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About Lope de Vegahttps://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivmmz/gameplay&page=43#2136
Background:
Lope is a member of a Taldor minor noble family. Years ago his father, Eduardo de Vega, was a rising star at Taldor’s Court after having proved himself on defending the land against many Qadiran raids. Having his father the confidence of Grand Prince Stavian III, Lope was selected as chamber company for Europia and her brothers. When his parents visited the palace Lope played childhood games with the princess and princeps. When his father stood up against Maxillar Pythareus opinion of attacking Qadira, things started to go bad for the nobleman. Eduardo de Vega was accused of not being of Taldan noble blood. He had to demonstrate that despite his father only being a rich Taldan trader, her mother (Lope’s grandmother) who came from Brevoy, was an Aldori sword whose bloodline could be traced back to Baron Sirian First, former Taldor nobleman and founder of the Aldori Order. As Eduardo was winning the public opinion, Pythareus plotters attacked trying to ruin the reputation of Lope’s grandmother, seeking proof that Magdalena Aldori had contacts with the Great Beyond and the entire family was under its influence and plotting against Taldor. Eduardo acknowledged that her mother’s sword, which latter passed to him, was forged in the Axis but that the sword’s will was tied to recover and expand the greatness of Taldor. Finally, when Eduardo was still on the defense, Pythareus came up with a final plan that could be definitive. With well forged documents, Pythareus demonstrated Eduardo de Vega had been deviating money from the army into the trading ventures of his family, and moving part of its wealth out of Taldor’s reach at Andoran and Absalom banks. Not finding many supporters this time, Eduardo and his family were dishonored and their properties seized, including ‘Taldstar’ the aldori sword heirloom of the family. Dishonored and with little else left than a few loyal servants, Lope had to follow his father and mother and leave Taldor for decades. Still young, the diaspora of his family made Lope fall very ill. Without access to medicine the disease caused him terrible scars in his face but ultimately survived. It was a disrupting event that changed his family forever. The family took refuge in the nation of Brevoy, among the Aldori Swords friends of her grandmother Magdalena. Although Lope was granted a place to train among the Aldori, his father Eduardo did not want him to lose ties with his Taldan culture. He put the young boy under the mentorship of Eldon García, one of the few people that remained loyal to Eduardo and followed the family diaspora. Eldon had been professor of magic in the Kitharodian Academy and taught Lope on magic, arts and knowledge of Taldor traditions and history at the same time he was being trained by the Aldori. Knowing what losing all and being at the edge of death meant, Lope showed from an early age an extreme discipline and a cunning mind. The boy was not easily distracted by child games and quickly mastered subjects as diverse as swordplay, magic and poetry. When his father Eduardo de Vega passed away, he promised Lope none of the accusations made against him were true, and requested that Lope would not be as naive as he was in his youth and to help Taldor recover its greatness from the shadows. Once his mother also died, Lope decided to return to Taldor shortly after completing his wizardry and Aldori training. Now a man, he wanted to restore the rightful position at Taldor for his family, and recover the wealth that was stolen from them. Fearing Maxillar Pythareus influence he decided to reunite with his merchant grandfather at Yanmass, far from the capital Oppara and closer to his Aldori friends. Followed by his mentor, Eldon Garcia (a former Lion Blade, but this has been kept secret from Lope), he served protecting the caravans that bolster trade in the area while helping run his grandfather’s trade business. But not all is hard work, Lope had fun and infiltrated the high class circles demonstrating his cunning tongue on something he calls magical poetry, an art that combines prestidigitation effects with rhymes. Lady Martella Lotheed found Lope at a club in Yanmass making rhymes while trying to charm the hearts of young maidens. Interested, she started to talk with the young man and finally discovered his ascendancy as a member of the Vega family. Thinking she might profit from the young man for her intrigue network, she has invited Lope to the Exaltation Gala. Although reluctant at first to expose himself, Lady Lotheed probed convincingly and beautiful enough for Lope to decide it was the right time to relocate to Oppara and clean the name of his family. Relevant posts:
Motivations:
Although a long time has passed since he played with Grand Prince Stavian III children, and Europia seemed a fickle girl at the time, Lope was delighted with her, and will always favor her in front of her brothers who were little more than jerks to him on their games. His first mission is to recover the blackblade of his family which was taken by the people who set a trap for his father. The mission of this blackblade might be to see Taldor become the most prosperous country in the world, to defend the true bloodline of Taldor royalty, to recover his old glory, or maybe to make his family into the most powerful ones of Taldor. Or all ensemble. Lope follows the opinion of his father that the Empire should focus on seeking a lasting peace with Qadira, while boosting the trade openness with Absalom and Andoran, opening sea routes with the distant Taldan nation of Amanandar in Tian Xia, and expanding the Empire territory to the north, seeking to reunite and civilize now ruined regions like Iobaria in Casmaron. Lope enjoys bullfighting and plans to open a restaurant in Oppara with the best grilled meats of the capital. Relevant posts:
LOPE DE VEGA
DEFENSE
Gained a one time reroll during the gala. OFFENSE
Template:
[dice=Aldori blackblade+pool]1d20+12+2[/dice] [dice=Magical/Slashing damage+pool+AS]1d8+8+2+2[/dice] [dice=Aldori blackblade+pool]1d20+12+1[/dice]
HP 59/59 AC 24 TAC 21
Lope unfolds one of his mage armor scrolls and starts reciting the words on it despite he not understanding it at full.
STATISTICS
SPECIAL ABILITIES AND RACIAL TRAITS
SPELL-LIKE ABILITIES
SPELLS
Level 1 (5+2/day)
Level 2 (3/day)
Level 3 (1/day)
SPELLBOOK:
Cantrips (all known) daze (daze then trip) acid splash arcane mark mage hand prestidigitation Level 1 (11 known + 3 learnt)
Level 2 (6 known + 2 learnt)
Level 3 (2 known)
Next spells to learn
Blackblade: Gloria:
Background On the verge of collapse due to the continual social chaos and political infighting in Taldor, Fernando de Vega, a nobleman from the northern reaches of the empire, concluded that Taldor’s greatness could only be restored through a return to perfect order. Believing that internal chaos was the greatest threat to the empire, Fernando reached out to an entity in the Axis, the plane of absolute law, to request a weapon that could bring about this vision. Forged in the Axis, the Eternal City, Gloria was created as a symbol of the unwavering potential of Taldor’s greatness. Passed down through generations, the sword's mission became entwined with defending the true royal bloodline and restoring the old glory of Taldor. In the hands of Magdalena Aldori, Lope de Vega’s grandmother, the sword played a key role in the Vega family’s influence. However, after the plotters' accusations of the family’s dealings with entities from the Great Beyond, Gloria became a focal point of suspicion. These accusations were meant to discredit Magdalena and the Vega family, linking them to unnatural powers. Despite the challenges, Gloria remained steadfast in its purpose: to guide its chosen wielder toward the resurgence of a prosperous and orderly Taldor, protecting its legacy from those who seek to undermine it. Personality Gloria is a forceful presence in Lope’s mind, with an uncompromising dedication to its mission. It values discipline, strategy, and sharp intellect, reflecting the calculated nature of its creation. Though loyal to Lope, it is not hesitant to voice disapproval when it feels its wielder's actions stray from the sword’s view of Taldor’s path to perfection. It has a subtle but stern demeanor, rarely indulging in emotions beyond pride and honor. It views intrigue and manipulation as necessary tools to achieve greatness and holds little patience for sentimentality or distractions. Occasionally, it can be ruthless, pushing Lope toward actions that could secure Taldor’s dominance, even if they come at a moral cost. While it acknowledges Lope's Neutral Good alignment, it often reminds him that hard choices are required to restore an empire's might. Alignment: Neutral Good
EQUIPMENT:
(right hand) aldori blackblade (+2, Int 13, Ego 10, AP 2/2) (left hand) (armor) silken ceremonial armor, 30 gp 4 lbs (+1 AC, max Dex -, 0 ACP, 0% ASF) (belts) (body) (chest) (eyes) (feet) (hands) (head/face) (headband) headband of vast Intelligence +2, 4000 gp (neck) amulet of natural armor, 2000 gp (shoulders) (wrist) (left ring) ring of protection +2 (right ring) envoy ring relic, [p] (triumphs: 2; +3 competence Diplomacy/Linguistics/Perform, 1/day disguise self for clothing 24h, charm person (DC 14+triumph), comprehend languages, speak region's language while disguised; CL 1 + 2*triumph) Side weapons
Belt
Scroll case
Backpack
Gold earned: 240 + 2600 + 2260.5 = 5100.5 gp
Total lbs: 25.5 lbs (light encumbrance) Light encumbrance: 26 lbs
Level up reports:
House rules:
Plot:
- The Lotheed are historically strong supporters of the Stavians, and known for their tradition of arcane magic in addition to wealth and prestige. - Princess Eutropia has learnt fencing at the Sinora Academia. - First meeting with Princess Eutropia - Lady Zariyah Clement invited Lope to her manse near the Verduran Forest, a calm place where to lay low - Pabrus Telecoum (Librarian of the Imperial Archives) offers a book on the story of a wizard woman that had to pose as a man to inherit her family business in Cassomir 250 years ago. - The Palace of Birdsong, in Meratt county might hold a registry of where my family blackblade might be. The place is run by Martella's half brother Bartelby Lotheed on behalf of the Stavians. - Rumors that Pythareus was adopted by Stavian previous his death. Lope things Stavian acted without sense and he had been most probably impersonated or compelled by magic. - Lope is interested in opening the knowledge of the Senate dungeon libraries to the public with some restoration of the place. - Cyrene was sent by Nocticula - A Vudran woman, Kathann Zalar, tells us Martella has been kidnapped - Martella was taken to The Dignified Repository, where we rescue her - Rumors says Stavian III is dead and Princess Eutropia and High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus are heirs (but there are 11 claims total) - Lope reasons again Stavian's attitude has no sense and the situation only benefits Pythareus, and there is no logic to consider Eutrophia guilty. He tries to give arguments to others in the Silent Horse spread the word through the city. - Eutropia's second meeting, Lope states himself as ally, and hints his family having been wronged and pursued by Pythareus. - Pythareus has retreated to his fortress in Zimar. - Lope tries to push his economic agenda. - The Ulfen Guard protects the Palace and does not allow anyone in, not even Eutropia. The treasury is there, protected by a demi-plane access and ageless guardians. - Eutropia wants to gain access to another state, the Palace of Birdsong. Stavian put Bartelby (Martella's brother; she has bad relation with her family) as steward. He lost the state to gambling debts. Martella bought it, but Bertelby does not want to go. - Recover the Palace of Birdsong for the crown. To achieve it, make friends, learn the lay of the land, and win the nobles’ and citizens’ loyalty. Undermine Bartelby, while improving peoples' lives. Keep identity hidden to avoid Bartelby's rage. - The original stewards were the Betony family. We will pose as scions of the Betony. - Martella provides us with 3 doses of Styx oil, a drug able to remove memory if we perform any failure that needs riddance. - Martella provides documentation that supports Lope and Julia as brothers and second cousins of Lady Allis Betony (last stewardess), whose grandfather was Lope and Julia great-grandfather (making Allis their aunt). The title makes them tribunes (mayor and judge) of neighboring town of Stachys. The Betony family history dates back to the Shining Crusade. As stewards, they have the right over the Lotheed, most notably to request audiences with Bartelby; but the rule extends only to the demesne/lands, and out of there anything should be through covert actions. (DM Fang Dragon proposes to use the Persona rules and act in disguise) - Maps of Merrat - Summary of what we are doing in Meratt - Count Bartleby invites Lope to exchange magic at the evening. - Meeting Dame Crabbe and her daughter Sepsinia with a songbird trick - There's a manticore causing harm to Stachys area. - The Night Swan attacks Count Lotheed - Lope dances with Duchess Valeto Lotheed - Baroness ¿Vonium? (influenced) suggest to restore the Betony vineyard (she has a deal to offer), and restore our manor. - Brought down the Iron Lash (the manticore) - Accepted Dame Crabbe tea party invitation a week after Jubilee - There is a spirit at Lauchlein's Lake. It would be good to appease it so no more virgins need be scarified. - To help the folk at Beggarwood, we can get their jobs returned by Baron Telus who has caught an affliction at Baronet Vort in New Towne - Adrian Lotheed, one of the first Senchels, sued dozens of people, apparently to bury some inconvenant truth. - The blackblade is in the Telus estate Vault (includes history of de Vega's fall). Found copy of the original charter granting stewardship of Meratt, useful for Princess Eutriopia's legal claim. - We save Sepsinia and Dame Crabe provides gardening help (+5000 gp value) - Lucina's trial - Deal with Artratus, the lake spirit, to kill the monstrosity and preserve fey and humans peace - We might buy the Count's debts - The harvest time might be a good time to oversee the taxation by Sir Guisarme - Restoring the bridge on Gold Canyon and building there a shrine to Abadar to improve economy in the region - Exiling Sir Guisarme - Lope tells Baroness Vonium about the plans of Eutrophia to claim the Palace of the Birdsong and requests her support. - Martella's letter with instructions on how to seize the county - We convince Count Bartleby to join Eutrophia, and he leaves Meratt County to abdicate to her - Pythareus's has sent a delegation to the Mercantile Council in Yanmass, causing conflict with Eutropia - Sir Meir Dratavis has gone missing while working alongside Pythareus’s representative, an earl named Yander Merkondus. Bandit raids, cult activity and missing soldiers are a concern. We should find him and continue his work. - The Cult of the Twilight is claiming a new heir, the risen Prince Carrius, Eutropia's small brother. - Rumor says the bandits might be at Orvestikar Manor, where some terrible murders happened in the past - Both Imperialists and Loyalists have been suffering. Caradinna Farkin has been missing, an outspoken person, half elven Lady Gewbell seems skeptical about Earl Merkondus and Lord Autun is currently on charge of the council - Caradinna Farkin might be locked down at her house - Sir Dratavis attended services at the Church of Abadar. He was in contact with Gallindra, a soldier from the Taldan Horse (the cavalry unit that vanished) - Next: dealing with Merkondus ? Check Lord Autun? - We free Sir Dratavis from stone, and he says Commander Staubel sent the Taldan Horse to the medusa one by one. Lieutenant Gallindra Jonrek of the Taldan Horse might know where he is, but she is in hedge hill, a big park inside Yamass, and apparently crazy. - Someone by the name of Xan, point us towards the Cult of the Twilight. It seems the restore of that life as undead are a blasphemy to Pharasma - Discussing the open leads in Yanmass - The Immaculate Circle, the prophecy about the return of the Twilight Prince that brought the ire of Pharasma |