"Tieflings? See, that's what I'm talking about. My fellows spend so much time obsessing over fiends, then they act so shocked when their children have their lover's looks. Shameful, really."
"I think the lady had to head out to greet a couple of people. I wonder if she invited them?"
Benicio stands quietly, looking about. He's heard enough about the city to worry about staying too long, but he's not about to leave.
Sorry. Just kidding. Take your time.
Meh. I'm about to stop polling this thread. This game is quite obviously stillborn.
Meh. I'm about to stop polling this thread. This game is quite obviously stillborn.
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I was just about to start tomorrow, now that I had enough money to afford the book. I'm still getting over the stomach flu, but everyone else in the house is better and that takes a lot of the pressure off me.
If Nameless is back and ready to go, I don't have to drop Rakless. I'm sure we'd all rather continue on with the game as it was started than transition a new DM.
I was just about to start tomorrow, now that I had enough money to afford the book. I'm still getting over the stomach flu, but everyone else in the house is better and that takes a lot of the pressure off me.
If Nameless is back and ready to go, I don't have to drop Rakless. I'm sure we'd all rather continue on with the game as it was started than transition a new DM.
I was just about to start tomorrow, now that I had enough money to afford the book. I'm still getting over the stomach flu, but everyone else in the house is better and that takes a lot of the pressure off me.
If Nameless is back and ready to go, I don't have to drop Rakless. I'm sure we'd all rather continue on with the game as it was started than transition a new DM.
Anyways, I don't think the game would be as fun without everybody's favorite Nameless guy (not to mention that we'll be able to keep Rakless around, too).
Here's hoping WFG hasn't already bought the book. ;)
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Anyways, I don't think the game would be as fun without everybody's favorite Nameless guy (not to mention that we'll be able to keep Rakless around, too).
Here's hoping WFG hasn't already bought the book. ;)
No offense taken. :) I wasn't able to afford it before Friday and fortunately saw the message from Nameless in time to avoid buying it.
Well, I'm definitely still interested, if you'll have me. Also, I apologize for the impatience I showed the other day.
Earlier in either this thread or the recruitment thread, I asked Warforged Gardener to approve my race selection of Tiefling combined with the Fiendish Heritage: Devil-Spawn feat. Before we start, I should reiterate this request for approval to Nameless GM.
Also, I'm keenly interested in a couple of the feats introduced in the recent Pathfinder Companion, Cheliax - Empire of Devils. In particular, although I've no need to take either of them at first level, at some point I'd like to be able to take both Belier's Bite and Cornugon Stun.
Mmm, okay. This is cool.
My interest in Belier's Bite led me to do some deeper background research in the campaign setting book, where I discovered, in the section on Isger, the Sisters of the Golden Erinyes and the associated feat, Hamalatsu.
Given this, I'd also like to consider reshaping her obvious physical deformities to something based upon either the belier devil or barbed devil physiology, especially since my randomly rolled "dog-faced" feature doesn't really match any of the known devil traits.
Of course, being a female Tiefling orphan with obvious ancestry stemming from a barbed devil would provide further reason why the Sisterhood would have harbored the child.
Janiven, having taken a considerable long time to formulate her response, finally begins to speak again.
"What I am asking," she begins, "is not that you consider yourselves rebels or revolutionaries, but more as liberators. The people of Westcrown have been oppressed for far too long; there are curfews to keep our families in hiding, shadow beasts to prey on those who dare disobey, and the Order of the Nail to make sure that no-one even sneezes in the direction of a House Thrune representative. Our own city guard are all but powerless in front of them. I ask, is this freedom?"
"As always, it comes down to a group of people who have the will, inclination and power to change things, and I believe that the group I've gathered here has the strength to do just that. Will we need strength of arms? Perhaps. But a city is not won with swords and battles, it is won with by gaining the trust of its people and fostering hope in their hearts and their minds. This is what I have collected you for."
"And this, is what I believe we have to do to save this city from the darkness that swallows it every night."
"Thrune. Those fools give the rest of us diobolists a bad name. You have my aid, if only to finally put one over those self-important buffoons."
"Thrune. Those fools give the rest of us diobolists a bad name. You have my aid, if only to finally put one over those self-important buffoons."
1d20+8
Tenze looks at him strangely. "That is an odd reason." She says.
"And I'm in. Though I question the company I am probably going to keep." She looks at Zareth pointedly.
Old Lead:
"I will not hold you here; I would never ask anyone to join me who did not willingly believe that there is a better way. Leave if you wish, and if you do so, I wish you all the best of luck in your travels... But I do hope you'll stay."
"As always, it comes down to a group of people who have the will, inclination and power to change things, and I believe that the group I've gathered here has the strength to do just that. Will we need strength of arms? Perhaps. But a city is not won with swords and battles, it is won with by gaining the trust of its people and fostering hope in their hearts and their minds. This is what I have collected you for."
"And this, is what I believe we have to do to save this city from the darkness that swallows it every night."
Sense Motive:Add an additional +5 to intercept a secret message. (1d20+4=19) Like my last one, you'll have to tell me if she's sending a secret message to someone.
"Of course I will stay Milady! How can I not when you think of nothing more than the betterment of all Westcrown?" Standing, he looks at each person in the room (and briefly out the window everyone else has been pointing to between whispers), then kneels before her his hand outstretched to her...
"Lady Janiven, I hearby proclaim my love to you! For as long as it pleases you, I shall pursue this endeavor! However I may, I will attempt your happiness, so your smile may brighten the lives of those who bear witness!" He then bows his head and waits...
"I, too, was raised with tales of a better time. I am with you, Lady, and all who agree with you. You have my sword and my word."
Benicio draws his sword and holds it high.
Tenze nods. She pulls out her sword and holds it vertically before her face. "I, too swear to help you, as long as your goals remain the same as those you have told us." Her sword is tiny and thin, but is obviously finely made and shines with the luster of silver. Its guard is made up of heavy wire which forms a swirl patterned basket. She laughs softly and sheathes the blade, glancing at Zareth. "I suppose a mage such as yourself would know the significance of a silver blade, diabolist. I know a fair bit about devils myself."
Tenze nods. She pulls out her sword and holds it vertically before her face. "I, too swear to help you, as long as your goals remain the same as those you have told us." Her sword is tiny and thin, but is obviously finely made and shines with the luster of silver. Its guard is made up of heavy wire which forms a swirl patterned basket. She laughs softly and sheathes the blade, glancing at Zareth. "I suppose a mage such as yourself would know the significance of a silver blade, diabolist. I know a fair bit about devils myself."
"My dear, as long as you don't stab me or mine with it, I couldn't care less what your sword is made of."
I am with you, Lady Janiven. Not to the extent of Master Grachius, mind, but the idea of freeing Westcrown from tyranny is appealing.
As Grachius' outburst ends, Janiven's face reddens considerably, though whether this is from blushing or anger, you cannot tell. "What is this foolishness? I did not invite you here to proposition me! In case you had not realize, this is not one of your productions, Grachius, this is an important discussion, and I hoped you would take this more seriously."
Janiven calms down noticeably. "But I do hope that your offer was sincere, barring the... other things. We can use all the help we can get."
Responding to the others' agreements: "I am honoured that you are all willing to help me - us, through this terrible time. There is nothing I can say except that this is truly a time where heroes are needed and I am pleased to see that they have arisen to meet the challenge." She smiles at each of you.
"Now then, my organization's leader is a tad late, he will speak more about our next objective, but while we wait, feel free to ask me any questions you might have."
Zareth:
Of particular concern to your current affairs, House Thrune has targeted Westcrown many times, aiming to make en example from it. They moved the capital to Egorian, and placed the Hellknights to control the city, no longer trusting the city to govern itself. Many academics consider this to be a means to assert their dominance over the nation, by destroying old traditions and removing any semblance of influence from Aroden's old city.
Oh, dear. I thought you were the leader of the organization. Can you tell us a little about him?
...
The Goblinblood wars left swathes of Isgeri orphans. The ensuing years of unchecked bandit raids only further swelled the number of unwanted homeless. Tragically, the only institution to respond to the growing crisis was the church of Asmodeus. Cheliax’s House of Thrune installed a number of monasteries across the Isgeri countryside which collect, feed, and clothe orphaned children, all the while co-opting them into their dark fold.
The most prominent of these monasteries is the Sisters of the Golden Erinyes, colloquially referred to as the Devil Nuns. The sisterhood baptizes the rescued youths with unholy water and drills them from an early age in the basics of Hamatulatsu, an exotic martial art pattered on the study of barbed devils. Upon reaching adulthood, young female orphans often aspire to join the ranks of the sisterhood themselves, while males often seek admission to an order of Hellknights or find their calling in the priesthood of Asmodeus.
You have mastered a deadly fighting form inspired by the varying attacks of the barbed devil. You seek not just to defeat or kill your opponent but to first cripple him with memorable, scarring pain.
Prerequisites: Intimidate 5 ranks , Improved Unarmed Attack, female, raised by the Sisters of the Golden Erinyes.
Benefit: Each round, your unarmed attacks may be treated as bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. You decide which type of damage you deal, but you may only choose one type at a time. In addition, for each consecutive round that you change the type of damage selected from the previous round, the threat range of your unarmed attack increases by 1, to a maximum of 16–20/x2 after 5 rounds. If you succeed in confirming a critical hit, the threat range of your attacks resets to normal and you may further make an opposed Intimidate check as an immediate action to attempt to demoralize your opponent and render him shaken.
Special: Hamatulatsu may be selected as a substitute bonus feat at 2nd level by a monk even if the monk does not otherwise meet the prerequisites. Hamatulatsu does not stack with Improved Critical.
You have studied the basic forms of a deadly fighting style inspired by the varying attacks of the barbed devil. Through intense study and rigorous training, you have developed the capability of flexibly altering the type of damage your unarmed attacks deliver to an opponent.
Prerequisites: Intimidate 2 ranks, Improved Unarmed Attack, raised by the Sisters of the Golden Erinyes.
Benefit: Each round, your unarmed attacks may be treated as bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. You decide which type of damage you deal when the round begins, and you may only choose one type per round.
Special: Hamatulatsu Acolyte may be selected as a substitute bonus feat at Monk level 2 or higher even if the character does not otherwise meet the prerequisites.
You have received training in the advanced techniques of a deadly fighting style inspired by the varying attacks of the barbed devil. You seek not just to defeat or kill your opponent but to first cripple him with memorable, scarring pain.
Prerequisites: Intimidate 4 ranks, Skill Focus(Intimidate), Hamatulatsu Acolyte.
Benefit: At the beginning of your round, immediately after selecting the type of damage dealt by your unarmed attack due to Hamatulatsu Acolyte, the threat range of your unarmed attack increases by 1, to a maximum determined by your character level divided by 4, rounded up; however, if any of the following conditions are met, the threat range resets to normal instead of increasing:
- the threat range or your unarmed attack increased to the maximum at the beginning of the preceding round;
- you chose not to vary the type of damage selected during this round from that of the previous round;
- or, you succeeded in confirming a critical hit since the start of the prior round.
Special: Hamatulatsu Adept may be selected as a substitute bonus feat at Monk level 6 or higher even if the character does not otherwise meet any prerequisites other than Hamatulatsu Acolyte. Hamatulatsu Adept does not stack with Improved Critical nor any other means of extending critical threat range.
You have mastered a deadly fighting style inspired by the varying attacks of the barbed devil. Successfully employing its techniques strikes increasing fear into the heart of your opponent.
Prerequisites: Intimidate 6 ranks, Intimidating Prowess, Hamatulatsu Adept.
Benefit: If you succeed in confirming a critical hit with an unarmed strike, you may further make an opposed Intimidate check as an immediate action to attempt to demoralize your opponent. If you succeed, one and only one of the following conditions is applied to your opponent for a number of rounds equal to the current size of your unarmed attack critical threat range (e.g. for three rounds after confirming a critical while attacking at 18-20/x2):
- if your opponent is already unconscious due to the effect of Hamatulatsu Apostle from a prior attack by you, no further condition is applied;
- otherwise, if your opponent is already panicked due to the effect of Hamatulatsu Apostle from a prior attack by you, he is rendered unconscious;
- otherwise, if your opponent is already frightened due to the effect of Hamatulatsu Apostle from a prior attack by you, he is rendered panicked;
- otherwise, if your opponent is already shaken due to the effect of Hamatulatsu Apostle from a prior attack by you, he is rendered frightened;
- otherwise, your oppenent is rendered shaken.
Special: Hamatulatsu Apostle may be selected as a substitute bonus feat at Monk level 6 or higher even if the character does not otherwise meet any prerequisites other than Hamatulatsu Adept. For the purpose of immunities and other game mechanics, any condition applied by Hamatulatsu Apostle is considered a non-magical mind-affecting fear effect. Only one condition may be applied to an individual opponent during any single round, although it is possible that multiple independent opponents may be effected during a given round.
I am with you, Lady Janiven. Not to the extent of Master Grachius, mind, but the idea of freeing Westcrown from tyranny is appealing.
"Good show! The small folk are with us. I take it as a lucky sign, master Zareth."
"Good show! The small folk are with us. I take it as a lucky sign, master Zareth."I am with you, Lady Janiven. Not to the extent of Master Grachius, mind, but the idea of freeing Westcrown from tyranny is appealing.
Tenze growls, sounding a bit annoyed. "'Small folk' might offend some of us. We're just like 'big folk'..." She moves her fingers to indicate sarcastic quotation. "...except a bit littler. There's no need to single us out."
Loba:
As for the Hamatulatsu, I agree that the original feat is a bit too powerful, but splitting it into three feats makes it seem too costly. I like the middle ground option, where the feat progresses as you level. Seems reasonable to me.
As for how to integrate your character... All I need is for you to explain why she would be walking the street in the late evening, near Westcrown's curfew. Perhaps she's late coming home from work, or 'temple.' Also, if you could provide me a quick background summary and her alignment, that would be much obliged! I should be able to tie you in over the weekend if you can provide me with this.
Oh, dear. I thought you were the leader of the organization. Can you tell us a little about him?
"Ah, yes. I apologize for not speaking of him sooner, but we thought it was best to keep all our harrows close to the chest, as they say, at least until we were sure about you all. Our leader's name is Arael, and though I do not wish to spend too much time describing a man you are soon to meet, suffice it to say that he is a wise man, and his elven blood has allowed him to know Westcrown more intimately than any of we ever could. He was alive when this city thrived under Aroden's deific rule, and he's seen what it has become."
"If any of you need any more convincing, I am absolutely certain that he will provide it."
Sense Motive DC 20
"He was alive during Aroden's lifetime? Well, now I have to see him."
Tenze growls, sounding a bit annoyed. "'Small folk' might offend some of us. We're just like 'big folk'..." She moves her fingers to indicate sarcastic quotation. "...except a bit littler. There's no need to single us out.""Good show! The small folk are with us. I take it as a lucky sign, master Zareth."I am with you, Lady Janiven. Not to the extent of Master Grachius, mind, but the idea of freeing Westcrown from tyranny is appealing.
<Hides a smile>
Mistress Tenze, I'm sure he meant that with respect.
Lady Janiven, I'd very much like to meet someone who was around before things went...bad.
Tenze shrugs. "It's hard to tell whether anybody's ever serious.
"I would also like to meet this man. Camris is right, knowing what things used to be like and then seeing them degrade...any man who could bear to watch all that has my respect."
"Ah, yes. I apologize for not speaking of him sooner, but we thought it was best to keep all our harrows close to the chest, as they say, at least until we were sure about you all. Our leader's name is Arael, and though I do not wish to spend too much time describing a man you are soon to meet, suffice it to say that he is a wise man, and his elven blood has allowed him to know Westcrown more intimately than any of we ever could. He was alive when this city thrived under Aroden's deific rule, and he's seen what it has become.""If any of you need any more convincing, I am absolutely certain that he will provide it."
Sense Motive DC 20
Perception is .
I stand with my head bowed in shame and return to my seat.
Perception is 1d20 (17) + 6 = 23.
I stand with my head bowed in shame and return to my seat.