Elvombor Isebring's page

As the three harpies still armed with barrels approach they are suddenly engulfed by what looks alike a black storm cloud that descends rapidly from the sky and they seem to disintegrate within it's core. The cloud descends, lightning crackling along its length to land on the deck of the ship. You realize it's some kind of elemental or perhaps an ooze as it extends crackling pseudopods toward you in a hostile manner.

Seeing the lightning slither across the pseudopods, Elvom realizes this is probably going to be a magic-only type fight. Not in possession of a magic weapon of his own, Elvom draws the Warhammer +1 he picked up from the fight on the bridge.

"Oh, this will hurt..." Elvom grimaces, "...but at least it's not a fire elemental."

Elvom swings at the Warhammer +1 at the lightning ooze.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 221d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Generally not" Lyre responds not sounding all that comfortable with the way the discusion is going.

"Fear not, the Captain is merely a business man." comforts Elvom, "Finding opportunities to turn a profit is his trade."

Elvom ponders the best way to turn a shark off the scent of blood.

"For all we know, the cure will spread as uncontrollably as the sickness."

Elvom looks to Pariem for help.

"It would be quite expensive to enumerate every recipient and demand payment; especially those who do not witness our provision of such."

"Hopefully it is something that may be able to help some of my fellows." Lyre picks up after Elvom. "I take it you have heard of the Sickness affecting Shifters?"

"Are you afflicted with this sickness, Lyre?" asks Elvom with concern.

"So tell me..." Liam asks as he spears a pile of sweetmeats with a long fork. "You say you're on a treasure hunt, what treasure are you looking for specifically?"

Elvom looks to Lyre and then to Liriel. Only a precious few seconds, but the silence following Liam's question seems to stretch on for nearly a week.

Finally Elvom gives Liam a serious look.

"Merely a bauble..." Elvom offers. "...with a terrible past. The sooner we find it, the sooner we can dispose of it. We shouldn't eve..."

Elvom catches a hard glance from Liriel, and abruptly stops speaking.

The Leaping Sphinx is an advanced skyship with spacious and richly appointed quarters. It has fallen on hard times however and the signs of multiple emergency repairs are obvious on it's hull and superstructure. Still you have no doubt that it is probably one of the fastest and most agile airships in the sky. As you poke around the ship you find it has all the amenities and resources you would expect from a small castle, with a libary, forges, crew quarters and even a sparring hall for martial training.

Elvom walks around inside, admiring the ship and making small talk with the crew.

Elvom is mentally working up security case for the ship: Exits and entrances. Spaces that could hide a Medium sized creature. Areas that could be converted to chokepoints. Crew faces, names, and count; especially those who might be able to hold their own in a fight. Location of the armory, galley, and escape pods.

Elvom also determines the location of the cargo hold, but not the contents (if any). Knowing where potential raiders will go is useful. Liam doesn't seem keen to share information about his clients, and Elvom thinks that would extend to any cargo as well.

Lyre nods at whatever Elvom is saying.

Elvom looks over at Liriel shaking hands with Pariem.

"Shall we have a look around the ship?"

"Er...It's nothing too important, just a contractual obligation dispute." Liam walks over to the sleeping bugbear and places his wand against it's temple. He triggers it for a coup de grace.

Elvom winces as Liam executes the bugbear.

"Yes my first mate will be here in a bit and then we can leave, in the meantime care to tell me the details of your trip?"

"Very well. Being dispossessed of them, your secrets are safe with me." Elvom replies with a polite nod. "Our trip is due to Liriel's research; she will be best suited to explain the route to you."

Elvom walks over to Lyre. "Walk with me."

"Well that was hair raising!" Liam comments. "Wow, I really owe you guys."

"Whom did that dog call master?" Elvom asks. "Our adversary's fashion sense indicates someone important ... and dangerous."

After a pause, Elvom adds "Liriel is right. We cannot tarry."

Elvom draws an arrow and takes a few quick strides toward the elf while aiming carefully and steadying his nerve.
He is fairly certain he won't hit Lyre ... maybe.

Elvom will Ready an action; if the elf does anything hostile (draws a weapon, attacks Lyre, starts to cast a spell, attempts to use a magical item, etc.), Elvom will fire a Focused Shot (+12, 1d8+9) at his throat.

"Hold Lyre! No elves need die today."

Lordjimbo wrote:

I was wondering if you guys have ever DMed a play by post game of your own and if so if you could give me some advice? My first question I'm wondering about is pacing issues and how to manage them. This current game we are playing I am basically trying to use the whole story style of adventurers who are minding their own business but through a series of seemingly random happenings get sucked into world shaking events all the while leaving the choices of what to do next in your hands, but as long as we have played we are still in what would basically be a three hour hook session at the beginning of the campaign if we were playing round a table. I dunno I've come to realize that much of how I judge whether the players are having a good time or are bored is by reading body language and faces and I can't do that in a play by post. What are your thoughts?

Actually let me split my inquiry into two groups: What do you guys think of pacing and how it works in PbP games in general and how do you like this game so far in particular? No complaints? or could be better?

I'm always trying to improve the way I am doing things and I've read many of your guy's posts in other threads and really respect your opinions and role playing ability. I'm interested in what you have to say.

This is my first play-by-post game, and I'd say I'm enjoying it a lot.

The only player issue I run into is post frequency; when it seems to be moving, I check it more often. When we hit a lull, I tend to check it less frequently. I should probably put it in my feed list at work; then I'll be sure to check it M-F for sure.

In character, my only concern is if I'm taking too many liberties describing NPCs or enemies. For example, in my recent post, I wrote a tiny bit on the reaction of the gargoyle. I'm trying to be creative/descriptive, but please let me know if I'm overstepping.

As far as the game, we may need another player; a front-liner of some type to replace good old A-7: Harbringer; but then again, outnumbered can be exciting too.

Otherwise, so far so good.

New round.

A pair of gargoyles descend from the sky, 20ft up and 30 feet away. They hiss and snarl as they prepare to attack.

Gargoyle Initiative +2

Elvom yells, "TWO, ON HIGH!" and attempts to double-tap the close/left gargoyle...

Longbow (Full Attack; Rapid Shot; 30 ft):

Shot 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 181d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Shot 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 151d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

...one arrow narrowly misses the gargoyle's eye, the other protrudes from the gargoyle's shoulder. The gargoyle replies with a shrill screech, and stares venom at Elvom.

"This may get as ugly as those gargoyles."

You haven't lost me, I was just busy prepping and running my tabletop game yesterday.

Right now, I'm on a lunch break from work and have to get back for a meeting with my boss. I'll post after I get home from work tonight.

"Well there is nothing for it!" Liam exclaims as he quick draws a wand from his sleeve and points it at the bugbear on the left. A lightning bolt leaps forth and blows the top of the goblinoid's head off with explosive force.

Sorry. :-)

Hey Longears!

Elvom gives Liriel a quizzical look...

The Elf hisses in anger and moves to attack.

... that is short-lived. In the blink of an eye, a longbow appears in his hands, delivering an arrow into the other bugbear.

Longbow (Standard Action; 40 ft.):
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 301d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

He shouts at the Elf: "Finduilas calmcacil arafinwë! Súrion!"

As he reaches for another arrow, a worried look crosses Elvom's face.

As he seems to roll around the idea in his head his face suddenly scrunches up as he recalls the work you did for him when you last parted ways and how much gold he already owes you. "Oh...and about my debt to you, er would you mind my paying that off in trade or service or something? I recently got a decent payday but I need the cash for...expenses, running the ship, paying the crew and the like..."

"Miss Liriel," Elvom interjects "it is my experience that gold in hand is the most secure form of compensation."

Elvom turns toward Liriel, facing away from Liam. "Yes, the gold is most certainly your best option in this circumstance." Elvom winks at Liriel.

"The Leaping Sphinx! Check your books now students. Our ride has arrived." Liriel starts in a mad dash off to the docking spire.

Elvom walks with Lyre toward the docking spire.

"It would appear that Ms. Liriel has provisioned a conveyance."

"Great!. It looks like all we need to do is get the best map we need of the area, pack up our bags and buy ourselves tickets to the nearest lightning rail stop."

"Are there any other individuals or groups that have ventured to this location? Perhaps we could solicit their advice."

Given the info you can find it seems the Field is the best place to start looking.

Elvom sketches a copy of the map of the Field and the surrounding area.

"Are the Warforged vulnerable to subterfuge?" Elvom asks. "Could a disguise convince these reavers to accost other targets as we search for the egg?"

"Well sounds more interesting and usefull than my book at least."

"Interesting, quite." Elvom responds. "Useful ... well, let us hope that fortune has smiled more upon Liriel."

Elvom seems so engrossed in his tome that he doesn't notice that he is softly reading aloud.

"A little overwritten, I'll admit." The elf says. "But the best factual account of that haunted land there is, hands down. There are modern maps and everything, very informative."

Quanestiel galataur. Cauniel runbrinlhûn mariel faelandaerl canathiel aldaloth lailaneth. The University elerron rhavaiel elendhen.

Elvom glances over the shelves to see if any other titles may be relevant or interesting toward the cause of recovering the egg.

"Oops. I missed one." Elvom stoops to pick up the last caltrop on the bridge.

"Actually from this height it's more like another day on top of Sharn." "Thank you Lyre I'm quite fit now."

"And that ..." Elvom gives the ground another quick glance over. "...should be all of them."

Elvom picks up the +1 Warhammer. "After Morgrave, perhaps an arms merchant can make this scuffle worth our while."

"Onward to Morgrave, then?" Elvom looks to Liriel and Lyre for confirmation that they are ready to go as well.

The minions gather their fallen and flee.

You gain 1 XP for defeating this threat and 1 XP for your RPing so far. You are now 3/15 to level 7. The monk left his warhammer on the ground, it is a +1 warhammer. Would you like to continue on to Morgrave?

Elvom asks Liriel, "How bad are your injuries?"

Elvom scans the battlefield to see if any innocents got caught in the crossfire. Finding none, he begins recollecting his caltrops and placing them in the box.

Even if there aren't enough caltrops to resupply the box, Elvom doesn't want anybody else to step on them accidentally.

"Just a moment while I clean up this small spill."

Elvom admires Lyre's handiwork for a second, and then utters something under his breath.

Elvom surveys the battlefield. If the injured minion is only helping his commander to withdraw, and does not seem to be doing anything hostile (i.e. reloading or aiming a weapon, casting a spell, etc.) then Elvom will avoid targeting him and the Monk.

Elvom will take two rapid shots against the minions targeting Liriel and Lyre.

Attack 1 (Minion targeting Liriel): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Attack 2 (Minion targeting Lyre): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

"Flee with your lives while you still have them!" shouts Elvom as he reaches for yet another arrow...

Disciplined under fire, Elvom takes a pair of rapid shots at the Monk.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

As the first arrow is loosed, Elvom notices the origin of Lyre's swarm.

"Ugh ... and I thought Spider Climb was bad..." Elvom mutters to himself as he reaches for his second arrow.

Attack 2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Elvom draws his longbow and swiftly nocks an arrow.

"Bandits run when their leader is slain. Let us see if these are truly religious fanatics, or simple bandits with no sense of fashion."

If the leader monk is within 30 ft, this is a Focused Shot. Otherwise it's just a regular standard action ranged attack (-1 to hit).

Attack roll: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Oil from the box of caltrops goes unnoticed on Elvom's delicate elven fingers. The arrow leaves Elvom's bow an entire instant too early, flying wide from its intended target.

"Dorthonion curufinwë! Melwasúl fingon arnatuilë!"

Would Feather Fall work for the whole group, 200 ft. up, given that Elvom only a Wizard 1?

Traveling along a thin air bridge between two high towers you suddenly notice the crowds around you have thinned significantly. From across the way five hooded figures emerge from an unlit arch and move towards you. They separate a bit as they approach and you see a muscular bald man in a monk’s habit behind them.

How high is the air bridge? This is for the escape plan in case things go badly.

“The Savior will arise!” He declares in a maniacal voice, focusing his attention on you. “The Potents must be nurtured!” He hefts a warhammer as the robed figures draw daggers. “The ages crawl by and the time of Ascension draws near. Prepare for pain!”

The monk and his hooded henchmen move to attack.

Elvom retrieves his Box of Caltrops from his Handy Haversack.

"Gentleman! May I interest you in a subscription to Magician's Quarterly?"

Elvom scatters the caltrops on the bridge between himself and the opponents and takes a step backward.

"Young Misses, we must prepare for battle." Elvom tells Liriel and Lyre in a firm but low whisper.

Would you like to begin the short trip to Morgrave?

Yes. Although there is more to discuss, those topics are best covered outside city walls.

Know of him? If it wasn't for his family, we wouldn't be graced with the company of Smiley here." Liriel pipes in, pointing to Harbinger. "Word is he's one of the top figures of the family, perhaps aiming to be the top figure. It's said that he has a shop here in Sharn, but considering that he might up to the rather illegal buisness of making more warforged, it's probably not wise to inquire too closely about his activities. But ooh that would be something to see."

"I see. I agree with your sentiments. We are best served to keep a low profile; our skies already contain the cloud of one crime-lord."

"Is that the library building over there?"

For info on Merrix D'Cannith Knowledge(local or nobility) DC 20 check.

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"Merrix ... Merrix ... Wait, is that the halfing who consumed 50 sausages before any other contestant at the last festival?"

"Very well." Lyre responds to Elvom's offer.

"Does anyone know that Merrix D'Cannith that Midas mentioned?" Elvom asks.

"It was perhaps an oversight not to inquire further with Midas about this person." Elvom ponders for a moment. "On the other hand, given Midas' emotional instability, we may yet obtain more information by our own investigation."

"A deal made under threat is hardly a deal at all." Lyre decides to be honest with the two. "Frankly the only reason I am going along with this is because I need use of the egg myself."

Elvom shakes his head in disbelief.

"If you are willing to pay its terrible price, I see no reason to deny you the egg."

"I desire only your solemn promise that you will surrender the egg to me after you have concluded your business with it, or if you should perish." Elvom glances at Liriel. "We shall deliver it to Midas after that time."

"And now that we've got some coin, I suggest our first stop to be the library at Margrave University, where we can do some tracing of a map of the Field of Ruins. Then settle any affairs, secure lodgings for the night and get ready to secure rail passage in the morning. The maps there should give us a clue which rail station we should purchase tickets for."

"The library; excellent." Elvom ponders what other knowledge might be available in the stacks.

"Very well" Lyre responds to the suggestion "Tell me though what do yo two intend to do with the egg when we retrieve it?"

Elvom looks at Lyre with an expression of confusion.

"We will deliver it to Midas?" Elvom ponders Lyre's question and expounds, "Midas no more deserves that egg than a spoiled child deserves a fruit treat. And if I were to gamble on it, Midas' fondest desire is to eat an entire hog roast served by a beautiful prostitute with two large ..." Elvom glances from Lyre to Liriel and back to Lyre, and then reconsiders his choice of words for a moment. "... bags of gold."

Elvom continues with a hint of regret in his voice, "It is my experience that those who endeavor to use things they do not understand meet with unfortunate consequences."

"For my part, I will deliver the egg to Midas, as I am being paid to do. It will be up to the gods to decide if Midas is wise enough to possess a thing as terrible as an egg that can grant a wish."

Sharn: Skyscrapers, scammers and scents, there is nothing quite like it. You find yourself in a dirty back ally in an uncomfortably shady neighborhood. Oh well all great adventures have to start somewhere right? At least the smell of refuse is slightly better than Midas’ body odor.

Freed from the presence of the malodorous Midas, what would you like to do?

"Let's find our way out of this dreadful neighborhood and toward a map." Elvom turns to Liriel to ask, "Are you familiar with the places of this city?" It seems that he is not.

"Perhaps we should remove ourselves elsewhere and start planning the details of our trip? Perhaps we can go by lightning rail to a stop close to a chosen point of entry and secure mounts there?"

"Indeed."

Elvom turns to Midas.

"By your leave, sir..."

Elvom gives Midas another graceful bow.

Midas waves a dismissive hand. "Yes, yes, all I am interested in is the Egg, anything else you discover on your journey is yours to keep."

Elvom turns to the other "recruits".

"Greetings." Elvom gives them a graceful bow.

"I am Elvombor Isebring. Perhaps I assume too much, but I believe that I speak for everyone in the room..."

"...the sooner we obtain this mysterious egg and give it to Lord Midas, the better everyone will feel. Correct?"

Midas chews his tongue in agitation at your response. “I assure you anything you meet in the Mournland isn’t likely to be nice or particularly worthy of life. Besides, I’m commanding you to fetch me the Egg by any means necessary. If that’s a problem I can have my Ogres escort you off a cliff face into the Hilt.”

"Not all of us are wise enough to judge the worth of life. My apologies; as you command." Elvom gives another graceful bow.

"My final question concerns any other wealth discovered during the expedition. Are we free to keep it?"

Elvom will conceal that he knows anything about the egg. Elvom thinks Midas would torture him for information and dispose of the body. This opposed to let somebody who knows more than they should, have a chance at stealing (or using!) the egg for themselves. Elvom makes a mental note to discuss the egg with the other "recruits" on the road.

"I recommend you slay that individual! I doubt there will be negotiations, I cannot foresee any sane being giving up such a prize for mere gold." Midas narrows his eyes. "Except for you all of course..."

"I am neither thief nor murderer. Should another be possessed of your prize, I would provide you with a name and a location. You would, of course, not be obligated to pay me beyond your initial investment."

A DC 25 Knowledge(arcana) check will reveal some relevant facts about the Egg of Miracles.

Knowledge (Arcana) +13: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

After a moment of consideration Midas nods agreeably. "A small advance seems perfectly reasonably, it will be a long and involved trip after all. I'll have my butler fetch it for you before you leave. What is your next question?"

"My second question is about a scenario. Should we find that your magnificent prize is already in the possession of another, how much should we tell them that you are willing to pay for it?"

Midas smiles widely, looking satisfied. "Indubitably my fine fellow. Ask away."

"Very good sir." Elvom pauses for a moment to consider the best phrasing for his first question.

"A journey so long and dangerous will require many preparations and purchases. An advance of 750 gold each should be all that is required."

Elvom notices Midas' eyes narrow at the thought of a money advance, and quickly adds,

"We could make it work on 500 gold, if we took fewer provisions and traveled more slowly. It would only add another six to nine months at the most."

Elvom notices Midas' eyes widen at the thought of an extra year without his prize, and finally adds,

"However, you do not strike me as the kind of man who likes to wait. 750 gold then, sir?"

Lyre swiftclaw wrote:

"Nothing comes to mind at the moment" Lyre responds

"Mmmmm." Midas replys, leaning back on his throne-like lounge chair and steepling his fingers. "And from the rest of you? Any questions? You seem a rather taciturn crowd..."

Elvom slowly and obviously takes measure of the room in a way that seems to ignore all of the current occupants. He speaks only under his breath and his fingers seem to enumerate things.

Conventional and unconventional exits; doors, windows, and any holes in the ceiling or floor.

The number of large objects that might become obstacles if pushed/kicked over.

The number of small objects that might become improvised projectiles.

Finally, as if seeing them for the first time, he takes stock of the living occupants of the room.

First the "recruits".

Then the ogre guards...

the butler...

and finally the gentleman who made the job offer.

He points a single finger at the base of Midas' chair and begins counting the number of strides directly between that chair and himself. His voice rises to bare audibility as his finger meters the distance...

Elvom then puts on his nicest, most innocent, I-didn't-just-case-your-room-for-a-dirty-street-fight smile and looks Midas directly in the eyes.

"Salutations and most esteemed greetings, Your Corpulance," says Elvom, before giving a gracious bow. "Before we shall endeavor a journey to retrieve your magnificent prize, it occurs to your humble servant," Elvom pauses to give another gracious bow, "that the circumstances surrounding our imminent success should be made significantly more favorable if your greatness would offer small pearls of wisdom regarding three small queries. Might I ask them of thee now?"

Alright I'm ready to start on my end once everyone in a given group tells me "let the adventure begin!" we will start that game.

let the adventure begin!

I still haven't done the stats on attack bonus/damage for Elvom's weapons. I'll do so after making this post.

I probably won't be available the rest of today and tomorrow. I'm preparing for my table-top PF game that I run on Sunday.
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Party Composition

I'm okay with the party composition suggested by Raeli. Just as a help, here's a table similar to Raeli's with some hyperlinks to profiles of characters and players.

A-7 Harbinger - LN Warforged Fighter (KMBCross)
Elvombor Isebring + Kumo (cat) - NG Elf Archer 5/Wizard 1 (another_mage)
Liriel - NG Gnome Artificer (LazarX)
Lyre swiftclaw + Fox - NG Shifter Witch (Kevin Mack)

PvP

I was going to write up a section on PvP (re: Fraust). After I saw the alignment spread in the table above, I don't know that it's necessary.
Hopefully Kumo is smart enough not to antagonize Lyre's fox, otherwise he might lose his other ear.

Game Ending

I'd like a happy resolution to Elvom's ultimate goal. As to the amulet and other NPCs involved with it, Elvom knows the world is a dark place and sometimes avalanches are set in motion.
Elvom doesn't want to understand the higher purpose behind the avalanche, he'd just like to escape it, more or less intact.

Elvom is in pursuit of his goal with the timeline of an elf. This is to say, he's not in a hurry by human standards.
He is willing to take advantage of opportunities that arise, but if it takes a decade to find the right person to help, that's just how long it takes.

Party Start

Perhaps the expedition to the Mournland could begin at Morgrave University in Sharn as part of the Morgrave Outreach Association?
I could see Elvom joining the outreach association as a way to make contacts and evaluate if they can be trusted to help.
If anybody else in the party wanted to join the outreach association, we could know one another.

Honestly, my Eberron-fu is weak. I can come up with some more ideas to tie the party together, but they might be not Eberron-specific.

Nice, well thought out, we'll see what folks think. Also Elvombor has a pretty interesting back story that's open ended enough to fit in either group I believe (I'm sure another mage will share it soon)

It is now posted to the profile in three sections.

The "Open Backstory" is what Elvom would share about himself. Anybody could know these things if they asked Elvom or others who knew him from the caravans.

The "Secret Backstory" is the story prior to the caravans; if you want to know (OOC) about it, feel free to read. Elvom would not share that information openly, but questions about his spellbook or one-eared black cat familiar are a handhold into that part of his story.

The "Ultimate Goal" is Elvom's reason for adventuring. Since the incident in his secret backstory, he is very selective with whom he will share this goal. (If you want to know OOC, feel free to read it too.) He would probably retire if he were able to meet this goal. Resolving it won't change the shape of the world; thus Elvom's story is a good "also-told" against the backdrop of some of the more epic plots in the party.

Mounts up and rides over to the party formation thread.

Elvombor Isebring wrote:

Still adding the finishing touches on the Elven Archer

Cool, and with my static initiative house rule that +11 means the only times you won't be going first is if you're caught by surprise or meet some truly lightning fast mook.

Oh, I think I only have Init +7 .. or did I miscalculate something?

Still adding the finishing touches on the Elven Archer