Brem's page

Martials need to be better. The current bar set by casters is so high, that martials need to be legendary in order to reach it. Mind Control, Teleportation, are superhero level powers. No amount of adding to fighters keeps them from sucking when 4 casters all cast dominate person or a similar on him/her in the 1st round of combat.

I usually just play the rules as written. As my group went back through the years and recounted our most memorable characters more of them were martials than casters so there is something not quantifiable there at work for my group.

I sometimes make a few changes when I would want to limit magic power.
Here are some.

Fatigue line effects mental stats as well as physical. (Kirth I believe does this as well)

Wizards and Sorcerers MUST have some specialization. I usually use three tiers. There are two Primary Schools, three secondary schools and the rest. They can use 0 - 3rd level spells from all schools. 4th - 6th level they can only use universal and their secondary/primary school spells. 7th - 9th they can only use universal and primary schools.
Sometimes I change it to lose a school at each new spell level but this is more bookkeeping.

Divine are similar except spell lists are not organized into schools but instead spheres of influenced based mostly on domains. They get all domains of their deity. 2 at first adn the others at later levels. They van cast all 0 - 3rd level spells on spell list. 4 - 6th level within any sphere of power they have chosen (9 Larger list of spells than current domains) and 7th - 9th within only their 2 primary spheres of power chosen.

This reduces the ability to do everything but in play I see high level casters still very effective.

The final piece is this, and it is perhaps the most important, I let certain spells be cast within different schools. Someone wants healing to be in necromancy and can explain how that works for their character... GREAT, they have cure spells that are officially school necromancy. Someone wants mage armor to be abjuration... sure. Sometimes this changes some aspect of the spell, but oh well. If players can argue it, cool.

Was this ever answered?

Prayer

Sarenrae, Lady of Light, tomorrow blood will be spilled. Give me the strength to protect the meek. Grant me the courage to halt my blade. Give me the words to turn the heart of even one aggressor so that they may begin redemption for any transgressions. I know that that I will not change the hearts of them all, but perhaps I can save a few. Help me to have patience and give me the heart to stay true to your calling.

SLEEP

I wake up at dawn

I understand that blood may be shed as per the charter. However, the charter calls for the use of the sword or rope for all unrepentant banditry. This means they must first be given the chance to repent, as per our charter.

I gave Brem the Scion of Humanity racial trait. He looks human

Brem looks intensely to Xichi,

This may come as a surprise to you Xichi, but I was a bandit for some time. I had plenty of grime and blood under my own fingernails. I probably know more about the lifestyle than any here.

That being said, there could be blood, there most likely will be blood, but words cost nothing and so we might as well spend some. Either way your concept of strength and mine are very different.

Looking at the others he adds,

Any other thoughts toward more specifics for this plan?

Brem smiles and laughs! The laughter is not mocking but genuine and pleased.

Agrona, you are an interesting one! I too favor work redemption to death. It gives people a chance to learn about their strengths, themselves, and even better if they can also learn a trade! Will you stand by me then, if I am allowed to speak to these bandits first?

Slavery isn't popular in these parts and I don't know how to play bones.

Brem appears thoughtful as he listens to the others and their thoughts on the morrow and its happenings. Then he says to Svetlana,

Svetlana I am so sorry that you have had to go through this these last few months. Unfortunately as my comrades here have stated, we must act. It is in our charter and truthfully it is the right thing to do. You deserve peace here and as unpopular as this is going to sound, the bandits deserve to have their hands forced in making a life change that brings them out of their rut. I say unfortunately only because if we should put up a fight with the few that come, it is very likely that this could get a lot worse before it gets better. Now, we Svetlana, we need to know that we have you and your husbands support on what we will need to do here. Your kindness has been great and I hope that we can repay you in action. Please let me know how we can make these next few days easier for you and please let us know if we ever ask too much of you.

Then looking to the rest of the troupe...

I am not sure that we should make any changes to the facilities. Perhaps it would be best if they come fully within these walls entirely unaware of any danger on their part. We do not want them getting spooked and running off to get this hatchet girl. Instead, lets take them by surprise.

Agrona mentioned surrender. I would like to see these people given a chance to turn themselves over. Our charter mentions the sword and rope being used only on unrepentant banditry. We first must give them a chance to repent. With that in mind...

I suggest we let them in unaware. We close the gate. Then Agrona and I can have a little talk with them. I can give them an explanation of their option. If they feel cornered and as if they have no options, then they will fight to die. I will represent the first option, the hope for life and Agrona's presence can be a physical representation of their other option, death.

If we can manage to get the leader to surrender then the others will likely follow suite. Meanwhile the rest of us can be ready for a fight, some hidden others visible to add to the importance of taking the option for hope. If we fight, we take down the leader then the rest will lay down arms.

Regardless of the best plans and no matter what happens, these bandits hurt no one from this point on.

Brem waits for the responses of the others knowing that the idea of surrender will not please everyone, because it never does.

Brem says,

We must be patient. The task for which we have come is not a sprint but a race, besides relations IS a large part of of our task

Then smiling and saying louder,

besides, our hostess' company is is much more pleasant than that of bandits and thieves.

Svetlana, what can you tell us about the happenings here and to the south? What is the current climate?

Brem notes Gavriil's offer, and hopes that the two will become comrades.

He stops himself from giving an approving nod, knowing that some would see his approval as haughty.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Brem looks around at Oleg's both as they approach and as they enter. He is surprised. It is bigger than he had expected.

Getting right to it he says.

It is a pleasure to meet you Svetlana Leveton. We are the adventurers sent to explore the greenbelt. I can provide a copy of our charter if you would like. However, some food and drink would be very much appreciated as of now. My name is Brem Sarason. This here is Qui, Gavriil, Xichy, Blake and Agrona. Thank you in advance for your hospitality.

he ends with a sleight bow.

I play cards. Just never for money with someone who keeps a deck of cards on them! Still it sounds a lot better than all of us standing around trying to size one another up. We have plenty of time for that later

He says with a large grin!

I am going to go try and meet some of the mercs and others with whom we travel. I'll be back in a moment and would love to play when I return, but I usually do not put much on the table.

Brem walks off a short distance to introduce himself to the others.

To Xichi Xicki is easier for me to say sir, and so thank you for that option.

So this half-orc was unlike most it seemed, based on the manner in which others spoke to him.

to Gavriil, It is nice to meet you.

Brem was a little interested in the interest that he seemed to create. Though out of politeness he did not try to overhear any of what was passing between the two. Instead he stands, listening and waiting to see if any other will introduce themselves.

Hello. My name is Brem. I hope that it will prove
to be a pleasure to meet you He smiles as he looks around at the others gathered. The smile does not leave his face as he speaks with joy.

I do look forward to getting to know each of you and learning from you and about you. I am afraid that I have not gathered your names and I was wondering what it is that you each prefer to be called?

Brem had been distracted during his prayers. His mind kept trying to wander back to the parchment within his pack. He feared he might be late as his prayers thus took longer than usual.

His belt pouch felt heavier than it should. The additional 18 gold coins were an alien weight. Two coins now resided in the coffers of the church of Sarenrae.

Turning the corner Brem could see his destination. His whistle grew only slightly louder. He often whistled when he was trying to not grin from ear to ear.

Approaching the caravan he attempts to take in his fellow travelers as he looks for someone who may need an extra set of hands to get this caravan moving.

Oh, hello Xichikitte and Quicaryn! You came in while I was not looking!

Hello Blake, Agrona, and Gavriil. I hope that you are doing well.

I will be ready for this journey momentarily.

I am Brem.