RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32. Goblin Squad Member. RPG Superstar 8 Season Star Voter. Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Companion, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber. Organized Play Member. 1,016 posts (1,132 including aliases). 1 review. No lists. No wishlists. 3 Organized Play characters. 5 aliases.
Sean Huguenard
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 8 aka Sect
3 people marked this as a favorite.
James Raine wrote:
Sean Huguenard wrote:
... There's... this armor. It's so damn stupid, but yet so fantastic. I can't stop laughing.
I found a rod like that. "Wait, it works better when you do what? OH MY GOD I GET IT NOW THAT'S HILARIOUS", and it was so well-tuned that the fact that it was a joke item totally got a pass from me just because of how well the author got it to work.
You know what? If joke items are well written and work as they should, then they get a pass. No one says we need to be serious all the time, and why not reward creativity and effort?
Cartigan and Jeremiziah: Pathfinder Manzai duo. Just which is the boke and which the tsukkomi is the question...
Paladins, I find, are pretty difficult to challenge: they usually have good AC, they usually slaughter things physically (ESPECIALLY if they're evil (or even evil-ish)), it's hard to hurt them using indirect methods like spells, poisons, or diseases... What really challenges them is social conflict. What if someone's doing something detrimental to the party, but it's neither evil nor unlawful? That'll create a problem for a player playing a paladin.
... Well, playing a paladin well, at least. Anyways, I like the idea with the Wisp: give them a mental challenge, rather than a challenge of strength.
A mortal can kill a demigod if he's powerful enough, in other words.
Three of these creatures have ascended into divinity and actual godhood (which means you don't have a stat block because you can't be killed by mortals).
So does that mean that Arazni was a demigod, and not a god? I mean, everything I've looked at pretty expressedly said that the Whispering Tyrant was an undead mortal, and should have not been able to kill a god.
How bout a big vulture carrying a princess in a box like in Sinbad or whatever??
...
Kyra could only stare. "What in the names of the gods is THAT thing?!" she asked in horrified awe as Valeros and Merisel tried to regain their sanity.
Seoni, unsurprisingly, didn't even bat an eye at the monstrosity. "This is the transport that the Grand Illotoh is lending us as thanks for slaying the Desert Wyrm. This will take us over the mountains so that we can continue our quest."
Kyra frowned as she turned to the sorceress. "I know that, but..." she hesitated; she'd rather not hurt the silver maned spellcaster's feelings by insulting the "vehicle" she worked so hard to acquire...
Merisel had no such limitations. "It's a zombie bird," she said flatly.
"Damn thing's almost as big as a palace..." Valeros added, unable to look away.
"It's a big zombie bird," Merisel amended.
"You can see straight through it's ribs!"
"It's a big and ugly zombie bird."
"Desna's teat, I think it's leaking..."
"It's a big and ugly and sick-"
"We've got the point, thank you Meri," Kyra interrupted, before turning back to the unphased Varisian. "The point is, we don't really want to ride on top of that..." the cleric paused, to think of a polite term. "... abomination."
"Oh," Seoni replied, "we won't be riding on the avian."
That gave her three partners pause. "... But I thought you said-" the swordsman began.
"Of course not: we would be flung off by the winds and motions of the bird. That's why we'll be riding inside of it."
...
"... I'm walkin'."
"Are you out of your mind, you crazy witch?!"
"I'm sure that we can find some horses, instead..."
... ::shrug:: Just thinking about weird "airships"...
The sun hasn't been illuminating Sandpoint for long, and already the town is bustling with activity and excitement.
Five years previous, a tremendous fire had taken the small town, killing many and destroying much of the settlement, including the church which venerated the six main deities of Varisia. Before that, terror had wracked the town when the infamous Cutter had gone on his murder spree. Now, with the building of the Sandpoint Cathedral, the town can leave behind Unpleasantness.
The streets bustle with activity of native and visitor alike, and the square in front of the cathedral is ringed by craftsmen, hawkers, and merchants, waiting to ply their trade with the excited folk. A group of children dart amongst the crowd, laughing as they nearly knock over a bread-laden girl, and ignore the shouts of her twin as they
scamper away. A burly Shoanti man stands away from the crowd, speaking to another man who, amazingly, is even more dour looking than he, and generally staying apart from the fun. Several ladies dressed in scandalous clothing approach out-of-towners, much to the discontent of their fellow native Sandpointers. In the alley mouths and the
crowd itself, shifty men and women flicker in and out, likely up to dastardly things. On the steps of the yet to be dedicated place of worship, four people speak easily with one another, or, rather, three do, and one just looks glum and concerned.
The bell of the cathedral suddenly rings out, and activity in the square slows as the masses approach the temple. The four already in front of the temple face the crowd, and one, a middle-aged woman with short, auburn hair, steps forward. She raises a hand for silence, and the throng of people before her slowly complies. Once she ascertains that the crowd is as silent as they are about to get, she begins to speak.
"Welcome! As many of you know, I am Kendra Deverin, and I am proud to serve as mayor of this fine town. It's wonderful to see so many of you here to join us on this proud day, and I'd like to extend my welcome to the many new faces I see in the crowd. I hope you all are enjoying your stay here in Sandpoint and, especially if it is your first visit here, I sincerely hope that you're having a wonderful time. To all of those old faces I see today, thank you for coming and thank you for everything that each of you has done to keep this town strong in recent years. I see that even Larz Rovanky has torn himself away from work to join us today! It is truly a miracle from Desna herself!" With this, laughter breaks out from the townsmen and visitors who know of Larz, and Larz, looking on from the back of the crowd beside the now softly chuckling Shoanti, manages to deepen his scowl even more. Kendra, grinning wickedly, waves to him in apology, and continues, "Without further ado, let me introduce your Sheriff, Belor Hemlock!"
A dour looking man, clearly of Shoanti descent, armored and armed, walks to the center of the stage, scanning the crowd seriously. He shakes the Mayor's hand and begins to speak in a deep, quiet voice.
"Thank you, Mayor. Even in the heat of celebration, let us not forget the sad events that brought us to this day. Also, let us not forget the souls that were lost five years ago. I would like you to all join me in a moment of silence to remember the lives that were lost in the fire that claimed our previous chapel on that fateful night." With that, the Sheriff lowers his head in remembrance, most of the crowd following suit awkwardly. After several long, uncomfortable moments, the guardsman lifts his head up again. "In remembering let us also not allow these events to repeat themselves. I am of the understanding that a bonfire is planned for tonight. I urge you all to observe caution during this event." For several moments, he seems to be lost for words. "... Enjoy yourselves. Let me introduce the next speaker; give your attention to Cyrdak Drokkus, proprietor of the local theatre."
He nods to the crowd and walks back to the mayor, passing the next speaker who is already on his way up to the front of the crowd. This man is quite a contrast to the Sheriff; he is brightly dressed, sports a well-groomed goatee, and seems to be thoroughly enjoying the day. As he reaches the center stage he loosens his collar a bit, winks into the crowd and begins his speech.
"Well, thank you, Sheriff, for that uplifting oratory! Now I know this town has been through some hard times, but look at what we've accomplished!" he exclaims, gesturing to the grandiose cathedral. "And I'm telling you, they spared no expense with this place. Father Zantus' chamber pot? Solid gold." He pauses for the laughter that sporadically erupted. "I kid you not, our generous nobles put a pretty copper into the construction of this joint. I even think the Churches chipped in a silver or two! I even heard a rumor that all of the Gods got together and scrounged up four gold pieces to help get this thing built! But don't take it from me, the good Father over here," he gestures toward the young priest behind him, who is laughing along with the crowd at the actor's antics, "is the one with the direct line, he's the one you want to hear from! But," he winks in conspiracy at the crowd, "before I let him get things going I'd like to take this opportunity to extend my personal invitation to each and every one of you to the new production of The Harpy's Curse starring, none other than, the world-famous Magnimarian diva, Allishanda, as Avisera the harpy queen!" He comically takes a step back in feigned surprise at the crowds' sudden eruption of applause and cheers. "It's all premiering tomorrow evening at the Sandpoint Theatre and it is going to be fab-u-lous! And now join me in a bit of applause for his holiness himself, Father Zantus!"
The crowd cheers as Cyrdak motions Zantus to the center stage. The young priest looks abashed at the reception set up for him. He wears the traditional ceremonial robes of a priest of Desna and a shiny silver holy symbol about his neck. He smiles and tries to calm the crowd down, eventually speaking when the applause has subsided.
"Ahem, thank you. Thank you, Cyrdak, for your enthusiastic report on the construction of the Cathedral. And, thank all of you for coming to join us on this most Holy day. Today is a day of new beginnings so, without boring you with long speeches, I declare the Swallowtail Festival officially underway!"
Elegost
Spoiler:
At your last visit to the Magnimaran Pathfinder lodge, you had recieved instructions from one of your mentors to travel to Sandpoint, a town approximately fourty-five miles east of Magnimar. Apparently, you were requested, by name, no less, to accompany a well known historian on his travels. You have no idea what this historian was researching, aside from the fact that it involved some ancient empire. You have been in Sandpoint for three days, and you've seen neither hide nor hair of this historian. However, you've managed to at least skip out on paying fees for your lodging, for the proprietess of the inn you're staying at, Ameiko Kaijutsu, was impressed enough by your tales that you dredged up using your knowledge of history, the arcane, and just plain bullplay, that she waived the costs.
Sorion
Spoiler:
You're pretty sure you're clear from your flight from your home, after you disobeyed their wishes by chasing after your childhood friend, Shalelu Andosana. That, and you don't think they'd be happy with the fact that you filched a good bit of currency from their till. In any case, you've been wandering south for the last few weeks, following rumors of the female ranger. Recently, you heard a tale that the elven bounty hunter visits a predominately human town by the name of Sandpoint somewhat frequently. With hope in your breast, you reach the town in the early hours before dawn, just in time to see people setting up for a festival.
Zakok
Spoiler:
Angry with the people of your village, you left in bitterness for better pastures. Along the way, you were hired on by a merchant headed to Sandpoint, who needed protection from the vicious goblin tribes in the area. Luckily (or unluckily, depending on your point of view), no madly singing monsters attacked his wagon, and you found yourself with a few pieces of gold. Wandering around town, you met another Shoanti man by the name of Garridan Viskalai. He invited you to dine with him the night you arrived, and spoke with you much about Shoanti customs and your tribe. Though a city man, he seemed to desire to live in the plains with your shared cousins, which was an ironic twist of the circumstances that led you here. That night, he let you stay in his inn, the White Deer, for no charge. In the morning, you awoke to the beginning of the festival.
Jallia
Spoiler:
For the past five years, you've struggled with maintaining your husband's alchemy business and your own veternarian services, but to no effect. Your once decent savings has now dwindled to a mere pittance, and you're finding yourself hard pressed to gather the funds to maintain your rent. Your friends and neighbors have noticed this, and have quietly and discreetly offered help and aid. Your collegue, Hannah Velerin, has even stated at one point that she may need a friend to assist her in her business, though you can see clearly that she is offering you charity. In any case, without your husband, you feel the need to return back to the lands of the gnomes and fae, and away from the bad memories of Sandpoint. However, you might as well stay for the festival...
Farevon
Spoiler:
For the last several years, you studied devoutly at the prestigious Windsong Abbey. Now confirmed as a holy cleric of the GOddess of Valor, Iomedae (much to the surprise of your parents and peers; Iomedae isn't that popular or widespread devotion in Varisia), you decided to follow in the path of your parents and become an adventurer. On the last day at the Abbey, you heard of the Swallowtail Festival at Sandpoint. You were at the Abbey at the time of the Great Fire, but your father and three of your older brothers had went to help the town deal with the aftermath. Perhaps this would be a good time to see the town and try to become reaquainted with some old friends... You manage to arrive in Sandpoint just minutes before the speeches gave before the massive crowd.
And so it begins. Roleplay, if you wish, and my next post will be at noontime of the festival.
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 8
aka Sect
