That would explain a lot actually. Ugh, I've had two games either end or go on indefinite hiatus this week, and now this... oh well, c'est la vie.
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While immediately aware of the situation, Cal appears slow to react, as though he didn't get enough sleep the night before.
Sorry, new computer had my attention the last few days. I've posted; Ansha and Cal will need a horse, preferably two if they're available.
After the grim deed is done, Cal nods silently at Oleg and bounds off to join Ansha. Appearing reflective to her inquiry, Cal responds "We should probably catch up; if the others ask, reinforcements came... or we could tell the truth, but I suspect Numalar at the very least will be furious with me if we come clean." Shrugging his should, Cal sighs "Whatever. Makes no difference to me in the end, but what they don't know won't hurt them." Grabbing some provisions, Cal helps prepare for their departure from Oleg's Trading Post. Before leaving, Cal hollers up at Oleg somewhat urgently "Oleg, can you please make sure to take those bodies down before we get back? If they're still hanging up there when we get back, the others will have my neck."
As his companions disappear out of sight, Cal passes Ansha as he makes way towards the wall to help Oleg. He notes her reaction, and returns a grave look "Sina varna horya, lyë sína." Translation:
"This is the safe move, you know that." Hoping up on the wall to join Oleg with a length of rope, Cal prepares to administer some frontier justice. After furnishing the line, Cal looks to Oleg and quietly ponders "I wish there was another way, but you and I both know that this is the safest thing for your family, and my companions." Glancing down at the bandits, Cal sighs and adds "Best make sure Svetlana is inside... I'd tell Ansha to do the same, but I suspect she might be tougher than she appears."
Sounds good!
So a question of alignment... I realize in hindsight that I made Cal neutral good, yet with his present attitude towards the bandits, I feel that I'm way off the mark. I think somebody in this group needs to do this for our own safety, and while I have no problem with Cal being that person - maybe an alignment change is in order, perhaps at least to neutral? I don't know, what are you're thoughts folks? When I'm running a game, I tend to challenge players when they occasionally stray far from their alignment disposition, and I think it only fair I hold myself to that same standard. Luckily, it's early in the game too, so best bring this stuff up here and now.
Nodding at Ansha with a smile, Cal responds cordially "Arwenamin, tanka caela." Turning his gaze to the bandits with a wicked glare, Cal slowly squints his eyes into a scowl in an attempt to unnerve them.
Without a word, the intent of his glare is clear to the bandits... You're in my hands now. Translation from above: "A great idea my lady."
We'll have time for recriminations later." Scratching the back of his head, Cal shrugs his shoulder and sighs somewhat remorsefully while speaking in elven "Amin hiraetha Ansha." Translation:
"Sorry Ansha." Glancing over at Numalar, Cal puts his hands up in a somewhat defensive motion and reiterates "Well, if Happs escaping wasn't proof enough that we need string these criminals up, then I don't know what is... I'm just saying." Having said his piece, Cal gets about the business of packing for the road ahead, clearly having said his piece and having nothing more to add.
No worries Numalar, glad you're having fun with it after all; I myself have wanted to do Kingmaker forever, so I can understand.
Waking up to the scream, Cal quickly hops out of his bedroll and rushes with sword drawn to see what the commotion was about. With a long hard look at the bindings that once held their charge, Cal shakes his head and gravely adds "I hate to say I told you so," pausing, Cal smirks and rolls his eyes before adding "wait, who am I kidding, I don't hate saying it at all... I told you so." Sword still drawn, Cal moves towards the other captors "One night, and we already have an escapee; are you all still sure that you want to take the risk with these ones as well? I mean, we're just lucky that Happs didn't free these ones and kill us in our sleep."
Oleg grunts at Linora, and looks as if he's about to answer, but stops short as Ansha approaches him. He sighs, shaking his head at her words, "You'll forgive me if I'm not convinced. 'Justice' would be the rope, not taking them out into the woods where they can all get free and run wild again." With a shrug, Cal nods at their grumpy host and adds "Well sir, I for one agree with you... but I've been out voted it seems." Glancing over at their quarry, Cal rolls his eye one last time, resigned to the fact they would be dragging this potentially dangerous dead weight with them. Justice out here looks much different then it would back in Restov; maybe a few weeks out here might change my new found companions mind. Picking through the stocks, Cal muses "Oleg, you got any spare horse feed? I for one have no intent on wasting good food on these reprobates if I don't have too." Looking over at the bandits again, Cal smiles bemusedly, perhaps suggesting to them that he's kidding... ... or perhaps not.
Glaring with quiet fury at Happs as he berates Oleg, Cal shakes his head and mutters to Ansha Elven:
"Good thing he listened to you and held his tongue; I'd have happily kicked his teeth in for talking to our hosts in such a manner." Clearly still not availed of the idea of taking the captives with them, Cal heads over to where Numalar is inspecting the gear while muttering "I can't believe we're dragging these miscreants with us." Picking up the chain shirt, Cal nods his head and suddenly appears in a somewhat improved mood "Not bad actually... you any preference Linora? I think I could make use of the shirt."
Cal votes for the rope... they're bandits (probably evil); taking them with us is dangerous and we don't have time to take them back to Restov. In his eyes, it's the most logical choice in a series of bad options, albeit one fraught with moral difficulty.
Listening to Oleg closely, Cal nods repeatedly and finally shrugs "Well I'm sold; honestly, our gracious host has the right of it," pausing to look over at the men, Cal glares with disgust "hang them, it's just punishment for such heinous crimes." Walking over towards the men, Cal adds "We can't bring them along with us, it's not practical; given the opportunity, reprobates such as this will gladly knife us in the back."
[ooc]Sorry for the delay; it's Canadian Thanksgiving, so been busy the last few days with family stuff (and the next few days as well).[ooc] Eating an apple quietly while sitting on the cart, Cal listens passively to the conversation. While he didn't care for executions, the young bard couldn't shake the feeling that the alternatives were too risky. Glancing over at Ansha with a somewhat concerned look, Cal adds "Sooo, we're taking them with us? That sounds like trouble Ansha." Throwing the apple core away, Cal hops of the cart and heads towards the others "Numalar, we need to be honest here; our self interest extends beyond simple expediency to that of survival. Remember that out here, honor or no, these men would happily slit our throats and flee given the opportunity." With a shrug, Cal adds "Listen, I'm not a fan of execution... but let's be perfectly fair to ourselves here; taking them with us is both a burden and potentially life threatening to us. If the majority is in favor of dragging them with us, then fine, but I for one hate to say it, but out here, the sword is about the only justice we can afford."
With one eyebrow cocked towards Numalar, the cocksure Bard shrugs his shoulders "A thumb? You know, losing hand is pretty standard punishment for theft in Brevoy, but, you know, whatever." Listening as the others debate exhaustively, Cal appears to get increasingly impatient and bored until finally looking over at Karsh with a glance that says you know what I'm talking about, am I missing something..? Finally rolling his eyes with a light shake of his head, Cal heads towards the shed "Call me when we've got some kind of consensus; in the meantime, I'm going to find an axe and wood block."
Are you really so unhappy with your character? This is the second time you've thrown yourself up to switch out your character for another one... No no, I'm not unhappy... just I'm not attached to class one way or another. Just stating that I'm happy to play whatever the party needs, and whether Cal is a Ranger or Bard, he'd still be fun to play. I'm flexible is all I'm saying.
Yeah, I noticed that myself. Question: Bards are proficient with Shortbows... does that include composite shortbows? I was never clear on that. if allowed, I wouldn't have a problem with rebuilding Karsh up as a ranged combatant. I think we need Karsh more as front line warrior. The other possibility though is to rebuild Cal as a switch hitter Ranger... another skill based class. We'd loose some arcane ability, but pickup range without loss of much (or any) skills. Just another thought. We're still early in the game, adjusting these things now wouldn't be too much of an issue I don't think.
Walking up to the prisoners, Cal listens to the others somewhat passively as they consider what to do with the bandits. "Eh, I wouldn't put to much thought into... just take their sword hand, and shackle their other hand. Leave enough food for them to be cared for in the meantime. Harsh maybe, but better than death and leaves them incapable of rising against Oleg and Svetlana."
Glancing over at the bandits, Cal shrugs "Consider their lives reward for their peaceful surrender... it doesn't mean they got off freely for a theft and pillaging." Drawing his sword, the impetuous half-elf points at the prisoners "So who's first?"
Approaching Ansha after the bandits had surrendered, Cal eyes Happs suspiciously with a scowl. Speaking in her native tongue so as to prevent Happs from understanding them, Cal interjects Elven:
"Awfully presumptuous, even for someone under an enchantment. Just say the word Ansha, and I'll put this thug in his place for you." Glancing over at the horse, the scowl on Cal's face instantly disappears at the sight of their first forfeiture from bandits in the river kingdoms. Elven:
"Well then, those of us without horses are no longer wanting. Tell Happs the generosity of his men is most welcome."
Heading over to the horses, Cal approaches them slowly and grabs the reigns. "Easy there fellas... wouldn't want you to slip on that grease now; it's not your fault your masters are thieves and outlaws after all." Taking a look over at the Numalar with the bandits, Cal smiles and shakes his head bemusedly. That gnome sure does loves to talk.
Jumping up, Cal grabs what appears to be butter from a belt pouch. Making a swift sweeping motion with his hand, Cal quickly speaks in elven "Talat enel lanta!" Suddenly a patch of oily grease forms underneath the riders, threatening to topple to the riders should they try to flee. With a cocksure grin, Cal laughs at his quarries "Come now boys, leaving so soon? We were just getting acquainted!"
Fair enough; I was just looking it at from the perspective that Cal as another face-type character and arcane caster adds only moderate value to this group, whereas a more martial-based character could certainly help on the front line... you'd lose a few skills, but nothing the group doesn't have already (save a stealthy character, which Cal does do) Anyway, food for thought. It's really early in the game, and I'm not married to this character, so I'm throwing the option out there (honestly, either or would be fine by me) if you're okay with it Smiling. Edit: I'd almost say that an archer based Ranger might be the best fit, but that's a whole different ball o' wax.
Hey there, sorry for the delay... just went quiet during our waiting for DMPM hiatus, which is over now. I'm happy to see somebody is willing to take the game over, and am in total favor of it. Now, Cal was designed to fit a predominantly skilled based role, but with two full arcane casters and plenty of folks with high charisma, many of his skills may be redundant, as we after all appear heavy on arcane and light on combat oriented chacters (with Linora being the only full martial). It's early enough in the game that I'd be happy to switch out Cal with another character I designed for this game who is definitely more tank based by design. If you all feel that it might help this group more, I'd be happy to bring in Lucius Baradin instead, since he was who I had originally intended to apply in this campaign with (but withdrew due to a heavy martial field, which PM interestingly pick very few of) Your call guys.. from a personality point of view, both characters are similar, so I have no attachment to one over the other, it's merely a matter of party composition. Also, Smiling DM (aka Arawn) welcome! I might add, I think you can apply to the forum moderators to take the game over, which would seem a sensible if it's doable.
Fair enough... and in that case, I might suggest by early next week? In reality, given the interest from players (there is yet another thread up, filling up fast with applicants), I have a feeling any potential GM will probably want to take a look at starting their own recruitment thread. Wonder what the feeling is over at PM's 2nd Kingmaker game he started last week; gonna wonder over there and take a look.
Since the game started, he's had more days where he has not posted than days where he has (2 posted, 3 not). At what point do you guys think we should consider looking for a different GM? If he hasn't posted by Monday or Tuesday? There could be very real and legitimate reasons why a player or GM might be away... I think it maybe premature to be thinking about that yet.
He could be there but if so he wouldn't be able to do anything about bandits trying to escape. Up to him I suppose. Well, he does have a crossbow... if they try to escape, I can always try to pick at least one of them off.
Cal, if you can start by knocking them down with grease that will make it easier to keep them from getting away, and if they try to move through the greased area they are flat-footed, which might make them easier to hit.
Listening passively to Numalar with the occasional nod, Cal finally pipes in "Sounds good to me. I'm pretty quick on my feet, so I can easily circle around to the back." Glancing over at Ansha, a slight frown of worry is detectable "I'll admit though, I'm a touch worried about Ansha putting herself in harms way. These folks tend towards violence, I'd hate to see you get hurt if they aren't in a listening mood."
Listening to the others while sipping his wine, Cal raises a single brow and finally jumps in "Sure, we can attempt to barter a peace... but I suspect they might think us not worthy of negotiating with," pausing a moment, Cal grins lightly "unless we bargain from a position of power. We should scope out the keep, find out the best places to lay an ambush as Karsh suggested... and when they're surrounded, then we negotiate." Glancing over at Svetlana with a reassuring smile, Cal nods "Ma'am, we'll take care of your bandit problem, scouts honor. We'll have the element of surprise... and since I suspect I'm not the only one here who has some formal combat training, we'll make short work of them." Looking over at Ansha for a moment, the rueful Bard adds "Lady Ansha has a good point; we'll need to take some prisoners at the very least. We'll need to find who is in charge of this ragtag band of thugs, and drive them out the Stolen Lands, or six feet under them."
Leaning back in his seat, Cal chews on a piece of bread as the others discuss the particulars of the charter. Glancing up with a slightly devilish grin, Cal interjects "I'm sure Numalar Auritonius of Valdralee has the right of it ma'am... the Lords in Restov probably have little knowledge of the particulars here in the frontier," pausing to take a sip of wine, the brash youth adds "besides, in dealing with the banditry problem, I'm sure we'll have a chance to put your bandits to the test specifically." Taking a bite of the stew, Cal smiles from ear-to-ear as he finally satiates his appetite "This is great stew m'Lady; your hospitality is most welcome after so long a journey."
Arriving at the outpost, Calinthas could think nothing but how tired and hungry he was. The trip from Restov had been a long one, though uneventful. Rolling up the writ and placing it back in his scroll case, Cal passively scoped Oleg's makeshift fort, waving towards the man working up top. Glancing about, Cal noticed that he had clearly not been the first to arrive. In front of him, an attractive elven maid appeared to be conversing with a middle aged human, who he could only assume lived here with the man he had seen when he entered. With a slight grin, Cal couldn't help but hope that the elven girl was there for the same reason as himself. Approaching the pair, Calinthas interjects "Good evening ladies! I hope I've found the right place; I've got a writ somewhere here that says something about some bandits?" Not awaiting an answer, Cal smiles cordially and adds "Name's Cal; to whom do I have the pleasure?"
Looks fine to me Karsh; no need to worry, the PbP medium here is pretty easy to get into.
Dotting. Hopefully this works this time.
I think Ansha is right; perform skills generally aren't that specific. Having a general oratory skill will also allow you to utilize other forms of oratory effectively as well. Edit: Can't seem to dot the gameplay thread... it does something funky every time I try.
Awww. I hate how cluttered that class/level bar set-up makes my avatar. :( You could put it in a spoiler box if you don't like the clutter, I've done that before. Enlarge person will work for Cal, since he isn't as dexterity reliant as a Dervish Dancer. Incidentally, I too am in EST, and generally post once a day per PbP I'm in, give or take depending on work scheduling.
Thanks for the invite Pungeon; checking in. Switched up my avatar, something a little more half-elf like. What information would you like to see in the class/level box? I put the following for now: Class | AC | HP | Saves | Initiative | Perception
Huzzah, two campaigns! Good luck everyone!
After some thought, I'm pulling out Lucius Baradain and going with something closer to what I had originally planned, but in the skilled category. Calinthas is an Half-Elf Arcane Duelist Bard. This character was one I built for Kingmaker a long time ago and shelved, but it occurred to me that this be a good opportunity for it. Last change... promise!
I'll get that background up tonight.
I'm going to submit this character, a human Bladebound Magus with the Bastard trait. His heirloom bastard sword will be his tangential tie to one of the noble families. Crunch is 90% finished, and background/description/personality to follow later today.
It occurs to me that I'm not going to have the chance to get an application complete before the deadline, so I'll withdraw at this time. Good luck and happy gaming!
I just saw this posting, and I'd like to apply with this character. I'll get on the details in the next day or so, but the basic concept will be a bastard sword wielding Bladebound Magus.
I'm particularly fond of Way of the Wicked, and this sounds like it could be in the same vein with some nation building... fantastic. Anyway, originally I had asked about drow, but I've decided to scrap that in favor of submitting this human Cleric of Gorum with the bastard trait. Crunch and background to follow.
I'm going to come up with a background for this character this weekend, but I'll be submitting a Half-Elf Magus with the dropout trait. |