Grousemetal Character Creation

Ah, I see. In that case, I'd like to think that magic is almost like the family business. She's still young, so this focus might change after being more exposed to the world, but for now, she just wants to go into the family business, so to speak.

I need to be a bit insistent on terminology, so everyone's clear on what is what. Your Focus was "School Sage: Ancestry," and we're currently working on your Devotion, which is a separate but connected element of your character.

Here's some options:
The Scholar Devotion (Path: Study) - You put heavy emphasis on Knowledge (archives). Your path is study for the sake of knowledge itself. You show interest in all paths of learning (or most) rather than placing disproportionate emphasis on one.
The Scholar Devotion (Path: Occultist) - You put heavy emphasis on Knowledge (occult). Your path is devoted to uncovering hidden knowledge and ensuring that your people do not tamper with things they do not understand.
The Warrior Devotion (Path: For Family) - You fight to defend your home, specifically the place where your family lives. Such a warrior fights to avoid developing a Path of revenge. They value their estate, their hovel, their fiefdom, or country, because it holds the people they can't replace. Any time that you perceive a threat to your family, you go to war.
Secret Keeper Devotion (Path: Perfect Soul) - You see the body as primitive and the mind as simple, instead focusing all your attention on the absolute magical perfection of your soul, to reach your ultimate power, your final form, and become omnipotent.
Secret Keeper Devotion (Path: God of Magic) - You have no desire more definitive than your study of magic. But you don't just want to know more; you want power. You desire to access and control not one school of magic, but magic of every kind. You aim to become a god of magic itself.

Insist away! I think Scholar Devotion (Path: Study) sounds closest to how I am imagining this character.

Bear in mind that the description and benefits are not actually magically inclined. They don't exclude magic, but it's like an all-around knowledge base. That what you want?

Oops, my mistake; I think I just assumed it was talking about magic since I am all about the magic with this character, ha. In that case, I could do with some more information.

How does the Devotion come into play with the character? Is it roleplay fodder or something beyond?

It has a lot to do with roleplay. However, some (not all) Paths in certain Devotions come with special benefits or limitations.

Sticking with the Scholar Devotion, if you were to take the Path: Study, then you have a Modus and a Benefit.
Modus - You must put at least one rank in Knowledge (archives) every time you level up. In addition to this, you must endeavor to live a life of study in every waking moment, favoring no one subject over the others to the point of neglect. This doesn't mean staying in the library your whole life, but it means approaching everything with the intent to learn from the experience.
Benefit - You may reroll any Knowledge (archives) skill check a number of times equal to the failures you received on the first try. For example, if you got two failures, then you could reroll that check up to twice. When you have exhausted this number, you select the best roll and use its result. Aside from that, you treat all Knowledge skills as if +1 rank when rolling.

Whereas, if you took up Path: Occultist...
Modus - You do not have to be a practicing mage, but you must put at least one rank in Knowledge (occult) every time you level up. In addition, you must endeavor to see as much of the magical world as possible, even if it puts you in danger.
Benefit - Same reroll mechanic as with Study, but applied to Knowledge (occult) instead of (archives). Once per battle or magical experience, you may make use of Defensive Blasts or other defenses appropriate to the subschool you're confronting, as if you were trained in that subschool yourself. If you are actually trained in it, the benefit is instead being counted as +1 PV and 1 magic level higher for the purposes of these defenses, but only once per battle or magical experience.

Path: Occultist sounds good.

Sweet! That means we're on to Finishing Touches.

Why did you train as a Mentor Mage? Was this part of some organization that is responsible for your training, or is your subclass just a result of your own personal efforts?

How did you learn Invulnerable Defense? Did you just figure out how by trial and error, or did you learn through some special course of events?

Describe a few events that happened to lead you away from your homeland. Use as much or as little detail as you like, but what's needed is a brief explanation of how you set sail and what happened out at sea. You don't need to know where we're going just yet, but if you need a placeholder name, use Lunas. It's DEFINITELY not going to be that, so I'll know what to replace with the real name.

Who taught you the ways of Monkey Style combat? That's not really something you could have figured out on your own.

You've got daggers enchanted for Distance throwing, and a staff charged with fatal energies. These are no toys. Where did someone like you get these powerful weapons?

How old are you? Most cultures say 16-18 is the point where you become an adult.

How tall are you? This is usually between 4'5'' and 6'5''.

What color is your skin, hair, and eyes? If you've said it already, just repeat it for the answer.

How does your character feel about the other five kinds of Purebleed? Does she know they exist? Bear in mind, Porphs are quite rarely seen outside of their home nation, of which there is only one. Meeting the Porph player soon might be your character's first time meeting one, if she even knows that they're a Black Blood at all.

There are Mechans in my world, people who have had part of their body replaced with machinery. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them?

There are Chems in my world, mutants created by exposure to volatile chemicals. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them?

There are Sorcelled in my world, magical folk under permanent enchantments that have taken away the gift of their Heroic Spirit. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them?

There are Neutrati in my world, white-blooded humanoids created by the Porph as genderless artificial servants. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them?

There are Baseborns in my world, red-blooded but not Rudhir. The true color of their blood appeared because they were born of two different Purebleed lines, or none at all, and this robbed them of spiritual gifts. You likely know they exist, because they are very common, but do you? If so, how does your character feel about them?

There are Felbreeds in my world, who are only half-human. The other half is some kind of inhuman monster. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them?

There are Faeries in my world, inhuman creatures of magic. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them?

There are Angeli in my world, heavenly angels and demons. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them?

There are Amorphae in my world, unnatural shapeshifting creatures of chaos. You likely do not comprehend the truth of their existence, relying instead of myths about werewolves or doppelgangers, but do you believe some version of them exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them?

There are Nephs in my world, terrifying giants who crave human flesh. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them?

There are Jinn in my world, mystical genies and nightmarish ghouls. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them?

There are Ancients in my world. It is impossible for you to not to know about them as great Behemoths, enormous sea serpents, or legendary Dragons. But are these creatures legends with no proven existence, or does your character have proof? Bear in mind that, when one of these things wake up anywhere near your civilization, entire towns and villages tend to go missing.

And finally, what is your Name?

Why did you train as a Mentor Mage? Was this part of some organization that is responsible for your training, or is your subclass just a result of your own personal efforts? -- I trained at an academy/university in my homeland.

OOC:

((I can come up with a specific name if need be. I am imagining there is only one major academy/university to learn these skills in my homeland.))

How did you learn Invulnerable Defense? Did you just figure out how by trial and error, or did you learn through some special course of events? -- I learned Invulnerable Defense through one-on-one tutelage with a favourite instructor at the academy.

Describe a few events that happened to lead you away from your homeland. Use as much or as little detail as you like, but what's needed is a brief explanation of how you set sail and what happened out at sea. You don't need to know where we're going just yet, but if you need a placeholder name, use Lunas. It's DEFINITELY not going to be that, so I'll know what to replace with the real name. -- After completing my studies at the academy, I was hired by a society seeking to find magical artifacts across the world. I am in my probationary period with them, and this is my first mission.

OOC:

((I would prefer to be searching for something in particular that the society got word of and dispatched me to get. If that is too specific for this playtest, I can be seeking anything I can find.))

Who taught you the ways of Monkey Style combat? That's not really something you could have figured out on your own. -- I learned this through study and practice with a particular instructor at the academy.

You've got daggers enchanted for Distance throwing, and a staff charged with fatal energies. These are no toys. Where did someone like you get these powerful weapons? -- My family has historically been involved with the study and practice of magic and has amassed wealth and knowledge over many generations. These items were a graduation gift.

How old are you? Most cultures say 16-18 is the point where you become an adult. -- I am 19.

How tall are you? This is usually between 4'5'' and 6'5''. -- I am 5'11".

What color is your skin, hair, and eyes? If you've said it already, just repeat it for the answer. --

OOC:

((What are the usual colour ranges for skin, hair, and eyes for Galura? Are those the same for other kinds of Purebleed as well?))

How does your character feel about the other five kinds of Purebleed? Does she know they exist? Bear in mind, Porphs are quite rarely seen outside of their home nation, of which there is only one. Meeting the Porph player soon might be your character's first time meeting one, if she even knows that they're a Black Blood at all. -- My character knows the other five kinds of Purebleed exist through mention of them in her studies. The society she works for sends people out all over the world and keeps an eye out for powerful magical artifacts across the world. She doesn't know too much about each kind of Purebleed. Her opinion of anyone depends on their magical ability... She can be dismissive of and lack respect for anyone who does not have magic ability.

There are Mechans in my world, people who have had part of their body replaced with machinery. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them? -- My character has heard mention of them, but the concept of having unnatural mechanical parts grafted onto your body seems strange and upsetting. She does not like thinking about that.

There are Chems in my world, mutants created by exposure to volatile chemicals. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them? -- My character has heard mention of them, but the concept seems strange and upsetting. She does not like thinking about that.

There are Sorcelled in my world, magical folk under permanent enchantments that have taken away the gift of their Heroic Spirit. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them? --

OOC:

((Was this a choice they made in exchange for something or is this like a curse?))

There are Neutrati in my world, white-blooded humanoids created by the Porph as genderless artificial servants. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them? -- I have heard of their existence through my studies. I admire the magic ability required to make them, but I am unsettled by the concept of creating beings.

There are Baseborns in my world, red-blooded but not Rudhir. The true color of their blood appeared because they were born of two different Purebleed lines, or none at all, and this robbed them of spiritual gifts. You likely know they exist, because they are very common, but do you? If so, how does your character feel about them? -- I think they are muddied beings I would prefer not to interact with except in necessary, impersonal, brief ways, such as a shopkeeper.

There are Felbreeds in my world, who are only half-human. The other half is some kind of inhuman monster. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them? -- I think they are muddied beings to be avoided, unless as a subject of study for magic ability.

There are Faeries in my world, inhuman creatures of magic. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them? -- I have heard of them. I am curious about a creature of pure magic. I would be wary during an interaction with one.

There are Angeli in my world, heavenly angels and demons. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them? -- I have vaguely heard of them. I would not know how to react to being around one and would default to using extreme caution.

There are Amorphae in my world, unnatural shapeshifting creatures of chaos. You likely do not comprehend the truth of their existence, relying instead of myths about werewolves or doppelgangers, but do you believe some version of them exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them? -- I have vaguely heard of them. I would not know how to react to being around one and would default to using extreme caution.

There are Nephs in my world, terrifying giants who crave human flesh. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them? -- I have vaguely heard of them. I would not know how to react to being around one and would default to using extreme caution.


There are Jinn in my world, mystical genies and nightmarish ghouls. Do you know they exist, and if so, how does your character feel about them? -- I have vaguely heard of them. I would not know how to react to being around one and would default to using extreme caution.


There are Ancients in my world. It is impossible for you to not to know about them as great Behemoths, enormous sea serpents, or legendary Dragons. But are these creatures legends with no proven existence, or does your character have proof? Bear in mind that, when one of these things wake up anywhere near your civilization, entire towns and villages tend to go missing. -- I believe they exist. I have seen proof within the society's collection of items. I would enjoy seeing one of these beings because it seems interesting, though I know logically seeing one would probably mean my death and is not something to seek.

And finally, what is your Name? My name is Quiyan

OOC:

((pronounced kee-yawn))

.

I'll start with a note on schools in Hebrimar. They are generally attached to religious temples and government buildings, being constantly monitored and influenced by the political and religious authorities. The teachers are almost solely the temple priests or government scribes. There are different types of schools for different people. The commoners take different lessons than nobility, and there are specialty schools for priests, scribes, and other careers isolate from the common masses. To address what you have said directly, there would be many schools for you to choose from in general, but for your specific task, yes. There would be a specialized academy you would have attended.

Since Hebrimar has little to no interaction with the outside world, I think the best way to go with this society is a Messenger. Somebody, or a small group of individuals, who came to the Forge Continent from the lands beyond to motivate their occult scholars in a useful direction; specifically, turning them into treasure hunters. The motivation would be something like, "These artifacts belong in the safety of your city, where they will not be pillaged and desecrated by the warmongers of our world. Only Hebrimar respects the historical value and mystical power these relics hold." What do you think? As for the artifact in question, I guess that will depend on where the campaign is set, so I'll keep you posted.

The usual color ranges are the same as normal humans, with some exceptions. Because of your orange blood, you are more prone to a copper tone or even an orange cast to your skin. Your hair is likely to be auburn or red in color (red as in the natural orange-ish version). As for the eyes, any normal color will do, but blends with orange are very likely -- such as blue-grey or hazel. You might even have orange irises.

On the note of the Sorcelled, I will clarify that both varieties exist. Some powerful mages find a way to turn themselves Sorcelled through permanent enchantments. Other people are "cursed" with this whether they wanted it or not, by a mage applying those enchantments to them. The main thing making them think of this as a curse is that the loss of Purebleed gifts makes you an outcast in most societies.

Quiyan
Birthright: Human
Sub-birthright: Purebleed (Galura)
Virtues: Leon 3, Eyrie 3, Grand 4, Enlight 4, Nemesis 6, Daimon 5
Class: Sage
Sub-class: Nemesis Master (Mentor Mage)
Mental Ability: Scribe Touch
You can ask inanimate objects some questions by touching them.
Mental Ability: Shift Skin
You can change your physical appearance.
Mental Ability: Cowl of the Cat
You can avoid harm and surprise attacks through an extension of luck.
Special Ability: Invulnerable Defense
By attacking each individual limb or object used to threaten you, at extreme speed, you create an impenetrable barrier of defense around your location.
Skills: Athletics 1, Diplomacy 2, Guile 3, Knowledge (archives) 2, Knowledge (occult) 2, Locksmithing 1, Oratory 2
Class of Progression: First
Combat Style: Monkey Style Unarmed Combat
Alignment: Neutral
Focus: School Sage (Ancestry)
Equipment: Energy-Charged Magic Staff, Magical Distance Daggers (3), Backpack, Bedroll, Flint and Steel, Grappling Hook, Rope (50 ft.), Parchment (3), Ink, Inkpen, Rations (3 days), Lockpicks, Waterskin, Lantern, Sturdy Weave Robes
Wealth: (if you have the number, put it here; if not, I'll run the numbers)
Devotion: The Scholar
Path: Occultist
Age: 19; Height: 5'11''; Skin color: Light orange; Hair: Dark auburn; Eyes: Copper hazel
Lucky Hairs: 10; HUT - 8; LT - 6; Left Arm - 2; Right Arm - 2; Left Leg - 3; Right Leg - 3
Wounds:
Skullcap: 1; Face - 2; Left Eye - 1; Right Eye - 1; Neck - 3; Upper Torso - 4; Lower Torso - 4; Upper L Arm - 1;
Upper R Arm - 1; L Forearm - 1; R Forearm - 1; L Hand - 1; R Hand - 1; Upper L Leg - 3; Upper R Leg - 3; Lower L Leg - 3; Lower R Leg - 3; L Foot - 2; R Foot - 2
Span 1; Land Speed - 15 ft.
Trying to Focus
When in combat, any round you spend moving less than 15 ft., you are Trying to Focus. This means drawing on tactical experience from up to 6 months ago. If the last 6 months have nothing to lend, then the attempt will grant either an extra attack die, or an extra defense die, as your intuition gives you a glimpse into the battle's future.
Focus
When in combat, any round where you take no Movement Phase, you are Focusing. This means you draw from 4 years of experience instead of 6 months. The dice listed above are replaced by +1 success on attack, or +2 successes on defense, as your "sixth sense" shows you the way.
Magic Casting Advanced
You can cast one spell per round without spending an action. If you wish, you can drop this advantage for one round during Movement Phase, in exchange for increasing your Movement Phase from 15 ft. to 30 ft.

I like that motivation for the scholars! That is the vibe I was thinking. That sounds good.

As far as hair, skin, and eyes, Quiyan has dark auburn hair and light orange skin. Not florescent orange, but clearly Galura. Eyes are coppery hazel.

For Sorcelled people, she feels it is unnatural and she is uncomfortable with that type of being, but she is curious about the process from an academic standpoint. She would not seek out that type of person, but if she happened upon someone a mage who had done that to themselves on purpose and they didn't seem too creepy or awful, she would likely ask them about the process. If it is someone who was "cursed" into it, she would not even want to ask them about it.

Let me know if you have the number for your remaining wealth.

I do not, but I can figure it up if need be.

I would appreciate it. Once that's done, you can drop the information I've compiled into a Custom character sheet and submit it to the game page. Then we can start you on a solo test run.

Ooookay, per my math, I have remaining of my starting 570 gp, 554 gp, 1 gs, 16 cp. I didn't see in this thread where I had how much my daggers and staff cost, except that the energy charge to the staff cost 3 tc. If weapon costs are in another player's stuff, I can ferret around for it.

Edit: Character sheet is updated and submitted! I'll fix the money part of it if need be.

Daggers cost 1 cp each, and a Staff costs 3 tc. I know that last one because the energy charge costs the same as the weapon.

Got it fixed now. It's on the bottom of my character sheet, but if you need it now, it is 554 gp, 4 gc, 4 cp, 16 gp.

Is there anything else I need to do? No rush on you; just want to make sure we aren't waiting on me. I think I submitted my character sheet right...

I was waiting for the site to figure out its own weirdness. You said the character sheet was there, but the site wasn't showing it. Now it has and I'm going over it. Looks pretty good at a glance. One thing we haven't worked out for your backstory is which ancestral spirits you have contacted, and what quests (if any) they have put you on. Hebrimite ancestors are gonna be pretty few and far between, since there's not many places they would have gone, but I might surprise you.

Here's how we'll do this. If you come up with the name, Birthright, and social status of this ancestor (including their relation to you, however indirect it may be), then I will come up with the Quest.

Or...

I come up with the name, Birthright, and social status, and you get to come up with the Quest.

The reward for that quest will always be something I decide, but there's your options.