Akira bows her head slightly at Matsuki’s public praise trying, but failing, to hold in the grin of contentment.
“Downtown’s worse?” she echoes, glancing at the others. “Brilliant. I was just thinking we hadn’t been terrified enough this last few days!"
She watches Usagi drink the potion, nodding once as colour returns to her cheeks. At the news of the governor’s mansion, Akira’s brow furrows.
“Vanished?” She exchanges a glance with her companions. “That’s no ordinary magic. If Governor Heh is gone, you will need more than facts—you will need a whole plan to hold this town together Old Matsuki. Im sure you have one in place already, but if you ever need help, then we can offer advice! We saw a lot of what was happening these last few days.”
She steps forward to inspect the satchels, fingers brushing the talismans with practiced familiarity and pockets some for herself before handing them to her friends.
“What's the name of that Silvermist ranger? If she saw something, we may need to ask her more before we rush straight to the mansion?.” She says, learning from their experience at the mushroom house, where no plan had almost led to disaster.
She nods at Usagi's suggestion, "Maybe we should talk to this ranger on our way?"
As they walk out towards their next quest, barely having any time to catch their breath, Akira, with very little filter, blurts out the first thing that comes to her mind. "Dibs on haunting the Leshy Tea house if it comes to it."
Flori splutters in her tankard when Spivey points out the byplay and a combination of small things from the last few weeks of travel start forming an... unexpected picture. Thankfully she retains enough social grace to not say anything yet.
Then Cailyn starts fishing for information about Shalelu and Flori finds it harder and harder to restrain herself. This is getting really romantic. If Vigny really does like Sandru. I mean really? Sandru? I should help with that!
Sandru feels an odd shiver run down his spine - as though someone just walked over his grave or his adoptive sister just took an interest in his love life.
"A meeting tomorrow sounds good." She says aloud. "We still need to find where poor Ukshakka has gone as well."
"Hey Ugly!" Akira yells, trying to distract the creature from Usagi who looks distinctly worse for wear. "Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries!"
Flori winced slightly as she adjusted her position, the burn on her shoulder reminding her that yes, the ninja had been real, and yes, she had nearly been flambéed. She reached for the damp cloth on the side table and dabbed at the wound, eyes flicking toward Cailyn, who was now halfway tangled in the sheets amid her enthusiasm.
"Trust you, Cay, to be thrilled we almost got taken out by an actual ninja today." Flori says, when she can finally get a word in.
“Do you think they were actual ninjas though?” Flori asked, voice dry, a smirk appearing a the corner of her mouth. “Or just very angry acrobats with a flair for dramatic entrances? They definitely had the timing right!”
Flori let the smirk linger a moment longer before her gaze drifted to the clay token resting on the table between their beds. It looked innocuous enough, but the presence of it was just a reminder of how much more they had to do. “We still haven’t found Ulf,” she said, quieter now. “But maybe Shelyn’s temple has answers, or at least someone who knows more than we do. Which I suppose ain't hard at this point.”
Not sure if anyone else is with Cailyn and Flori right now, so kept it open!
Flori pockets the ioun stone and shrugs as Vigny takes the helmet with a gleam in her eyes.
Appraise:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
She manages to pick up a pile of coins and a couple small gems, sweeping a little more than she could realistically carry as Orchid had scattered some at her feet.
210gp + 40gp for orchid! Is the ioun stone a particular quality eg flawed?
Flori, follows the others in frustration and begins chanting her spell, looking up to the sky and calling upon the elements.
Flori's summoning circle shifts ever so slightly, as it always does - she really can never quite get the hang of the accuracy needed for summoning.
Instead of a sleek predator that she planned to help distract the undead from her sister, she summons a massive, snow-dusted wolf pup with paws far too big for its body. As it growls, its breath puffs out in icy clouds. It’s an adult size wolf-pup yes - unexpected but even with its clearly powerful muscles its also absurdly cuddly.
Its teeth tries to rip into the flesh, helping out its other brand-new pack member on the other side.
Flori then rushes up to Cailyn and pointedly gives her some un-expert advice on marksmanship..
Aid another, cailyn:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Unfortunately her advice is next to useless.
A guffaw of disbelief bursts out from Flori, and tension eases in her shoulders ever so slightly.
"What?! I was just going to suggest we speak to them Cailyn! At least having checked out here we know what to expect." She shakes her head and pats her friend on the shoulder with an amused grin.
"Burn the place down. Seriously - what next? Set a mob of angry bears on them?"
She starts towards the door back to the courtyard.
"Look, lets prepare in case anything happens, but at least we should knock."
Mage armour on as many people who want it. Just in case of course.
Flori's summoning spell snaps together and Princess Glittersparklehoof III arrives to the sweet sounds of friendship! Princess Glittersparklehoof III is much taller than her previously summoned friends and she lets out a ringing clarion call of delight and joy as she charges up the room to hug the bird woman!
Charge, Augmented, Smite:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 51d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7 AC 9 due to charging, 19 HP, SR 6
Mid-way through her incantation Flori sees Cailyn fire viciously into the corby's face and Vigny nearly sever a limb with a mighty sword blow so she spins on her heel and finishes her incantation.
With a flash of light and the sound of heavenly choirs a mighty dawn-emblazoned champion of the heavens appears to smite the foe!
Flori doesn’t answer immediately. Her hands tremble as she clenches the hem of her cloak, her eyes lost in the dark of the night. After what seems like an eternity, she finally speaks, her voice barely above a whisper, “Regret is not the right word.” She turns to Cailyn, her expression hard to read in the shadows cast by the firelight.
“I've always wanted to get out of little old Sandpoint and see what Golarion has to offer. I even wrote a list of everything I wanted to see and… well, I've been dreaming about them for so long.” Flori hesitates, searching Cailyn’s face for a reaction. A blush creeps up her cheeks as she continues, “I've been saving my money when I can but never honestly thought it would happen.”
As she begins to share her thoughts, her shoulders relax slightly. “I was swept up in the excitement, thinking this was a great opportunity—the fact I got to visit somewhere else with my family, and on a mysterious adventure at that. Something where I'd be able to make my own stories.” Her voice quivers with a mix of sorrow and determination.
Flori looks up at the stars, tears glistening in her eyes. “But now, after nearly losing my sister to that ogre, I’m not sure if this is worth the risk. I don’t know if I can bear the thought staning by and losing her and not being able to do anything to help. It’s like my dreams were just that, and the reality is much more dangerous.” She takes a deep breath, wiping away a tear. “Sandpoint was safe, and ...home. I just don’t know what to do anymore.”
Flori arrives at the caravan early, backpack slung over her shoulder with her very worn travelling clothes. She is carefully carrying a cardboard box of something that appears to be very important to her with the extra care she is taking. She disappears directly inside Koya's caravan for a short while and reappears a little while later with no box to be found.
She starts the journey chatting away with Koya, asking many a question about her life as she is always keen to do; as soon as she hears the singing, she deftly hops out of the caravan and walks along side, singing along with small parts when she occasionally remembers the tune.
Making herself at home before the journey.:
Fortunately, Koya was outside doing whatever Koya was doing to prepare for the journey which meant she had some space to herself to sort out what mattered. She places the box on the very small table Koya often sits at, and lifts the lid off carefully, she takes out the small maroon table cloth she had brought along and places it over a small crate in the corner before peering back inside the box with a content smile.
One by one, she takes out her prized possessions and finds places each one with honour atop the table cloth; a delicately painted shell, a rather intricately designed dagger, a piece of twine tied in an elaborate knot, a few different tiny figurines made out of wood, metal,... and is that bone? She tucks her journal behind the crate against the wall so hopefully nobody finds it.
Her most recent acquisition takes pride of place; a wonderfully whittled goblin holding what appears to be a little firework, now with added paint.
Flori, not knowing what way to turn, trusts that Vigny can hold the narrow gap and instead calls upon her magical might and imagination to help those behind her. Whilst chanting her incantation, a wonderful cloud of pastel pinks and sunshine yellows forms itself into a sturdy looking cheerful pony.
Maybe her friends will not only gain much needed physical support from this companion but it will also lift their morale. Friendship is magic after all.
Flori is very thankful that she managed to move her casting beyond the need for material components - sticking her finger in a pat of warm butter was one of the most unpleasant things Koya ever made her do in the name of spellcasting and that includes the spells that required freshly harvested bat guano!
The important thing though is that the magic works just fine and Flori imagines the slick, squishy feeling of the butter as her mind and magic coat the cave floor in a very similar substance! The moment her spell works she retreats down the passage, sucking her stomach in to let Vigny pass as she goes.
DC16 reflex saves. Placing it just beyond Cailyn so all the skeletons should have to make at least one check to get to us.
Knowing that magic will not affect it, Flori picks up another rock and chucks it at the mindless entity with what effort she can muster. Which isn't much.
Trying to help distract the Goblins even further, Flori adds some more bodies to the mix.
Summon Monster 1; Dire Rat
She starts chanting and below Shunsen's feet appears a brawny, unnaturally green rat. Flori's magic often doesn't go quite to plan and this is just another one of those occasions. If only she could have a bit more pizazz.
Flori's eyes do not move from the body as she speaks. "Surrendering is one of those acts where you have to trust that the people that you are surrendering to will do the right thing. We all have to trust that one day, if we are ever in the same position then we would be treated with the same kindness." She gulps, as bile rises in her stomach and looks up to face Cailyn.
"I've not really done much of this either but I've spoken to many a mercenary or traveller through Sandpoint about their own experiences. I've always got the impression there should be a moral code that we stick to. Money is one thing, but someone's life and trust is another."
Her gaze turns to Orchid as she sees her sister in a new light.
Cailyn is certainly not helping, Flori furrows her brows and tries to help Orchid in any way she can.
acid splash:1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 2 - 4 = 41d3 ⇒ 1
She is so distracted that she misses and the wall behind the goblin's head is now dripping in some nasty looking substance.
Flori's face flushed crimson after her slip up, mutters her thanks to everyone helping with the clean up and repeatedly apologises to Cailyn.
After apologising to Ameiko and replenishing the drinks she had spilled all over the floor, she returns behind the bar. She places a large bowl of piping hot stew in front of Orchid and hangs up her half-apron behind the counter.
"Thanks again for agreeing to give me an extra break for this meeting tonight Ameiko, I know its a busy night. I'll make it up to you, I promise!" She offers, her forgiving boss.
This job that the Sheriff is offering is not something that Flori was keen on, but the promise of a high reward is too much to pass up. It might mean she could pick up a few less shifts at one of her jobs for a few weeks and have a little peace to herself which she hadn't had in a long time.
Grabbing the crusty roll from the side of Orchid's bowl, with only a grin in return for her sister, she heads towards the meeting room.
The approachable and mostly well-liked barmaid is on shift at the Rusty Dragon again this evening. She is weaving habitually amongst the tables with hands full of drinks and meals for the patrons but she is clearly distracted as her eyes keep scanning the room looking for someone.
"She is going to miss dinner again if she doesn't hurry up soon." she mutters, as she glances over her shoulder, whilst carrying a tray of ale to the bigger table that just walked in.
Unfortunately, Flori is also not known for being the most agile, and her head snaps back around to watch where she is going just a little too late.
CRASH
She collides with the regular, sat at the bar talking to her boss and the tray of drinks clatter to the floor making an almighty mess.
"Oh Cailyn, I'm so sorry!" Flori exclaims, as she scans the disaster zone she just created. "Here, let me help you" She says, as she starts trying to dry off the half-elf.
Here is Cotton, one of the four characters already in the game.
She is a Poppet Bard. Her build at Level 1 can be found on this alias. She will be built as a support character, so do not expect any damage out of this little poppet!
Please excuse the avatar picture for her, unfortunately there wasn't much choice! She looks nothing like this...
With free archetype, the long term plan is to take the familiar master archetype at L2 so her "familiar" provided in the story below can come to life! At L8/L10 she will go into something else, but not sure what yet. Likely something to improve her spellcasting such as psychic or sorcerer.
Backstory, prepare to have your heart broken:
Cotton was originally the familiar of Baba, who after her long life was suffering from a long-term illness. Determined to save her Baba, Cotton went searching for a cure. Through the gate, she saw a vessel of Sun Orchid Elixir and stepped through. Unfortunately she came out 3 months later with no sun orchid elxir and no memories of what had happened. She rushed home to check on Baba, but Baba had since passed.
---------
“Oh Cotton, your’re back! It’s so good to see you! We thought you were lost for good, that you’d been broken or something. Baba passed – two months ago. I know you were looking for a cure and right up until the end she was hopeful, and so very proud of you. She left you this, said I had to give it to you when I next saw you. She was always certain that I would see you again – it was fate she said. Why don’t you go to your room, we’ve kept it just as it was.”
In the large cupboard that had once held a proud tinkers pots and pans and had, for the past decade, been Cotton’s home the poppet broke the seal on Baba Elena’s letter, comforted by the familiar trinkets and smells of home.
"My dear Cotton,
I want to tell you that I am very proud of you. In all my long life you are one of my most magical creations and my final child, you are and always will be dear to me.
If you are reading this then your quest has failed and I have passed the veil into the next Great Adventure. Don’t be disheartened my dearest, the journeys of all our lives are woven in the tapestries of the Gods long before we are born. It is my time to move on and it is yours to grow, thrive and become someone new and extraordinary.
I read the cards for you my dear and although my sight is failing I can see that your road ahead is going to be a long one. You will meet new friends, face new foes and encounter those who might be both. The stars shine over a gate on a mountain and destinies hand hovers of you little one. For good or ill I don’t know but I trust you, in your good mind and your stout heart.
The only gift I have for you Cotton is a companion, a friend of your own. Look in my jewellery box. There you will find another one like you and a vial of my blood. Poor my blood onto the new one and speak the Secret Name. I have secured that final boon for you, because none of us should be alone.
I’ve rambled long enough and Alice is hovering like a mother hen so I shall finish simply by saying that I love you Cotton. It is often the smallest of us that have the greatest destinies. Go forth and meet yours with pride.
Your baba,
Elena.”
Poppets can’t cry, but the emotion welling up in Cotton’s tiny frame would have done credit to a giant as the small creature hugged the letter close and then began to fold it carefully away in the small carrying bag – a treasure among treasures.
Appearance and personality:
Cotton is a small little construct, stuffed to the brim, full of fabric, standing at a little under 2 ft tall. Cotton's body is mostly made from a rough, cream-coloured cloth, but parts of her body have been patched up over time with mismatched thread and fabric. Her most favourite patch is a small circle of blue-dotted silk that Baba had found to cover up a fray that just wouldn't go away after Alice's new Puppy had become much too interested in the Poppet.
Cotton's hair is a collection of different coloured woolen strands all woven together held up in a rough bun with two pins for safekeeping. Her eyes are made of two shiny navy buttons at the moment, however, she has been known to change these on a whim.
On Cotton's shoulder, you will find the symbol that all Gatewalkers had as soon as they exited the auidara. On Cotton, the symbol is sewn on with thread. Once, out of curiosity she tried to unpick it, but try as she might the thread would not budge.
Strangely, you will find Cotton regularly enjoying sweet treats, although it is unclear exactly where the food all goes as she never seems to gain or lose any height or weight!
You will never see Cotton without her little bag slung over her shoulder, which contains a surprising number of little trinkets. Her other "trinket" is the tiny little construct made of cotton, thread and stuffing that looks vaguely similar to herself. She converses with it regularly, calling it "thread" but nobody who has observed the duo has ever has seen it move or reply.
Cotton is an incredibly upbeat little construct with a can-do attitude. She likes to spout little truisms for those around her; even in the face of utmost adversity, she will always find a silver lining.
'You’re braver than you believe and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
Her favorite of all is one she tries to live her life by; Happiness is the only thing that multiplies when you share it.
Internally, Cotton was secretly very anxious when Dr Ritalson contacted her, however The Brave Little Poppet put on her sunshine exterior and set off to see how she could help, hoping that she could find a new purpose to her life, now that Baba had passed.
I cannot tell you how excited I am about this game. This is probably the most excited I've been for a Paizo AP yet!
I just cant wait until the street date after seeing all the feedback above. If the whole 1-10 game is as good as the quality of the Players Guide this will certainly be the best 1-10 so far this edition.
Bunnit manages to usher both his children and that guy with the thing that sometimes irritates but occasionally endears out of the hall. Luckily a close friend sees Bunnit with his children, "I'll take them out of here! You go help your wife!"
One of Valda's arrows strikes true, and pierces one of its webbed wings.
The flames whip up further reaching the ceiling and inch through the chamber, acrid smoke filling the room. The giggling flaming cretin turns its focus on Valda, flapping its wings haphazardly as it makes its way closer, and flames erupt from its mouth, engulfing the brave halfling.
◆◆Fire damage:2d4 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5, Persistant damage:1d4 ⇒ 3Valda must make a DC 17 Basic reflex save to avoid the fire and persistent damage. Rounds?:1d4 ⇒ 2
The calls for help intensify from the residents underneath the benches. The town councilors all rush from behind the desk, towards the mess of benches, calling out for people to remain calm.
Recall Knowledge Arcana/Nature DC 15:
Its a fire mephit, an elemental creature that delights in inflicting pain and flames. It can often patch itself up surrounded by fire and is weak to the cold.
GM only:
-5. Can reuse breath weapon on round 3
Round 1/2: Everyone may post/act, but I will resolve Bunnit and Valda's actions last as they will be acting in round 2.
Just wanted to say thanks - as I have just discovered this tool and its great! Even convinced my husband to download it and he loves it too!
My only issue is that if I make both an organized play and alias inactive, next time it loads up, all my aliases have become active again (only the organized play alias stays inactive)
Im trying to redownload the Age of Ashes players guide from my downloads and I get the following error when I click on it. I have previously downloaded it successfully before.
Folks, I've got a potential GM lined up (they're just waiting for Gatewalkers #1 to drop to make sure they like it), which means Ithuriel may get to be my first PF2 character who actually sees play! :D
We will keep our fingers and toes crossed for you!
The farmer continues running past you, just as a large angry boar rounds the corner at speed. Upon seeing you all it squeals loudly and charges right at Rashk, its closest nuisance!
The boar dashes at Rashk and plunges its tusks into his calves, with the momentum from its charge, they go very deep.
Rashk takes 10 piercing damage. Everybody apart from Rashk and Baldur is 1 stride away from the Boar. Baldur is a double stride away.
Everybody can act.
Rashk, please can you put your perception, AC and saves in your stat line as it saves me from opening your profile every time I need to see them.
Help with stat line if you want it:
In Gender on your character's profile:
Gender Ancestry Class Level | HP: X/X | AC: X |
In Race on your character profile:
F: +X R:+X W+X | Perc: +X (Write any initiative modifiers here eg Pilgrims token)| Hero Point: X/3 |
In classes/levels on your character profile:
Anything else you want or need to track (eg key skills, a basic attack modifier/damage, spell slots used today, focus points). I found out recently you can actually use spoilers here if you want to which I personally found useful for a heavy skill based character.
If any of you are interested and still want to play AoA, then I have a recruitment for AoA on pbp currently open (closes next Sunday). I see a few of you had applied already! :)
We will be using discord for OOC etc but not for gameplay. I do find that discord really helps keep a group together though!
Breachill’s local government has a long and proud history of hiring adventurers to tackle any challenges its residents face that fall outside the scope of the town guard’s duties. The merchant whose expected shipment of goods hasn’t yet arrived, the shepherd whose herd of goats mysteriously died in the night, the farmer whose entire season’s harvest was ruined or stolen—investigating and resolving any of these matters are considered good jobs for adventurers, and so Breachill’s town council uses its resources to hire heroes as needed. These monthly meetings, known as the Call for Heroes, are distinct from the council’s normal regular governance meetings, a tactic that separates such matters from regular municipal business and shows the townspeople that the council indeed allots sufficient time to the issues that are often most important to them personally.
Spending public money on hiring adventurers to help the townspeople serves several purposes, as far as Breachill’s leadership is concerned. First, it provides the townspeople with an official and fully funded way to seek help when they’ve exhausted all other options. Second, it allows the salaried town guard to focus on run-of-the-mill crimes and mundane threats to the townspeople’s safety. And third, it provides experience to local adventurers—and allows the council to vet out-of-town heroes—whose presence and talents the council considers boons to the populace, harking back to the hero Lamond Breachton, Breachill’s original patron who saved the town’s founders.
Owing to its proximity to Breachill Town Hall, the Wizard’s Grace tavern is the favored establishment of many adventurers who wish to seek work from the council in the town’s monthly Call for Heroes. Here, adventurers and municipal workers regularly mingle, exchanging stories and generally enjoying the atmosphere created by the diverse clientele. In the days leading up to each council meeting, the tavern is particularly busy, as adventurers schmooze with town officials and even the occasional council member who might show up for a drink and a meal. Before each meeting, the inn’s tavern has a long-standing tradition of holding toasts and serving meals of boar stew with lentils—a practice owner Trinil Uskwold highly encourages, as her grandfather, himself a prominent local adventurer, loved eating that meal before embarking on his own many daring journeys. Because of the politics of socializing here, the crowd tends to be both well-mannered and chatty, though occasionally a brash adventurer or two gets rowdy.
The time has come for the monthly Call. Will you be chosen as Breachill's newest heroes?
This is a 6 book AP taking players from Levels 1 - 20.
About me:
>I'm in the GMT timezone and aim to post 4-8 times per week, depending on the players posts and my own irl schedule.
>I have fully read all 6 AP books and done the heavy lifting of the prep-work, note taking and community resource research already in my trusty onenote. This means that running the game shouldn't be too taxing as a lot of the hard work has been done already!
> I've GM'd PF1e a lot over the last decade, some of which has been pbp.
>I've played in a fair amount of pbp games both Pf1 and pf2e, with the good fortune of being able to finish some modules and an AP!
>I still consider myself a new-ish pf2e GM, so may make some GM rules mistakes. I am currently running the Fall of Plaguestone module to get my feet wet. The aim is for that to be finished in the Spring.
>I enjoy roleplay rather than just rollplay
Gameplay:
>Milestone levelling
>I will be "cutting" the filler encounters. They will still happen, but I will just describe them for your PCs, rather than go through the combat. I will keep the interesting encounters such as moral dilemmas and anything necessary for the story. This will give us a much better chance of finishing the AP in a good time and giving players the chance to focus on the roleplay and the story that matters. For example, I have pre-planned to "cut" 13 encounters from book 1.
>No need to track bulk for equipment or tiny payments such as a tankard of ale, just be sensible.
>All gameplay will be on the Paizo forum on a gameplay thread.
>Out of character discussion will be on a discord text channel (basically the same as a forum). I will send an invite to the selected party.
>I do not provide maps for every combat, only ones where it will enhance the game.
>I will provide loot but its up to the players to track whatever they have between them and figure out how you split it.
>After a party has been selected, I will ask all characters to have at least one connection to another character to aid roleplay opportunities. This is not needed before the party is selected.
>There will be downtime which will include some building opportunities.
Build Information:
>Official Paizo-only sources will be considered.
>Level 1 start.
>Ability scores - Please do not use the optional rule to trade 2 extra flaws for a boost.
>Ancestry: All Core/Common/Uncommon ancestries are fine. Rare will require a really obvious motivation to be considered. Common ancestries will generally have an easier time fitting in, but Breachill is a fairly inclusive place. The same counts for versatile heritages. The players guide recommends one of the 6 core ancestries which is a good recommendation based on story opportunities but not mandatory.
>Classes: All classes are allowed.
>Free Archetype: From L2 we will use the free archetype rule as it adds some nice extra flexibility for the players.
>Backgrounds/reason to be here: Background must be from the Age of Ashes Player's Guide. Being a local helps, but not required. If you are not local, you must have a reason for being in town with no plans to leave Breachill any time soon (see application below).
>Alignment: The Players Guide states "There isn’t any restriction on PC alignments in the Age of Ashes Adventure Path, although the fight against an impending doom and the push against a mysterious organization of slavers works best for non-evil PCs. As long as your PCs can get along and aren’t the type who want to raze and ruin the towns they visit instead of help the locals out (whether this is out of a sense of altruism and kindness or in the pursuit of fame and fortune), your PCs should fit in fine."
>They are going to need to be a team-player as AoA, like all APs relies on this to a certain extent. There can be many reasons for needing to work as a team - selfish or selfless.
>Religion: See spoiler.
Spoiler:
Any religion will be suitable however in Breachill but is not a particularly prominent part of daily life in Breachill; its residents are more focused on community and communal survival. However, there are pockets of faithful here.The most prominent religions are that of Cayden Cailean, Desna, Shelyn (popular among the town’s artisans and tradespeople; in fact, the town’s artisans’ guild doubles as a temple to the Eternal Rose). Far less common but still worth mentioning is the Church of Asmodeus- there is no Asmodean temple in Breachill and worshippers of the Dark Prince aren’t always trusted around town, but they’re accepted. In general, Breachill residents are welcoming to worshippers of any good- and neutral-aligned god. In fact, given the number of adventurers who pass through, there is a general laissez-faire attitude toward faiths of almost all stripes. Many residents don’t even mind adventurers who openly worship evil gods, so long as those adventurers don’t do anything to disturb the public peace. The town guard is known to casually shadow such adventurers, however, just to make sure they don’t cause trouble in public areas
Application:
> Level 1 character built to rules above.
>A short backstory/personality description containing who your PC is and their motivations for the Call to Heroes.
>Please ensure you have read the player's guide to help shape your character in Breachill.
>Before the Call for Heroes each month, there is a hand written questionnaire provided to each applicant that they must complete at least 5 days before. If you’d like to use this to help craft your background/motivation, then please feel welcome but this is not compulsory.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
Call for Heroes - A Questionnaire: Please ensure your response is provided to the office of Greta Gardania of the Town Council at least 5 days prior to the Call for Heroes. If you have not submitted a response, we reserve the right to not select you for our process.
1. Full Name:
2. Age:
3. Gender (strike through as appropriate): Male, Female, Prefer not to Respond, Other (please state)
4. Place of Birth:
5. Current Residence and how to contact you (for payment purposes):
6. Faith (you may choose not to share this information):
7. Current employment (please state if not applicable):
8. Details of your next of kin and how to contact them (in case of emergency - adventuring is dangerous):
9. How did you first hear about the Call for Heroes?
10. Why should we select you to aid in our call? What are your greatest strengths?
11. Tell us about a time when you made a mistake. What did you do to solve it?
12. What do you like to do outside of your official responsibilities?
13. Is there anything else you would like us to know before the Call for Heroes?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
I am looking for a party of 4. There is already 1 player (Nikolaus d'Shade as Orchid, a poppet cloistered cleric) who will post his character build and background below so please do look what he already has planned. Looking for a player group interested in roleplay who will make as much effort as I do to ensure their characters are invested in the town, NPCs and each other.
Deadline for applications: I will be selecting a party on New Years Day (1/1/23) 5pm GMT giving 10 days from now. The aim would be to get everyone talking between then about character links and the start of the game and I'm aiming to have the first post up on 5th January.
F NG Imperial Sorceress 17| RETIRED | Completed AoE adventure path living out her life much more happily now it is over.
With the defeat of the Twilight Four, and especially the revelations of Reginald Vancaskerkin’s treachery, Dora found herself tired of police work. She’d joined the Edgewatch to make a difference, to prove herself, and although she’d played a huge part in saving Absalom the victory still felt somewhat hollow. What good was arresting criminals when some of the highest in the city were corrupt? What good was putting away drug dealers and petty criminals when politicians could do far more evil by lifting their hands or the stroke of a pen? What was the point in working with a man who would not love her, no matter how hard she tried?
So when Wynsal Starborn contacted his allies, asking them for trustworthy names to aid him in rebuilding Absalom’s government Dora saw her new path. She resigned her commission to the Starwatch and took up a new appointment in government, Senior Undersecretary to the Primarch.
Politics proved to be Dora’s natural habitat. Her charm and skill made her a superb politician and the fact that she was one of the most potent sorcerers in Absalom mades negotiating with her… challenging. More than one politician’s scheme quailed in the face of a raised eyebrow from Dora and a few sparks playing across her fingers.
Nearly two decades later when Starborn stepped down as Primarch the Grand Council voted unanimously for his successor – Theodora Cassia Morilla. Faced with such a request there was only one response and Dora took up residence in the Wise Quarter as Sea Lord, Primarch and Chair of the High Council. Unsurprisingly, following her appointment, Uncle Morilla was heard in the Council proudly proclaiming that “My niece is the Primarch now. It’s quite the boon for our family. I always knew she had it in her.” The Primarch was seen to raise her eyebrow at that particular statement.
Three years later, when an envoy from the great empire of Casmiron came to Absalom Dora finally found what had been missing in her life – love. Although marriage between a member of the Emperor’s family and a ‘commoner’, even one in such an influential position, was impossible arrangements could be and were made and the Primarch and the Ambassador for Casmiron conducted a, suitably discrete, relationship for many years, providing the last piece of happiness that Dora needed.
Eventually Primarch Morilla resigned her position and then a week later the Ambassador also resigned their post in a letter to the Emperor. Neither the former Primarch nor the Ambassador were ever seen again in Absalom and many gossip columns speculated for months as to what had happened, but it was Wynsal Starborn himself, now approaching his ninetieth year who had the final word on the matter.
“It is none of our business, but wherever she is I wish Primarch Morilla good health, long life and happiness. It is the least she deserves.”
Im going to go for a poppet fate witch. She was originally a familiar herself. Using the Lost Loved One background.
She was originally a familiar and she went exploring to find a cure for her owner's terminal illness. Through the arch she saw sun orchid elixir that she thought was the cure to everything. She came out from the arch 3 months later and her owner (Baba) had already passed in the meantime...
Read the background below for some *feels*.
She now has lost her main purpose and her new purpose is to investigate whats happening further - what fate has in store for her?
Character background:
“Oh Cotton, your’re back! It’s so good to see you! We thought you were lost for good, that you’d been broken or something. Baba passed – two months ago. I know you were looking for a cure and right up until the end she was hopeful, and so very proud of you. She left you this, said I had to give it to you when I next saw you. She was always certain that I would see you again – it was fate she said. Why don’t you go to your room, we’ve kept it just as it was.”
In the large cupboard that had once held a proud tinkers pots and pans and had, for the past decade, been Cotton’s home the poppet broke the seal on Baba Elena’s letter, comforted by the familiar trinkets and smells of home.
"My dear Cotton,
I want to tell you that I am very proud of you. In all my long life you are one of my most magical creations and my final child, you are and always will be dear to me.
If you are reading this then your quest has failed and I have passed the veil into the next Great Adventure. Don’t be disheartened little Twig, the journeys of all our lives are woven in the tapestries of the Gods long before we are born. It is my time to move on and it is yours to grow, thrive and become someone new and extraordinary.
I read the cards for you my dear and although my sight is failing I can see that your road ahead is going to be a long one. You will meet new friends, face new foes and encounter those who might be both. The stars shine over a gate on a mountain and destinies hand hovers of you little one. For good or ill I don’t know but I trust you, in your good mind and your stout heart.
The only gift I have for you Cotton is a companion, a friend of your own. Look in my jewellery box. There you will find another one like you and a vial of my blood. Poor my blood onto the new one and speak the Secret Name. I have secured that final boon for you, because none of us should be alone.
I’ve rambled long enough and Alice is hovering like a mother hen so I shall finish simply by saying that I love you Cotton. It is often the smallest of us that have the greatest destinies. Go forth and meet yours with pride.
Your baba,
Elena.”
Poppets can’t cry, but the emotion welling up in Cotton’s tiny frame would have done credit to a giant as the small creature hugged the letter close and then began to fold it carefully away in the small carrying bag – a treasure among treasures.
I'm going to have to drop - I've come down with a bad cold and won't have time/energy to put a character together by Sunday. It looks like you have a good number to choose from, anyway :)
Thanks for letting me know! I know the feeling - currently recovering from COVID!
Looks like we will have a good group - if anyone else wants to consider the game, then you have another 24 hours!
Female Human Investigator 4 |Perc +8| AC 22 HP 40/58 | F:+9 R +12* W +10 | +1s Rapier +13 2d6+2[+2d6], Crossbow +11 d8| Hero Point: 2/3
Skills:
Library Lore +11, Acrobatics +9, Arcana +11, Dark Tapestry Lore +11, Diplomacy +8, Medicine +10, Occultism +13, Performance +8, Religion +8, Society +11, Stealth +10, Thievery +13
Eliza, still tired in the morning from her over-exertion yesterday and incessant dreams last night, closes her eyes momentarily and takes a very deep breath to steady her patience before replying. Unfortunately, the deep breath wasn't quite enough to hide all of the frustration in her voice, and she replies tersely.
"This is our best option Tadia, it is safer to stay here than the Manor whilst we are still trying to learn about what has befallen it. The quicker you learn about it and clear it, the quicker you can get out of here."
Occultism DC 18:1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 - 2 = 13
"I definitely had too much cheese last night. The last time I dreamed so vividly was when I had some aged Blue Galtian for dinner whilst I was teaching some first years about Nethys' links to dark rituals. Im still not sure if my brain was over-active or Nethys appeared to me to silence my next lecture....." She says, trailing off in her own memories.
Eliza, is too busy remembering past events in order to decipher her dream. She suggests they eat a hearty breakfast before returning to the manor to continue the exploration of the ground floor.
"Well we can't have that can we?" Muminofrah cries. "Someone get the Hat-ya here at once. Whatever little games she's playing simply won't do!"
The Hat-ya appears as though summoned, which of course she was, and bows to Muminofrah. "How may I serve the Ruby Prince?" She asks.
Sense Motive DC15:
The Hat-ya is not pleased to be here, but she's obedient none-the-less.
"Doka. You will provide My Warrior here with access to the Spiral Archives." Muminofrah says grandly, laying one bejewelled hand on Adol's arm. "He wants to see all the knowledge we have collected and I want him to have whatever he wants!" She gives another smile. "Have three days My Warrior. Then you must come and visit me again. We can't allow our love to be spoilt by musty paper can we?"
The Hay-ta keeps a smooth countenance and bows again. "As the Ruby Prince commands. He may enter in the morning, I will inform the custodians at once." She takes advantage of the situation to dismiss herself and backs away while Muminofrah is still clinging to Adol.
"Doka is a good girl but so boring." The noblewoman says, in a tone that is meant to be intimate but still carries. "Not like you My Warrior. Tell me a story of your prowess, entertain me!"
Feel free to RP out the story if you wish Adol.
The Spiral Archive is located below the Great Library’s Outer Sanctum, past the trapped door of the eye (area A5) and down the limestone stairs, and the next morning the Falcons find themselves not exactly welcomed, but expected. The curators in the Outer Sanctum give directions, and information about some of the Spiral Archive’s guardians - mentioning a bound demon who may be bypassed by showing their signed letter of access, and the possibility that some sort of 'invisible spirit' may be encountered below. They also go into great detail over the Archive rules, which are numerous, include an absolute prohibition on food and drink and conclude with. "Anyone attempting to remove materials from the Archive will suffer the Hom-Dai." They don't go into any more detail but exchange significant looks. "There are no other visitors so your time should be quiet and swift." One curator notes.
The walls of the first, hexagonal chamber are covered with scribbles carved into the stone. Lit with regularly spaced continual flames illuminate a brown, shaggy-furred beast which stands on slate grey hooves. Its head resembles that of a maniacal horned ape and its mouth twists in an expression of glee until the Falcons produce their signed letter. With a resentful frown the creature retreats to the wall to allow you access.
Abbyssal/Infernal:
The writing on the wall appears to be long lists of names, written in various hellish scripts.
Continuing down a long curved passage a small reading room appears on your left. There is a woman in there, reading a scroll by the light of a single burning lamp...
The Hummingbird presses harder on his wounds out of spite, as she watches the man pass on. "You deserve much worse than this," the vigilante snarls with pure hatred.
After a few moments, allowing the man to bleed out across the floor she unceremoniously kicks his lifeless body into the water.
Just as the body hits the water with an almighty splash leaving a smear of fresh blood on the planks, The Hummingbird hears a very familar voice calling to her. Mum! Mum! Mum, come quickly, I need you!
This has happened before. Right after Teo went missing. The Hummingbird knows he is not there. She knows it he not real. Tears well up in her eyes and she closes her eyes as her heart begins to pound uncontrollably desperately trying to hear the sound of her son's voice again.
"Teo, I love you. I'm coming for you." Adriel mutters to herself.
His voice sounds again, calling faintly Mum, I need you! She hears as tears start streaming down her face and her breath catches in her throat. Mum, come quickly! Finding it difficult to know if these are memories, hallucinations or something else altogether, she allows herself to lose all composure, sobbing uncontrollably, Adriel sinks to the floor, her back to the wall, her hood falling from her head as she holds her head in her hands.
"Teo, I love you. I'm coming for you. Teo, I love you. I will find you." She repeats until she let's it all go.
After five solid minutes of sobbing, Adriel wipes her eyes and takes a deep breath, her expression darkening as she pulls her hood back up, eyes red raw.
Pull yourself together. He needs you now. Let's find out more.
She walks over to Lamm's things and begins to search for anything that may give her a clue taking her time to not miss a thing.
F NG Imperial Sorceress 17| RETIRED | Completed AoE adventure path living out her life much more happily now it is over.
Devon Durant wrote:
Fortunately, Devon's belt of lifting allows him to easily bear the burden of Dora's petrified body. He carefully hauls her along as you exit the sewers and return to the surface. You find a safe space to watch over Dora as Jack hustles to the market and procures a scroll of stone to flesh. Devon is able to activate the divine magic and restore Dora to life once more!
The champion throws his arms around the sorceress in a tight hug. "Cayden be praised! I thought we'd lost you!"
Dora takes in a shaky breath and shuts her eyes, as her body tries to reattune itself with its normal processes before moving her still stiff joints to embrace her savior.
Dora, unable to talk much louder than a whisper still realizes she should probably say something before this gets awkward.
"Th-thank you. That was petrifying - I could hear and see everything, but couldn't even take in a breath. I was trapped inside myself....but at least I knew I could rely on you, Devon, to get me out of it. That little glimpse of hope is what kept me going. I cannot say thank you enough. I owe you a life debt. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."
---------------------
Dora listens to both Jack and Dani's plan of action, nodding along, whilst weighing up the weights of both arguments. She stretches out her arms, and cricks her neck to the side as her shoulder pops loudly, sill not completely repaired from her most recent ordeal.
"Dani is right, the stealthy approach may be better - I'm not sure how well a disguise would go from the off, having not had as much time to set everything up as we woudld like."
"Let's get a better whereabouts on him, so that we can strike directly at the source and minimize any warning he may have. Not giving him time to prepare for our arrival will certainly be the most advantageous."
Inquisitor 3 | Init +4 Perc +10 Low-Light | AC 18 T12 FF16 CMB +5 CMD 17| HP 21/21 | F:+4 R +3 W +5* | Spells 1: 3/4 | Judgement 1/1| Greatsword +6, 2d6+4[+d6] (19-20 x2)/+5, 2d6+7[+d6]| Active:
Noting everyone else's embarrassment, Signe clears her throat. "Oh, well, yes. I will have a look as I have no other plans and would like to learn more about the village. Kendra, I'll skip breakfast this morning and come back for lunchtime. Gaius, perhaps we can continue last night's conversation over dinner?"
Signe rushes back out the room in haste and gets changed, muttering as she goes. "How stupid of me. You're in someone elses house and you hardly know them or the routine and company they keep."
After becoming much more prepared Signe rushes out to the village without checking back in on the kitchen to try and find the source of vandalism. She realises she should have asked Gaius for more information, but couldn't bring herself to come eye to eye with him again so soon after the earlier encounter.
She makes her way to the village centre first of all to search for any disquiet, and if nothing is to be found, she will head to an inn to pick up breakfast and gossip.
With Melody's aid Morgana manages to impale the choker grappling her and Shaumatiel finishes it off with a blast of ice, leaving only one 'sweet. angry. mother' to deal with. Jenica lurches through it, but can't land a telling blow.
Clearly reading the room and establishing that Jenica is the most... 'open minded' member of the group the remaining choker swings on her and attempts to give her first hand experience of what tentacles can do! Jenica finds the whole situation somewhat... *ahem* moving on!
Jenica takes 2 damage after DR and is grappled. Everyone up!
Everyone is more than welcome to back post to their hearts' desire in spoilers but I'll info dump below today to keep this going.
Book 3 - Shifting Sands
Sebti sends a messenger with a note for each of you, six days after your triumphant success over the Necromancer.
------------------------
To the Falcons and Jamie and Adol - the Saviours of Wati,
I hope that you have had time to recuperate after your selfless deeds to protect what we hold so dear to our hearts and that all of the good word I have spread has meant you were treated well by our citizens. Wati is indeed recovering from its losses quicker than I would have expected due to its community spirit, inspired by you. I would like you to join me for dinner this evening in my private quarters in the Mausoleum for a final thanks. Please be prompt for dining at sunset, my cook can be demanding.
I have the honour to be your obedient servant,
High Priestess, Sebti The Crocodile
------------------------
Upon attending the Mausoleum that evening, in whatever manner of dress you deem appropriate for the event, you are greeted by two acolytes who show you to Sebti's grand private quarters in a private wing attached to the Mausoleum. Pteminib also seems to have been invited with his unusual tiny Psychopomp you remember conversing with not all that long ago.
It is a joyous affair and the food never stops coming; there is course after course of divinely prepared dishes and both Sebti and Pteminib continue with their well-rehearsed party talk. Anytime anybody tries to pry Sebti for information, they receive a sharp look to quieten them and a swift change of topic.
Sebti's face grows more solemn as the last dish of juicy dates drizzled with honey and sprinkled with crumbled almonds, is cleared from the table and the server leaves the room at Sebti's command, closing the door behind them with a click.
"Jamie, if you would be so kind as to check nobody is listening before we begin?" She says softly, to avoid anybody overhearing.
When she is satisfied that you are all alone, she takes a chain from around her neck that was not previously visible and passes it to Jazadi"Jazadi, take this key and open my wall safe behind that portrait over there to remove the mask so that we can examine it whilst we discuss this artifact you found and its significance."
"I have conversed with my superiors about this mask to find out everything I can. I ended up conversing directly with the Ruby Prince, Khemet III himself who agrees that this mask should belong to you due to the rules of the lottery that were in place. The Ruby Prince agrees this would also avoid any other.....political repercussions."
The mask, now lying on the table in front of you all, is a stunning masterpiece carved from gold and inlaid with cobalt, lapis lazuli and Onyx.
Sebti stares at the mask for a few moments, clearly lost in her own thoughts before continuing. "I have reason to believe that there is a group who is after this mask for more nefarious deeds and I don't believe we have seen all this mask has to offer yet. I was made aware of their existence in the past two days and we need to ensure that they do not get their hands on this artifact but we also need to learn what their plans for it may be. After the destruction it rained down on Wati, we cannot leave this to chance."
"We know nothing of this funerary mask apart from the fact that it is very powerful and was for Hakotep I or the Sky Pharoah, I am not entirely sure if they are one and the same. All information on the Sky Pharoah has been removed from our archives, I personally looked through the records we have in Wati on the Pharaohs. All I could find is that Hakotep was a Pharoah of the distant past. I think another Pharoah claimed the title "Sky Phaaroah" - Menedes I - but he seems to have no connection to Hakotep. We know that Hakotep built the "Slave Trenches of Hakotep" as we can find his cartouche there, but no other information was found in our records. If anywhere is to have more information, then the library in Tephu would be the place to start. "
Pteminib looks concerned before reiterating Sebti's previous request."As the High Priestess said before, we feel it is vital we learn of the dangerous mask's origins and more about the strange cult seeking it for our own safety, but we have no servants to spare. We would suggest, if any or all of you are willing, for you to travel to Tephu, the City of Reeds, and consult its extensive library - perhaps the greatest repository in all of Osirion."
Player reminder - out of character:
As its been a while, I would like to remind people about the following as it has not been as long for your characters!
1)Remember that a mask was stolen from the Sanctum of the Erudite Eye in your lottery sites.
2) This post.
Splitting into two groups, since that never goes wrong, you go to investigate the other rooms.
Jazadi, Adol and Dhakira head down a long and winding stair to look at the model room. The gentle sound of lapping water echoes off this chamber’s
towering ceiling. The floor is covered in sand, and tiny stone replicas of buildings and streets fill most of the gallery, creating a room-sized map of Wati. A stark black pillar rises from the center of the room.
Roll perception checks if you're searching the room for any amulets.
Meanwhile Say'ri, Uthe and Jamie head into the only room you haven't investigated. Carvings of somber women and vulture-headed angels adorn the walls of this chamber, and the smell of cedar, onions, and myrrh is overwhelming. Viscous amber fluids fill glass reservoirs, while stone bins of sand, sawdust, and salt crowd the floor. Hooks, knives, and other grisly-looking tools are neatly stored on several worktables along the walls.
A ghoulish looking woman is hunched over one of the workbenches but the moment she hears you she spins round, her huge teeth protruding as she lets out a painful sounding scream and leaps towards the fresh meat that walked into her realm.
Orchid comes out with a lot of strange pronouncements, and this is one of the stranger ones. However Akira has a lot of experience with the leshy and she knows that its ideas are often correct. So she clears her throat, takes a moment to decide on her tune and breaks into one of her favorite love songs - a nice cheerful one.
"I used to think maybe you loved me, now I know that it's true
And I don't want to spend my whole life, just waiting for you
Now I don't want you back for the weekend
Not back for a day, no no no
I said leshy I just want you back
And I want you to stay"
The kitsune spins to point at Orchid as she continues.
"He's walking on sunshine,"
"Wow!" replies the leshy in practised harmony.
"She's walking on sunshine (Wow!)
It's walking on sunshine (Wow!)
And don't it feel good!"
"Hey, alright now
And don't it feel good (Yeah!)
And don't it feel good!"
"I hope so!" Flori replies, equally quietly. "Sylyn and I will do the bartering!" She says, speaking up so that everyone can hear her. "I'd like to practise my dialects. Is there anything in particular we need?" Between her knowledge of language and Sylyn's good cheer Flori is blithely confident that the villages reserve will melt like ice in summer.
Say'ri goes slamming into the door and finds it locked! Fortunately the gunslinger has an excellent lockpick and blasts through the door with a single shot! Jazadi and Uthe barge their way through, followed by Jamie, Say'ri and Dhakira as Adol heroically brings up the rear!
A fifteen-foot-tall statue of a matronly woman with long, flowing hair stands in the center of this chamber between two large stone tables. Ten curtained alcoves break up the hieroglyph-covered walls. Enormous bronze doors stand to south, matching the ones that you've just barged through. Apart from the two sets of door, three passageways lead off from this central chamber. One set of footprints can be seen on the floor, although they are themselves acquiring a light covering of dust.
"Ben, there is no need to demean your crew - I believe they are all grown women...well perhaps Talah is not quite yet, but we should all be known as Ladies or Women, not girls. Girls implies a child." Katherine chastises, not being able to hold back the very fast spoken correction from spilling out of her lips.
