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I'm no good at drawing, so I created Manush in Baldur's Gate 3's character creator.
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Re: Teamwork feats In a Tyrant's Grasp game that I'm in the GM gave us one free teamwork feet at the start and it's worked great, Shake It Off saved our bacon more than once.
Submitting Manush Karapetian, veneficus witch and gnome with a mission. I really wanted to try something different with this character, hence spending 3 days noodling with the build and background. I usually (always) play good-aligned characters who want to help from the get-go, but with this one I wanted an Arc™. The world hasn't treated Manush very nicely so far, so she has little reason to be selfless, but I am hoping that will change throughout the course of the campaign and as she (hopefully) gets closer and closer to her goal of freeing her family. Player Questions: 1. What time zone are you in?
2. How long have you been playing TTRPGs?
3. What's your favorite part about playing TTRPGs?
4. What do you expect from this game?
5. What do you expect out of your fellow players?
6. What do you expect out of me?
7. Beyond the obvious (generally stuff already prohibited by Paizo's forum rules,) what are your redlines? Are there any topics, themes, or imagery that you absolutely do not want to see in the game? SPOILER, for GM eyes only:
A certain farm in the third book gets overly gory and grotesque for my taste. Otherwise nothing. RP samples: To avoid spoilers, selecting only start of campaign ones.
Bad Ogon. Bad. >.<
Happy holidays everyone!
My home PC was dead for a week, but I just finished installing my new PC, so I'm here now.
Her sharp eye taking in the coin, Manush decides for a slightly different tack in the conversation with her niece. The girl was young, useless to pontificate to her about filial duty. "Farrah, my dear, how are you? I was just on my way to see Mother and Father." Turning to her companion, she gives him an appraising look, trying not to spook him too much. Youngsters could have strange ideas about their elders, depending on how they had been raised and what ideas got into their heads. And especially artist types could have a lofty disdain for people like her, coin-pushers and tradesfolk with no appreciation of Art. "Good day to you. I am Farrah's aunt, Manush." She avoids calling him 'young man' - young men generally do not appreciate that. "Are you two in a hurry? If not, let me treat you to a meal, I'd like to catch up with my niece a little." There - a food bribe, which a 'starving artist' was unlikely to refuse. And if they accept, she will find a way to steer the conversation to performance arts, juggling and coin tricks. Spoiler:
Still here, RL is also kicking my butt. Hopefully in the next few months we'll hire someone to take over one of the three jobs I am currently doing. *grins*
Spoiler:
Apologies for not posting earlier, the last week has been very hectic and stressful. I have added a stat block for Kethe on my profile. At Kethe's question, Manush raises an eyebrow. She would not have asked if she didn't want the dwarf woman to do something about it. Surely that was known by now. In response, she snaps the ledger shut and passes it back to Kethe. "See what you can find. Success in business is part wealth, part connections, part reputation." -------------------- Manush is just thinking of her niece as she passes the Isarn School of Fine Arts, wondering what the child is up to these days. As if summoned by her thoughts, she spots their subject across the street and hurries her step to try and catch up, trotting as dignified as possible as she dodges passers-by and carts.
Take care, Lilli, hope things will get better for you.
Spoiler:
I see, my bad, I wasn't clear enough in the previous post that I was waiting for some kind of go-ahead on the plan and maybe an indication of what I need to roll, if anything. Manush is up well before the light of the day fills the windows, dressing herself in a plain but serviceable outfit, and tucking her hair under a clean bonnet. The gnome washes her face and hands thoroughly, an old habit from when she was still working with food every day and which she hasn't changed because, well, it's healthy. Although she hasn't gotten much sleep the previous night, she cannot make any alterations to her daily routine, for fear of what questions might arise. Besides, there is much to do today. Her apprentice is still sleeping, so she heads for her manager first, the dwarf woman already busy with tallying the orders and preparing to open the store. So refreshing to have people around who understand the value of hard work, Manush thinks as she walks behind the counter to greet Kethe. "A good morning to you, my dear. Let us go over any items that require my attention, but first I had a question for you." She pauses to leaf through the ledger, making a cursory inspection of the latest entries. "I would like to expand our operation a little bit, we have been doing well enough. I hear of this merchant, Monsieur Belmont, quite well-off. A self-made man, and his reputation seems solid. You know of him?" She gives the dwarf woman a direct look with the question; Manush knows of Kethe's religious affiliation, and Kethe knows that she knows. If Belmont is an Abadarian, a fellow worshiper might be a good source of information. ----------------- After the conversation with Kethe, Manush takes a small stack of bills and paperwork that require her personal attention to her office to work on. It isn't a lot, as her manager is quite efficient and by now there aren't really that many things that Manush couldn't delegate to her if she wanted to, but keeps doing herself either out of habit, or because she likes being hands-on with the business. Once that work is done, she wraps a dark grey woolen shawl around her as she prepares to brave the streets of Isarn. "I will be out for a little while, my dear. Tell Takuhi that I have no practical tasks for her today, so she should study Messegue's 'Le Grand Herbier'." There. A tedious task, even for Manush, and Takuhi had already covered the ponderous tome in her studies, so such an assignment was practically guaranteed to have her apprentice seek out more entertaining activities. And if Manush knew Takuhi at all, those activities would involve writing irreverent verse. Perhaps something that could be used, perhaps not, but she had long ago given up on trying to channel the little bundle of chaotic energy. Just unleash her and see what happens - and pray that the damage is not too great. That little thing sorted, she leaves her workshop to head towards the Theater District and pay a visit to her family. A slim chance that one of them might know something of a certain smallfolk who is fond of coin tricks. Spoiler: Pausing here in case you want to respond to anything that I have so far, or request rolls etc. If not, I will continue with a little RP of Manush's family.
"Good night, master Mordecai, and thank you for your company tonight." replies the gnome before softly closing the front door, barring and latching it from the inside. She does a quick check of the premises before scribbling a note for her apprentice that details the recipe for Mordecai's shampoo. She was not going to spend time on it herself, but the concoction is simple enough that Takuhi should manage it with no supervision. And who knows, they may be able to market it to others who find themselves with an abundance of pilosity. This done, Manush finally heads towards her bed and her well-earned rest. Alone in her dimly-lit bedroom, she undresses, putting some of her clothes in the laundry basket, others folded carefully on the top of a chest to wear again later in the week. Wearing a thin cotton shift, she brushes her hair meticulously, stifling a yawn or three, then applies a generous layer of her Moisturizing And Nourishing Face Mask For Nightly Use (proprietary formula) before finally sliding under the covers and going to sleep. Except, sleep does not come. As tired as she is, one would expect to quickly sink into temporary oblivion, but as time passes it becomes more and more obvious that oblivion is being fashionably late. The side of her left leg itches, but when she scratches it the itch just moves to another part of her body. It is too hot under the quilted cover. Her heart thunders in her chest for not apparent reason, and it is too quiet in the house. Thoughts swirl in her head like flocks of birds, swooping closer and drawing away, making elaborate patterns against an imaginary sky - patterns that elude her just as they tease her with understanding, with illumination. In the end, Manush gives up the futile endeavour and gets out of bed, lighting a candle and shuffling into her office. She needs to set her thoughts in order, then maybe she'll be able to sleep. No point wasting a fresh sheet of paper on this, so she uses the back of an old bill and scratches a few letters connected by lines. "MB ---- AB? ---- K"
Satisfied, she brings the flame of the candle to the scrap of paper until only flakes of black ash are left of it, which she carefully brushes into an empty ceramic pot, to be used for some concoction or other. GM: The scribbles are her plan: MB = Merchant Belmont, ask Kethe, her manager and worshiper of Abadar, if she knows him, under the guise of pursuing a business relationship there. SC = Sœur Cendre, not much to go on here. FA = Frère Ardoise, she plans on going to the Theater District the next day and inquire with her parents about any coin-trick performers they might know.
Potential usage of teams: manager as detailed above, apprentice to write some silly rhymes and do her best to get Joubert/his people to repeat them publicly, maybe as a ditty of some sorts. This may make him appear frivolous in Sœur Cendre's eyes. Drivers and Labourers to seek gossip/rumours about Belmont, again under the guise of pursuing a potential business relationship.
I made a Trello account (manush9), so I can be added to the board.
"Mm." remarks Manush noncommittally to Mordecai's musings. "I will prepare a sample for you tomorrow to try." She lets the tiefling talk as much as he likes, replying in monosyllables for most of the time. It is late and she is tired, looking forward to sinking into the bed waiting for her at home, neatly made with fresh-smelling sheets, a couple sprigs of lavender under her pillow to help her sleep... The gnome almost stumbles as she starts dozing off on her feet, blinking hard a few times and clenching her fists until her nails dig into her palms. Stay awake, just a little longer. As tired as she is, one might be tempted to take the fast route towards the comforts of her home, but not Manush. Not when one is a gnome, and a woman, and accompanied by a furred tiefling. So she uses small hand gestures to indicate side alleys and darkened streets, attempting to keep the noise to a minimum. Safe?:
Having tallfolk loom over her is not her favourite thing, especially in the confined spaces of the catacombs, but Manush tolerates Mordecai well enough to suffer his company, at least for the time being. They have a few things in common, and she would be lying to herself if she didn't admit that she did feel a little better for his presence at this time of night. One had to take risks, yes, but no point in making them bigger than they absolutely had to be. At his question, she throws him a sharp look, wondering not for the first time if he would start purring, should one tickle him under the chin. Probably not. "Why, master Mordecai, are you fishing for my secret recipe?" She gives him a small, thin-lipped smile, to show that she is only partially serious in her accusation, then shifts her gaze forward, watching for bumps in the floor or other obstacles. "I sell many kinds of shampoo, the trick is to customize the formula to the needs of the customers. For yourself, hmm, let me think." She flexes her fingers unconsciously as she goes over the ingredient list. "First, things I would not use, like lavender oil or other aromatic oils, as they might interfere with one's natural scent abilities. I would use an oatmeal base for gentle cleansing of the skin and hairs. Coconut oil for moisturizing and protection against parasites. Chamomile or rosemary to soothe sensitive or irritated skin." The gnome taps one finger thoughtfully against her lips as she walks, giving her companion a brief sideways glance. "For something truly special, a dose of winterbite." It is a pleasant diversion to think of formulae and ingredients as they walk, and she is grateful for it. One would think that smallfolk would be comfortable in confined, tight spaces - or at least more comfortable than tallfolk, but the truth is that Manush is feeling quite claustrophobic underground. It would be a relief when they reach the open streets above, dangerous as they may be. But then again, in these times, everything is dangerous.
Lucien - that might work better. Manush is far from a devout worshipper, her faith has been waning over the last couple of decades, but meeting someone who is enthusiastic about Shelyn might spark a renewed interest.
Speaking of relationships, I listed some potentials in my profile for the other conspirators. If anyone has other/better ideas, let me know.
I copied over the information from your spreadsheet. I will mention though that with your 3g/day manager you're looking at being 1g/day in the hole until you expand, unless you move some numbers around. Thank you. I moved some numbers around to make the venture profitable. In terms of location, I would place it close to I4 in the Industrial District (Old Taldor Paper Company), near the western edge of the district (approximately along Barrière de Longchamp from the 1830 map of Paris). This way it's kinda halfway between the Farmer's Gate (important for supplies) and the Theater District, where most of her customers are.
Hello everyone, I am humbled and grateful to be a part of this game, and also excited that some of the other great submissions will be included. Really looking forward to playing with you all. I am on the road today, travelling from Belgium back home to the Netherlands (I am not Dutch, just live there), so I'll do my best to post from my phone. The document in my profile has some details about the business and building, and I made a spreadsheet here. In terms of location, I was envisioning The Industrial District, but I will have to examine the map once I get home for a precise location. To introduce myself a little, I am a 38-year old non-binary game developer who has been playing tabletop RPGs since before D&D had a third edition. I really enjoy the character building and collaborative storytelling aspects of it, and in more recent years I've been having a lot of fun playing flawed characters. |