Here is Victor. Victor is an obsessive gatherer of information, especially focused on that information that will give him an upper hand over other people. He worships a god of madness and knowledge, wanting to surround himself with people that can help him achieve his goals and thus is highly amenable to working with others. He comes from a good scholarly family but has become unrelentingly focused on information gathering and reading people. To that end, he has abilities that make him much more powerful in a team. He is slightly menacing with a hunched bookish physicality but a large physique when he stands straight.
Roles: In the nature of Pathfinder, Victor does a few things. As an inquisitor, he is a solid front liner, and the madness domain means he can make any teammate more successful through debuffing, and spells will expand his utility. He is a knowledge character, especially monster knowledges. High wis makes him an excellent observer perception and sense motive (track and detect alignment). I have left a trait open currently to allow him to either be more of a face or improve his combat. Right now, he is building toward intimidation and sense motive for social situations (inquisitor strong points). I plan to stay pretty focused on the versatility of class-specific feats on the build playing with spell bane, focuses target, and teamwork feats.
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
"A tinkerer you say. Well hopefully that will help keep the conversation flowing. Have you ever had the pleasure of speaking with Countess Pace I was hoping to meet her?"
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
Once Leontius has an answer to his satisfaction. Victor will ask, "I'm trying to arrange a meeting with Duke Centimus. You would not know any of his interests with which I might engage him?"
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
"Victor Grem. Nice to meet you. You maybe right, not much harm in most of this line overpaying for a trinket. We are here as guest of Lady Martella Lotheed. As to our buisness, we are here to make introductions and observe the proceedings." Refocusing the conversation on the man who addressed them. "Do you attend The Grand Day of Exaltation each year and have you seen the work of the weaver?" The entrie time he speaks Victor fights his naturally flat affect to try and express his genuine interest in what this man has to say.
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
Victor also looks around to see if how the next group is reacting to the grifter. "I like people who do honest work well, honest work poorly but try hard, people who do dishonest work with skill and last the dishonest and incompetent. I wonder what types we will meet here."
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
No. When someone offers you water and you don't want any you say, 'no thank you, I'm good' or higher 'I'm good.' I'm good for hot sauce means I have enough hot sauce. 'I'm not good for hot sauce means hot sauce is not a good sauce to eat me with Mr cannibal.
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
"It might be slow because they are checking for weapons or even peace binding them. Moving ahead could get us in trouble. The line might be a good time to inquire about the schedule for this evening or if this sort of line is customary."
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
Before leaving Victor changes into his parade armor and courtiers outift to make sure he is in full compliance. Victor checks of this note one more time. He come out looking several inch taller and much broader in clothing that fits.
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
"I'm too ugly, blunt and monotone to be an effective diplomat. See." He says flatly. "I am however a very good judge of character and have studied for a decent amount of time and My character is off putting enough that a can scare people at times." Victor punctuate the end of his sentence with a half hearted ghost noise. "oooooo"
"If you want to help I am happy too. I will be trying to Gage motivations and weaknesses as soon as my mission is finished."
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
Can you define your rules for titles. It seems you want grace used for princess or higher? Which is different from both the historical or contemporary usage. Mouse is inline with contemporary usage depending on Martella's rank.
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
"Thank you. Very thoughtful. If it is not to impertinent would this be a good time to talk shop, determine people's strengths and optimize our efforts?.
Victor is polite and deferential but is not one for frivolity. He does, however, take his work very seriously.
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/skills/knowledge/
You can find them here. They are the first set of rules after the core ones. I should have phrased it differently. It's mostly for ability not weaknesses though things like save do come from classes but it's dubious if they are "abilities".
They work well in person if you know them cold as to not slow things down. PBP it can require lots of reactive rolls and waiting to know what a power is. I use them forthings like AP specific archetype abilities, feats, strange boss abilities essentially as bonus check to illustrate something is rare or unique.
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
Thanks, those are helpful.
Are you going by the core faq:
"The core rules don’t specify what area a PC can actively search, but for a given Perception check it should be no larger than a 10-foot-by-10-foot area, and often a smaller space if that area is cluttered. For instance, in an intrigue-based game, it is fairly common to look through a filing cabinet full of files. Though the cabinet itself might fill only a 5-foot-by-5-foot area, the number of files present could cause a search to take a particularly long time."
the ultimate intrigue rule where the perception rules are officially codified or unchained where they were first introduced.
Last question.
How are we identify weaknesses and abilities of enemies with class levels? Just with there assigned knowledge skills or the Recall Intrigues rules.
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
For Sense motive, it will always be a hunch or discern lies apposed roll. I will leave it to you to determine because I don't know what is in the text. I will specify if I am ever trying to receive a message or looking for enchantment.
Intimate (intimidate stupid cell phone keyboard) out of combat influence attitude; in combat demoralize.
The knowledges I will call out most will be self-evident, but I will try to keep them clear.
Questions that may come up.
Can you explain your rules on Arcana for ongoing spell effects? Every gm seems to run these differently.
What is your definition of a useful piece of information?
How you run timing for perception checks?
Should we always be giving you two Diplomacy rolls?
Do you allow the use of craft and perform in place of other rolls.
"Profession skill represents an aptitude in a vocation requiring a broader range of less specific knowledge."
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
Victor is careful but no fool. When the unexpected happens it is when people drop their guard and you never know when a little insight will help or protect you.
Sense Motive with Study Target Martella :1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 = 22
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
"I get what I am doing, but I am unclear as to why. How do these tasks help you? If it is ok I ask."
Victor thinks for a moment then says, "Should we and can we share our missions. Should we have extra time is there anything else you would like us to do?"
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
What sort of tasks has Martella been having us do in the past? A smaller version of what were are doing now, intimidating, spying? Or more mundane stuff delivering letters, checking bank records, finding associates?
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
Discovery is the first choice spy if someone else wants it. They seem to work best for Victor.
Young reformer can help me with checks I'm not good at once a day using a Knowledge (local) check in place of a single Bluff, Disable Device, Intimidate, or Sleight of Hand check.
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
Question, Victor is not a talk to people to thier faces type of person . Can he skulk around and roll discovery checks to help people or has been give a specific mission. I assume the latter.
Sense motive and perception are his two best. Local is pretty good. And intimidate is his only 'face skill.' It's bad now but will get better.
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
I referred to Victor's Nemisis as Nemesis to make it easier for you to slot him into the story.
Victor Backstory:
Nemesis was always the protagonist of a story he was writing. He was young, brash and handsome. This combination of traits was made criminally frustrating by the fact that he was also smarter than he had any right to be. When Victor met Nemesis, he was, to his eyes, an intrepid young man - confident and all the surer for it. But, here and there, Victor would catch a shibboleth or a turn of phrase that would suggest humbler beginnings. Those beings could not have been more than a few years prior, though, as Nemesis was only about 22. He was already doing favours for businessmen and women throughout the city. Nemesis opened a small store of his own and hired Victor. Victor, like his father, was an ignorable presence who worked the front of the shop. He was so profoundly forgettable that the moment you left the room were it not for the shoes in your hand and the copper sitting were silver had been you might not even know that a transaction had occurred.
To Nemesis, social invisibility was an asset. He was not forgettable. For his part of the business being memorable was needed, someone had to keep the books, remember names, deliver messages, and collect on the accounts. Who better than this sack of flour with a name. Eager to please and loyal to a fault, Victor could be made to do anything and eventually take the fall for the less than upstanding parts of the business.
After three years working under Nemesis, a dozen new hires, and plenty of new work with nobles and senators, cracks began to appear in the foundation of the friendship that had grown between these two men. Nemesis realized that Victor was much smarter than he had initially estimated, which was helpful, but meant that Nemesis had to handle some of the day-to-day himself. This change did not go unnoticed by Victor. Some of the staff reported to Nemesis, and they made more money for the business than the other staff, and it came in wildly inconsistent amounts.
Victor started to notice inconsistencies in the books. He would acquire an artifact, and then it would vanish from the ledgers to be replaced with the precise market valued in gold. It did not take long for the totality of the organization to reveal itself to him. Aside from intelligence and keen observational skills, Nemesis had missed understood Victor's loyalty, which was to society and people not to the business or one particular friend, it was purely to push society forward, kicking and screaming if need be.
Victor had, like everyone, else seen Victor and almost forgot his existence. Victor knew he was not a king, but through skill, luck and faith could be a kingmaker. He helped build a small fiefdom without knowing he was doing it. What would happen if he had a purpose?
So, he walked into Nemesis's office, sat down across from a friend with which he had become close and said, "I know what you did, what you do. I have the contacts and the evidence. I'm going to put the skills you have taught me to better use. I will not tell anyone about your business, and I will avoid overlap with your work. I hope you will do the same for me. I have left your books mostly intact, save a few alterations. Three were because the people you were working over did not deserve what you were doing to them, and they would never be able to pay. Going after them was stupid and cruel. The next two changes are because your moves were too bold, and I suspect they have been noticed. I have replaced them with better, quieter moves that should payoff about the same without having the guard knocking on your door.
Victor shook Nemesis's hand before leaving. He would not allow himself to look back and see how his friend reacted. While walking out the door, he was thinking to himself, 'I'm going to need to learn to fight quickly, time to find a new mentor.'
CN M Human Iquis| Speed 20ft. | AC 17, T 12, FF 15 | hp 11/11 | Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 | Init +4 | Percep +7 | Resources
So I'm think that to integrate nemesis and the types of items that he has, some of the equipment and the contacts he uses for young reformer and in his knowledge local mw tool we lifted from a former colleague. I imagine Victor, when splitting off took the 'more ligitimate' clientele where the outright criminal clients were left with Victor's Nemesis. Something he is assuredly angry about. This break up was contentious but maybe there was a unspoken temporary truce while they rebuilt until something in the story forces them into conflict.
GM there is new items added to the character. I still have to double check them for legality. Once I have checked I will post again requesting anything that is not currently legal.
