PC creation talk

Aug 30, 2024 10:09 am

For faster/easier bond brainstorming could everyone please provide a super short PC overview like that:
Sadur: Dwarf barbarian working at royal kennels. No family members in the city. Takes any opportunity of job/adventure outside his normal boring job routine.

@Pedrop roll 24 say we are Pit fighters from the same faction. What are the factions ? Should we (players) come up with one?

Pedrop

Aug 30, 2024 10:30 am

PC creation talk

I like Grey's idea, thats what I was also thinking about in step 1 - say who your PC is and share some backstory.

As the result states: you can be from the same OR rival factions. We will establish factions on the Crag's as we play and as you will discover them.

Factions at the kingdom so far: Kingdom(as country, its soldiers and official, governed by king), Northern Dwarves(bunch of fighting clans with one getting in power), Secret Organization(working with or manipulating Evil Nephew, forces and structure unknown), The Church of One True God(most power in capital, missionaries in other areas)

Factions "in pit" can be(or were) very local and minor, or can be country side -> you can add your ideas as part of World Building here.

It will take you quite a looooong time before(if) you will be able to get back to Kingdom. So the Kingdom has the most white spots for me.

So yes, players can add many things to Kingdom and add some factions there. Who knows... maybe, even some of their representatives will have some presence in the Crag's area??? :)

Belladonna Lightfoot - - ToA

quilltid

Aug 30, 2024 1:41 pm

PC creation talk

Belladonna is a halfling bard, along as entertainment for the long nights ahead and support in combat, but has been trained as a spy. As a halfling, she was perfectly situated to be a fun-loving bard and superior at stealth and appearing non-threatening. She was one of the more adventurous halflings that made her way to the kingdom and worked her way up with her entertaining skills, but was placed in the royal court when her talent for intrigue was discovered and nurtured.

During her training in intrigue, she was a royal messenger for a bit while riding her dryosaurus Pepper. It's possible she helped with getting the smuggling job done?

I thought she would be assigned as the personal bard and spy of our princess, but up to you guys if you want that or she was actually the bard of someone else like the king or evil nephew. Also, do you guys want to know from the beginning that she is a spy that has always been on the side of the group? Or instead the characters learn over the course of the story about her secret training and wonder if she was planted there by the nephew?

Brother Bartholomew, Disciple of Stone

Avraham

Aug 30, 2024 3:48 pm

PC creation talk

OOC:

I have in mind a "flashback" introductory post for the beginning of RP. I will start developing it here, highlighting where I think the charachter overlaps with Belladona (messenger/spy) and Shallan (princess). Anyone and everyone, please chime in with suggestions or changes. This post is also intended to explain why Bartholomew is 60+ years old and still only level 1 :) Also, I will haphazardly mix dinosaur names from different eras/epochs and may be inconsistent with martial arts styles as well. This is not the actual Cretaceous period, after all :D

Brother Bartholomew, Disciple of Stone, yawned and stretched his limbs as the first glimmers of sunlight poked their rosy fingers through his window and danced insistently on his his weary eyelids. Another day, another dilophosaurus, as Master Sammo would say. Getting up at the crack of dawn was something so drilled into Bartholomew's routine that even nearly a half-century distant from the Monastery of Stone, he could not resist. After performing the most basic of ablutions, Bartholomew settled into his morning katas, as he had done for decades on end. A stiff body begets a stiff mind; a stiff mind begets an even stiffer body. For some reason, the tenets and koans of his youth were coming more and more frequently to him recently. Bartholomew attributed this to his increasing unease with Leonidas's continued absence. I had advised him that there was more unrest below the surface closer to home, but he was confident he would be back in less than three months. It has been much longer.

Bartholomew settled into a resting stance, and started his warm-ups. Ha!, Ya!, ee-OOhf!, the exhalations that focused and channeled his ki sounded over the carefully cleared and raked training area right outside his hut. As he continued, he thought of the unexpected twists and turns his life had taken. The ancient mantras filled his mind and he whispered them, almost unthinkingly.

Stone is the bedrock on which we build our lives. Stone is solid. Stone is dependable. Stone is unyielding. Yet, stone can be carved. Stone may be shaped by wind, water, or people. Stone is beautiful—both raw and shaped. Be as stone. Remote and cold or close and warm; whichever is needed. Strong and unchanging or shaped to purpose. In every circumstance of your life, be a Disciple of Stone.

As he flowed between offense and defense, he remembered…

[ +- ] The Monastery of Stone

The Monastery of Stone. Imposing, unassailable, remote, frightening……home.

A newborn orphan deposited at the base of the 2,500 steps that led up to the main complex. The students bringing the infant to the master, who decided to keep the boy.

The imposing Master Sammo as seen through the eyes of a four-year old orphan. Larger than life; as wide as he was tall. Hands that could crush ankylosaurus armor yet cradle an anchiornis egg without it cracking. A smile which lit up the room; a frown that could quiet a royal messenger at 20 yards. Worst of all, a look of disappointment that could pierce the heart more effectively than a spear.

A five-year-old Bartholomew tasked with scrubbing the dinosaur spoor. If we had only birds, that would be so much easier. But no, we have arambourgiania and thapunngaka with spoor feet long. And the smell! First the training areas, then the ledges, soon, the six and seven year old Bartholomew was scaling the cliffs with neither rope nor grapnel and scrubbing the temples. Then the cooking, the other cleaning, the running of messages, the constant race up-and-down the 2,500 steps.

Of course, in hindsight, this was all physical and mental conditioning.

The nine-year old Bartholomew waiting on Master Sammo when he sat in judgement. Two local peasants seeking the guidance of Master Sammo in a dispute. After the peasants had plead their case, the master told them to return the next day. When they had left, Master Sammo turned to Bartholomew and ask him what he thought.

Master Sammo bringing Bartholomew with him whenever he had to engage in adjudication or politics. "You will serve the people more with your mind than your body, young Bartholomew" the master had told him.

The barely teen-aged Bartholomew tearfully bidding his master farewell before being taken to the royal palace to apprentice to the king's advisors.

The disciplines of the monastery serving Bartholomew well as he learned the intricacies of royal politics, the many duties of the king, and how he could serve.

The good times, the bad times. The dalliances which led nowhere. The duels that left others with scars on their face and Bartholomew with scars on his soul. The late-night deals between the palace and the underworld when needed. The late-night raids by the palace guards when the deals went awry.

Drawing his staff, Bartholomew switched from the unarmed styles to those using the bo. Spinning like a dancer, he continued to reminisce about how he grew older and wiser—closer to Leonidas and his court. He remembered rejoicing with the king and queen when young Shalla was born, drinking toasts and praising the One True God deep into the night.

OOC:

@spinningdice @Pedrop There is no official bond like ward or "person for whose safety partially responsible" but I think that makes sense given how I am envisioning B's backstory. It's not precisely "Bodyguyard Duties". More like "Friendly uncle who sometimes has to sniff out assassination attempts and also helps her father keep the realm stable and safe". Thoughts from either of you?

The trade deals, border disputes, unruly nobles, all flashed through through Bartholomew's mind as he pivoted in place, spinning the staff so quickly as to appear as a wheel of wood. He thought of his own network within the palace compound.

OOC:

@quilltid, Belladonna must be aware of Bartholomew's role. However, do you want her to be part of his network, an agent set up by Leonidas without B knowing, or a freelancer unknown to all? If the first, then that may be similar to "common oath". If the second, B could just see you as a bard in which case something like "drinking buddies" could work. Would you drink with a sexagenarian human monk? :P If the last, it would need to be a custom bond or something benign like "common temple". Thoughts?

As Bartholomew started his cool down, his thoughts turned to Leonidas's unreasonably long absence. He should have returned weeks ago. Bartholomew's network was picking up more signs of unease in the population. Informers which used to vertiable founts of information for a few coins or drinks had completely dried up. Contacts did not respond. Some of his agents to the south had not returned their messenger birds in over a week. For the first time in years, Bartholomew was seriously concerned about unrest. He used the excuse of age to bring his staff with him everywhere. He started carrying his healing herbs on his person.

OOC:

I will stop here for now to receive feedback, especially from @quilltid,@spinningdice. Once we work out the bonds, I'll weave that into this story and write the rest: 1. What were you doingwhen the Evil Nephew people captured you? 2. How you looked and felt when you were transported for a 1 and a half day on the giant pterodactyl's back 3. What did you feel when your feet first touched new, unknown ground in the middle of some jungle in a small clearing.

Last edited August 30, 2024 3:51 pm

Pedrop

Aug 30, 2024 4:18 pm

PC creation talk

One more thing before I will be off: those with Concept First, can make any Bonds between their PC's. They don't have to be from the list.

Shallan

spinningdice Inactive for 1 months

Aug 30, 2024 5:57 pm

PC creation talk

Shallan has little backstory to tell, a shy girl who never really felt right being called a Princess, Shallan mostly hid from the world in her father's library, learning what she can - and was particularly fascinated by ancient relics, sometimes going so far as to try to recreate them or their effects.

Her 'eccentricities' were overlooked by her father, and many others at court, perhaps it was her unthreatening nature that lead to cousin exiling rather than slaying her, perhaps he feared reprisals by the other lords, or maybe he just didn't want to get his hands dirty.

OOC:

I think Bartholomew feels a bit like a mentor in an 'Uncle Iroh' fashion, no pressure just nudging towards the right path, while working to keep her safe

OOC:

Perhaps her father assigned Belladonna to be Shallan's eyes and ears, but I think she'd initially be ignorant of it, though she might twig when Belladonna shows how competent she is in exile. She's kind of jealous that Belladonna is confident and has such a gift for speech, as those are things Shallan is supposed to be good at, but even with training it seems so hard.

OOC:

To answer Avraham's Q's: 1) Probably distracted working on her blasting spear. 2) Shallan was probably terrified at least initially and uncomfortable, she'd be in her workshop gear rather than her court outfits and while she's an odd princess, she's still used to having all the comforts. 3) I'll be honest, I think she'll have a good long cry before getting her resolve back and trying to do something...

Kimbek Opaltine

Shadowknight

Aug 30, 2024 6:39 pm

PC creation talk

Never one for taking on airs or personal drama, Kimbek has worked in the kitchens for most of his life, except for the year when he fought in the Stone Arena to both make additional income and to earn some glory to his name. His short career at the Arena earned him little except for some toning and definition, but he returned to his life in the kitchens shortly thereafter, not finding much of the Arena that he particularly enjoyed. He also took several injuries that weakened his physical disposition overall and even caught a serious illness after a numbing kidney punch. It was likely this injury that prompted his early retirement from such a challenging career.

OOC:

This is likely where Kimbek met Sadur, which would have been before his introduction to the royal kitchens, if that is okay with everyone. Sadur might have even been a major influence to Kimbek to find a career more suited to his (lack of) physical frame, and probably saved his life from his own ignorance and stupidity on more than one occasion. (I'm assuming dwarves still live longer than humans).

He found the quieter life in the kitchens to be much more to his taste, studying the effects of herbs and various foods (especially when he was healing his own injuries and illnesses) and was soon able to apply this knowledge for the treatment of others, which only increased his recognition. Shortly after rising briefly in the kitchen ranks of a local lord, his excellent meals and herbal knowledge was requested by King Leonidas and he was moved to the royal kitchens as chef, herbalist, and cupbearer. Despite his frail disposition, Kimbek found a niche he was quite happy in and continued to serve in the royal kitchens loyally.

OOC:

I also think that Kimbek might have been taken partially by mistake, like he was just scooped up by the kidnappers because he happened to be serving in the area at the time, or may have been tending a lesser injury of one of the other characters?

OOC:

EDIT: I couldn't think of a particular faction that could be used for the "fighting arena/pit" so I kind of rolled up an idea on a solo rpg generator. I got Wolves of Mystical Creation, Mystical Complex Appearance, More Important than Expected. That kind of reminds me of the ancient forest spirit who first gave Kimbek his magic. So perhaps it is a wolf spirit that is tied somehow to this Wolf Faction/organization. The Grey Wolves. So I ran it through a generative pre-trained transformer (large language model A.I.) and got this:

Quote:

The Grey Wolves were not born of ordinary means but were the result of an ancient and powerful ritual performed within the heart of a long-forgotten temple. This ritual, known only to a few, combined the essence of feral wolves with the spirits of fallen warriors, binding them together in a complex weave of magic and soulcraft. The process required the convergence of ley lines, a rare lunar alignment, and the use of a mystical substance known as "Etherium," a material believed to bridge the gap between the physical and spiritual realms.

As the ritual was performed, the souls of the warriors infused the bodies of the wolves, granting them not only human intelligence and combat prowess but also a connection to the mystical energies of the world. Their appearance was a reflection of this fusion—a blend of the feral and the humanoid, with fur streaked with ethereal patterns, eyes that glowed with inner light, and an aura that shimmered with the power of the arcane. The Grey Wolves emerged from this ritual as creatures of formidable strength, unmatched cunning, and a deep connection to the mystic forces that created them, making them far more than mere combatants in the arena.

I'm not sure how much of that anyone wants to use, but its kinda cool.

Last edited August 30, 2024 7:08 pm

quilltid

Aug 31, 2024 2:03 pm

PC creation talk

Wow! Everyone has very cool characters and backstories set up already!

Sounds like Belladonna will be Shallan's spy and bard, but she at least is not aware about the spy part.

@Avraham That sounds good that Belladonna is part of Brother Bartholomew's spy network. Perhaps he was even the one who noticed she might be useful for intrigue and set her on the path.

GreyWord

Sep 1, 2024 2:18 pm

PC creation talk

@Shadowknight can we try to make it more like a bond, not just an acquaintance. Seems like DM blessed our creativity and world building.
Here is first that comes to my mind: in the prosperous kingdom fight pits is part of kingdom culture. It's one of the most popular entertainment for wealthy citizens and factions organizing fights are always trying to find new attractions.
Your PC is involved with trying to add magic element to the fight and Sadur volunteered to be your sparing partner (because as a dwarf he has advantage resisting magic). Even if we fight in a pit - it is not for the win, but for audience entertainment.

@quilltid how about two of us were involved in smuggling with the goal to either catch the real smugglers (a royal quest) or infiltrate into the organization to gain trust and find the major players in the smuggling business. Smuggling business directly impact king's income (taxes and such). By the way, how do you feel about dinosaur smuggling ?

Pedrop

Sep 2, 2024 9:19 pm

PC creation talk

You all doing a great work! Please continue.

For now it looks that we have, following bonds:
- Belladonna - Brother Bartholomew's: Belladonna is part of Brother Bartholomew's spy network and is "one of many ways", that Bartholomew was taking care about princes Shallan,
Questions: what kind of relations is that? Is Brother Bartholomew a "superior" to Belladonna, more like military ranks, official? Or this is somehow closer relation?

- Belladonna will be Shallan's spy and bard, but she at least is not aware about the spy part. So to Shallan Belladonna is like some kind of lady-in-waiting? A part of court member that usually was ordered to "have an eye on the princess"? So probably they are quite close to each other (a friends?)... but Shallan don't know about the biggest secret of Belladonna (being a spy)?

So we only need 2 more connections and they are currently in development:)

I like Grey's ideas about Sadur smuggling with Belladonna:) It could be dinosaurs... but maybe it was some kind of special breed of dogs if some very peculiar future...? :) What future it would be? And now one of the puppies is Sadur's current dog?

Sadur volunteered to be your sparing partner of Kimbek also sounds interesting. And it's getting even more interesting when the Grey Wolfs faction was involved... with Sadur having his talent for canids... :) Maybe the Grey Wolf's were somehow involved in the smuggling action? Or provided the subjects? I don't mean their own members... but they maybe had something to do with special breed of "dogs"?

I'm adding Grey Wolves to existing factions:)

Avraham

Sep 2, 2024 10:04 pm

PC creation talk

Pedrop says:

- Belladonna - Brother Bartholomew's: Belladonna is part of Brother Bartholomew's spy network and is "one of many ways", that Bartholomew was taking care about princes Shallan,
Questions: what kind of relations is that? Is Brother Bartholomew a "superior" to Belladonna, more like military ranks, official? Or this is somehow closer relation?

The way I see it, Bartholomew was not the "Minister of Intelligence" but more a close advisor and trusted confidant of Leonidas. To ensure what was bets for Leonidas and family, Bartholomew developed his own network of contacts and informers. Leonidas arranged for Shalla to be guarded by Belladona, and Bartholomew was let in on the secret as well. Belladona worked for Leonidas, but would share information and her opinions with Bartholomew. She would also come to him if she needed help, surreptitious supplies, or information which others of Bartholomew's unofficial network would provide.

@quilltid does this make sense with your view of Belladona or would you like to adjust it?

quilltid

Sep 3, 2024 2:38 am

PC creation talk

@GreyWord That sounds great about working together on smoking out the smugglers! Dinosaur smuggling (maybe the more regulated carnivore ones or eggs) or that was just a front for the canine breed that led to Sadur's current companion. Perhaps Belladonna was pretending that the smuggling interest went all the way to the royal court and she introduced Sadur who busted the smuggling ring?

@Avraham Sounds great! It riffs off of what our GM posted before. Perhaps Bartholomew helped point out that bringing Sadur into the smuggling case would be beneficial to all.

Pedrop says:

"So un-threatening and sweet friend/companion for the princess. We really have to her on our court darling!" ;)

"Yes, you are right! We only have to send her on proper training..." ;)

I see there possible connections to Avraham character here too:)

Shadowknight

Sep 3, 2024 3:49 am

PC creation talk

GreyWord says:

@Shadowknight can we try to make it more like a bond, not just an acquaintance. Seems like DM blessed our creativity and world building.
Here is first that comes to my mind: in the prosperous kingdom fight pits is part of kingdom culture. It's one of the most popular entertainment for wealthy citizens and factions organizing fights are always trying to find new attractions.
Your PC is involved with trying to add magic element to the fight and Sadur volunteered to be your sparing partner (because as a dwarf he has advantage resisting magic). Even if we fight in a pit - it is not for the win, but for audience entertainment.

This is fine. I was just trying to line up the background/bond with Kimbek's low physical ability scores. A person with high intelligence likely wouldn't pursue such a physically demanding job with low health and agility. But Kimbek might also have been singled out for his sorcerous ability (bond with the Wolf Spirit) that he could supposedly tap into to assist the Grey Wolves rituals before combat. This might make a little bit more sense to me.

OOC:

Sorry for not posting recently. Labor Day Weekend here in the States. Just got back from a mini-vacation.

Pedrop

Sep 3, 2024 8:39 pm

PC creation talk

Shadowknight says:

This is fine. I was just trying to line up the background/bond with Kimbek's low physical ability scores. A person with high intelligence likely wouldn't pursue such a physically demanding job with low health and agility. But Kimbek might also have been singled out for his sorcerous ability (bond with the Wolf Spirit) that he could supposedly tap into to assist the Grey Wolves rituals before combat. This might make a little bit more sense to me.

Reading this another idea lightened up in my head: what if Kimbek wasn't fighting in the ring/pit himself but rather was in "support team" of th fighters. Maybe he was providing some experimental potions to the fighters - to Sadur maybe, even if they were on the same side or to his opponent? Or training? Or magically enchanting their abilities for the duration of the fight.

Or EVEN: maybe those pit fights were quite different then we are used to know and they are always fought between "tandem combatants": Melee fighter + Magic supporter that is not allowed to interact directly with opponents in any way? Or something like this.

Of course: just sharing my ideas, not expecting to use them -> those are your PCs after all. But: I had such ideas, seeing that you struggle a little to justify why Kimbek would fight in pits with Con at 6.

Or... maybe he lost this att score during that times, and it was initially much higher? Maybe it was a price for Grey Wolves' ritual? :)

Besides: Is Kimber pro or anti Grey Wolves in current times?

OOC:

P.S. I find it interesting/funny that you invented Grey Wolves with AI and Grey's user name is... well... GreyWord :)

Shadowknight

Sep 4, 2024 12:40 am

PC creation talk

Pedrop says:

Besides: Is Kimber pro or anti Grey Wolves in current times?

OOC:

P.S. I find it interesting/funny that you invented Grey Wolves with AI and Grey's user name is... well... GreyWord :)

Kimbek is pro Grey Wolves I think, as I am almost certain that whatever spirit first communicated with him (and opened his eyes to sorcerous power) is also the one that is patron of the Grey Wolves organization.

OOC:

I also found it funny. Especially since I almost misspelled Grey as Gray a few times.

Sadur

GreyWord

Sep 4, 2024 8:49 am

PC creation talk

We established by PC bounds with two party members. But what would it be with the process Shallan. Do he know she is the process and do he know she is artificer, etc.
At the moment in the story my PC would try to save Kimbek, knowing he is physically weak. But I don't know if he should prioritize saving the only royal person instead. I guess in instinctive reaction bond takes priority over logical, would appreciate any feedback on my train of thoughts.

Pedrop

Sep 5, 2024 8:19 am

PC creation talk

GreyWord says:

We established by PC bounds with two party members. But what would it be with the process Shallan. Do he know she is the process and do he know she is artificer, etc.
At the moment in the story my PC would try to save Kimbek, knowing he is physically weak. But I don't know if he should prioritize saving the only royal person instead. I guess in instinctive reaction bond takes priority over logical, would appreciate any feedback on my train of thoughts.

I think it's your choice how "close to your heart" is royal family. Is it only the need to repay for being saved? Or maybe over time you started to appreciate the king and believe in the kingdom and his values? In my mind royal family always have dual(or more) "meaning" in stories. Those are physical persons with their virtues or flaws AND they are embodiment of what the kingdom symbolizes for its people, by what values(and traditions) they are ruled and at what aim they are directed at (low and order? Defending to the external threat? Getting new lands and territories? so on...) . So saving Princess Shallan can also be seen in two (at least) ways: saving a concrete person that you like or care about OR working for the sake of whole kingdom and restoring it.

I only expect you to assume, that in our story:
- King is the good guy (King Artur archetype) and you as close ones to him know and believe that,
- you are working at Kingdom side (so it's easy for you to be a team/party), but it doesn't automatically mean you would trade your life for princess'es - every time

You have to decide if that all means: for you Shallan is more important to you than Kimbek or other way around.

I can see in RP thread that You have made your decision already:) Just wanted to clarify my view on this subject for everyone:)

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Name	Zean	Race	Human	background	Pirate	Sex:	Male
Class	Magic user	Level:	1	XP:	0/10	Age:	61

Att <GS,TF>	Att Mod	Situation Mod	Check	Skilled Check
Str 8 <, >		0	,d20	,d20

Dex 10 <, >		0	,d20	,d20

Con 11 <, >		0	,d20	,d20

Int 18 <, >		0	,d20	,d20

Per 9 <, >		0	,d20	,d20

Will 9 <, >		0	,d20	,d20

Cha 10 <, >		0	,d20	,d20

Init <, >		0	,d20

HP per level: 1	HP:	12 /
AC Bonus: 1	AC:
Class Attack Bonus:	0
Rerolls:
Rescue avbl:
DDM: 1	DDM die:	Magic Item Die: 20
Favour:
Death save mod: 0	Death Save:

Health: /	AC:
Rerolls:	Rescue avbl:
Cur DDM:	Favour:
Minor Exploit avbl:	Major Exploit avbl:

	Str	Dex	Con	Int	Per	Will	Cha	Init
Luck	,d20	,d20	,d20	,d20	,d20	,d20	,d20	,d20

Attributes

Status

Weapons

Skills & Abilities

Equipment

Rules reference

Background & Notes

You do not have permission to post in this thread.

Name	Range	+Hit	Damage	Nat 19	Crit Damage	Properties
Shortsword	Melee		1d6-1	1d12		+2 Initiative; Nat 19: Blade trauma OR Disarm
Long bow	V. Far		1d8+0	1d12		Two handed; Nat 19: Missile Trauma Ammo End Chance:

Battle Gear: /	Pack gear: /
Shortsword	Bedroll
Long bow	Rations: 5
Torch	Yellow lotus: 1
	Spellbook

Pouch: Tinderbox	Worn: Cloak, Leather armor