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In case anyone missed it, Wolfman kicked off the game thread. :)
Bear shakes his head in mock disbelief as he puts away his trusty bourbon flask, the warmth chasing away some of the day's chill, "Poor Udaya. Always havin' a hard time trustin' folk. Well, present company excluded, of course." He mirrors Udaya's demeanor, a strange mix of casual humor and constant wariness, "Plus, my bourbon's runnin' out. Ms. Moonwhisper, you think Ole' Max still has some of the good stuff?" As is often the case, Bear seems to act on Udaya's thoughts, taking point as they push their way through the dreary, crowded market. He casts his blue eyes back over his companions once again, shaking his head as he pushes his bowler hat lower on his head, This certainly is one ragged, mixed crew. The swindler's cries about lucky charms brings him back out of his reverie, and a look of mixed confusion and amusement crosses his big, plain face as he mutters to no one in particular, "… now why does that make me hungry?"
: poke poke : You still with us, Wolfman DM?
Well, dang... who's gonna punch the dark smoke now?
oh yah, you'll fit right in around here.
Sounds like your uncle and my pa learned their craft together. You know the old saying... when you only got sh!t to sell, well... ya sell sh!t. Come to think of it, that's a stupid saying. Plus, as our dear Udaya pointed out, there's only one fine gentleman standin' in here with a fine gentleman's hat on his noggin'. Guess who it aint?
Oh, suuuure. Pile'em, on people. Anyone else got any pot-shots for ole' Bear? : Pulls bowler hat lower and hunkers down : Or are you referring to something in particular on the gear list? :)
well, now that's just hurtful. All this time you've just been using me for my kicks. I feel so cheap. Also, the profile has been recovered! Huzzah!
I'll work on an appropriately witty comeback after my time of deep mourning has passed.
Sigh. Okay, I had the profile updated, and then the site reverted it... ... kill me now.
yes, you may take combat trick as many times as you have rogue talents if you wish. I just have two words for you, sir... ROCK. ON. That is all. :) Now to spend some time reading up on Ustalav.
I realize you already made a decision on the HP thing, but I didn't realize there was a vote until after you chose. If it matters, I'd vote for max HP per level or rolling twice. :) No sweat if you've made up your mind, though. Also, I went ahead and updated Bear with HP, up-to-date feats and skill selections, and gear. Now i'm just waiting to hear from you about the dM boon question i posed earlier. :) Can't wait til this game gets going. : Rubs hands together excitedly :
Very cool! Can I make one additional request on this (not to seem ungrateful)? As I plan to remain largely taking rogue levels, can I also take the Combat Trick rogue talent as many times as I want to really get some benefit out of stacking the two class's level for meeting feat pre-req's? It would effectively make him able to pick up fighter bonus fears more often.
As you lower your mug to the table, your eyes rise to meet those of the newcomer, who regards you with brilliantly bright blue eyes peering out from under a heavy brow, thick dark eyebrows, and a shaved head. He is a solid man - tall and thick-bodied - with powerful-looking arms capable of tirelessly working the finely made falchion peeking over his right shoulder. With his thick body and lack of hair, you could almost miss his elven heritage were it not for the slight tip to his ears and the brilliance of his eyes. His clothes marry a slight Varisian flair and some adopted Ustalav embellishments to an otherwise serviceable practicality… a dark bowler hat on his bald head, a brilliant rainbow of a sash tied around his neck, a simple white shirt tucked into dark pants which are in turn tucked into the heavy black boots of a man who travels. All of these are finished with a heavy leather, long black overcoat.
Story:
The Beginning
Bear's story is mostly unremarkable. He is the second son (of five) of a fairly successful horse-trader (which, like all Varisian horse-traders, is one part horse thief). He and his brothers are about what you'd expect, too… rough, loud, and uncouth. His path was altered slightly in his teens when his older brother died in a terrible horse-fall, breaking his neck on impact. First-born gone, Bear became the ring-leader of his brothers and the inheritor of his father's meager possessions. The Bonehead
The Babe
Physical Description:
Bear is tall for a Varisian, standing just under 6 feet in height. And, like his nick-name would indicate, he is built like a bear… barrel-chested and thick-limbed. He is well-tanned and well-tattooed over much of his body. His bright blue eyes sit in a face which unfortunately wears a slightly unintelligent look most of the time. Which is odd considering is above average mental capacity. Motivation:
Money, Adventure, and Udaya… everything else is just gravy. *winks*
Deep down, he'd aways been an okay guy, and Udaya has been working on that. We'll say he's got chaotic and good leanings, but he's still a fairly pragmatic individual. Additionally, because of Bear and his family's history of "horse-trading" (read swindling, conning, and straight-up horse-thievery) he's got a number of people looking for him in a number of towns in Varisia. This is why he's no longer in Varisia. (Wolfman, this is straight up, built in hooks if you need them in Varisia - or anywhere else, for that matter.) People are after him. He owes them money, horses, really any number of things, and Bear's not really up to paying them off. Beargle "Bear" Zstellian
Languages: Common, Elven, Orc, Goblin, Varisian
Crunch: HP: ? = 10 + 1d10 + 3d8 + 10 con
str 18 dex 14 con 14 int 13 wis 10 cha 14 Initiative +2
DEFENSE
Immune: Sleep Fort +6 = 3ftr + 1rog + 2con
OFFENSE
Falchion +9 (2d4 + 7; 18/x2)
ABILITIES
FEATS
SKILLS
+13 Bluff (5) + 3 focus +8* Climb (1) +7 Diplomacy (3) +8 Disable Device (1) +2 tools +6 Handle Animal (1) +6 Intimidate (1) +6 Knowledge: Local (3) +6 Linguistics (2) +7 Perception (2) + 2 racial +4 Profession: Horse-trader (1) +10* Ride (5) +7* Sleight of Hand (2) +4 Sense Motive (1) +10* Stealth (5) +4 Survival (1) +8* Swim (1) GEAR+1 Mithral Chin Shirt, Ring of Protection +1, Amulet of Natural Armor +1, Black Leather Overcoat (Cloak of Resistance +1), Efficient Quiver, +1 Dark Iron Falchion, Mwk Alchemical Silver Kukri, Mwk Comp. Shortbow (+3 pull), arrows x40, Dagger x5 (concealed), Mwk Punching Dagger (disguised as a belt buckle), Mwk Thieve's Tools, Taveler's Outfit, Courtier's outfit, Backpack, Shovel, Crowbar, Winter Blanket, Chance (Combat trained Light Warhorse), Military Saddle, Saddlebags x2, 137.5g
Well, dang... if your wife goes ranger, that might make Bear unnecessary, huh?
Been monitoring this for a while, and was wondering what were your thoughts on lycans? i saw that Bestiary races were allowed, but I don't know that this applies to lycans as well. If you're game to considering it, take a look at Bear (but avoid looking at his character sheet as is… I'm keeping his personality/story, but gutting his class choices). Bear:
Build
Beargle "Bear" Zstellian is a modified Were-bear human. He'll level as a ranger. Personality/history Bear is… well… a bear of a man. Huge, blunt, loving the outdoors and adventure. He grew up training to be a horse trader (read: horse thief), and is one of the better trackers of his family/community. He's the oldest of his brothers, all of whom have been killed or imprisoned because of their "family business". He's rough, he's tough, and he just loves a good time. He's got a surprisingly tender heart for people in need, especially the kiddo's. And he's ridiculously loyal to those he deems "his own". He was built to run with Udaya, and he did in antoer game. They were a fun pair to play… which is why i'm tossing my hat in here. My goal for the guy would be to keep the power-level in check (by dropping or removing the DR and choosing an animal with under a CR of 1.. .in this particular character's situation, re-skinnign a regular wolf's stats to say it's a small bear. my thought on DR: DR has always been the biggest hurtle when using low CR critters to make lycans. Everything else balances out with the hit to your level, but that stupid DR/5 or DR/10 is just too powerful at low levels. My thought is to either remove it entirely or do a DR/(1/2 Hit Die). This means if the character has one class level (one hit die), the dR wold only be one. Once he hits level 4, DR goes up to DR/2. And so on and so on. Much less difficult for the DM to build balance dparty encounters for.
I don't know, man… pretty big… um… shoes to fill. Bear, is there any way you'd like me to handle your character's departure? Nav:
To be honest, I'm fine with whatever. I'm not sure I love the idea of him dying at all, but if he's gotta go, he should go in a big way. If you want an alternative (something non-death-related), you could play off of the reason he was in town in the first place. Maybe his youngest brother, the only one left alive and the one he was here getting out of trouble, has gotten into trouble again and Bear's off to dig him out of it… again. This plays up his protective nature. If this is the way, either BEar would have said goodbye to Udaya in person, a surprisingly somber and serious goodbye, and let her relay it to the others. Or he wold have left a note to her, sadly saying he had to skip town quickly and didn't have time to say goodbye personally. Nothing overly sappy, but hinting at the fact that there was more to his feelings for her than emotion. Oh, and if he did this, he needs to have stolen a horse on the way out.. drop that in somehow… as he's a horse thief.
Either way. I'll be checking in. Yall have some fun, now.
Hey, all. I gots some bad news. I said it would happen... and it did. Self-fulfilling prophecy, right? I don't have enough time to keep up with this game. I'm gonna go ahead and bow out. Navior, you've done a good job here, and it was fun to play. My pbp eyes were larger than my metaphorical pbp stomach, as it were. I'll be watching the game, though, and I hope it continues to go well. "Don't anyone go gettin' themselves killed, okay?"
"I have no intention of actually performing here, guys. I'm al for using Vene's cover, but only so long as it's necessary to get in and find out what we need. With that in mind, what all equipment might we need for this little venture into a mine where we'll probably fight all kinds of freaks, undead, or worse?"
Once Smenk waddles out, Bear turns to the others and casts Detect magic to make sure there isn't any magical surveillance on them, while listening for eavesdroppers.
Bear turns to the group and shrugs, "i think we need to check out this cult thing; I just didn't want Smenk thinking we were working for him for free." He gives another paranoid look around, "Maybe we should do any more planning on more neutral ground?"
Bear's head c0cks to the side, running a meaty hand over his freshly-shaven scalp, "That is a good story, Smenk. But I'd bet my ass's weight in platinum that you're hands aren't as clean in this as you say they are." He shrugs, "And I gotta say, I don't really gives a rat's ass about this town of yours. If you want us to do your dirty-work, you might have to be a hellofalot more convincing than that. What exactly is it that you want us to do here, anyway?"
"Not trying to be blunt here, but I'd prefer to know what this is all about."
My guess would be because there are possibly dozens of dm's who have done the same thing and the avatar name is taken? And this is a way of personalizing it so you can use the name? just a guess.
Bear takes a whiff of the questionable substance, recoiling, "Shoo.. glad we don't have to drink this stuff." And duplicates Kullen's application.
"I'm fine with that idea, Kullen. My only concern is that I wouldn't want to put you in an awkward position. I know your loyalty is with Smenk. If things didn't go well, I'd hate for our actions or the repercussions of them to fall back on you." Not to mention that if it comes to fighting, we'll have one more opponent to deal with. "So I'll let you make that call."
Bear chuckles and pushes out a chair with his foot, "Wouldn't have offered if I wasn't." "Kullen, I figure we just got off on the wrong foot. No reason we can't be friends." and he waves over the waitress, using the motion to give Hell-cat and Dara a 'bear with me' look.
Bear watches the exchange between Freddy and half-orc, "Listen, Kullen, there's no need to come in here and be all belligerent to my friends. i think we can all agree that fighting between you and us doesn't help anyone. Thanks for giving us Smenk's message, by the way. If I thought you'd accept, I'd offer to buy you breakfast. Hell, the offer's there if you want it." 'Catch more flies with honey', ma always said. He thinks as he regards the half-orc. "There anything else we should know before we decide whether or not to head over there?"
Since I have already proven that my ability to track xp appropriately is shaky at best, anyone have a current xp tally?
"I see nothin' else lootable."
Bear smiles confidently, "Venny here loves wizards. I'm sure it's just the fact that we don't really know Allustan all that well."
Bear picks up the diadem, "I'm surprised you're so willing to even touch it, frankly." He holds the diadem up for a few seconds, then shrugs, "This will boost someone's perceptions and mental fortitude. It might also benefit our Songbird's spell-casting somewhat. Not much use to me. Who wants it?"
Bear picks himself up off his elbows (where he'd been half-dozing through breakfast), the table giving a loud groan at the release of his not insignificant weight. He gives a satisfied yawn and wipes his face with his meaty hands, his voice a muffled as he speaks, "Sounds good to me." He takes a sip of his warmed tea, "I can't think of anything else we'd need before we head back out of town, though I need to re-supply my trick components." "But, like I said yesterday, I think we should stick together while in town."
"I guess there's nothing for it, then." Bear cuts his eyes over to where the girl waits and shakes his head, "Well.. uh.. have fun, you two… I guess."
Bear laughs at Kullen's offer to Hellcat. "I don't think you know what you're asking for, bud. Thanks for holding up your end of the bargain, Kullen. Always good to have dependable people to work with." With that, he takes a look over at Freddie. "You think our other friend is still awake this time of night? Or should we wait til the morning?"
"Kullen" Bear smiles, "if we'da known you were bringin' a girl home, we'd have dressed up." He shakes his head, "Though I gotta say, it's not nice to make your guests wait. Mind if we have a chat?"
As they pass back through the halls of the mysterious place, Bear speaks up from his usual place at the back, "I don't think it's a good idea to split up when we get near town. We're starting to gain some real enemies. The half-orc has probably told his boss about our questions regarding the Necro. And since Smenk and the necro were friends, I'm pretty sure he's not gonna be happy with us. Plus, you saw how easy it was for us to take down that half-orc when he was alone… I don't fancy what kind of trouble we'd get into if one or two of us got caught alone and unprepared by his crew. That's actually why I wanted to stop in on him first - and unannounced. Ask him directly if he's squealed on us. Maybe he'll be able to give us a heads up on what's waiting for us from Smenk." He pauses and looks at you all while you walk, "What do yall think?"
As Bear looks around for the exit, he laughs, "Hey, you can come over and play with'em anytime you want, but I'm afraid they stay where they are."
Bear grabs his crotch, "Well, they aint crystal, but… wait, what were we talkin' about?"
Bear hisses and whispers, "Back off!" He looks around, "What did that thing just say?" He says as he readies his blade.
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