I'm looking to start a PBP Serpent's Skull Adventure. In the interest of full disclosure, this will be my first time GM'ing a PBP, but I'm confident the nature of a PBP will allow me to be a better GM than I am in real life.
Some Things You Should Know
To start, please download the Serpent's Skull Players Guide if you haven't already. The information therein is critical in understanding the adventure and crafting an appropriate backstory for your character. In particular, read up on the NPCs and the various ports of call and associated traits.
Role playing is more important to me than roll playing. I play for stories more than mechanics. That said, this is a traditional AP so completely unoptimized characters aren't really appropriate. But don't feel the need to eek out every point possible from your build.
Like other GMs, I'd like at least one post per day from the players - including weekends. And, of course, if you're going to be away, just let the group know. Depending on how long you're gone, you may need to be ok with the GM or a fellow player taking over your character until your return.
Finally, maps and other relevant documents will be uploaded to Google Docs. This is a friendly and easy way to share the files across multiple platforms.
Character Creation
1) 20-Point Buy, 1st Level
2) Core races only and Published Core Sources only (Core, APG, UM)
3) Two traits. One should be from the player's guide, but if you can provide a good story reason, I'll allow others. The second can be from the pre-approved sources.
4) No evil characters.
5) Max HP at first level (roll thereafter).
6) Average starting gold
7) No words of power
How to Apply:
Rather than just post a character concept, I'd like applicants to answer the following questions and then begin interacting with each other and me as travelers aboard the Jenivere.
1. Why are you aboard the ship?
2. At which port did you board or are you a stowaway?
3. What will your character contribute to the group?
4. What are your plans for your character mechanically?
5. What are your plans for your character from a story-perspective?
Role-Playing Introduction:
It's evening aboard the Jenivere. Much of the crew is gathered in the galley, awaiting their meal. Are you with them? Are you busy carrying out your duties? There is an air of discontent among the crew, as many are confused about their current course. Do you share in their concerns or are you loyal to Captain Kovack? Introduce yourself to the group in this context.
I will be selecting five players for this AP. I will be accepting applications until Wednesday at the latest. If there are five solid applicants, I will close the recruitment earlier.
Good luck everyone!
Dotting for interest. I'm on my way out the door now, but I'll definitely post up a character concept tonight. My initial thought is a Ranger build of some sort.
Also dotting for interest here. I don't have a character ready yet, but will post something later.
We started the campaign for this character before the AP even came out, and it died within a month of the AP coming out. I'd like to resubmit her to try again.
Here is how she came to be aboard ship.
-Why you were drawn to Bloodcove you do not know but something has pulled you towards the town of the pale outlanders.Some here have tried to enslave you but with Dotars timely warnings you have so far managed to evade the slavers chains. How long this run off luck can keep up is however debateable and you have been seeking a way to leave town. You have heard that a ship..one of those strange floating houses the Palefolk use, called the Jenever is leaving soon for the South..perhaps it might be your way out off this cesspit
-So that was the ship. Taking position among a pile of crates Tariro watched the ship from her concealed position. She saw the woman leave the ship with the dangerous Raptor in tow. She had heard of people who made friends of animals, and her best friend was her toad, but to make friends with such a dangerous creature. Her spirit must be strong indeed.
She had to find a way to get on board this vessel. It was much too dangerous here. Only this morning she had been nearly Shanghaied aboard that Orc piloted vessel that pulled out earlier. They said I would be a cook...right probably they meant cooked. A quick taste of flame put them off though. She was also down to only a few coins, though she didn't completely understand their value. But they were much easier to use to buy things than the small sack of pretty stones she had traded for them. And though she didn't mind sneaking around for warm places to sleep, keeping her pony stabled was costing her a fortune.
So how to get the ship to take her aboard, along with a Pony? Just as she was ready to approach the ship to try and bargain or beg herself aboard, she saw a large pale skinned woman approach the ship, and begin booming out demands. Then she saw a small being approach her leaning on a stick for support. "I think I've seen him before" she thinks to herself. "He walks about the city, and scratches on some funny paper with a beautiful red firebird feather".
Maybe I'll watch for a while and see what happens.
-Tariro, not really understanding how this whole thing works, simply joins one of the returning bands of sailors, and walks alongside them onto the ship.
It appears to her that if you want to go on-board you simply do so. The only thing unusual about her approach is the fact she is leading a small grey pony behind her.
-Tariro walks forward presenting her 10 gp. I will help with any healing which needs to be done aboard ship, for passage for my pony...and without waiting for an answer she hands the captain the coins, and begins leading her mount aboard.
Tariro plans to continue her progression as a Witch, adjusting her hexes and spells to whatever is lacking in the party...(I think the witch is the most flexible Arcane spell user in the game).
Her Story-perspective is to experience and learn to associate with people from outside her own tribe, and traditions. As she learns to accept and care for her fellow adventurers, she will begin to form them into her own "Tribe".
There seems to be a suddent onset of PbP games recruiting this week!
Meraxes is human serpentine-blooded sorcerer from Varisia en route to Sargava after his dormant arcane powers were awoken when he was bit by a viper. Since then he has been getting visions of a snake-like being that whisper to him and tell him to go south.
I'm thinking his family history involves something with Viperwall. He'd naturally be a charmer and diplomat. I'm also thinking I'd like to use the "Get the Cargo Through" trait.
Hello. I'm asking if you will allow psions from Dreamscarred Press' Psionics Unleashed. I am currently in one tabletop game (Pathfinder) and two PbP games (Pathfinder), and I count myself as a role-player. I've been trying to join Serpent's Skull as a psion for months. I could easily play an optimized APG human sorcerer, but I'd like to try something new. My character background, skills, equipment, etc are as listed by the character profile.
Answers to questions:
1.) To explore the Mwangi Expanse, looking for gemstones. The dwarves have the mountain mines all back home locked up. I can also make maps to demystify the interior.
2.) Boarded in Corentyn, Cheliax: detailed map of the Mwangi Expanse (+2 to Knowledge: Geography) and 200 gp of mundane equipment (Serpent's Skull Player's Guide)
3.) Building as the eventual Knowledge expert of the group. Character will be a secondary fighter, pack rat of equipment, with some "arcane" ability. By 8th level character should be Jack-of-All-Trades.
4.) Crafter of the group (Level 1-3 psionic tattoos can be used by anyone for buffs, healing, etc.)
5.) The character is on the run from his family, but also awakening to his powers. Could be the "Face" of the group, or support the meatshield with flanking attacks, or provide support to the healer or arcane caster. I am very big on self-sufficient characters, including healing the healer and supporting other players in battle. If everyone is Good, then my character is extremely loyal and self-sacrificing to the party.
RP intro:
Petry continued looking out at the horizon over the rail, trying to see the beauty in the clouds and foam-capped waves. He overheard another sailor make a disparaging remark about the Captain and his choices during the journey from Cheliax. They murmur openly now. Petry thought to himself. That's not good for discipline, nor for the Captain. He had stayed away from open discussions with the other passengers, trying to calm his worries. No one is after me. he reassured himself. They might hurt Mother and my sisters, but they don't know where I've went. Grandfather won't send his demons after me once we make it to the jungle. Maybe I should introduce myself to the others, in case I get a job exploring the interior with them. Petry had put everything he had in the world on this trip. He would need friends, not just allies, to succeed in exploring the mysterious Expanse.
Hello. I'm asking if you will allow psions from Dreamscarred Press' Psionics Unleashed.
Let me take a look at the source material and get back with you. I've never played with one and the rules seem a little crazy to keep up with. Also, where is the "Kineticist" Psion class? I can't find it in the guide.
The book has been ported over to the d20 OGC SRD. The psion disciplines can be found here. When RP'ing, I would be listing each power by the OGC SRD page, so you can look it up as needed.
Ok. I'll allow you to apply with the Psion. If selected, your linking to the specific power is appreciated.
I'm also thinking I'd like to use the "Get the Cargo Through" trait.
Do you have any thoughts on the nature of and your relationship to the cargo? It's fine if you don't - we can develop that together. If you do and would like to keep it a secret from the other players, let me know.
How to Apply:
Rather than just post a character concept, I'd like applicants to answer the following questions and then begin interacting with each other and me as travelers aboard the Jenivere.
1. Why are you aboard the ship?
2. At which port did you board or are you a stowaway?
3. What will your character contribute to the group?
4. What are your plans for your character mechanically?
5. What are your plans for your character from a story-perspective?
This character, an oracle of Life, was set up for a twenty-point SS campaign that never materialized. (Actually, the DM dematerialized. Or something.)
Answers to the questions, in order:
1. Dragolan is a Chelaxian remittance man. His family is rather well-off, but his sister in particular is quite ambitious. However, Dragolan's Mystery is not very popular in Cheliax. To facilitate his sister's ambitions, he was encouraged to relocate and provided some additional funds for further encouragement. He chose Sargava because it's a former colony of Cheliax (so the culture won't be too unfamiliar) and because one of the ways that he indulges his Mystery is to find and experience Life in all its myriad varieties. Jungles are famous for this sort of thing. As far as he's concerned, the major disadvantage of Sargava is the lack of decent wine.
2. As one might guess from the above, he boarded in Westcrown and paid his way.
3. As an oracle of Life, he is a proficient healer. He's also an adequate combatant and outdoorsman. The party mix will determine whether he pushes missile or melee combat. (He's also a fair cook.)
4. Mechanically, I'm planning on pushing healing and support spells and skills (esp. Survival and Knowledge (Nature)), and possibly picking up Diplomacy and/or a level or two in Linguistics.
5. I see this character as an explorer, driven by his Mystery (and kicked out by his family, but he doesn't hold it against them; he wants his sister to succeed, too). Left to himself he would have stayed home and been a well-off wine snob and foodie, and he looks the part. But he's going to a godsforsaken stretch of jungle basically because he wants to see and experience biodiversity firsthand. He wants to smell the flowers, see the bugs and beasts (and maybe eat some of them), hear the sounds of the jungle...all of that. He's a gourmand, something of a drunkard (wine only!), and enjoyer of the company of beautiful women because he has tremendous joie de vivre--he loves life, because Life flows through him so strongly.
Introduction:
Even though he had paid enough for private meals, after the second week at sea Dragolan was sufficiently disgusted with watery soup to volunteer his skills in the galley. For the thousandth time, he lamented the lack of the tools and supplies he'd had to leave behind. Still, though, it's better than watching the ocean or the other passengers. Oh, there's life out there, but I prefer the sort one can walk up to. At least, until I get the magic that would allow me to survive under the sea.... The sailors' discontent he marked, but put aside. Not much longer, and I'll have my feet on blessed solid ground again. Then these petty murmurings against their petty captain will be behind me. He ladles more soup into a sailor's bowl and smiles at the man. On the other hand, anyone who comes back for seconds can't be completely hopeless....
Do you have any thoughts on the nature of and your relationship to the cargo? It's fine if you don't - we can develop that together. If you do and would like to keep it a secret from the other players, let me know.
Hmm.. no ideas at the moment. That being said, I'm very flexible when it comes to this. I would like to think I'd want to make this something a little more exciting than a cliche, but I can't think of anything at the moment. I always welcome suggestions and I'm even thinking about using this trait to tie my fate to another passenger if someone is willing.
1. Why are you aboard the ship?
"Iomedae has charged me with the responsibility of her unremitting judgement upon the accused, and I stand to see her sentence carried out to it's finality.
Two servants of the The Inheritor have been slain in prisoner transfer alone from Sargava to the Chapter citadel within Mendev. There will be no more blood slain."
2. At which port did you board or are you a stowaway?
"Stowaway? Hardly. Don't believe what those Chelaxian dogs would sell you for truth. I know the captain. He saw my goddess's will through the light of the sword. That is no simple metaphor."
3. What will your character contribute to the group?
"Words. Magic infused words. Metal. Sharpened metal. Justice. Swift and filled with Holy Zeal. Iomedae's victors must be adaptable, immutable, hard yet supple. A leader if necessary, but an ever vigil sentinel bar none. Next question."
4. What are your plans for your character mechanically?
"Balance. Buffs, debuffs. The combination of physical skill and divine inspiration. Support, defense and combat designed to shatter the opponent's weaknesses, and all seeing justice that will not falter, whether that be through combat, interrogation or intervention."
5. What are your plans for your character from a story-perspective?
"Story-Perspective? This is no story. I will uncover and return the heretic whom was instrumental in the loss of the city of Drezen during our First Crusade against the Demon Spawn. A devil possession, perhaps.. as only the truly vigilant shall uncover. I tire of your questions and will now retire. Good-Night."
I always welcome suggestions and I'm even thinking about using this trait to tie my fate to another passenger if someone is willing.
I love the idea of using it to tie to another player.
Any newcomers or previous applicants can feel free to play off of the cargo. We can refine once final characters are chosen.
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A female with striking red hair approaches you as you stare out towards the water. "You don't talk much to the others," she says, eyeing you with suspicion. "I think you're probably all right, but your queerness has the others talking. Why don't you come down and drink with me and the boys tonight?"
Ishirou, a stern Tian warrior, looks down at the soup you've ladled into his bowl. "It is good that you are here. This food will keep our men strong. Thank you." Immeaditely behind Ishirou is a gnome dressed in noble's clothing. You recognize him as Gelik. "Good that he's here? It's a wonder that anyone survives these journeys - this can hardly be called food at all." Ishirou looks down at Gelik with disdain.
You've served as a member of the crew for several weeks now, quietly fulfilling your duties. On this night, you are waiting in line when the half-elf named Aerys speaks to you for the first time. You can tell that she is slightly drunk. "Healer, when and where did'jou join the crew? I've heard talk of the small magic worker, but I've yet to lay eyes on you."
I always welcome suggestions and I'm even thinking about using this trait to tie my fate to another passenger if someone is willing.I love the idea of using it to tie to another player.
Any newcomers or previous applicants can feel free to play off of the cargo. We can refine once final characters are chosen.
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** spoiler omitted **** spoiler omitted **
I'm thinking of making a rogue from the Shackles. I was thinking maybe he was on the ship to try to steal Olondir's cargo, whatever it is.
Rather than just post a character concept, I'd like applicants to answer the following questions and then begin interacting with each other and me as travelers aboard the Jenivere.
1. Why are you aboard the ship?
2. At which port did you board or are you a stowaway?
3. What will your character contribute to the group?
4. What are your plans for your character mechanically?
5. What are your plans for your character from a story-perspective?
Jasper Finn is a Burglar archetype rogue from the Shackles. He is a good hearted person that tries to only steal from those he feels can afford it (or need to be taken down a peg or two...snobs and such)
1. Not that I should tell you but I am aboard the ship to try and steal Olondir's cargo as from the information I have received from my sources leads me to believe it is quite valuable (whether it is or not doesn't matter, my sources say it does the unreliable sods!)
2. What are you writing a book? I boarded in the Shackles as a last minute passenger after I heard about the cargo.
3. You mean besides my stunning good looks and razor sharp wit? I am an excellent purloiner of items and the techniques therein. Ok Ok I'm a burglar and a damn good one if I do say so myself. I'm good with a rapier and can sneak up on near anyone. I am also very good with traps and the like, needing to get past them on occasion in my purloining...I keep saying that word...Is that even a word?
4. I am planning on continuing my time as a rogue and burglar, but I've a shine to the SHADOW as well and I might DANCE my way in there for a time.
5. Well once we head out to sea I'm gonna see what sort of security the cargo has on it. Oh you mean after that? Well I imagine I will stay with the group as my noble heart, sodding thing that it is, will want me to stay and help those in need and those I call friend. Also the lure of adventure has always rang in my head and I'm looking for a bit of it.
I will start interacting in a bit.
Petry was taken aback when the redhead started talking with him. Wow, he thought to himself, her hair really matches carnelian gems. He found his voice just in time, even though he stuttered on his first word. "He-He-Hello!" Petry said back to the young woman, trying to smile. "I was just, ah, admiring the clouds. I don't drink that much, but if you want, I'll be happy to share dinner with you. Well," he said, glancing at the main door to the interior of the ship, "if you can call that dinner." Petry shuffled his feet nervously. "I've been thinking so much about what to do when we reach Eleder, I was hoping the ship would travel faster." The young man desperately tried to remember the redhead's name, had he heard it before on the ship? "I'm Petry." he announced, turning to face the woman and trying to appear friendly. "From Wes-, uh, Corentyn. Corentyn. I'm a gemcutter." He held out a hand to her, where his family ring glinted on his third finger.
A wide grin spreads across the gnome's face. "Is it that obvious, my friend?" he asks, taking a small bow. "Truly, the cuisine in Magnimar wasn't much to brag about, but I am eager to try some of the local flavors in Sargava. My bowels are as watery as this soup," he says the last with a chuckle at his joke.
"I'm Sasha," she replies, her eyes dropping for a fraction of a second towards the bright ring. "So where is this Wes-uh-Corentyn you speak of?" she asks with a wink. "All the lot of us are carrying secrets on this ship. You'll get better at concealing them with time. Come, let's go eat."
Please add some character details so we can get a greater sense of the type of character you're planning.
While the others are awaiting their meals, you take some time to seek out the treasure you're here for. While searching, you come across the brig of the ship. A Garundi man is in one of the cells, his hands bound and head bowed as if asleep.
Intro:
Since boarding, Jasper has been making himself well known among the crew. He dices with the soldiers, drinks with the sailors, rubs elbows with the rowers and flirts with the women. Through all this he has been checking the security on the cargo hold and seeing what the patterns are of security checks. He has been subtle and circumspect in his inquiries. He has been trying to make himself useful as well, having spent a little bit of time on a ship himself, he is very good up in the rigging and knows his way around. Currently he is on deck teaching some of the crew a bawdy sea shanty that he heard from a crew on the Shackles.
My old man said to me:
"You can spend your life, your jolly life
Sailing on the sea.
You can search the world for pretty girls
Til your eyes grow weak and dim,
But don't go fishing for a mermaid, son
If you don't know how to swim"
'Cause her hair was green as seaweed
Her skin was blue and pale
I loved that girl with all my heart
I only liked the upper part
I did not like the tail
So I signed aboard of a whaling ship
And my first very day at sea
There I spied in the waves,
Reaching out for me
"Come live with me in the sea said she,
Down on the ocean floor
And I'll show you many's a wonderous thing
That you've never seen before
So over I jumped and she pulled me down,
Down to her seaweed bed
A pillow made of tortoise-shell
She placed beneath my head
She fed me shrimp and caviar
Upon a silver dish
From her head to her waist was just to my taste
But the rest of her was a fish
'Cause ...
Then one day, she swam away
So I sang to the clams and the whales
"Oh, how I miss her seagreen hair
And the silvery shine of her scales
Then her sister, she swam by
And set my heart awhirl
From her head to her waste was an ugly fish
But the rest of her was a girl
'Cause her hair was green as seaweed
Her skin was blue and pale
I loved that girl with all my heart
I did not like the upper part
And that's how I get my ...
Jasper starts laughing immediately afterward and jokes with a crew member that he finds out once wanted to marry a mermaid when he was a cabin boy.
Leaving the laughing crew, Jasper makes his way down to the brig to check on the cargo, where he spies someone in the cells.
If there are no guards around he will attempt to engage the man in conversation. Rough day huh? Trust me I've been there my friend. What did you get pinched for?
How to Apply:
Rather than just post a character concept, I'd like applicants to answer the following questions and then begin interacting with each other and me as travelers aboard the Jenivere.
1. Why are you aboard the ship?
2. At which port did you board or are you a stowaway?
3. What will your character contribute to the group?
4. What are your plans for your character mechanically?
5. What are your plans for your character from a story-perspective?Role-Playing Introduction:
It's evening aboard the Jenivere. Much of the crew is gathered in the galley, awaiting their meal. Are you with them? Are you busy carrying out your duties? There is an air of discontent among the crew, as many are confused about their current course. Do you share in their concerns or are you loyal to Captain Kovack? Introduce yourself to the group in this context.
Allia is a Bard. Perhaps the Geisha archetype bard. That's simply the archetype name from Ultimate Magic, not necessarily the profession from japan. While there's probably some parallels I don't assume I know nearly enough to portrait one acurately. (But it honestly might just be vanilla bard or another archetype, I have to look at them a bit closer)
1) She's the slave or an indentured servant to the captain of the ship, or someone else of the crew, but the captain makes the most sense. Usually used as personal servant, but also to entertain the rest of the crew and lighten their mood, to hopefully keep their minds of mutany and other bad things.
(Alternatively if you don't like that, servant/slave to a merchant/noble that booked passage on the ship)
2) Since the beginning of the trip, and possible "joined the crew" a while before that. "Jennivere Crew" trait
3) Focusing alot on social skills, diplomacy, performing etc, and a high charisma score will probably make her a good "face" for the party. Her magic spells might come in handy in combat, but she'll not be too heavily optimised for combat.
4) For now the plan is to continue the bard profession. But it depends on how the story develops which choices make sense later.
5) That's really hard to say, and highly depends on where the story takes her.
Full Character sheet will follow
Allia entered the galley and made her way through the waiting people.
She was dressed in rather practical clothes like most days, as she had learned quite early that no matter what she wears, it tends to get wet and dirty really fast. She had ruined more than one outfit trying to look pretty during those first weeks.
She approached the cook, not the usual ship's cook, but a passenger himself, but his cooking skills surpassed those of Rambar Terillo by a huge margin. She just hoped that would not cause a mutany when he'd finally leave the ship again. Maybe the captain would have to find a better cook.
"Good evening, Master Canario, I'm here to pick up the dinner for the captain and the first mate"
As she waited for the food to be prepared she tried to listen to the talks of the crew around, while appearing to not pay any attention to it at all. "They're getting unhappy again. I'll have to tell the captain, if he doesn't already know"
I'd Like to throw my hat in the ring. I have many years of experience playing a variety of RPG's live. This would be my first PBP, but I am good at characterization and writing. I would also be available to post at least once a day if not more.
Spoilered to keep it shorter:
NOSH
An attractive, slender half-elf in poor clothing with eternally spiky black hair. He wears an over-sized chain shirt over his own shirt and holds a comparatively huge crossbow. Over his shoulder it seems like the shadows shift and boil.
Male Half-Elf Summoner 1
CG Medium Humanoid (Elf, Human)
Init +2; Senses Low-Light Vision; Perception +4
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DEFENSE
--------------------
AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+2 Dex)
hp 11 (1d8+2)
Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +3
Immune sleep; Resist Elven Immunities
--------------------
OFFENSE
--------------------
Spd 20 ft.
Melee Unarmed Strike -1 (1d3-1/20/x2)
Ranged Crossbow, Heavy +2 (1d10/19-20/x2)
Dagger Melee -1, Ranged +2 (1d4-1/20/x2)
Spell-Like Abilities Summon Monster I (7/day)
Summoner Spells Known (CL 1, -1 melee touch, +2 ranged touch):
1 (2/day) Grease (DC 16), Rejuvenate Eidolon, Lesser
0 (at will) Daze (DC 14), Detect Magic, Message, Read Magic
--------------------
STATISTICS
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Str 8, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 18
Base Atk +0; CMB -1; CMD 11
Feats Skill Focus: Diplomacy (Adaptability), Spell Focus: Conjuration
Traits Resilient
Stowaway
Skills Acrobatics -1, Climb -4, Diplomacy +7, Escape Artist -1, Fly -1, Handle Animal +8, Perception +4, Ride -1, Stealth 0, Swim -4, Survival
Languages Common, Elven
SQ Eidolon Link (Ex), Elf Blood, Life Link (Su), Share Spells with Eidolon (Ex)
Combat Gear Bolts, Crossbow (10), Crossbow, Heavy, Masterwork Chain Shirt;
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Eidolon Link (Ex) You have a link with your Eidolon, but share magic item slots.
Elf Blood You are counted as both elves and humans for any effect relating to race.
Elven Immunities +2 save bonus vs Enchantments.
Elven Immunities - Sleep You are immune to Sleep effects.
Life Link (Su) Sacrifice HP to prevent that much damage to your Eidolon.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Share Spells with Eidolon (Ex) Personal spells can be cast on your Eidolon instead.
Spell Focus: Conjuration Spells from one school of magic have +1 to their save DC.
Summon Monster I (7/day) (Sp) Use summon monster spells as spell-like abilities, with durations measured in minutes instead of rounds.
Nosh's first memories are of growing up in a whore house in some unknown city, these are his happiest memories. The whores were kind to him, and to this day Nosh believes the most beautiful one was his mother, maybe. He was sold to a former mercenary named Morgan who bought an alehouse in Quent and used Nosh as a stablehand and busboy. Morgan was a drunken, cruel man who regularly beat young Nash for a variety of real and imagined inadequacies. Although Nosh was popular with the patrons and staff alike, Morgan's anger towards him became more and more irrational.
One night , while lying in his cot recovering from a beating , Nosh heard a whispering from the corner of his room. A barely decernable shape formed from the darkness and offered its services. Nailax would free Nosh from Morgan, protect him, and teach him to use magic. In exchange, Nosh would feed Nailax, although what the creature ate was never made clear. Nailax returned night after night, making the same offer to Nosh. Eventually, after a particularly nasty beating, Nosh agreed to the pact. By the next night Morgan was dead, Nosh was wanted, and the Jenivere had an unpaid passenger.
NAILAX CR 1
Male Biped (Claws)
LE Medium Outsider
Init +1; Senses Darkvision (60 feet); Perception +4
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DEFENSE
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AC 13, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 14 (+4)
Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +2
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OFFENSE
--------------------
Spd 30 ft.
Melee Claw x2 (Claws) +5 x2 (1d4+4/20/x2) and
Unarmed Strike +5 (1d3+4/20/x2)
--------------------
STATISTICS
--------------------
Str 18, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11
Base Atk +1; CMB +5; CMD 16
Feats Toughness +3
Skills Acrobatics +2, Perception +4, Sense Motive +4, Stealth +13
Languages Common
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
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A black patch with slighly glowing yellow eyes, tentacles and claws.
1. Why are you aboard the ship?
Nosh is accused of murder in Quent and wants to get far enough away that it will never catch up with him.
2. At which port did you board or are you a stowaway?
He stowed away in Quent.
3. What will your character contribute to the group?
Nosh is currently fairly uneducated and unskilled, though he is good with people and animals. The flexibility of summoning will serve the party well in and out of combat.
4. What are your plans for your character mechanically?
I plan to keep the character a straight summoner with strong people skills. Nailix will become more and more monstrous as he feeds on Nash's negative emotions and energies. Perhaps taking undead appearance, tentacles, etc.
5. What are your plans for your character from a story-perspective?
RP intro:
It is better during the day. At least during the day SOME light filtered down between the cracks in the planks and under the doors to the hold. Nash craved the light and tried as hard as possible to sleep through the night, but the noise and motion of the ship made it difficult. Also Nailix liked to teach his "lessons" at night, as a voice directing him from the darkness. Nosh could already summon a snake to eat the rats in the hold. Nailix said that, if he really wanted to, Nash would eventually be able to summon creatures large enough to crush a house. I don't know about how that would be useful, I just wish I could get him to teach me to summon a lantern.
Petry doesn't like getting drunk, so he will water down or sip sparingly from any drink he's given. (Getting drunk might lead to Petry waking up in his grandfather's mansion, which he is scared to death of.)
For over centuries of dedicated service we have heard and seen countless accounts of your abiding faith. It has been tested, time and season again yet still you walk firm without weakening or complaint. I would now ask you to endure one more severe test of resolve. Heretic 417 labeled Müller has escaped Mendev custody and has been reported to be fleeing toward the distant land of Sargava. I do not need to remind you of the heinous and atrocious nature to 417's crime. Whether through demon possession or by simple vile conspiracy, this is the blasphemer who opened the gates to Drezen, forcing our withdrawal at severe cost during the first Crusade. I have the seal and backing of the Master Inquisitors when I charge you alone to bring said perpetrator to swift and reprobative justice. It is imperative you do not let this man nor the demons inside him to escape.
Yours in Faith, Grandmaster Wilhelm Krause
** spoiler omitted **
GMT
"Hi I'm Tariro". "I've only been aboard a short time". "I came aboard in Bloodcove". "Do you feel OK"?
The Muscled Muscle Inn in Magnimar. What a dump. Meraxes thought to himself as he finished buckling the final buckle of his boots. Some stirring came from the other side of the room. From the bed.
"Leaving so soon my prince? Why don't you stay a little while looonnggeerrr" She said with a yawn, laying coiled around dull red sheets of the bed. The sheets were doing a poor job of covering her elegant, smooth naked body. Even at this twilight hour she was beautiful. A small pain shot through his head but by now he is used these short migraines when he woke up.
"How forgetful are we at this spiteful, early hour!" Meraxes said smoothly to her, not turning around. "The Jenivere leaves in a few, princess. You surely remember I must go? Don't you?"
More stirring came from the bed. The mirror in front of him gave him a clear view of her sitting up from the bed now in a pouting kind of way.
"But... it...it isn't fair. I love you you know! I hardly know you but I love you! I don't want you to leave." She said. Starting to tear up a little.
Meraxes moved to the side of the bed she was closest and ran his hand through her long black hair.
"My sweet. My dear sweet love." He kissed her forehead and got her to lay back down to sleep. "Do you want to hear a lullaby? My precious, black rose?"
Without opening her eyes she nods in approval.
6 Seconds later she was fast asleep.
He proceeded to look around the room.
Where did she put that jewlery...
He finds a small lockbox on the other dresser and snatches it as he tip-toes out the room.
He leaves a note with a "Sorry! <3" where the box used to be.
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As the ship left the docks he spotted her running on the pier screaming. Most of it was incoherent at this distance but he definitely heard:
"MY FATHER WILL KILL YOU FOR THIS YOU...YOU f%%%#$!$!#$!# $!%$%!%!%! COLD BLOODED BASTARD."
He smiled, waved and said "I love you too my black rose!" not caring if she heard him or not.
He went below deck with a simple thought in his head:
at least she got the cold-blooded part right.
Petro, Tairiro, Drago and Allia
As Allia Thren walks through the room, the men stare at her passing, silently whispering in her wake. Everyone within earshot overhears one of them say, "There's the capn's whore. Shut your mouth lads or else she'll scurry off an' blab to 'im." He completes his statement by spitting on the ground near her feet and glowering at her with contempt.
The shackled man slowly lifts his head and says, "It's been more than a rough day. I have been bound for weeks - not of wrongs I have done, but as a wrong committed against me. You are not supposed to be down here, are you?"
Nosh, growing weary of your cramped quarters, you begin to explore the dark confines of the underbelly of the ship. It is the first time you have ventured very far beyond your hiding spot since boarding. After just a few moments you literally run into a large brooding man. Even in the darkness you recognize him as the imposing inquisitor, Crecy.
As you step into the galley, you are greeted by the site of the men gathered, almost all staring at Allia. You walk in just in time to see one of them spit at her feet.
Petro, Tairiro, Drago and Allia
As Allia Thren walks through the room, the men stare at her passing, silently whispering in her wake. Everyone within earshot overhears one of them say, "There's the capn's whore. Shut your mouth lads or else she'll scurry off an' blab to 'im." He completes his statement by spitting on the ground near her feet and glowering at her with contempt.** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
"Who would I tell? No one would believe me." He sighs heavily before saying, "Just as no one believed me when I exposed the corruption of my superiors. I managed to flee, but the bastards were persistent. They followed me and are bringing me back. I am destined to die for speaking truth." He bows his head again and is silent.
Nice night for a walk, eh? Nosh glances at the ship's corridor surrounding Crecy and himself, and grimaces almost imperceptibly. Rather, I'm sure it is a nice night.....up top........where I am going....
Allia was used to the rather rough manners of the crew by now, which had been quite the shock when she first came aboard, but this was going far even by their standards, as usually they tried to behave somewhat around her.
Quickly she turned around and tried to slap the man that had spit infront of her across the cheek, hoping her move was surprising and fast enough so he would not defend himself. It took her only a second to come up with what she believed was the best way to get through to him.
As she build herself up to her full height, arms at her side, she leveled a stern gaze at the man "Is that how you were raised to behave in the company of a lady? Your poor mama would turn in her grave if she saw you right now, so ashamed would she be! And you should be ashamed of yourself too"
She knew this had been a risky move on her part, but she hoped that most in here would agree with her on this.
Uchendu Kybwa'ka is a middle-aged Half-Elf, covered in dense tribal tattoos.
1. Why are you aboard the ship?
"As you can probably tell from the points of my ears, my mother was one of the Ekujae, the long-loved elves of the jungle, whilst my father was a gentle Bonuwat human, who managed to catch her eye. Unfortunately, shortly after my birth, my father was killed, and my mother... taken... by a bunch of filthy Bekyar slavers. I became a ward of the tribe, and was raised by the Shaman, learning to venerate the ancestral spirits and jungle deities. However, I never gave-up hope that one day, I would learn my mother's fate.
Less than a year ago, I learned not only the name of the tribe responsible for the raid, but also that my mother still lived! I managed to form an alliance between my mother's own people, and my tribe, and between us, we rescued her, and raised the stronghold of the depraved Bekyar to the ground... However, I learned that over the years that she had been held captive, my mother had fathered a son... a son as every bit as evil as the rest of his accursed kin, and that he had been away from the tribe on a hunting trip the day we destroyed it! I have been pursuing him ever since.
I am aboard the Jenivere because I had heard that he was last seen heading for Sargava, and so I must pursue him their. This foul spawn cannot be allowed to live..."
2. At which port did you board or are you a stowaway?
"I boarded at Senghor, one of the cities in the Mwangi Expanse. I must admit, I am somewhat concerned at the thought of going to the heart-land of those white devils, but I hope that the stories are not true, and that I will be able to find allies to help me there..."
3. What will your character contribute to the group?
"I am good with people; growing-up the child of two worlds, I have had to learn how to listen, work out what people want, and how to get what I want from them in return. I also know a thing or two about the jungle, and I know how to set bone, and cleanse wounds.
If necessary, I can also consult the Spirits for assistance; my tribal guardians look after me even here, far from home... Although every so often that can be a little... whimsical."
4. What are your plans for your character mechanically?
5. What are your plans for your character from a story-perspective?
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Although he spends much of the day alone with his thoughts at the prow of the ship, his eyes straining as if looking for something just beyond the limits of vision, Uchendu makes a point of joining the rest of the crew in the galley at meal-times.
Although a little timid around non-natives of the Expanse, over the days at sea, he has learned more about his traveling companions, and has slowly warmed to them, recognising their normal moods.
As such, he easily picks-up on the discontent and confusion in the galley...
I wonder what trouble them so...?
Nice night for a walk, eh? Nosh glances at the ship's corridor surrounding Crecy and himself, and grimaces almost imperceptibly. Rather, I'm sure it is a nice night.....up top........where I am going....
Watching the water's ripples flutter away beyond the cusp of torchlight earlier, the man known as Crecy looked up and acknowledged the young half-elf. His voice rang clear and even over the faint expanse of lapping waves like the triggered release of a trebuchet.
"I've seen worse lad, yet I've a feeling if the Cheliaxians could they'd nail the coffin lid shut on this barge and let our words do their work for them, but then again.. that might kill business. The captain loves .. something about us all far too much, and as I live and breathe that would not be what passes for charm round these parts."He fell in rhythm with Nosh's stride and worked his way towards the tightly laid out ladder upward.
Petry stood up from where he had been sitting with Sasha. "Leave her alone." he commanded in the same tone he bargained with dwarven traders. "She's part of your crew, and this is the Captain's ship, not yours." Petry clenched a fist at his side, ready to block anything physical the sailor might do as he stared down the man. He hoped Sasha wouldn't think less of him for helping another woman.
Meraxes spoke up after the one known as Petry asserted himself.
"Good sir, take heed and listen to this man. I know not the provocation of your disgust, I am but a mere traveler and not a crewmember like yourself, but I fear for your saftey. For truly, you have just won the ire of the last living chivalrous chelaxian! Who knows what a man of that type is capable of?"
Character Questions
Crecy: What race and alignment are you? Are you taking any of the Inquisitions or Archetypes found in UM?
Tariro: What role do you see Adeen playing in your character's development?
Allia: Why did you choose the Geisha archetype? What about it drew your attention?
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RP'ing
At Meraxes' words, there is an initial, nervous laugh. More laughs follow and soon the galley is full of laughter and empty of quiet tension. The only man not laughing is the one who was slapped. He is mouthing curses under his breath, alternating looking at Petry and Allia. His hand wraps around his cutlass, but he does not move.
Character Questions
Crecy: What race and alignment are you? Are you taking any of the Inquisitions or Archetypes found in UM?
Human - Lawful Good. No Archetypes, Conversion inquisition. Take care.
Dragolan smiles warmly at Allia and begins to prepare a couple of plates. "But a moment, ma'am. Gellik, duty calls. We'll talk more later, my friend. Memories of repasts past can flavor the meanest of fare." Plate preparation takes a bit longer than it should, because unattended items near Dragolan tend to wander off when he isn't looking. Literally. He's obviously used to it, though; he always looks before he puts his hands anywhere.
As the confrontation between Allia and the nameless sailor develops, Dragolan quietly reaches for a cleaver, taking his eyes off the confrontation only long enough to snatch the cleaver as it started to slide away from his hand. Damnable things pick the worst times to act up.... As the room relaxes at Petry and Meraxes' input, he sets the cleaver down carefully and notes the sailor who was slapped for later reference. "Here's your food, ma'am. I'll send someone for the plates later--better you avoid the galley for a time."
Character Questions
Crecy: What race and alignment are you? Are you taking any of the Inquisitions or Archetypes found in UM?Tariro: What role do you see Adeen playing in your character's development?
Allia: Why did you choose the Geisha archetype? What about it drew your attention?
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RP'ing
At Meraxes' words, there is an initial, nervous laugh. More laughs follow and soon the galley is full of laughter and empty of quiet tension. The only man not laughing is the one who was slapped. He is mouthing curses under his breath, alternating looking at Petry and Allia. His hand wraps around his cutlass, but he does not move.
Meraxes casually locates himself near Petry and places a hand on shoulder.
"Forgive me if I diffused your chance to be a hero, Chelaxian. I assure you that there are plenty of villians to smite and..." He paused for a moment to smile at the Red-haired woman sitting next to Petry. "..damsels in distress.." He looked back at Petry. " to save in the future. This I promise."
Meraxes gestured to Petry to take his seat. Assuming he complies, Meraxes sits next to him and continues talking to him.
"My name is Meraxes. I could tell you where I'm from in Varisia but I doubt you'd know it if I told you. The Gods themselves find it difficult to remember my hometown sometimes. Men like myself are an awfully boring lot. But a brave and noble Chelaxian is something one does not see everyday. Consider me curious."
"So why don't you tell me about yourself... what was your name? Petro?"
Petry ignored the sailor's hand reaching around the hilt of the cutlass at his waist. His brain was going through all the different ways he could take the larger man down. My dagger's no match for that blade. he thought. The chairs here are too small to animate. I could move one of the hanging lamps and break it over his head. the young man thought, looking behind the sailor. Or make a fishing net appear and cover him, or bow him down with an ironshod battering ram. A tiny voice voice in his head whispered, Make...friend? Petry thought back at the gigantic but flawed dark olive-green peridot hanging around his neck under his shirt. No. Not friend. Not yet.
The staring contest was broken by the olive-skinned passenger who had made the joke at their expense. Petry stopped the stare, turning and retaking his seat, ignoring the sailor. "Let the First Mate deal with him." he said, moving closer to Sasha so the newcomer could sit on the bench with them. At the man's question, Petry winced, and quickly replied, "Petry. Not Petro. Nobody but...certain people call me Petronicus. It's Petry." He looked at the stranger. "Thanks for the assistance. I have four older sisters, so I know how some uncouth commoners and even noblemen are to women. But not all Chelaxians are devil-worshipers. I thought I was getting away from that." Out of the corner of his eye Petry saw the jovial Chexlaxian who was acting as a self-appointed helper to the ship's cook finish serving the gaily-colored woman.
Allia: Why did you choose the Geisha archetype? What about it drew your attention?
'Great, a hero, just what this situation needed' were the first things going through her head. She was glad that the second man got up right away and defused the situation before the crewmen's minds could linger too long on the idea of changing the ownership status of the Jenivere.
However she needed to act quickly before this event would seep into the sailor's mind as the day he was ridiculed infront of the entire crew and it turns into hatred.
"Oh, dear sirs, I kindly thank you for your support, but there really is no need. He just forgot his manners there for a moment, but we're alright again now, aren't we?" She smiled one of her most winning smiles and placed a hand on his upper arm in a calming fashion. While she tried to guide him back to his nearest chair, she leaned towards him for just a second, almost accidently, and quickly whispered for his ears only "You know, you're my favorite, right?"
Then with a quick wink and another smile she had already removed her hand from him and moved back to where Dragolan had prepared the food for her in the meantime.
"Ah, thank you for your concern, Master Canario, but I think this unfortunate misunderstanding has been cleared, and won't be a problem again"
In truth she assumed that it was far from over, at best it was averted for the time being, and once the captain heard about it, he would send her back here again, to keep the crew's minds off mutany for long enough to reach the destination.
She grabbed the tray with the steaming plates and made her way to the captain's room.
Meraxes nods in accordance to the thanks he recieved from Allia.
.....It's Petry...
"Petry. Noted. My apologies."
But not all Chelaxians are devil-worshipers.
"Oh but of course. Just as not all snakes are poisonous. I merely meant I have never had the honor of meeting one who rejects devils. I fear my time in Magnimar rendered me jaded about the customs and styles of your people."
"Now Petry I do hope you retained some of their finer manners and customs....Like introducing me to your friend here." He says with a smile as he looks over at Sasha, waiting for his new friend Petry to introduce him.
1. Why are you aboard the ship?
Brin was raised by a single mother in a small village in Andoran. He never knew his father, and never questioned why his mother raised him in such a simple, backwater hamlet. Brin became a proficient hunter and woodsman, living a simple but happy life. Then one day his nameless father's past came home to roost, as it turned out he had been an influential member of the Greenfire Circle of Druids. Such activites came with a price, however, as he had incurred the undying enmity of the dark druids known as The Third Veil. Such enmity extended to family as well, and though Brin's mother had sought to keep them hidden, on that fateful day the hiding came to an end. His mother was killed, his home burned, and Brin only escaped with his life because he had been out in the woods hunting. Rightly fearful for his life, Brin fled the Darkmoon Vale and the deadly conflicts of which he knew nothing. Seeing no other option, the ranger crossed the border into despised Cheliax. But, hating the imperialist Chelaxians and their infernal sympathies, Brin was miserable, and sought a swift way out of the nation to anywhere else. Hearing of a boat bound for Sargava, the Jenivere, the young man paid for passage, and set out on the voyage to start a new life for himself.
2. At which port did you board or are you a stowaway?
Brin boarded the Jenivere in the city of Corentyn, in Cheliax.
3. What will your character contribute to the group?
Tracking, survivalist skills, and strong leadership; effective combat presence, both in melee and at range. Essentially, I view him as the strong, silent type...sparse with words, big on actions, a stranger in a strange land, slow to trust. But there will be no more loyal friend once his trust has been earned.
4. What are your plans for your character mechanically?
Straight ranger, switch hitting between longbow archery and greatsword melee...should eventually be quite effective at both. Hope to find an animal companion somewhere in the Mwangi jungles, perhaps a leopard.
5. What are your plans for your character from a story-perspective?
At the moment, Brin is simply looking to leave the tragedies of his past behind, and find somewhere far from the reach of the Third Veil. He hopes to find employment as a guide or tracker in the jungle, and live a quiet and simple life. Still, he is noble of character, and will not be able to turn away from those in need. And if, say, the world winds up needing to saved along the way? Well, he won't shrink from the challenge.
** spoiler omitted **
Jasper enters the galley right when Allia mentions the misunderstanding and he sees the tension in the room he says, I'm gone ten minutes and I seem to have missed all the fun. He gives a wry grin and proceeds to grab some food. You have all seen him on the ship with various members of the crew and passengers.
He slides into an empty spot at the table and says, Forgive me I don't think we have been properly introduced. I am Jasper Finn. He shakes hands with everyone at the table that will shake with him, shrugging at any who won't.
When he gets to Meraxes he tries to get a good measure of the man who he intends to steal from. Is he strong of will and character or just another mule carrying cargo? He smiles with everyone, genuinely enjoying himself.
You said there was tension among the crew and confusion about the current course. What's so weird about the course? Everyone of us would probably know the talk on the ship, as to what was wrong with it.
known for their dangerous currents, piracy and monsters. The capitan hasn't explained his actions to anyone - which is slightly atypical from their seasoned, respected leader.
But not all Chelaxians are devil-worshipers."Oh but of course. Just as not all snakes are poisonous. I merely meant I have never had the honor of meeting one who rejects devils. I fear my time in Magnimar rendered me jaded about the customs and styles of your people."
A blond-haired man sits nearby, eating and drinking quietly. Petry recognizes him as another person who boarded in Corentyn, but Brin has kept mostly to himself for the majority of the vessel thus far. Still, at this comment on Chelaxians, he breaks his silence.
"Sure, and not all wolves will bite your hand off if you reach out to pet him. But I bet if you lose one, you'll think twice before offering the other."
Never known to be overly gregarious on the journey thus far, it seems that the confrontation in the room has only made Brin more tense than usual.