Redclaw's Eyes of the Lich Queen (Eberron Adventure) (Recruiting Closed)

[Creamsteak]

The only problem I see with Creamsteak's idea (and it is funny ) is that it makes him famous and well known, not the group.

The perspective I wanted to go for with the above was that the "leader" is a face man... if only because he yells the loudest. It's really the rest of the group that makes sure the job gets done. They would have done equally infamous things without Drakhed, he just happens to have made himself into a mascot... and not one most of them are particularly proud of.

I would assume that the "errands" that you mentioned would be rather unlawful (which I'm fine with), but was curious as to if it would be viewed as good or evil?

My plan was lawful or chaotic good for the character in my head, but he works alongside some much darker individuals that are more focused on getting the job done and making the next big score. As said above, I'm going for the mixed bag angle.

They are lizardfold, but we would be basically killing them for money. I just wanted to know how the city would feel about that.

The locals in Adderport or Newthrone might appreciate it. Maybe the quest to slay the lizardfolk was more complicated than initially thought. The riedrans (who are by proxy servants of the dreaming dark) have a strong hold in Q'barra. It could be that even though we were attacking the lizardfolk, we were really dealing a blow against the riedrans that were trading for their dragonshards. That way you get the best of both worlds: the greedy self-interested mercenaries get their money and such, while the 'good guys' got to put down a few inspired shocktroopers and screw with the riedrans merchant plans.

 

[OnlytheStrong]

Thanks for answering my questions so fast. I appreciate the clarifications.

 

[WakkaWakka]

That's a damn funny story - a rare sight nowadays .
You know, it's not like we can do anything but join arms with that guild.
They are the only who have understood the one-upsmanship logic of goblins and lizards (so much that some goblin tried to muck them up - just look at the sign!), that caused the attacks on the locals. All that to cater to riedran favor.
Our quest will never end, until we can stop the masterminds...

By the way, OtS, that doesn't make only CS famous and well known - it also makes him famous and well known.
We are the ones that saved the day (...) against the goblins, he's campaigning to stop the lizardmen - and now, as we find that there is a greater threat before us both...
All right, he's doing his own PR campaign... but heroes can rely on bards for that!

 

[Redclaw]

The story is a bit centered on the individual, and that's something that I would want to consider very carefully. While the humor is great, my concern would be that playing Drekhad true to character could easily have a negative impact on the other players' enjoyment. I'm currently playing in CS's Red Hand of Doom game, and I trust that he would mitigate that effect, but Drekhad doesn't read as much of a team player as written, so I understand OtS's concern.
On the other hand, there's plenty of room in CS's story for other characters to tell their side of the team's accomplishments. My guess is that it would be a bit different from their "leader's".

Psychic Renewal is fine. In fact, it seems perfectly in keeping with a Kalashtar crusader.

 

[Creamsteak]

Looking it over, Crusaders really seem to build themselves. Very limited choices, and a lot of abilities overlap in purpose.

 

[WakkaWakka]

You noticed too?
Few feats, few manouvers from fewer schools... some things may change, but a crusader really has his job cut for him - he defends the party, probably the only one to have the tools to do it well.
The feats can specialize him more (think about Standstill or Mage Slayer, or Extra Smite and the various possible tactical feats at level 6) but still it will take only a moment, after we finish brainstorming for the background (and the dm makes his choice) and find out from which books we can pick, to choose them, (Stone Power and Extra Granted Manouver look too tasty not to take, for me at least... that leaves only 1 feat to choose - for a human)

 

[Voda Vosa]

My character roll would be of a guardian statue, saying little things in the turning moments.

 

[Nazhkandrias]

OK, this looks like it should be fun! Hmm, I know that I'm already playing another Bard in Hollow's Last Hope, but, for whatever reason, I love the class. Now, one thing I'd like to know - will this be a fairly social campaign, or just a bunch of adventuring in dank dungeons? If the former is true, then I'll be thinking of going into the Dragonmark Heir PrC at level 6, and putting a good bit of focus on social interaction, especially with the Houses. If not, I can just go straight kick-in-the-door-style Bard party buffer. So, I introduce... Kayla, Half-Elven Bard of House Lyrandar!

Name: Kayla
Gender: Female
Race: Half-Elf
Class: Bard 5
House: House Lyrandar (Dragonmarked with Mark of Storm). Kayla isn’t particularly well known outside of the house, and she has achieved much of her in-house status through her talents in negotiation, though her personal charm and musical abilities have swayed earned a few favors, as well.
Skill Selection: Primarily Charisma-based / social interaction skills, with a few Dexterity-based thrown in for personal benefit.
Feat Selection: Primarily social feats, such as Favored In House, along with Dragonmark feats, such as Least Dragonmark. I might take Haunting Melody later.
Advancement: Probably into Dragonmark Heir, but if this won't work, I'll just go straight Bard.

Variant Rules
Racial Substitution: I was hoping to use the Half-Elf Bard racial substitution from Races of Destiny. Basically, I sub out Countersong for Soothing Voice, which uses a Diplomacy check as a save DC for Calm Emotions against one target. At 6th level, Suggestion is replaced with Command.
Variant Class Feature: Replace Bardic Knowledge with Bardic Knack (PH2), to symbolize her quick thinking and adaptability in trying situations. In short, I am treated as having at least half my Bard level in ranks for all skills (but Trained Only still need at least one rank), but not when qualifying for anything.

Synopsis of Party Role: She will more or less be specialized in social interaction and versatility in almost any situation, and will be extremely skill-heavy. And, naturally, Bardic Music buffs, as well, with a little archery thrown in on the side.

Now, as for an idea of party origin... I gotta say, I like Creamsteak's one. I'm thinking that maybe my character somehow got (forcibly) locked into helping out the party/guild through some sort of deal that House Lyrandar made? This would fit fairly well with the Guild idea, since an organization would make more sense than some random group of people. As such, I wouldn't REALLY want to be there, allowing much room for exasperation and smarmy remarks.

Thinking about an alternate party origin idea… Hmm, seems like most of the good ones have been taken. Personally, I could work fairly well within the confines of any one of them.

 

[Redclaw]

A bard would certainly fit either storyline, and could be a huge asset in the party. I'm fine with the racial substitution levels and the bardic knack. Don't forget that you can't take 10 when using BK, however. I'll need the details on the substitution levels, as I don't own RoD.

As for the social opportunitites in the story, there are certainly a good number of chances for interaction, but most of the activity is removed from the influence of the Houses, so Dragonmarked Heir might lose a bit of its appeal.

 

[OnlytheStrong]

Is there any kind of trick involving racial sub levels that I should know? If I make a ranger I think will use some of them. I was just curious as to if they were as straightforwards as it seems.