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Korvosa, like any city, has its share of undesirables. Cutpurses, thugs, thieves, burglars, assassins, and lowlifes of every sort can be found in waterfront slums, creeping in the sewers, or hiding in the tangled rooftopscape known as the Shingles. One such undesirable is Gaedren Lamm, a despicable wretch who missed his chance at being somebody big in Korvosa’s murky underworld. Well past his prime, the decrepit thief abducts orphans and forces them to support his parasitic lifestyle with petty crime. Many members of Korvosa’s lower class have had dealings with Lamm, and even a few of the city’s middle class and nobility have had their lives complicated by this foul old man. Yet no matter what he does, he always seems to slip away from the guards and avoid answering for his crimes.
Before your Curse of the Crimson Throne campaign begins, provide your players with the list of campaign specific backgrounds to choose from. These backgrounds detail how the PCs have been wronged by Gaedren Lamm, and the campaign begins as these desperate, angry, and outraged heroes-to-be come together to do what the city guards cannot (or will not) do: see that Gaedren Lamm answers for his terrible crimes, be that in a court of law or at the edge of a vengeful blade.
The campaign backgrounds all tie Gaedren to a PC, and represent historical snippets that explain how this detestable crime lord has affected each PC in the past. Each background is categorized into one of six unique themes with two separate choices for each campaign background. Each background includes a lore skill for the region of the city where the background feels most appropriate – with GM permission, this can be changed if a different part of the city would be a better fit.
Spoiler-ed for length.
You were hardly a model citizen as a child or young adult. Your reasons for turning to a life of crime may be varied, but what matters is that you eventually fell in with a certain well-connected and notorious crime lord named Gaedren Lamm. His reputation as a snake and a treacherous scoundrel was known to you, but for reasons of your own, you chose not to turn him down when he offered you a chance to work for him. You may have assumed you were an exception, or that you’d be able to handle him, or perhaps even planned to betray him. As it worked out, though, Gaedren got the upper hand and took you down you first. You may have served time in jail, may have been beaten by his thugs and left for dead, or could simply have had your profits stolen out from under you. Whatever the cause, Gaedren wronged you, and you are eager for the chance to get revenge.
Choose one of the following benefits.
Hungry For Revenge You’ve never forgiven Gaedren for his betrayal, and have vowed to make him pay for what he did. Whether that’s seeing him rot in jail or a shallow grave, you hope to taste vengeance someday.
Benefit
* - Choose two ability boosts. One must be to Strength or Dexterity, and one is a free ability boost.
* - You’re trained in the Survival skill and the Korvosa Hinterlands lore (Korvosan Holdings outside the city proper) skill as you fled the city to escape the mess he left for you. You gain the Incredible Initiative general feat.
Reformed Criminal You’ve given up the life of crime, and managed to talk your way out of any repercussions such as jail time or fines. You’ve told yourself that you would rather leave your past behind, yet the concept of seeing Gaedren Lamm pay for his crimes still appeals to you.
Benefit
* - Choose two ability boosts. One must be to Dexterity or Charisma, and one is a free ability boost.
* - You’re trained in the Deception skill and the Korvosa Hinterlands lore (Korvosan Holdings outside the city proper) skill as you thought it wise to make yourself hard to find. You gain the Charming Liar skill feat.
* - You’re gain access to both the Varisian and Shoanti languages, but you must select them normally.
Someone you know has become addicted to shiver, a drug distilled from the venom of tropical arachnids known as dream spiders. The drug induces sleep filled with vivid dreams, during which the user’s body shakes and shivers, giving the substance its street name. You’ve always thought of shiver as a problem of the lower class, but then someone you know overdosed on the stuff. You’ve done a bit of investigating and have learned that the villain who got your friend addicted in the first place was a crime lord named Gaedren Lamm. Unfortunately, the guards seem to be focused on the bigger dealers. They don’t have time to devote many resources to what they’ve called “a bit player in a beggar’s problem.” It would seem that if Gaedren’s operation is to be stopped, it falls to you.
Choose one of the following benefits.
Addicted Friend The addict is a friend or lover who might or might not have survived the overdose. Your research into medical treatment and the local drug scene has given you a respectable education in street knowledge
Benefit
* - Choose two ability boosts. One must be to Constitution or Intelligence, and one is a free ability boost.
* - You’re trained in the Medicine skill and the Old Korvosa district lore skill. You gain the Assurance (medicine) skill feat.
Personal Addiction You were the addict. Fortunately, your body recovers quickly from toxins, or you might not have survived your brush with death. You hate how Gaedren Lamm's drugs are causing similar problems among other youths.
Benefit
* - Choose two ability boosts. One must be to Constitution or Wisdom, and one is a free ability boost.
* - You’re trained in the Athletics skill and the Old Korvosa district lore skill. You gain the Fast Recovery general feat, without needing the minimum Constitution score.
Someone you know and love was accused of murder. A supposed eyewitness account from a local fisherman seemed to be enough to seal the case, but the accused had enough alibis that sentencing wasn’t immediate. Someone confronted the fisherman and discovered he was intimidated into providing false witness and forced into planting the murder weapon by the actual murderer—a local crime lord named Gaedren Lamm, whose thugs killed the fisherman before he could recant his testimony. Although this removed the key witness and resulted in the accused being set free, the stigma was enough to badly damage the accused’s reputation. If you can find Gaedren, you’re sure you can find evidence that ties him to the murder and can clear the accused’s name.
Choose one of the following benefits.
Dropout You were the one accused of the murder. Although you were eventually freed when a friend confronted the fisherman and got the truth, the damage had been done. You were forced to leave your school or church. As a result, you were forced to self-train and promised yourself you would become better at your chosen profession despite the spurning of your peers.
Benefit
* - Choose two ability boosts. One must be to Intelligence or Wisdom, and one is a free ability boost.
* - You’re trained in the either Arcane or Religion skill and The Heights district lore skill were you used to live. Forced to study on your own, you gain the Dubious Knowledge skill feat.
* - You’re gain access to the ancient Thassilonian language, but you must select it normally.
Family Honor The person who was framed was a family member, perhaps a father or sister. You managed to trick the fisherman into revealing the truth with your skilled tongue.
Benefit
* - Choose two ability boosts. One must be to Intelligence or Charisma, and one is a free ability boost.
* - You’re trained in the Deception skill and The Heights district lore skill, where you currently still live – despite being shunned by your neighbors. You gain the Lie to Me skill feat.
Someone you loved was knifed to death in a dark alley one night. You were called to the scene by the Korvosan Guard to identify the body, and as rough as that was for you, you also noticed a ring was missing from your loved one’s finger. Whoever murdered your loved one stole that ring— you’re convinced of it. You’ve done some investigation on your own and recently found the ring for sale at a local merchant’s shop. To your great frustration, you can’t yet afford the 500 gp to buy it back, but the merchant did tell you from whom he purchased the ring: a man named Gaedren Lamm. It seems likely this criminal killed your loved one, or at the very least, he knows who did. The only problem is finding him.
Choose one of the following benefits.
All Alone The murder victim was a lover. With your lover’s death, a part of you died as well, leaving you haunted, grim, and prone to dark musings.
Benefit
* - Choose two ability boosts. One must be to Strength or Charisma, and one is a free ability boost.
* - You’re trained in the Intimidate skill and Southern Korvosa district lore skill. You gain the Intimidating Glare skill feat.
Orphaned The murder victim was your only surviving parent. You had to work hard to make ends meet for yourself and any siblings, and sometimes you were even forced to scavenge for food.
Benefit
* - Choose two ability boosts. One must be to Strength or Constitution, and one is a free ability boost.
* - You’re trained in the Diplomacy skill and the Southern Korvosa district lore skill, where your parent(s) lie buried in the Grey. Growing up, you had to make every copper piece count, so you gain the Bargain Hunter skill feat.
You suspect that a child you know has been abducted by Gaedren Lamm. Whatever the relationship, you’ve heard rumors about “Lamm’s Lambs,” and of how the old man uses children as pickpockets and agents for his crimes. You’ve even heard rumors that the child you’re looking for has been spotted in the marketplaces in the company of known cutpurses and pickpockets. Although the Korvosan Guard has been understanding of your plight, it has its hands full with “more important” matters these days, it seems, and has not yet been able to learn anything more about Gaedren. No one else is interested in bringing Gaedren down and rescuing his victims— that task falls to you. Yet where could the old scoundrel be hiding?
Choose one of the following benefits.
Missing Sibling The missing child is a brother or sister. Although everyone else has given up hope, you believe your sibling still lives. Your constant search for the missing sibling has developed into great skill at rumormongering and finding out information from others.
Benefit
* - Choose two ability boosts. One must be to Constitution or Charisma, and one is a free ability boost.
* - You’re trained in the Society skill and the North Point district lore skill, the last known location of your sibling. Your search has given you an intimate feel for the city, you gain the Streetwise skill feat.
Missing Son or Daughter The missing child is your own son or daughter, a niece or nephew, or a child you were charged with protecting. The child was abducted during a trip to the market or other daily event.
Benefit
* - Choose two ability boosts. One must be to Dexterity or Intellience, and one is a free ability boost.
* - You’re trained in the Intimidate skill and the North Point district lore skill, were your child was recently seen. You gain the Quick Coercion skill feat, as you have not always been gentile in your search for information.
You spent a period of time as one of Gaedren Lamm’s enslaved orphans, doing all manner of dirty work for him. Maybe you were abducted from your parent’s home or during a trip to the market. Perhaps the irresponsible matron who ruled your orphanage traded you to him in return for a desperately needed financial loan. Or perhaps you, like most of Gaedren’s slaves, were merely a child of the street who succumbed to his promise of regular meals and a roof in return for what he said would be “a little light work.” Whatever the case, you spent several years of your life as one of “Lamm’s Lambs” before escaping. You’ve nursed a grudge against the old man ever since.
Choose one of the following benefits.
Religious A few years ago today, while on a job for Gaedren, you found a holy symbol of the god you worship, and intrigued by it, you snuck off to attend services. When Gaedren found out, he beat you to within an inch of your life and broke your holy symbol. Your faith let you block out the pain, and you escaped his control and took shelter in the church, where you spent the rest of your youth.
Benefit
* - Choose two ability boosts. One must be to Dexterity or Wisdom, and one is a free ability boost.
* - You’re trained in the Religion skill and the Midland district lore skill; Lamm favored this part of the city. Your varied training has made you adaptable, you gain the Canny Acumen general feat.
Torture After you made one too many errors, Gaedren tortured you and left you for dead in a garbage heap. Your scars and memories have taught you to live with pain.
Benefit
* - Choose two ability boosts. One must be to Dexterity or Constitution, and one is a free ability boost.
* - You’re trained in the Thievery skill and the Midland district lore skill, were you've heard rumors about Lamm's gang. You gain the Toughness general feat, despite never fully recovering from what Lamm did to you.
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I'm going to be starting this one in a few weeks. Was not looking forward to finding the time to make backgrounds. This is a big help. Thanks.
I have Part 1 of Chapter 1 converted into Fantasy Grounds.
My main worry is... when the party finds Ileosa's brooch, I am 98% certain the first thing they will do is try to sell it. And that stops the plot in its tracks if they don't return it to her.
In my group, I have one player that plays heroically. The others want xp and loot. So this will be a tough one to engineer.
Maybe I should pick a different adventure..
I'm going to be starting this one in a few weeks. Was not looking forward to finding the time to make backgrounds. This is a big help. Thanks.
I have Part 1 of Chapter 1 converted into Fantasy Grounds.
My main worry is... when the party finds Ileosa's brooch, I am 98% certain the first thing they will do is try to sell it. And that stops the plot in its tracks if they don't return it to her.
In my group, I have one player that plays heroically. The others want xp and loot. So this will be a tough one to engineer.
Maybe I should pick a different adventure..
Actually, if they insist on playing like pirates, perhaps Skull & Shackles might be more in tune with their play style.
Yea. I purchased CotCT for Fantasy Grounds a long time ago. So that's free to continue.
I guess I could buy Chapter 1 of S&S with my Paizo to FG discount and see how it goes. Or maybe Hell's Vengeance.
Yea. I purchased CotCT for Fantasy Grounds a long time ago. So that's free to continue.
I guess I could buy Chapter 1 of S&S with my Paizo to FG discount and see how it goes. Or maybe Hell's Vengeance.
I hear that. You might still want to try CoCT, it is - in my humble opinion - the best AP that Paizo has ever produced.
I played it about ten years ago. But I've never run it. And it's looking like 2nd edition is super easy to convert to. So I'm giving a shot to running a PF1 adventure.
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I'm going to be starting this one in a few weeks. Was not looking forward to finding the time to make backgrounds. This is a big help. Thanks.
I have Part 1 of Chapter 1 converted into Fantasy Grounds.
My main worry is... when the party finds Ileosa's brooch, I am 98% certain the first thing they will do is try to sell it. And that stops the plot in its tracks if they don't return it to her.
In my group, I have one player that plays heroically. The others want xp and loot. So this will be a tough one to engineer.
Maybe I should pick a different adventure..
The brooch should not be an issue for you. It is cover in Part 2 Event 2 on page 30 of the anniversary edition.
I think there is more than enough loot and xp to make any player happy.
I agree with Lord Fyre, the absolute best AP ever! I have played in it and I am currently running it.
One player has already flat out refused to take these backgrounds. He wants Magaambya Academic from the character guide. He doesn't even know where Mwangi Expanse is. He just likes all the boosts it gives him, and he won't take the campaign hook background.
Fml.
One player has already flat out refused to take these backgrounds. He wants Magaambya Academic from the character guide. He doesn't even know where Mwangi Expanse is. He just likes all the boosts it gives him, and he won't take the campaign hook background.
Fml.
What does the Magaambya Academic give him that is so special?
Framed/Dropout above is just as useful.
Technically though, the player is correct, none of the Campaign Backgrounds are mandatory. However, you and the player need to figure out how the character was wronged by Gaedren Lamm AND why the character would not just up and leave when his issue with the Crime Lord is resolved.
Luckily, two players so far have liked the drug addict one. So maybe after they defeat Gaedren, basic companionship will keep him interested.
I've got the NPCs and treasure for part 1 of chapter 1 ready to go!
CotCT is on fast track xp. So 800 xp to level.
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One player has already flat out refused to take these backgrounds. He wants Magaambya Academic from the character guide. He doesn't even know where Mwangi Expanse is. He just likes all the boosts it gives him, and he won't take the campaign hook background.
Fml.
WOW...
I would be speechless at the ungratefulness he shows at the work you are going to have to do to provide the entertainment to your table. I would seriously reconsider whether he is someone I want at my table.
One player has already flat out refused to take these backgrounds. He wants Magaambya Academic from the character guide. He doesn't even know where Mwangi Expanse is. He just likes all the boosts it gives him, and he won't take the campaign hook background.
Fml.WOW...
I would be speechless at the ungratefulness he shows at the work you are going to have to do to provide the entertainment to your table. I would seriously reconsider whether he is someone I want at my table.
Calm yourself.
As I noted earlier, unlike Campaign Traits, it is hard to make Campaign Backgrounds "manditory." Of course, the player may not realize (or unfortunately not care) that they have created more work for themselves.
Yea. He'll find out at the end of part 1 that the other characters have something invested. He'll feel out of place and probably wish he had paid more attention.
My main worry is... when the party finds Ileosa's brooch, I am 98% certain the first thing they will do is try to sell it. And that stops the plot in its tracks if they don't return it to her.
The AP says that any merchant refuses to buy it: instead telling the PCs to return it to the castle, and to do so quickly unless they want to be accused of stealing it in the first place (or hanging on to stolen goods).
There's no risk of them selling it when no one will buy it from them.
Hi,
Just about to run the campaign as DM with 2e and this is a really big help.
One question : are the traits'benefit to replace the background benefit that players have to choose during the characters build or is an add on?
Thanks in advance