So what exactly am I missing for Garn? Or is that a typo?
jhspace1-Darien Smith-LG Human Conjuring Sorcerer
Ixos-Toramin Gearsmith-LG Dwarven Stonelord Paladin
Fomiel-?-?? ? Some sort of alchemist
Edward Sobel-Velterra-CG Human Oracle of Stone
Drayen-Alleran-?? Human Falconer Trapper Ranger
Marko-Gabriel-LG Tiefling Paladin
Walter das Sombras-?-?? ? Druid (probably)
Feral-Bjorkus the Lesser-CN Half-Minotaur Barbarian (multiclass into sorcerer)
hustonj-Mas'ud-?? Gnome Rogue (possibly bard)
tomtesserae-?-CG? ? Rogue
Mac K.-Garn-CN Dwarven Barbarian
True Repentance-Lindale Assa-NE Drow Inquisitor
Stratos-Datlon-LN Half-Elf Transmuter Wizard
True Repentance here with my Drow Inquisitor. Backstory as follows. :)
Now to do up a sheet I suppose.
Lindale Assa has been groomed for greatness from a young age. He has always sought to improve his own standing. As is the norm among his people, Lindale was forced to learn the scheming ways of the drow or drown underneath the ambitions of others. As a child, his parents had no mercy for him or his brother Anquale. The twins, not unlike human twins who have a close connection to each other, were set against each other from day one. The constant rivalry and pressure to do better than the other brought the brothers closer than ever. Rewards for success were handsome but the punishments for failure were far harsher. As aware of each others strengths and weaknesses as they were, they would often use this against the other. Over time they removed such weaknesses or learned to hide them better, but still the brothers could not separate themselves and a hatred grew, mixed with a certain degree of respect for the others skill and determination. Though neither fell, they eventually were sent in different directions and Lindale did not see his rogue brother for several years.
Lindale coupled his desires with his worship of asmodeus and served his lord, being rewarded with several powers for his devotion and the promise of nobility to be attained. He knew it was in his blood. The drow influence in the sands of Yenrick looks to solidify and grow and Lindale has been pulled into the heart of it. News of new technology in the human and dwarf lands spread, causing all sorts of rumors. Some say it is a power greater than any wizard could conjur, but concrete information is difficult to acquire. He is called by his masters, they tell him to infiltrate the human and dwarf societies, use all the skills at his disposal to gain true knowledge of the new technologies so that they might use it for their own gain. They send their infiltrator out, he rides with determination, success in his mind and great power gained from bringing this new technology to the Drow of Yenrick. He knows that if he fails he will likely not live very long. A quick thought for his brother, more pride in himself for being sent on such an important mission. He has no idea that Anquale might have a similar directive.
"Congratulation Mr. Assa, you passed the test, welcome to Andril." The immigration officers tone did not convey the welcome that his words might suggest, nevertheless it was the first real step towards his goals. He was on his own now, unless he came across another drow he was certainly cut off from his people. Even though he hadn't meant the words he had said, in a way it was true. I will return to them someday, when this task is complete, they will make me a noble and I will command my own spies.
Lindale traveled through several small villages before arriving at Taryin and settling in to one of the poorer sides of town. For the next couple years he infiltrated the church of Abadar, becoming a respected follower. Though disliked by many who saw him, there was little they could fault him for. Most avoided him for the look in his eyes when they got too close unnerved them.
In the darkness when no one was watching, he was a different creature. Pretending to be a helpless victim, he was set upon by a gang of thugs. They mistook him for a wealthy businessman and letting them capture him and take him prisoner he formed a plan. The small gang leader never saw the knife in his throat when the darkness fell. From there he took over the gang and turned them into his personal information network, allowing them to continue their thuggery while he took his cut. He kept the gang small to avoid notice, less than ten. When it was known that a war would be starting soon Lindale knew he needed to follow it. Organising a hit on Colonel Geoffrey, who he had seen several times but only met once in passing, he had his men ambush him while he waited nearby. His gang fell upon the paladin's bodyguards and felled several in the surprise attack. Coming to the Colonel's rescue, Lindale killed several of his own men, leaving none alive but himself, Geoffrey, and two of his guards. Goeffrey thanked him for the timely assistance and asked how he had come to be there. Lindale told him he had been following the men, knowing the gang was upto no good and knew if he didn't act the colonel may have fallen in the street.
"Thank Abadar I was able to help. The war will not go so well without it's greatest tactician."
"A follower of Abadar I see," the Colonel smiled, "I could use another man to cover my back. War is a nasty business, but we need all the men we can get. Come see the command tommorow if you are interested in serving the cause. We shall put your skills to good use."
"I definately will. Thankyou for the opportunity."
As he was left alone once more, Lindale smiled. If the colonel had seen it he may have killed him on the spot. The demonic glee and pride in his eyes was unmistakable. Turning to the bodies of his former gang he thanked them for their timely assistance.
War was coming.
I realize you said that further changes wouldn't change your decision regarding Gabriel, but I went ahead and did another anyway that I think was sorely needed. See, I rushed over a part, mostly because I was going to do groceries, and I think it deserved a lot more. Apologies, but this is probably my longest addition yet. In the background it comes right after Colonel Geoffrey saves Gabriel's life and ends when Gabriel leaves the city. Time wise, it starts up the next morning. It expands upon the way Gabriel came to be Geoffrey's squire, the funeral, and how Gabriel dealt with the loss of his mother. Uhm... hmm... I'm still waiting for your head to pop or for you to tell me too stop honestly. XD For the most part I think I can't improve it further though. Aside from learning how to follow the skirt rule (long enough to be modest, short enough to keep someones interest).
It featured Geoffrey pretty heavily. Tell me if I went too far with him and I'll gladly edit what I need too.
Edit: Apologies for the horrid attempt at a song by the way. I am a writer and sometimes pretend to be a poet for cute girls, but never a song writer.
He recalls waking up in a very soft bed. It was too soft to be his own, the sheets to clean and the room to large and bright. No, he was not in the manor of the noble he belonged to. He was in the temple of Shelyn. There was pain when he sat up, incredible pain, but he forced himself to do so anyway. His chest was wrapped in cloth bandages smelling faintly of herbs. Likely he was to be healed again shortly, but to clean the wounds these had been left around him over night. He knew that only because time and again Arlene and told him that, every time he got himself injured. His mother would always lecture him about avoiding fights, at least the ones he could avoid, and Elanore and always made him thank the clerics in the temple for tending to his injuries.
It took Gabriel several moments to realize why his hands were wet and his cheeks were warm. Before he had more then a few moments to cry alone, Arlene was there, carefully hugging the injured tiefling. She said little, after all what could be said after what had happened, but when she was certain he was calmed down enough she healed the rest of his injuries and removed the bandages. But the pain he felt, the incredible pain that made keeping his eyes open every moment agonizing, did not recede. The injuries had, for the most part, been healed or numbed by magic and medicine. The pain was the hole in his heart threatening to consume him.
The funeral was a day later. Gabriel's mother had saved a great deal over the years, but the tiefling refused to touch it for his own gain. He spent it on a grave marked, a relatively fine one, and a nice place in the cities local cemetery. Her body was not buried there of course, it had been damaged beyond recognition by the Aasimar. But her ashes were. That was enough for Gabriel.
He sang that night. He had been learning, with Arlene's help, for years. In truth, he had quite the singing voice and a head for songs most did not, but always before his fear of being judged kept him from doing so in public. That night, Gabriel didn't care who might mock in. In front of the dozen or so of Shelyns followers that knew him and his mother, he stepped forward and sang the first song that came to mind. It was a slow, deliberate song often reserved for fallen soldiers or heroes of true valor. Not a one complained to hearing it now at the funeral of a simple slave. No doubt the soldiers there, the ones who had witnessed the horrid scene, or even Colonel Geoffrey, would have silenced any who dared.
'Do not mourn, do not cry.
They are heroes, of their time.
Do not mourn, do not weep.
Just turn around, and see.
Gaze upon, the paths they've paved.
Walk among, the flowers they've laid.
Do not mourn, do not cry.
Thank them...'
"Thank... thank you mom. For your sacrifice. For all you've done. I..." Tears streamed down the young mans face, but he did not shake this time, and when he spoke he refused to let his voice waver. "I love you mother."
He was one of the last to leave the funeral, mostly because he did not for the entire night. He sat there before the gravestone with Arlene, who had fallen asleep beside him, and simply recalled all the good times he had spent with his mother. The emptiness continued to hurt, and he did not think the pain would ever lessen, but beside it something else began to grow. Were Arlene awake, she might have seen the fire in his eyes, the determination that overcame his expression, and the anger and hate that screwed his features into a scowl.
Gabriel has always been a lucky one. A loving mother, a wonderful friend or two, a place he could truly relax in most of the time. Despite all that had gone wrong in his life, he could have honestly said that he was happy. Until she was taken from him. Gabriel let the image of the Aasimar and his grinning, sick features fill his mind, burn into his memories. "I'll find him. I'll find him and kill him, no matter the-"
A gauntleted hand rested on his shoulder, the cold steel biting through the simple cloth shirt he wore. Despite the metal, the grasp was somehow gentle and supportive. Gabriel stopped before the last of that horrid oath could be muttered and looked up. His eyes met that of his saviors, Colonel Geoffrey. "That was a beautiful song you sang for her lad."
Not a word was ever spoken of what he had almost over heard, of the dark vow he interrupted. Instead, Geoffrey spent the evening and early morning asking about Elanore and her life. With gentle prompting, he brought back all those good memories of her that Gabriel had spent the night thinking over, only shining a new light on them. By the end, Gabriel, tears in his eyes, was smiling just a little as he recounted the time his mother chased him from the temple of Shelyn for nabbing a couple cookies with his tail while no one was looking. The clerics and priests had laughed, not really caring, but Elanore had always been careful to be respectful to the people that watched after her son and gave him a home away from home. Geoffrey was laughing along with him, the sound deep despite the mans own youth.
In the end, the man had given Gabriel what even Arlene, pretending to rest not a foot away, could not. An unbiased ear to listen, someone who understood the sorrow he was going throw but did not share in it and did not pity Gabriel for it. In the end, he had stopped Gabriel from making an oath that would have destroyed the lad. And he took it one step further. "I... know what you're going through lad. And I can tell you that there's ways to go on. You've got a friend here beside you who will always be there for you. You've got a place at the temple. Likely, with a voice like yours, you might even be able to become a cleric or a priest for them one day. Whatever path you choose, just make sure... make sure its for the right reasons. Make sure its a path your mother would be proud of."
Gabriel turned away from the man and toward the grave marker. It said simply 'Loving Woman, may the good gods watch over her.' He read those words again and again, and then asked a question he was pretty sure he knew the answer to already. "What path did you choose?" He wasn't sure why he asked those words in particular. Little about Geoffrey suggested a similar choice had ever been before him and Gabriel wasn't keen enough with people to pick up on the small hints. But they felt right to say, and Gabriel often went with his gut when it came to things like that.
Geoffrey hesitated for a moment. He knew what the lads next question would be if he was forward with his answer. But he couldn't deny the lad the choice, and he knew, he just knew, that if the lad asked it he would take up the responsibility of guiding him down that path. "I chose the path that would see me protecting people from the same fate I suffered."
Gabriel stood, gently laying Arlene down on the grass, and turned to look at the Colonel. He asked the question Geoffrey knew he would.
I made a couple changes to Bjorkus's crunch as well. I moved some stats and changed a trait. I think Bjorkus may end up doing bard instead of sorcerer but that's in the future anyway.
Apologies for the delay tonight. Please look in the background spoiler in Dalton's profile for his backstory. I'm quite pleased with it!
Let me know if you need anything else fleshed-out!
As I said I was reusing the alias of an unused character, I went ahead and transferred what I have completed of the concept into that profile, and am now posting using it.
I should continue filling out the holes through the day. Pretty much down to gear and advancement thoughts already.
Yes, this was the closest gnome picture to the concept that wasn't the iconic female druid. Those are better only because of the hair color, honestly.
Marko-Gabriel-LG Tiefling Paladin
Ixos-Toramin Gearsmith-LG Dwarven Stonelord Paladin
True Repentance-Lindale Assa-NE Drow Inquisitor
Feral-Bjorkus the Lesser-CN Half-Minotaur Barbarian (multiclass into sorcerer)
Edward Sobel-Velterra-CG Human Oracle of Stone
Walter das Sombras-Rakel-CN Human Cleric
Mac K.-Garn-CN Dwarven Barbarian
hustonj-Mas'ud-CN Gnome Rogue
tomtesserae-Psotheos-CG Human Rogue
Stratos-Datlon-LN Half-Elf Transmuter Wizard
jhspace1-Darien Smith-LG Human Conjuring Sorcerer
Goodness. Besides for Velterra, it looks like a sausage filled lineup. :-p
I am man enough to admit that I play cross-gender poorly.
Frequently, once I have a concept submitted and there is no required additional interaction, I won't post again without cause. I don't know the reality of the situation, here, but . . ..
Since Toramin's being specific on the family name, I'll be more specific on my family name. Looking forward to the team. Mandatory daily post.
Good luck to everyone!
Sorry about the delay.
I will put my elf alchemist together and have him done soon.
The only evil... :p
So many CN's
Finishing up my female elven mindchemist.
She went to Andril to learn from the best and hope to put her alchemy to military uses. Concerned her research may be used for nefarious purposes and hearing of her parents death, she is now on the move.
Let me know what you think.
I imagine playing evil characters could be fun. Mixed parties might be more difficult. I'm really glad you choose an archetype that hides your naughtiness; otherwise there would come a point where somebody's suspension of disbelief might break. (ie, we have teamed up with him to defeat an even greater evil . . . 13067 times.)
That being said, I think playing a Witch (Gravewalker) would be lots of fun!
Yea, is harder to play an evil character i guess. Specially since i have no intention of ruining any other players fun here.
It also depends on an evil characters goals. There's a difference between wanting to conquer the world and being selfish. There are plenty of evil people that get along fine in the world, but just are secretly selfish or some other large flaw. In my game, if you walk through an average town with detect evil going, you'd pick up on any number of random civilians that evil.
That's usually the best way to represent evil. Varied. Sometimes, its just a really mean merchant that gets a kick out of gouging prices or something. I've played both aspects. A necromancer with the intention of slowly gaining power and stealing secrets from the enemies the groups fought, and a warrior who just enjoyed killing a little too much for his own good and went along with things for the chance to try his strength against others.
Each offers their own fun quirks and challenges. But honestly, I rarely get to play a straight up good guy in a game, so I'm really looking forward to the chance if I get in. Especially with the character I wrote up.
DM, I'm guessing as I didn't see anything from you, the backstory hits the right information you needed? Looking forward to seeing the selection! *crossing fingers*
@Dalton. Ah I thought I had PM'd you, forums must have ate it. Yes I am content with what you have submitted.
Blah, forums are hungry today.
@Jonhilda. I see where you are going with her, but I don't see how it fits in this world more than any other. Replace Andril with another name and that could fit in any campaign.
I'm a touch confused by detect evil. It seems like it only detects evil in your humanoid population only after they get a little "ummph" behind them (~lvl 5). Your average price-gouging shopkeep would not show up beneath a paladin's gaze, right?
You're right Toramin. I never look at it that closely unless it really matters what they're looking for.
See? This is why I say challenge me, I'm not always right.
Were I a lvl 1 Paladin whose detect evil lit up, I might want to consider a tactical retreat or backup. :-)
VERY SPECIFICALLY, within the rules system SELFISH is not evil. Not even remotely.
Evil is reserved for those who look to use and abuse those around them.
I think one who's self-truncating in selfishness would qualify as evil.
I mean selfishness taken to the point of hurting other to get what you want. If somebody came along and said "I plan to kill this man, and I know he trusts you. Tell me where he is and I'll give you some money" and they agreed. Extreme selfishness. A better description would have been lack of empathy.
You're right though, just selfishness is not evil. We all have varying amounts of selfishness. I was strictly speaking for people who always choose themselves over others, no matter how much pain they cause.
I'm a touch confused by detect evil. It seems like it only detects evil in your humanoid population only after they get a little "ummph" behind them (~lvl 5). Your average price-gouging shopkeep would not show up beneath a paladin's gaze, right?
I never noticed that before....
The joy of being new is that I have to read the classics to get what they do. :-)
It also depends on an evil characters goals. There's a difference between wanting to conquer the world and being selfish. There are plenty of evil people that get along fine in the world, but just are secretly selfish or some other large flaw. In my game, if you walk through an average town with detect evil going, you'd pick up on any number of random civilians that evil.
PM replied.
Thank you Darien.
We have about 1 hour left. I have most of the party decided but am still stuck on one particular thing. At 10pm sharp I will post my decision.
Just so you guys know, this turnout was far more than I ever anticipated. I've had to sit down for hours at a time and brainstorm about your characters and their influence in my world.
The joy of being new is that I have to read the classics to get what they do. :-)
New to Pathfinder? I like it. For RPG systems, it's heavy on the rules side, but the rules allow you to do pretty much whatever you like while keeping it quantifiable. Other systems are truly more sandbox, but then they aren't really much in the way of being "systems", just more common lingo to use at the table.
Some of the concepts can seem daunting at first, but you'll see there is a lot of repetition in the way mechanics are calculated. I'm sure whomever is chosen will be happy to help you if need be. I'm a teacher, so I can certainly say I would have no issue doing so!
Yeah. I've only started playing a couple of weeks ago. I played a lot of home-brew sandbox games a few years ago, but I've never really played Pathfinder or DnD before now. I will admit that when I was growing up I did have subscription to Dragon, which is how I know about Paizo. A researcher by trade, I like to imagine that I can figure most things out by reading and cross referencing, but I welcome mechanical advice and help.
One of the things I find most puzzling is all the hate for healers. Were I in a fantasy world I would be all about healing abilities. :-)
Haha. I'm sure it is a perfectly cromulent system; or at least cromulent enough to spend hours coming up with characters and then months sending out messages out into the void. :-)
One of the things I find most puzzling is all the hate for healers. Were I in a fantasy world I would be all about healing abilities. :-)
Ditto. There's one or two legitimate paths to Lawful Good immortality, and clerics/healers have one. I think monks have the other. Dreamscarred Press psionics also have one.
A couple of years ago I played a male Healer class from the Miniatures Handbook in 3.5 and it was only months later I learned it was called "the girlfriend class", as in you get your girlfriend who does not play D&D to stay at the table as a healer". So much hate for healers who can't do massive amounts of damage at the same time.
Going back to the subject a little, I guess most of the classes should have their alignment set after the background is written, so you can take a look and see where does your character fits. Mine, for example, was neutral, tending to Lawful, but recent events diverged her from the lawful path, as she just don't care anymore. So chaotic it is.
Funny thing is, there are so many different options that you realize the crunch doesn't mind very much. You see obstinate characters having a strong willpower, and wild ones doing the same, but just because they are rebel and do not wield. There are so many options that you just have to look at your whole crunch and learn what it looks like.
It was a long, daunting process, and it truly breaks my heart to turn some of you away. If I had the time I could easily run two campaigns with full size parties and be completely happy with every character. As it is though, I did make the party size slightly larger than I normally do, but I think I can handle six people. Here are the people who I have chosen.
Marko-Gabriel-LG Tiefling Paladin
Ixos-Toramin Gearsmith-LG Dwarven Stonelord Paladin
True Repentance-Lindale Assa-NE Drow Inquisitor
Feral-Bjorkus the Lesser-CN Half-Minotaur Barbarian (multiclass into sorcerer)
tomtesserae-Psotheos-CG Human Rogue
Stratos-Datlon-LN Half-Elf Transmuter Wizard
Those of you that have been selected please report over to the discussion thread.
For those of you that didn’t make it, I am very sorry I had to cut quite a few of you. It was a heart wrenching decision and I asked advice from multiple local people I game with. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Fun gaming all!
Awesome. Thanks Omen.
Best of luck to those that didn't make it. =(
What a pity. Have a good game you all.
bummer
why did I bother putting that much effort in...
have fun all...