I've done a little digging - obviously the historical druids were Celtic in origin, but the Nordic culture would have had it's own equivalents I imagine, and the 'druids' of a Norse culture would revere both the natural forces and the Gods behind them - the Aesire and the Vanir, in their case.
The most generic symbol associated with the Asatic religion and the norse in general was the valknut - three interlinked triangles. The images I found showed several different colours and shades involved in it, which is ideal for what we want.
So for example (grey colours and borders could be shaded differently to indicate rank):
Thoughts/feelings people? I wondered if the symbols for Bard (witch-hunter) and Ranger should be the same, as they do the same job in effect.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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The most generic symbol associated with the Asatic religion and the norse in general was the valknut - three interlinked triangles. The images I found showed several different colours and shades involved in it, which is ideal for what we want.
So for example (grey colours and borders could be shaded differently to indicate rank):
Thoughts/feelings people? I wondered if the symbols for Bard (witch-hunter) and Ranger should be the same, as they do the same job in effect.
Sounds good. If you're gonna amalgamate then I'll take the Blue Ranger one and he can share the multi-coloured one with the Witch Hunter. :)
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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OK FW one more question (well hopefully one more question):
Cheers
No problem, here's the revised patterns (assume grey colours and borders could be shaded differently to indicate rank):
FW didn't mantion rangers would be doing anything but witch-hunting or otherwise dealing with enemies of the druids.
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"Ranger
The environment and the nature of the Viking way of life lends itself to this class. Woodsmen usually know how to scout and track on the hunt. Each chieftain has a cadre of huntsmen and scouts, so that he may not be caught unawares and as a sign to the rest of his power. Also the sea attracts a different sort of ranger, with a wanderlust and need to feel the chilling spray of the wind in his face."
The way I see it, rangers can specialise as a Chieftain's scout or bounty hunter/witch-hunter or they can follow the more generic route of woodsman or sea ranger.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
Weather related question: in the PF equipment list, a cold-weather outfit would run us about 80 sp; should we be sacrificing armor and other things in favor of that? Man, if you're warm you're likely to get shanked, if you're cold and well-armored you're bound to get frost bite.
FW - How about this
Though lightning and thunderstorms are rare in this climate, they tend to be a portent of change...of something momentous happening...Not necessarily good or bad just unusual. Unfettered like Stefnir tend to use the lightning bolt as a symbol of their power, and unusual connection with the power of the storm, and of weather in general, since usually it is the magic of a druid that is involved with the storm.
Stefnir has the small blue tattoo of a jagged lightning bolt high on his left cheekbone, and a larger one tattooed on the top of his right foot...one when he began his training, the other when he finished his novice training, and was considered a druid, by his Father. In addition the blade of his Spear is shaped like a lightning bolt, and the shaft is painted black, with two small lightning bolts painted near the head for two tasks he has overcome.
"Ranger
The environment and the nature of the Viking way of life lends itself to this class. Woodsmen usually know how to scout and track on the hunt. Each chieftain has a cadre of huntsmen and scouts, so that he may not be caught unawares and as a sign to the rest of his power. Also the sea attracts a different sort of ranger, with a wanderlust and need to feel the chilling spray of the wind in his face."The way I see it, rangers can specialise as a Chieftain's scout or bounty hunter/witch-hunter or they can follow the more generic route of woodsman or sea ranger.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
Thanks - I assumed that the only sort of ranger officially sanctioned by the druids would be the witch-hunter, and the others would be in effect free agents? In that case, only the witch-hunters would bear the Druid's mark.
In the case of Stefnir, could I suggest that he would bear the volknut as a druid, but his own personal tattoo or mark of his affiliation with those particular elements, or with a particular sect of druids?
Welcome to the mad-house, Mark!
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Hello all
I'm Brett and I live in Exmouth as well. I'm wargamer as well really and have been for 20 years, but FW has drawn me over to the dark side of roleplay over the years! He has me playing Legacy of Fire with Scranford on PBP at the moment and that's good fun.
The stats for Kurn the Bastard, Chosen of Krakis are:
STR: 5d6 = 22
DEX: 3d6 = 14
CON: 3d6 = 9
INT: 5d6 = 15
WIS: 3d6 = 8 +2 racial bonus as a half-elf = 10
CHA: 5d6 = 19
You'll have to wait until I've worked everything else, with FW's help I suspect.
Cheers
Brett
Um, Brett the stats aren't '5d6' they are 'roll 5d6 and take the best three scores out of the five dice'. A 22 or a 19 are a bit hard to get from the best three scores of 6-sided dice otherwise ...
You might want to ask FW if you can re-roll. I understand that you're looking for a Cleric, so you'll want your highest stat on Wisdom if you can get it, with Charisma as a second choice - strength can be important to a Cleric if your planning on being a fighting one (which would be appropriate to the setting) but isn't that essential - don't worry about having a weak stat or two.
Mark, those are some awesome stats - your guy will be good at anything short of a cleric, druid or sorcerer.
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Doh! Thanks Dabbler, I was rushing and missed that bit!
Let's try again. My re-rolls with the best three taken are:
STR: 4d6 = 1,2,4,5 = 11
DEX: 3d6 = 2,3,6 = 11
CON: 3d6 = 1,2,5 = 8
INT: 4d6 = 4,4,5,5 = 14
WIS: 5d6 = 4,4,4,5,6 = 15
CHA: 5d6 = 3,3,4,5,6 = 15
I will add my +2 racial bonus after some thought.
I like the idea of the triangles and think it would work perfecly as a tattoo. Sort of an acceptance of your role in society, as indelible as the ink that marks it.
ps.
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Doh! Thanks Dabbler, I was rushing and missed that bit!
Let's try again. My re-rolls with the best three taken are:
STR: 4d6 = 1,2,4,5 = 11
DEX: 3d6 = 2,3,6 = 11
CON: 3d6 = 1,2,5 = 8
INT: 4d6 = 4,4,5,5 = 14
WIS: 5d6 = 4,4,4,5,6 = 15
CHA: 5d6 = 3,3,4,5,6 = 15I will add my +2 racial bonus after some thought.
Tell them what you got for the Character Gift, Brett. Go on, I dare you!
Cheers
My stats
STR 5d6.takeHighest(3)=18
DEX 4d6.takeHighest(3)=14
CON 4d6.takeHighest(3)=16
INT 4d6.takeHighest(3)=17
WIS 4d6.takeHighest(3)=12
CHA 3d6.takeHighest(3)=13Wealth 5d6=18
Here's hoping
Doh! Thanks Dabbler, I was rushing and missed that bit!
Let's try again. My re-rolls with the best three taken are:
STR: 4d6 = 1,2,4,5 = 11
DEX: 3d6 = 2,3,6 = 11
CON: 3d6 = 1,2,5 = 8
INT: 4d6 = 4,4,5,5 = 14
WIS: 5d6 = 4,4,4,5,6 = 15
CHA: 5d6 = 3,3,4,5,6 = 15I will add my +2 racial bonus after some thought.
If I may go so far as to offer some advice, it would be this: Your strength and dex aren't so great as to make you a good melee fighter, and you can get a +1 hp per die off your favoured class to offset your low Con score anyway. I would say don't worry too much about your low Constitution. If you put the racial bonus on your wisdom, you will be an awesome cleric no matter your Con score, and you can use the endure elements spell as well to make sure you can stand the cold. At higher levels there are spells that will boost you up regardless.
I'm taking a similar tactic with Helga, opting to avoid melee combat and instead rely on spells and arrows in combat situations. We have three to four good bruisers already in the party, some of us don't need to be in the front ranks.
Kurn Thornsson, Cleric of Krakis will sort out his profile, once the useless PAIZO website saves the updates!!!!
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Cold Weather Clothing*
Bearcloak
Usually these are passed down within the family, since a man rarely takes on a bear although warriors often make a big deal of the fact that they slew the beast they wear, changing their name to Hafnir Bearcloak for instance.
Medium encumbrance, 200 silvers, weight 8lbs, Fort bonus +3, Armour Check Penalty -2.
Cold Weather Outfit (Qin Made Only)
The civilised and wealthy Qin have the craftsmen to spare so that they can make the right clothing for their travels. Almost never on sale in Kreigland, wearing such beautiful clothing draws attention to oneself and shows that this is a man of the world.
Medium encumbrance, 800 silvers, weight 7lbs, Fort Bonus +5, DR/non lethal cold 1, Armour check penalty -2.
Ermine
A sign of nobility is the white ermine furs that can reach as far as the ground. Some cankorl chieftains regard the hunting and killing of these rare animals as a preserve of their servants. Anyone else found with an ermine in his possession would be dealt with severely.
Light encumbrance, 550 silvers, 5lbs, Fort bonus +4, DR/non lethal cold 1, armour check penalty -1, hide (in snow) clothing bonus +2.
Jute Woollens
This is what most Krieglanders wear, it is slightly primitive, coarse wool woven thick and made to prevent the initial bite of wintry weather. Most folks spend the dark winters inside as anyone sensible would do, and that includes the seamen.
Medium encumbrance, 30 silvers, 5lbs, Fort bonus +1.
Sealskin Suit
The strange icefolk to the far north, have learnt the technique of cleaning and oiling their precious sealskins over those six months of winter, making outfits which even include a little buoyancy. The icefolk are great barterers so the cost of such a valuable suit must be made up of useful items and not gold or silver.
Medium encumbrance, 355 silvers, 10lbs, Fort bonus +3, DR/non lethal cold 1 (the only one that works in water), armour check penalty -3, swim clothing bonus +2.
Snow Leopard Abaki
Very few people have even heard of these snowsuits, made by the losalfar for their scouts. Legendary outfits of great beauty and practicality, no more than a dozen of these may exist.
Light encumbrance, 2000 silvers, 5lbs, Fort bonus +5, DR/non lethal cold 2, armour check penalty -1, hide (in snow) clothing bonus +2.
*Masterwork versions of these outfits cost an additional 50% of the base cost and decrease the armour check penalty by 1.
Ok, now Kurn is ready to go FW.
What if we can't afford Any of them?
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Perhaps that is why you are taking the offer of the Cursed Albatross up?
The alternative is just normal warm clothing, which is fine unless you need to start making Fortitude saves then there is no bonus. Its not much different from what everyone else has, is it?
Maybe the drakkar has a few moth eaten cloaks for those on watch? We shall see. Try to bear in mind that you are poor untested adventurers about to embark for the first time. Unless you are noble born, the Gods will not have paid any attention to you yet. But the skein of your future is being woven as we speak and it's not the clothes that make the man......or woman.
Cheers
EDIT: tomorrow I'll start on everyone's characters.
"Buckgrnnd up, Fuhnch Wllf."
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Ragnar Stolen-Voice
The only two things you need to amend are the sling damage which should include your strength bonus (Page179) and the medium encumbrance means that Ragnar's speed is as if he has medium armour on (Page169).
To put a bit of flesh on your background here is some pertinent information that Ragnar will know.
1) He came from the cankorl of Ewesmir (which is about 200 miles as the crow flies from the port of Urgen where the adventure starts), the capital Hagan, to be precise, where Olgred had sworn allegiance to Chief Grimhild the Brave.
2) Since he split with his family and tried to lead pursuit away, Ragnar headed west to the woods and hills around the Sala fjord. Here is where he learnt to fish among the simple folk that worked those waters. But he was tracked and shot by the bounty hunter, Svart the Proud.
3) Although Ragnar took the arrow out, it was the Forsaken dwarf healer, Denek, who saved his life from the fevers that transpired. She looked after him in the high hills overlooking Krishom, where he eventually rejoined his own kind. But not before Denek had taught Ragnar the language of the dwarves, dverge.
4) Recently Ragnar escaped the clutches of Svart for the second time and fled west across the cankorl of Nordol to Urgen. Svart may be close behind so when Ragnar heard that Drago Longaxe wanted crew and was willing to pay, he jumped at the chance.
2 and 3 may change the order of when things happened on your background a little but that's because they fit the geography better.
Any thoughts, let me know.
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Anya Fiend-Fury
Great character, Khaladon. I'll do the background stuff with her after I have gone through everyone's basic information and got a handle on you and your sister. If you have any ideas that you want to put down here then that would help me. I can always add names and places after. Meanwhile here are a couple of minor things I spotted that may need amending.
Your flatfooted AC isn't 1, is it?
Hit points are 14, but maybe you transposed your Con and dex scores when doing that?
Acrobatics needs an asterix since it is effected by your armour check penalty.
FW & Dabbler
Thanks! I like her : ) That was a typo on the AC, thanks for catching it.
As for the Stats, the mix up was in the original listing. If you check, I Had listed them accidentally in the order of Str, CON, DEX, Int, etc. but the scores as they are now are actually correct.
Her background is pretty much done in my mind, but of course details can be added and/or changed by you, but, in 'brief'....lol ;-)
-Anya was taken by her mother when she was four (close to 5) years old.
-Growing up she had memories of her father which faded with time but she was always angry with her mother, and blamed Eva taking her away from her father. Some of this blame and anger was transfered onto innocent little Helga
-Young Anya was always a little hellion with a furious temper, and had the fists and size to back them up. The Druids were at a loss as to what to do with her.
-Although no one treated little Helga more poorly than Anya did, at the same time, no one else was ever allowed to treat Helga poorly either. Many many times Anya came to the rescue of her weak and sickly sibling. And, throughout the years, the two did share some special and loving sister moments as well, although these were generally few and far between.
-I'm thinking Eva died when Anya was around 18, and Helga was 14. Not long after that, without Eva around to plead forgiveness for her, the fed-up Druids finally kicked the difficult Anya out of the grove. So the sisters haven't seen each other for about 7 years.
-Dabbs, when I said 21-22 I actually meant for Anya ;-) but that's fine, except that I don't want to make Anya too old (unless you think it would logically fit FW?) so would you perhaps be able to make Helga 21, and then Anya can be 25? But being a Half-Elf and maturing slower, I imagine Helga will actually look much younger and be significantly smaller than her large and strong older sister. Oh, and also, in your history it will have to be changed that Anya was a budding shieldmaiden when Eva took off with them for Anya would have been still just a child.
- I'm thinking maybe about 5-6 years ago, after some difficult time on her own, Anya set out to find her true father and has spent this time trying to reconcile with him and gain his approval, forgiveness (for leaving with her mom-completely illogical as she was a child and had no choice) and acceptance. Anya's going on this journey is a significant part of that effort by her.
-Also, I'm thinking that Anya and Helga are only but Very recently re-united themselves. And Anya has very mixed feelings about this (as are all her feelings regarding her sister) primarily though, Anya is desperate that her father not find out about Helga's existence as she is sure the unforgiving man would be likely to have the girl killed. Also, for more selfish reasons, she is worried about the effect it would have on her reputation and acceptance as the warrior she has worked so hard the last few years to gain. Taking Helga away from here is one of the best ways to avoid any confrontation with her father that Anya can think of. It is fortunate that Helga is agreeable to this as the few clues she has gained regarding her own father lead in a similar direction as the ship is proposed to be sailing...Yes?
-If you both don't mind, I'll go with Winterborn as well for one of Anya's traits, maybe it's something they've inherited from their mother?
-And finally, I am totally cool with the blood feud being with Eva's family. It makes sense and just gives more reason why Anya would be desperate that her father not find out about Helga. But by the same token, would it be fair to say that Helga herself, not ever having grown up with or known anyone on her mother's side (other than Anya) wouldn't know and/or care about the feud at all?
Oh! Ooops! Forgot about traits!...so just the standard ones from Paizo then? Can they be found online anywhere? Or if not, anyone have any good suggestions for Anya?
Saorise is practically done. I just have to fill out her skills and write up a description and background (which I'll get done today). It may not look like she's done, but I have her all written out in my template here (yes, I have a PbP Template if anyone is interested - I do this a lot ;) ) You can check out what my Template looks like here if you like. :D
FW: I've chosen one trait but none of the Magic Traits really 'speak' to me as far as the character goes so I was thinking that either you and/or I can work out another Trait for her.
I'll need a bit of help with her Background though, knowing where she came from and her Father's name and such.
Also, do you happen to have a map of the area so that we all know the different regions and such? No problem if you don't I just thought it might make things easier.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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Oh! Ooops! Forgot about traits!...so just the standard ones from Paizo then? Can they be found online anywhere? Or if not, anyone have any good suggestions for Anya?
Go to your 'My Downloads' Page and up the top above any .pdfs you may have purchased are a bunch of Free .pdfs available to all (Playtest Classes, Character Sheet, Errata and Traits).
:)
Ah yes! I had already downloaded that some time ago (like a year?) but had forgotten. Thanks Flash!
OK, Anya will take the Poverty Stricken trait and that other one if that's cool with you FW and Dabbler.
And these, together with her Endurance feat, will go along great with her not being able to afford furs! Although she Will use them if they are available, it has been remarked more than once how amazingly resilient to the cold this warrior woman seems to be. She considers it a mark of her might and bears the comments proudly, often making fun of other warrior males who are all bundled up so tightly in their warm furs.
"Ah Fenrick! I see you are still swaddled up in furs as you were when you suckled upon your mother's teat! And you call yourself a man? For surely it cannot be this fine December morn which causes you to shiver so! Ha ha ha!"
Flash+ FW
I had an idea as I was fleshing out my character. For those sorcerors accepted by the circle and properly trained, I could easily see them being partnered with a Witchhunter Ranger in order to (A) Protect them, serving as the steel against steel , (B) Add another level of legitimacy amonst a superstitious population, and (C) Pull the trigger should they turn to the darkside.
Of course continuous exposure to the humanity of an arcane caster might change a witch hunter's outlook.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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Flash+ FW:I had an idea as I was fleshing out my character. For those sorcerors accepted by the circle and properly trained, I could easily see them being partnered with a Witchhunter Ranger in order to (A) Protect them, serving as the steel against steel , (B) Add another level of legitimacy amonst a superstitious population, and (C) Pull the trigger should they turn to the darkside.Of course continuous exposure to the humanity of an arcane caster might change a witch hunter's outlook.
How does that sound?
FW, a question concerning the legal status of bards and druids: In Celtic culture, the bards and druids were considered 'above' affairs like feuds. To draw your sword on a bard or a druid was a big taboo unless they started the fight.
In this culture, are druids and those that bear their signs considered full members of their clans, or are they considered free of clan affiliation, being sworn now to the service of the gods/nature/whatever? (of course how much this actually applies in practice is another matter, but it could be a legal nicety that has to be observed at least in passing).
For Khaladon/Anya & FW:
-I'm thinking Eva died when Anya was around 18, and Helga was 14. Not long after that, without Eva around to plead forgiveness for her, the fed-up Druids finally kicked the difficult Anya out of the grove. So the sisters haven't seen each other for about 7 years.
Cool by me, I have put this in.
-Dabbs, when I said 21-22 I actually meant for Anya ;-) but that's fine, except that I don't want to make Anya too old (unless you think it would logically fit FW?) so would you perhaps be able to make Helga 21, and then Anya can be 25? But being a Half-Elf and maturing slower, I imagine Helga will actually look much younger and be significantly smaller than her large and strong older sister. Oh, and also, in your history it will have to be changed that Anya was a budding shieldmaiden when Eva took off with them for Anya would have been still just a child.
Fixed. I can't make Helga younger than 21, 20 is equivalent to 16 for a half-elf.
-Also, I'm thinking that Anya and Helga are only but Very recently re-united themselves. And Anya has very mixed feelings about this (as are all her feelings regarding her sister) primarily though, Anya is desperate that her father not find out about Helga's existence as she is sure the unforgiving man would be likely to have the girl killed. Also, for more selfish reasons, she is worried about the effect it would have on her reputation and acceptance as the warrior she has worked so hard the last few years to gain. Taking Helga away from here is one of the best ways to avoid any confrontation with her father that Anya can think of. It is fortunate that Helga is agreeable to this as the few clues she has gained regarding her own father lead in a similar direction as the ship is proposed to be sailing...Yes?
Sounds good to me!
-If you both don't mind, I'll go with Winterborn as well for one of Anya's traits, maybe it's something they've inherited from their mother?
I actually envisaged it as a trait Helga got from her father, but if you want it, go for it. Perhaps mother had some magical talent herself?
-And finally, I am totally cool with the blood feud being with Eva's family. It makes sense and just gives more reason why Anya would be desperate that her father not find out about Helga. But by the same token, would it be fair to say that Helga herself, not ever having grown up with or known anyone on her mother's side (other than Anya) wouldn't know and/or care about the feud at all?
Now this is the fun bit; Helga was rejected by her mother's kin as well, although not as hostile as Anya's father's clan to her, they don't acknowledge her. I would suggest the blood feud be related but not confined to the matter - maybe Anya's father become embroiled in an argument over the matter with one of Eva's more sympathetic relatives, killed him in a fight and it started from there?
Also see my question to FW above ... it is possible Helga is not technically a member of any clan, and therefore above the blood feud ... technically. Anya's father may resort to skulduggery to get rid of her if he finds out she is around, or just grind his teeth and make life difficult. Anya could also justify her actions as getting Helga out of the way so her father does not do something to annoy the druids. Her father might assume she's gone to push Helga off the ship mid-ocean ...
Stefnir's background now in profile.
** spoiler omitted **** spoiler omitted **
Sounds good to me.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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Mark, here is the spoiler of my roll that French Wolf gave for me to look at. I think that given our shared Background, that it is fine for you to look at it as well.
Spoiler:Title. Your PC is the son of a chieftain. During his lifetime, the PC may make one claim on his father for a ship and men to go raiding, assuming the character is a human. The size and quality of the ship and number of men will depend on the PC's reputation and level at that time. Also Flash you get to roll for gold, not silver...
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I'll try to fit in some time to help with these questions. However this week sees my student taking her first major exam and so I'm spending alot of extra time prepping and teaching for her.
Also the superstar contest will slow the boards down a bit.
My advice to anyone who hasn't finished a background yet, is that if you come up with some good ideas I can place it in the world.
As for a map, Brett and MarkL saw the pen and ink drawing that started me wanting to do this adventure. I have a scanner but technology isn't my thing. One way or another I'll get a copy of the map to you, Mark suggested that everyone just give me their email addresses. That would be the easiest way, but let me know what you think.
My personal email address is frenchwolf17@yahoo.com if that helps.
Cheers
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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flash_cxxi@hotmail.comMy personal email address is frenchwolf17@yahoo.com if that helps.
Cheers
I believe you already have my email FW, yes?
mastermarkt@gmail.com
Sorry. JamesMKeegan at gmail dot com.
Got it, printed it, looks good. Why not upload it to a Photobucket account, though, and just post the link? Not that I object to e-mail.
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Just knew this would crop up, I had such an account. But for some reason, which I cannot fathom, it will not upload my scans. And believe me I have tried.
In the long run we will have to come up with a better way to show pictures, maps and drawings and one day maybe even fights.
All suggestions gratefully accepted but remember I am a poor computer user so it needs to be in idiotspeak for me.
Cheers
In the other threads I am in (except the Curse of the Crimson Throne which I haven't been in long enough) we do maps and use icons of our avatars placed on them, and I post them on my Photobucket account. For example, here is your map.