Each year, as spring turns to summer, the Acadamae—Korvosa's prestigious school of the arcane arts—opens its gates to the city to host the Breaching Festival: a carnival-like day on which a group of hopefuls try to enter the famed magical university's Hall of Wards by whatever means they can. Testing their luck against the abjurers' strongest defences, the competitors pull out all the stops as they vie for a chance to earn extravagant wealth, magical might, and the praise and admiration of an entire city. Yet no one has emerged victorious from the Breaching in over a century and a half, and a great many contestants have gone missing entirely after bypassing the school's defences. This year's festival promises to be the deadliest trial the school has ever known, and the school's headmaster has invited the heroes to participate, against the contest's long-standing traditions. Is it possible that they will uncover the secrets of the Breaching's long stretch of years without a victor? Or will they simply fall victim to the Acadamae's unseen guardians?
Welcome! You two have already met, though somewhat briefly, in GM Rennai's Conquest of Bloodsworn Vale. I'll give you a while to come up with at least basic ideas for your characters. Once you've picked your concepts (race, class, and general role within the group), I'll open up a recruitment thread to fill out the party. I think I'll go for a total of five players, with the expectation that we'll lose at least one to the usual ravages of play-by-post. You'll have a say on who I pick, as well—I'll PM you for your input once we have enough candidates to choose from.
Full guidelines for character creation can be found below. As 13th-level characters, the PCs have doubtlessly already made names for themselves. When thinking about your character's backstory, think about what successes they've already had in their careers—the sorts of exploits might lead the headmaster to consider them for the Breaching. They might be a local celebrity (either from Korvosa itself or elsewhere in Varisia), a prominent member of a local faction (a burglar from the Cerulean Society, a soldier from the Korvosan Guard or the Sable Company, a Hellknights from the Order of the Nail, a student or staff-member from the rival Theumanexus College, etc.), or even a graduate of the Acadamae itself.
Ability Scores: purchased using the High Fantasy point-buy (20 points)
Classes: all classes are allowed, though some might require more justification than others*
Races: Core is preferable, but all races are allowed with the proper justification*
Hit Points: PFS style (max HP at first level, ½ + 1 thereafter)
Traits: two traits, with the option of taking a drawback for a third; if a drawback is chosen, it should be something that actually hinders your character
Alignment: no restrictions, as long as you know how to behave yourself**
Starting Wealth: standard WLB for 13th level characters (140,000 gp)
House Rules: background skills, unchained disease and poison rules, stamina points (free for fighters), and PFS style scrolls (no distinction between arcane and divine)
Third Party Materials: none (period)
*While I don't outright exclude any options, I encourage you to create characters that fit the setting and themes of the adventure as tightly as possible. Obviously, a multiclass gunslinger/ninja catfolk might not be the best fit for this particular module, whereas a Chelaxian wizard or a Hellknight would be very much on brand.
**The module is not especially geared towards any specific alignment, and sensibly evil (read: cooperative) characters should fit right in. However, this will need to be discussed on a case-by-case basis. I don't expect any of you to use your alignment as an excuse to act like a jerk, but I feel like it can't be overstated that such behaviour is not at all acceptable. PvP will not happen without the full, enthusiastic consent of everyone involved.
It would be preferable if everyone posted at least once a day. I understand if you can't, but I will do my best to stick to that schedule, as well as attempt to keep things moving by botting people who are holding things up too long.
If you know you'll be unable to post for a longer period of time, please let me know. I know I'm just a random dude on the internet, but I will worry about you if you disappear on me without an explanation. For botting purposes, you should also give me a general idea of what you would like your character to do in your absence, even if you don't have time to come up with an elaborate in-character post.
Before we start playing, I'll want both character sheets and background info to be easily accessible. Create an alias and either type everything in there, or link to a sheet elsewhere. Just try to make the formatting as clear as possible, for my sanity.
Prestigious and highly esteemed, the college attracts students from as far away as distant Geb, and even from Cheliax itself—to the annoyance of the far-more ancient colleges there. Korvosa benefits greatly from the Acadamae's fame. As such, the city helps sponsor the college with tax funds, and instructors in the school receive exemptions based on the recognition they bring. Though technically still under the dominion of the Crimson Throne, in practise the monarch has no power to enforce their authority over the goings-on in the campus, which is ruled over by the school's headmaster, who holds absolute control over the school and how it is run.
Originally a universalist institution, with the death of Aroden and the rise of diabolism in the motherland, the school became heavily involved in the summoning of devils. While it does not actively promote an evil agenda, the college nonetheless tolerates diabolism and the worship of Asmodeus. Despite this lenience towards evil, the college remains a truly Chelaxian and Korvosan institution, and as such it does not allow for wanton destruction or chaos. The evil it embraces is precise, organised, and regimented. Most of the schools work together in relative harmony, and those that cannot frequently interact only in the most formalised ways possible. However, there has been an increasing animosity between students of conjuration and necromancy, which has recently led to multiple spell duels, both formal and informal.
Despite its shift towards the infernal (or perhaps because of it), the Acadamae is a very conservative institution: it focuses exclusively on wizardry, and each student is required to specialise in a school of magic. In accordance with the ancient traditions of Azlant and Thassilon, divination is considered a universal school, taught to all students but restricted as an area of focus. All students must likewise receive instruction in conjuration, and face a gruelling examination in that field before they can graduate. Failing or and dropping out are not options—students either graduate or die trying. During the first three years of their studies, the apprentices are used as slave labor by the staff and the senior students, and they are taught next to nothing. Two of every ten apprentices at the Acadamae do not survive these first years—being slain by magic traps, wayward spells, or murderous imps, or simply dying from exhaustion or carelessness. The remaining eight advance to full studentship, though in the end only seven in ten pupils survive their full decade of instruction. Of these alumni, roughly half become conjurers, with evokers and necromancers tying for the second most-common specialisations. However, the Acadamae also seems to produce a disproportionately high number of powerful enchanters.
The school makes no attempt at contacting the bereaved of recently dead students. Since few people unconnected with the Acadamae know what happens within its walls, the college births abundant (and sometimes ludicrous) rumors: it is said, for example, that those attempting to quit the school become test subjects for their prospective necromancers, but to date no one has verified these horror stories. Despite its strict isolation, the university's presence still affects the locals indirectly. Due to failed summoning rituals by hapless pupils, there is a great number of unbound imps which make their homes on the Acadamae's campus. These little devils frequently take to the air, flitting about above the campus and across Korvosa. Their skybound battles with the native pseudodragons are a local spectacle.
Beginning at sunrise and continuing until sunset, the contestants attempt to penetrate the defences of the Hall of Wards and to step foot anywhere within the building. Two-dozen Korvosan Guards patrol the interior as impartial observers, looking for a victor. The rules dictate that only a single wizard may stay within the Hall to defend it against its potential invaders. For the most part, this young abjurer (selected by the head of the school) has little to do but watch, as the building's magical and mundane wards and protections prove more than sufficient. There is no doubt many of these defences are highly lethal: all contestants must sign forms ratified by the local Temple of Asmodeus, which release the Acadamae of any liability for any misfortune suffered as a result of the contest, and multiple invitees have perished or even disappeared entirely. However, the deadly and mysterious nature of the competition has only increased its popularity amongst Korvosans.
Thrilled to be on board! Just got back from a camping trip, so apologies for the radio silence, but I plan to start actively brainstorming tomorrow.
Quick question: this adventure seems to highly favor magic users - would you say that's a smart choice, or are all normal classes equally useful?
Lord Perry! Great to see you again ;)
That series ended up doing incredibly well, and kickstarted my career as a full time fantasy author. It's been a surreal and wonderful five years since.
How have things been on your end?
Just checking back in, DM: this adventure seems to highly favor magic users - would you say that's a smart choice, or are all normal classes equally useful?
Current idea is to play the older sibling of a previous contestant that went missing; they're not the type to attempt these contests, but their desire to learn the fate of their younger brother prompts them to leave their home and assay the challenge themselves.
I'm thinking about using the LG high elven archmage-propher Viridel (prophet/diviner), who entered the breaching festival to investigate his own dark and infernal premonitions and prophecies he had of the school, and the unfortunate deaths of many students and friends who chose to defy fate and enter the test--only to disappear.
In essence, he knows it's bad, but not why--and that lack of answers caused some of his colleagues to enter previous tests/enroll in the school and die/mutate/disappear.Perhaps prophetic warnings are not enough.
An extremely capable master of magic in his own right, Viridel might also have a streak of personal pride. Elven sorcery no doubt has had its own long and legendary history, but, with the decline of their peoples and the ascent of Mankind, he might find it curious to see how the wicked diabolism of Cheliax and its colonies/orbit countries fares against the 'higher arts' of the elves (with all its spell penetration and weird funky sorcery).
Sounds great! Being a diviner certainly works to play up the difference between elven and human magic, since the very human tradition the Acadamae is built on disregards divination as a unique school altogether (or at the very least sees it as not being worth specialising in).
If you're looking for place to call a home, the Mierani Forest is close by, with a small diplomatic enclave in the city itself (and enough ambassadorial bastards to make up the majority of Korvosa's half-elven population). Of course, for a high-level caster, distance is not as much of an issue, but it's good to have a local connection.
Just checking back in, DM: this adventure seems to highly favor magic users - would you say that's a smart choice, or are all normal classes equally useful?
Current idea is to play the older sibling of a previous contestant that went missing; they're not the type to attempt these contests, but their desire to learn the fate of their younger brother prompts them to leave their home and assay the challenge themselves.
Due to both the milieu and themes of the adventure, magic and planar stuff (especially of the hellish variety) will have a strong presence. However, the Breaching isn't solely a test magical aptitude, but also cleverness and resilience—there is a reason the usual invitees tend to consist of burglars and lockbreakers from the local underworld. There'll be need for both muscle and wit. A total meathead of a barbarian might seem hard to fit in, but the headmaster is (for his own reasons) gathering a group of invitees who are allowed to work together, so it's not out of the question that some of the contestants were scouted out as muscle.
(That was a really good question! I think I'll include a blurb about this in the recruitment thread.)
Playing the relation of a previous contestant is a strong choice. Maybe you'll even find your brother — or what's left of him. >;)
@DM
My second character idea is an older (and much stronger) Percival Arizian. Bloodsworn Vale took place before Eodred died, and as I faintly recall, this takes place after Crimson Throne. Count Perry would have had years of work done, and realized the horrifying state Korvosa is in, but probably is unable to affect direct change.
But perhaps the Breaching Festival is one way he can pierce the veil so to speak. The church of Abadar has had a difficult time so far, and he might believe that he can affect change this way, and maybe bring some kind of order.
By default, the adventure takes place before CotCT: King Eodred is already on his deathbed, and Queen Ileosa has just started to consolidate her power. This would be, like, within a year or two of the events in the Bloodsworn Vale. Not that you need a crisis to see that Korvosa isn't the most just and equitable place on Golarion...
Lord Perry would certainly fit in the setting, being a local and all that. Both the fame and the reward money would certainly increase his prestige. The jump up in level is easy to handwave away, since there's no direct continuity between the adventures. You'd have to build him from the ground up, though, so as to keep things fair.
Things are great for me. I graduated from law school, got a really good job, got married to an amazing woman, and just last week had a son.
It’s been wild on this end, too!
Sounds like you've been busy. Congrats!
@DM: I'm thinking of working the planar angle and running with a tiefling. Cheliax is a logical background, and so I might go with some high-level priestess in the Church of Asmodeus. I'm thinking Lawful Evil, with the strong impetus to work with the group so as to discover what happened to her younger brother, whom she was charged by some hellish contract to look after or at the very least recover his body for a proper burial.
@DM: I'm thinking of working the planar angle and running with a tiefling. Cheliax is a logical background, and so I might go with some high-level priestess in the Church of Asmodeus. I'm thinking Lawful Evil, with the strong impetus to work with the group so as to discover what happened to her younger brother, whom she was charged by some hellish contract to look after or at the very least recover his body for a proper burial.
A cleric of Asmodeus would be a good fit, and joining the priesthood is a good way for a Chelaxian tiefling to rise above their wretched station. While in Korvosa, she would likely be a guest of Bishop Ornher Reebs, who is the chief prelate of the local Asmodean temple. Depending on your character's age, she might have even helped found said temple during the reign of Queen Domina (4667–4686 AR). For reference, the bishop is 11th level. :P
@The Both of You: Would you guys like a little head-start on building your characters, or should I open the recruitment now?
There's a lot of spells you can have, that's for sure. :P
Unless electricjokecascade objects, I'll open recruitment tomorrow-ish.
Okay, the recruitment thread is open. Feel free to mingle with the applicants as much or as little as you'd like.
I set the deadline for Wednesday next week—try to have your characters done by then, as well.
How are your characters coming along?
Pretty good, I just need to choose my spells. I finished nearly everything else, but do need an audit.
I can't seem to access Viridel's sheet (or what I assume is his sheet) in his profile. The link might be broken.
Alright, can you try again?
Okay, now it works! Everything looks to be in order. I expect you'll play Anxious by being appropriately soft spoken—do note that some NPCs might not take Viridel seriously or even speak over him as a result (at their own peril, of course).
I've taken a stab at my 13th level character sheet. I'll admit at being a bit at sea when creating high level characters, but Anethra should be able to hold her own - I hope. Once the sheet passes muster, I'll fill in the fluff.
Everything looks to be mostly in order. However, I'm having some trouble interpreting this:
+3/glamered/improved shadow breastplate (deathless/cure serious woundsx25 charges/cleric/5th)
What are those CSW charges for?
I can't recall seeing anyone pick an inquisition as a cleric, though the Secrets inquisition is thematic and does give access to some pretty neat abilities.
Since you don't benefit from Fiendish Sorcery, I would recommend switching it out for Prehensile Tail (or some other alternative racial trait).
That's a breastplate I built in PCGen. It allowed me to imbue the armor with 25 charges of a spell, and the drop-down menu had Cure Serious Wounds, so I went for it. It's cast as if by a cleric at 5th level. That ability was then worked into the total price.
The inquisition option was populated by PCGen; I wouldn't know what it is or if it's relevant, but it was there so I took it.
Happy to change any of the above.
I'll take a closer look at the alternative racial traits.
That's a breastplate I built in PCGen. It allowed me to imbue the armor with 25 charges of a spell, and the drop-down menu had Cure Serious Wounds, so I went for it. It's cast as if by a cleric at 5th level. That ability was then worked into the total price.
Huh. I honestly don't know what that's about. Was there no rules reference at all? Not to make a painful process even more so, but I don't think I can approve character options without knowing their source.
The inquisition option was populated by PCGen; I wouldn't know what it is or if it's relevant, but it was there so I took it.
Inquisitions are primarily meant for inquisitors, but totally legal for clerics to take. Since they don't come with domain spells, they're usually considered to be a subpar option. However, the Trickery domain gives access to some very good spells already, so that won’t necessarily be much of a loss. It's a matter of taste, really.
No worries, it's gone. I'll spend the gold on something else. And if it's allowed, I'll keep it; I like the flavor.
The recruitment is now closed. I've PM'd both of you for input—message me back as soon as you can.
Grymwold trundles in excited and ready to Breach some stuff whether it be through bullrush/overrunning mages Juggernaut style with maybe the added kick of a telekinetic charge or just launching a storm of shields.
this'll be fun
he thinks excited for another challenge despite it being located in foul Cheliax
Thanks for the selection
I'll put the finishing touches on magic item selection and skills tomorrow
”Can we just smash the door down?” the big half-Orc asks, hefting his silver-filigreed greataxe.
Yes. Thank you so much for the acceptance. Congrats to the others who made it as well, and greetings to those who are already part of this adventure.
Welcome aboard! I'll give those who need it a little more time to finish up their characters—the rest of you can finalise any potential connections between yourselves, as needed. My aim is to get this show on the road during the weekend. In the meanwhile, you're free to dot in (i.e. post in the gameplay thread and remove your post afterwards) to have the game show up in your campaigns.
Hey all new players and congrats on making it past our boss's recruitment!
I'm thinking we could have these connections
@Grymwold. Perhaps Viridel helped conduct the divination that led to knowledge of your clan's hammer, and it is a good coincidence he is joining the breaching festival test?
@Bayard: Viridel would support Bayard's general zeal in fighting devils considering his worldview (defending the mortals from evils beyond the planes), and Bayard's clear-mindedness can contrast well against Viridel's worldview of 'understand it first before judging it'.
@Laree An: Viridel might be a family friend, having met and known your father, but might have supported your mother's will in not joining the Academae, fearing what was hidden within its warded halls. Now that Laree wants to take the test, she might have appealed to Viridel to join, telling him that they both lost people inside, and it is your chance to know what is truly inside.
@DM: Is everything legit? I still need to calculate some spells, but I think it's legit.
@Viridel: That works for me. She definitely would want allies on the way in besides her Simulacrum. Are there any infusions you'd like me to prepare for you since we are working together?
Welcome everyone!
Anethra seems fated to have precious few connections with you all; she is a Chelaxian priestess of Asmodeus, and will be dependent on the game's thrusting us altogether to explain why we've chosen to attempt The Breaching as a team. However, she is nothing if not lawful; if the terms are explicit and the goal mutually beneficial, she'll have no problem working with anyone else to achieve them.
DM, if this proves an untenable set-up, I am happy to change things up.
Fluff is finished and in my profile.
Wayfinder 500gp
Incandescent Blue Sphere (Cracked) Ioun Stone 200gp +1 competence Sense Motive
Resonance effect in Wayfinder =Blind-Fight
Dusty Rose Prism – 5000 gp; +1 insight bonus to AC. Implanted in the center of his chest.
Feet
Boots of the Cat 1k
Head
Buffering cap 2k with Dwarven Boulder Helmet 20gp x1.5 =2,030gp
Neck
Nat armor +1 =2k
Spiked Gauntlet +1 Training (Greater Bull Rush) 8k
Hvy SHield Throwing 70gp non-magic backup shield in haversack
Bead of Newt Prevention 1k
=17,770 gp
Complete Adventurers Handy Haversack contents 1,185gp
--Air Crystals x3 150gp
--Antitoxin x2 100gp
--AntiPlague x2 100gp
-Potion of Delay Disease 600gp
--Potion of Delay Poison 600gp
--Potion of Detect Secret Doors 150gp
--Potion of Jump 50gp
--Potion of Levitate 300gp
--Potion of Reduce Person 150gp
--Potion of Touch of the Sea 50gp
=2,250gp in alchemical and potions
Final total=21,205
+previous spent wealth of 148,620gp
=175gp in coin purse
skills have been added to character sheet
@Grymwold. Perhaps Viridel helped conduct the divination that led to knowledge of your clan's hammer, and it is a good coincidence he is joining the breaching festival test?
Not a bad idea, necessarily, but I do like the way it's worded Grymwold's backstory—that is, the headmaster blackmailing him into showing up. Of course, the clan might have approached the famed seer in their past attempts to search for the hammer. This is assuming Grymwold's clan is from the Five Kings Mountains, where they might have called on Viridel during his time in Kyonin.
@DM: Is everything legit? I still need to calculate some spells, but I think it's legit.
I don't see anything iffy.
Anethra seems fated to have precious few connections with you all; she is a Chelaxian priestess of Asmodeus, and will be dependent on the game's thrusting us altogether to explain why we've chosen to attempt The Breaching as a team. However, she is nothing if not lawful; if the terms are explicit and the goal mutually beneficial, she'll have no problem working with anyone else to achieve them.
DM, if this proves an untenable set-up, I am happy to change things up.
Fluff is finished and in my profile.
Good stuff! There is a built-in shoehorn (namely the headmaster's machinations), so there's no need to force connections or anything. It might be a bit contrived if the foreign characters were somehow previously acquainted with everyone. Whether or not it's feasible or Anethra to know anyone at all sort of depends on whether or not she has spent any time in Korvosa—I could imagine her bumping into Bayard in some legal dispute, perhaps on opposing sides.
@Viridel makes sense that you may have taken part in divining the Hammer. Sounds good.
@GM
Grymwolds fighting style may need require some unusual allowances to handle in pbp. How do you feel about disclosing opponents AC and CMD?
Grym gets a Shield Slam/Bull Rush with each hit. Depending on the success of the check villians may be moved back 5ft or more. When that happens Grym stays put or even 5fts back and transitions to ranged attacks. This switch hitting style SHOULD reduce the amount of time he gets full-attacked. Theoretically this should be an effective tactic, but am eager to see how it works in practice.
I won't be able to know which type of attacks (ranged or melee) to post unless I know whether the previous attack moved the villian.
The Five Kings Mountains are Grym's homeland so the connection with Viridel and Kyonin make sense.
@Viridel I think we've had some adventures together and during those adventures Grymwold had mentioned the Hammer to you and you had tried divining the location of the lost item, unsuccessfully. You'll be quite surprised upon coincidentally meeting Grym again at the Breaching when he tells you that the Hammer is in the Headmasters possession. And Grym basically got blackmailed into participating in the Breaching with the Hammer being dangled as the reward.
As for connections to everyone else.....Grymwold has never been to Cheliax and has never had ANY desire to visit. So I don't think he'll have heard of Bayard unless he'd ever visited the Five Kings area. Grym does have an interest in well known Holy warriors, especially Paladins, even of differing faiths. He's fought alongside many Paladins at Lastwall vs undead and orc hordes. So upon learning that Bayard is a paladin his default attitude will be quite friendly.
@Laree An....I don't think we'd have come across on another in our travels.
@Anethra......Grym's not gonna be happy about working with and depending on an Asmodean priestess.
But this line of his code seems relevant:
"I am at all times truthful, honorable, and forthright, but my allegiance is to my people. I will do what is necessary to serve them, including misleading others if need be."
If it seems necessary to work with an Asmodean to regain the Hammer, that's what he'll do. Toragadins are practical when accomplishing their goals.
@Anethra: I would say that it would depend on what kind of evil you intend to play. There are many kinds of evil. Even nice people can have greed festering in them, but may be all manner of civil person, but they do so to get rich. It'll be interesting to see how you handle this. If you are going to be roleplaying a rude, dark, and evil person, it's likely Laree will keep her distance.
I doubt Bayard would be all that connected, at least not directly.
@Viridel, it seems like you've mostly been a wanderer. Have you been in Korvosa long? Perhaps you'd recognize Bayard as someone you'd seen in a divination? I've left enough vagary in Bayard's background that your wanderings and his could've crossed paths some years ago.
@Laree An, Bayard would likely know your father, at least by reputation. If you've been in town much, you'll have heard of the city's Chief Executioner, certainly, and perhaps have seen him ply his grisly trade. He's certainly suspicious of disappearances surrounding the Academae, and while no detective, could have been peripherally engaged enough that you met him while trying to discover more about your brother's disappearance?
@Grymwold, There's enough vagueness in Bayard's background that he could've been to the mountains. You might also have met him when he was a young squire in Lastwall. He'd certainly be willing to compare notes on faith and holy warrior-ing once you'd gotten to town. Also, Korvos is in Varisia, not Cheliax (though it is a Chelish colony).
@Anethra, Bayard wouldn't really be looking to make friends with an Asmodean, but he'd treat you courteously enough, in his own way. At least your infernal master is a being of laws. There's a common ground we can work from; we might never be buddies, but with carefully-made agreements we can probably trust one another. If you're new to Korvosa, I'm not sure we'd have met previously. Perhaps in your investigations of poor Mr. Jeggare's disappearance.
@Bayard: I am sure you are pretty much a minor celebrity with how many execututions probably happen, so I'm sure she knows of you. I'm sure she would have come to you to inquire as to whether those who fail in the Festival were put to death for some reason by your hand. You may have an understanding then that she is there looking for her brother who entered.
@Laree. It's settled, then! Family friend. What works as an affectionate nickname? He would probably only need spells he can't cast himself, like death ward.
@Grym. That works very well. How did the master of the school get the hammer when Viridel failed to scry it? That's a suspicious question--maybe he had it all along in a scry-proof box?
@Bayard. Viridel spent the last 12 years in Korvosa, mainly in the company of the ambassador Perishial Kalissreavil. It is possible that he was requested to conduct a scrying on a villain to bring to justice--mainly doing it as a favor or if the villain was wicked enough.
But that would make his interactions mostly with the Korvosan guard, such as with Marshal Cressida Kroft. He could have at least come to be introduced to Bayard through her.
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Also, Korvosa is in Varisia, not Cheliax (though it is a Chelish colony).
A little (okay, not so little) tangent, just because I think Korvosa's relationship with Cheliax is very interesting: obviously, its geographic location is in Varisia and not Cheliax proper, though at the time of its founding, it wasn't that far off the Chelish border, since Nidal was also part of the empire. The city was founded by Chelaxian colonists and thus became a part of Imperial Cheliax. De jure, it has never declared independence or otherwise broken off the motherland—she simply ceased to care about her colony after the death of Aroden and the civil war. De facto, it's a wholly independent city state governed by its own king, with its own army, and though they maintain their original imperial charter, it has since been heavily amended.
The House of Thrune still regards Korvosa as a part of the empire, but they don't think it's important enough to manage more directly (however, they have not recognised the monarchy, or even the nobility of the Arabasti line). The city is culturally Chelish, and the majority of its inhabitants are ethnic Chelaxians. Most of the people are okay with the status quo, with a sizable minority that want to return to fold and embrace their heritage more fully, diabolism and all (good example of this leaning would be the previous queen, Domina, who tried to attract Chelish attention by building a temple to Asmodeus and a castle for the Hellknight Order of the Nail); basically no one wants to actually declare independence, since that might force Cheliax to intervene militarily in fear of losing face (think IRL Taiwan/PRC). As long as Varisian goods keep showing up at Chelish ports, things are likely to remain as they are.
tl;dr: For a foreigner, it's completely natural to state that Korvosa is "in" [the Empire of] Cheliax, especially if they're of a longer-lived people and haven't been paying close attention to how the Chelish borders and internal politics have changed in the last century.
Yeah, that’s fair. I’d forgotten that Cheliax the political unit still maintained formal claim, and was only thinking of the geography.
@Viridel: Lareela is her birth name, so Ella, Lare, Lela, even Laree-an is acceptable, but she already goes by her nickname.
As a general disclaimer, I aim to make Anethra disconcertingly easy to get along with. She'll be very much focused on executing their mission quickly and efficiently, which will, in turn, require as little real friction with her partners as possible.
Okay, there we go. The game is afoot!
I like the look of that thing behind my character's head in her picture, but can't begin to imagine how to describe it or what it might be called. A reredos? A...? What would you guys call it?
A throne, rederos, or some strange neckpiece/epaulet depending how you look at it.
Yeah, I'm thinking (wanting) it to be part of her costume, giving her an almost operative, over-the-top presence. Guess I'll describe it as her... hmm. I still don't know.
Looks like a high collar (on a cloak?) + a crown-like headdress.