Here is some pre-event information to perhaps speed up the preparation time for "The Styes" game.
INTRODUCTION
For this adventure, all of the PCs are part of a group of friends known as the “Band of the Sunken Goose”. These friends have a pact to meet at a house they own in Absalom twice a year, once on the 1st day of summer and once on the 1st day of winter. If something important is going on in their lives they miss the meeting, but almost always 4 or more manage to meet up and share stories and then sometimes stick together to follow a rumor of an adventure somewhere in the world. This particular 1st day of winter five members of the “Band” have made the journey to Absalom for the meeting.
After a night of eating, drinking, and telling stories until the wee hours of the morning the PCs attending the get together are woken up by the caretaker of the Band’s house, Miss Nymia. Despite the groans and complaints, Nymia persists and urges everyone to meet in the great room as soon as possible. As the PCs arrive they see Nymia watching a very distraught woman, who is pacing back and forth and seems to have been crying.
The woman turns out to be Eleanor Loveage, a woman the PCs remember from the terrible last journey of Captain Olbrec’s ship, the Goose. Eleanor was rescued by the crew of the Goose from pirates just days before and when the ship went under, Eleanor managed to drag the unconscious Rhayne to shore and save her life. In gratitude, the surviving crew members (who came to be called the Band of the Sunken Goose) promised Eleanor a favor at some point in future and provided her with a miniature glass sculpture of a ship, telling her it contained a refuge spell and would teleport her to the Band’s house on Absalom should she ever need anything.
Realizing this must be important to Eleanor, the PCs listen to her story. Apparently she was on an extended visit to her brother, Jarme, in the Styes district in Carrion Hill (and trying to convince him to move out), when he was arrested for murder! She seems at a complete loss that he could have commited such a crime, but even worse his trial was sped up and within a day he was hanged until dead. Her employer and friend, Master Refrum, tried to argue Jarme’s innocence but the authorities were determined and he could do nothing to stop them. Eleanor regrets not using her refuge earlier, but she was sure his innocence would come out in the time leading up to and during his trial.
Eleanor asks that you journey to the Styes and prove Jarme’s innocence.
I've listed 10 possible PCs to give players a choice in what type of character they want to play. Only five will be chosen since that's the number of players slotted for the game.
Here are the descriptions:
Olbrec, 9th level fighter (NG human)
An Eagle Knight in the service of Andoran’s cause, Olbrec captained a ship for many years. His main purpose was hunting down pirates and slave ships and putting an end to their evil ways. With a friendly smile and charming wits, Olbrec easily wins over new friends and usually keeps them with his loyalty and good heart. However, his seagoing captaincy ended badly when his ship sank, killing many good crewmen and innocent people. Olbrec has remained land bound since that day and, despite bouts of depression, has acquitted himself well by continuing to serve the cause of the Eagle Knights. Olbrec is the moral compass for most groups he finds himself in.
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Tactics: Olbrec wades into battle with his flail, placing himself between the most dangerous enemy and any vulnerable friends. He tends to take leadership in combat situations by directing the actions of the group.
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Key Skills: Intimidate, Knowledge(engineering), Swim, Profession(sailor)
Errigal Al’Din, 4th level rogue/5th level fighter (NG half-elf)
Born the bastard son of an Osirian slave lord, Errigal was raised with the sole purpose of helping the family business – buying, training, and selling slaves. Years after beginning his apprenticeship, one of the house slaves, a halfling by the name of Riss, befriended Errigal and once that bond was formed something changed in Errigal and he began to despise slavery. Soon after, Errigal fled the family business with Riss in tow and, at the first opportunity, set Riss free. The two of them have stayed together ever since, dedicating their lives to learning about ancient civilizations in order to better raid the tombs of their dead lords.
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Tactics: Errigal immediately moves to the front line of any battle, attempting to draw the attention of enemies with his tall stature and flashy scorpion whip (this usually leaves Riss free to rain death with his crossbow). Once enemies engage him, he begins a slow retreat to give himself room to lash his opponents with his whip. Errigal also uses scrolls and wands extensively to aid in healing or protective magics for when Riss and him are adventuring alone.
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Key Skills: Disable Device , Knowledge(local), Linguistics, Perception, Stealth, Swim, Use Magic Device.
Ivoria, 1st level barbarian/4th level sorcerer/4th level dragon disciple (NG female human (ulfen))
A barbarian from the northern Lands of the Linnorm Kings, Ivoria signed on the crew of Captain Olbrec’s ship for a full year before leaving to find adventure on land instead of sea. Ivoria quickly discovered she had innate magical talents and left her barbarian roots behind to become a sorceress and dragon disciple. She respects Olbrec greatly, but prefers the free spirited company of Kieran and Rhayne.
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Tactics: When battle begins, Ivoria usually spends a round assessing the situation and perhaps casting a spell to boost her allies or damage her enemies. She then rushes into melee with her greataxe with no regrets and rarely a change of heart.
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Key Skills: Knowledge(arcana), Spellcraft
Barkyl, 7th level rogue/2nd level ranger (NG male dwarf)
The red beard of Barkyl the dwarf reaches nearly to his knees, and his massively wide shoulders support muscle not normally found on rogues of most of other races. Barkyl is quiet and reserved, but has an intense interest in both wilderness exploration and in the technical gadgets of civilization. During his travels he has made good friends in Errigal, Ithrin, and Moddak.
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Tactics: With his burly frame and heavy equipment, Barkyl usually wades into battle as one of the front line fighter-types, only to catch his opponents by surprise by setting up flanks and dealing devastating damage with his sneak attacks.
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Key Skills: Appraise, Disable Device, Knowledge(dungeoneering), Knowledge(local), Knowledge(geography), Perception, Stealth, and Survival.
Ithrin, 9th level ranger (CG elf)
Initially quiet, Ithrin quickly warns up to those with a friendly attitude. While not minding small towns and spending time at an Inn telling stories, he prefers living off the land and spending his time defending the animals and small outposts of civilization from the depredations of cruel beings (especially undead). Ithrin is good friends with both Barkyl and Olbrec.
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Tactics: Ithrin is an extremely good archer and will use his bow whenever possible. If engaged in melee combat, Ithrin will use his elven curved blade.
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Key Skills: Knowledge(dungeoneering), Knowledge(nature), Perception, Stealth, Survival, Swim.
Riss Quickfinger, 2nd level ranger/7th level fighter (CG halfling)
Riss was born and raised a slave in Osirion. After befriending one of his masters, Errigal Al’Din, he was whisked away to freedom. Errigal and Riss are close friends, always spending time together either studying ancient lore in the libraries of Absalom or raiding tombs of ancient lords across the Inner Sea. Riss has a zeal for life and a determined stubborn streak against authority.
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Tactics: Riss maneuvers himself into a good safe place (preferably on a wall or ceiling using his spider climbing slippers) before unleashing his crossbow on his enemies. His priority targets are enemies who attempt to flank his friends or those casting spells. Riss also makes extensive use of potions when the opportunity arises.
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Key Skills: Knowledge(dungeoneering), Knowledge(history), Perception, Ride, Stealth, Survival.
Aleanna Avanso, 9th level wizard (LG female human (andoran))
A short red headed Andoran, Aleanna Avanso is an extremely smart and competent wizard. Aleanna has a very narrow minded view on life that doesn’t leave any room for evil’s existance. In her free time, she studies texts in libraries or researches new magical applications. She is extremely loyal to Olbrec and enjoys adventuring with him.
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Tactics: Aleanna first attempts to nullify enemy spellcasters and then support her friends with magical aid and monster summoning. If it seems appropriate, she will use her empowering rod to send a lightning bolt or scorching ray at her foes.
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Key Skills: Appraise, Fly, Knowledge(arcana), Knowledge(geography), Knowledge(history), Knowledge(local), Knowledge(planes), Knowledge(religion), Spellcraft, Use Magic Device
Rhayne, 9th level cleric (NG female human(varisian))
Originally from Varisia, Rhayne’s family moved to Absalom when she was young. Upon coming of age, she became a dedicated follower of Shelyn’s and signed on with Captain Olbrec in his quest to rid the seas of pirates and slavers. Since the sinking of Olbrec’s ship, Rhayne has spent time in Absalom and other areas of the Inner Sea journeying with friends and spreading the teachings of Shelyn. Aleanna, Olbrec, and Kieran are good friends of hers.
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Tactics: Rhayne stays back in combat, casting spells to aid her friends. When spellcasting doesn’t seem needed or she is forced in melee combat she will use her glaive to some effect.
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Key Skills: Craft(painting), Diplomacy, Knowledge(religion), Sense Motive, Spellcraft
Kieran, 9th level bard (CG male elf)
Most of Kieran’s life has been spent in the great cities across the Inner Sea performing for nobles or telling stories in taverns and inns. Kieran is a free spirit who enjoys the company of others and wooing the hearts of women throughout the lands. Occasionally he can be convinced to dedicate himself to a cause and when he does, he does it with his full effort and is usually a very effective companion.
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Tactics: Kieran stays back in combat assisting his allies with his bardic music abilities and his spells. He is also good with a bow and will attack with it once he feels the combat is under control.
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Key Skills: Knowledge(arcana), Knowledge(local), Perception, Perform(sing), Perform(dance), Perform (wind instruments), Spellcraft, Stealth, Use Magic Device, Bluff(using sing), Diplomacy(using wind instruments), Sense Motive(using sing), Handle Animal(using wind instruments)
Moddak of the White Fang, 9th level druid (NG male human (kellid))
When Captain Olbrec and his band of friends raided an ogre encampment and freed 20 Kellid people of the White Fang tribe, Moddak, one of their druids, was given to Olbrec to serve him as payment for their lives. Olbrec wanted nothing to do with accepting a slave in return for freeing innocent people, but couldn’t stop Moddak from following him. After a time, Moddak came to enjoy the company of the strange group of friends Olbrec kept around him and Moddak’s skills as a druid fit in nicely with the others. Now, Moddak has left his old life behind and has dedicated himself to helping Olbrec and others like him battle evil where it can be found.
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Tactics: Anytime there is an obvious situation where combat is likely, Moddak will change into one of his preferred wild shapes and dive headlong into battle. Moddak will almost never enter battle in his human form, much preferring a wild shape or elemental form to his human one. Moddak holds back his spellcasting for healing after the battle is over or when ranged attacks are needed.
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Key Skills: Knowledge(geography), Knowledge(nature), Perception, Spellcraft, Survival
I can't wait to play. The game and all the pc's look great, but if we get to pick a pc now I would love to play Kieran or Ithrin.
By the way, thank you for running a game.
Hey Doug, you're welcome!
I think listing a preference here is great so everyone can think about what their choices are, but final selections will be made at the start of the game to give everyone a chance to talk over their final picks (in case they don't see my post).
I have PDFs of the character sheets ready, which I can send to anyone interested in playing a particular character (or characters).
Gosh! - Nice!
Have fun, and tell us all...
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I have PDFs of the character sheets ready, which I can send to anyone interested in playing a particular character (or characters).
I would love to have a look at Kieran or Ithrin. I know we can't pick now, but it would be fun to look over the characters.
You can e-mail me at zfolks1 at comcast dot net.
Gosh! - Nice!
Have fun, and tell us all...
Sure thing, I'll post a game log after PaizoCon.
I would love to have a look at Kieran or Ithrin. I know we can't pick now, but it would be fun to look over the characters.
I'll send 'em tonight when I get home.
I would love to have a look at Kieran or Ithrin. I know we can't pick now, but it would be fun to look over the characters.I'll send 'em tonight when I get home.
Sent.
Thanks Eric, I got them, and they look great.
Great. I hope everyone doesn't mind the homebrew character sheets.
Great. I hope everyone doesn't mind the homebrew character sheets.
Eric, I am in on the 1-6 Sat game. Not knowing which game Doug is in, I could play Kieran, Barkyl, or Moddak in that order - Can I get a copy of the character sheets? Gracias.
my_avatar_name at aol.com
~D
Great. I hope everyone doesn't mind the homebrew character sheets.Eric, I am in on the 1-6 Sat game. Not knowing which game Doug is in, I could play Kieran, Barkyl, or Moddak in that order - Can I get a copy of the character sheets? Gracias.
my_avatar_name at aol.com
~D
Ok, character sheets sent. I'm only running it for the one slot, so it's the same game :)
I am so looking forward to this! Ithrin and Riss Quickfinger are the ones that catch my eye. But really, no matter what character I get, I'll be happy that I get to play in The Styes. Yay!
So far we have:
Doug Benson - Ithrin or KieranDaemonslye - Kieran, Barkyl, or Moddak (leaning towards Barkyl)
Zootcat - Ithrin or Riss Quickfinger