[User]
 [Liraheim]

When Marvella had first seen the capital of the Holy States, she had remarked to her commanders that it was no small wonder they thought of themselves as Yphine's chosen, nor that they had chosen this place as their home. There was no greater trial than winter, and this city was surrounded by it.

The city was carved within a colossal block of ice, once a mighty glacier. Within the ice, tunnels and passageways twisted and wound their way through like an anthill. Strangely, the ice did not melt, and so did not provide as slippery a surface as one would imagine. (supposedly the city had been carved into the largest block of true ice ever discovered, a blessing of Yphine's) At the center lay five massive atriums, one at each compass point and the center. At the southern position, the first atrium was covered in housing. Bridges and pathways honeycombed throughout this atrium to the various dwellings carved into the walls and the homes in many of the massive spires of ice. The citizens of Liraheim went about their daily business here in their strange, exotic animal skin clothing that seemed to cover far too little for the climate, simply chatting and living their lives.

The second was the mayoral seat, in the northern position, and this was perhaps the most grand of the five atriums. On the walls were small balconies with the seats for each of the city's many officials, and room for several thousand more to speak. Old politicians in rich, dark red robes (to separate them from the white and blue of the priestesses) bickered and yelled in this room at all hours of the day, some leaving in the middle of a speech or debate and coming back later through the pathways behind the seats. At the center was a chair and podium, for whoever happened to be speaking to the city.  Behind the chair and podium was a throne, presumably for the high priestess. Now, of course, the chamber was empty and waiting to receive diplomatic guests.

The third atrium, in the eastern position, contained a bustling marketplace, and was one of the few chambers not entirely composed of ice. The people of the city bustled about with their purchased goods as merchants shouted out their wares. Most of the stalls were selling some sort of food, but there were goods from all across the Iero Dominion in this place.

The fourth atrium was the military district, in the central position. The entire structure was placed into a grid pattern, with the four largest roads going to each of the other four atriums. They were the only way into the atrium, and each was both gated and guarded. The district was arranged into a mighty castrum, with the district laid out into a grid. The final atrium, at the western position, was a massive warehouse district used for storage. The city sparkles in the daylight like a cavern made of stars, and at night it shines the silver of the moonlight.

This was a city that a high priestess - nay, that a  goddess  was meant to live within.

[User]
 A group of priests in long white robes and hooded fur-lined mantles of deep blue silk covered with rich silver embroidery entered the great atrium. They numbered nine, four men and five women and were led by a man of average height whose mantle was not blue but pure white. He wore a stole of red and black silk edged in silver and carried in his left hand a staff topped by a silver raven. They stopped just inside the doorway and bowed respectfully in the direction of the throne before standing and lowering their hoods, revealing them to be the expected delegation from Ashenia.
Assuming they are not stopped by a welcoming committee, they slowly begin to make a circuit of the room speaking softly among themselves in Ashenite.

[User]
 Vurima, still High Priestess of the Holy States until the conclusion of this council, stood front and center of the atrium watching the invited delegates arrive in form. She was quite tall, almost eight feet in height and her skin was a cool light blue, her hair a flat white. Her eyes too were white, though tinted pink in coloration as though suffering from some form of albinism. Her Head Priestesses, the twelve women representing the twelve most important regions of the Dominion as laid out in the Holy Script such to keep balance maintained wandered below her, themselves as well giants though of less stature, darker blue skin, and deeper colored eyes of blue. The Pagos Autokratos was present as well, the Voreal man looking strong but tired as he stood amidst the gathering of religious officials. He wore a purple cape lined with fur around his shoulders and possessed a well crafted scepter topped with true ice shaped in the likeness of a raven and of silver cane. Beside him was his son, the Despot Maraat who was dressed in less grand but no less well made clothing to his father but bore a far more disillusioned and angered look than that on his father's own.

The atrium was quite crowded with various other Priests and Priestesses from throughout the Voreal Kingdom and the now defunct Despotate of Anavia, all eager to begin discussion on the matters of faith and the proper interpretation of the ancient texts now that it was known they had been reinterpreted, some said  mis interpreted, beyond the Ice Wall.

[User]
 [Sycia]

The procession from the Holy Kingdom arrived with Glazfell. It was strangely modest, despite its large size. While the group numbered just as many as the Holy States, they were oddly... subdued. The group wore robes as white as snow, and many wore necklaces set with gems and crystals. High Priestess Marvella herself wore a robe of deep sapphire blue, and her favorite pair of bracers set with true ice. Her skin was icy blue, her hair snow white and atop her head rested a pair of cat ears. In her right hand was the rod of Yphine. While it would remain in her possession until the proper ceremony was held in Sycia, this was the last time she would hold it as part of her office.

Behind Marvella were her Head Priests and Priestesses, exactly half and half. While the Holy States had deigned for their priests and priestesses to run their own territories, Sycia had traditionally given each head priest and priestess their own specific role within the church to fulfill. How true that would remain would depend on what happened here today.

Amongst the Head Priestesses and the High Priestess was a young catfolk woman in a deep emerald robe. While her face was hidden from sight, the unique color that stood out from the other priests and priestesses indicated that this was their candidate for High Priesthood. She was perhaps young, but she carried herself well.

Their guard was two wolfborn packs and 16 knights of Fabula. Evidently they were not very trusting, though given the circumstances that was understandable - with the way this city was designed, escape would be nearly impossible. Marvella had sieged the place by cutting them off from outside supplies, she'd never actually entered the city proper. However, they'd delibrately made sure none of their guards were drakeborn - the last thing they needed was to be accused of corruption by the dragon -  again  - at what was supposed to be an attempt to unify the church.

High Priestess Marvella bowed to her hosts with the grace and respect due to foreign leaders and dignitaries. However, she did so stiffly, as if she found the need unpleasant. Again, not surprising: they were about to depose her.

"'Tis a beautiful city." Edea said calmly, brushing her hair behind her shoulder. "It must be wondrous during the Frostmoon."

---

Marvella stepped forward. "Before we begin discussing the matters of the actual Doctrine, I feel we should select our next High Priestess to serve as an arbiter between the two parties." She raised an eyebrow. "Granted, she'll be biased towards whichever half of the faith she comes from, but we're going to be trusting her with ruling the faith once we're done in any case. Might as well begin with this."

[User]
 The leader of the Ashenite delegation, the recently appointed Exarch of Ashenia, Lorien Catanath stepped forward.
 "A wise suggestion Eminence. Though I feel we need not worry ourselves over the potential of personal bias in yours and High Priestess Vurima's successor. With the wisdom of Yphine on our side, we need not fear making an poor choice."
He bowed politely before continuing.
 "Tell us Eminences, what method has been decided to choose her? I imagine there was some difficulty reconciling your disparate traditions."


[User]
 Post things the opponent shouldn't know in spoilers like this:

 Spoiler: Observers Only
Information opponent shouldn't know.

 {table=head] |A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L
 1 ||||||||||||
 2 |
 3 ||| C | C ||||| C | C ||
 4 ||| C | C ||||| C | C ||
 5 ||||||||||||
 6 |
 7 |
 8 ||||||||||||
 9 ||| C | C ||||| C | C ||
 10 ||| C | C ||||| C | C ||
 11 |
 12 |||||||||||[/table]
Choose location in either row 1 or row 2. I start in one of row 11 or row 12. Ceiling is 30 feet high with a tunnel in F6/G6/F7/G7 going another 30 feet high.

 Originally Posted by Saph
 Both parties are aware that there's an enemy in the vicinity and are considered to be in combat.

Since we don't have a DM, rules adjudications and queries will be handled by mutual agreement. If we can't agree on something, we'll either settle on a compromise, flip a coin, or call in an arbiter.

Match ends when one character concedes & withdraws from combat, dies, or is similarly rendered unable to continue.

All-day buffs and hour/level buffs active.

 Spoiler: Observers Only
 One buff active:
Heightened  eldritch plating  - 10 hours

[User]
 Character: Misha

 Spoiler
Starting Position: F1

[User]
 Initiative:
 (1d20+9)[ 20 ]
 (1d20+9)[ 19 ]

Two rolls because of ring of anticipation. Choose better.

 Starting position:

 Spoiler
C11

[User]
 Initiative:   (1d20+5)[ 12 ]
Misha is standing at F1.

When you have line of sight, you see a feminine figure standing around with an alert pose. She is attractive, or she would be, if it wasnt for the many parts of her that seem to have been replaced with animal's parts. Two massive horns jut from her forehead, long claws drape from her fingers, and a bright orange fire runs its way over both of them. Her skin seems to be dotted with large bumps of bone protruding through her skin. She is wearing what looks to be a high quality chain shirt.

[User]
 You see nothing.

Action:

 Spoiler: Observers Only
Cast  swordbreaker , take a five-foot step to C12.

Current buffs:

Heightened  eldritch plating : 10 hours remaining
 Swordbreaker : 10 minutes remaining

[User] Misha quickly strides forward to F11, peering from side to side, searching for her quarry.

[User]
 You see a dark-skinned male whisper gnome with ink-black hair and dark brown eyes look wide-eyed at you, just finishing chanting what you surmise to be a spell. It would only make sense, based on the attire of this gnome, wearing robes and tightly holding a long piece of wood carved in the shape of a snake, curving throughout with the head at the top, fangs bared.

 Location:  C12.

 Beauty's in the eye of the beholder, I suppose. Literally, in this case.

The gnome seems to be covered in a thin layer of magical energy, glowing brightly. In addition, as he finishes his chanting, a layer of stone covers his skin. Finally, where he steps, glowing footsteps follow.

[User]
 "Dont you find me...beautiful?"
She says with a smirk, as her mouth opens wide, and she spews out a bolt of vibrant blue electricity.
 Ranged touch attack:   (1d20+10)[ 13 ]
 Damage:   (3d6)[ 14 ]

[User]
 Monotone:  No.  He dodges.

The gnome clearly starts to cast a spell, waving his staff around and speaking gibberish while moving to C7.

If you can't interrupt, a dome of force surrounds the gnome, anchored in a 10-foot radius around him.

Actions:

 Spoiler: Observers Only
Move: Move to C7.
Standard: Diminished  forcefield .

Force dome surrounds me for 10 rounds.

[User]
 "Cheeky, aren't you?"
Misha makes her way towards C7, attempting to move through or break the barrier in front of her.

[User]
 You can't pass. Attempts at breaking the dome seem to have no effect.

Is your turn over?

[User]
 Misha will attempt to spit more electricity, to see if that will penetrate the barrier.
 Ranged Touch Attack:   (1d20+10)[ 28 ]
 Damage:   (3d6)[ 8 ]

[User]
 The electricity hits the dome and fails to penetrate, harmlessly deflecting into the floor.

My turn if you don't have additional actions.

The gnome continues chanting and gesturing. He finishes and nothing seems to happen unless you succeed on Spot DC 20.

 Spoiler: Spot DC 20
One of the gnome's eyes changes to red and starts glowing dimly.

Action:

 Spoiler: Observers Only
Standard:  Arcane over material . Gain 50 temporary hit points for 100 minutes.

Nine rounds remaining on diminished  forcefield .

[User]
 "Little man, this shall become QUITE boring if I am required to wait on your spell to wear out before we continue this. And things shall become quite a bit more painful for you!
Misha paces around the edge of the barrier, like an animal at the edge of a cage, waiting.

[User]
 *Shrug*  Nice to meet you, too. My name is Lorn.

Lots of chanting, gesturing, and waving about right away. Then the gnome starts dropping caltrops for five rounds in C6/C8/D6/D7/D8. He casts one more spell, then chants for a moment and disappears as the force dome does.

Reflex save DC 23 as twisting coils of blackness surround and wrap around you.

Actions for 9 rounds:

 Spoiler: Observers Only
Round 1: Cast heightened  see the sky .
Rounds 2-6: Caltrops 'n' swag.
Round 7: Twiddle thumbs.
Round 8: Cast  magister's tower .
When  forcefield  goes down: Swift action to cast heightened  lich door  to K5. Standard action to cast heightened  dark coils  using Enhanced Heighten Spell to cast at level 5. Move action to move to K8, five feet in the air without trailing glowing footsteps.

[User] Reflex Save:   (1d20+3)[ 19 ]

[User] The coils wrap around you firmly. Nothing seems to happen other than that, though you can't shake them free. You're not restricted in any way.

[User]
 "Tricks will not save you! I have faced the most fierce of monsters without flinching! Your defeat shall be, no matter how long it takes!
Misha seems actually angry now, as she moves around to B9 around the bottom of the lower left colum.

 Spoiler: Observers Only
Misha has activated her rage. Duration, 12 rounds. +4 Str and Con, +2 Will, -2 AC.

[User]
 You see what seems to be a purely acidic arrow flying at you after some audible chanting, originating from G4 about nine feet off the ground.

Ranged Touch:  (1d20+9)[ 22 ]
Acid Damage:  (2d4)[ 6 ]
Negative Energy Damage:  (5d6)[ 23 ]
 Actions:

 Spoiler: Observers Only
Move: Move to G4, still five feet off the ground.
Standard: Cast  caustic arrow  from staff.

If it hits: The arrow burns you and the coils surrounding you constrict tightly at the same time. The burning sensation continues while the coils only seem to grow tighter.

[User]
 Misha growls in pain as the arrow strikes her and the coils constrict.
She moves quickly to B5 then to F5 to G4. Once there, she jumps at the location she heard the chanting from, attempting to strike at her opponent with her vicious claws.
 Vertical Jump Check:   (1d20+17)[ 22 ]
 Attack:   (1d20+15)[ 16 ]
 Claw Damage:   (1d6+9)[ 12 ]
 Fire Damage:   (2d6)[ 2 ]

 Spoiler: Observers Only
11 Rounds left on rage. Also, I forgot about adding in my rage effects into my rolls :P Derp.

[User]
 Natural 1, you miss. OP.

Lorn begins casting again, by the sounds of it. After he finishes, a lightning bolt strikes at you. Reflex save DC 21 for half damage. Fortitude save DC 21 regardless of result.

After the lightning strikes, you see glowing footsteps heading northward for 5 feet into G3.

Acid damage:  (2d4)[ 4 ]
Negative energy damage:  (5d6)[ 18 ]
Electricity damage:  (10d4)[ 24 ]
Negative energy damage:  (5d6)[ 15 ]

Action:

 Spoiler: Observers Only
Standard: Cast  stroke of genius .
Move: Move to G3, trailing glowing footsteps. Double back to F6, fly up to 15 feet above the ground.

[User]
 Misha again growls in pain, and in frustration.
 Reflex Save:   (1d20+3)[ 15 ]
 Fortitude Save:   (1d20+19)[ 33 ]

[User] You take full damage, but nothing else happens, though you feel a tingle run along your skin and nerves.

[User]
 She moves back five feet, then runs into G3 and jumps again.
 Vertical Jump Check:   (1d20+17)[ 29 ]
 Attack:   (1d20+21)[ 38 ]
 Claw Damage:   (1d6+15)[ 19 ]
 Fire Damage:   (2d6)[ 12 ]
 Concealment:   (1d100)[ 46 ]

[User]
 You strike into thin air, or what seems like it.

A similar lightning bolt comes from F6, about eighteen or nineteen feet off the ground, accompanied by chanting. You continue to burn and get constricted.

Same saves as last time: Reflex DC 21, Fort DC 21.

Acid damage:  (2d4)[ 6 ]
Negative energy:  (5d6)[ 5 ]
Electricity damage:  (10d4)[ 28 ]
Negative energy:  (5d6)[ 14 ]

Glowing footsteps lead to G6, where they stop.

Actions:

 Spoiler: Observers Only
Standard: Cast  stroke of genius .
Move: Move to G6, trailing glowing footsteps. Turn back to E8 without the trail and fly up another 10 feet.

[User]
 Reflex Save:   (1d20+3)[ 10 ]
 Fortitude Save:   (1d20+19)[ 27 ]

[User] Same results. Burn, little one.

[User] "By the gods above, I yield! My death here would serve no purpose. Your tricks appear to have saved you the humiliation of defeat, and given it to me."

[User]
 Fine. I acknowledge your defeat.

Five rounds later, Lorn is revealed in E8, 25 feet above the ground.


[User]
 Autocracy is a structured game of world-building, economics, and war. Each player controls a nation, which they can customize to a certain extent, including "crunch" attributes like natural resources and government structure, as well as "fluff" such as tourist attractions and pop culture. The game takes place in Belorica, a modern-day parallel of Earth, where all the normal laws of physics apply, and technology has followed pretty much the same paths it has in the real world. Each turn, you will engage in trade, expand your empire, or shift your government's policies to lead your people to global domination.

 Maps

 Spoiler
The map of Belorica will not be divided up into territories or hexes. Instead, boundaries will be somewhat organic, so that nations of any size and shape will be permitted.
Physical Map:

 Spoiler

Political Map

 Spoiler

Rules

 Spoiler

 Economics

World economics will be a huge part of this game. Each player will have a currency, which will relate to other currencies through exchange rates. All exchange rates will be 1:1 at the start of the game, but they will quickly change depending on the players' political actions, as well as chance events. Below are some of the sub-fields of economics that will come into play during the game.

Resource Production

 Spoiler
Raw materials are the foundation of the economy. Here is a table of the raw materials involved in this game. The Labor cost represents the number of workers you need to produce one of each resource per turn. The number 1 on the table represents 10,000 people, and 10 is 100,000 people.

{table=head] Resource|Labor Cost|Uses
Grains(GR)|1|Sustains and expands population
Vegetables(VG)|3|Improves Health
Livestock(LI)|4|Improves Happiness
Crude Oil(CO)|5|Powers machinery
Industrial Metals(IM)|3| Builds machinery
Precious Metals(PM)|10|Stabilizes currency
Natural Gas(NG)|7|Substitute for oil[/table]

The type of land you control affects which resources you can produce, and in what amounts. Producing resources requires labor.  The following table shows the maximum yield you can gain from any available land.

{table=head]Terrain Type|GR|VG|LI|CO|IM|PM|NG
Temperate Forest|17|4|4|2|6|2|2
Rain Forest|11|8|1|4|4|3|1
Pine Forest|10|3|3|5|4|1|3
Semidesert|13|3|6|4|3|1|3
Desert|6|1|1|8|3|2|4
Mountain|8|1|1|2|10|4|2
Tundra or Ice|2|0|0|9|4|3|4[/table]

Manufacturing

 Spoiler
Manufactured goods can be created using raw materials. You can trade them in the same way you would trade raw goods. Manufacturing also requires labor. The same scale is used for labor: 1 labor point = 10,000 workers.

{table=head] Product|Ingredients|Labor|Uses
Automobiles|2 IM, 3 CO (or NG)|10|Facilitates trade, boosts economy
Weapons|3 IM, 1 CO (or NG)|8|Makes military more efficient
Electronics|2 IM, 1 PM|14|Improves communications, happiness
Luxuries |1 IM, 2 CO (or NG), 3 PM|20|Improves happiness, prestige
[/table]

Trade

 Spoiler
In order to trade with other countries, you have to have a surplus of some resource. You can then choose to put some of your resources up for sale. For example, Player 1 could post "2 automobiles for sale, 700 credits each." Other players would be free to claim one or both of those, but once the two are gone, they would have to ask permission from player 1 to purchase more resources.

Money

 Spoiler
Money is the game's most important resource, and will be collected each turn. The first step in determining your country's budget is to determine national income. Each employed worker generates 1,000 credits (or whatever you currency unit is) per turn. This will give you an income in the billions. You also gain additional bonus income for:

{table=head] Bonus Factor|Reward
Each automobile unit in country|200 million
Each electronics unit in country|500 million
Island Nation (tourism)|1 billion
Each happiness point over 15|1 billion
Each education point over 10|200 million[/table]

Taxes
Once you have calculated your final national income, you can tax your population. The default tax rate will be 10%. This will cause no unhappiness, and will still generate a decent amount of revenue. Your revenue is simply the tax rate multiplied by the national income.

Exchange Rates
These will not affect how much money you can spend domestically, but they will determine international trade. Your country's worth is measured in a currency value. The lower your currency value, the less you will receive through trade.

Here are the rules I have made so far on Nation Attributes.

The quality of your nation is determined by 5 attributes: Happiness, Education, Health, Technology, and Patriotism. The players' starting attributes will be determined by rolling 3d6. The dice rolls are only to get the 5 numbers. You get to assign each number to an attribute, depending on where your priorities lie. The attributes will be updated each turn.

Each attribute has several causes and effects. The tables for causes will display three variables: The condition for change, how much the attribute changes, and the duration of the change. Suppose your happiness rating is 10 when the condition becomes true. If the value says +1, and the duration is "1 turn," then your happiness will go up to 11 the next turn, and will stay at 11 after that. If the duration says "unlimited," then you will gain +1 every turn until the condition is false.

Happiness

 Spoiler
 Causes:
{table=head]Condition|Value|Duration
Tax rate above 10%|-1|1 Turn
Tax rate above 15%|-2|1 Turn
Tax rate above 20%|-3|1 Turn
1 or more Livestock per 10,000 people|+1|1 Turn
1 or more Electronics per 20,000 people|+1|Unlimited
1 or more Luxuries per 50,000 people|+3|1 Turn
At war|-1|Unlimited
At war on home front|-3|Unlimited
10 million credits spent on entertainment|+1|Unlimited[/table]

 Effects:
{table=head]Happiness|Result
Each point over 15|1 billion in national income
Each point over 10|1 million immigrants from each nation with a lower happiness
10 or higher|1% chance of Revolution
9|5% chance
8|10% chance
7|15% chance
6|20% chance
5|25% chance
4|30% chance
3|40% chance
2|60% chance
1|80% chance
0|Revolution!
[/table]

 Revolutions:
When a revolution begins, your government loses all authority for at least one turn. During this time, you just have to sit back and wait to see what happens. You cannot collect or spend money, and foreign trade will shut down. Your people will continue collecting resources, but they will not pay any taxes. If you are dependent on trade for grain, people will starve.

When a revolution begins, it has a strength of 2. Each turn, a d6 is rolled. If the d6 is less than or equal to the revolution's strength, the fighting continues. Otherwise, the fighting ends, and the government will be back in power the next turn. If the government recovers, all government attributes will reset to 10.

Other countries can choose to support a revolution. If a foreign country sends an invading military force greater than at least 10% of the revolting country's population, the revolution's strength grows by 1. The revolution's strength cannot be more than 5. After 5 turns of revolution, the player will be removed from the game, and all of their territory will be handed over to the invading player, or, if there is no invader, it will be up for grabs.

Education

 Spoiler
 Causes:
{table=head]Condition|Value|Duration
1 credit per 10 people toward Education|+0|Unlimited
1 credit per 5 people|+2|1 Turn
1 credit per person|+4|1 Turn
Less than 1 credit per 10 people|-1|Unlimited[/table]

 Effects:
{table=head]Education|Result
Each point over 10|200 million in income
10|No Effect
Each point below 10|5% of jobs outsourced[/table]

Health

 Spoiler

Here's a new version of the health system. Tell me what you think of it:

Highest vegetable consumption (per person) in the world: +1 per turn.
Highest % of healthcare workers in labor force: + 2 per turn.
Lowest % of healthcare workers in labor force: -1 per turn.
At war: -1
At war on home front: -2
At war with country with outbreak: -3 (once only)

Outbreaks are possible with a health stat of 9 or less. The chances increase as your stat gets lower. Outbreaks always last for 3 turns. You can't cure outbreaks once they begin, but you can reduce their effects by spending lots of money. Here's how it works:

Full Effect of Outbreak:
Less than $200,000 spent on healthcare per person: 1d4 % of population dies.

$200,000 - $500,000: Reduce outbreak by 10%.

$500,000 - $1,000,000: Reduce outbreak by 25%

$1 - 2 million: Reduce outbreak by 50%

$2 - 5 million: Reduce outbreak by 75%

Over $5 million: Reduce outbreak by 90%

 Outbreaks:
When an outbreak starts in your country, your policies continue as normal, except that all population growth stops and 1d6 % of your population dies each turn. If you have a health score of 15 or higher, you can choose to end an outbreak, either in your country or in someone else's. Outbreaks end when either someone uses a cure, or your population gets less than 10 million. If someone invades your country during an outbreak, their country is also infected.

More Rules

 Spoiler

Technology

 Spoiler
 Causes:
{table=head]Condition|Value|Duration
1 credit per 10 people toward Technology|+1|Unlimited
1 credit per 5 people|+2|1 Turn
1 credit per person|+4|1 Turn
Less than 1 credit per 10 people|+0|Unlimited[/table]
*Note that Technology is the only attribute that cannot go down.

 Effects:
{table=head]Technology|Result
Highest|+20% to currency value
Second Highest|+10% to currency value
Lowest|-20% to currency value
Second Lowest|-10% to currency value
15 or higher|10% labor discount on resource production
20 or higher|10% discount on manufacturing
25 or higher|20% discount on resources
30 or higher|20% discount on manufacturing
and so on to 60|maxes out at 50% discounts
[/table]

Patriotism

 Spoiler
 Causes:
{table=head]Condition|Value|Duration
Highest in any attribute besides Patriotism|+1|Unlimited
Highest in 2 other attributes|+2|Unlimited
Highest in 3 other attributes|+3|Unlimited
Highest in all 4 other attributes|+4|Unlimited
Lowest in 1,2,3,4 attributes|-1,2,3,4|Unlimited
War on home territory|+3|[/table]
*Note: Because Patriotism depends on the other 4 attributes, it is always calculated last.

 Effects:
{table=head]Technology|Result
Each point above 10|+5% Military Strength
Each point below 10|-5% Military Strength
0|10% chance of citizens defecting to a larger nation
40 or above|Ultimate Authority[/table]

 Ultimate Authority:
As long as your patriotism remains above 40, it is impossible for your other attributes to go down. Ignore any negative effects of your actions that are listed in the rules. Unless someone can wrest power away from you, you just might rule the world!

 Originally Posted by Doomchicken
 Winning when outnumbered 20-1 seems a little strange to me, and that system is both hard to understand and involves huge amounts of luck.

Maybe have a system where each unit has a score, so for infantry 10, tanks 20, planes 25, or something, with guns giving infantry +5, but also a combined arms bonus of 20 for getting a 3/1/1 mix of the types or something.

So side 1 has 5 infantry, all with guns, 2 tanks and 1 planes, for a score of 130.
Side 2 has 3 infantry, all with guns, 1 tanks and 1 planes, for 80, with a combined arms bonus of 20, for a total of 100.

Then, each side rolls a d6. A 1 gives -10% to the score, a 2 no modifier, a 3 +10%, a 4 +20%, and so on.

The amount of casualties could be based on the amount of score extra, maybe 1 unit per 10 points.

So in this example Side 1 rolls a 2, Side 2 a 6, giving final scores of 130 and 140. Side 2 wins, and, having won by 10 points, takes out 1 random unit (this could be random, or by a dice roll, with every unit being given a number).

But if there was 20-1 numbers, like 20 infantry with no guns versus one without, then the scores would be 200 and 15, and therefore impossible for the side of 20 to lose.

If you want, you could have a 20 point defence bonus or something.

[/SPOILER]

[User]
 WAR ON 14!!! D6 roll: 3!
Also, alliance proposed to Anduvar Republic and Solusia, if one NPC/ player not in alliance nation attacks one, the other two declare war on the other.
Requesting troops for current war!
More will be posted when needed!!!

[User]
 The Empire sends a unit of their warships off to the coast of country 12, to harass trade ships and shell outlying coastal villages when applied, and with them goes the 78th imperial legion, consisting of 34000 individuals, half of which man the ships directly and the other are simply ground forces.

Meanwhile, the Empire sends a message to the government of Martag, stating it's willingness to debate trading guns for technology and grains. While doing so, several of the merchants express admiration at the remarkable hold the upper classes hold over the government.

[User]
 The Kingdom of Ayotlan begins a campaign of propaganda to drum up patriotism and sends emissaries to nations 7, 9, 10, and 13 to drum up support for a new union of states. Our enemies surround us, would we not be stronger as one? The eventual goal will be to conquer them from within ideologically.

Also we are an intelligent people, look into being the place people outsource work to. Call centers spring up so we can collect cash from other countries.

[User]
 Originally Posted by Pokonic
 Meanwhile, the Empire sends a message to the government of Martag, stating it's willingness to debate trading guns for technology and grains. While doing so, several of the merchants express admiration at the remarkable hold the upper classes hold over the government.

Martag welcomes the possibility for trade.

[User]
 The anduvar Republic will begin to prepare for war with Nation 4, Invasion not yet though

Turn 1: election, who will you support?

 Industrialists (for the war)
 Traditionalist (for the war) (Siccol supports these guys)
 Liberalists (against the war)
 Wigs (for)
 Eco's (agaisnt)
 Machinists (for)
 Dominationists (for)
 Democrats (for)
 Republicanist (against)
 The IHESTMD (agains)
 the Absorbists (for)
 The National Socialists (against)

or do you not care?

[User]
 The Canessene Confederacy issues the following press release:

 The Canessene Confederacy is concerned about the recent threats made by the Anduvar Republic against the sovereignty of the free people of Nation 4.

In the spirit of solidarity with our neighbours, the Canessene Confederacy hereby declare our opposition to any and all acts of imperialistic aggression against the free nations of the Canesian continent.

The Canessene Confederacy hereby proposes the creation of a Treaty of Mutual Defence among all free nations of Canesia to safeguard our continent against intruders. By combining our forces, we will present a strong, united front against those who would seek to impose their illegitimate will upon our ancient freedoms.

Canessene diplomats visit Nations 1,2,3,4 to negotiate the aforementioned Treaty of Mutual Defence. In addition, the Canessene military makes preparations for an expeditionary force, to be ready to deploy in case of an attack on Nation 4 by the Anduvar Republic.

 Spoiler: Questions about rules

Is the stuff about resources and manufacturing more-or-less on auto-pilot, or should we be making changes to them in our turns?

Also, am I misunderstanding the rules or are the rules kinda imbalanced?
It seems to me that trying to meet the X resources per X population conditions is insanely hard. For my country, I'll have to have 24000 units of luxuries before the condition kicks in, which is pretty much impossible at the current rate of production. On the other hand, the $X per X population conditions seem pretty trivial, since I'm currently already spending hundreds of billions of dollars on my population of 1.2 billion.

[User]
 Siccol supports the Traditionalists in the vote!
Also, you guys accept my deal or what?

[User]
 the Anduvar Republic will Formally agree to both these alliances

also I'll see about trying to convert unemployed people into soldiers.

 Spoiler

People:

Total population: 420 million
 Labor Force: 294 million (70% of population)
 ----> Military: 2.9 million (1% of labor)
 ----> Resource Production: 7.3 million (3%)
 ----> Manufacturing: 14 million (6%)
 ----> Commerce: 97.0 million (33%)
 ----> Civil Service: 69.9 million (23%)
 ----> Healthcare: 23.5 million (8%)
 ----> Education: 14.7 million (5%)
 ----> Entertainment: 11.7 million (4%)
 ----> Engineering: 41.2 million (13%)
 ----> Unemployed: 11.7 million (4%)
 Population Growth: None

Land:

Temperate Forest: 2
 Rain Forest: 0
 Pine Forest: 3
 Dry Plains: 0
 Desert: 0
 Mountains: 2
 Tundra: 0
 Total: 7

Agriculture

Grains: 84 units consumed
 Vegetables: 21 units consumed
 Livestock: 27 units consumed

Inventory

Crude Oil: 10 units (-3 per turn)
 Industrial Metals: 200 units (+24 per turn)
 Precious Metals: 40 units (+13 per turn)
 Natural Gas: 30 units (-6 per turn)
 Automobiles: 2 units (+1 per turn) = 100 million cars
 Civilian Planes: 1 unit (+0 per turn) = 10,000 planes
 Electronics: 3 units (+1 per turn)
 Luxuries: 2 units (+1 per turn)

Arsenal

Firearms: 100 units (+8 per turn) = 100 million guns
 Tanks: 1 unit (+0 per turn) = 1000 tanks
 Fighter Planes: 2 unit (+1 per turn) = 2000 planes
 Warships: 4 units (+1 per turn) = 40 warships

Exports

 None

Imports

Everything.
 Grains (4 per turn)
 Vegetables (2 per turn)
 Livestock (8 per turn)
 Crude Oil (2 per turn)
 Industrial metals (1 per turn)
 Precious metals (1 per turn)
 Natural gas (3 per turn)
 Automobiles (1 per turn)
 Electronics (1 per turn)
 Firearms (3 per turn)
 Fighter planes (1 per turn)

World Prices (per unit)

Grains: $20 billion
 Vegetables: $61 billion
 Livestock: $51 billion
 Crude Oil: $123 billion
 Industrial Metals: $81 billion
 Precious Metals: $245 billion
 Natural Gas: $143 billion
 Automobiles: $204 billion
 Civilian Planes: $266 billion
 Electronics: $286 billion
 Luxuries: $368 billion
 Firearms: $102 billion
 Fighter planes: $308 billion
 Warships: $614 billion

Taxes:

Income Tax: 40% (high): $1.67 trillion
 Sales Tax: 5% (low): $84 billion
 Corporate Tax: 50% (high): $727 billion
 Total Revenue: $2.48 trillion

Budget: (billions)

Revenue: $2479
 Trade: -$2725
 Military: -$152
 Healthcare: -$923
 Education: -$420
 Civil Service: -$414
 Entertainment: -$117
 Science: -$411
 Commerce: -$113
 Money Printed: $200

 National Debt: $2.8 trillion per turn
 Inflation: 4.8 %
 Overall outlook: Troubling

Attributes:

Happiness: 14
 Health: 13
 Education: 11
 Technology: 18
 Patriotism: 14

in all I recon I can increase my military to 14.6 million people. this turn I'm going to train 2 million from my unemployed workforce so that's 4 million to train, this turn

[User]
 Diplomatic

-Warn all nations (but mainly the Empire of Galauspa) that nations 11 and 12 are not to be attacked.
-Offer Alliances to the Anduvar Republic, Solusia and Martag.

 People
-Move 5 million unemployed into the armed forces.

 Trade

-Increase Warship exports to 2
-Decrease Tank exports to 0
-Decrease Fighter Plane exports to 0

-Decrease Natural Gas imports to 0
-Decrease Crude Oil imports to 0
-Decrease Metal (both kinds) imports to 0
-Increase Precious Metal exports to 4
-Increase Industrial Metal exports to 1

[User]
 At the current time, Solusia is still considering the offered treaties. We also support the liberalists in the Anduvar election.
Also, how do I build military?

[User]
 the Anduvar Republic is Enlisting/conscripting people, from the unemployed part of the population, so I suggest that way, or ads those work too.

it's just empty veiled threats against nation 4, but it's not hidden that the Republic is probably planning war.

[User]
 Originally Posted by Alexkubel
 the Anduvar Republic is Enlisting/conscripting people, from the unemployed part of the population, so I suggest that way, or ads those work too.

it's just empty veiled threats against nation 4, but it's not hidden that the Republic is probably planning war.

Thank you, but I was actually referring to building tanks and planes and ships.

EDIT: This turn, Solusia purchases 2 each of: fighter planes, tanks, and ships. The senate also approves a budget increase for the Bureau of Public Health(healthcare).

[User]
 All right, everyone. Turn 1 is up! Thanks for keeping up with the game. I'll have a longer report on what happened this turn later, but here are some quick updates:

Financial crisis in Anduvar Republic. Unemployment disappears very briefly only to return after wages fail to keep up with rising prices. Prices have increased by 47% this year.

Pokonic gains ground against nation 12.

The price of weapons and military vehicles increases by 300% after a worldwide shortage caused by the recent military buildup.

Patriotism falls in the Siccol Peninsulate. It rises in most other countries.

[User]
 damn, I thought only drafting 2 million would decrease chances of that.

what can I do to solve this?

I know: set up arms factories (2 weapons, 3 tanks, 1 planes), encourage people to grow their own and make an investigation to see if the businesses are scheming to raise prices.

also do I realy want to help with the war against 14? and fight solusia?

declare war on nation 4, naval attack now! all warship units, all Aircraft units will bombard the coast at the best point of attack!. after a 3 hour bombardment 300,000 infantrymen (how many units is that? would I be right to expect 1 infantry unit is 10,000?) armed with guns will attack supported by further airial bombardment all aircraft and all my tanks. they will be re enforced by another 1,200,000 infantry armed with guns and then move inland with blitzkrieg strategy.

turn 2: election results

Industrialists   (20)
Traditionalists (28)
Liberalists       (26)

National socialists (8)
Wigs                    (1)
Eco's                    (0)
Machinists            (1)
Domonationists     (6)
Democratists         (1)
Republicanist         (0)
IHESTMD               (0)
Absorbists             (0)

[User]
 Military

Establish three Battlegroups, Alpha, Omega and Gamma. Each will have 3 Infantry Brigades, 1 Tank Brigade, and 1 Air Wing. Gamma has priority for guns if there isn't enough for all units.

Organise Naval units into three fleets - Poseidon (Naval Combat orientated), Hades (Bombardment/Blockade orientated) and Zeus (mixed role).

Invade Nation 11. Alpha and Omega invade from the west, and stay close enough to reinforce each other in battle in time. Gamma invade from the north, and head south.

Have Poseidon Fleet and Zeus Fleet take out Nation 11's fleet. Have Hades Fleet bombard any important coastal areas of Nation 11.

Establish a Reserve Army of 1 million who can quickly be trained to maximum standards and sent to battle.

Dice Rolls:

Alpha - 5
Omega - 2
Gamma - 4
Poseidon - 2
Zeus - 6
Hades - 1

 Trade

-Decrease Warship exports to 0

 Spending

-Increase Healthcare spending by 400 billion credits
-Decrease Money Printing by 250 billion credits (that'll halve inflation, right?)

[User] rumour: the anduvar republic is working on a new type of weapon, as of this date it is unconfirmed and possibly false information planted, but it is still unconfirmed. it is believed still to be in R&D stages, no prototype has been made.

[User] Keep it up everyone! Looking good. And I'm starting to get worried about the national socialists. Something tells me they will be running the country before long...

[User]
 The Empire preps it's factories to be conditioned for gun manufacturing, for trade with Martag.

Meanwhile, the raids on nation 12 have turned into a full scale invasion, with a total of 1,700,000 military personal being sent into the country for the sake of taking it over.

On more domestic news, on the Empress's 22'nd birthday, she announced the following message:

 The people of Galauspa are by far the most tolerant and peaceful of all the peoples of the worlds. I weep to know that societies where one is subjigated for one's father's father's actions still exist, such as the backwater Peninsulate or the noble-run system of Grycia. Please, for all those who do not feel safe in there own lands, know that the Empire has a place for you.

Rumors in which the Empress broke down laughing after stating the following remain unconfirmed.

[User]
 Originally Posted by Galupsa
 I weep to know that societies where one is subjigated for one's father's father's actions still exist, such as the backwater Peninsulate or  the noble-run system of Grycia.

Evangelos Sammaran, the Noble Leader of Grycia, made the following statement in reply:

 "It would seem to me that the Empress of Galupsa failed to research Grycia's  political system in depth. Noble-run system? I am not of Noble descent, and only one of ten of the Council of Lords was a Lord before his election!

Her hypocrisy has no bounds. She is a monarch, born into power, who slaughtered her own father in a brutal act of regicide. Not only this, she is a power-hungry warmonger!

She is, as I make this statement, invading the Republic of East Denatia (Nation 12), in a war of brutal subjugation. Our own war on the Union of Calmos (Nation 11) is a reclamation of our rightful territory.

Due to this I present my ultimatum.  Withdraw all forces from the Island of Denatia, or face a trade embargo ."


[User]
 Chapter 0: The Fool's Journey
  Encounter 1

Battle Zones:
Back Door: Yukishiro, Kanji, Naoto
At the Altar: Kobold(0/12), Ogre(0/12), Pixie(0/11), Makara(0/11), Makara(0/11), Sarasvati(0/11)

Turn Order:

Yukishiro
Naoto
Pixie
Kobold/Sarasvati
Makara/Makara
Kanji/Ogre

[User] ((Alright, this is sorta confusing. My first instinct was to have Yukishiro cast Bufu and kill the Sarasvati, but I feel like it's more complicated than that.))

[User] Actually, you target an area, and the opponent pick who will take the attack.

[User]
 There only seems to be one area I can target though, so you should have just said that in the opening post. 😉

They don't get to decide who defends  after  I attack, do they? That would be insane. But me deciding after I know who's defending is also a bit unfair... Bleech.

[User] They do, but same goes for you, so you can exploit Kanji's Defender trait as much as you want.

[User]
 That seems a bit unfair though, since it makes it essentially impossible to hit an elemental weakness unless their entire team shares that weakness or they have a break. Say I chose to attack with  Aqua , the Makara will just block it since it's strong against that, correct?. Of course, Yuki will attack with ice and probably kill whoever it hits regardless, but it's an odd system... Hmm...

Anyway.

 Yukishiro  casts  Bufu  for  19  Ice Damage.

[User]
 That's because there are 6 units in the same position. Normally, there will be 2 or 3. But these demons are weaklings, even if they resist they will be dead in two hits.

Pixie intercepts. 13 damage inflicted. Pixie is knocked out.

[User]
 Naoto  casts  Hama  for  19  damage. Scorching rays of light are invoked from the heavens.

((Note: It should be 'these' demons. 'This' is singular, such as 'this cat is fat.' 'These' is plural (like the demons), such as 'these cats are fat.'))

[User]
 Makara intercepts. Makara uses Samakaja. 9 damage inflicted.
Kobold uses Bash
Sarasvati uses Tera
Makara uses Aqua
Makara uses Aqua

[User]
 Kanji intercepts.
Naoto intercepts.
Yuki intercepts. (RESIST)
Yuki intercepts. (RESIST)

Kanji uses Bash.

Kanji intercepts Ogre, uses Rakukaja

Yuki uses Bufu is possible, otherwise Aqua
Naoto uses Hama if possible, otherwise Mudo

((What happens in case of a priority tie? Coin flip?))

[User]
 Kanji takes 6 damage.
Naoto takes 10 damage.
Yuki takes 6 damage.
Yuki takes 6 damage.

Ogre intercepts. 11 damage taken.

Ogre uses Bash. Kanji takes 4 damage.

Yuki uses Aqua (Bufu is used up). Makara intercepts. Makara uses Samakaja. Makara takes 4 damage.
Naoto uses Mudo (Hama is used up). Ogre intercepts. 9 damage taken. Ogre is knocked out.

Kanji's turn.

PCs usually have the advantage.

[User]
 Oh, so that's how it works. Wouldn't the Sarasvati at least heal, though, even if she has no attacks?

Kanji uses Zio for 13 lightning damage.

At this point, is it round restart?

[User]
 Her health is full, she has no need to heal.

Makara(1) intercepts. 7 damage taken. Makara is knocked out.

Round 2 begins.

[User]
 ((So heal skills can only target the user?))

Oops, ninja-edited you by accident.

Yuki uses Bufu for 19 Ice damage.
Naoto uses Hama for 19 Light damage.

[User]
 You can only heal your own unit. Unless you have Media.

Kobold intercepts. 23 damage taken. Kobold is knocked out.
Sarasvati intercepts. 13 damage taken. Sarasvati is knocked out.

Makara uses Aqua.

[User]
 Yuki intercepts.

Kanji uses Bash.

Yuki uses Aqua.
Naoto uses Mudo.

((Should be fight over at this point, but...))

Kanji intercepts.
Kanji uses Zio.

Yuki uses Bufu.

[User]
 Demon Contracts:

Kobold(+12HP, +2PP, Bash, Tarukaja)
Ogre(+12HP, +2PR, Bash, Rakunda)
Pixie(+9HP, +2MP, +1MR, Zio, Dia)
Makara(+9HP, +1MP, +2MR, Aqua, Samakaja)
Makara(+9HP, +1MP, +2MR, Aqua, Samakaja)
Sarasvati(+9HP, +1MP, +2MR, Tera, Dia)

[User]
 Teams:

Yukishiro: Kobold, Pixie

Kanji: Makara, Sarasvati

Naoto: Ogre, Makara

[User]
 Yukishiro's Team
Resist: Ice, Water
Weak: Fire, Earth
Priority: 9
HP: 49
PP/MP/PR/MR: 3/11/6/6
Yukishiro: Bufu, Aqua, Fire Wall, Dia
Kobold: Bash, Tarukaja
Pixie: Zio, Dia

Kanji's Team
Resist: Electricity
Weak: Wind, Earth
Priority: 3
HP: 53
PP/MP/PR/MR: 7/5/9/9
Kanji: Zio, Bash, Electricity Wall, Rakukaja
Makara: Aqua, Samakaja
Sarasvati: Tera, Dia

Naoto's Team
Resist: Light, Dark
Weak: Water, Ice
Priority: 8
HP: 46
PP/MP/PR/MR: 3/10/6/8
Naoto: Hama, Mudo, Light Wall, Dark Wall
Ogre: Bash, Rakunda
Makara: Aqua, Samakaja


[User]
 Chapter 0: The Fool's Journey
  Encounter 1

Battle Zones:
West Balcony: Kobold(0/12), Pixie(0/11)
East Balcony: Ogre(12/12), Makara(0/11)
Stage: Soga, Roland

Turn Order:

Soga
Pixie
Kobold
Makara
Roland, Ogre

[User]
 Spoiler: Soga
Stat array: (9/5/1/5).
-Resistances, Light and Dark
-Weaknesses, Fire and Earth
-Attack skills: 2xSlash (Straight Slash, Power Slash)
-Supplement skills: Sukunda, Tarunda
-Priority: 9
-Hp: 32
-Traits: Dual Affinity, Eternal Inspiration

[User] Then Soga has the initiative. By the way, Slash, Strike and Pierce don't exist here, they are all Physical with innate elemental affinity.

[User] Soga Straight Slashes Pixie! Buffed with re:Tarunda (isn't that the one raising hit chance?)

[User]
 There are so many things wrong with that sentence.😛

You don't target an enemy directly, you target a location, and the enemy chooses who will intercept.
You can't attack and buff with the same character, each member of the unit gets one supplementary action (not counting the one that initiates attack). Since Soga has no demons he can only use supplementary skills when defending.
Tarunda reduces physical attack, Sukunda reduces accuracy/evasion.
You need to pick Light or Dark to apply to your attack.

[User]
 Originally Posted by Philemonite
 There are so many things wrong with that sentence.😛

You don't target an enemy directly, you target a location, and the enemy chooses who will intercept.
You can't attack and buff with the same character, each member of the unit gets one supplementary action (not counting the one that initiates attack). Since Soga has no demons he can only use supplementary skills when defending.
Tarunda reduces physical attack, Sukunda reduces accuracy/evasion.
You need to pick Light or Dark to apply to your attack.

Can't keep an attack physical? Odd.

Soga Dark Straight Slashes the West Balcony

[User]
 Elemental enchantment doesn't make then any less physical.😉

Kobold intercepts. 15 damage taken. Kobold is knocked out.

Pixie uses Zio.
Makara uses Aqua.

[User]
 Roland intercepts both

Soga uses inverse sukunda on Roland (both times? Or first)

[User]
 4 damage taken. 8 damage taken.
You can only use buffs on your own unit. Yes, that is pretty limiting, but that's because you don't have any demons with you.
Roland's turn.

[User] I don't even know what Roland does :p ok, have him do a thing at the pixie's location

[User] You can find his stats in my first OOC post.

[User] Roland used Bash! It's super effective(?)

[User]
 Pixie intercepts. 9 damage inflicted.
Actually, Pixie resisted it, so she takes 50% damage.

[User] Ogre uses Bash.

[User]
 Roland defends.

Soga Light Slashes Ogre's position.

[User]
 Roland takes 6 damage.

Makara intercepts. 17 damage taken. Makara is knocked out.

Roland's turn.

[User]
 (Sorry for the delay)

Roland uses Thunder fist at pixie.

[User]
 Pixie takes 9 damage. Pixie is knocked out.

Round 2 starts. Soga has the initiative (and he can finish the encounter in one hit).

[User] Dark slash, obviously :p

[User] The one that Ogre resists, and not the one he is weak to?😏

[User] Ops, I mean Light slash :p

[User]
 And that ends the encounter, so here's your reward:

Demon Contracts:

Kobold(+12HP, +2PP, Bash, Tarukaja)
Ogre(+12HP, +2PR, Bash, Rakunda)
Pixie(+9HP, +2MP, +1MR, Zio, Dia)
Makara(+9HP, +1MP, +2MR, Aqua, Samakaja)

[User] Yay, I caught a  pokemon demon!

[User] I would suggest you give Kobold and Ogre to Soga (Tarukaja+Rakunda+elemental weakness=double damage). And Roland is a defender, so Dia+Samakaja is the best combination for him.

[User] Sounds nice, I will!

[User]
 Soga's Team
Resist: Light, Dark
Weak: Fire, Earth
Priority: 9
HP: 56
PP/MP/PR/MR: 11/1/7/5
Soga: Straight Slash, Power Slash, Sukunda, Tarunda
Kobold: Bash, Tarukaja
Ogre: Bash, Rakunda

Roland's Team
Resist: Electricity
Weak: Earth, Ice
Priority: 3
HP: 53
PP/MP/PR/MR: 6/4/10/11
Roland: Bash, Storm Fist, Earth Wall, Makanda
Pixie: Zio, Dia
Makara: Aqua, Samakaja


[User]
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[User]
 The Lost Cohort is a long-standing mercenary group. In it's prime it held well over five-hundred of the finest fighters the world over but it's hit a rather long dry spell. Now numbering only about fifty The Lost Cohort has separated into six groups, each one designated by the letters A through F and about five or six men strong except for 'A' which has twenty and holds the commander. Each group remains more or less independent adventuring parties, reporting back once a year to pay dues. Occasionally a big job requires more than one group. Luckily, or unluckily, you haven't had such a mission in a long time.

You are group D and have made your way to the budding metropolis of Mulberry End. Mulberry End is where, for the last few years, you've been heading to around the end of the year to pay your dues and check for new jobs. The city is relatively peaceful, although there are murmurs of local gang violence increasing.

You walk up to The Commander's Corner, a large inn run by "Commander" Dolrin Ironclaw, The Lost Cohort's previous commander. Dolrin retired about a decade ago and set up the inn as a general meeting place for The Cohort. It is a place frequently patronized by adventurers, guards, and anyone in the business of blood. Cohort members of course, stay for free and are provided with one free meal a day whenever they choose to stop in.

[User]
 Biff arched his eyebrow, as the ... funny...taste of the meatball invaded his mouth. Sure, a warm meal was free, in the Commander's Corner. And sure as the seven hells, Biff needed to eat something to prevent the strong dwarven ale he was having from knocking him out...
But somehow the "Commander" had obviously preserved the pragmatic attitude he had while serving the Cohort...and applied it to cooking. For example, those meatballs were a convenient salvage of every randomly-assembled perishable ingredient in the kitchen. All cooked together to spare time. Practical.

"Well, at least it's for free", Biff was forced to admit. He had joined the Cohort no later than six months before (when Lyn had sponsored his recruitment), and had been carrying out boring jobs since then. Carry a package here, escort someone there... nothing requiring a higher price than the occasional magic flame show-off... and all the bore in the word. Still, it was the best decision since he left home. He could eat everyday (this was a nice perk), and could finally live in a world where his lineage counted like horsecrap...be responsible for himself, at last.

These thoughts (or the ale perhaps) put him in good mood. He raised his mug of ale and mumbled an almost-intelligible salute to his comerade, whom he just noticed was there...

[User] Sylwalyn, or more commonly referred to as just "Lyn" by her fellow mercenaries, nods to Biff's salute. The tall half elf woman is standing by the bar, just receiving a tankard. She gives the barman a quick smile and brings her tankard over to Biff's table. Plopping down on a vacant chair, she sets her drink down carefully and looks at Biff.  "Chewy, aren't they?"  She nods at his plate of meatballs. Then she gazes around the common room to see if there's anyone else she knows. After a few nods and waves, she turns to Biff again.  "Seen the others? Bathing, perhaps..I guess they're around somewhere."

[User]
 "Hello there, Lyn. Gorgeous as ever" . She was, in fact, gorgeous (in a particular way), but femminine compliments and gallantry didn't quite fit, for that deadly warrior woman.
Although, Biff couldn't help being elegant sometimes... Legacy of a past he couldn't entirely forget. Or, just as likely, it was the beer talking.
 "Yup, they should be around here"  Biff directed his glance towards the tallest man in the room. The man had his back turned, but his sturdy shape and genuine attitude quickly identified him as Ronald.
Biff tried to stand up and go say hello...although his wobbly legs seemed to disagree with this plan, and quickly forced him on his seat again. Besides it would just have been unpolite not to have a chat with Lyn first...yeah...
 "Soooo... have you been doing anything interesting recently? My last job was escorting some fat noble guy to his favourite brothel, so that he could fantasize about marrying his favourite hooker. Believe me, the reward wasn't even nearly enough to pay off for his uppishness."  Biff snorted and emptied his mug of ale in one sip.

[User]
 "No I haven't." Ronald spoke up, forcing himself on the conversation.

"I've only had the dumb, two eighteen year olds are convinced they are the ones for each other, marry them." He starts bitterly.

"It pays the bills, but not much else." He shrugs. "Think anyone else in town has leads?"

[User] Lyn takes another sip of her drink and shrugs.  "We'll look around after we pay our dues. Perhaps a group job, that'd be good. I've had a few caravan guard jobs, but it's not like working with the company. Biff, what do you say, you've been in this game for a little while now. Is it everything you dreamed it would be?"  She grins.

[User]
 Biff smirked at Lyn's question... as a matter of fact, it kinda was...it was... a yet to complete version of his dream.
No normal man, with at least a little sense, would have freely given up the wealth he had before, chosen to become an alley rat and sellsword, just out of some idealistic tantrum.  Obviously, Biff didn't have such sense.

" Well' let's say it's not what I dreamed, but it is entirely what I expected. Although a little more action wouldn't be bad. And a little more coin, just for the luxury of tasting real food, for once...wouldn't hurt as well  "

[User] Lyn glances at his plate.  "Well, I've still got some gold left....There's a place up the street that serves mutton that practically falls off the bone. And baked vegetables glazed with honey and spices. Too bad you've already eaten,"  she grins.

[User]
 Originally Posted by Yawielas
 Lyn glances at his plate.  "Well, I've still got some gold left....There's a place up the street that serves mutton that practically falls off the bone. And baked vegetables glazed with honey and spices. Too bad you've already eaten,"  she grins.

 I thought Elves hated meat.  Ronald commented confused.

[User] Lyn looks at Ronald, narrowing her eyes briefly, then exhales, shaking her head a little.  "Some are strictly vegetarian, some are not. I am not an elf, though. I'm half human. I eat whatever I want."

[User]
 Originally Posted by Yawielas
 Lyn looks at Ronald, narrowing her eyes briefly, then exhales, shaking her head a little.  "Some are strictly vegetarian, some are not. I am not an elf, though. I'm half human. I eat whatever I want."

 Sorry, I suppose it was old wives tales then.  Ronald apologized.

[User] Biff stretched like a cat and smiled " We should defintely discuss about our culinary preferences in front of tender mutton. "


[User]
 OOC Thread

It's been a week since you have broken off from the Outbound,   the fleet of vessels making the first forays the new galaxy.

Mortals and Exalts of different stripes have all taken to this mission, each one wanting a bit of fame for the return back.

The Supermassive Friendly Roc you have managed to find yourself on has been retrofitted to be able to fend off threats in space.   Your living quarters are cramped but there are the amenities you need, if only basic.

The lights in your rooms go on as over the com system, Jenkins, the ship's navigator informs the residents that they are nearing the first stellar system.   Everyone can link up to the ships cams to see the White Dwarf star system in the distance.   Keen perception reveals it has a mere 4 worlds around it,  of which only 2 are solid.

The ship switches over to sublight and begins its movement into the system.

[User]
 The Herald of the Inevitable stands in her quarters, her arms folded behind her back as she watches the empty vastness of space go by on the screen.  The furthest from home she'd ever been, not that she could ever go back.  If leaving the confines of known space was necessary to escape from the Bishop and his minions, then so be it.  She'd return when she was strong enough.  When she was ready to challenge him at the seat of his power.

She exits her quarters, walking down the hall towards the bridge.  Her heavy Soulsteel boots clank with every step, lending more terror to her appearance.  Not that anyone on board this ship had ever seen what she looked like beneath her hood and mask.  When she reaches the bridge, she simply pauses near the door, watching as the helmsman begins his descent.

 "What sort of atmosphere should we expect on each planet?"

Her voice is dry, raspy, and unsettling.

[User]
 The helmsman, a mortal who clearly had a bit of discomfort around the abyssal,  whether he knew it was because she was abyssal or because she's just intimidating remains to be seen.
   "Eer around a 30% oxygen, 65% Nitrogen 5% miscellaneous on the lovingly named NF1 and the other, NF4, will require a full suit.   It has no atmosphere and is a dead planet with a surface glacier covering about 70% of it.   only around the belt facing the dwarf does it become water.  Signs do indicate land underneath, but its just been so frozen over we can't get a good read on how deep beneath the ice it is."     He pauses and taps a few buttons on his screen.   "WE figure if we can get a few Exalts down there we could get a read on what all is in there.   Might even possibly place Atmospheric Anima Circuits down there to start a terraform."

[User] As they hear voices, Myriad reactivates from its hibernation and listens to the conversation. On the screen in front of the helmsman a small line of text appears.   Hostiles likely? Any lifeforms detected?

[User] The helmsman starts a bit when the text appears on his screen.    "<Indigenous life on NF1 appears to be non sentient.  But those are simply preliminary surface scans.  no determining if they have underground societies like the planets around Autocthon>"

[User]
 There is a meaty thunk from the air vents in the bridge, then another, accompanied by the screech of twisting metal. The vent buckles, then breaks as a woman of porcelain and dull silver metal is forcefully ejected from the duct. She smacks into the deck, rolling back on to her feet and dusting off her thick cargo trousers before glaring back at the vent. " Oh yeah!? Well frag you too buddy! " she screams at it, accompanied by an obscene hand gesture. One hand fishes a battered pack of ciggarettes out of a pocket, the other emits a small jet of flame with a flick. "  Fraggin' duct rats, no respect for a journalist  " London mutters, lighting up.

Taking her first puff and looking up, she notices where she is for the first time with dull surprise. " Oh, hey " she greets nonchalantly, taking a long drag and brushing the remaining dust off her tank top. " What's up? ".

[User] Cass grumbles and looks for a way to shut the lights back off in his tiny room.

[User]
 The Herald pauses and thinks for a moment.

 "Hm.  Higher Oxygen content than Imperial Center, but nothing Exalted can't handle."

Before she could finish, a certain robot fell out of the ducts.

 "Cigarettes will kill you, you know."

A pause, then a laugh that sounds almost like a racking cough.

 "We're making our approach at the first planet we've come across."

[User] Chana sits in the corner, casually stretching her limbs. She watches the others with considerable interest,  a curious sheen in her eyes.  "What's the climate like on this planet we're comin' up to?"

[User]
 The helmsman taps a few icons and gets a read.   "63 Kelvin,   you guys will need suits...  Unless you'd rather a trip into  NF1 which looks like we will be posting a team in its tropical equatorial lines, one at its more temperate region near the axis.  Based on its severe lean however, it looks like it becomes somewhat icy around night.   pack something warm if you intend to camp."   A few more lines come up.

 "It looks like due to the way the planet leans, half the year it has an icecap on the magnetic north part of the axis, and half the year it has one on the south.     kind of neat if you ask me"   The helmsman grins clearly a little geeked by this.

[User]
 The Herald isn't terribly interested in the science of the planets, but the information was undoubtedly useful.

 "Do we know what kinds of life there are?  I assume nothing sentient, and that there may be hostile predators.  Or territorial herbivores."

She pauses.

 "Never mind.  I'll have my Starcaster ready all the same.  And we'll see if they're compatible with Necromancy protocols."

Behind the mask, she wears a rictus grin on her lipless face.

[User] "Cooooooooooold planet. Want me some coooooold planet,"  Chana calls out mid-stretch.

[User]
 "Weird ice cap tropical planet or stupid cold, slag burns easy planet" London ponders aloud, leaning over to peer at the screen. "Eh, I vote the one with the weird ice caps. More likely to be something worth talking about there".

"Everyone's already seen a million vids of what happens when you try to light up in an oxygen rich atmosphere" she mutters as a dismissive aside.

[User] "A little cold wouldn't bother me, but I doubt we'll find anything interesting there."

[User]
 After what seems like literally weeks
 Spoiler
my bad

  you wind up hovering over NF4.   Techs are prepping the environment suits for the team going down.   Several devices for taking mineral and material samples are being loaded on board the shuttle.

You have a bit of time before everything is ready to grab anything last minute you might need.

[User] London yawns absently, slouching her seat. "About time we got this show on the road" she mutters.


[User] This is a private board for the date between Sketch Book and Tailwind.


[User]
 Dealing with hooligans was nothing new to you, but this guy was something special. The weirdest thing is he already knew a lot of things about you. Still, work is work, and this guy, who introduced himself as Raidou, made you a generous offer. And now, you found yourself following this guy around someone's, about to engage in some breaking and entering. Technically, you probably won't be doing any breaking, since Raidou managed to open the lock, but that is not very comforting.
 : We must move quickly, our target is on the second floor. We should have at least 15 minutes, but I don't want to waste them. Let's hurry.

[User] : Yeah i know. Do we expect any resistance ? I mean, you haven't told me too much about the guy, not that i mind beating up defenseless old men. Anyway, lead on, here's hoping there ain't much security and he won't call the cops.

[User] : Mister Cyphre is anything but defenseless, but assuming I correctly deciphered his riddle there will be an item of interest waiting for us in his study. At least for the next 14 minutes.

[User]
 : What are we waiting for then ? Lets get the show on the road !

With that, he gets the door open, entering the building and start looking for stairs to the second floor.

[User]
 It doesn't take you more then five minutes to find what you were looking for, and you quickly evacuate the perimeter. You make sure to remember the location, for some reason it you find it important.
 : This should be far enough. Before we start this, I will give you one last chance to back out. This might get dangerous.

[User] : Hey, if Josuke says he gets a job done, he get the bloody job done! Besides i'm actually curious what you are going to do with this, why's so important anyway ?

[User]
 Raidou pulls out a small device out of the package you obtained and gives it to you.
 : It is easier to show then explain. Start it up, it should be simple enough.

[User]
 (on a phone, cant post pics)
''Boss its not like im a techie or anything, the most engineer-y thing i have done is fixing my bro's car. ''. He starts pressing buttons in hopes something happens

[User]
 "Welcome to the Amala Infinity. Please enter your name so that we can create your account."
After you enter your name the screen fades to black. When the light returns you greeted by a man dressed in formal outfit.
"Greetings puny human. My name is Tico, I will be your assistant. Are you ready to begin?"

[User] : I am not sure what i am about to begin, but sure as hell will be more interesting that sitting on a couch until work calls. Hell yes!

[User] "Will to live confirmed. Initiating Demon Summoning Program. Do you require an explanation, assuming your feeble mind can comprehend it?"

[User] : To be honest, i have no idea what oyu are talking about. And my mind ain't feeble! I scored 90 (out of  200)  on my last math test before i joined the police academy !

[User] "Will to live confirmed. Even if you are an insignificant insect. Initiating Demon Summoning Program. Do you want an explanation? I must warn you, the explanation contains more then three sentences, and it might overload your feeble mind."

[User] :I just told you i did wanted an explanation. For something that says i am dumb and insignificant you are a bit slow, aren't you ?"

[User]
 "Watered-down explanation to puny human attempting to insult his intellectual superiors: Demon Summoning Program allows you to summon and control demons. However, in order to command the demos a contract must be formed first. This is done by defeating the demon in combat. Using your COMP's command menu grant you access to techniques that will enable you to fight the demons on equal grounds.
In case this explanation was too complicated, which it probably was, here's a simple version: Beat the demons with a stick by pressing shiny buttons. Is that simple enough?"

[User] : Yep, got it, so  i guess i have to summon a couple of demons. Bring it one then! Start with a lousy one to test the skills you gave me .

[User]
 "Searching for the most pathetic demon in existence... successful.
Estimated  chance for victory....34%.
Summoning complete. Enjoy the pain."

Just like Tico said, 4 demons appear not too far from you, and Raidou assumes his combat stance.
 : I believe that Tico selected you as a leader, so lead the way.

[User]
 : YOu are way too moody for your own good Tico, those guys are goner ! Fist, meet demons. Demons, Meet fist!

With that, Josuke charges into the fray, accompanied by Raidou

[User] "So, you managed to survive? Then I will continue to provide my support. Do you want an explanation on how to control the demons? Or is your below average mental capacity enough to figure it out? Now that would be a surprise. Please take your time before answering, you need to understand the question first."

[User] : It's not like i was a demon summoner or anything, some explanations would be nice.

[User] "In that case I will have to talk slowly, so you don't get confused. Demon Summoning program has a number of functions. The primary function, Summon, allows you to bring demons to your world. This command should be execute at first sign of trouble. Otherwise, you are an idiot who can't protect himself, and you deserve to die. Transfer command allows you to exchange demons with your companions. Each COMP can contain up to ten demons, but only four can summoned at a time. Choose wisely. Arrange command allows you to pick which demons will be summoned when executing Summon command. Do you require anything else?"

[User] : Two is the Maximum number of demons you can summon per person right ?

[User]
 "I should have spoken slower, each COMP can summon up to four demons, and you and your companion each have your own COMP. You need to start listening if you wish to survive. Not that it really matters, but I would rather have my clients survive, your deaths would reflect negatively on me."
 : It appears this Tico, whatever it is, is very bitchy. Can we exchange it for another model?

[User]
 : We went through some trouble to gain it, and i get the hunch those things don't grow on trees. I can handle some nagging, reminds me of my gradma.
So with that settled, what's exactly the task ahead. To get me a COMP it probably means you want me for some real trouble, you dont exactly hand out demon summoner software like candy.

[User] : We don't have enough information to plan our next step. We should return to the headquarters, and gather some info. And possibly some allies. Our little world is about to be shaken to the core, I don't think we should face that on our own.

[User] : Break into a house and then get involved in some "Fate of the World" Business. Crismtans came early this year it seems. All right, lets gget back to your Headquarters, i wanna know what's all that stuff about.

[User] : I am glad you find the end of the world amusing, you will need that sense of humor soon.

[User] : Either we can do something about it, or we can't. If we can do something, we are going to do it so no reason to be worried. If we can't do anything about it, why worry ? I suspect it's the former though, so lead on to your Headquarters so we can do it.

[User]
 The trip to the headquarters didn't take long, and in less then 15 minutes Josuke and Raidou found themselves in a secluded area, facing a sign that says "Narumi Detective Agency". Taking a step inside Josuke is faced with two unfamiliar people.

 : You are late, Raidou.
 : I don't remember us setting any time limit. Besides, I couldn't have gotten here any faster, so your complaint is pointless.
 : In any way, you are here, and I assume you have secured the package?
 : Yes, and the Demon Summoning Program has proven effective.
 : You are not the only one that has news. While you were away a lockdown has been initiated. Because of an  oil spill  travel between islands has been blocked. Furthermore, there was an  accident  at the Shataro Tower communication has been cut off. Looks like the end of the world is starting a little sooner then we expected.


[User]
 The only down side I would give it is that the procedure does need to be followed exactly and with the products that are recommended or it will not work that well.
 Click Clone Cash Review  Profit Prophecy Review  Guaranteed Profits Review
All of the products are great in there own right and have been sold separately time and time again and are proven to work.


[User]
 Eastward from Calimport, up along the Calim River, the coastal desert merges into rugged scrubland, from which an upward sloping grassland continues northeastward into foothills where rain falls oft enough to raise a sparse forest of pines and other needly trees.

Above the forest are dry mountains, old and smoothed by wind and snowmelt, white capped four months or seven months out of each year.

East along the northern slopes of those old mountains, another forest ranges - the Mir. And beyond the Mir, far inland from the grandeur of Calimport, is the barbaric and backward Hill Country. It is there you're sent to find the tomb of an ancient elven King.

By who are you sent?  You don't know, exactly.  Within the past weeks, you each have been approached by a middle aged human eunuch fluent in your native language and claiming to represent a wealthy and powerful family. The eunuch's jewelry and opulent yet anonymous garments, along with the letters of credit and introduction and the purse of coin he offered toward traveling costs, substantiate those claims. However, your contact conformed to Calimport's commercial custom in concealment of his contractors' cognomina.

 Spoiler: Players only please.

 Calimport, 24th Alturiak, Year of the Turret (1360 Harptos): unseasonably warm and typically arid
The night wind from the desert onto the water has dwindled down through dawn to still, cool air.  The sun hangs hot, a little bit south of east and low above the sharp lapis lazuli waves of the Shining Sea.  In northerly lands this would be winter with snow on the ground.  This morning, here, not even dew.  The caravanserai reeks of donkeys, camels, spices, grain dust, spilled wine, salt fish, and dozens of lesser mercantile odors.  Some might say it's too early to be up.  Yet the infrequently-organized caravan, east along the coast then up the Calim River and over the Marching Mountains, toward the Sea of Fallen Stars, is getting underway, and you are meant to be among its dozen dozens of travellers and packbeasts.

First player post (once approved via PM) should be

 Spoiler: an intro to your character (no lengthy backgrounds here, please)

 Originally Posted by Eulalios
   Marshbloom
Female halfling(light foot) Rogue/2, formerly was a Sailor

 You see a small and slight-framed (3'7", 47 lb) female with greenish-blonde hair down to her shoulder blades.  Her eyes are large and brown/green shifty in color.  Her smile is frequent, and also just a bit shifty.  She stands quite still aside from her smile and her restless eyes.  Her voice is high-pitched and liquid.  She wears, over her traveling clothes, a set of studded leather dyed in dappled marshy colors.  Weaponry is draped all over her.

 Spoiler: Why She's Here
The eunuch leaned forward just a little and lowered his quiet voice to a murmur.  Rogues know that murmurs, lacking sibilance, don't carry as far as whispers.  "You have stolen in every sook, and you owe money in every ward," he says - in competent Halfling.  "It seems like a great time for you to leave town walking."

 Combat
Size Small :: base move 25; total load 45#
Sneak Attack (+1d6 dmg), Cunning Action (Dash, Disengage, Hide)
HP 15, AC 15 (Small size studded leather armor 6#)
Rapier (2#) +5 atk, 1d8+3 prc
Shortsword (2#) +5 atk, 1d6+3 prc
Two daggers (2#) +5 atk, 1d4+3 prc, thrown (20/60)
Six darts (3#) +5 atk, 1d4+3 prc, thrown (20/60)
Hand crossbow (3#), +5 atk, 1d6+3 prc, rgd (30/120)
20 c/bow bolts in case (2.5#)

 Languages
"Common," Halfling, *Draconic(?)
Thieves' Cant

 Spoiler: Personality
Trait [roll0] -> I read omens in everything I see.
Ideal [roll1] -> A person's authority rests on their competence.
Bond [roll2] -> Whenever I can, I send my first captain a letter. Once in a long while, I receive a reply.
Flaw [roll3] Criminal -> If there’s a plan, I’ll forget it. If I don’t forget it, I’ll ignore it.

 Spoiler: Stats (+2 prof bonus)

[roll4] -> DEX (+2 halfling) = 16 :: (+3) Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Stealth(x2), ST
[roll5] -> CHA (+1 lightfoot) = 10 :: (+0)
[roll6] -> WIS :: (+0) Perception(x2), Animal Handling*
[roll7] -> INT :: (-2) ST
[roll8] -> STR :: (+1) Athletics*
[roll9] -> CON :: (+1)

Expertise:  Stealth, Perception
Tools:  thieves' tools, a backgammon cloth with dice and pieces
Other skills: *Waterborne vehicles (turtle boats)

 Spoiler: Wealth spent in town
-45 -25 -0.6 +5 gp +0.2 -2 -75 -4 -17 -2 -50 -5 -10 -2

Other equipment: Small traveling clothes 2#, a tiny silver icon of a raven on a tarred rope bracelet around her wrist, a dungeoneer's pack 5# + contents 24.5# (bag of holding 15#{first sack 0.5#(Small common clothes 1.5#, Small fancy clothes 3#, a Small warm blanket 1.5#), second sack 0.5#(a mess kit 1#, a flask-and-cup of potent booze 1#, a carefully padded flask of fine red wine 5#), third sack 0.5#(a two person tent 20#), fourth sack 0.5#(30 days Small rations 30#), fifth sack 0.5#(20 torches 20#, 3 flasks of oil 3#, a lamp 1#), sixth sack(3x50 ft hemp rope 30#), seventh sack(a crowbar 5#, a hammer 3#, 10 pitons 2.5#, thieves tools 1#), pouch of 76gp}, a tinderbox 1#, a waterskin 5#, 2 torches 2#, backgammon cloth wrapped around pieces and dice 0.5#).

[User]
 Harik Stonebeard
Male Hill Dwarf, Druid/1 previously and still an outlander

 You see a rugged yet odd-looking hill dwarf (3'7'' and about 120 lbs) with dark gray hair and a beard halfway down his chest. Unlike others of his kind, his hair and beard are unkempt; there's a bit of twig sticking out from his beard that he doesn't quite seem to notice. He walks with a "staff" which looks to just be the gnarled branch of some desert tree, and a handaxe hangs at each hip. Over his traveling clothes are leather armor, a backpack, and some kind of animal pelt wrapped around his waist.

 Spoiler: Intro

 Spoiler: Why he's here
 The eunuch smiles and continues despite Harik's initial skepticism. "Your clan still wishes to return to that area, correct? This wealth may be of little use to you, but it would certainly go along way towards moving them there. And maybe after you complete my task, they'll have someone to lead them there."

 Combat
Size Medium:: Base move 25; total load 107
HP 12, AC 12, Initiative 1
Quarterstaff: attack +2, 1d8
Throwing axe: Attack +2, 1d6, range 20/60
Cantrips: Thorn Whip, Druidcraft
Spells: Various

Languages: Common, Dwarvish, Druidic,Draconic

 Spoiler: Personality

Trait: Keeps a detailed catalog of the plants and animals in the areas he passes through.
Ideal: Humanoid societies can thrive, so long as they choose to live  with  nature
Bond: The clan
Flaw: Very dismissive of many social norms. Once tried to change his name, until he was threatened with expulsion from his clan for it.

 Spoiler: Stats (+2 Prof Bonus)

 Rolls here

STR > 11 :: +0 :: (+2) athletics
DEX > 13 :: +1
CON > 14 +2 hill dwarf = 16 :: +3
INT > 12 :: +1 :: (+3) Nature
WIS > 16 +1 hill dwarf = 17 :: +3 :: (+5)Survival, Medicine
CHA > 7 :: -2

Tools: Brewer's supplies, herbalism kit
Misc proficiencies: Pan flute

 Spoiler: Equipment

Item - Weight (lb)

Yucca tree branch (quarterstaff) - 4
Handaxes x2 - 4

Leather armor - 10
coyote pelt - 1
travelers' clothes - 4
sprig of mistletoe - ~

Backpack - 5
Hunting trap - 25
bedroll - 7
mess kit - 1
tinderbox - 1
torches x10 - 10
days rations 10x - 20
waterskin - 5
50 feet of hempen rope - 10

Herbalism kit - 3
paper, 5 sheets - ~
scroll case - 1
ink pen - ~
Vial - ~

1 gold pieces
9 silver pieces
8 coppers

[User]
 Kaelyn Olson
Female Human Rogue 1, a disgraced academic
 You see a lanky, dark-haired woman with a slender, wiry build dressed in dark leather armor. Her eyes are deep set and peek carefully behind a pair of spectacles sitting atop a long, slender nose. Her mouth is small, her lips thin, and she frequently scratches along her jawline as a nervous habit.

 Spoiler: Why she's here
The eunuch approached her after the lecture. The man had stuck out like a sore thumb, being both unique in appearance and one of only a few who had come to hear Kaelyn speak. "You are better than this." he said. "I can sense a great passion for history and the thrill of discovery in your voice. I can offer you the chance to feel that thrill again, and restore your soiled reputation."

 Spoiler: Combat info
Size: Medium Speed: 30ft. Carrying Capacity: 195 pounds
HP: 10, AC: 15, Initiative:  +4
Rapier +6 (1d8+4 Piercing)
Shortbow +6 (1d6+4 Piercing) range 80/320
Dagger +6 (1d4+4 Piercing) range 20/60

 Spoiler: Stats and Equipment
Class: Rogue
Occupation: Sage (specialty: Discredited academic)
Armor Proficiency: Light
Weapon Proficiencies: Simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortswords
Tool Proficiencies: Thieves' Tools
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Intelligence
Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Athletics, History, Investigation, Perception, Stealth
Languages: Common, Dwarvish, Elvish, Goblin, Thieves' cant
Equipment: Rapier, shortbow, 20 arrows, Burglar's pack, leather armor, 2 daggers, thieves' tools Bottle of black ink, a quill, a small knife, a letter from a dead colleague, a set of common clothes, 10gp
Expertise: Investigation, Thieves' Tools

STR 13
DEX 18
CON 15
INT 15
WIS 15
CHA 12

[User]
 Alex Ghostwalker
Human Male Fighter 1, Noble [Knight]
 You see a tall man of athletic build, with long blond hair tide back in a braid, his face clean and clean shaven. He moves around with confidence, and looks to everything with piercing blue eyes... And then a black furred weasel climbs up onto his shoulders, looking around.

 Spoiler: Why he's here.

"You wan't to be respected by all, you want to be more than just some fifth son of some noble to be forgotten? I promise you that this will be well worth your time."

 Spoiler: Combat Stats:
Size: Medium
Speed: 30ft
AC: 16 [Chain Mail, Disadvantage on Stealth Checks, 10 without]
HP: 12
Longsword: +5/1d8+3 Versatile [1d10]
Longbow: +2/1d8 [150/600], 100 Shots

 Spoiler: Stats

STR: 16/+3 [15 Base, +1 Human]
DEX: 10/+0 [10 Base]
CON: 14/+2 [14 Base]
INT: 14/+2 [13 Base, +1 Human]
WIS: 8/-1 [8 Base]
CHA: 12/+1 [12 Base]

 Spoiler: Personality

Background: Knight  of Wizard's Reach [Noble Variant, Region of Wizard's Reach]

 Spoiler: Alignment
Evil

Trait: I don't put myself above others due to my station [Humble.]
Ideal: Respect. Respect is everyone's due, as a being, for what they do, for who they are.
Bond: The common folk must see me as a hero.

 Spoiler: Flaw

I secretly believe all others are beneath me.

 Spoiler: Languages, Skills, Proficiencies, Feats

Languages: Common, Elven, Draconic
Proficiency Bonus: +2
Proficiency: Shields, Light-Heavy Armor, Simple and Martial Weapons
Tools: Chess
Skills: History, Persuasion, Arcarna, Athletics, Animal Handling
Saves: Strength, Constitution

Feats: Ritual Caster [Comprehend Languages, Find Familiar]

 Spoiler: Gear:
Fine Clothes, Signet Ring [A Flaming Sword over a gemstone], Scroll of Pedigree, 10gp [25-Spent], Chain mail, Greatsword, Longbow, 5 Quivers of 100 Arrows, Handaxe(*2), Explorers Kit, Spellbook, 2nd Level Scroll [?], 3 Thunderstones [?]

Spellbook Spells: Find Familiar, Comprehend Languages

 Spoiler: Wealth Spent

Components for Find Familiar [Cast, Infernal Weasel, Ezher'an]
5 Quivers containing 100 Arrows total.

[[Further Background to be sent, character otherwise complete.]]

[User]
 There is no particular master to this irregular caravan.  Unlike the regular mercantile treks that make the ten-day crossing of the Calim Desert to trade in Memnon, this caravan is not well-organized and not under discipline. Nor is it even clear who knows the road to reach the first stop, at the High Bridge over the Calim River, somewhere about five days northeast from the dusty tents and buildings that stretch along the coastal blufftops east of Calimport.

It seems like you should be getting underway any time, just so soon as every leaderless mother's child of you and their damned camel or donkey has agreed that everything's properly packed and that everyone who ought to be leaving, is here.  There's a plenty of cursing around you from at least five dozen mouths at any particular moment, and a new mouth every other moment.  The sun is crawling up the morning side of the sky, the Shining Sea has taken on its darker blue mid-day color, and it's not going to really get hot in the third ten of Alturiak, but if you keep in the middle of this wild scrum, you'll find yourself sweating and incidentally bruised.

Four would-be travelers take refuge on stools round a low table, under the awning of a tent.  The tenant - a half-elf, faintly blue-skinned, blond-bearded, be-ringed in his ears - sits with you, smiling.  "So - who are you?" he asks with a fond directness.

[User] A lanky woman in dusty leather armor shifts in her stool uncomfortably. "I'm Kaelyn Olson. And you, sir? Who might you be?"

[User] The dwarf looks up from his backpack, staring blankly at the half-elf for a moment, not sure what to make of him. He seems to lose interest once the human woman responds; he leans down and wipes the sweat from his face with his animal pelt before going back to digging through his belongings.

[User] "I'm a simple seller of refreshments," the man replies.  "Pardo is my name.  Would you care for a citrus drink?  Cold watermelon?  A collapsible tent?".  Glancing toward his own large tent, he adds, "whatever you forgot, we got:  get it here.". He grimaces.  "Not a great slogan, but somehow better than fresh tents here, right?"

[User]
 Without removing his head from his bag, the dwarf responds, curiously, "Mead?"

After a moment, his head pops back up and he looks around at the others, as if he had just realized something important. "Oh, and uh... Harik Stonebeard."

[User] Pardo grins at the scrublands dwarf.  "Was it your own tribe that sold me drink made from honey of the djinn-touched desert bees?  Only the brave and crazy drink that.  You're welcome to some, for a silver coin.  Wait a moment I will fetch the open skin ... would anyone else like aught to drink?"

[User] Harik looks up and stares blankly at nothing for a couple seconds, before reaching into a pouch in his backpack and pulling out 5 silver pieces. "One now, four for the road. Uhm, please."

[User]
 Pardo grins widely.  "For that, esteemed sir, you may have both skins."  (That's about two gallons of mead).  He vanishes into his tent.

While he's in there, a vaguely familiar person walks through the throng to stand at the table - flanked by two massive guards, who have big scimitars at their waists and carry spears with broad ripple-edge blades.  "Hello," says the eunuch to all of the PCs.  He waves a hand at waist level, and a pair of halflings step around him, holding at shoulder level a chest of pale wood strapped shut with silver bands.  They set the chest down on the table with a thump; the inside of the chest makes a slidy jingling noise.  "I mentioned traveling money.  Here it is.  I want you to search the Hill Country, over the Deepwash and east of the Snowflake Mountains.  I leave it your choice whether to join with this caravan, or find a quicker more expensive route.  I think with the caravan you will be about two or three months on the trail.  A ship might be quicker.  Have you a map?"

[User]
 Kaelyn smiled at the vedor. "I'd be most grateful for some watermelon, if you have it." she says, and upon receiving it proceeds to munch happily until the Eunuch arrives.

Looking up at the man, Kaelyn shakes her head. "No, I've not yet had the opportunity to procure a map. I had initially thought to stay with the caravan for safety, but if a boat would carry us to the hills more quickly, it might be worth the expense."

[User]
 The eunuch smiles, and fingers the trim on his shawl.  "Here," he says, gesturing to the tabletop.

 Spoiler: A map appears to you

"We are here, as you know," he says, poking his finger at Calimport.  "The tomb that my employers want found, is somewhere ... here."  He pokes the upper right corner of the map.  "Northeast beyond the Omlarandins, in the hills overlooking the Deepwash.  Some backcountry called Erlkazar.

"The chest holds funds to get you there, at least.  On the way, keep a journal how you get there.  Ask lots of questions, note the dangers, find a safe road.  Once there, ask more questions, find the tomb.  Be cautious.  There are rumors about its guardians.  Get back here with your journal and your maps, to Pardo's tent, and let him know to find me for you.  You will be well paid."

[User]
 Harik studies the map carefully. "We could just travel north to the River Ith and get some small boats. Ah...suppose we could take a ship around, but I'd rather be on or very close to dry land."

He looks over to the large chest, and then glances at the halflings. "I don't suppose these two are going to be coming with us to carry our chest of traveling money?"

[User]
 "No, terribly sorry... it's just so hard to get a matched trio of halflings.  Admittedly they aren't a flawless set - their sister Foon is female ... yet I loathe to let them go.  So sorry.

"Other questions?"

[User]
 Originally Posted by Demonic Spoon
 ... He looks over to the large chest ...

 Spoiler: The chest
Not that large, really.  No bigger than his head, but more oblongy.  Probably big enough to hold a couple thousand of the small silver coins that are used for common trade.

"Oh, and be careful when you open that," says the eunuch with a cautious nod toward the chest.  "You see the latches on the bands?  Always wear gloves - sharp edges under there.  And, also:  there is an inner lid.  I have not ever looked at it.  Once the bands are unlatched, best open the chest under a cover, a cloak perhaps, and lift the inner lid unseen."

At about this time, Pardo emerges from the tent clutching two bulging gallon wine skins under his left arm, and carrying on his outstretched right hand a thin silver plate of sliced watermelons amid melting ice.  "M'lady," he says, curtseying as he presents the plate to Kaelyn.  "And sir, your mead," he adds, deftly body-juggling one of the ten pound wine skins to grasp it by its neck and proffer it to Harik.  The other he puts on the table.  "I'll be back with a clay cup for the sir?"  He waits for the dwarfen druid to take the offered skin.

[User]
 While you are deciding what to do with the small but hefty chest of silver coin, the eunuch bows slightly and walks away, trailed by the twin halflings and the big burly guards.  You notice as they turn away, their lower jaws protrude as if they might once have had small orcish tusks.

The caravan eventually is getting going, a few camels already straggling out through the gap of the low brick wall that surrounds the acres-big caravanserai.  Instead of turning left and north across the desert, they head straight east along the coastal bluffs.  One more follows, then four, then two ... still dozens of camels and horses with their loads being tightened down.  It probably will be evening by the time that the last one passes out the gate.

 What do you do?