Wondering if you would be inspired by a cleric AJC? As some have pointed out we are a little light on the divine and healing. No pressure, play what you want. Just asking.
Our current party make up is:
Calixymenthillian - Genevieve (wizard - human - Chelish)
Uzzy - Erica Benson (paladin - human)
Heaven's Agent - Koveluss (bard - tiefling)
Mordulin - Marcellano (fighter - Hellknight - human)
Dark Arioch - Liagorba (rogue - human - Chelish)
AJCarrington ???
Thanks for this - will give a cleric some pondering this evening.
AJC
Sorry about the delay, I've switched out Disguise Self for Infernal Healing.
I'm just writing up an equipment list now - will I be allowed to use Scribe Scroll to spend some of my starting cash now that XP cost isn't a factor? (I'll make the DC 6 spellcraft check on a 1)
Yes, you can purchase appropriate scrolls from your starting cash, for the cost of creation. However, any spells with an expensive material component must also include that cost in the total.
Thanks for this - will give a cleric some pondering this evening.
AJC
Good man! Let us know how the pondering is going. Please also don't feel pressured to play a cleric if you don't want to.
Changed Erika's background/details and name, but the stats are still the same.
I like the new name better, I must say.
To All:
My apologies, but I need to back out - Real Life (work) just caught up with me and is going to make it hard for me to commit the time and focus to the game. Rather than alway be late/slow (or worse) I'd much rather someone take the slot and give the campaign the attention it deserves.
Really frustrated, having just got "back in", but feel this is the right thing to do.
Best regards,
AJC
To All:
My apologies, but I need to back out - Real Life (work) just caught up with me and is going to make it hard for me to commit the time and focus to the game. Rather than alway be late/slow (or worse) I'd much rather someone take the slot and give the campaign the attention it deserves.
Really frustrated, having just got "back in", but feel this is the right thing to do.
Best regards,
AJC
Wow, sorry to hear this man! Sometimes life just gets in the way of the fun. Still, letting us know in a straightforward fashion is indeed the right thing to do. Best of luck to you, AJC!
Everybody else, what do you think? Recruit a 6th player, or roll with the five we have?
I don't particularly mind either way, but there did seem to be a lot of interest in the recruitment thread.
I think my equipment list is done now, and I'll put together a brief background to post tonight - are there any points in particular you'd like me to include Heaven's Agent?
I'm fine running with five, but would welcome a sixth now or even after the game begins as well; as was noted, there does seem to be a fair bit of demand for CoT games, and not enough games at the moment to meet that demand. It probably wouldn't take long to find a sixth player.
Guys, I just went ahead and resurrected our original recruiting thread, in hopes of adding a solid sixth player. Rather than draw a name, I opened it up for character concepts (strongly recommending a cleric concept) with the intent to pick the best of those that come in within a short amount of time.
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Changed Erika's background/details and name, but the stats are still the same.I like the new name better, I must say.
Me too. Erika is essentially a 'stock' character of mine, which I used mainly to get the stats down in time. But I think my new character background will work much better, and be more interesting.
Alright, I just finished spells, background, and description; I'm all ready to go.
We have a cleric, and he will be played by Neil Spicer.
Yes, indeed. More later.
Hey, guys! Did someone ask for a cleric? :-D
Here's what I've got so far...
Ok, I've got a background and appearance up.
Here's what I've got so far...
Welcome aboard! I can imagine some interesting interactions between the members of this group :).
Thanks, guys! I'm looking forward to it. I take it we don't yet have an in-game thread? When's the official start date?
Thanks, guys! I'm looking forward to it. I take it we don't yet have an in-game thread? When's the official start date?
You take it correctly, sir, but how does tomorrow grab you?
You take it correctly, sir, but how does tomorrow grab you?
That depends. Does it have Improved Grab and a Constrict attack, by any chance? ;-D
Tomorrow (i.e., today) is fine.
--Neil
Given we're going to have a tiefling in the party, I'm curious about how a tiefling bard will play in Westcrown. I was reading a response by James Jacobs on how Cheliax views tieflings and found this part interesting:
James' post about "Tiefling Hate" in Cheliax
If both the nobility and common-folk don't particularly like tieflings (or the church of Asmodeus, for that matter), how's Koveluss going to fit in with the party and the overall storyline of the adventure? I'd think it would cramp his ability to win friends and influence people as a bard. Otherwse, Genevieve will have to stick up for him everywhere he goes, maybe?
Also, I'm a little undecided on how to portray Akorian's reactions to Koveluss. Distrust and prejudice seem a foregone conclusion, especially since most Chelaxians see tieflings as the embodiment of everything that's wrong in their country. This is especially true among the nobility, which is part of Akorian's upbringing. But he also identifies strongly with the commonfolk and, like them, resents any devilish influence in Cheliax. Would the same go for Lia now that she's transitioned from the nobility to the streets? And how will the Hellknight fighter and loosely Hellknight-aware paladin of Iomedae react to working with a tiefling?
Anyway, I'm not really advocating for anything by striking up such a conversation. I'm just putting it out there for discussion beforehand since the game isn't officially underway yet. And, it would be good to talk such things through out-of-character before we start exploring them in-character...lest anyone be taken aback if Akorian comes across harshly towards Koveluss in the early going.
Thoughts?
--Neil
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Well I can speak for Lia. She is a bit....well more than a bit of a rebel....and thus since everyone else hates tieflings she is that much more likely to accept them and stick up for them as the underdog. So honestly it all is going to depend on how Koveluss is played as to how she gets along with him. The Hellknight is much more likely to rub her the wrong way. I'd say Akorian is also if he tries to push the noble thing too far and becomes oppressive himself but the fact that he will be a fellow firebrand makes that very unlikely.
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Well as far as Marcel is concerned he is willing to work with those he considers unsavory or even criminal in the hopes that they lead him to taking down the rumored Council of Thieves. As long as he has that as his long term goal, he is willing to overlook some of the criminal elements he works with for now. In his mind, once he has taken down the Council of Thieves he can worry about lesser criminals in Westcrown, assuming his superiors allow him to. This is all how's he's starting of course. Who knows how his personality will change once he begins associating with unsavory members of society. After all when he was younger, he too questioned the way the government was run.
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I can’t speak for Heaven’s Agent, but I could imagine Koveluss gaining some small level of acceptance through his acting career… so long as he doesn’t get too bold, he might be seen as subservient enough that his fiendish blood is in its proper place. Of course, that might not work so well with how highly regarded actors are in Westcrown. In any case, Genevieve is probably quite used to having to stick up for him.
As I said, this party has a lot of potential for interesting situations.
...it all is going to depend on how Koveluss is played as to how she gets along with him.
I'm probably in that boat, too. An in-your-face tiefling isn't going to get on Akorian's good side. But a somewhat contrite, supportive one...might get better traction. Of course, a class like bard just doesn't seem to lend itself well to those trying to fly under the radar. I would expect him to be an outfront spokesman. But that might hamstring us a little in our social interactions as a group if everyone we run across starts off with a less friendly attitude towards Koveluss because of his tiefling heritage. That...and how to roleplay Akorian's reactions to him...are what I'm pondering right now.
The Hellknight is much more likely to rub her the wrong way.
Yeah. I'm wondering how that's going to go, too. The Council of Thieves involves the PCs being brought together by a bunch of "rebels" that the Hellknights would ordinarily brand as traitors. So, how will our party Hellknight react to joining such a group...even as the "lesser of two evils" in trying to hunt down the Council of Thieves?
...I'd say Akorian is also if he tries to push the noble thing too far and becomes oppressive himself but the fact that he will be a fellow firebrand makes that very unlikely.
I'm imagining Akorian as a bit like a Bruce Wayne character. He comes from money. He can afford to equip himself (and his allies) fairly well. But he's leading a double-life in an attempt to right the wrongs the totalitarian government allows to continue. He's willing to start small by giving the populace hope. But his long-term goal is a full-scale uprising to overthrow House Thrune. And that's a "pie in the sky" goal, since he's only one man. Of course, these "rebels" in Westcrown might be the stepping stone to something greater. So, he's supporting them for now.
I see Koveluss as making his living by performing for those in the noble class willing to indulge in their whims by watching a somewhat notorious tiefling bard. His mother was a well-loved actress, and his death a complete shock to the city, especially when Genevieve showed no infernal taint. Making the rumors and stories even more grand would be the fact that he's a demonic tiefling, rather then devilish.
Usually the greater a taboo, the larger the crowds seeking to pursue it in secrecy. Publicly, reactions to Koveluss are likely to be just as James described. Perhaps even more severe, as at least half of his parentage and the circumstances surrounding his birth are so well known. Privately, I can see a fair number of aristocrats sneaking away to watch him.
As for his outlook on the world around him, he simply doesn't care for the most part. Being born a tiefling was nothing more than a bad roll of the dice. He's used to mistreatment and shrugs the majority off, feeling that reacting is a waste of his time and just serves to validate the insults. He's currently not motivated toward any specific goal, other than protecting his sister, and does only what he considers enough to get himself by; he does little to hide his background, even flaunting it at times during his performances, but he has no dreams of grandeur or fame. That said he is looking for a goal, albeit passively, and I hope the adventure's introduction provides a path for him to find intriguing enough to follow.
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I would expect him to be an outfront spokesman. But that might hamstring us a little in our social interactions as a group if everyone we run across starts off with a less friendly attitude towards Koveluss because of his tiefling heritage.
Actually, I don't think we will have too much difficulty in this area as we all seem to have some social and diplomatic skills. I can see each of us stepping forward in our areas where our characters feel comfortable doing so. For example, Lia will probably avoid talking to "the authorities" and leave that for the stuffier members of our group (unless we are playing them for fools!).
Yeah. I'm wondering how that's going to go, too. The Council of Thieves involves the PCs being brought together by a bunch of "rebels" that the Hellknights would ordinarily brand as traitors. So, how will our party Hellknight react to joining such a group...even as the "lesser of two evils" in trying to hunt down the Council of Thieves?
Please be careful about giving too much away as I am avoiding reading any of the chapter myself. Personally, with what you said above....he must be a government spy! RISE UP AGAINST THE OPPRESSOR! <grin>
I'm imagining Akorian as a bit like a Bruce Wayne character. He comes from money. He can afford to equip himself (and his allies) fairly well. But he's leading a double-life in an attempt to right the wrongs the totalitarian government allows to continue. He's willing to start small by giving the populace hope. But his long-term goal is a full-scale uprising to overthrow House Thrune. And that's a "pie in the sky" goal, since he's only one man. Of course, these "rebels" in Westcrown might be the stepping stone to something greater. So, he's supporting them for now.
Oooooooo, Lia isn't gonna be happy with being a "stepping stone", DOWN WITH ELITISTS! ;p
...I don't think we will have too much difficulty in this area as we all seem to have some social and diplomatic skills. I can see each of us stepping forward in our areas where our characters feel comfortable doing so.
Cool. I see your point. We all shine in diplomatic situations most suited to us, I suppose.
Please be careful about giving too much away as I am avoiding reading any of the chapter myself.
No worries. That much is generally available from the adventure synopsis in the advertising blurbs here on the website. But I'll refrain from bringing up anything else, just in case.
...Lia isn't gonna be happy with being a "stepping stone", DOWN WITH ELITISTS! ;p
Use, or be used. ;-P
Hey all, just saw Neil's post and dropped in to say hi,...
"Hi!" :)
Looks like an interesting group you guys have here, I look forward to reading your adventures!
Hey Neil, how do YOU have time to play?!? Aren't you supposed to be writing an adventure, or something?!? ;P <wink, wink, nudge, nudge>
HAve fun all!
And now, back to your regularly scheduled discussion thread,...
Hey all, just saw Neil's post and dropped in to say hi,..."Hi!" :)
Hey, Rags! Good to hear from you again. :-D
...how do YOU have time to play?!? Aren't you supposed to be writing an adventure, or something?!?
Yes and no. I turned over my manuscript for "Realm of the Fellnight Queen" to my developer right after GenCon.
Having said that, however, it does appear I have a new writing assignment coming up for Paizo...an even longer one. So we'll see how well my spare time for PbP continues. Generally speaking, participation in PbP actually helps me "warm-up" for longer writing assignments anyway. So, it's all good.
--Neil
Anyway! When we starting this? :)
Indeed. This should be a fun game; lots of conflicting RP elements to be had. Lots of room for character growth. Not too much trust among the party members, but when has that ever been needed for a successful campaign? :P
Anyway! When we starting this? :)
I'm curious, too. It's been 4 days since Archon Adept indicated we'd get started "tomorrow"...has anyone seen him post elsewhere on the boards?
Not too much trust among the party members, but when has that ever been needed for a successful campaign? :P
I get worried when there's too much opportunity for intraparty conflict. Between the tiefling "hate" pervading Westcrown (and Cheliax) and a Hellknight vs. paladin of Iomedae element in the party, I'm not sure we're setting ourselves up for "great roleplay" as much as "conflicting goals" that may sidetrack things too much from the baseline plot of the adventure path.
But we'll see...
--Neil
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Anyway! When we starting this? :)I'm curious, too. It's been 4 days since Archon Adept indicated we'd get started "tomorrow"...has anyone seen him post elsewhere on the boards?
Becoming concerned also. No....no posting past that. Hopefully, it's just an internet outage or something simple for him and he'll be back in no time.
Not too much trust among the party members, but when has that ever been needed for a successful campaign? :PI get worried when there's too much opportunity for intraparty conflict. Between the tiefling "hate" pervading Westcrown (and Cheliax) and a Hellknight vs. paladin of Iomedae element in the party, I'm not sure we're setting ourselves up for "great roleplay" as much as "conflicting goals" that may sidetrack things too much from the baseline plot of the adventure path.
But we'll see...
--Neil
A valid concern in my opinion. I get the impression that we are not going to be friends of the current Westcrown establishment (mostly, due to your comments on here). So it's really important that the DM and player form some driving reason for a particular character to adventure with a group of rapscallions that they would otherwise avoid. That way, even if they have some internal party conflict there will still be a more important over-riding reason for them to continue. I believe the campaign traits address this to some extent but in some cases (Hellknight?) further thought may need to go into this. Hopefully, given time, this higher goal will cause those characters to eventually overcome their prejudices and their bonds will be all the stronger for it. Not, so much, an issue of how much tiefling "hate" is in Westcrown (tieflings do function in this society) but how much tiefling "hate" is in the party. Now, that being said, this type of game has to be acceptable to all involved for it to be successful.
Speaking from a personal perspective, I see Lia getting along with all the characters so far with the possible exception of the Hellknight (he's an embodiment of what she sees as being wrong with Westcrown). That being said, she also sees peoples lawful tendencies as stuffiness and a weakness to be exploited (in a good natured way), so doesn't necessarily mind having a paladin or hellknight around to be used as a straight-man. Tieflings don't particularly bother her because they start out as somewhat of an outsider to "acceptable" society and she finds comfort in that.
Just my 2 coppers.
Why am I writing all of this? Well, because I don't have any in-game post to keep me busy I suppose.... :-D
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Is it tomorrow yet?
I get worried when there's too much opportunity for intraparty conflict. Between the tiefling "hate" pervading Westcrown (and Cheliax) and a Hellknight vs. paladin of Iomedae element in the party, I'm not sure we're setting ourselves up for "great roleplay" as much as "conflicting goals" that may sidetrack things too much from the baseline plot of the adventure path.
But we'll see...
--Neil
Hopefully we can avoid most of the trouble that might arise from in-character conflict/conflicting goals by discussing it here if things start to get a bit out of hand. I don't think any of us would want to ruin the game for the sake of 'staying in character'.
Hopefully we can avoid most of the trouble that might arise from in-character conflict/conflicting goals by discussing it here if things start to get a bit out of hand. I don't think any of us would want to ruin the game for the sake of 'staying in character'.
Exactly.
And since we've broached this topic, I should also share my own preference for playing "heroic" characters...in the sense that I prefer to roleplay PCs who actively try and make a difference in the world around them for the good of others and not just themselves.
Anti-heroes, selfish "heroes," and villains-who-unexpectedly-become-heroes can all have their place and make really interesting characters. But if too many of those exist within a party, it tends to bleed away my interest pretty quickly as a player. So, I just want to throw that out there so people can understand where I'll be coming from while trying to portray Akorian, the CG priest of Milani...and also what I'm hoping to get out of the game as a player while enjoying the story-arc of Council of Thieves.
And lastly, another couple of days have gone by and still no word on the official start of the game. I had the impression when Archon Adept posted he was recruiting again that the game's start was imminent. I tried to make sure I put together Akorian as fast as I could so things could get underway. Hopefully, I didn't slow things down...and he's okay and the game's still on...
--Neil
Well..."tomorrow" has turned into a week now, guys. So I think I'll sit this one out. I appreciate the opportunity. And best of luck to everyone if the game does finally get underway. In the meantime, I'll either look for another game or focus my time on some other stuff that's recently come up. And, maybe I can catch everyone in another PbP someday.
Best wishes,
--Neil
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Heh, well hopefully I'll get the chance to run with you someday Neil. Best of luck to you. I think I agree with Neil on this one and I am going to step out also. I am disappointed as this seemed to be a good and creative group of people. I debated picking up the reigns myself but just can't seem to be able to get quite enough free time for what that would take. Best of luck to you all.
Everyone, with a heavy heart I must announce that my PbP endeavors will have to go on hiatus, once again. It just seems like whenever I think my life has stabilized, everything blows up again. I am sorry for disappearing for the last week plus, but I thought if I waited it out, I might yet be able to get the game going. But it looks like that won't be the case anytime soon. I can't leave you hanging forever, so let's go ahead and abort for now. I'm really sorry to disappoint you all. I thank you for the time you put in on your characters, and wish you all the best.
-AA