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A rash of missing apprentices, giant vermin sightings, goblins at the gates - all this and more plagues the Isgeri town of Saringallow - unfortunately located in the shadow of an infamous and supposedly curst estate. When a number of heroes answer the mayor's call for aid, matters seem to be looking up for the doomed town - but little do they know that a villainous traitor lurks in their midst.
Welcome, welcome, welcome friends. Elevator pitch: I want 6 players for the newly released Gallows of Madness module, a collection 3 horror themed mini-adventures for 1st level characters. The catch is that one randomly determined player will secretly be evil and it'll be up to the other players to not only save the town, but root out the traitor amidst the growing paranoia a la Pathfinder meets Mafia. Sound like a terrible idea? It is; hence the short nature of the adventures and the "experimental" part of the title.
How to apply (READ ME ENTIRELY):
Secrecy will be a big part of the game - especially if you get chosen as the traitor, expect to be PMing me a lot. In fact, the first PM you send will be part of your character application. In this thread, post a short backstory for a character you'd like to play, but DO NOT INCLUDE ANY CRUNCH. Then, via PM send me an alternate or expanded backstory for an evil version of that same character. Cultists, serial killers, demon-worshipers, everything is on the table, just make sure you've got motivation for actively sabotaging your own party. Also in the PM, you may include class/archetype ideas, although a full statblock isn't required and ALL CHARACTER SHEETS WILL BE KEPT SECRET. Pretty much all Paizo material, especially the evil classes/archetypes that don't see much use, is in play.
By submitting an application you agree to the following:
I WILL post at least once a day.
I WILL NOT look at spoilers not intended for me EVER.
I ACCEPT that my character may be attacked, sabotaged, or even killed by other characters.
I WILL maintain a jovial and friendly relationship with my fellow players in spite of the above.
A minor house at the time, House Sarini of Cheliax founded the town of Sarini’s Hollow in Isger as a garden estate for its more influential members several decades before the rise of House Thrune. The town grew steadily as the nobles brought in peasants to serve its many needs, from farming to ranching to housework. As the Sarinis began to dabble in witchcraft and diabolism more, the peasants also served as a steady and clandestine supply of victims. Once the townspeople caught on, they executed all the Sarinis they could catch and drove out the other nobles.
Shortly after the uprising against House Sarini, the town’s leaders began constructing a wall that soon extended beyond the town, even enclosing some of the farmland that supported its populace. Their intention was to allow the townsfolk to live and farm in peace, and to keep the dangers of the outside world at bay. Indeed, Saringallow’s wall protected the town from most of the Goblinblood Wars’ dangers—the disorganized goblins simply flowed around it in search of easier targets. To this day, only the poorest farmers and most marginal citizens live near the walls. The rest of Saringallow’s residents refuse to build too close, and the guards breathe heavy sighs of relief when they finish their patrols of the ramparts.
Despite its suspicious populace and high walls, trade in Saringallow has flourished thanks to its proximity to Conerica River. While noble visitors are carefully watched and merchants must subject their wares to thorough inspections, the town thrives on the varied commerce that passes through its borders.
Life in Saringallow
The people of Saringallow are generally hardworking and independent, but can be cold and unwelcoming to outsiders. They tolerate travelers and merchants only as long as is necessary to conclude business. Those who decide to settle permanently in Saringallow typically must spend months or even years cozying up to their new neighbors before they are truly treated as fully recognized members of the community.
Within Saringallow, small groups of families and businesses have formed close-knit ties that have lasted for generations. To some older residents, frequently consorting with people from other neighborhoods or walks of life—even fellow citizens—is considered unlucky or even unnecessarily risky, so strong is the townspeople’s fear of the unknown. A common saying reflects the townspeople’s distrust of anyone trying to get to know them: “True friends aren’t too friendly.”
Most citizens of Saringallow are deeply suspicious of magic, especially witchcraft and evil divine magic, though some admit that certain kinds of arcane magic have their merits. In general, though, they see the practice of magic as an invitation to outside forces that cannot be controlled.
Practitioners of arcane magic are generally tolerated, if distrusted, but anyone with any ties to witchcraft or evil divine magic is unwelcome within the town’s walls. On the other hand, the townspeople view alchemy as a practical trade, and they see divine spellcasters of good- aligned deities as holy protectors. Therefore, the town has a few bustling alchemy shops, and Saringallow’s temple to Erastil supports a burgeoning congregation.
Saringallow’s top administrator is its elected mayor. Sandra Trinelli currently fills this position, though unless she can resolve the town’s recent troubles, the townsfolk might wish to elect a new leader before long. The people of Saringallow quickly lose faith in leaders who fail to keep the world’s evils at bay.