Discuss!
Discuss discussions?
discuss things.
do we want to start any preliminary gathering scenes?
I'm cool with that.
You may assume you are in the Formerly Maid tavern at supper time and proceed with any RP you wish until we get started.
"Another pint!" The young man at the bar grins as he flips his coins onto the grubby wood, taking his drink and ignoring the roll of the bartender's eyes. As he weaves back to his table, letting the music bring a swing to his hips and shoulders, he can't help smiling at the ambience of the Formidably Maid. The food was tasty and hot, and though his coin was running out, he had a good feeling. Specifically, a good feeling about the drunk fellow who he'd just surreptitiously bumped into, pocketing a few coins from the foolishly open pouch at his belt. The silver disappears seamlessly into his sleeve as he takes his seat again, sitting to enjoy his meal.
He stretches in his seat, feeling the daggers in his boots rub against his calves, the daggers at his back shift against his spine, and the daggers at his hips not move an inch because they were strapped in better, and dammit, that was how it should be. And so what if they were mismatched? They had personality, and that was what mattered. Speaking of personality, he thinks, tearing off another mouthful of crusty bread and looking around the tavern, there sure are some interesting folks here. Wonder if anyone else seeks adventure? He spends the next few minutes eyeing the other patrons, occasionally grinning to himself and shaking his head as he imagines their stories.
OK Mikael de Triana, I was reading on the Warlord and it seems pretty simple really.
first of all you need to list what 6 maneuvers you know then indicate which ones you have ready. (at level 1 you can only ready 4 maneuvers)
your stance is always active unless you specify otherwise. later on you get additional stances, but you can only have one stance active at a time (at level 20 you can have 2 stances active at the same time) It takes a swift action to change stances. which means you cannot use a gambit and change stances in the same round.
Maneuvers are used once per encounter (usually, I have a couple of maneuvers that are 2/encounter with my stalker) and are recovered by performing a Gambit.
also you have daggers listed as your weapons you should be +6 to hit regular and using TWF you are +4/+4 and if in your stance, each dagger does an additional 1d6 damage but you will have -2 to AC while in your stance as well.
hope this help you some with this new concept we are using.
Simple enough, yeah. I'll have to go check Hero Lab and see which maneuvers I know -pretty sure I went for all 1st-level Thrashing Dragon and a couple of Scarlet Throne.
I can enter a stance or switch stances as a swift action. Ending a stance is a free action though, right? So if I'm finding myself in a tight spot and want to play it safe, I can drop my stance and not have -2 AC? (And obviously not get extra d6 damage as well...)
And how are you getting +6 as my to-hit bonus with a single weapon? Just out of curiosity. Hero Lab put me at +3/+3 with TWF or +5 with a single - +1 BAB, and +4 dex. If I'm missing something, tell me where, because I'm prone to overlooking all kinds of things! :P
oops you are right...I miss calculated.. sorry about that.
correct ending a stance is a free action.
also looks like we have 1 overlapping maneuver.. We both will have Swift claws maneuver.
I somehow completely overlooked that Scarlet Throne can ony be used when using a single one-handed weapon and no shield. Whoops. Looks like I have a couple of changes to make. :/ Solar Wind, or Golden Lion? What would you suggest?
Yeah, I noticed the overlap there. Ah well, one overlapping maneuver isn't going to make too much difference, right? For future reference, I'll be focusing heavily on Thrashing Dragon, moreso than any other discipline. :-)
I recommend you read the fluff of each style and choose that way, but that's just me.
Part of me wants to go Solar Wind, but thrown weapons take a lot of investment, and I'm already devoting my feats to TWF. I might go for Golden Lion. It's appropriately leader-y. I can see Mikael shouting words of encouragement and advice while laughing at and dancing around his enemies.
The orchish tattooed man walks his way to the bar, drawing many random pairs of eyes to him. Heads taller than the majority of the longshoremen, Pirates, and freebooters, it is strange that a bearded man, covered in tattoos of blue like northern waters, is also drawing some female attention as well. Speaking past a pair of things tusks, he flashes a smile at the barkeep and slaps some coin onto the wood, covered with a heavy, windscarred hand.
"Ale, if ya have it. If not, then rum." Once his drink is delivered, he removes his hand from the coins and heads over for an empty table. Taking a long swallow of the ale, the half-orc just shakes his head at the junk they call their "music" and performer. Looking at the young Varisian performers, he makes a brief slitting motion to get them to shut their pie holes.
Once he gets things quiet, he gets himself a beat started and begins a Northern drinking song about raiding, drinking, and a fine fire to come home to.
Although the song seems unfamiliar to many, the rich baritone of the Northern man fills the Maid, and by the second or third time reaching the chorus, the stranger has many singing along. Finishing the song with a pound of his fist and one long note, he returns to his ale and to watching the random assortment of folk entering and leaving the seedy hole of scum and villainy.
I will be mostly broken blade and veiled moon, I may dip some in Thrashing dragon if it fits my style.
my recommended list of maneuvers for you:
Leaping Dragon
Offensive roll
Swift claws
Wyrmling fang
Prince's attitude
Scything strike
Humming along to the music, Mikael is miffed to hear it stop. Glancing around, he soon sees the man responsible. Shaking his head, he draws Angelina from his right hip, flipping her once around his wrist before using her to cut his bread in half. "What do you say, Ange?" he mutters, brushing crumbs from the long, thin blade, straight on one edge, curved on the other. "Let's go pay him a visit."
Taking his plate in one hand and sliding Angelina back into place, he weaves through the tables again. Passing by the performers, he slips a few coins into the hand of the lovely girl with the flute with a smile and a wink, before taking a seat opposite the large bearded man.
"You have quite a voice, stranger," he says, offering the man a hand, "but I have to ask why you had to silence the previous entertainment. Do you have no appreciation for the nuanță of the tune?" His tone s light and conversational, a smile on his lips, with no threat or malice in his tone. The daggers strapped all over his body seem to tell a different tale - several tales, in fact, for no two are the same.
The half orc grins and stretches, his head tipping back as air leaves his lungs in a long, drawn out laugh. His armor rides up to his shoulders, the muscles flexing momentarily as he sees the Varisian male. He looks the man over for a moment, stroking his beard.
"Well, Dagger-Man, I appreciate a good tune, but if there's one thing I learned on the longboats, it's that a poor performance can make things quite...dangerous for the performer." He tips his tricorn back up off his brow, exposing a series of horrendous scars on his forehead that are not even beginning to be covered by the braid of long hair that runs down his back.
Between the tattoos, there are obvious lash marks and other signs of either abuse, battle, or possibly a combination of the two. The half orc sees quite jovial, considering the turn the conversation has taken, a smile also on his lips.
"Sit, Dagger-Man, and tell me your tale. There are too few that respond well to my kind, and I prefer to hear more about this place. It is a strange land." The half orc motions to an empty chair, as he places both his greataxe and his boarding axe on one of the other empty chairs, as a sign of good faith.
His smile breaking into a white grin, Mikael begins drawing his weapons, placing them on the other empty chair. First is Angelina, trusty Ange, from his right hip, more of a knife than a dagger, with one edge flat, the other sharp and gracefully curved. Next, from the horizontal scabbard on his left hip, a weapon in the style of an Ulfen sæx, the gentle curve of the handle wrapped in crimson leather. From his back he draws a Varisian curved blade with an elaborate scrimshaw handle, as well as what appears to be a Taldan rondel dagger modified to a more prominent cutting edge. Finally, after a moment's hesitation - deciding to be entirely honest - he leans back, puts his boots on the table, and draws two more blades. A Chelish stiletto and a naval-style dirk join the other four.
That done, he leans back in his chair, hands behind his head. "Dagger-Man may be appropriate, but my parents named me Mikael, so that's what I go by. This is Angelina, Hallkatla, Yolanda, Theodosia, Donnallara, and Philippa." He gestures to the small heap of blades on the other chair. "My tale is one that would take many more drinks, which I would ask you provide if you wish me to recount it, for I have been many places and experienced many things." The grin widens by a molar or two.
"But what of your own tale, stranger? What brings a singer of northern sagas so far south?"
As conversations continue the door of the tavern open, A relatively short man mostly of Tien descent but there are hints of Chelaxian in his features.
he is clad in black leathers and his only weapon is a small blade sheathed about his waist near the small of his back, its hilt easily within reach and positioned just right to allow a quick draw of the blade. Its length to long for a dagger but to short for a decent sword.
His face bears the scars of one that has seen combat. scanning the room he makes his way to the bar orders a drink but barely touches it.
the man seems to be looking for someone or something.
"Ah, now there's a tale or two involved in that one. Not so trusting of strangers, mind you, but let's just say that the Steaming Sea is as dangerous as it is large, and sometimes, one has to leave the familiar for a chance to make their own name and forge their own legend."
The half-orc runs a large scar on his bicep that looks to be from something much larger than a mortal blade. He chuckles.
"Besides. They say there are no men of worth down this far south. Someone must change that, and if it happens to end up being me, then my welcome in the great mead halls of my forebearers will be great indeed."
The skald seems to be expertly dodging this line of questions, while giving just a touch of truth.
"Stranger, your words are nearly as slippery as my feet." The young Varisian man chuckles, taking another sip of his drink, watching the half-orc through dark eyes over the lip of his mug. "I've given you my name, which means I am no longer a stranger to you. You to me, however... now that is a different matter." He smiles again, good humor in his tone and a question in his eyes. "Any name will do. I like to have something by which to address potential business partners."
"Slippery words, steady feet. Makes for good sailing My name is Ausk Goruzka. I was once one of the riggers on the longship Stormsails. But that was many years ago..."
The singer smirks. "Potential business partner, hmm? Now you are the one speaking in slippery terms."
Mikael leans back in his seat again, finishing his drink. "In my time, I've become used to going where the current takes me. Bending with the wind where others would break, letting misfortune wash over me. And to be perfectly honest with you, Ausk, I'm getting tired of bad luck. I think it's time I had myself a real adventure - none of this wandering from place to place, living hand-to-mouth with no company spare the girls." He gestures again to the small heap of knives to his left.
"So. A real adventure. Plenty of it to be had in a place like this, if you're willing to look for it. Problem is, while I'm fast on my feet and faster with a knife-" He siezes the Chelish stiletto with his left hand, flips it into his right, and stabs it into the surface of the table to prove his point, leaving it wobbling "-I'm not the strongest. You look like you know how to use those axes, and I know you know a thing or two about sailing. I like to keep an ear to the ground, and I've heard tales of the Stormsails - won't ask what you're doing away from it, as I figure you would have told me already if you were inclined to do so, mmm?"
He goes to take another swig of his pint, realizes it's empty and sets it aside with a shrug. "Plus," he adds, his temporarily serious expression breaking into that white grin again, "if I do end up having the adventure of a lifetime, I'll need someone to sing the tale. I'm not that self-serving, and while I can dance a mean jig, my singing voice is better off not being heard."
The serious expression returns. "So, Ausk. I know we've only just met, and this is awfully forward of me, but I've got a good feeling about you. How about I buy the next round and we can talk over the idea of adventure-seeking together?" A smile crawls across his lips, a twinkle in his eye, as if reflected off the stiletto in the table before him.
Speaking of, Who's ready to go? I think Salsa said he'd be late coming, but is everyone else ready?
do we begin with a classic barroom brawl?
sounds old school to me.
I'm ready.
A fight works for me. I can have a reason to be hunting down Luke. Want me to come in to find him and start to punchify things?
wait...why are you hunting Luke?
what did I do?
Iono. You said a barroom brawl. I figured you were volunteering yourself! :)
I'm going over the sheets for the ready characters now. I think we may start with a good brawl. :)
Well, from the traits chosen, only Luke gets in a brawl. The rest of you are incapacitated beforehand. :P
I rescind my statement about wanting to be in a brawl with Luke!
What? I am not like Noro, I am a little squishier.
So youall know, there will be an GM-NPC with you. I'll use him mainly to suggest things and as another character for you to interact with. In fact, Luke is about to interact with him in a very martial way. ;)
Edit: I'll also be using him to brush over the more uninteresting and mundane combats that plague PbPs. Becasue PbP takes so long to do combat, I want each combat to be an important one, not a speed bump/resource waster.
Sabine: I don't see your traits on your sheet.
GM, I'm going to update Ausk in about an hour or so. Just woke up and have to look at new gas kitchen equipment (Christmas present and all), but once I'm done with that, I'll hit Ausk's background hard and heavy, and he'll soon be ready. I think this has shown good about his personality and such.
Ya, he looks good crunch wise. No rush.
I think he's coming together as far as fluff and everything. Just got to figure out how to play this low Wisdom better. I'm thinking very trusting of ocean goers, sort of superstitious.
Wis 8 isn't enough to make a huge impact, in my view. He may be a bit trusting, perhaps a bit superstitious, but nothing drastc.
going to help you a bit here GM...
Luke scanned the common room not noticing any that might be helpful. many of the patrons seems just as new to this place as he was.
turning back to the barkeep, he orders another drink as he brings the drink Luke places the coin on the table. but before the barkeep can take it, Tell me, I heard on the docks about a ship at anchor just off the coast a short row from here, The Wormwood, any truth to that?
The barkeep leans in and says, Aye, but ye didn't hear it from me. She's been there for a few days now, just sitting. Not many have spotted her, but that crow feller told me just yesterday, that he did.
Guess what, guys... The party, it has started! I did fill in a couple gaps, especially with luke, and just threw youall into the thick of things, essentially. Welcome to the Wormwood!
A quick poll: how nasty and dark and oppressive should I make this. It has the potential to really abuse your characters, but I need to know how far to take it. You will probably be beaten, but should I describe the lashes? Last time I ran this, women were not exempt from the brutality and one NPC in particular was beaten several times just to get at the PC's. I will say that I refuse to go into sexual abuse, but short of that, I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable.
This also has to do with the tone of the game. Would youall prefer this to be a gritty survival game or a light hearted pirate romp?
If you aren't in the opening post, post here and I'll get you involved. Assume you are with the others and waking up as they are.
So, I'm trying to decide on two level one spells. I think it's between Aspect of the Nightingale, Cure Light Wounds, Enhance Water, or Moment of Greatness. Any of which could be fun and useful.
As far as abuse? I'm cool with it. I like the idea of there being a fair bit of grit but with the idea that we can rise up and not just survive but thrive. Sort of give the idea that it's a dangerous world if you're not a Free Captain.
I like dark and extremely abusive, but maybe that's just me. Take it to the extreme, I'm not here to play with bunnies and daffodils.
Unless the bunnies are trying to kill you. Then bunnies are ok.
I mean, well yeah, humanoid eating bunnies are a whole different story.
On the road, will post later tonight.