Talon Oakhart's page

Huge apologies on going MIA for a couple of days. Stomach bug and OT at work majorly distracted me. Sorry. Will post later today

No worries. We can try it both ways if necessary. ;)

So Talon's not scouting ahead? * shrug *
Cool. He's primarily ranged attack focused, so that works, I guess.

Talon arches an eyebrow, then nods to Emma and silently draws his bow. He takes two small steps away from the group, forward, though holds his scouting advance until Hannelia gives the go ahead.

LOL. * cries *

Talon, what do your elf eyes see?

Seriously lucky roll there. Hopefully we didn't spend all our luck on perception rolls.

Hopefully we spot SOMEthing. Wasting those rolls would make me sad. LOL

Talon would likely make an effort to take point, though he wouldn't be stubborn about it. More, he'd naturally start moving ahead, being out in nature and all. (As much as an orchard is, anyway).

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

The ranger winces slightly when the arcane light flickers to life, anticipating it will hurt his eyes, and is pleasantly surprised when it doesn't. He nods to Hannelia, scanning the area with his low-light vision.

"I've always found this place to be rather peaceful...but I have to admit, it's got a far more malevolent feel to it after dark..." he offers, frowning a bit while he walks slowly forward between the trees. "I do have torches if you all feel we really need them."

Talon follows the rest inside, but remains standing, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms as the woman speaks. He perks up at the mention of new boots being worn by one of the boys, a fact that might assist him in tracking an individual, or in identifying a body, at the very least...but beyond that, most of the woman's ramblings simply seem to be lost the half-elf.

Still, the ranger watches and waits, holding his tongue. A good hunter has to learn patience, and so he simply takes in his newfound companions and hopes that some of them might be better dealing with "social cues" then he.

Talon starts to say something, then glances around at the others and realizes that he's obviously not the best talker here, and holds his tongue instead. I'm too used to having to do everything on my own...this is different. We're working as a group, and I have to rely on other people as much as myself.

Talon, famished, orders as well, and digs in as soon as it's set down at the table. Munching on some warm, crusty bread as he speaks, the half-elf says, "We did hear from a couple of sources that the orchards might somehow tie into all this..." He swallows, then points the remaining crust in his hand at Roger and adds, "But those folks also claimed to have seen gigantic webbing...that wasn't found by the authorities..."

This time, Emma isn't quite able to suppress her shudder. "Well. Hopefully there's no actual giant bugs and it's just the result of people gossiping." Emma pauses for a moment. "I suppose it wouldn't be out of the question for something to be intentionally making people think it's one thing when it's meant to be covering up for something else. But regardless, we'll need to touch bases with the others and figure out if there's a pattern to these disappearances." Emma shrugs at Talon. "We never really had mass disappearances occur in Piren's Bluff. One time our shopkeep disappeared, but it turned out he'd drank too much and gotten turned around in the woods. I don't like the sound of this situation so far though. The quicker we find answers, the better it will be I think. I'm hoping this is just a misunderstanding, but well..." She leaves the sentence unfinished.

Talon picks up where she leaves off, "It could be that they're all off just having fun, but considering the level of concern? It's unlikely. Agreed." The ranger just nods when the paladin suggests meeting up with the others and turns and heads towards the rendezvous spot.

The straggled duos all re-unite at the pre-determined meeting place, as the afternoon shadows grow long. Emma and Talon see the others approaching down different roads, and soon the six strangers are re-united, to share what they've learned.

Dependable Drummady's has not yet been visited-- will our heroes descend en masse on the cobbler's, or brainstorm their findings first, perhaps over a meal?

The half-elf offers the gist of what they had found, which he admits, is little, before adding, "Well, I for one, am famished. We should eat. and then check out that last spot together..."

I'll just give it a whirl and we can adjust if needed...

Knowledge:Geography: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The ranger shrugs dramatically, "No. Nothing I've ever encountered.
This whole thing seems the stuff of nightmares."

Emma walks along with Talon, laughing slightly at his statement. "Well, I can assure you Mr. - erm, sorry, hard habit to break - Talon, most paladins would only truly mind if it was an evil lie. So, don't even attempt to try and lie about eating the last cookie."

She lets out a sigh, looking at the town around her. "Truth be told, it will be good to have some skilled at tracking I think. There's certainly something going on here. I haven't a clue what the others may have found, but I don't like the sound of whatever it is that's lurking out there."

The wind whistles through the trees as they walk, and with a frown, she looks around them. Talon's earlier words flash through her mind - a ranger, a hunter and a guide. She glances over at Talon again. "Considering you've hunted in this region before, any idea of what could be making that noise out there at night?"

Please don't say giant spiders are common to this area, she thinks silently to herself, suppressing a shudder as best as she can.

GM Dien, would that be Knowledge: Geography +3 or Knowledge: Nature +4?

[Emma & Talon, making their way to the rendezvous]

Talon continues to chew as the Piren's Bluff native tells her tale, nodding politely. When addressed, he answers, "Well, first of all, it's simply Talon. All that 'Mister' stuff is far too formal for the day-to-day likes of me. I'm not ...ordained...or whatever it is you do to earn your title as a paladin, milady. I'm hard working, but still just a Ranger. You know, a hunter and guide."

"To answer your question, though...no, I don't really know the Mayor at all, other than to wave to her in passing. I don't spend a lot of time in town. I come and I go, mostly for supplies." The half-elf shrugs, "Beyond that, I really can't say that there's a specific detail about this mystery that drew me in. I could say, I suppose, that I felt it was my civic duty to help find the missing young-folk, and all that."

Talon breaks into a grin, "But that'd be a lie...which I've heard is a horrible thing to do around a paladin like yourself. Truth is, I heard there was a problem that might require someone good at tracking, and that there was a reward involved."

Talon and Emma, however, have used all of this particular 'investigation slot' since they also spent time in Gathering Info. Of course, that also gives them time to RP if they want!

Offering to carry the cotton sack, the ranger nods farewell, and then says to Emma, "It is getting late. We've been gone awhile. Mayhaps we should make our way back to find the others?" He allows her to proceed him out the door...unless she gives some clue that she would be offended by this gesture.

Leaving the establishment, Talon snatches out one of the smaller rolls, and then another, offering it to Lady Blackford. He then proceeds to munch contentedly upon his own. "We get first pick. A finder's tax, I call it. Or a Hunter's fee. Yes, I think I like that better."

"Have to make sure they are poisoned and what not..." He grins at the armored paladin, and then asks, "So tell me, Lady Emma. What brings you to our fair haven? Surely not merely the Mayor's call? Her reach can't be that far, eh?

"Erm, there was one more thing," she said, directing her attention to the clerk. She brings out her purse. "The smell of the bread is quite intoxicating, and I'd hate to have taken up some of your time without actually making a purchase. I was hoping to buy enough for several people, if that would be alright?" She thought of the others. Everyone liked bread right? Who couldn't like such a staple, and particularly bread that smelled so good? She aims a smile at Talon hesitantly. "My treat."

(I have no idea how much bread for the party would cost, though I'm guessing it won't break the bank for what I had left over after character creation. DM, what say you?)

Talon thanks Gunty and then grins at his companion, "I knew I was going to like you, Lady Emma."

When the clerk eventually bundles up the loaves, the half-elf offers his help in carrying the bread.

Gunty's (Emma, Talon)

Gunty's set jaw and grim expression turns into a slightly startled look when Emma begins to speak-- but as she talks, his countenance slowly eases, and the foreboding, scarred man takes on a more melancholy air as she speaks respectfully of the dead, and the survivors alike. He heaves a sigh and rubs at the back of his neck a moment, staring out the bakery's front window and into the middle distance.

"Gwerin, aye? I knew a Gwerin, in the Battle at Three Rivers... but might've been a kinsman, not the one you speak of. Well.... it's something, that all the sacrifices haven't been forgotten already..."

The baker hooks his thumbs into the pockets of his apron, pensive now rather than angry. He shakes his head absently at Talon's offer, and is silent a moment before he continues:

"The 'pprentices all complain I'm too damn strict, but we lost too many souls in the wars due to laxness. Yeh've got to keep your gear in order every day, do the clean-up every day, or yeh make mistakes, and mistakes get folk killed. But 'tis true I was hard on the girl, and so now she's off sulking, I imagine. I hear several others are missing-- well they're all friends, Noemi and these others-- and I wouldn't be surprised if they intended me some sort of mischief or prank, to salve her ego and 'get revenge on the tyrant' or however they call me.

"The last two nights I've heard a damned buzzin' in the wee hours, and seen spots of light in the sky. I took up me axe and went after them-- followed 'em to the orchard-- intended to go in and teach those younguns a thing or two-- but I lost track of them once in the trees. Couldn't find anything, and it was too dark to be fecking about hunting teenagers...

"Beyond that, I don't ken what to tell yeh. Noemi's not a bad girl, but some of those others, they're shifty, lazy sorts."

"The spots and buzzing led you to the orchard, you say? Hmmm." Talon arches a slender eyebrow. "That's the second time today we've heard folk taking about that grove of trees and odd going's on. A few town folk mentioned seeing massive spider webs strung between the branches..." The half-elf pauses, hoping to lead the baker into saying more.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

Gunty's Hearty Breads (Talon, Emma)

Well, isn't HE pleasant. Talon does his best to keep his face neutral, and keeps his mouth shut, finding himself almost in awe of how easily Emma takes control of the situation and the level of empathy she exudes while dealing with the angry baker.

In truth, there wasn't much he felt he could offer in the conversation. His own father had also been active during the goblin wars, as an archer and a scout. And horrifyingly, as a traitor. If the stories he and his mother had been told were true, then the half-elf's father had taken bribes from enemy soldiers to lead his own unit into an ambush. The shame was enough that the ranger answered to his mother' maiden name, in honor of her family rather than bearing his father's surname.

And none of that was going to help the baker's temperament or aid them in their investigation. Most likely it'd turn him against us...

Talon shook off his own distracted thoughts, focusing on the conversation before him, which Emma so obviously had well in hand. In the end, all he felt he could offer was, "Perhaps, Master Gunty, I could lend a hand in repairing your wagon? I've never done it before but I could offer a little more muscle if needed."

"So it would seem, Mr. Talon. I'll be happy to work with you on this. I'm afraid I'm not overly familiar with this town, having only been here for a few days before the meeting with Mayor Trinelli. I do believe several of the missing apprentices have already been claimed by our fellows in this matter. Do you have a preference on where you would like to begin our search? I'm afraid I don't have much experience myself with doing investigative work, unless you count the time I helped Farmer Elkin track down his missing sheep." Emma blushes, realizing that it might have been best to keep that last bit to herself. She clears her throat and tries to push past the potential blunder. "Ahem. Anyway, I also wanted to suggest that perhaps it might be prudent for one of the pairs to do a general walk through of the town as a whole? Seeing as I'm not overly familiar with the town, something that people who are from the area might not notice could potentially stand out - and of course, should anything look suspicious, I should be able to detect if there's anything evil going on."

"Well, there's certainly no shame in helping a farmer recover livestock. I'm sure he'll remember your assistance fondly. 'Probably made a lifelong friend that day." Talon offers a genuine smile, listening to her thoughts on individual assignments.

How about this, Mistress? We keep an eye and ear out while we head to the bakery, and see where that takes us while the others check in with some of the other apprentice's masters? " A pause, then he adds, "Just wandering about the woods looking for a wolf before checking out to see if it's in it's lair might end up taking longer than needs be..." The ranger frowns slightly, wondering if the analogy makes him sound too "folksy", and then decides it doesn't matter. It works.

"In any case, I'm sure our willingness to look into these matters counts more than any previous experience."

------

GM fiat, I'll just say that Emma and Talon head for the baker's first. If you two do want to just wander around town keeping an ear out, that is also an option, but it may be more time consuming than targeted visits.

Gunty's Hearty Breads

The aromatic smell of baking bread lets people know they're getting close to Gunty's. The bakery has a small shopfront, with a few people coming in and out, and a young man manning the counter and selling loaves of bread to the townsfolk. There doesn't seem to be any cake or pastries on offer: just bread. The decor is slightly unusual- on the wall behind the counter, above the racks of bread for sale, hangs a nocked battleaxe and a split shield.

The clerk nods at you both when you come in. "Hello, what can I get--"

"BY EVERY DARK GOD FROM HERE TO THE ABYSS, ARE YOU DEAF OR MERELY A FOOL? YOU! MUST! FLOUR! THE! DOUGH! FIRST!" bellows the voice of a man who must be quite angry, from behind the staff-only door. The clerk visibly cringes, then summons a wan smile. "S-sorry about Mr. Gunty. H-how can I -- help you people today?"

The half-elf sniffs the air with pleasure as the duo enters the establishment, fond, as are most people, of all things baked and delicious. Hmmm. JUST bread? That's a bit of a disappointment...but...

And then the yelling starts. Talon actually flinches a bit, stopping just shy of letting his hand drop to the hilt of his dagger. He then casts a quick, embarrassed look over at Emma to see if she noticed.

Collecting himself, the archer says to the clerk, "Well, before we leave, I'll likely be purchasing a loaf of your fine bread...but on a more somber note: At the urging of the Mayor, we're here, looking into the disappearance of the young Tauralio girl. Noemi, I believe her name is?"

"Understandably." The ranger concedes her point with a nod.

Then to Emma, Talon shrugs and says, "I am afraid I do not know any of the families of the missing apprentices, Lady Blackford. However, it would seem that we would be paired up for this, by the process of elimination."

"A moment?" Talon, who'd been listening throughout, taking in both the questions his new companions were asking, gauging them, as well as the mayor's answers, had been quiet during the discussion. "Since no one else has asked, Madam Mayor...however odd or paranoid these rumors of giant insects may be, if we expect to investigate them as well, we need a starting point. Could you point us in the direction of anyone specific who has made claims as to having seen them?"

Working OT? No. Not fun.
Watching the water shoot out of the pipe about 18' into the air, nonstop for about 15 min when they finally figured out how to shut it off? And then watching the hilo driver who hit it try to explain how it wasn't his fault...Rather amusing...

Will try to post this evening. Issues with a broken water main at work resulted in mandatory, unplanned overtime. Apologies. Move ahead as needed.

Play what you waaaaaaaaaaaaant. You want to play Talon, play him. Don't worry about party composition.

* pantomimes zipping his lip shut *

Ok. Reading Sirio's comments got me thinking.

If it's better for the group, RIGHT now, before we move on and I have to change something major we've written, I can make Talon a full-on spell caster instead of ranger. No harm, no foul, and it's something I wouldn't mind playing since I have an idea already that I could modify for Talon... But I need a show of hands! Speak up. Would an Arcanist be more helpful to the group?

And so long as Dien is ok with it...

"But that's usually the way it goes, eh, Mistress Venalor? Though from what I've heard, you're usually the one to know what's what." The half elf grins as he takes Hannelia's arm in greeting.

To Sirio, Talon says,"Decent enough to garner an invitation, sir."

Leaning his back against the wall, with his arms crossed casually across his studded leather vest, the half-elf gives an amused smile and nods at Roger and then aims a welcoming one at Emma as well. "Haven't spent much time in Garund myself, but I'm sure that the skills of a paladin of honored Iomedae will be welcome for this group...whatever the task."

The ranger pauses, and then adds, "I'm known as Talon."

* grin * No worries. It's an easy rabbit-hole to fall into. Obviously.

Sometimes when it's first level and nothing is set in stone in your mind, it's about trying a class or a build, but this time it's about the feel and personality of the character. And so that's why I'm going this way. I'm positive he'll be both useful and fun to play.

;)

Final call: Ranger.
Will worry about the rest later. LOL

Thanks for potentially adding to my indecision.
:)

That said I've decided that I'm either going to go with Talon as a Ranger progressing into an Arcane Archer OR since I've been looking through all these arcane spell lists, playing as a different character, a Human arcane caster type.

Hmmm. Ok. Now I'm intrigued.
I'm going to have investigate the eldritch archer a bit more...
LOL

(Simultaneous posting FTW)

TBH, I've never actually looked at the Eldritch Archer before, and just thought the idea of the Arcane Archer was fun. But since you brought it up, I'll check it out. Thanks!

EDIT: Ok, having looked, I'm gonna pass. The character concept is that Talon's an Archer Ranger who through his elven ancestry will have the innate ability to use magic which he will eventually learn to focus through his bow. A Magus can be a damage-dealing beast, but loses the Ranger flavor I'm aiming for. The thought is still appreciated, but not this time.

Quick question, would you object to Talon having a: bundle of pages/parchment/spellbook with him SOLELY for roleplaying purposes at this point, that he's studying towards the eventual level of Wizard he's going to take? That won't happen until at least 6th or 7th level, also after his next ability boost of +1 that he'll add to his INT.

Again, this is just for rp'ing, and won't actually include ANY actual spells or anything he can use for combat or whatnot. It'll simply be a book given to him by his mother of elven arcane theories and practices. Something to look over in whatever downtime the group has.

Basically, I don't care for characters who suddenly "BING" level up and suddenly have all their new class bonuses without at least an attempt at playing it out beforehand.

Whatcha' think?

You guys are hurtin' my brain. LOL

Talon: Your gear's total weight seems to be 69 lbs. (nice), but your light load capacity is 58 at 14 strength. Also, not a big deal, since you probably won't be using it much, but it looks like you forgot to add the +2 to your longsword damage from your strength bonus. Everything else seems good.

Ah ha. Good catches!

@Jolly: Man the idea of a masterwork parrot cracks me up!

@Dien: Forgot to mention, love the retrain idea.

Talon is ready for review. I think he's fine, but if there's errors, I apologize in advance and will edit them out. :)

As for variant channelling, I've never played with it before. I'd be ok with it, I think, with a drawback like that, but it's Dien's call.

Also, might do a slight rebuild of Talon to set him on an eventual path to arcane archer...and see if he can earn the prestige class through gameplay. Never tried that before. I'll let you know later this evening. Beyond that, same character.

EDIT: @Talon: I guess virtual assistant sounds like villainous assistant.

I also did saved this for my own amusement. I wasn't going to post it, but since Talon did:

Constantine Fioritura - Occultist - Escaped Asmodean Orphan

Talon Oakhart - Half-elf Archer Ranger - Wants to make enough money to build a tavern

Jolly Old Roger - Freebooter Ranger - Middle aged retired pirate, running low on his savings

Emma Blackford - Iomedaean Paladin - “Smites Evil with Sword” is her native name

Slowdrifter’s Archaeologist - Archaeologist Bard - Local Librarian Lifts Loot

SO, EDIT it's:

Talon - Ranger / Archery
Constantine - Occultist
Roger - Ranger / Freebooter
Emma - Paladin
SiriO - Cleric
Slowdrifter - Archeologist
Dien - ?

That look about right?
Better?? :D

So, it's:
Talon - Ranger / Archery
Constantine - Occultist
Roger - Ranger / Freebooter
Emma - Paladin
Siri- Cleric
Slowdrifter - Archeologist
Dien - ?

That look about right?

Ey Talon, I checked in on that to see how perceptive, and I saw your bonus was listed as 9, but I think you get +10.

1 Rank +3 Trained +1 Wis +2 Keen Senses +3 Skill Focus comes to 10 by my count.

Ha! Thanks. I think I forgot the WIS bonus. Good catch, and much appreciated.

Though, this is for the GM, Dien, is that too much? I could put his +3 Skill Focus elsewhere if the +10 at first level is going to be an issue. Figure it's better to deal with this before play rather than later, if need be.

My idea was that the church and its spies might have been keeping an eye on the comings and goings of sellswords and vagabonds, especially those that could be useful in the future. Sirio isn't the planner, he's the executioner and just keeps careful notes on the people he is supposed to gather for the mission.

As you say, it would be simpler to assume they just met in response to Saringallow's call for aid, but if everyone is interested, it'd be a cool intro. I know it's a little more of a hassle, and I don't want to do it if not everyone is on board. So literally everyone feel free to veto, if that vote from dien doesn't already count as one.

While their alignments and personalities probably won't make them immediate bosom buddies, I think the fact that they are so unlike one another might make the interactions between quite interesting. Having Sirio be the one who made contact with Talon could be fun.

For anyone who knows him or has heard of him around town, Talon would be an able hunter and archer known for being almost preternaturally perceptive and aware of his surroundings. And while he's likeable enough when he wants to be, he's also a bit snarky and sarcastic at times.

Illiana, welcome to the fun!

Aw, sorry to see you go, Ruin. Hopefully things will shape up for you soon.

As far as ties to the city, Talon will have been around over the last few years, so locals would recognize him, but he doesn't live there. That said, I'm open to having him know any of the other characters.

Silly question, maybe, but I'm asking it anyway because I can't remember.
Favored Class bonuses don't get added until 2nd level, correct? Since you're then gaining a level?

Talon's CS crunch is ready for review in my profile.

Background: Born the son of an elven herbalist and a human ranger, Talon grew up in a small cottage outside of Saringallow, where his mother kept a respectable garden and offered her herbs, potions, and poultices to the local merchants and healers. His father was a scout who died near the end of the Goblinblood Wars. He had been a member of the 'Greenskin Stalkers' militia who became famous for their exploits in combat against the goblinoids in the Chitterwood during the war. The young ranger inherited his father's skill with a bow and his mother's love of nature and magic. Recently he's been working as a hunter and a part-time messenger between the local communities. Recently he's become enamored of the idea of one day owning his own tavern, and has been looking for opportunities to save up starting funds to follow through on this dream...

I've never used Roll20, but I'm open to using it. Just created an account for Talon, so bear with me while I figure it out. :D

Sounds good. Will do my best to have my Ranger done today or tomorrow.
Henceforth, btw, I'll be posting here as Talon Oakhart rather than Jace Crenn.