May 21, 2019 10:47 pm
Here we can ask any pertinent questions regarding your PC and his background or knowledge.
General Character Questions
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May 24, 2019 7:21 pm
Hope it's okay to continue the discussion here.
First off, I know my lack of participation so far doesn't bode well, but I want to assure you that I am an active player. In almost three years, I've never ghosted on a game. Like I've said before, work has been unusually busy. I'm a single parent, so work is where I do most of my posting. (As an example of how busy I've been, I was finally able to start on my own work today, only to find I have a backlog of over 70 cases to go through!)
Anyway, my daughter is at her mother's this weekend, so I'll be able to work on Andwise.
That said, i think this (ver high-level and brief) idea struck me based on what we already talked about:
Your father was in the army, so you joined as well. You served in Prince Corond?s spy network, part of the famed Elusive Shadows during the war. After the war, you were sent to Gryrax, where most of your ?skills? were used to follow suspect dignitaries around and report anything unusual.
Recently you were instructed to head to the Saltmarsh area to uncover possible slave trade by agents of the Scarlet Brotherhood. Your superiors think they might be trying to once again put their agents in positions of power, and may have already gotten into Gryrax, so you are to be as covert as possible, posing as a vagabond out to make your fortune in the world....I like a lot of this.
How long ago was the Greyhawk Wars? I was thinking of Andy being more of a young recruit. Him being in the War and having served in a famed unit seems beyond the abilities of a 1st level PC.
His father served in the Wars and Andy following in his footsteps is something I've mulled over as I've slowly filled in a bit on the GP character sheet. I was thinking, instead, that Andy's father and uncle both served. The father speaks very little about it, owing to something that happened to him, but his uncle is only too eager to regale the younger generation with tales of his wartime adventures. It's based on two of my uncles who were in Vietnam. Uncle Pete would never talk about it. But Uncle John? You'd have thought it was the best time of his life. Andy has two older sisters and two younger brothers. His older sister is very much against Andy having joined, being the only sibling old enough to know how her father's service affected her mother (again, that depends on how long ago the Wars were).
I was thinking that Andy would be one of many sent into Keoland. I like the idea that there's really not a whole lot special about him; he's just one of many tossed across the border with the hopes that one of them gets lucky. Not knowing the module (or what's happened during and after the Greyhawk Wars), I was feeling kind of stuck coming up with what his mission might be. Uncovering slaver agents works. I like the posing as a vagabond.
I'll get back to you tonight or tomorrow with anything else that comes to me.
First off, I know my lack of participation so far doesn't bode well, but I want to assure you that I am an active player. In almost three years, I've never ghosted on a game. Like I've said before, work has been unusually busy. I'm a single parent, so work is where I do most of my posting. (As an example of how busy I've been, I was finally able to start on my own work today, only to find I have a backlog of over 70 cases to go through!)
Anyway, my daughter is at her mother's this weekend, so I'll be able to work on Andwise.
Ket_Onwall says:
Ok, I have put together a bit of a backstory idea for you. I only have been pressing it because I like to be able to tie your story into the whole story arc. Where you came from, why you are here, etc., are all reasonble things that local folks might ask; players who meet might ask, etc.That said, i think this (ver high-level and brief) idea struck me based on what we already talked about:
Your father was in the army, so you joined as well. You served in Prince Corond?s spy network, part of the famed Elusive Shadows during the war. After the war, you were sent to Gryrax, where most of your ?skills? were used to follow suspect dignitaries around and report anything unusual.
Recently you were instructed to head to the Saltmarsh area to uncover possible slave trade by agents of the Scarlet Brotherhood. Your superiors think they might be trying to once again put their agents in positions of power, and may have already gotten into Gryrax, so you are to be as covert as possible, posing as a vagabond out to make your fortune in the world....
How long ago was the Greyhawk Wars? I was thinking of Andy being more of a young recruit. Him being in the War and having served in a famed unit seems beyond the abilities of a 1st level PC.
His father served in the Wars and Andy following in his footsteps is something I've mulled over as I've slowly filled in a bit on the GP character sheet. I was thinking, instead, that Andy's father and uncle both served. The father speaks very little about it, owing to something that happened to him, but his uncle is only too eager to regale the younger generation with tales of his wartime adventures. It's based on two of my uncles who were in Vietnam. Uncle Pete would never talk about it. But Uncle John? You'd have thought it was the best time of his life. Andy has two older sisters and two younger brothers. His older sister is very much against Andy having joined, being the only sibling old enough to know how her father's service affected her mother (again, that depends on how long ago the Wars were).
I was thinking that Andy would be one of many sent into Keoland. I like the idea that there's really not a whole lot special about him; he's just one of many tossed across the border with the hopes that one of them gets lucky. Not knowing the module (or what's happened during and after the Greyhawk Wars), I was feeling kind of stuck coming up with what his mission might be. Uncovering slaver agents works. I like the posing as a vagabond.
I'll get back to you tonight or tomorrow with anything else that comes to me.
May 24, 2019 7:33 pm
The game will be starting in 591CY, which is about 6 after the wars. Officially the treaty was signed in 584CY, but skirmishes and battles went on for another couple of years. This would fit well with your idea of having your elders been in the war. Perhaps your father was part of a network that did or helped facilitate some pretty bad stuff... even though against the evils of humanoid hordes, the carnage witnessed could have shaken him... while your uncle was more or less an aide to someone, never really getting into the thick of it?
Andy, perhaps swayed by the lure of your uncle's version, elected to join, and he found himself acting as an infiltrator/spy/scout? Perhaps not a (in)famous group, but a shadow group none-the-less, as even the normal troops don't know he is a spy?
Andy, perhaps swayed by the lure of your uncle's version, elected to join, and he found himself acting as an infiltrator/spy/scout? Perhaps not a (in)famous group, but a shadow group none-the-less, as even the normal troops don't know he is a spy?
May 24, 2019 7:45 pm
The Hold of the Sea Princes was notorious for running slaves, and many of the small towns along the Keoland coast were used by smugglers to get their goods in and out of the country. In addition, the Scarlet Brotherhood was involved, having usurped the throne in the Hold, and having assassinated their way into many of the world courts at the outset of the wars.
Eventually they were mostly rooted out, but the Brotherhood is as close to a D&D Nazi organization as one can get. Elitists who believe that the Suel bloodline is the only true line, ever seeking to assert its rule over the rest. So they are still power players in the region, and slavery is one of their cash cows.
Eventually they were mostly rooted out, but the Brotherhood is as close to a D&D Nazi organization as one can get. Elitists who believe that the Suel bloodline is the only true line, ever seeking to assert its rule over the rest. So they are still power players in the region, and slavery is one of their cash cows.
Jun 11, 2019 2:18 am
NOTES
Arlene (wife) and Bethel (husband), humans with missing son, Jared.
They were headed toward Seaton when Jared, 13, went missing by the marines down by the docks.
Arlene (wife) and Bethel (husband), humans with missing son, Jared.
They were headed toward Seaton when Jared, 13, went missing by the marines down by the docks.
Jun 21, 2019 4:01 pm
Hilgo Bandylegs is Andy's contact, correct? I thought that meant Hilgo is in Seaton. Aren't Mercival and the others in Sanduchar right now?
Jun 21, 2019 5:27 pm
Yes. Glad you noticed. :D
Hilgo uses his trade to travel with deliveries and stuff, so he comes to Seaton occasionally on 'business'.
Hilgo uses his trade to travel with deliveries and stuff, so he comes to Seaton occasionally on 'business'.
Jun 21, 2019 5:56 pm
Should I assume that Andy knows when Hilgo is in town and when he isn't? I know we're out of synch time-wise, so it's not definite that Hilgo is in Sanduchar right now, but if Andy knows Hilgo is out of town, it will affect what he does next.
Jun 21, 2019 6:36 pm
We can assume that you know a general schedule of his travels. Perhaps every-other week you may meet; or less often and instead you drop off messages or receive messages at some secret location?
I have not really fleshed out his position or purpose, thinking this is something that can evolve and become understood as we go, with your input contributing to the system as a whole.
I have not really fleshed out his position or purpose, thinking this is something that can evolve and become understood as we go, with your input contributing to the system as a whole.
Jun 25, 2019 5:05 pm
Is there anyone other than Bandylegs Andy can report his find to? What's his relationship with the local guards/soldiers?
Jun 25, 2019 5:58 pm
Those who know you, are aware that you serve in the army in some capacity, so I would say that you have decent relations with others in the towns guard. You can flesh out the unit or I can do it for you, if you like.
The captain of the guard, Colonel Roscoe P. Coltrane, runs the militia, while the city watch has their own commander, Damien Blades, who reports to Coltrane. There are several watch stations throughout the town who have army liaisons stationed there, and the main barracks is located at the keep. Perhaps 500 dedicated soldiers are in the town, and nearly 1000 city watch rotate throughout the month.
As I said, you can flesh out the substation you typically frequent, or I can. :)
The captain of the guard, Colonel Roscoe P. Coltrane, runs the militia, while the city watch has their own commander, Damien Blades, who reports to Coltrane. There are several watch stations throughout the town who have army liaisons stationed there, and the main barracks is located at the keep. Perhaps 500 dedicated soldiers are in the town, and nearly 1000 city watch rotate throughout the month.
As I said, you can flesh out the substation you typically frequent, or I can. :)
Jun 25, 2019 6:06 pm
Damien? I thought Enos reported directly to Roscoe!
I'll get a response up a little later today.
I'll get a response up a little later today.
Jun 25, 2019 6:20 pm
Flash! Yeah, I was a child of the '70s/'80s. I don't have any real desire to watch the show again, but I am kind of curious as to how it plays today. Other than the flag on the car, I don't remember a lot of objectionable iconography or storylines. They might have been good ol' boys never meanin' no harm, but the show was written by them librul Hollyweird types.
Jul 17, 2019 2:28 pm
I was looking at Andy's character sheet, mulling over a few things, and was wondering what your policy is regarding making changes at low levels. I kept staring at his 14 Constitution and 10 Intelligence and realizing I likely made that choice with more power gamer and less character in mind. Andy is a scout and information gatherer. Could I swap those two? Make it 10 Constitution and 14 Intelligence?
Jul 17, 2019 4:07 pm
Sure thing. I have no issue with that. And, to that end, go ahead and create your 'Alter Ego' if you accept the captain's mission. I will then assume it is what Enos provided... gives you a chance to expand Andy's skills at covert identity making... :)
Jul 17, 2019 7:04 pm
Is there a specific sort of identity the captain is looking for? Smuggler? Merchant? Just a traveling dude?
Jul 18, 2019 3:22 pm
Andy is proficient in the disguise kit. If we use Xanathar's alternate rules, Andy could create a disguise that would take him a minute to don. For the merchant, what do you think about letting me add another character sheet? That way Andy could have a different name and avatar show up when he's in disguise. I was thinking the fat merchant in the PHB for the avatar. I can come up with the name easily enough, but anything more in-depth, I might need a day.
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