The City of Requiem: Background and Story Discussion

[Thrarn Iranorn]

Do we know what the items do? We should probably figure that out before we decide where they are going.

The items are two +2 Longbows, and a Minor Ring of Fire Resistance.
I will pitch in the 375 for identifying them, and the rest of you can come up with the 174gp to appraisel.

Creamsteak, I dont mind keeping a log in the Rogues Gallery. Will at least try and see how things go.

 

[NarlethDrider]

I'll get things going in the next couple days. I think I'm still waiting on the player of the half-ogre to post. What I'm going to do before we start is split this thread off into an OOC thread and the actual backgrounds. I will then merge the backgrounds with the Rogues Gallery. After that's tidied up, I'll create the first In character thread, which will be the prelude for the adventure.

I'll (the half-ogre) will be up & going tonight sorry for the delay.
BTW, how much more for the gear that must be 'large size' cost?

 

[Breezly]

This is also how I plan to award auxillary experience so that progression picks up through the game, since play by post is so slow. Anyone have any opinions against that?

Sounds like a plan. I am up for it. It really makes the game if a good journal exists. I have been playing in a PbEM game for over 4 years and the journal is up to almost 600 pages by my estimate. It reads like a book so it is fun to go back and say, 'Cool, remember when this happened!'

I will do my best to keep up with it.

Breezly

 

[Breezly]

The items are two +2 Longbows, and a Minor Ring of Fire Resistance.
I will pitch in the 375 for identifying them, and the rest of you can come up with the 174gp to appraisel.

I have only around 19gp to my name at the moment, so I will pitch in what I can, though we may want to try and get the appraisal done against the value of the sale. Or, appraise one, sell it then use that to offset the other costs.

Breezly

 

[Breezly]

Also, as a group, I'd like to know your in character reactions to the speach from the traveling wizard. It would help me see your characters angle on the adventure.

Finneas listened to the stranger's tale with wide eyes and knowing nods. Enraptured with the tale of secrets in the jungles, HIS jungles captivated him.

'I have seen some ruins in the jungles!', Finneas throws in at what he feels is a proper time. There is a hint of vindication in his voice as if the doubts of his parents and friends is somehow washed away with this stranger's tales.

To himself Finneas thinks as the stranger continues, 'Ghosts? Elves? Devil-plants? Surely I did not see such things. But, perhaps I did not know what I was seeing. Truly such things exist in my jungle? The wonders of it!'

Finneas' wide eyes do not waver from the stranger as he tells his tale. He looks at the others captivated by the man's talk.

'Did he say Titans? On Tanil's Salvation? In my jungle? What is a Phylactric Vault? Should I ask...no', Finneas thinks in his mind. Not wanting to look the fool, he simply nods as if he understands all of this.

'Truly an amazing tale', Finneas adds at the end of the telling. 'I have seen strange things in the jungle so what you say rings with some truth. Though what it means is beyond me. I have spent my life wandering the jungles. My friends thought me foolish in my retelling of what I had seen. That you go so much further then I could have dreamed gives me some satisfaction. What of this riddle? What does it mean? Are we in danger? What can we do?'

It is at this point that Finneas stops talking as he realizes that in his excitement his questions came rapid-fire and spoke of little experience and adventurer-polish. Sitting straight in his chair and sipping his ale, he looks to the others for their reaction. Though the ring captures his attnetion once it is laid before the group.

Breezly

 

[GnomeWorks]

Also, as a group, I'd like to know your in character reactions to the speach from the traveling wizard. It would help me see your characters angle on the adventure.

Samahtar, though appearing inattentive, listens carefully to the one speaking. He remains seperate from the others listening, hiding in a corner where few would notice.

The place he describes... could it be a remnant of the Slarecian civilization? This place is far enough away from the mainland... this could have been an outpost, or base of operations, of some kind.

Signs of a titanic struggle? Much devastation and destruction? If there were a battle between a titan and an 'ancient race', I would guess that it was the Slarecians taking down one of the titans in their conquest. If that is the case, then this is a great find, indeed!

But a plant-like demon? Could that have any relation to the Slarecians? I rather doubt it... unless he mistook a ghoul for such a creature, but that, too, is unlikely. No, the creature must have moved in since the Slarecians left this place. That would make sense.

And that riddle... that sounds like the Slarecians. But it sounds like they believed they were wrong... that doesn't sound like their attitude. Perhaps this was a group of Slarecians that had gone rogue? Coming out here, to avoid the wrath of their kind? Trying to do the 'right thing'? That is a possibility... but not likely.

I must look into these ruins. I will find the truth of these writings spoken of, and whether or not this place has felt the touch of the Slarecians in the past. However, I cannot go alone... I am blind, and I will certainly perish shortly. I must have others, to guide me, protect me... those others who are listening will do nicely, regardless of whether they want to or not... they will... and then, finally, after years of searching, I shall find the answers to my questions - if they are to be found here...

Fools, all around... I have ventured with them before... now, it seems, fate has given them to me to assist me in the finding of the Slarecians. I know their skills... this task will be that much easier with their assistance...

Samahtar rises, and joins the other listeners, contacting their minds as he goes.

<<If you seek the place that this man has spoken of, I will accompany you.>> He projects into their minds.

He then slowly returns to where he had been sitting, and seats himself carefully, his expression indifferent.

 

[Creamsteak]

I'll (the half-ogre) will be up & going tonight sorry for the delay.
BTW, how much more for the gear that must be 'large size' cost?

Armor: I consider Monstrous-Humanoids non-humanoids for armor purposes. That means that if your size is large, you pay x4 cost for armor. The weight is doubled.

That means a suit of Banded Mail would cost 1000 gold pieces, and weigh 70 pounds. I prefer that the masterwork cost be factored in before the x4 cost as well. That means Masterwork costs an additional 600 gold pieces.

Magical enhancements, however, only cost thier usual costs. As far as weapons are concerned, I'm still following 3.0 on that. That means that a greatsword costs 50 gold, and a Fullblade costs 200 gold. A Fullblade deals 2d8/19-20. A fullblade is a 'huge greatsword.'

Metal Weapons > Large to Huge > x4 (Double Weight)
Wooden Weapons > Large to Huge > x2 (Double Weight)

Beyond weapons and armor, I'm not concerned with the cost. It already seems like your getting a bit ripped off having to pay a ton for good armor...

 

[Erekose13]

Torryn listens raptly to the stranger, always interested in a great tale. He sees great potential for fame and fortune, especially being the one who will get to spread the tale to all his friends and family across the island. He knows many of the tales that the local people tell about the jungles, though he has never really ventured there prefering to stay around others. Tales of dark and twisted things sure, but nothing like the wonderous creatures and ruins that this stranger is talking about. Ah what a great epic tale this will make.

When the stranger gets to the part of the Riddle, Torryn commits it to memory. Such word games intrigue him immensly. He follows through the explanations the stranger puzzles out, repeating the riddle over and over. It certainly does sound like the riddle is talking about a precursor to the titans and even the elves. They even sound like they were quite large creatures. The part that he is particularly interested in is the last part, the one that speaks of destruction and memory. It sounds almost like by trying to find out about this ancient race that we will doom them to be lost forever, re-awakening their 'incarcerators' as the riddle puts it. Such knowledge would be worth the risk if we can overcome these dangerous creatures.

At the end of the tale Torryn looks eagerly to his companions hoping almost too earnestly that they will all agree to help out. By the questions that Finneas asks that he too would love to find the answer to such an engaging riddle. Then the mental projections from his friend, the enigmatic blind elf Samahtar, for Torryn it is all but decided. He blurts out, "Well I for one will definitely be joining you. Your quest sounds noble and indeed the safety of my friends and family on this isle are in danger. I am intrigued by the riddle and will help you figure out what it means and what the implications to those around us is." Knowing him from past experiences, Torryn would not take offence if his party choose to overide his overeager enthusiasm which has got the better of them once before.

((edit: colour change only))

 

[Breezly]

Samahtar rises, and joins the other listeners, contacting their minds as he goes.

<<If you seek the place that this man has spoken of, I will accompany you.>> He projects into their minds.

He then slowly returns to where he had been sitting, and seats himself carefully, his expression indifferent.

Finneas spits out is ale when the voice is projected into his mind. Gasping for breath, he kicks out his legs and falls backward over the chair. In a move of some skill, Finneas recovers from the surprise to go into a sideways roll, all the while keeping the ale from spilling. In an attempt to save face, he follows through with the roll into a standing position against the wall, as if that is what he meant to do all the time. Of course, the ale spilling down his face from the initial reaction belies his confident demeanor.

'It is my jungle afterall, I shall not leave it to others to wander through unawares. I have knowledge of the jungle and its unknown paths. I am sure I could be of service to all that wish to go.'

Thinking 'Surely this will be an amazing adventure. I would go alone, but if the tales prove true, having companions will certainly aid my chances. And what in Tanil was that voice in my head.

Finneas looks quizically at the Samahtar.

Breezly

 

[Zerth]

Also, as a group, I'd like to know your in character reactions to the speach from the traveling wizard. It would help me see your characters angle on the adventure.

Nog listened quietly, sitting and thinking as the man spoke. He looked calm and disciplined outside, only the keenest observer could notice, that his mind was everything but calm. Unbelievable. Master Heram has told me tales about the mainland, but this tops them all. Ghosts, plant-monsters, ancient battles... A great evil, that threatens this island, my home. Could it be true? Yes, yes, I have no reason to doubt this sorcerer. He is a powerful and smart human, yet barely escaped, crippled. There's great danger hidden in the jungle, a major challenge awaits... And isn't that what I've been waiting for all the time? A chance to prove my worth, test my mastery of ki. Master Heram tells me I have learned everything necessary from him, now it's time for me to find my own paths, to test the strength of my body and soul...

Nog's thinking is interrupted by a voice inside his head, the mental projection of Samahtar, which breaks his concentration. Ah, the elf messing my thoughts again, I see. Master Heram was right, I need to learn more concentration. Then he turns to observe Torryn's exited reaction. Foolish little one. As usual, he probably thinks this will be a great adventure. Adventure, bah! There are no adventures, only tests, like Master Heram tells me. We shall see if I was ready for this one... The half-orc smiles mysteriously and remains quiet.