Thank you all for your advice! I do greatly appreciate it!
For anyone curious, I had an opportunity to present these to the party at a fancy wedding. More than one person in the party expressed immediate interest in acquiring a set down the line for their kingdom, potentially shelling out for either the intermediate or greater tiers.
I decided to price them at 7.5k, 15k each and 30k, or 2, 4, and 8 BP, which is more likely what's going to be spent.
The party even got to try them out, when the ranger fought a duel with the groom-to-be.
Switch-hitting L3 Ranger, greatsword, power attack, vs L1/4 Aristocrat/Bard, with 4 uses of Deivon's Parry, and bladed dash.
The duel ended with the poor groom-to-be unconscious, taking 1 point of overflow, and the ranger, at 6 points from unconscious herself... while the rest of the party watched from nearby, causing their own problems with the assorted nobles in residence. Much shenanigans occurred, and everyone had a good time. (Except the groom, he's NOT having good time, things in fact, are as close to Not-good, as you can get.)
I'm headed over to post over here, but as things are still actively developing, and not everyone knows ALL the secrets that have been learned... much will remain locked in my head ... for now.
I appreciate having a couple extra eyes on the issue, as I'd like to be ... reasonable.
As for the party, it's a group of 5 L3's (Currently). As to wealth, there's a potential for a great deal by and by. We're running the Kingmaker AP, and while I intend to use the UC rules to mitigate things, there have been more than a few games that had runaway cash-flow issues.
CURRENTLY, I don't have anyone making use of any mechanical things reliant on non-lethal effects, there's nothing to say that if I lowball this too much, that one won't show up as a replacement if someone gets assassinated, or killed in battle.
On the flip side, I don't want to price this exorbitantly, as you suggested, I don't want to penalize the party for buying a pair down the line, either for their personal use, or as part of a kingdom upgrade.
And, well, there's a chance someone else will like the idea so much they want one for their own game. Mostly I want to have this be at least somewhat thought out, to avoid a potential pit-trap.
I've got a couple days before I introduce the party to the idea, and then who knows how long before they go "Remember those Scabbards of the Merciful Duelist you introduced way back when? We want to buy/craft/acquire a set."
In the next session or two, the party (Level 3) will be attending a wedding, and the groom (an Aldori trained bard) has splashing out "serious" cash, to "rent" a pair of Scabbards of the Merciful Duelist, that will cause any weapon placed in them, to only do Nonlethal damage for X rounds, for some exhibition style duels as part of the celebrations.
The question, is that I'm going to guess that the party will want to own their own down the line, and I'd like to be prepared.
My thoughts, is that it's less potent than temporarily granting the merciful ability, (no +1d6), Less potent than the varied 3rd level spell effects, and that I don't REALLY want to have too low of a caster level or uses per day, if I'm going to have a mini-tourney effect.
While I was brainstorming, I feature-creeped up of some other things, like: When sheathed, it casts a targeted dispel magic on the user, and glows a color (white?), if it successfully cleanses all temporary buffs. Buffing AFTER you're entering the lists might be useful depending on the duelist, but no pre-gaming. That seems like a good effect for a 'greater' version.
Spitballing the price, I don't want it to be much cheaper than 5k, and 16k seems like too much for a basic version especially when compared to the above, but possibly OK for a greater.
In case anyone is curious, the party is playing through Kingmaker, and one of the players is hoping to open an Aldori school in kingdom.
I (Relatively) recently got the opportunity to see a ... slightly odd archetype for Skald in play from the other side of the screen, and was frequently impressed.
Since the 'armies' thing was mentioned above... Bardic Inspire courage is amazing, but ... what if you could stack on a rage power (skald 101) AND, a +4 Str enhancement bonus on top of it, to an army of say 100 pikemen?
The archetype takes the philosophy of hybrid classes, and turns it up to 11. Wildshape (Limited to one animal type), Wild empathy (Same limits), a Hunter Animal Focus (sets the other limits), on top of the already solid class chasis. Yes, there's a cost, but the only major hit, is Spell Kenning.
IF you take it, ask your DM if you can take the 'Bull' Animal Focus, but use a more Kingmaker local creature for what you can Wild Shape / Empathy.
... I took a look at Rage powers ... and I think, that when I send my party through certain sections of KM, I may actually need to throw a Skald at them, with Linnorn Death Curse, Cairn and the above Archetype. .... On second thought, that might be considered Cruel and Unusual Punishment. (Note, if you take the above combinations, and do NOT warn/clear with your DM ahead of time your plans, I give them authorization to poke you repeatedly. It's cruel.)
The Curse:
The character channels the power of a cairn linnorm. The character’s melee attacks deal an additional 1 point of negative energy damage. If the character is knocked unconscious or killed by an attack or spell, the attacker suffers the curse of decay (Will negates). A character must be at least 8th level to select this rage power. Curse of Decay: save Will DC 10 + 1/2 character’s level + character’s Charisma bonus; effect target takes 1 point of Con damage per day and ages at a rate of 1 year per day (eventually incurring all of the penalties of old age but none of the bonuses).
at L8, +8 Str, +4 Con, and the above Rage power to all allies that can hear you, and using it on an Army. Oof. Just think of the Morale implications for the survivors, Even worse if you can make them take other ability damage each day. Poisoned weapons perhaps? <thinks evil thoughts, and uses a less common alias>
"Where I come from, there's a practice of gathering eclectic talents, and Delving into forgotten Ruins and Barrows, such a group as this, would have made a strong such team of Raiders. Perhaps they worked together at some point in the past? Perhaps they didn't work directly, but shared a common thread. Perhaps they shared a rival. It would be interesting to find out if any of these used to partake of such a task..."
Yes, I could easily be way off beat, but ... a Cleric, Wizard, Alchemist and Rogue walk into a bar... The other two could easily have been front line team members, or just as easily the entire line up could be ranged/casters. Inspiration courtesy of Rae's last post.
There have indeed been more than a couple mentions of outages over the last couple days, and I do much of my keeping up on posts while at work, and given the previously intended possible interactions, I've been hesitant to check in here while working.
Thinking on it, I suspect that I'll be able to work on a more indepth post tomorrow, as it should be a graveyard post zombie rising tomorrow.
Magenta Prism: +2 Perform: Percussion for the day, gives +2 Intimidate and Handle Animal.
Einar, up with the breaking of the first light before Dawn, having slept in the small boat he had moored down in the Docks, briefly stops for a quick bite to eat on the way to City Pantheon Theatre.
I can't remember if I had previously decided to sleep in an Inn or not, erring on this side, after reviewing the prior posts, I found these For reference: Ships Boat with 1 Month Mooring and Taxes. per page 1 of the old recruitment/gameplay, 15% of 500gp per month. mooring and fee's, aka 75gp."
He arrives just after true light of Dawn starts to light up the city, and "quietly" thunks around the outside of the Theatre, wondering to himself if he was the first to arrive.
Seeing no one mysteriously hanging around, he slowly approaches the side door, knocks quietly in the agreed on pattern, and waits. While he waits he quietly manifests Conceal Thoughts, and refocuses.
After a couple moments he decides he's too early, and finds a quiet corner to wait, and watch, outside until he see's signs of life from Qat's arrival, and approaches again, and gains entry.
I am sorry to hear of your loss. Take the time you need, as much or as little as that may be.
I can fairly easily unspoilering my alias, but I've been ... not looking forward to changing the format... I was using Rae's template, in case in matters, and spoilering the section headings, just to make it easy to FIND things, because there is just ... SO MUCH stuff. If you would REALLY prefer that I swap to the other one, I'll work on it, but it'll be slow.
Actually, it appears I was mistaken, I never made it to using the template for this one... even though every Alias since has. I'll work on formatting, but it will be slow going.
I find this every fair, especially since I intentionally left K Local low.... That +8 is with 1 rank iirc, but I'm a primary int support caster so... Even as a super recent arrival, under normal rulings, I might know the color of someone's undergarments without much trouble, especially if I'd actually put some effort into it.
edit - Yep. 1 rank and no bardic knowledge actually.
Also, I have Call to Mind (which gives a +4 to +12 with a reroll, if I fail a knowledge check.) Please use this if it seems appropriate, but, never on a K Local (Individuals), unless I really should IC know the information. This seems the best way to handle it, especially given your desire to roll the knowledge checks.
Considering how complex this game has the probability of being, I certainly have no problem with you taking the time to work from scratch. Realistically, Bardic was working on the game for MONTHS before listing the recruitment. (I checked some of their posts at one point trying to get a gauge of what was going on and found a post about it trying to get ideas.)
I am ok with this. As for maps, that's partly why I suggested google, maps already exist, might as well just grab one, and mark it up as, this is here, that is there, everyone gets killed here.
A suggestion, first off, is I did some idle Googling for Victorian London Maps a few weeks back, and found ... quite a wealth of maps available online of a variety of qualities and detailedness. I know it helps ME, when planning games, to start with some sort of map. If your creative style is similar, you might want to find one that suits your fancy, and decide where to drop the drum, etc.
While mostly interest, I've been trying not to overbook myself gamewise too fast. I'm in 2 games, one at a multiple times a day pace, one 2-4 times a week pace, and the chef recruitment. (This is a major part of the reason I didn't volunteer myself) That said ... I put a lot of effort into Einar...
We could do that, I have something similar, but not a bar room brawl type. I can throw that up whenever, if we get everyone on board. (5 base monster types) that I've been experimenting with roll20 to display. I mostly know how it works in theory. But, agreed, if we're about to start....
I've got a couple ideas bouncing around that I can push together Izzy, so that's not a problem. I'd prefer to play in a couple PBP's before I try running anything here, but, a couple one shot encounters? Cake.
Another idea, is if you are mostly just wanting to try out some of Qat's tricks in an actual fight, is perhaps each of us make up say a CR 7-8 encounter, and we fight them as a group? As for story, Stella could show us portal, or, just handwaved a this didn't happen, or a staged combat rehearsal with realistic illusions by the theatre company...
Einar pauses his finger tapping as the discussion turns to the possibility of an assassins guild, and then resumes after a moment of silence.
"An entire Assassin's guild would be more difficult, and a possibility we may wish to try and eliminate as soon as possible. The thought alone would breed a certain amount of heightened paranoia that might lead to chasing shadows."
He turns his head and looks at each of the others in turn.
"I know I didn't do any of the murders, and I will take it on faith that none of you did either. I hope that faith is not mistaken."
He turns slightly to look back at Qat.
"What can you tell us about your friend? Please think on it, if tonight the details are to fresh. It would be very useful if we find a thread to tease and unravel."
I had a lot of fun with this and meeting you all, but I'm going to stop checking this 15+ times a day, same for and the recruitment thread. Please PM me if something happens, and I'll come right back!
I completely understand. Thank you for translating the four little words. It's the little ones that become stumbling blocks. The longer words have enough filler to work out what you actually wrote.
I'll admit defeat for "N'h, ... 't 'll, g'y!", but I got the other set! Work drains much of my free brain power, and I'm short enough vowels to work that set out. Also, thanks for deciding to know what the drums meant ;), even if I have no idea in character...
"Nets? I know how to use them for Fishing ... but not so much out of the water, I'm afraid. As for taking the killer alive? That makes no difference to me, though I'm less familiar with the local Law."
Turning to Lady K.
"How DOES the local Law feel on that front anyway?
"Is there a story, you ask, of course, there's a story. But perhaps the best, is just to demonstrate."
Einar slides the jar over to his lap, peers quickly into the mouth of the jar, and then pours a little water into it. Then with a quirky smile, he begins to rattle his fingers gently back and forth over the jar's surface. The rhythmic tapping has an odd ceramic pitch.
The sounds are ... odd, and you have the feeling that you should remember something about this type of music. but it escapes you.
Knowledge local: DC 25+:
After listening for a few moments, you realize you hair has stood on end, and your hand has reached out and touched the hilt of a weapon. You recognize the music, as the sound of impending death. Your subconscious is screaming at you that the door to the Drum is about to blow inward, and flood of pirates or viking raiders is about to wash in, and everyone, is going, to die.
If your wisdom mod is less than a +5, you are shaken for 1 round, if it's less than a +0, 2 rounds. Intimidate, demoralize effect, DC set by the percussion roll above 17+3, focusing on each person who doesn't conceal their reaction based on the above sense motive.
Sorry, couldn't resist! DC should be high enough that only if you know of the raiders, will this occur. Please feel free to either give yourself a misc. bonus if you want to know about them, or a penalty if you do not.
After looking each in turn in the eye while he plays, he shifts melodies and starts playing something much more upbeat.
Nice Qat! I'm too braindead tired to try and keep the momentum going atm, will try to post something in the morning before being out of town all day tomorrow.
Sounds like plan, though, thinking over why I'm not drinking, I'm going to have to go with I interfered in a scuffle in progress, trying to help shut it down. If it was large enough, I'd certainly not remember too many of those involved.
With that said, this would mean you know that I CAN fight, but I'm far from say Vir's league, though those I fought seemed to have a lot more trouble than you expected.
I think the chair references are that I’m seated on the floor by the wall, and there is a circle of chairs around us, but no table. At least, that’s how I’ve been picturing things. I had gotten up yet, as that actually takes effort for me to do. (Which will be clear when I actually DO get up – posting that now, as I’ll join the table)
As the gathered individuals meander more towards a table, Einar finally winces slightly, puts down the peculiar jar on the floor next to him, and then slowly levers himself up with his hands until he can get his one good foot under him to further push himself up, heavily leaning against the wall, sliding upwards. Once fully upright, he leans down, grabs the jar and his glass of water, and weaves towards the table with a rhythmic step thunk, step thunk, swaying back and forth more than a little bit until he makes it to the open chair and slowly lowers himself into it with a sigh. From the half dozen steps he took, you can tell his movement appears only impaired on that initial getting up, and sitting down, but he’s likely very predictable due to how his balance has been altered. No penalties for the peg leg, no, but an 8 Dex AND a peg leg! I envision it as if he has adjusted, but has an odd gait, resulting in a reduced stability (CMD), and reduced AC. Someone with a long term limp/crutches/etc tends to pick up an odd, but fast, movement pattern
Once seated, with that jar on the table just in front of him and to his left, his fingers remain flat against the table top, still for but seconds, before quietly, rhythmically tapping.
As Lady K is seated, he gives a seated half bow to her, and anyone else that he hasn't greeted yet.
I would have much rather had this all in one post, spoilering some just because it's either large, or mostly repeated from above. I do not object to anyone reading any of the items.
Vir:
Einar Connection to Qat: 1d100 ⇒ 19
Hunting companions I'm going to over rule this one with an arbitrary -5 > Tavern buddies. Established fact pattern on the record!
Einar Connection to Vir: 1d100 ⇒ 37
Former enemies - Fey Faction's may not always meet eye to eye.
Einar Connection to Stella: 1d100 ⇒ 37
Former enemies - Fey Faction's may not always meet eye to eye.
Vir + Einar: 1d100 ⇒ 55
Reputation only. Makes sense :P - Agreed.
I'm hoping that the Former will work in our favor, and not ruin things down the line.
Einar Connection to Ruskov: 1d100 ⇒ 56
Former inmates (prison, asylum, or captivity) or former inmate and captor - Given that I had no apparent recognition ... I think it needs more salt.
Einar Connection to Sergej: 1d100 ⇒ 21
Business associates, current or former
I can't reconcile these results with my prior lack of recognition but ... I'm willing to try and work with anything you can come up with. Sorry to see you go Ruskov!
Einar Connection to Rae: 1d100 ⇒ 87
Best friends - Current interactions are somewhat to the contrary, but I DID roll better to know more about you than anyone else... Thus far I've skimped on that knowledge, not sure how that actually works logically.
Izzy:
Einar Connection to Izzy: 1d100 ⇒ 1
Family or close as family—close friends, close/distant relatives, relatives by marriage/adoption - O.o
Einar Connection to Izzy: 1d100 ⇒ 29 Contractor and employer
I dunno, maybe I hired you to carry something heavy for me down by the docks, or maybe I sailed on a ship you owned once, or... I dunno... I thought we had never met. Maybe this didn't happen. Perhaps one of us somehow did a job for the other through an intermediary, and as such we never saw each other?
Honestly, I can see a few ways to work this:
Related result: Unlikely, but might work if you related back a couple generations, or an aunt, so you Might know a few of my relations, but that I'd have no idea. My story that works in my head, is that I was spirited away by the Fey at a very young age, either from London, or from the family that raised me on that other world where I just came from, and returned (or deposited) me to that family group. Possibly a Oops? Where did we steal this baby from again? Oh! There's a family of Maenad's!
Contractor result: I could see either of us hiring the other for a brief stint in the last couple days except for my 14 K Local. Perhaps you were hiring some muscle for something? Labor of carrying something seems easy and most likely, some nonchalant thuggery seems a little out of your character, but something I'm good at. Perhaps your work needed back up when you went up against something? Or you needed someone protected while you were elsewhere?
I'm OK with any of those. Most likely if we met, if at all, for only a few minutes.
Einar Connection to Norm: 1d100 ⇒ 14
Tavern buddies - Makes sense as an alias/tactic you may have used to get my measure.
Einar Connection to Lady K: 1d100 ⇒ 79
Veterans of a skirmish or war - Given your request for a boring last 4 months, I'm going to go with no contact, you might have witnessed a brawl, or been the cause of one! And/or I might have heard the songs: Knowledge Local, Lady K:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 Going with: Nope, all the references will be over my head.
One thing that I thought of while getting ready for work, is I DO have Fey Taken as a drawback... That could explain ... everything. That said, I have no intention of allowing those dice to force an enmity from my side...
The Fey have had an active hand in my life ... as I also have Fairy Godmother. The enmities might actually be with her, thinking on it. It's not like the fey aren't known for their politics and factions...
That said, despite the ... , major, interferences I currently have no plans to have an enmity with the Fey as a whole.
I'm more than willing to give it a go, but I've written myself into a corner a bit, having been in town/on this plane for ~96 hours, and I left the plane I came from vague intentionally to allow some GM input/hook if they desired. Add the fact that I'm fairly young (Though, going back and looking at the race's age templates, too young, I may have to edit that a bit), I wouldn't have the temporal time to meet most of you in too much depth.
Norm wrote:
Einar Connection to Norman: 1d100 ⇒ 37 Former enemies.
Hah! Totally spied on you for a while, trying to figure out what your 'deal' was when you first arrived. Makes sense.
Einar Connection to Qat:1d100 ⇒ 19
Hunting companions I'm going to over rule this one with an arbitrary -5 > Tavern buddies. Established fact pattern on the record!
Einar Connection to Vir:1d100 ⇒ 37
Former enemies
Einar Connection to Ruskov:1d100 ⇒ 56
Former inmates (prison, asylum, or captivity) or former inmate and captor - Given that I had no apparent recognition ... I think it needs more salt.
Einar Connection to Rae:1d100 ⇒ 87
Best friends - Drowning in Salt!
Einar Connection to Sergej:1d100 ⇒ 21
Business associates, current or former
Einar Connection to Stella:1d100 ⇒ 37
Former enemies
Einar Connection to Izzy:1d100 ⇒ 1
Family or close as family—close friends, close/distant relatives, relatives by marriage/adoption - O.o
Einar Connection to Norm:1d100 ⇒ 14
Tavern buddies - Makes sense as an alias/tactic you may have used to get my measure.
Einar Connection to Lady K:1d100 ⇒ 79
Veterans of a skirmish or war - Perhaps there was a tavern brawl down by the docks in the last few days that we both participated in? Your ... disgrace occurred before I made it to town.
Preview is not working for me at the moment, so going to try posting. My plan was to preview, see the results, check the formatting, and then think on the results until I can make sense of them.
Well, THAT worked. Editing in a few details, then off to work. Some of the above will most likely need to be discarded or altered, but The Dice Gods Have Spoken.
I'm going to have to admit linguistic defeat. Can you please translate this back into common?
Quote:
sef'l
I've ... managed to translate everything else, but that word, has defeated me. I've been wrestling with it for hours...
DC 39? I'll allow myself to be whooshed, I can't hit that on a 20! Though, if I'd actually trained it up, I could have set a bluff that high for certain circumstances. I love having lots of skill points, but I can never, ever, get enough, even with 8 base + a good int + favored + human... I admit I have a problem. Not enough skill points.
Lady K. That ... is surprisingly complex and mufti-dimensional for a mostly randomly rolled background, yet, it flows fairly well. <bookmarks> Though I recall a long night back in college where 8 or so of us rolled up Hackmaster characters (never actually PLAYED but, we made characters! ) All but one ended up having lost a thumb to a monk as part of their back-story.
Not sure how much I'll be able to post today, so seizing the opportunity now:
Vir: not sure how everyone else feels, but I'm enjoying your characterization, and that was response was priceless.
Rae (and anyone who hasn't said "yes" yet to the network ability, Einar's going to be a stickler on that front, no consent, no telepathy! I feel it fits mechanically (willing targets), and that he's on his best behavior at the moment.
Lady K / Norm / Ruskov / everyone thinking thinking thoughts: We miss you! Come join us!
Rae has not checked in on this thread since Friday / Sat on the recruitment thread, so has NOT acknowledged willingness. So either she was out and Stella was in, or that conversation happened when Rae was in
I'm willing to practice for a few days in a more private setting, and I agree that groups of three is sensible, if we are working as 6 or more. That said I'm not quite ready to quit the Drum, not all the players assembled have introduced themselves. At the least, there's that absolutely suspiciously normal looking gentleman at the table over there.
-A man spending quite a bit of effort to blend in, there must be a story or four there. A professional chameleon, most likely trying to pick up information just like I was before being visited by half the Drum. Izzy and Qat might know more about him.
That's actually the best resulting set of rolls for what I was hoping to get: I see you, know WHAT you are doing, but know nothing of who you have been (and I think that I'm oblivious as to your Aasimar traits, should be DC 20+ if I'm understanding right)!
"Most of my hunting will not allow too much overlap in tactics ... Other than using my 'Network' ability to communicate and set a trap or two or roaming the streets at night seemingly alone.
He turns his head and looks up at Rae (Izzy's suggestion way up thread)).
"I for one would be happy to hear from someone more experienced hunting amidst a city."
Einar's eye's blink once as Qat rattles off her major skillsets and challenges everyone to reveal some of their secrets in return.
Aha! And add that like so!
"Impressive display Qat. As I was saying just a few minutes ago, I have a skill that I believe is uncommon in these parts, or at least, I've seen little evidence that it is as abundant as say, an afternoon song amongst the neighbors. Perhaps it would be easiest to just demonstrate. I however ask consent before doing so, as I can link mind to mind almost all of us here in the corner, granting a significant increase in coordination and communication. This would grant a greater facility in setting a trap or searching multiple areas at once. The range is a bit limited as I need to be with 150' of everyone, but it may still turn the tide.
Please indicate, and I will show you what I mean.
For the first four to indicate yes, you feel a for brief moment, as if someone was knocking politely on the walls of your mind. As long as you are within 150' of me, up to 4(+self) individuals can communicate telepathically. Can drop as a free action (Yours or mine).
IF everyone indicates yes, I'll start adding and dropping people at semi random until everyone's been in at least a while and had something said while were out as well.
"This connection with but a little practice it will allow you to reach out to one, or all, of those inside."
I'm sure with a little thought, you can imagine the benefits this would bring to our hunt. There's a little more that it can grant, but unless we are 100% positive we are not going looking tonight, I will save those energies for when they are needed.
I have not set up a network yet, so nope, no response! Bluff because there are things he's not ready to go into yet, and some I can't (waiting on Fairy GodMothering meeting info), but I'm fairly confident that I won't beat a 31 again.)
bluff:1d20 + 5 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 10 = 21
You feel quite confident that while he may be hiding something, or at least hasn't told the whole story, he's certainly not helping or participating in the murders. The statement of being in town only 4 days rings true and complete. I'm going off the assumption that there have been at least 4 murders over 8 days per the teaser. I'm going to hit post and run, More depth later!
As Qat meanders through the room and diverts in a beeline for the back corner, Einar's concentration on the jar in his lap stills, though his fingers do not, and he looks up as she approach and settles herself nearby. Between them in the dirt lies faintly etched lines of a grid, barely perceptible amidst the hard-packed earth and floorboard. As he makes a seated half bow, the closer perspective on the Ioun cloud gives credence that each stone was at one point fixed into a device that exerted pressure, giving them all small cracks in precisely the same fashion.
Well met again milady, I begrudge not the fog of grief. The name is Einar Colby. I'm told that in the tongue of my people that it means He who Fights Alone, in a Town of Darkness. The first part is something I strive hard to avoid, though from what little I've heard the last few days, this city is indeed shrouded.
For Qat alone (Missive):
(Missive, 1 way telepathic communication, 10 words or less/cast, in common) - Display - for a brief moment you feel as if a quiet bell chimed in your mind. Yes. I am still willing to help in your Hunt.
I think you will find my talents ... useful. For those willing to accept it, I can grant truly discreet communication to up to 4 others, at a range up to 150'. I have found this a incredibly effective when hunting with others. While not my only useful skill, it alone may be worth it's weight in gold.
Though, perhaps, it might be best to allow the connection to say, Sir Invictus's little lady, Stella, if I heard right, than Sir Invictus himself. I can't imagine letting him speak mind to mind for any length of time Keep it up Vir!
This last is said with a quiet smile, just before Izzy's grand entrance, stage left.
As the bold blonde approaches, one last aside aimed for Qat's ears alone.
Strangely I believe I could form a connection with that Bear over there as well, were those two interested. Wisdom>1, and it's got a 12!
In response to Izzy's question about the lack of chairs and the arrival of the two ladies, Einar again gives a seated bow.
While I'm sure Lady Qat is just being polite, I've spent the last 3 months at sea, and I am enjoying the little pleasures of being on dry land. And with a wry grin. That, and the floor pitches and yaws less. Strange that you say that you were told to come here. I was as well, twice actually. Once by the Lady Qat here, and once before that by someone else...
My name is Einar, and I'm new, lately arrived just 4 days ago from ... elsewhere. I've quickly learned that this is not an uncommon occurrence in these parts, and while I've tried to learn quickly, please forgive me if I'm unfamiliar with the entire area. That said I am willing to help in this hunt, though I may have a less personal stake in the matter, I do have my reasons to wish this hunt seen to it's end
Qat, I find your thinking good, and will roll some more for everyone else, using that first roll for yourself since your performance started us off... tell me, how much do you remember your drinking companions of evening last? (alternative, I could have been at a table nearby while you drowned your sorrows, seems slightly more likely as I think as I suspect I'll be skipping the booze with this character, and i doubt you'd unwind to someone who wasn't drinking too, at least not intentionally)
I put 1 rank in several knowledge's, including local, on purpose ... I've been in town 4 days...
The man's studied front of disregard for the occupants of the Drum solidifies into a steel mask of oblivious as Sergeji steps into the Drum, and only the truly masterfully observant notice the gentle stilling of his fingers tapping at the jar in his lap, or the gentle purple glow around his collar for a fraction of second before fading, unused.
This place, and these people ... I almost feel as I know them all...
There, the Flamboyant duelist, strange, but he's ALMOST as good as he thinks he is, hmm, front line or perhaps knight takes rook, yes, place someone across from him to take advantage of all the off balanced foes he creates. His little lady, perhaps not the most deadly, but you'll never see her coming. I wish I could understand more of what she was saying, I suspect it would grant greater insight into her companion.
The lady and the Bear ... I suspect they are a fearsome front line duo, though I doubt her companion is ready to learn to count. Perhaps by and by, especially if she has it running errands already....
The lady with the rapier, hmm, ink stains on her fingers, and a little unfamiliar with the weight of her blade perhaps? I think I heard a story two nights past, a local college perhaps ... what were the details... regardless she has the callouses to claim that her blade is no affection, she'll remember how to wield it soon enough. Another flanker, or front line in a pinch.
And that leaves the lady violinist... no visible weapons, could use a good night's sleep and something for the headache she's bound to have, but is plenty confident in these parts to be out alone, especially with a murderer loose. From what I learned last night, I'm sure she's able to hold her own, but I'd need to see her in action to be sure what role she'd play on a battlefield.
Four, or perhaps three and the bear, would be ideal. Now, to formulate strategies with each combination, not quite time to intrude and introduce myself, no not yet. Hmm, a distinct lack of ranged capabilities...
As his mind wanders across those he see's before him, his fingers continue to gently tap across the water jar in his lap, occasionally drawing brief choreographed placements on the ceramic's surface.
Seated in a corner, on the floor is a tall, muscular man, with a oddly bronzed skin that glitters in the light in shades of red, blue and gold. His focus seems to be entirely on a what appears to be a painted ceramic water jar, running his fingers over it, and occasionally holding it to his ear while tapping it quietly.
Knowledge Local DC ~2
Spoiler:
You have never seen this man before. Ever.
DC ~10
Spoiler:
While you have never seen this man before, his bearing and attire, and most importantly, peg leg, place him as most likely some kind of Sailor
DC <reasonably high, of the you know EVERYONE variety>
Spoiler:
You might have actually seen this man down by the docks with in the last four days, or perhaps down at the customs office 4 days ago or similar, but his first appearance here at the Drum was about half an hour ago, when he asked for a room and a glass of water.
Today he is dressed a heavy fur lined cloak of a dark blue, with a flash of gold at the throat, a dark green tunic of a coarse canvas like material, and thick light woolen breeches worked with faint gold patterns. His left foot, is bare and heavily calloused. His right ends just below the knee into a length of wood with a round knob at the tip. Slowly orbiting his head is a small cloud of blue, green and red in the form of a dozen ioun stones of various shapes, though it appears that each and every one has been cracked at one point or another.
He has a pair of slender rods with significant weights to one end, slipped through his belt, though they appear to best balanced and suited for drumming, they appear to have at least one other purpose as well. The first, is a slender length of black wood, etched with tiny gold characters, and appears to have a dual grip, so it can also be used as a club. The other, appears a similar length of crystal of a deep purple shade wrapped in a fine mesh of gold. This second length appears to have a tiny crystal shard floating in the air nearby.
While a brief look will give the impression that his focus is solely on the odd jar on his lap, a careful observer will notice that he has placed his back to a wall, and is intently studying and watching everyone.
Spoiler:
Bluff discerning true intentions, take 10= 25 due to Conceal Thoughts
Knowledge Local:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
(Well then, apparently I know everyone here O.O) IF/when an opportunity presents itself nicely where one of the clustered potential PC's suggests working together, the person/individual who makes the suggestion ONLY gets the following (Missive, 1 way telepathic communication, 10 words or less/cast, in common) - Display - for a brief moment you feel as if a quiet bell chimed in your mind, and each word feels carefully weighted (flavor)
I think I'm 95-98% done (I was considering spending some more minor gold on things like basic adventuring gear but can also do that after start). I've specifically (and respectfully) avoided anything with stun built in as I can see in the house rules a GM who's entirely fed up with the concept (The dazing change), and I have no desire to step on toes already tender (especially not with a cantrip equivalent!)
I have a couple questions buried in my profile: Specifically campaign trait, I don't think it'll be a major issue to take my preferred (Fairy Godmother, for why I'm here for this. If we met prior to making it to the Drum, I'll not assume anything, though leaving it as an open hook).
The other major question is in the feat Expanded Knowledge, I had 3 options listed and a 4th non power feat, I can see the first being something you'd rather not have, as it might ruin plot lines. I'm OK with any of them, and always willing to pick something else.
Speaking of such, please let me know if any of the spells/powers picked are things you would like changed.
I would also appreciated if someone more experienced with PbP could give my profile a look over, and let me know if I made any egregious faux pas.
Apologies for jumping the gun as I'm still working on crunch portion.
Bardic Vagabond wrote:
You are to arrive at the bar when you finish your characters
It's turned out to be more ... complex than I expected. I expect to be finished either Friday or Saturday.
Question time!
a: This source of Peg Leg is apparently a goblin? regional trait. I'm not really worried about which I use, did you have a preference? That one or the one above? Adverse reaction to sharks and resistance bonus to fort.
b: (For anyone more bard savy than I appear to be atm) Just to confirm, as I think it's been since before Pathfinder since I played a bard, versatile performance (Percussion) gives Intimidate, and War Drummer Archetype replaces Bardic Knowledge with a bonus to Intimidate, the +2 Intimidate stacks properly with the performance skill? IE: +12 Perform (Percussion) + 2 from Fearsome Mien (Bardic Knowledge replacement) = +14? yes?
c: I will admit to total confusion for the action points as well. Assuming the following example: L5 Tactician (gets up to 9th level powers, able to manifest L3 powers). Cha of 16, Wis of 11. My understanding, is that it's (Cha = 3) +(5 (Tact [Int based, so not Cha or Wis])x 1/4 = 1 1/4 * 0, (as it's a 9th level progression) = 0) + (L3 powers = -3) = 0?
Action points wrote:
*Everyone gains a pool of action points up to their Wisdom or Charisma modifier, plus one per four character levels. You may trade two action points for a Hero Point, up to either your Strength or Charisma modifier (Whichever is higher). Do not count nine level spellcasting purposes for your effective character level. If you are a Charisma or Wisdom based nine level caster, or summoner, count your Charisma as one lower per spellcasting level you have access to (So, if you had a charisma of 20 and could cast 2nd level spells, your charisma is counted as being 18 instead of 20)
d: Referenced in Gameplay/Recruitment thread, did you have a preference on which boat type? Taxes/Fees/Etc?
e: I assume that MetaPsionic feats are = to MetaMagic feats for the bonus at 1 and 3?
While I could be very wrong, as I'm a bit new to PbP, I interpreted this from the first post
Bardic Vagabond wrote:
Speaking of which, I have ALSO made a thread for you to play your characters while you wait for the deadline to come. I look forward to what is in there.
to mean that the gameplay thread was open before decisions were made.
That said, I tried to be careful in my opening post, to leave lots of open ends just in case I'm not selected, and for GM Bardic Vagabond to pull from at their desire, and for me to progress from as my final details are settled.
Strangely the crunch is taking longer than some of the fluff, though still working on some of his appearance
a few days ago...:
In the gentle hours before dawn, the only sounds are the quiet roll of the waves upon the beach of a quiet fishing village, home to maybe 30 families, and two or three actually wealthy merchants and traders.
It is for them a day of impending misery. As the rays of light slowly begin to pierce the thick morning fog, the morning sounds remain that of the gentle roll of the surf, but perhaps just a hint more surf than there is, for there, glinting gently, where the surf reaches the beach stalk several figures, barely visible in the mist, dressed in salt encrusted furs and armor, bearing weapons stained with the signs of much use.
Within moments, more than a dozen armed warriors set foot to sand and wait quietly, any sound they make is muffled by or could be confused with the song of the surf. There to the south, another group flows up onto the beach. Yet without any sound or signalling between them, the groups flit up into the village, leaving one from each group waiting on the beach. As the first Raider steps foot up to the first building, the silence is finally shattered by a thundering of a deep drum, and then an eerie, almost metallic warble echoing across the bay, striking fear deep in the hearts of the sleeping villagers.
There in the bay, anchored, are three vessels. Two are long narrow sea worthy ships capable of holding 80 or more raiders between the Dragon head at the stempost, and the curved tail on the sternpost. A single sail lies tightly furled to the yardarm on the single mast. The third, much smaller vessel is of similar design, but appears to be better suited for shorter, coastal voyages with a mere dozen or so, lies lightly anchored about ten to fifteen yards from shore.
It is there that the thundering of the drum and soul shivering cadence comes from, as there is one left aboard. Striking at the large drum lashed to the ribs of the boat, and then to the curious water jar in this lap, two large mallets blur as the roll off the drum, and then hang by leather straps secured to his wrists as he rattles his fingers across the water jar.
There is a look of peace on his face as he drums, of one who has tuned out the world, caring little that the world has yet to tune him out, as a wave swells a bit higher than those prior, gently lifting the ships boat up, pulling the anchor free for a moment. It is then, that the drumming stops, completely, and abruptly, mid bass roll. A look of sheer panic on the young man's face. He darts for the anchor chain and pulls it up some as the long mallets rattle at his sides. He stares vainly into the cubic mile of pea soup in front of him as he uses the waves to bring his vessel to shore, and whispers the words. "They're gone, as if out of range. That's NOT the plan!"
The look of surprise reappears, followed by one of deep confusion, as from the fog ahead booms a mighty bell, tolling the hours.
"There was no bell tower... and THAT'S not an Alarm pattern."
An errant gust of wind thins the fog, finally, resulting in the anchor chain slipping from once again surprised fingers, dropping deep into the bay, far deeper than expected. The view through the the thinning fog, is that of the mighty London Skyline, with the scream of a seagull above.
There he sat, crouched in the bow of the large boat staring out at the city before in silence for several long moments before someone shouted from a passing ship.
"Ahoy, you there in the Dragon Boat! You can't tie up there! Try the docks westward, you see em?"
"Your not from around here are you boy? Watch yourself in the city, they don't take kindly, and there is murderer loose."
Please let me know what the mooring and/or docking fee's, inspections and taxes etc come to, and well, which boat to use, and if it's confiscated. I was looking at the two here Rowboats - 50gp and the one here Ships Boat - 500gp. Honestly I have no expectation of needing them, but you never know, you might like the idea.
