DM Joseph Rauel's Price of Immortality

Game Master Dm Joseph Rauel

Let's get to know one another and have some fun.

Just thinking over how to know each other but need to clear it with the others.

Conrad - I'm thinking we bond over our mutual admiration for Shelyn, my music, and your artistic fighting.

Brandark - maybe you helped teach Joras dwarven or recently I've helped out with no questions asked healing? You seem so busy it seems there be little time to socialize but perhaps we meet on your walks? Joras needs no excuse to talk to anyone, so that could be the start of a friendship or at least a well known acquaintance.

Miron Belodor - Hi neighbor maybe. Or Joras the ever curious bugs you about what the Vargidans or their mansion is like?

Roya Tani - Friends that played with my little sister, who now is a little envious of Rani? (1) Cool for able to supply real beer rather than small beer(rebrewed beer/ale with little alcohol content and a bad taste) doesn't impress Joras since Uncle Jimes will slip him some from time to time. But maybe got lost in the woods and led him back and he asked to teach him some survival?

(1) Not giving a precise age to any family member yet.

Minor revision to Joras (smacks head) RE: Cosmopolitan, Bluff already class skill of course, replaced with Handle Animal he's a farm boy. Bluff and Survival to get skill points at 2nd level.

Open to any ideas of your own of course.

Perri's also a farmboy. (Aren't pretty much all young men from Kassen farmboys?)

He's taken up basically a full-time position with the militia, helping to keep the peace day-to-day.

I figure that role means everyone will know who he is. And that he will have a pretty good idea of who everyone else is. It also provides an opportunity for people to recognize that he doesn't gossip about the things he knows people are doing.

Scanning his skills, it is easy to miss that he is trained in both Perception and Sense Motive, since he has no Wisdom bonus and both are NOT class skills . . .. I was just looking him back over and trying to figure out where the last 2 skill points had gone. :facepalm:

Just thinking over how to know each other but need to clear it with the others.

Brandark - maybe you helped teach Joras dwarven or recently I've helped out with no questions asked healing? You seem so busy it seems there be little time to socialize but perhaps we meet on your walks? Joras needs no excuse to talk to anyone, so that could be the start of a friendship or at least a well known acquaintance.

Minor revision to Joras (smacks head) RE: Cosmopolitan, Bluff already class skill of course, replaced with Handle Animal he's a farm boy. Bluff and Survival to get skill points at 2nd level.

I can work with my character knowing you through teaching you dwarven. Gives us a good way to know each other, as having to teach you will take time.

As for beyond that him joining on his walks to get away also works. I will leave that part in your hands.

edit, I will get my tag lines set up in a bit. :)

Hello everybody, and lets have fun.

Looking at the composition, I was "Oh, interesting..."

We have

Brandark Ironhame, Male, Dwarf, 41, Ranger, Arnama Lastrid
Joras Iggins, Male, Halfling, 21, Bard, Jocyn/Jimes
Aldmus Greymantle, Male, Human 20, Wizard, Holgast
Conrad Mendelson, Male, Human, 18, Barbarian, Father Prast
Perri Purrun, Male, Human, 16, Fighter, Captain Wisslo
and
Roya Tani, Female, Human, 12, Cleric, Father Prast

Not only am I the only girl - but I'm also significantly younger than the lot of you.(just turned 12 recently)

I mean, it makes perfect sense to send someone along that can patch you guys up if things get rough, and there may simply not have been a better fit.

But as for knowing each other previously, I think unless you had a kid sister it could even make sense that you didn't take much notice of Roya up to now - or may even be annoyed for having to babysit a young girl through this prestigious undertaking.

So yeah, Joras has some kid sister that spent time with Roya, and Roya may have been visiting his house now and then.
And Conrad had been taking lessons with Father Prast, and certainly took note of the girl doing the household chores and learning about being a cleric.
I am open for more pre-existing connections but think it can also be fine if not everybody knows everybody, which gives an excuse to "introduce" each other in-game, or have some small-talk about things with each other that good friends would already know about.

(I think it also opens up some interaction potential - maybe someone is not quite convinced that Roya can pull her own weight(which she very much intends to do to make her Mentor proud) - questioning if she is capable to do a guard shift without falling asleep or slowing the group down on the next day because she'd be fatigued. No problematic drama, just some in-group interaction stuff :) )

Hey everyone! I love that I had such a great turnout and can have two tables. I am pumped.

A few "housekeeping" things.

Marching order. Come up with a single file and a side by side arrangement, be sure to include animal companions/familiars in that.

Night watch order. I will use the below option for standard sleeping arrangements when watch is needed.
20:00 - 22:00 :
22:00 - 01:00 :
01:00 - 04:00 :
04:00 - 07:00 :

Finally, at the bottom of each post you make could you have a spoiler with your prepared/memorized spells, or spells per day, or special abilities? This will help me keep things squared away for daily usage. Rage/Smite/Bardic Music can be kept in the header. Example below

I tend to put that information in spoilers on profile like roya and Perri.
I just haven't had a chance to put them in yet.

a spoiler on the bottom, I will always try to include during combat, of my AC/HP/Spell countdowns/ and other pertinent information. Does that help ??

Watch order, I generally try to let the casters take first or last as they need 8 hours of sleep. Then the more martially inclined bruisers take the middle shifts.

Marching - Open to suggestions as to whom will go where.

And will have my tags up in a bit. just occupied here at work.

Perri's tricks work best when he's front line.

He'll sit watch when he's told like a good solider. <grin>

Hi everyone! Happy to meet you all! Sorry I could not reply (and rejoice) sooner, but I live in France and I'm a PhD student, so responses can be a little delayed compared to yours.

I've just started catching up on everyone's backstories, so here's my thoughts about what Conrad's relationships with each of you might look like (all suggestions: it takes two to co-write a story!)

Joras Iggins- The Shelynite faith and an interest in art (though Conrad has a rather broad definition as to what might constitute an art form) are definitely things that our characters have in common and can bond over. However, personality-wise, they do seem to be polar opposites, with Joras being a good kid, friendly and talkative while Conrad was an undisciplined child with a history of struggling socially with others. Perhaps Joras tried to make friends with him for a long time, only to be told to leave him alone? But with a common interest in Shelyn and Conrad having calmed down a little, there's now more of a chance for the two of them to develop a friendship. Do you want to start the adventure with the both of them having a better relationship, or for it to develop gradually over time?

Perri Purrun- Perri's a bit younger than Conrad, so they might not have trained together, but their backgrounds are similar enough that they almost certainly know about each other. They could have a good relationship if they started talking once Conrad was training with Father Prasst. Alternatively, they might have come to a clash several times, considering Perri's been part of the guard for four years. Whenever there was trouble involved, Conrad was probably part of it. Perhaps Perri was even held as the model child that Conrad should have turned out like, resulting in a rivalry between the two!

Bandark Ironhame- There's not much our characters have in common except for the fact they both suffered under Braggar Ironhame's authority at some point. It definitely could be a start, unless Bandark disapproved of Conrad's taking part in illegal fights.

Roya Tani- Conrad was often asked to look after his younger siblings (two of them girls) when his parents were working, and Roya's loneliness probably triggered his Big Brother Instinct even before they trained together with Father Prasst. I think he might have been destabilized to see that she was training to be a cleric at such a young age. Perhaps he doesn't see Roya as a "proper cleric" yet. They could start the adventure knowing each other well and being on rather friendly terms, if you want.

Aldus Greymantle- There's probably not much reason for him and Conrad to have spent a lot of time together? Let me know what you think.

Conrad can take the 1st or second night watch slot. As for marching order, if Perri takes the front, he can close the march? Unless the ranger needs the position to take a clear shot at whatever could attack us from behind.

I would say the odds are good that Perri's had to disarm Conrad a time or two, trying to deescalate a fight that was getting out of hand.

That wouldn't pre-dispose Perri to thinking Conrad's ACTUALLY a problem, though Conrad might not see it the same way, I understand.

Don't mistake an LG alignment as him having been up to no mischief. It just indicates nothing was actually destructive or harmful . . .. Bed in the tree kinda stuff should still have flown.

I'm trying to figure out how Perri would feel about Roya. Obviously far too young, still a child, but taking to the same teachings as Perri. Further, really. Had to have had some interactions within the services.

Brandark has probably been working in his uncle's forge for all of Perri's memory. Perri probably doesn't think of him as a youth needing to pass the right of passage.

Joras and Perri have ABSOLUTELY drilled together, and it is quite possible that they have done so with Perri reaching over/around Joras with his polearm . . ..

As for Aldmus . . .. Perri probably knows less about the apprentice wizard than he does Brandark.

Two things;
1st; GM, do the spoilers in my profile work for you ??
I will keep a running total in the bottom during fights at the bottom. :)

2nd For a mere stripling of 41 my thoughts.

Conrad - I would consider him a headstrong kid. But would know him a bit better than Perri due to my uncle. I can see myself as trying to rein in his impulsiveness. How successfully is open to debate.

Perri - In passing. I would know him, but not really know him. Just more to know by seeing him every day as I come in or leave.

Joras - I think I would only know if he came into the shop while I was labouring away making something. I cannot see myself seeing him socially. (Yet). Unless it was to teach him Dwarvish.

Roya - I can see having run into her out in the woods. I would have been more moved to keep an eye on her to ensure no harm became of her while I was there. I wouldn't have made myself known to her, due to it might have caused her embarrassment if she found out someone was keeping an eye on her in the woods. But I would see her in the town, and know her in passing.

Aldas - I doubt that him and I ever would have run into each other.

I still have 2 languages to pick, too.

Being part of the local community, I doubt Varisian Sign Language (used by the traveling caravans) makes much sense.

Any recommendations?

Dwarf, Halfling, and Half-Elf in the group, so there's some logic to work with there. Might alter the relationship discussions, too.

Maybe Celestial for working with the church?

I would say the odds are good that Perri's had to disarm Conrad a time or two, trying to deescalate a fight that was getting out of hand.

Conrad would have been hard to disarm, unless your plan was to cut his hands off :') I could see such confrontations degenerating into actual fist fights, especially if he was in Rage mode. You might have been responsible for one of the teeth he lost.

Even if Perri has no beef with him, Conrad might start the adventure resenting him a little- especially for being Wisslo's Wonderboy. Unless you're uncomfortable with the idea?

As for languages, perhaps someone in the local community is fluent in Goblin or Orc? Belkzen isn't far, and Goblin packs are nearly everywhere, so it might be useful to speak the enemy's language.

I wouldn't be surprised if the local druid or ranger spoke Sylvan as well, if that's something you want to learn.

EDIT: I mistakenly thought Aldmus Greymantle would join the game, when it was Miron Belodor who got picked in our team. My bad.
I don't know how old Miron is supposed to be or what his alignment is, but his arcane background does suggest he and Conrad probably won't have spent much time together prior to this adventure, unless they grew up together somehow (childhood friends? childhood enemies?).

Languages here: Dwarven, common, undercommon, and orc.

EDIT: I mistakenly thought Aldmus Greymantle would join the game, when it was Miron Belodor who got picked in our team. My bad.

I don't know how old Miron is supposed to be or what his alignment is, but his arcane background does suggest he and Conrad probably won't have spent much time together prior to this adventure, unless they grew up together somehow (childhood friends? childhood enemies?).

My mistake, I just checked the 1's and 2's on the last overview and saw a 1 on the mage, but both of the arcane casters had that - I'll check in a bit later again.

Either or. . would have still ended up the same to me. Know to see, but don't really know, unless he had to come to the shop for some reason.

Perri Purrun wrote:

I would say the odds are good that Perri's had to disarm Conrad a time or two, trying to deescalate a fight that was getting out of hand.

Conrad would have been hard to disarm, unless your plan was to cut his hands off :') I could see such confrontations degenerating into actual fist fights, especially if he was in Rage mode. You might have been responsible for one of the teeth he lost.

Then it would probably have been his other big trick - TRIP!

Hard to be a serious combatant on your back. Not impossible, but hard.

And a cold-based sorcerer who spent all his time with the Wizard anyway . . ..

Probably everyone has heard of his "illness". He might have quite a bit of undeserved sympathy and pity from the rest of the town. At least until we know better.

Conrad Mendelson wrote:

Perri Purrun wrote:

I would say the odds are good that Perri's had to disarm Conrad a time or two, trying to deescalate a fight that was getting out of hand.

Conrad would have been hard to disarm, unless your plan was to cut his hands off :') I could see such confrontations degenerating into actual fist fights, especially if he was in Rage mode. You might have been responsible for one of the teeth he lost.

Then it would probably have been his other big trick - TRIP!

Hard to be a serious combatant on your back. Not impossible, but hard.

And a cold-based sorcerer who spent all his time with the Wizard anyway . . ..

Probably everyone has heard of his "illness". He might have quite a bit of undeserved sympathy and pity from the rest of the town. At least until we know better.

I think the odds would be pretty even... Perri's got some tactics to him, but Conrad is faster and hits harder. Then of course, there's the dice to keep it interesting!

That'd make a fun Unlethal Combat, actually.

Ok, so we have a friendly bickering fight between the fighter and barbarian. A ranger, very young cleric, a sorcerer, and a bard. I guess I will get into the trapfinding and disarming.

But as I said, at the age of 41, I am just coming out of childhood myself.
But being schooled by my uncle, I can see me being dour but lightening up as we go along.

@DM JR
I've put the base info into the status line but I don't like using the profile for changing information. I never keep it up right.

How about something like this at the start and end of any post it's relevant to?

Current Combat Status Start:

Main Text

Current Combat Status End:

Given the small population of this settlement everyone might have at least met almost everyone at church or something, it seems a tight-knit community. Meeting people of roughly our generation even more so but it doesn't mean they'd be close.

Conrad - That works, he tried earlier on to be friends but it didn't work out at first, but meeting again in the church, we start over. Not friends yet but coming to an understanding. Joras's not the type to hold grudges anyway.

Brandark - Well maybe he saw you some of the time on your walkabout and you for some reason dropped an orc curse and Joras tsk, tsks, jokingly and got to talking and Joras, knows some Orc but asked for Dwarven language lessons (Dwarf trader come through from time to time but not enough), he knew a word or two but needed more practice.

Roya - I don't think this pilgrimage is supposed to be dangerous, it's a ceremony. Kassen isn't Sparta ... until now. Joras knows you a bit through his little (taller than him) sister. He's a bit surprised but knowing that Erastil favors you, he thinks that's the reason to recognize you as a responsible adult, the power of the gods is no small thing. He be okay with it just a little unsure. Still you are way taller than him.

Perri - Most would be farmboys, sons of lumberjacks, or fishermen, all outdoors most of the time, but that's one way that people can meet. Oh we, drilled and drilled and more, never mind. I think the halfling in the militia would be scout/skirmishers because what else? Maybe halflings in front Perri and his unit behind and when the bad guys get too close the halflings fall behind the line and are defended but yeah he could easy reach over him, if needed. So we know each other but not well unless your a neighbor too, families meet for barn raising and such. You would also know that I do some magic that makes everyone around a bit better, that's a recent thing.

Miron - yet to post.

March order, unless scouting Joras would be in the middle, not a good front or rear guard. Likely near Roya, if we use tactics, might not yet but I'm the back-up healer, so if Roya is hurt, I heal her, if she's unable to. Might be too well thought out at first.

@DM JR - Given the backgrounds the way the military is organized seems to deserve a little more detail. There are town guards, militia, foresters, possibly others. The national leader has the title Forest Captain. The write up on Nirmathas doesn't say much but based on what is said they must have a very well-organized military or their enemies would have steamrolled them. So how does all this relate to each other, how often does the part-timers meet, how many professional soldiers are there? Just a slightly more detailed overview nothing too deep, just enough to give some visuals of what is really going on.

Hey guys! Had a meeting at the end of work followed by a PTO meeting and now at home getting the kids ready for bed. I am going to dive into the postings here and respond shortly. I will have our first gameplay post up in the morning.

Hi! Just made the alias, gotta find a decent avatar and add in all the character stuff. I just took age from the initial guidelines, so 15. Alignment is NG

Normally I put limited use class stuff into the status line, it's not too much trouble to keep it updated.

As a squishy caster Miron would probably take first watch, and be somewhere in the middle in a marching order.

Relationship-wise, he's the son of farmers so would likely be familiar with those with similar backgrounds. If there's any sort of schooling, that'd be another way to be familiar with similar ages

After his incident, I see him as becoming more sullen and withdrawn, but he'd at least be recognisable as the only one wearing a fur coat in summer.

Might tinker with skills, I don't have many but I can see if I try to cover any missing bases. Also might adjust spells. I took grease because I can give it a bit of ice-flavour, but looks like Perri may have making people fall over covered. :)

Please check the marching order and nightly watch below. I will edit them however you see fit. I took what people said and just filled the rest.

I am 100% okay with you using the header for all your character info. I also would like it if you had memorized/prepared spells and/or special abilities in a place that is easily updated. If that is in the header, perfect. If it is at the bottom of your daily post, perfect.

Perri With language I would say go with what is common to Kassen. Besides common… Halfling, elven, dwarven would be realistic because of those in the village you might have come across and picked up along the way. Goblin and Orc would also be good choices like Conrad said based upon the region.

Joras The town watch is nothing spectacular. It is led up by Captain Wisslo who is the only one who takes the role overly serious. Not much happens in this town, which leads the watch to be rather lax in their duties. But, because of Captain’s strict regimen of training, on the rare occasion that something were to happen they are capable. Saying that the watch is lax in their duties doesn’t mean this little village is corrupt and lawless. Everyone knows everyone. It is only 750 people. Everyone helps everyone out, but also no secret is safe.

Please feel free to ask any questions as we go. I am going to make a post a little bit later this morning to get things started in the gameplay thread.

The town watch is nothing spectacular. It is led up by Captain Wisslo who is the only one who takes the role overly serious. Not much happens in this town, which leads the watch to be rather lax in their duties. But, because of Captain’s strict regimen of training, on the rare occasion that something were to happen they are capable.

Sounds like the plot of Hot Fuzz.

Do we want the 12-yer-old girl on the front line?

Just asking.

Do we want the 12-yer-old girl on the front line?

Just asking.

haha, I didn't even think about that when I put her there. I was just plugging a hole. What I have in there is not gospel, please feel free to edit as the party sees fit, the change will also happen as we go through our time together.

Everyone feel free to wrap up and minor tweaks. Don't over think what is and what isn't covered when it comes to mechanics. Have your character be your character. We all know how games on the boards can fall victim to attrition, so build a character that you want to play.

I am going to put the character creation & town info over in the champaign info tab, but when we hit levels I will remind everyone to roll their HP over in the discussion tab. Also, I will have the marching/watch order in the header of the campaign for ease of access.

I would suggest simply swapping Joras and Roya.

But I would REALLY like to hear from them instead of just doing it.

Or maybe we swap Joras out with one of the back two instead, and put them in the front with me?

Actually switching Roya with either of the two in back is also an option, less likely to be attacked. Joras fighting in melee is not good, he's better off giving barding buffs, and his melee attack power is nil. Roya's AC is not great but with her animal companion she has more direct fight than Joras. Also I think the the good GM was trying to keep Roya near Joras so if she needed healing he would be right there, without exposing him. If we get surprised in fights often Roya may want to invest in heavier armor, it would slow her down a lot but she could stand in or near the front line and spell away. I understand that doesn't fit her theme though, tough choices there.

single file, i can see myself up front. when i get my companion, i can still take lead in the double column.

i suggest either Perri or conrad in back. conrad for choise due to speed as he can get forward faster.

thoughts??

The reach trip/disarm tricks won't work from the back.

They can work from the second slot if we're close enough and I can overcome the cover you will provide.

Do we want the 12-yer-old girl on the front line?

Just asking.

Well, how else am I gonna see something? If you think I'm fine staring at your behind for a whole day of marching, you are mistaken :D

To be honest, I believe we'd go about this rather casually - at least to start with. If we do run into trouble, we can work on the marching order, but initially, I think we'd not be very disciplined about it. Even those who had training - this is a unsupervised road trip to celebrate coming of age. :)

As for armor, the issue is that Roya's strenght is only 10. I had it at 8 earlier, squeezing out 2 extra points for the point buy, then raised it back to the initial 10.
8 would be 26 for a light load, 10 is 33 - if I can invest in a masterwork backpack, I'll stand at 38 lbs.
A longbow is 3 lbs. 2 quivers with blunt and normal arrows are 3 lbs each - which already put her at 9 lbs just with weapon - a chain shirt would be 25 lbs, pushing her into medium load at 34. I could probably match and mix the arrows, or bring along less, but then I'd still have about 30 arrows, my bow and an armor and nothing else.
That, and flavorwise there is no reason for her to have or wear proper armor - yet. She wears leathers for weight reasons(only 15 lbs), to shield against being scratched by branches or brambles, and as some minor protection against bites or paws.

(I understand that while marching, she'll definitely be in medium load, but if stationary or if we're exploring a location, I'd like for her to be encumbrance-free.)

Oh, and one more thing. I hope you guys like lunch breaks.
I had very good experiences in the past with setting my clerics spell retrieval hour mid-day, rather than morning or evening.
Aside from the mechanical advantages+flexibility, I was also not a big fan of the trope that all clerics get up in the morning and first thing of the day go off to pray. I am not a morning person so that may play into it. I figure for her the time after lunch, when people take a nap, or rest a while, before picking up work again in the afternoon, is a good time of contemplation. To consider what the day so far brought and where it may lead.

Also, it'll be quite a while before I even get my animal companion :D
With the low point buy it will hopefully be impactful when the time comes, but Level 5 seems far off currently.

Sorry my little brain forgot that you didn't have the animal companion yet.

I agree that we shouldn't optimize our tactics yet and it's impossible with our party configuration to do a perfect job anyway someone is always going to be vulnerable. Line us up however and we'll see how it works. As you say we might not even have a march or watch order depending on how our more martial members want to do things.

I did not think that heavy armor for your character would really fit the your character concept anyway it's just an idea to drop out there. When a guy played a 10 str cleric in heavy armor I thought it insane, he used almost all his Encumbrance at heavy load. But it worked in the field. The big muscle guys carried his pack.

And anyone can reach over my head anytime, it's easy. Littler persons to the front and bigger to the back might work just as well maybe. Time to experiment, I guess.

Aye, unfortunately the AC for clerics comes online late - and the level 4 version would be very weak.

And yeah, what I meant about the tactics. Sure, we are far from the village, but there's no reason to really expect trouble, right? We would probably mix and match, and chat, maybe sing, be in good spirits and enjoy the trail.
If someone would tell Roya to fall in behind him, stop chatting, and stay in formation, she would probably comply because she acknowledges the authority of her elders, but she'd show her tongue at the person as soon as they turn around and hope they get the stick out of their behind.

Regarding armor, I don't REALLY think it will be necessary. We have a decent frontline, and the AC will come in later, too. Even if I was willing to risk the encumbrance and go for heavier armor, it would slow me down - I think I'd prefer the extra mobility.

If we do expect trouble or a marching order is needed, I'd go with
Perri/Brandark (both AC 15) - melee-capable frontline
Roya/Miron (AC 13/12) - ranged and caster
Joras/Conrad (both AC 16) - if attacked from side or rear, have better defensive capability than middle file - if trouble from front, Joras can stay and Conrad swiftly move forward.

(Or swap Perri and Conrad so two people with better perception are up front - but eventually, Roya will see everything, anyway - if you don't block her view).

GM proposed:
20:00 – 22:00: Conrad Mendelson, Miron Belodor
22:00 – 01:00: Brandark Ironhame
01:00 – 04:00: Perri Purrun
04:00 – 07:00: Roya Tani, Joras Iggins

I would also alter the night shift, and swap Perri and Conrad...Perri has a +1 on perception - I think I'd prefer someone with better modifier to be alone during the night watch. Or Brandark takes that shift and Perri and Conrad take the 2200-0100(with one of them staying up late with a double-shift, but then be allowed to sleep in while we prepare breakfast/break camp/etc...)

regarding relations:
@Conrad: Certainly - maybe one of the times you got in trouble was also when someone was "not nice" to Roya and Conrad wouldn't have any of that and stood up for her? I could see someone missing a tooth or two after some fisticuffs, with Conrad spending a night with the guard, but with no regrets. Something like that would impress Roya deeply(not because of the violence involved, but in that someone would stand up for her in such a way.).
And yeah, training with our Mentor - I think we might have had quite different lessons, but that still works out. Roya might have sat nearby, reading some texts, while watching you and Prasst.
Or she may have prepared food which we then ate together. And Conrad may have been around sometimes during her lessons, too - maybe waiting for his to start. Could have witnessed the first time she managed to call on divine magics and her day-long endorphin trip following that.

@Brandark: She can also have tagged along into the woods - I know you are young for a dwarf, but you're still probably older than her mother would be if she was still alive. You'd have seen and learned so much more and could show Roya plenty about the outdoors.
I think the "keep an eye out for her but not make myself known" is good-intentioned but likely to backfire. I figure she would have a couple favorite spots, like some huge tree that is easy to climb and gives a great view from the top - or some small natural pond in a small stream that is great to take a bath. Like, 'private' spots. Chances are she'd eventually notice you, and that would feel invasive. But by all means, you may have told her where it's safe to go and where it's more dangerous, and even kept an eye on her if she decides to explore the more dangerous spots near Kassen.

@Joras: Aye, not sparta, but I think it's not JUST a ceremony. Like, not just a walk on the road to the next town over to fetch some new livestock. Otherwise it wouldn't be such a big event :)
And yeah, while Roya might already be taller, I suspect you are still closest to her in size, so it may feel less intimidating to talk with you. (That, plus the familiarity via your sister). I guess it may also depend a bit on what kind of person your sister is. Is she also a bit of a wildcat that runs out into the woods and climbs trees? Or the more 'refined' tea-party with dolls type of playstyle?

@Perri: Aye, Erastil would be a decent connection point. Her mentor, Father Prast did have previous experience as soldier - but decided to rather be a Priest. So I am sure he COULD teach Roya how to shoot a bow without endangering herself and others, but maybe he doesn't really want to or lacks the time to do so - so maybe he directed her to the militia for those lessons?
Perri could have been the one to show Roya how to use a bow properly. She'd then have trained on her own, but could still use the target range of the militia and the durable training arrows there. (I figure her own bow was a gift from her father and/or Father Prast, but arrows are not free and while she'd also train in the woods, or try to hunt, I feel most "normal" training would be best done at a proper range).

@Meron: Not really sure - I figured Roya may have tagged along with some healers trying to learn about your cold/freezing issues. She is trying to learn how to be a good healer, fater all, but that only works if your awakening was recent(or at least the troubles following it persisted - that is, you only learned how to use that gift quite recently). "A couple years ago" Ro was still living with her grandma and probably too small to really go on house-calls with any medics.

You'll have to forgive me, getting two tables off the ground is interesting. I have my spreadsheets and word docs separated now. Also, getting everyone's questions sorted out. But I will have todays post up by/around lunch.

Equipment: The adventure specifically says that the PCs only take weapons/armor and class specific items. A look behind the curtain, they will provide the group with set gear. In game, it should heighten problem solving skills as a team transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. Also, should heighten the anxiety/nervousness around this quest for your PCs.

Animal Companions / Familiars: These are part of your character, please include them in your daily post and RP. Think how epic the combo of Drizzt Do'Urden/Guenhwyvar. Their story is so intertwined that I do not think about one without the other. That is how I would love your character and AC/F to be viewed as we move forward.

@GM: Many of us are locals, and most certainly, our own parents took part in this tradition as well.
No doubt, we will have asked them about what to expect, or how it was back then - what happened on their journey.
They may embellish tales, or not be entirely truthful, but I am certain they would be able to share some information, hints/advice, or general background.

Did we learn anything about the tomb, the area there, or the trouble we should expect?

@AC: I think both for the ranger and me they will only come exist later in the campaign. Not sure if Meron took a Bloodline Familiar, but I think we're otherwise fresh out of companions to start with :)

I had hoped to find/meet an eventual AC during our journey, and maybe coordinate with Brandark - maybe they are of the same litter and we take them in together.
Not sure if he already is set on a certain animal, but I figured we have time to decide.
Or should we expect a relatively short "time frame" between now and reaching a level where Companions become a thing? As in, should we already have a pre-existing bond with a valid companion creature that only later evolves into a proper class feature?

Animal companion is not set in stone for me. i figured i would work it in.

As for the observations of Roya, it was more to make sure she was safe. then go do what he was doing.
No, not sitting behind a bush and staring, as i also would agree that would be creepy.
plus, she may have gone out while i was stuck in the shop.

but as i said, might know her more in passing than knowing her

I would also alter the night shift, and swap Perri and Conrad...Perri has a +1 on perception - I think I'd prefer someone with better modifier to be alone during the night watch. Or Brandark takes that shift and Perri and Conrad take the 2200-0100(with one of them staying up late with a double-shift, but then be allowed to sleep in while we prepare breakfast/break camp/etc...)

Conrad can take two shifts and sleep late. Noise typically doesn't bother him.

@Conrad: Certainly - maybe one of the times you got in trouble was also when someone was "not nice" to Roya and Conrad wouldn't have any of that and stood up for her? I could see someone missing a tooth or two after some fisticuffs, with Conrad spending a night with the guard, but with no regrets. Something like that would impress Roya deeply(not because of the violence involved, but in that someone would stand up for her in such a way.).

I doubt Conrad would punch a younger kid in the face, but if adults were petty enough to disturb Roya, he sure could have stepped in with his usual delicateness. Alternatively, he might have provoked a fight Brandark at some point if he kept seeing him watching Roya from afar without saying anything.

Brandark might have had only benevolent intentions and simply been too socially awkward to make his presence known, but to an outsider, that would have looked weird.

Especially since he's a dwarf. Can you even trust dwarves? Conrad's only met his uncle, and it didn't go well.

What do you think, Brandark?

@GM: Many of us are locals, and most certainly, our own parents took part in this tradition as well.

No doubt, we will have asked them about what to expect, or how it was back then - what happened on their journey.
They may embellish tales, or not be entirely truthful, but I am certain they would be able to share some information, hints/advice, or general background.

Did we learn anything about the tomb, the area there, or the trouble we should expect?

Per the module, everything is shrouded in mystery. There are myths and legends of what it is, but they are more tall tales that most people know aren't true but still share. The only known fact is that it is roughly a 2 day journey to the tomb.

Roya Tani wrote:

@GM: Many of us are locals, and most certainly, our own parents took part in this tradition as well.

No doubt, we will have asked them about what to expect, or how it was back then - what happened on their journey.
They may embellish tales, or not be entirely truthful, but I am certain they would be able to share some information, hints/advice, or general background.

Did we learn anything about the tomb, the area there, or the trouble we should expect?

Per the module, everything is shrouded in mystery. There are myths and legends of what it is, but they are more tall tales that most people know aren't true but still share. The only known fact is that it is roughly a 2 day journey to the tomb.

In that case, I'll probably change my equipment so Conrad takes trail rations to last 2 days (not 2 trail rations... silly me).

conrad, yea i can see that. dont forget,first couple of thoughts are still spitballing.

will figure other thoughts.

right now tied up a bit, so other thoughts when i get more time

2 days to the tomb means 4~5 days is the "right" amount of food. Depends on how long is spent at/in the tomb.

I wouldn't worry much about the rations, head over to the gameplay thread for today's post.

I apologize for the text wall, it is the "first post."

@Brendark: Hehe, I was not suggesting that he'd hide in a bush and watch her bathe.
I meant that she has some spots that are kinda her "fort" and needs no supervision there. And anybody who tries would feel like an invader to her, even at best intentions.
But as said, even IF you are young(for a dwarf) you are "old" for her. If she likes the outdoor and knows you are good with that, there's a high chance she would have tagged along before starting to go on her own.
I mean like 5 or 6 years ago, when she was around 7.
She wouldn't just wander off into the forest alone. You may even have shown her some of the spots you like - and she may have loved one of those so much that you "passed it on" to her. :D

@GM:
shrouded in mystery is fine. I am basically wondering if there had been trouble in the past - I mean, we are bringing weapons. Is that just for the road? Have people been wounded? Not trying to get "details" - OOC I am pretty sure things won't go smoothly, or it would not be an adventure - but IC, it would determine the mindset.
Like, do we expect this to be a overnight party trip or is this serious business? Just looking for a general 'vibe' this has beyond "ritual of passage".

@Conrad: I meant an older youth giving her trouble. Maybe Roya was getting into some argument with other kids her age about something. Then one of those kids got their older sibling to intervene, shoving Roya away when she right.
Conrad saw and shoved that older sibling. And one thing led to another - as in, it could have been over the moment Roya was excluded, but Conrad stood up for her - maybe didn't start it, but ended it in a way that adults might consider "overreacting". That's the kind of thing I was suggesting.

@GM I'd like to add to Roya's comment with three specific questions.
Four years ago a group went out, we would likely know them or their families.
Q1) How many did not return at all - fate unknown or presumed dead?
Q2) How many died, their bodies brought back?
Q3) How many came back maimed beyond the priest ability to heal, who are going around town with missing limbs, eyes, etc.?

If the answer to all three is zero, as I suspect, Joras will not be too worried, if not he had not been worried enough so far.

I'm not trying to break the adventure just want it to have enough verisimilitude enough for my overly logical brain to handle.

If it is cold enough Joras would bring his winter coat if allowed. And yes the food for 4-5 days as well.

IC: From what everyone can remember, those in recent history have all returned. There have been bumps, bruises, cuts, and broken limbs but everyone came back alive. But, there are tales of those who haven't. In the history of the rite of passage. Anytime the youth of the village ask the adults about their time in the crypt, but none share about their time.

As far as equipment goes, the mayor says the essentials. The module spells that out as armor/weapons and class specific items. Holy symbol, spell book, bard's instrument, etc... Everything else (adventuring gear) that the party will take with them is provided by the village for the rite of passage.

Clothing is essential.

DM, are we playing with Encumbrance rules for this adventure? Just the small tent alone weighs a ton.

Small Tent weighs 20 lbs. Yes, keep track of encumbrance.

Once we leave town, we can stop and redistribute the load.

Halfling sized tents weigh 5# (1/4 stock weight when made for small characters).

My pack was going to put me at Medium load, anyway. I have about 70# more I can carry and remain in Medium load.

I bet Conrad could carry quite a bit more too.

rations, bramdy, tent, and blanket. i should be able to fit that in. but it will weight upon my until i can start losing the torches.

gojng to redistribute so the mayor can reuse next time.

Size of equipment for a small character is a bit of a mess in P1, the 1/4 weight for some stuff (can't find the exact rule now) is not clear if it applies to tents though it's often does, or that a normal tent has double capacity and normal weight. Up to the GM to decide what he wants to do. Note for weapons/armor it's 1/2 weight. PC gen does not adjust tent weight for size of occupants. So tent(small) for 20 lbs. can hold two small characters. Or applying the other rule one tent(small)(small) holds one small character for 5 lbs.

Setting up special inventory (along with some corrections) just for the crypt trip. Should be up in a bit.