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[D&D 4e PbP Eberron: Crime/Noir] The Long Way Down
Posts
The Long Way Down: Clank, Warforged FighterI'll see about getting something up today or tonight. Ordinarily I'd think I'm involved in too many things on the forums right now, but both the BSG game I'm running and the CitOW game I'm playing in will be ending in the next week or so.
Inevitably, they ended up finding out what she could do. Instead of being afraid or angry, they pretty indifferent, if anything happy. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was home again. However this was not to be hear fate. She stayed with the Blazing Furies for close to a year. She did her best to keep them alive while they did their best to teach her how to fight. They got hired on to a relatively simply job, clear out a small raiding group of hobgoblins that liked to the area so much they decided to stay. The manticore they can into on the job proved to be a lot tougher. The only ones to survive the battle were Isabella and the company's leader, Xandak Horster. Dieing of a pair of iron spikes in his gut, he told her to go and master her power and to make a better life for herself than this, dieing out in the wild to some beast.
She made her way to Sharn, but as she soon found out, living in a biggest richest city in the world is a tad different then a small village or out in the wilds. Knowledge is power and power is very expensive in Sharn. For close on two years now she's been in the city, and barely any closer than when she first got there. Living out of what could be accurately called a hole in the lower city, doing things never would have dreamed of before for people she never would have dreamed of meeting. Nothing too bad, but working as freelance muscle and thug down in the bottom of the city was certainly not where she saw herself.
Power wise, she's really no closer to figuring out what it actually is at this point then when she first discovered them. She be honestly more inclined to believe that they are arcane at this point, that she's a some kind of sorcerer or something.
Basically I wanted her god to give her powers to be a force for good. But woops never sent her the memo, so, so far all they have done is make things worse and drive her in the opposite direction.
AC: 15 Fort 12, Ref 16, Will 17
Passive Insight: 19 Passive Perception: 16
But for the moment, lemme just think out loud here. Concept wise, he dosent even see himself getting INTO combat much. Obviously, not the game we're playing here, so we've got to adapt it a bit. I suppose the ideal role we're going for is crowd-control, even though I'm loathe to give up backstab mentality on what obviously specs out closest to a Rogue. His essential goal in a given fight is to just ruin somebody's business, give em a raspberry, and GTFO in a cloud of cackling smoke. He's a burgalur, not a killer.
So holds and fears, largely.
Excessive hook-shot wankstory:
First crit was on the to-hit, of course, landing the hooks neatly into dude the target's ribcage. Then crit on the damage, meaning it was a full impale, the claws snapping shut. Oh, and then crit on the tumbling roll that came from having a flying, screaming, mildly panicked gnomeling flying at dude the target's torso, boots down. Turns out that particular variation on the device yanked you regardless of what you wanted... After that I managed to brace, and yank, removing the guy's ribcage.
...........The DM in that was a little enthusiastic about the claw-grip grappling hook idea.
The origional idea behind it was, oh look, I shoot the thing over the dudes shoulder, and kick his knees out from behind him, or wrap a whip around his ankle and hookshot myself THATAWAY. Shenanigans, more than DPS. It fits in with his "Not really big on the killing" mentality.
So yeah, race-wise he's mostly Gnome, then, I look at the set you put in, it fits for me. I'm cool with him losing some of the Rogue's combat functionality to keep the skill stuff, and just focus on more non-lethal styles of combat, from the Warlock, or whatever we can come up with for Illusionist stuff. Im aware this is basically all pure made up on the spot instead of drawn from a book, though, so feel free to tell me to stop munchkining at any point.
Autumn Torn Hybrid Ranger/Seeker
Background:
All the hustle and bustle helps her forget about her banishment...but she does miss her people, she hardly ever runs into another shifter, and when she does it usually isn't under the best of circumstances. She doesn't have a set place of residence, so she's just as likely to sleep on someone's roof during a hot night, or inside of a collapsed shed on a bad one. She's currently trying to find some work and has heard that there are plenty of jobs, it's just the when she shows up most people turn her away because she looks funny covered in fur.
Image:
AC: 15 Fort 12, Ref 16, Will 17
Passive Insight: 19 Passive Perception: 16
I want to put up an application and I have a partial background written.
Basically I have a journalist. He is the son of a local (unsuccessful) play wright. He has made a name for himself among the readers of a relatively unknown newspaper. He writes with a flair, taking artistic liberties. He even (in secret) has helped escalate or spark several of the incidences he then wrote about, when stories were slim. He is particularly intrigued by the new series of murders and will do anything, even murder, to get the story. He is very ambitious, intelligent and charismatic.
I am wondering what class would best fit with this kind of job and personality. I want my characters class to be something that he picked up or developed to further his goals rather than it define him as a person.
Could be something he learned from his father - kept practicing the arcane as a means to defend himself while searching for a story, and the powers flavored around a sharp wit would fit exactly.
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Edit: I like bard, but when I think of them it's more vocal, rather than written. However with a smidge of reflavoring they would be prefect.
AC: 15 Fort 12, Ref 16, Will 17
Passive Insight: 19 Passive Perception: 16
Rookie, don't talk to me about "standard procedure" or any of that bullcrap. This is Sharn. You want something done, you need to do it yourself, without waiting for "permission."
Adrik sighed and rubbed his temples, his fire-red hair and beard just starting to show hints of gray; he'd always know this job would age him before his time. He stared at the reports in front of him, knowing that he'd have to read them eventually but dreading all the bureaucracy that came with being a Watch Officer in Sharn (or in any major city, for that matter). Some days it felt like he couldn't get anything done in official channels, because by the time he had all the paperwork processed the bad guys were already halfway across town and the trail was cold.
Things hadn't been like that in the Militia. Things had been simple then:
See those guys? They want to kill you. So go kill them. And try not to die.
Adrik allowed himself a grim smile at the idea that near-daily life or death combat was somehow "simpler," but it didn't touch his eyes. He turned back to the reports, willing himself to read them, and had just started to make some progress when he was interrupted.
"LT? Some guy looking for you downstairs. Bloke with a dark coat and hat who won't tell me his name."
Ah, thought Adrik. That'll be Hartigan. Wonder what he wants now? He almost chuckled in spite of himself; he and Hartigan liked to pretend that they couldn't stand each other, but in reality, they kept each other sane most of the time. They had joined the force at around the same time, although they worked in different departments, and now they had a mutually beneficial relationship; Adrik lent him muscle in a fight, and Hartigan allowed him to feel like he was actually making a difference in this hell-hole of a city.
He walked into the common room of the large Watch House. "What is it now, you dirty vulture?" he asked with a grin on his face, slapping Hartigan on the side of the arm. The Drow almost smiled. "Body found in an alley near here. Has all the markings of a hit by Torgus and his crew. I want to check it out." Adrik nodded, shrugging his shield over his shoulder and hanging his hammer from his belt; he hopefully wouldn't need them, but you never knew.
They arrived at the alley, and instantly, something wasn't right; for starters, there was no body.
And there were quite a few orcs who looked in the mood for a fight.
In a flash, Adrik's clothes reverted to a suit of heavy scale armor and he drew his shield and hammer; Hartigan drew his rapier, and a couple minutes later, there were quite a few bodies in the alley (although none, regrettably, were the murder victim they had hoped to find). Adrik sighed and wiped some of the blood off his face. "I hate this city. I really do."
Hartigan grinned humorlessly at him. "Cheer up. Chasing them down for the evidence is always the fun part."
Adrik couldn't argue with that.
Background:
Adrik grew up in a village near Sharn; his parents were both merchants. He wanted to see the world (and make some money for his folks while doing so), so when he turned 18 he joined the Sharn militia, and ended up spending the next 7 years of his life not traveling the world, but fighting for his life against demons, aberrations, and all sorts of nasty things. Once his term was up he left the service, and found that he was poorer than he had been going in; since his only skills were talking to people and fighting, a career in the Watch seemed perfectly logical, so he joined up. He and Hartigan joined the Watch at the same time, and the two were instantly friends. Detectives normally never work with grunt lieutenants like Adrik, but the two are a great deal of help to each other; Hartigan helps enormously with Adrik's investigations by streamlining the process with his status as a detective, and Adrik helps bring muscle when Hartigan needs it (which, in Sharn, is almost constantly).
Mickey Swift, halfling performer. conman, and all around swindler (psion)
http://4e.orokos.com/sheets/2348
Background:
Let's go easy money! That guy thinks I am full of crap, that guy thinks he's got me beat, that guy...is part of the city guard I guess it's time for my monthly pay off.
"Is this your card my good gentleman? No? Ah well double or nothing? How about this one? No? Alright sir you win again! Now I beg, please, leave before I owe you my home! Next! Next! Step right up..."
Razzin' Frazzin guard. Ah well, least this way I don't have to worry about gettin' grief for my particular skill set...uh oh, here comes trouble.
"Howdy detective, what can I do for you?"
"You can pack up your stuff and come with me for starters..."
"I'll tell you what...If you can stump me then I'll help you with whatever you want!"
Personality:
Token:
Perhaps why I passed over Bard initially. I think though that if I reflavour with a focus on writing over preforming (which he can do since he has theatre background) it will work well.
AC: 15 Fort 12, Ref 16, Will 17
Passive Insight: 19 Passive Perception: 16
AC: 15 Fort 12, Ref 16, Will 17
Passive Insight: 19 Passive Perception: 16
The Long Way Down: Clank, Warforged Fighter*Evil grin.*
This is also REALLY FUN because you get to go crazy and think up wild ways to represent the powers.
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Background
When he first arrived in Sharn, he brought with him a rather colorful songbird and a rather angry primate, which he promptly sold to curious (and prosperous) merchants with money to burn for their personal menageries. He turned his profits from these sales into yet more exotic creatures, and his business grew from there. From his small, cluttered office in the Middle City, Eco ventured out across the continent, seeking all manner of running, crawling, flying, and slithering creatures for discerning collectors and arena procurers. Those in the know universally claimed that, if you name it, Eco the Game Agent could find it.
Within the last 2 years, however, this maxim has been put to the test much closer to home. One fall night, after a particularly unsuccessful night at the tables in the Broken Rose, Eco was approached by young Eladrin woman, desperately seeking her little sister. She was supposed to have journeyed straight to Sharn from the family's country estate, but she'd never arrived; Eco could find anything, wouldn't he please look for the girl? The woman's distress was written all over her stunning features, and Eco, never able to turn down a woman in distress, decided to turn his skill at tracking towards sentient quarry. The night's gambling debts may have also provided a shove in the right direction.
When he succeeded, after a chase that crossed and recrossed the continent, at locating the lost Eladrin lass, word of Eco's skills quickly spread amongst the monied classes of Sharn. More and more of his game agent duties began to fall by the wayside, or were given to eager, if slightly inept, apprentices, as Eco was called on by a string of rich merchants and highborn, each with a case he simply had to take. Increasingly, these cases have begun to involve matters that Eco's clients would rather not have the City's authorities involved in. Whether its the rewards his clients are able to offer ( for his skills and discretion), the hair-raising stories the cases leave him with, or the people he meets along the way, Eco is pleased, if a bit haggered, by his change in profession. While he might gripe about work, at heart, he's always eager to see where each case might take him.
I think of Eco as being something between Bogart in The Big Sleep and William Powell in first Thin Man movie. His ranger skills are something he picked up by necessity in his days as a game agent, both in taking down his quarry and defending himself against the various hazards the wilderness can offer. I took Thievery as one of his trained skills, to reflect the knowledge he has picked up over the course of his time in Sharn as an investigator; if this is too much of a stretch, I'll switch it for something else. As with Clank, not exactly sure where the gold ought go, so suggestions are appreciated.
Also, I'm pitching Eco as the Detective. That being said, if thats not possible I'd totally be willing to rework him as a tracking specialist employed by the character that does fill the role. Between my two submissions, I'm cool with either of them; this is shaping up to be too sweet to miss.
The Long Way Down: Clank, Warforged FighterNormal = Warforged, Italics = Mercenary, Bold Italics = Detective, probably
Just wait till you see this...
Is it effective?
You ever see a half ton of raging Warforged charge at you? No? Well I haven't either, I just handle the contracts you know, but I've seen the reports. Entire squads fled during this unit's rampages.
Well that certainly sounds impressive... where is it?
Right here. Unit Fecar, please recite primary information
Acknowledged. Unit Fecar, serial number 271828, currently decommissioned from military service. Fought in the war in the following batt...
We don't need the full list, please continue and skip recent assignments as well
Acknowledged. Decommissioned after the war. Purchased by and currently in service to the Talon Company, a mercenary band.
What is your primary function?
This unit is a shock soldier. Goal is maximum damage against single or multiple targets within a minimum amount of time.
Do you consider yourself sentient?
This unit is unfamiliar with the word "sentient," please clarify.
Are you alive?
This unit is currently activated and functioning at 97% of nominal efficiency.
Can you think?
This unit is capable of autonomous combat and target selection including short term operational decisions. Longer term autonomy is possible but normally disabled.
Have you ever considered anything more than this?
Negative. This unit is currently owned by Talon Company and am bound to obey their orders, or the orders from my currently assigned commander until my destruction.
Is it loyal?
Completely. It will unquestioningly obey orders from it's owner and assigned controller
Does it require maintenance?
A very small amount. It is capable of complete self-repair and even self-upgrades, given enough time.
...
Well, are you interested?
I'll get back to you
TL;DR
I may do a wizard tomorrow
Actually at one point I considered a sort of reporter/criminal cross that would be an assassin or rogue. Where he goes around committing crimes then is always conveniently first on the scene to cover it and get reactions.
AC: 15 Fort 12, Ref 16, Will 17
Passive Insight: 19 Passive Perception: 16
BOYCE: Just one thing, I'm at my cousins house till thursday so I can max post my character at level 3 till I get home.
Decisions like these suck. If an 8-person party were anything less than absurd, we'd have one.
How does 5 members feel to everyone? Would 6 be preferable? I can scale the encounters for larger groups. I almost feel like it should be detective + 5 rather than detective + 4. I don't know. Maybe I'm chickening out because I don't like turning down ideas at this stage. :?
AC: 15 Fort 12, Ref 16, Will 17
Passive Insight: 19 Passive Perception: 16
The hard part, of course, is making sure everyone stays active.
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AC: 15 Fort 12, Ref 16, Will 17
Passive Insight: 19 Passive Perception: 16
I converted it to a Orokos sheet
Background:
In order to get his stories he has made connections with members of the police, he has also connected with several private investigators and detectives. One detective in particular he liked to keep track of because he was often involved in finding people and escorting famous persons. Good filler stuff. He did wish he was involved is some more dramatic crimes. He hoped that the detective would move up to do some more high profile cases and that by befriending him now he would have access to the crime scenes.
Personality:
Andrew is very motivated. He zealously searches for stories to report, hunting down the truth whatever form it may be, and if it isn't interesting enough he will substitute his own truth. He can talk his way out of any situation and knows it. He is hard to pin down in conversation as well as battle. He loves to talk almost as much as he loves to write. Wherever he goes he carries a notepad and his magic pen. He is publicly a pacifist and against violence, but he will not shrink back from using intimidation or even inflicting pain to get information. He is in reality quite ruthless and driven although he will often act friendly and laid back to get people to like him and to get them to drop their guard.
Appearance:
I had a hard time finding something that I liked, I know the following is an elf, but if you imagine him as a human and replace the bow and arrow with a longsword you have what I want my character to be. I'll try and use photoshop when I get home but i dont have it here.
AC: 15 Fort 12, Ref 16, Will 17
Passive Insight: 19 Passive Perception: 16
I also have some 500 gold unspent which will be mainly adventuring gear, paper, and other odds and ends, possible a crappy shield
But I don't understand why a reporter would carry a shield, I'm sticking with chainmail cause its something he could hide under his clothing just in case.
Maybe gloves of some sort. I was more interested in getting the character idea posted, cause I'd be really excited to play him. I'm still toying with the idea of same character but different class completely, like Ranger or Rogue
Assuming that's not an error and your AC really is 13, you are going to get ripped to shreds
You could maybe take a small shield and reflavor it as a buckler?
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EDIT: i forgot to equip the armor lol, I have AC 19 now
AC: 15 Fort 12, Ref 16, Will 17
Passive Insight: 19 Passive Perception: 16
AC: 15 Fort 12, Ref 16, Will 17
Passive Insight: 19 Passive Perception: 16
Good night
The Long Way Down: Clank, Warforged Fighter