This is the place where discussing happens! I'm starting up the Gameplay thread now; go ahead and create a post in that thread to dot in, then delete it so we can keep Gameplay neater without six posts of "Dot."
One of our major points of discussion over the next day or two will be any personal connections that may exist between characters. I know Perry and Jetta already know each other, and Amund is acting as a bodyguard for Perry, but I don't remember any connections beyond that.
A two-to-three-sentence introduction may be helpful, although I know several of you were following the recruitment fairly closely and may already be fairly familiar with each other. A couple of possible hooks for connections between characters could be useful as well.
The campaign will be starting in late summer - dealing with overgrowing plants seems less likely for winter, Perry, although it's certainly quite likely that the campaign could end up extending into the colder months, and being a mountain pass, early snows are a real possibility.
What would everyone prefer for the opening - traveling in a caravan together or arriving separately and meeting up at the fort? The module's quite conducive to either, so I wanted to leave the option up to you guys.
Rather pleased to make the cut. I will finish the equipment and Pretty Girl after some sleep since my math would be a fail I just know it.
I rather like the idea of the caravan. This will allow the people who don't have a background connection to be able to get to know each other.
Mairen Roäc, Jetta Stahle, Amund Basurto, and Anthuria were all in the Leftovers so there could be connections from there.
Jetta mentioned that her and Amund might have worked together once or twice in the past. Since the Hellknights and the Korvosan Guard tend to work together.
Glad to be here, thank you.
Balthus was not at the 'Leftovers'.
I also vote for the caravan opening scene.
I need to tidy up my character sheet and have a couple of questions for the GM (I'll PM you this weekend or earlier).
As for connections, Balthus is 'grumpy, cynic, old frontiersman (ranger)' with a mean dog. He hails from northwest of Korvosa and has heard about the calling and came to to 'kill some goblins and get some land'.
I'll also have to catch up other people's fluff for better connections.
Game on!
Disregarded by the wizard academies as a two-bit magician, Anthuria has found gainful employment as the groundskeeper of Theumanexus College. Indeed, she has blossomed. And while many of the faculty speculate as to her secret, none can deny her abilities. The gardens have never looked better. When approached by the Crown for this Vale nonsense, the wizards balked. The Vale is a known hazard, corrupted by its haunted past. But, who more expendable than a mere gardener? With a passable knowledge of arcana, Anthuria makes a perfect (and replaceable) candidate.
First, thank you for the selection! I'm quite honored to be among such good writers and RPers. As to travel, @Amund is right. Our presence together at The Leftovers would be a good starting hook, so I think a joint expedition is in order.
I still need to study everyone's profile to think about a connection. Anthuria has lived within the relative safety of Theumanexus her entire life. She is particularly terrified of the Hellknights, and maybe there's a good reason for that. Perhaps Jetta's face should be familiar to her, after all. I'll be back in a while to ruminate further.
Like a late spring frost, Anthuria vanishes before your eyes.
Thanks for the pick, GM. This is going to be fun.
So are we running with the Leftovers as canon? Works for me. I'll read over everyone's fluff and see if any connections leap out. I'm also fine with starting on a caravan. Would that mean we've already been hired?
We can stick with the Leftovers as canon if you guys like, or not. I'll leave it up to you (though it did give some chance for people to have at least interacted before). It's basically a take-all-comers situation in the Vale right now, especially for more skilled persons like yourselves, so while you aren't officially contracted yet, you have reasonable expectation of work and pay.
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Gotcha. So we would have already learned of the opportunity and of our own initiative booked a ride on the caravan to where the official recruitment is taking place in the Vale? Sounds good to me.
Ok, so we latched on to a caravan that's going to the Vale but are not yet officially hired then?
But we DID hear of this opportunity and are going for that reason, right? It's not like we are just traveling, then reach the Fort, and then see the opportunity.
Correct. There's notices all over Korvosa and its holdings about it, an all-call offering land, good pay, and noble title in return for aid in the Vale. So everyone is aware of the need and the opportunity, and that's presumably why you're on the caravan unless you come up with another reason you prefer. The exact text of the postings is the opening text of the initial recruitment post, and there's plenty of gossip going around about the difficulties they've been having as well.
Thanks for the pick! Glad to be here, especially in such illustrious company.
I'm all for having what happened at the Leftovers be canon. As I see it, Jetta was coming to check on the other 'adventurers' leaving for the Vale. She was quite pleasantly surprised to find out that none of them were involved with the brawl, which is what she expected coming in. Quite the opposite: of the present company, Amund and Mairen were actively helpful (though not without some tension on the part of the latter). That sets things up quite nicely for both connections. Whether or not that lead to anything (like agreeing to stick together for the trip), we'd have to agree on here.
Amund being connected to Perry is cool with me. From our interactions so far, Amund and Jetta work well together, but Perry's presence complicates things in an interesting manner.
Anthuria didn't leave much of an impression on Jetta at the Leftovers. Some prior connection would be fine, if you have any ideas.
I suppose Jetta and Balthus might have met, since the Hellknights of the Nail are very dedicated to ridding Varisia of savages, goblinoids included. Then again, I don't really see a reason why everyone should know each other from the beginning. Maybe we should just see how that develops?
Balthus and Mairen are both from the frontier, and seem to have faced similar hardships in the past. Maybe there is some connection for you guys there?
Jetta's right - there doesn't have to be connections between everyone, it can just help pull a group together if everyone knows at least someone else, and a loner or two won't hurt anything either.
I can see Mairen and Balthus having crossed paths before, especially during the later stage of Mairen's career, when she actively wandered the frontier as a fully fledged paladin of Erastil. Perhaps she helped Balthus in defending some steading against an attack, leaving after the dust settled and all was declared well?
I can see her forming a high opinion of Balthus; she generally tends to respect people who let their deeds speak for them, and I can imagine Balthus being a ferocious and deadly defender of whatever town was being attacked by goblinoids.
I won't run much more with this without Balthus' input, but I think it a good opportunity for them to have fought together a few years ago and formed healthy opinions of each other.
Loving what's coming out so far. :) I'll be mostly on for the next couple of hours or so watching the conversation, but then it's my bedtime (gotta love the night shift). Tonight I'll catch up and see if we're ready to go, and if we are I'll get the first real Gameplay post up.
If you're not familiar with Korvosa, Theumanexus is the loser in a rivalry of prestige with The Acadamae (where real wizards are trained). Consequently, the Theumanexus Council is constantly pressured to maintain a "presence" in the city. Anthuria is being sent on this mission by the school because (1) it's necessary publicity to keep up with the Acadamae, and (2) none of the wizards actually want to participate in what they perceive to be lunacy.
Anthuria, a bit naive, is therefore under the false impression that she is "important" in some respect. Amund mentions being responsible to escort someone. Perhaps the school has arranged for Amund to escort Perry as well as Anthuria.
I won't run much more with this without Balthus' input, but I think it a good opportunity for them to have fought together a few years ago and formed healthy opinions of each other.
I just read your background (good job BTW) and I agree.
Mairen and Balthus certainly could have worked together defending a frontier settlement and Balthus probably thought highly of Mairen (after making fun of her for wearing full plate out in the country). That's just his personality. :)
I'm seeing Balthus as a 'good ol' boy' so pretty insular and although he's traveled, it's always been close to his hometown so it would have been Mairen who came to his area (NW of Korvosa close to the Ashwood forest).
Awesome. Mairen's not much of a talker either, so I think they would have gotten along. Done the work they had to do, exchanged a bare minimum of pleasantries, but earned each other's grudging respect for defending the town with professional efficiency.
Like Yul Bryner and Steve McQueen in The Magnificent Seven ;)
By the way, the name of the keep in the Vale you're heading to is Fort Thorn.
Balthus, I'm liking the idea of their fighting together so much that I'm tempted to write up a brief description of the occasion to flesh out their background together. I'll send something your way soon for you to check out/edit, and if you dig it we can send it to the GM just for kicks. Cool?
Balthus, I'm liking the idea of their fighting together so much that I'm tempted to write up a brief description of the occasion to flesh out their background together. I'll send something your way soon for you to check out/edit, and if you dig it we can send it to the GM just for kicks. Cool?
That sounds great. Make sure we kill some goblinoids. :)
Oh, and don't forget Slasher. For some reason that mean, old dog likes you better than me.
Game on!
@Jetta tonight I will sit down and try to come up with some episode with the hellkights.
@Balthus: Here's their tale. Feel free to edit or add stuff, especially where you think I may have gotten Balthus and Slasher wrong. Enjoy!
The town of Greenwold was set flush up against the hoary banks of the Ashwood forest, twelve leagues north of Biston and the site of a former logging venture. Said venture had closed five years before, and Greenwold had shrunk from a bustling frontiers town to a small enclave of stubborn farmers. A chest high wall ringed a dozen buildings, with a wild hedge growing just beyond it.
Nothing special, Greenwold. Not even important enough to mark on a map. But it was a small outpost of order and civilization, and that's enough to draw the attention of some creatures. Enough to kindle a yearning in their breasts, a desire to burn and slaughter.
Balthus was already there when Mairen arrived, drawn by subtle promptings she'd learn to trust. Thirty townsfolk were listening to Balthus lay out the truth in their small square, gathered in a miserable huddle as he pointed out how they were liable to be slaughtered, how the wall was insufficient, how there weren't enough weapons or strong men. His language was terse, almost brutal, his impatience clear and punctuated by Slasher's piercing stare.
As Mairen approached, she saw the stubborn cast of the villager's expressions. They'd withstood everything fate had thrown their way, from the closing of the logging venture to bad crops to untimely deaths. They wouldn't run. Mairen moved to the front, and Balthus stared at her, unimpressed by her armor or timely arrival. She'd asked how she could help. He'd told her to convince the villagers to flee. The mayor had said they wouldn't. She'd shrugged, smiled, and said she'd help them fight off the orcs. Balthus scowled, spit, and said he might stick around as well.
A quick tour of the town showed Balthus was right. There was no way to hold off a concerted attack. So Mairen and Balthus sat in the shade of an old alder in silence, Slasher at Balthus' feet by wagging his tail every time Mairen reached out to scruff his ears. Something that Balthus found right strange.
Finally Mairen suggested a pre-emptive strike against the orcs. Balthus allowed that he'd been thinking of the same thing. Just the two of them? Just the two of them. They'd gain a sense of the forces against them, sew some discord, and kill some greenskins.
Not wanting to wait till dusk, they simply set out. Balthus found the orc trail easily enough, and Mairen was able to keep up in her plate without difficulty, moving as quickly as the ranger due to her enchanted boots. Into the Ashwood they went, knowing they might never emerge. They marched a mile, and found the orc camp at the base of a small waterfall. Mairen insisted on speaking to the orcs first. Balthus cursed her for a fool, but she was calmly resolute. He disappeared into the brush, finding an optimum position, and the paladin stepped out into view.
The orcs howled and their chieftain stepped forth. Something about Mairen stayed his ax long enough for her to make her demand. He laughed, and his whole band laughed with him. He raised his club, and an arrow appeared in his throat. With a cry he fell back into the waterfall's pool, and then madness erupted as Mairen drove forward with her blade, deep into the knot of orcs, even as Balthus rained down arrows upon them and Slasher leaped and snarled and bit.
It took but thirty seconds and five more orcs were dead. Mairen, realizing that the orcs were recovering from their shock, retreated back into the bushes, Balthus' arrows holding the orcs back. There were simply too many of them. Leaving the raiders in disarray, they retreated to a safe hollow, and there crouched down, weapons at the ready, catching their breath.
Neither spoke for a good few minutes. Slasher was on guard at the hollow's edge. Finally Mairen said that Balthus' skill with the bow wasn't too bad. He admitted that she'd probably held a sword before. They shared a brief smile, and then headed back to Greenwold.
Neither could be sure if the orcs would still attack. A new leader would need to assert himself, and that could take time. They busied themselves directing the villagers in digging trenches that they lined with stakes, in sharpening weapons, and finally convinced the women and children to flee south toward Biston.
Night fell. Balthus was the first to hear them approach, alerted by Slasher. He called out his warning, and soon all could see the orcs swarming out of the woods. Those with bows started firing. There seemed to be too many of them. Several villagers turned and fled, but not as many as they'd feared. A number of orcs fell to the trench traps, but not enough. In a matter of moments they were at the hedge, tearing through it, and clambering over the wall.
Battle. Mairen and Balthus each held a different segment of the wall, with the plan being that the villagers hold the line between them. Instead the townsfolk clustered to each fighter, leaving the center open, and soon orcs were racing down the streets of Greenwold. Realizing the wall was lost, Balthus caught Mairen's eye and indicated they should fall back. She agreed, and they led the men in a fighting retreat to the small square.
It was a running battle. Howls, screams, thatched roofs set on fire. Two orcs bore Mairen down to the ground, her plate armor making a resounding crash, and even as one sought to slide the tip of his blade under her helm Balthus cut his head clean off from behind with his ax. Slasher drove the second away, and Mairen clambered to her feet. There was no time for thanks.
They finally entered the square. Half the men were dead, the night sky was lit by fires. Back to back, Balthus and Mairen stared at the orcs who crept ever closer. There had to be some ten of them left. Neither spoke. Neither suggested they flee. Both trusted the other to watch their rear. It seemed like the end.
Horns sounded. Four mounted men charged into the square and scattered the orcs. Mairen and Balthus pitched in, and suddenly the battle was over. The four knights had been traveling to Abken when they had crossed paths with the village refugees. They'd galloped to Greenwold. Mairen and Balthus had held long enough for their arrival to make a difference.
Dawn broke. All the orc bodies were dragged to a pyre which burned fitfully on and off all day long. The fallen were lined up at the small church, where the priest of Pharasma blessed them and began to dig graves. The smell of blood and smoke was in the air, and though the villagers faced the damage done to Greenwold with grim resolve, there was an undercurrent of fierce pride in what they had done. They had held the line. They had fought back the greenskins. Greenwold had not fallen.
By common accord neither Mairen nor Balthus made it a big farewell. The job was done. Neither inquired of the other as to where they were headed next. They simply met in the town square later that afternoon after sleeping off the worst of the fatigue. Mairen knelt and scratched Slasher behind his ears, and then rose and extended her hand. Balthus shook it, they gave each other a nod, and then went their separate ways.
@Jetta tonight I will sit down and try to come up with some episode with the hellkights.
Cool. I look foward to it. :)
@Balthus: Here's their tale. Feel free to edit or add stuff, especially where you think I may have gotten Balthus and Slasher wrong. Enjoy!
** spoiler omitted **...
Very nicely done! :)
I wouldn't change a thing other than to add character speech to accentuate some of the actions. But no, this is really good.
Please consider it part of Balthus' history. :)
So how did we meet back up? We were both attracted to the call for help from the frontier fort?
Balthus ultimately wants to get some land; does Mairen have an ulterior motive?
Great! Glad it worked.
Shall we say they ran into each other at the caravan staging ground, realized that they were both headed the same way, and opted to jump in the same caravan? I can see them being both laconic and glad to see each other, in no rush to catch up, but gradually swapping info as they jounce and rumble along the country road.
Mairen approves of Balthus' long term goals, and even subtly ribs him over his need to settle down, being an old man and all, but doesn't have any such plans for herself. Clearing the Vale is very aligned with role as a paladin of Erastil, so to her it's simply a good opportunity to serve her god. After the job's done? She'll probably hit the road in search of another way to serve.
Yay while I slept we agreed to keep Leftovers as canon. This pleases me. I also work the night shift so my hours are rather crazy.
I rather like the idea that some of the groups first meeting was at the tavern and then there are slightly familiar faces once the caravan is on its way. Jetta is the only one I can think of that Amund wound have had dealings with before the trip and I am fine with that. This will be his first trip out of the city.
Also I really like the idea of setting up an group of Order of the Sheild like you mentioned GM Rennai so I will be going with that. I will hopefully have him, Pretty Girl, and my freaking equipment finished after work.
Perry is it the Bank of Abadar you are tied to or a different one. I will be needing to know.
One more question before I leave for work. Concerning the skills with background skills. When they overlap with other important skills can the maximum amount of ranks still not exceed the levels I have. currently I have handle animal maxed out from class skills but from the background I was planning to put points there and I want to know if that works or I need to rearrange them?
I've expanded my back story and included a small tie-in with Jetta. It isn't much, however, and it looks like Anthuria's story is bringing her in as the lone wolf of this adventure. Still, I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunity to develop relationships (before we all die horrible deaths in the wilderness ;).
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Last to post. Sorry, had exams. Thanks for accepting my entry, GM. I hope we'll all end up with a wonderful shared roleplaying experience.
@GM: Of course.
The name Percival Arizian is a well-known name, if only in the business climate of Karvosa for being an active and hands-on entrepreneur and investor. Inheriting his father's fortune and sharing the work with his brother (now in Absalom), Perry does things for the good of civilization, law, his family name, and his church.
He is also behind several businesses that can be best described as primitive social support, and was recently in the business of supporting local adventurers before his company suffered a schism.
Now, although his enterprise is much diminished after a bout with his cousins, Perry never ceases to take the initiative in bringing civilization, law, and sustainable business to Karvosa. If that should start by helping a settlement take off the ground, so be it: he's done it before.
As for coming alone: I do imagine that Perry contacted and arranged for him and Mister Amund to meet at the point of arrival. He'll be coming by his carriage.
@Amund: It is the Bank of Abadar. He is an ex-banker, however, though still a man of the cloth.
@Amund - You cannot put more ranks than your level into any skill, even if you're using background skill ranks. But what you can do is use one of your two background skill ranks per level to put maximum ranks into Handle Animal, still have another background rank per level to spend, and then spend all of your normal skill ranks without having to worry about putting them into Handle Animal. Basically, spend your background ranks in Handle Animal and it frees up one more normal skill rank per level (and you still get the class skill bonus whether it's background or regular skill ranks you're putting into it).
@Mairen and Balthus - Neat! Love the shared story and the very laid-back unity of purpose they share. (By the way - I totally ship it now. Hard. :P)
@Anthuria - Like I said, lone wolves are just fine, too. I imagine her skillset will ingratiate her with everyone soon enough.
@Perry - Sounds good. As for adding something to expenses, did you mean the price of the carriage?
@ GM Rennai - That is how I assumed it worked but I wanted to make sure. Thank you. And I too ship it!
@ Perry - You should travel with the others! Be social :)
The Korvosan Guard only ever deal with the city so I was working to figure out how Amund gets wrangled into this. I am thinking if you knew the Captain I am under there could have been a proposal to try to send a few of the Guard to the vale to help tame it and then maybe work towards building a patrol along the roads and in the city. I assume the city of Korvosa would be willing to do this since it would give them more of a claim out there,
Oh, yeah, the city of Korvosa would be willing to put resources into claiming the Vale, as it's under King Arabasti's command that it's being retaken. Influence from the Guard in its conquest would then give them more of a say in its future, and let's face it - every organization in the history of everything wants more say in bureaucracy. ;) And as a sixth-level character, odds are you're one of the Guard's best and brightest, or at least have done a lot, so having you up there would speak well for the Guard.
@ GM Rennai - That is how I assumed it worked but I wanted to make sure. Thank you. And I too ship it!
I'll have you all know that I didn't know what ship it meant up until a couple of months ago when my teen-aged daughters enlightened me. :)
Balthus is a grumpy old man who probably sees Mairen as the daughter he never had. In fact, I think I'll start 'looking out for her and being over-protective', which should a be a lot of fun. :)
BTW, I think Balthus would also befriend Anthuria rather quickly once they got to know each other. To which he could also start 'looking out for her and being over-protective'. Oh boy, this game is going to be a blast. :)
Game on!
@Balthus: that would be extremely likely, as she is in sore need of a father figure lately. I can see Balthus, exasperated, trying to shelter her while she over-extends herself to "prove" that she's a worthy "ambassador" for Theumanexus.
I didn't realize this when I added it to my spells list. If you don't think it's inappropriate, I'm happy to substitute it with something else. I just found it fitting for Anthuria's abilities.
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@Perry - Sounds good. As for adding something to expenses, did you mean the price of the carriage?
I don't think that'll be necessary, although I do have an NPC to take care of: Enrico, who is Percival's majordomo.
I think he can work as an NPC under your control: I can assign him tasks to do in the background.@Amund:
You should travel with the others! Be social :)
xD
@Balthus: Perry's backstory included a project of rebuilding and resettling a region to the far east of Karvosa after an orcish raid, probably around seventeen years ago.
Perhaps the settlement and its story is known to Balthus and Mairen--known to the former due to the job's significance in taming the wilderness, and known to the latter due to his assistance and aid from the various Erastilian worshiping circles that aided him.
@Balthus: Perry's backstory included a project of rebuilding and resettling a region to the far east of Karvosa after an orcish raid, probably around seventeen years ago.
Perhaps the settlement and its story is known to Balthus and Mairen--known to the former due to the job's significance in taming the wilderness, and known to the latter due to his assistance and aid from the various Erastilian worshiping circles that aided him.
Yeah, it sounds like Balthus would have heard the story.
So how old is Perry? Am I not the only 'old man' in the party? :)
Perhaps the settlement and its story is known to Balthus and Mairen--known to the former due to the job's significance in taming the wilderness, and known to the latter due to his assistance and aid from the various Erastilian worshiping circles that aided him.
Sure, I can see Mairen having heard of him, if not in great detail. A vague familiarity with his name, and a positive association for righteousness and good deeds.
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All right, I'm liking what I see so far. Feel free to keep discussing while I sleep, of course, but I should have the first gameplay post up tonight. I'm stoked!
Sure, I can see Mairen having heard of him, if not in great detail. A vague familiarity with his name, and a positive association for righteousness and good deeds.
The same would apply for Anthuria.
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@Balthus: Perry's backstory included a project of rebuilding and resettling a region to the far east of Karvosa after an orcish raid, probably around seventeen years ago.
Perhaps the settlement and its story is known to Balthus and Mairen--known to the former due to the job's significance in taming the wilderness, and known to the latter due to his assistance and aid from the various Erastilian worshiping circles that aided him.Yeah, it sounds like Balthus would have heard the story.
So how old is Perry? Am I not the only 'old man' in the party? :)
Perry is in his early 40s (42, to be precise). It would make for an interesting dynamic, I foresee.
@Anthuria & Marien: It seems our party is getting off well theoretically. Once the adventure starts, we're sure to have a lot of interesting interactions.
@Balthus - I can accept this too. Grumpy old men need love and apparently adopted children.
@Balthus - I can accept this too. Grumpy old men need love and apparently adopted children.
That's fine, the more the merrier. :)
We need to figure out who the 'wild child' is going to be. :)
Game on!
And we're off! :)
Ok so Amund is done I just need sleep before I organize the stuff that he has. I added more to his
Normally the Korvosan Guard is only concerned with the inner workings of the city and leaves the rest of the country to others. Amunds Captian heard about a Noble, Lord Percival Arizian, going to the Vale. He made the call to have Amund leave the guard and become a bodygaurd instead.
Medina takes a deep breath as he leans back into his chair and rakes a hand though his hair. Amund I summoned you here because I have a mission for you. Normally this would not concern the Korvosan Guard but I feel that this is necessary for the advancement of Varisia as a whole. I have already received clearance to send someone to Bloodsworn Vale. I intend for that person to be you. He lifts his hand the stop Amund from speaking up yet and then continues. There is a man, Lord Percival Arizian, who has requested some assistance in this. Your job is to keep him safe while you work together to secure the Vale. Many people from varied backgrounds are going and I want someone there who has Varisia's best interests at heart. I swear we will not stop looking for who killed Ursion but you must move on Amund.
Surely there but be someone better suited for this. I have never even left the city.
Medina raises an eyebrow,Are you refusing
Amund signs and his shoulders drop No Sir.
With a broad smileGood, I have faith in you Amund. You have a week to get anything you think you might need. You can go.
Standing quickly and offering a nod of his head, Thank you for trusting me with this Sir. I will do everything in my power to not let you down.
I will do the stuff carried after sleep. Work wore me out yesterday.
@ Perry = Are you wanting us to travel together or arrive separately?
I am admittedly very new at PbP so please tell me if I am assuming too much of your characters.
I was uncertain of Amund and Perry's arrangement so I simply tried to focus on the relationships I had agreed to with Balthas and Jetta. Have I set an appropriate tone?
It'll be for Mairen and particularly Balthus to answer for certain, but it seems fairly in line with what they've put forth. You do want to be a bit careful with presuming too much about others' actions, but I think what you've got is all right.
I am admittedly very new at PbP so please tell me if I am assuming too much of your characters.
I was uncertain of Amund and Perry's arrangement so I simply tried to focus on the relationships I had agreed to with Balthas and Jetta. Have I set an appropriate tone?
I am fine with the tone you set for Balthus (note spelling please :)).
However, I would like to portray Slaher as being 'grumpy' towards Balthus but nice to other people, in particular children and also my 'adopted children'.
You may want to adjust your writing style regarding the use of bold, italics, etc. There are a couple of guides in the Online Campaign Section of these boards that are real helpful with that.
Other than that, welcome to PBPs! I think you're a natural. :)
I'm going to be leaving in the morning for Christmas stuff with my folks over the next couple of days - I should have Internet, but I may not have time for lengthy posts. I will be keeping an eye on things, though, and I should have enough time to keep the encounter moving.