Gilfroy Fezziwig is a gnome sorcerer/oracle who knows almost exclusively illusions on the arcane side (and a few on the oracle side too). He’s very good at disguising himself as a human boy, which tends to be his normal appearance, impersonating Lady Lotheed’s pageboy. While he is able to move about unseen, he knows that paranoid nobles are more likely to spot someone hidden than notice a mere servant.
He serves Sivanah, the goddess of secrets and illusions, so of course he pretends to serve Shelyn, to the point of carrying around one of her holy symbols (his own actual
Holy symbol is just a series of scarves he wears around his neck). She has plans for him, but he has no idea what they are, so he acts as opportunity and circumstances dictate and waits for...something.
At present, he serves Lady Lotheed. She seems like a good person, helped him out when he was at a low point, and the closer he can get to power, the better he will be able to serve Lady Sivanah when the time comes.
Gilfroy is quiet, twitchy, and nervous on the outside (and a lot of the inside too), but when he feels comfortable and safe, his false persona drops and his inner gnome mischief shines through.
If other PCs are servants or allies of Martella, then they might know Gilfroy to see him as Martella’s page, not realizing he’s one of her information gatherers and spies.
When he isn’t masquerading as a human boy, his artistic career has recently taken off, thanks to a Lady Lotheed’s patronage. He would prefer the world not make the connection between Gilfroy Fezziwig, fashionable portrait artist to the rich and famous, and Gil, the nameless pageboy.
I'm here, looking forward to playing with everyone (now time to read up on the PCs who I've not yet perused).
In thinking things over, however, I suspect that it’s Gilfroy the painter at the celebration gala and not Gil the pageboy. One of his best tricks for gathering info is to have rich mucky-mucks posing for portraits. After a few hours of standing by their fireplace holding a sword or piece of fruit, they forget themselves and start having meetings with associates or giving orders to subordinates. A chance to increase his clientele is not to be passed up.
[sexist banter]Hmmm: seems I’m the only boy in the group. Hope you ladies don’t need any pickle jars opened, since poor little Gilfroy has a strength of 5.[/sexist banter]
Hi everyone! I'll get started on my stat-line. Looking forward to gaming with you!
No objections here! The more the merrier in play-by-post, honestly! :)
Can you create the gameplay thread so we can dot it?
Hey Gilfroy, you want us to think (at least at first) that you're a human boy, yes, not a Gnome -- and that you revere Shelyn (not Sivanah)?
(I've been reading everyone's Profiles & Recruitment posts to get it into my head who everyone is. Y'all are friggen cool!)
With the possible exception of Countess Cassiopeia, I think maybe Perdita Vernisant will meet you for the first time at the Exaltation Gala in the Senate building. It's reasonable that Cassiopeia has met Perdita Vernisant as students (though I'm 3 years younger) at The First Imperialist Arcanist's Guild (where I'm a student) or some other elite college where Investigators (and Wizards and Psychics) may study.
@ Taldan GM, I'll likely wait to post in Gameplay after you; I don't wanna just start a conversation at the Exaltation Gala with another PC just in case you have a specific intro in mind, to set the stage.
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Where is everyone in real life? I'm in Florida, USA; GMT -5.
Apart from Gilfroy and the sixth member of the party (about whom I know nothing about) it looks like we are all noble scions from important houses. We could be peripherally aware of each other, certainly enough to have some rumors through Knowledge (nobility) right?
I'm in California but I tend to keep weird hours.
Oh man I am so super excited to finally have a chance to play this game, especially with a such an amazing cast of characters. I'll give a more proper introduction once I am at my computer again.
I am in Texas, USA, GMT-6. Thank you all for having me and thank you GM for the invite. <3
Yeah, it's likely we've at least heard of each other, apart from Gilfroy like you said.
Y'all would have heard a dirty rumor (from Maxillar Pythareus) about this young girl, Perdita Vernisant, that supposedly reveres Sarenrae. As far as my nobility, yeah. However, I'm the daughter -- of a daughter -- of an uninteresting branch of House Vernisant. Not exactly auspicious. If though, your PC would be interested, you could have learned that Perdita Vernisant is a promising young wizard / investigator at The First Imperialist Arcanist's Guild, turning heads as a prodigy of magic and intellect. And maybe that she's an Aasimar.
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@ Krios Dinrulsis,
Looks like there could be some fun roleplay between Krios Dinrulsis, whose mother and unborn sibling were killed by House Vernisant, and Perdita Vernisant. Good thing I like Sarenrae and want to redeem House Vernisant.
At the party, Gilfroy will have adopted his natural persona or a gnomish painter who’s become quite famous for his portraits. He looks like a gnome
Gilfroy is kind of like a vigilante in that he has two personas, but he switches naturally without supernatural hooey.
But yeah, he’ll tell you all the wonders of Shelyn and how she’s the patron of art and beauty while he paints a beautiful portrait of you and pretend it’s all some glorious religious rite. The Sivanah worship might never come up at all and the other PCs may never know.
@Perdita - It'll be interesting having a member of the Vernisant family in the party with Krios. While I don't seem him being terribly friendly in the beginning, he is able to read between the lines and I am sure that the events of the campaign will pull us together more. It'll certainly be an interesting roleplay when all their truths come out though!
With the lot of you being in the noble scene, you may have distantly heard of Krios Dinrulsis. A lowborn elf, he has risen in the social strata accompanying some of the more radically minded and brandishing a sharp wit. He has been known to organize a few rallies here and there for the common folk and has politely dressed down some Imperialists who have spoken out of turn. If your characters are more open to being associated with the Loyalists or have been delving into it, you may have met him in passing or held some interesting discussions and debates about the political, cultural, and economical health of Taldor. Nothing seditious, of course, but he does walk a very fine line to it.
@Gilroy - As a fellow lowborn, nonhuman, and a follower of Sivanah, you may have met Krios earlier than any of them if you delved into the more radical scene. He is certainly a rabble-rouser and possesses a sharp wit but I think Gilroy may know that he also has a surprising number of connections with the common folk and is not shy about using them to bully when it is necessary. He isn't a criminal or anything, he just knows how to get things done.
Overall though, you all will know him as a Loyalist and quite skilled with a rapier in hand. I also join Gilroy in not being able to open very tight jars, I may have to tap it a few times to loosen it up with my 10 strength :P
Gilfroy has been one of Lady Lotheed’s info gatherers for a little while now. He might know all or some of you in that he was tasked with gathering info about you before Martella recruited you. I could see that being more likely for Krios and Perdita because of their backgrounds, so he could be a mysterious person who showed up one day and made an introduction.
Of course, that would have been shy little Gil.
That works for me Gilroy, probably met him at one of the protests that have been gaining traction in the city.
Well met all. I am quite happy to be chosen and I have to admit this is one of my all time favorite APs.
Krios Dinrulsis - As she has been joining some of the rallies to better understand the lower classes she has seen the elf. She understood his problem with society.
Gilfroy Fezziwig - Cassi could have met him on when his works were presented by his patron. While others saw colours, Cass saw patterns that showed his true feelings.
Perdita Vernisant - As we are booth from one of the more important Taldan families, and booth are very interested in magic, we know each other. Socially and from the Academy.
Krios Dinrulsis - As another member of the nobility Krios and Cassiopeia should have met somewhere in the past. The conflicting souls did resonance with Cassi, but she was not that outspoken of it.
I am from Germany MESZ
Hi guys :)
Raven is definitely from one of the more minor nobles houses in comparison to some of you I think. I don't think much of her poison background would be known, since she keeps that close to the chest, but shes probably been sighted hanging out in some unsavory places (maybe the Lion's Head?) which has probably created a few scandalous rumors.
She has been fairly active politically though, albeit in a fairly minor role up until this point. Its possible that she has heard of / met Perdita Vernisant as both are senate hopefuls.
I'll think a little more about further links. As a witch, I see it unlikely that Raven met anyone through formal magical study, but as an investigator, its possible she met up with a few of you through study.
As for where I am, I'm from a little place called New Zealand. I tend to keep weird hours though :)
Glad to have everyone here!
@Countess Zespire - That seems perfect. While he wasn't likely the one one rousing the crowd, he is a common enough sight to be associated with the Loyalists and the common folk.
@Raven - Krios adore debate and discussion so, if they frequent the same circles, they could have debated one another or been allies on the same side of a discussion?
Speaking of builds...
I am thinking of taking Krios to Fighter Level 8 and then switching off to the Duelist prestige class. I'll stay Investigator the whole time though.
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@Krios
That sounds perfect actually. Raven probably attends debating clubs (or probably more accurately, taverns / establishments where debating on politics might be encouraged) so its likely we could run into each other there.
@Raven - Definitely taverns and more...nontraditional places. Krios is a little disdainful of the more traditional places since more and more of them are toeing the line with the growing power of the Imperialists.
Henrika is the only child of the Opparan scion of the Karthis dynasty, who died about ten years ago in a hunting accident in the Verduan forest. His brother has since taken over his estate, and become Henrika's guardian. Rumor says that she is considered unsuited to oversee her lands, so her uncle manages them for her. He is said to be a staunch supporter of the traditions of the current emperor. She still lives at his villa in Oppara, and is rarely seen at parties, but often spends her time in disreputable drinking houses in the Lionsgate district, particularly the Lion's Head where it seems she has become a friend to the hosts. She is supposed to be a bit impetuous and proud, glares a lot, and is said to sometimes go into a cold rage that is frightening to behold.
I figure we will all be introduced to each other through Lady Martella Lotheed, like it says in the Player's Guide, but it's cooler if we are also at least vaguely familiar with each other's reputations.
Henrika, have you determined that it was Maxillar Pythareas who perpetrated the rumor that you (presumably because you’re liberal) are ‘unfit’ and that’s why your conservative uncle oversees your lands? Or are you leaving that to the DM?
I figure it's her uncle (Thomás Karthis) spreading that rumor, since it's once of the reasons he uses to argue that he should continue to manage her estates. Her uncle is definitely one of Maxillar Pythareas's supporters of course, as is most of the rest of the house. (But if our GM has other ideas, that's cool too!) Also, if I read correctly, most of the Karthis family comes from lands on the border with Qadira and gained their political power through valiant battle against Qadira, so they tend to be some of the most anti-Sarenrae folks in all of Taldor.
Hey DM, since I already bought a courtier's outfit, would Lady Lotheed spring for a noble's outfit for Henrika instead? Without also wearing 150 gp worth of jewelry I don't think there's any mechanical advantage to the more expensive outfit, but since it's her first social event since her coming of age several years ago I imagine that Henrika wants to dress up as nicely as she can.
I have a Noble's Outfit and signet ring, along with a gold amulet. I'm hoping that 45 gp to the proprietor of Thread Bare will be good enough for a piece of jewelry since The Book says outfits like that ought to have some jewelry.
Anyway, more importantly than that, if there's time I wouldn't mind roleplaying a conversation with the proprietor -- ask her about some other customers she's been servicing recently, specifically the ones in my personal mission. Perdita Vernisant is in Gather Info mode as soon as she gets her invite.
If it's clear there's no info to be gathered on my, um, 'targets' from Thread Bare, I'll spend a bit of time if I can researching them before the Event. There is likely a Legislative Hall or Court or Parliament building adjacent to where we are.
And, what do I already know?
And let me know if the proprietor bothers to roll a Sense Motive on my Bluff.
[sexist banter]Hmmm: seems I’m the only boy in the group. Hope you ladies don’t need any pickle jars opened, since poor little Gilfroy has a strength of 5.[/sexist banter]
On that note, I do think it is interesting and cool that the majority of the group are ladies and the two that aren't are also the "lesser" races of Taldor. Really helps bring that loyalist feeling with the Princess.
It seems likely that most of our enemies will be human men, so it will be interesting to try and thread the needle of fun fantasy feminism without devolving into misandry. :)
I am good to move ahead and meet people once we are done doing their info gathering. :D
Agreeing with Krios. I'm happy to talk with others in Thread Bare but I'm also equally fine to move on :)
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Well, somewhat spoiler time, how it’s gonna go is something called ‘Social Combat rounds’. Your tasks will be accomplished during combat rounds, with some sort of rolls with bonuses based on what you say.
It is nearly impossible to get inside the Senate before the party, and this is immediately apparent upon viewing the guards and other wards.
Has everyone posted on the gameplay thread? Doesn’t feel like we have had all six members post yet.
We're all here, I know some are doing some roleplay though.
So for my three other Investigators in the group...
What are your plans for the class, meaning what talents and paths are you planning on going down and taking? I am figuring Raven is going to just be the best damn poisoner that has ever poisoned but I am curious what your ideas are.
I'm a big multi-Class player. I don't usually map out my build ahead of time, but rather let the roleplay and game-flow dictate how I Level-up. But Inquisitor is possible. Maybe a level or two in Vigilante. Who knows. Obviously Wizard is my Favored Class and will remain constant.
-coughs a little bit- four investigators actually coughs some more
Fortunately, I think our choice of other classes really helped differentiate ourselves to a degree.
So for my three other Investigators in the group...
What are your plans for the class, meaning what talents and paths are you planning on going down and taking? I am figuring Raven is going to just be the best damn poisoner that has ever poisoned but I am curious what your ideas are.
You got it :)
I'm not really planning on taking many standard 'Investigator' talents like Amazing Inspiration / Underworld Inspiration / Expanded Inspiration / Combat Inspiration / Empathy etc. I'm mostly picking up Anathema and Greater Anathema so I can poison things that are normally immune, and then debuff with them a bit by reducing DR / Movement Speed / Spell Resistance / Energy Resistance. After that, she probably picks up some of the Alchemist discoveries but I'm still unsure of which ones I'll take.
So, in that respect shes probably more of a half Alchemist instead of an Investigator since I probably won't be using Inspiration as much to boost my skill checks, since I'll be primarily using it as a pool to argument my poisons.
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I was going to suggest that Gilfroy take the Psychic Searcher oracle archetype and Henrika take the Amateur Investigator feat, but that might be overkill. :)
I will also go the Empiricist route. I will focus the on social investigator talents.
As I have been really, really bored at training while working, I have been looking into where I want to take Krios and what abilities I plan on using for him. I am definitely thinking of making him way more combat-focused with his talents; picking up mutagen, combat inspiration, quick study, all that good stuff. I haven't figured out how many spare ones I'll have but I am thinking of trying to get the most out of alchemical allocation coupled with extend potion and other good stuff. With the elf FCB for investigator, I'll be getting an extra point of inspiration every three levels.
As for the fighter side, I'm going to be grabbing the classic stuff for a rapier fighter; fencing grace, combat expertise, butterfly's sting (if I can), improved critical, dodge, mobility. At level nine, I begin taking my first levels of Duelist which will eventually leave me fighting with no shield at all and just a rapier in hand. I'm not sure how far this campaign goes but I think it goes to sixteen? Krios's build should allow him to dance across the battlefield, dodging attacks of opportunity everywhere he goes to get to where he needs to.
Ooey, I’m missing a bit of Gameplay. I promise I’ll catch up later today after the awesome and wonderful ARSENAL FC face-rape those punks from stuck-up, silver-spoon chelsea in the F A Cup Final. Here comes our record 14th FA Cup Trophy! Come on you GUNNERS!
Sorry about not posting over the weekend, I was on such a high after we beat Chelsea (we were the underdogs) that I was just bouncing off the walls -- too much juice to get into gaming mode. And that lasted through the weekend.
I only perused the Gameplay Thread, focusing on the DM's posts, I didn't want to make it like my character was privy to all the dialog that she missed.
If the game moves forward to the action I'll go back and read everything in detail and just say that our characters talked 'off-screan.' I don't want to slow Gameplay. ....If, however, we all keep with PC roleplay a bit more -- the getting-to-know-you stuff -- before the action of our assignments begins in earnest, I won't necessarily read (too closely) the dialog that I missed, ensuring Perdita Vernisant can roleplay with everyone in character.
....How was everyone's weekend?!
My weekend was pretty amazing, thank you. I finally had a haircut and I feel about ten pounds lighter now. Congratulations to your team winning! I haven't kept up with sports in years but the thrill of your team winning is a hell of a high.
No worries! If we move the scene forward, we can have it be discussed off-screen. If it comes up during roleplay, I'm all for it. I am pretty easy going :D
My weekend was pretty chaotic. My daughter had her 6th birthday and we went to Playmobilland with her on Saturday. And then to the forestpark for her party on Sunday. Driving 3 6year old girls is no fun. And Sunday is my birthday. I always say, she is my private birthday present.
AND actually we had tickets for mythodea, the biggest coolest larp event in the world. 8 days with 6000 people.....
and then came corvid 19 :-(