Rojerick Alandsson's page

Alright, here goes.

I’ve been dealing with a lot of things in my life, including a job that’s mentally exhausting, a girlfriend, and stress about graduate school applications. Plus, I’ve recently started having a social life in my town, albeit a little one, and taken up a few old hobbies. The long and short of it is that I’ve been thinking heavily about where I want to be spending my time, and posting in as many games as I’m isn’t what I want to be doing anymore, so I’m going to be cutting back by about half.

I’ve genuinely enjoyed my time playing Rojerick, but he’s grown stale over the last four or five months. I’d hoped that exploring a relationship with Mrs. Soldado might help to ease some of the staleness, but it hasn’t happened. I hope we can part on good terms, and that you can find someone who’s interested in filling the space.

Hi, everyone.

This coming week is Spring Break at my school, and it seems like a good time to take a break from pretty much every responsibility I have, so here goes.

I've been feeling very burnt out as far as my games go, so I'm going to take roughly 10 days off, give or take a couple. I've noticed it's had an impact on most of the games I'm in, and I don't want to be a downer or the reason a game isn't successful.

Please expect me back between the 10th and 12th of April. Until then, I *may* read the threads, but will almost certainly not be posting.

Thanks, everyone!

Aest

Okay, so my internet is rather messed up at home, which is making posting difficult. I anticipate it'll be fixed soon, but for now, just giving an update.

I was mostly concerned that the temples wouldn't be caught unaware. Someone else suggested the Field Marshal.

To be honest, this is one of my favorite AP books, and so I've been very hesitant to drive the action. Sorry. I'll try to do more.

"I had thought that was the plan, followed by a trip to the temples to let them know what was happening." Roj straps on his armor and then steps out the door on his way to the Citadel.

"I don't think it would be a good idea to ignore this situation. However, it's late. Let's see if we can find a guard patrol and let them know, and we'll pay Kroft a visit in the morning, just before the temples. Everyone who can do something should know, but it would just serve to panic people if we told everyone who can't."

Rojerick nods in agreement. "I think it would be safest if you got far, far away from the city, Miss Sabor. It feels like something bad is happening."

As they walk, he turns to the others. "I saw a few people in town that had symptoms of this illness Miss Tayce's daughter had. I recommend that tomorrow, at first light, we head to one of the temples and let them know so they can decide what to do about it. We can't control their actions, but we can give them warning."

He pauses. "That brings me to an important question. Do you want to stay in the city through this? I have faith that Sarenrae's grace will protect me, and that I can see my daughter through it, and I'd like to stay for those who can't leave. Yes, Borden, like Tayce and her children. Maybe I can help. But, if it's spreading through the city, the worst is going to happen soon. If you want to leave, I won't blame you, or hold a grudge." Though his words are mild, his eyes flash in barely-concealed anger as he finishes. "So, what will it be?"

Rojerick raises an eyebrow, gesturing below his waist at a few nearby beggars. "Does that look familiar?" He points again, trying to make their apparent illness plain to see. "We could have a problem here..."

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Roj nods slowly. "We'll do it. Tell us what we need to know."

Yeah. Assassination/Bodynappings are pretty effective, though.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Roj stands, shrugging his shoulders helplessly and pacing back and forth. "I don't know. This isn't something I'm good at...

Vencarlo, I don't know that I like you. However, I also don't see what you could gain from this situation, unless you're taking advantage of Trinia's position somehow. So, here's what I think."

He stops, sitting back in his chair and glancing at Trinia before turning all his attention to Vencarlo. "If you want our help, I have terms. You will tell us where this ranch is so that if we come across true evidence she's guilty, we can collect her and bring her back. She will stay there until this blows over, and if she has to move or be moved, you will tell us where. And if we need your help later, you'll owe us."

"Are these terms accepted, by you, by her, and by my friends?"

"Yes, let's have a seat." Rojerick finds a chair and then looks Vencarlo dead in the eye. "I'm conflicted, and it's rare that I feel that way. On the one hand, what Eric says is indisputably true. To turn Trinia over, however innocent she may be, is to side with the side of justice and law. At the same time, though, if she is innocent, Sarenrae would frown on handing her over." He looks around for food, then stares first at the girl and then back at Vencarlo. "Convince me. Both of you."

I agree. Sorry for lack of posts, it's been a rough week at work.

"I for one refuse to believe these cards, at least not as literally as Gwen sees them." Rojerick shakes his head as Zellara vanishes, standing and closing his eyes. "Besides, it doesn't matter if our every move helps our foes, whoever they may be, or if there's disaster in our path. It's still the right one to walk." He shakes his head one last time, waving his hand as if to clear the air. "Erik, what does that letter say? Maybe we can learn something real."

Card?: 1d9 ⇒ 2

Roj hesitates, then reaches out and plucks the number two card, carefully not looking at it until instructed. "She didn't say to peek..."

There's a method by which you can use dice, or I could dig up my cards and PM you the casting, then let you interpret it. I, um, made a Harrow Deck with a sharpie and a deck of playing cards. I think it's still intact.

"So far as I know, Zellara was the previous owner of this home. She's dead now, but for some reason she keeps haunting this place, and so far her advice hasn't been too bad. Maybe she's here to help us out with something new." Roj takes a seat across from the ghost. "What do you have today?"

"Perhaps we should have a conversation like this some other time. You have your family to get to, and hopefully it will stay intact." Roj bows slightly and then steps out, nodding at the others. "I think we should get to heading back to the ghost's place. It's been a day."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Roj's eyes flick downward, all to familiar with the pain of loss, but then he continues. "I'm not unfamiliar with loss like that myself, but I didn't want to press if he was simply away. Would you do me the honor of letting me cook for you some other time?" He grins charmingly. "You remind me of my wife, before she abandoned Alitsa and me. She was a loving, kind woman too."

Poor, awkward Roj. In terms of keeping the game moving, we could handle this whole conversation in spoilers and move the plot along if you wanted.

Sometimes I get the motivation to provide more insight into my character. It didn't take that much longer, and it's usually worthwhile. It would have happened sooner, but Erik's spoilered question threw me for a loop. I'd honestly never considered what happened to Roj's wife.

At the dinner, Rojerick makes sure to compliment Tayce on her cooking skills, while also carefully not asking for seconds. After all, he reasons to himself, if they can't afford a treatment or a loan, they probably can't afford to be feeding too many people too much, either. He does strike up a conversation with the girl, though. "What's your name, sweety? This is my daughter Alitsa; she's about your age. Maybe you two can be friends."

After dinner, he corners Tayce in the kitchen. "Ma'am, I don't want to press, but I have a couple of questions. One is strictly professional, and one is..." he looks down bashfully. ...not so much so. First, I'd be very interested in anything you might be able to find out from your daughter about how she might have picked that sickness up. I don't want to pressure her, but if you hear anything, please let me know.

Second, I, um, can't help but notice there's no father here. Is he still in the picture for her at all?"

"Do you think so? Look, let's not lose our heads over this. Especially not if we're going back there. Tayce and her daughter have been through a lot, and we don't want to be making them nervous. We'll eat dinner with them, my daughter should hit it off with hers, and we'll see where things go from there." Rojerick collects Alitsa from Zellara's house and heads back to the Soldado's home.

I'm fine with carrying on a conversation, Erik. If you'd like, we can do it in spoilers alongside our posts so we don't slow down action.

"Ma'am, I would love to, but I have a daughter at home myself. If you can wait an hour or so, I'll be back with her. If not, I have to decline."

"A favor?" Roj narrows his eyes just the slightest bit. "I should charge you for whatever favor you wish to ask, you know. I really should. Still...if you're in need of something, you can find me, and I'll decide if it's a worthwhile cause." He accepts a hug from Tayce and smiles, then looks at his comrades. "Are we finished here?"

Rojerick smiles, but it's a smile devoid of any joy. "If these people had had money, what would you have done? If the answer is to find another holy man to do the entreating, then go. She reminds me too much of my daughter for me not to do what I can to help her." He rummages through his coin-purse, finding the appropriate coins. "These will be waiting when you, or your fellow clergy, cast the appropriate spell."

He turns to Gwen. "In the meantime, perhaps you'll be able to ease the girl's suffering with Ishana's kit." He stomps back up the stairs and to the girl's side, confident that his order to the priest of Abadar is being followed even as he speaks.

It's a drop in the bucket, really. I'll pay it unless we want to take it from any group fund we have.

Rojerick nods. "If it's as bad as you say, it might be best if we kept Grau and Tayce out of the girl's room for a bit. I'll sit with the girl while you go for a shop."

After a few minutes sitting on the girl's bed, Roj stands suddenly and walks back downstairs to talk with Ishana Dhatri. "Your church requires donations for work. How much to ask your god to help this girl?"

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 17 Worth a shot...

"She's quite sick, you say? I think maybe we should take a look at her as well." Rojerick steps over to the stairs before pausing, a thought suddenly in his head. "Why do you need payment?"

Rojerick sighs as he picks up his shield and sword. "I don't leave home without them much anymore. Not with things as unstable as they've been. I can't speak for my friends here, but I'll see what I can do. Lead on."

Yeah, I think it's back to normal, and I for one have no downtime to take care of. Let's roll on to the next scene.

Rojerick nods. "I think that's the right decision. We keep our eyes and ears open and carry on, until we hear something...or someone else does."

Have we, uh, lost Basil?

If so, I might know a couple people.

"We could, um, check and see where the catapults we heard are aimed. Maybe they haven't been adjusted and still point to the ship's grave. If we knew that, someone could probably figure out where anything would have washed ashore. From, um, currents or wave patterns or something. I don't know these kinds of things." Rojerick looks at Erik, desperately hoping the boy's more educated than he is.

"Alright, then, Grau. If you need to get back to the Guard, I understand. Duty calls and all that, right?" Rojerick claps a hand on the younger man's back and smiles at him.

Once he's gone, he slams a hand into the table. "Damn it. A ship with a plague light goes down in the harbor and no one knows anything about it? Doesn't seem right to me... Look, should we be checking this out more closely? Anyone have any ideas?"

"Hold on one minute. 'With everything as it is'? What do you know about that ship that went down last night? and what's your name, anyways?" Rojerick stops and offers the man a hand. "Rojerick. And of course we're around if Kroft needs us, but she's never sent you before, or just checked up on us. What gives?"

Roj smiles at the man, holding the door open wide. "Come on in. It's a bit cleaner than it used to be." Once the guard is actually inside, he sits down and looks at the man. "What does she want now?"

Rojerick grimaces as thoughts of a plague-infested ship flow through his head. "You don't suppose we should take a look near where the ship went down, do you? Or maybe check in with Kroft and see what she knows about this ship..." He looks up, hopeful they'll choose the second option. "I mean, the Dawn will protect me, I have faith she will, but there's others to consider as well."

I was thinking a trip to Magnimar. They have sailors there, right?

Diplomacy (gather): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Hours: 1d4 ⇒ 4

As dawn breaks on Korvosa, Rojerick bids his daughter goodbye and steps out into the streets, heading for North Point. Once here's there, he starts asking around, and, though it takes most of the morning, by noon he's got at least a few answers. "It sounds like there was a ship that tried to get into the city without inspection. It didn't even stop to tell the Guard what its intentions were." He pauses. "Does anyone know what a yellow light on a ship means? Or where we could find someone who does?"

Knowledge (local): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 (Where would I find a sailor?)

YES! THE 0!

Rojerick opens the door to his daughter's room, putting a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. "We're going to be fine here. Whatever's going on isn't close, and you're safe." He spends a few minutes with her before joining the others in Zellara's common room, oiling his blade with lamp oil and checking to make sure his breastplate's buckles and cinches are in good order.

After a few minutes of working over his gear, he looks at Erik. "I don't think we should be too far from here tonight. Let's head over to Eodred's Wall tomorrow at first light. We'll see what we can see and hear what we can hear. In the meantime...who has that set of cards? None of us are going back to sleep, and a few games of Towers could help pass the time."

A plan?

No problem, Nevynxxx. I've had a new job that's eating a lot of time as well.

I'm having a really hard time motivating to write posts for it for some reason. I think a partial reboot starting at the beginning of Book Two is in order, but I'm hesitant to suggest it so close to the holiday season. Everything's going to bog down during that couple of weeks, and it might be better to start book two properly after the New Year.

Rojerick takes his share, heading off to the marketplace (though he has little idea what he could possibly need). The rent is paid, his daughter's safe from the now-slowed rioting, and his friends all seem solid enough. After some thought, he looks to the others. "A meeting with Kroft? Are you quite sure?" After a bit longer, he nods. "As Borden says, it's probably not a bad idea. She's done an admirable job getting things under control, even considering our help."

Okay, I "purchased" the Oil of Keen Edge, which means I owe the party as a whole 750/4 GP. (Gwen, Basil, Borden, and Erik). If we divide it up evenly amongst you all, it should be 187.5 for each of you, leaving me with 1250 from the newly-gained gold.

Will shop later and update then.

To be honest, I just don't have all that much of a preference about the loot, money, or gear one way or another. I'd just as soon move on to book two and take care of finances behind the scenes. Just my thoughts.

All I wanted to keep was the Oil of Keen Edge.

I'll be somewhere between spotty and nonexistent until Monday, due to the holiday. Bot me as needed.

"Agreed. We're curious about the price for this stuff. Could be valuable, but we have little use for it." Roj shows Rilka the "sell" list.

Alright, it's been a nice month more-or-less off from this game, but it's time to get going again.

Seated around the ghost's table a few hours after the excitement at Castle Korvosa, Roj addresses the party. "I believe that either the queen, Blackjack, or the Guard will call on us again. These riots will certainly not stop, especially with the rescue at the castle, and we'll almost certainly be needed to help with such tasks the guard cannot handle, which seems to be all of them. Sarenrae has granted you to me as companions, and I'd like to stay near to you; the Goddess doesn't give her gifts cheaply."

"We have a few options on where to live, should we decide on a base of operations together. The ghost's house..." He gestures around him expansively. "...Needs some work to be hospitable, especially should I decide to bring my daughter here, but it's a good location with plenty of room for five or six. The old fishery needs the most work, and we'd likely never get the smell I smelled from blocks away to go away, but it seemed spacious from the outside. Finally, I think my apartment in Midland is too small for us all to be comfortable."

"We should decide on that, and also visit someone with money to spend. We have a quite large stockpile of things we've found, and it could be turned into coins or useful materials. I for one could use a new set of armor, or some sort of magical assistance. Let us decide now what we need to be doing."

I'll have a post up after work today. Pretty busy here. I actually had one typed out this morning about finding a house, but then the internet crashed unexpectedly.

Okay, so, of my 2500 GP, I'd like to spend 2000 on a +1 Scimitar and hold the 500 until we hash out what the sale profits are. It looks like my Oil of Keen Edge dose takes 750 of my share of the loot cash, judging from the SRD.

Okay, here's a list of items Roj is interested in.

Dose of Oil of Keen Edge (unvalued)

Aside from that, I'd love to turn the rest of my share into cash and from there into masterwork or magical items. +1 scimitar is the most pressing, since my AC is acceptable for the time being, followed by +1 breastplate (I think).