After the party's party, Vladlena went to think. She had to think of her future. Yes, they had defeated the Whispering Way, but like fleas, There is always another one. There were the vampires, but rooting them out would likely be like peeling onions, slow and with tears. She looked to the Southwest. The true evil was still there, buried in sleep, stirring from time to time.
Lastwall watched from their side...but they were too straight-laced for her. Paladins and such were very judgemental and likely didn't like Dwarven whiskey. So not there. But Ustalov had no watch at all on Virlych that she had seen.
She mused. There were old abandoned forts on the border there. Probably some beasties, but she could clear them out. A base to keep watch.
Yes. She had a fair bit of money now. She could find a few likely souls to help. She looked back at the Inn. And smiled.
A year or two later
Vladlena Fireheart looked out from her battlement. It wasn't much of a battlement, but still. To the Southwest lay darkness and the setting sun sunk below the mountains of Virlych.
It had been a busy few years, and Vladlena (as many here now called her. She missed being called just Lena or even firey Lena.) had rebuilt the old fort. With help. Half the people here were dwarves, and no one built like a dwarf. The rest were halflings, a few gnomes and humans. No elves for some reason. The walls were solid, and the interior warm and inviting. After all, she was a halfling, and that was important.
In the distance, she saw a patrol from Lastwall approaching. She had made an agreement with them, after helping them against an undead Orc, and they agreed to help finance the fort provided their patrols could rest there before heading back to Lastwall.
The Whispering Way resurfaced again, and she had made a career out of squashing their plots when she could. It was interesting how many donated to this place. Getting the official title from the king was nice, even if he was an Aristo. Another payment for a job well done. The Knighthood of the Dark Watch sounded okay.
She saw the others from time to time, less frequently lately. It was a busy life.
As she looked at Virlych in the growing darkness, she knew that one day, the evil there would spill out. And Hopefully, she would be ready.
But the Watch was not over. She looked at the skies, seeing the first stars, and made a short prayer to Desna. As she did a figure moved beside her. In the distance, over Virlych, lightning flashed and there was a distant rumble.
There be a wee chill, lass, an' a storm be brewin'. Aye, she replied. Tha' certainly is
She turned and entered into the warmth of Fort Fireheart.
All stories end, and I think this one is there. But there will be other stories told, games played.
Can I just say, playing from beginning to end has been a blast. Thanks to you all for this, players and GMs present and past.
Motteditor, the last fight was good. It was very satisfying to take him down, though I never got to cast the "mad monkeys" spell, which I was hoping for; for the lols
We have had 3 GMs (all very competent), and players passing through. It has been a great game, and I would play again with any of you. Call out to past characters Eldon the delusional bard and Arval the fearful fighter (ranger, I can't remember). But all the characters have been great.
Can I suggest that each of us write a short denouement for each character?
Redemption? Here? Except maybe for that demon place to the north, this is the worse place in the world. This is where the Whispering Tyrant is buried, in his tower. And he sleeps lightly.
You should study your history Bronin. Remember the vampires? Even those bloodsuckers are scared of the whispering tyrant. It needed a god to put him in the ground, and it isn't permanent.
She looks to the east.
You know all this started at a funeral. Not that far from here, really.
She shrugs.
We stop the whispering way. Worry about glorious light after that. Sometimes what is marred cannot be righted
Lena, under the cover of her vanish spell closes. She notes the spell the dragon cast and starts to strategies.
Hmm, a globe of invulnerability. Lesser I think. That cancels out the lower class spells. Guess Wren will have to cast more than magic missile for once. Does she even have any big attack spells? Focus, Fireheart! disintegrate works OK, and I have a few of those left. Probably best to emulate the crazy bird elf in this one. But maybe a support spell? Yes
Lena moves 40 feet closer and casts greater heroism on herself
Greater heroism: This spell functions like heroism, except the creature gains a +4 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, skill checks, immunity to fear effects, and temporary hit points equal to your caster level (maximum 20).
so +15hp, and sundry bonuses
After casting she thinks you know, I should have cast this on Whiskeyjack, Bronin and Adder. Oh well, shoulda, coulda, woulda
Female Orc// HP 19 //AC 14// Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 5// perception +3 Witch 1// hero points 1// condtion
Agatha spits on the ground, but apart from that keeps her peace.
it wasn't worth their time to continue this, but intervening would likely prolong the issue. Best to lance the boil.
Her expression stayed blank.
Still, she wished the loudmouth, self-righteous monk would shut up.
Hush wren, that is not what I meant. We are not going to kill, maim, imprison, enspell or anything else you Galdana. Just stay here, and we will deal with the undead problem.
Lena waves the crazed elf away
We should settle our affairs here and leave swiftly. An army would only get in the way. Yes, we should let the authorities know (if they believe us) before we go. But really what are they going to do?
Lena flies up a little on her broom
I have been on this quest since the beginning. I have fought spirit, golem, werewolf, eldritch horror, vampire and other sundry undead. And I have seen friends leave and arrive. Put up with egotistical bard and utterly insane, bird obsessed elf. I even put up with Aristocrats! True I fried a lot of them, no loss as they are a waste of space and deserved it, sorry off on a tangent there. Every since professor Lorimar's funeral we have sought to bring those who killed him to justice. We are in the last stretch. Let's finish this cult.
She settles a bit.
But before we do that, let's sell out loot and stock up. This next fight is going to be big.
Female Orc// HP 19 //AC 14// Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 5// perception +3 Witch 1// hero points 1// condtion
Agatha enters and looks about her. This is where they sent her. The chief was not happy about the way she had dealt with the giant woman. Breaking her kneecap seemed like a good solution at the time, but the fall into the jewellery store wasn't part of the optimal results. And then her master (a rather important and annoying wizard complained about the harm to her apprentice (the giant woman) saying that the spell would have worn off in a minute or two. Maybe three. Ten at the outside.
The Chief told her that they had to transfer her for now. Which sounded temporary but likely wasn't.
Sighing she weighed up her new companions. Too Noisy by far.
Couple of ideas
20gp, a warm meal and a place to sleep. A magnificent seven remake in pathfinder (not required to be seven PCs of course). A village is under threat by a menace (eg orcs, bandits, undead invasion), and a collection of adventurers, bounty hunters and such help them. For reasons of their own.
Reasons could be
A successful bounty hunter who is now hunted everywhere. "a meal and a place to sleep is real attractive right now"
A cleric (or a fallen paladin) seeking a renewal of faith
"If I help them, maybe I can find my way back"
An old adventurer wanting an honourable fight
"This is my stand. I can do no other"
An idealistic youngster
"How can I not help?"
A drunken warrior
"those Bas#$%^% spilled my drink!"
And so on. The village is poor, the need is great, the cause is worthy and the prospects are bad.
Bronin...Rovagug is a god. We would be dead if he...she...it was here. Lena explained gently.
Also Rovagug is more the rip you to shreds type of god, not become the living dead. And he...she...it is imprisoned in the centre of the earth. By other gods. That thing is a construct made by a wizard. Why a fly? Wizards are weird, always smoking something.
Lena Looks at Wren
You saved my life? Thanks, I guess
Dismissing that from her mind, Lena thinks.
That rather courageous of you Wren. I mean all alone, covering the rear. I mean, you could be attacked with no meat shie...I mean strong warriors to assist you. You could even be forced to...melee
Looking back to the rest of the party, she says let's end this thing
Harsh Bro :) Yes, he is a silly aristo but...Sorry lost my point there.
As the recipient of the attack I of course may be biased. If we had a raise dead capability it wouldn't be so bad, I don't know if whiskeyjack can do that. I'm sort of against it if that capability is not around.
The double whammy effect would have finished Vladlena, as the attack was double her hits. Still, she can disintegrate which is much the same. I guess play the rules as they are. Though after 5 (nearly six) modules it sort of would be an anti-climactic end. (also the first character death, I think).
It should not be an issue in the final boss battle (which I assume is coming). let the possibility of certain death be around. Allow for dramatic death scenes
Well I thought getting to the action was important. oopsie. Remember that firebrand spell I cast should still be active. Fire support (ahem) will be there shortly
So who is Cheliax now fighting? With Taldor being neutral (sort of) is it just Varissia?
This is just to sort the nations in my mind
Andoran is like France
Taldor, Spain or maybe central Europe?
Varissia is Russia (vast distances, lots of resistance)
Osirian is Eygpt (big surprise)
Rahadoum is Italy, with Thurvia Yugoslavia and/greece
Qadira...I'm thinking Turkey, but maybe America? It is really big.
Ustalov and the other northern nations are eastern Europe
These are only guesses, and obviously politically would be different to the real world (I don't think Varrisians are communists for example...although, maybe.)
By the way, Where eagles dare is a great movie, with so many twists at one point its like a cockscrew.
I used to watch a lot of these. Also, I like force ten from Navarone, Tora, Tora, Tora, a bridge too far, the battle of Britain, The longest day, The eagle has landed. forty thousand horsemen and so on.
What? A force wall. fine, a little support magic then. I have been wanting to try this
Lena moves up and casts firebrand on Whiskeyjack, Bronin, Adder and (sigh) the chicken
Firebrand description:
You mark several allies with a flaming rune. This rune does not cause damage and sheds light as if it were a torch. While the firebrand burns, any creature it marks is immune to damage from any fire spell you cast. All of the target’s weapons (both natural and manufactured) inflict +1d6 points of fire damage on a hit (this bonus fire damage stacks with any amount of fire damage a creature’s weapons might already inflict). At any point during the spell’s duration, a creature bearing a firebrand can launch a beam of fire at any target within 30 feet as a swift action. This ray requires a ranged touch attack to hit and deals 6d6 points of fire damage. Once a creature uses its firebrand to fire a ray in this manner, the effects of the spell end for that creature.
read this guys
What happens. You all get a firey rune pop up on your forehead. It shines as bright as a torch.
Don't panic. It is not going to hurt you. It will make your weapons catch alight, and my fire spells will not hurt you now. Expect many fire spells. You know me. Bronin did you know there is a hole in the back of your pants? Focus, focus. Get ready for them to teleport to attack.
Why do you want to be considered?
I love Indiana Jones movies and also many of the WW2 movies (where eagles dare is a favourite), and the idea of a dieselpunk game attracts. Very interested.
Which role do you want to submit for?
The equipment manager sounds fun. Or maybe the sidekick.
What would your basic crunch approach be (class, feats/weapons, etc)? You won’t be locked into this - but just to get an idea of what you are thinking. Just want to know how you are going to make this yours.
This would depend on the ruleset. PF1 A rogue (underworld chemist) would be my first choice, In PF2 an inventor, or rogue, or straight alchemist. If playing the sidekick, a ninja (more naruto than a deadly assassin)
2e or 1e? Is your choice a preference or a deal-breaker?
Either is OK. A slight preference for PF2
AP or small adventures? Or other ideas?
Epic path, all the way.
Describe your character - what do you look like, what’s your personality? How would someone else describe your character?
Similar to the character of Ralph from the movie Romancing the Stone 2, or Supply Sgt crapgame from kelly's heroes. Starts off in it for the money, but soon becomes invested in helping the others (although is still in it for the money). Sees himself as a businessman. Others see him as a greedy but useful chiseller.
As for the sidekick, A younger sort seeking adventure and is looking for her lost father. A bit too enthusiastic for her own good. Actually quite competent but a bit naive and scatterbrained. In PF2 she could be a rogue instead.
Others would see her as a bit annoying, but surprisingly useful from time to time. Likes practical jokes.
It has been a great ride, Spiderbeard. I'm going to miss the game, but there is always another game. This was one to remember. Thanks for putting up with us. As to the players, I would game with you again anytime.
Cheers
HP 13/13 AC 13 TAC 12 FAC 11 CMB -1 CMD 13 fort +0 ref +1 will +5 Initiative +1 Perception +6 spellcraft +9t Current spells - none
Alsah Listens. Not a bad speech, not that she needed the motivation. Thinking about the task, she wondered where this innovation and technology was going to lead. Alsah understood the motivations of the primalists, indeed she shared them. She touched her own braids and the druidic symbol on her Tatoo. They were afraid the old ways would fade, leading to conflict with the fey. But maybe there was a third way, allowing both ways a chance to co-exist.
Well, that wasn't an issue today. And the primalists were only one threat. She was also concerned about her dreams the night before. Interpreting them was hard, and no meaning had come out yet. Best to stay alert.
Alsah absently patted her familiar Selene when she nudged her arm as she focused on the briefing.
know local:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Adam seemed to know what he was talking about, so she stayed quiet.
HP 13/13 AC 13 TAC 12 FAC 11 CMB -1 CMD 13 fort +0 ref +1 will +5 Initiative +1 Perception +6 spellcraft +9t Current spells - none
A nice combination of classes. Alsah is certainly not a combat character but can give good support with a good debuff (evil eye hex) and her current ace card, a sleep spell.
Of course, as she levels, she gets better. But that the case for everyone
