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Ozer feels something is out of place, the sewers of Westcrown are not a joyful place and this singing heap of trash fails to fit into the schema of these depths as he understands them.
Ozer motions Shannon on through, the order reversed he stalwartly takes up the rear guard position.
Ozer moves to cover the rear of the group, making sure the bugs don't follow and that nothing else get them. "Get a move on it, through the door."
"Pull back, we don't need to waste time here."
Ozer watches as the rats scurry past curious if they run from something else, "Keep alert, they could be running from something they fear more than us, or they just do not fear us." Blade at the ready and shield held high he takes a steep towards the leftward passage peering into the darkness and listening for what, if anything, spooked the rats.
Ozer stands impatient as the others lolly gag about with daggers and sentiments. "Come on, the Hell Knights will not be help up long, and there are other dangers that lurk down here. We must move or we are as good as dead." He turns and leads the others down the tunnel, keeping an eye out for danger as he scouts for the trail markers to the safe house.
Hi all, I just want to give you and FYI. Today I started not one but two intensive 3 week courses that have heavy reading requirements to keep up with. I will try to find time each night to check the thread and post (even if its short) but if I miss and it's necessary please NPC me as needed to keep the thread going. Thanks, loving it so far!
Ozer enters the sewer inhales the foul stench and expels the liquid contents of his stomach. After a brief moment of dry heaves and a deep settling breath, he wipes his mouth and chin on his sleeve. "I hate this place." Janiven follows them out onto the stone walkway, reveals her stash of vials and her plan. Taking the vials from her he snarls, "Do not think that this gift will make me dislike you any less. You are playing with peoples lives, mine, theirs, and this boys. Get on with you, see to his safety. We will be fine. Just know that your meddling makes you no better than Queen Abrogail." Ozer spits phlegm and bile to the floor as he speaks the monarchs name. He turns his back to their host, and digs his own sunrod out of his back and strikes it. Taking a moment he studies the Janiven's hideout mark. "We must go, and go quickly before something foul comes along to eat us." He hands the glowing rod to Maxis, "Stay close and follow me." He hoists his heavy shield up and with his bastard sword at the ready says, "Mazon stay to the back and make sure nothing sneaks up on us. Let move." Ozer takes the lead and follows the symbols only stopping if Maxis doesn't follow with the sunrod.
"Well you brought enough of them with you lad, I see at least ten of the Knights out there. We are not leaving by the front door, unless they drag us out. That is if they let us live." Ozer finishes the the refill, "Drat you and your holier than thou talk. Come on folks, we best be going." Ozer pulls his sword free of it's scabard and moves towards the trap door waiting for the others to go through it first. He looks about for something he can barricade the door with after going down.
The boy stumbles into the the empty tavern as Ozer tosses back another gullet full of ale and commotion erupts at the diner table. Ignoring the others he moves to windows, makes sure curtains or shutters are drawn and then peeks out seeking signs that the boy was followed.
I think the RPG voting is forcing the site to make CON saves, and it sometimes fails. :) I'm not too stressed about the name, just trying to keep him kind of cantankerous at the start. If someone knows his name in character feel free to use it. Ronwn might and of course so would our host. I am still out of town running with family and will post in the main thread as I can. EDIT: DM? Is Ozer aware of what happened in the room from his spot at the bar?
He takes the pitcher and dotingly tops off Ozer's tankard of ale.
"Bah." Ozer scowls and stalks off to the bar to badger the bartender into poring another drink. Young upstarts what do they know.
Tomorrow the family and I are headed to Seattle for Christmas, I will have a PC with me but not a lot of free time to post. Just wanted to let you know if you don't see a post from me over the week. I will try to get at least one in, but no promises.
"Ha! You are no better than the oppressor you claim to want to subvert. Spying on folks, trying to to identify potential agents to run about Westcrown doing random acts of kindness. Like that will overpower the taint of Asmodeus. Perhaps you are a fool or maybe you have been driven mad by the stench of all the devil worship around you."
"I mean, I'd like to see a better Westcrown, too, but...are we sure this is a good idea?" "If you want to get yourself stretched on the rack, though I suppose you could use a few inches." Ozer snarls at his own bad joke. "Most would call it suicide." With a brief glance at Ozer, "Some might sell your words for a jug of wine." Ozer looks about for another tankard of ale. "At least you have sense about you, this folly will only get you killed. If you know someone offering coin for the driveling's of a a washed up soldier, point me at them I could use some silver or at least another drink." "There anything left you won't drink to, barrel-man?" "The silly notion that anyone, much less a foolish band of misfits like yourselves thinking you can take on the establishment. Do you think the gods are on your side? This place is cursed and you think you might be the cure?" Ozer stares down their host, "Did you think you could induct us into some secret over through House Thrune society? A glory seeking orc hunting the shadows, she would do better just to stay in the shadows. A miniature mixologist, you think he can concoct an elixir that will wipe the blight of Westcrown away? An apothecary from the Fens. What? Is she supposed to bring an outsiders view, tell us the grass is greener and all that. Bah, and a singer so well kept, you think he can stomach the foulness of what you are suggesting? You are wasting your time, the devil stainded rulers have their deals...the gods have left this place to rot into shadow."
"It might be interesting to hear the man speak, himself," she says. "Rather than what seems to be about a barrel's worth of ale. Orcs do not fear shadows or darkness. Unlike humans, we can see in them just fine." Ozer tips his mug back again, Mazon's words might have stung if he cared what anyone thought of him now...or before. He takes the singers offer of bread with an even glare, but no comment is offered back. Quietly he takes his ale, and fills his belly as the others talk of the city, of right and wrong, of treason ...thinking his thoughts once echoed the words they all mumble in hushed tones here. ... to a Westcrown free of the devil that is the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune! Ozer scoops up his tankard and loudly says, "Now that I will drink to." He empties the ale down his throat and slams the mug soundly on the table.
"Terror, HA! Westcrown stinks of evil...a devilish stench from its sewer stones to its palace stones. There maybe those who think there is still goodness here, I may have even been such a man...once. BAH! Hunt the shadows if you like, you will only find darkness there, a foul darkness that will consume your soul." Ozer takes a long drink of his ale, "Miss Janiven, I think you must have confused me for someone else, I am sure there are better men you could call upon. Folks that might actually give a care about this place, or themselves." A rumble from his belly betrays he hasn't had a full meal in a good while. "I will thank you for the meal, and this drink, but whatever you have heard about me...is a man already lost in those shadows." Ozer takes another long drink having never mentioned his name to Mazon or the others.
Okay, 7 ish it is. Just wanted us to all be on the same page about the approximate time the city locks itself up. Thanks.
Since I only know English, I am mega impressed. Question: What time in game is sundown?
After another long swallow of the stout Ozer nods his head, "Yeah, I can handle it. You have done no wrong by me so if you say to hear her out, I will." Ozer then turns inward, as usual, and munches his bread and cheese, finishes the beer and then has another. God's what have I gotten myself into now? Vizio's Tavern, seems familiar... The afternoon slips by and when Elden clears away the third mug suggesting that the hour is close to five hours past the noon, Ozer curses himself. He pulls himself away from the bar and heads for Vizio's, stopping by his rented attic space to strap on his Hide and gather up a few more things. If it's going to be a late night, I guess I should be prepared for anything. A swig of warm beer from a skin at his belt and he heads back out on the street. His late start from the Bell, and his stop at home makes him late and the last to arrive at the meeting. Odd, I am not the only one meeting...maybe this is a bad idea. The mention of food, and then the scent of it cooking helps him to decide to at least sit and eat. "I will have a tankard of ale, whatever you have is fine but I prefer the dark." He finds a spot to sit near a wall and eyes the others Janiven has assembled. Have I seen him before, she looks familiar too, an orc...she can fight, best be wary, and a halfling...hope he does not end up in somebody's chains, what is this women up to? When his tankard arrives he lifts it to the others, "Well here is to meeting strange folks, in dark places, for dark purposes." Dice Rolls:
Ozer forces himself up from the floor and drags himself across the room to fling back the shutters. The intense light indicates he is up early, just past noon. Got a job to do...what? His memories are a thick fog, scurrying to the dark recesses of his grey matter despite the efforts of the bright light to illuminate them. After a quick moment at the chamber pot, he pulls his thread bear tunic over his head and tugs on his beer stained breeches. The women, she had a job for me. Did I accept? Ozer runs one hand through the mop of hair on his head, the other through his corse beard before grabbing up his gear and heading down the narrow flight of stairs from his attic flop space. Strapping his sword onto his belt he heads out into the street, the suns glare forcing him to squint to see just a few feet in front of him. I need a drink. Ozer walks the few blocks to the Bell of the Sea with his head down, his feet know the way and people along the lane tend to leave the grouchy man alone and let him pass. He tuned out their pitying remarks years ago and the locals have since grown accustomed to ignoring him too. Steeping through the door of the tavern, into the dim light, brings Ozer a sense of calm. "Elden, a stout one friend," Ozer calls out as he sits at his well worn spot at the bar. He jams his hands into his pocket and pulls out some silver coins...and a note. "And a crust of bread with a slice of cheese if you have it." He distractedly orders some food as he turns the piece of paper over in his hand. We must have talked awhile, Janiven and I...who else? Ozer can't seem to recall her face, and wonders what the depths of their conversation had lead too. Celibacy is probably the only vow he took that is still intact so he tries to recall the job she had for him since that would be the only reason he would agree to meet with her. When the dark beer appears in front of him, Ozer smiles and takes a quick gulp. Wiping the foam from his beard he says, "Thanks Elden, I needed that. He takes another long drink as the barkeep scoops up the coins. "Say friend, do you recall the woman I was talking with last night? She goes by the name Janiven I think. She claims to have some work for me...know anything about her, or about what she and I talked about?" It wasn't the first time he had asked Elden to fill in the bank spots of his memory, a task the barkeep didn't seem to mind doing.
If you are good with the background, I am. I like to leave it vague so we can add in as needed to help flesh out the story if needed and not be set in stone on things that may or may not come up. Unless your ;-) is a hint that I missed something super obvious, I am good to go. I will let you know that I have an 8-10 page paper due Friday that I haven't started on yet so it might be Saturday before I get a chance to add in to the game thread.
Before Maxis can get his hangover cures into Ozer, the fallen warrior will have to survive Mazon! The Orc is struggling with her own urge to enjoy the good things in life to excess, and if she finds herself working with someone who keeps dropping into a bottle, she is likely to take him in hand and and try to teach him some of the discipline she got at the monastery... ;) She will not accept such weakness in herself, and she certainly won´t accept it in someone on whom she may have to rely for her life. Cool, looks like we will have some tension in the party. I am good with that, maybe you can knock him back into his vows :)
Yeah being to "in the know" of the network pushes him farther along the path to redemption at the start then originally envisioned for the character. I think the Eagle Knights gives a good reason for him to have come to Chelix and not know the details of the Network and the church of Iomedae's evolvement. Thats also the reason for the switch to Sarenrae, which could lead to some nice role-play around joining a new church in the future. I used the 20 point buy, and put the Human bonus in Strength. I put the level one favored class bonus into a skill point. I put hp at full for first level, let me know if you would rather they be rolled. I moved the background to the bottom and put all the fluff stuff behind spoilers so that only the crunch is now visible like a Stat Block, so it should be easier to read now.
Djivan: I have tweaked the background again, let me know what you think. I also think I have finished the character sheet and it is ready for your look over. Let me know if something seems off.
There would definitely be a sympathy here. By all accounts, Ozer is a good guy and a hero who just fell on hard times and couldn't quite handle the weight of the world. While the nature of alcoholism is unpredictable, Maxis would surely see some potential in Ozer. I can picture a quiet optimism that Ozer would one day find his sense of heroism again and Maxis would get to say he saw a man turn into a real hero (possibly as his boon adventuring companion.) Oh, and being able to cure hangovers with alchemist's kindness is sure to win points with heavy drinkers. Yeah, I see some good stuff here between us. Your hangover cures might just be what Ozer needs to start on a true path to redemption.
*Edited Background* Thanks for the red pen edit, I tend not to worry to much about that kind of stuff for the games on the boards. I do to much of it for my school papers :) I will copy it into my profile.
Don't feel like you have to be tied to the Network, I am just working up my background not trying to create the party Hook. If any of the other PC want to know Ozer prior to the start of the campaign I am cool with that, but it doesn't have to be because of the halfling underground. And don't worry Ozer is not looking for any girlfriends.
Yeah, just the rough draft for now, just trying to switch it up so that I have an in Character reason to learn about the Bellflower Network but not in such a way as it would seem that his participation in it would have prevented the fall of his paladin hood. This version has him being sent by the Eagle Knights, as a paladin of Sarenre so he would less likely know about the clerics of Iomedea at the Bell of the Sea. And also gives him some more depth to his fallenness...not just his goddess but also his vows to an order. I am not suggesting all the PC's should be tied to the Network, that would not be fair to all the great stories they already have developed. I think it might actually fit better for Ozer's story that he doesn't know that Elden is with the network officially. He just has Ozer help out from time to time, when he is sober, and keeps the secrecy for the agents and all they do from the drunkard. Ozer just knows that Elden is a good guy and is helping halflings get away. Ozer will have heard rumors of the Bellflower's and might suspect, but at this point 'in the bottle' he probably doesn't much care. He is still early on his road to redemption. This keeps to the original idea of the character a bit better, but I think will morph it into the campaign world a little bit better too. Gives you the option to reveal to Ozer about the clerics, or the network, in more detail if you want.
How does this alternate background work for you: Ozer Taskker Champion of Sarenrae, Steel Falcon of the Eagle Knights, a Man of Honor...maybe half a decade ago before coming to Cheliax. Ozer was once a devout man of faith, dedicated to his martial practice, and loyal to his vows both to the Dawnflower and to his order. It is the reason they chose him to leave Andoran and go to Westcrown to bring his goddesses message of redemption from evil to the imperial nation. But it was too much, Ozer couldn't take it...the arrogance of the followers of Asmodeus and the taint of devil worship everywhere. A year of service was lost, and stout ale became the fallen paladins only devotion. Ozer became a regular at, and under, the bar at the Bell of the Sea, the only place in the infernal city that didn't seem to stink of devil worship. Elden kept the bar there and never pressed Ozer as he drank away his tithes and sold his possessions to keep himself in tankards of ale. Ozer tried to stay at the bottom of a mug away from everything but then one night there was a girl. A halfling girl, not barley a women, who was huddled in the corner of the bar when they came for her. Agents of one of the noble houses, brutes who made her scream yanking her from the chair by the hair. Thugs with authority who made Elden bleed as he leapt to aid her. It was the girls sobs that pushed through the alcoholic fog and hit him at the core. He intervened and catching them off guard was able to fight them off as Elden got the girl out and away. The altercation ended up getting Ozer tossed into the lock-up for several day, until Elden came and bailed him out. It was several month later that the bar owner finally trusted Ozer to tell him the truth. Elden, a cleric of Iomedea and member of the Bellflower Network used the bar as part of an underground to help runaway slaves and others in need get smuggled out of Westcrown. Elden wanted Ozer to help. The fallen paladin found a purpose, if not his faith, working to help the underground...but still finding himself often under the bar.
I like the Bellflower network. If I am going to tie it to my background I will have to do some serious thinking on how. They free Halfling's; I was suggesting Teiflings who were in danger. The Westcrown hideout is run by clerics of Iomedae my patron goddess...that leads to character questions of why I wasn't already working for them, a paladin in the city. And if I wasn't working for or with them, why did Ozer not know about them. If he knows about them why is he not working for them and why did he still fall from grace. It would seem if he was hooked up with them, he wouldn't be a fallen paladin. I am curious if you or any of the other PC's have any suggestions.
I would prefer Ranger since I don't know if I am going to make it back to Paladin, but wanted to know if you would require me to pick Paladin due to background, which I am okay with. I'll check out the Bellflower and see how that will blend, I am more curious about how much you think the Network trusts Ozer and will let him in on their operations. I am okay with the difficult task of going from Chaotic to Lawful if you are...role-play will determine it. I notice the party is all Neutral Good + a Lawful Neutral...it might be nice to have a Chaotic to make things interesting. I prefer Chaotic but will go with Neutral if you want me to. (I also know he may never get to Paladin, but could go Cleric, or even a completely different way...Rouge or into the strange arcane...who knows.) Skimming over the other PC's the first possible character link I see is with Mazon and the warehouses she guards, possible connection to the underground/smuggling of slaves. If you and or Aebliss think there is some cool story to be told there. I will spend it wisely. :)
Here is the start of Ozer's character sheet. Still need to do equipment and make a few selections and then round out some of the 'story' stuff. Skills and feats are chosen along with the Traits mentioned in the recruitment introduction.
Thanks for selecting me, looks like a good group of characters. I am in exam week and will post a character sheet as soon as I can. A few questions: 1) Favored class: By background this probably should be Paladin, but as a player starting with a Ranger, that may become a Paladin again (but maybe not) I am inclined to pick Ranger. How do you feel on the matter? I am okay with it being Paladin..it is defiantly a motivator to work back to that. 2) How would you like to flesh out the underground I introduced in my background? Do they have Pathfinder ties or ties to another of the Factions in Westcrown. How much of this would Ozer know about their organization, goals, or motivations? Which factions are the most worried about? Do they fear the Dottari or have they bribed all the right people? 3) Based on my response to your alignment question would you prefer I select Neutral Good, or should I keep it Chaotic Good? I am 'good' with it either way. ;) 4) As a party should any/some/all/none of us look to tie our stories together? From "hey I have seen you." to deep close personal relationships. If the answer is Yes do any of the other players see possible connections to Ozer? EDIT: 5) How do you want us to handle starting money/equipment?
Thanks Djivan, for running the AP, offering feedback, and giving us all a far shot at being a part of the final group. I do not envy you the task of selecting from the great characters that have been provided here.
I picked chaotic for two reasons. 1) I liked the idea of being a reluctant hero, meaning he will do good and has good intentions but you never know when or what will be the trigger that makes him act on the good. I saw it as a result of his fall from the law, his formally ordered self is replaced with an out of control one. I don't see this as he has become and anarchist and will just run around and act crazy. More of a reflection that he has lost his understanding of how the world is ordered so he is out of order. I think he is still in shock so to speak. 2) Part of my OOC goal is to redeem him back towards a lawful good character and I thought that starting at chaotic would be more of a challenge. I am eager to see how his relationships with NPC's and the other PC's will affect the way he progresses. Will he regain his alignment and what will it take? Will he return to a holy order? Will he remain as he is? Is there some other path for him...rouge, bard, cleric, inquisitor, or something else? As a player I level my character as a reaction to the story that has been told, with in reason. (I might multi-class, but not triple unless the story unfolds in a way that a cool prestige class seems fitting.) That all said I am not set in stone on any of this. If you think Neutral Good is better and would make for better party cohesion I can switch it. I haven't made the character yet and while I like the idea of an urban ranger I can make him a fighter just as easily. If the underground railroad doesn't fit the campaign, I am open to your suggestions on what will work and still get the feel of this hero in need of redemption. If you think there are other traits that would be better his background story let me know. I believe the best characters are the ones the Player and DM both have a hand in developing so that the Personality the player wants fits into the World the DM is creating. I only worked up the barest part of his background, the who he is now part...if selected I will flesh out more of where he came from with your help.
You just summed up the idea behind Ozer Taskker. A paladin who showed up to boast around justice and imploded into the bottle, but at his core he is still good (though he tries hard to self deny it.) I want to see how (or if) through role-play this former "typical" paladin can be redeemed and what that paladin might look like. Part of the reason for starting as an Urban Ranger is to keep the good ethic, to keep the idea of martial training, and represent a different base on which to build a holy warrior that would look different because of unusual circumstances. As a player I am interested in seeing if he can become a Ranger/Paladin, but am okay with the story, and his involvement in it, guiding that other ways too. He might just end up a Ranger who has forsaken his religion completely or he might end up a goddess chosen defender of the people...If he is picked for the game we will see.
This is Mythril Dragon submitting a character story. I plan to write him up as a human ranger (urban archetype). I think the Conspiracy Hunter campaign trait fits best and for the other trait Child of the Temple to represent his former life. He would be chaotic good (reluctant), and is struggling with his inner demons. Depending on the role play I could possibly multi-class him with Paladin, that is if he can find his way again. A short background is on the profile page, let me know if you have any questions about the background or how I plan to roleplay him. |