[ninjad]
Iozif's play is competent enough and luck average but his face is a chorus of tells that make any bargaining or betting game chld's play against him.
Emilah's bluffs work easily against him as he fails to notice any of her tells.
"Lack of grace defines my sword work or so Shalelu says." Wait that could be misunderstood - bull on through, maybe they are too drunk to notice. " If I danced with my sword my limbs would go flying."
"I've been in town for a bit caring for the animals within, they seemed content enough till tonight, I put it down to tonight's storm." Iozif looks toward the windows. "Still raining though the storm seems to grow still; I wonder if it's over or just a lull. I'll need to check on the animals soon." Iozif responds to Emilah's comment.
"Hard to say friend Parsifal, the spirits have sent much noise but little insight tonight so far. And yes, say prayers to your Master of the First Vault that any troubles past this town over. And don't worry about that card mine is even worse."
Iozif shots Jasper a quizical look. Jasper grows more inscrutible by the day. I have no idea what that means. Talon, Soup recipe what?
"Powerful card but weak hand ... but I think in this round it will go to whoever has a scepter."
I will post my final decision during the morrow or Friday - though do not be surprised if the actual campaign doesn't start until after the weekend. With Gen Con here, I am considering this week to be a good week to unwind and relax - and let everybody get accustomed to their Ultimate Combat books.
Below is a list of all current applicants. If I have gotten your
Current applicants
Jasper Lind/Balodek - LG Varisian Monk (Younger Sibling(Sandru)).
Tiberiu Rook/josh shrader - CG Human Gunslinger (Foster Child)
Ceru/DeathQuaker - CG Halfling Rogue (Best Friend (Ameiko))
Odiril Andosana/GM Todd - ?? Elf Magus (Younger Sibling (Shalelu)
Iozif Henricsom/Veshly - N Half-Orc Ranger (Caravan Guard (Sandru))
Shulao Fu'sen/imimrtl - CG Human Fighter (Childhood Crush (Sandru))
Haldaval/halplm - CG Elf Cavalier (Rescued (Shalelu))
Emilah/Kiradia - CG Human Barbarian (Childhood Crush (Ameiko))
Parsifal Foghain/Tilnar - LG Half-Elf Paladin (Hero Worship (Shalelu)
Harun Kaijitsu/fray - CG Half-Elf Rogue (Younger Sibling (Ameiko))
Kassara/Electric Monk - CG Human Ranger - Younger Sibling (Ameiko)
Jaska Galahad/redclover - CG Human Inquisitor (Friend of the Family)
Thaddeus Pruitt/Troy Malovich - LG Human Cleric (Childhood Crush (Shalelu)
Takeda Tojimaru/Shanosuke - NG Human Samurai (Childhood Crush (Ameiko)
Expressed Interest
Paizo Fan
Rune
Heaven's Agent
Withdrawn
Magdelia Estuv-Brez/Broven - CN Half-Elf Witch (Best Friend (Ameiko))
Karoka/PirateDevon - CG Half-Orc Sorcerer (Foster Child)
Nik'O/Dreaming Warforged - NG Elf Wizard (Friend of the Family)
Kozarik
I apologise if I got any of your traits wrong.
excited for the results, best of luck to all the applicants, and Patcher good luck in making this tough decision!
Agreed with redclover but shouldn't role-play continue until DM Patcher makes his decision? If not, it seems to make entering later a big disadvantage. I don't post role-play after my own post by the way.
Tough decision either way.
"You think more trouble is coming. Well I'm here and I'm a well trained swordsman of our towns militia. My power will stand between this city and any threat that would befall it. So long as my dear Ameiko and her home are both safe. That is the most important thing to me." He then looks at his hand. "If I understand the rules right.....this is bad."
Parsifal smiles and teases, "We're playing against Ceru. Over the last few hours I've learned that any cards that she lets you keep are not the best ones.", trying to chase away his darker thoughts. I know trouble is coming... Abadar sent me here for a reason..
He takes a draught of his tankard, winces, plays another card and continues in a friendly tone, "While I'm not sure about your priorities, I do applaud the sentiment. It is impressive to me that the militia has grown so much that we barely recognize each other... I remember Sheriff Hemlock's recruitment drive in Magnamar a few years back - the situation was rather different then."
"You speak true Parsifal, the militia has grown strong and capable. As for the cards, I think we should all be grateful Ceru is only playing for fun tonight."
"You speak true Parsifal, the militia has grown strong and capable. As for the cards, I think we should all be grateful Ceru is only playing for fun tonight."
Parsifal smiles and laughs, his eyes sparkling. "Indeed! And that allowed me to make better use of the coin I would have lost at cards!", he says in a friendly tone, raising up his tankard as if in a toast.
"Well, I'll take no goblins being around as good news, that's for sure. I do worry about Ameiko being out in that storm, though, and let us all hope she gets in safe and sound. If the storm's quieting that's good news." Her face quickly brightens to its usual good humor, and turns to Parsifal. "Parsifal, all cards can be good ones," she pauses and winks at Jasper, "Especially ones with stew recipes on. But the goodness of them comes from how you play them. Much like most things in life, yes?"
Takeda takes himself just a bit too serious now doesn't he?
"Takeda with your power guarding us I know I'll sleep better." Iozif ribbs Takeda. "Yes the militia here some years ago was just a few farmboys and apprentices, now it's an army, just don't tell Magnimar that! I wasn't so concerned about few goblins being seen, after all the beatdown they have taken the few left should hide. But ..."
Iozif pauses to listen to Ceru. "I would too normally Ceru, but maybe the concerns of fair Emilah are not misplaced, those sneaks tend to disappear when they are planning something." Iozif looks around the crowded inn. "Still with all the would be heroes here tonight, anything wicked that comes this way will have cause to regret it."
Iozif looks speculatively out the window check any shadows he can see into. He turns and resumes his seat saying, " As to our fair proprietress, if she is in need of aid in this weather, then silvers to salt Shalelu is with her, no one with a better talent for showing up when needed."
Iozif waves the cards in his hand about. "As to cards, good or bad makes no difference, the results are the same for me. As Ceru says my play make a good hand bad and bad worse."
"The militia is large yes but it is hardly what I would deem as formidable. Where I come from, an army was a uniformed, well trained, well disciplined group of brave warriors who would die for their lord rather than fail. The people we have hear are a rather timid bunch but they are willing to serve their home. That is admirable enough I suppose but what good will desire do without some good strict training. Though I am sure it is good enough to match goblins." Takeda looks curiously at the others . "I am curious, I keep hearing the mention of a stew recipe and I just wanted to know more about it. What is the recipe?"
"True, Iozif, and Emilah usually knows what she's talking about. But the town should know to stay alert if that's the case."
She turned toward Takeda, and withdraws a card from her sleeve and slaps it down in front of him. "Rabbit stew! I accidentally shuffled it in before."
The recipe looks like it probably is pretty good, even if it calls for an alchemical reagent or two amongst the spices.
Uniforms are pretty and I suppose have their uses but some foppish lord's followers have less on the locals than you would think." Iozif waves his hand in a broad arc taking in the whole inn. "Look around this place. Look at how many members of the militia are here. Heroes in training every one. And trust the Sheriff is no fool, much of the training, however unconventional, was done by Shalelu who gave father and I no few pointers. Trust that she made sure they knew what was needed. Master Sandru and your beloved Ameiko helped as well." Iozif looks thoughtful and says to Jasper, "Wasn't it Ameiko that found the instructors in the arts you have been learning? Did they not come from her ancestral homeland? Noble as Ameiko is would some petty lord look down on her as a lowly innkeeper? Though that would be a foolish mistake!"
"Yes Ceru and soon I'll go looking into those spots that humans would only see darkness but goblins love to hide in." Iozif laughs, "The same places I'd love to tell the truth, to ruthlessly exploit my advantage... as Shalelu taught me"
Jasper bows, "You are correct Iozif, and it would be a foolish thing to look down on Ameiko or any of the other members of the militia. No spoiled lordling or his retainer would malign them so if they had faced even a goblin in battle."
At the mention of Shalelu, Takeda frowns. "I agree about the sheriff and Ameiko, but I am not sure I agree that Shalelu is the best trainer we got. She is a recluse and has no business in a military organization. We need people who have leadership and aren't so secretive about their business. I have known many people like her and they are among the most likely to betray their fellows." Takeda may have drawn some glares from the others. "Sorry. It is not my place to say." Takeda looks at the recipe. "Wow what an interestimg recipe this is. Who came up with this?"
Surprised by Takeda's assumption about what makes the militia formidable, he speaks up, "You are sorely mistaken, it is that very desire to do good that truly makes any man formidable. The strength of one's heart will always overpower that of one's ties to a master. Us Sandpoint locals would give almost anything for our homes and families, and stands up a much more formidable force than one that doesn't want to even fight, but only does so out of a sense of duty." even further, as he talks down Shalelu, Thaddeus begins to fume, but maintains his calm. "Everything that is brought to bear in training our forces, is a viable format. Just because the elf maiden's methods may differ than, what you in your experience consider, proper military skills makes her no les a valuable member of this town's militia than any other. It is her desire to do good by this town that shows her effectiveness, and she has taught our militia many useful skills in keeping our lands safe." His tone is even timbred, but his hands clench in and out of fists. "Stranger, I would suggest in the future that you not underestimate the heart of a town until you have truly lived as a part of it."
I agree, dear Thaddeus but I will concede a few points, Sandpoint is somewhat prosperous but cannot pay hundreds to train all day, give them the finest armor, buy supplies so they can march 1,000 miles from the gates. Only light armor unless they bring or buy more themselves, mostly train in spare time with some exceptions, march maybe one-half day from the gate. But I say defending here they would do well against even your pretty and capable lord's army." Iozif smiles ruefully and shakes his head. "And you missed my point about unconventional tactics Shalelu teaches. Remember how much she had you all playing 'Hunt the Goblin' at night against me? How I would hide in the darkness in forest, hitting you with a stick when you could not see at all? That's unfair everyone would say and she would agree and make you play twice as long." They are better trained, even by your standards, than you think, dear Takeda"
Takeda snorts. "Obviously I have spoken to much, but don't think that any of this changes how I feel about Shalelu. She is a distant woman with many unspoken motives. I do not easily trust those who are not up front. In addition. Our tactics and the tactics of Sandpoint vary. Here we train to fight goblins. Where I come from, we train to fight men. Warriors who will fight to the death for glory and honor." Takeda pauses and shakes his head. "I shouldn't be speaking this much. Especially about a life I have cast away. I suppose there is a lot about home I miss despite my vein attempts to flee from it." Takeda stands up. "I am sorry to have offended. I let my emotions get the better of me this day." With that he bows deeply and then sits back down. He holds a stern and emotionless expression as though he is trying to stop himself from saying anything further.
I realise that characters prefer to be in different 'social' contexts, but for gauging chemistry, I fail to see any other option that is better. You were presented with a scene to elaborate upon and present your character, and if the character fails to reasonably interact in that environment or is immensely uncomfortable doing so, then that may very well affect your chances.
Particularly, because Jade Regent starts in Sandpoint, and because one of the four NPCs that you will be travelling with is Ameiko, it's only logical that the roleplaying aspect of this recruitment thread is set in the Rusty Dragon - because in the beginning of JR, a lot of your in-game interactions might, and very likely will be, in a tavern. But I don't necessarily need to see your character in your element - I need to see how you interacts.
Having said that, I have made my selection. It is based on recommendation from the Bard and Oracle, on your interactions with one another, and with class balance in mind. And it has not been easy. I almost grow resentful because it tempts me to go with six players instead of five - or four, instead of three, as it is for this game.
Deathquaker - Ceru, CG Gnome Rogue
Balodek - Jasper Lind, LG Varisian Monk
Tilnar - Parsifal Foghain, LG Half-Elf Paladin
I will open up the OOC thread soon. For those of you who didn't make it, I apologise and wish you the best of luck.
I wanted to explain why you weren't picked - you were one of the strongest candidates, and easily equal with Ceru/Jasper.
The dealbreaker, admittedly, was your class. The Cleric is good - but having an Oracle already, two full divine casters does make me ambivalent - and there are already too many medium BAB classes in the mix. This can be circumvented, I am aware, but as I stated in my opening post, I enjoy diversity. In all aspects.
Truth be told, had you been a magus, or a full arcane caster, the spot would have been yours. And if you opted to change, then you might have a 4th slot - because you were that good a candidate.
On the other hand, I am also hesitant to suggest or recommend this: it might take away the flair and flavour of a character who is based on a divine class.
Looking at the two (Magus or full arcane), I could make the switch to Magus real solid. Keeping the majority of the storyline, determined that he can serve Iomedae with his arcane mastery through the use of his skill in arms. His parents always pressing him to study, he would use the time to study his arcane texts instead, and then incorporating them on the practice grounds. His parents don't even know that he hasn't been doing his priestly duties. He dresses and acts as one, and many confuse him as one.
If you are comfortable and feel confident that you can keep the essence of your character with the class change, then you may have the 6th slot. I apologise if I put you in any form of predicament, though.
Link to the Jade Regent OOC thread.
Those of you selected, please report to the thread as quickly as possible.
Hi,
Congratulations to all a very fine job. DM Patcher if you wouldn't mind could you please explain to me your thoughts on my character and the strenghts and weaknesses he had. I understand that by choosing Ceru and Jasper and having a bard the skill monkey roles were overfilled but I suspect there might me other reasons. And please do not say your sorry again! You made the best choice for you and your other players I just would like to understand the thoughts behind you and your friends in choosing better for future events.
Thank you.
Well 0/2 I guess. Not as good with the roleplaying as I thought ;)
Veshly,
Your strength is your enthuse. I cannot fault anybody for being enthusiastic about their characters. The presentation of Iozif, however, felt a little lacking. Your narrative style didn't hold up to the standard that I am accustomed to, and compared to the others your character was a little unremarkable.
Factors that affect my selection process are very related to narrative technique and usage of the English language. I ask that you have a strong narrative technique; that you have a good vocabulary; that you understand, know and correctly discern and utilise standard homophones (they're, their and there; you're and your; it's and its; two, to and too); that you are grammatically correct; that you consistently spell correctly, and so on.
These are only some factors related to your presentation; having said this, keep this in mind:
I am an English elitist. I am very proud of my proficiency with the English language, and much of my selection process hinges on your presentation with it. Having said that, not everyone is fully proficient with the language, whether it is on account of not being a native English speaker, or because there's no interest (or need) to learn how to speak and write English fluently, or because of dyslexia, or other reasons.
I have a standard. I do not think others have to conform to this standard under normal circumstances. However, when I am running PbPs on these forums, I look for the players who can consistently comply to the standard that I have.
But these are my standards. I will not speak on account of other DMs. I am probably putting myself at a risk for 'exposing' myself as an elitist this way - having said that, I do not look down on anyone because they aren't fully proficient with the language. It is through hard work that I got where I am - and I believe everyone can get there too.
You're very particularly in your desire that the players are gifted in their use of grammar and that they're consistent in how they post. I can't fault you there. It's a shame that it's not more important to more players, too. Too many are too careless to care about grammar when it comes to its place on message boards. In my two games, it was important to me, too.
I love homonyms!
Ok, I agree with much of what you said. At one time I was good but decades of computer programming wrecked havoc on my writing plus disuse, as I did not need it. I would have liked you to have been more explicit in this requirement at the beginning; I could have saved myself some time. To the point, do you know of word processor that is compatible with this board as I feel as I fight it with every post?
Thank you.
Maybe I should have been more explicit about my standards. But being honest about it isn't easy either.
I personally just use notepad and on occasion OpenOffice.
Personally, I have a pretty good idea why I didn't make it. So I'm not very upset about it. Wish I could have used this character. Oh well. Thanks for considering me Patcher. Heard you were a good DM, wish I could've got into one of your games. Happy Gaming all