I'm still around but not sure this game is live?
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Thanks Apemantus - I used to have a group but getting together gradually went from weekly to fortnightly to whenever, and we ultimately just stopped by (mostly) unspoken agreement. I'm also pretty busy with my work and other life stuff so I'm not sure where I would fit a group in right now!
That sounds amazing! I haven't had a tabletop group in so long now... hard work to run because you don't have the leisure of thinking time that PbP offers you but the spontaneity can work in your favour as well. It sounds like your group is in for an amazingly fun time :) @Shamsi - I never played the Last of Us video game, but the series absolutely destroyed me. Just the word "cordyceps" gives me the shivers now!
Darell nods in agreement. "Given the number of tasks, I would think we work individually but be available to back one another up as required. Or directed." He taps one finger on the senate badge that Lady Lotheed has given him. "Cayden's balls, I know a general or two who'd have given their left arm to have the sort of direct line to their troops that this thing gives you!"
Darrel gives a wry smile the youthful (to him) innocence of Shamsi's question. "It's rarely the soldiers who go hungry, lass. But the man - or woman - who tells the dockworker that it's Qadira's fault that he's hungry, or the labourer that it's Qadirans who took his job, has built a common cause with them."
Darrel raises one bushy eyebrow at Martella's lie but doesn't challenge her directly. He will however ensure that his two new companions are told as soon as is practicable; i.e. once Martella is well out of sight. He sighs at Shamsi's remarks. "Sadly, that's the impression I have of the man as well. Not that I know the High Strategos in person but I know people who do. And I think the fact that a quarter of the capital barely scrapes by is the point - give people a common enemy and they are less likely to ask why they're starving."
I think for anyone who has played more conventional RPGs for as long as some of us have, the idea that you don't roll dice is faintly heretical... but oddly appealing.
Darrel lets out a bark of a laugh as Shamsi delivers the punchline to her second joke. "Very good, lass."
He nods as the others ask their very pertinent questions. "More to the point, though, my Lady - what is your angle on this? Why do you care which way the vote goes?"
Yeah, the forums are pretty notorious for eating posts. I will also admit that I have occasionally hit "preview" and then forgotten to hit "submit post" before closing the browser...
Likewise ready to start :)
Darrel raises one beetled brow at Shamsi's assertion that she is an open book. "Shall we start with an easy question then, your surname?" He remembers that in Qadiran culture it isn't called that, but he can't remember the correct appellation.
His mouth purses thoughtfully as he ponders her next joke, wondering if it will be as morbid as her first. Not that he minds. As a crusader, he has developed a... robust sense of humour; with the things he has seen, it's laugh or despair. "I'm not sure. But if it ached, at least she's not dead, like that poor farmer from your previous joke."
One corner of Darrel's mouth tics upward slightly as he registers the punchline of Shamsi's joke. "At least he went quickly. I wouldn't want to die of something lingering." He is aware he's being tested somehow; his gaze meets the young woman's own. "Always be careful, when closely observing, that you are not yourself being closely observed."
Darrel gives the young woman a keen look. And there, perhaps, is one who had to grow up too fast. Outwardly, he returns Shamsi's smile and does his best to complete her joke. "And somewhere, Cayden grins broadly because he knows someone is about to get what's coming to them!"
@Shamsi - hope your hand heals up quickly
Darrel listens attentively, and gives a long whistle as Apemantus concludes his story. "That is quite the tale, laddie." It never occurs to him for a moment to doubt what he's hearing, there's a ring of sincerity in the other's voice that is impossible to miss. Plus of course, nobody would bother to invent such a preposterous story. It can only be the truth. "Fact is," and he looks at his scimitar, "I've never even used that thing in battle." "Ha!" Darrel gives a rare, booming laugh. "That I knew straight away. You're wearing it wrong, for one thing. The scabbard needs to be cinched tighter to the belt, if you try drawing it like that you'll never get the blade free." "Yes, I am a soldier. Was. Of sorts. I never served in the Phalanx, if that's what you're asking. I went up to the Worldwound like the damn fool boy that I was, visions of... I don't know. Being the shining blade that drives back the dark, being the hero keeping people safe from horrors they would wet themselves even thinking about." He shakes his head, wearily. "If I had my time over, I'd go back to that young idiot pup and..." He trails off, before giving a broad grin. "I'd tell him to do exactly the same thing, only to duck this time round!" He waves a hand up toward the scars on his face.
A few days ago The letter was pushed under the door of the lodging-house Darrel is staying at (he doesn't live in Oppara but his recent work with Lady Lotheed has required him to be here regularly) just before dawn. He didn't catch a glimpse of the person who delivered it, but the light tread suggested a child or perhaps a halfling. Shrugging, he opens the parchment and reads the brief missive before getting on with his workout. He isn't about to admit it, but each year - each month, really - he has to work harder and harder to maintain his fitness, and every *gristle-crack* of his knotted shoulder muscles reminds him that youth is a far, far, distant memory. But he is alive, which is more than can be said for too many of his old comrades-in-arms. Zadeera. Dead now for longer than she was ever alive, most probably; but his former acquaintance with the Qadiran priestess continues to shape his life, even now, thanks to her niece. He shakes his head, bringing himself back to the present with a start. There is work to be done. Now The late middle-aged Taldan man in the plain black linen jerkin and smart, if serviceable, clothing has the straight back of someone who spent most of their life in military service. The scars across his face tell their own story of a life crowded with incident, albeit in a 'You should see the other guy' sort of way. Silver-grey hair and beard are perhaps a little longer than regulation, but neat. He is not visibly armed. It probably means very little. A polite nod greets Apemantus's introduction. "Good to meet you. I'm Darrel Stavalos." He takes in the tiefling's features, although being careful not to stare, noting something in the other's eyes. There is one who has seen too much, perhaps. He cracks a smile as Apemantus demonstrates his affinity for the candle-flame. "That is a neat trick, if you can do it to order." He returns his gaze to the one who called the meeting here: Lady Lotheed. There is one who has grown much since our first meeting. He gives her a familiar smile. "The fig jam it is, then. And a pot of mint tea, extra sweet." It's a Qadiran affectation, but one he learned to enjoy. Drinking it now is bittersweet, for the memories of those he no longer drinks it with. He forces those memories back where they belong and focuses again on the present. "This is all very lovely, but it's no social occasion being here, is it." It's not a question.
I'd love to say there was some clever coding involved, but I just copied it from Sarah's character sheet that she provided in the recruitment thread. Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V, job done
Those sound like the sort of boundaries I have, too. (I have done romance in the past but didn't create Darrel with that in mind so all good here.)
Heh. No problem, it happens. Hopefully you didn't forget the actual event itself...? @Shamsi - given the GM nixed the whole "Qadiran scum!" thing I'm guessing she is not interested in playing out religious conflict either. (Nor am I really, tbh.) Darrel definitely respects Sarenrae and her priests enormously, a number of them saved his life over the years he was there; but he's a Caydenite to his core.
Likewise looking forward to gaming with you! I did read the backstories because that's how I'm wired but I'm very good at separating character and player knowledge :) And agreed that (whether by accident or design) we have a good power trio.
I work in Europe (GMT +1) so I think this is a rare group where we will all be posting more or less when I'm awake! I'm fully on board with exploring this game as its own thing, with references to Pathfinder/D&D only as a handy reference point while we chart a new course :) I think I could either become really close with our WorldWound Crusader, or he can roleplay that he distrusts me and I have to roleplay to prove I'm not Evil. I can't tell you how much I'm not into PvP so let's go with the first option!
Hi everyone! Really glad to be picked and looking forward to gaming with you all. @Shamsi, I think the GM said it was fine to change up themes etc a bit during play as we get used to the game and how it plays out. Darrel's themes and tags are currently as follows, I thought about changing them a bit but so far haven't. THEME: Former Worldwound Crusader
THEME: Sharp-eyed veteran
THEME: Unorthodox strategist
THEME: Imposing physique
Darrel is basically a build that you wouldn't play in Pathfinder, that of a perceptive fighter (giving fighters perception and sense motive can be done but why would you when Wis isn't a key stat for them?). He doesn't have a huge amount of charm or social skill (he has one tag "kind heart underneath" that might end up doing a lot of the work), but he should be able to tell if he's being lied to, spot trouble before it starts, and come up with weird strategies on the fly to get us out of a tight spot. Of course, his "Caydenite hero complex" might be what got us into trouble in the first place... |