Sargon Starbright's page

Are there good elf stats to look at somewhere?
I feel like I remember a bunch of 3.5 stuff a long time ago.

Possible characters mentioned thus far:

Human Bard of Branchala
Minotaur Monk or Gnome Artificer
Kender Fighter
Irda (Something)

I will say, given the setting, I am somewhat surprised by the lack of potential knights and robed wizards proposed.

You know, having read a great deal of your world doc, a Red-Robed Sargon Starbright, possibly even a known bastard of Dalamar the Dark AND cousin of Alhanna Starbreeze, would be incredibly cool. Def mark that as my non-Irda choice.

The Irda, to me, are just a super compelling story element, like I am going to re-read the novel now because I love them so much (and probably will also re-read Renegades). At the end of the day, a lone Irda is basically Clark Kent, right? Their whole race has died, the Island is destroyed ... and having left theri home to simply do their walkabout as some Irda had done, there is now nowhere to go back to. Without adoptive parents from Kansas, that's a pretty tough break. Maybe they believe taking the Test of High Sorcery would be selling out the ways of their people. Maybe with the ability to appear as any race, they are left wanting because no race shows itself as compelling to live with or worth emulating. Just some thoughts :)

LOL although Irda-Sargon being a Knight could also be a thing; that would be QUITE a reveal at some point.

A bit of interest, good good. A bard of Branchala sounds like a great character.

Minotaurs in the setting, yes. Minotaurs as PCs, no. :)

Sooooooooooo, Irda in the setting but not as PCs ;)

I only read halfway through so far but it really called me back to Krynn.
That was awesome.

and I guess we're riffing off of Daniel?
that's our thing here?

I see Daniel's question, and raise him ... no Irda!?

Maybe tomorrow I can wirte to customer service ...

I remember when I first started with PbP, and someone posted something like, "Well, it's the holidays, and I'll be baking; will probably post in a couple weeks." I was like, for real? I won't remember this character's backstory in 3 weeks without rereading it. I was stunned.

I get that life happens and stuff, I really do. But here's the thing, I've seen people text. Actually, in my last career, I was an email architect, so I am pretty clear on what it takes to get a post posted.

I love other people's lives, I love other people's boundaries, I love other people's families. But when part of the campaign pitch is "a 10 year committment" - well I am expecting the same thing from everyone.

All I want at this point is for these campaigns to cease to be clutter in my campaigns page. Seems like a simple request, and I really do wish the best to everyone remaining. Have a great 2024 :)

I think maybe this is a good time for me to say Thank You ... and exit the campaign. Coming in to my campaign page has begun to be a really depressing experience so I thought I would excuse myself and wish everyone the best :) Sargon is a character I truly adored and I will miss his potential as much as anything.

Whatever your holidays are, enjoy them with people you love.

Take care.

Báin, your Craft means you have some knowledge in making things. Two bars means you're an expert in it!

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

"New friend Bain, the gold you see at my brow I worked myself, painstakingly to be honest; it was a labor of devotion that taught me a great deal. But I know a great deal more about my people, our histories, and our enchantments. Let us work to re-ignite this forge!"

Sargon's brow furls somewhat under his golden circlet ...

"If there was but one key held by High Lord Elrond, we should think carefully about where this mine's adversaries came from."

"Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear!
O Queen beyond the Western Seas!
O light to us that wander here
Amid the world of woven trees!

O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!
We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land beneath the trees,
Thy starlight on the Western Seas."

LORE: 1d12 + 4d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + (1, 5, 2, 1) + (6) = 22 Lore-4 with Inspiration
Target=14 with 1 rune of superior success

At some point, I guess I should post that Sargons Circlet of Stargold begins to glow of its own accord -- my apologies for having been asleep at the wheel here for a minute.

Sargon's greatest gift, other than being a elf, is Lore. I would even petition for a free point of Inspiration given that I wrote his entire background based on his search for moon-touched gold.

So with Lore-4 and a little help from Elbereth, let's see what we get.

Holy crapola, hope all's OK, Sargon - sounds like nothing came of them except stress and extra work?

All of the above ... but I think some good organizational awareness came out of it as well :)

ALL - while I knew I would be a little slower because it was my birthday, the next 2 days of bomb threats on my work place took a little more out of me than I had planned. Please bot me as needed, I will be able to attend to my games on Sunday :)

I owe you, my players and GMs, an apology for my ongoing absence. My daughter is now 1 month old and it’s me who generally cares for her at night, meaning I’m getting 3-4 hours of sleep a night. It’s not that I don’t have -time- to play these games, it’s that I’m so mentally blasted I don’t have the energy.

As she moves into her second month of life, she is sleeping slightly longer and I hope for more sleep and thus more play in the weeks to come. Thanks for bearing with me. I will eventually get back to the old me. :-)

I hope that no one is bearing with you, I would hope we're all actually happy for you; I certainly am. I also don't need the old you back, I'm much more excited about the new you; pretty sure he will be worth the wait.

Sargon sends another arrow flying at the enemy...

[dice=Bows, Damage 3 / Injury 14 (TN 16)]1d12 + 2d6 + 1d6

I copied his last post, so not sure what that second +1d6 is for...

The shot is inspired because he called on Elbereth ...

Hey, gang. My newborn daughter is now a week old and her mother and I are exhausted. I’m returning now to my games, but please forgive me if I’m slow for awhile.

DUDE ... that gave me a f&*^ing Hope Point!

Sargon begins to sing in Quenya ...
SING (TN 16): 1d12 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (2, 3) + (5) = 13

... as he draws his bow.
Bows, Damage 3 / Injury 14 (TN 16): 1d12 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + (3, 3) + (5) = 22

The song is not as vibrant as he hoped, but the arrow flys true

SHADOW TEST (TN16): 1d12 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + (6) = 11

Now the hooded figure speaks and she is also female, her voice surprisingly young and lovely.

"But you reject this offer to your ultimate peril. If you will not have clemency or honor, then you shall shall surely suffer and cry aloud for a death you will not be granted. Choose now, and swiftly."

Sargon smiles broadly, which almost seems to increase the halo he has formed.

"Fear not, Lady of the Sundered, for behold, I bring to you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all of our People, Minyar, Tatyar, and Nelyar alike. My prayers will call to the Valar for you, such that every soul passed to Aman, shall stop to listen for your arrival. Even though I too may enter the Halls of Waiting, I proclaim myself your Herald and call to Elbereth for your Redemption."

Getting COVID last Fall changed my life, but was very very difficult. Please take care of yourself.

Sargon is about to "Elbereth Gilthoniel" for a serious Healing role on you as soon as we have the Baduns wrapped up

Hey folks! I’m back.

For our 35th anniversary, the wife and I took the kids to the Black Hills and Yellowstone National Park. Saw the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Jewel Cave, Devil’s Tower, the Bighorn Mountains, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. We saw bison, bears, bighorn sheep and elk up close (relatively) and even (supposedly, I’m not sure) a mountain lion at some distance. Despite our best efforts, we saw no wolves.

A came home with a bonus gift: COVID. So I’m taking things slowly, but I’m getting back to my games today.

You doing okay?

THANK YOU I thought I had also

Anybody at all.

Báin again determines the quickest way out of this fight, is to win, so he once again spits into his hand, and wipes it on the haft of his axe, and continues to continue attacking ...

Forward stance (again)

Great Axe: 1d12 + 3d6 ⇒ (10) + (5, 2, 4) = 21

21 = 21 vs 15 That will be some other number, so, NOT Fail

I'm also happy to add you all on Discord in case we need a better way to nudge each other from time to time. This campaign is important to me, and even if things are busy, I would rather carve out a moment to post than leave anyone hanging.

OKAY! Pride is over, thankfully. Well, kind of over. It's over in West Hollywood, but this coming weekend it's Los Angeles Pride. These are frequently worse than the LA Marathon ...

LONGSWORD{5/16/16}: 1d12 + 2d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + (6, 1) + (4, 5) = 23 Inspired & 1 Hope

4th Hope Point Spent

Anyone, give me orders for Sargon.

Brawl: 1d12 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + (5, 5) + (5) = 22 Inspired

ALL - real life has been a little busy, still feel like I am recovering from mother's day tbh. That said, I am happy to add absolutely anyone to my Discord just in case we would like to have a way to reach out to each other. I don't want any of my active games to go without input if all I need is a heads-up to take a minute to post. Thanks!

Brawl: 1d12 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (3, 1) + (4) = 12 Inspired He needs to get a gandalf rune to become Unseized, correct?

For Sargon:

The elf tries to break out of the grapple with the pirate...

So Brawling uses the highest combat proficiency of the character, but at a disadvantage (1d), so that'd be Sword at only 1d6, if my interpretation is correct. Being stuck in Forward Position though gives him back another 1d6. If all this is correct, the roll is below:

[dice=Brawling]1d12 +1d6 +1d6

Good Lord... Eye of Sauron? Really?

THANK YOU - (does this roll use Sargon's Strength TN?)

Sargon, go!

Give me just a minute to figure out what Brawling means ... I figure that it is NOT a sword attack

Sargon, I admit to not knowing these rules thoroughly. Please walk me through how you're getting 4d6 on your Awe checks, please. It's the Inspiration I'm not tracking.

On page 20 of the Core: An Inspired Player-hero who spends 1 Hope point to get a Hope bonus gains (2d), instead of (1d). That said, while I swear that I typed a paranthetical reference to the Hope Point spend, it is not there :( so the extra die does not have to apply. Sorry about that. The Inspiration itself comes from already having called on Elbereth.

Apologies all - I started a new job this week and with all the love & gratitude that I have for it, I have been exhausted.

Sargon Smiled. There was NOTHING benign about that smile. It was a smile of power. He pitied the Enemy, pitied life in weak shells empty of light, pitied these creatures clinging to Shadow. He drew his sword, advancing toward Waylon and The Eye.

Forward Stance
Intimidate Enemy

AWE(TN16): 1d12 + 2d6 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + (1, 6) + (2, 4) + (1) = 21 AWE(2)+Inspiration+Circlet of Elglor
Folk-Lore: 1d12 + 4d6 ⇒ (2) + (4, 3, 5, 1) = 15 To notice the craftmenship of the Eye on Sailor E's Armor

Sargon Starbright wrote:

So this had no impact?

It had a significant effect:

GM Tarondor wrote:

Sargon's presence seems to daunt the enemy and they approach the defenses warily.

AND

GM Tarondor wrote:

All foes are Weary this round (1s, 2s & 3s are 0s).

Give me just a moment to read about Stances again.

"May her light shine brightly on servants of darkness ..."

A glow seems to come from the circlet on Sargon's brow.



Forward Stance
Intimidate Enemy
[dice=AWE(TN16)]1d12 +2d6 +1d6 +1d6 AWE(2)+Inspiration+Circlet of Elglor

Well I think it's a success, but I don't know what the 12 really means

So this had no impact?

Nice!! Too bad there were no rune results on those six sided dice rolls, as the Gandalf rune on the feat dice only means it's an automatic success no matter the TN - though with that result I doubt you could have failed in any case.

That was one of the reasons I didn't even want to use Hope, although I guess another die would have allowed more successes; the Awe results are tiered, so you actually want 2 or more successes to make it more impactful. Sargon isn't meant to be a badass tho.

"May her light shine brightly on servants of darkness ..."
A glow seems to come from the circlet on Sargon's brow.



Forward Stance
Intimidate Enemy
AWE(TN16): 1d12 + 2d6 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + (5, 2) + (3) + (3) = 25 AWE(2)+Inspiration+Circlet of Elglor

Well I think it's a success, but I don't know what the 12 really means

Folks, I'm under the weather -and- busy with taxes. If I am a player, please bot me. If I am the GM, I'll be back as soon as I can.

Feel better !!!

Moderate Advantage Die: 1d6 ⇒ 3

So a 'normal' hit w/25
Damage 3, Injury 14

GM Tarondor wrote:

Sargon Starbright wrote:

I have done a LOT of reading, but I cannot tell from page 65 of the Core Rules whether Sargon can create a magical success with his ranged attack

No. Combat Proficiencies are not skills.

So just 1d12 + 2d6?

Sargon closes his eyes ever so briefly, making a silent prayer to Elbereth. He focuses on the Eye and releases his arrow.

Sargon Starbright wrote:

I have done a LOT of reading, but I cannot tell from page 65 of the Core Rules whether Sargon can create a magical success with his ranged attack

No. Combat Proficiencies are not skills.

So just 1d12 + 2d6?

Never letting the tension out of his frame, the elf gasps sharply, and releases his arrow at the shorter of the 2 women. "New friends! These are servants of the Enemy! The smaller woman bears the Eye upon her breast. Fire quickly!"

I have done a LOT of reading, but I cannot tell from page 65 of the Core Rules whether Sargon can create a magical success with his ranged attack

Sargon Starbright wrote:

Are there any identifying features that would allow Sargon to recognize these men? For better or for worse.

Give me a Scan check. Since Sargon has no points in it, you're just getting a single Feat die (d12 - remember that "11" is the Eye of Sauron and "12" is the Gandalf rune.)(You'll need a nat 12 to succeed.)

But it IS in fact a skill check, correct? So Sargon could use a point of Hope to achieve a Magical Success? A cinematic opening scene maybe?

SCAN(0): 1d12 ⇒ 3 1 Hope spent to achieve Magical Success

These are not allies. We must stop them before they reach their goal." Waylon says as he prepares to shoot the rider on his left.

I am for shooting at them from ranged. We have cover from our defenses and they are in the open. Waiting for them to all be in melee with us does not seem wise. But if someone tells me to hold my arrow I will.

Sargon sees the ranger nock an arrow ... and doesn't hesitate to do the same. His bow string is taut as his arrow points at the lead rider on the right, and his comrades nearby think they hear him whisper, "May starlight unseen guide your path."

You look out of your hastily-prepared defenses and see a horde of men approaching. There must be two dozen of them or more. For the most part bandy-legged and short, with the sunburned skin of sailors, they are led by a pair of tall warriors mounted on fine horses. These two men are dressed all in black mail and bear fine scimitars at their hips.

Do you make yourselves known? Wait until they get closer? Start shooting now?

Yeah, I have no idea where this is going. I hope you live!

Are there any identifying features that would allow Sargon to recognize these men? For better or for worse.

The elf stands as the Companions enter, the circlet on his brow gleaming almost indistinguishably from his golden hair, ”Well met travelers. I am Sargon Starbright, a very long way from Forlond. Would that I could help you fortify, but know this; you have my bow.”

AWE: 1d12 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + (6, 1) + (4) = 23
COURTESY: 1d12 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + (2) + (6) = 17

Sargon and Padraig, if you want to play you need to create/adjust your class/level line to show the information the others have. This keeps me from having to constantly look it up.

s/b all set

I think we are between The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings right?

That was what I had thought

Padraig, Sargon and Percy, why are you out here in the wilderness?

"Chance, if chance you call it," or were you sent, and if so by whom? Elrond is convenient but since the players marched straight here from Rivendell, its hard to swallow that you got here first.

How about this? You are friendly with the rangers and were traveling southeast along the north bank of the Greyflood, intent on investigating rumors of trouble in far Lond Daer when you were surprised by the arrival at Tharbad of a huge ship out of the south full of armed men. You fled east into Hollin but were pursued. You don't know why.

Work for you?

Oddly enough, river banks are old hat to Sargon. He spent over 75 years going from Forlond up into the Blue Mountains and back collecting gold which revealed itself by starlight in the river. Once he finished his studies in the Gray Havens, he forged the Circlet of Stargold as a tribute to Elbereth and the Varda ... after which, he found he missed being by the river. In his heart he knew the secret power of rivers: a river can always see the night sky.

So we're good ...