Welcome to Bohrs Kreegan (Cuchulainn), Calaithes (AGM Lemming), Kayle Harrel (SqueezeMeNow), and Nicolette Yardley (SmooshieBanana)! I know that some of you may already know each other, but please feel free to start working out how your characters know each other and making any further adjustments. I am looking forward to the game!
Please dot (post once) in the gameplay thread and then delete that post so that the campaign begins to show up in your campaign tab.
Thanks of selecting me for the campaign! I am looking forward to the experience.
I posted a dot in the Gameplay thread, and it acknowledged that I posted it, but the actual post isn't showing up, so I can't delete it. I'm not sure what's going on with that.
I am having the same issue. I cannot even see the post when I bring up Kayle's profile and look at posts.
Calaithes and Kayle have an interesting dynamic in that both were taught by the parent of the other. They likely see each other daily if not more. Lemming and I have both likened them to adopted family, brothers from another mother, or dysfunctional relatives.
Bohrs would likely know Kayle from the amount of time we spend working in the tavern together. Though Kayle wouldn't be one for gambling he would certainly watch with a passing interest. I imagine he would make sure the good brother is properly fed before he gets into his cups. Perhaps with a meal of fresh game.
Nicolette would likely know Kayle from his time spent in the outdoors. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he brought back an item of hers once or twice. Or healed her/others after a training session he stopped to watch. Looking at her family, he might have made a delivery of forgeables at some point.
Those are my initial thoughts.
Hmmm, I can't seem to get it to register my post either. Well, it's something to bother the mods about tomorrow!
There is definitely a ready-made nexus for Bohrs, Calaithes, and Kayle at the Seven Silvers. Bohrs has only been in town a couple of years, but I would think that the others would find him pleasant company. Bohrs being a gambler, Calaithes might find that Bohrs' skills and his overlap somewhat, making it natural to talk shop. Likewise, both being divine casters, Bohrs and Kayle would have similar interests, just along different lines. It could be the three of them have become a regular friend group, with Kayle being the responsible one, Calaithes the instigator, and Bohrs the one looking for an excuse to have a party while also trying to get Kayle to relax and not be so serious all the time.
As for Nicolette, her campaign trait may be an introduction for her to the group. She chose the Defense of Honor trait where she stood up for Silvers' daughter. This would have impressed the three, who were either there when it happened, or heard about it soon after. Kayle might have known her beforehand from hunting in the woods, and Bohrs would certainly have wanted to stand a round of drinks in her honor after the incident.
Hi all!
Kayle covered our connection pretty good. We might bicker/fight with each other, but fight either of us and you'll be facing both.
I've probably served Bohrs any amount of drinks over time in the Seven Silvers. A couple of years is plenty of time to have become friends. Besides, everybody knows everybody in a small town!
Ditto that for Nicolette! Knowing her Calaithes would do his best to be sure nobody tries to take advantage of her.
They don't appear to have fixed the Gameplay thread....
Just a suggestion: we could roleplay some interactions in the Seven Silvers in this thread to get a feel for our characters, then shift over to the gameplay thread once it is up and running.
Ha, it seems you all stumbled on some of the reasons I thought this group would get along nicely. You all have good associations with the Tavern despite being from very different backgrounds. Sometimes I would rather avoid starting an adventure in a tavern, but you all made that the obvious choice!
I sent customer service a note about 9 hours ago. It's just now 10am PT, so hopefully someone sees it and we can get up and running!
Calaithes arrived at the Seven Silvers at his usual work time even though today wasn't his scheduled workday. He was bored. The annual ceremony was nearly here but nobody had details. Were they going to have selected youth making the pilgrimage again? Or would the town elders do their usual, boring ceremony again? If they did select from the youth of the town, when would they select them? When would they explain what had to be done?
Looking around he grinned at Bohrs. The man had a hollow leg, or dispensation from his God that made him immune to ale. Fortunately he must have liked the taste or Jiles wouldn't have tolerated the man taking a stool and practically claiming it as his own. "Bohrs! What have you heard? And can I get you more ale? It's too early for you to have had more than.... three?" He chuckles and makes his way around the bar to grab an apron, nodding to Jiles and accepting taking over the bar for a while.
When would the 'official' word be given?
"I would be obliged if you'd top me off!" Bohrs booms pleasantly, as he hands his silver tankard to Calaithes. "I haven't heard anything official as of yet, but perhaps I should be taking wagers on who will be selected this year! There are a few hale and hearty types in town who are ready to earn their spurs, like our gal, Nicolette! Did ya see how she handled that half-orc brute who was pawing at Asina the other day?! She was bloody brilliant! Had him shaking in his boots, she did! I'm giving even odds that she's chosen."
Calaithes takes the mug, noting that it was almost drained. Top off? Well, it was just a bit of ale. "True! And any with her can just stay out of her way if anything dangerous steps across the path. That fool was lucky to just get grabbed and punched, rather than pounded with the hammer! That would've cost him more than one fang...." He fills the tankard and returns it to the man with a grin. "But will they pick youth for the ceremony this year? Tradition says yes. But they should have posted the list and taken the selected aside so they'd know what they had to do. I think they want to lead the ceremony themselves again."
"I'd take the bet, but nobody in their right mind would bet against her! Even? You'd have to offer high odds to find anyone that stupid!"
He glances to the back of the inn and lowers his voice, "I'd ask Jiles, but you know how he avoids politics. Besides, he preaches that knowledge has to be earned and learned, or it isn't worth having."
"Oh ho! Trust that the odds against her being chosen will be much higher. Not too high, mind you, but enticing enough to get a fair number of folk to jump at the chance of a big payout!"
He then lowers his voice to a surprising degree for such a boisterous personality. "How you use it's what really matters. S' long as no one's getting hurt, how ya got it's not that important." He winks, and takes a pull from his tankard.
Calaithes steps away to gather a cleaning cloth and some mugs from the wash basin. He dries one, polishing it much more than really needed. "And of course a part of any proceeds from the wagers should go to her! She would deserve it just being who she is. I'll let you explain it to her though, as you hand her the coin? I wouldn't want to face any anger from her! And I'm not skilled in manipulations like that."
He finishes with the mugs, standing them inline, ready for the evening. "I wouldn't bet against her at any odds. But maybe you'll find a fool or two that would accept a silver against a gold! I'll back you, risking..... up to eight gold in favor of Nicolette. Good luck finding fools to bet against her though." He leans on the bar and glances around to see if anyone is paying attention. None.... "Any others on your... short list? There aren't too many of us at the right age. Maybe that's why they haven't posted a list. If they pick just four they might upset the few that they deny. I know that I want to go, and assume that you would include yourself to that list. Have you the skins to bring along enough ale for the task? Or do you have magic to refill a skin once it is empty?"
"She'll get her cut. Don't you worry!" Bohrs whispers back, with another wink and a nod.
"You've got as good a chance's any to be on that list," Bohrs replies. "Me?!? I'd love to be chosen, but I'm bettin' man and I'm bettin' good Father Prasst's got a finger on my scales, so I won't be surprised if I'm sitting here in my cups when all's said and done. One the off chance I were chosen, you've no need to worry about me. I'll have enough drink to keep my belly and bladder full the entire journey! Ha!"
"I figured you'd have plenty, but thought I could tease you a bit." He drops a coin of his own in the til and pulls out a small glass from under the bar. He pulls a bottle from the collection on the back counter and pours a shot of cognac for himself. Taking a sip he leans back to relax while watching the room.
Emerging from the kitchen, Trelvar Silvers coughs and calls out to Bohrs and Calaithes. "Y'might as well spread yer theories all o'er town a'that volume," he chides, flipping an omelet in its cooking pan. "Ye really wanna know, may as well talk a yer ma, Calaithes. Y'know n' she wen' las' year n' she what has Mayor Uptal's ear. I reckon if'n yer tryna fix bets, may as well be smart 'bout it. N' make sure my cut is fair a'that."
He disappears back into the kitchen with a wave of his hand, and the aforementioned half-orc brute, Grimscar, swaggers up to the bar. "Whiskey," he gruffs to Calaithes. "Rocks." He glares over at Bohrs while he waits for his drink. Meanwhile, Short Change graciously accepts the relief of bar duty and makes himself scarce on the other side of the tavern.
Welcome all!
I too am having the same issue as everyone else.
I am sure that Nicolette would likely know Kayle from out in the wilderness. I could see his bonded animal likely finding her belongings out in nature from time to time, as well as Kayle. There have been times she has been significantly injured due to not remembering a techinque or something she was taught and getting harmed. Usually I'd imagine they'd be healed pretty well but in the case of practicing out of the realm of their mentor, she may have hurt herself far worse than in his caring presence. Especially if tempers were raised due to the struggles faced in combat. Kick a guy in the groin and he might not like you so well and go for the kill in a non-lethal match.
Bohrs would find that Nicolette is a easy-going soul. She enjoys gambling and fun, but would not actively seek it out, nor get half as much enjoyment out of it as him. I am perfectly accepting of your reasoning for her trait. It sounds like a great connection. Nicolette is the type who goes into the tavern but doesn't like to drink ale. She prefers coffee, tea, or herbal/fruit drinks. That said, if it was to honor her, she would drink an ale with him.
Calaithes, it is great that he's willing to protect her. She's a gentle person, but brave. She'd appreciate the brotherly love!
"I am not going to think about it. I am not going to think about it..." and so on and so forth the youthful Nicolette rolled over in her mind as headed to the tavern. She had already jogged earlier and cleaned, but her hair still bore that tell-tale sign that she had either been sparring or running, despite it being drier now.
As she made her entry inside, she posed cutely for those who may greet her with a little wave and smile, and then would close the door behind her.
"Hellooo," she sings out as her eyes adjust.
Hearing Bohrs speaking in his boisterous manner, she chuckles to herself as she makes her way further in, though she cannot make out what they are talking about over the sound of her footfalls on the wood floor. While she could attempt to read their lips, her eyes are more attentive elsewhere and mainly look about the room. She walks through toward the bar, scanning. She wishes to know if Grimscar is here, just so she would be aware of his presence should he want payback. Not seeing him, she relaxes a bit more. When she gets to the bar, she sighs longly and grabs a stool. In emotive expression, she places her head upon the counter with a soft thud to paint the picture that she is also tired of waiting to hear what they all are likewise waiting to hear about. While they may boast about her being a shoo-in, she clearly doesn't think so.
Nicolette then will turn her head to look at Bohrs in his exuberance while keeping her forehead planted to the wood of the bar.
"What do you have to be so happy about?"
The normally lovely warrior is wearing clothing far less in quality and shape than normal. One might think they were jogging clothes; a pair of men's breeches, boots, a linen shirt, and a headband. Her hammer is not in sight, nor is her armor.
Calaithes grins at Trelvar's words. Their discussion spreading across the town? Well, maybe that would be alright. That might bring the suckers with coin to bet against Nicolette.... Nah! Nobody in the town was really that stupid. Even if offered odds!
When Grimscar swaggered up to the bar Calaithes quickly swallows the last of his drink and nods at the man's order. "Whiskey. Rocks. Sure, just a moment." He pulls a glass to the counter top with one hand, whiskey bottle in the other with practiced ease. Adding ice and the poured measure of liquor hardly takes a thought and he sits the bottle down as he picks up the glass and moves over to the half orc. He sits the drink down and holds a hand out to accept payment. "Will you be ordering any food with your drink? I'll just need a moment to pass your order back to Mr. Silvers." He mentally chuckles at his own words, sure that Trelvar would hear and be curious. Or.... ?
Seeing and hearing Nicolette arrive Calaithes calls out, "Hello gorgeous! New workout cloths?" He glances over at Grimscar to see if the man reacted badly. Did he need another ale? They didn't need a fight, possibly breaking things. "You look a bit tired. There's hot coffee available or I could make some tea for you? Or, I think there's some apple juice in back. And would you be having some food to recover your strength?"
"What's not to be happy about!" Bohrs replies to Nicolette, jovially. "It's the Festival of the Everflame, my dear. Can you feel the fingers of Fortune and Glory reaching out to grab you?"
"Hah, no, certainly not new. I haven't had new clothes in months." Despite this, they did look clean.
"Tea for me, please," she returns, "and no food. Thanks."
Perhaps it was the light from the window or because she was so focused on Bohrs' gaiety that she missed the orc at the end of the bar ordering.
To Bohrs, she replies from the surface of the bar counter:
"Definitely!" she hums happily, though she takes a moment to answer as if thinking. Something about the way she says it means she's speaking truthfully and from the heart.
The calm and quiet Nicolette sits happily, despite the rude company in their presence, and folds her hands in her lap with patience as she delays for her drink. "I came to distract myself and wait." "There is no better place to do so right now, as it is pulling me out of my own brain..." "How is the libation of Cayden's obedience today? A good brew?" she asks the jovial man next to her.
"Inspiring!" Bohrs replies, raising his tankard in salute to Nicolette. "A fine life is service to Cayden Caliean, for his wisdom is found at the bottom of a glass!"
Grimscar raises a brow at Calaithes' question regarding food and payment and waves his hand. "I'll have the special. And put it on the guild's company tab. Colbin shafted me on my last payment, so he owes me." He shrugs, growling slightly as he takes the tumbler full of whiskey. "If I'm spending my own coin, I'd rather it be on something that could come back my way."
The half-orc takes a sip of the whiskey, and you can see his eyelids lower slightly. Is his skin getting slightly pink?
Grimscar leans back and looks over at Nicolette, then back to Bohrs, then back to Nicolette, then back again to Bohrs. "Heard you're taking bets on this year's proceedings. What're the odds," he pauses and sneers, "against the Pale Hammer?"
"Oh ho! A fellow who knows that greater the risk, the greater the reward! Five to one. The odds against Nicolette's selection are five to one, if you want to make your wager."
Calaithes watches, and considers.... no, he decides to.... ignore the man's plight. He'd gotten pounded properly by Nicolette, and was now proposing to bet 'against' her?
He leans back to watch and wait.
Edit: That should have fixed it. I believe everything is linked up, but just in case: go here. Also, we have already had our first natural 1 and our first natural 20. I don't know what this portends!
Kayle bent low as he stepped through the door, still trying to keep Owens down as the dog went up on his hind legs to paw at him. The big dog was always extra friendly when coming back to the tavern after a few days out in the wild. No doubt eager to earn some bacon.
"Go on, git down ya idgit." he said through his teeth. The young man was forced to lift his chin and tilt his head back to avoid getting his face licked all over. The dog finally relented and dropped to all fours as they moved fully inside.
As Owen's turned his attention to the people and smells awaiting him he was suddenly caught in the face by Kayle's silk scarf. The man dragged it over his nose and then jerked back, tossing it over his shoulder and out of range as the golden shepherd tried to catch it.
Kayle only realized a moment later that so many people were present, and talking. His self amused chuckled died as he made eye contact with Calaithes. He smoothed his scarf into place and gave the half elf a curious look, but didn't say anything.
Taking a seat between the half-orc and Nicolette, Kayle briefly turned and curiously looked over each of them. Raising a brow at Nicolette in particular. When he turned to cast a sidelong glance at Bohrs, Owens wasted no time pressing his great muzzle into the woman's thigh. Looking for either attention or the food he hoped she had.
With one last look back to Calaithes behind the bar Kayle pursed his lips as if he had tasted something peculiar. After a moment he started to speak in a carefully measured tone. "The festival is not for another week yet?" he asked in confusion.
Make sure you head over to the roleplaying forum now, Kayle! :)
If you all are interested, I also have a Discord Server to promote chat outside of the game. No requirement to join, but it's a good way to ping each other.
Question for GM Polyfrequencies: Does Bohrs' profession gambler offer him any advantage in a game of chance between PCs. If not, that's fine. Just curious.
Taking my cue from the GMG, I don't think Bohrs' Profession (gambler) will by itself affect a pure game of chance. If it was a different game, that skill could be used in conjunction with (or in place of) other skills to try something. So if Bohrs' wants to cheat, then maybe.
He won't cheat his companions. He might cheat a stranger, depending on the circumstances, but not his friends.
The sanctuary spell will force him to make a Will Save to attack Nicolette. That will give her the chance to grapple him or knock him out before he can shoot….hopefully.
I am informing my games that I'll be out of town this week. We may have internet. If so, no worries. If not, I will be at the whims of my cellular network. I don't think there will be an issue.
What saves do we have to make each round? I ask because I made one fort save the previous round but then two more were rolled for me when I moved forward. ??
The Fort save for coughing is each round, and the DC increases each round.
I had been secretly rolling two other one-time saves for the creature's auras. Initially everyone except for Calaithes was within the aura of the creature's stench, and they passed their roles. When Cal entered the range of the stench, he did not pass.
There is another aura as well, for the creature's howl of agony, which Nicolette and Calaithes passed. I haven't rolled for Kayle just yet.
To keep things moving, I am usually rolling your saves unless it's a recurring save.
Coughing, sickened, and stunned with fear.... And the coughing is progressively harder! Tough encounter. We've been lucky so far.
Bohrs has been fairly lazy when it comes to his studies. He neglected learning practical healing because he assumed that he could simply call upon Cayden's power to heal people. Of course, this has now proven to be short-sighted of him.
You can always assist?
Heal isn't listed as a Trained Only skill, but all Bohrs has going for him is his Wisdom bonus, so basically, "winging it" and hoping for the best.
You can help someone achieve success on a skill check by making the same kind of skill check in a cooperative effort. If you roll a 10 or higher on your check, the character you’re helping gets a +2 bonus on his or her check. (You can’t take 10 on a skill check to aid another.) In many cases, a character’s help won’t be beneficial, or only a limited number of characters can help at once.
In cases where the skill restricts who can achieve certain results, such as trying to open a lock using Disable Device, you can’t aid another to grant a bonus to a task that your character couldn’t achieve alone. The GM might impose further restrictions to aiding another on a case-by-case basis as well.
So basically, if you can make the skill check yourself you can aid another.
I am currently at a post-funeral family gathering in very rural Georgia until Sunday evening. My posts will most likely be very brief, as I am using my phone and a spotty connection.
Sorry to hear, Bohrs. Take care.
Does Bohrs see anything interesting beyond the door?
I'm getting there!
Shutting my computer down. Will be on the road all day tomorrow. Will try to get online to check here tomorrow night around 10 PM EST.
No rush here. Happy trails!
Back at home. Safe and waiting to see how bad we are hurting....