It's not that strange a concept, and all of us were pretty diverse. I dunno, I mean, we could ask? I'd love to keep playing it if someone is interested in taking it over.
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I’m willing to wait however long it takes. I’m enjoying the game, despite the slow pace. :)
I’m here!
For some reason, Carl prefers to remain in his social identity when not on active missions.
Carl is pleasantly surprised when one of his clients stops by his establishment, the wealthy Lady Catherine du Mas. She was widowed earlier this year, and though her husband's death was officially labeled an accident, she has often hinted to Carl that she thinks it was agents of House Thrune that killed him. She adores gossip, and loves sharing what she's heard with Carl and his other customers while she is trying on jewelry. In fact, it was she who told The Silver Shadow that Rexus would be at the demonstration, after she had brought the topic up in his shop. "Greetings, Lady Catherine!" he enthuses. He always tries to make her feel like his favorite customer, and in many ways she is. "Something new for the opera, perhaps?" he suggests. They discuss how so many of the city's entertainers have disappeared and the Thrune regime has taken over the Opera House, with Carl pretending he didn't already know that. Lady Catherine loved being perceived as one who knew things, and feigned ignorance would usually make her talk more than direct questions. Also, wine. Later, he casually brings up the demonstration, and asks if she was there. She gives him a suspicious look, but admits that she was too scared. "It sounds as if many people in the city have begun to organize," he suggests. "I wonder if what happened at the assembly is why? Do you know anyone who went?" He hopes to make Lady Catherine think of Rexus and how she knew he would be there. Sure enough, she explains that she overheard him speaking to a halfling (probably Laria) about looking for "recruits to their cause." He asks her where this was, and she confirms it was in the Long Roads coffeehouse. He tactfully changes the subject, but quietly thinks that his method of suggesting that she look further into the rebellion and possibly join up with them is subtle enough not to give away his secret identity. He makes a mental note to suggest that Laria and Rexus keep an eye out for her visit, for she would make a fine ally to their cause. Also, he has given himself a good reason to "happen to be" at the coffeehouse if she should see him there.
Carl returns to his shop and works on his clients' orders, anxious to keep up on all the latest gossip from his wealthy patrons. He is excited to think he may learn something that will help the Silver Ravens.
No, Secrecy's fine with me.
I believe Loyalty is our current focus, right? It sounded like recruiting folks was our primary concern. The Player's Guide says "certain important NPC allies can serve as officers as well. Your GM has information on these NPCs." There are six of us serving as officers, though, so it's not like we're missing out on any expected benefits, right? As far as the treasury goes, we could say half of our loot is deposited and the other half is divided equally among us? Does that seem fair?
I move that we Gather Information and Recruit Supporters. :) ETA: Ninja'd! Guess we're in agreement. Oh, can we assign Rexus and Laria to be recruiters too?
Sure, that’s fine with me.
Carl laughs and quietly applauds Brianna's suggestion. "A very clever idea, my friend. It sounds like gathering information and investigating the fires is our next move?"
The Rebellion rules seem fine to me, and I'm willing to contribute to them. I like how they keep up the illusion that our organization is doing things even when we are not RPing. How should we determine officers? I imagine Carl acting as either a Recruiter or the Strategist, neither of which depends on his stats.
Carl smiles disarmingly. "It seems to me that for our rebellion to succeed, we must get the word out so that others can help us. As capable as many of us are, I don't think we can overthrow Thrune by ourselves. We should look for others who have cause to hate the establishment and convince them to join our cause."
Carl nods agreeably as they walk, and looking around at the others he decides to lift his hood for a moment. "My real name is Carl Conrad Copperplate, though I would prefer it if you called me The Silver Shadow, to keep my identity secret. There are those who would punish me and those close to me if they knew who I really am. But as you are joining our cause, I feel you are owed the courtesy and respect that sharing my identity with you entails." He smiles. "We will be in touch again very soon."
Carl smiles at their host's hospitality, and rubs the back of his head. "I don't suppose there's anything back at the shop that can't keep," he says, looking for a reason to stay with his new friends. He helps himself to food and drink and does his best to enjoy the time between conflicts.
Carl preens a bit at Agnes's attention. "Well, my friend, the magic is but a tool that a skilled crafter can put to good use. Perhaps my talent with fine jewelry has other applications?" He smiles as if he has made an interesting discovery himself.
Carl marvels at the quality of the objects the team has liberated. "These figurines contain wondrous power," he breathes, poring over them carefully less than an inch from his face. He does the same for the suit of armor, noting "This suit of armor is also magical. But whatever is inside that coffer, it is clearly magical as well. We would be wise not to risk breaking it with brute force, my friends." He proudly nods to Laria's question. "One could say we already have begun to do so. Will you be joining us, good lady? You are clearly in sympathy with both our leader and our cause."
Wishing to be helpful, Carl briefly closes his eyes to draw upon the reserves of magic hidden within him. (He casts detect magic and concentrates to determine what, if anything, in their trove has been enchanted.)
Bemused, Carl follows Rexus into the back room. I don't think I've ever been here before, he thinks. Then it dawns on him that she is covering for them, and his cheeks turn pink.
That's awesome, thanks Tiger Claw!
Carl looks disappointed, and peers about to make sure no one can overhear him before explaining. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Motalis, but during the riot I saw you perform a magic spell very similar to one that I learned from my secret society. I may have mentioned before? The Shadow Parliament?" He pauses to give Darius another chance to reveal his secret allegiance (and of course Darius doesn't), and then he sighs. "I hoped that perhaps you were more of a stickler for the rules than I am, and were just being careful. But does this mean that you have mastered the arcane arts on your own, without a ceremonial ritual to empower you? I should like very much to hear more, good sir, and to shake your hand. Perhaps one day we could study each other's grimoires, compare our casting techniques and understanding of magical theory?"
Carl shakes Reynard's hand as well. "I am glad to make your acquaintance again, good master Freeman. Lucky for all of us that you were there today."
Carl warmly shakes Brianna's hand with both of his, and waves to her and Adun as they leave. "Yes indeed, I shall see you then!" When he sees Darius alone for a moment, Carl approaches and says quietly to him, "The bell tolls..." He says this expectantly, hopefully, like he is reciting a famous poem or something like that.
Carl stands as Brianna reads the scroll and his wounds instantly close. "Many thanks, Ms. Reed! You are truly gifted. Why, I feel almost as good as new!"
Carl gratefully acknowledges both the healers' assistance and that of his new friends. "Be wary as you go!" he cautions them unnecessarily, fussing at the others almost as much as the priests are fussing over him. "I shall wait here for your return," he adds, as if he had a choice.
Carl winces, his arm still badly damaged. "We were attacked while we were trying to help innocents escape the square," he adds, somewhat abashedly.
Carl nods approvingly to Brianna. "Excellent points, Goodwoman Reed. I am not a religious man, but I have always found the message of Shelyn's temple preferable to that of Asmodeus or Zon-Kuthon. I know little about those who worship in the House of the Golden Veils, but my impression is that they are more mercenary than most, and not as likely to keep our secrets. If we are to continue our efforts in the same vein as today, we may bring the chosen temple a great deal of future business. We are agreed, then, that Songbird Hall is where we shall seek succor?"
Carl pauses uncomfortably, concerned for his friend Reynard and what sounds to be his lost friend. But he soon picks up the conversation again, "I have some gold that I can contribute, but I don't think it's enough for more than one spell. Perhaps the House of Golden Veils would give us a loan, as we can be confident we will have treasure after tomorrow's business?"
"Perhaps those of us who misfortunately have been wounded in the riot should make our way to the temple of Shelyn? We could pool our silver, pay the clerics there to see that our injuries heal more quickly."
"These pendants are fine quality, yes-- fine quality, not masterful, but well-made with good quality metal." Carl says while looking them over. "They could fetch us a good price, if we could find a buyer that did not care where they came from."
Carl closes his eyes and draws on something deep inside himself, murmuring arcane words and gesturing. Silver gleams briefly appear on his eyelids and in a cone before him.
He nods absently, clearly enamored of the silver ring. His gaze also lingers on the bracers, and he raises his eyebrows as if his spell demonstrates something intriguing about them. "Yes... yes. I would indeed be pleased to participate in this venture. The reasons I joined the Shadow Parliament would apply unequivocally to the Silver Ravens as well, and in fact I had whimsically begun to think of my cloaked persona-- my alter ego if you will-- as 'The Silver Shadow.' Has a nice ring to it, eh?" he tears his eyes away from the treasures to address the group, but on the word 'ring' he looks back almost longingly at the named piece of jewelry.
Carl tries to think of what he knows about the Silver Ravens, but nods along with the others at the idea of becoming one.
Carl changes out of his costume once they are safely hidden away, and listens with rapt amazement to the stories of the others and Rexus. When called upon to introduce himself, he does so simply and humbly. "I am Carl, Carl Copperplate. My father was a well-regarded jeweler and silversmith in the old district, and I maintain his business. I-- well, you see I once belonged to a secret society that sounds very similar to the Sacred Order of Archivists. The Shadow Parliament? Thrune scattered its members, and I had hoped to learn what had become of them. They taught me strange magic powers that... well, I suppose it's best to just say that I want to know more."
Just a joke, that, not suggesting it as a team name!
I can easily see Carl having borrowed books from Reynard, and discussing their contents with him, impressed by how much the tiefling seems to know on the subjects. Would he by chance know anything about secret arcane societies in Kintargo? Just out of curiosity of course. The history of the city is a marvel, isn't it. Especially the House of Truth and Clarity, ever been inside? Or how about the temple belfry?
Carl awakens and prepares himself in his small room above the shop, anxious to succeed at his rendezvous. He dresses in his dark cloaked costume, unwilling to risk his family's reputation by attending the protest as himself.
Greetings, all! Looking forward to syncing our origin stories. :)
@Reynard Freeman Sorry we're so similar mechanically. It might be just that Warlock is hard to build with much variety? :/ Well-Known Expert is an interesting talent. To my reading, it looks like it lets you help others make Knowledge checks, either with actual Knowledge aid other rolls or with Bluff. Actually being an expert seems somewhat detrimental because you have to spend skill points on the Knowledges but still rely on someone else to make the actual rolls. Seems much better with a heavy investment in Bluff, to be used on an ally who already has good Knowledge totals. :)
I considered several different archetypes before I settled on this combination, which really appealed to me in story and in mechanics. Introducing Carl Conrad Copperplate, a mild-mannered craftsman from the old city who with the help of an arcane secret society awakened a magical spirit within him. As The Silver Shadow, this eldritch hero is determined to check the evil closed-minded forces of House Thrune and the Church of Asmodeus, and return the city of Kintargo to the thriving cosmopolitan center of art and trade it once was. |