OoC Thread - Strife in Sokara - A solo game for Brother Shatterstone

[Jarval]

I agree totally and we should probably designate what forest Brystasia is from first and then chose a larger city from there.

Looking at the map it looks like the "forest of the forsaken", "Icicle woods", "forest of woes" or the "forest of remorse."

wow these people have some unhappy trees.

I'd recommend either the Forest of the Forsaken or the Forest of Larun (the clump of trees just north of Old Sokar on your map). Both have a reputation of being the home of the fey and other strange creatures, and both put you reasonably close to some major cities.

The Forest of Woes and the Forest of Remorse are a bit outside of the area I'm intending to run the game in, at least to start. I'm going to be focusing mainly on Harkun (the continent at the centre top of the map), at least until Brystasia feels like doing some seafaring.

As for the unhappy trees, I guess all the happy ones must have been cut down. Deforestation's a bugger...

 

[Jarval]

Wild Empathy, its much more nymph like and I just don't see the need for a better bonus to charisma checks. (BTW: I do this allot, reinventing the wheel)

Hey, no problem. We're getting a better class by you doing it, and you're saving me some work. That's got to be good

I'd rather start Brystasia off once she's finished her training. I want to have her start out by herself, then perhaps gradually (or if we're more realistic, very quickly) attract other people to go along with her.

I figure she could be finishing her one-year of training with a fellow aesthete but if you would rather incorporate that into the game we can back track some. (I have no issue with a more "powerful" NPC helping.)

Note: I know I'm flopping around on her background, but once I know how we will start I can, and will, work backwards with few changes to the game. (Maybe their be a long term goal but those are always good)

On a related note, how do you want me to handle the game? Do you want me to have an overarching meta-plot in place, and constantly confront you with adventures, or do you want to drive things forwards more yourself, having Brystasia's own actions make the game move? I'm good with either option (or a combination of the two), so really it's more a matter of what you're looking for in the game.

Indeed, I would imagine that the order looks upon her almost a prodigy and then maybe as something more.

Pretty much my own thinking. She's one of a kind, at least in the eyes of Aymara's clergy.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

I'd recommend either the Forest of the Forsaken or the Forest of Larun (the clump of trees just north of Old Sokar on your map). Both have a reputation of being the home of the fey and other strange creatures, and both put you reasonably close to some major cities.

Well I will assume that Sokar needs some beaufty in its time of need so lets go with the Forest of Larun.

I'm going to be focusing mainly on Harkun (the continent at the centre top of the map), at least until Brystasia feels like doing some seafaring.

Oh I totally understand and that will be awesome. I know its off topic but this nothing more awesome than the ocean with 6 foot seas on a cloudless pitch-black night. You'll simply see stars you've never seen before. Of course in a world without the light contamination we have now one would not have to go to sea to see them... The sounds of the waves help too.

As for the unhappy trees, I guess all the happy ones must have been cut down. Deforestation's a bugger...

*LOL*

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Hey, no problem. We're getting a better class by you doing it, and you're saving me some work. That's got to be good

Well I'm not trying to take your job from you... I'm glad you like it though.

I'd rather start Brystasia off once she's finished her training. I want to have her start out by herself, then perhaps gradually (or if we're more realistic, very quickly) attract other people to go along with her.

That sounds like a wonderful idea and plan. (It's a good thing we are not doing 2nd edition or she would a small army in short work.

I wonder how well the "boys" will treat each other when Brystasia isn't around... This will be fun.

Do you want a list of classes and such that I think would help the most?

On a related note, how do you want me to handle the game? Do you want me to have an overarching meta-plot in place, and constantly confront you with adventures, or do you want to drive things forwards more yourself, having Brystasia's own actions make the game move? I'm good with either option (or a combination of the two), so really it's more a matter of what you're looking for in the game.

A combination of the two... She should do well enough in both types of adventures and I definitely want her to be part of the grand scheme of things, aka the meta-plot but I also imagine that she could and will be distracted by more simple things. (if that makes sense.)

Pretty much my own thinking. She's one of a kind, at least in the eyes of Aymara's clergy.

Great.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

FYI: Apperance and Personity. Let me know if you see anything that doesn't mess well with Aymara or what you plan for the game.

Appearance
Brystasia is physically a goddess among mortals with flawless ivory skin and long wavy blonde hair that is just as fair. When adventuring Brystasia wears her golden hair up and out of her eyes in various styles that enhances her graceful neck. When not adventuring Brystasia more often that not prefers to wear her hair long but this is often decided upon the social events. Brystasia is often mistaken as half elven for her ears are come to a slight point even though she would be extremely tall for a half elf and is fairly tall for a human.

Brystasia prefers adventuring to the life of a maiden at a noble’s court but she often travels with the item needed to make a formal appearance in court. This includes two formal gowns; and more than a few “simpler” dress for day-to-day use. Both gowns and dresses change often as she receives numerous gowns as gifts, and upon retiring the older gowns gives them to the poor where they are auctioned off for money.

While adventuring Brystasia wears a tight and form fitting mithral chain shirt minus the headgear with a vestment of purest white over the armor. The vestment features the holy symbol of Aymara, a sliver lyre, predominantly on the center of her bust. Just like Aymara, she prefers the lightblade and also plays the lyre and even with adventuring her lyre is always with her.

Personality
Brystasia’s beauty is not just skin deep as her soul is just as bright and glorious. She often donates her time and money to the poor just because she honestly enjoys making others feel better. Her only flaw is that beautiful things, be it clothing, jewelry, art, and to a certain stint food distract her as she loves to indulge in them but even this might not be a true flaw when it comes to one who worships Aymara. She believes that the love that Aymara inspires and desires is two fold one should love and respect everyone and one simply shouldn’t do this for only a select one. This has lead her to be rather inactive with lovers for a worshipper of Aymara but with the inherent fickleness that comes from her mother’s heritage it’s probably for the better. Always seeing the beautify in the world Brystasia is optimistic and happy and all find her to be a joy to be around.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

FYI: Background. again let me know if anything clashes or if you want something added.

Background:
Brystasia grew up normal even though her childhood was anything other than normal as her mother was a nymph and her father was simply a human. This type of union is exceedingly rare but an offspring from such a union is even rarer and some would say that it tales the intervention of a deity for such miracles to happen. Rather or not this is the case Brystasia grew up never know her father and the few men that she did come in contact with where simply their for there and her mothers needs.

As a young child she would often ask her mother about her father and her mother would tell her tales of this most wonderful of men’s adventures s she would try to fall asleep only to dream of them. As came of age she realized the falsehoods in her mother’s tales as her father’s appearance would be inconsistent and hardly ever the same from story to story. He might be tall with long brown hair to short with the most piercing of green eyes but she came to realize that her mother didn’t truly remember her father.

As one would suspect this had a profound impact upon her and she soon told her mother of her plans to track her father down. Her mother more worried than she ever had been, as she realized the complications that her half fey daughter would have in the world, begged her to stay in the forest that was home and reluctantly Brystasia put her desires behind her but it was only a matter of time before a calling from a higher being began to affect her dreams.

The dreams where Brystasia call from Aymara to fallow the her destiny. Her mother realizing that her daughter could never stay simply in the forest now reluctantly gave her the two gifts that Brystasia’s father had giving her so long ago. One was a poem, and not necessary a good one, about the beauty of a single tree in the forest and the other was a small, but elegant in its simple design, locket with a single heart-shaped sapphire in it’s center.

With these two items she set out looking for her destiny and her father.

 

[Jarval]

Well I will assume that Sokar needs some beaufty in its time of need so lets go with the Forest of Larun.

Works for me It's worth noting that not all Fey are sweetness and light, so the Forest of Larun has it's fair share of dangers (for normal mortals, at least). Oh, and I'll post a bit more information about Sokara's two cities tomorrow.

Oh I totally understand and that will be awesome. I know its off topic but this nothing more awesome than the ocean with 6 foot seas on a cloudless pitch-black night. You'll simply see stars you've never seen before. Of course in a world without the light contamination we have now one would not have to go to sea to see them... The sounds of the waves help too.

Sounds great Astronomy is one of my hobbies, so I'm well aware of light pollution. Of course, I live out in the countryside, so fortunately it's not much of a problem for me. Still, I can imagine that being out on a ship really does remove it all. Even living fifteen miles from the nearest city, you still get a fair glow on the horizon...

That sounds like a wonderful idea and plan. (It's a good thing we are not doing 2nd edition or she would a small army in short work.

No kidding there! Of course, with Brystasia's Charisma and the Leadership feat, it wouldn't take too long to get to the same kind of levels... Maybe I shouldn't be giving you ideas like that...

I wonder how well the "boys" will treat each other when Brystasia isn't around... This will be fun.

Let's just say I'm planning on there being some inter-party tension...

Do you want a list of classes and such that I think would help the most?

Sure, go ahead. I'm not saying I'll stick to it, but it'll give me some guidelines to work with.

A combination of the two... She should do well enough in both types of adventures and I definitely want her to be part of the grand scheme of things, aka the meta-plot but I also imagine that she could and will be distracted by more simple things. (if that makes sense.)

That's what I was hoping you'd say I've got a grand scheme of things roughly planned out, and it should catch Brystasia's interest just fine.

Appearance, Personality and Background all look good to me. It all seems to fit well with the setting, and I can't see any issues. I think you've set things up quite nicely with her personality, balancing the flow of gifts with constant charity.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Works for me It's worth noting that not all Fey are sweetness and light, so the Forest of Larun has it's fair share of dangers (for normal mortals, at least).

I know... I have a vile one too.

Still, I can imagine that being out on a ship really does remove it all. Even living fifteen miles from the nearest city, you still get a fair glow on the horizon...

especially a combat ship since they don't run with lights on out in the middle of the ocean.

No kidding there! Of course, with Brystasia's Charisma and the Leadership feat, it wouldn't take too long to get to the same kind of levels... Maybe I shouldn't be giving you ideas like that...

No it's completely okay as it’s an interesting idea to think about but one that I simply never see happening. A favoured soul is sort of a loner that travels allot and as the template stats, or at least one of them does, not to many half-nymphs ever leave the forest do to the serious pain civilization can be when it comes to flocking around beauty.

Now if she got that feat she would have followers to deal with, and lets face reality as who wouldn’t want to be her follower? So there would be no escaping the flocking. Plus Brystasia is a free spirit and who wants to be tied down like that?

Let's just say I'm planning on there being some inter-party tension...

sweet can't wait.

Sure, go ahead. I'm not saying I'll stick to it, but it'll give me some guidelines to work with.

Theirs really only one and its the sort of cohort I thought I would eventual take with the original Brystasia... (before I talked myself out of it, see above post.)

That's what I was hoping you'd say I've got a grand scheme of things roughly planned out, and it should catch Brystasia's interest just fine.

Sweet as I said I can't wait.

Appearance, Personality and Background all look good to me. It all seems to fit well with the setting, and I can't see any issues. I think you've set things up quite nicely with her personality, balancing the flow of gifts with constant charity.

Well she's not that strong of a women, physically at least, and clothes gain weight quickly... So the charity will continue in till she finds a portable hole and then she might let her wardroom expand some. (I'm kidding, I like how it works out plus I can't imagine the face of the suitors when their "perfect" gift is handed over with much delight to a bagwoman. ("Did she even like it???")

What kind of clothes does she need? Like for winter, desert, and other extreme temperatures.

How often do you worry about food and water consumption? (Only when dire, like stranded on a desert island, or everyday?)

I’m just wondering how much to stress the stuff in her backpack.

I'm doing those feats right now, the divine one, if you dislike them.... a) ouch! and b) I'll want to swap out power attack.

EDIT: Feats where sent in an email... I didn't want to take a chance that someone would be mad. I figure we could discuss them here.

Also I sent my character idea, which class related material also.

EDIT 2: My equipment, give or take giving the need for mundane equipment.

Mithral Chain Shirt 1,100
Lyre, Masterwork 100
Lightblade, Masterwork 400
Thinblade, Masterwork 350
Buckler, Masterwork 160
Longbow, Composite, Masterwork, (Mighty +1) 500

90 GP left

Besides that I think I'm game to go!

Though you might want to make an RG thread. At least for me, maybe my comrades though their character sheets could only have what I need to know and nothing more.

 

[Jarval]

No it's completely okay as it’s an interesting idea to think about but one that I simply never see happening. A favoured soul is sort of a loner that travels allot and as the template stats, or at least one of them does, not to many half-nymphs ever leave the forest do to the serious pain civilization can be when it comes to flocking around beauty.

Now if she got that feat she would have followers to deal with, and lets face reality as who wouldn’t want to be her follower? So there would be no escaping the flocking. Plus Brystasia is a free spirit and who wants to be tied down like that?

Just because you're not taking the Leadership feat, don't think that Brystasia won't attract a few hangers-on They'll just be less obedient than followers...

Theirs really only one and its the sort of cohort I thought I would eventual take with the original Brystasia... (before I talked myself out of it, see above post.)

I'm quite taken with the Hestia character. I could see her fitting into the game quite nicely, although I think the Healer class is somewhat redundant given we've got the White Hands of Morwyn PrC (BotR, p 80) in the game. I'd rather represent Hestia as a cleric of Morwyn with the Healing and Protection domains if you want her to stick to the healer image. Another PrC that stuck me as possibly appropriate for Hestia is the Apostle of Peace (BoED, p 51), although the Vows of Nonviolent and Peace might be rather restrictive. The Cloistered Cleric variant (UA, p 50) could also work, especially if Hestia is going to be another follower of Aymara.

What kind of clothes does she need? Like for winter, desert, and other extreme temperatures.

Just standard clothes, at least for the start of the game. Sokara and Golnir are both temperate climates, and I'm planning on the in-game season being early autumn when we start. Of course, if you end up going anywhere else, you might need the right gear, but for now a standard explorer's outfit should do the trick.

How often do you worry about food and water consumption? (Only when dire, like stranded on a desert island, or everyday?)

Again, I'm not too bothered about food and water while you're in civilized territory. But if you head out into the wilderness, I'll start counting food and water on a day-to-day basis.

I’m just wondering how much to stress the stuff in her backpack.

I'd suggest having some mundane gear with you. I'm not going to sweat the small stuff too much, but if, for example, you don't have a rope listed on your character sheet, you won't have one if you need one.

I'm doing those feats right now, the divine one, if you dislike them.... a) ouch! and b) I'll want to swap out power attack.

EDIT: Feats where sent in an email... I didn't want to take a chance that someone would be mad. I figure we could discuss them here.

I like all of Divine Might, Divine Shield, Divine Vigour and Sacred Vengeance. You're not always going to run into undead, so I like there being other potential uses for the ability. Improved Buckler Defence looks fine as well, it's exactly the sort of ability I'd expect a feat to give.

I'm not tremendously fond of the concept of style feat, but I don't really mind if you want to use the Crescent Moon style. Adding the lightblade and thinblade to the list of weapons it works with is no problem, as they seem designed to be paired in that fashion anyway.

While we're talking about the thinblade and lightblade, I'd like to ask you a question. The stats you sent me for them are as follows:

Lightblade, Elven: This rapierlike weapon is the size of a short sword, but weighs only as much as a dagger. Dexterous elf fighters and rogues favor it. Its thin, flexible blade slips easily into the seams of armor or between the ribs of a foe. Some elf nobles carry a lightblade-often decorated with intricate filigree and tiny gemstones-as a sign of their station, even if they aren't proficient in its use.

100 GP, Dmg (M) 1d8, 18-20/x2 3 lbs. Piercing


Thinblade, Elven: This rapierlike weapon is the size of a longsword, but much lighter. Dexterous elf fighters and rogues favor it. Its thin, flexible blade slips easily into the seams of armor, or between the ribs of an enemy.

You can use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier to attack rolls with an elven thinblade.

50 GP, Dmg (m) 1d6, 18-20/x2 1 lbs. Piercing

These don't make all that much sense to me. The lightblade's description specifically says that it only weighs as much as a dagger, but you've got the weight listed as 3 lbs. Given the general descriptions and the picture of the two weapons you e-mailed me, I think the stat blocks for the two weapons have been switched around.

Though you might want to make an RG thread. At least for me, maybe my comrades though their character sheets could only have what I need to know and nothing more.

Good thinking. I'll get one up and running this evening

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

stupid double post.