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Yea, may as well here. :) Whatever's easiest though.
Awesome. I'll get the full story up for you asap then! I'm a Games Journalist in real life, so am always writing articles or on here posting, and I've got a busy week ahead of me. I contacted Sony's PR yesterday and have secured a copy of The Last of Us for review, and have a Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen review to finish. I'm also in the process of getting a forum fully ready for fans of the guys I write for, to post regularly. :p I post practically any time on here, and a lot of the campaigns I'm in have slowed down, so I'm doing very little on here at the minute and really liked the concept of Ethyria when I was stuck for several hours thinking on what I should do with her.
Hey Tierce! I made this character a week or so ago, using the variant Azata Archetype for Aasimar. In short, she's a Half-Elf born, treasure hunting, tomb raiding Aasimar. Quite possibly one of the prettiest women on Golarion, she uses her innocent looks to deceive her targets and those around her, getting in to steal the items she's after without raising alarm, then getting out again without even being considered a suspect. She affords poisons when she can, just in case she's spotted and needs to enter combat, but never fights to kill. Her poisons only knock her opponents out, giving her enough time to escape. With all of the relics the Pathfinder's wish to recover, they saw her as a valuable asset and took her on board, using her skills and knowledge to bring back whatever fortunes they so desire. She makes for an invaluable scout alone or within a team. She runs off ahead with her stealthy tactics, so she can report back to those she works with without enemies noticing. That is of course when she's not stealing treasure for herself, such as old relics, paintings, armour and weapons or anything that looks old or valuable. When working with others: She usually waits for the party to get into combat, hanging about in the background before disappearing and then striking from the shadows/engaging when it looks safe to. Morality: She doesn't ever try to kill people (unless the need to retaliate and defend herself arises). The only thing making her appear to be a bad person is her profession, when really once you get to know her, she's lovely, compassionate, friendly and loyal. She's also quite knowledgeable. If you like the build let me know, and I'll get her backstory put into some semblance of order. Ethyria:
Race: Aasimar Class: Rogue (Burglar) Gender: Female Alignment: NG Hair: light brown, shimmering golden blonde in well lit areas Eyes: Green (sea blue towards the pupil) Height: 5'7 HP: 8 AC: 18, Touch: 15. FF: 13 Str: 14
Bab: 0
Fort: 0
Traits: Campaign: Blade of the Society - +1 dmg on Sneak Attacks
Skills: Acrobatics: 9
Feats: 1. Skill Focus: Knowledge (Dungeoneering) Gear: White Studded Leather Corset (Studded Leather armour), paralysing poison vials, sleep potion maybe, sap?, Rapier or Dagger....Falchion for bigger weapon. Azata-Blooded (Musetouched) The musetouched epitomize freedom and joy, and travel the world to liberate less fortunate individuals. Ancestry Azata (Musetouched) Typical Alignment Cg
The capricious aasimars known as musetouched are the most likely of their kind to be found adventuring throughout lands both civilized and remote. Imbued with an undeniable spirit of wanderlust, musetouched feel the constant urge to explore new places, meet new people, and ferret out evil and corruption wherever they lurk. Of all the aasimars, musetouched tend to be among the most beautiful by most humans’ standards. They possess features with an unearthly charm, such as long, thick hair of a seemingly impossible hue and limpid, jeweltoned eyes. Musetouched are commonly possessed of innate musical talent and a love for melodies, and many train as bards while they wander. their distaste for oppression and innate love of good draws many musetouched to Andoran and the River Kingdoms, and their beauty and free-roaming spirits endear them to the fortune-tellers and vagabonds of Varisia. Their drive to visit new lands leads azata-blooded aasimars to explore the farthest shores of Golarion; musetouched from the Inner Sea can be found in Vudra and Tian Xia, as well as the crystalline city of Dehrukani in southern Garund, where they are seen as holy beings truly worthy of worship. Innocent (Aasimar)
Benefit: When you make a Bluff check to tell a lie, your target always wants to believe you, granting you the standard +5 bonus on your Bluff check. This bonus only applies if the lie you tell is either believable or unlikely. Bralani's Step (Aasimar)
When in combat, you feel a fierce surge of energy through your limbs.
I wanted a nice fresh take for this AP, and this was what I came up with a week or so ago. I haven't ever played PFS games, so if some (or all knowing my luck) of the above isn't allowed, I'll see what I can do to try and keep her appearance, concept and build the same.
Haha, well I have about 500 episodes to watch of One Piece still, and am currently watching Attack on Titan (absolutely awesome show) and Valvrave: The Liberator.
Ah okay, was just curious as the image looked like fanart taken from a scene in that Animé. Good luck with your entry btw! I've got a big story to work on, but have a good grasp of it right now. I just don't know how my guy would end up on Earth from Golarion, or specifically, Taldor.
GM - With your approval, although Reactionary would be a cool trait for me, I've swapped it out in place of a homebrew trait I made, regarding Juria's history. I've taken the Eyes and Ears of the City trait description and replaced Perception with Knowledge (Nobility), calling it Noble Born. Noble Born: You gain a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (Nobility) checks, and Knowledge (Nobility) is always a class skill for you. It seemed more fitting, and was a pretty easy trait to adjust. :)
@Edward - Sorry, I aimed this at you above. Forgot to @ you though! That reminds me so much of one of the early scenes in an animé called Korewa Zombie De su ka (Is this a Zombie?). Did you get the inspiration from that by any chance? :p My guy's a support guy btw. Like a true sniper.
Ha, Rapid Reload is actually in that build, but sadly I think with a musket, I can only reload as a move action instead of a full round action. I think two-handed advanced guns allow you to do it as a swift action though, which is what I'm aiming for! Back story to come later, though I sent you a PM with a load of info relating to his personality and if you're happy with what I've said, I'll just type it up into something that is written well and in a good order. :)
That reminds me so much of one of the early scenes in an animé called Korewa Zombie De su ka (Is this a Zombie?). Did you get the inspiration from that by any chance? :p My guy's a support guy btw. Like a true sniper.
Blood: Awesome, thanks! I have no idea where I'm going now, but I think I've said enough in the last post to spark off more roleplay, so I'll probably find the good party/they'll find me by Christmas. :p
Gotta say this was a hard one to make, but I've mixed one level of Gunslinger with two levels of Rogue (Sniper - using it for guns and not bow and arrow), and this is what I've come up with: Stealth Sniper Build:
Name: Steeyal Aufwarden
Alias: Juria Age: 26 Race: Human Hair: Black with white streaks Eyes: Left blue, right red (Aufwarden males carry the red eye gene, rarely women) Class: Gunslinger Level: 3 Favoured Class: Rogue Sneak Attack Dice: 1d6 Grit: 2 HP: 23
Speed 30ft (20ft due to medium load)
Str: 8
BAB: 2
Fort: 4 (9 to stabilise when dying)
Combat: Sneak Attack: Within 40ft of target, deal an extra 1d6 damage. Musket - +7, 1d12+1 x4, 40ft, capacity 1, misfire 1-3 (5ft), b and p
Nodachi - +1, 1d10-1, 18-20x2, p or s Traits: Reactionary: +2 Initiative
Alternate Racial – Heart of the wilderness Feats/Rogue Talents: 1a. Point-blank Shot
Skills: Acrobatics*: 10 (4 dex, 3 ranks, 3 class)
Gear: Leather Armour (10gp, +2AC, +6 Dex, 16lb’s), +1 Musket (2,300gp, 9lb’s, broken to anyone but me), Nodachi (60gp, 1d10, 18-20x2, brace, 8lb’s, s or p), Gunsmith’s Kit (15gp, 2lb’s), Alchemical Cartridge, Paper (Bullet x50, 600gp). Wealth: 15gp Light load: 26 lb’s
Carrying: 34lb’s (Medium Load) additional info and Class abilities:
Gunslinger: Grit (Ex): A gunslinger makes her mark upon the world with daring deeds. Some gunslingers claim they belong to a mystical way of the gun, but it's more likely that the volatile nature of firearms simply prunes the unlucky and careless from their ranks. Whatever the reason, all gunslingers have grit. In game terms, grit is a fluctuating measure of a gunslinger's ability to perform amazing actions in combat. At the start of each day, a gunslinger gains a number of grit points equal to her Wisdom modifier (minimum 1). Her grit goes up or down throughout the day, but usually cannot go higher than her Wisdom modifier (minimum 1), though some feats and magic items may affect this maximum. A gunslinger spends grit to accomplish deeds (see below), and regains grit in the following ways. Killing Blow with a Firearm: When the gunslinger reduces a creature to 0 or fewer hit points with a firearm attack while in the heat of combat, she regains 1 grit point. Destroying an unattended object, reducing a helpless or unaware creature to 0 or fewer hit points, or reducing a creature that has fewer Hit Dice than half the gunslinger's character level to 0 or fewer hit points does not restore any grit. Critical Hit with a Firearm: Each time the gunslinger confirms a critical hit with a firearm attack while in the heat of combat, she regains 1 grit point. Confirming a critical hit on a helpless or unaware creature or on a creature that has fewer Hit Dice than half the gunslinger's character level does not restore grit. Deeds: Gunslingers spend grit points to accomplish deeds. Most deeds grant the gunslinger some momentary bonus or effect, but there are some that provide longer-lasting effects. Some deeds stay in effect as long as the gunslinger has at least 1 grit point. The following is the list of base gunslinger deeds. A gunslinger can only perform deeds of her level or lower. Unless otherwise noted, a deed can be performed multiple successive times, as long as the appropriate amount of grit is spent to perform the deed. Deadeye (Ex): At 1st level, the gunslinger can resolve an attack against touch AC instead of normal AC when firing beyond her firearm's first range increment. Performing this deed costs 1 grit point per range increment beyond the first. The gunslinger still takes the –2 penalty on attack rolls for each range increment beyond the first when she performs this deed. Gunslinger's Dodge (Ex): At 1st level, the gunslinger gains an uncanny knack for getting out of the way of ranged attacks. When a ranged attack is made against the gunslinger, she can spend 1 grit point to move 5 feet as an immediate action; doing so grants the gunslinger a +2 bonus to AC against the triggering attack. This movement is not a 5-foot step, and provokes attacks of opportunity. Alternatively, the gunslinger can drop prone to gain a +4 bonus to AC against the triggering attack. The gunslinger can only perform this deed while wearing medium or light armor, and while carrying no more than a light load. Quick Clear (Ex): At 1st level, as a standard action, the gunslinger can remove the broken condition from a single firearm she is currently wielding, as long as that condition was gained by a firearm misfire. The gunslinger must have at least 1 grit point to perform this deed. Alternatively, if the gunslinger spends 1 grit point to perform this deed, she can perform quick clear as a move-equivalent action instead of a standard action. Optional Rule: Daring Act The following method for regaining grit points requires a measure of GM judgment, so it is an optional rule. Daring Act: Each time a gunslinger performs a daring act, she can regain grit. As a general guideline, a daring act should be risky and dramatic. It should take a good deal of guts, and its outcome should have a low probability of success. If it is successful, the gunslinger regains 1 grit point. Before attempting a daring act, the player should ask the GM whether the act qualifies. The GM is the final arbiter of what's considered a daring act, and can grant a regained grit point for a daring act even if the player does not ask beforehand whether the act qualifies. Rogue: Sniper Some say that the sniper is the worst kind of assassin: a killer who waits silently in the shadows and then strikes from a distance without remorse. Snipers, of course, understand that such protestations about “cowardice” and “honor” regarding their profession are in fact merely the bleatings of sheep fearing the slaughter and pay them no heed. Most snipers take pride in their formidable abilities, which allow them to take life quickly, quietly, and efficiently, then disappear into their surroundings without a trace. Accuracy (Ex): At 1st level, a sniper halves all range increment penalties when making ranged attacks with a bow or crossbow. This ability replaces trapfinding. Deadly Range (Ex): At 3rd level, a sniper increases the range at which she can apply her sneak attack damage by 10 feet. This range increases by 10 feet for every 3 levels after 3rd. This ability replaces trap sense. Evasion (Ex): At 2nd level and higher, a rogue can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If she makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, she instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the rogue is wearing light armor or no armor. Ahelpless rogue does not gain the benefit of evasion. Gunsmithing You know the secrets of repairing and restoring firearms.
Crafting Firearms: You can craft any early firearm for a cost in raw materials equal to half the price of the firearm. At your GM's discretion, you can craft advanced firearms for a cost in raw materials equal to half the price of the firearm. Crafting a firearm in this way takes 1 day of work for every 1,000 gp of the firearm's price (minimum 1 day). Crafting Ammunition: You can craft bullets, pellets, and black powder for a cost in raw materials equal to 10% of the price. If you have at least 1 rank in Craft (alchemy), you can craft alchemical cartridges for a cost in raw materials equal to half the price of the cartridge. At your GM's discretion, you can craft metal cartridges for a cost in raw materials equal to half the cost of the cartridge. Crafting bullets, black powder, or cartridges takes 1 day of work for every 1,000 gp of ammunition (minimum 1 day). Restoring a Broken Firearm: Each day, with an hour's worth of work, you can use this feat to repair a single firearm with the broken condition. You can take time during a rest period to restore a broken firearm with this feat. Special: If you are a gunslinger, this feat grants the following additional benefit. You can use this feat to repair and restore your initial, battered weapon. It costs 300 gp and 1 day of work to upgrade it to a masterwork firearm of its type. Deadly Range (Ex): A ninja with this ninja trick increases the range at which she can deal sneak attack damage by 10 feet. A ninja can take this trick more than once. Its effects stack. Worth noting is that this is the first time I've ever tried to make a Gunslinger/Sniper in Pathfinder, and I found out that any attack within the guns first step range, actually goes against touch AC, which is kinda cool for a class or build that really doesn't have much potential to be as powerful as melee classes, oddly. I'm not sure if you're including the optional Daring Act rule, but I've stated it above anyway. :) Also, I saw Steeyal with a Katana more than a Nodachi, but I doubt I can afford to spend a feat on proficiency, so I went with the bigger weapon. It's a useless backup item though. I have -1 strength. :p
, Lol.....brilliant.
Eben - I'm hoping we can play in this one together man! - Vironus/Lazarus :p
Better ask - When's the deadline? :) Oh, a quick question: For the build, how do guns work with stats? Bow and Arrows use physical strength as well as Dex, so you can add your strength bonus to them because of how far you're pulling the string, but a gun just has a trigger that any weakling can use, so if I go for a ranged guy, should I not worry about strength and focus on dex alone?
Blood: As Nelo fades in and out of consciousness, no matter how much pain he goes through, his facial expression rarely changes.
At times he flashes his cocky smirk, but most of the time he just stares blankly as the electricity pulses through his veins. Eventually he drops to his knee's letting out a huge roar/cry of pain, as the bond between he and the one controlling him is broken. Piece by piece the green armour that once encased him broke away and dropped from his body. His helmet crumbled and the thickness of his blade thinned out, it too crumbling away to reveal what was originally beneath it - A Katana Wh...where? The young man seems disorientated, but then shakes his head and looks up, glaring at those around him. Where am I? he says with anger and confidence. Did I fail to accomplish what my father succeeded in? Mundus....he's still alive. Vergil composes himself and stands.
Yea. Just go through with your plan man. I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say we're all still interested and would rather have progression than wait on the other GM who sometimes posts, sometimes doesn't, to get things moving again. Go for it Blood. :)
Tbh, I'd be happy to start a little later in the actual distant world of earth if that made things easier. I just have images in my head of roleplaying from the end of Army of Darkness. :p I'll make Ash anyway. I think that's decided now. Will send you a PM! :)
Ah right. I wasn't sure how present the Sable company would be, but it looked as though you'd only be accepted if you were a Ranger, so I decided to build him how he would be due to his back story and future motivations, in the hope that he could either join them and become one (just as a Fighter/Barbarian), or possibly have his own division once he's proven himself. :D I'm only going two levels of free-hand fighter, without two-weapon fighting and without much offense it seems, but I think the build should be capable enough of outliving most of the other PC's. Does the build look good to you? I wouldn't have minded the Greater Brawler rage power (for Two-weapon fighting), but I just couldn't fit it into this build. Same for improved disarm. Anyway that's awesome you feel he'll fit in perfectly. Thanks a lot! :D
I made this thread originally for the Advice section of the forums, but figured the best place to actually get feedback is probably here. Mainly because I feel feedback from GM's of this AP would be most relevant! I’m hoping to play Curse of the Crimson Throne soon, and I just wanted some feedback on this build that I’ve created. The main focus is survivability, with feats and skills that stay true to his roots and back story. I’ve not made a build like this before, and am using the Urban Barbarian Archetype to allow for him to be more of a calculative thinking knight, without the usual stereotypes of your common Barbarian. Being poor, I’m having him start off with no wealth at all. This means he doesn’t have armour and doesn’t have any weapon or any items on him. To get around this, he will disarm and use the weapon from someone he first faces, with the intention to find and/or save up enough to get better equipment later, where he can make a living and a name for himself. Although a Half-Elven Punk Smoker with a dark past, his personality should eventually grow into something positive and optimistic, strengthening his desire to protect those around him and giving him a knightly and honourable demeanour. He wants to follow in Blackjack’s footsteps, except where Blackjack masked his appearance, Elegad wants everyone to see his identity, unafraid of the disadvantages that may bring. Build:
Name: Elegad Espris Age: 24 Race: Half-Elf Class: Fighter (Free Hand) Level: 1 Personality: Uncaring Punk Smoker/Street child
Motivations: To follow in Blackjack's footsteps, only without a mask and with a purpose to show Half-Elves are just as capable as any other race, if not more when it comes to accomplishing tasks, and he aims to be a hero/symbol of hope to all others of his race, pushing his body, survival skills and streetwise talents to the limit, to ensure this is achieved. HP: 13
Str: 14
Fort: 5 (10 to stabilise when dying)
BAB: 1
Traits: Drug addict (Personal Addiction) - +1 Fortitude
Alternate Racial: Dual-Minded - +2 will saves Skills: Knowledge (Local): 2
Feats: 1a. Endurance
Barbarian Rage Powers: Level 1 - N/A
Gear: Tattered and torn clothes (shirt, trousers and boots grown out of)
Residence: Garrison Hill - Shingles (unmapped rooftop community/homes/slums) Planned Class levels: 1. Fighter (Free-Hand)
Current - 4708 Absalom Reckoning This is my first draft of the story, but you should find that everything is interlinked in conjunction with the information given in the Player’s Guide. This means everything is spoiler free, as I have no actual knowledge of the campaign itself. Back story (prepare for a massive read):
In 4683AR, a young and curious dark haired woman approached the Mierani Enclave. She was 18, petite in size and cute to look at, with assets many males would gawp over. Her name was Talia. With her arrival, Pereshial was overjoyed to have such a fine looking woman speak with him about "business". After weighing up his "staff", he spoke to the woman, suggesting one of his finest men for the act, of which she happily agreed to, wishing to discover the truth's of what she'd been told in full. She couldn't have even begun to imagine the pleasures that awaited her that night, and planned to keep the meeting a secret. People tended to judge a lot, and she wanted to be free of the guilt and just live life in the moment. The woman left as a happy customer and found herself returning to the broffle house. At first it was once every few months, then it grew more frequent, jumping from once a month to once a week, and even reached a point where she'd turn up once every few days. It was all fun and games for her until she fell pregnant however. Without the heart or option of abortion, 9 months passed and the woman (with the help of the enclave) gave birth to Elegad. Elegad was born on the 17th Abadius, 4684AR. He had jet black hair, pale skin and when his eyelids first lifted, they revealed his aqua blue eyes. He was a beautiful baby boy, and one that any mother should have been proud of. Worried about what others would think of her however, Talia had other things on her mind. Behind closed doors and in secrecy, she breast fed and looked after her son for several months, but finally decided enough was enough. One night when the streets of Korvosa seemed quieter than normal, Talia wrapped a cloak around Elegad and herself, and concealed her identity. As she walked down the street, under her Cloak was a sleeping Elegad. She didn't want to wake the boy, so in an attempt to not look too suspiscious, she briskly walked down neighbouring roads, avoiding the alley's for fear of death and misfortune, peering through each window she passed with quick glances. It was in one of these houses that she spotted a woman - An aged human woman of about 70. Seeing this as a good opportunity, Talia placed a pillow on the door step, wrapped Elegad up in some sheeting and then placed him on the pillow, with a note reading "His name is Elegad. I'm sorry." Talia then knocked on the door, used the darkness of the night to hide, watching the house, hoping that the woman would take the newly born Half-Elf in, and thankfully for her, she did. This allowed Talia to forget about her son for 12 years, but the elderly woman?
Being the caring old woman that she was, Esther taught Elegad how to read and write, how to be diplomatic, and how to treat others with the courtesy and respect he would expect to receive himself. It was clear that if she didn't have a good upbringing herself, she was a very wise and knowledgeable lady. In addition to this, she also taught him mathematics and how to eat properly in front of guests. She would feed him day and night without fail, even though she had little money herself, often reading him bedtime stories and telling him tales of the legendary Blackjack to help him drift off to sleep, or holding him through thunderstorms, making him feel safe after nightmares etc. She had all of the traits a good parent should, and yet before Elegad came along, she never had the chance to do all of this. You see, she wasn't gifted with the ability to have children. Esther had a husband once. They met at the fishing docks at the ages of 17 and 20. Her husband, Derik, was the older of the two. He worked for a local fishery and was meant to be moving to Magnimar under his bosses instruction. Supposedly fishing businesses were booming, and it was a great season for catching all manner of exotic fish that weren't known in Korvosa. By chance however, Esther worked as a fruit merchant, selling all of the finest and ripest fruits the nation had to offer. Her job kept her moving about from place to place, but being a Korvosa run business, she never had to venture out too far with her wagon. Her routes were always planned through heavily guarded sectors of the city, so safety wasn't an issue, but it was through her job that she ended up in the fishing district, and for that she was thankful. It wasn't before long that Esther and Derik took a fancy to one another. They were both hard working people and it was easy to see that they were both a little shy. Esther was the one to first initiate interest though. She didn't know this at the time, but Derik wouldn't have asked her to court him due to fear of rejection, and had they not met on that day, Derik would have agreed to travel to Magnimar, and they would have never gotten together. After Esther expressed her interest to court the man, Derik took her out on a few fishing trips. He had little time off work, so had to see her more often than not, during his work hours. At first he was overprotective of the girl, warning her of the dangers he faced on a daily basis, but eventually accepted that it was unnecessary to act in that manner and that they should just enjoy their time together. The couple would often save up a months wage to go out on dates to upper class taverns, dining to candlelight and enjoying one anothers company. Throughout the years, Derik would do nice, romantic gestures for Esther, and Esther would do them in return. Sometimes she'd make him scarves and accessories for the cold winters ahead, while he would buy her clothes and victorian-esque items of Taldan fashion. They were soul mates. They loved each other deeply and felt lost without one another, but like any good couple, they still had some problems. At the ages of 29 and 32, the two thought it would be a good time to try for children. They tried for years, but it just wasn't happening. They both had a burning desire to bring up their own offspring, hoping to see a little of each of them in their future children, but it turned out Esther couldn't have kids. Derik wouldn't speak to Esther for a while, thinking she just didn't want children and that Esther was doing things to jeopardise the idea. He would go out and drink heavily, only to return, eat dinner, say very little and go to bed before he had to wake up early the next morning for work again. This cycle repeated for about a year before the two decided they should break up. Derik went back to the fishing company that he had now inherited (due to his boss not having any living relatives and passing away), and Esther opened up a Florist. It wasn't before long however, that the two of them realised how much they missed each other, how the whole situation blew out of proportion and how they now regret the actions they took. As such, they got back together after about 6 months. Unlike most couples who move on after a split, relationships weren't on their mind. They have only been with one another and that's how they wanted it to remain. After a little while, Esther took the time out to explain things to Derik.
Derik said nothing, but crouched down beside her and wrapped his arms around her, looking to his side and secretly shedding some tears of his own. He had to comfort her. It was all he could do, and in time they would both accept that it just wasn't meant to be. As the months went on, they rekindled their love, passion sprung back into their relationship and they eventually accepted this as just "one of those things". A year after inheriting the Fishery, both Derik's Fishing business and Esther's Florist were bustling with activity, and as a result, they acquired their first house together. They lived in this house for 20 years until one day like any other, Derik went to check on his stock at the Espris Fishery, only to find three thugs ransacking the place. In shock, he called out to the men and asked what they were playing at, telling them to just take the money and leave. Only, they didn't want his money. They wanted his business gone so they could set up their own Fishery within the district. The leader turned around and under his straw hat, grinned at Derik. Nobody discovered this, but that leader was Gaedren Lamm. Without hesitation the two thugs accompanying Lamm fired a shot each from their crossbows. One hit Derik in the chest, while the other pierced through his leg, dropping him to his knee's. At first Derik was angry, but then when he realised there was no hope left, he decided the only thing he could do was to go out thinking about how great his life had been before this moment, and how meeting Esther was the greatest moment in his life. With nothing but Lamm's grinning face to look at, Derik stared at the ground, continuing to think back on all of the wonderful feelings he had experienced. This was when the two thugs grabbed some rope (that was previously used to tye fishing boats to the dock yard), tied it into a noose and wrapped it around Derik's neck. With tears running down his face, the two thugs threw the rope over a wooden beam above, and then placed it around Derik's neck before running with it, lifting him high into the air. Him dangling there wasn't enough for them though. This was when Lamm wanted to try and make a big name for himself, and as such, he had the two thugs fire more crossbow bolts into the man, pinning him to the wall while he was still suffocating and struggling for his life. "I love you Esther" were the words of Derik Espris' final breath, as he finally stopped struggling and was at last at peace from the ordeal he had to suffer. The next morning, town guards were at the Fishery while Esther slept. Something was written on the wall next to Derik's body. It was poorly worded and looked as though it was hurriedly painted on, reading "Here we have a pin cushion. Take note lawmen, else you'll find more like this in the near future!" Now, with such a well established business, most locals knew of Derik and Esther's residence (though thankfully not Lamm or any of the thugs around Korvosa, for they were always plotting behind the scenes, too busy to take note of anything foing on around them with common citizens), and so one of the city guards took it upon herself to deliver the mortifying news. when Esther heard a knock on the door, she got up with a smile on her face, figuring Derik was just late home and had forgotten his keys. She went to to the door expecting to see Derik's face, but instead was greeted by a woman and her Hippogriff. The woman was a female Marine of the Sable Company. One who too had lost family and now takes it upon herself to watch over this neighbourhood in between shifts, in hope to find her little brother who was kidnapped several months back. Esther took the news well and avoided newspapers for fear of what they had to say, still somewhat expecting Derik to come walking through the door each night. Three days later, the shock passed and Esther just dropped everything, sobbing on the carpet for hours and hours, heartbroken at the loss of her husband and soul mate, screaming for help and yet nobody came. She never found anyone else. She just wanted him by her side, and if that wasn't possible, wanted to rest eternally with him. She was 53 when this happened, and for the next 17 years she lived as a hollow shell with nothing to look forward to in life. This was until she found Elegad on her doorstep. Esther cared for the boy like she would have her own child, telling him of how she met her husband, what they did together, how she felt for him and the trials they both had to overcome. Inspired by the love and connection Derek and his adoptive mum had for one another, at the age 10, Elegad told Esther "I'm happy you found me. If my mummy didn't want me, I'm glad that I've been living with someone who did" and speaking like a true hero, he clenched his fist as the passion in his heart flowed out with the final part of his speech; "and from this day fourth, I choose to take on the name Elegad Espris! Your name will live on through me, so the two of you will always be remembered!" The little boy laughed, and although Esther knew the boy had a big heart, she was also sad. Sad that she would soon have to tell him she won't be around for very much longer, and sad that Derik couldn't have been around to see this new living, breathing shimmering light of hope for the old woman. Sadly only two years after this, and after 12 years of looking after the Half-Elf, Esther passed away peacefully in her sleep. Realising he hadn't been woken up for breakfast, the young boy looked for the lady who had brought him up from a mere baby, and upon discovering her, although not knowing the meaning of this, Elegad would soon learn the harsh fear of death that sends a chill through every intelligent creature of Golarion. With no way to pay bills, it wasn't long before the house was re-possessed. El was thrown out onto the streets with no food, no water and no skills of survival. He was in the worst situation possible. Through desperation, he tried to track down his birth mother, for you see, El has always been an intelligent boy, and it didn't take much digging to find out about Pereshial's business at the Mierani Enclave. Although dangerous to travel alone (especially at the young age of 12, El travelled to the Enclave and asked around for more information. Normally a business would be surprised to see a kid walking around....especially a half-elf, but not this one. Thankfully for Elegad, to make things easier, it was quite apparent who his mother and father were, as he looked a lot like them. He had similar hair and facial shape to that of his father and his eyes and nose looked similar to that of his mother. Pereshial was a little evasive, reluctant to reveal the home address of such a valued customer, but the Elven man he would momentarily discover to be his dad pointed him in the right direction, wishing the child to bother her rather than he. Upon receiving the address and name of his mother, Elegad knocked on her door. Talia, now at the age of 30 opened the door to see a small Half-Elf in front of her. At first glance, she thought the boy in front of her was a mere human, looking for a place to stay, but as soon as the wind blew, she noticed his ears and then it dawned on her. Standing in front of her was the living embodiment of her taboo relationship, and as such, she was far from pleased to see that the boy had somehow managed to track her down. When El explained who he was and that the woman he was staying with (Esther) had died, he asked in the politest way possible if he could stay with Talia. It was around dinner time and behind her were two small children (a boy and a girl) and a man (her husband) who was just serving dinner. Her kids were chasing each other around the table, until one of them (the boy) realised that there was a small boy at the front door. Calling out to his mother, he asked “who’s that boy you’re talking to? Can we make friends with him? He might be fun!” Talia however, unsure on what to say, came across unnecessarily harsh with her response. “It’s nobody. Just a kid needing somewhere to stay, but you two are enough to deal with as it is. You’ll have to play some other time.” She tried to sound caring in her tone, but the awkwardness of this confrontation was clear. Hurt by this, El began to cry. The feeling of hopelessness finally struck in and he couldn’t understand why she could happily bring two humans up, but refused to even accept his existence. Overcome by emotion, Elegad proceeded to beg before realising it was rude and improper to do so. As such, he wiped the tears from his eyes and just stood there saying nothing. Regardless of the distraught boy however, Talia, through fear of her husband discovering the truth of both becoming a mother at the age of 18, and her continued relation to Pereshial’s Elven “employee” (even to this day), she looked at the boy one last time, whispering “I’m sorry” before shutting the door in the 12 year olds face, leaving him alone outside, and feeling unwanted in the harsh environs of the city. He had no choice but to learn to fend for himself. A week later, the Half-Elf was in a far less healthy state. Although understanding the concept of right and wrong, El knew that he needed sustenance to survive. Food and water was essential to his survival, and although he was taught never to steal, the young boy made a promise and that promise was to carry the Espris name on, no matter what the cost. As such, dying wasn’t an option. He had to persevere, strengthen himself mentally and physically and sharpen his senses to ensure this was all possible. He often snuck into churches, taking Holy Water while nobody was looking, to drink later on, using old containers, semi broken vials and used potions bottles that he had previously washed out in the Jeggare River. Four years had passed since then, and now at the age of 16, the boy had gotten used to his new lifestyle. Well, a little. Acquiring food and water where possible, El knew some weeks would offer more food than others, but that still didn’t stop him craving more. His body needed a lot more nutrition than it was getting, and through his lack of sleep and constant worry of self security, survival was looking slim in the grand scheme of things. Fortunately, a man introducing himself as Gaedren Lamm approached the boy, offering enough food and water to ensure a healthy survival. Jumping at the chance, El took the old man up on this offer and began to grow stronger and healthier as he was once before. Unfortunately however, this was one of Gaedren’s ploys to get El working for him. After a few months had passed, Gaedren claimed that there wasn’t enough food to go around, due to all of the homeless children he was helping. As such, he told Elegad that if he would work for him as a delivery boy, the goods he delivers should earn enough penny to get things on the up again. This of course was to give the Half-Elf false hope, turning him into a drug runner. Two years went by and by this point, El knew Korvosa like the back of his hand. He knew all of the secret routes to remain undetected, knew all of the fastest routes and became an adept Shingle Runner. Business was good. Everyone paid up for their goods and El profited. What the boy didn’t have however, was a home. From his time spent with the old man, El grew close to Gaedren and saw him as a friend. In a strange sense, he saw Lamm as a heroic figure akin to Blackjack - A man helping the children of the streets and those in need. Sadly though, this wasn’t the case at all, and too many stories of the Korvosan hero had lead the boys mind astray. One night, lamm approached the rooftop El lived on, and asked if he could spare a moment to speak with him. The boy agreed and over some friendly banter, Lamm told the boy to try some of this liquid he’d prepared. When asked what it does, Lamm responded, claiming “it will make your dreams come true”. As such, Elegad made a wish and then downed the substance. Little did he know, this would result in his addiction to the drug. Slowly craving the drug more and more, El’s priorities were skewed. Believing the illusions of the Shiver drug to be real, the poor naïve boy thought that he was getting all of the food and love he desired. In reality though, he was starving and slowly losing himself to the substance. Lamm fed him enough to keep him alive, but the real purpose to this was to get the Half-Elf working for him for free, knowing that he’d break like any other man, woman or child, growing desperate enough to do anything for the falsities that Shiver promised. This went on for 6 years before a series of events unfolded that would change the boys life forever. Now at the age of 22, El was fully addicted. He couldn’t judge distances properly for the obstructions of hallucination, both from lack of health and the level of substance within his veins, and on one morning like any other, he misplaced his footing and fell from one of the rooftops he was taking residence upon. Landing in the street some 30 feet below, the boy laid there unconscious. Luckily, a Half-Elven town guard passing by, discovered the boy and took him to one of the local priests. The priest was a Cleric of Sarenrae. Though a long and arduous process, the Cleric was able to purge the boys body of all negative substances and bandaged the boy up for 6 months, so that he could fully recover from the injuries he had sustained. The Cleric didn’t require a thank you from the boy, and it was a good thing too, as El’s mind was in an incredibly dark place. He was depressed, lonely and although free of the toxin’s from the drug he was on, still felt compelled to go back onto the substance. Over the next two years, El’s mind would put itself together once more, piece by piece, allowing for him to decipher what was real and what was not once again. This allowed the maturing Half-Elf to gain a better understanding of what he had been through, and showed to him just how bad the consequences of his actions were. He didn’t have many friends, and most of the faces he knew were now strange and unrecognisable to him. Kids would approach him asking him for their fix. Adults would do the same, and when he said refused, he would often be battered up, sometimes knocked unconscious and occasionally worse. At this point he was in two minds. Should he hate those who are reacting in this manner, or should he hate the man behind it? Gaedren Lamm. Without a home, often without food and constantly in danger, the boy took up smoking and took on a carefree nature. If people had an issue with him, he’d now defend himself. To some he’d come across as passively aggressive, and now and again he’d get caught up in gang fights, beaten because of his now offensive attitude. Bumps and bruises didn’t seem to bother him a huge amount, because although each injury hurt, nothing was as bad as the conditions he lived in, where each day he woke, death was present, people he delivered to would die from their addictions, and innocents were murdered. This was his life though. He accepted it and just tried to survive, losing himself and forgetting about his once innocent younger self, through exposure to the dark nature surrounding him. On one unexpected day, while traversing the City rooftops, El saw a familiar woman in trouble with a few Sczarni lads. It appeared they wanted her wallet, and when she refused, they figured they may as well take advantage of the situation and grabbed her around the throat while the other two began to touch her inappropriately. Disgusted, angsty and p***** off by this display, El, realising this was his mother….the woman who abandoned him twice before, decided that having birthed him, she at least deserved his protection on this one occasion. Weighing up the situation and outnumbered three to one, the boy knew he had to use his brain to overcome that challenge in front of him. Using his sharpened senses, he looked down towards the street and spotted something glistening. It was an empty bottle that had obviously fallen out a drunken fools hands. Realising that wouldn’t be enough however, Elegad spotted a drugged up Dwarf with a half empty syringe in his hand. Acquiring it, the boy charged into combat. The Sczarni were very much unaware of his presence, allowing him to smash the bottle over the head of the man restraining his mother without a problem. The second man pulled out a blade and approached the Half-Elf, missing his strike and allowing El to inject Shiver into his body, instantly knocking him out cold. Then there was one left. This one seemed a little tougher than the rest and more of a bully. Focusing in hand to hand combat, he left Talia alone and focused his swings on the 24 year old Half-Elf. El took a fair few hits, able to dodge some, but not all. The fight went on for a little while, but with one misplaced punch, the Half-Elf saw an opening and took it, flooring the Sczarni man in one powerful blow to the temple. His mother was much more appreciative this time around, having realised who her saviour was if a little guilt ridden from the state the boy is now in. The pale and gaunt boy, with his heavily bagged eyes just looked at his mother, seemingly without the soul, heart or passion he once had during their first confrontation, and when his mother thanked him, he cold heartedly replied with “my mother died a long time ago at the age of 84. She brought me up and taught me good manners, and yet I’m still out here in this s***hole, clearing up mess that others cause on a daily basis.” Looking away, Elegad walked off 20 feet before turning around slightly and pointing at the woman. “Save your thanks. We’re done here.” Before turning around once more and disappearing off into the maze like streets beyond. 4708 Absolom Reckoning (current year) - Now, having to grow up fast sure made him mature in a lot of ways, but occasionally on days when he felt slightly better about himself, he’d climb to the highest rooftops, flick out a cig and smoke it, watching as the Sable Company Marines passed by overhead. “One day” he said to himself. “One day that’ll be me up there. Or at least, my name shall be known for better or worse. I made a promise to my old lady and I’d better keep it!” From that moment on, Elegad vowed to become a symbol of hope for the people, aiming to remove the negative stereotypes from his race, while defending the homeless and helpless from the evil’s within the region. It didn’t take much to realise that his first task should be to track down Lamm, putting an end to the crimes and suffering caused by the despicable man. Key personality traits:
Dark personality
P.S. It’s certainly a relief to finally have this finished, and I'd really appreciate it if anyone who's played or GM'd this AP could give me feedback on how good and relevant my character and plot hooks are. Thanks!
That sounds more like Noob/Smoke from Mortal Kombat! :p I have a question; I've actually found Chainsaw stats from d20 modern. I've also found stats on a metal prosphetic limb from the same game. As this is going into a modern setting, is it something you'd consider allowing? I'd then take the Gunsmith's kit so I could maintain his Shotgun too. I have a few ideas for this and am thinking for anyone wishing to be a Sniper...if we find guns later on capable of sniping, it would probably be better to play as a Fighter, sheerly for the ability to retrain, so you aren't forever terrible with one weapon once you change from the original.
Ha, Grixus, I just had a look at the price of guns and my god. So pricey! Lol. I think I'd prefer to just kill someone and take theirs in this distant world. :p If I use a class with a Gun, I'd better get learning the class! Hmm. Am really tempted to try and make (with your guidance and permission GM) a Bruce Campbell though. I'm guessing two-weapon fighting with Shotgun and Chainsaw (doesn't exist in Golarion, but....Earth. Bruce slept in and awoke at the apocalypse. Maybe I can continue his adventure here lol.) would probably be what I'd have to start with to make such a thing possible. For now I have no other concepts apart from those ones already mentioned above. I do have a Batman I made floating about somewhere. I think he might even be workable and within acceptable guidelines lol. Ironman too, but he's pathetic at hitting things with his fists. Energy rays though...he's good from what I recall.
Ha, and chainsaws? I'm kinda wanting to do one of the above, but am a little bored of Bow and arrows. I've just always wanted to have a really awesome lone wolf typed sniper who can cover the party at all times, but apart from that I don't think Snake would work (well I'm unsure tbh) as I don't know if you've made machine guns etc in this setting. Chainsaws as hand replacements? :p I'd really like to join this. I just want to make a workable concept is all, and I feel in a setting like this, you're asking for trouble if all you can do is fight close ranged (hello Barbarian and Fighter with only melee weapons). Shotgun and Chainsaw hand. Ahhh.
Call me crazy, but I have two ideas, and one is taking blatant inspiration from the Evil Dead. If I made a Stealth Sniper (either Ranger or Rogue), with the setting changing, will there be functional sniper rifles to use? What would I have to do to be just as good with a Sniper Rifle (maybe better!) than I would a bow? And secondly.....LA! I'm really tempted to make Bruce Campbell's Ash from the Evil Dead, or Snake Plisken from Escape from LA. Only issues with that really are the fact Paizo focus mainly on pre-gun technology. Sounds interesting though, so I'd love to hear your suggestions and hopefully join this! :p I'm based in England. Can normally post multiple times a day (sometimes all day), but just don't tend to post on weekends. This sounds crazy though, and for a brief moment I even thought it'd be good to create a character based on Paul from David Lynch's Dune. Yay for weirding modules!
Hope not. Sylirinight hardly posts and Blood was trying to make things more interesting, but judging from his post, I tried to keep things positive but he seems upset, which I don't blame him for as he was taking over and seemed to have a much better grasp of things. I hope he keeps running this tbh man. His recently started Kingmaker campaign is running strong, so I'd prefer it if Blood took over this if it's too much for Syl to keep up with. I like the way he runs things.
Okay everyone, I’m hoping to play Curse of the Crimson Throne soon, and I just wanted some feedback on this build I’ve created. The main focus is survivability, with feats and skills that stay true to his roots and back story. I’ve not made a build like this before, and am using the Urban Barbarian Archetype to allow for him to be more of a calculative thinking knight, without the usual stereotypes of your common Barbarian. Being poor, I’m having him start off with no wealth at all. This means he doesn’t have armour and doesn’t have any weapon or any items on him. To get around this, he will disarm and use the weapon from someone he first faces, with the intention to find and/or save up enough to get better equipment later, where he can make a living and a name for himself. Although a Half-Elven Punk Smoker with a dark past, his personality should eventually grow into something positive and optimistic, strengthening his desire to protect those around him and giving him a knightly and honourable demeanour. He wants to follow in Blackjack’s footsteps, except where Blackjack masked his appearance, Elegad wants everyone to see his identity, unafraid of the disadvantages that may bring. Build:
Name: Elegad Espris Age: 24 Race: Half-Elf Class: Fighter (Free Hand) Level: 1 Personality: Uncaring Punk Smoker/Street child
Motivations: To follow in Blackjack's footsteps, only without a mask and with a purpose to show Half-Elves are just as capable as any other race, if not more when it comes to accomplishing tasks, and he aims to be a hero/symbol of hope to all others of his race, pushing his body, survival skills and streetwise talents to the limit, to ensure this is achieved. HP: 13
Str: 14
Fort: 5 (10 to stabilise when dying)
BAB: 1
Traits: Drug addict (Personal Addiction) - +1 Fortitude
Alternate Racial: Dual-Minded - +2 will saves Skills: Knowledge (Local): 2
Feats: 1a. Endurance
Barbarian Rage Powers: Level 1 - N/A
Gear: Tattered and torn clothes (shirt, trousers and boots grown out of)
Residence: Garrison Hill - Shingles (unmapped rooftop community/homes/slums) Planned Class levels: 1. Fighter (Free-Hand)
Current - 4708 Absalom Reckoning This is my first draft of the story, but you should find that everything is interlinked in conjunction with the information given in the Player’s Guide. This means everything is spoiler free, as I have no actual knowledge of the campaign itself. Back story (prepare for a massive read):
In 4683AR, a young and curious dark haired woman approached the Mierani Enclave. She was 18, petite in size and cute to look at, with assets many males would gawp over. Her name was Talia. With her arrival, Pereshial was overjoyed to have such a fine looking woman speak with him about "business". After weighing up his "staff", he spoke to the woman, suggesting one of his finest men for the act, of which she happily agreed to, wishing to discover the truth's of what she'd been told in full. She couldn't have even begun to imagine the pleasures that awaited her that night, and planned to keep the meeting a secret. People tended to judge a lot, and she wanted to be free of the guilt and just live life in the moment. The woman left as a happy customer and found herself returning to the broffle house. At first it was once every few months, then it grew more frequent, jumping from once a month to once a week, and even reached a point where she'd turn up once every few days. It was all fun and games for her until she fell pregnant however. Without the heart or option of abortion, 9 months passed and the woman (with the help of the enclave) gave birth to Elegad. Elegad was born on the 17th Abadius, 4684AR. He had jet black hair, pale skin and when his eyelids first lifted, they revealed his aqua blue eyes. He was a beautiful baby boy, and one that any mother should have been proud of. Worried about what others would think of her however, Talia had other things on her mind. Behind closed doors and in secrecy, she breast fed and looked after her son for several months, but finally decided enough was enough. One night when the streets of Korvosa seemed quieter than normal, Talia wrapped a cloak around Elegad and herself, and concealed her identity. As she walked down the street, under her Cloak was a sleeping Elegad. She didn't want to wake the boy, so in an attempt to not look too suspiscious, she briskly walked down neighbouring roads, avoiding the alley's for fear of death and misfortune, peering through each window she passed with quick glances. It was in one of these houses that she spotted a woman - An aged human woman of about 70. Seeing this as a good opportunity, Talia placed a pillow on the door step, wrapped Elegad up in some sheeting and then placed him on the pillow, with a note reading "His name is Elegad. I'm sorry." Talia then knocked on the door, used the darkness of the night to hide, watching the house, hoping that the woman would take the newly born Half-Elf in, and thankfully for her, she did. This allowed Talia to forget about her son for 12 years, but the elderly woman?
Being the caring old woman that she was, Esther taught Elegad how to read and write, how to be diplomatic, and how to treat others with the courtesy and respect he would expect to receive himself. It was clear that if she didn't have a good upbringing herself, she was a very wise and knowledgeable lady. In addition to this, she also taught him mathematics and how to eat properly in front of guests. She would feed him day and night without fail, even though she had little money herself, often reading him bedtime stories and telling him tales of the legendary Blackjack to help him drift off to sleep, or holding him through thunderstorms, making him feel safe after nightmares etc. She had all of the traits a good parent should, and yet before Elegad came along, she never had the chance to do all of this. You see, she wasn't gifted with the ability to have children. Esther had a husband once. They met at the fishing docks at the ages of 17 and 20. Her husband, Derik, was the older of the two. He worked for a local fishery and was meant to be moving to Magnimar under his bosses instruction. Supposedly fishing businesses were booming, and it was a great season for catching all manner of exotic fish that weren't known in Korvosa. By chance however, Esther worked as a fruit merchant, selling all of the finest and ripest fruits the nation had to offer. Her job kept her moving about from place to place, but being a Korvosa run business, she never had to venture out too far with her wagon. Her routes were always planned through heavily guarded sectors of the city, so safety wasn't an issue, but it was through her job that she ended up in the fishing district, and for that she was thankful. It wasn't before long that Esther and Derik took a fancy to one another. They were both hard working people and it was easy to see that they were both a little shy. Esther was the one to first initiate interest though. She didn't know this at the time, but Derik wouldn't have asked her to court him due to fear of rejection, and had they not met on that day, Derik would have agreed to travel to Magnimar, and they would have never gotten together. After Esther expressed her interest to court the man, Derik took her out on a few fishing trips. He had little time off work, so had to see her more often than not, during his work hours. At first he was overprotective of the girl, warning her of the dangers he faced on a daily basis, but eventually accepted that it was unnecessary to act in that manner and that they should just enjoy their time together. The couple would often save up a months wage to go out on dates to upper class taverns, dining to candlelight and enjoying one anothers company. Throughout the years, Derik would do nice, romantic gestures for Esther, and Esther would do them in return. Sometimes she'd make him scarves and accessories for the cold winters ahead, while he would buy her clothes and victorian-esque items of Taldan fashion. They were soul mates. They loved each other deeply and felt lost without one another, but like any good couple, they still had some problems. At the ages of 29 and 32, the two thought it would be a good time to try for children. They tried for years, but it just wasn't happening. They both had a burning desire to bring up their own offspring, hoping to see a little of each of them in their future children, but it turned out Esther couldn't have kids. Derik wouldn't speak to Esther for a while, thinking she just didn't want children and that Esther was doing things to jeopardise the idea. He would go out and drink heavily, only to return, eat dinner, say very little and go to bed before he had to wake up early the next morning for work again. This cycle repeated for about a year before the two decided they should break up. Derik went back to the fishing company that he had now inherited (due to his boss not having any living relatives and passing away), and Esther opened up a Florist. It wasn't before long however, that the two of them realised how much they missed each other, how the whole situation blew out of proportion and how they now regret the actions they took. As such, they got back together after about 6 months. Unlike most couples who move on after a split, relationships weren't on their mind. They have only been with one another and that's how they wanted it to remain. After a little while, Esther took the time out to explain things to Derik.
Derik said nothing, but crouched down beside her and wrapped his arms around her, looking to his side and secretly shedding some tears of his own. He had to comfort her. It was all he could do, and in time they would both accept that it just wasn't meant to be. As the months went on, they rekindled their love, passion sprung back into their relationship and they eventually accepted this as just "one of those things". A year after inheriting the Fishery, both Derik's Fishing business and Esther's Florist were bustling with activity, and as a result, they acquired their first house together. They lived in this house for 20 years until one day like any other, Derik went to check on his stock at the Espris Fishery, only to find three thugs ransacking the place. In shock, he called out to the men and asked what they were playing at, telling them to just take the money and leave. Only, they didn't want his money. They wanted his business gone so they could set up their own Fishery within the district. The leader turned around and under his straw hat, grinned at Derik. Nobody discovered this, but that leader was Gaedren Lamm. Without hesitation the two thugs accompanying Lamm fired a shot each from their crossbows. One hit Derik in the chest, while the other pierced through his leg, dropping him to his knee's. At first Derik was angry, but then when he realised there was no hope left, he decided the only thing he could do was to go out thinking about how great his life had been before this moment, and how meeting Esther was the greatest moment in his life. With nothing but Lamm's grinning face to look at, Derik stared at the ground, continuing to think back on all of the wonderful feelings he had experienced. This was when the two thugs grabbed some rope (that was previously used to tye fishing boats to the dock yard), tied it into a noose and wrapped it around Derik's neck. With tears running down his face, the two thugs threw the rope over a wooden beam above, and then placed it around Derik's neck before running with it, lifting him high into the air. Him dangling there wasn't enough for them though. This was when Lamm wanted to try and make a big name for himself, and as such, he had the two thugs fire more crossbow bolts into the man, pinning him to the wall while he was still suffocating and struggling for his life. "I love you Esther" were the words of Derik Espris' final breath, as he finally stopped struggling and was at last at peace from the ordeal he had to suffer. The next morning, town guards were at the Fishery while Esther slept. Something was written on the wall next to Derik's body. It was poorly worded and looked as though it was hurriedly painted on, reading "Here we have a pin cushion. Take note lawmen, else you'll find more like this in the near future!" Now, with such a well established business, most locals knew of Derik and Esther's residence (though thankfully not Lamm or any of the thugs around Korvosa, for they were always plotting behind the scenes, too busy to take note of anything foing on around them with common citizens), and so one of the city guards took it upon herself to deliver the mortifying news. when Esther heard a knock on the door, she got up with a smile on her face, figuring Derik was just late home and had forgotten his keys. She went to to the door expecting to see Derik's face, but instead was greeted by a woman and her Hippogriff. The woman was a female Marine of the Sable Company. One who too had lost family and now takes it upon herself to watch over this neighbourhood in between shifts, in hope to find her little brother who was kidnapped several months back. Esther took the news well and avoided newspapers for fear of what they had to say, still somewhat expecting Derik to come walking through the door each night. Three days later, the shock passed and Esther just dropped everything, sobbing on the carpet for hours and hours, heartbroken at the loss of her husband and soul mate, screaming for help and yet nobody came. She never found anyone else. She just wanted him by her side, and if that wasn't possible, wanted to rest eternally with him. She was 53 when this happened, and for the next 17 years she lived as a hollow shell with nothing to look forward to in life. This was until she found Elegad on her doorstep. Esther cared for the boy like she would have her own child, telling him of how she met her husband, what they did together, how she felt for him and the trials they both had to overcome. Inspired by the love and connection Derek and his adoptive mum had for one another, at the age 10, Elegad told Esther "I'm happy you found me. If my mummy didn't want me, I'm glad that I've been living with someone who did" and speaking like a true hero, he clenched his fist as the passion in his heart flowed out with the final part of his speech; "and from this day fourth, I choose to take on the name Elegad Espris! Your name will live on through me, so the two of you will always be remembered!" The little boy laughed, and although Esther knew the boy had a big heart, she was also sad. Sad that she would soon have to tell him she won't be around for very much longer, and sad that Derik couldn't have been around to see this new living, breathing shimmering light of hope for the old woman. Sadly only two years after this, and after 12 years of looking after the Half-Elf, Esther passed away peacefully in her sleep. Realising he hadn't been woken up for breakfast, the young boy looked for the lady who had brought him up from a mere baby, and upon discovering her, although not knowing the meaning of this, Elegad would soon learn the harsh fear of death that sends a chill through every intelligent creature of Golarion. With no way to pay bills, it wasn't long before the house was re-possessed. El was thrown out onto the streets with no food, no water and no skills of survival. He was in the worst situation possible. Through desperation, he tried to track down his birth mother, for you see, El has always been an intelligent boy, and it didn't take much digging to find out about Pereshial's business at the Mierani Enclave. Although dangerous to travel alone (especially at the young age of 12, El travelled to the Enclave and asked around for more information. Normally a business would be surprised to see a kid walking around....especially a half-elf, but not this one. Thankfully for Elegad, to make things easier, it was quite apparent who his mother and father were, as he looked a lot like them. He had similar hair and facial shape to that of his father and his eyes and nose looked similar to that of his mother. Pereshial was a little evasive, reluctant to reveal the home address of such a valued customer, but the Elven man he would momentarily discover to be his dad pointed him in the right direction, wishing the child to bother her rather than he. Upon receiving the address and name of his mother, Elegad knocked on her door. Talia, now at the age of 30 opened the door to see a small Half-Elf in front of her. At first glance, she thought the boy in front of her was a mere human, looking for a place to stay, but as soon as the wind blew, she noticed his ears and then it dawned on her. Standing in front of her was the living embodiment of her taboo relationship, and as such, she was far from pleased to see that the boy had somehow managed to track her down. When El explained who he was and that the woman he was staying with (Esther) had died, he asked in the politest way possible if he could stay with Talia. It was around dinner time and behind her were two small children (a boy and a girl) and a man (her husband) who was just serving dinner. Her kids were chasing each other around the table, until one of them (the boy) realised that there was a small boy at the front door. Calling out to his mother, he asked “who’s that boy you’re talking to? Can we make friends with him? He might be fun!” Talia however, unsure on what to say, came across unnecessarily harsh with her response. “It’s nobody. Just a kid needing somewhere to stay, but you two are enough to deal with as it is. You’ll have to play some other time.” She tried to sound caring in her tone, but the awkwardness of this confrontation was clear. Hurt by this, El began to cry. The feeling of hopelessness finally struck in and he couldn’t understand why she could happily bring two humans up, but refused to even accept his existence. Overcome by emotion, Elegad proceeded to beg before realising it was rude and improper to do so. As such, he wiped the tears from his eyes and just stood there saying nothing. Regardless of the distraught boy however, Talia, through fear of her husband discovering the truth of both becoming a mother at the age of 18, and her continued relation to Pereshial’s Elven “employee” (even to this day), she looked at the boy one last time, whispering “I’m sorry” before shutting the door in the 12 year olds face, leaving him alone outside, and feeling unwanted in the harsh environs of the city. He had no choice but to learn to fend for himself. A week later, the Half-Elf was in a far less healthy state. Although understanding the concept of right and wrong, El knew that he needed sustenance to survive. Food and water was essential to his survival, and although he was taught never to steal, the young boy made a promise and that promise was to carry the Espris name on, no matter what the cost. As such, dying wasn’t an option. He had to persevere, strengthen himself mentally and physically and sharpen his senses to ensure this was all possible. He often snuck into churches, taking Holy Water while nobody was looking, to drink later on, using old containers, semi broken vials and used potions bottles that he had previously washed out in the Jeggare River. Four years had passed since then, and now at the age of 16, the boy had gotten used to his new lifestyle. Well, a little. Acquiring food and water where possible, El knew some weeks would offer more food than others, but that still didn’t stop him craving more. His body needed a lot more nutrition than it was getting, and through his lack of sleep and constant worry of self security, survival was looking slim in the grand scheme of things. Fortunately, a man introducing himself as Gaedren Lamm approached the boy, offering enough food and water to ensure a healthy survival. Jumping at the chance, El took the old man up on this offer and began to grow stronger and healthier as he was once before. Unfortunately however, this was one of Gaedren’s ploys to get El working for him. After a few months had passed, Gaedren claimed that there wasn’t enough food to go around, due to all of the homeless children he was helping. As such, he told Elegad that if he would work for him as a delivery boy, the goods he delivers should earn enough penny to get things on the up again. This of course was to give the Half-Elf false hope, turning him into a drug runner. Two years went by and by this point, El knew Korvosa like the back of his hand. He knew all of the secret routes to remain undetected, knew all of the fastest routes and became an adept Shingle Runner. Business was good. Everyone paid up for their goods and El profited. What the boy didn’t have however, was a home. From his time spent with the old man, El grew close to Gaedren and saw him as a friend. In a strange sense, he saw Lamm as a heroic figure akin to Blackjack - A man helping the children of the streets and those in need. Sadly though, this wasn’t the case at all, and too many stories of the Korvosan hero had lead the boys mind astray. One night, lamm approached the rooftop El lived on, and asked if he could spare a moment to speak with him. The boy agreed and over some friendly banter, Lamm told the boy to try some of this liquid he’d prepared. When asked what it does, Lamm responded, claiming “it will make your dreams come true”. As such, Elegad made a wish and then downed the substance. Little did he know, this would result in his addiction to the drug. Slowly craving the drug more and more, El’s priorities were skewed. Believing the illusions of the Shiver drug to be real, the poor naïve boy thought that he was getting all of the food and love he desired. In reality though, he was starving and slowly losing himself to the substance. Lamm fed him enough to keep him alive, but the real purpose to this was to get the Half-Elf working for him for free, knowing that he’d break like any other man, woman or child, growing desperate enough to do anything for the falsities that Shiver promised. This went on for 6 years before a series of events unfolded that would change the boys life forever. Now at the age of 22, El was fully addicted. He couldn’t judge distances properly for the obstructions of hallucination, both from lack of health and the level of substance within his veins, and on one morning like any other, he misplaced his footing and fell from one of the rooftops he was taking residence upon. Landing in the street some 30 feet below, the boy laid there unconscious. Luckily, a Half-Elven town guard passing by, discovered the boy and took him to one of the local priests. The priest was a Cleric of Sarenrae. Though a long and arduous process, the Cleric was able to purge the boys body of all negative substances and bandaged the boy up for 6 months, so that he could fully recover from the injuries he had sustained. The Cleric didn’t require a thank you from the boy, and it was a good thing too, as El’s mind was in an incredibly dark place. He was depressed, lonely and although free of the toxin’s from the drug he was on, still felt compelled to go back onto the substance. Over the next two years, El’s mind would put itself together once more, piece by piece, allowing for him to decipher what was real and what was not once again. This allowed the maturing Half-Elf to gain a better understanding of what he had been through, and showed to him just how bad the consequences of his actions were. He didn’t have many friends, and most of the faces he knew were now strange and unrecognisable to him. Kids would approach him asking him for their fix. Adults would do the same, and when he said refused, he would often be battered up, sometimes knocked unconscious and occasionally worse. At this point he was in two minds. Should he hate those who are reacting in this manner, or should he hate the man behind it? Gaedren Lamm. Without a home, often without food and constantly in danger, the boy took up smoking and took on a carefree nature. If people had an issue with him, he’d now defend himself. To some he’d come across as passively aggressive, and now and again he’d get caught up in gang fights, beaten because of his now offensive attitude. Bumps and bruises didn’t seem to bother him a huge amount, because although each injury hurt, nothing was as bad as the conditions he lived in, where each day he woke, death was present, people he delivered to would die from their addictions, and innocents were murdered. This was his life though. He accepted it and just tried to survive, losing himself and forgetting about his once innocent younger self, through exposure to the dark nature surrounding him. On one unexpected day, while traversing the City rooftops, El saw a familiar woman in trouble with a few Sczarni lads. It appeared they wanted her wallet, and when she refused, they figured they may as well take advantage of the situation and grabbed her around the throat while the other two began to touch her inappropriately. Disgusted, angsty and p***** off by this display, El, realising this was his mother….the woman who abandoned him twice before, decided that having birthed him, she at least deserved his protection on this one occasion. Weighing up the situation and outnumbered three to one, the boy knew he had to use his brain to overcome that challenge in front of him. Using his sharpened senses, he looked down towards the street and spotted something glistening. It was an empty bottle that had obviously fallen out a drunken fools hands. Realising that wouldn’t be enough however, Elegad spotted a drugged up Dwarf with a half empty syringe in his hand. Acquiring it, the boy charged into combat. The Sczarni were very much unaware of his presence, allowing him to smash the bottle over the head of the man restraining his mother without a problem. The second man pulled out a blade and approached the Half-Elf, missing his strike and allowing El to inject Shiver into his body, instantly knocking him out cold. Then there was one left. This one seemed a little tougher than the rest and more of a bully. Focusing in hand to hand combat, he left Talia alone and focused his swings on the 24 year old Half-Elf. El took a fair few hits, able to dodge some, but not all. The fight went on for a little while, but with one misplaced punch, the Half-Elf saw an opening and took it, flooring the Sczarni man in one powerful blow to the temple. His mother was much more appreciative this time around, having realised who her saviour was if a little guilt ridden from the state the boy is now in. The pale and gaunt boy, with his heavily bagged eyes just looked at his mother, seemingly without the soul, heart or passion he once had during their first confrontation, and when his mother thanked him, he cold heartedly replied with “my mother died a long time ago at the age of 84. She brought me up and taught me good manners, and yet I’m still out here in this s***hole, clearing up mess that others cause on a daily basis.” Looking away, Elegad walked off 20 feet before turning around slightly and pointing at the woman. “Save your thanks. We’re done here.” Before turning around once more and disappearing off into the maze like streets beyond. 4708 Absolom Reckoning (current year) - Now, having to grow up fast sure made him mature in a lot of ways, but occasionally on days when he felt slightly better about himself, he’d climb to the highest rooftops, flick out a cig and smoke it, watching as the Sable Company Marines passed by overhead. “One day” he said to himself. “One day that’ll be me up there. Or at least, my name shall be known for better or worse. I made a promise to my old lady and I’d better keep it!” From that moment on, Elegad vowed to become a symbol of hope for the people, aiming to remove the negative stereotypes from his race, while defending the homeless and helpless from the evil’s within the region. It didn’t take much to realise that his first task should be to track down Lamm, putting an end to the crimes and suffering caused by the despicable man. Key personality traits:
Dark personality
P.S. It’s certainly a relief to finally have this finished, and I'd really appreciate it if anyone who's played or GM'd this AP could give me feedback on how good and relevant my character and plot hooks are. Thanks!
Lol, I'd rather stick with your original plan Blood, keeping them alive, but if they're all dead, sod it, I'm teleporting back to hell. Do let me know how this continues. :p
Alright, well let me know when it's 5pm in game and I'll post again. :)
That's how I saw it. :p Nelo's heading there then, so who knows what will happen in those 6 hours. Probably people will be asleep by the time he makes it there. :p
I didn't say he was. Nelo just see's him as that way, as I'm sure the whole evil party see Nelo. But hey, Nelo free'd him right?.....Well, would have if Drol didn't create an escape portal in the same round. I can't post until I know what's going on with me yet btw Sylirinight. I think Blood is in control of me right now.
GM: With heavy breathing coming from the dark knight's almost biological helmet, the man doesn't seem fatigued or even strained from his actions. The only thing possibly making him breathe so heavily is his determination and otherworldly training he has over his own body, for it seems his Hellish origin favours him, granting him the strength to constantly push on, cutting aside any minor creature that gets in his way.
As the women talk amongst themselves, he spots a blonde haired woman towards the back, just out the corner of his eye, and for a brief second has a flashback of his mother as a child. Pausing and grabbing his head in pain, he stumbles to the side, reaching out ahead of himself, before hellfire overwhelms his body once more, clouding his mind and reverting it back to absent minded blackness.
GM: Yea, he would have mindlessly swiped at the shadows coming towards him, but following your PM, he destroyed them with ease anyway. He then enters Calico with the women.
Lol, tbh man, I was hoping your Bat wouldn't attack them, but he did and Nelo went a bit out of his way to defend the women. I guess he felt compelled to follow his code, even for an evil guy. But then again, his main goal isn't to murder the innocents. It's to fight all who oppose him and those who feel they have power in the world, readying his lord's return to Golarion after about 10,000 years, bumping off those who may stand in his lords way. It wasn't over the Disagreement with you Derrus. :) A fight between you two could have probably gone either way, but he didn't feel like attacking you on this day. He smirked at the simple-mindedness of your guy, not really thinking about a whole lot though. Afterall he's similar to an automaton, just with a tiny bit more mind and control.
Currently with Nelo for GM: As he leaves one of the women behind, the women now accompanying him think to question his motives, but don't, knowing the sacrifice of one ensured their success in escaping...regardless of how they feel about that. Nelo says nothing, carrying on with his march fourth with a look of determination through his neutral expression, as the women run a little way in front.
Nelo carries on running with a look of determination on his face, as he escorts the women to safety. He doesn't fear anything. He would just rather not see the weak pointlessly executed.
Nelo has a harem! :p
Good, so I have been doing it right. I was accounting for the AC penalty and +6 Str, but I thought it all just came from the Enlarge Person. This just clarifies I've been accounting for both Bull's Strength and Enlarge Person. Thanks Blood!
With the Bat dropping the woman from 50ft above and swooping down to attack Nelo, the flying beast bounces off of the Dark Knight's armour, leaving itself open as the man ferociously swings at it.
As he swings, the heat of the blade slices straight through the creature in one blow, leaving little more than a slightly furry pool of blood on the floor, with bloodied, fleshy remains simultaneously trickling down the warrior's sword and armour. Without hesitation, he then walks over to the women, places his hand on one of their shoulders briefly, almost as if his human side briefly shone through, before feeling a racking pain as his dark side once again takes over, reverting him back to his almost mindless state. He then walks backwards behind the women as they escape, firing up a burst of blue flame in his hand, in case anyone decides to follow. Attack and Damage Breakdown: 5 bab 9 str (23, but 29 with Enlarge Person - Don't think I cast Bull's Strength, though I may have done. Not been using it if so) 1 weapon focus 1 weapon training 2 +2 weapon =18 16 with power attack 2d8+18+2 weapon +1 Weapon Training +2 weapon specialisation +6 Power Attack +1d3 flame cantrip +1d6 flame weapon 2d8+18+2+1+2+6+1d3+1d6
Watching the Bat attack those he just attempted to save, three incorporeal swords appear above Nelo's head, darting fourth at the bat one by one.
With the members Nelo travels with focusing their attention on something else, the Dark Knight leads the women outside, points out to the horizon and grunts Hrghhh, watching as they escape.
Nelo just laughs at Barackus' remark of a conscience meaning death. He doesn't really have much of one, or a consciousness. He just has a small degree of honour from when he was once human. It seems his personality was strong enough to even leave a mark on his corrupt and hellish form.
Nelo glares at you all and pointing with his sword, he holds it out towards the Clerk who seemed so eager to put the lives of others at risk in favour of his own, and then smiles, miming the actions of slitting a throat with his own blade.
He then carves his sword across the ground, literally drawing a line between himself (and the team) and the women.
Upon re-entering the building, Nelo looks to Barackus, grimaces and shakes his head. He then points to the women, smirks and holds out his left arm, pointing back at both Keston and Barackus, shaking his hand and finger side to side, before sliding his hand across his blade, seemingly setting it alight with a blue flame, as he guards the women.
As Nelo flies backwards halfway through the Town Hall wall, the wall crumbles leaving a 5ft hole, as he clambers to his feet, shoving the rubble aside as if it were mere pebbles. As he looks towards Derrus, a sinister smirk appears on his face, before the Dark Knight turns away and inspects the state of the building as he once again enters the Town Hall. |