Players selected post here to join the campaign. Additional details to follow.
Thanks for the invite, GM! Excited to get started.
Figured I’d post a bit about my character and her planned progression. She’s a deadly courtesan, which gets a bit of bardic performances (inspire competence and fascinate) by level 3, and I intend to switch over to actual bard levels starting at level 4 to have a bit of support and arcane spellcasting in addition to some secondary melee damage.
As far her personality, she’s a ‘rising star’ sort of character both in her art (traditional Vudran tattoos) and singing voice, both of which are what attracted Lotheed’s attention. Very personable and likeable, but sort of a snake in the grass type (literally) when it comes to advancement. Main goal is to rejoin her family that abandoned her, but I have a feeling that they won’t like her and it’ll turn into her wanting to gather power for her own name and future family name alongside the party.
Everyone please modify your character sheet so that under "Race/Class Levels" you have the following information so it shows as a header when you post: Alignment, Race, Class, Level, HP, AC, Fort, Ref, Will, and Perception.
For example: CG Half-Elf Rogue 1 | HP 16/16 | AC 16 | Fort +3, Ref +8, Will +6 | Perception +6
If there is any other relevant information that you feel belongs there, you can include it too.
The rest of your character sheet you can keep in whatever format you want as long as I can make sense of it if I need to reference it.
Checking in. Thank you for the invite!
I have a few things to finish up (mainly just adding some mundane gear), but otherwise good to go.
Good idea Liraela, I'll add the same below for myself.
There's two ways I could build out to, the one I'm most likely doing is mostly ranged damage with some ranged Combat Maneuvers mixed in, but there's also Overwatch Style I could go down (combined with Weapon Trick [Ranged Weapons]).
Corruption in the courts is the greatest corruption of civilization. Without confidence in justice, citizens cannot believe in their countries, and civilization begins to disappear. I will root out corruption wherever I find it, and if a system is fundamentally flawed, I will work to aid citizens by reforming or replacing it.
He's usually soft spoken, unless dealing with those who directly oppose his ideals.
Unless specifically trying to disguise himself, he sticks out like a sore thumb among the higher class, due to state of his clothing and physical appearance. Not for lack of trying, but he seems incapable of escaping the squalor of his youth.
As a follower of Abadar, he seeks equality and fairness in all things monetary. Occasionally has to suppress the urge to gamble or act rashly, for he is usually quite calm and rational.
I added a link to a Player Folder that will have all the documents you guys can reference. If you have trouble accessing, let me know.
The link to the folder is at the top of the page and the individual links are under the campaign info tab.
Currently there are four pages.
Historical Figures: These are just the back pages of each of the 6 chapters of the adventure path. They have some interesting information. Most of it won't come up until much later in the campaign but there is no reason you can't see it.
Maps: This currently has a map of Taldor and a map of Oppara. Underneath the map of Oppara, I also included information on the districts and notable locations for you to reference. This will help you explore the city.
Persona: I made a page for each of your characters with your backstories if you want to read up on the other players. I also put in a picture that I grabbed for each of your characters. I'll use this for your tokens on maps. If you want to use a different image, just let me know. If you do want a new image, I would prefer a full body image if possible.
Succession Loyalties: This shows the current support for the different candidates for succeeding the crown in Taldor. It will change as the campaign progresses.
Additional pages such as treasure sheets, combat maps, etc. will quickly be added as they come up.
Welcome.
Lireala, I don't see an alignment on your character sheet anywhere.
Tychus, I'll grab a picture of the character and add it tonight when I get home. I have access to more images on my home computer.
Also, my name is Michael, so you can refer to me as GM Peachbottom or Michael or Mike.
Ah, apologies! Thanks for letting me know. Liraela is Lawful Neutral, but not in the same way as Tychus. She follows her own moral code, which reflects that of her deity,(Ravithra, the Karmic Pillar) believing that karma is the most important force in the universe. Those who betray their kind, family, or country, don’t deserve to live. That’s her most important motivation for working towards supporting Princess Eutropa (and the fact that her patron, Lady Lotheed, supports her as well).
She’s not a devout follower and doesn’t gain any mechanical benefits, but she aims to live up to the standards of the Mother of Nagas.
So even though it is called Exaltation Week, I am going to shorten the event to just the weekdays, starting on a Moonday and ending with the Exaltation Gala on a Fireday.
The first day will just be your meetup with quest giver, Lady Martella Lotheed. And the last day will be the gala. So it will really just be the second, third, and fourth days that will be open-ended for exploration. I don't feel like you'd need more time than that.
Even though Martella will meet you all in the same place, she meets you all separately. You may engineer crossing paths with some of your characters during the second through fourth days, but even if everyone doesn't meet, Martella will hold a second meeting on the Fireday before the gala begins where everyone will attend and formally form the party.
Once you receive your individual mission on the first day, you will then have the opportunity on the following days to do any additional purchasing, gather information on various topics (some specific topics will be provided), or just roleplay enjoying the week-long festival.
I do want to get to the meat of the action quickly so while I want you to have a brief opportunity to explore, I will continue to push things forward and have each day of information gathering last no more than an IRL day or two of posting. I did want to do it this way, however, so that Oppara feels more lived in rather than just a background setting.
Although, normally I'd have everyone meet up right away, this adventure path is set up a little different. But you can easily cross paths with another character as soon as your third or fourth post if you choose. And even if not, I will give plenty of hooks so that no one is lost.
I have my introductions drafted, but I'm going to wait until everyone checks in before posting in the gameplay thread.
Good evening. I am here to make sure our home are secure.
Hi everyone! I'll make sure everything on my character profile is correct.
Welcome Henrika.
Btw, that header looks perfect.
OK, I added Tychus' image.
OK, I added Tychus' image.
Appreciated. I can see about getting a more accurate picture. Paizo has very limited options haha.
If it’s from a 1e Paizo product, I probably have access to it. But it doesn’t have to be. You can give me a link or email or I can give you access to the page and you can paste it in. Whatever is easiest. It doesn’t have to match your profile picture either.
Greetings, all! Checking in. I didn't want to say this during the recruitment stage, but if the DM wants to keep these Adventurer fools alive,
they're gonna want a cleric. And that's all I gotta say about that!
Indeed Trevor. I made sure to pick at least one divine caster.
Just waiting on Xallis to check in now and then we're all set.
Lady Peacebottom and other party members, I'd like to ask your permission on something before we go forward.
When I play a divine caster, I like to add some fluffy goodness in order to ground them more in the world and their faith. So I'd like to propose:
Cayden's Channel
Trevor worships Cayden Caliean, The Drunken Hero, God of Ale, Bravery, and Wine. And thus would have a unique access to The Positive Energy Plane for clerical spells and channeling energy. When any character, NPC or PC, receives any healing from Trevor Kastner, the character must roll a Constitution ability check. If they make the Con DC 10, nothing happens other than healing. If they fail the Con save, their character is forced to let out an audible burp. If the character fails the DC by 5 or greater, the character lets out a monstrously loud belch.
Comparatively, if any undead is destroyed by any healing energy from Trevor Kastner, the undead explodes with a very loud belch and ceases to be.
Sorry, while that sounds amusing, I think it would get old really fast. I’m not interested in applying that. I do like the idea of adding the extra flavor to your healing that some of its power comes from ale, but it’d be up the the receiver if they want to roleplay feeling any alcoholic effect and it wouldn’t have any mechanical effect or require any roll.
I think I've fixed the header, and am ready to get this party started!
All Set
Looking good. I sent a PM to Xallis too, so hopefully he'll see.
Hello! Sorry for the delay, got caught up at work. I'm here and tinkering with the profile for quick reference stats.
And of course, a fashionably late Thank You for inviting me to play. I'm looking forward to it!
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Awesome. Welcome. Everyone is here. I’ll get a post up soon.
Sorry, while that sounds amusing, I think it would get old really fast. I’m not interested in applying that. I do like the idea of adding the extra flavor to your healing that some of its power comes from ale, but it’d be up the the receiver if they want to roleplay feeling any alcoholic effect and it wouldn’t have any mechanical effect or require any roll.
That's fair. I hope to play along with my fellow party members! Cheers!!
I added the first post to the gameplay thread. You can read it and post your responses.
I realized that my post says Martella wants to meet again in one week. I typed that before I decided I wanted to shorten the week and didn't catch that it should have been updated. She means meet again on Fireday (Friday) which is in 4 days.
I will be out with friends most of Sunday. I may be able to get a post in early in the morning or late at night depending on who else posts.
After leaving, Icabhod decides to brush up on his knowledge of the duke and countess.
Ok. I think I may have been a little confusing.
The +9 bonus is only on Diplomacy checks to gather information and on Knowledge checks if you are using a library. You can’t do either of these on the first day. I did allow Tychus to make a knowledge roll to see if he knew anything about a person Marcella mentioned. And I’ll allow Icabhod to do the same with the two people she mentioned to him. I’ll allow other characters to make a knowledge nobility/local roll if Marcella mentioned someone to them too if they wish. These are without any bonus. This is only if Martello mentioned someone as part of your task. To get information on Martella, King Stavian, or Princess Eutropia you will have to gather information.
I guess I was trying to explain things too fast. Right now, I was just mainly looking for a response to Martella. You don’t need to pick your first place to go on day two yet either. Once everyone responds, I’ll close out day one and then open day two and go from there.
Knowledge checks are generally to see if you already know something on a subject. Diplomacy (Gather Information) is to learn things you don’t know yet.
I'll put all the possible knowledge rolls in the gameplay thread in a moment.
"And from what I've heard, being easy on the eyes is doing him no shortage of favors on that front."
I picture Baron Okerra as the Regé-Jean Page of the campaign.
Apologies for not posting yet, having family over this weekend and have been quite busy. I’ll get a post up tonight or early tomorrow!
Thank you for the communication, Liraela.
Before I post, I want to research Oppara a little more closely. I generally want to establish Trevor working at a Cayden temple/tavern, and I want to get the right districts and establishments correct according to printed resources.
Unfortunately, I work the next two days, 12 hours each. I shall try to make my post before Nov. 1st if I can. If not, it will be on the 1st.
Sure Trevor.
I'll provide some addition information for you.
Taldans are generally devout, and most homes include a small shrine to one or more gods who play an important role in the family’s daily life. As a nation, they worship Abadar, Cayden Cailean, and Shelyn over all others, generally depicting their gods with Taldan features and pointing out that Cayden himself was Taldan before taking the Test of the Starstone. Worship of other gods exists. But none with the same fervor as the so-called “Taldan Pantheon.”
Despite being one of the major deities of Taldor, no formal church to Cayden Cailean exists in Oppara. Instead, most taverns and inns have a shrine to the god built into their establishment. Most clergy serve as bartenders, brewers, or similar occupations.
I can't find any tavern names actually printed in any of the documents that I have, so I'll make some up below. If you can find any taverns in printed Paizo material that I missed, I'll accept them as well.
District: Tavern
Aroden's View: The Quiet Princesses' Alehouse. An upscale alehouse for wealthy nobles. Typical attended by chauvinistic males who joke the current Princess, Princess Eutropia, is anything but.
Canal Row: The Noble's Wineskin. Sits right on the edge of the canal overlooking the water. It is a clean and quiet tavern. Perfect for wealthier commoners and merchants who can't afford an upscale tavern but also want to avoid the seedier districts.
Crownsgate: The Burnt Troll. The watering hole of some of the most undesirable citizens of Oppara. The clientele are dangerous and the ale tastes like piss.
Eastport: The Lucky Devil. This tavern sits right in the center of a portion of Eastport the previous burnt down twice but miraculously the Lucky Devil was untouched both times. Some patrons claim the the tavern is blessed by Cayden Cailean. Others claim is protected by something more sinister.
Grandbridge: Cayden's Mug. A tavern/inn dedicated to Cayden Cailean. While not a temple, most of the staff are followers of the accidental god. One of the largest taverns in Oppara, Cayden's Mug is open 24/7 and always has a warm hearth and a cool drink for anyone interested.
Imperial Square: The Lion Club. Only the richest Opparans can attend this exclusive club. Powerful bouncers make sure only those on a VIP list or with very deep pockets gain entrance.
Jadrishar Island: None.
Lionsgate: The Gatehouse. Located just inside the main gate, this is the first tavern that most visitors see when they travel into the city. It is typically packed with foreigners and Opparans who wish to do business with them.
Memorial Park: None.
The Narrows: Gerey's Shed. Mostly an actual shed than a proper tavern. Gerey sells whatever concoction he brews up in his back-alley barrels to those brave enough to try it.
Senate's Hill: Lion Noir. An upscale coffee house. Caters to senators and other government officials who would prefer not to sully their fine shoes in a "tavern."
Seven Towers: None.
Westpark: None.
Westport: The Bottomless Barrel. Caters to Taldor's sailors and naval officers as well as well as some morally questionable patrons interested in the other activities Westport has to offer.
Worldbreaker Hill: None.
Also, you guys don't have to post in spoiler if you don't want to. I'm only doing it to keep my post from being a giant wall of text.
Thank you for this information, GM Peachbottom. Of all the places on Golarion I've played, I've never played in Taldor. So Oppara is a blind spot for me. I'm normally more prepared with character backgrounds.
One second inspection, I realized I only gave Trevor one background skill in Knowledge (history), so I'll fix that by adding Profession (bartender).
Thank you for this information, GM Peachbottom. Of all the places on Golarion I've played, I've never played in Taldor. So Oppara is a blind spot for me. I'm normally more prepared with character backgrounds.
I appreciate when people put some research into their backstory.
One second inspection, I realized I only gave Trevor one background skill in Knowledge (history), so I'll fix that by adding Profession (bartender).
That's fine to update that.
If anyone wants to observe Liraela's unusual eating habits and laugh at/with her, feel free!
There isn't much info on vishkanya in much of anything outside of a few pieces, so I'll be taking a few liberties with her habits and styles. If anything is too weird, let me know!
You probably know more about vishkanya than I do.
In Henrika's backstory, I said that she spends a lot of time at a tavern called the Lion's Head, which is supposed to be an artless copy of Shakespeare's Boar's Head Tavern. I was curious where in Oppara this should be located, and I was thinking Lionsgate would be a good choice, but closer to the center of town and away from the gate (and The Gatehouse). I was planning to write about Henrika going to visit her friends there in the interim. It would probably strain credibility to have any of our characters know each other beforehand, though maybe we could know some of the same people?
Well, this point likely needs to be approved by GM Peachbottom; but I'd like Trevor to cycle between 4 taverns each week to perform clerical duties and bartend in. Cayden's Mug in Grandbridge is the tavern Trevor considers his 'home tavern'. The caydenite would also work in The Noble's Wineskin in Canal Row, The Gatehouse in Lionsgate and The Lion Club in Imperial Square. And due to being part of one of the major noble families, he'd be allowed to move freely from one to the other.
In that case, Henrika, you might know Trevor as the weird noble bartender cleric.
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In Henrika's backstory, I said that she spends a lot of time at a tavern called the Lion's Head, which is supposed to be an artless copy of Shakespeare's Boar's Head Tavern. I was curious where in Oppara this should be located, and I was thinking Lionsgate would be a good choice, but closer to the center of town and away from the gate (and The Gatehouse). I was planning to write about Henrika going to visit her friends there in the interim. It would probably strain credibility to have any of our characters know each other beforehand, though maybe we could know some of the same people?
Sure. We can add The Lion's Head to Lionsgate District as well. I have no problem with characters being acquaintances with each other. If you and Trevor want to work out something where you know either, that's fine by me.
Well, this point likely needs to be approved by GM Peachbottom; but I'd like Trevor to cycle between 4 taverns each week to perform clerical duties and bartend in. Cayden's Mug in Grandbridge is the tavern Trevor considers his 'home tavern'. The caydenite would also work in The Noble's Wineskin in Canal Row, The Gatehouse in Lionsgate and The Lion Club in Imperial Square. And due to being part of one of the major noble families, he'd be allowed to move freely from one to the other.
This is also fine by me. But just fair warning. Not to spoil anything, but you won't be staying in Oparra for long. So after this first week, you'll just have to see how the story plays out.
If you do want to have Trevor working this week, I will allow one Profession (bartender) roll for a week's income. It would be a d20 + your Profession (bartender) modifier + 9 for Oppara's Economy stat. You would earn half your result total in gold pieces.
Oh, also, I meant to ask, like for a session 0. Does anyone have any subjects that are triggering or that they are sensitive to? I will do my best to make this campaign welcoming to all my players. Luckily, this campaign is not heavy on any particularly gory or sexual situations. I can't recall any instance in any of the books that I would consider problematic. But I figured I'd mention this in case I need to keep my eye out for anything that might come up.
As long as the GM's okay with it, I have no problem with Trevor and Henrika knowing each other, at least in passing! It makes us assimilating into a cohesive adventuring group a lot easier. :)
Does anyone have any subjects that are triggering or that they are sensitive to?
It's not really a trigger per se, but I've found over the years that I get really uncomfortable being in a game where players are actively working against each other. PvP really kills my enjoyment of RPGs! I don't know how to suggest you accommodate that if the story requires it, but maybe just know that I might struggle to keep up if we have to play on opposite sides. Things like fear and mind-control are essential to Pathfinder, I know, but I'm cool with that as long as it's the GM deciding what happens, not me strategizing how to screw over my friends. :)
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There is no part of the adventure path where you wouldn't be working as a group.
Since Trevor is established as a charmer, I'll make sure any sexual RP is done off-screen.
It is fate! I had exactly 15 GP left over, so she absolutely must have a fine outfit! Ravithra will insure I have what I need to thrive.
I'm sorry to inform you that the noble's outfit is 45 gp, not 15 gp (45 minus 30). A noble's outfit is normally 75 gp, so the 45 gp already includes subtracting 30 gp from it.
Well, shucks. I misread, but that’s okay. A normal outfit with a little bit of flair works fine enough. Sorry about that!
Happy Halloween!