-
NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
[OOC] A Game of Trust
- Thread starter Guilt Puppy
- Start date
.
doghead
thotd
My cup well and truelly runneth over.
OK. Xiao is back. Er wait a minute ... no that all right. Found him in the XPC folder.
I don't suppose anyone picked up his masterwork hvy crossbow? He left it on the bed. You couldn't miss it, ugly thing, all done up in scrollwork and gilt. Actually, I rather hope you didn't. Not to worry, he still has his masterwork recorder (which gives new meaning to the Furry of Blows attack).
GP, where do you want him XP and equipment wise?
thotd.
OK. Xiao is back. Er wait a minute ... no that all right. Found him in the XPC folder.
I don't suppose anyone picked up his masterwork hvy crossbow? He left it on the bed. You couldn't miss it, ugly thing, all done up in scrollwork and gilt. Actually, I rather hope you didn't. Not to worry, he still has his masterwork recorder (which gives new meaning to the Furry of Blows attack).
GP, where do you want him XP and equipment wise?
thotd.
Guilt Puppy
First Post
12500XP/4000GP is standard, but given that Xiao has some play behind him, I'll bump that up to 14000 XP / 4000 GP. No bump in the gold as I'm marginally worried that this might actually be higher than the current party average to begin with.
doghead
thotd
Hey GP, I seem to remember you wanting to see the characters at this time, so sblocked it just in case. I haven't even looked at the ic thread, so if you have any particular plans for Xiao's arrival, just let me know.
thotd.
[sblock]I've just finished reading over the Xiao's first appearance in the ic thread to get a feel for the character again. I was wondering if I could do a bit of fiddle with the skills. I won't change anything he used, but the original has Diplomacy and Concentration. Xiao was never really a smooth talker. Perceptive maybe, but not skilled with words. And what does a Monk need Concentration for anyways?
So I'd like to change them into Knowledge (religion) and Profession (accupuncture). They just seem more appropriate. Xiao spent the jouney in the paddle boats discussing religion with Hiritas, and the accupuncuture thing, well, it just seems kinda cool. I'll leave you to decide if it has any in game purpose.
As for equipment, I had hoped to snaffle a Periapt of Wisdom +2 for the AC bonus. But at 4,000gp, that would leave him with just the clothes he is standing in (humm...).
So ... ummm, a Ring of Protection (2000gp), a spyglass (1000gp) and a really nice coat should do it. The rest of the gear comes to about 600 gp, so that would be a really nice coat (a present from some prince who was having troble with ... well, anyway he was having some trouble and Xiao's needles seemed to do the trick although the real trick was in the mind but anyways he was grateful and gave Xiao this nice coat which Xiao had commented on cos of the Dragons and Xiao keeps it even if he is not sure he likes it), with silk embroidery depicting Dragons (Xiao's monastry was big on Dragons) and black pearl buttons.
Er, feel free to just allocate something if you want.
Xiao Yu
Human, Male, Monk 3
Medium humanoid (human)
XP 14,000
HD 5d8+10 (hp 41)
Initiative +3 ----- [+3 dex]
Movement 40 ft. --- [base 30 ft, +10 feat.]
AC 16 ------------- [+1 class, +2 Dex, +2 Wis, +1 armour]
* Touch 15, Flat Footed 14.
BAB/Grapple +3/+10.
* melee +6 Quarterstaff (1d6+3/1d6+3)
* melee +6 Unarmed Strike (1d8+3)
* range +6 Shuriken (1d4+3)
Special attacks:
* Flurry of Blows (extra attack, -1/-1, Full action)
* Ki Strike (magic)
Special Qualities:
* Evasion (Reflex save half damage to zero damage)
* Fast move (+10 ft when unarmoured and with light load)
* Still Mind: (+2 save vs Enchantments)
* Slow Fall (20 feet)
* Purity of Body (immunity to normal diseases)
Saves: Fort +6 [b4], Ref +6 [b4], Will +6 [b4]
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 10.
Alignment Lawful Neutral
Languages Middle Kingdom, Common.
Skills:
Skill points (4+2)*8 = 48
* Hide +6 -------------- [4 ranks, +2 dex]
* Kno(arcana) +5 ------- [4 ranks, +1 int]
* Kno(religion) +5 ----- [4 ranks, +1 int]
* Listen +8 ------------ [6 ranks, +2 wis]
* Move Silently +8 ----- [6 ranks, +2 dex]
* Per(recorder) +4 ----- [4 ranks, +0 cha]
* Pro(acupuncture) +6 -- [4 ranks, +2 wis]
* Sence Motive +8 ------ [6 ranks, +2 wis]
* Spot +6 -------------- [4 ranks, +2 wis]
* Tumble +8 ------------ [6 ranks, +2 dex]
Feats: Endurance, Combat Expertise, Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple, Deflect Arrows, Improved Disarm.
Equipment
Traveller Outfit, Ring of Protection +1 (2,000gp), Staff (0gp), 2 x Sai (2gp), 10 x Shuriken (2gp), Masterwork Recorder (300gp).
Backpack (2gp): [Blanket (5sp), WaterSkin (1gp), 4 x Trail Rations (2gp), Scroll Case (1gp) + 5 x Paper Sheets (2gp), Writing Kit (12gp), Healers Kit (50gp), Soap (5sp).]
Wealth
a few gp, some jade, some spices, no more tea.
Appearance
A little shorter and a little stockier than average, he wears a straw hat shaped like a wide upturned bowl and a knee length cloak that has no parting at the front.
When travelling, a staff will be found in his right hand and, sometimes, his hat in his left, revealing closely cropped black hair. On his back is a pack, from which hangs a heavy, and heavily decorated, crossbow. It is attached by a strip of cloth, knotted in such a way that would seem to allow quick removal.
Background
Xiao is a bastard. His father was a Merchant Explorer who arrived on their shores. For a year he and his crew lived amoung Xiao's people as they traded and filled their holds. He took a woman. Or she took him. The stories were unclear on that point. Evasive almost. The Merchant left. He took some artifacts from the shrine, but left the woman.
Xiao only vaguely remembers his mother. A wild, wonderful, dark, dangerous presence in his past. He was brought up by various aunts and uncles, but mostly by the monks at the shrine, where he spent most of his boyhood years.
He found out about the artifacts after he was accepted. He set off to find his father and return the artifacts some time after that.
[/sblock]
thotd.
[sblock]I've just finished reading over the Xiao's first appearance in the ic thread to get a feel for the character again. I was wondering if I could do a bit of fiddle with the skills. I won't change anything he used, but the original has Diplomacy and Concentration. Xiao was never really a smooth talker. Perceptive maybe, but not skilled with words. And what does a Monk need Concentration for anyways?
So I'd like to change them into Knowledge (religion) and Profession (accupuncture). They just seem more appropriate. Xiao spent the jouney in the paddle boats discussing religion with Hiritas, and the accupuncuture thing, well, it just seems kinda cool. I'll leave you to decide if it has any in game purpose.
As for equipment, I had hoped to snaffle a Periapt of Wisdom +2 for the AC bonus. But at 4,000gp, that would leave him with just the clothes he is standing in (humm...).
So ... ummm, a Ring of Protection (2000gp), a spyglass (1000gp) and a really nice coat should do it. The rest of the gear comes to about 600 gp, so that would be a really nice coat (a present from some prince who was having troble with ... well, anyway he was having some trouble and Xiao's needles seemed to do the trick although the real trick was in the mind but anyways he was grateful and gave Xiao this nice coat which Xiao had commented on cos of the Dragons and Xiao keeps it even if he is not sure he likes it), with silk embroidery depicting Dragons (Xiao's monastry was big on Dragons) and black pearl buttons.
Er, feel free to just allocate something if you want.
Xiao Yu
Human, Male, Monk 3
Medium humanoid (human)
XP 14,000
HD 5d8+10 (hp 41)
Initiative +3 ----- [+3 dex]
Movement 40 ft. --- [base 30 ft, +10 feat.]
AC 16 ------------- [+1 class, +2 Dex, +2 Wis, +1 armour]
* Touch 15, Flat Footed 14.
BAB/Grapple +3/+10.
* melee +6 Quarterstaff (1d6+3/1d6+3)
* melee +6 Unarmed Strike (1d8+3)
* range +6 Shuriken (1d4+3)
Special attacks:
* Flurry of Blows (extra attack, -1/-1, Full action)
* Ki Strike (magic)
Special Qualities:
* Evasion (Reflex save half damage to zero damage)
* Fast move (+10 ft when unarmoured and with light load)
* Still Mind: (+2 save vs Enchantments)
* Slow Fall (20 feet)
* Purity of Body (immunity to normal diseases)
Saves: Fort +6 [b4], Ref +6 [b4], Will +6 [b4]
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 10.
Alignment Lawful Neutral
Languages Middle Kingdom, Common.
Skills:
Skill points (4+2)*8 = 48
* Hide +6 -------------- [4 ranks, +2 dex]
* Kno(arcana) +5 ------- [4 ranks, +1 int]
* Kno(religion) +5 ----- [4 ranks, +1 int]
* Listen +8 ------------ [6 ranks, +2 wis]
* Move Silently +8 ----- [6 ranks, +2 dex]
* Per(recorder) +4 ----- [4 ranks, +0 cha]
* Pro(acupuncture) +6 -- [4 ranks, +2 wis]
* Sence Motive +8 ------ [6 ranks, +2 wis]
* Spot +6 -------------- [4 ranks, +2 wis]
* Tumble +8 ------------ [6 ranks, +2 dex]
Feats: Endurance, Combat Expertise, Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple, Deflect Arrows, Improved Disarm.
Equipment
Traveller Outfit, Ring of Protection +1 (2,000gp), Staff (0gp), 2 x Sai (2gp), 10 x Shuriken (2gp), Masterwork Recorder (300gp).
Backpack (2gp): [Blanket (5sp), WaterSkin (1gp), 4 x Trail Rations (2gp), Scroll Case (1gp) + 5 x Paper Sheets (2gp), Writing Kit (12gp), Healers Kit (50gp), Soap (5sp).]
Wealth
a few gp, some jade, some spices, no more tea.
Appearance
A little shorter and a little stockier than average, he wears a straw hat shaped like a wide upturned bowl and a knee length cloak that has no parting at the front.
When travelling, a staff will be found in his right hand and, sometimes, his hat in his left, revealing closely cropped black hair. On his back is a pack, from which hangs a heavy, and heavily decorated, crossbow. It is attached by a strip of cloth, knotted in such a way that would seem to allow quick removal.
Background
Xiao is a bastard. His father was a Merchant Explorer who arrived on their shores. For a year he and his crew lived amoung Xiao's people as they traded and filled their holds. He took a woman. Or she took him. The stories were unclear on that point. Evasive almost. The Merchant left. He took some artifacts from the shrine, but left the woman.
Xiao only vaguely remembers his mother. A wild, wonderful, dark, dangerous presence in his past. He was brought up by various aunts and uncles, but mostly by the monks at the shrine, where he spent most of his boyhood years.
He found out about the artifacts after he was accepted. He set off to find his father and return the artifacts some time after that.
[/sblock]
Guilt Puppy
First Post
Sorry for the absence. Been having off weeks more frequently than I'd like, of late.
dpdx: Since I forgot the reply the last time I posted, I should mention that I agree re: benching Niccolo and Aerda (I haven't seen wings on AIM in a while, which is a good sign that he's legitimately not around)... I'm hesitant, because they're both links to the start of the game (especially Niccolo), but I'm definitely not up to the task of fully auto-piloting either character. I'm just waiting for a good spot to leave them in (somewhere from which they can reasonably get back in with the party at a future time).
Part of why I haven't done it sooner is the worry that it might be imposing too much on you -- being the sole bearer of the game's continuity isn't necessarily a huge burden, but it could easily be perceived as one. Since you brought it up, I'll assume it's not a problem (and hopefully it won't become a problem now that I've mentioned it.
)
doghead: Only running two NPCs at the moment, one of whom I actually quite like running (and may be able to pawn off as a cohort once I get tired of that), and one of whom I may start to like running again. Besides which, I just want Xiao back. I liked him.
Regarding looking over characters, I was referring to histories rather than statblocks, and even then only generally... Basically, I just want to make sure that the character's introduction doesn't break anything in the setting.
With that in mind, here's my thoughts for Xiao's re-introduction:
[sblock]
Not sure how much of the recent IC events you've read, but recently the party came through a town that was under cold siege by orcs... A small group stationed in town, with a hostage, and others positioned somewhere outside of town, poised to attack.
When they arrived, they heard mention that the townsfolk had sent out to Eivanrach to hire some muscle to fight out the orcs. I think it would work quite well if Xiao ended up among those hired... He could easily find out about the party's passage through the town, and take it as a sign of sorts that he should rejoin them.
As for why he travelled across the mountains, I can think of a few reasons... Let me know how you feel about the above, and what ideas you might have on your own, before I expound any further.
[/sblock]
dpdx: Since I forgot the reply the last time I posted, I should mention that I agree re: benching Niccolo and Aerda (I haven't seen wings on AIM in a while, which is a good sign that he's legitimately not around)... I'm hesitant, because they're both links to the start of the game (especially Niccolo), but I'm definitely not up to the task of fully auto-piloting either character. I'm just waiting for a good spot to leave them in (somewhere from which they can reasonably get back in with the party at a future time).
Part of why I haven't done it sooner is the worry that it might be imposing too much on you -- being the sole bearer of the game's continuity isn't necessarily a huge burden, but it could easily be perceived as one. Since you brought it up, I'll assume it's not a problem (and hopefully it won't become a problem now that I've mentioned it.
)doghead: Only running two NPCs at the moment, one of whom I actually quite like running (and may be able to pawn off as a cohort once I get tired of that), and one of whom I may start to like running again. Besides which, I just want Xiao back. I liked him.
Regarding looking over characters, I was referring to histories rather than statblocks, and even then only generally... Basically, I just want to make sure that the character's introduction doesn't break anything in the setting.
With that in mind, here's my thoughts for Xiao's re-introduction:
[sblock]
Not sure how much of the recent IC events you've read, but recently the party came through a town that was under cold siege by orcs... A small group stationed in town, with a hostage, and others positioned somewhere outside of town, poised to attack.
When they arrived, they heard mention that the townsfolk had sent out to Eivanrach to hire some muscle to fight out the orcs. I think it would work quite well if Xiao ended up among those hired... He could easily find out about the party's passage through the town, and take it as a sign of sorts that he should rejoin them.
As for why he travelled across the mountains, I can think of a few reasons... Let me know how you feel about the above, and what ideas you might have on your own, before I expound any further.
[/sblock]
doghead
thotd
Guilt Puppy said:
Just in the process of emerging from the DM doldrums myself, I know what you mean.
Xiao it is. That's no problem at this end.
[sblock]I've scanned over the last couple of pages of the IC thread, but didn't read it closely. To be honest, no particularly clever way into the game sprang to mind. I could see Xiao joining on to help out a town. Particularly if he is broke.
I don't even really have a good idea to explain why he left. The best I can think of right now is a dream in which honoured ancestor grandfather that told him to he had to go. I am still tempted to go with the Periapt of Wisdom +2, leaving him with just the clothes he wears and perhaps a quarterstaff (ie, broke). Losing his recorder and the writing kit would hurt however. Perhaps finding the Periapt was the reason for leaving, although it's not really that significant an item.
I had a look at the map you made (nice, BTW), but wasn't familier enough with the names to find where we were, and where the party is now. Does the map cover the whole 'world' or just the area of play now? Some ideas on why he crossed the mountains would be good, they may spark something.[/sblock]
Guilt Puppy
First Post
Note to all: I've updated the first post in this thread with links to all the maps currently available. I should also mention that I apparently goofed on the locations of the Tourne letters, and need to update the big map at some point (technically the mistake was in the Tourne map, as I ended up sizing the empire smaller than I'd originally intended, but it's just much easier to change the world map )
doghead:
[sblock]
On the continental map, they're in the region marked "Free Cities", having just crossed over the mountains from Bethel. On the map of the Free Cities, they've travelled from Eivanrach through Emmethrach and are now somewhere between there and the Glades of Sesphar. Hopefully that's enough info to sort things out, and not so much that it just adds to the confusion
As for why he'd head over the mountains, if he'd stayed at Yattro's station for a while, he would have encountered another group of travellers. Reclusive sorts, but oddly interested in what sort of people had passed through recently -- enough to arouse suspicion. Out of some concern for his former companions, he may have chosen to tail them as they crossed the mountains. Despite some difficulty in following their tracks, he eventually finds the group, but dead, victims of an apparent ambush. By this point, most of the way across the mountains himself, it would make sense just to continue forward.
Reaching Eivanrach, near penniless, he'd be quite inclined to take the orc job, as you said. He completes that, hears that his former companions have passed through, and takes it as an indication that perhaps his path is more the same as theirs than he had previously thought. Following that thought, he eventually manages to catch up with the party.
Anyway, that's one line of reasoning / sequence of events that could explain his return. Feel free to add or omit whatever you like, just let me know about any significant details which might have an impact on the setting. Definitely let me know if you do decide to take the orc job, as I think there will be some questions the party will have for you if you do, and it'll look better if I try to fill you in on the answers beforehand.[/sblock]
)doghead:
[sblock]
On the continental map, they're in the region marked "Free Cities", having just crossed over the mountains from Bethel. On the map of the Free Cities, they've travelled from Eivanrach through Emmethrach and are now somewhere between there and the Glades of Sesphar. Hopefully that's enough info to sort things out, and not so much that it just adds to the confusion
As for why he'd head over the mountains, if he'd stayed at Yattro's station for a while, he would have encountered another group of travellers. Reclusive sorts, but oddly interested in what sort of people had passed through recently -- enough to arouse suspicion. Out of some concern for his former companions, he may have chosen to tail them as they crossed the mountains. Despite some difficulty in following their tracks, he eventually finds the group, but dead, victims of an apparent ambush. By this point, most of the way across the mountains himself, it would make sense just to continue forward.
Reaching Eivanrach, near penniless, he'd be quite inclined to take the orc job, as you said. He completes that, hears that his former companions have passed through, and takes it as an indication that perhaps his path is more the same as theirs than he had previously thought. Following that thought, he eventually manages to catch up with the party.
Anyway, that's one line of reasoning / sequence of events that could explain his return. Feel free to add or omit whatever you like, just let me know about any significant details which might have an impact on the setting. Definitely let me know if you do decide to take the orc job, as I think there will be some questions the party will have for you if you do, and it'll look better if I try to fill you in on the answers beforehand.
[/sblock]