How goes the new school year, GM?
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Not truly upset he wasn't being called to talk to an old hag, the priest looked around the place. Well, at least there is no chance of an ambush here. The swamp ensured retreat would not happen quickly though, and without being absolutely certain of what lay within, he couldn't fully let his guard down. He decided to pass the time with his shut-out companions. "Anyone know a good song or two? I don't have much of a voice, but there's enough of here for a spot of talent, I'm sure!" He grinned to the others as he awaited the conclusion from within.
"To see if you've seen some shady types wandering about the area!" sounded Fritz. [b]"The Stag Lord has been taken care of, but there are still brigands around."
Not a fan of swamps, Fritz held his discontent with the location internally. Never know where you have good footing, can't take a cart through 'em easily, and they stick to hell too. This didn't stop him from attending, though his face showed his displeasure. "I've got to say - if these are the sorts of bandits you dealt with," the priest began, gesturing towards the hovel, "it's not a surprise you drove them out so quickly."
Though Fritz recognized the value of the alchemy lab, he could decipher little of the esoteric writings. Also, he had no desire to taste potential poisons. "Good on you to make some sense of it, Albinius. Blienka is right; whole place looked like people picked up and went one day. Urgently." The priest looked to Krazok. "Would those people have had word of the power shift here? Maybe they fled to the hovel you mentioned. I wouldn't mind checking it out." He helped clarify the location of the lab to Albinius so he could surely arrive at the right spot before letting his mind wander. Maybe there are some stragglers about who resent our occupancy.
*pokes GM with wand of smelling salts*
Sorry it has been hectic in my life. I have been setting up my classroom, vacations, summer school and lack of sleep. I will post when I have time but out with family and on the beach this weekend. I should be back Tuesday to my normal schedule. I go back for classroom prep week after next, so I feel you!
"You haven't seen any alchemists or the like in these parts? Can't say I ran into anyone of the sort on my way here."
Grateful Blienka spotted the tracks and other details, Fritz nodded his head in silent thanks. "Let's take a look. I'm no alchemist, but maybe we can find someone who is."
Looking from the structure their group happened across to his peers, Fritz offered a summary: "Nobody's been here in a long time, I bet. Nothing special - door to a basement, wooden fixings. Good shelter if the weather gets rough though." That nobody seemed to be about or had been for some time was an indicator to the warrior greater threats pushed-away the smallfolk. "Would the bandits have been fearsome enough to scare the owners away?"
Fritz set-out to hunt for his companions, endeavoring to show them he was willing to pull his weight on their expeditions. His success allowed him to feel useful and excited for the time ahead. He laid some of the game before Blienka. "Please accept this offering as a gesture of unity for the road ahead. Our approaches may be different, but our aim is common." The half-orc could be eloquent when he was in the mood. Much of it had to do with speeches for morale in Lastwall from the officers. Unfortunately, most of those speeches were just before a majority of men marched to their graves. The latter part was one Fritz often omitted from his thoughts, mainly because - perhaps in hubris - he believed that scenario would not apply to him.
Apologies for the delay. Indeed, I was at GenCon and though I had a great time, my phone did not. I will make a gameplay post in the morning. If splits will be extended, I do prefer spoilers of some sort to make scrolling less laborious.
Apologies all, my phone died while out of town; I am borrowing one now. I will be able to post substantially on Sunday night.
Fritz took the second watch, shoring-up their numbers where they were short. "Say, Krazok," he intoned, "what would you say the largest threat to this place is? If people are slow to learn the Stag Lord has been killed, they may stay away as birds with a scarecrow."
Good with the team distribution and ready to go ahead whenever everybody else is. +1
Fritz guffaws. "I brush back no alternatives, yet in most cases, strong steel finds solutions in threat rather than use. And it is not true to say there cannot be beauty in war." His expression settles. "In our journeys, I'm sure we'll have ample chance to find which works when."
In a few hours, I will be leaving for a Shakespeare festival in Canada. I will return tomorrow night and likely to post late Sunday/early Monday.
Fritz nods to Krafnik and hoists his sword high. "To the fallen!" What was respect for the dead returns to his original mirth at Krazok's mention Fritz may have a preference other than for battle. He brings his swordflat sternly against his breastplate with a loud clatter. "Never! Battle itself is my specialty. I was born from it. I've endured through it. I've trained others for it. The glory of Gorum guides me to victory in it. I will not be sidelined from the challenges to be faced!" As the groups are arranged, he looked to his new partners. "I have an anticipation of greatness. Let's make it happen."
"It sounds like you have things well in hand then. Were there any runners? Any that might bring the news of this change to other bandits' attention?" Feeling a bit overshadowed, Fritz was not dismayed. This will be a challenge. A bit of a competition. The driven cleric did not shy from adversity, rather thriving in it. "If a few days are being taken to rest, it would seem faster to explore the area in teams. Unless we expect resistance, we have enough for a few parties."
Looking good, Aurora! I imagine we'll group-off as appropriate for the task.
It would seem I chose well, thought Fritz, thinking of his initial address to Blienka. He responded to Krazok. "Krazok, I - and it seems some others - heard a thrust was being made against the Stag Lord. I, Fritz Lodovka, came to aid in that. It seems I was too slow." The half-orc paused for a second before continuing, rubbing his amulet. Sense Motive DC 12:
Fritz is a bit embarrassed about being late. "That doesn't mean this journey was for nothing. Instead, I would help you secure these lands. You mentioned still having an expedition. Where do you intend to go? I seek not so much the gold as the glory."
Looking good on those, Aurora! And yes, the forums were sketchy for parts of this weekend.
As people made themselves apparent in quick succession, Fritz felt outnumbered. Though they're not hostile. At least this place will be garrisoned. "I now know I've found the correct spot, but I don't know who was here when. Could one of you who experienced what happened here go through it for me?" Or maybe us, thought the half-orc, looking around at the bevy of adventurers.
He panned his gaze to the woman speaking. Precise. But what is she doing here? This isn't a town, and unless she was one of his... "You were under his sway then?"
From outside the fort, a single horse and its rider approach. Not at a gallop, but a determined trot brings them outside the walls. The pair slow, appraising the structure, before getting adjacent. The man is rugged, dark-skinned, and armed - he has a sheathed zweihänder across his back with a shield strapped behind it, and there is a sword sheathed at his side. He wears a breastplate, helm, and bracers, and a few small packs adorn the horse. This is clearly someone who packed for travelling. As he entered the structure, his form became more apparent . A half-orc, he fit the armed and muscled stereotypes. His face, however, did not hold malice. Instead ... mirth? He approached a distance within earshot of an inside voice, then drew his longsword. Passing the hilt from his right hand to his left, he held the blade in reverse, as one might a ski. Searching the group with his eyes, they fell to...
Blienka. He paused a moment before beginning to speak. By this time, it was clear the armored man was not barbaric, for his actions were focused, and his appearance gave clues to his habits. Perception DC 10:
The half-orc boasts a series of scars across what is visible of his skin on the upper arms and face. Though it seems the cuts were numerous, none have made craters of his flesh in their healing. A necklace of some sort fell atop his breastplate. Know(Religion) DC 5 if successful above:
The necklace has a charm that is the holy symbol of Gorum, god of battle. It is made of iron in a representative, not ornate, make. Perception DC 15:
His sword is very clean for someone who looks as if he would have more use of it. "You lot must have beat me to the punch. Can't imagine one of you is the Deer Lord?" His question is half-rhetorical as he sweeps his gaze before returning it to her. "I am Fritz Lodovka, instructor of blades. Or at least I was." He looked to his sword before squatting to place it gently on the ground. Fritz regained his formidable height. "I heard of bandits to be dealt with, of names to be made out here. You vanquished him? If so you've made a name for yourselves." He paused, his baritone voice fading to quiet a moment. "That's why I'm here, and I wouldn't mind hearing how you did it - that is, if you wouldn't mind telling me." Sense Motive DC 10: Though projecting confidence outwards, it was clear the man was sketchy on the exact facts of the situation at hand in this place.
Thank you for permitting me to join your group on their quest! Regarding a segue into the campaign, Fritz is personable, so I double the chat will be the problem. I'm brainstorming a firm reason he would be at the Stag Fort presently though. Suggestions welcome!
Howdy! It seems I've been invited to this private tea party to perform for you. Such privilege! Allow me to present Fritz Lodovka. He was a martial instructor for the house, but there are those out and about who may have a touch more skill at arms than he. His main draw was, as a cleric of Gorum, his spirit was beyond reproach. While he provided great training, it was not quite the best money could buy for combat maneuvers; however, he more than made-up for that deficit with his insight into the "meta-game" of battles as it were. Think "Art of War" or, for those with a more modern taste, some of the resolutions offered thus far in Game of Thrones (haven't seen the show, but I've read most of the books), such as with the Freys. As a half-orc, he was birthed in a contentious situation in the Hold of Belkzen, and it was there be embarked on his path following the Lord in Iron. His rescue from that area led him to view the teachings in a rather unorthodox fashion, however; while Gorum prefers raw strength in a fully open combat, Fritz prefers the "meta"-victory to win at all costs. He would lose battles to win a war, and it would not be out of question for him to use underhanded tactics to achieve success. He views the opportunity offered in the Kingmaker line as one such mechanism towards achieving glory in life, willing to abdicate his role as an instructor to do so. Mechanically he is a cleric, though I waffled whether or not to make him a cleric or an inquisitor, the latter due the way he pushed the envelope with how he manifests the will of his god (he's not popular with the rest of the clergy he met in adulthood). I see him providing support via healing and offense through his blade. Due the lack of book-learning in his upbringing, his weakness is lack of the knowledge of the inner workings of many different areas of study in the world; he judges their usefulness by their effects he can see. For example, he would feel a trained medic makes a great healer, but the implication such a person had trained for a long time and thus had patience and discipline would probably escape him. While he might aid the party in swordplay, the party may need to help him with implied messages through clandestine wordplay. While a mechanical weakness, I believe this adds to Fritz's depth of character and may make for some entertaining situations! Criticism is welcome from GM and players alike. Thank you for allowing me to submit my proposed character here, and I appreciate your time!
GM, Good morning! Though we'd PMed earlier (this is Stratos from the original recruitment), I thought it might help to drop the alias itself here. Do give it a look and let me know.
A fine point - I changed Felix's name to Fritz as I remembered afterwards I'd already done a Felix - I try to keep my names distinct.
Master Kilcoyne, In this profile you will find the information regarding my character submission for this wonderful-sounding campaign. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to let me know! |