Zanessa's page

No problem on the delay in joining... that will give me more time to finish up the profiles/backstories. This is the personal servant alias.

wealth/silver: 2d10 ⇒ (8, 4) = 12
Age: 30 + 10d10 ⇒ 30 + (5, 1, 7, 8, 8, 6, 1, 2, 8, 2) = 78
Height: 1d10 ⇒ 8 (so, 6'7")

Eye Color: 2d10 ⇒ (8, 10) = 18 (tan)
Hair Color: 2d10 ⇒ (9, 3) = 12 (mahogany brown)

(totally not finished with this one either, so please don't point out discrepancies until I'm done)

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As far as class distinctions, I prefer the Pathfinder way... seems to make everyone more equal, with more access to resources. So, at least if you are a PC, you don't feel trapped in a situation that you can't make it out of. Real life has enough of that, and it causes friction and resentment. I don't really like it in my fantasy as much... but hey, it's a game, and there is always a good story to be told, whether you are a flagellant, a noble, or a wickedly cool 10-foot tall Aasimar. :)

Zanessa keeps shooting.

If they get within 30 feet instead of 40 feet out, then she gets +1 to attack and damage. For now she is holding her position because it gives such good cover, but please let me know if they get closer.

Round One:

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Round Two:

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

She glances up, but Torek and Kaden are both thankfully too busy to condemn her for that miss.

If Kaden is allowed to do anything, he runs forward to pull the dying militiaman behind cover so that someone can stop the bleeding.

Whitney says to Dan Looks like your "fame rub" worked out great.

Whitney says Theatre of the mind is cool, but I have an extra battle mat and minis in my bag, if you prefer.

Happy to set up a Google doc (slideshow with grid) with our icons, etc. if you like.

_____

Zanessa starts shooting, targeting the combatants with ranged capabilities first (unless she spots a caster).

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Her first shot is way off and she glances sheepishly at Torek, who had taught her archery, hoping he wouldn't be disappointed in her. She breathes and tries to focus for her next shot.

Hearing the bell and the horns, Zanessa draws her bow and rushes towards the inevitable conflict, only pausing long enough to say Come on! to her companions, and to glance towards Ollie's stall, knowing that there was more here to protect than could be seen on the surface.

Zanessa looks thoughtful, willing to go along with the plan and see if it works out. She continues down the list of the people offering things in the auction, visiting each one, so that by observation no one would be able to point to Ollie's cart.

I don't think I have anything else to do before the auction, but would be happy to throw in more flavor as needed.

Zanessa accepts the broach, smiling and bowing her thanks to Olivia, and is somewhat excited at the additional confirmation of what she had suspected. However, she is still confused. Why give her the sign and not the book?

Were they really going to have to gain it through a public auction when both sides now knew each other, and it would be so much safer to make the transaction privately? She didn't understand what was going on.

Any ideas? she asks Torek. Should we go find Bertram?

Oh, man... says Whitney. Why does it always have to be Sense Motive? Why can't it be Diplomacy or something?

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Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Zanessa's shoulders slump at the girl's suspicion. She raises both hands placatingly.

Still speaking softly so that no Regency spies overhear, she says Sorry, Ollie. I didn't mean to scare you. I was just hoping we could avoid doing this in public with the stupid Regency watching. Safer for everyone. You know it isn't about the rug at all. I understand though. Hard to trust. I'll wait for the signal with everyone else I suppose. Sorry again for making you uncomfortable.

She turns around and walks away. She leaves it to Kaden or Torek if they want to say something else to help her understand they are the good guys, but either way, she knew that her plan had backfired and so *she* wasn't the right person to be talking to the girl anymore. She just hoped she hadn't destroyed the entire mission.

Do people ever call you Ollie?

Zanessa thinks about it, and decides to take the chance. She lowers her voice a little without acting suspiciously in any other way.

We're looking for a very specific Dwarven rug, and if we could get it before the auction it might save everyone a lot of trouble. It's supposed to have a certain look to it that I would recognize. I know it is unusual, but is there any chance I could look yours over and maybe get a jump on the auction? I saw some Regency types in the crowd, and they always make me nervous. I'd like to buy what I need to buy before they get involved.

Hi. That's nice of you to fill in for your dad. What's your name?

I'm Zanessa. Do you have some items that are going to be in the upcoming auction?

Zanessa keeps visiting the list of merchants that were selling Dwarven rugs, trying to find anyone named Ollie, or some kind of swan sign (without being obvious or giving away the clues to others).

I was an English Major too, long ago. :)

Spoilered the rest of my answer because I realized that I started babbling and it was getting long.

Whitney says Wow, a trait. Thanks. ... Are traits theoretically unlimited, or are they limited, so we need to be careful where we pick them up?

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Thank you, Grumdil. You have helped me a lot. I appreciate it.

Zanessa's words seem a lot more heartfelt than they did before. She often just says the nice thing or the fun thing, but it is clear that she really means what she is saying this time.

Then, as suddenly as it was there, she is back to normal with a big smile and bright words:

We'll be off, but I'll start saving so I can afford to buy something from you next time.

Whitney blushes. Oh, you know ... all former English majors are actually just frustrated novelists. It just leaks out here and there. ... Once you get it incorporated, let me know the name. My character will be a worshipper.

______

Zanessa tries to figure out what Grumdil is hinting at. Is he trying to say he knows the item that we are supposed to be bidding on, or that he is going to take it, or ...? She studies him, trying to figure out whether he seems like a good guy or a bad guy.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Just looked her up; I had never heard of her. I agree... similar vibe, but fire seems more chaotic than neutral to me, and Thorn was made for more of an overall good idea than neutral. Like rebreaking a bone to set it rather than letting it heal wrong, if that makes sense. still painful, but all towards improvement and wholeness rather than just arbitrary destruction.

Don't forget that if you see something you want to change - or don't see something that you'd like in the game - you can make it happen. This is the first campaign using this setting, so there's a lot of wiggle room with the lore.

Grant, I'm not a cleric in this game so it won't do any mechanical good, but I've always thought there should be a deity of ... well, bad things that turn into good things. Does that make any sense? I was thinking a god of forest fires, which cleanse and renew the forest and promote new growth... and the same things in people lives, like obstacles that you have to go through that make you stronger.

She looks around, embarrassed, wondering if she sounds too idealistic.

Anyway, I actually worked on coming up with something for a different game... maybe it would work for your realm, since you only have four deities? If not, no problem. Just an idea.

She pulls out a folded piece of scratch paper and hands it to Grant. If he takes a look he can see that she's written over lots of things and made notes and scratched out some things, but this is what he can make out:

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Zanessa is intrigued, and says Yes, I mean, I doubt I could ever be close to as good as you clearly are, but trading seems like an excellent skill to have, doesn't it? Do you have any tips? Maybe I could use them in the upcoming auction.

Zanessa responds to Grumdil.

You made this? It's brilliant.

She puts the turtle down carefully.

Did you make all this stuff, or do you just trade for whatever can fetch a price?

I'm okay with moving on... definitely not trying to bog down the game. Was just trying to scout around for clues, but if there are none to be had, by all means, move us along. Is the auction where we join up as a party?

Eat the food on sticks first. It's THAT good. ;)

Is it illegal to be an arcane caster, or just cast, or is it technically legal but only in service to the Regency, or what? Is it also illegal to trade in magic items? I'm not sure where the lines are with that.

Zanessa picks out a random trinket (a shiny, silver turtle?) and asks Grumdil about it.

______

Whitney tells Grant that she is trying to get a sense of who this guy is, and is planning on asking about several things, so that it seems casual, working her way up to a rug, then to something else, etc. so if he wants to skip ahead to the highlights he can.

Things like, does he let anything slip about being pro or con on the Regency, or does he know anything about his merchandise? Is it fairly priced? (Should I roll for that?)

Also, what exactly is illegal with regard to magic? Magic items are okay to trade, but just not magic practice? I'm not sure whether Zanessa should ask about magical items or not.

Grumdil! Finally I find you among all of these other lesser merchants. Can you show me what you are offering at the auction?

I'm not good at optimization, but...

Only Erthriel has a higher attack than you, and that is because she is a ranger.. they get full BAB.

Most meatshields (if that is what you aspire to be) would have a high strength, which gives a bonus to melee weapons and to melee damage. You put your big numbers in Wisdom instead, which means that you will have spell bonuses instead. Not a bad choice at all, but not a meatshield choice. :)

You have good armor (or at least your AC is second highest after Aeshelia), you can fight melee, and you have more hit points than Aeshelia and I do, so you are the best frontliner we have if Erthriel is ranged, and still good to hide behind, even if she isn't. I think you are doing fine.

I just thought the plot hook line was meant to be funny, because you are throwing us a lot of them. No worries. Interesting to try to fit the pieces together.

Zanessa notes the names of the weavers and guilds, and starts visiting any of their stalls or shops set up here in the market area.

The swan? thinks Zanessa, wondering what form that will take.

After eating, Zanessa suggests

We should probably look around, especially at stalls selling Dwarven rugs I would think.

When they see that the list of items for sale at the auction is up, Zanessa goes over to get a better look, wondering if it would have the seller listed along with the items so they knew where to look, and exactly how many dwarven rugs there would be.

Whitney smiles at the mention of Saturday and says Perfect; I'll be here.

As she listens to the description of what is happening with the other characters, she wonders if the Olivia character that Aeshelia is interacting with is the "Ollie" that her character needs to find later. Might be a good clue.

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As Bertram bows before leaving, she catches his arm and says in a low voice Wait, before you go... what is the agreed-upon signal?

After Bertram leaves, Zanessa enjoys time with her family and relishes the inexpensive and delicious food, even buying an extra portion from Tupanuck to split with Kaden despite needing to save for a bow.

She laughs at Tupanuk's request and says loudly for his benefit, and clearly audible to all passers-by, Wow, this food from Tupanuk's Fried Food on Sticks is delicious. Maybe even the best I've ever had! And so inexpensive!

Kaden tries not to choke as he laughs.

Yeah, that could work says Whitney. I'll have to look at the archetypes available.

Looking at her companions, Zanessa says Well, if we have some time, let's get some of that fried bread and sit down and talk further. I am famished.

... and I do want to look at the bows she says. I know I can't afford a really sweet one, but I still like to drool over them all the same.

______

Whitney nods at Grant's offer. Okay. Let me know when you have some free time this next week and we can get together and talk about it.

We didn't really establish anything about Grant and Whitney earlier. I was assuming she had been to his house before and knew she was welcome when I had her walk in without knocking, but I don't know if they have been on a date yet or what... so this is kind of a straight offer, but the idea of spending time together is also an end in itself.

Whitney responds to Dan with I've never played two at once, but I do play in several games, so I'm used to switching off. Could be cool for teamwork feats as well maybe.

She looks around at everyone.

If you guys are against it, totally don't have to do it, but I have this kind of blank-slate half-orc brother standing around with me, so I thought, hey, make him into something. If you guys have suggestions about what we need in the party, we could customize him a little. He has to know the bow because he and Zanessa learned it from his dad, and he is definitely a half-orc, but everything else is flexible.

...Or, I guess if Grant knows someone, or you guys do, we could invite in an actual person to play him. I didn't really think of that, but that would also work.

Whitney smiles at Olivia's question, and is pleased that Aeshelia and Augrer both seem to be solidly anti-Regency. That would make their party a little bit less contentious. She wonders how Grant is going to pull them all together. So far, this seemed fun and like it was going to work.

After saying the bit about Kaden she asks Hey Grant, can I play two characters? Kaden could be a good meat shield maybe. He's the strong, silent type. I've never really played a fighter type, but I bet I could come up with something good.

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Zanessa asks Torek What do you think they will try?

We're with you, whatever it is.

She doesn't have to glance at Kaden to know that he would agree to that.

Zanessa addresses Torek:

Quite a catch. That isn't a very good plan, and no way to make it easier unless we buy all the dwarven rugs. Which I'm guessing we don't have the coin to do. Do you know anything about the messenger? Why would they risk telling you which it is in public rather than just contacting you privately?

Whitney looks up at Grant. I have a plus 8 on both knowledge skills, so either one. I'll just roll it. She plucks a black/green die from her group of d20s and lets go... and then smiles. That should do it, right?

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Knowledge: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Well, the Regency hate me for something I can't even control, so it isn't like I'm going to take their side. You think it is here, in the market, or somewhere else?

Whitney rolls her eyes at the way Dan is playing a woman, but says nothing.

Along those lines, she wonders whether Zanessa would obey Torek because she respects him, or whether she would stay because she wants to find out about the book. Hard call, but she feels like she definitely wants to make it clear that Zanessa is an adult with a brain.

_____

Zanessa glances at Kaden to see if he wants to leave.

Torek, we're not children. Just tell us what is going on. What kind of book would people say doesn't exist? Besides, we came here to meet you.

She lowers her voice so that no one but the four of them can hear.

It's about magic, isn't it? I can go find someplace unobserved and cast detect magic if you are looking for something like that, or need things like that for your auction.

Personally, I like maps in battle, just so you know what is happening. Google slides make them easy and all in once place... but of course, Whitney would never demand it.

Whitney starts digging in her dice bag for some cool dice for Olivia when she says that she forgot, but when she sees that Grant has it under control, she stops.

She just buys the bulk bags from Chessex, so she has some remarkable individual dice, but nothing like Grant's sets.

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Zanessa is eager to be helpful to Torek's friend.

Oh, do you need someone to buy a book for you? No problem. Do I get a tip? Just kidding. I'll do it. Just need the money and the name of the book.

Hi Torek. No spoils, I'm afraid. I'm still trying to save up for a hornbow like yours. There are some cool things around here though. Did you see the bookseller? So many new things to read...

Who is your friend?

[Whitney has to quickly make up a name for someone from her backstory because she realizes that she wants to include him in the intro scene:]

Zanessa and Kaden are supposed to meet Torek, Kaden's father, in the market square, so they get there early and start browsing the wares from the caravan. They walk together, half-elf and half-orc, oblivious to the stares of strangers. They grew up here, and they belong.

They don't see Torek yet, but he is very reliable, so they know he will show up soon.

That would be cool. And yep, at level 4 you should be able to get healing spells.

Okay. Ready.

I teach over at the college. English and General Education classes. Mostly Freshman writing classes, but I also do a Sci-Fi class and a Poetry class, and team teach some honors stuff.

Well, I have inspire courage, so I can sing during battle to give everyone a slight bonus, and I'll be good at ranged attacks, especially if I ever have enough money to have my adopted stepfather give me an Orcish Hornbow. I have the proficiency, just not the money.

Not a healer either, but Bards do get access to healing spells, so I will be able to help a little in emergencies perhaps.

Okay! says Whitney, downing the last of her taco, wiping her hands, and pulling out her favorite dice.

What next?

True. ... And I mean, we all have our quirks. We just need to make sure everyone feels comfortable playing together.

What do you do for a living, Jay?

Grant, Dan, can I chip in for the food you guys brought, or shall we rotate who brings stuff each week, or do you want me to order pizza later, or how are we doing this?

I've been in games like that too, Olivia. Some groups are idiots, but it definitely won't be like that here. There are two of us, and these guys are more respectful than that.

She says this confidently, not having any idea whether it actually *would* be that way, especially with some guy playing a cleric of the goddess of passion. ... But saying it was part of the process. If they knew that it was unacceptable, hopefully they wouldn't get graphic. She also thought that Grant was a good guy, and would stop it if things started getting uncomfortable.

Nice to meet you, Olivia. What happened the first time?

Never heard of it. Will have to check it out.

What's Hackmaster? asks Whitney.

Hmm. Okay. Well, I am playing Zanessa, an Arrowsong Minstrel bard. I was going to go Sorcerer, but I thought someone else was, but it looks like they aren't, so... I don't know, maybe Vanessa will become more dedicated to magic later down the line.

For now though, she gets along singing at events and sometimes even in taverns, though always upscale ones. Zanessa is a half-elf with a half-orc older brother. She was raised by her grandparents and her mother. She doesn't know who her father is. She is close to her older brother's father who taught her to shoot and do other cool things along with her brother.

She is a magic user, like her mother and grandmother, and has a dream of belonging to a magic guild someday where people can learn magic without having to hide, but she doesn't know if it will ever happen.

... Oh, and my name is Whitney. I met Grant playing society games. I much prefer longer term games, but I don't have a lot of chances to get into one. I teach over at the college...

She glances over at Grant. Anything else I should add?

Grant seems busy, so Whitney answers the door.

Hi, I'm Whitney. You must be our other player. Come in. What character are you playing? So far we have a Paladin, played by Jay, and a Cleric played by Dan. Mine is a bard because Grant told me someone was already thinking Sorcerer, and another one was already thinking Ranger. Are you one of those?

She returns to the table and her food while saying that last part.

Nope, not yet. What character are you playing? Jay here is playing a Paladin.

Whitney grabs a Peach Fresca, amazed that Wes has some, a Dasani, a nectarine, some crunchy Cheetos, a couple of pigs-in-a-blanket, and also some soft tacos, if Dan is sharing his Taco Bell.

You don't have to go with the name generator. You could alter it a little. How about Algren, or Graven or something? Similar, but cooler? ... I actually don't like my character name that much either. "Zanessa" is just Vanessa with a Z, which makes it better, but not my favorite. Just couldn't think of anything better.

... You aren't one playing one of those Paladins that is against looting the dead, are you? I am totally going to loot everything, so you should know up front if we're going to clash over that.

Whitney sits at the table as well, with her back to the wall so she can watch the room rather than have people walking behind her.

Not sure how she is going to get along with Jay yet, Whitney sticks to safe topics.

Yep. I'm Whitney. What character are you playing?

She gets her dice bag and notebook out with her character sheet, and sets up her tablet so she can look up spells on the fly.