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For decades, the tiny village of Ravenmoor has existed quietly on the upper reaches of the Lampblack River, far from the centers of civilization in Varisia. Linked to the outside world only by an overgrown, mostly forgotten trail, the villagers are comfortable with their isolation. Their ways are humble, quaint, and at times odd, and when travelers come, they find the town awkward and unmemorable. Certainly, the lack of a village inn, the oppressive humidity, and the bug-infested moors and swamps that surround the village do little to encourage visitors. When a clerk in the city of Magnimar discovers that, due to a clerical error, the village of Ravenmoor hasn’t paid taxes in years, a tax collector is sent to the distant community to settle accounts with its mayor. When the tax collector fails to return, however, a group of adventurers must travel to the town during its Founders’ Feast celebration to investigate his disappearance.
I'm opening recruitment for the well received module Feast of Ravenmoor by Brandon Hodge
We play this game with words, and I select mine lovingly. I don’t expect anyone to produce phenomenal prose, but I hope that you will sometimes try for a more elevated style, such as by rereading your post before clicking submit and catching that spelling mistake. I will do my best to create an atmospheric and immersive game with elements of horror and investigation. Please plan to post an average of 6 times per week or more. I will set up a discord so we can talk ooc more easily, though it will be optional.
GMing is already hard enough, and I will not make it harder for myself by doing unnecessary work for you. It’s up to you to manage a loot inventory if you want loot. You have the power to scroll back through the game and find that old post which gives you a key clue. You control your own destiny, you shiny sparkling thing
Shoving is encouraged. Specifically, I’m using shoving to refer to posting actions rather than talking about doing something. There seems to be a tendency to post “Should we see what’s behind the door?” Rather than “Gork opens the door.” Open the door, I promise getting eaten by whatever lurks behind will be fun
I would like to murder you
17 Point Buy - I’m feeling generous
Level 3
Partial Gestalt: Level 1 is a gestalt level, meaning you get all the class features of 2 classes for just that level. Level 2 and 3 are normal levels, meaning you only advance 1 set of class features. You can multiclass however you want, for example, you end up a Fighter 1 / Wizard 1 / Rogue 2. Be clear about what you’re doing
Allowed Classes: All Core, All Unchained, All Hybrid, Alchemist, Inquisitor, Magus, Oracle, Shifter, Witch
Races: I suggest you choose Core but if the concept works a lot better with something else then go for it. Gnomes are prohibited within 200ft of my game, and I’m not about to flaunt the law just for you
3k GP
2 traits - you can take a drawback but you won’t get a 3rd trait <3
Firearm rework - this is an experiment
Drawing a two handed weapon is a standard rather than move action, reduced to move with quickdraw
Background skills are in effect
Fractional Bonuses are in effect (add up fractional BaB/Saves then round)
Elephant in the room feat taxes are in effect
This recruitment will be run with some opportunity for RP. Please fill out the below forms IC, and feel free to narrate your character's entrance to the Drunken Dog, thoughts while filling out the forms, etc. An ooc concept/backstory and brief sketch of crunch (you can change things later) are also encouraged. I will try my best to give a little NPC interaction but if there are 20 people applying at once I won't be able to keep up, so I'd encourage you to interact with one another if you want more of a chance to show off your epic roleplaying skillz
Planning to select 4-5 players based on 1) player vibes and 2) character concept. I'll leave things open until around the 24th
Independent Investigators Wanted read the placard that brought you to the Drunken Dog, a nondescript tavern along the southern fringes of Magnimar. Or maybe you never read the placard, and news of the job reached your ear by way of the masses that throng through the city, endlessly busy working, birthing, or dying, but never so tired that they can’t spread a rumor. The Drunken Dog is rough timbered and gloom mantled, lit by a few guttering oil lamps. The beer is bad, the stew mushy, and the barkeep has a frown that could curdle milk. But that’s not what draws you here.
A brown haired, mousy woman sits in one corner of the common room. Eyes darting constantly, with a stack of papers she can’t stop fiddling with, she is obviously out of place. ”Looking for the job?” she asks as you approach, ”here, fill these out. Paperwork. You can never get anything done in Magnimar without it, am I right?”
1. What are your three biggest weaknesses?
2. What is a fair price for two weeks of your time?
3. What will you miss about your last job?
4. When did you realize you wanted to have a career in government?
What is your experience working for bureaucratic entities?
5. What do you plan to accomplish within your first 30 days?
6. List two ways that you will promote synergy by being a team player:
7. What are you passionate about?
In the event of your death or dismemberment, Magnimar’s reigning sovereign will compensate one survivor of your choice in accordance with your position, see form 103d for a schedule of benefits. Please mark their name below
______________________________
By signing below, you agree to abide by common law governing trade secrets, breaches of which are punishable by a minimum of three days in the stockade, or by less savory fates, as specified in the Cruel Punishments decree.
Please remember to check for any mail and take prompt and appropriate action if requested, as job offers are typically only valid for 24 hours. Magnimar thanks you warmly for your interest in our open position!
______________________________
8. List your past adventures. No embellishments please! No hero of renown will be working for me.
9. Do you scare easily?
10. What skills do you have that will be useful for investigating a disappearance?
11. I have experience in the following work environments MARK ALL THAT APPLY:
CITIES VILLAGES FARMLAND SWAMPS MARSHES BOGS FORESTS MOORS
12. My friends would describe me as MARK ONE (1):
LOYAL---HARDWORKING---HONEST---CLEVER---PERSISTENT---CAREFUL---OBSERVANT--- GENEROUS
13. My biggest flaw is that I am MARK ONE (1):
ILLITERATE---UNEDUCATED---STUPID---BRASH---DISRESPECTFUL---IMPUDENT---ARROG ANT---LAZY
14. My favorite hobby is: _____________________
By signing below, I agree to complete a follow up interview contingent upon the Lady Anikee’s interest, and will accept no more than 200GP upon successful completion of my mission, to be dispensed from the exchequer within 4 weeks of my return to Magnimar
________________________________________
... Gnomes are prohibited within 200ft of my game, and I’m not about to flaunt the law just for you...
I was tempted to submit a Gnome just because?!? But I will keep control of myself and give it some real thought.
Glad you're getting the picture
My character concept comes from using your unique character creation rules, Woe. This character would be a member of House Kaddren of Magnimar, likely Zimandi Kaddren's younger brother. First level Gestalt will be Wizard|Aristocrat for RP goodies! I'd like him to specialize in the Water Elemental School and be a devout follower of Soralyon.
I have an ask. Can my character have create water as an cantrip?
@Zahir ibn Mahmoud ibn Jothan, click on some of the links in my post above. They will take you to PathfinderWiki.
I have an ask. Can my character have create water as an cantrip?
Sure
An aristocrat would be pretty interesting and thematic in this adventure, as you might get some city mouse/country mouse interactions
Is there any kind of a "Players Guide" for this module? Any advice on languages, archetypes, favored enemies, pets, etc?
Nope
I can tell you that you are likely to spend a fair amount of time in a rural farming village populated by humans, and that you are attempting to investigate a disappearance. Being good at murdering stuff is also always useful
Languages: unlikely to matter
Favored enemies: human is always a good choice
Pets: go with your heart
If you have other questions don't hesitate to ask
I'm brewing up an Order of the Nail Hellknight Armiger.
First level fighter (armiger) // Inquisitor (spellbreaker) gestalt, with Black Powder Inquisition (assuming it's allowed). Then fighter (armiger) the rest of the way.
The character creation guidelines are a bit more complex than I'm used too, but I think I've figured out all the mechanics. I expect to have an in-character post up before the end of the weekend.
I can kill stuff, but prefer to bring suspects in alive to stand trial.
Ok, now hear me out.
I'm thinking a Fallen Paladin!
1st level is:
Rogue(Consigliere)/Paladin(Divine Hunter)
2nd and 3rd are more Rogue.
I didn't "fall" the "usual" way I fell from LG, to CG.
Profession (barrister), I'm going to help people with my tongue and knowledge of the law.
And I can kill stuff!
Sounds fun and interesting. Always nice to help others with one's tongue
Feel free to use unchained rogue instead of the core version. You can stack the archetype there as normal
I'm brewing up an Order of the Nail Hellknight Armiger.
First level fighter (armiger) // Inquisitor (spellbreaker) gestalt, with Black Powder Inquisition (assuming it's allowed). Then fighter (armiger) the rest of the way.
The character creation guidelines are a bit more complex than I'm used too, but I think I've figured out all the mechanics. I expect to have an in-character post up before the end of the weekend.
I can kill stuff, but prefer to bring suspects in alive to stand trial.
A lawman with some iron on his hip?
Since you'll have an item creation feat (gunsmithing), try to avoid going too much higher than 750 gp extra. That's 25% extra over your WBL, which is what item creation rules suggest a player should get for 1 crafting feat
If you have more questions about the character creation, please ask. I know they are complicated, but I figured people would appreciate something new, since we are playing a 17 year old game
A lawman with some iron on his hip?
Since you'll have an item creation feat (gunsmithing), try to avoid going too much higher than 750 gp extra. That's 25% extra over your WBL, which is what item creation rules suggest a player should get for 1 crafting feat
If you have more questions about the character creation, please ask. I know they are complicated, but I figured people would appreciate something new, since we are playing a 17 year old game
Lawwoman, actually. She may be packing iron, but definitly not a sense of humor.
I had not considered starting with a crafted gun, but if that is allowed, I’ll have another look at the weapons. Could be nice to add some options to the standard pistol I selected so far, especially if I can craft my own ammo.
Lawwoman, actually. She may be packing iron, but definitly not a sense of humor.A lawman with some iron on his hip?
Since you'll have an item creation feat (gunsmithing), try to avoid going too much higher than 750 gp extra. That's 25% extra over your WBL, which is what item creation rules suggest a player should get for 1 crafting feat
If you have more questions about the character creation, please ask. I know they are complicated, but I figured people would appreciate something new, since we are playing a 17 year old game
Lol
I had not considered starting with a crafted gun, but if that is allowed, I’ll have another look at the weapons. Could be nice to add some options to the standard pistol I selected so far, especially if I can craft my own ammo.
Please do. You could even end up with a brace of pistols, although you'd have to pay full price after saving 750 GP via crafting. I'm very interested to see how the reworked firearm rules end up playing out
Normally PF does not reward switching weapons, so one of my goals is to make that a useful strategy
dotting.....
with interest
Is this allowed?
Race: Elf
- Feysighted: You gain detect magic as a constant spell-like ability, with a caster level equal to your character level. This racial trait replaces elven magic.
- Moonkissed: Elves with this alternate racial trait gain a +1 racial bonus on saving throws. This replaces elven immunities and keen senses.
- Long-Limbed: Elves with this racial trait have a base move speed of 35 feet. This racial trait replaces weapon familiarity.
Class 1: Drill Sergeant / Trench Fighter (3)
Class 2: Spellslinger Wizard
Stats:
Str (10) Dex (18) Con (11) Int (16) Wis (11) Cha (8)
With the plan of going next 4 levels in wizard (to get lvl 3 spells) and then eldritch knight.
-------------
The basic idea behind this build is an elf who has what appears to be a cross between a gun and a wizard's staff. He doesn't fire bullets from it in the traditional sense, but rather inscribes small scrolls, which are rolled up and placed within the staff the way someone would put bullets into a rifle. By activating the trigger, the scroll is consumed and the spell is cast.
So he isn't a "gunslinger" by any traditional sense. Rather, a very different kind of mage.
Picture this
From the way the GM said it, I would guess that is correct class wise.
Thinking of a Monk/Ninja
Or might do a sorcerer and or bard class combo...
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With the plan of going next 4 levels in wizard (to get lvl 3 spells) and then eldritch knight.
Just FYI, Feast of Ravenmoor is a 30-page module, not an adventure path. If you are building a character that's going to be great in 5 levels, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.
You'll get at most 2 levels during the module
Is this allowed?
Race: Elf
- Feysighted: You gain detect magic as a constant spell-like ability, with a caster level equal to your character level. This racial trait replaces elven magic.
- Moonkissed: Elves with this alternate racial trait gain a +1 racial bonus on saving throws. This replaces elven immunities and keen senses.
- Long-Limbed: Elves with this racial trait have a base move speed of 35 feet. This racial trait replaces weapon familiarity.Class 1: Drill Sergeant / Trench Fighter (3)
Class 2: Spellslinger WizardStats:
Str (10) Dex (18) Con (11) Int (16) Wis (11) Cha (8)With the plan of going next 4 levels in wizard (to get lvl 3 spells) and then eldritch knight.
-------------
The basic idea behind this build is an elf who has what appears to be a cross between a gun and a wizard's staff. He doesn't fire bullets from it in the traditional sense, but rather inscribes small scrolls, which are rolled up and placed within the staff the way someone would put bullets into a rifle. By activating the trigger, the scroll is consumed and the spell is cast.
So he isn't a "gunslinger" by any traditional sense. Rather, a very different kind of mage.
Picture this
Yep, you are a 1st level wizard and 3rd level fighter, but also only a 3rd level character. I will note that this module won't be taking you to 4th level. If after the end of it I want to run another PbP, I will most likely run a new recruitment, though you could easily play the same character (I would probably do a partial gestalt again)
Anyway, Feysighted, Moonkissed, and Long-Limbed sounds otherworldly and elven in a way that could be cool. If I understand correctly, you can also choose to fire regular bullets from your staff when you don't have available spells
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The door to the Drunken Dog swings open. A short, but imposing figure clad in black half-plate armor blocks most of the light streaming in.
A woman with short-cropped dark hair stands for a moment and lets her eyes glide over the room, identifying potential threats and matching faces with known criminals.
Spotting the mousey woman in the corner, she strides forward, heavy boots announcing her approach like the beat of a battle drum. A sharp-looking halberd and a complex pistol are just some of the weapons strapped to her armor, the breastplate of which is emblazoned with thick nails forming a sunburst.
"Armiger Nina Vannas, Order of the Nail. I have been notified that you require assistance locating a missing city official."
Without waiting for response or acknowledgement, she produces a stack of crisp parchment and holds them out.
"Since this is an assignment involving a representative of Magnimar, I assume both Form 67B and appendix A-6 will be required. I took the liberty of filling it out in advance. A copy has been submitted to the records at the Bastion of Nails as per standard procedure."
1. What are your three biggest weaknesses?
a) I sometimes struggle with aligning Magnimar’s somewhat fluent legal system with my own personal convictions and the tenants of my Order. This has been a cause of friction in the past.
b) I frequently have trouble masking my disdain for individuals of low moral fortitude. This has resulted in several complaints about my “attitude” filed to the Order of the Nail. While neither I nor the order regard this as a weakness, I find it only fair to mention.
c) Spiders. Can’t stand the damned things.
2. What is a fair price for two weeks of your time?
All mercenary work must be compensated according to the Order of the Nail’s current rates. Since this is an official city matter, I refer to the standing agreement between the Order and the Justice Court. My personal opinion on the fairness of said pay is irrelevant.
3. What will you miss about your last job?
Nothing. I did a brief stint on the City Watch before joining the order as an armiger, but I found that many of my fellow guardsmen were often too willing to bend the law, out of misguided kindness, plain laziness or for personal gain. Neither is compatible with my personal moral code, which resulted in a rather strained work environment.
4. When did you realize you wanted to have a career in government?
What is your experience working for bureaucratic entities?
I have been a member of the Hellknight Order of the Nail for the past five years. Prior to that, I worked for the City of Magnimar. The only way to gain more bureaucratic experience would have been to work in actual Hell.
5. What do you plan to accomplish within your first 30 days?
I certainly hope to return to the regular duties of my order much sooner than 30 days. I was led to believe that this was a simple missing persons case. Given the isolated nature of the last known location of the missing individual, I doubt more than a few days of active investigation will be needed.
6. List two ways that you will promote synergy by being a team player:
Information gathering and tactical support. I have significant experience working with hostile or uncooperative witnesses.
7. What are you passionate about?
I make an effort to avoid passion whenever possible. I find that letting you emotions control your actions often results in poor life choices and unintended consequenses.
In the event of your death or dismemberment, Magnimar’s reigning sovereign will compensate one survivor of your choice in accordance with your position, see form 103d for a schedule of benefits. Please mark their name below
Liria Vannas (older sister), deputy clerk, property and leins office, Pediment Building.
______________________________
By signing below, you agree to abide by common law governing trade secrets, breaches of which are punishable by a minimum of three days in the stockade, or by less savory fates, as specified in the Cruel Punishments decree.
Please remember to check for any mail and take prompt and appropriate action if requested, as job offers are typically only valid for 24 hours. Magnimar thanks you warmly for your interest in our open position!
Nina Vannas, Armiger, Order of the Nail
______________________________
8. List your past adventures. No embellishments please! No hero of renown will be working for me.
a) Uncovered cultist plot to recruit impressionable young members of the noble families in the Alabaster District. 7 arrests, no fatalities and only a few major injuries. All charges of unbecoming conduct and invasion of privacy subsequently dropped or dismissed.
b) Tracked down Sczani smuggling gang operating out of the Mushfens. 5 arrests. One suspect drowned while attempting to evade capture, two killed while resisting arrest.
c) Foiled assassination attempt targeting a member of the Council of Ushers. Suspect believed to be a member of the Red Mantis organization, escaped after sustaining severe injuries. Case still open, preliminary evidence points to a trade conflict with certain individuals from Druma as the motive.
d) [Classified] Full records available to officials with sufficient clearance.
9. Do you scare easily?
Only liars, corpses, paladins and sentient constructs are without fear in battle. I’m neither of those, but nor am I in the habit of letting my emotions overwhelm me. My resolve has been tested repeatedly and never broken.
10. What skills do you have that will be useful for investigating a disappearance?
I believe my record speaks for itself at this point.
11. I have experience in the following work environments MARK ALL THAT APPLY:
CITIES VILLAGES FARMLAND SWAMPS MARSHES BOGS FORESTS MOORS
12. My friends would describe me as MARK ONE (1):
LOYAL---HARDWORKING---HONEST---CLEVER---PERSISTENT---CAREFUL---OBSERVANT--- GENEROUS
13. My biggest flaw is that I am MARK ONE (1):
ILLITERATE---UNEDUCATED---STUPID---BRASH---DISRESPECTFUL—IMPUDENT---ARROGAN T---LAZY
14. My favorite hobby is:
My duties leave little time for hobbies, but I do on occasion tinker with simple mechanical contraptions. The precision and predictability of such work appeals to me.
By signing below, I agree to complete a follow up interview contingent upon the Lady Anikee’s interest, and will accept no more than 200GP upon successful completion of my mission, to be dispensed from the exchequer within 4 weeks of my return to Magnimar
Nina Vannas, Armiger, Order of the Nail
Waiting patiently for the woman to take and review the form, Nina lets her eyes glide around the room again.
"Given this bit unorthodox place of recruitment, I assume this is a task that requires some level of discretion. As such, I shall refrain from pursuing the two individuals with outstanding warrants that just tried to slip out the back unnoticed." she says without a hint of emotion.
"Now, I'll leave you to conduct the rest of your interviews in peace. I realize that some of the freelancers that apply to these kind of job opportunities might be put off by the sight of Hellknight armor. But I assure you, I'm more than capable of working with a team of diverse talents. As long as they are able to keep unlawful behavior and wanton acts of violence to a minimum, of course."
Chakos studies the placard, then the room, then the woman. Paperwork. Of course it is paperwork.
"Very well."
He takes the papers, smooths a crease, produces a pen of his own, and begins to write with careful, precise strokes.
---
APPLICATION FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR
1. What are your three biggest weaknesses?
• A tendency to argue points of law even when expedience would suffice
• Difficulty ignoring injustice once observed
• An aversion to incompetence in positions of authority
2. What is a fair price for two weeks of your time?
Enough to cover expenses, retainers, and hazard pay. I am open to negotiation conducted in good faith.
3. What will you miss about your last job?
Clarity. When laws are written plainly, one knows exactly who is at fault.
4. When did you realize you wanted to have a career in government?
When I learned that the law protects only those who know how to invoke it.
What is your experience working for bureaucratic entities?
Municipal courts, temple adjudications, and several provisional commissions. I am familiar with forms, filings, and inconvenient procedures.
5. What do you plan to accomplish within your first 30 days?
Establish facts, identify culpability, and ensure the proper parties are held accountable.
6. List two ways that you will promote synergy by being a team player:
• I listen before I speak.
• I make certain everyone understands the rules before we break them.
7. What are you passionate about?
Justice that functions outside of theory.
In the event of your death or dismemberment, Magnimar’s reigning sovereign will compensate one survivor of your choice. Please mark their name below:
Name: Elira Vanthel (sister)
---
JOB SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
8. List your past adventures. No embellishments please!
• Legal mediation between rival dock guilds
• Recovery of missing persons in Lowcleft
• Enforcement action against a corrupt tithe collector
9. Do you scare easily?
No.
10. What skills do you have that will be useful for investigating a disappearance?
Interviewing, document analysis, tracking inconsistencies, observation, and quiet persuasion.
11. I have experience in the following work environments (MARK ALL THAT APPLY):
[X] CITIES
[X] VILLAGES
[X] FARMLAND
[ ] SWAMPS
[ ] MARSHES
[ ] BOGS
[X] FORESTS
[X] MOORS
12. My friends would describe me as (MARK ONE):
[X] OBSERVANT
13. My biggest flaw is that I am (MARK ONE):
[X] ARROGANT
14. My favorite hobby is:
Reading legal codes and finding where they fail.
---
He slides the papers back across the table, folding his hands neatly atop them.
"If you have further forms, I recommend we address them now."
Ok, now hear me out.
I'm thinking a Fallen Paladin!
1st level is:
Rogue(Consigliere)/Paladin(Divine Hunter)
2nd and 3rd are more Rogue.
I didn't "fall" the "usual" way I fell from LG, to CG.
Profession (barrister), I'm going to help people with my tongue and knowledge of the law.
And I can kill stuff!
Now that I have finalized my character, I really hope you flesh out and submit this concept (and we’re both selected). It would make for some great RP opportunities between characters who are almost directly opposed.
Your character sounds like they have lost their faith in the law, but continues to believe in the good in most people and help people who have become caught up in the system.
My character has lost her faith in most people, but believes in the purity of the law as a just system managed by flawed people. She strives to ophold the law because that is the only way to ensure justice, regardless of personal feelings or social standing. No free pass for people of influence, but not for poor sods down on their luck either.
It would be pretty interesting to see how they would work towards a common goal.
Edit: Ninja’d by your actual submission!
1. What are your three biggest weaknesses?
• A tendency to argue points of law even when expedience would suffice
• Difficulty ignoring injustice once observed
• An aversion to incompetence in positions of authority
1. What are your three biggest weaknesses?
a) I sometimes struggle with aligning Magnimar’s somewhat fluent legal system with my own personal convictions and the tenants of my Order. This has been a cause of friction in the past.
b) I frequently have trouble masking my disdain for individuals of low moral fortitude. This has resulted in several complaints about my “attitude” filed to the Order of the Nail. While neither I nor the order regard this as a weakness, I find it only fair to mention.
c) Spiders. Can’t stand the damned things.
I love how these answers line up. I think Chakos and Nina will have the same attitude towards incompetent or morally corrupt people, but for different reasons.
Nina respects positions of authority, but not necessarily the individual holding that position. For example, she recognizes that a town mayor has been elected to wield authority on behalf of the community, but she’ll tell a crooked mayor exactly what she thinks of him.
Still, she’s not “Lawful Stupid”. She’s just someone who has seen the flawed nature of humanity from an early age and has exactly zero f@*ks left to give.
Glad to see people using the IC application. I'll give you some in universe reactions tomorrow, sadly today was too long already
One thing to note. While form 67B is a government form, the poorly named "Job Specific Questions" were clearly written out for the purpose of this interview. I meant to go back and provide a more descriptive title and maybe some ooc text to clarify, but it looks like I didn't notice that I never had before posting
The Nina/Chakos parallels are noteworthy. Only time can tell if something will come of that
Looks at CC rules, sees options no one thinks of.....
I'll get to building the character.....
Grumbaki here. Being lvl 3 is fine. It'll be fun to test out the concept of this build. And in the future if it goes somewhere? It can be explored then. :)
-------
Valdear was thin, like most elves, though lean might have been the better word. He stood tall, his head held up high. His hair, blonde to the point of being blonde, fell down to his shoulders. His eyes were sharp, as if though he was always deep in thought or was intently considering something. And his face was held in a permanent frown, as if though smiling was a foreign concept.
A placard read Independent Investigators Wanted. It had brought him to a tavern, the type of which he would normally never deign to enter. The Drunken Dog. Rough timbered and gloom mantled, with beer that he'd only drink if it were by contract and stew that he'd mistake for a biological weapon. But he had come nonetheless. He needed coin, and he needed it badly. Badly enough that he would stoop to unsavory levels.
The elf sat at a table, blessedly free from what passed for food and drink. And he filled out:
1. What are your three biggest weaknesses?
* I lack the physical strength of the younger races' brutes.
* I am without the skills learned by those who grew up without refinement or civilization.
* I have little patience for foolish questions. Unfortunately, I am in need of employment, and thus I must face this last weakness with as much grace as I can muster.
2. What is a fair price for two weeks of your time?
* That is entirely dependent as towards what I have the two weeks doing.
3. What will you miss about your last job?
* That it was civilized, and that I was among my peers.
4. When did you realize you wanted to have a career in government?
What is your experience working for bureaucratic entities?
* When I realized that I needed coin, and that I desired to be paid by an organization that I could trust to fulfill its end of a contract. As for my experience, the bureaucracy of the elder courts a burden I have had to carry.
5. What do you plan to accomplish within your first 30 days?
* I plan to earn enough coin to continue my work.
6. List two ways that you will promote synergy by being a team player:
* I do not care whom I have to work with. Only that they are willing to work together towards a common goal.
* Only the mission matters. Once hired, that is what I shall be focused on, and it is what I will demand that anyone assigned to work with me pursues as well.
7. What are you passionate about?
* The pursuit of my arcane studies.
In the event of your death or dismemberment, Magnimar’s reigning sovereign will compensate one survivor of your choice in accordance with your position, see form 103d for a schedule of benefits. Please mark their name below
He signed, having finished the form. All that was left was to sign it. Well, that was not true...there was another form. Which made sense...
8. List your past adventures. No embellishments please! No hero of renown will be working for me.
* I am not something so crude as an adventurer. I am a graduate of the <he wrote a name in elven, indicating that it is a prestigious university for the sons and daughters of the wealthy landed and aristocratic>. He proceeded to list a number of expeditions he had taken part in, merely explaining that they involved procuring rare resources and preserving knowledge, often in places that required personal protection.
9. Do you scare easily?
* If someone did they would not admit to it. And if they did, this would not be the profession that should attract them.
10. What skills do you have that will be useful for investigating a disappearance?
* I am an educated man, with an eye for the arcane.
11. I have experience in the following work environments MARK ALL THAT APPLY:
CITIES VILLAGES FARMLAND SWAMPS MARSHES BOGS FORESTS MOORS
* Cities, and I have conducted expeditions in forests and moors, though I did not meaningfully engage with the environmental hazards of such events.
12. My friends would describe me as MARK ONE (1):
LOYAL---HARDWORKING---HONEST---CLEVER---PERSISTENT---CAREFUL---OBSERVANT--- GENEROUS
* Observant
13. My biggest flaw is that I am MARK ONE (1):
ILLITERATE---UNEDUCATED---STUPID---BRASH---DISRESPECTFUL---IMPUDENT---ARROG ANT---LAZY
* Arrogant
14. My favorite hobby is: _____________________
* Marksmanship
By signing below, I agree to complete a follow up interview contingent upon the Lady Anikee’s interest, and will accept no more than 200GP upon successful completion of my mission, to be dispensed from the exchequer within 4 weeks of my return to Magnimar
With the slightest of hesitation, Valdear signed the document.
Wasn’t easy forcing in everything the build needed. And it wouldn’t “come alive” fully until lvl 4. But I’m happy with how it came out.
Valdear is an elven devotee of Brigh. Lvl 1 Arcane Archer Magus Lvl 3 Trench Fighter
Prepared true strike with spell slots. Plan to use it for called shots (to legs, hands, neck) for when the story and scene calls for it. Seems the best use for it.
Once per day he can share the teamwork feat bonded mind. Perfect for investigations when talking wouldn’t be ideal but we need to communicate.
Settled on a pistol and endless bandolier so he can keep it on him at all times, even when weapons usually aren’t allowed.
And with 1d8+9 damage he is good enough in combat to count as a damage dealer.
Quite happy with how he turned out. Very fun build rules to work with.
Got a Bard 3/Fighter 1 nearing completion.
"Outstanding warrants?" The mousy woman looks a little dismayed for a moment, glancing around to see who Nina could be talking about. "Please, let me get you something to eat. They told me the stew is very...sizable!" She quickly signals for the barkeep, who plods off to the back of the house without a word. "Now you can just sit right there and eat while nothing bad happens to me." She clearly seems to regard Nina as a potential source of protection.
She begins to flip through the paperwork, grinning for a moment. "I suppose you would know better than me, but some would say there's not much difference between working for the government and working for hell." She laughs at her own joke, then realizes Nina still isn't smiling. "Armiger. Right. Might be helpful for scaring some sense into..." she trails off, pretending to get lost scanning the forms again.
After a few more minutes, the woman thanks Nina for her time and then moves on to the newest arrival.
The woman takes the folded papers and begins to look them over while Chakos waits. "No need for any more forms, this is already enough of a paper trail. You know, I've heard that half the point of these things is to weed out anyone who's not really interested." She flips to the questions she wrote herself. "Enforcement against a corrupt tithe collector? What punishment did they end up getting?" The woman seems very curious on this point.
"I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one here with a little education," the woman says while looking over Valdear's application, a conspiratorial glint in her eye. "Of course, I never had the chance to get into such an imposing university." She picks up a pen and twirls it between her fingers. "Do you have a next of kin? Someone who could receive a little money in the event that you have a regrettable accident while on the road? It's these kinds of benefits that make working for a big employer so appealing, and since money is tight (even for someone with your background) I wouldn't want them to be unallocated."
Prepared true strike with spell slots. Plan to use it for called shots (to legs, hands, neck) for when the story and scene calls for it. Seems the best use for it.
While true strike works well for anyone who wants to attack, I'm not planning to use any type of called shot system
Quite happy with how he turned out. Very fun build rules to work with.
Glad you like them! One design truism I've learned is that if there's something that's generally considered suboptimal (multiclassing) but people do it anyway (they do) it probably means it's very fun
....
Glad you like them! One design truism I've learned is that if there's something that's generally considered suboptimal (multiclassing) but people do it anyway (they do) it probably means it's very fun
It can be and and make for some interesting characters.
Finishing up the Job Survey and building a render of the character..
I'll use one of my generic NPC aliases to post IC with the survey
Entering through the door of the Drunken Dog. A tall, beautiful woman walks in, her hips swaying as she walks through the room. She is Wearing a barmaid outfit, making folks wonder if she'll be applying here. But when she reaches the table for the investigators.
When the woman speaks it is charming and relaxing "I'm hear for the job, my name is Noya Olivia Yona Abia.
If your Looking for someone, I can get the information about them. Oh right you need these forms."
She pulls out the forms and slides them across the table.
1. What are your three biggest weaknesses?
* Well, I hate to admit it, but I can get distracted by strong and or good looking men.
Provided they haven't shown themselves as an 455 H013.
* I can't stand seeing and knowning that an injustice has occured.
* I need tailored clothes and armour to fit right on myself, which can get pricy.
Which also means needing to wait some time to get replacements and coughing up some coin.
As I can't just go into a shop and get clothes that fit right.
2. What is a fair price for two weeks of your time?
That depends on the job, and what perks I have while working those two weeks.
More, if I have to deal with 455 H0135 in general or for an employer.
3. What will you miss about your last job?
Luxury food and a nice place to stay, all for some singing and dancing for a few days and nights.
Oh and there were some nice guards there as well, shame each one was an 455 H013.
The bulter there was a true gentleman, though I got cold stares from some of the maids.
4. What is your experience working for bureaucratic entities?
Well it tends to vary some depending on who I'm interacting with.
If it is a guy, it tends to be easy and smooth, I also tend to get asked out.
But I shut that down asking if that is allowed under work policies.
Now when it is a girl, it tends to be harder and takes longer, like I offended them somehow.
Almost as if my presence offends them.
5. What do you plan to accomplish within your first 30 days?
I first plan on getting the job done, and using that to help complete form 77J for long term contracts.
That and so I can start asking a certain HR some important questions about the actions of some staff members.
They really should tell the front desk lady named Karen to stop spilling coffee on my forms.
6. List two ways that you will promote synergy by being a team player:
I can fill in many roles, and assist in places. I'm decent in a fight, can do some healing, know many things.
And pretty much become the face of the team when interacting with others.
7. What are you passionate about?
Well doing my hobbies, shopping, and checking out the area for a boyfriend.
8. List your past adventures. No embellishments please! No hero of renown will be working for me.
Well, let's see. There was that time in the marshes to retrieve some fireworks from goblins.
There was that ... Oh wait I should not talk about that one, due to a NDA I signed.
I was hired to perform for some nobles at a party, I even got proposed to by a few of them.
Which was tempting, but I'd rather not deal with noble women with issues and resources to make life hell.
Oh right there was that small farming job, worked as a dairy maid for a few weeks.
Was a pain waking up that early, but the meals were good.
9. Do you scare easily?
No, not really and can you please not dig in further about it.
10. What skills do you have that will be useful for investigating a disappearance?
Oh, I'm good at finding lies and having others give me the information I'm looking for
That and I can get the team access to places they might not easily get access to.
11. I have experience in the following work environments MARK ALL THAT APPLY:
CITIES [X]
VILLAGES [X]
FARMLAND [X]
SWAMPS [ ]
MARSHES [X] : It was for a job to get some fireworks back from some goblins
BOGS [ ]
FORESTS [X]
MOORS [ ]
12. My friends would describe me as MARK ONE (1)
LOYAL [ ]
HARDWORKING [ ]
HONEST [ ]
CLEVER [ ]
PERSISTENT [ ]
CAREFUL [ ]
OBSERVANT [X]
GENEROUS [ ]
13. My biggest flaw is that I am MARK ONE:
ILLITERATE [ ]
UNEDUCATED [ ]
STUPID [ ]
BRASH [ ]
DISRESPECTFUL [ ]
IMPUDENT [ ]
ARROGANT [ ]
LAZY [ ]
OTHER [X] : CAN BECOME VERY VINDICTIVE WHEN WRONGED *
* While generally more forgiving, when certain condition are met,
Death would be a mercy for them.
14. My favorite hobby is:
Well, it happens to be Singing, Dancing and Sewing.
Sewing is cause I gotta repair my clothes since they are rather expensive and take time to replace.
That and it is kinda of relaxing especially if it was a rough day of dancing and singing.
Noya continues "Sorry I've not much experience with wetland work environments,
but they are places that rarely need a bard to perform for entertainment or gathering information."
Noya glances around then adds "Watch out for the table, 4 tables behind you and to your right near the door. There is a pick-pocket swiping people's wallets as they pass by after they've paid their bill. It is the gnome with the red hat. I think I also saw him yesterday selling contraband melons known as Overripe Melons, a fruit, fey trickers sell to folks for a laugh though some people look for them due to their effects. I won't fill you in on them."
Then goes back on topic "If hired for the job, I do have some leather armour, the good kind. And I'm quite good at fighting with a whip."
Just saw the house rules for firearms. I’m going to make new crunch for Valdear. Firearms are now great backup weapons, but not primary ones. As written I just don’t think my build works at all. And that’s on me for not reading carefully.
Something fun and maybe stupid.
Gestalt lvl 1 only: constructed pugilist brawler with vicious blades (one arm is now replaced with a metal arm that does slashing damage)
Lvl 3 Class: Kensai Bladebound Magus (choosing his constructed arm as his 1 handed slashing weapon)
Basic crunch is up. Was a joy to make. And I love the idea of an elf who after losing his arm has made himself a new one out of Liquid Glass.
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As Nina stands near the table, the mousey woman can see her more clearly.
She seems as comfortable in her heavy armor as anyone else would be in a set of linen clothes. Her face is marred by several pale scars, a nose that appears to have been broken and poorly set at some point and what appears to be a chemical burn on the left cheek. When she talks, you can see that she is missing one of her front teeth.
Even without the injuries, her appearance would be called plain at best. A slightly dark complexion hints at a mix between Chelish and Varisian ancestry. She does not wear makeup, fragrances or jewelry of any kind, except a wooden symbol of Abadar tucked underneath her armor. Her military-style haircut is a few weeks overdue for a refresh, but she is otherwise clean and neatly groomed.
She arcs a brow at the unofficial second form, but fills it out without comment.
"Outstanding warrants?" The mousy woman looks a little dismayed for a moment, glancing around to see who Nina could be talking about.
"Just a few citizens who have problems understanding the basic concepts of property ownership", Nina says, eyes narrowing as she stares down the gnome in the red hat. "Nothing to be concerned about. Just watch your purse."
"Please, let me get you something to eat. They told me the stew is very...sizable!" She quickly signals for the barkeep, who plods off to the back of the house without a word. "Now you can just sit right there and eat while nothing bad happens to me." She clearly seems to regard Nina as a potential source of protection.
"Thank you for the offer, but I'm good. In my experience, eating the food in places like this is rather risky. Diarrhea and plate armor is a bad combination."
She begins to flip through the paperwork, grinning for a moment. "I suppose you would know better than me, but some would say there's not much difference between working for the government and working for hell." She laughs at her own joke, then realizes Nina still isn't smiling.
"A common misconception. Hellknights emulate the organized and effective armies of Hell, thus the name. The Order of the Nail does not actually associate with devils...well, at least not in Magnimar. Anyway, I say my prayers to Abadar, not Asmodeus."
"Armiger. Right. Might be helpful for scaring some sense into..." she trails off, pretending to get lost scanning the forms again.After a few more minutes, the woman thanks Nina for her time and then moves on to the newest arrival.
"Good day. I shall await your reply, Ms...I' didn't catch your name?"
Working on finishing things up...
Will be wiping up a drawback for them,
It might be strong enough to count as a Flaw in 3.5......
In fact if I had access to two 3.5 flaws and one or two 3PP feats (one of which is a gag feat), I could make a better match in syncing Roleplay with mechanics
A few things, to just explain the build without you having to do a deep dive.
(1) Starts off with gestalt constructed pugilist brawler and kensai blade bound magus. The constructed pugilist gives a false arm, which counts as a 1 handed light weapon and an unarmed strike. At lvl 1 it gets 1 modification, and I chose to make it a slashing weapon. This is literally all that brawler gives him, as it trades out martial flexility.
(2) Magus 3 gives him a black blade. It must be a 1 handed slashing weapon, which his constructed pugilist arm meets the criteria for.
(3) As a dex build, he has slashing grace. Letting him use dex to damage with said arm.
(4) I pushed for as much concentration bonuses as possible. I got to +14, meaning that he can't fail concentration with a cantrip.
(5) He has very limited spells. Just 3x lvl 1 spell slots each day. I'm still figuring out what best to use it on, but I'm not planning on spamming shocking grasp or the like. Much more into control and positioning spells.
(6) As a final note...the constructed pugilist arm can be made from different materials. I went with liquid glass. Visually it's amazing (glass that flows like liquid and repairs itself). It gives +1 damage when it isn't broken. As it is also a black blade it is indestructible, so it can't be broken. I thus thought it was a neat combination, making use of both class features while being visually striking.
So that's how it all comes together. Thought it would be useful to lay it out, especially if there are any flaws in my thinking at any of these steps.
** spoiler omitted **
Now, that's a fun and unique build. Very Winter Soldier feel.
Noya looks at the hell knight, looking like a foil to them, given her more feminine looks and being taller then the hell knight.
Before Noya adding her two cents about the gnome "I'd say more then concepts of property ownership for that gnome.
How about contraband trafficking and trying to gain influence over nobility.
It seemed like he was trying to push the sale of the melon to a personal maid of a lady of a certain noble house that fits the profile for one that would get addicted to the melon."
"From what I overheard he was pushing a sample, but each melon is worth about 50 GP for one, but once you get hooked the price can climb to over a 1000GP for one, and they'd be needing to eat one daily, some get hooked far enough to eat two daily. Now do the math, it would cost a ton annually, so for a price reduction influence is sold to the seller."
"I saw him stash the melons he had out into a bag of holding on his belt before a patrol walked by his improvised stall.
I don't mind helping you out in getting the little bugger off the street by getting the evidence off of them and you can check it."
The woman takes the folded papers and begins to look them over while Chakos waits. "No need for any more forms, this is already enough of a paper trail. You know, I've heard that half the point of these things is to weed out anyone who's not really interested." She flips to the questions she wrote herself. "Enforcement against a corrupt tithe collector? What punishment did they end up getting?" The woman seems very curious on this point.
Chakos exhales slowly, as if correcting his own framing rather than her question. When he speaks again, the edge of legal precision has softened into something more human.
"He was stopped."
A faint shrug, one shoulder only.
"The money was returned to the people who needed it more than he ever did. The temple removed him, and the city made certain he would never hold power again."
His gaze drifts for a moment, not away from her, but inward.
"When he tried to disappear rather than face what he had done, I did not let him."
A pause. Not dramatic. Honest.
"He chose violence to protect himself. I chose to end the threat."
Chakos meets her eyes again, steady and unflinching.
"If you are asking whether I regret it—no. The people he hurt slept easier afterward. That mattered more than the process."
Noya hearing Chakos' words remarks
"Oh you showed him a mercy I would not of given.
If one sins and steals from their faithful, they pay their faithful back with interest."
Noya!
Looking around her, the woman begins to wonder if she should consider closing her search early and leaving the Drunken Dog as quickly as possible. She decides to bury herself in her papers instead, an old defence that has never failed her.
"Sorry to hear that you've had trouble from your women employers. As a show of good faith, let me get you some of the..." she quickly crosses towards the barkeep.
"House beer," he says, and she carries a full mug back. When she sets the mug down, she holds the hand she used to carry it away from her body, like it's dirty.
Shortly afterwards, the woman thanks Noya for her time and then moves on to the next candidate.
Just saw the house rules for firearms. I’m going to make new crunch for Valdear. Firearms are now great backup weapons, but not primary ones. As written I just don’t think my build works at all. And that’s on me for not reading carefully.
I didn't read anything other than your description, but it sounds like you would be using the gun as a means of casting spells first and shooting second, which could work. But yes, I am trying to create a setup where guns are great backup weapons but not primary ones, so if anyone's planning on shooting a lot, you better buy more than one.
Your new concept is also pretty cool. You can easily boast that you'll fight hand to hand with any monster you meet.
Edit: responding to your comment about 3.5e/3pp content, it's off the table for now. You don't need to finalize your build now anyway, however. If there's some existing Paizo material that's close to what you want, you can feel free to modify the flavor to better suit your concept