Welcome, welcome, welcome. This'll be our discussion thread for our little venture in rebellion. First things first - I'd like each of you to get a sense of whether your PCs know each other, and if so, how. I also want to discuss a couple other things about the game that are pertinent to a few characters more explicitly than others, so we'll get to that in time.
Checking in!
Hello hello!
Oh, right, Vantine, I wanted to consult with you about your mirror familiar. As far as I can tell, it works, RAW, but I was confused because I'd been assuming it was, well, fixed to a certain place - a wall mirror, I guess.
That doesn't seem to be the case - I guess the main part of "immobile" in "immobile familiar" means that it can't move under its own power to scout or stuff.
Yeah, that's the way I'd interpreted it, as in not animate or incapable of movement on it's own.
If it were instead fixed in place at one location it would be a huge headache
Less so in this AP, but still, pretty annoying, yeah.
I wonder if I would give bonuses for a bigger mirror...
Eh, not likely to come up.
Checking in!
Thanks for picking me, KGM!
And rdknight and Dragoncat both made the cut, too!
I don't believe I've played with either Sarah 'queen' B or Crisischild yet on these forums, and look forward to doing so. It's awesome that both your characters are also part of the Kintargo nobility!
Since I made Knowledge (nobility) checks to see what (if anything) Jessibel knew about the other noble families already (Thanks for indulging me, GM!), I'm going to do the same now, just to get a quick feel for whether or not Aisling and her family are familiar to Jessi.
Hello, your token Lawful teammate checking in! Thanks for picking me, GM, I'm looking forward to a great campaign.
I've had a look at everyone's backstories and I think it is most likely that Aisling would already know both Alexius and Jessibel, by reputation if nothing else because they are all part of noble houses. Aisling's house is minor noblity because I only took the trait and not the full Noble Scion feat, reflecting the fact that the Talbots give most of their money away and don't have much political power at the moment, due to being renowned Iomedaeans. Which might be a reason for you to avoid them, or not. But you'd both almost certainly be aware of Aisling, . I'm happy to leave it there or develop closer backstories, depending on your own preferences.
I don't think Aisling would know Nyxra, although there's the potential there for some conflict especially if Nyxra regards teh Talbots as "collaborators" who have settled for working within the system when they could have been useful allies in trying to stand up to Thrune tyranny.
I also can't see a particular reason for Vantine to have crossed paths with Aisling, but I'm open to being contradicted :)
That said, it's possible that any or all of you have found yourself under arrest at some point and needed a barrister. Aisling does a LOT of pro bono defence work, so taht could be another way you have met her.
EDIT ninjad by Jessibel. Thanks for the welcome, I played a lot of Pathfinder in a regular tabletop group. When the group finally folded, the GM (who's been on this forum for a while) persuaded me to dip my toe in the PbP medium. So far, so good :)
In retrospect I guess it's a bit odd it never occurred to me the familiar could be a large, fixed mirror, but it didn't.
What would be very cool is to have two that are a little different. A big one that can do all the mirror familiar stuff, and a portable one that allows only spell memorization.
If I remember correctly there is a magic item, called a 'stone familiar' or something similar that works a little like that. It's a backup for witches that works like a flash drive really. It allows witches to store spells in the carving and reload them into a new familiar.
Maybe a variant on that idea? I'll try to find that magic item...
In retrospect I guess it's a bit odd it never occurred to me the familiar could be a large, fixed mirror, but it didn't.
What would be very cool is to have two that are a little different. A big one that can do all the mirror familiar stuff, and a portable one that allows only spell memorization.
If I remember correctly there is a magic item, called a 'stone familiar' or something similar that works a little like that. It's a backup for witches that works like a flash drive really. It allows witches to store spells in the carving and reload them into a new familiar.
Maybe a variant on that idea? I'll try to find that magic item...
Huh. Interesting idea... I rather like it.
Checking in!
Thanks for picking me, KGM!
And rdknight and Dragoncat both made the cut, too!
I don't believe I've played with either Sarah 'queen' B or Crisischild yet on these forums, and look forward to doing so. It's awesome that both your characters are also part of the Kintargo nobility!
Since I made Knowledge (nobility) checks to see what (if anything) Jessibel knew about the other noble families already (Thanks for indulging me, GM!), I'm going to do the same now, just to get a quick feel for whether or not Aisling and her family are familiar to Jessi.
Getting those 1s out early, I see.
Once Alexius/the Raven joins in, I'll start off the questions.
Mmmm... an Iomedaen. I wonder if she tastes good too...
That was one of the questions I was going to raise, yes. Well, not that specifically, but how comfortable everyone is with Vantine being very innuendo-heavy and seducing NPCs (and potentially PCs, but that's up to you guys).
Preempting me! That's a good habit to be in, I think. :P
First things first - I'd like each of you to get a sense of whether your PCs know each other, and if so, how.
rdknight and I discussed possible links for our PCs' backstories. We didn't lock anything down, but both characters are charismatic young females with an interest in Kintargo's arts and entertainment venues.
I peeked at Nyxra's backstory as well but nothing jumped out as being something that would link to Jessi's backstory.
As for Alexius...well, my Knowledge (nobility) roll for the Vashnarstill clan was a 4, so she's not very up-to-speed on that noble family, either; perhaps she and Alexius might know each other by sight, but probably not a lot more.
Aisling does seem an awfully adorable little thing. So sincere!
But more seriously for a moment. My intention for Vantine is to draw from the kind of conversation found in the pre-code talkie movies from the early 1930's. Very innuendo and double-entendre laden with fade to black when anything graphic might come into play.
Even then though there is the question of some of the Seducer Witch mechanics, which give bonuses for sexual relations with the witch. Those abilities won't come along until later after a few levels, but maybe it would be easiest if each of you indicate whether you want to opt in or opt out?
I'm also open to other suggestion for how to mange and implement this of course.
How comfortable everyone is with Vantine being very innuendo-heavy and seducing NPCs (and potentially PCs, but that's up to you guys).
I'd say I'm mildly uncomfortable with it. But the seducer archetype is what it is, and I've gamed with rdknight before (and our PCs butted heads early, but things worked out well in the end), so I'm not overly concerned.
Jessibel can be flirtatious at times herself, and she has a jealous streak, so if Vantine had a brief fling with someone Jessi likes and then tossed that person aside (or did that to Jessibel herself), there could be some conflict. But Jessibel the PC is all about growth and maturity for me, so it's likely she'd come to accept that's just the way Vantine is.
Aisling does seem an awfully adorable little thing. So sincere!
But more seriously for a moment. My intention for Vantine is to draw from the kind of conversation found in the pre-code talkie movies from the early 1930's. Very innuendo and double-entendre laden with fade to black when anything graphic might come into play.
Even then though there is the question of some of the Seducer Witch mechanics, which give bonuses for sexual relations with the witch. Those abilities won't come along until later after a few levels, but maybe it would be easiest if each of you indicate whether you want to opt in or opt out?
I'm also open to other suggestion for how to mange and implement this of course.
Your first post did make me a bit wary (I've had some bad experiences in face to face gaming), but this has reassured me so thanks for that :)
I understand that roleplay games give a chance to play someone you're not, whether that's an elf, a wizard, a member of the opposite sex or pretty much whatever, as well as explore more, um, mature themes along the way. As long as it's handled maturely (no "lolbewbs"), I'm fine with it. But, at the risk of disappointing all the men reading this, "female" does NOT equal "lesbian" - I'm perfectly comfortable with Vantine making a pass or suggestive flirtation with Aisling, but all she's likely to get out of it is a blush or a stern look.
As long as everyone lets the group know when they're approaching uncomfortable territory, I am okay with it.
I've got a thick skin when it comes to that sort of thing, Vantine. So you won't need to worry about me--I'll let you know if things are going too far.
Regarding connections with other PCs, from the looks of things everyone aside from Nyxra comes from the upper echelons of Kintargo's society, whereas Nyxra's family are more middle-to-working class. I'd agree with Aisling regarding a connection between the two--Nyxra would recognize the Talbots as nobles who genuinely want to change things, but either can't or won't recognize that reforming things from within the system doesn't work when everything about the system is rigged in favour of the tyrannical ruling government.
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There are a couple of things I built into Vantine's profile to try to mitigate some of these things Jessi.
First, Vantine is a 'good' witch. She isn't sociopathic about her proclivities. She also doesn't operate under false pretenses. She doesn't weaponize seduction. This may change when there are enemies to contend with, but (barring some kind of very weird and unlikely developments) this would be directed toward NPCs.
Vantine is aware she has to live in the real world around people, so she has a couple of rules:
She doesn't do romantic relationships at all herself, and she will not in any way suggest to a potential partner that it is a possibility.
She doesn't mess with couples. (Unless they were both on board I suppose.)
Actually I did consider going with Arshea as Vantine's deity. In many ways Arshea is a better fit for what I'm going for than Calistria. But Calistria isn't totally off-base either. Vantine sort of has a foot in each. Also there is a history of Calistrians in Kintargo while Arshea isn't really local. I suppose Vantine does have Magnimar connections though so maybe a reconsideration might be in order.
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Here is the Seducer Archetype ability that's sort of dicey. On the one hand, the benefit for going all the way with Vantine isn't huge so not taking it isn't the end of the world.
On the other hand it isn't great to exclude anyone from an actual mechanical advantage because they prefer their play not go that direction.
Maybe the ability could be tweaked to make it less explicitly sexual? Massages all around? Vantine is a killer good yoga instructor? It's a long ways off so it's nothing to be concerned with right now. But surely we can work something out to everyone's satisfaction when the time comes.
Garden of Delight (Su): At 8th level, the seducer can create a magical bower once per day. This functions as tiny hut with a caster level equal to the seducer’s witch level, but the interior is a lush garden. Those who rest for 8 hours within the garden heal at twice the usual rate. In addition, any creature engaging in willing sexual relations with the seducer in this garden gains a +2 morale bonus on saving throws for the next 24 hours. This bonus does not apply on saving throws against the seducer’s spells or abilities.
Yes, that is pretty much an invitation to an orgy, but as you say, we can cross that bridge when we come to it.
As for pre-existing relationships with other PCs, like Jessi mentioned we've talked about some connection there. Nothings settled but they're somewhere between mutual-recognition - acquaintances - frenemies - friends.
Vantine's family isn't upper echelons socially. It's comfortably middle-class so some connection to Nyxra isn't out of the question. Especially if her family has a taste for art or antiques.
I don't see as much to link Vantine to Aisling but I'm open to suggestions.
Vantine's family isn't upper echelons socially. It's comfortably middle-class so some connection to Nyxra isn't out of the question. Especially if her family has a taste for art or antiques.
In that case, I'd be down for her being familiar with Nyxra's family--especially if she deals in artwork.
The shop, or gallery if you want to be fancy, is her mother's, but Vantine lived at home until fairly recently so she was around there a lot.
Both Nyxra and Vantine tend to stand out, so they would easily recognize each other even if they didn't interact much before.
Excited to see how the sword-devil archetype works out!
Also excited to think of that awesome movie every time Aisling posts!
And exited to try out the Vigilante!
I will put up a better post after I've gotten some sleep. Thanks for the invite :)
Excited to see how the sword-devil archetype works out!
Also excited to think of that awesome movie every time Aisling posts!
And exited to try out the Vigilante!I will put up a better post after I've gotten some sleep. Thanks for the invite :)
My pleasure!
Now that we're all here, I just wanted to grab a few clarifications: First off, I want to make sure I know each character's "reason for being at the protest," as described on page 9 of the Player's Guide for Hell's Rebels.
Here's what I understand so far:
Nyxra and Alexius are there to protest the government. This gives them a +2 bonus to Bluff and Intimidate at the protest. I'm assuming Aisling is here too, but I want her player to weigh in on that.
Jessibel is there to stay up on current events. This earns her a +2 bonus to Perform and Diplomacy during the protest.
I think Vantine is tagging along with Jessibel, but I may be misremembering from Ausra. That would get her a +2 bonus on Perception checks and initiative rolls during the protest.
Anyways, item the second: How practical/entertaining does everyone think keeping Alexius identity as the Raven from the other PCs is? I recall that CrisisChild wanted to at least try that, so I thought I'd put it up for everyone to pick over.
Anyways, I'm hoping to get the first IC post up sometime tomorrow, because, well, at this point I'm rather drained today - making big decisions does that to me. xD
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Yes, Vantine is tagging along. She could be going with Jessibel, or perhaps Alexius (if he's going as Alexius).
I could also whip up a quick NPC whom she's going with.
I'm totally willing to play along with a secret identity character. I don't know whether it's practical for it to remain that way in the long term, but as long as we're in Kintargo it seems like it would work well.
No objections to having a secret identity character with us.
As for pre-existing relationships with other PCs, like Jessi mentioned we've talked about some connection there. Nothings settled but they're somewhere between mutual-recognition - acquaintances - frenemies - friends.
Vantine's family isn't upper echelons socially. It's comfortably middle-class so some connection to Nyxra isn't out of the question. Especially if her family has a taste for art or antiques.
I don't see as much to link Vantine to Aisling but I'm open to suggestions.
I agree, there's not a lot there. My post yesterday suggested a possible link if Vantine had ever been arrested (Aisling does a lot of legal defence work). Let me know if that works for you, but there's no requirement for the PCs to start the game knowing each other.
Also excited to think of that awesome movie every time Aisling posts!
I'm not sure what movie you're thinking of? Thanks though :)
Now that we're all here, I just wanted to grab a few clarifications: First off, I want to make sure I know each character's "reason for being at the protest," as described on page 9 of the Player's Guide for Hell's Rebels.
Here's what I understand so far:
Nyxra and Alexius are there to protest the government. This gives them a +2 bonus to Bluff and Intimidate at the protest. I'm assuming Aisling is here too, but I want her player to weigh in on that.
Yes, Aisling is there, mainly because her parents told her to stay away. She realises this is childish, but she is getting fed up with the situation in Kintargo and more and more afraid that she'll end up like the rest of her family: quietlly complicit with an evil regime.
Looking back at the Player's Guide, Tagging Along is probably the best description of what she is doing. Does anyone want to link to Aisling's character to tag along with her?
Anyways, item the second: How practical/entertaining does everyone think keeping Alexius identity as the Raven from the other PCs is? I recall that CrisisChild wanted to at least try that, so I thought I'd put it up for everyone to pick over.
I'm fine with that! In a recent game that sadly ended when we lost too many players, one of the PCs was a woman dressed as a man; the big reveal was a great moment and provided some fun roleplay.
Let me know if that works for you, but there's no requirement for the PCs to start the game knowing each other.
Indeed there's not. The AP has provisions to ensure you all get together - somewhat clumsy ones, to a degree, but the point stands.
Yes, Aisling is there, mainly because her parents told her to stay away. She realises this is childish, but she is getting fed up with the situation in Kintargo and more and more afraid that she'll end up like the rest of her family: quietlly complicit with an evil regime.
Looking back at the Player's Guide, Tagging Along is probably the best description of what she is doing. Does anyone want to link to Aisling's character to tag along with her?
Keep in mind it could also be an NPC - there's a few I have created for the purposes of fleshing out your cast of characters, including the few other priests of Iomedae in the city. None of them claim to be more than Second Sword Knights (the second-highest rank of a local church) because the Church of Iomedae is currently on the outs with the Chelish government - see the Glorious Reclamation, which is a big ol' crusade in eastern Cheliax by a bunch of impulsive Iomedaeans.
It could be that Aisling sympathizes with them more than most of her fellow Iomedaeans, because many of her fellows think that now is a bad time for it, but she seems keen to get stuff done now. Just a thought, though, and you can, of course, choose how she feels about her crusading brethren in the east.
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Random thoughts and questions as I typed up the first IC post:
Aisling, keep in mind that Iomedae's Clerics can prepare the following:
Holy Sword can be prepared as a 8th-level spell.
Good Hope can be prepared as a 4th-level spell.
Mark of Justice can be prepared as a 4th-level spell.
Those aren't gonna be relevant for a long time, but I encourage you to look at a few other spells that are unique to Iomedae's church:
Weapons against EvilLight Prison
Inheritor's Smite
Burst of Glory and
Spear of Purity
You may want to make a note of those for future reference. :P
Alexius: Is Alexius coming as himself, or as the Raven? I imagined he would be coming as himself, but I can make the latter work if you'd prefer. Up to you, really.
Uh, there was something else... Oh, right. Let me know who's going in armed and/or armored. It's not exactly wrong to do so, but it will have a potential affect on you guys later.
EDIT: Oh, right. Final question: Do you guys want to do XP or milestones for levels? I favor the latter, but that's just 'cause I appreciate the fewer mathematical knick-knacks. I don't mind either way, really.
Useful spell list, thank you!
The Glorious Reclamation is tricky and Aisling does indeed have thoughts, many and conflicted thoughts. The main problem from her POV is that they are invaders, which means that they aren't going to get popular support and it could easily backfire by giving House Thrune something to rally around ("you may not like us, but at least we're not foreign"). In her view, any revolution has to have popular support: you don't need everyone on your side, but you have to at least not have them be against you. The Glorious Reclamation seems to be failing that test and the backlash against them seems to be making most peoples lives worse.
I'm happy for you to invent an NPC for Aisling to tag along with if she doesn't have links to any of the rest of the group.
I was going to ask about weapons and armour. I'm assuming that the nobility have a bit more leeway to carry that sort of thing than the commoners do, but a longsword seems like a conspicuous thing to carry to a protest. I'm thinking Aisling has left it at home, but is it possible for her to have her breastplate on under a concealing cloak? Or would that be too obvious?
I hate tracking XP so I'm happy for you to level us at suitalbe milestone points.
As a cleric of Iomedae, I think carrying a longsword is permissible - there is some level of tolerance for her clergy, even when Kintargo (and the whole of Cheliax, in fact) is under martial law. Like I said, though, weapons and armor aren't exactly forbidden, but they do make a person much more noteworthy.
Heya Crisischild! I remember you from way back when we were in a brief Savage Tide campaign together. Your Bard Elaina was absolutely hilarious. I played the alchemist who could barely work up the nerve to talk to people.
Nice! Elaina and Mimi’s friendship was just starting to blossom when that game ended! Alexius is a self centered jerk just like Elaina, so you should be used to him already. I thought about submitting Elaina for this, she’s such a fun character to play, but this seems like the perfect Vigilante campaign.
As for the Alexius/Raven separation: I’d like to try it, but I realize how unrealistic and tedious it can be. I mean, HAS anyone ever seen Bob Ross and Superman in the same room at the same time?
Hello, your token Lawful teammate checking in! Thanks for picking me, GM, I'm looking forward to a great campaign.
I've had a look at everyone's backstories and I think it is most likely that Aisling would already know both Alexius and Jessibel, by reputation if nothing else because they are all part of noble houses. Aisling's house is minor noblity because I only took the trait and not the full Noble Scion feat, reflecting the fact that the Talbots give most of their money away and don't have much political power at the moment, due to being renowned Iomedaeans. Which might be a reason for you to avoid them, or not. But you'd both almost certainly be aware of Aisling, . I'm happy to leave it there or develop closer backstories, depending on your own preferences.
I’m a fan of lawful alignments, myself.
Alexius rebels for the sake of rebelling, not because he actually believes in anything. At least that’s what he claims. So he wouldn’t have a problem being seen with Imoedeans. The Vashnarstill’s don’t seem to be super upper class nobility, looks like they’re not particularly popular in Kintargo and don’t support Thrune. I think they’re primarily based overseas so they’re kind of foreigners. He’s at the protest to protest the government, but not, like, really protest the government. He’s just angry about the curfews, he doesn’t actually want anything to change for anyone else but himself.
Alexius is going to the protest as himself. He has a sword cane because of his “limp” but he was a renowned duelist, so it wouldn’t be out of character for him to be able to defend himself if things get dicey even though he’s supposedly disabled. The Raven would probably draw a lot of attention...
@Kintargo DM What are your thoughts on wearing a chain shirt under clothing without being too obvious? Celestial Armor says it can be worn under clothing, and it’s based on medium armor. I’m not a fan of rocking around town in armor if there’s no reason to be. Kinda destroys the visuals in my mind.
Will post more at lunch.
Notably, the Vashnarstills are one of the big noble families of Kintargo - it's why you need the feat to be part of them, rather than just the trait. They're less interested in local politics than other families, perhaps, but they're still invested in them.
I think you can wear a chain shirt under your clothes - though you certainly want clothes under it, as well, both because it's cold, man, and because man, those would pinch.
I think I'm ready to post the first IC post. I'll give it another half an hour before I do so, though, just in case anyone else has anything to say.
Gameplay thread is up! Go wild, folks.
I have a PM out to Alexius about Tagging Along with him. I'll hold my gameplay post until I hear back.
I prefer milestone advancement. I like anything that doesn't involve more math.
I'm fine with at least trying the whole secret identity thing.
Milestones are fine with me.
Jessibel's enough of a wild child that she probably got arrested once or twice and could've been in need of Aisling's services. (The original version of this PC had a Sarini as a frenemy, so maybe this Sarini's (her name was Sabrina) bad influence got Jessi arrested...and got the Archbaroness to order Jessi to stop hanging out with the troublemaker). I think I'll be adding that to her backstory.
I added a "Night Before" introductory post near the end of Jessibel's character sheet. In short, she's at the protest at the behest of two more politically-motivated NPCs. I could always change that (at least partially) if Vantine or Aisling want to be Tagging Along with her at the protest.
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And I'm going to do a couple of self-imposed Wisdom checks to decide how Jessi will be going about a couple of things in regards to protest-related decisions, as I can't seem to make up my mind.
Haha.
Milestone level ups FTW!
We got some high rollers already.
I like this as a start to an AP, there's stuff for us to do in terms of dice rolls but there's enough slack in the system that we can do RP posts while we wait for everything to catch up with itself.
Also, I've managed to find a picture for Aisling. Imagine a proper sword instead of that silly rapier and it's pretty much exactly as I imagined her!
The advantages of PbP, I think. It is nice to have more chances to RP, definitely.
Also, I hope I'm not rushing things at all - I was kind of worried I might be.
I think the pace is fine.
@Aisling: Nice pic.
@GM Kintargo: No problem here with the pace.
Good lord. Gameplay (13 new posts).
I hate being busy at the start of a new campaign =(
Got a pretty good roll in the gameplay thread, though!
I can hold off on posting for awhile if you want to do more RP with the group, CrisisChild.
Oh man it's so much fun being kind of awful. Well done indeed Alexius.