I agree wholeheartedly with you, Deacon. What I mean to say is...
The young man walks one or two steps forward and turns to face Bydar.
I am very grateful for your intervention, reverend Bydar. I got careless, the bandits caught me by surprise and I wouldn't be here if it weren't for your action. I had... other motives to come down south, but if you would take me, I would like to fight for your cause. I may not... look much like a warrior, but I count on years of experience and my ancestors' blessings and will work my earnest in achieving peace for this land.
He solemnly offers a bow, waiting for Bydar's response.
As Alexei approaches Bridgette, she and the others may notice the color or his is a couple shades clearer than normal; it wouldn't take an expert to deduce he's half-blind.
As he returns to his usual background spot, Alexei appears distracted, looking at a random direction slightly closing his eyes.
Spirit-talk:
The moment is upon us, boy. The first step of this battle has to be taken now. The blade must be forged.
But they are stronger, and better trained! I'm just a blind fool who got captured by a couple bandits.
I do not care for your pitiful whining, boy. You will do as I say. I won't suffer a coward to live carrying my name into shame. You are the Blade of the Aldori, and what use is a blade that does not strike true?
I... won't dishonor you, my lord.
He seems to inhale heavily, gathering his willpower around him, and suddenly takes a step forward.
Apparently there is something we need to discuss, good folk. About this Stag Lord and what measures we could take for his defeat. Lady Bridgette, if you have lived on this land and want to see it free from that monter's rule, you could do worse than joining us.
Alexei looks at the newcomer, impressed by her confidence.
That woman is a warrior. Her ancestors are proud and powerful and that shows in her eyes.
Hearing the discussion, he takes a step forward and voices his opinion in a firm voice.
I worry not for the beasts that roam the land, for they hunt on instinct and for survival. But these Stag Lord bandits prey with malice and cruelty, and they have forgotten the faces of their ancestors such is their shame. Dealing with them should be the priority of anyone planning on ruling the land.
Then he suddenly realizes people are staring at his person.
That's that's what I... think, believe.
I'm terrible at the imperial system (I'm brazillian and we use metric here), but Alexei has as slight build of around 1.65 metres tall and 66 kilos.
Raxus, in that way what would happen to leftover money (the money made from selling stuff no one wanted and cash found in the loot)?
My character, for example, wouldn't take any items in the present loot or future ones (seeing as he doesn't need armor and uses an exotic weapon that'll probably never appear as random treasure). What I do need is the gold so in the future I can make up for my shortcomings by buying magic items (AC items, specially). So my character wouldn't take any items on most loots but he would need the cash. Is there a way to balance that?
On the home game I DM, if a person takes an item (magic, masterwork or anything a little more valuable) he forfeits his share of the gold, which is distributed to the others who didn't get any item. Maybe something like that?
In another game I play in these forums, we split loot the following way:
Let's say the loot consists of:
8 Leather Armors (5 gp x 8 = 40 gp)
Masterwork Chain Shirt (125 gp)
2 Masterwork Hand Axes (153 gp x 2 = 306 gp)
4 Daggers (4 gp)
8 Short Swords (5 gp x 8 = 40 gp)
8 Long Bows (37,5 gp x 8 = 300 gp)
285 gp
321 sp = 32.1 gp
Total: 1132.1 gp split 4 ways equals 283.02 gp.
We can either sell everything and everyone takes his share or anyone can pick items and deduct their value from their share. Say Raxus wants one masterwork axe, he takes it and gets still 130 gp from this loot. If he wants to get both, he would have to make up for it since his share doesn't cover it; he would give 23 gold back to the group, which would be divided evenly among everyone else.
It looks complicated but it's completely fair to everyone involved. May be a bit too much metagamey for some, though. If we do end up using it, we would need someone to calculate that stuff; I could do it if nobody else wants to.
Can we run a roll call? I got in the campaign a little time ago and with all the confusion hadn't had a chance to really familiarize myself with everyone.
I can start:
This is Alexei Yoren, Oracle of the Ancestors, Blade of the Fallen Aldori Swordlords. He sees these spirits of warriors long gone and they offer guidance in battle. When the group found him, he was dressed in rags and taken prisoner by bandits, but in the following battle he bedecked himself in spiritual weapons and armor. Since he has just been saved and is quite confused by the whole situation, I've been playing him shy and introverted, but that will probably change in the future as he comes to trust in himself and his abilities.
A young man goes down the battlements to greet the newcomers. He seems distracted for a couple seconds as he turns his head and appears to hear something in the wind. Blinking his eyes back to the situation at hand, he bows clumsily back to the gnome.
My name is Alexei, Alexei Yoren, from from Restov.
He wears simple pants obviously cut out for a bigger man and a simple linen shirt so loose that it sways in the wind. His black hair is tossed by the wind, and his feet rest directly on the grass without shoes. Although his figure is slender and skinny, the keen eye of a men-at-arms may notice his balance is firm and his moves smooth, traits known to experient swordsmen.
He has just bought those clothes from the Trading Post. Peasant's outfit for 1 SP.
Even if I'm frequently like that, I agree on Raxus suggestion. I generally post and after I see no response, I stop checking and only remember a couple days later.
Seeing as his presence was noted, Alexei feels the need to weigh in the conversation.
It... was a mighty battle indeed, my lord. The enemies were plentiful, entrenched in their camp. They had prior knowledge of the field and dominance of the geography, but they couldn't resist the giant's strenght and our superior fighting skills. The spirits of our ancestors are pleased with the outcome of this battle, I can assure you.
I understand the issue, Ryuko. Maybe it really would be better if we restarted the whole thing. That way we could also get to know each other a little closer.
I'm do not mean to bother, milords, I do not know these southern lands, but isn't there anywhere we can lock him up? We had a sizable jail up there at Restov. The man may prove himself useful in the future, maybe even atone to his crimes.
Alexei takes the sheated weapon, fastening it to his simple belt.
Most thankful sir.
Deacon Nasser wrote:
Your magic was...Impressive, during the fight. What manner of spellcaster are you? Some sort of cleric?
For a second the young man looks confused, as if he didn't understand the question.
M-magic? Ah, you mean the spiritual arms? Them spirits, they... chose me for some purpose. The gods... they granted me the sight to see the both worlds, and the spirits help me when they can. I'm not a... cleric as you say, I've barely been to a church, but somehow Gorum and Pharasma allow me to see and command at their name. That's what I think, anyway.
Relieved to be removed from the spotlight, Alexei goes searching for his other meager possessions.
Rubbing his hands to clean the dirt and caked blood, he approaches the gathered men, offering a hand.
I'm... Alexei, Alexei Yoren. Thank you for... your rescue. Sorry to bother, but have you seen my sword around? It is... long and curved. The blade, that is.
Now that he has come into the light, it's easy to see that he's younger than he looked during the fight, probably not even eighteen years old. His hair is a dirty mess, his clothes are ragged and torn, with one shoe missing. His voice is unsteady because of the cold night and raw from shouting during the fight. He almost seems another person from the sword-wielding warrior during the battle.
At the end of the battle, Alexei searches for an enemy, still armed and armored with a ghostly regalia. When he finds none, he falls on his knees, the misty armor breaking into fog and then into nothing.
Spirits bless us, we survived. We are victorious.
As he feels the energy flowing around and restoring his health, he gazes up and finds the various fighters talking. The young man gathers his strenght and gets up, following the sound to its source.
He-Hello? Who is there?
Anyone can see that his ice-blue eyes seem milky and fuzzy, and his slow steps confirm that he's half-blind.
Making a quick small step backwards, Alexei plants his feet firmly in the ground, spacing them evenly in a balanced, defensive stance. He makes a simple gesture with his free hand, whispering to the spirits for their guidance in combat.
Move Action: Five-foot step away from the nearest bandit. Standard Action: Cast divine favor spell.
"Ready yourself, sir. The time for battle is here."
Then, he closes his eyes and starts praying.
"The fires of war have been lit. I thank you for your sign, ancestors, and I will honor your patronage. All I ask is that you give me the means to escape these bonds and fight in your name."
The young man opens his eyes and they seem to have their own pale light. A ghostly mist swirls around his torso, solidifying into a breastplate of ancient design and the devices of long-dead swordmen. Around his closed fist the mist coalesces, taking the shape of a long narrow blade, its intrincaly decorations all formed from half-forgotten dreams.
The blade easily cuts into the bonds, and with a quick twist, it cuts open the other prisoners.
Attack roll to attack the ropes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 for 1d8 ⇒ 8 slashing damage.
Looks fine by me, could be a good distraction so we could free ourselves.
The ragged man opens his icy-blue eyes, trying to get a picture of the people around him. He focus on the two prisoners, wondering why they bothered to gag specifically him. The boy whispers, hoping the bandits won't be able to hear.
"He-hello?", his voice quivering, he looks very much the part of a frightened young man. "Can you hear me?"
Ryuko, would you please recommend a couple languages appropriate to the campaign? Alexei grew up in Restov, but he served at an inn for a good chunk of his life, he would have learned the languages of travelling people around the town.
ooh sorry then. I thought Alexei was probably just tied up and thrown to the side, since he doesn't look troublesome. I deleted the post and will wait on GM feedback.
Err, Ryuko, lemme know if I got a little carried away on the description. As Alexei's spells and abilities are a gift from the gods and his ancestors, I though he could have a good ghostly quality about them. I can easily play down the tone if you'd like a more down-to-earth game, though.
Hey folks, do any of you know if there's any feat to turn a skill into a class skill? I plan to invest into Perception for I'd like to represent Alexei's other sharper senses compensating for his poor vision, and the Alertness feat has been only a small bump.
Only a perceptive onlooker might realize that the dirty bundle of clothes to the side of the camp is actually a skinny young man. Wearing only some torn pants and a ragged oversized shirt, he lies slumped on his side, his hands bound up behind his back, apparently forgotten as he's not likely to represent any danger.
The young man wakes slowly, his head a mess from the knockout blow he suffered. Tasting dirt and blood, he tries opening his eyes. Only darkness and faint shapes greet him, so he closes them and focuses on the sounds.
Ancestors, hear my prayer. Although the wolves circle me, I'm not a sheep to fall prey to their fangs. Help me fight tooth for tooth, give me your advice.
They are many, but they are unprepared. I will honor your patronage, spirits, and will die fighting if need be. Help me give these bandits the fight of their life.
He murmurs, moving his hands in simple prayer. For most, it looks like he's slowly coming to himself, murmuring nonsense while he wakes up.
Alexei is carrying almost no gear whatsoever, figuring he escaped town with only a little stored coin. When we get to some kind of store he should outfit himself, but I like the idea of the party meeting him as a unarmed and unarmored skinny man.
