Please post with an Avatar, completed sheet, and a backstory. I will have a reward for the best (not longest, but could be) backstory.
Alias ready with the sheet.
Did I understand correctly, that we don't have any gear in the beginning of the game?
Background story stays the same from the recruitment thread :)
Eleanor the Fat, they called her. Eleanor Big-boned, Eleanor the Wide. Children were very good at creating names for one who looked different. And as usual, they were very merciless and cruel, and kept mocking and teasing the poor girl. This went on for years, until they - both Eleanor and the other kids - learned that being big also meant being strong. And one day Piotr went a little too far with his jests. Eleanor, tears in her eyes, picked a fallen branch from the ground, and swung in anger. It was almost the death of little Piotr, that now swing. And from that day onwards, no one called Eleanor names to her face.
But the damage was already done. Eleanor shied away from other people and found comfort only in the wilds and in animals. Birds in particular were her favourite. They offered companionship without caring how big or odd she looked. And for whatever reason, the birds seemed to like her as well. Eleanor and her black birds - wherever she went, the birds came as well. And people noticed that, and knew that where black birds were gathered, the strange girl wouldn’t be far. “I see Rooks a-coming”, they said. And that name stuck.
By chance or fate, a Carnivalle came near her town one day. Seeing all those wonders and the strange people of the Blue Veil troupe, Rooks immediately knew the troupe would be where she belongs. Without hesitation she left her family and joined the troupe, where Selvra took her under her wing, recognising Rooks connection with the wild. But to earn her keep, she must work. And while she is trying to teach her birds to perform for audience, it is easier said than done. So for now, she just helps Selvra in tending her beasts. Although Borag has said she could take part in the strongman shows whenever she would like…
@Rooks Did I understand correctly, that we don't have any gear in the beginning of the game? You have all starting equipment listed for your class, you just do not have any starting wealth.
out of us till Friday afternoon. will get up avatar... hopefully Friday evening.
Most of his memories from that time are gone, his parents’ faces washed away. The most he can remember is they were travelling merchants, though he can’t tell what they sold. The few moments left in the back of his mind are hazy dreams and déjà-vu feelings. What he can really tell, though, is that none of these memories are bad. He seemed to be happy.
Something happened. He doesn’t know what, and the Hanataz claim they know nothing. But they always say they don’t know. What seems to be true, regardless, is that they found the young boy wandering alone, and they helped him. They fed him, gave him shelter and, allegedly, searched for his parents with no success. The elders decided to adopt him into the troupe. The fact that he had some odd features, a sign of having mixed blood, didn’t seem to be a problem. Hanataz are known for racial tolerance.
Custody of the new member was given to the Stelles, thinking it would be good that the couple had someone to pass their knowledge to. And it showed up as a sound idea - Sam was a natural for crafts and he learned quick and steady, using his ideas to impress his playmates with his wild inventions.
As he grew up, Sam was loved and cherished by the community, his skills improved and he was just another one of the troupe, but still he wondered what had been of his past. Many loose ends have haunted him at night up till today, and though he’s not sure he wants to make a big deal about it, inside him he wants to know. For now, he’s focused on his crafts, and he considers himself a happy boy, especially when his loved ones are safe and happy as well.
I understood we start with our gear, but no money. If we start only with our clothes, I can change that in a couple of minutes, no problem. Ninjasolved, nothing to see here.
Also, about the starting gear... could I change a simple weapon for a shield? Or maybe even both simple weapons...
Ah, ok.. I got it wrong then. Added the starting gear for Rooks.
It's not listed anywhere, but could we take Hand sign as a language?
It's not listed anywhere, but could we take Hand sign as a language?
You can take Hand Sign for a specific language. For example (Hand Sign-Common) something like that.
Game will be up later tonight. I posted update about Hero Points and how they work in the campaign tab.
"It's time ... ... to leave." The thought seeped into his mind, echoes of a distant past he couldn't quite recall.
He was found wandering out of the darkness while the Blue Veil troupe was between shows, on a stormy evening, some years ago. It was with a fright to the lead wagon driver pulled on the reins of his steed, when the masked figure was noticed moving towards them. A pale glow surrounded him but the figure simply stood in the rain, staring forward with his dark, hollow eyes.
Later, once things had calmed down, the members of the Troupe tried to question the boy. It was discovered that he was wounded and would not speak at first. But even so, Mother Salvensa spoke first for him and implored the others to take him in.
“I will take him, give the boy to me.”
His silence went on for several days, but eventually he responded, not by speaking out loud, but by telepathy. He could not recall who he was, nor his family, and only has a vague recollection that he came from somewhere far to the south where it was cold all the time.
Ghost was a name given to him, partly as a joke regarding how he simply appeared with his ethereal glow. Since the boy had no direction, and he was also different from most, the Troupe offered to let him travel with them, perhaps one of his family would find him at their show. But it wouldn't be for free. He would have to work, outside of and in the show. Ghost accepted their offer.
Perhaps someone would find him someday.
”Well Ghost seems to be doing better, lately. He certainly has warmed up to Vestia and Skizzig, as well as Columbina and Zani and he has been adding more game ideas to Leena and Stoof’s repertoire. He’s a spectacle to see, when he performs his acrobatics, he glows and it really draws the eye!”
"Trauma." he overheard Old Stem say in a hushed whisper. "The boy must have blocked it out. He’s been trying to fill the gaps in his mind by pushing himself. But some of the others don’t care for him, the Great Casby is especially reticent. Ghost won't speak, not normally, anyway. Not that he can't, I've heard him mumble in his sleep, but he just won't. He'll talk to your mind. Something his race can do. But his eyes, I just feel like I’m falling into a deep pit if I stare at him.”
“He is also a blood touched. Like many of us. I’ve seen it.” Said Mother Salvensa. “I’ve done what I can and taught him the value of life and given the gift of healing magic, and I believe there is a spirit which is tied to him and helps guide him but he is still… dangerous. People can tell, like the night we found him. Ghost Nail will be hunted if he ever leaves here.”
”What do we do then? We can’t just get rid of him.”
”No, that would be too dangerous. The Nether follows in his wake like a shadow. He will leave here, in time. But for now, we should keep him close and try to prepare him for a world that will likely never fully accept him. He will need friends, companions, that will stay by his side, lest he give in to his darker impulses. Where better to find than a traveling carnival which accepts all.”
The game tab is active. It is a long introduction. I will judge backgrounds Monday and will post again Mon-Fri at least one post a day. That is also my expectation of each of you. I will PM each of you with a secret about your character, and a unique starting item for each of you.
I will update the campaign tab with some basic information about the town of Nevermore.
I'll get the profile updated this weekend. Just changed the basics, and dot/deleted in the game thread.
Reading backgrounds now. Will be sending each that posted in Discussion PMs regarding special things from campaign setting unique to character, some are designed by the campaign, some by me. Will announce the winner of the background contest and respond in gameplay soon
Thank you all for your backgrounds. I based my decision on best background on how much about the person do I know from this background? I feel based on the background that I know more about Rooks than the others so congratulations to Rooks.
Honorable mentions to Ghost for your obvious writing ability and style of mostly using conversation for your story, and to Sam for creating a good mystery about your origins. Ichabod your background maybe was not updated yet, it kept referring to you as a dwarf and references to gods from Pathfinder. Other than that was a good one too.
In addition to the things you will be getting from my PMs, Rooks will receive a scroll of Animal Friendship gifted from Selvra and a flowstone of Druidcraft (cantrip). (Flowstones are where the flow has concentrated from the Woe of Ruin and are cut to create magical items)
I have to say I loved Rooks' background, though maybe that's because I was also a fatty boy at school :P
Yay, thanks :)
Rooks' story kind of wrote itself, I'm quite happy with it as well.
Apologies. I'll have something up in about 12-24 hrs
We're just background equipment right? No cash, no weapons, armour etc?
Starting equipment from your class. No wealth
At least I got the profile partially finished. I'll work on background and history soon.
I posted in gameplay to set up combat, but I don't expect responses on the weekend.
Wait, botting Sam? Why? I was explicitly waiting for the enemies to do their actions.
Perhaps more clarification of the posting rules would be in order.
I have seen this issue in the past with players keeping pace at rolled initiatives and waiting to act after all others ahead of them have, but also DMs wanting to stick with the 1/day expected posting rate and therfore botting characters.
@Borag Vegla, would you prefer we post our actions regardless of turn order and then you sort it out with having characters take actions on their initiative? It does require more finesse as battlefield conditions could change and alter the posted action, but it does also help with flow.
I'm used to acting in blocks - all characters that go together, all enemies, etc. So I was waiting for the enemies to act, then we would have all acted - all of you again, and me for the first time. Price to pay for having low initiative.
Being botted wouldn't have been much of a problem... except for the fact that the result is the character utterly assassinating a fleeing enemy, spilling first blood, disobeying an order from Borag, drawing the people's hate on the Hanataz, etc. etc.
So yeah, Sam might as well run away, jump off a cliff, or whatever. I'm just waiting to see if there's going to be a retcon or I really have to quit.
Mm, the block chain's fair.
First blood has definitely been drawn already with Ichabod's critical and I also leaped into harmful combat without thinking too much. This encounter has the feel of someone setting us up to very likely take a fall.
I will say that leaving the game seems a bit extreme. But it is fair to argue that perhaps your character wouldn't have attacked if that is not in his nature to do so.
Perhaps easiest retcon would be that the bolt through the half-elf's leg, incapacitating him instead of killing etc. (even if the knocking out rule normally applies to melee attacks).
This is the first combat in this game, so some understandable hiccups in execution (pun not intended). I hope we can fix the result in a way no one is upset.
I also believe block init is the defacto standard in the forums, so in this case:
PC group A: Rooks, Woyzeck and Ghost post in whatever order. Actions either happen in post order or initiative order (there's variation)
Enemies: enemies actions, most likely in initiative order (since GM gets them all in one post)
PC group B: Sammy and Ichabod post in whatever order.
Of course it get trickier if there are enemies in more than one block.
And if there is a 24-hour bot-clock, the timer should reset before each player block.
Also, while I am at it... may I suggest to the GM to give out a bit more information on the enemy positioning? It's important to us melee types to know whether or not we can attack the enemies with one move. Without grid it's not evident, and asking and getting answer and then posting the action may always take another 24 hours.
We'll probably smooth all this out after a few combats :)
Yes, anything will do: the bolt failing, or leaving him incapacitated, or whatever. I mean, it's still not what I would have done, but seems way more logical and in this case I understand we all have to give and take. We could blame it on a reflex, confusion, or any other excuse, I guess.
In wait for some words from the DM.
We'll probably smooth all this out after a few combats :)
Yeah, I don't think it's worth getting too upset over a ruling in the first combat. It will be worked out.
Apologies it has been awhile since I have used these forums and just realized when I post with my phone its not clear that there has been discussions in this tab.
I was botting Sam because I was not seeing posts in game play. 24 hour to post or I will bot is generally how I do things to keep it moving. The format already moves at a snails pace so I try to keep things going. I have not tried the block way before, but I can try that if you prefer it. You can post an action outside your initiative and I will plug you in as I have been doing. I realize now that some of you were not from my initial interest check where we discussed some of this.
So I was thinking the other attackers could be illusions. That way blood is not shed, but the combat retains its integrity and level of seriousness. Does that suffice?
I am trying to be more descriptive in my posts. If you could all also post more than one sentence would also help move things along. What is your character Saying or Thinking?
Mm, good idea. Illusions are an often underutilized resource in a world of magic.
I had thought there wasn't too much to say in this particular moment in a heated moment decision but hadn't considered adding what my character would be thinking in this moment.
I'm fine with that.
And thanks, the last post was pretty good.
BTW, about languages... There was no languages mentioned in the free primer, so is there a different set of languages in Zyathe than in DnD "standard"? Fae wasn't an option in dndbeyond, at least.
I had chosen Common, Elvish, Primordial, Sylvan for Rooks. Do the last two even exist?
I'm fine with that.
And thanks, the last post was pretty good.
BTW, about languages... There was no languages mentioned in the free primer, so is there a different set of languages in Zyathe than in DnD "standard"? Fae wasn't an option in dndbeyond, at least.
I had chosen Common, Elvish, Primordial, Sylvan for Rooks. Do the last two even exist?
The last languages do exist. Fay'Aryee is specific to their race im not sure if its in the primer but its in the Wy'red World setting book. You are welcome to change out a language for it.
Let me know if I'm rolling over anyone's chance to get in a word edge-wise for the conversation here.
Also, when Brother Liam was talking just a moment ago, was that a clue when he said "I was and then I blacked out."
Or was that him just misspeaking? Instead of being lured away from her while shopping as though he'd been with her before, maybe he was lured away by her while shopping?
I am unsure if it was just a wrong turn of phrase in the writing.
Just an odd turn of phrase. Lured away from something the Fay'Aree did might be more appropriate.
Ah, okay then.
Sounds very suspect but so do most things to me...
So not that it matters too much but for Persuasion rolls Ghost does have it as a proficient skill and he also gets advantage on it as a racial ability. Generally I try not to roll a skill check unless prompted to, even if I think it might be appropriate.
Should I be posting them more often?
Greetings all. Unfortunately I've come to the unfortunate conclusion that it is time for me to step away from these boards for a while. Life keeps throwing darts, and I don't have the concentration or motivation to continue at this time. Thanks for the opportunity, and I apologize for any inconvenience this might cause. Hopefully if like settles down I can return someday... but if not Happy Gaming to you all and best wishes.
Ah, sorry to hear that. Sad to see you go, but completely understandable as I've been there a few times in the past as well. Hope things calm down for you soon.
I think I already said it in the other game, but best wishes and take care :)
Oh, I think we lost Sammy Boy earlier, and with Ichabod leaving we're down to three (or did I not count someone?)
Should we try to recruit one more?
I think that's a good idea. 3 people games tend to be pretty intense with combat.
Is there going to be setup for the next scene before we leave for the carnivalle? Like are we going to have a chance to act in-character, or are we just watching the wagons while some things are done cinematic style?
Feel free to use skills without prompting. I will post some things in spoilers, but don't let that stop you from interacting with NPCs/PCs how ever you would like.
I am not sure what you mean by chance to act in-character. Please do that as often as possible. Your job will be to watch the wagons while the seniors of the Hanataz discuss the specifics of the Carnivalle. So what would your character do in that scenario? Would they muse to others about how boring it is? Whistle at ladies walking by? Perhaps practice some skill for the Carnivalle? Some ideas.
Recruitment. I suppose I can attempt it. My experience with the boards is this is usually futile, but I will make the effort. I may offer you a proper NPC since Ichabod has left.
Ah, sorry, that was a bit vague. I meant to ask if we were going to have a chance for our characters to act or if we were just going to montage our way to the next scene. Which this is, so thank you for clarifying.
I'll start rolling my skills more often then too.
I guess 5e recruitment is a bit quiet in Paizo forums. Pathfinder games (unsurprisingly) fill up quite fast.
Looks like we got someone new today. Happy to see that.