No worries Grimmy old pal - you take the time and be kind to yourself, this is but a game after all.
I'll have a thought about Vex, but most likely just retrospectively fill in the gaps down the line should we all convene.
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Sorry folks - work is a grind at the moment, loads on and not much post shift energy for anything else. Hoping this weekend will see the load lighten. Meantime please bot Vex as necessary.
Just a heads up gang I'm positively slammed at work - had a couple of additional jobs land of my lap today in an already busy week and need to do my team's performance review by Friday... also have our works Xmas do on Friday (at the 3rd tilt - covid allowing). Posting might be pretty spotty until the weekend so please bot Vex as necessary.
Vex chuckles at the gnome's comment; "Accursed? Haha. Not at the present my friend. It would seem here I enjoy good fare and fare company..." He nods toward the half-orc and digs into the food. "What paintings does my little admirer speak of Master Roark?' The rogue eyes the fullheaded ale, wondering if it too will be presented to him like the food.
Just a heads up folks - had a couple of rush offshore jobs land of my lap this morning, so might be mid-week before I'm clear enough to contribute. Please bot me as/when/if necessary.
Vex tips the nod toward the fat half orc;
"Indeed Master Roark. Roast mutton sounds most perfect. Once you let me know when the ale is ready we can toast your tusks and my horns."
I'll pass on quarter mastering the loot sheet if you please - done it enough in other games :)
Vex smiles, and boys his horned head; "Astute and correct sir. It is my first visitation to Manas... As such, can you recommend a menu to slake my thirst and sate my hunger..." He pats his coin purse with a wink; "Rest assured I have coin enough, so if you have no issue with my fiendish countenance, then I will have no issue filling your coffers..."
Vex tips the nod to the urchin with a black lipped smile, then begins his search for the aforementioned Blue Dragonfly...
Vex slips one of the two silver coins deftly back into his coin-purse, listening to the urchin chiding, before affixing the man with his burning amber gaze;
"You did. I declined your offer. And yet here you still stand, complaining about the questions a curious newcomer to your fair city." He hands the urchin the remaining coin; "You have earned that. Enjoy the pleasure it brings you, but know that had you spoken to me thus on my streets, in my city, tis you who would have paid not I. There I would have followed you or had your movements watched. Then, when gifted night's shroud or alley's shadow I'd slit you open and leave you to paint the cobbles slick and crimson."
Vex chuckles dryly, then bows theatrically; "But we are in old Manas. I am the visitor. And you have gained two silver. Roark I will find... Adieu my learned friend." The rogue then moves off into the street, leaving his urchin to mull what had transpired.
Vex flashes a haughty smile at the foreboding warning; "I thank you for your advice, it is duly noted. I shall endeavour to keep those Friendly from being unfriendly." The rakish tiefling eyes the urchin; "Since you like the look of that silver and from it marked me as a scion of Rembello, I would offer such a sharp mind the opportunity to earn a couple more..."
Two more Freesails dance between his black nailed fingers... "Firstly I need lodgings... Somewhere in the livelier part of the city, so should I was to indulge my tastes, the local dishes are available. Secondly, tho' you profess to know naught about that which I seek, perhaps you can find out who would know?" He smiles, his sharp teeth stark white against black lips and saffron skin; "Finally, should these Friendly Men ask after me, and what you have made of me. Tell them this. I have business that is no business of theirs. Tell them once conducted I will depart Old Manas and leave them better for it.... Should they ask..."
Vex eyes the vagabond with a cool eye, then replies; Seven Widows.. Foreboding... or an opportunity if any of the seven are rich. "Tea? No thank you. What I do thirst for is knowledge. The lay of the land..." He pauses, amber eyes burning as he frowns; "Seems you have dropped something friend..."
The lithe tiefling reaches down and retrieves a silver freesail, before handing it to the begger with a wicked grin; "Best look after your coin friend. Lots of pilfers about these days.... Now where were we? Ah yes, slaking my thirst for knowledge... What I seek is a forger. The best the city has to offer..."
Rigging is fun Grimmy - we work a lot with riggers offshore, running chain blocks and hoists for our heavy lifts at the well site. Between riggers and scaffs (scaffolders) those roles are integral to work offshore!
North East of Scotland? Didn't I read that's one of the areas with the most Pictish descendants? I just have some ancestors from Glasgow. :P You are indeed correct sir. We are in one the heartland of the Picts - once called Circinn (live in The Mearns area).
Afternoon gang - just a heads up that Storm Corrie knocked out power and comms lines here in the bonnie North East o' Scotland. As such posting will be limited to when I'm in work and not busy (which is rarer than hen's teeth). Please bot me as required til I'm back up and running (likely mid-weekish).
Vex flashes a sly smile as moves into the city with n'er a word or challenge. All too easy. This place is either slack or have control of malcontents that it trusts the natural order of things. His amber eyes flit, taking in the scope and denizens around him. Let us hope for the former, and presume the latter... The blackhearted rogue pauses, looking for a suitable citizen to approach for more information;
Vex allows himself a fleeting smirk of self-satisfaction at the gawking common folk. He whips his tail dramatically at a wide-eyed child; Best they learn an inclining of fear early. Might save the childe’s life avoiding we dangerous types. The tiefling eyes the distant Palace of Terondel, his eyes flashing mischievously; Oh the noble fruits that could be plucked from such a tree. How I would gorge myself…” Turning his immediate attention back to the task at hand, Vex muses for a moment, then proceeds towards the checkpoint. He does not speed up, nor hesitate, merely walking purposefully toward the inevitable question or challenge. Let them ask their questions. Let them listen to my lies.
Yup long as you are cool with it. I know some people really feel weird if they havent taken a character from first, but in an open setting sandbox and rolling solo... that is just plain risky with a DM who rolls in the open and doesn't fudge. And a module publisher who includes pages in the back of adventures for obituaries. Am good with that chief. Game on :)
Forgotten how little changes a level up in 5E makes in comparison to PF. Cool - I'll level up Vex, as you allude to the additional HP will be nice to have (will take Average +1) as will the Cunning Action feature.
Vex, I think you better start at level 2 as well, since you are solo and all, and the others have levelled. If you're sure chief - am happy to earn my corn on the streets before they arrive :)
Hope you're remembering me DMG ;0
Whilst also recovering from covid I turned my hand to fine tuning Vex's Heroforge incarnation (now in my profile header) and also some of the group. First up was Faidh - hope I've done her justice - tried to use alot of natural tones that I figured the Firbolg would utilise in their dresswear, arms and armour :)
@DMG: Done. Rolled the bones and had Vex sidle his way into the game :) History was a +2 same as Investigation, and with decent first roll no need (yet) to start digging for clues. Good to have finally arrived ;)
On the outskirts of Manas Vex sat atop a levee, pondering his situation; the path both ahead and that he had travelled thus far. 14 days upon the King’s Road had been arduous on his fine boots, footwear more used to the cobbles of Endhome and the carpets of its bordellos. Even more rankling was the potential opportunities he had foregone in pursuit of his intent. Ah… to be abed with one of my favourites and a carafe of wine right now. Yet here I sit. Worn boots and worn patience… The demonic dandy’s mood betrayed by his eyes flashing a baleful amber. The interior of Manas beckoned; an ancient city of trade that existed on twin pillars of wealth and fairness. Yet as ancient as it was, the city nonetheless forward thinking, particularly when it came to organised crime. Whereby the Thieves Guilds of cities of the realms such as Endhome worked to control and polish criminal enterprise. Here, the old city was at odds with her Guilders. Here the Manas Thieves pulled the strings, not by cooperation, but by coercion. Old Manas. Old Manas. My kind of town. The Tiefling grinned, pointed fangs stark against his ebon lips. Yet it was not a place of open venture. Manas’ guild protected their interests violently. Freelancers were not tolerated, so unless he wished to find himself a corpse in the city’s sewer-tombs he would need to tread carefully, and pay proper tribute where necessary. Rising wearily to his feet Vex, stretched and shook the dust of the road from his countenance. Rapier and dagger at his hip, jangle of coin in his purse, the rake was ready… was Manas?
Haha, you just ninja'd me chief. Checking in - all looks good and plausible to me. Let me know what bones need rollin'...
DMG: Makes sense to have sold him some fake or diluted opium - most likely Laudanum or a Milk of the Poppy type tincture, which was heavy on the diary and light on the opium. Him taking a direct route along the King's Highway also makes more sense for Vex, he's pretty memorable so would know if something went wrong with his sojourn they'd be a trail for his brother and fellow Dandies to follow.
5E Middle Earth works well - have some nice variant mechanics. @DMG: Not sure when you want to begin the Vexcentric stuff? Am keen to start when you are ready :)
To one and all I say: Lang May Yer Lum Reek! Have a great Hogmanay and even better 2022 everyone.
Gad to hear your on the mend chief - looking forward to joining when you're ready :)
Ditto. Makes good sense to me. Echoing Bez - hope you're feeling better Merry Festives to you all - looking forward to the coming New Year and gaming alongside you all!
Take your time chief.
Take it easy DMG
Just to whet everyone's whistle I was inspired by Bez's Heroforge depiction... so here's a sneaky peak at the malcontent that is Vex...
From the sidelines I'm fine to when Vex enters the fray. @DMG: Without loading you further, once the road ahead is decided we can look at some "Meanwhile in Remballo..." scenes so I can get my eye in on Vex's voice so to speak :) Happy to do them via PM to preserve the secrecy!
Break makes sense, enjoying the storytelling immensely gang :) Pacing is working fine from my vantage DMG.
Spoilers work - keeps the air of mystery also :)
Vex sits in boudoir with a little bit of the bubbly, handful of popcorn* and watches the dramatic scenes unfold... *Not a euphemism ;)
So I learned that one half of Black Grape/Happy Mondays is a silly silly man named Bez, who basically doesn't do anything but dance at shows. Of course, the other half is a silly silly man named Shaun Ryder, who does sing and write music but sure seems to have tried hard not to be responsible at any time in his life. Anyhow, things you learn... Hah. Thought you knew that. Aye Bez is a bit of a legend here in UK. The indulgence of mind and body bending substances of the duo whilst in HM/Black Grape infamous and Bez pops up in odd places here on the tv.
Ouch - hope your noggin is fine DMG. Loving the posts and characters everyone, fully invested already :) need to bring my A game when Vex joins proceedings :S
Manually written and formatted mate. Old school :) @DMG: Want us to also note Lifestyle (and expenditure)?
Here's Vex - pretty much done and dusted. Being a rakehell, coercer and duelist of unscrupulous repute. |