Hello and welcome!
I have been preparing for a Kingmaker campaign that the world has never seen before and now I'm ready to start recruitment. I've been having so many ideas for different spins on parts of the Kingmaker AP. Some of these are my own. Others were taken or inspired from others here on the boards. That along with finally realizing the awesomeness that is the Song of Ice and Fire series, I'm eager to announce I am recruiting for my own take on the Kingmaker adventure path, which I call,
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Introduction
The goal for this game is to have a little bit more story driven version of Kingmaker that combines exploration, mystery, combat and intrigue. (Not necessarily in that order.) The game will have plenty of story and plot as well as giving you, the players, plenty of control in the sandbox. I will be using some aspects of previous adventure paths (Rise of the Runelords) in this game.
Style
Like I said before, this game will be a balance of sandbox elements and plot/story elements. The game will take place in the southern parts of Brevoy, will progress into the Stolen Lands, and from there on out you may find yourselves all over the region as you ride the waves of the movers and shakers. Don't be afraid to find that you, too, can cause your own little waves and splashes and move from the kiddy pool to becoming major movers and shakers of the realm yourselves. I feel like I have a very narrative style of GMing and keep an open ear for player feedback. As much as I love thinking about planning this game, if you all end up doing something unexpected I'm not afraid to go with that. :)
Character Creation/Campaign Rules
- Races- Standard only, please
- Classes - All classes and archetypes from Core, APG, and ISWG will be allowed. ANYTHING FROM UM/UC WILL BE ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS
- Ability Scores - 15 Point Buy I want to keep this game a little bit tough for you PCs. Don't worry too much, though. Since I will be doing story-based leveling this game and with everything I have a lot in store for you, you guys should be just fine!
- Alignment - Good or Neutral Only Please.
- Feats - Core, APG, ISWG. Once again, other sources must be approved by me.
- Traits - Standard 2 traits
- Hit Points - Max at first, average + 1 for every level after
- Starting Gold - Average
- Starting level - 1
Application Process
I will be selecting 6 (six) players and I will select them on criteria such as concept, potential, story, and roleplaying. I'm looking for people who can post often and are genuinely interested for the long haul. Since I have no starting date in mind right now (besides in a few weeks), please take the time to think about your application. Note: I do not require a full character sheet at first. I do request race, class, personality, background/ethnicity, appearance, motivations, aspirations etc. Please note your time-zone as well. For the record, I'm on EDT (eastern US).
In the meantime, download the Kingmaker Player's Guide and start thinking about why your character is on his or her way to the wedding festival of Gregan Orlovsky and the daughter of Peitros Aldori, Syra, hosted at Peitros' chateau a couple days ride out of Restov. This festival is a pretty well known event throughout Brevoy and as Syra is Peitros' only daughter it is rumored he'll be putting on quite the wedding for her.
Note: The player's guide is to help you get a feel for the region and area. You do not have a charter for exploring the Stolen Lands. You are going to the wedding as a regular ol' performer, noble, guest, cutpurse with a heart of gold, bodyguard or whatever you think of!
Good luck everyone!
Here is drayen's submission. An Aldori Swordlord (in training) fighter archtype from the Inner Sea Primer. Background and stats included. I am CDT, work overnight and do most of my posting throughout the night.
Leithbridge is a childhood friend of Gregan Orlovsky and a former student of Peitros Aldori. Gregan and Leithbridge first met in the same salon where Peitros was master. They immediately despised one another and went about finding excuses to cause trouble for each other whenever possible. Their animosity finally came to head in class when they faced each other in practice. Beating each other senseless, neither would admit defeat or yield the floor. It seemed their feud would never end. One day Leithbridge saw a group of older students from a rival salon harassing Gregan. He rushed in sword swinging. While the two boys acquitted themselves well against greater numbers of older boys, they were soundly thrashed. Crawling to their feet, the boys looked to one another. At the sight of the bloody messes that had become their faces, they smiled then began laughing. Arm in arm they limped home and were forever after fast friends.
Despite the recent upset in Leithbridge's family condition, Gregan broke with protocol and made sure to invite his old friend to show him once again it was the two of them against the world.
Hello! Glad to see you're starting up your own Kingmaker!
I'm not sure if I ought to apply, since I'm starting my own game, but in either case I wish you the best of luck.
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I would be interested in throwing my name into the hat. Don't know a lot about Kingmaker, but I can adapt Aeshuura to it easily enough, I am sure.
Varisian Fighter. Apprentice swordsmith (though not limited to swords.) I will update the profile to reflect 15 point buy.
On second thought, maybe I would throw my Varisian Rogue into the mix instead. He would be the Swashbuckling Archetype from APG.
I will write up a short history soon.
Well, I'll submit a character in either case. I understand completely if you would prefer to not have me along since I'll be running Kingmaker myself, but... I have wanted to play this character for a while anyway.
I present to you, Tiomir, Gnome Summoner
Tiomir is a character I've had in my mind for a long time now. He's an old teacher (88 years old) who originates from Magnimar, but has been forced to stay in a life of comfort and luxury because of his inherent frailty (Constitution as a dump stat). He has been a teacher for well over 40 years - which I am aware does not fit with his level - and he chose that path when all he could do was read and read. With good charisma and a keen mind, however, he was a good teacher.
He was very young when he first did his planar binding - as such, his Eidolon, Rufus, is his partner, his mate, his best friend. (I admit to some irritation that the Eidolon disappears when the summoner goes to sleep. If selected, I would love if we could come to some middle ground - such as, when sleeping his power is severely limited and the summoning process needs to be performed)
The reason for his delayed Bleaching is because of his job as a teacher - learning new curriculum, getting new books, meeting new students - has been a very grand experience overall. But when the first signs finally started appearing, Tiomir realises he cannot stay in one place anymore - and as such, that is his motivation to adventure: he needs the experience.
Tiomir is not an optimised character; dump-stat in Constitution, more Int than he needs, low Wisdom, no useful skills, only feat for longbow proficiency... this is to reflect the character, however. He is a teacher, he has archery as a hobby; he is well-versed, but not experienced. He is aware of this, of his weaknesses, of his strengths.
What he contributes to the party is, admittedly, little. The eidolon has Scent and Pounce at first level - to reflect the dog-like nature - and as such majority of the damage and utility is from the eidolon.
In regards of progression, Tiomir will most likely expand his skills as far as he can, alongside his companion.
The Lawful Neutral alignment is based on his position as a teacher - he requires the rigid structure to maintain his responsibilities - and he has suffered during his childhood to not have high hopes of the "good" in people.
Traits-wise, Rich Parents is selected because of his backstory; his father was a well-known performer, who died when he was young - he is one of seven siblings, the last of his line. His mother married a less-than-nice man who had little care of any children except those of his own. The campaign trait will most likely be Noble-Born, wherein he is a friend (or possibly have been a teacher) of either a Lebeda or Medvyed noble.
As mentioned in the information, Tiomir may have received an invitation based on his friendship with the noble for his campaign trait - or the bride herself may have been one of his students (if, for some reason, any of them found themselves in Magnimar). It's only natural for him to be interested in attending, both for the experience and to meet his former student(s)/friend(s). Brevoy in general intrigues Tiomir - and in this case, he's happy to accept the invitation.
As for backstory and the like, I wish to know if I have a shot at all before I delve into those details.
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I'm thinking a Dreamspun Sorcerer fortuneteller at the wedding for entertainment. Maybe a Harrower in training?
I've also got a Waves Oracle assassin-type I'd love to try out, but I bet that character would work better as an NPC in any case. This one might end up too much of a loner... but I'll consider it if people would want to adventure with that sort of person.
Still in the thinking phase. When I look over the Kingmaker guide tonight, I'll consider it in more detail.
This is Aeshuura's alias.
Kieran is a Varisian Rogue.
EDIT: I am on HST (Hawaii Standard Time)
Is this game still going to include the kingdom building aspect of the AP?
Yes! You will have ample ample amounts of kingdom building and running in this game! Don't be discouraged simply because there is no charter at the start ;)
@Patcher I don't mind at all that you're running it, good sir! Everyone has a shot! I'd like to know more about why this fragile gnome professor is in Brevoy and getting ready to attend a wedding!
This is for everyone and not just you, Patcher- I'm kind of afraid I'm setting up a bait-and-switch and setting up this intrigue/political game and then you guys spend all your time exploring. I don't think your characters have to be totally optimized in and out, but the core of this game is Kingmaker and you will be travelling and threats will come about be them known or unknown to you. It won't be just roleplaying and skill checks.
@Aeshuura No worries. Think about what character you'd like to submit. I won't be closing recruitment until at least 7/22. I'll likely extend it to sometime that weekend. That will give lots of time for people to think of characters, me finish some real-life stuff I have to do, and begin judging everyone's applications.
@Drayen Looks good!
I encourage everyone to express some creative muscles and fill in some details yourself about the names of your noble house and family, their customs, colors, traditions, friends, etc.
To help everyone get some ideas going, tomorrow I'll upload some more stuff about the Brevoy political scene and a small list of some important people.
Awesome. I would be optimising him as we levelled up, but initially he's built the way he is because that's how it fits with his backstory (which I will properly write tonight) - do you have any feedback on the concept and such?
Excellent. I have a rogue I proposed for another Kingmaker game. Since you're using a different hook, the background and motivation will need a little collaboration and the stats will obviously need to be changed.
He's charming and friendly and it's usually not until much later that you realize you've listened to his stories and answered his questions and learned almost nothing about him.
He'll take the scout and spy archetypes and will be able to fill at least some of the Face role as well as Skirmishing and Skills.
Here's what I'm thinking.
Either way, he'll go along on the eventual expedition and send reports back to his boss. In the long run he'll likely shift loyalties to the new kingdom, but he'll play a double game as long as he can.
If you're interested, let me know which way works better with your plans.
I'm very interested in a Kingmaker game, and I just came up with a character concept. I am currently trying to get into Patcher's Kingmaker game, but there is a lot of competition. So I would like to submit another character here, in hopes that I get into one or another of the campaigns. Hope you don't have a problem with this Patcher, or I will withdraw my application from this thread.
Benedict will be a LN half-elf Alchemist with the Vivisectionist Archetype (I hope you will approve this Archetype from UM). He grew up a scion of House Surtova, the result of the illicit relationship between an elven diplomat and a young noblewoman. Although he was given to a wet-nurse and allowed to mature until his 12th birthday, he was kicked out of the house and forced to live on the streets afterwards. A few years later the spymaster of House Surtova, Adorian Surtova, discovered Benedict's existence and had him observed. He decided Benedict had promise and took him on as his apprentice. Adorian decided that Benedict needed a legitimate background to be allowed among the higher society of Brevoy, and therefore paid to have Benedict educated at a local university. There Benedict excelled in the alchemy and medical sciences, although unknown to the faculty his education was being augmented in more sinister arts by Adorian. Recently, Benedict graduated from the university. He was named physician to House Surtova, although Adorian has greater plans for him.
He is currently on the way to the wedding with the Surtova party at the bidding of Adorian to gather what intelligence that he can and perhaps for a more specific mission if you and I can agree on one.
This character will be very roguish, although he will have secondary healer abilities to maintain his cover. I will probably have to take at least 1 level in rogue, just for the skills like acrobatics, diplomacy, etc, though he is also going to use extracts to cover some of his skill weaknesses. He is made for eventually being a Spymaster for a kingdom, but could easily fit as a Diplomat or Magister if necessary.
I will have the character stated out a little later, although it will take sometime to get my actual character profile into the shape I like.
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Okay, here's the background I'm thinking of:
Valeska was born on the shores of Winterbreak Bay, to a proud Issian woman named Lyudmilla. She lived in a small cottage on the outskirts of a small fishing village, Byelsk. She grew up without a father, but Lyudmilla described him as a fantastic wandering otherworldly being. As she gathered herbs and flowers, learning her mother's trade as an herbalist, she imagined that one day, somehow, her father would arrive on magical wings, and whisk her away to a new land, where she would be princess of the other world and rule a magical crystal kingdom. She noticed the odd points on her ears, and did not let the stares of the villagers in town bother her, sure of her destiny.
Yet days passed, and she grew older, and watched as men came to her mother, and Lyudmilla gave birth to twin brothers, Donskoi and Leshyan. She watched as nothing happened, day in, day out. She grew to resent her common station, not knowing her history, not knowing anything about herself.
It was in this foul mood that she came to Byelsk to deliver medicines on the day of the ice-break festival. The festival occurs in spring, when the ice begins to melt, and the boats replace the ice-holes. She gathered the coin that was for her family, for Lyudmilla and the growing, uncaring, increasingly boorish Donskoi and Leshyan, for food, firewood, and cloth. In a fit of pique, she wandered through the festival, and found a fortuneteller. She deserves a little something for herself, she decided, and paid the old woman her wage to tell her fortune.
The woman, an ancient Varisian with long nails and long teeth, hobbled up to her, sniffed her, and sat her down, pulling from her Harrow deck. "You feel betrayed by this world, expecting more that you receive. Well, get used to it, girl, because the world owes you nothing. Can faeries come and whisk us all away to become queens? It hasn't happened to me, yet. No, don't expect to be whisked away. But, there, do you see that? Your life will change. Your life will change completely, three times. That's all you need to know, girl. Off with you!"
She left the tent, feeling not one bit better, and spent the day doing chores to earn back the silvers she foolishly spent. It didn't help that rest of the day that she kept seeing this odd raven staring at her the entire time.
Returning home, and after sleeping with nothing but a thrashing for supper for not returning with enough goods, she awoke in the middle of the night, with that raven perched at the foot of her bed. She cowered, tried flapping her sheet to get it to shoo.
"You know I won't be taking you away to any magical kingdom, Valeska," the raven whispered.
Valeska nearly screamed in terror.
"Calm yourself. I am your guide, your ward, your protector. There is much I will show you. You will see. No, I am not your father, silly girl. I am not that old hag at the festival, oh no, that's ridiculous. I am your familiar. And I have much to show you."
That's once, Valeska realized.
Although Donskoi and Leshyan started making a pastime of throwing rocks at her new avian friend, Lyudmilla noted that it improved her daughter's spirits, and that the rat population in the area fell dramatically. The raven became welcome to stay, and Valeska named him Tzerny.
About a week later, while the ice floes were still thick, Gregan Orlovsky's cousin Vitaly came to celebrate the final ceremony of the festival in Byelsk. Lyudmilla brought her family out to watch the ceremony, when the noble in attendance would gallantly step onto an ice floe, and drive a flag into the melting ice, hoping to chip another small piece off into the water, as an omen for a great bounty on the lake that year. So Vitaly was carried out on a canoe, he stepped onto the ice with his flag, and drove it soundly into the melting ground. A large chunk cleaved from the berg and fell into the water, and the people of Byelsk cheered.
Then the ice Vitaly stood on shattered, and he instantly fell into the freezing water.
Frightened shocks came out across the water. Valeska barely knew what she was doing but suddenly, she found her moving toward, running toward those frigid depths, diving into the water, grabbing the stunned and sinking nobleman, and dragging him back to shore.
Instantly, without thinking, Valeska something from a pouch and poured it into Vitaly's gasping mouth. He had already grown an ashen blue from the shock of the chill, but as soon as the liquid touched his lips, redness returned to his cheeks, the shivering stopped, and he recovered.
Everyone looked in shock at Valeska, the strange girl with her raven and medicine. They had seen hedge remedies, but nothing like this. Nothing where a slip of a girl could brave the freezing water and have the strength to pull a grown man out. Yet Vitaly knew that this was an event of greatness, not an event to fear. He immediately offered her a position serving House Orlovsky, a chance to prepare her remedies, and become a helpful sight for the noble family.
That's twice.
Valeska has come to the wedding as part of Gregan Orlovsky's retinue. Her skills as a healer are expected in case of an unfortunate accident or sinister attack. Until the time she is needed, however, she is expected to conceal herself as a fortuneteller entertainer. She wonders why there is so much concealment expected at this event, why she must hide her healing skills.
When she expresses her worries to Tzerny, he merely laughs.
Valeska is a half-elf witch... details to come.
Here is a rough profile for Dr. Bennedict Darcy. Won't be able to clean it up for a few days. Looking at his abilities though, I suppose he can not really be considered a physician until 3rd level. At that point he can use his extracts on others and his knowledge: nature instead of the heal skill. I guess he will just have to be the physicians assistant for now.
Tiomir's backstory and motivation for attending the wedding - it makes some minor assumptions of Syra, which I hope is okay. I hope it's good enough.
Tiomir was the sickly child.
Born in Magnimar to Feilz Flickerblade and Airin Redsky, Tiomir was the fourth child in an already large household. His father, Feilz, was a renowned bard, maestro and actor, and one of the leading forces on Magnimar's cultural scene. His mother, Airin, was a former adventurer, a brigand and rogue, with greed in her green-tainted eyes. Their engagement and relationship was a curious mystery in the social corners of Magnimar, yet Feilz defended it fiercely whenever it became subject of concern - he was in love, he would boast. She never reciprocated this notion.
Tiomir was scarcely fifteen when his father died abroad, to deliver a performance for the royal family in Korvosa. His mother had put on a show, but neither he nor his three siblings were convinced she truly cared. The confirmation was validated when the will was read: all of Feilz's wealth were to be split between her and his children, evenly.
Tiomir's oldest sibling, his sister Mirai, took up her father's swordsplay. She woved to learn all the stories he knew, and become a bard of equal renown. The second in line, his brother Frain, joined his father's troupe, blessed with his voice and his acting. The younger sister, Eliosa, travelled the world as a scholar; always engrossed in books and libraries, she woved to match their father's lore one day. Tiomir was left alone with his irate mother, and a sickness he could never shake off.
With the inheritance, he bought his own house, away from the Summit and into Lowcleft, and he set to his own passion. He could only read, but he did so well, and he began amassing knowledge. He bought bookshelves and filled them to the brim, his knowledge of history, the arcane and the planar growing.
He was thirty when the magic quickened in his veins. Fitting of his planar studies, he summoned forth a royal beast in gold and red from a great gate of stone. With wolflike features, yet decorated with plumes, the beast proved to be curious of the mortal world, and bound its loyalties to Tiomir.
The eidolon grew to become rather famous in the streets where he lived, and a boon for Tiomir. Rufus, as he was named, was intelligent and helpful, capable of carrying Tiomir around without incident. His success in this summoning caught the attention of some wizards at the wizard school, the Stone of the Seers. He was offered an education on the contingency that he became a teacher of theory. Tiomir accepted with a smile.
During his education he took up archery as another hobby. He was forty-four when he became a fully fledged scholar and teacher. The experience was magnificent, he thought, as he met new students every year, the wizards would share their research, tales would be told, new tomes would be brought in to be read. The ill-rumoured Bleaching never arrived, and Tiomir was grateful.
When he was seventy-three, closing in on his thirtieth year of being a teacher, there were particular students that came to study for a year or two at the Stone of the Seers. Nobles from Brevoy, from different houses, Tiomir only heard rumours of some attempted truce - yet all he saw were children, some spoilt and some humble, that took their seats by their desks. It was then Tiomir got to know Syra Aldori, young, curious and good-spirited; and Rimi Lebeda, an intellectual opportunist. They grew to be some of his favourite students, and they both reciprocated the notion; they would meet after class, and Syra would swoon over Rufus, Rimi would go on and on about arcane theory, mathematics, Tiomir would respond with talk of fine art and literature. Scarce a year went past when the younglings all left - Syra sadly mentioned something about a broken truce. When they left, Tiomir knew he would miss them.
Tiomir never understood politics between noble houses. He began researching this country, sending letters to schools and libraries in Brevoy: to Grayhaven and Highdelve, New Stetven and Restov, Silverhall and Skywatch, and other names that his fellow teachers and students could share. He requested books, of any manner, and his name and renown in the circles of academia and arcane made this possible. When the books arrived, he took to study once more, to try to understand.
He was eighty-eight when the letter arrived from Syra Aldori. A name he vividly remembered. The wedding invitation was formal and stiff, as expected of nobility. There was another note as well, written by the girl - or lady, as her nobility would entail - far more personal; she wrote she would be overjoyed if her old teacher could show up with the beautiful Rufus. It was fitting, he thought, as the bright red colour of his hair had begun to pale, and his skin was growing white. Rufus had noticed too and was nudging him on the road of adventure. It had been eighty-eight years before the Bleaching had begun - what better way to celebrate than to attend a wedding?
He travelled to Brevoy, and arrived in Silverhall where he stumbled upon Rimi. The noble, a man grown now, well over twenty-eight, was pleased to host his bed and fast for a couple of nights. It was then he got to know of the Stolen Lands and their current status. Rimi mentioned rumours of Swordlords and the game of politics, with half a sigh, and half ambition. They reminisced for several days before Tiomir had to make his way to Restov - he was eager to see Brevoy's roads, and experience the first trip of his life.
What Rimi had told him nagged in the back of his head. The boy's opportunistic glare was contagious, he decided, as Tiomir mused the thought that, if he were to stop the Bleaching in its tracks, Brevoy was sure to give him the opportunity.
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Olondir--
My submission. Feedback and thoughts welcome.
-Pain
Of course the b~%*@ prefers her rich new suitor to me...he's rich.
Ravens, the master of birds for the Peitros Aldori, is still angry with Syra.
I thought she loved *me*. She was always so kind to me.
Ravens sips from his secreted wine flask before returning to his post working the wedding. Ravens had been working for the Aldori family for most of his life and this was not just another event where he had been called to work extra hours or long days. Today, the woman he loved was marrying another.
She should be marrying *me*.
Taking another sip, Ravens keeps eye on the extra horse billets set up outside of the wedding area to accommodate the horses of all the nobles in attendance.
She *should* be marrying me.
Ravens sniffles, feeling sorry for himself, and makes sure the latest horses are tied properly to the makeshift post, then adds some grain to a nearby trough.
Ravens knew he was not pretty, but he was strong and had a way with animals. However, he was equally without land or title. And, in a fit of honesty, Ravens admits that he also lacks wealth as well.
Are those so important? Wealth? Title? Land? Syra...you should be with me! I would treat you well.
"Stable boy, take over here! I'm going to check on the birds. Call me if something goes wrong."
At least my birds love me. They would not leave me for another...and they always come back.
Walking to the roosts, Ravens checks the coops and sees if any new messages have come in. It was his job to watch the birds, train them and feed them. There has been lots of recent activity with the festival and the wedding. Ravens has been busy.
It was in the coops where he had first met Syra, back when she (and he) was young. Syra, who had always been nice to him, had wanted to send a note to a play friend. Ravens had done it for her...he had always done things for her, whatever she asked.
Because I loved her. I always loved her.
Looking out from the coops, on a high building on the estate, Ravens looks upon the assembled nobles and guests and sighs. They look amazing, a worthy group coming to celebrate Syra and her marriage to that jerk, Gregan Orlovsky.
Ravens curses the sky as he stands staring out, looking.
That should be me.
Ravens' parents are not known to him. Born to an orphange, he was bought and trained as an assistant to the Head Stablesman of the Aldori family. While he has been trained well to deal with the various animals that the Aldori keep around (messenger birds, horses, etc.), he is not currently content with his lot in life and wants more.
Race: Human (Varisian)
Class: Druid (no companion, feather domain)
Personality: More social to animals than humans, but tries hard. Very driven to succeed, aspires for more in life.
Background: Varisian boy trained as a master of birds for the Aldori family
Appearance: 5'10" human male, black hair, green eyes, 175lbs, strong wiry build, spends lots of time with his birds, horses, and other Aldori pets
Motivations: To make himself worthy of a noble wife.
Aspirations: A noble wife, wealth, land, title. Actually, he wants Syra to regret not loving him back.
Time Zone: PST, I post frequently. My other alias have a strong track record of consistent postings.
I'm loving these concepts guys! I don't have a lot of time to go over all of them in depth as i'd like to right now but I promise to look over them more whenever I get the time. It is interesting to see many with ties to Varisia and ties to Issia. Diversity is good! This will be a very interesting campaign that will test your character's lives and loyalties. :D
As promised, here is some more information about Brevoy.
Brevoy
Choral the Conquerer was an Iobarian warlord and founder of the nation of Brevoy. Brevoy is the result of combining two very different nations, Issia in the north and Rostland in the south through rule of fear of the flames of Choral’s red dragon allies. Choral and House Rogravia ruled these lands for nearly 200 years when suddenly every member of his house vanished without a trace or explanation. Since their disappearance, House Surtova of Issia has claimed the throne as their own and their heir, Noleski Surtova has been declared true King of Brevoy by his house and those loyal. This assertion’s repercussions are reverberating throughout the country everyday and threaten to break apart the country. Whispers are heard in the taverns of every town disputing his claim and calling him nothing more but Lord Regent, sitting on the throne to keep the seat warm for House Rogravia’s (or someone else's!) throne.
Issia
The northern half of Brevoy was once Issia, a land of many rivers, lakes, rolling hills and poor quality soil and sparse vegetation. The people here live mostly on the rivers and get by as fishermen and traders. Hundreds of years ago, the people who called this place home were infamous raiders and their ships were feared along the entire length of the Sellen river. House Surtovas have always ruled this land. This family of pirates and scoundrels has managed to be top dog of this land through cunning schemes and when necessary- severe brutality. When Choral the Conquerer arrived, the nation of Issia surrendered as Choral fought with their rival, Rostland with their fierce dragons. Their surrendering was what spared them total destruction at the hands of Choral. Since that day, the Surtovas have always been working to advance their position in the royal hierarchy of Brevoy.
The people of this region are a very reclusive and tight-knit bunch. Fearful of outsiders each town seems to operate and grow their own separate but similar variations of many traditions such as the Ice-Break festival occurring during the first thaws of Spring. Rumors of bloody sacrifices to those who dwell under the ice and waters occasionally come about in the far away cities of Restov and New Stetven.
Rostland
The South is a vast plain of fertile grasslands speckled with towns, farms and small villages. “The breadbasket of the North” was founded by Taldan colonists who grew under Sirian First and their history is tied to its founder and the founding of the Aldori Swordpact. After he lost a duel to the bandits of the River Kingdoms to the south in a display of humiliation, Sirian fled for many years until he returned and challenged this great bandit swordsman again. The people were surprised by his changed nature. No longer brash and impulsive now Sirian Aldori disarmed the bandit and slew him in mere seconds. He issued an open challenge of 100,000gp to any who could beat him in a duel of swords. Honest swordsman and magic cheaters both fell to him. He remained unbeatable. For a great while he refused to teach anyone his techniques until he finally caved in and trained a select group of individuals. This group had to change their name to Aldori and swear an oath not to reveal anything they learned to someone not of the swordpact. The descendents of this original group are known as the Sword Lords. They ruled Rostland until Choral arrived.
This change in regime caused many swordlords to flee to other realms such as the River Kingdoms, a few became sell-swords, but most remain in or near the Free City of Restov.
Religion of the land
All gods have a place in Brevoy, but three golds hold partiuclar prominence among the hardy folk of Brevoy: Abadar, Gorum, and Pharasma.
Abadar is the unifying relgious power. Nobles, merchants and traders honor him and his clergy bring the rule of law and prosperity through the land.
Gorum speaks to the needs of bravery and strength at arms found in nobles and commonfolk alike.
Pharasma is the most popular among the commonfolk. She overseas the cycle of life. She is more concerned with repercussions than the outcomes of battles.
Erastil and (sadly)Lamashtu both can be found still worshiped in uncommon and rural areas.
The Major Houses of Brevoy
Crest
Description
Motto
a snow-capped mountain peak in gray against a dark blue field like the sky, with a silvery crescent moon in the upper right corner and a black hammer across the base of the peak, head toward the left
The valleys and lowlands of the Golushkin Mountains are the domain of House Garess, founded on both the defensibility of the mountain terrain and the mineral wealth the house has brought out of the peaks for generations. House Garess once had a profitable alliance with a clan of dwarves living in the Golushkin Mountains, serving as brokers of a sort for the ores, metals, and worked goods the Golushkin dwarves produced. Lord Howlan Garess even took Toval Golka, the son of the clan-chief of the dwarf hold, as his ward (some say more as a hostage than a guest in Grayhaven Castle). This proved fortunate for young Toval, as Grayhaven lost all contact with the dwarf hold of Golushkin during the same winter as the Vanishing. With his own son Bren lost inside the mountains, Lord Howlan, a widower with no other children, has named Toval his adoptive heir. This has earned the dwarf, now a skilled young warrior in his own right, few friends in Grayhaven.
“Strong as the Mountains.”
a white swan, serenely sailing across a blue expanse, with the sun on the horizon behind it. Whether the sun is said to be rising or setting depends on the house’s fortunes, but the Lebedas’ sun appears ascendant at the moment
The Lebedas of Lake Reykal are known as the most “Rostlandic” of Brevoy’s noble houses, having inherited a good deal of Taldan blood and tradition, including a fondness for sword fighting and an appreciation of the finer things. Their family seat of Silverhall is one of the grandest castles in Brevoy, its spires rising above the shores of Lake Reykal. The Lebedas earn and maintain their fortune as merchants and brokers between the northern and southern reaches of Brevoy, and control much of the shipping across the lake. Dame Sarrona Lebeda has ruled the house as regent since the death of her husband, but their son Lander is approaching his majority, when he will become lord of the house. His older sister Elanna spends a great deal of time representing their house in New Stetven, and rumors claim the Lebedas are looking to arrange a marriage between her and Noleski Surtova. Naturally, Natala Surtova hates the young and charming Elanna Lebeda with a passion.
“Success through Grace.”
a greenshelled crab climbing from the blue waters toward the gray band of shore surmounted by a gray tower-keep in the center, against a backdrop of black.
Whereas House Surtova slowly changed their waterborne ways to focus on their lands and political affairs in Brevoy, House Lodovka has remained strongly interested in maritime affairs. They have steadily grown their fleet of ships in the Lake of Mists and Veils and their influence along their lakeshore lands and the trade routes crossing the waters. House Lodovka claims comparatively little land in the northernmost areas of Brevoy, and much of the land they hold is unsuitable for farming, but the house has many vessels hauling catches of fish and freshwater crabs from the Lake. Lord Kozek Lodovka is at heart a cunning old pirate with a love of the water, looking to do right by his house, his family, and his people.
“The Waters, Our Fields.”
a black eagle against a gold field, wings spread, feathers almost touching at the point of the base.
From Eagle’s Watch on the slopes of Mt. Veshka, House Orlovsky seeks to remain above the conflicts in Brevoy, both figuratively and literally. Unfortunately, the house’s role as a staunch ally of the Rogarvias has placed it in an awkward position under the current regime. Thus far, House Orlovsky has refused to acknowledge Noleski Surtova as anything other than Lord Regent in the absence of King Urzen or a true Rogarvian heir, but it is becoming increasingly clear which way the political winds are shifting. Lord Poul Orlovsky will soon be forced to either declare for the man he considers a usurper and opportunist, or seek to overthrow him and claim the Dragonscale Throne for himself (or another he finds worthy). An alliance between Orlovsky, Garess, and Medvyed could divide the nation, and cut the Surtovas’ travel and supply routes between Port Ice and New Stetven, but any such arrangement must be cultivated discreetly.
“High Above.”
a black bear, rampant against a red field, with a spread of black antlers above the bear’s head.
The easternmost house, Medvyed claims lands nestled against the Icerime Peaks and the Gronzi Forest, and rules them from the fortress of Stoneclimb in the lower peaks. They are a hardy folk, raisers of mountain goats and sheep, hunters in the Gronzi Forest, and cultivators of what good land can be found on the edges of their harsh territory. The Medvyeds and their people hearken back to the “Old Ways” of worshiping nature in its myriad forms. Isolated forest and mountain shrines to Old Deadeye (and, it is rumored, Lamashtu) are more common than temples of Abadar or Gorum. Lord Gurev Medvyed loves to hunt, ride, and feast with his men, and dotes on his wife and children.
“Endurance Overcomes All.”
a two-headed red dragon, one head breathing flames, the other bearing an unsheathed sword, representing Choral’s legendary conquest, against a quartered field in white and gold
Looking to secure himself and his progeny as high a place in the new order as he could, Nikos Surtova offered the hand of his daughter, Myrna, in marriage to Choral, binding the house of the Conqueror with his own. Since Choral’s final victory in the Valley of Fire, House Rogarvia has ruled Brevoy, until the recent mysterious disappearance. The house built the Ruby Fortress in the city of New Stetven as its stronghold, and Urzen Rogarvia sat on the Dragonscale Throne up until 4699, when the entire family vanished overnight. The Rogarvias were well known as ruthless rulers, determined to hold Brevoy together in the Conqueror’s name by whatever means necessary. Still, while their loss was not overly mourned, the stability they represented has been. Loyalists have continued to call for investigation into the Vanishing and make much of the fact that their rule lasted precisely 200 years, but it has become increasingly clear that House Rogarvia will not return soon, if ever.
“With Sword and Flame.”
a gray ship against a field of blue below and black above the upper shield spangled with silver stars.
The most influential house in Brevoy is also the oldest, established in Issia centuries before Choral’s arrival. The Surtovas were infamous pirates and raiders in those early days, and with the Conquerer’s coming were able to parley captured wealth into lands and titles. What started out as a defensible fortress became Port Ice, a settlement that has been the seat of Surtova power for generations. Current king, Noleski Surtova rules and his sister, Natala Surtova reigns as unofficial “queen,” since her brother is single. Rumors say she enjoys her role and has considerable power over her brother, too much to enjoy the idea of becoming sister in law. There is still great pressure for Noleski to take a bride and produce heirs.
"Ours is the right”
I'll get to posting NPCs and some more stuff about the towns of the area either later today or tomorrow. I'll leave some teasers and some more background here in this spoiler for you all. The current year is July (Erastus) 4710.
1st of Lamashan of the year 4709
The latest talks between Restov and the Capital have given insight into the plans going into re-opening the old traderoutes in the Stolen Lands. Exploration groups are being assembled by the Swordlords with the final permissions being granted by our wonderful king to quell banditry and re-open the lost routes and pacify the region. Many will be eager to hear about their exploits and settle in this new region.
26th of Lamashan of the year 4709
Sources from Mt. Veshka tell us those "high above" decided to come down from their perches to good old Restov looking to marry off their boy Gregan to Peitros Aldori's only daughter. Many thought this to be a possiblity after the several Orlosky visits to the southern Free City of Restov the past months during lulls in the exploration talks...Peitros promises a "wonderful and extravagant" ceremony and reception for his daughter... Rumors talk of these explorers being present for special ceremony after the wedding...
28th of Lamashan of the year 4709
Sources from the south report more and more organized banditry in the region. The elusive Bruthazmus struck and killed several farmers and traders on their way to the city of Pitax in the River Kingdoms. The caravan got through, but their tactics proved lethal to over half of the guard. His particular hatred of elves shown through with the deaths of an elven father and mother. Rumors are rising that the upcoming elven ranger, Shalelu, counts her parents were among the dead...
5th of Kuthona of the year 4709
Rumors from the capital say the king is halting plans for exploring the Stolen Lands. The recent social unrests have lead him to be suspicious of the motivations of these trade routes...
7th of Abadius of the year 4710
Talks resumed after the holiday break concerning the pacification of the Stolen Lands. It is unclear what got through to our wonderful king, but the orginal explorers are to be chartered by Justice Ironbriar of Restov, with permission of the King, to explore the Greenbelt. This is definitely good news for Peitros and the Orlovskys as their wedding draws closer!....The particularly harsh winter going on will no doubt bring increased banditry to Southern Brevoy when the thaws come may have something to do with the king's decision. We'll have to wait and see. In the mean time stay warm everyone!
Actually almost none of that is directly from the AP. The KM Players' Guide I think gives a good idea of the houses and the land but not enough for my tastes. I want to give you guys as much information as I think you need to make interesting characters and give them ties to the game.
Most of this is shamelessly stolen from other Kingmaker write-ups that I found through the magical interwebz. I merely edited slightly some of the texts. The Restov Times is entirely my own creation. I'm glad you like it!
I'm too busy at work to post more information about the NPCs right now but it will be done tonight.
Most of the House information is directly from the first AP book. I double-checked, I'm admiring the amount of work you're doing to immerse us into Brevoy and the Stolen Lands, though.
I was thinking about leadership roles for Tiomir (if he even stands a chance) and while Magister or Councillor makes sense, there's a little part of me considering Ruler just for the hell of it.
I made it as far as the first fight in another Kingmaker, unfortunately the GM had a medical issue and hasn't been on in a month. I would like to play out this character. I may need to modify the background a little for the wedding, drop down to 15 pts, and I think less money, but all else is the same.
If my other KM GM returns before your game begins, I will withdraw.
I'm interested. I was thinking either an elven bard Ultimate Magic archetype Celebrity is what I'm thinking. This would be a total RP character with little use in combat other than singing. Maybe a crossbow. This character would be extremely sociable and talkative. In combat, well. They'd keep their distance. Skills and knowledge are what this character would be best at. I plan on playing it friendly, even to the point of being bountifully optimistic, but to a degree, ignorant and naive.
The other idea I got is a halfling rogue. An acrobat to be more specific.
He loves to dance about and may move into the shadow dancer prestige. This character would be quiet, letting their movements do most of the talking and only speaking when necessary. Generally they will like to show off and do what they feel is right. Expect a lot of action but little speak from this kind but mysterious individual
I need some time to read the players guide. I'm still a new as a player but I am capable of posting very frequently. I got a mobile device that can enable me to post anytime and anywhere. If I disappear, it is probably because of either a natural disaster or I'm dead. One or the other.
Do you have an opinion of my ideas
Patcher is 100% correct. I meant that this info is not from the player's guide.
@Kieran: Could you go a little deeper into your background? The concept of a smooth-talking knife expert from Varisia is great but I'd like to see him fleshed out some more. How does he plan on crashing the wedding? It is an invitation only event.There are plenty of social gatherings occuring all over the place. Why this one?
@Patcher: As far as the summoning at night goes, I'd like to keep the game as RAW as possible. Eidolons are pretty strong and if they aren't dismissed when you are asleep/unconscious that may be a big factor at higher levels (where the baddies are smart and know targeting the small old gnome instead of the giant flying alien-dog is the key to victory.) I'm curious to know what you had in mind for balancing and how other players feel about it. Maybe you'd have to burn spell slots for the following day to maintain the connection?
@Sergei: Working for the Surtovas could be a very, very interesting angle for this game. Given the background of the game I'm running, House Orlovsky doesn't feel too hot about the Surtovas as true kings. These expeditions are too suspicious and could be a ploy by Orlovskys and Restov to secure land and allies in the region in a plot to overthrow them! There will be many like you at this wedding. Spies and counter spies... after all everyone has spies. You may actually have been ordered here with other agents but you suspect there are others you do not know. Your orders can be whatever you want. What did you specifically have in mind? Why would you give up on being a spy and shift loyalties to a new kingdom? This kind of background has a lot of potential and instead of just spoon-feeding you a good one I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.
@InVino: That was a great backstory and concept for a witch! The speaking raven reminded me very much of the raven from Game of Thrones in Bran's dreams. Now why was Vitaly at some festival in the middle of nowhere in Issia?
@Darcy: Archetype approved. You would be quite the scandalous lad if you were a bastard of the ruling house of Brevoy! Especially to an Elf! An Elven diplomat makes total sense though. Now what kind of potential did Andorian see in you? What is Andorian's goals with your character? I don't imagine the spymaster of House Surtova to be a very kind hearted person. :) I'd like to hear more.
@Durgin: Good so far! Now expand on this! Give me some more juicy details I can work into the game. Who have you worked for? How did you get into the business? I'm sure your employers admire your discrepancy.
@Painlord: You know when I read your submission and InVino's I HAVE to include messenger ravens like in Game of Thrones. Do you have any thoughts about how the raven messenger service should be run? Is it state run? Run by a druidic order? Or a loose ad-hoc network for nobles? Your concept is definitely solid. I like the disdain for Gregan. Interesting angle.
@Holbrecht Bastionne Sorry to hear that good sir. Thanks for applying! I like what I'm seeing. How are you going to handle the disappearance of your relatives? Every dwarf (besides Toval) in the Golushkin vanished. How did you get invited to the wedding?
@Shanosuke Glad you are interested! I'm a newcomer myself as well (relativly). I don't hold that against you. I judge purely on merit of entry and party dynamics (roles and how characters interract with one another.) I'd have to read the celebrity archetype but I think you'd be better off roleplaying a celebrity but back it up with a little more adventuring-toughness. I don't want you to be useless in combats because they will occur. Combats in a PbP slow the game down and I don't want you checking the board for days typing That would be so boring! This game is for Heros! Adventurers! Explorers! Evangelists! Do-Gooders! Do-NotSoGooders! People looking for Glory! People here for secretive reasons!
Current Application List
================================
Leithbridge Gravenhurst - Human Fighter(Aspiring Swordlord) - Drayen
Tiomir - Gnome Summoner(kooky old professor) - Patcher
Sergei Malov - Human Rogue(Someone whose good at being someone you won't remember) - TheJeff
Kieran Tyelekki - Human Rogue(I like knives) - Ash
Valeska - Half-Elf Witch(Be careful what you wish for) - InVinoVeritas
Benedict Darcy - Human Alchemist(Doc in training)- The Dorf
Durgin - Dwarf Fighter(Bodyguard, long bearded, and tight-lipped.) - PrinceOfDarkness
Ravens, the Birdmaster - Human Druid(At least my birds love me) - Painlord
Holbrecht Bastionne - Dwarf Cleric (I LIKE MACHINES) - Troy
Unknown - <Possible>Elven Bard (I'm a big deal. People know me.)- Shanosuke
You didn't add my entry to the applications list.
All his details are in the profile.
To drop him to a 20pt buy, I will just knock his Dex down to 14. And to drop his money start with getting rid of his horse.
For a summary,
LN Dwarf Cleric of Brigh. Focused on engineering and devices.
Roughly, he will be at the wedding to try and find a person of standing in the Garess family, since they will not give him an audience about his claims to them owing his family. I will add more to it later.
He talks almost purely from a logical standpoint, often stops mid speech to perform some calculations, or gets distracted in the math.
EDIT: ah you ninja'd me in, well played good sir, well played.
What I had in mind was essentially that the power was not active when he was asleep, and he had to go through the same summoning ritual to "empower" the summon. Essentially, when unconscious/asleep/disabled enough for the eidolon to normally be dismissed, instead the Eidolon becomes powerless. It's still there, but can't attack or do anything threatening.
Only reason it matters to me is because of the bond they have - it just feels diminished if every time he went to sleep he was alone (instead of having that big fluffy dog-thing to hug).
Patcher is 100% correct. I meant that this info is not from the player's guide.
@Kieran: Could you go a little deeper into your background? The concept of a smooth-talking knife expert from Varisia is great but I'd like to see him fleshed out some more. How does he plan on crashing the wedding? It is an invitation only event.There are plenty of social gatherings occuring all over the place. Why this one?
I was absorbing the info before I expanded on things. Kieran would choose the wedding because weddings are happy events. I am thinking that this particular event may have drawn him because of a certain NPC. I will expand on how he fits as I put the pieces together. I was thinking of taking the Bastard trait, and being half Varisian. But I have to read the noble houses a little closer and see if that is the angle that I want to take.
@Holbrecht: Nonsense! I didn't forget you the first time Holbrecht Bastionne! I added you PRECISELY when I intended to. ;) The problem with the story of finding someone in standing is that the wedding, while a place to find someone in good standing with House Garess, it is an exclusive event. Peitros can't let every single filthy peasant off the streets to his daughters wedding! It is an invitation only event. How did you manage to get one? Perhaps you won it in a contest or lottery? Drinking contest perhaps?
@Patcher Describe powerless? Like he becomes an idol, statue or stuffed animal? Or just a like a normal animal. Could he wake you if you were a target of a sleep spell?
Absorb away Kieran! If you have any questions let me know!
Absorb away Kieran! If you have any questions let me know!
Is there one noble over others that is promiscuous? Likely the love 'em and leave 'em type?
Like a normal animal. Meta-game wise he wouldn't be able to do anything at all. Not even wake Tiomir up. I don't want any benefits for being able to keep the eidolon summoned while sleeping - and I don't expect to gain any either. From an in-game perspective it may seem a little odd that he wouldn't wake Tiomir up - but then again, maybe from an in-game perspective, when Tiomir sleeps, so does Rufus (and waking him up requires the full summoning process).
I apologise if I sound unreasonable with my inquiry.
@Holbrecht Bastionne Sorry to hear that good sir. Thanks for applying! I like what I'm seeing. How are you going to handle the disappearance of your relatives? Every dwarf (besides Toval) in the Golushkin vanished. How did you get invited to the wedding?
@Holbrecht: Nonsense! I didn't forget you the first time Holbrecht Bastionne! I added you PRECISELY when I intended to. ;) The problem with the story of finding someone in standing is that the wedding, while a place to find someone in good standing with House Garess, it is an exclusive event. Peitros can't let every single filthy peasant off the streets to his daughters wedding! It is an invitation only event. How did you manage to get one? Perhaps you won it in a contest or lottery? Drinking contest perhaps?
Holbrecht only knows the Golka line from what his mother had told him, as she had left while she was young. Marrying the commoner Bastionne, as she did, didn't sit well with the family so they ran off together.
His mother passed while he was still young. With his father's passing just last summer, he decided to try and reconnect with the only other family line he knew of. While in the area, trying to get an audience, he was discussing the situation with a fellow dwarf he had met at the tavern.
This dwarf turns out to work for the Orlovsky family, and stated that Lord Orlovsky would probably benefit from having a link to House Garess in his favor. Most likely a benevolent patron would see his favors returned if he supported Holbrecht's claims to the family name. Holbrecht has been invited to the wedding to show him that being allied with House Orlovsky is a worthwhile endeavor.
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@Painlord: Do you have any thoughts about how the raven messenger service should be run? Is it state run? Run by a druidic order? Or a loose ad-hoc network for nobles? Your concept is definitely solid. I like the disdain for Gregan. Interesting angle.
I would think that each noble house has their own way of handling it. After a few centuries of rule, they probably have worked out a system of exchanging birds or tokens as a way to facilitate communications. I'm sure that some noble houses would have ordinary bird handlers, but some might be druidic, ranger, or witch based as well.
Oh yeah, Ravens is absolutely convinced Gregor is a jerk despite having never met the man...that he's marrying Syra is enough. He's heartbroken that he woman he loved is marrying another...even though he's never directly expressed his feelings for her. He's young and foolish in some ways, no doubt.
Thank you for the feedback.
Patcher, from what I understand, you are humbly asking for a flavorful change in the dismisal of the animal and not an actual rules of any kind change. In that case, if you were to be chosen to play in this magical Rise of the Runelords/Kingmaker campaign extravaganza, I'd fully allow your request, good sir!
@Kieran: I'm sure weddings and alcohol in Pathfinder bring out interesting character traits as they do in real life. I'm sure there is one girl who is... but who should it be??...Hmm... if you are there to score with this girl... why don't you tell me who she is and what she is like?
Thank you very much.
Now Tiomir just needs to be selected, heh.
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@InVino: That was a great backstory and concept for a witch! The speaking raven reminded me very much of the raven from Game of Thrones in Bran's dreams. Now why was Vitaly at some festival in the middle of nowhere in Issia?
Perhaps it's my lack of knowledge of Brevoy geography. Going from the Kingmaker Players' Guide map, I had thought that some of the land along Winterbreak Bay was under House Orlovsky, and Issian. Is that not correct?
Oh gosh InVino.. You're so modest! I totally had the picture in my head of her being from river regions of eastern House Lodovka/Surtova territory. Orlovsky would have holdings near the bay and I just missed putting those two together. My fault! If she is from NW Issia it would obviously make perfect sense. Total fail by me.
I like the idea that each house has their own raven roost. It makes sense. I was thinking about making an urban druid order for this purpose but leaving it to each noble house is more simple and elegant.
Despite my frequent postings right now, I'm about to leave work and have some real life business to attend to. I'll get some NPC stuff and more news articles up for everyone later tonight. (Real-life permitting).
Starting Monday, I'll post the start to some roleplaying (I'm thinking one of the inns at Peitros' castle a day or two before the wedding.) and I'll make my final decisions that weekend sometime. Yeah. That sounds like a good plan. Perhaps you guys could meet and greet eachother, some guests at the weddings and earn brownie points for helping set-up some of the festivities.
Thank you everyone for your continued interest! I've yet to see someone on the boards host a PbP version of a mashup of these campaigns so consider yourselves very lucky to be some of the firsts!
@Kieran: I'm sure weddings and alcohol in Pathfinder bring out interesting character traits as they do in real life. I'm sure there is one girl who is... but who should it be??...Hmm... if you are there to score with this girl... why don't you tell me who she is and what she is like?
That could work... I was actually referring to a noble that could fit the bill of a bastard child's father, but looking for an "entanglement" could be much more fun.
Ok, a raven-haired heartbreaker. Preferably one that is a little tom-boyish and rebellious. I am thinking kind of like Catherine Zeta-Jones' character in the first Zorro movie. (Mask of Zorro? Legend of Zorro? I can never remember...)
He finds out that she will be there at the wedding, and the first thing that he thinks is, I love weddings!
Kieran cases out the place first, makes note of the servants, sees if they are bringing in extra, temporary servants for the wedding. If they are, that would be his first entry point.
If not, he would note if they have guard dogs around the perimeter. If they do, he would make a note to pick up some treats.
If it looks absolutely rough, I'll even look into joining a larger group, pretending to be one of their servants, and then break off once in.
@Shanosuke Glad you are interested! I'm a newcomer myself as well (relativly). I don't hold that against you. I judge purely on merit of entry and party dynamics (roles and how characters interract with one another.) I'd have to read the celebrity archetype but I think you'd be better off roleplaying a celebrity but back it up with a little more adventuring-toughness. I don't want you to be useless in combats because they will occur. Combats in a PbP slow the game down and I don't want you checking the board for days typing I delay my turn because I can't do anything in combat. That would be so boring! This game is for Heros! Adventurers! Explorers! Evangelists! Do-Gooders! Do-NotSoGooders! People looking for Glory! People here for secretive reasons!
Thanks for the input. I adopted archery into the bards story and made it a girl. Never played as a girl character before, this is a new one for me. Here she is, Areanna. You can find all the details in her profile.
As For me. I am a pretty regular poster. I live in the Central timezone(Canada) A can pretty much post almost any time of the day....except when I'm at school, work or sleeping. At work I get three breaks with enough time to post on each. I have been a GM for over 12 years so I understand dedication.
If you have any other questions, suggestions, or concerns please let me know, I will be watching. Thank you for considering me.
@Areanna: I'm still concerned for you about the celebrity archetype. Looking it over You'll be giving up a lot for a little gain. You lose inspire courage for a +1 diplomacy/+1 intimidate in populated areas... I'm afraid you won't get a lot of mileage out of it until later on in the game when you guys are building your kingdom and managing it. I'm going to go ahead and ask you to choose something else besides celebrity. You can still go with your backstory. Its wonderful and you'd be a natural fit for the wedding. Also, keep in mind if you have a penalty for low Strength, apply it to damage rolls when you use a shortbow/longbow.
@Keiran: Plenty of servants are coming to the keep. They seem to be carrying a certain silver coin with an arcane mark as an invitation/pass. You haven't seen one close enough to tell what is on it. It looks to be the eagle of the Orlovskys with an Aldori dueling sword clutched in its talons. Also, the Brevish people sure love their honor, traditions and swordfighting. Some noble lady like this certainly would be around. Stay tuned for when I post up some NPCs for you guys to know.
@Areanna: I'm still concerned for you about the celebrity archetype. Looking it over You'll be giving up a lot for a little gain. You lose inspire courage for a +1 diplomacy/+1 intimidate in populated areas... I'm afraid you won't get a lot of mileage out of it until later on in the game when you guys are building your kingdom and managing it. I'm going to go ahead and ask you to choose something else besides celebrity. You can still go with your backstory. Its wonderful and you'd be a natural fit for the wedding. Also, keep in mind if you have a penalty for low Strength, apply it to damage rolls when you use a short
Okay I'll rework my character a bit. I will step away from celebrity. Gonna with bard though. I may adjust my strength and aim for arcane archer. That would actually fit my back story well enough.
@Keiran: Plenty of servants are coming to the keep. They seem to be carrying a certain silver coin with an arcane mark as an invitation/pass. You haven't seen one close enough to tell what is on it. It looks to be the eagle of the Orlovskys with an Aldori dueling sword clutched in its talons. Also, the Brevish people sure love their honor, traditions and swordfighting. Some noble lady like this certainly would be around. Stay tuned for when I post up some NPCs for you guys to know.
Yes!!! That's the one! ;p
Do all the servants live on premises? If not, time to do some cozying up... while at the same time, I would try to get in on the "dueling" circuit, or however they traditionally do it... Maybe even make like an aspiring duelist.
@Areanna: I agree with your choice of going bard. I wasn't trying to dissuade you from a bard.. I just think that choice of archetype isn't good for 50% of this campaign. Arcane archer would be great!
@KieranYes. Most live on premises.. that being said being said you noticed some hand servants of nobles being hand-waived through with explicit permission and their master present. Alternatively, I'm sure a couple gambling inclined travelers would wager their invitation on something... maybe a game of chance.. maybe a sword fight. That remains an option too.
I won't have enough time to post all the NPCs but I also won't leave you hanging Keiran!
Lyreth Wyzcek It was said she was born with a knife in her hand. Lyreth of the disgraced Wyzcek family spent more time on the streets of Restov than a typical girl. By the time she was 16 she loved to disarm over-eager men in the bars for money. Peitros noticed Lyreth's potential and trained her on the side. Her parents assumed she threw away her old scrappy habits and took to dancing lessons. Her graceful moves, striking features and raven black hair make her as gorgeous as she is deadly. As a sign of favor, Peitros invited his dancing student to his real daughter's wedding. She looks up to the man as a father and was always jealous of Syra. This invitation makes her feel bittersweet about the whole thing.
Seeing some ASoIaF references, I couldn't keep myself away.
I noticed only 2 "fighter" submissions, and I felt Bregan was different enough to build him out.
See background/personality/motivations in the profile, as I tend to like to iterate on them a bit.
(FYI, I've played Kingmaker a little; maybe 4-5 encounters worth and it seems the game I'm in is dying. Plus this one seems different enough in the early stages that there may be little overlap)
Areanna has is up and ready to go. I'm really liking this character, I look forward to running. Guess it comes down to if you choose me or not. Let me know if there is anything I can do to further improve Areanna please let me know.