just because your tribe do bad things, don't mean you gotta stay that way! You can burn the evil in you out and you don't have to use real fire- though more fun if you do. Also show Isger Longshanks not all Goblins alike! They will see Faziz and say 'what a hero goblin he is' and I will tut tut and say 'Worship Searing Ray, she bring out the hero in you too, even if you are ugly, and weak, and too darn tall.' "

"And that be me story, the story of Faziz the hunter who became Faziz, Knight of the Searing Ray!"

He's also a little less crazed than some of your average goblins; while goblins tend towards foolishness, Faziz is almost down right enlightened. He knows monsterhood has not been good for goblins, and wants to show them that good doesn't mean loser. He will often ask creatures to accept Searing Ray into their hearts plunges a blade into said heart and he thinks everyone should get a chance to switch sides to Team Goodly!

While he claims he was a terrible hunter, he does know a bit about the wilds and tanning still, and may comment on how someone's beloved dog or horse might do rather well as material for boots or even a small cloak!

While I've played various role playing games all my life, I tend to leave the tactical brains to those who are better at it than I. I enjoy character interactions, and touches of humor, pathos, and ..well ,sometimes flat out purple prose. :o

After recovering from his grief, Dundur took up the Underbrew’s profession maintaining the hope that one day his father would come home to right the wrongs of a broken life. He released the remaining indentured servants and shadier characters from the Underbrewery’s employ, taking on all the business responsibilities alone. He closed off most of the connecting tunnels and kept only small areas for living quarters and operations. It was then that he discovered a secret cache in his father’s chambers containing very old looking scroll cases with intricate dwarven symbols. He knew they must be kept safe as the last remnants of his family history and vowed only to open them when he deemed himself worthy of the knowledge within. He toiled day and night, weeks, months and years producing all varieties of the best dwarven brews he could conjure. Dundur made a modest living for himself selling his wares and enjoyed making beer almost as much as he did drinking it.

Many years after his father’s sudden disappearance, Dundur encountered a new mentor. During a routine delivery to one of his more regular clients, The Gold Goblin, Dundur observed that a new pit-fighting ring had been constructed. At first, he thought nothing of it since these were fairly common in Riddleport for the purpose of gambling. Yet there was a remarkably large green creature in the middle of the ring hurling opponents in all directions. Dundur watched in amazement as these antagonists assaulted a clearly inebriated half-orc relentlessly, to no avail. After about an hour the fighting had ended and the rogues and scoundrels had left, bloodied and beaten. The only people left were the half-orc, the bartender and Dundur.

Dundur approached the bar where the half-orc was speaking with the owner of the place, Saul Vancaskerkin, and began to introduce himself. Before he could finish speaking, he found himself covered in a hot, sticky mess from head to toe. Then he heard “Hi DumDum! Me Grogthak! Me get up now.” Grogthak immediately slipped off the barstool and passed out on the floor. “Sorry ‘bout that thar friend.” Saul said apologetically. “He really went all out this time. Don’t worry, if he didn’t like ya he’d a smashed yer face. Here’s a little sumthin’ extra for tha mess on ya. Next week ya come back, eh?” Dundur was dumbfounded but took the money and went on his way. “Bring more beer too!” the bartender called after him as he left.

In the months that followed, Dundur visited Grogthak regularly to learn about his strange techniques and seemingly endless strength. They drank beer and fought in the pit. There was a strange purity and justice in brutally embarrassing egotistical sell-swords and thieves in unarmed combat. Particularly, known pirates and local thugs tried to match fists with Grogthak and Dundur without success. Sometimes their opponents brandished arms unfairly but Grogthak made quick work to disarm and smash the sneaky advantages sought out by their adversaries. Life was good and it made sense for Dundur and his new companion. Yet as he had learned many times before, good things are not meant to last.

Months turned to years unknowingly as time seems to pass quickly for those who live in the moment. Dundur had become strong, scarred and toughened over his time spent with Grogthak. One night a mysterious character came to The Gold Goblin. He was tall and dressed in dark crimson, giving off a sense of bewilderment to those around him. Most patrons seemed to avoid him as he sat quietly observing. When the evenings regular events had concluded the only remaining individuals were Grogthak, Dundur and the stranger. He rose from his seat in the corner and approached the ring flinging several coins inside as was customary to initiate a challenge. Grogthak eyed the stranger with a menacing glare Dundur had never seen. “At last it comes” growled Grogthak. A howl and clash of light and darkness blinded Dundur for a moment and sent him reeling to the floor outside the ring. When his senses returned, he saw his mentor on the pit sand kneeling and defeated. There were dazzling colors everywhere followed by another flash of light and an unusually large axe glimmering in the stranger’s hand. With one swift stroke the axe came down upon Grogthak. “Blood for blood. The debt is paid.” whispered the stranger as Grogthak’s headless body fell limp to the ground. Dundur closed his eyes and roared with anger, hurling himself toward this dark intruder with flailing fists. A word, A simple gesture of ruby clawed fingers and the stranger was gone. Dundur awoke in the streets the next morning in a haze of drunkenness and sorrow. What in the world happened last night? Why? What’s left? What am I supposed to do now?

Dundur abandoned the Underbrewery to ruin and disrepair since he couldn’t keep the place running all on his own anymore. Brewing beer to the best of his ability had become exceedingly difficult after long nights of drinking and fighting. Riddleport Underbrewery had never really felt like home for him and more often than not, he found himself waking up in strange places anyway. Saul was beside himself with the loss of his most profitable business associate. For a few years, Dundur stayed on to assist Saul at The Gold Goblin as a bartender. Dundur found happiness only at the bottom of his mugs and the ends of his fists. The sorrow he felt lingered and soon he became discontented with mundane work and the indifferent faces of all the locals who had not changed in the days since he could remember.

From that moment on, Dundur strengthened his resolve to overcome sadness and became a nomad, typical of many Varisians. He has spent years wandering from town to town, city to city. His quest: 1. To find the mysterious stranger who murdered his mentor, Grogthak. 2. To find his lost father, Dirk Underbrew. 3. Eat, drink, make merry and try to find some measure inner peace.

The head priest, Father Khair, of the temple took notice of Kalvin’s attendance and budding devotion and took Kalvin under his wing, teaching him of Sarenrae’s ascendance to godhood and introducing him to The Birth of Light and Truth, the holy text of Sarenrae. Kalvin began to help lead services and eventually became a low level priest in the temple. He found that he was good at treating peoples’ illnesses and wounds, becoming a healer in the community.

Kalvin began to feel that he was not doing enough and had more to offer. He approached Father Khair and discussed it with him, “Father, I’m feeling lead by Sarenrae to leave here and do more in the world. I just don’t know where to start, where I could do the most good.” Father Khair replied, “My son, you are doing much good here, but if you are feeling lead to leave then I would suggest heading toward Absalom and joining the church there.” So Kalvin bid his family goodbye and joined a caravan toward Absalom. During his journey he trained with the caravan guards with the scimitar, the weapon of Sarenrae, and also assisted in guarding the caravan when beset by bandits or beasts. Kalvin lead services and did his best to keep spirits up during the journey.

Once he arrived in Absalom he found the church and asked what he could do to be of most assistance. It happened that a contingent of clergy and paladins had discovered a large cult to Rovagug and he was tasked with joining them to destroy the cult. He served well, squashing the cult and also healing those with him who were injured in the fighting. Since then he has assisted in more battles against the darkness and forces of evil, leading to a life of adventure and exploration.

One thing only stood in his way. His kind hearted mother Yala imprinted on him the desire to tend to the needs of others. More than once he was reprimanded for interrupting his lesson to help others trailing behind. Although some thought this to be his typical posture to seem more capable than the others, some realized he felt bad for the ones he knew would be punished for lack of advancement.

Over time, this behaviour became the main source of conflict between himself and his father, who wished him to focus on his education, not on those who couldn't keep up. One day, his father left for some insignificant routine check of the border patrol just as they had fought. An orc raid attacked the border that same day, and his father was killed in the attack. In fact, he was the only elf killed.

Inathel received the news certain that it was their fight that had unbalanced his father. His guilt made him decide to change his life. He would leave Kyonin. His training was still not complete, as he still needed much study to start his thesis which could turn him into a legendary mage someday when completed. He started his thesis on his own, without an advisor. And he would continue his study by himself, in the life as an adventurer.

STR 10, DEX 14, CON 10, INT 18, WIS 12, CHA 14
Elf (Whisper heritage)
Male
Medium Size
Wizard lvl 1 (Enchanter)
Noble Background

Perception (t): +4

Defense
AC 15
HP 12
Fort +3
Ref +5
Will +6

Offense
Speed 30 ft
Crossbow: +5 (1d8)
Trained: club, crossbow, dagger, heavy crossbow, and staff
Trained: Arcane Spell Attack, Arcane Spell DC

The Arcane
Arcanse specialization: Enchantment
Arcane thesis: Spell blending
Thesis name: On the adding of arcane energies and considerations of its impact on the spellcaster

DC: 17
Spell Attack modifier: +7

School Spell: Charming Words

Spell level (slots + spec): Prepared + spec
Cantrip (5+1): Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation + Daze
1 (2+1): Fear, Pest Form + Charm

Spellbook:
Cantrip (10)
Daze, Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Electric arc, Ghost Sound, Mage Hand, Message, Prestidigitation, Sigil, Tanglefoot

1st level (5+1)
Charm, Fear, Grease, Gust of Wind, Pest Form, Unseen servant

Feats:
Ancestry (1st level) - Elven Lore
Skill (background) - Courtly Graces

Skills:
Arcana (t) +7
Nature (t) +4
Occultism (t) +7
Society (t) +7
Religion (t) +4
Diplomacy (t) +5
Crafting (t) +7
Thievery (t) +5
Lore - Academia (t) +7
Elven (t) +7
Heraldry (t) +7
Wine (t) +7

Languages: Common, Elven, Draconic, Gnomish, Orcish, Sylvan

Equipment

Magical gear
Family ring (Arcane Bond)

Normal gear - Bulk
Explorer's Clothing - L
Dagger - L
Crossbow - 2
Bedroll - L
Candle x10 - -
Chalk x10 - -
Oil - -
Soapx2 - -
Belt pouch - -
Flint & Steel - -
Waterskin - L
Backpack - -
Basic Crafter's Book - L
Writing set - L
Thieves' Tools - L
Rations x3 - L
Material component pouch - L
Rope - L
Compass - L
Mirror - -
Spellbook - L
Fine clothing - L

Money left: 9
Total Bulk: 3

Money transactions
Money is tracked in sp. Decimals are cp

Spent
141 - Starting gear

Earned
150 - starting money

Special Class Abilities
Arcane Bond - You place some of your magical power in a bonded item. Each day when you prepare your spells, you can designate a single item you own as your bonded item. This is typically an item associated with spellcasting, such as a wand, ring, or staff, but you are free to designate a weapon or other item. You gain the Drain Bonded Item free action.

Heritage: Whisper elf - Your ears are finely tuned, able to detect even the slightest whispers of sound. As long as you can hear normally, you can use the Seek action to sense undetected creatures in a 60-foot cone instead of a 30-foot cone. You also gain a +2 circumstance bonus to locate undetected creatures that you could hear within 30 feet with a Seek action.

While growing up her Father took her on many hunting trips, teaching her ways of the wild and the art of the bow. While she could use one easily enough, the Half-Elf/Dwarf found herself drawn to the spear. As such Ithriel taught her an effective technique that has served her well. When not hunting, Shrayda picked up some smithing that Dara learned from her Father. It was a little difficult to make some friends initially for her as she was growing up, due to her unusual parentage. However, she was able to make a few once she had put a couple of bullies face first in the dirt. That was enough to get the attention of the Town Guard.

They extended her an internship at their barracks, which she accepted. Over the next few years, she learned a lot about the law and began delving into the laws of other cultures. It was at that point that she decided that she was going to restore her Mother's honour in the eyes of her Clan, whatever it took. One particular day and Emissary from the capitol and was impressed with how clean Shrayda's paperwork was that he invited her to come to work in their offices. After discussing it with her parents, she accepted the position. After preparations were made Shrayda signed on to ride with a merchant to Almas.

Astrid can almost always found smiling and in good spirits, though there is a great deal of mischief behind her grin. When drawn to anger though, her eyes burn with great intensity and her fair complexion quickly turns red.

Her traveling clothes are fairly common and nondescript, though she accentuates her appearance by wearing an elaborate but tasteful Varisian scarf that she received as a gift. Astrid also packs more fashionable outfits which she likes to wear when dancing, socializing, or trying to impress those of higher social standing than herself.

Astrid is passionate and more than a little hot blooded. She loses her temper easily, a trait that gets her into trouble often. When Astrid feels though she has been slighted, she can harbor grudges and will look for opportunities for revenge if apologies or restitution is not forthcoming.

While outwardly Astrid appears very confident in herself, inwardly she suffers from a great deal of self doubt and insecurity. Whether dancing or attempting acrobatic feats, performing for crowds seems to bolster her confidence.

Background (Acrobat)
+2 DEX, +2 CHR
Acrobatics Skill (T)
Circus Lore (T)
Steady Balance Skill Feat

Class
+2 DEX

Free
+2 DEX, +2 CHR, +2 INT, +2 WIS