Ok, so I believe I'm done reworking the alias and now have a submission that's ready.
The plan for Alasdair is to dip into Bard and then go Battle Herald.
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I love the idea of doing this as a romantic tale - I have a concept for a character that I've been kicking around - though I'll be putting myself into competition for Ameiko. I had another idea for Shalelu, but it's not gelling as well. I'll be overwriting this failed alias - will let you know when it's ready.
Hopefully there's nothing in Alasdair's backstory that doesn't jive with things in those other books... I really only have the player's guide and knowledge from Book 1 of Runelords to work from.
Here's my (Tilnar's) submission -- I'm recycling an older alias, so the avatar pick doesn't match at all. And I'm still debating the level 1 feat, but that's a pretty minor mechanical thing. NG Half-Elven Druid (Nature Fang) - built more as a secondary combattant/caster.
Give it a whirl, though considering how unique it was, I'm not sure it'll fly.
I second that sigh. I know PbP games often implode, but I've had some rather bad luck the last few months, it seems -- and, strangely, it always seems to be the games which show the most promise.
Alasdair smiles, "Ach, thank ye. A wee taste o' home." He points at the alley where the others snuck off, adding, "Dornt tak' it personal, I think it's some sassenach pride hin'. Ur mebbe it's somethin' abit them wee folk an' their wee, wee bodies thinkin' 'at they cannae be seen.. Ah dunnae ken yit, still tryin' tae figure it out."
Alasdair looks at Jeffrey as though the man was mad, saying, "Ach, I'll tak' a lyrical an' expressife brogue ower th' borin' monotony ay th' proper sassenach o' the Queen anyday." He nods at Feahus, "Sae ye waur a weedgie waur ye? frae th' highlands myself, an' 'en Auld Reekie."
Alasdair gets up before everyone else and heads into the lab to mix up his extracts for the day and a dose of Mutagen. When Dr. Watson arrives, he heads up to join the others. He settles in, reaching for food appreciatively, "Links an' oatmeal, there's nae finer breakfest." He looks up from his bowl to answer Nimue's questions, motioning at each vial with an oat-filled spoon, "Th' tae broon ones ur black scorpion extract. Mingin' stuff, i' kills most fa ingest it, an' puts those it doesnae kill intae a coma. It' bepotent enaw tae wark as a contact venom which weakens th' body, tae. Th' black is black lotus extract, a mingin' contact poison e'en deadlier than th' scorpion venom."
Other than hp, Alasdair is updated.
"I agree 'at we shoods bide together. These wee bastards in black ur quite tiresome an' I woods pure raither nae be killed... at leest nae tonecht. I wonder if dear Mr. Holmes coods point us tae a safe hoose?"
Alasdair's been fully healed and is hoping to find something actually useful - plus, he's not used to magical healing beyond his own potions, so that's why he's keen to keep going -- of course, he'll bow to the group.
Alasdair shakes his head, "Only if we want tae kill oorselves -- fur th' most part, they're aw poisons an' venoms, thocht some ay it coods be used tae jeekit a weapon, I suppose." He pauses a moment, and then adds, "An' I believe I hae heard ay thes Galifrey afair - I recaa a tale ay a visitur frae thes place in th' pest dealing with da Vinci -- Frae what I min', I believe it micht be anither warld - loch the realms a' Faerie. I'd certainly nae object tae spendin' some time in a library tae learn mair -- but did we nae hae anither gonnae-no we waur supposed tae gie tae and swatch aroond while the trail still be fraish?
Alasdair will try to think if any of this sounds familiar, especially Gal of Frey.
Nimon: Based on that, if there's anything of value or utility (either things we can use ourselves now or soon -- or in a lab we can set up later), Alasdair will start making a list and trying to figure out what can be carried out easily..
Alasdair's not so good at social graces, so he's more than happy to stand back and let others interrogate while he examines vials.
"Ach, thes is some raither nasty mince - as we micht hae expected, it's all poison -- mingin' as th' devil's own spit." Alaisdair will analyse the various pieces found in the lab remains in an attempt to figure out what's been going on and what they were planning.
His head cleared completely by the channeled energy, Alasdair pokes at his now-closed wound to examine the new skin. Braw.. it willnae e'en scar.. He nods in appreciation to Rohara, "I would need tae mix up a potion tae dae 'at..an' it woods only wark oan a body bodie... impressife." As the group loots the body, he says, "Ach, lit me tak' a swatch at these chats an' potions, it's kin' ay mah specialty.."
Alchemy: When using Craft (alchemy) to create an alchemical item, an alchemist gains a competence bonus equal to his class level on the Craft (alchemy) check. In addition, an alchemist can use Craft (alchemy) to identify potions as if using detect magic. He must hold the potion for 1 round to make such a check.
"Bloody blasted wee black bastards an' their reek! I cannae see whaur he went, it's black as th' earl ay Hell's waistcoat!"
Nimon: Just a small thing - Alchemist Bombs are fire attacks unless (until) I get a discovery to change 'em. I don't think that the ninja resist fire so it doesn't likely matter, but just being clear before it does matter.
Alasdair curses, "I'm gettin' right boak ay these wee sneaky bastards in black." He reaches into his pouch and mixes up a flask, hurling it at one of the ninja on the ceiling (although, if splash is possible, so much the better...)
Status: 6/10 hp, 1/7 bombs used.
Alasdair follows in, adding, "I mauna be as wee as yerself, but I grew up hidin' in th' highlands, an' 'en in th' alleys ay Auld Reekie. It micht be a bonny plan fur me tae gang wi' ye if we're sneakin' intae th' lab, if only tae recognize anythin'... nae so ordinary, ye ken?"
Alasdair nods as they walk, "Aye, indeed. I hae a powerful interest in seein' whit they've bin workin' oan -- see if we cannae gie a sense ay whit they waur abit. It's aw weel an' guid 'at thes bonny Doctor stopped them, but it looks loch they're keen oan tryin' again - an' he didne exactly lae us a map ur formulae on how tae stop 'em." He stops a moment, cocks his head, and then nods again, "Aye, if they hae access tae th' sewers, they coods probably gie anywhaur wi' wee chance o' notice. Plus, frae mah ain experiences in Auld Reekie, thaur ur aft... things... 'at dweel within th' sewers - th' sorts ay things 'at folks sic' as these micht hae taken an interest in."
My two cents: The warehouse and lab seem like good targets -- but I'm also assuming that as the Torchwood gang, we're the best qualified to grok anything we find in a lab - between the alchemist, wizard and cleric -- and the fact that it was secret and the place the Doctor went is probably also significant. (And thus a strong starting point). The laundry is a whole different matter -- and if it's a front, I don't imagine we want to have our whole group arrive bashing in the door, as it were -- probably best if we can take a look on the sly - probably first by sending someone in as a "customer" to take an initial look around, and then possibly by stealth -- since we know that it's still in operation and there'll be people there.
Alasdair says, "Noo, let's nae be tay hasty. I think we shoods tak' a donner tae th' theatre an' gie a swatch at thes secrit lab Mr. Jago spake of."
Nimon, I'm going to need to have Alasdair flipped into NPC mode from Saturday the 22 to the 30th. Family vacation. Just giving plenty of warning (and not wanting to be dropped from the group -- or hold things up while you're waiting for me to post). Also, OberonViking, in reference to the earlier message about Alasdair -- I totally confess I'm using an accent translator for it. But thanks. I figured it was a bit more immersive this way.
Alasdair nods at Arnault, adding, "It main be 'at they didne listen tae ye, Mr. Jago... but we're a different kettle ay fesh, an' we're haur noo to haer yer tale -- and likely tae believe it... unlike these bonny bobbies withit th' imagination ay a neep ur tattie... An' yoo're quite reit 'at e'en they woods believe ye noo."
Alasdair stands carefully, trying to find a foe to strike down, but happy that Henry is still here. He looks around for the man who tripped him, cursing in a broge so thick it's inpenetrable.
Alasdair- 18 (under effects of mutagen)
Alasdair curses, "Fairy guff! I cannae bomb heem withit hurtin' th' witness! I'll hae tae gonnae-no heem anither way!" He brings the flask up to his lips and drinks it, his hair and skin growing even paler, while his freckles shift to a blood-red colour and his limbs grow even longer as the mutagen takes its effect. Stat changes:
Alasdair gains +4 Dexterity (now 20 [+5]), loses 2 Wisdom (now 8 [-1]). AC changes to: 20 (+4 armour, +4 dexterity, +2 natural) / /14 (Touch)/ 16 (Flatfoot) He snarls and runs after the assassin trying to make off with Henry. Actions: Standard: Drink Mutagen; Move: Pursue assassin.
Alasdair answers Rohara's question, "I hae nae idea. We'd best tak' a swatch. Mebbe those assassins hae come tae finish whit they started?" He follows Rohara into the corridor, drawing a flask and a sickle as he does so, ready to strike down any enemies. Actions:
Initiative....
Alasdair grits his teeth slightly and says, "Apologies, professor, I tay am a man o' science... an' yit, ye be tha body tellin' tales o' hypnotized gairls. Ye micht kin, takin' yer statement as fact, wha I micht be lookin' intae hoo 'at cam tae pass as askin' o' th' sidhe?" He sighs and cocks his head, another thought coming to him, "Ach, I dinnae pure techt tae focus oan th' minur details, but I dae wonder, professor, if ye ken whit happened tae th' wire? I think we micht benefit frae a closer swatch -- ur analysis -- o' it."
Alasdair closes his eyes as the professor speaks, fixated on the notion of mass hypnosis or control, Mental trickerie is a stroke ay th' elves an' th' sidhe... aiblins thes is related tae mammy an' tha' pact o' hers? When he notices a lull in the quesitoning, he leans forward, "Hypnotized? loch some sort ay sidhe or fairy trick? Dae ye ken anythin' abit hoo thes cam tae be an' fa did it?"
Alasdair nods from his place against the wall, adding, "Also, professor, in mah experience a tale is best heard frae th' a body tha' lived it... there be as much information in the tone an' reactions as in th' wairds, ye ken."
Alasdair smiles at the exchange between Sebastian and Jeffrey, adding, "Frae mah ain experiences in skale, th' facts in most books only teel part ay th' tale...thocht mebbe yer bonny skale is different." Alasdair whistles at Nimue's report, and adds quietly, "Drained? Like from some kin' o' vampyre? We main need tae examine th' corpses, tae gie an idea o' what's gonnae oan... An' tea be sure they dornt rise up." Overhearing the snippet of conversation as they enter the room, Alasdair stands back. These two gab sae casually o' thes "Doctor".. I wonder if they ken anythin' ay his true nature... an' whit 'at nature might be?
Alasdair nods, "I am nae expert on poisons, but I can perf'rm an analysis on any poison sample we fin'... an' I dae hae mair than a passin' knowledge o' physiology tae gang wi' 'at. So lang as I hae somethin' tae wark from, an' preferably a lab tae wark wi', I should be able tae dae it." He pauses for a moment, clearly in awe of the spellcasters, adding, "Althoogh, unlike thems, onie magic I hae come frae mah bottles, sae I be far less help in sensin' poisons magically, or onie other sort a' bonny spell-makin'.... though it be raither fascinatin'." He shakes his head to clear his mind, and adds (after taking a breath),
Alasdair pats his assorted pockets and pouches, adjusts the mail under his coat, and says, "I hae all 'at I need tae be ready wi' me... more or less." He pauses for a moment to figure out the best way to try to explain his skills, and then says, "I am scholar o' th' things beyond thes warld... Ah hae studied th' tales o' th' auld ones, especially th' sidhe an' other magic beasties... coz I lairned 'at there be truth at the base o' those legends. I am a scientist, an' chirurgeon, able tae tend wounds an' wi' knowledge o' anatomy....an' 'atween playin' in th' highlands, sneakin' intae libraries, an' investigatin' odd happenings in Auld Reekie, I hae some experience in nae bein' seen." He pauses again and flushes a little, If she demonstrated her abilities, then you should admit to yours. "An' I am a chymist.. I have unlocked some o'th' secrets o magic an' th' auld ways... I ken th' power of the elements of th' warld, an' ken hae tae mix them tae great effect."
Alasdair takes in a sharp breath at Nimue's suggestion about the shapechanging, "Dae we ken 'at thes bonny doctor isnae already here? If he can change shape, couldnae he hae come as any o' us tae infiltrate th' crew?" He starts to eye his companions with a bit of suspicion before his own thoughts stop him, Aye, cannie, lad. Ye micht nae want tae start thes when yoo're nae e'en sure 'at yoo're fully human yerself. He stops suddenly, a nervous flush turning his fair skin pink, and tries to change the subject, "If th' witnesses saw somethin', 'at micht be a conversation we're better tae hae awa' frae curious ears. It wouldnae dae fur us tae expose oorselves on our first mission."
A tall, wiry Scot remains in the back, nodding as Holmes speaks. He continues to nod as the others introduce themselves, largely lost in his own thoughts. Finally, he sighs loudly, and says in a thick brogue "Aye, there are things that I dinnae ken happening about. I have seen some of it with my own eyes. I am Alasdair Cinàed, chymyst and chirurgeon, and I wonder, Mr. Holmes, if it was records of my expulsion those years ago that led to me being here. Nae, dinnae answer tha', it matters little. I have always yearned for a sight behind the veil, Mr. Holmes. I willnae go." Alasdair listens quietly to the information, and then asks somewhat bruskly, "I dinnae ken why the Queen would knight a man and name him an enemy of the Realm... Surely something else be afoot?"
Right, alias created, character sheet copied over. Didn't do the physical description yet, but I will -- swapped a feat along the way, also. |