The Sunless Citadel Prequel A Quest most Fowl

Game Master Azure_Zero

Discussion open

Gonna build a bit on how everyone knows each other.

Hi!

Hi! Thanks for having us, GM! Looking forward to seeing what sorts of trouble we adventurers can get ourselves into. :)

Oh some fowl things are planned.

Partially inspired by "Slayers."

A proposition for how characters know each other:

Ghur comes into town, leaving the rural life he was accustomed to. Was (rightly) treated as a monster. Ruisxys, as a lawful good and highly religious character spoke to him and agreed to ‘take responsibility’ for him. This is what brings him on this quest: joining Ruisxys.

For anyone who played Dragon Age Origins, think about when you meet Sten. Locked up in a cage, death being the most likely outcome for him. The party, seeing a very large and useful warrior, recruit him by convincing the authorities that he is both useful in stopping the blight and that they are trustworthy enough to take responsibility for him.

Sound like a decent idea?

Argus the Draconic cleric likely did the diplomacy check to get the town to stand down, as they got a +13 in diplomacy, while the Paladin would be only be making a Cha Check for Diplomacy as would most of the other PCs.

Never enough skill points! Given the background I’m imagining for Ruisxys, though – fey foundling, among other nonsense – to represent her unworldliness, I couldn’t see my way to putting ranks in the social skills yet.

That said, since she’s got an elven lifespan, maybe she’s travelled a bit more than the other characters have, so she could be the point person for our particular quest. She’s passing through wherever, thinking about following up that lead, and it just so happens that that’s when Argus is vouching for Ghur… Maybe the lead is a bit further into the bush than a river baby like her is used to, and Orne, who I think is the most woodcraft-y of us, volunteers to make sure the unsubtle paladin doesn’t make too much of a racket getting there? Or, maybe he’s the most established local where our characters all met, and someone both Argus and Ruisxys know? He’s got the “militia veteran” trait, after all.

As a prequel to Coffee Dragon’s game, if the plan is to set it in the River Kingdoms, and a bunch of us are lawful, maybe setting out from Liberthane or Castle Urion, just for the sake of getting the party together, would make sense? The latter has the advantages of being a bit bigger and also dominated by a whole order of knights of Iomedae: hearts in the right place, but probably tight-knit enough that while LG folks who aren’t following the same crusade would be welcome, them not always hanging around would also be met with quiet relief.

It sounds like a set-up to a highly local Castle Urion joke: “So, a Cleric (Apsu), Monk (Desna), and Paladin (Yuelral) walk into a bar, and there's a minotaur Ranger...” :)

For my last post I wasn’t really going for how we start the adventure (ie: who is rolling for what when we go into town) but more in line with *how* we know each other. Narrative hooks that can be used when communicating with each other, and personal connections which explain why we are working together. But I’m open to most explanations, even if it is just jumping in and seeing how we all vibe together.

Never enough skill points! .....

Yeah, and it sucks that it is tied to INT for bonus points, when a number of skills aren't based on INT...

....

As a prequel to Coffee Dragon’s game, if the plan is to set it in the River Kingdoms, ....

I'll be setting it more in the area of Andoran and Five Kings Mountains, as I believe it is a better fit then the River Kingdoms, as there is more variety in terrain types in a smaller area, and has some spots where other modules could act as filler instead of the original 3.5 modules.

Also Falcon's Hollow is in the area which is a place for those down on their luck or are more of an outcast can go and settle into.....

This would make it easier for Ghur in not scaring the locals if he has someone vouch for him. Though I can bet Mr Kreed would like to have him work his lumbering sites, or become one of his enforcers under Boss Payden Teedum.

Ruisxys would also have a fellow Paladin in town (who runs the local church of Imodae) that and the area has a in someways a strong Fey presence in the Darkmoon vale, could by way she was drawn to the area.

Orne the half-orc monk, might have local crime lord Kabran Bloodeye see if he can get a fellow half-orc into his fold ( of crime and schemes )

...It sounds like a set-up to a highly local Castle Urion joke: “So, a Cleric (Apsu), Monk (Desna), and Paladin (Yuelral) walk into a bar, and there's a minotaur Ranger...” :)

Forgot the stereotypical dumb blonde Barbarian/Fighter that is also in the party.

Oh, that does sound neat! Somehow none of the campaigns I've ever played in have been set in Andoran, but what I've gleaned about Falcon's Hollow / Darkmoon Vale, that definitely works.

The actual corner of the world I imagine Ruisxys came from is pretty much where Kyonin, the River Kingdoms, and the Five Kings Mountains meet, and I know there are some weird elves up in the last playing nice with the dwarves. Gems have to come from somewhere, and that's especially important to Yuelral fangirls. :)

Given her affinity for water fey, I can imagine she took it into her head one day to follow a river upstream, skipped merrily along from spring to spring and various alpine torrents up in the mountains, and when she came down again, found herself in the Darkmoon Vale, and then into Falcon's Hollow pursuing some do-goodery.

For my last post I wasn’t really going for how we start the adventure (ie: who is rolling for what when we go into town) but more in line with *how* we know each other. Narrative hooks that can be used when communicating with each other, and personal connections which explain why we are working together. But I’m open to most explanations, even if it is just jumping in and seeing how we all vibe together.

Ah, I getcha. Hmm. I'm thinking of leaning heavily into Ruisxys' archetype, sacred servant, and so trying to get her to feel more like a cleric than a traditional paladin, at least until the chips are down and suddenly there's a knight in shining armour here. :)

Falcon’s Hollow? I could very much see Ghur working as a lumberjack to earn coin.

Falcon’s Hollow? I could very much see Ghur working as a lumberjack to earn coin.

Yep, but Mr Kreed will only pay you just enough to just live though, as he is a cheap skate who chases profit. Shows a bit of kindness only if injured on the job from an attack and not being stupid.

His right hand man Payday, well he will collect various new "Taxes and fines" from you.

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Oh right The Darkmoon Vale has a Nymph Queen ruling the fey in the area.

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You all can start seeing why I set the area of Andoran and Five Kings Mountains as the starting point. If fits so well.
The River Kingdoms, given the geography, where the citadel sits, would be well.... not reachable due to flooding....

I need to create/finish the profile for the Monk... apologies. Currently on family vacation. Promise will get to it!

No problem, enjoy the family vacation.

Now, just waiting on the cleric.....

I'll give them about 24 hours to post here otherwise I'll consider it abandonment of the game.

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Looking at the Larger Golarion map, Sunless if using the area I selected as the start point, would have Oakland be NE of Falcon's Hollow and East of Droskar's Crucible.

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So on to trying to build how each character knows each other......

Hmm. Well, as we were discussing, maybe our cleric friend brokered Ghur's introduction to the community. And, depending on how dragon-ish he is, perhaps at some point Argus approached Ruisxys to jazz up his holy symbol with a bit of gilding, or inlay, or the like?

Then, since lumberjacking is a hard life, maybe at some point Ghur needed a salve for a work-related injury, and Ruisxys was the person to whip some up for him?

Djack can clarify if I'm getting the wrong idea, but it looks like Orne isn't particularly happy about he ended up being a monk, what with his chosen flaws, whereas Ruisxys is serenely self-assured about her life choices, so maybe she stepped in to help out when Orne got mixed up in a fight and hesitated just that bit too long for Ruisxys not to get involved?

Not sure about the mysterious barbarian/fighter. Some other sort of alchemical favour? Or spiritual counselling? Bit weird for a fighter to go to a paladin of a god of magic, but at least there's the warrior part to the holy warrior thing, and Ruisxys is a good listener.

Just throwing some ideas out there.

"Ayla, not mysterious, Ayla busy working furnace....
Got request for more axes."

Ayla has a lot of little and big flaws to her.... including some complexes she has...
Could be a drinking buddy, or Ayla is the one that keeps your equipment in order.
as she works as an armour and weapon smith.

"Ayla likely know everyone, as Ayla repairs and makes stuff."

Here are some locals and info on about the town

for local salves and healing, the Local owner of the Roots and Remedies is Laurel.

Mr Kreed does not like the Temple of Iomedae in town, and does some subtle moves against it, And is the Town Bully, who also happens to own the town as well.....

Falcon's Hollow has;
a Tavern (The Sitting Duck)
a Inn(Jak’a’Napes),
a General Store (Goose’n’Gander)
two markets (though you'll only really be able to use the Low Market, not the High Market as that requires an invite.)

and a few other buildings like the sheriff's office, the Hollow Tribunal where the magistrate works

Summary of Falcon's Hollow
A blunt, sawdust-choked stop on a winding trade route, a
festering haven of injustice and cruelty, Falcon’s Hollow
rests perilously close to the infamous Darkmoon Wood.
The long shadow of Droskar’s Crag casts a shroud of gloom
on the desperate souls who call this place home. Many come
here to make their fortune cutting darkwood lumber in
the lush wood, while others journey to this remote fringe
to start over, piecing together their shattered lives on the
edge of an untouched wilderness far from the things of
man.

Persecuted zealots and outcasts flock to Falcon’s
Hollow to practice their strange and often deviant rites
unfettered by the mores of civilization. Finally, Falcon’s
Hollow lures many explorers with the promise of great
adventure nearby. The town, its people, and everything in
it belong to the corrupt Lumber Consortium, controlled
by the de facto leader of the town, the loathsome Thuldrin
Kreed. His petty decrees and the consortium’s overpriced
goods keep the people of the town prisoner as surely as if
Kreed and his goons used manacles and chains.

Home to fewer than 1,500 humans and a smattering
of other races, most of the townsfolk care only for the
paltry coins paid for their backbreaking work and what
simple comforts they can buy. A few, however, understand
that what’s bad for one is bad for all, and they struggle
endlessly with the Lumber Consortium to improve the
lives of their neighbors—and by extension, themselves.
The community thrives on a tenacious mix of greed,
debauchery, and stubborn self-reliance. As much property
of the Lumber Consortium as the buildings, cut timbers,
and other assets in the town, the people of Falcon’s Hollow
live in abject poverty and unending misery. Those born
into Falcon’s Hollow (or those foolish enough to move
there willingly—or even unwillingly) face lives filled with
anguish and devoid of hope or betterment.

Ayla's first level is in a racial paragon class, and her next level is either Barbarian, or Fighter.

She is not bright and that is one of her sore spots, and sometimes she loses her temper about it..

She and Ghur pretty much fill the same role on the front lines though a bit different. She tanks better, but Ghur hits harder. That and she likely fixes the axe he uses for cutting lumber.

For Ruisxys, she'd feel some kind of mysterious kinship, due to her nymph heritage

Not quite sure yet about the other two....

“Feral:
Speed: Land +10
NA: +4
Atk: Improved Unarmed Strike (1d6)
Darkvision 60ft
Fast Healing (LVL + CON in HP / rnd) (1+3)”

Wow, that is crazy good! Wouldn’t have thought of mixing Feral: Half-Frostfolk and Half-Nymph together. Well done on the optimization.

Could be a drinking buddy, or Ayla is the one that keeps your equipment in order. as she works as an armour and weapon smith.

We could split the difference, too: I like the idea that Ruisxys relies on Ayla for tune-ups to her armour, and in return, doesn’t complain too much when Ayla drags her to the bar to wingwoman. Really not Ruisxys’ scene, but that’s part of what makes it work.

And yikes, Falcon’s Hollow sounds quite like a “wretched hive of scum and villainy!” I think Ruisxys will hate it, in the best way. :) Although at least she'll be able to get a good deal on some darkwood, if she can find a responsible woodcutter.

I’m getting the feeling that the niche that she might try to fit herself into is mediating between the priestess of Iomedae and Laurel: as a newcomer just passing through, she’d want to try not to step on any toes, but maybe her fey, elf tricks might help bridge the gap between very literal roots and remedies and a crusading faith that sounds like it means well but is a bit out of its depth here.

Which, now that I think of it, made me realize that another way one of the PCs might know her is that they could have stopped her from doing something dangerously naïve or saved her after the fact, since her roots are in places that – whether elven or just generally River Kingdom-y – are much more anarchic than a company town, so her sense of what constitutes “Law” might well risk getting her into trouble. (“What do you mean, that’s legal?! That’s not just wicked, it’s downright tyrannical!”)

Friends don’t let friends get smite-happy. :/ She's not that feckless, of course, but it sounds like Falcon's Hollow is almost designed to test paladin-ly (paladinic? paladian?) patience.

“Feral:

Speed: Land +10
NA: +4
Atk: Improved Unarmed Strike (1d6)
Darkvision 60ft
Fast Healing (LVL + CON in HP / rnd) (1+3)”

Wow, that is crazy good! Wouldn’t have thought of mixing Feral: Half-Frostfolk and Half-Nymph together. Well done on the optimization.

Feral has been stripped down a good bit from the original version, along with the Half-Nymph having some stuff removed from my Half-nymph template.

And Half-frost folks have a heat weakness, that does require countering.
It can actually be quite troublesome if you don't invest in a counter measure of some sort.

Ayla Frost wrote:

Could be a drinking buddy, or Ayla is the one that keeps your equipment in order. as she works as an armour and weapon smith.

We could split the difference, too: I like the idea that Ruisxys relies on Ayla for tune-ups to her armour, and in return, doesn’t complain too much when Ayla drags her to the bar to wingwoman. Really not Ruisxys’ scene, but that’s part of what makes it work.

.....

Well more like someone she can complain about stuff as they drink.

...

I’m getting the feeling that the niche that she might try to fit herself into is mediating between the priestess of Iomedae and Laurel: as a newcomer just passing through, she’d want to try not to step on any toes, but maybe her fey, elf tricks might help bridge the gap between very literal roots and remedies and a crusading faith that sounds like it means well but is a bit out of its depth here.
.....

Well, they both are on Mr Kreed's blacklist, so they likely get along more then you think.

Friends don’t let friends get smite-happy. :/ She's not that feckless, of course, but it sounds like Falcon's Hollow is almost designed to test paladin-ly (paladinic? paladian?) patience.

Oh you would likely had a few folks warn you.

Now, just waiting on the cleric.....

I'll give them about 24 hours to post here otherwise I'll consider it abandonment of the game.
....

Seems like the Cleric has left the game.

I'm coming up with a way to deal with missing cleric,
Either a magic item just for this adventure, or a NPC cleric.

I always understood lawful as meaning following a code, which is a personal framework. That is, a lawful good Paladin would follow their code, regardless of whether they are in Absalon or in Nidal. A country could have laws that say “Iomodae worship is outlawed. Torture is not only fun, but also cool!” A lawful good Paladin of Iomodae wouldn’t set their code aside even if the law of the country says so.

However if a person’s code was “the law is the law. It always must be followed” then being lawful would bind them to it. So the two would both be lawful, but their way of interaction and seeing the law of the land would be very different.

True, they have to follow their own code, but they also need to follow the laws.
It is a question of which one has priority, generally yeah their faith's code of conduct would have priority almost all of the time, but I can see times where they would bend to local laws as long as it wasn't a major breach of their code.
Like thievery is allowed here, and while a Paladin might dislike thievery, they might turn a blind eye to a party member lifting something they need for the greater good and not ask how they got it.

For Falcon's Hollow
A level 1 Paladin, likely can't deal with all the goons in town.
Good idea it to follow as much as possible and not stir the pot too much.
Until your much higher level.

I always understood lawful as meaning following a code, which is a personal framework. That is, a lawful good Paladin would follow their code, regardless of whether they are in Absalon or in Nidal. A country could have laws that say “Iomodae worship is outlawed. Torture is not only fun, but also cool!” A lawful good Paladin of Iomodae wouldn’t set their code aside even if the law of the country says so.

However if a person’s code was “the law is the law. It always must be followed” then being lawful would bind them to it. So the two would both be lawful, but their way of interaction and seeing the law of the land would be very different.

Well, anti-paladins have personal codes too. ;)

Joking aside, I tend to think of lawful folks as being those who actually *like* rules, and schedules, and having as much as possible nailed-down in advance. Trying to get into that headspace is a fun roleplaying challenge for me!

Among the many problems that paladins have, they actually believe that highly-codified (legal) systems are both necessary and desirable for organizing a stable society, the sillies. (Meanwhile, all my other characters, overwhelmingly CG, are giving major side-eye. XD ) So they have to work within existing systems to the extent that it doesn’t run afoul of whatever their specific code is. Only minimal rebelliousness, unless compliance leads to worse wickedness!

And yes, I’m very glad that it’s word-of-goddesigner that deity-specific codes supersede the generic one in the Core Rulebook. Otherwise, it tends to lead to a very reductive idea of “honour.”

In any case, here for the squirming in the uncomfortable awareness that the zeal of one 1st-level neophyte is not about to get her her own way kicking evil out of town without a lot of experience coming her way first. :)

Well in 3.5, there was Paladin Variants offered in Unearthed Arcana;
Paladin of Good/Law (Can't recall which name it got, Regular LG)
Paladin of Freedom (CG Paladin, a few changes)
Paladin of Tyranny (LE Paladin, other changes)
Paladin of Slaughter (CE Paladin, Most changes from LG version)

Each had there own code of conduct and yeah there was a table to help figure out what class features were replaced.

That Book had Archetypes before Archetypes existed in Pathfinder.
Even has a Battle Sorcerer variant/Archetype that allows a Sorcerer to wear Light armour without ANY Arcane Spell Failure while wearing Light Armour.
Before that, there was only 2 Prestige Classes from Complete Warrior that reduced Arcane Spell Failure with Armour (Rage Mage, and Spell Sword) for arcane casters.

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I'll run Falcon's Hollow, with a version I ended up with in another game. So some more NPCs and buildings will be around, and one NPC gone as they fled when the PCs chased them out for doing a very evil thing.
Mr Kreed is also a bit more .... what is the word...
Well he's not as much as a Jerk as before that plague hit.
Still a greedy piece of sh*t though.

Returning home, today... will be better equipped to jump in.

For my half-orc, he was orphaned and mostly bullied and abused until some monk saw potential in him. Much like taking a stray, the animal is skittish, covers up, maybe be even lashes out.

But eventually his mind calmed, thought he is still traumatized. Maybe he's heard about the sunless citadel and is slowly making his way there.

Currently, at or approaching Falcon's Hollow.

I'm coming up with a way to deal with missing cleric,

Either a magic item just for this adventure, or a NPC cleric.

Oh, I forgot to mention!

It occurs to me that if a wand finds its way to us, both Ghur and Ruisxys could bippity-boppity-boo it, since we do have spell lists, even if no CL yet. One of the welcome quirks of spell-trigger items. :)

Which, inevitably, reminded me of this.

Returning home, today... will be better equipped to jump in.

For my half-orc, he was orphaned and mostly bullied and abused until some monk saw potential in him. Much like taking a stray, the animal is skittish, covers up, maybe be even lashes out.

But eventually his mind calmed, thought he is still traumatized. Maybe he's heard about the sunless citadel and is slowly making his way there.

Currently, at or approaching Falcon's Hollow.

I hope you’re enjoying the tail-end of your vacation! Mine is still about a month away, and I’m not planning anything hugely exciting, but it will be peach season in my neck of the woods.

DM Azure_Zero wrote:

I'm coming up with a way to deal with missing cleric,

Either a magic item just for this adventure, or a NPC cleric.

Oh, I forgot to mention!

It occurs to me that if a wand finds its way to us, both Ghur and Ruisxys could bippity-boppity-boo it, since we do have spell lists, even if no CL yet. One of the welcome quirks of spell-trigger items. :)

Which, inevitably, reminded me of this.
...

Oh that same series had two strips on Paladins,

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Hmm

I'll set the month of the start to Month 10 (Think October in the Northern hemisphere), so the weather is starting to get cool, but where your gonna need to go will get a bit chilly, so make sure you have some cold weather outfits

Spending 8 gold on a cold weather outfit

Also dropping armor down to Lamellar Leather. Because the idea in my head is that Ghur is not currently a warrior. He is chopping down trees while hoping to make money, and his greataxe is just the axe he is using for this work. And his armor is just what he is wearing. Better armor can be found as we adventure. And for weapons…he’ll go with claws at lvl2. So that will be taken care of (goes with the gore attack)

Yeah, better then failing Fort saves and possibly getting knocked out from Non-lethal damage after failing 2-3 saves from the Cold.

Cold Dangers

Cold and exposure deal nonlethal damage to the victim. A character cannot recover from the damage dealt by a cold environment until she gets out of the cold and warms up again. Once a character has taken an amount of nonlethal damage equal to her total hit points, any further damage from a cold environment is lethal damage.

An unprotected character in cold weather (below 40° F) must make a Fortitude save each hour (DC 15, +1 per previous check) or take 1d6 points of nonlethal damage. A character who has the Survival skill may receive a bonus on this saving throw and might be able to apply this bonus to other characters as well (see the skill description).

In conditions of severe cold or exposure (below 0° F), an unprotected character must make a Fortitude save once every 10 minutes (DC 15, +1 per previous check), taking 1d6 points of nonlethal damage on each failed save. A character who has the Survival skill may receive a bonus on this saving throw and might be able to apply this bonus to other characters as well. Characters wearing a cold weather outfit only need check once per hour for cold and exposure damage.

A character who takes any nonlethal damage from cold or exposure is beset by frostbite or hypothermia (treat her as fatigued). These penalties end when the character recovers the nonlethal damage she took from the cold and exposure.

Extreme cold (below –20° F) deals 1d6 points of lethal damage per minute (no save). In addition, a character must make a Fortitude save (DC 15, +1 per previous check) or take 1d4 points of nonlethal damage.

...and I’m not planning anything hugely exciting, but it will be peach season in my neck of the woods.

Peaches in the woods! Sounds awesome... I'll admit "nothing hugely exciting" vacations are the best!

So, cold weather gear... check. For the game, but the vacation.

Anyone have an idea of how we could know each other or have met up, recently?

@DM Azure_Zero

Are you approving for me, the monk to take Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Kusari-gama) early, before BAB +1 and use it...

...or just take it, but need to wait until BAB +1 to use it?

you can use it, kinda doing something similar with the Hammer.

you can use it, kinda doing something similar with the Hammer.

Thank you.

Orne, for your review.

Looks fine.

I'll be starting it soon.

Though I will be out in the woods with some basic internet for a few days starting tomorrow.

So use the time to iron out what you do in town and who you know.
Though I should get around to posting up a list of town residents and a bigger list of locals in town....

Anyone care to know one another? Orne makes for a wonderful travel companion.

Well, im not sure how we all come together. All I know is that Ghur apparently is chopping wood in Falcon’s Hollow. Anyone who works there would likely know him. He’s hard to miss.

Hmm. Ruisxys is new in town, so maybe she'll be triangulating between the local Iomedaean and the herbalist - she doesn't want to step on any toes, but her brand of paladin-ning would probably fall somewhere between what those two are doing anyway. She'd also be very curious about any mages in town, though have no formal training in common with them (yet), so they probably wouldn't have much more than the time of day to spare her.

Since we've lost our diplomatic cleric, I'm happy to go with the original idea that Ruisxys helped smooth over Ghur's integration into the community, though it looks like he's got more training/experience talking people down, actually. Still, sometimes hot elf stuff is more approachable than big, scary minotaur. :)

Whether or not we go with that particular angle, maybe he gave her a tip on who's the most arboriculturally responsible woodcutter to look up when she gets the gold together to upgrade to darkwood gear.

Maybe Ghur was showing her whoever's patch it is, in the woods, when they bump into Orne on his way into town, if he's also doing the wandering martial artist thing? Or that could be a separate occasion, and then, on one of the days that the GM's Ayla drags Ruisxys out as a drinking buddy, somehow Ruisxys in turn convinces the two guys to tag along, since wild nights in Falcon's Hollow aren't much of her cup of tea? Maybe as a well-intentioned, if unsubtle, "These dudes are cool, even if they've got 'monster' blood," gesture to the town at large.

Darn it, I'm getting my silly punchline about tavern-going adventurers! ;)

I can give you Survival and go the Diplomacy route. Could get up as high as +9 or there about.

I can give you Survival and go the Diplomacy route. Could get up as high as +9 or there about.

...give up* Survival...

It occurs to me, belatedly, that I should have made it more obvious that I'm not *expecting* a riff on the trope of gathering in a tavern, but just bemused at the possibility of falling into it mostly by accident. Falcon's Hollow clearly needs another "third space." (Or fourth, or fifth, &c.)

Anywho, thanks, but unless you want to change, I'm happy with going without formal Diplomacy for a bit and seeing what happens. Might be fun! What's the worst that could happen? :)

Between ability scores, template, and variant elf traits, I'm sitting at a +5 untrained, vs. humanoids, which I figure is OK at 1st level for martial characters not focusing on the finer points of polite society. Between the lot of us, I figure if one of us talks their way into a corner, one of the others should be able to get us out again. Whereas going without Survival might get us eaten by wolves. :/

I'll see what I can do, it does go along with the character concept... but, I'm a tad limited based on source restrictions.

He was an orphan, a half-orc and a runt. He needed to use diplomacy to merely survive. So even if it's not that high, it's what he had.

Between all of us I think that we’ll be fine for diplomacy. Someone who is trained at lvl 1 is +4. Rui is +3 normally, +5 vs humanoids. Ghur is +5. Ayla is +4 untrained. Diplomacy is actually remarkably well taken care of.

The only thing we are missing is…healing (aside from Ayla), a way to deal with traps, arcane magic, divine magic, and anything ranged. :p

Speaking of which, perhaps Orne could be allowed to take the trapfinder campaign trait? The party needs someone who can deal with traps, and he already has excellent stealth/perception. Plus for someone who is a half-orc runt/orphan, it seems like the kind of skill he might have had to use. So it’s really flavorful as well as being a party necessity.

Alternatively, even without trapfinding, so we'd be confined to non-magical traps, I don't mind taking Disable Device. Ruisxys dabbles in jewelry-making and has religious objections to just smashing stuff, so she's already got some sort of hand for cutting wires and other delicate work.

And hey! It's only a shortbow, and she's not specializing in it, but what kind of elf would she be if she can't lob a few arrows this way and that? :)

...and he already has excellent stealth/perception. Plus for someone who is a half-orc runt/orphan, it seems like the kind of skill he might have had to use. So it’s really flavorful as well as being a party necessity.

True!

I would usually multi-class Rogue, difficult at level 1. LOL

If that we're the direction I can do it in level 2. Staying at BAB +0 and -2 on all attack rolls (flaws).

Honestly? I wouldn’t. You’re already a vanilla monk (unchained happened for a reason. My first pathfinder character was a monk and it was not an optimal experience). And you’ve taken the hardest hitting drawback possible already (-2 hit).

While Trapfinding is great, I think you’d be better served going either pure rogue or pure monk (I’d note that a strength 18 half-orc rogue isn’t that bad mechanically. Two handed fighting. And if the GM allowed you to replace your orc weapon training with monk weapon training? That could work out quite well)