This is the discussion thread .
Post your characters here so we'll be able to check them
The group is in my mind doable for several adventures
I hope I've got the right thread!
Amunrel
Varisian Elven male Rogue 1st
Ability Scores Base Speed: 30’
Strength 13 (+1) Attack (melee/ranged): +1/+3
Dexterity 16 (+3) Hit Dice: (1d8+1) 9hp
Constitution 12(+1) AC: (Leather, Dex) 15 (Touch 13, Flatfoot 12)
Intelligence 14 (+2) Saves (F/R/W): +1/+5/+1 (+3 vs enchantments)
Wisdom 13 (+1) Alignment: Neutral Good
Charisma 12 (+1) Initiative: +3
Racial Abilities
Dexterity & Intelligence +2 and Constitution –2
Low-Light Vision
Keen Senses: +2 to sight and sound based Perception checks and can make Perception checks to spot secret or concealed doors within 10’ regardless of whether they’re actively looking
Elven Immunities: Immune to magic sleep effects and gets a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells or effects.
Elven Magic: Has a +2 racial bonus on caster level checks to overcome spell resistance and receive a +2 racial bonus on Appraise checks made to identify the properties of magical items.
Weapon Familiarity: Proficient with Long Bows, Short Bows (and their composite versions), Long Swords, Rapiers and treat any weapon entitled “Elven” as martial weapons.
Favoured Class: Wizard
Class Abilities
Weapon Proficiencies: Can wield all simple weapons and in addition to elven weapon familiarity can wield Hand Crossbows, Sap and the Short Sword.
Armour Proficiency: Can use any light armour but no shields.
Sneak Attack: Whenever he surprises a foe or flanks them he gets to inflict +1d6 damage to that attack.
Trapfinding: Can use Perception skill to locate traps even those with a DC greater than 20 and can even use Disable Device to disarm magical traps.
Skills
Acrobatics (Dex) 0+3= +3
Appraise (Int) 1+2+3= +6 (+8 to determine properties of magical items)
Bluff (Cha) 0+1= +1
Climb (Str) 0+1= +1
Diplomacy (Cha) 1+1+3= +5
Disable Device (Int) 1+2+3= +6
Disguise (Cha) 0+1= +1
Escape Artist (Dex) 0+3= +3
Heal (Wis) 0+1= +1
Intimidate (Cha) 0+1= +1
Knowledge/Local (Int) 1+2+3= +6
Linguistics (Int) 1+2+3= +6
Perception (Wis) 1+1+5= +7 (+9 with sight and sound based Perception checks)
Perform/ (Cha) 0+1= +1
Profession/Merchant (Wis) 1+1+3= +5
Ride (Dex) 0+3= +3
Sense Motive (Wis) 1+1+5= +7
Spellcraft (Int) 0+2= +2
Stealth (Dex) 1+3+3= +7
Survival (Wis) 1+1+3= +5
Swim (Str) 0+1= +1
Feats
Alertness: Gets +2 to bonus to Perception and Sense Motive checks
Languages Known
Common (Taldane), Elven, Draconic, Gnome and Varisian.
Possessions
Traveller’s Outfit, Leather Armour, Long Sword, Dagger, Short Bow, Quiver with 20 Arrows, Backpack, Bedroll, Sack, Flint & Steel, Belt Pouch, Thieves Tools, Hooded Lantern, Flasks of Oil x2, 39 gold pieces, 6 silver pieces
Encumbrance: 43.9lbs
Character Notes
Amunrel was born 126 years ago to a pair of especially flighty elven parents whom left him in the care of his older sister who wasn’t that much more responsible than they were.
Growing up he became more responsible so much so that he was compared to his great grandfather who was considered a “bore” and “inflexible” which to them seemed to include most elves, however his parents split apart when he was still an infant and he was left in his sister’s care developing a larcenous interest due to the lack of attention he received.
He however befriended a travelling merchant who chose to apprentice the youth teaching him the merchant trade as it became obvious that his beautiful and vapid older sibling was less than interested in keeping tabs on her younger brother.
Amunrel developed his career as a merchant keeping up the elven ways purely because it helped put people at ease and whilst he kept his rogue skills in good use he found his career as a merchant more fulfilling than the perils of burglary.
He eventually encountered another of his sister’s former lovers who directed him to a Taldane village only to encounter a young half elf whom he discovered was his sister’s daughter something he later revealed to her when he chose to chaperon her on her “escape” from an arranged marriage.
Her father confronted them and after calming him down managed to get the full story about his sister’s latest exploit.
Having been alone since the death of his mentor some twenty years previously Amunrel decided it was time to settle down for a while and looking after his wayward niece might help him get over his own misgivings over his family.
Unfinished, posted to mark the thread.
Halsanna Mayumil Firdraes
Female Half-Elf Fighter 1
HP: 11 (1d10+1)
Init: +3
Spd.: 30ft (6 sq.)
AC: 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 14
BAB/CMB: +1 / +1 (Def 16)
• Melee: Kukri +1 (1d4, 18-20/x2)
• Ranged: Light Crossbow +4 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
SA:
SQ: Low Light Vision, Keen Senses, Elven Immunities, Elf Blood, Favored Class (Fighter)
Abilities: Str 11, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 15, Wis 12, Cha 10
Saves: Fort: +2, Ref: +3, Will +1
Skills:
Skill =("Rank" + "Ability" + "Class")
Climb +3 =(0 + 0 + 3)
Craft(Weaponsmithing) +6 =(1 + 2 + 3)
Handle Animal +4 =(1 + 0 + 3)
Intimidate +3 =(0 + 0 + 3)
Knowledge(Dungeoneering) +9 =(1 + 2 + 3 + 3 skill focus)
Knowledge(Engineering) +6 =(1 + 2 + 3)
Ride +7 =(1 + 3 + 3)
Survival +4 =(0 + 1 + 3)
Swim +3 =(0 + 0 + 3)
Feats: Skill Focus, Point Blank Shot, Rapid Reload(L. Crossbow)
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"The bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy"
Adjunta was born into a family that can trace it's lineage all the way back to the Azlanti empire. His blood nearly pure and his calm cool features carry much of the features of his Azlanti ancestors. Adjunta's family lineage was not the lineage of kings, nobles, or even priests, his was a legacy of middle men. His most ancient ancestors were slaves, scribes and accountants, but as the Azlanti empire fell and the Taldor empire climbed into prosperity so did the prospects of Adjunta's ancestors . . . albeit not their positions.
Adjunta's father is a proud member of the bureaucracy, 'Nothing in this empire happens without us!' he'd often tell his son. While the nobles play at ruling everything is handled behind the scenes by the bureaucracy. It was an important lesson for the young boy who once dreamt that his family was descendant from a long line of kings. Power was now in the hands of the middle men. Adjunta has no intentions of being someone else's dog. Adjunta plans on making a name for himself, but he understands his father's lessons, and should he attain any sort of power the first thing he'll do is surround himself with the right people.
Here's Morindur, sheet details are in his profile. Still working on it, but have some basics down. Will update tomorrow.
Stats so far:
I haven't applied the bonus from Skill Focus yet. I'm still deciding where to put it. Her routine frequently involves acrobatics, so it's probably a toss-up between that or two of the perform skills(dancing or comedy). I took the extra skill point for the bonus class instead of the hit point.
I still need to buy gear too. I just wanted to make sure that this is okay so far.
Female half-elf bard 1
CG Medium humanoid
Init +3
Defense
AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 10
hp 8 (1d8)
Fort 0 Ref 5 (2 + 3 DEX) Will 2
Offense
Spd 30 ft.
melee rapier (1d6) 18-20/X2)
melee whip (1d3) X2) (-4 penalty to attack roll)
Statistics
Str 10 Dex 16 Con 10 Int 14 Wis 10 Cha 16
Base Atk 0; CMB 0
Feats
Skill Focus(bonus feat), Weapon Finesse
Skills
Acrobatics +7 (1 rank, +3 DEX, +3 class skill)
Bluff +7 (1 rank, +3 CHA, +3 class skill)
Diplomacy +7 (1 rank, +3 CHA, +3 class skill)
Disguise +7 (1 rank, +3 CHA, +3 class skill)
Escape Artist +7 (1 rank, +3 DEX, +3 class skill)
Perform(comedy) +7 (1 rank, +3 CHA, +3 class skill)
Perform(dancing)+7 (1 rank, +3 CHA, +3 class skill)
Perform(singing)+7 (1 rank, +3 CHA, +3 class skill)
Sleight of Hand +7 (1 rank, +3 DEX, +3 class skill)
Languages Common(Taldane), Elf,
SQ low-light vision, keen senses, elf blood, elven immunities, adaptability
Gear
Spells Known
0-level : 4
Dancing Lights
Ghost Sound
Lullaby
Prestidigitation
1st-level : 1
Animate Rope
Silent Image
Spells Per Day
1st Level - 2
Favored Class: Bard
I tried to build her so that it makes sense with her focus on her art. If it looks impractical enough to hurt the group, please let me know.
I'm glad it turns out she's not as smart or as wise as her sister. I was willing to take her wisdom into the negatives to ensure at least part of that. ;)
Are traits going to be included?
Haven't yet got the companion book on elves just curious to know if you're going to either include them or leave them out?
'Vae, Uncle Mor, you may want to compare your last names with Father's.
"Hmmm. Yes. Very observant of you, Halsanna." Morindur flexes his fingers, and in a small flash produces a deck of cards, which he then begins to shuffle. He stretches his legs and brings them to rest on the edge of the dining room table.
"Odd though, I've seen both spellings. Perhaps someone is pulling pranks with the family crest...Oribar?"
I was following your lead, uncle!
Jal has it both ways in his character's profile though. Could there be a reason for it, like a slight name change after being disowned?
How she feels about her mother probably greatly depends on what her father has told his children about her.
She fell in love with the arts at an early age, likely if she was ever taken to a festival or circus as a child. She became particularly infatuated with the traditions of court fools and similar entertainers. If her father sent her to a foreign school(unlikely if he has been disowned by his house) she would probably spend that time away from home immersing herself in different cultures, galvanizing her distaste for certain elements of her own culture and seeing things she feels Taldor would greatly benefit from adopting. She would also shirk a lot of the studies her father probably expected and would throw herself into the study of the arts. If she was sent to a school within Taldor, I guess this could work out the same way, though she may have to look elsewhere for the exposure to other cultures.
She likely greatly admires her elder sister, and is possibly a bit envious if she gets on better with her father. Her view of Halsanna as the "responsible" one may serve as an excuse for her own irresponsibility, as if it's simply the role she's meant to play opposite her sister.
She dislikes much of the pretention she thinks she sees in many artists. She feels that art should bring joy, relief, wonder, and inspiration to people, and she fully intends for her art to focus on that. She prefers to perform for the common folk, even though it brings her less money. She hates mean-spirited humor, and if there is ever a "victim" in her act she tries to ensure that it is in good fun and is quick to self-deprecate so that they're not alone. She's flirtatious with anyone she thinks it would bring a smile to. She doesn't do this out of serious interest the vast majority of the time or because she enjoys leading people along and playing with their feelings, but rather to brighten their day and to instill a bit of confidence where she suspects it is lacking.
Her act is a wildly varying one, often focusing on performing minor magical tricks and sometimes dangerous acrobatic feats combined with humor. Her act changes depending on her audience, where she focuses on tricks and physical humor if there are children among the audience and uses more dance, refined illusions, and sex appeal to entertain older audiences. She takes this so far that has two sets of fool's motley, one that's a bit more conservative, the other that is blatantly showy. She wouldn't want her father to see the latter, since despite whatever friction my be between them she deeply wishes for him to always see her as his little girl.
She still can't quite accept the inevitable results of the differing lifespans between herself, her sister, and the human members of her family. She lives in a sort of denial over the fact that her father and uncle have aged so much so "quickly". She doesn't even permit herself to think of the notion of outliving them, as she simply doesn't want to deal with it.
She is very much someone that would run at the first hint of an arranged marriage.
As fun as this is, I would advise against reaching that "10 post" limit that cements the alias until the name issue is cleared up.
Gods! Live a little, Sis!
What's the worst that could happen?
Okay, besides being stuck with the wrong name forever?
;)
I'm seeing Vivaeri going with a shorter haircut too. It's probably more comfortable that way in a fool's cap hood.
If I run off with Uncle Amunrel, is it possible we're not all together at the start of this adventure? Or have we linked back up again?
"Two years ago , you reconciliated with your father . Some days ago , he was happy to tell you that as head of the family , he had arranged for Val to marry a scion of nobility fallen on hard times which would at least legitimize her. His remarks at the time 'this will stabilize this hoyden girl ' is alas typical of the place women have in Taldor. Vivaeri did do a flit then and you have just learned she took refuge in a nearby village. Some rumors are that she did run away with a young elf..."
Quoted for reference's sake.
Y'know.. I don't know.. Her sister would have helped her run away as well. *looks to robin* We're going to need some clarification on this. *bright grin*
I can post the basic traits if you want but only if thats allowed.
Y'know.. I don't know.. Her sister would have helped her run away as well.
"Thanks! I'll remember you when I'm famous!"
Would Halsanna have been set on joining the military, or was she training to go in a different direction in life? If she intended to go with the "adventuring lifestyle", Vivaeri probably would have tried to follow her due to equal parts worry for her sister and wanting to join in the fun.
After running off with Uncle Amunrel, I can easily see Vivaeri throwing herself into her chosen profession if she hadn't been doing it before running away. I guess Amunrel's elven patience will really help him out there. ;)
She really is going to be terrible with money unless someone is there to slap her on the hand. When she isn't spending it on frivolous things, she absolutely cannot resist giving big to beggars and (once she hits it big)the poor in general. Left to her own devices, she's probably going to go without regular meals every now and then too.
Wow, how is Adjunta Paul going to get mixed up with the likes of us?
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Sir Oribar Firdraes
Male middle-age human aristocrat 1
LG Medium humanoid
hp 13
HD: 1d8+1
Init: +1
Speed: 30ft.
AC: 17, touch 11, flat-footed 16
BAB/CMB: +0/+3 (Def 18)
Melee: longsword +4 (1d8+3/19-20)
Ranged: +2
SA:
SQ:
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +4
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 15
Skills:
Diplomacy +6
Intimidate +6
Knowledge (nobility) +4
Linguistics +4
Ride +5
Sense Motive +5
Languages: Common, Taldan, Varisian
Feats: Toughness, Weapon Focus (longsword)
Equipment: 1.4
On person:
longsword (15 gp/4 lb)
heavy steel shield (20 gp/15 lb)
chain shirt (100 gp/25 lb)
signet ring (5 gp/0 lb)
courtier's outfit (30 gp/6 lb)
backpack: (2 gp/2 lb)
flint and steel (1 gp/0 lb)
whetstone (1 cp/1 lb)
blanket (5 sp/3 lb)
rations x4 (1 gp/2 lb)
belt pouch (1 gp/0.5 lb)
bell (wrapped in cotton) (1 gp/ 0 lb)
chalk x10 (1 sp/0 lb)
Coins (in backpack): 2 gp , 3 sp , 9 cp (0 lb)
Capacity: Light 76 lb, Medium 153 lb, Heavy 230 lb
Current Load: Light (58.5)
ACP: -6
Description:
Oribar stands a shade over 6 feet tall, with noble features common in Taldor. A long face, sharp nose and near-perfect features. His dark hair is worn slicked back and braided in a short tail down to his shoulders. He has a long moustache which is kept neatly trimmed. Streaks of grey are noticeable at his temples and in his moustache.
In his youth he must have been quite the physical specimen, but time has dampened his strength. A quick glance will tell anyone that even at this age he is the better of most any other man, or even an orc. But the real interest is in his eyes, which dart back and forth with the awareness of youth but the caution of age.
He is dressed in garb suitable for a court, though noticebly less ostentatious. He wears no jewellery save for his noble signet ring. Standing next to a noble he would be considered the inferior, and would be mistaken for a commoner if not for his bearing and physical appearance.
When he speaks his voice is a gentle baritone, smooth and with practiced inflections suitable for the court. He is equally adept at conversing with the ever-present Varisians in their native tongue. He keeps his emotions in check, and any outburst is likely a calculated maneuver. Despite the trappings of nobility, Oribar yearns to live a life of adventure and service to the church of Iomedae.
Sorry for the surname confusion - might be interesting if my brother has changed his name to start a new branch of the family.
Y'know.. I don't know.. Her sister would have helped her run away as well."Thanks! I'll remember you when I'm famous!"
After running off with Uncle Amunrel, I can easily see Vivaeri throwing herself into her chosen profession if she hadn't been doing it before running away. I guess Amunrel's elven patience will really help him out there. ;)
She really is going to be terrible with money unless someone is there to slap her on the hand. When she isn't spending it on frivolous things, she absolutely cannot resist giving big to beggars and (once she hits it big)the poor in general. Left to her own devices, she's probably going to go without regular meals every now and then too.
Amunrel watching on hides a wryful grin.
~She has so much of her mother in her its almost as if she was actually here coaching her~ he admits to himself.The watching her tip the beggars.
~Now that must be from her father's side, I remember her arguing with me when I did that~he thoughfully added but kept to himself.
"So does Vivaeri need rescuing?" Amunrel helpfully asks after she moved on.
Amunrel is a merchant by trade so keeps up his profession which means they have a stable income, well until her father turns up to throw a spanner in the works!
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Oribar wants his daughters to avoid the mistakes of his youth - he always considered himself chaste and righteous, but love does funny things to a man. At the age of 18 he was swept off his feet by the prettiest woman he had ever seen, and elven woman by the name of Larusiel. It seemed she could get him to do anything, even enter her bed unwed.
This seemingly harmless tryst ended up with a child, and Larusiel leaving soon after the birth. Oribar never understood why he was abandoned, left embarassed and destitute to care for the young babe with his dwindling fortune. Over the years Laru returned, usually on the anniversary of their meeting or the birth-day of their child. She would stay a short time, but soon wanderlust overtook her as their joyous reuninion turned to bitter argument. (In truth, Laru simply cannot face the frightening reality of out-living her child, though Oribar feels only that he has been betrayed.)
Years later, Oribar was married to a young woman of negligible importance. At first he was distraught over the notion of the forced marriage, railing against his father at introducing a new woman into his life and the life of his daughter. But tradition had the better of him, and eventually he acquiesced to his father's demands.
The marriage, to a young Taldan noble named Trianna Habrensin, gave Oribar new hope. The couple eventually fell in love and raised their daughter for a period of three years. Trianna even agreed to the awkward arrangement with Laru's visits, though luckily by this time the romance between man and elf had faded. In their third year of marriage, Trianna became pregnant and the joy of a new birth brought happiness to the house - his young daughter would pester him with questions like "Will she have pointy ears like me?"
Sadly, Oribar's life was struck by tragedy again as Trianna died during an early childbirth. Bankrupting his estate, Oribar kept his newest daughter alive with the finest medicines and magical treatments. His father, much more pragmatic in these matters, refused to offer his son any more help - having twice squandered his small estate on daughters there was no further reason to suspect he could successfully continue the line.
Widower and abandoned by family and romance, Oribar fled to his small manor to raise his daughters in peace. Donating what coin he could to the local church, his free time was spent learning the skills of martial combat. A fire was burning inside him, as if determined to fight fate itself.
One night, bringing his children home from the church, his small wagon was ambushed by brigands. Not wanting to endanger his girls, he offered them all he could, all he had, if they would leave. But the thieves discovered the young girls hiding and decided to take them as a prize. Pushed to desperation, Oribar cried out to Iomedae for mercy. At that moment a black horse, larger than even a draught-horse, plunged out of the trees and knocked aside two of the bandits. Oribar seized the opportunity, attacking the remaining thieves. He stayed his hand, giving them the mercy he expected for himself - though the gallows awaited them, he would have no part in their execution.
Years have passed since that night, his daughters grown into fine young women. Wishing them nothing but happiness, he has arranged for his eldest daughter to be wed...
Would Halsanna have been set on joining the military, or was she training to go in a different direction in life? If she intended to go with the "adventuring lifestyle", Vivaeri probably would have tried to follow her due to equal parts worry for her sister and wanting to join in the fun.
Sorry.. missed this. Halsanna was probably looking into being the 'wandering' type, at least for now. The military is waay to regimented. It would have been decent travel, but still would have been grounded in Taldor, and truth be told, that place is a bit too.. self-inflated, ultimately. *looks at Oribar's history* I'm older than you.. *adjusts age* Guess that makes you 20? 21? *grins and pokes* and you're not fooling anyone with that name trick again so soon.
My dear brother, what trials you've undergone. Let me see if I have this right - oh, and either of you two fine young ladies can chime in.
Vivaeri is your daughter by Luma, and Halsanna is your daughter by Trianna. Amunrel here is the brother of Luma.
I, of course, am your brother, and if I haven't thanked you for not protesting my re-taking the family name of Firdraes, then let me do so now.
And this Azlanti...Adjunta Paul? Not a distant cousin perhaps? *Morindur smiles* forgive me, I couldn't help the joke.
In any event, do I have this right?
A lock of hair drops out of place as Halsanna pokes her uncle's chest, and he smiles with a blush. 'Larusiel! Right, right. Where ever did I get Luma from? Well, bother - it must be in the ether.
Thank you for the correction, I'll learn not to imbibe so early in the day...else I won't have to mock absent-minded senility.'
'You can't imagine how helpful seeming out-of-touch is, when at the gambling hall.'
A crossbow bolt and whittling knife fall from nerveless fingers, as she looks up to blink with incomprehension at her father. "...wha-- Imean-- who-- I'm--" Her mouth moved as she blinked, but no sound came out, one hand going to her chest, her voice actually a squeak. "...Me??"
Yeah, I'm a little confused as well. I hope it isn't hereditary...
I thought we were twins for a moment. Either way, I'll certainly help Sanna out if it's her that is facing an arranged marriage. That guy isn't right for her at all...
"Uncle Mor"'s feet get bumped by the older of his nieces, who looks up at him. "You got us confused again, Uncle." I'm the older daughter, and Mom is 'Larusiel' not 'Luma'. 'Vae's mother was Trianna." A strong finger pokes his chest."..she's the younger one." A smile gets tossed his way, her good humor showing for once. "Take too long practicing that 'old man' disguise, and you won't have to practice, you know."My dear brother, what trials you've undergone. Let me see if I have this right - oh, and either of you two fine young ladies can chime in.
Vivaeri is your daughter by Luma, and Halsanna is your daughter by Trianna. Amunrel here is the brother of Luma.
"Knowing my sister it wouldn't surprise me if she used that as an alias..."Amunrel added thoughtfully.
"Now my older sister she's really flighty you really don't want to know about the escapades she's pulled and thats after she was married!" Amunrel shakes his head.
"Humans have the remarkable ability to throw tantrums at the most unlikely of causes, your mother was almost conservative in her habits I have to say I'm wondering what she saw in your father, now if only I could persuade him not to be wielding that sword every time we meet..." Amunrel openly tells them.
Character's check-up
Amunrel :
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I think you have only 10 skill points not 11 . 8 as rogue + 2 int
You put Wizard as your favored class (plan to multi-class ? ) so the extra skill point is not applicable for rogue levels .
Otherwise , you can of course take Varisian as a language . But Varisia is far from Taldor and Varisians are usually found only there.
There is no problem if you want to come from there of course
, when I first proposed my version of the...
Only have 10 skills last time I checked, are you counting Survival as 2pts since it isn't on the rogue skill list ala 3.5 rules?
Last time I checked there's nothing in beta that says it cost 2pts for a cross class skill anymore I believe I don't get the class skill bonus though but I'll double check.I chose Varisia because of the gypsy style nature of some of the natives to give an explanation for Larusiel's wild nature I can change it if wished but I'll reread the section again.
Take care and all the best!
My mistake , Amunrel . I counted 11 .
No problem it did reveal I'd counted Survival as a class skill when it isn't, is there still a magic light problem in the party mix?
So just to clarify the group consists of;
Halsanna, half elven female Fighter
Adjunta, Azlanti human male Cleric
Morindur, Taldane human male Celestial Sorceror
Vivaeri, half elven female Bard
Sir Oribar, Taldane human male Aristocrat/Paladin
and
Amunrel, Varisian elven male Rogue/Wizard
That sound about right?
Bah.. take all the fun out of the game, whydon'tcha? Play what you want to play, worry about balancing issues somewhere else. It isn't the "perfect" party that always has fun --well, unless you're trying to be 'ideal'-- Its the party with three fighters, and a barbarian with a bard that looks at each other and says, "well, this is going to be interesting.."
Bah.. take all the fun out of the game, whydon'tcha? Play what you want to play, worry about balancing issues somewhere else. It isn't the "perfect" party that always has fun --well, unless you're trying to be 'ideal'-- Its the party with three fighters, and a barbarian with a bard that looks at each other and says, "well, this is going to be interesting.."
Maybe I should base my character on Silk from the Belgariad?
No, I'm no where near THAT good!Well this game is supposed to start off light hearted or ridiculous and I'm interested in seeing what was planned and now what had to be changed given the party present and accounted for!
Hmmm....
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It was a dark evening in an elven city somewhere in Varisia.
An old elf sat behind his polished desk that looked like it was grown to order and was and even the magnificence of this was paled by the other treasures within the library that stretched upwards towards a skylight kept lit by means known onyl to the elves needless to say this library was extensive as the library of alexandra was legendary and this merely hinted at the power and wealth of its owner.
His visitor bowed and left keeping his gaze low and respectful for whilst some people imagine crime lords to wield power unimaginable elves such as the owner of this estate made even that look insignificant in comparison.
"Well are you going to speak or continue waiting there?" he rasped making an almost negligent glance towards one end of the library.
The library was based on a circular design no doubt keeping the elven taste in culture and art to its extreme and yet look perfectly natural even from the interior and from behind a bookshelf a slight and very young elf stepped out placing back a book he had been perusing whilst he had been waiting on the shelf he had picked it from many hours before.
"Pleasant tidings grandfather I hear word has been received about my dear sister," Amunrel began to say.
"Hmph I don't know whose worst, Taru and her equally silly husband, Larusiel and her diversions or you and your perchant for making yourself appear anything that what you are!" Amunrel's grandfather snorted.
"Has Taruvariel held another of her balls these humans are so fond of?" Amunrel asked carefully stepping closer making a point of keeping his eyes open for any unlikely pitfalls before him.
"That isn't what you want to talk about isn't it?" his grandfather retorted.
"No, I assume Larusiel is well?" Amunrel agreed.
"She has apparently just ended another of her liasions, but I suppose where she is isn't what would interest you now does it?" he mocked.
Amunrel blinked.
"Why grandfather whatever do you mean?" Amunrel protested now reaching the desk and scanning for the nearest chair.
"All of my children and their children when they come to see me its always about money or favours, you included I assume you've come about the children haven't you?" Amunrel's grandfather shrewdly pointed out.
Amunrel simply smiled back as he gingerly sat down.
"Children? Who should I send congratulations to? I assume this is joyous news?" Amunrel asked back his face never once flickering what truly was passing through his mind.
"Larusiel apparently got herself married to another human... again!" his grandfather sneered.
Amunrel joined his hands together and looked straight back his glance down the only reaction to his grandfather's words.
"Oh yes one of the others raised you didn't he? A human raising one of my clan as a merchant no less!" he snorted.
Amunrel's eyes hardened as he leaned back his mouth compressed.
"Didn't like that now did you, for what its worth he did a remarkable job considering how the rest of you turned out!" Amunrel's grandfather's mouth soured in a grimace.
"However..." he began to say.
"Yes grandfather?" Amunrel responded his eyes flickered down before returning to fix on his grandfather whatever retort had been waiting for him to utter was stilled almost out of a certainty that he knew something else was going to be raised for comment.
"The taldane she married apparently raised his children, he was even ostracized by his family even though after Larusiel and he divorced and he remarried he went to great lengths, costly ones at that to raise my greatgrandchildren," he mused as he settled back in his chair his eyes hidden as he looked down at his desk.
"Most of the people think Taldanes see themselves better than elves," Amunrel noted aloud.
"Taldanes think they're better than everyone... and no they're not well at least not worse than the Chelish at least," his grandfather corrected him.
"So what are their names?" Amunrel asked for a moment.
"Find out for yourself," his grandfather responded.
"Myself? Are you sure?" Amunrel asked in surprise.
"Of course someone has to make sure they don't turn out like your sisters after all and I do want to see them at some stage," his grandfather answered as Amunrel's eyes lit up.
"Get over yourself, just look in on them make sure they're alright and then check on Larusiel at least let her know how they're doing since she occasionally returns to see them every few years or so," his grandfather told him.
"She does!" this time Amunrel started in surprise his grandfather almost smiled at the reaction after all it was the first time Amunrel's sister had shown anything close to family responsibilities since she had left her infant brother in the hands of her first human husband over sixty years ago.
Amunrel got up from the chair trying his best to hide the torrent of thoughts crossing his mind but he retained enough control to bow and leave the library without making it look too hasty a flight.
After he had left and the door to the library had closed Amunrel's grandfather turned and looked across to the opposite side of the library to the one Amunrel had hidden behind.
"Well?" he asked tonelessly.
A shadowy figure stepped out pausing before proceeding to the same chair Amunrel had used but just touched it deliberately standing upright rather than sit down.
"The giants are definitely moving, there is evidence that a small band of them tried to make a move to somewhere in Andoran however there is evidence that someone in the government and the lumber consortium is covering up raids on the route from Olfden to Falcon's Hollow," she reported.
"Any effect on our interests?" Amunrel's grandfather questioned.
"No the illness of the current ruler of Korvossa is having more of an impact than the Lumber Consortium's illegal activities, of more concern is the actions in Absolom," she replied.
"Actions?" her master asked.
"The various factions are gearing up to consolidate their interests in the wake of the death of Aroden," she replied tersely.
"Hmph, Cailean makes a better god than that idiot ever did," her master snorted in reply.
"Any orders master?" she asked.
"Make sure our interests in Riddleport are aware that nothing happenes to my granddaughter they certainly wouldn't want to wake up and find out a second starfall had happened in their backyard now would they?" he told her his manner almost jovial but his eyes cold and gleaming showing how deadly serious he was.
"Master..." she began to say unnerved even though she knew her master well enough to not be surprised by his order she was still put off by the savagery behind it.
"I'm aware they're aware of her ancestry, I'd rather not have another few by-blows come about because someone failed to understand my feelings on the matter, do you understand?" he asked her leaning forward.
"Perfectly master is there anything else?" she asked bowing as she began to head out the way she had snuck in.
"Have one of your underlings send a polite refusal to my other granddaughter's invitation to her "ball" and I will require another report before the next solstice," he nodded back before sitting back and ignoring his visitor who disappeared almost as fast as she had appeared.
He mused long over what had occurred and then a thought struck him.
~Two girls, hmm I wonder if they'll favour her side of the family again?~ he wondered.
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How's that any good?
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I grinned. Definitely needs spacing or indentation. It runs a bit together once the dialogue starts. After the focus shifts away from Amunrel, you could fade to black with only giving a hint of who the other person was, and put grandpa in a mysterious light.
I liked it, though!
Vivaeri :
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You need to decide the skill your skill focus is for. If you take perform , as a nod to the fact you took several perform skills , it will apply to each .
Please also note your bonus to attack with weapons
You miss one language as common is free
Otherwise, you can proceed with the rest of the character including age
As an aside , there are two prestigious bardic schools in Oppara capital of Taldor . The Rhapsodic college is more oriented toward music but also teach dance , The Kithadorian Academy is more eclectic. Of course , there is an active rivalry between the two .
Gotcha. I'll put it on Perform.
Since Uncle Amunrel is around, Vivaeri would probably pick up Varisian as her other language, since that culture would definitely have some appeal to her.
If she has to go to an established school, Kithadorian sounds like the better fit. Her act is eclectic anyway. ;)
The Firdraes family and relatives :
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I think Jal didn't see that Oribar's daughters were both half elves ...
That might be why he gave them different mothers.
On a general aside, when I first proposed my version of the background , I wanted to let open the possiblity for you to go in search of your wife and mothers further on and wanted to let some mystery . Jal's version had less mistery in it
Some players love to let the DM play with their family. some abhorr
it . what would be your take there ? I won't force you on this and would like a consensus . If you take the DM option , please be warned this could cause you some heartburn further on :)
I'm fine with other family members being played around with. I do hope to keep my race as half-elf though. :)
I really like Jal's explanation for our mother leaving. Vivaeri has related fears about outliving members of her family, she just runs away from them differently than her mother did.
Or Halsanna's mother. I guess we better sort those details out soon. :p
Totally one other thing : Is my english correct ? You might have guessed this is not my native language ( French) . Do any of you have any problem understanding me ?
We can get by. You know that old joke about how people who speak English as a second language still speak it better than many who only speak English? After reading a few pages of YouTube comments it's obvious that applies to writing English on the internet as well. ;)
I'm taking the average wealth for bards, then halving that to represent poor spending habits and compulsive charity. Then I'll move on to unwise equipment purchasing!
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Well, this is a work in progress and it is best everyone be comfortable with their characters.
If we would rather make Laru be the mother of both children (perhaps a second moment of weakness by Oribar and Laru?) we can do that. Or have the second mother be elven or half-elven as well (I did not specify).
So to clarify, Vae is the youngest and Halsanna is the eldest?
I like the idea of a neutral site. Perhaps even the sisters already fled to meet their elven Uncle, and Oribar has tracked them there with the help of his brother (who may be out to change Oribar's mind)?
Well, this is a work in progress and it is best everyone be comfortable with their characters.
If we would rather make Laru be the mother of both children (perhaps a second moment of weakness by Oribar and Laru?) we can do that. Or have the second mother be elven or half-elven as well (I did not specify).
So to clarify, Vae is the youngest and Halsanna is the eldest?
I like the idea of a neutral site. Perhaps even the sisters already fled to meet their elven Uncle, and Oribar has tracked them there with the help of his brother (who may be out to change Oribar's mind)?
Yep, Sanna's my older sister. I'm fine with either mother I suppose. She'll have a different set of emotional baggage depending on who it is though("Why did she leave us?"/"It's my fault she's dead."). Laru's reason for leaving, if it's still in the game, really worked for me too, since Vae has similar issues.
I like the idea of meeting at a neutral site too.
"Some players love to let the DM play with their family. some abhorr
it . what would be your take there ? I won't force you on this and would like a consensus . If you take the DM option , please be warned this could cause you some heartburn further on :)"So far, I had only Halsanna replying to this.
For the family , let's keep this simple. The mother had twins !
The remarriage of Sir Oribar to a human woman did indeed finish in tragedy as both his wife and his child died in the miscarriage.Otherwise , since we are sufficiently advanced , I 'll try to begin the adventure tomorrow . You'll have time to finish later on
What of her side of the family I mean the second wife?
What are their feelings on the matter?
More importantly did the bard run away to another village or just to the inn of her home village?
Is her father living locally or is this more of a case we ought to have a sequence where...
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Amunrel is casually examining a glass of wine as behind a curtain his niece is having a bath.
The door is kicked in, sorry someone tries to kick open the door but has to make two attempts mostly because of the chair Amunrel left to prevent such measures from working.
By the time Sir Oribar manages to kick open the door he has to hurdle the chair that had been behind the door as Amunrel kicks the chair straight back into his path.
Sir Oribar tries to nimbly leap over the chair, but Amunrel has already drapped a towel into his path and then tugged it out from under him all before he can swing the sword he's wielding sending him bowling over backwards coming to rest against the chair he has just hurdled.
By the time Sir Oribar gets his bearings again an elven forged longsword is at his throat.
Enter Sir Oribar's brother whom catches both Sir Oribar and Amunrel's attention as he stares back stunned at the scene before him.
"So does he belong to you?" Amunrel asks him pointing down with the towel now draped over his free hand at Sir Oribar wondering what the two Taldanes are after.
"DADDY!" a shriek from behind Amunrel is uttered as his niece takes a brief glance beyond the curtain before trying to rush out from her bath... completely naked.
"I think you'll be needing this my dear," Amunrel takes a step back and presents her with the towel all without glancing away from Sir Oribar or his brother but Sir Oribar at this point has managed to pick up his sword and get back to his feet.
"And you are?" Sir Oribar blusters trying to regain his composure after having the wind taken out of him.
"Her uncle," Amunrel gestures over his shoulder, "I'm Larusiel's younger brother and I'm not saying how much younger either!" Amunrel postures with his sword.
"I'm a sorceror," Sir Oribar's brother announces.
"And i'm an elf so you'll understand I'm not impressed" Amunrel smiles back.
"Why are you here?" Sir Oribar asks suspiciously.
"My dear sister sends her regards, however I do have to ask do all Taldanes burst into a private room swinging swords around or do you have something against locked doors?" Amunrel replies as his niece finally manages to put some clothes on.
"Father why are you here!" she protests as she and Sir Oribar begin to argue.
Looking at his niece and then her father in turn after a little while Amunrel sighs and then gestures to the other seat by the table where he had been sitting when Sir Oribar tried to burst in.
"Wine?" he sheaths his sword before picking up a glass and decater of wine offering a glass to Sir Oribar's brother who's still standing.
"It looks like they could be some time," Amunrel points out as Sir Oribar's brother first looks at him then at the quarrelling pair and then back at the elf.
"I guess you're right," Sir Oribar's brother agrees accepting a filled glass.
"So why are you here?" he asks Amunrel who sits back down.
"Family sent me, I didn't expect to run into one of my nieces on the way there though, exactly who is he trying to shack her up with anyway?" Amunrel replies as he picks up the glass of wine he was examining before the pair burst in.
"I'M NOT SHACKING HER UP WITH ANYONE!" Sir Oribar interrupts glaring at Amunrel.
"So what would you call it then?" Amunrel asks glancing up as his niece throws the nearest available object at hand at the elf which fortunately for Amunrel he notices is one of her slippers...
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That better?
And yes I'm english and my spelling is truly dreadful!
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I've been ill these last few days, I'm back on my feet now though. I'll finish my character ASAP. I think all I need is equipment and some background stuff.
Anything we can lend a hand with?