Farfadet's page

Hi everyone,

I just let GM Eldest know that I'll unfortunately be bowing out of this fantastic game (and pbp in general) for personal, health-related reasons. I'm truly sorry to leave you guys, and hope you will have a grandiose time with Kingmaker!

As it seems to become a habit for the fire-haired gnome, Farfadet lapses into another of his reveries, his perplexed face illuminated by his own eerie lantern. His mouth slightly agape, he loses his awareness into the foliage. "It is watching. It is waiting." he states absent-mindedly, still lost in contemplation. "It won't be long now..."

After the performance, Farfadet lingered a bit behind, but he now hurries back to his newfound companions, a smug smile on his lips. "What did I miss? Oh, sorry, don't answer that, that's not even a real question, much less one I'd ask a fey to answer for me! Not that I wouldn't enjoy a good story being told by the fey. I never say no to it, whatever the cost. Did I tell you about the time I traded for a kiss from a nymph? I had it for a song! I mean, a real song. I'm such a great sing-"

The gnome abruptly stops, considering that the mood is definitely not a light-hearted one anymore. He sniffs the air, gazes around, attempting to discern what dangers might be lingering there, and how to best react to it.

I'm back from my ski camp. Thanks for your patience!

Farfadet returns on stage, one step behind Lani, mimicking her gestures in a comical manner, as if to emphasize how serious the court wizard takes themselves. His face contorts and pouts, grimacing at every sentence. As soon as Lani appears to turn and check what's going on behind her back, he stops and gazes at the stars, pointing at them innocently.

"A hard truth, My Prince! The stars here reveal that a shadow, whether o' the mind or occult, has a dark hold over you. Search your soul, my lord, for what shakes your resolve anon. But behold! The celestial bodies above us warn against a lingering..."

Aside I dare not say it! This grueling pain lingers in... Should we prune it indeed? He then makes a grossly feinted shocked face, putting both hands to cover his own loins, then chuckles, and shifts back to a serious demeanor.

"Wherever it may be, consider what is at stake, My Prince, for the realm shall not suffer this situation any longer! The reason of state dictates that a fruitful alliance should be concluded."

Farfadet is flabbergasted at the whole scene, and at first his cheeks grow reddish at the perspective of being on stage. Thoughts race through him, then suddenly a bright smile illuminates his childlike visage, as if seeing something he hadn't before. He immediately sets off to enter the stage first, moved by inspiration and sheer enthusiasm.

Aside, before entering. Feys acting like...us? Oh, the irony! Do they marvel over us as we do over them? Let us play along, and we shall see what comes of it!

Enters stage from the left, excited and terrified at the same time. "My good master, where are you hence? Where have you gone? Have you fallen for the charms of some passing girl? 'Tis I, your faithful Baldric! Egad, where has the scoundrel fled? To the petticoat of a mere wench, no doubt! He needs me more than ever- If the Queen learns of that, my good Prince is done for! We have worked so hard for this union to happen." Farfadet runs in an erratic manner to and fro, looking everywhere, raising curtains before dropping them, acting ever bit the comic relief of the play. "What's more, where are my good companions, trusted advisors of the Prince? I shall find them and return."

Runs off the stage to the right. Exit.

Farfadet's thoughts race as he follows Kilava, lantern in hand. A play! Wonders abound in this place. I wonder what it's about, or whether we'll maybe even get to play in it! And look at her, so gracile and imperious. A true fey indeed! This is your chance, Farf', don't mess this up. You're among amazing people, off to amazing adventures. So keep the pranks to a minimum and try to fit in for once, mother would say. Hah! That would be the right thing to do, but would it be the fun one?

Farfadet attempts to know more about what's expecting them. "A play, you say? That's exciting! May we know who or what this is about? Or who will play the main part? I remember a play enacted by the famed Dandelion, the Taldan favourite of the crown. Never had I seen something so moving and spectacular!"

Just to let you know a few days in advance - I won't be available (ski camp with my students) from March 8th-10th. I will try to check my games, but I don't know how the network will be, nor if I'll have time to post. Sincere apologies in advance, and thank you for your understanding.

Farfadet's silent reverie ends with the sudden appearance of the cat lady, whom the gnome listens to casually, his thoughts still lingering on the feeling of purpose buried deep within him at this precise moment. One of Nidintu's words, however, makes him snap out of it instantly. "Mad, you say? There's no such thing as mad here. Only fleeting words, lingering feelings that may or may not counterdict each other. This is the First World, a universe both permanent and impermanent at the same time - if it makes sense?" He bursts out laughing with a clear, high-pitched giggle. "I do sound mad, don't I? We'll have to get accustomed to it, my good friend. Forsake all seriousness here, yet don't forget it's a thing when we are inevitably confronted with the powers that be in this world. More importantly - follow the light." Farfadet concludes with great emphasis on his final word.

He brandishes his lantern, and follows the cat lady, his senses alert. Strangely enough, the soothing eerie radiance emitted appears to cause interference on his surroundings, as the limit between the light cast and the darkened out-of-reach corners seem to blur in a perpetual conflict.

Marvels of the First World soundtrack

Among the luxuriant vegetation, a small huddled figure struggles to get up. At first, a small pale hand, the fist tightened by a long deep sleep, stretches. Amidst huge moonlike leaves, untidy bright red hair can be spotted, hiding a pair of half-closed eyes. The lids, appearing heavy and burdened, have a hard time opening to the grandiose scenery surrounding the group of wanderers. Yet as soon as they eyes beyond have somehow aligned into cohesion, they sparkle with bewilderment, and the huddled figure instantly rises to its feet, gazing around with great interest. "Where... What... Wow!" he quickly interjects, oblivious at first of his companions. He relapses into an admirative silence, bathing in delight and wonder.

The red-haired figure belongs to a young gnome, dressed in travelling clothes covered with greenery of all sorts. Leaves, branches, wreathes, even some stones of all shapes, sizes and aspect are tied to the gnome's leather belt. Pouches still humid from dew also about, smelling of wet earth and humus. His clothes themselves are mostly green, though it is hard to distinguish whether they were that colour in the first place, or they are thus because of how worn and trodden they are. The young gnome, despite his young age, has obviously travelled far and wide. The gnome's first move is to draw an odd-looking paper lantern beaming a soothing eerie light, although it seems more like a hard-learnt reflex rather than out of present need. He steps forward, ignoring the warning issued by the elf, and attempts to climb on a large-capped toadstool mushroom to gain a somewhat better view. It is only a good half-minute later that he turns towards the other souls that woke beside him.

"Oi! Ye see this? 'Tis the First World! We gnomes come from there, or so I've been told - though the Elders would just bleach rather than admitting it, so busy that they are with they're almighty work." he snorts with disgust at that last word. He jumps back on to the mossy soil, and steps forward to graps the offered hand. "I'd be daft not to honor such a delightful flying creature's greetings. Well met, Clementine, I'm Farfadet, self-proclaimed king of myself, and free soul of the wilds. 'Tis good to see faeries such as you! Do you live here?" he wonders aloud.

Only then does he turn to the other people surrounding them. "Roots! How glad I am to see you here! I haven't seen you in like... wait... a good tenday or so. Fancy meeting you here! Oh, and you're also here Halrod, you are a welcome sight, friend." he greets with genuine warmth and friendliness. "Nidintu, is that you? Now I feel safer already! I see you have met with Halrod and Roots - they're great companions, also lone wanderers like me." he adds, nodding at the verdant warrior leaning on his massive maul.

He finally catches glimpse of Lani and Glitterbloom, and blinks twice. Then once more, at a loss for words. "Err, I, err... glad to meet you, miss! Farfadet, at your service." He stops abruptly, then raises an eyebrow, holding a finger at his lips playfully before winking at her. "'Tis a manner of speaking, of course, but still, I'm very glad to meet you!"

Farfadet then turns to lose himself in the sheer beauty of the wild nature surrounding him and his companions. "The nature here, dangerous? Luring, most certainly... I wonder what brought us here."

I'll be posting shortly, including a link to a YouTube video for background music I found to go particularly well with the current mood. If you don't want me to post music links, or if you enjoy it, feel free to let me know! I'm no poet expert, but I very much enjoyed the verses everyone posted earlier, and I thought I'd contribute in my own way!

Lani - I see the Lantern King more as "experimenting" with Farfadet, and see where it goes. However, Lani will surely recognize his mark on Farfadet, and possibly lead/guide him to understand what power is at play here.

Halrod Well, wandering, of course! More precisely, researching empirical information about fey and their presence in the Stolen Realms. Since Farfadet isn't much of a fighting type, he'd most certainly welcome company, as well as someone who's interested in the same field.

@GM Eldest: Thanks!

@Roots: No worries at all, I'm actually very eager to see a Druid being played, even moreso a leshy one!

No complaints here Roots. Druid seems like a very appropriate class for this campaign and your character idea both. And given that Clementine is also a local of the area, I'd imagine he and Roots have run into each other multiple times and would probably know each other by the time this adventure starts. Maybe Farfadet met both of us at the same time?

That sounds great!

Relationships within the group
That's an excellent idea to tie the group together before we start! A far as Farfadet is concerned, he wandered a lot in his teenage/early adulthood years, in the wilds for the most part. So he's bound to have run into some of you at some point, especially if greater powers such as the Eldest had a say in these "chance" encounters.

- I see Farfadet befriending Roots-Sink-Deep as they met in one or more occasions, possibly travelled together for a few leagues. Farfadet has a keen and genuine interest in natural creatures such as leshies, but would have little clue about Erastil in the first place, since the crafty gnomes where he hails from are probably worshipping Torag. I could very well see Farfadet wanting to learn more about Erastil throughout a budding friendship with Roots-Sink-Deep (love the name by the way, it is so reminiscent of one of my favourite board games ever, Spirit Island, where all spirits have names akin to this one). What do you think, Dorian?

- He may have run into Nidintu's band of bandits, and talked his way out of trouble, even possibly making them laugh. This would have given him the opportunity to get to know Nidintu a little better, and feel a strange connection with him, as they're both bound to the Eldest.

- A connection with Lani is even easier: they have both been transformed by the Lantern King, even if Farfadet doesn't know it yet. However he has been bestowed with the Laughing Lie's boon, the Lantern, which could make him recognizable as one of his "servants". What's more, Lani's nature as a sensate would definitely draw Farfadet, as all the gnomes he knew from his home town are quite the opposite - so focused on their work that they are boring.

- Connections with Halrod and Clementine could be akin to Roots's, a strange fascination and curiosity with fey-touched creatures met during his travels. I'd be more than happy to expand more!

GM Eldest
I'd be very interested to take the Blessed One archetype at level two, granting Farfadet the Lay on Hands focus spell. I'm also interested in taking the Energized font ancestry feat at level 5, in conjunction with Lay on Hands, to grant me an extra way (once per day) to get a focus point back, for example in combat. However, RAW it could not work, because Lay on Hands is a Divine Focus spell, so I'd have to get a Divine cantrip instead of a Primal one at character creation. I could do that with the Wellspring Gnome heritage mechanically, but I think it wouldn't really fit the character, as I'd like to keep the "blessed by the Lantern King"'s trope. My question is whether it would be possible to change Lay on Hands from the blessed one archetype to Primal, which would fit the Lantern king better, please?

Hello everyone! I'm really happy for all of us to play together in this game. I'm already seeing some great roleplaying opportunities within the group.

I'm currently finalizing my character, I think the only thing left is my Primal cantrip. Any advice is welcome!

I've just checked his other campaigns, and it looks like the situation is the same for them. They haven't heard from him since April 11th. I hope everything's all right for him...

The last week has been particularly busy for me because we've just moved into our new home and thus I haven't been able to check the boards as often as I normally do. Sorry about that!

Any news from our GM? He hasn't posted in 10 days.

"I'll definitely come back and visit, then!"

Now I'm really considering taking a familiar, then improved familiar. Having a faerie dragon with Farfadet would be amazing! That would cost me three feats (skill focus (knowledge arcana), eldritch heritage (arcane bloodline), improved familiar), but well worth it in terms of fluff.

Farfadet appears relieved. "That's wonderful news Ardainn! We should train like they say then seek them out! Many thanks, kind spirits of the forest. You're both so amazing... why don't you come with us? WE'd do many discoveries together!"

Then to his companions: "Where to? Ohhh, hot springs, these sound wonderful! The temple also sound nice."

Farfadet takes a moment to enjoy the feys' presence, visibly overjoyed.

"Tricks, I love tricks! Do you know how to walk on your hands? That way you can see the world upside-down. See? I usually can manage it!" To illustrate his words, the gnome suddenly puts both palms on the ground and project his legs up to the sky.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

"Can you do it?" he says, as a challenge, not only for the fey, but for his companions as well.

Farfadet beams a wide smile as he is at last able to behold the two creatures. He has a hard time refraining from approaching them, though he seems to realize all too well that a sudden approach may result in their fleeing.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 to try and recognize what these creatures are.

Farfadet looks enthralled by the giggling voices echoing through the woods. Looking up, he whispers to his companions. "Asha, they're definitely considering your proposition. Maybe some kind of offering would be appropriate. Feys love gifts!"

Joining a gesture with those words, he takes a leather pouch out of his backpack and extracts carefully a pair of dice from it. Laying them in a handkerchief, he offers them to the powers of the woods.

Diplomacy (aiding Asha), DC 10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Farfadet listens intently to the eerie laughter, trying to identify which fey (if any) could be the source of it.

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Following the two brash scouts from a distance, Farfadet has a hard time suppressing a light giggle that echoes the one emanating from beyond. He immediately stops to rush and help his companions, tossing them a rope and attaching the other end to a nearby tree.

"So... a traitor among them? Or someone laying traps for the trappers? Either way, I think we'd best leave this place and be careful."

Farfadet helps packing the trapper's camp for later sale at Oleg's, unable to resist looking over his shoulder in the process as he's certain to be currently observed.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

"Interesting." ponders the gnome. "He got killed by his own trap! Is there a lesson to learn?"

Then shaking his head. "Nahhh. Let's find his camp!" he cries out with glee as he follows Ardainn.

Farfadet's attention is immediately drawn to the logs. He inspects them from where he is, trying to guess if this is a cliché bandit ambush or not.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Farfadet's attention seems definitely acqired.

"Oh, a thief in the wild! It sounds like one of those romantic novels for young gnome girls. How exciting, let's try and chase him or her!"

When Ardainn points out the lack of tracks, the gnome adds. "... or maybe it is a squirrel? They love glittering things. Shall we look for a hollow tree and find a red-pawed squirrel inside?"

As the party is about to leave, Farfadet produces a ring of greenwod and offers it to Ardainn. "There it is! I think this ring will be perfect for you, Ardainn. Not only is its color matching your clothing, but it will also empower your ability to swim! A present most appropriate, one would think."

A ring of swimming for Ardainn, then! For his next fall in a river... while hoping it doesn't happen again!

Farfadet then replaces the burial site like it was before, using his previously-made sketch to help in the task.

Vors: Agreed!

"Oh, thankyouthankyouthankyou!"

Helping the ranger in his task, he starts carefully removing stones to reach the source of the aura he has spotted.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 to identify the aura.

"Hold on a second, I'm sensing a magical aura from below the cairn. Maybe we should investigate. In fact, can we? Please? Pretty please?" The irresistibly curious gnome begs Asha with his best smile.

Before leaving, Farfadet inspects the cairn a last time. On a whim, he decides to empower his sight with the gift of aura-seeing, and scrutinizes the cairn once more.

Casting detect magic

Update in the crafting of the dress: According to my calculations (8 hours make a day's work and 5 days' work make a week), I'm at 4 days and 5 hours. So the first roll should happen in three working hours' time! Yay!

I very much like this first part, even if the rythm is quite different from the start where we roleplayed more. I like the games with a good mix of roleplay, combat, atmosphere, and I think we're doing great!

You're mentioning meeting NPCs that aren't related to the main storyline, I think it's a great idea. However, I think you're doing amazingly well so far.

I don't mind slow or quick, since we don't really have a deadline to finish it. I think that as long as we're having fun with going not too fast it's the way to go on.

I'll use the opportunity for a little feedback - I love the mood you're setting, and the wilds truly feel dangerous with troll sightings and the sudden attack of the worg. I enjoy this feeling very much, even if it doesn't lead to combat!

Farfadet suddenly realizes about the dress and seems severely disappointed. "Oh right. With all that travelling, I haven't been able to progress much. I don't like sloppy job made on the march, but I won't have a choice if I want to finish it one day."

How much time have I been able to work on the dress since we first left Oleg's?

Turning his attention to the primitive stone, the gnome takes out his journal and makes a rough sketch of it to study it later.

Farfadet studies the roots carefully, his irresistible thirst for knowledge taken over. However he does not touch them.

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

"I think that'... Well, I actually have no idea, sorry!"

I agree, we should explore that part before we turn back, it would be a shame to have ridden all this way to stop here." adds Farfadet enthusiastically. "Moreover, we might meet some trolls! Or satyrs! Or bears! Or..."

Always have a gnome by your side, they say! I think we were lucky to survive that one.

Yes, fresh food would be much tastier and much nicer. Especially for the third breakfast. Farfadet smiles in jest.

"It looks like there are hunters in these parts. Remind me not to step on their territory, those things would be the death of a small person like myself!"

Anywhere is fine for Farfadet!

I like this idea, seems sensible.

We could have them build some cabins to expand Oleg's tradepost and provide lodging for them. We could also turn them into paid workers after they're done with this first task, telling them that they've paid their debt but would be welcome to stay to rebuild their lives.

Sound idea Ardainn, I like it as well! It makes sense.

An overjoyed Farfadet extends his friendly hand for Kestern to shake. "Wow, first trolls then newcomers at Oleg's, that's quite a trip! My name is Farfadet. Nice to meet you! As you see... pointing the prisoners. "... have been busy of late! Those wish to redeem themselves as well. They were at the service of one Stag Lord, who happens to be wearing... can you guess? ...I'm sure you can! ... Really you can't? Well I'll tell you then... REAL ANTLERS! Can you imagine that?! I'm so looking forward to meet that man. Or beast. Or both. In all cases, an exciting character to be sure."

Thank you!

Sorry for the late posting yesterday. These past few days have been hectic, but were well-rewarded this morning as my wife just gave birth to our first child - a boy! Just wanted to share this with you all. :)

"Trolls, really? Where? Can we go and have a closer look?" curiously inquires Farfadet by whispering and tugging Vors's sleeve.

An agreeing nod can be spotted from under the furs between two snores.