Presenting Ebe, halfling sailor. Ebenadar is a tan, spry looking halfling with sunbleached shoulder-length unkempt, wavy hair and eyes as blue as the sea. His wears a worn but comfortable looking blouse belted over loose britches. The top of the blouse is unlaced and exposes much of his muscular chest.
background:
I been a sailor my whole life. I was born in Korvosa, and as my folks weren't too well off, so they sent me as a wee boy to sail on the House Leroung merchant ships and learn my trade. Growing up on the sea made me tough and quick, and I learned to find my place in the ship. It was soon clear that when ya spend months all with a whole buncha halflings in tight quarters you gotta have some code to live by or none of us'd live long. None of us talked about rules, 'neither what we could 'r couldn't do, it was just somethin' we all knew. And there's consequences if'n you go and break that bond. I 'member first time we caught a boy pluckin' apples from a barrel in the hold - 'e got off next port and never saw him again - his ride there was none too pleasant, too!
Years I spent wit none but the sun and sea fer parents, ah, but I did love that sea! She be trecherous and quick to punish, but there ain't no beauty in any land so fair as that great blue lady. Many a dawn an' dusk from the nest I saw...there just ain't no words that can tell what I saw. Then one stop in port cap'n takes on a human. Don't know what made 'em do it, but glad I was he did. I ne'er seen any of the big folk take so kindly to us as 'e did. Strange fellow, 'e was. Never once told us a name to call 'em by. Since only few humans ever came on board, we called 'em giant. Giant was every bit as quick 'n nimble as us wee folk. Once I fell from the rigging - and this feller raced clear from aft ta fore an' caught me! After that 'e took me under his wing - guess giant didn't wanna catch me all the time, so 'e taught me all mannera teachin's. Told me ta balance tha mind ta balance tha body, an' how ta focus yer spirit. Aye, 'e was a good feller. Ha, never did fall again after that. Few years later we took to port an' Giant vanished without'a word. No idea where 'e might be now.
Wit' Giant gone, I was lonely now I had just tha sun an' stars ta talk to, but a sailor lass caught my eye once after I swiched crew. A beauty she was this Bellis, an' strong as any man on board. I set about ta court 'er, an' earned 'er love 'fore we set in fer tha next port. Then nigh a fortnight ago cook says food's gone missin'. Cap'n set extra watches ta catch tha thief, an' late that night when my turn came up, I saw Bellis sneaking into the hold! Ah, but it broke my heart! Next mornin' I marched right ta th' Cap'n ta tell 'im I knew who was takin' the food. I said I jus' coulnd't stand the guilt no more and that I'd been doin' it. They tossed me in tha brig an' let me off at tha next stop. Said Bellis cried a day an' a night outta shame for me.
So 'ere I am in Riddleport, can't work a boat no more. Gotta find work somehow, though.
Sorry about the dialect. I wrote this a long time ago for a Second Darkness game that fizzled after the first encounter. I'll tone it down in gameplay - I was an English major too.
Also, With Beatrix's death in our WotW game I might just drop out of it (I'm not sure I have another evil character concept to replace her) which would free me up a bit for this game.
Jumping through the watery ruins, Ebe rounds the corner to find himself face to face with a lion, and mustering his strength, manages to throw himself at the beast in an attempt to subdue it.
Swift action to burn 1 ki for +20 movement, 1/2 movement speed should get him to Q-27. If I did the math wrong and can get there without spending the Ki, I'll happily take it back ;) 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25- grapple
"This platform ain' workin'! Le's regroup in th' middle!"
Ebe disengages from the lions in front of him, trying to nimbly dodge their attacks and moving past Karl before jumping off the platform. Double move to N-26 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20- tumble 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29- tumble 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (19) + 23 = 42- jump (to avoid 10' falling damage)
Ebenadar finishes tying the knotted rope around the pillar, tossing the end over the side, before moving to the edge of the platform U-14 while drawing his crossbow.
Ebenedar shouts at Jun, "This pillar's no good! Help me find one ta tie th' rope to!" He moves down to the next pillar @R-14 and checks to see if it's secure. If so, he'll tie his rope to it, otherwise he'll head back up towards the remaining two pillars.
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15- perception
DM:
You may want to consider putting information that only one character knows, like if they make a perception check, in spoiler tags. It gives that player the chance to share (or not) that information with the party.
The halfling takes off running at incredible speed straight out the gate directly at the ten foot high platform, making an incredible leap straight up onto it and stopping next to one of the pillars.
Run (x4 speed), then burning 1 ki point for +20 to acrobatics (jump). Should end up at P-14 1d20 + 43 ⇒ (1) + 43 = 44- acrobatics (jump). Jeez - good thing natural 1's aren't automatic failures for skill checks. 44 should get me 11' straight up, I believe.
I didn't have any ranged weapons but had just under 2k gold left over, so if it's alright I'd like to buy a light crossbow and 25 +1 bolts for 1053gp
"Jun, tha's a good idea. I got some rope, so first thing I'm gonna sprint straight at th' platform, jump up, an' tie a rope t' the pillar." He takes one of his ropes out and ties knots in it at even intervals for easier climbing.
Ebenadar considers a moment, as if calculating in his head. "In th' 'eat o' battle I reckon I could jump at least 15 feet straight up an' keep running. Anyways, I said so cuz I thought I could run out an' scout, mebbe act as bait b'fore jumpin' up there ta get them where ya want 'em. I didn't 'spect anyone else ta follow me."
Ebe lets a big grin spread across his mouth. "I bet I can." On reflection, you recall seeing him jumping several times his own height during training - though it looked so strange you were sure your eyes were playing tricks on you.
"'s long's the traps aren't magical I c'n spot 'em easy 'nuff."
"Aye, stickin' together an' outta sight'll be the best plan against th' big cats." He looks around at the big folk, trying to decide who would make a good flanking partner.
Ebenadar gladly takes the hat and struts around the room displaying it proudly. After the discussion about how the matches work, he pipes up, "What's a runner do? I mebbe short but I'm nimble an' as fast on ma feet as most o' you tall folks."
Picking through the racks of clothes for halfling-sized garments, Ebenadar first dresses all in black with a mask covering the top half of his face before jumping up on a box and yelling "I am the dread pirate Ebe! ....no? Ok, let's see what else." Eventually he gussies himself up in a fine swashbuckling outfit complete with feathered hat and tall leather boots.
Ebe wanders in, looks for someone in authority, and tugs on their shirt to get their attention. "Might there be any lasses more ma height ta meet around 'ere?"
This should be fun! Very different from the kind of gaming I'm used to, so looking forward to it. As for a team name...I have no idea. I'll likely go along with whatever witty idea someone else comes up with - it seems I've run out of wit at the moment.
Ebe pays little attention to the lady who seems all too full of herself and amuses himself by silently observing the colorful characters in the room while absentmindedly unraveling and re-winding a length of rope.
numbers should be fixed now. If the layout's still to chaotic let me know and I can re-do it. It was just quicker to update this than start over with a newer template.
A halfling clothed in a dirty blouse and trousers walks in, sporting nothing but a sheepish smile. "'Ere in port fer a bit, lookin' fer some'in t'do." When asked, he'll answer to the introductory questions, "Ma favorite move's called tha halfling hog-tie. Good fun right there.
"As fer hobbies...I'm a sailor. An' not much fer one as me ta do on land, which's why I'm 'ere!"
Luckily, I just started a local Second Darkness game with friends - so hopefully that one will last better than this did. Too bad, this had good potential.
Every one of my PbP games all seemed to die at the same time though. They all seemed to lose momentum around GenCon and then never picked up again. Sad!
Noting Mel's suggestion as a good one, Ebe runs around to the back as quick as he can, then hides in a spot where he has a clear view to the back door (assuming he finds one).
Invisible Castle seems to be down right now, and I don't have my dice with me. Please roll appropriate stealth and perception checks for me.
Ebenadar grabs a mop and gets started without complaint. Ahh, feels good to have work again! He happily throws himself at cleaning up the mess, completely absorbed in his job.
As customers start rolling back into the Golden Goblen throughout the coming week, Ebenadar takes advantage of his small size to get lost in the crowds and keep a wary eye out for cheaters or troublemakers. Several times he's caught cheaters and thieves red-handed and send them bounding out the door.
Ebenadar nods at his departing companions, and heads off on his own. He returns to the river district where he spent the previous night, collects his meager belongings he had hidden in a rooftop corner, and heads back to the Golden Goblin. Feeling the effects of fatigue weigh heavily on him, he stumbles through the main hall, finds an empty bunk in the common room, and almost has time to appreciate the fact that he's lying on a warm, dry bed before passing out.
I've made a few changes to Ebenadar to bring him up to current rules - he gets stunning fist for free at lvl 1, halflings now get a flat +2 to perception instead of just sound and taste, and a tweak to flurry.
"Ahh, just stand over there under th' lamp. We'll all 'ide in shadows o' 'round th' corner an' jump out when 'e appears."
With that, Ebe slinks away to a dark spot in the street, finds an inconspicuous place to hide Stealth (1d20+12=19), and peers keenly into the darkness up and down the street looking for their prey Perception (1d20+7=27).
Ebenadar tries not to look like he's trying too hard to keep up with the taller folk as they walk. "Thing is - how're we ta know who th' feller is? What'f he's just hidin' in the shadows waitin' fer 'is contact ta show up?"
Saul sputters a bit, "What? I didn't hear him say that. Well, if that's the case you better be off. We can certainly work out the details of our arrangements tomorrow morning. LATE tomorrow morning, please. It's already late and I know I won't be getting to sleep anytime soon."
Ebenadar looks back up at him, then around at his companions. "Do we know anything about th' fella we're lookin' fer? Hmm...if not we could disguise one of us ta look like..." he takes another good look at his companions before continuing, "or short-stuff could sit upon ma shoulders..."
Saul looks a bit puzzled, "The docks? What's at the docks?"
"Why, tha contact th' bearded fella was s'pposed ta meet....ah, never mind." And with that he hops down from his chair and helps with the cleaning. He passes the time wondering if a certain pretty halfling girl will be among the few employees to return to work tomorrow.
"A'ight, Saul, I could bunk in tha common room too - keep short stuff 'ere company," pointing at the dwarf. "I'm still up fer 'eadin' t'the docks, but if'n this 'ere mess's more important, I'll get started."
Ebenadar's eyes go wide at the mention of salary, and he barely notices the rest of the offer after that. As soon as he gets a chance he pipes in "Sure, I'll work for ya!" and then in all seriousness adds "I could be a bouncer even!" If anyone laughs at this, he'll have no idea why and look rather confused.
Ebenadar heads back to the table he was playing at, hoping the pile of chips he made might still be there. Luckily the crowd had left in such a hurry (and mostly blind) that he was able to recover his winnings. He turns in 12g, 1s, 9c worth of chips to the assistant before finding a seat near Saul and taking a sip of wine, his legs swinging back and forth enthusiastically in the oversized chair.
With the room suddenly empty of officials and people trying to kill them, Ebenadar finally takes a moment to size up his companions. He was about to compliment the half-orc on his dance until he experimented with the wand on the unconscious thug. Uhh...never mind.
Finally he speaks to nobody in particular, "Well, th' bait's gone, but some fella's s'posed ta meet 'em still at th' docks. Ya think it's worth goin' now?"
Thumparr looks up at Beriador and Mel and the others and says, "We may be heading down to the docks tonight."
He then looks back down at the Chelixian. "Yer gonna keep that meetin' and we'll be watchin' ye to make sure ye do. What say ye fellers?"
Ebe's eyes light up a bit, "I wasn't feelin' ready fer ma bed yet anyways - sounds like fun!"
As if suddenly remembering something, Ebenadar eyes glance around the room searching for the halfling serving girl. Aww, shucks. Wonder if she got to see my heroics before runnin' off.
Ebenadar adjusts his view so he can look over the Chelaxian's shoulder at the one-eyed woman on the floor. "Anyone be able to 'elp this 'ere bleedin' lady on the floor? If'n she don't die, she may be o' use.
Also, I got a bit o' rope in me pack - tie her and this oaf up so I can let go."
His arm around the much larger man's neck, Ebenadar shouts in an attempt to get everyone's attention "Stop! Drop yer clubs and tha lil' prize chest or I'll snap th' bearded man's neck!" I sure hope this be the man in charge or I'll be in some serious trouble...
Can that dialogue fit as a free action at the end of this round or will it have to wait for the next?
