DM Fang Dragon's: War for the Crown

Game Master FangDragon

Level Up: Alchemist 5

HP: 1d8 ⇒ 5
Skills: K Planes +1, K Religion +1, Perception +4
No change to BAB or base Saves
New Extract: Cat's Grace
Favored Class Benefit: Lvl 1 Extract, Reduce Person
Feat: Additional Traits
1) Irrepressable (Faith)
2) Adopted (Race: Changeling)
2a) Creative Manipulator

The idea is that the changes Triphylla has experienced to her physical form are manifestations of a long-forgotten Hag in her bloodline. @DM, if this is too strange I'll do something different.

Also, I checked my combat math and I have been wrong for the past several levels. Triphylla should now be a little more effective during combat.

@DM, I'd also like to propose that Triphylla's alignment has shifted from NG to CN. I think the way I've played her, there has always been a tension with Good and a lack of tension with Chaos. She can take the long trip to wherever we go next to wrestle with these feelings and try to reconcile them with the powers she's acquired during her time in Merratt County, some of which are notably dark in character.

Ok, longer term what sort of character arc are you thinking of here?

Yes it's basically over now. We're averaging 1 book per year so far which in my opinion is pretty good progress! Hope you're all enjoying it so far.

Thank you a lot for your commitment and all the time you are giving us! I have been having a lot of fun with our adventures here and enjoyed the opportunity to play the noble in disguise with Lope here :)

Ok, longer term what sort of character arc are you thinking of here?

The ideas I put together initially are still good. What Triphylla learned in Merratt is that people are more complicated than they may appear. Most of her life she has been accepting of Human authority but prejudiced against their superior attitudes. This opportunity seemed like a way to upset the apple cart. But now with Guisarme and Bartleby, she has seen how fragile and weak they are, but how there is always someone else pulling the strings. They're not purely evil, they just do bad things out of fear, or selfishness, or a need for attention. They're not much different from children.

This is all a lot to process for Triphylla, who often acts like a child herself, being a relatively young halfling unencumbered by love. She's apt to treat the nobility more like spoiled children who need a better kind of attention, but she will also be looking for what they may be hiding about themselves. It may be that Eutropia is not necessarily good and Maxillar is not necessarily evil. To figure that out will require a measure of moral flexibility.

As for her personal story, she obviously doesn't know there's a Hag in her genealogy, but she suspects something is amiss. People don't usually grow horns and claws when they're angry, and the symptoms are progressing alarmingly. She used to think it was a projection of some inner power; now she wonders if it wasn't only her mother's magic that made her father into a beast at the Arena. She never considered he might be more than he appeared. How much do we really know about our parents, and their parents, and so on. I'll put some version of this into gameplay as inner monologue during the Book 3 transition.

Thanks Triphylla, sounds like it could be interesting from an RP perspective.

@All I'll try to get a post up tomorrow to kick off the transition to book 3.

Interesting background Triphylla! I always forget to react post-combat to the "halfling" bizarre transformation. The group should be worried about what is going on, specially after we fought monsters like that nobleman that turned into an spider lord! Juzz! :O

I'm not sure it works, actually. Changelings are always female. Earlier I took this to mean that hags can have male children but that they don't exhibit the racial traits of changelings, but now, reading it again, I think it means that changelings only ever have female offspring, which would put the hag on her mother's side, and that would mean Triphylla is herself a changeling, or her mother is and she is actually adopted. I think elements of that have played out unintentionally in narrative rp, but not sure I would want that or if DM would allow it. Honestly it seems like a bridge too far, especially since I hadn't considered it until now. I'm going to rethink that trait. She may muse about the hag idea but that's as far as it will go.

In PF2 they've changed that so that changelings can be both genders - that may simply be Paizo's general drive to "all gender inclusivity" but it allows for some more flexibility on the RP-ing front if its desired.

I should probably put some thought into Cyrene and potential evolution. She's done enough in this book that things might be changed a little.

Finally, many thanks to GMFangDragon, you're doing an excellent job to keep up such a consistent game and I'm very much enjoying it. This is my second time playing through the AP and you're making the story your own wonderfully (and dealing extremely well with my splitting the party!). Thank you very much for all your hard work!

I'm not too knowledgeable about changeling lore, but considering the Accursed sorcerer bloodline, it should be possible for someone to have a Hag in their genealogy like you described - changelings are always born to a hag mother, right? Maybe they can have normal children of their father's race?

As for the game, I am greatly enjoying it as well, and had quite a bit of fun with our verbal duels in particular.

In PF2 they've changed that so that changelings can be both genders - that may simply be Paizo's general drive to "all gender inclusivity" but it allows for some more flexibility on the RP-ing front if its desired.

Thanks for that! If DM is willing to house-rule for PF1 I would keep the hag on her father's side, and none of the actual Changeling racial traits need be added to the character except for Creative Manipulator by feat. That keeps things tidy and allows Trip to speculate and grow and possibly add another trait later the same way. Her father is dead, so perhaps no more will come of it.

Sorry for the slow posting. I've been rather distracted lately.

I think Hags almost all can shapeshift. Nothing says the hag might not have shifted into a male form and got it on with your mom. It could happen.

Scandalous! ;)

Well I do worship the former queen of succubi, darkness and murder. Scandalous goes with the territory.

Well I do worship the former queen of succubi, darkness and murder. Scandalous goes with the territory.

We have all the best parties darling!

Memo to spellcasters: Do look at those spellbooks. Fireball and Lightning bolt and lots of good stuff.

Didn't we find evidence that Stavian had Carrius killed and prevented his resurrection? I can't really remember but for some reason that comes to mind.

Lvl 7
HP: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

BAB +1

Skills
+1 diplo, local, planes, perception, nobility artistry
+2 acro

Revelations
Moonlight Bridge

Spells +1 2nd/3rd per day
known
1st - murderous command
2nd - grace
3rd - bestow curse

Feat: greater Spell Focus Necromancy

Triphylla scored a Ring of Prot +2 and Amulet of Nat Armor +2 from party treasure during that book so she can throw the cloak from Eutropia in the for sale bin, unless it is special in some other way.

Looks like we have 2 options that don't mean sleeping outside. The Gilded Baldachin and the Whistling Wyvern.

Gilded Baldachin
Pros: Soft beds, comfort, and luxury, likely wealthy and influential npcs
Cons: Expensive, likely snooty help

Whistling Wyvern
Pros: Cheaper, close to the coffeehouse
Cons: Less comfortable, may be less tolerant of the nobility in the party, but that could be a Pro as well. ;P

I forgot to ask if we're still undercover or if we're free to resume our actual identities.

Up to you whether you are incognito or not.

Just to check were the cloaks protection or resistance? Just checking since cloaks usually don't do protection.

Good question, Valeria. If it's Resistance I'll keep mine.

Triphylla will retire her role as master chamberlain and just be herself.

They're the good ones, resistance +2.

They're the good ones, resistance +2.

Checking Triphylla's inventory, she had the Cloak +2 from Baron Telus' estate, so that one can go into the for sale bin and she'll keep the gift from the Princess. No net change to stats.

Sorry for the lack of posting during the last days. I am too tired, but will try to read through the last posts and update tomorrow.

Sorry for the lack of posting during the last days. I am too tired, but will try to read through the last posts and update tomorrow.

A similar apology, I'm back at work (in school) after the holiday and completely wiped. Cyrene may just sail right past all of this and drop back in when I can.

Note Lope’s init improvement and he can now take AoOs while flatfooted and draw his weapon during the attack.

Level 7

HP +8
Class features Fighter Training, Iaijutsu
Feat Weapon Specialization (Aldori Sword)
Spells fly and
keen edge
Skills
Bluff
Fly
K. arcana
K. planes
K. religion
Use Magic Device
Sense Motive x7 (new Int +2 headband)
Background skills
K. nobility
Perform Oratory

I'll try and remember AOOs, feel free to remind me if I forget.

I have been working on shaping up Lope's Blackblade: Gloria

Background
On the verge of collapse due to the continual social chaos and political infighting in Taldor, Fernando de Vega, a nobleman from the northern reaches of the empire, concluded that Taldor’s greatness could only be restored through a return to perfect order. Believing that internal chaos was the greatest threat to the empire, Fernando reached out to an entity in the Axis, the plane of absolute law, to request a weapon that could bring about this vision.
Forged in the Axis, the Eternal City, Gloria was created as a symbol of the unwavering potential of Taldor’s greatness. Passed down through generations, the sword's mission became entwined with defending the true royal bloodline and restoring the old glory of Taldor.
In the hands of Magdalena Aldori, Lope de Vega’s grandmother, the sword played a key role in the Vega family’s influence. However, after the plotters' accusations of the family’s dealings with entities from the Great Beyond, Gloria became a focal point of suspicion. These accusations were meant to discredit Magdalena and the Vega family, linking them to unnatural powers.
Despite the challenges, Gloria remained resolved in its purpose: to guide its chosen wielder toward the resurgence of a prosperous and orderly Taldor, protecting its legacy from those who seek to undermine it.
Personality
Gloria is a forceful presence in Lope’s mind, with an uncompromising dedication to its mission. It values discipline, strategy, and sharp intellect, reflecting the calculated nature of its creation. Though loyal to Lope, it is not hesitant to voice disapproval when it feels its wielder's actions stray from the sword’s view of Taldor’s path to perfection.
It has a subtle but stern demeanor, rarely indulging in emotions beyond pride and honor. It views intrigue and manipulation as necessary tools to achieve greatness and holds little patience for sentimentality or distractions. Occasionally, it can be ruthless, pushing Lope toward actions that could secure Taldor’s dominance, even if they come at a moral cost.

Perfect!

Occasionally I may RP Gloria when it suits the story, but mostly I'll leave that to you.

By the way as a reminder you have letters of introduction from Martella.

Point taken! I was hesitant if it was better to cover up our identities.

By the way, I think Lope has not revealed his true family name as yet (de Vega), so Diana would not know, I think. A bit of a mess of cover identity over cover identity, difficult to track xD

Ooops, sorry about that! In my defence, though, the council did address you as Mr. De Vega, which is why I went along with it. But if you're keeping that hidden for now, I think the most logical move is too keep using the Lord Betony cover.

And I completely forgot about the letters of introduction!

Umm so I kinda put myself in a corner. I guess I was thinking Triphylla could follow the Earl, but not much to do now.

Nobody noticed you hide, so it's likely nobody would be surprised if you decided to say something since you're expected to be there.

Nothing further from Triphylla.

It seems we have enough to start our investigation. I would suggest to first try to follow the hints on the city before moving outside to find out about the soldiers.

Hi Cyrene and Valeria are you still with us? :)

Hopefully they are both still with us, however I'm wondering if adding one more player might help keep the posting rate up. We started as 6 and went down to 5. Thoughts?

Yeah, I'm here, was just at a loss as to what to add to things.

Hopefully they are both still with us, however I'm wondering if adding one more player might help keep the posting rate up. We started as 6 and went down to 5. Thoughts?

I think we should either extend an invitation to the second player in our list from last time if they are still interested, or reopen recruitment.

Yeah, I feel monopolizing many scenes despite I barely post every other day. Maybe adding someone else might have sense if you feel this is the best spot in the story to add new cast.

Anyway, we should be able to keep going with whom we are. I am a bit worried about Cyrene myself though.

I am good with adding another.

I would be more active on posting but I think I've been in a bit of a slump on this game lately. Hopefully adding another would help.

I just don't have much to offer in these scenes. :)

Cyrene by design isn't a 'get up to the front of the group and talk' kinda person. I think it makes perfect sense that Lope and Diana are the group faces - those are the people that would be expected to do all the talking so it makes sense.

Now we're out of the council chambers I can have a bit more to offer, but there's only so many ways to post "Cyrene lurks anonymously at the back of the group".

[Please not this is definitely not a criticism - you guys are all doing great! This is purely the result of my choices :)]

DM Fang Dragon wrote:

Hopefully they are both still with us, however I'm wondering if adding one more player might help keep the posting rate up. We started as 6 and went down to 5. Thoughts?

I think we should either extend an invitation to the second player in our list from last time if they are still interested, or reopen recruitment.

So that would be Naliah Lotheed, I wouldn't want to step on Diana's toes here, but if the party likes the idea that's something we can consider. Feel free to reply here or by private message.

Ranged combat is something we don't currently do well.

I agree, a ranged attacker would be very helpful.

I'm happy to switch to ranged if that would be a preferred solution. Might give Cyrene a slightly more distinct role compared to Trip - vigilantes can do some pretty nasty archer stuff.

If we prefer to bring another player in I'm fine with that too. :)

I'd be keen to hear Diana's opinion here, since she is the party's Lotheed and it might be weird or it might be cool to have another.