Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Arrus stares at the scene and takes in details as he starts to back away, inching towards the back door. He finally breaks his attention and turns to open it and exit through the back.
Just outside the door he stops to tighten the cloth wraps on his fists. Clenching them he heads towards the front, thinking to come into the main entrance and flank the entire common-room scene with his companions.
Just as he approaches the last corner to the front-side of the tavern, he slows down and just pokes his head around to peek and survey the entrance...
[double move] circling around to the front of the tavern
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Okay, so the characters might think to head out back and circle around, but they don't realize what else they'll find there.
Given no map, is that a double move to circle around back?
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
The scene outdoor is clearly a meta cut-scene which our characters have no notion of, correct? I.e., sure there are windows but we don't obviously notice the gang collecting at the front-door?
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
DM Ray wrote:
In that vein, let's keep all dice rolls under Spoiler Tags in Gameplay. Please. And Thanks!
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Well... this just got interesting. Janiven! To the back of this room! The order may seem uncouth or abrupt against what she's used to from nobles that frequent this place, but the situation certainly became less than polite.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Arrus laughs sheepishly when Janiven gives him a look. He stands and turns to watch events unfold in the common room, purposely avoiding her gaze.
Oh... never mind. he mutters as the new scene takes hold.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
The brawler frowns and furrows his brow as his direct question is dodged.
Hmm, the opera. I suppose that's a lead. I need to figure out who she is not so tight-lipped with. Are there any nobles she might have upset? Say, she used them at first and climbed over their body to get to the next better noble, so-to-speak. He looks at her expectantly, hoping for any more direct clue.
Request (diplomacy):1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11oof
Arrus glances back and forth between the door and Janiven after the sudden silence sets in, waiting to see if she'll open it (until she does!)
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
That makes sense. I certainly don't mean to short-circuit the RP more than is necessary to avoid tediousness.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Still here :) But yes, this January has been something else... it's not affecting me as a player at least.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
The next time Janiven Key re-enters Arrus pulls her aside.
So... I know I'm not one of the usuals here, but I could us some information on a specific noble. Can you help me with that?
He tries to give his best cordial smile.
diplomacy:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
If it works...:
Great! My subject is Lady Felina Imvius... First I want to know who's been spreading rumors of her conducting illegal sacrifices. What would you know about that?
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Oh right. I could just wait for her to return and try some checks.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Arrus leans towards Renzio, asking What do you hear out there? Has the commotion died down? This night is as good as any to circulate amongst the tavern goers and extract some information on the good lady. I have to admit I won't be able to figure out much about her in my usual, non-noble haunts.
He rolls his eyes, clearly feeling a little out of place at this tavern.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
DM Ray wrote:
You can attempt the Gather Info Skill to get more details on Lady Felina, yes. I think roleplaying those attempts would be good, too.
This is what I figured. I just wanted to clarify any mechanics. Some treat it as the constant mechanic against any RP, some treat it as a less-common hand-wave exception against a routine using more specific diplomacy social checks in all instances of RP, etc etc.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Arrus nods again, feeling like this plan has some space to breath now with that diversion.
Yes, no need to rush things. We should continue collecting information on her and following up on rumors. I'd like to confirm that she does, indeed, have additional enemies by the time that we get back to this.
DM: Are the above leads basic Gather Info attempts?
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Arrus nods knowingly at Renzio. Then, he looks to the side, again entering a thoughtful reverie while continuing to speak to the Arvanxi children.
How prominently do you believe you stand out to her? I'm sure she's made many enemies, but what we'd like is for her to not have an obvious idea of who mind have put out the "job" on her. Or, better, if there are others she would think of more immediately to blame.
His gaze returns to the table as he takes another drink from his ale mug.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
As Talia rattles off details Arrus leans over, looks down at the table, and taps his fingers rhythmically as he processes them.
Hmm. The times she's alone would be good. How much should this hurt?
He looks up at Talia, and then Renzio as he asks this.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Arrus quickly enters the room. He's fairly happy to be out of the common room.
Wow... that was a lot of noise. I've never seen so many competing performances at one time...
Relaxed in this new place, he casually pulls out a chair and sits down, setting his head in his hands for a moment.
Okay, so to business. Rezio, Talia, I just need a name and a few key details for this noble that you want to get at. From there I can do some legwork and come up with a reasonable opportunity.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Arrus withers when Janiven tells them the private room is open.
Can we please escape this throng of social theatre and get back there where we can think?
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
oh, scratch that, that example is literally from the carrion crown. I don't know how I misread that so badly.
Anyway, I'll figure out something for a specialized investigate.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
So per my suggestion of CoT, I didn't expect that to grant poke-through-plot. I imagined that at best it conveys better knowledge of rumors and hints. Not knowing how this AP is written maybe that's not realistic.
I can just go with the Whispering Way if that's more reasonable. The character is interested in societies or groups that would oppose nobles per his Conspiracy Hunter trait.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Arrus frowns and leans into the table, attempting the block out all of the surrounding noble-noise. He turns to Tiknesr.
Have ysoki representatives tried to broker peace with him? Has this been rejected? What I imagine would not be good, is if it turns into a back-and-forth power struggle in that realm while the entitled nobles back here take advantage of the local in-fighting. No, what you need is a way to keep Whitechin focused on surfacers as his real foe. The ysoki should make him see he needs an ally badly.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Ideas:
Sense Motive: criminals or thugs (maybe that's not narrow enough)
Investigate: council of thieves
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
oh, somehow I missed that. I only picked two background ranks for Arrus. I'll fix that soon, but perhaps I should wait a bit and find something relevant.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Arrus is going to grouse generally about nobles in his corner of the table.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Arrus watches the various goings on with vague amusement. Some of the noble interactions have to be pointed out to him. To him, they all held some damnable self-entitlement in his mind.
Sometimes to pass the time he'll ask Renzio why a noble did something strange. When the Baroness bellows out her announcement he flashes a private, sarcastic look to the rest of the table (facing away from her) that says oh, well then.
I need another mug of "culture" he mutters under his breath.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Before...
Arrus declines any food at their new table but orders a whiskey neat.
Tiknesr Th'th'th'th'slifp wrote:
"Aaaah, you must be Arrus. Renzo mentioned you. Tiknesr Th'th'th'th'slifp, at your service." The little rat-man holds out a small, soft hand to shake. "Time to begin planning some revenge eh? Let's begin then! Heeheeheheeheehee."
Arrus seems stunned for a moment, then recovers quickly. I... will try to pronounce that correctly in time. Huh. He didn't mention you. But then... we just started this little venture.
Talia Fireskin wrote:
She looks around, "But we're not here to talk about my arrangements."
Right down to it. Excellent. You do want to really get this guy after all. Focusing on goals doesn't hurt.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
He gives her a smirk as he turns to follow them, remarking Ah. Rank. I thought I was with you and Renzio to get "rank."
He habitually rubs his calloused hands together as they go.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Arrus frowns as he approaches Vizio's.
Not my first choice... but meeting them halfway.
He self-consciously tugs his hood tighter around his head to conceal his face as best he can. This is one of the few times he appreciates having a plain, easily-mistakable face. Just as he rounds the corner he sees his target door slamming a final inch.
Hmm, I'm not the first one here.
Stepping up to the discrete panel he knocks in the familiar, shared sequence: 3-1-2. It feels silly. The panel slides open and he irreverently recites The sixth sent me with an embarrassed, withering look.
Arriving at the room he sees Talia getting up from her seat.
Talia, we're not staying here to talk in private? Where is Renzio?
Pulling back his hood, you see a young but gruff face that looks like it's been aged a little much for his age. His chin-length hair frames the plain face.
He notes the server, nodding and flashing a quick, polite smile to her.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
DM: Before I proceed, how far along were you imagining the "revenge plot" was? My thought was that my character had already met with Rezio and Talia a good amount (so, an established relationship). I think some others even had the idea that the specific plot might have been in the past. How much were you looking to weave it into the main AP plot?
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
I'm going to assume there are zero-more posts on the old thread, to keep the daily checking simple.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Not up-front though, right? For most that would be taken at 2nd level (giving some time to mull it over).
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
re: Obsidian Portal: I'm game to give it a try. There are many times to the Paizo boards get me thinking I need to get more serious about other options, like MythWeavers. So, I'm flexible on this.
Extracting maps from PDFs: I've had a lot of luck searching for PDF image extractors on the web (where you upload the file and they produce a zip file of images for you). If WebTools make you uncomfortable, TokenTool is locally runnable.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
I won't respond individually to the other posts. You've answered my questions, TY!
I could buy a little more gear, and need to pick two languages due to INT, but otherwise this character is ready to start.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
DM Ray wrote:
I never really had a problem with having more than one 'type' of Trait -- such as two Campaign Traits. I'm more concerned with balance. It kinda seems that Traits published later in Paizo's libris of Crunch get progressively more powerful -- and ludicrously more convoluted. But as long as they aren't obviously ridiculous I don't mind. Remember that Trait bonuses don't stack so two separate Traits that give a bonus to Lore of Nobility, or Initiative, or something, don't stack.
Arrus' are Conspiracy Hunter and Westcrown Firebrand. TBH I picked these purely on the flavor, so I didn't give power much thought. They seem simple enough.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
DM Ray wrote:
Arrus Volso wrote:
Could a low level character have gone toe to toe with (a Shadow Creature)?
.
I can't give an answer, really.
...
Feel absolutely free to include in your backstory that you encountered a Shadow Creature -- in the rough or crude shape of a dog such as a dobermann pinscher. .... But as for going toe-to-toe with one, ....
No this is perfect. So I'll leave out as a *main* element. His background went away from the original idea of "protect shops from the shadows" anyway. Thank you!
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
On wealth, since my character was working class I was thinking start with PFS standard 150gp. MG instead suggested split the diff between max by-class wealth of Brawler and Rogue (so 200 gp).
Separately, I substituted Lore of nature (oozes, abberations) for Knowledge (dungeoneering) as a class skill.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
Arrus Volso wrote:
Great! I hadn't chosen between those two traits, but if i chose that one I'll note this (but I was leaning this way).
Oh, and was the option to take two campaign traits there?
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
DM Ray wrote:
@ Arrus Volso,
Lord Sidonai Drovenge has recently returned to Westcrown from abroad. Considering his backstory -- unknown to the PCs -- he probably makes a pretty good choice for a noble who just bought the property on which your family has run a business, and is selling it or whatever -- is evicting your parents.
...
You may want to change your most hated House from Thrune to Drovenge. Lord Sidonai Drovenge, specifically.
Perfect, thank you!
DM Ray wrote:
I like everything else about your backstory, too.
Great, thanks! I intend to flesh out some more details of formative encounters to give it more weight, or edge. E.g., he's hesitant to take the job from the Arvanxi kids, but is under a heavy debt for some reason from his underworld ties. I wonder if this would make an interesting hook into anything in the AP?
DM Ray wrote:
For your Trait, Conspiracy Hunter, go ahead and make it a +2 bonus.
Great! I hadn't chosen between those two traits, but if i chose that one I'll note this (but I was leaning this way).
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
DM Ray wrote:
I don't know what this means: 'Delita from FFTactics but without the grandiose ambition (and princess kidnapping). Also he’s not a knight.'
Lol, the notes file I opened to you has some raw thoughts (and that was a reference to a character I was drawing some inspo from). The above posted summary is a cleaner version of the bits I'm finalized on.
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
DM Ray wrote:
Shadow Creatures:
Yes it is possible to have had an encounter of some kind with a Shadow Creature and have a strong hatred for them and what they've done to Westcrown for the past 100 years since they appeared after Aroden's disappearance.
Well, not just encounter but the direct question is could a low level character have gone toe to toe with one?
Male Medium Human Gestalt Brawler (Snakebite Striker)/Unchained Rogue 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 17, T 15, FF 12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+7 W+0 | Init +6 | Perc +4 (+5 vs traps) | Speed 30ft | Active Conditions: None.
PaleDim here. The writing is still rough, but wanted to get the coherent picture out to rejoin the flurry of activity here :)
Origin and formative:
Arrus comes from the modest background of a working class family amidst the sea of low-born rabble that live along the peninsula, in Parego Spera.
He grew up surrounded by wooden toys, as his father was a woodworker in the area making fine wooden furniture, ornate boxes, and of course toys. He built up something of a business that was well known in their neighborhood, and began teaching his son how to use the tools.
Just as he is coming of age, his father’s business is thrown into turmoil. A merchant of one of the moderate noble houses arrives in the neighborhood to take over a range of manufacturing businesses. Most resist, but his house has the ability to cut off, or increase the cost of incoming supplies (such as wood fit for crafting fine furniture). Before long, Arrus’ father was forced to accept a paltry buyout offer and found himself an employee of the offending noble house (TODO pick a good relevant one to hate :P)
Early career:
To deal with his family’s hardships, Arrus falls in with unsavory crowds, taking guard and security detail work at various local businesses. This is the time that really hardens him and begins his personal resentment of the nobles of Westcrown. He’s literally scratching out a living to make up for what was taken from his father.
He tells his family his work is among tamer choices, such as courier and goods delivery. However, he turns out to be relatively successful at what he does and starts getting assignments protecting locations from the shadow creatures that roam Westcrown in the night, or rooting out creatures in the sluices of the undercity for clandestine organizations that use them for smuggling.
By this time he’s getting fairly streetwise, skirting the city curfews, and knowing who to work with and who to avoid. When the Bastards of Erebus emerge, he begins keeping tabs on them for his own safety and that of his family.
An unusual job:
A strange request arrives one day via an intermediary that doesn’t seem anything like his usual unsavory employers. He’s surprised to arrive at a nicer establishment, Vizio’s Tavern, near the edge of Parego Spera where he his seated with two apparent children of House Arvanxi. Speaking discreetly, they describe a need to track down other nobles who gravely wronged the sister, Talia, to enable some manner of revenge. It seems they inquired and learned of Arrus’ talents from locals: a formidable street-fighter, a slippery shadow, a clean operative, an astute tracker. The only thing is… he isn’t actually a tracker. The rest is true though.
But these are nobles. He’s incredibly uneasy at the prospect of working with them, but he’s in a tough spot (TODO) and he was young and needed the money! However, he is continually surprised by these two as they seem a little different from other nobles. Renzio confides in him about an organization he’s heard of before, but only in whispers: The Council of Thieves. Arrus has long thought this organization might be the one that could be utilized to break up the grip that the noble houses have on Cheliax. Energy seems palpable as the two begin forming a bond over this idea as they set out to plan their immediate revenge plot…
Arrus Volso
CN Human Gestalt Rogue+(Slayer or Brawler/Unchained Monk) (currently leaning brawler)
Rogue - for his own purposes, skulking around the city past curfew and getting into places he’s not supposed to be (infiltration).
Slayer or unchained monk because he is a fist/sword for hire.
